10-Q 1 e14304.htm Unassociated Document

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended    June 30, 2011

[   ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _________________ to _________________

Commission File No. 1-11166

 
AXA Financial, Inc.
 
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 


 
Delaware
 
13-3623351
 
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
 
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)


1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York
 
10104
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)


 
(212) 554-1234
 
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 

 
Not applicable
 
 
(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year if changed since last report.)
 

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.
 
Yes
x
 
No
o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, 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).
 
 
Yes
o  
No
o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
o
   
Accelerated filer      o
 
Non-accelerated filer
x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company     o
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes
o
 
No
x

As of August 11, 2011, 436,192,949 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock were outstanding.

 
 

 

AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS


   
Page

PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 

Item 1.
Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
 
·    Consolidated Balance Sheets, June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
4
 
·    Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss), Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 and 2010
6
 
·    Consolidated Statements of Equity, Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 and 2010
7
 
·    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 and 2010
8
 
·    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                                                                                        
10
     
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
51
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk                                                                                                                
90
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures                                                                                                                
90
     
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings                                                                                                                
91
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors                                                                                                                
91
     
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds                                                                                                                
91
     
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities                                                                                                                
91
     
Item 4.
(Removed and Reserved)                                                                                                                
91
     
Item 5.
Other Information                                                                                                                
91
     
Item 6.
Exhibits                                                                                                                
91
 
SIGNATURES
92
     



 
2

 


 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 

Certain of the statements included or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including but not limited to those in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Words such as “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “includes,” “plans,” “assumes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “should,” “will,” “shall” or variations of such words are generally part of forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon AXA Financial and its subsidiaries.  There can be no assurance that future developments affecting AXA Financial and its subsidiaries will be those anticipated by management.  These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and there are certain important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from expectations or estimates reflected in such forward-looking statements, including, among others: (i) disruption in the financial markets and general economic conditions, particularly in light of the recent financial crisis; (ii) equity market declines and volatility causing, among other things, a reduction in the demand for our subsidiaries products, a reduction in the revenue derived by our subsidiaries from asset-based fees, a reduction in the value of securities held for investment, including the investment in AllianceBernstein, an acceleration in DAC and VOBA amortization and an increase in the liabilities related to annuity contracts offering enhanced guarantee features, which may lead to changes in the fair value of our GMIB reinsurance contracts, causing our earnings to be volatile; (iii) changes in interest rates causing, among other things, a reduction in our portfolio earnings, a reduction in the margins on interest sensitive annuity and life insurance contracts and an increase in the reserve requirements for such products, and a reduction in the demand for the types of products offered by our subsidiaries; (iv) ineffectiveness of our reinsurance and hedging programs to protect against the full extent of the exposure or loss we seek to mitigate; (v) changes to statutory reserves and/or risk based capital requirements; (vi) AXA Financial’s reliance on dividends and distributions from its subsidiaries and borrowings from third parties and AXA for most of its liquidity and capital needs; (vii) the applicable regulatory restrictions on the ability of its subsidiaries to pay such dividends or distributions; (viii) liquidity of certain investments; (ix) investment losses and defaults, and changes to investment valuations; (x) changes in assumptions related to deferred policy acquisition costs, valuation of business acquired or goodwill; (xi) differences between actual experience regarding mortality, morbidity, persistency, surrender experience, interest rates or market returns and the assumptions used in pricing products, establishing liabilities and reserves or for other purposes; (xii) counterparty non-performance; (xiii) changes in our insurance companies’ claims-paying or credit ratings; (xiv) adverse determinations in litigation or regulatory matters; (xv) regulatory or legislative changes, including government actions in response to the stress experienced by the global financial markets; (xvi) changes in tax law; (xvii) heightened competition, including with respect to pricing, entry of new competitors, consolidation of distributors, the development of new products by new and existing competitors and for personnel; (xviii) changes in statutory reserve requirements; (xix) changes in accounting standards, practices and/or policies; (xx) the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due to terrorism, other hostilities, pandemics, or natural or man-made catastrophes; (xxi) ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures in identifying, monitoring and managing risks; (xxii) the perception of our brand and reputation in the marketplace; (xxiii) the impact on our subsidiaries’ businesses resulting from changes in the demographics of their client base, as baby-boomers move from the asset-accumulation to the asset-distribution stage of life; (xxiv) the impact of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product withdrawals and other unusual items, including our ability to integrate acquisitions and to obtain the anticipated results and synergies from acquisitions; (xxv) significant changes in securities market valuations affecting fee income, poor investment performance resulting in a loss of clients or other factors affecting the performance of AllianceBernstein; and (xxvi) other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in AXA Financial’s filings with the SEC.
 
AXA Financial does not intend, and is under no obligation, to update any particular forward-looking statement included in this document.  See “Risk Factors” included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and elsewhere in this report for discussion of certain risks relating to its businesses.

 
3

 

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1: Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 
AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
ASSETS
 
(In Millions)
 
Investments:
 
 
   
 
 
Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value
  $ 43,131     $ 41,798  
Mortgage loans on real estate
    5,289       4,826  
Equity real estate, held for the production of income
    493       540  
Policy loans
    4,906       4,930  
Other equity investments
    1,957       1,727  
Trading securities
    3,051       2,990  
Other invested assets
    1,984       1,863  
Total investments
    60,811       58,674  
Cash and cash equivalents
    4,246       4,436  
Cash and securities segregated, at fair value
    1,015       1,110  
Broker-dealer related receivables
    1,415       1,389  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    8,583       8,682  
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
    5,273       5,282  
Value of business acquired
    368       384  
Amounts due from reinsurers
    4,219       4,293  
Loans to affiliates
    1,278       1,280  
Other assets
    4,103       4,262  
Separate Accounts’ assets
    97,007       94,125  
 
               
Total Assets
  $ 188,318     $ 183,917  
 
               
LIABILITIES
               
Policyholders’ account balances
  $ 28,307     $ 27,900  
Future policy benefits and other policyholders liabilities
    27,639       27,559  
Broker-dealer related payables
    3,120       2,962  
Customers related payables
    1,420       1,770  
Short-term and long-term debt
    1,476       1,454  
Loans from affiliates
    5,168       5,376  
Income taxes payable
    1,987       1,687  
Other liabilities
    6,949       6,291  
Separate Accounts’ liabilities
    97,007       94,125  
Total liabilities
    173,073       169,124  
 
               
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 10)
               
 
               

 
4

 


AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - CONTINUED
 
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
EQUITY
(In Millions)
 
AXA Financial, Inc. equity:
 
 
   
 
 
Common stock, $.01 par value, 2,000 million shares authorized,
 
 
   
 
 
436.2 million shares issued and outstanding
  $ 4     $ 4  
Capital in excess of par value
    706       685  
Retained earnings
    11,823       11,456  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (604 )     (764 )
Treasury shares, at cost
    (17 )     (23 )
Total AXA Financial, Inc. equity
    11,912       11,358  
Noncontrolling interest
    3,333       3,435  
Total equity
    15,245       14,793  
Total Liabilities and Equity
  $ 188,318     $ 183,917  
 
               
 
               
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
               

 
5

 

AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (LOSS)
 
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
REVENUES
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Universal life and investment-type product policy fee income
  $ 862     $ 813     $ 1,809     $ 1,588  
Premiums
    378       383       771       773  
Net investment income (loss):
                               
Investment income (loss) from derivative instruments
    560       3,141       (315 )     2,804  
Other investment income (loss)
    849       816       1,648       1,600  
Total net investment income (loss)
    1,409       3,957       1,333       4,404  
Investment gains (losses), net:
                               
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
    (25 )     (52 )     (25 )     (96 )
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
    1       3       1       6  
Net impairment losses recognized
    (24 )     (49 )     (24 )     (90 )
Other investment gains (losses), net
    (4 )     3       (5 )     27  
Total investment gains (losses), net
    (28 )     (46 )     (29 )     (63 )
Commissions, fees and other income
    1,023       926       2,069       1,894  
Increase (decrease) in fair value of reinsurance contracts
    134       622       (67 )     586  
Total revenues
    3,778       6,655       5,886       9,182  
 
                               
BENEFITS AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS
                               
Policyholders' benefits
    947       1,499       1,734       2,401  
Interest credited to policyholders' account balances
    278       247       549       512  
Compensation and benefits
    604       559       1,208       1,177  
Commissions
    274       238       528       459  
Distribution related payments
    78       71       153       138  
Amortization of deferred sales commissions
    10       12       20       24  
Interest expense
    84       93       168       188  
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
                               
and value of business acquired
    287       1,170       559       1,103  
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    (256 )     (236 )     (486 )     (455 )
Rent expense
    69       65       139       137  
Amortization of other intangible assets
    10       10       20       20  
Other operating costs and expenses
    343       288       659       570  
Total benefits and other deductions
    2,728       4,016       5,251       6,274  
 
                               
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations, before income taxes
    1,050       2,639       635       2,908  
Income tax (expense) benefit
    (329 )     (890 )     (159 )     (812 )
 
                               
Net earnings (loss)
    721       1,749       476       2,096  
Less: net (earnings) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
    (49 )     (43 )     (109 )     (103 )
 
                               
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to AXA Financial, Inc.
  $ 672     $ 1,706     $ 367     $ 1,993  
 
                               
 
                               
 
                               
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

 
6

 

AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2011 AND 2010
 
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
EQUITY
 
 
   
 
 
AXA Financial, Inc. Equity:
 
 
   
 
 
Common stock, at par value, beginning of year and end of period
  $ 4     $ 4  
 
               
Capital in excess of par value, beginning of year
    685       649  
Changes in capital in excess of par value
    21       20  
Capital in excess of par value, end of period
    706       669  
 
               
Retained earnings, beginning of year
    11,456       11,401  
Net earnings (loss)
    367       1,993  
Retained earnings, end of period
    11,823       13,394  
 
               
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning of year
    (764 )     (1,347 )
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    160       575  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), end of period
    (604 )     (772 )
 
               
Treasury shares at cost, beginning of year
    (23 )     (34 )
Changes in treasury shares
    6       10  
Treasury shares at cost, end of period
    (17 )     (24 )
 
               
Total AXA Financial, Inc. equity, end of period
    11,912       13,271  
 
               
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year
    3,435       3,568  
Purchase of AllianceBernstein Units by noncontrolling interest
    1       4  
Repurchase of AllianceBernstein Holding units
    (56 )     (48 )
Purchase of noncontrolling interest in consolidated entity
    (32 )     (2 )
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
    109       103  
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
    (155 )     (191 )
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
    10       (42 )
Other changes in noncontrolling interest
    21       39  
 
               
Noncontrolling interest, end of period
    3,333       3,431  
 
               
Total Equity, End of Period
  $ 15,245     $ 16,702  
 
               
 
               
 
               
 
               
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

 
7

 

AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2011 AND 2010
 
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Net earnings (loss)
  $ 476     $ 2,096  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided
               
by (used in) operating activities:
               
Interest credited to policyholders' account balances
    549       512  
Universal life and investment-type product policy fee income
    (1,809 )     (1,588 )
Net change in broker-dealer and customer related receivables/payables
    (360 )     (29 )
(Income) loss related to derivative instruments
    230       (2,413 )
Investment (gains) losses, net
    29       63  
Change in segregated cash and securities, net
    95       40  
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired
    73       648  
Change in future policy benefits
    117       777  
Change in income taxes payable
    189       856  
Contribution to Pension Plans
    (293 )     (193 )
Change in fair value of reinsurance contracts
    67       (586 )
Amortization of deferred compensation
    114       83  
Amortization of deferred sales commission
    20       24  
Other depreciation and amortization
    99       119  
Amortization of other intangible assets
    20       20  
Other, net
    162       (105 )
 
               
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (222 )     324  
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Maturities and repayments of fixed maturities and
               
mortgage loans on real estate
    2,472       1,350  
Sales of investments
    10,043       12,612  
Purchases of investments
    (14,000 )     (14,654 )
Cash settlements related to derivative instruments
    (568 )     1,005  
Decrease in loans to affiliates
    -       500  
Increase in loans to affiliates
    -       (6 )
Change in short-term investments
    12       24  
Change in capitalized software, leasehold improvements and EDP equipment
    (44 )     (26 )
Other, net
    165       66  
 
               
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (1,920 )     871  

 
8

 


AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2011 AND 2010 - CONTINUED
 
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
   
 
 
Policyholders' account balances:
 
 
   
 
 
Deposits
  $ 1,811     $ 1,711  
Withdrawals and transfers to Separate Accounts
    (239 )     (403 )
Change in short-term financings
    144       240  
Repayments of long-term debt
    -       (300 )
Repayment of loans from affiliates
    (301 )     -  
Change in securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    67       416  
Change in securities sold under resale agreements
    (105 )     -  
Change in collateralized pledged assets
    205       894  
Change in collateralized pledged liabilities
    663       364  
Repurchase of AllianceBernstein Holding Units
    (101 )     (86 )
Distribution to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries
    (155 )     (191 )
Other, net
    (37 )     65  
 
               
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    1,952       2,710  
 
               
Change in cash and cash equivalents
    (190 )     3,905  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    4,436       3,039  
 
               
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period
  $ 4,246     $ 6,944  
 
               
Supplemental cash flow information
               
Interest Paid
  $ 96     $ 113  
Income Taxes (Refunded) Paid
  $ (69 )   $ (226 )
 
               
 
               
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
               

 
9

 

AXA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


1)  
ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The preparation of the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions (including normal, recurring accruals) that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.  The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary in the opinion of management for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position of AXA Financial Group and its consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.  All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.  Certain reclassifications have been made in the amounts presented for prior periods to conform those periods to the current presentation.  These statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of AXA Financial Group for the year ended December 31, 2010.  The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

AllianceBernstein engages in open-market purchases of Holding units to help fund anticipated obligations under its incentive compensation award program and purchases of Holding units from employees to allow them to fulfill statutory tax withholding requirements at the time of distribution of long-term incentive compensation awards. During the second quarter and first six months of 2011, AllianceBernstein purchased 2.5 million and 4.7 million Holding units for $51 million and $101 million, respectively. These amounts reflect open-market purchases of 2.5 million and 4.6 million Holding units for $51 million and $99 million, respectively, with the remainder relating to employee tax withholding purchases, offset by Holding units purchased by employees as part of a dividend reinvestment election. AllianceBernstein intends to continue to engage in open-market purchases of Holding units, from time to time, to help fund anticipated obligations under its incentive compensation award program.

AllianceBernstein granted approximately 1.6 million and 1.7 million restricted Holding unit awards to employees during the second quarter and first six months of 2011, respectively, for retention and recruitment purposes.  To fund these awards, AB Holding allocated previously repurchased Holding units that had been held in the consolidated rabbi trust.  There were approximately 4.0 million unallocated Holding units remaining in the consolidated rabbi trust as of June 30, 2011. The purchase and issuance of Holding units resulted in an increase of $25 million in Capital excess of par value with a corresponding $25 million decrease in Noncontrolling interest.

At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, AXA Financial Group’s economic interest in AllianceBernstein was 45.0% and 44.3%, respectively.  At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, AXA and its subsidiaries’ economic interest in AllianceBernstein (including AXA Financial Group) was approximately 62.5% and 61.4%.

In second quarter 2011, AllianceBernstein acquired Pyrander Capital Management LLC, an investment management company.  The purchase price of this acquisition was $10 million, consisting of $6 million of cash payments and $4 million payable over the next two years.

In the first quarter of 2011, AXA sold its 50% interest in AllianceBernstein’s consolidated Australian joint venture to an unaffiliated third party as part of a larger transaction.  On March 31, 2011, AllianceBernstein purchased that 50% interest from the unaffiliated third party, making this Australian entity a wholly-owned subsidiary.  AllianceBernstein purchased the remaining 50% interest for $21 million.  As a result, AXA Financial Group’s Noncontrolling interest decreased $26 million and AXA Financial, Inc.’s equity increased $5 million.

The terms “second quarter 2011” and “second quarter 2010” refer to the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The terms “first six months of 2011” and “first six months of 2010” refer to the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.


2)  
ACCOUNTING CHANGES AND NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Accounting Changes

In January 2010, the FASB issued new guidance for improving disclosures about fair value measurements.  This guidance requires a reporting entity to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and to describe the reasons for the transfers. In addition, for Level 3 fair value measurements, a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements.  This guidance was effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2009 except for disclosures for Level 3 fair value measurements which was effective for the first quarter of 2011.  These new disclosures have been included in the Notes to AXA Financial Group’s consolidated financial statements, as appropriate.
 

 
 
10

 
 
In 2010, the FASB issued new guidance on stock compensation. This guidance provides clarification that an employee share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which a substantial portion of the entity’s equity securities trades and that may be different from the functional currency of the issuer, the functional currency of the subsidiary-employer, or the payroll currency of the employee-recipient, should be considered an equity award assuming all other criteria for equity classification are met.  This guidance was effective for the first quarter of 2011.  Implementation of this guidance did not have a material impact on AXA Financial Group’s consolidated financial statements as it is consistent with the policies and practices currently applied by AXA Financial Group in accounting for share-based-payment awards.
 

New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the FASB issued new guidance to amend the existing alternatives for presenting other comprehensive income and its components in financial statements. The amendments eliminate the current option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity.  An entity can elect to present items of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive statements.  This guidance will not change the items that constitute net income and other comprehensive income, when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income.  This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  Management does not expect that implementation of this guidance will have a material impact on AXA Financial Group’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB amended its guidance on fair value measurements and disclosure requirements to enhance comparability between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The changes to the existing guidance include how and when the valuation premise of highest and best use applies, the application of premiums and discounts, as well as new required disclosures.  This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption prohibited.  Management does not expect that implementation of this guidance will have a material impact on AXA Financial Group’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2011, the FASB amended its guidance on accounting for repurchase agreements (“repos”) and other agreements that both entitle and obligate the transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity.  The guidance amends the criteria that indicate the transferor has maintained control over the financial assets, and thus must account for the transaction as a secured borrowing, by eliminating the criterion pertaining to the maintenance of collateral sufficient to reasonably assure completion of the transaction even in the event of default by the transferee. This guidance is effective on a prospective basis for repos and modifications of existing repos that occur in interim or annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011, with early adoption prohibited.  Management does not expect that implementation of this guidance will change AXA Financial Group’s accounting for these repo transactions and, therefore, is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2011, the FASB issued new guidance for a creditor's determination of whether a restructuring is a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”).  The new guidance provides additional guidance to creditors for evaluating whether a modification or restructuring of a receivable is a TDR. The new guidance will require creditors to evaluate modifications and restructurings of receivables using a more principles-based approach, which may result in more modifications and restructurings being considered TDR.  The financial reporting implications of being classified as a TDR are that the creditor is required to:

·    
Consider the receivable impaired when calculating the allowance for credit losses; and

·    
Provide additional disclosures about its troubled debt restructuring activities in accordance with the requirements of recently issued guidance on disclosures about the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses.

The new guidance is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011.  Management does not expect that implementation of this guidance will have a material impact on AXA Financial Group’s consolidated financial statements.

 
 
11

 

3)  
INVESTMENTS

Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities

The following table provides information relating to fixed maturities and equity securities classified as AFS:

Available-for-Sale Securities by Classification
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
       
   
 
   
Gross
   
Gross
   
 
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
OTTI
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
   
in AOCI(3)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
       
   
(In Millions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
       
June 30, 2011:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
       
Fixed Maturities:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
       
Corporate
  $ 28,390     $ 2,083     $ 80     $ 30,393     $ -  
U.S. Treasury, government
                                       
and agency
    5,726       67       112       5,681       -  
States and political subdivisions
    568       20       6       582       -  
Foreign governments
    578       66       -       644       -  
Commercial mortgage-backed
    1,606       22       436       1,192       25  
Residential mortgage-backed(1) 
    2,471       112       1       2,582       -  
Asset-backed(2) 
    595       16       10       601       6  
Redeemable preferred stock
    1,487       30       61       1,456       -  
Total Fixed Maturities
    41,421       2,416       706       43,131       31  
                                         
Equity securities
    25       1       -       26       -  
                                         
Total at June 30, 2011
  $ 41,446     $ 2,417     $ 706     $ 43,157     $ 31  
                                         
December 31, 2010:
                                       
Fixed Maturities:
                                       
Corporate
  $ 27,963     $ 1,903     $ 133     $ 29,733     $ -  
U.S. Treasury, government
                                       
and agency
    5,180       50       110       5,120       -  
States and political subdivisions
    586       11       20       577       -  
Foreign governments
    581       65       2       644       -  
Commercial mortgage-backed
    1,807       5       487       1,325       25  
Residential mortgage-backed(1) 
    2,195       93       1       2,287       -  
Asset-backed(2) 
    476       15       12       479       7  
Redeemable preferred stock
    1,704       24       95       1,633       -  
Total Fixed Maturities
    40,492       2,166       860       41,798       32  
                                         
Equity securities
    30       -       2       28       -  
                                         
Total at December 31, 2010
  $ 40,522     $ 2,166     $ 862     $ 41,826     $ 32  

(1)   
Includes publicly traded agency pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.
(2)   
Includes credit-tranched securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages and other asset types and credit tenant loans.
(3)   
Amounts represent OTTI losses in AOCI, which were not included in earnings (loss) in accordance with current accounting guidance.

At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, AXA Financial had trading fixed maturities with an amortized cost of $165 million and $207 million and carrying values of $166 million and $208 million.  Gross unrealized gains on trading fixed maturities were $1 million and $3 million and gross unrealized losses were $0 million and $2 million at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
 

 
 
12

 
The contractual maturities of AFS fixed maturities (excluding redeemable preferred stock) at June 30, 2011 are shown in the table below.  Bonds not due at a single maturity date have been included in the table in the final year of maturity.  Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities
 
Contractual Maturities at June 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 4,024     $ 4,094  
Due in years two through five
    12,758       13,646  
Due in years six through ten
    13,828       14,697  
Due after ten years
    4,652       4,863  
Subtotal
    35,262       37,300  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
    1,606       1,192  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
    2,471       2,582  
Asset-backed securities
    595       601  
Total
  $ 39,934     $ 41,675  

For the first six months of 2011 and 2010, proceeds received on sales of fixed maturities classified as AFS amounted to $366 million and $958 million, respectively.  Gross gains of $7 million and $31 million and gross losses of $8 million and $30 million were realized on these sales for the first six months of 2011 and of 2010, respectively.  The change in unrealized investment gains (losses) related to fixed maturities classified as AFS for the first six months of 2011 and 2010 amounted to $405 million and $1,294 million, respectively.

AXA Financial recognized OTTI on AFS fixed maturities as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Credit losses recognized in earnings (loss)
  $ (24 )   $ (49 )   $ (24 )   $ (90 )
Non-credit losses recognized in OCI
    (1 )     (3 )     (1 )     (6 )
Total OTTI
  $ (25 )   $ (52 )   $ (25 )   $ (96 )

 
 

 
 
13

 

The following table sets forth the amount of credit loss impairments on fixed maturity securities held by the Insurance Group at the dates indicated and the corresponding changes in such amounts.

Fixed Maturities - Credit Loss Impairments
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balances, beginning of period
  $ (514 )   $ (330 )   $ (553 )   $ (292 )
Previously recognized impairments on securities that matured,
                               
paid, prepaid or sold
    1       92       40       95  
Recognized impairments on securities impaired to fair value this period(1) 
    -       -       -       -  
Impairments recognized this period on securities not previously impaired
    (24 )     (35 )     (24 )     (76 )
Additional impairments this period on securities previously impaired
    -       (14 )     -       (14 )
Increases due to passage of time on previously recorded credit losses
    -       -       -       -  
Accretion of previously recognized impairments due to increases in
                               
    expected cash flows
    -       -       -       -  
Balances at June 30,
  $ (537 )   $ (287 )   $ (537 )   $ (287 )

(1)      
  
Represents circumstances where the Insurance Group determined in the current period that it intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost.

Net unrealized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturities and equity securities classified as AFS are included in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of AOCI.  The table below presents these amounts as of the dates indicated:

 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
AFS Securities:
 
 
   
 
 
Fixed maturities:
 
 
   
 
 
With OTTI loss
  $ (9 )   $ (20 )
All other
    1,719       1,326  
Equity securities
    1       (2 )
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses)
  $ 1,711     $ 1,304  
 
 
 
 

 
 
14

 


Changes in net unrealized investment gains (losses) recognized in AOCI include reclassification adjustments to reflect amounts realized in Net earnings (loss) for the current period that had been part of OCI in earlier periods.  The tables that follow below present a rollforward of net unrealized investment gains (losses) recognized in AOCI, split between amounts related to fixed maturity securities on which an OTTI loss has been recognized, and all other:

Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Fixed Maturities with OTTI Losses
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
AOCI Gain
 
   
Net
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
(Loss) Related
 
   
Unrealized
   
 
   
 
   
Deferred
   
to Net
 
   
Gains
   
 
   
 
   
Income
   
Unrealized
 
   
(Losses) on
   
DAC and
   
Policyholders
   
Tax Asset
   
Investment
 
   
Investments
   
VOBA
   
Liabilities
   
(Liability)
   
Gains (Losses)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance, April 1, 2011 
  $ (8 )   $ 3     $ (6 )   $ 4     $ (7 )
Net investment gains (losses)
                                       
arising during the period
    -       -       -       -       -  
Reclassification adjustment for OTTI losses:
                                       
Included in Net earnings (loss)
    -       -       -       -       -  
Excluded from net earnings (loss)(1) 
    (1 )     -       -       -       (1 )
Impact of net unrealized investment gains
                                       
(losses) on:
                                       
DAC and VOBA
    -       -       -       -       -  
Deferred income taxes
    -       -       -       1       1  
Policyholders liabilities
    -       -       (1 )     -       (1 )
Balance, June 30, 2011
  $ (9 )   $ 3     $ (7 )   $ 5     $ (8 )
                                         
Balance, April 1, 2010 
  $ (15 )   $ -     $ -     $ 5     $ (10 )
Net investment gains (losses)
                                       
arising during the period
    27       -       -       -       27  
Reclassification adjustment for OTTI losses:
                                       
Included in Net earnings (loss)
    (14 )     -       -       -       (14 )
Excluded from Net earnings (loss)(1) 
    (3 )     -       -       -       (3 )
Impact of net unrealized investment gains
                                       
(losses) on:
                                       
DAC and VOBA
    -       -       -       -       -  
Deferred income taxes
    -       -       -       (3 )     (3 )
Policyholders liabilities
    -       -       (1 )     -       (1 )
Balance, June 30, 2010
  $ (5 )   $ -     $ (1 )   $ 2     $ (4 )

 
(1) 
Represents “transfers in” related to the portion of OTTI losses recognized during the period that were not recognized in earnings (loss) for securities with no prior OTTI loss.

 
15

 


   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
AOCI Gain
 
   
Net
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
(Loss) Related
 
   
Unrealized
   
 
   
 
   
Deferred
   
to Net
 
   
Gains
   
 
   
 
   
Income
   
Unrealized
 
   
(Losses) on
   
DAC and
   
Policyholders
   
Tax Asset
   
Investment
 
   
Investments
   
VOBA
   
Liabilities
   
(Liability)
   
Gains (Losses)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance, January 1, 2011 
  $ (20 )   $ 3     $ (2 )   $ 7     $ (12 )
Net investment gains (losses)
                                       
arising during the period
    12       -       -       -       12  
Reclassification adjustment for OTTI losses:
                                       
Included in Net earnings (loss)
    -       -       -       -       -  
Excluded from net earnings (loss)(1) 
    (1 )     -       -       -       (1 )
Impact of net unrealized investment gains
                                       
(losses) on:
                                       
DAC and VOBA
    -       -       -       -       -  
Deferred income taxes
    -       -       -       (2 )     (2 )
Policyholders liabilities
    -       -       (5 )     -       (5 )
Balance, June 30, 2011
  $ (9 )   $ 3     $ (7 )   $ 5     $ (8 )
                                         
Balance, January 1, 2010 
  $ (13 )   $ 6     $ (1 )   $ 3     $ (5 )
Net investment gains (losses)
                                       
arising during the period
    28       -       -       -       28  
Reclassification adjustment for OTTI losses:
                                       
Included in Net earnings (loss)
    (14 )     -       -       -       (14 )
Excluded from Net earnings (loss)(1) 
    (6 )     -       -       -       (6 )
Impact of net unrealized investment gains
                                       
(losses) on:
                                       
DAC and VOBA
    -       (6 )     -       -       (6 )
Deferred income taxes
    -       -       -       (1 )     (1 )
Policyholders liabilities
    -       -       -       -       -  
Balance, June 30, 2010
  $ (5 )   $ -     $ (1 )   $ 2     $ (4 )

 
(1)
Represents “transfers in” related to the portion of OTTI losses recognized during the period that were not recognized in earnings (loss) for securities with no prior OTTI loss.

 
16

 


All Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) in AOCI
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
AOCI Gain
 
   
Net
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
(Loss) Related
 
   
Unrealized
   
 
   
 
   
Deferred
   
to Net
 
   
Gains
   
 
   
 
   
Income
   
Unrealized
 
   
(Losses) on
   
DAC and
   
Policyholders
   
Tax Asset
   
Investment
 
   
Investments
   
VOBA
   
Liabilities
   
(Liability)
   
Gains (Losses)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance, April 1, 2011 
  $ 1,318       (159 )   $ (301 )   $ (301 )   $ 557  
Net investment gains (losses) arising
                                       
during the period
    382       -       -       -       382  
Reclassification adjustment for OTTI losses:
                                       
Included in Net earnings (loss)
    19       -       -       -       19  
Excluded from Net earnings (loss)(1) 
    1       -       -       -       1  
Impact of net unrealized investment gains
                                       
(losses) on:
                                       
DAC and VOBA
    -       (36 )     -       -       (36 )
Deferred income taxes
    -       -       -       (98 )     (98 )
Policyholders liabilities
    -       -       (87 )     -       (87 )
Balance, June 30, 2011 
  $ 1,720     $ (195 )   $ (388 )   $ (399 )   $ 738  
                                         
Balance, April 1, 2010 
  $ 382     $ (77 )   $ (161 )   $ (50 )   $ 94  
Net investment gains (losses) arising
                                       
during the period
    795       -       -       -       795  
Reclassification adjustment for OTTI losses:
                                       
Included in Net earnings (loss)
    33       -       -       -       33  
Excluded from Net earnings (loss)(1) 
    3       -       -       -       3  
Impact of net unrealized investment gains
                                       
(losses) on:
                                       
DAC and VOBA
    -       (19 )     -       -       (19 )
Deferred income taxes
    -       -       -       (217 )     (217 )
Policyholders liabilities
    -       -       (200 )     -       (200 )
Balance, June 30, 2010 
  $ 1,213     $ (96 )   $ (361 )   $ (267 )   $ 489  

 
(1)
Represents “transfers out” related to the portion of OTTI losses during the period that were not recognized in earnings (loss) for securities with no prior OTTI loss.

 
17

 


   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
AOCI Gain
 
   
Net
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
(Loss) Related
 
   
Unrealized
   
 
   
 
   
Deferred
   
to Net
 
   
Gains
   
 
   
 
   
Income
   
Unrealized
 
   
(Losses) on
   
DAC and
   
Policyholders
   
Tax Asset
   
Investment
 
   
Investments
   
VOBA
   
Liabilities
   
(Liability)
   
Gains (Losses)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance, January 1, 2011 
  $ 1,324     $ (154 )   $ (311 )   $ (303 )   $ 556  
Net investment gains (losses) arising
                                       
  during the period
    380       -       -       -       380  
Reclassification adjustment for OTTI losses:
                                       
Included in Net earnings (loss)
    15       -       -       -       15  
Excluded from Net earnings (loss)(1) 
    1       -       -       -       1  
Impact of net unrealized investment gains
                                       
(losses) on:
                                       
DAC and VOBA
    -       (41 )     -       -       (41 )
Deferred income taxes
    -       -       -       (96 )     (96 )
Policyholders liabilities
    -       -       (77 )     -       (77 )
Balance, June 30, 2011 
  $ 1,720     $ (195 )   $ (388 )   $ (399 )   $ 738  
                                         
Balance, January 1, 2010 
  $ (61 )   $ (31 )   $ (68 )   $ 40     $ (120 )
Net investment gains (losses) arising
                                       
  during the period
    1,223       -       -       -       1,223  
Reclassification adjustment for OTTI losses:
                                       
Included in Net earnings (loss)
    45       -       -       -       45  
Excluded from Net earnings (loss)(1) 
    6       -       -       -       6  
Impact of net unrealized investment gains
                                       
  (losses) on:
                                       
DAC and VOBA
    -       (65 )     -       -       (65 )
Deferred income taxes
    -       -       -       (307 )     (307 )
Policyholders liabilities
    -       -       (293 )     -       (293 )
Balance, June 30, 2010 
  $ 1,213     $ (96 )   $ (361 )   $ (267 )   $ 489  

 
(1)
Represents “transfers out” related to the portion of OTTI losses during the period that were not recognized in earnings (loss) for securities with no prior OTTI loss.

 
18

 


The following tables disclose the fair values and gross unrealized losses of the 551 issues at June 30, 2011 and the 649 issues at December 31, 2010 of fixed maturities that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for the specified periods at the dates indicated:

 
 
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or Longer
   
Total
 
 
 
 
   
Gross
   
 
   
Gross
   
 
   
Gross
 
 
 
 
   
Unrealized
   
 
   
Unrealized
   
 
   
Unrealized
 
 
 
Fair Value
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
June 30, 2011:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Fixed Maturities:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Corporate
  $ 2,508     $ (49 )   $ 322     $ (31 )   $ 2,830     $ (80 )
U.S. Treasury, government
                                               
and agency
    768       (52 )     200       (60 )     968       (112 )
States and political subdivisions
    121       (2 )     41       (4 )     162       (6 )
Foreign governments
    30       -       5       -       35       -  
Commercial mortgage-backed
    49       (8 )     994       (428 )     1,043       (436 )
Residential mortgage-backed
    293       (1 )     1       -       294       (1 )
Asset-backed
    23       -       63       (10 )     86       (10 )
Redeemable preferred stock
    510       (11 )     488       (50 )     998       (61 )
 
                                               
Total
  $ 4,302     $ (123 )   $ 2,114     $ (583 )   $ 6,416     $ (706 )
 
                                               
December 31, 2010:
                                               
Fixed Maturities:
                                               
Corporate
  $ 2,640     $ (83 )   $ 532     $ (50 )   $ 3,172     $ (133 )
U.S. Treasury, government
                                               
and agency
    1,818       (56 )     202       (54 )     2,020       (110 )
States and political subdivisions
    283       (13 )     37       (7 )     320       (20 )
Foreign governments
    79       (2 )     10       -       89       (2 )
Commercial mortgage-backed
    80       (4 )     1,115       (483 )     1,195       (487 )
Residential mortgage-backed
    157       -       2       (1 )     159       (1 )
Asset-backed
    114       (1 )     74       (11 )     188       (12 )
Redeemable preferred stock
    327       (7 )     972       (88 )     1,299       (95 )
 
                                               
Total
  $ 5,498     $ (166 )   $ 2,944     $ (694 )   $ 8,442     $ (860 )

The Insurance Group’s investments in fixed maturity securities do not include concentrations of credit risk of any single issuer greater than 10% of the consolidated equity of AXA Financial, other than securities of the U.S. government, U.S. government agencies, and certain securities guaranteed by the U.S. government.  The Insurance Group maintains a diversified portfolio of corporate securities across industries and issuers and does not have exposure to any single issuer in excess of 0.30% of total investments.  The largest exposures to a single issuer of corporate securities held at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were $180 million and $178 million, respectively.  Corporate high yield securities, consisting primarily of public high yield bonds, are classified as other than investment grade by the various rating agencies, i.e., a rating below Baa3/BBB- or the NAIC designation of 3 (medium grade), 4 or 5 (below investment grade) or 6 (in or near default).  At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, approximately $2,771 million and $2,919 million, or 6.7% and 7.2%, of the $41,421 million and $40,492 million aggregate amortized cost of fixed maturities held by the Insurance Group were considered to be other than investment grade.  These securities had net unrealized losses of $379 million and $471 million at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

The Insurance Group does not originate, purchase or warehouse residential mortgages and is not in the mortgage servicing business.  The Insurance Group’s fixed maturity investment portfolio includes RMBS backed by subprime and Alt-A residential mortgages, comprised of loans made by banks or mortgage lenders to residential borrowers with lower credit ratings.  The criteria used to categorize such subprime borrowers include FICO scores, interest rates charged, debt-to-income ratios and loan-to-value ratios.  Alt-A residential mortgages are mortgage loans where the risk profile falls between prime and subprime; borrowers typically have clean credit histories but the mortgage loan has an increased risk profile due to higher loan-to-value and debt-to-income ratios and/or inadequate documentation of the borrowers’ income.  At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, the Insurance Group owned $38 million and $42 million in RMBS backed by subprime residential mortgage loans and $15 million and $17 million in RMBS backed by Alt-A residential mortgage loans.  RMBS backed by subprime and Alt-A residential mortgages are fixed income investments supporting General Account liabilities.
 
 

 
 
19

 
At June 30, 2011, the carrying value of fixed maturities that were non-income producing for the twelve months preceding that date was $42 million.

For the second quarter and first six months of 2011 and 2010, investment income is shown net of investment expenses of $26 million, $63 million, $27 million and $64 million, respectively.

At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, the amortized cost of AXA Financial Group’s trading account securities was $3,118 million and $3,076 million with respective fair values of $3,051 million and $2,990 million.  Included in the trading classification at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, were U.S. Treasury securities with aggregate amortized costs of $2,583 million and $2,594 million and fair values of $2,516 million and $2,485 million, pledged under repurchase agreements accounted for as collateralized borrowings and reported in Broker-dealer related payables in the consolidated balance sheets.  Also at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, Other equity investments included the General Account’s investment in Separate Accounts which had carrying values of $51 million and $43 million and costs of $50 million and $42 million as well as other equity securities with carrying values of $26 million and $28 million and costs of $25 million and $30 million.

In second quarter and first six months of 2011 and 2010, respectively, net unrealized and realized holding gains (losses) on trading account equity securities, including earnings (losses) on the General Account’s investment in Separate Accounts, of $(5) million, $9 million, $(47) million and $(32) million, respectively, were included in Net investment income (loss) in the consolidated statements of earnings (loss).

Mortgage Loans

Mortgage loans on real estate are placed on nonaccrual status once management believes the collection of accrued interest is doubtful.  Once mortgage loans on real estate are classified as nonaccrual loans, interest income is recognized under the cash basis of accounting and the resumption of the interest accrual would commence only after all past due interest has been collected or the mortgage loan on real estate has been restructured to where the collection of interest is considered likely.  At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the carrying values of commercial and agricultural mortgage loans on real estate that had been classified as nonaccrual loans were $17 million and $16 million for commercial and $3 million and $3 million for agricultural, respectively.

Valuation Allowances for Mortgage Loans:

Allowance for credit losses for mortgage loans for the first six months of 2011 are as follows:

 
 
Mortgage Loans
 
 
 
Commercial
   
Agricultural
   
Total
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Allowance for credit losses:
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Beginning balance, January 1,
  $ 49     $ -     $ 49  
Charge-offs
    -       -       -  
Recoveries
    (1 )     -       (1 )
Provision
    11       -       11  
Ending balance, June 30,
  $ 59     $ -     $ 59  
 
                       
Ending balance, June 30,:
                       
Individually Evaluated for Impairment
  $ 59     $ -     $ 59  
 
                       
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment
  $ -     $ -     $ -  
 
                       
Loans Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality
  $ -     $ -     $ -  

Investment valuation allowances for mortgage loans at June 30, 2010 were $32 million.
 
 
 

 
 
20

 
The values used in these ratio calculations were developed as part of the periodic review of the commercial and agricultural mortgage loan portfolio, which includes an evaluation of the underlying collateral value.  The following table provides information relating to the debt service coverage ratio for commercial and agricultural mortgage loans at June 30, 2011.

Mortgage Loans by Loan-to-Value and Debt Service Coverage Ratios
June 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt Service Coverage Ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
Greater
 
1.8x to
 
1.5x to
 
1.2x to
 
1.0x to
 
than
 
Mortgage
Loan-to-Value Ratio:(2)
 
than 2.0x
 
2.0x
 
1.8x
 
1.5x
 
1.2x
 
1.0x
 
Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
Commercial Mortgage Loans(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0% - 50%
 
$
 123
 
$
 - 
 
$
 - 
 
$
 53
 
$
 33
 
$
 2
 
$
 211
50% - 70%
 
 
 151
 
 
 221
 
 
 625
 
 
 227
 
 
 97
 
 
 11
 
 
 1,332
70% - 90%
 
 
 105
 
 
 71
 
 
 451
 
 
 699
 
 
 211
 
 
 55
 
 
 1,592
90% plus
 
 
 60
 
 
 - 
 
 
 84
 
 
 24
 
 
 580
 
 
 71
 
 
 819
Total Commercial
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage Loans
 
$
 439
 
$
 292
 
$
 1,160
 
$
 1,003
 
$
 921
 
$
 139
 
$
 3,954
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agricultural Mortgage Loans(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0% - 50%
 
$
 153
 
$
 85
 
$
 156
 
$
 264
 
$
 193
 
$
 66
 
$
 917
50% - 70%
 
 
 54
 
 
 11
 
 
 134
 
 
 153
 
 
 87
 
 
 31
 
 
 470
70% - 90%
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 1
 
 
 - 
 
 
 3
 
 
 4
90% plus
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 3
 
 
 - 
 
 
 3
Total Agricultural
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage Loans
 
$
 207
 
$
 96
 
$
 290
 
$
 418
 
$
 283
 
$
 100
 
$
 1,394
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Mortgage Loans(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0% - 50%
 
$
 276
 
$
 85
 
$
 156
 
$
 317
 
$
 226
 
$
 68
 
$
 1,128
50% - 70%
 
 
 205
 
 
 232
 
 
 759
 
 
 380
 
 
 184
 
 
 42
 
 
 1,802
70% - 90%
 
 
 105
 
 
 71
 
 
 451
 
 
 700
 
 
 211
 
 
 58
 
 
 1,596
90% plus
 
 
 60
 
 
 - 
 
 
 84
 
 
 24
 
 
 583
 
 
 71
 
 
 822
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Mortgage Loans
 
$
 646
 
$
 388
 
$
 1,450
 
$
 1,421
 
$
 1,204
 
$
 239
 
$
 5,348

(1)     
The debt service coverage ratio is calculated using the most recently reported net operating income results from property operations divided by annual debt service.
(2)     
The loan-to-value ratio is derived from current loan balance divided by the fair market value of the property.  The fair market value of the underlying commercial properties is updated annually.

The following table provides information relating to the aging analysis of past due mortgage loans at June 30, 2011.
 
Age Analysis of Past Due Mortgage Loans
 
 
 
30-59
Days
   
60-89
Days
   
90
Days
or >
   
Total  
   
Current
   
Total
Financing
Receivables
   
Recorded
Investment
> 90 Days
and
Accruing
 
 
         
 
   
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
         
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Commercial
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 3,954     $ 3,954     $ -  
Agricultural
    1       -       21       22       1,372       1,394       -  
Total Mortgage Loans
  $ 1     $ -     $ 21     $ 22     $ 5,326     $ 5,348     $ -  
 
 
 

 
 
21

 
The following table provides information regarding impaired loans at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

Impaired Mortgage Loans
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
         
 
 
 
 
 
   
Unpaid
   
 
   
Average
   
Interest
 
 
 
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Related
   
Recorded
   
Income
 
 
 
Investment
   
Balance
   
Allowance
   
Investment(1)
   
Recognized
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
         
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
June 30, 2011:
 
 
   
 
   
 
         
 
 
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
   
 
   
 
         
 
 
Commercial mortgage loans - other
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Agricultural mortgage loans
    3       3       -       3       -  
Total
  $ 3     $ 3     $ -     $ 3     $ -  
 
                                       
With related allowance recorded:
                                       
Commercial mortgage loans - other
  $ 223     $ 223     $ (59 )   $ 239     $ 5  
Agricultural mortgage loans
    -       -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ 223     $ 223     $ (59 )   $ 239     $ 5  
 
                                       
December 31, 2010:
                                       
With no related allowance recorded:
                                       
Commercial mortgage loans - other
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Agricultural mortgage loans
    3       3       -       2       -  
Total
  $ 3     $ 3     $ -     $ 2     $ -  
 
                                       
With related allowance recorded:
                                       
Commercial mortgage loans - other
  $ 262     $ 262     $ (49 )   $ 160     $ 10  
Agricultural mortgage loans
    -       -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ 262     $ 262     $ (49 )   $ 160     $ 10  

(1)    Represents a five-quarter average of recorded amortized cost.
 
 
 

 
 
22

 


Derivatives

The Insurance Group has issued and continues to offer certain variable annuity products with GMDB, GMIB and GWBL features.  The risk associated with the GMDB feature is that under-performance of the financial markets could result in GMDB benefits, in the event of death, being higher than what accumulated policyholder account balances would support.  The risk associated with the GMIB/GWBL feature is that under-performance of the financial markets could result in GMIB/GWBL benefits being higher than what accumulated policyholders’ account balances would support.  AXA Financial Group uses derivatives for asset/liability risk management primarily to reduce exposures to equity market declines and interest rate fluctuations.  Derivative hedging strategies are designed to reduce these risks from an economic perspective while also considering their impacts on accounting results.  Operation of these hedging programs is based on models involving numerous estimates and assumptions, including, among others, mortality, lapse, surrender and withdrawal rates, election rates, market volatility and interest rates.

A wide range of derivative contracts are used in these hedging programs, including exchange traded equity, currency and interest rate futures contracts, total return and/or other equity swaps, interest rate swap and floor contracts, and swaptions as well as repurchase agreement transactions.  For GMDB, GMIB and GWBL, AXA Financial Group retains certain risks including basis and some volatility risk and risk associated with actual versus expected assumptions for mortality, lapse and surrender, withdrawal and contractholder election rates, among other things.  The derivative contracts are managed to correlate with changes in the value of the GMDB, GMIB and GWBL features that result from financial markets movements.  It also uses repurchase agreements to finance the purchase of U.S. Treasury securities to reduce the economic impact of unfavorable changes in exposures attributable to interest rates as part of the variable annuity hedging strategy.  Since 2010, a portion of exposure to realized interest rate volatility has been hedged through the purchase of swaptions.  AXA Financial Group has purchased reinsurance contracts to mitigate the risks associated with GMDB features and the impact of potential market fluctuations on future policyholder elections of GMIB features contained in certain annuity contracts issued by AXA Financial Group.

GWBL features and reinsurance contracts covering GMIB exposure are considered derivatives for accounting purposes and, therefore, are reported in the balance sheet at their fair value.  None of the derivatives used in these programs were designated as qualifying hedges under U.S. GAAP accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.  All gains (losses) on derivatives are reported in Net investment income (loss) in the consolidated statements of earnings (loss) except those resulting from changes in the fair values of the embedded derivatives, the GWBL features are reported in Policyholder’s benefits and the GMIB reinsurance contracts are reported on a separate line in the consolidated statement of earnings, respectively.

In addition to its hedging program that seeks to mitigate economic exposures specifically related to variable annuity contracts with GMDB, GMIB and GWBL features, the Insurance Group has implemented hedging programs to provide additional protection against the adverse effects of equity market and interest rate declines on its statutory liabilities.  The remaining protection expired in first quarter 2011.  Since the beginning of 2010, the Insurance Group occasionally has in place, including at June 30, 2011, an anticipatory hedge program to protect against declining interest rates with respect to a part of its projected variable annuity sales.  Beginning in fourth quarter 2010, the Insurance Group purchased swaptions to initiate a hedge of its General Account duration and convexity gap resulting from minimum crediting rates on interest sensitive life and annuity business.


 
23

 

The table below presents quantitative disclosures about AXA Financial Group’s derivative instruments, including those embedded in other contracts though required to be accounted for as derivative instruments.

Derivative Instruments by Category
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Gains (Losses)
 
   
At June 30, 2011
   
Reported in
 
   
 
   
Fair Value
   
Earnings (Loss)
 
   
Notional
   
Asset
   
Liability
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
Amount
   
Derivatives
   
Derivatives
   
June 30, 2011
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
Freestanding derivatives:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Equity contracts:(1)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Futures
  $ 10,051     $ -     $ 2     $ (648 )
Swaps
    1,376       1       25       (73 )
Options
    317       43       32       3  
                                 
Interest rate contracts:(1)
                               
Floors
    9,000       309       -       47  
Swaps
    13,152       446       125       192  
Futures
    16,109       -       -       209  
Swaptions
    10,553       460       -       (45 )
                                 
Other freestanding contracts:(1)
                               
Foreign currency contracts
    124       -       1       -  
Net investment income (loss)
    -       -       -       (315 )
                                 
Foreign Currency Contracts(2,4) 
    3,873       -       218       85  
                                 
Embedded derivatives:
                               
GMIB reinsurance contracts(2) 
    -       1,156       -       (67 )
                                 
GWBL and other features(3) 
    -       -       35       3  
                                 
Total, June 30, 2011
  $ 64,555     $ 2,415     $ 438     $ (294 )
 
(1)    
(2)    
Reported in Other invested assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
Reported in Other assets or Other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
(3)   
Reported in Future policy benefits and other policyholder liabilities.
(4)   
Reported in Commissions, fees and other income.


 
24

 


 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Gains (Losses)
 
   
At December 31, 2010
   
Reported in
 
   
 
   
Fair Value
   
Earnings (Loss)
 
   
Notional
   
Asset
   
Liability
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
Amount
   
Derivatives
   
Derivatives
   
June 30, 2010
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
Freestanding derivatives:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Equity contracts:(1)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Futures
  $ 8,920     $ -     $ -     $ 465  
Swaps
    1,698       -       50       231  
Options
    1,070       5       1       (12 )
                                 
Interest rate contracts:(1)
                               
Floors
    9,000       326       -       126  
Swaps
    12,166       389       366       1,061  
Futures
    14,859       -       -       900  
Swaptions
    11,150       306       -       33  
                                 
Other freestanding contracts:(1)
                               
Foreign currency contracts
    133       -       1       -  
Net investment income (loss)
                            2,804  
                                 
Foreign Currency Contracts(2,4) 
    3,873       -       303       (391 )
                                 
Embedded derivatives:
                               
GMIB reinsurance contracts(2) 
    -       1,223       -       586  
                                 
GWBL and other features(3) 
    -       -       38       (124 )
                                 
Total
  $ 62,869     $ 2,249     $ 759     $ 2,875  

(1)   
Reported in Other invested assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
(2)   
Reported in Other assets or Other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
(3)   
Reported in Future policy benefits and other policyholder liabilities.
(4)   
Reported in Commissions, fees and other income.

Margins or “spreads” on interest-sensitive life insurance and annuity contracts are affected by interest rate fluctuations as the yield on portfolio investments, primarily fixed maturities, are intended to support required payments under these contracts, including interest rates credited to their policy and contract holders.  The Insurance Group currently uses interest rate floors and swaptions to reduce the risk associated with minimum crediting rate guarantees on these interest-sensitive contracts.

AXA Financial also uses interest rate swaps to reduce exposure to interest rate fluctuations on certain of its long-term loans from affiliates and debt obligations.  In addition, AXA Financial uses foreign exchange derivatives to reduce exposure to currency fluctuations that may arise from non-U.S.-dollar denominated financial instruments.  The Insurance Group is exposed to equity market fluctuations through investments in Separate Accounts and may enter into derivative contracts specifically to minimize such risk.

At June 30, 2011, AXA Financial Group had open exchange-traded futures positions on the S&P 500, Russell 1000, NASDAQ 100 and Emerging Market indices, having initial margin requirements of $483 million.  At June 30, 2011, AXA Financial Group had open exchange-traded futures positions on the 2-year, 5-year, 10-year, 30-year U.S. Treasury Notes and Eurodollars having initial margin requirements of $171 million.  At that same date, AXA Financial Group had open exchange-traded future positions on the Euro Stoxx, FTSE 100, EAFE and Topix indices as well as corresponding currency futures on the Euro/U.S. dollar, Yen/U.S. dollar and Pound/U.S. dollar, having initial margin requirements of $76 million.  All exchange-traded futures contracts are net cash settled daily.  All outstanding equity-based and treasury futures contracts at June 30, 2011 are exchange-traded and net settled daily in cash.
 
 
 

 
 
25

 
Although notional amount is the most commonly used measure of volume in the derivatives market, it is not used as a measure of credit risk.  Generally, the current credit exposure of AXA Financial Group’s derivative contracts is limited to the net positive estimated fair value of derivative contracts at the reporting date after taking into consideration the existence of netting agreements and any collateral received pursuant to credit support annexes.  A derivative with positive value (a derivative asset) indicates existence of credit risk because the counterparty would owe money to AXA Financial Group if the contract were closed.  Alternatively, a derivative contract with negative value (a derivative liability) indicates AXA Financial Group would owe money to the counterparty if the contract were closed.  However, generally if there is more than one derivative transaction with a single counterparty, a master netting arrangement exists with respect to derivative transactions with that counterparty to provide for net settlement.

AXA Financial Group may be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative financial instruments.  AXA Financial Group controls and minimizes its counterparty exposure through a credit appraisal and approval process.  In addition, AXA Financial Group has executed various collateral arrangements with counterparties to over-the-counter derivative transactions that require both pledging and accepting collateral either in the form of cash or high-quality securities, such as U.S. Treasury securities or those issued by government agencies.  At June 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, respectively, AXA Financial Group held $1,130 million and $646 million in cash and securities collateral delivered by trade counterparties, representing the fair value of the related derivative agreements.  This unrestricted cash collateral is reported in Cash and cash equivalents, and the obligation to return it is reported in Other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

Certain of AXA Financial Group’s standardized contracts for over-the-counter derivative transactions (“ISDA Master Agreements”) contain credit risk related contingent provisions related to its credit rating.  In some ISDA Master Agreements, if the credit rating falls below a specified threshold, either a default or a termination event permitting the counterparty to terminate the ISDA Master Agreement would be triggered.  In all agreements that provide for collateralization, various levels of collateralization of net liability positions are applicable, depending upon the credit rating of the counterparty.  The aggregate fair value of all collateralized derivative transactions that were in a liability position at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, were $9 million and $158 million for which AXA Financial Group had received collateral of $4 million in 2011 and posted collateral of $209 million in 2010, in the normal operation of its collateral arrangements.  If the investment grade related contingent features had been triggered on June 30, 2011, AXA Financial Group would not have been required to post material collateral to its counterparties.


4)  
CLOSED BLOCKS

The excess of Closed Block liabilities over Closed Block assets (adjusted to exclude the impact of related amounts in AOCI) represents the expected maximum future post-tax earnings from the Closed Block that would be recognized in income from continuing operations over the period the policies and contracts in the Closed Block remain in force.  As of January 1, 2001, AXA Financial Group has developed an actuarial calculation of the expected timing of AXA Equitable’s Closed Block’s earnings.  Further, in connection with the acquisition of MONY, AXA Financial Group has developed an actuarial calculation of the expected timing of MONY Life’s Closed Block’s earnings as of July 1, 2004.

If the actual cumulative earnings from the Closed Block are greater than the expected cumulative earnings, only the expected earnings will be recognized in net income.  Actual cumulative earnings in excess of expected cumulative earnings at any point in time are recorded as a policyholder dividend obligation because they will ultimately be paid to Closed Block policyholders as an additional policyholder dividend unless offset by future performance that is less favorable than originally expected.  If a policyholder dividend obligation has been previously established and the actual Closed Block earnings in a subsequent period are less than the expected earnings for that period, the policyholder dividend obligation would be reduced (but not below zero).  If, over the period the policies and contracts in the Closed Block remain in force, the actual cumulative earnings of the Closed Block are less than the expected cumulative earnings, only actual earnings would be recognized in income from continuing operations.  If the Closed Block has insufficient funds to make guaranteed policy benefit payments, such payments will be made from assets outside the Closed Block.

Many expenses related to Closed Block operations, including amortization of DAC and VOBA, are charged to operations outside of the Closed Block; accordingly, net revenues of the Closed Block do not represent the actual profitability of the Closed Block operations.  Operating costs and expenses outside of the Closed Block are, therefore, disproportionate to the business outside of the Closed Block.

The operations of the AXA Equitable and MONY Life Closed Blocks are managed separately.

 
 
26

 
AXA Equitable Closed Block

Summarized financial information for the AXA Equitable Closed Block follows:

 
 
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
CLOSED BLOCK LIABILITIES:
 
 
   
 
 
Future policy benefits, policyholders’ account balances and other
  $ 8,191     $ 8,272  
Policyholder dividend obligation
    158       119  
Other liabilities
    63       142  
Total Closed Block liabilities
    8,412       8,533  
 
               
ASSETS DESIGNATED TO THE CLOSED BLOCK:
               
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $5,366 and $5,416)
    5,616       5,605  
Mortgage loans on real estate
    1,163       981  
Policy loans
    1,096       1,119  
Cash and other invested assets
    19       281  
Other assets
    225       245  
Total assets designated to the Closed Block
    8,119       8,231  
 
               
Excess of Closed Block liabilities over assets designated to the Closed Block
    293       302  
 
               
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
               
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of deferred income tax (expense) benefit
               
of $(36) and $(28) and policyholder dividend obligation of $(158) and $(119)
    67       53  
 
               
Maximum Future Earnings To Be Recognized From Closed Block Assets and Liabilities
  $ 360     $ 355  

 
27

 


AXA Equitable Closed Block revenues and expenses were as follows:

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
REVENUES:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Premiums and other income
  $ 89     $ 92     $ 181     $ 187  
Investment income (loss) (net of investment
                               
expenses of $0, $0, $0 and $0)
    108       117       218       235  
Investment gains (losses), net:
                               
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
    (7 )     (8 )     (7 )     (8 )
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
    -       1       -       1  
Net impairment losses recognized
    (7 )     (7 )     (7 )     (7 )
Other investment gains (losses), net
    -       -       1       6  
Total investment gains (losses), net
    (7 )     (7 )     (6 )     (1 )
Total revenues
    190       202       393       421  
 
                               
BENEFITS AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS:
                               
Policyholders’ benefits and dividends
    195       201       400       404  
Other operating costs and expenses
    -       1       1       1  
Total benefits and other deductions
    195       202       401       405  
 
                               
Net revenues before income taxes
    (5 )     -       (8 )     16  
Income tax (expense) benefit
    2       -       3       (6 )
Net Revenues (Losses)
  $ (3 )   $ -     $ (5 )   $ 10  

Reconciliation of the policyholder dividend obligation follows:

 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Balances, beginning of year
  $ 119     $ -  
Unrealized investment gains (losses)
    39       165  
Balances, End of Period
  $ 158     $ 165  
 
 
 

 
 
28

 


MONY Life Closed Block

Summarized financial information for the MONY Life Closed Block follows:

 
 
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
CLOSED BLOCK LIABILITIES:
 
 
   
 
 
Future policy benefits, policyholders’ account balances and other
  $ 6,605     $ 6,685  
Policyholder dividend obligation
    351       298  
Other liabilities
    29       29  
Total Closed Block liabilities
    6,985       7,012  
 
               
ASSETS DESIGNATED TO THE CLOSED BLOCK:
               
Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $3,953 and $3,943)
    4,191       4,136  
Mortgage loans on real estate
    788       752  
Policy loans
    885       898  
Cash and other invested assets
    52       113  
Other assets
    253       274  
Total assets designated to the Closed Block
    6,169       6,173  
 
               
Excess of Closed Block liabilities over assets designated to the Closed Block
    816       839  
 
               
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
               
Net of policyholder dividend obligations of $(238) and $(194)
    -       -  
 
               
Maximum Future Earnings To Be Recognized From Closed Block Assets and Liabilities
  $ 816     $ 839  

 
29

 


MONY Life Closed Block revenues and expenses follow:

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
REVENUES:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Premiums and other income
  $ 66     $ 73     $ 128     $ 143  
Investment income (loss) (net of investment
                               
expenses of $0, $0, $0 and $0)
    79       82       156       165  
Investment gains (losses), net:
                               
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
    -       -       -       -  
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
    -       -       -       -  
Net impairment losses recognized
    -       -       -       -  
Other investment gains (losses), net
    -       (4 )     -       (11 )
Total investment gains (losses), net
    -       (4 )     -       (11 )
Total revenues
    145       151       284       297  
 
                               
BENEFITS AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS:
                               
Policyholders’ benefits and dividends
    126       134       247       263  
Other operating costs and expenses
    1       1       2       1  
Total benefits and other deductions
    127       135       249       264  
 
                               
Net revenues before income taxes
    18       16       35       33  
Income tax (expense) benefit
    (6 )     (6 )     (12 )     (12 )
Net Revenues (Losses)
  $ 12     $ 10     $ 23     $ 21  

Reconciliation of the MONY Life policyholder dividend obligation follows:

 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 298     $ 189  
Applicable to net revenues (losses)
    9       (8 )
Unrealized investment gains (losses)
    44       128  
Balance, End of Period
  $ 351     $ 309  
 
 
 
 

 
 
30

 


5)  
GMDB, GMIB, GWBL AND NO LAPSE GUARANTEE FEATURES

A)  Variable Annuity Contracts – GMDB, GMIB and GWBL

AXA Equitable, MONY Life and MLOA have certain variable annuity contracts with GMDB, GMIB and GWBL features in-force that guarantee one of the following:

·    
Return of Premium: the benefit is the greater of current account value or premiums paid (adjusted for withdrawals);

·    
Ratchet: the benefit is the greatest of current account value, premiums paid (adjusted for withdrawals), or the highest account value on any anniversary up to contractually specified ages (adjusted for withdrawals);

·    
Roll-Up: the benefit is the greater of current account value or premiums paid (adjusted for withdrawals) accumulated at contractually specified interest rates up to specified ages;

·    
Combo: the benefit is the greater of the ratchet benefit or the roll-up benefit, which may include a five year or an annual reset; or

·    
Withdrawal: the withdrawal is guaranteed up to a maximum amount per year for life.

The following table summarizes the GMDB and GMIB liabilities, before reinsurance ceded, reflected in the General Account in future policy benefits and other policyholders liabilities:

 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
GMDB
   
GMIB
   
Total
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2011
  $ 1,271     $ 2,313     $ 3,584  
Paid guarantee benefits
    (88 )     (18 )     (106 )
Other changes in reserve
    159       163       322  
Balance at June 30, 2011
  $ 1,342     $ 2,458     $ 3,800  
 
                       
Balance at January 1, 2010
  $ 1,092     $ 1,561     $ 2,653  
Paid guarantee benefits
    (53 )     (10 )     (63 )
Other changes in reserve
    115       538       653  
Balance at June 30, 2010
  $ 1,154     $ 2,089     $ 3,243  

Related GMDB reinsurance ceded amounts were:

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Balances, beginning of year
  $ 85     $ 94  
Paid guarantee benefits
    (9 )     (6 )
Other changes in reserve
    8       6  
Balances, End of Period
  $ 84       94  
 
 

 
 
31

 


The GMIB reinsurance contracts are considered derivatives and are reported at fair value.

The June 30, 2011 values for variable annuity contracts in-force on such date with GMDB and GMIB features are presented in the following table.  For contracts with the GMDB feature, the net amount at risk in the event of death is the amount by which the GMDB benefits exceed related account values.  For contracts with the GMIB feature, the net amount at risk in the event of annuitization is the amount by which the present value of the GMIB benefits exceeds related account values, taking into account the relationship between current annuity purchase rates and the GMIB guaranteed annuity purchase rates.  Since variable annuity contracts with GMDB guarantees may also offer GMIB guarantees in the same contract, the GMDB and GMIB amounts listed are not mutually exclusive:

 
 
Return
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
of
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Premium
   
Ratchet
   
Roll-Up
   
Combo
   
Total
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(Dollars In Millions)
 
       
GMDB:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Account values invested in:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
General Account
  $ 11,980     $ 462     $ 126     $ 513     $ 13,081  
Separate Accounts
  $ 30,950     $ 8,341     $ 4,221     $ 35,899     $ 79,411  
Net amount at risk, gross
  $ 808     $ 914     $ 2,537     $ 10,140     $ 14,399  
Net amount at risk, net of
                                       
amounts reinsured
  $ 808     $ 831     $ 1,684     $ 10,124     $ 13,447  
Average attained age of contractholders
    50.3       63.3       68.3       63.6       54.2  
Percentage of contractholders over age 70
    8.1%       26.1%       45.9%       27.2%       14.0%  
Range of contractually
                                       
specified interest rates
    N/A       N/A       3% - 6%       3% - 6.5%       3% - 6.5%  
 
                                       
GMIB:
                                       
Account values invested in:
                                       
General Account
    N/A       N/A     $ 54     $ 561     $ 615  
Separate Accounts
    N/A       N/A     $ 2,919     $ 48,400     $ 51,319  
Net amount at risk, gross
    N/A       N/A     $ 1,332     $ 1,723     $ 3,055  
Net amount at risk, net of
                                       
amounts reinsured
    N/A       N/A     $ 393     $ 1,539     $ 1,932  
Weighted average years
                                       
remaining until annuitization
    N/A       N/A       0.6       5.3       5.3  
Range of contractually specified
                                       
interest rates
    N/A       N/A       3% - 6%       3% - 6.5%       3% - 6.5%  

The GWBL and other guaranteed benefits related liability not included above, were $35 million and $38 million at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, which is accounted for as embedded derivatives.  This liability reflects the present value of expected future payments (benefits) less the fees attributable to these features over a range of market consistent economic scenarios.


 
32

 

B)  Separate Account Investments by Investment Category Underlying GMDB and GMIB Features

The total account values of variable annuity contracts with GMDB and GMIB features include amounts allocated to the guaranteed interest option, which is part of the General Account and variable investment options that invest through Separate Accounts in variable insurance trusts.  The following table presents the aggregate fair value of assets, by major investment category, held by Separate Accounts that support variable annuity contracts with GMDB and GMIB benefits and guarantees.  The investment performance of the assets impacts the related account values and, consequently, the net amount of risk associated with the GMDB and GMIB benefits and guarantees.  Since variable annuity contracts with GMDB benefits and guarantees may also offer GMIB benefits and guarantees in each contract, the GMDB and GMIB amounts listed are not mutually exclusive:

Investment in Variable Insurance Trust Mutual Funds
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
GMDB:
 
 
   
 
 
Equity
  $ 52,451     $ 49,925  
Fixed income
    3,985       4,109  
Balanced
    22,289       22,252  
Other
    686       768  
Total
  $ 79,411     $ 77,054  
 
               
GMIB:
               
Equity
  $ 33,266     $ 31,911  
Fixed income
    2,368       2,471  
Balanced
    15,359       15,629  
Other
    326       375  
Total
  $ 51,319     $ 50,386  

C)  Hedging Programs for GMDB, GMIB and GWBL Features
 
Beginning in 2003, AXA Equitable established a program intended to hedge certain risks associated first with the GMDB feature and, beginning in 2004, with the GMIB feature of the Accumulator® series of variable annuity products.  The program has also been extended to cover other guaranteed benefits as they have been made available.  This program currently utilizes derivative instruments, such as exchange-traded equity, currency, and interest rate futures contracts, total return and/or equity swaps, interest rate swap and floor contracts and swaptions as well as repurchase agreement transactions, that collectively are managed in an effort to reduce the economic impact of unfavorable changes in guaranteed benefits’ exposures attributable to movements in the equity and fixed income markets.  At the present time, this program hedges certain economic risks on products sold from 2001 forward, to the extent such risks are not reinsured.  At June 30, 2011, the total account value and net amount at risk of the hedged variable annuity contracts were $59,135 million and $11,717 million, respectively, with the GMDB feature and $43,719 million and $1,546 million, respectively, with the GMIB feature.
 
These programs do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment.  Therefore, gains (losses) on the derivatives contracts used in these programs, including current period changes in fair value, are recognized in net investment income (loss) in the period in which they occur, and may contribute to earnings (loss) volatility.


 
33

 

D)  Variable and Interest-Sensitive Life Insurance Policies - No Lapse Guarantee

The no lapse guarantee feature contained in variable and interest-sensitive life insurance policies keeps them in force in situations where the policy value is not sufficient to cover monthly charges then due.  The no lapse guarantee remains in effect so long as the policy meets a contractually specified premium funding test and certain other requirements.

The following table summarizes the no lapse guarantee liabilities reflected in the General Account in Future policy benefits and other policyholders liabilities:

 
 
Direct Liability(1)
 
 
     
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
     
Balance at January 1, 2011
  $ 375  
Other changes in reserves
    13  
Balance at June 30, 2011
  $ 388  
 
       
Balance at January 1, 2010
  $ 255  
Other changes in reserves
    73  
Balance at June 30, 2010
  $ 328  

(1)      There were no amounts of reinsurance ceded in any period presented.


6)  
FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  The accounting guidance established a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value, and identifies three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 
Level 1
Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.  Level 1 fair values generally are supported by market transactions that occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

 
Level 2
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar instruments, quoted prices in markets that are not active, and inputs to model-derived valuations that are directly observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 
Level 3
Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity and often requiring significant management judgment or estimation, such as an entity’s own assumptions about the cash flows or other significant components of value that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

AXA Financial Group defines fair value as the quoted market prices for those instruments that are actively traded in financial markets.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured using present value or other valuation techniques.  The fair value determinations are made at a specific point in time, based on available market information and judgments about the financial instrument, including estimates of the timing and amount of expected future cash flows and the credit standing of counterparties.  Such adjustments do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time AXA Financial Group’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument, nor do they consider the tax impact of the realization of unrealized gains or losses.  In many cases, the fair values cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets, nor can the disclosed value be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument.


 
34

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2011
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Assets:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Investments:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Corporate
  $ 7     $ 29,853     $ 533     $ 30,393  
U.S. Treasury, government and agency
    -       5,681       -       5,681  
States and political subdivisions
    -       533       49       582  
Foreign governments
    -       624       20       644  
Commercial mortgage-backed
    -       -       1,192       1,192  
Residential mortgage-backed(1) 
    -       2,582       -       2,582  
Asset-backed(2) 
    -       467       134       601  
Redeemable preferred stock
    281       1,172       3       1,456  
Subtotal
    288       40,912       1,931       43,131  
Other equity investments
    93       4       75       172  
Trading securities
    469       2,582       -       3,051  
Other invested assets:
                               
Short-term investments
    -       340       -       340  
Swaps
    -       297       -       297  
Options
    -       9       -       9  
Floors
    -       309       -       309  
Swaptions
    -       460       -       460  
Subtotal
    -       1,415       -       1,415  
Cash equivalents
    3,431       -       -       3,431  
Segregated securities
    -       1,000       -       1,000  
GMIB reinsurance contracts
    -       -       1,156       1,156  
Separate Accounts' assets
    94,422       2,365       220       97,007  
Total Assets
  $ 98,703     $ 48,278     $ 3,382     $ 150,363  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Other liabilities:
                               
Foreign currency swap
  $ -     $ 218     $ -     $ 218  
GWBL and other features' liability
    -       -       35       35  
Total Liabilities
  $ -     $ 218     $ 35     $ 253  

(1)    
Includes publicly traded agency pass-through securities and collateralized obligations.
(2)    
Includes credit-tranched securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages and other asset types and credit tenant loans.

 
35

 


Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2010
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
Assets:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Investments:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Corporate
  $ 6     $ 29,282     $ 445     $ 29,733  
U.S. Treasury, government and agency
    -       5,120       -       5,120  
States and political subdivisions
    -       528       49       577  
Foreign governments
    -       623       21       644  
Commercial mortgage-backed
    -       -       1,326       1,326  
Residential mortgage-backed(1) 
    -       2,287       -       2,287  
Asset-backed(2) 
    -       311       167       478  
Redeemable preferred stock
    281       1,342       10       1,633  
Subtotal
    287       39,493       2,018       41,798  
Other equity investments
    78       24       77       179  
Trading securities
    425       2,565       -       2,990  
Other invested assets:
                               
Short-term investments
    -       352       -       352  
Swaps
    -       (27 )     -       (27 )
Futures
    -       -       -       -  
Options
    -       4       -       4  
Floors
    -       326       -       326  
Swaptions
    -       306       -       306  
Subtotal
    -       961       -       961  
Cash equivalents
    3,764       -       -       3,764  
Segregated securities
    -       1,110       -       1,110  
GMIB reinsurance contracts
    -       -       1,223       1,223  
Separate Accounts' assets
    91,734       2,184       207       94,125  
Total Assets
  $ 96,288     $ 46,337     $ 3,525     $ 146,150  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Other liabilities:
                               
Foreign currency swap
  $ -     $ 304     $ -     $ 304  
GWBL and other features' liability
    -       -       38       38  
Total Liabilities
  $ -     $ 304     $ 38     $ 342  

(1)    
Includes publicly traded agency pass-through securities and collateralized obligations.
(2)     
Includes credit-tranched securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages and other asset types and credit tenant loans.

At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, investments classified as Level 1 comprise approximately 66.6% and 67.0% of invested assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and primarily include redeemable preferred stock, cash and cash equivalents and Separate Accounts assets.  Fair value measurements classified as Level 1 include exchange-traded prices of fixed maturities, equity securities and derivative contracts, and net asset values for transacting subscriptions and redemptions of mutual fund shares held by Separate Accounts.  Cash equivalents classified as Level 1 include money market accounts, overnight commercial paper and highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less, and are carried at cost as a proxy for fair value measurement due to their short-term nature.

At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, investments classified as Level 2 comprise approximately 31.9% and 31.5% of invested assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and primarily include U.S. government and agency securities and certain corporate debt securities, such as private fixed maturities.  As market quotes generally are not readily available or accessible for these securities, their fair value measures are determined utilizing relevant information generated by market transactions involving comparable securities and often are based on model pricing techniques that effectively discount prospective cash flows to present value using appropriate sector-adjusted credit spreads commensurate with the security’s duration, also taking into consideration issuer-specific credit quality and liquidity.  These valuation methodologies have been studied and evaluated by AXA Financial Group and the resulting prices determined to be representative of exit values.  Segregated securities classified as Level 2 are U.S. Treasury Bills segregated by AllianceBernstein in a special reserve bank custody account for the exclusive benefit of brokerage customers, as required by Rule 15c3-3 of the Exchange Act and for which fair values are based on quoted yields in secondary markets.
 
 

 
 
36

 
Observable inputs generally used to measure the fair value of securities classified as Level 2 include benchmark yields, reported secondary trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data.  Additional observable inputs are used when available, and as may be appropriate, for certain security types, such as prepayment, default, and collateral information for the purpose of measuring the fair value of mortgage- and asset-backed securities.  At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, approximately $2,979 million and $2,553 million of AAA-rated mortgage- and asset-backed securities are classified as Level 2, including CMBS, for which the observability of market inputs to their pricing models is supported by sufficient, albeit more recently contracted, market activity in these sectors.

As disclosed in Note 3, at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, the net fair value of freestanding derivative positions is approximately $856 million and $305 million, or approximately 43.1% and 16.4% of Other invested assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  The majority of these derivative contracts are traded in the OTC derivative market and are classified in Level 2.  The fair values of derivative assets and liabilities traded in the OTC market are determined using quantitative models that require use of the contractual terms of the derivative instruments and multiple market inputs, including interest rates, prices, and indices to generate continuous yield or pricing curves and volatility factors, which then are applied to value the positions.  The predominance of market inputs is actively quoted and can be validated through external sources or reliably interpolated if less observable.

The credit risk of the counterparty and of AXA Financial Group are considered in determining the fair values of all OTC derivative asset and liability positions, respectively, after taking into account the effects of master netting agreements and collateral arrangements.  Each reporting period, AXA Financial Group values its derivative positions using the standard swap curve and evaluates whether to adjust the embedded credit spread to reflect changes in counterparty or its own credit standing.  As a result, AXA Financial Group reduced the fair value of its OTC derivative asset exposures by $2 million at June 30, 2011 to recognize incremental counterparty non-performance risk.  The unadjusted swap curve was determined to be reflective of the non-performance risk of AXA Financial Group for purpose of determining the fair value of its OTC liability positions at June 30, 2011.

At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, investments classified as Level 3 comprise approximately 1.5% and 1.5% of invested assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and primarily include corporate debt securities, such as private fixed maturities.  Determinations to classify fair value measures within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy generally are based upon the significance of the unobservable factors to the overall fair value measurement.  Included in the Level 3 classification at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, were approximately $384 million and $337 million of fixed maturities with indicative pricing obtained from brokers that otherwise could not be corroborated to market observable data.  AXA Financial Group applies various due-diligence procedures, as considered appropriate, to validate these non-binding broker quotes for reasonableness, based on its understanding of the markets, including use of internally-developed assumptions about inputs a market participant would use to price the security.  In addition, approximately $1,326 million and $1,493 million of mortgage- and asset-backed securities, including CMBS, are classified as Level 3 at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  At June 30, 2011, AXA Financial Group continued to apply a risk-adjusted present value technique to estimate the fair value of CMBS securities below the senior AAA tranche due to ongoing insufficient frequency and volume of observable trading activity in these securities.  In applying this valuation methodology, AXA Financial Group adjusted the projected cash flows of these securities for origination year, default metrics, and level of subordination, with the objective of maximizing observable inputs, and weighted the result with a 10% attribution to pricing sourced from a third party service whose process placed significant reliance on market trading activity.

Level 3 also includes the GMIB reinsurance asset and the GWBL features’ liability, which are accounted for as derivative contracts.  The GMIB reinsurance asset’s fair value reflects the present value of reinsurance premiums and recoveries and risk margins over a range of market consistent economic scenarios while the GWBL related liability reflects the present value of expected future payments (benefits) less fees, adjusted for risk margins, attributable to the GWBL feature over a range of market-consistent economic scenarios.  The valuations of both the GMIB asset and GWBL features’ liability incorporate significant non-observable assumptions related to policyholder behavior, risk margins and projections of equity Separate Account funds consistent with the S&P 500 Index.  Using methodology similar to that described for measuring non-performance risk of OTC derivative exposures, incremental adjustment is made to the resulting fair values of the GMIB asset to reflect change in the claims-paying ratings of counterparties to the reinsurance treaties and of AXA Equitable, respectively.  After giving consideration to collateral arrangements, AXA Financial Group reduced the fair value of its GMIB asset by $21 million at June 30, 2011 to recognize incremental counterparty non-performance risk.  The unadjusted swap curve was determined to be reflective of the AA quality claims-paying rating of AXA Equitable, therefore, no incremental adjustment was made for non-performance risk for purpose of determining the fair value of the GWBL features’ liability embedded derivative at June 30, 2011.
 
 
 

 
 
37

 
In the first six months of 2011, AFS fixed maturities with fair values of $56 million and $0 million were transferred out of Level 3 and into Level 2 and out of Level 2 and into Level 1, respectively, principally due to the availability of trading activity and/or market observable inputs to measure and validate their fair values.  In addition, AFS fixed maturities with fair value of $16 million were transferred into the Level 3 classification.  These transfers in the aggregate represent approximately 0.48% of total equity at June 30, 2011.  In the second quarter of 2011, the trading restriction period for one of AXA Financial Group’s public securities lapsed, and as a result $21 million was transferred from a Level 2 classification to a Level 1 classification.

In the first six months of 2010, AFS fixed maturities with fair values of $277 million and $27 million were transferred out of Level 3 and into Level 2 and out of Level 2 and into Level 1, respectively, principally due to the availability of trading activity and/or market observable inputs to measure and validate their fair values.  In addition, AFS fixed maturities with fair value of $50 million were transferred into the Level 3 classification.  These transfers in the aggregate represent approximately 2.1% of total equity at June 30, 2010.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
38

 

The table below presents a reconciliation for all Level 3 assets and liabilities for the second quarter and first six months of 2011 and 2010, respectively:

Level 3 Instruments
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
State and
   
 
   
Commercial
   
 
 
   
 
   
Political
   
Foreign
   
Mortgage-
   
Asset-
 
   
Corporate
   
Subdivisions
   
Govts
   
backed
   
backed
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance, April 1, 2011 
  $ 505     $ 48     $ 20     $ 1,316     $ 144  
Total gains (losses), realized and
                                       
unrealized, included in:
                                       
Earnings (loss) as:
                                       
Net investment income (loss)
    1       -       -       1       -  
Investment gains (losses), net
    -       -       -       (23 )     -  
Increase (decrease) in the fair value
                                       
of the reinsurance contracts
    -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotal
    1       -       -       (22 )     -  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    2       1       -       (8 )     -  
Purchases
    100       -       -       -       -  
Issuances
    -       -       -       -       -  
Sales
    (9 )     -       -       (94 )     (10 )
Settlements
    -       -       -       -       -  
Transfers into Level 3(2) 
    7       -       -       -       -  
Transfers out of Level 3(2) 
    (73 )     -       -       -       -  
Balance, June 30, 2011 
  $ 533     $ 49     $ 20     $ 1,192     $ 134  
                                         
Balance, April 1, 2010 
  $ 559     $ 48     $ 1     $ 1,671     $ 209  
Total gains (losses), realized and
                                       
unrealized, included in:
                                       
Earnings (loss) as:
                                       
Net investment income (loss)
    1       -       -       1       -  
Investment gains (losses), net
    -       -       -       (47 )     -  
Increase (decrease) in the fair value
                                       
of the reinsurance contracts
    -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotal
    1       -       -       (46 )     -  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    9       3       -       (21 )     3  
Purchases/issuances
    106       -       -       -       -  
Sales/settlements
    (19 )     -       -       (127 )     (9 )
Transfers into/out of Level 3(2) 
    (70 )     -       -       (4 )     (34 )
Balance, June 30, 2010
  $ 586     $ 51     $ 1     $ 1,473     $ 169  

(1)     
There were no U.S. Treasury, government and agency or Residential mortgage-backed securities classified as Level 3 at June 30, 2011 and 2010.
(2)     
Transfers into/out of Level 3 classification are reflected at beginning-of-period fair values.
 
 
 

 
 
39

 


   
 
   
State and
   
 
   
Commercial
   
 
 
   
 
   
Political
   
Foreign
   
Mortgage-
   
Asset-
 
   
Corporate
   
Subdivisions
   
Govts
   
backed
   
backed
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance, January 1, 2011 
  $ 445     $ 49     $ 21     $ 1,325     $ 167  
Total gains (losses), realized and
                                       
unrealized, included in:
                                       
Earnings (loss) as:
                                       
Net investment income (loss)
    1       -       -       1       -  
Investment gains (losses), net
    -       -       -       (20 )     1  
Increase (decrease) in the fair value
                                       
of the reinsurance contracts
    -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotal
    1       -       -       (19 )     1  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    (2 )     -       -       68       2  
Purchases
    119       -       -       -       -  
Issuances
    -       -       -       -       -  
Sales
    (16 )     -       (1 )     (182 )     (17 )
Settlements
    -       -       -       -       -  
Transfers into Level 3(2) 
    16       -       -       -       -  
Transfers out of Level 3(2) 
    (30 )     -       -       -       (19 )
Balance, June 30, 2011 
  $ 533     $ 49     $ 20     $ 1,192     $ 134  
                                         
Balance, January 1, 2010 
  $ 636     $ 53     $ 21     $ 1,782     $ 238  
Total gains (losses), realized and
                                       
unrealized, included in:
                                       
Earnings (loss) as:
                                       
Net investment income (loss)
    1       -       -       2       -  
Investment gains (losses), net
    -       -       -       (88 )     -  
Increase (decrease) in the fair value
                                       
of the reinsurance contracts
    -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotal
    1       -       -       (86 )     -  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    19       3       -       (92 )     6  
Purchases/issuances
    128       -       -       -       -  
Sales/settlements
    (50 )     -       -       (127 )     (18 )
Transfers into/out of Level 3(2) 
    (148 )     (5 )     (20 )     (4 )     (57 )
Balance, June 30, 2010
  $ 586     $ 51     $ 1     $ 1,473     $ 169  

(1)     
There were no U.S. Treasury, government and agency or Residential mortgage-backed securities classified as Level 3 at June 30, 2011 and 2010.
(2)     
Transfers into/out of Level 3 classification are reflected at beginning-of-period fair values.
 
 

 
 
40

 


   
Redeem-
         
 
   
 
   
 
   
GWBL
 
   
able
   
Other
   
Other
   
GMIB
   
Separate
   
and Other
 
   
Preferred
   
Equity
   
Invested
   
Reinsurance
   
Accounts
   
Features
 
   
Stock
   
Investments(1)
   
Assets
   
Asset
   
Assets
   
Liability
 
   
 
         
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
   
 
         
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance, April 1, 2011 
  $ 11     $ 77     $ -     $ 1,022     $ 212     $ (3 )
Total gains (losses), realized and
                                               
unrealized, included in:
                                               
Earnings (loss) as:
                                               
Net investment income (loss)
    -       -       -       -       3       -  
Investment gains (losses), net
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Increase (decrease) in the fair value
                                               
 of the reinsurance contracts
    -       (1 )     -       127       -       -  
Policyholders' benefits
    -       -       -       -       -       34  
Subtotal
    -       (1 )     -       127       3       34  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    -       (1 )     -       -       -       -  
Purchases
    -       -       -       13       7       4  
Issuances
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Sales
    -       -       -       (6 )     (1 )     -  
Settlements
    -       -       -       -       (1 )     -  
Transfers into Level 3(2) 
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Transfers out of Level 3(2) 
    (8 )     -       -       -       -       -  
Balance, June 30, 2011 
  $ 3     $ 75     $ -     $ 1,156     $ 220     $ 35  
                                                 
Balance, April 1, 2010 
  $ 29     $ 2     $ (7 )   $ 945     $ 207     $ 40  
Total gains (losses), realized and
                                               
unrealized, included in:
                                               
Earnings (loss) as:
                                               
Net investment income (loss)
    -       -       19       -       -       -  
Investment gains (losses), net
    8       -       -       -       2       -  
Increase (decrease) in the fair value
                                               
 of the reinsurance contracts
    -       -       -       616       -       -  
Policyholders' benefits
    -       -       -       -       -       132  
Subtotal
    8       -       19       616       2       132  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Purchases/issuances
    -       -       -       6       -       7  
Sales/settlements
    (28 )     (1 )     -       -       (4 )     -  
Transfers into/out of  Level 3(2) 
    -       17       -       -       -       -  
Balance, June 30, 2010
  $ 9     $ 18     $ 12     $ 1,567     $ 205     $ 179  

(1)     
Includes Trading securities’ Level 3 amount.
(2)     
Transfers into/out of Level 3 classification are reflected at beginning-of-period fair values.
 
 

 
 
41

 


   
Redeem-
         
 
   
 
   
 
   
GWBL
 
   
able
   
Other
   
Other
   
GMIB
   
Separate
   
and Other
 
   
Preferred
   
Equity
   
Invested
   
Reinsurance
   
Accounts
   
Features
 
   
Stock
   
Investments(1)
   
Assets
   
Asset
   
Assets
   
Liability
 
   
 
         
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
   
 
         
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance, January 1, 2011 
  $ 10     $ 77     $ -     $ 1,223     $ 207     $ 38  
Total gains (losses), realized and
                                               
unrealized, included in:
                                               
Earnings (loss) as:
                                               
Net investment income (loss)
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Investment gains (losses), net
    -       -       -       -       8       -  
Increase (decrease) in the fair value
                                               
 of the reinsurance contracts
    -       -       -       (79 )     -       -  
Policyholders' benefits
    -       -       -       -       -       (12 )
Subtotal
    -       -       -       (79 )     8       (12 )
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    -       (2 )     -       -       -       -  
Purchases
    -       -       -       27       7       9  
Issuances
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Sales
    -       -       -       (15 )     (1 )     -  
Settlements
    -       -       -       -       (1 )     -  
Transfers into Level 3(2) 
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Transfers out of Level 3(2) 
    (7 )     -       -       -       -       -  
Balance, June 30, 2011 
  $ 3     $ 75     $ -     $ 1,156     $ 220     $ 35  
                                                 
Balance, January 1, 2010 
  $ 36     $ 2     $ 300     $ 981     $ 230     $ 55  
Total gains (losses), realized and
                                               
unrealized, included in:
                                               
Earnings (loss) as:
                                               
Net investment income (loss)
    -       -       12       -       -       -  
Investment gains (losses), net
    8       -       -       -       (22 )     -  
Increase (decrease) in the fair value
                                               
 of the reinsurance contracts
    -       -       -       574       -       -  
Policyholders' benefits
    -       -       -       -       -       115  
Subtotal
    8       -       12       574       (22 )     115  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    3       -       -       -       -       -  
Purchases/issuances
    -       -       -       12       1       9  
Sales/settlements
    (28 )     (1 )     -       -       (5 )     -  
Transfers into/out of  Level 3(2) 
    (10 )     17       (300 )     -       1       -  
Balance, June 30, 2010
  $ 9     $ 18     $ 12     $ 1,567     $ 205     $ 179  

(1)    
Includes Trading securities’ Level 3 amount.
(2)    
Transfers into/out of Level 3 classification are reflected at beginning-of-period fair values.
 
 

 
 
42

 


The table below details changes in unrealized gains (losses) for the second quarter and first six months of 2011 and 2010 by category for Level 3 assets and liabilities still held at June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively:

   
Earnings (Loss)
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
Increase
   
 
   
 
 
   
Net
   
Investment
   
(Decrease) in
   
 
   
 
 
   
Investment
   
Gains
   
Fair Value of
   
 
   
Policy-
 
   
Income
   
(Losses),
   
Reinsurance
   
 
   
holders'
 
   
(Loss)
   
Net
   
Contracts
   
OCI
   
Benefits
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Level 3 Instruments
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Second Quarter 2011
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Still Held at June 30, 2011:(1)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Change in unrealized gains (losses):
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Corporate
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 3     $ -  
Commercial mortgage-backed
    -       -       -       (9 )     -  
Asset-backed
    -       -       -       -       -  
Redeemable preferred stock
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other fixed maturities, available-for-sale
    -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotal
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (6 )   $ -  
Other invested assets
    -       -       -       (1 )     -  
GMIB reinsurance contracts
    -       -       134       -       -  
Separate Accounts’ assets
    -       3       -       -       -  
GWBL and other features’ liability
    -       -       -       -       (38 )
Total
  $ -     $ 3     $ 134     $ (7 )   $ (38 )
                                         
Level 3 Instruments
                                       
Second Quarter 2010
                                       
Still Held at June 30, 2010:(1)
                                       
Change in unrealized gains (losses):
                                       
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
                                       
Corporate
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 9     $ -  
State and political subdivisions
    -       -       -       3       -  
Commercial mortgage-backed
    -       -       -       (20 )     -  
Asset-backed
    -       -       -       3       -  
Redeemable preferred stock
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other fixed maturities, available-for-sale
    -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotal
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (5 )   $ -  
Other invested assets
    19       -       -       -       -  
GMIB reinsurance contracts
    -       -       622       -       -  
Separate Accounts’ assets
    -       1       -       -       -  
GWBL and other features’ liability
    -       -       -       -       (139 )
Total
  $ 19     $ 1     $ 622     $ (5 )   $ (139 )

(1)    
There were no Equity securities classified as AFS, Other equity investments, Cash equivalents or Segregated securities at June 30, 2011 and 2010.

 
43

 


   
Earnings (Loss)
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
Increase
   
 
   
 
 
   
Net
   
Investment
   
(Decrease) in
   
 
   
 
 
   
Investment
   
Gains
   
Fair Value of
   
 
   
Policy-
 
   
Income
   
(Losses),
   
Reinsurance
   
 
   
holders'
 
   
(Loss)
   
Net
   
Contracts
   
OCI
   
Benefits
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Level 3 Instruments
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
First Six Months of 2011
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Still Held at June 30, 2011:(1)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Change in unrealized gains (losses):
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Corporate
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (2 )   $ -  
Commercial mortgage-backed
    -       -       -       59       -  
Asset-backed
    -       -       -       2       -  
Redeemable preferred stock
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other fixed maturities, available-for-sale
    -       -       -               -  
Subtotal
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 59     $ -  
Other invested assets
    -       -       -       -       -  
GMIB reinsurance contracts
    -       -       (67 )     -       -  
Separate Accounts’ assets
    -       8       -       -       -  
GWBL and other features’ liability
    -       -       -       -       3  
Total
  $ -     $ 8     $ (67 )   $ 59     $ 3  
                                         
Level 3 Instruments
                                       
First Six Months of 2010
                                       
Still Held at June 30, 2010:(1)
                                       
Change in unrealized gains (losses):
                                       
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
                                       
Corporate
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 19     $ -  
State and political subdivisions
    -       -       -       3          
Commercial mortgage-backed
    -       -       -       (93 )     -  
Asset-backed
    -       -       -       6       -  
Redeemable preferred stock
    -       -       -       3       -  
Other fixed maturities, available-for-sale
    -       -       -       -       -  
Subtotal
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (62 )   $ -  
Other invested assets
    13       -       -       -       -  
GMIB reinsurance contracts
    -       -       586       -       -  
Separate Accounts’ assets
    -       (23 )     -       -       -  
GWBL and other features’ liability
    -       -       -       -       (124 )
Total
  $ 13     $ (23 )   $ 586     $ (62 )   $ (124 )

(1)    
There were no Equity securities classified as AFS, Other equity investments, Cash equivalents or Segregated securities at June 30, 2011 and 2010.

Fair value measurements are required on a non-recurring basis for certain assets, including goodwill, mortgage loans on real estate, equity real estate held for production of income, and equity real estate held for sale, only when an OTTI or other event occurs.  When such fair value measurements are recorded, they must be classified and disclosed within the fair value hierarchy.  At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, no assets were required to be measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.
 
 

 
 
44

 
The carrying values and fair values at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 for financial instruments not otherwise disclosed in Note 3 are presented in the table below.  Certain financial instruments are exempt from the requirements for fair value disclosure, such as insurance liabilities other than financial guarantees and investment contracts and pension and other postretirement obligations.

 
 
June 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
 
 
Value
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Consolidated:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Mortgage loans on real estate
  $ 5,289     $ 5,459     $ 4,826     $ 4,950  
Other limited partnership interests
    1,799       1,799       1,556       1,556  
Loans to affiliates
    1,278       1,315       1,280       1,292  
Policyholders liabilities:
                               
Investment contracts
    3,084       3,186       3,179       3,262  
Long-term debt
    658       729       659       697  
 
                               
Closed Blocks:
                               
Mortgage loans on real estate
  $ 1,951     $ 2,017     $ 1,733     $ 1,778  
Other equity investments
    1       1       1       1  
SCNILC liability
    7       7       7       7  


7)  
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Health Acts signed into law in March 2010, are expected to have both immediate and long-term financial reporting implications for many employers who sponsor health plans for active employees and retirees.  While many of the provisions of the Health Acts do not take effect until future years and are intended to coincide with fundamental changes to the healthcare system, current-period measurement of the benefits obligation is required to reflect an estimate of the potential implications of presently enacted law changes absent consideration of potential future plan modifications.  Many of the specifics associated with this new healthcare legislation remain unclear, and further guidance is expected to become available as clarifying regulations are issued to address how the law is to be implemented.  Management, in consultation with its actuarial advisors in respect of AXA Financial Group’s health and welfare plans, has concluded that a reasonable and reliable estimate of the impact of the Health Acts on future benefit levels cannot be made as of June 30, 2011 due to the significant uncertainty and complexity of many aspects of the new law.

Included among the major provisions of the Health Acts is a change in the tax treatment of the Medicare Part D subsidy.  The subsidy came into existence with the enactment of the MMA in 2003 and is available to sponsors of retiree health benefit plans with a prescription drug benefit that is “actuarially equivalent” to the benefit provided by the Medicare Part D program. Prior to the Health Acts, sponsors were permitted to deduct the full cost of these retiree prescription drug plans without reduction for subsidies received.  Although the Medicare Part D subsidy does not become taxable until years beginning after December 31, 2012, the effects of changes in tax law had to be recognized immediately in the income statement of the period of enactment.  When MMA was enacted, AXA Financial Group reduced its health benefits obligation to reflect the expected future subsidies from this program but did not establish a deferred tax asset for the value of the related future tax deductions.  Consequently, passage of the Health Acts did not result in adjustment of the deferred tax accounts.

The funding policy of AXA Financial Group and AllianceBernstein for their respective qualified pension plans is to satisfy their respective funding obligations each year in an amount not less than the minimum required by ERISA, as amended by the Pension Act, and not greater than the maximum it can deduct for Federal income tax purposes.

In the first six months of 2011, cash contributions by AllianceBernstein and AXA Financial Group (other than AllianceBernstein) to their respective qualified pension plans were $0 million and $293 million.  AllianceBernstein and AXA Financial Group currently estimate they will make additional contributions to their respective qualified retirement plans of $7 million and $57 million before year end 2011.
 
 

 
 
45

 


Components of certain benefit costs for AXA Financial Group were as follows:

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Net Periodic Pension Expense:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
(Qualified and Non-qualified Plans)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Service cost
  $ 13     $ 14     $ 26     $ 28  
Interest cost
    43       45       86       91  
Expected return on assets
    (35 )     (32 )     (70 )     (65 )
Net amortization
    42       36       84       72  
Total
  $ 63     $ 63     $ 126     $ 126  
 
                               
Net Postretirement Benefits Costs:
                               
Service cost
  $ 1     $ -     $ 2     $ 1  
Interest cost
    8       9       16       17  
Net amortization
    1       1       3       2  
Total
  $ 10     $ 10     $ 21     $ 20  
 
                               
Net Postemployment Benefits Costs:
                               
Service cost
  $ 2     $ 1     $ 4     $ 2  
Interest cost
    1       1       1       1  
Total
  $ 3     $ 2     $ 5     $ 3  


8)  
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

AXA and AXA Financial sponsor various share-based compensation plans for eligible employees and financial professionals of AXA Financial and its subsidiaries.  AllianceBernstein also sponsors its own unit option plans for certain of its employees.  Activity in these share-based plans in the discussions that follow relates to awards granted to eligible employees and financial professionals of AXA Financial and its subsidiaries under each of these plans in the aggregate, except where otherwise noted.  For the second quarter and first six months of 2011 and 2010, respectively, AXA Financial Group recognized compensation cost for share-based payment arrangements of $60 million, $126 million, $34 million and $93 million.

On March 18, 2011, under the terms of the AXA Performance Unit Plan 2011, AXA awarded approximately 1.8 million unearned performance units to employees and financial professionals of AXA Financial’s subsidiaries. The extent to which targets measuring the performance of AXA and the insurance related businesses of AXA Financial Group are achieved will determine the number of performance units earned, which may vary in linear formula between 0% and 130% of the number of performance units at stake.  The performance units earned during this performance period will vest and be settled the third anniversary of the award date.  The price used to value the performance units at settlement will be the average closing price of the AXA ordinary share for the last 20 trading days of the vesting period converted to U.S. dollars using the Euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate on March 17, 2014.  In second quarter and first six months of 2011, the expense associated with the March 18, 2011 grant of performance units was approximately $1 million and $5 million, respectively.

On March 18, 2011, approximately 2.4 million options to purchase AXA ordinary shares were granted under the terms of the Stock Option Plan at an exercise price of 14.73 euros.  Approximately 2,267,720 of those options have a four-year graded vesting schedule, with one-third vesting on each of the second, third, and fourth anniversaries of the grant date, and approximately 154,711 have a four-year cliff vesting term.  In addition, approximately 390,988 of the total options awarded on March 18, 2011 are further subject to conditional vesting terms that require the AXA ordinary share price to outperform the Euro Stoxx Insurance Index over a specified period.  All of the options granted on March 18, 2011 have a ten-year term.  The weighted average grant date fair value per option award was estimated at $2.46 using a Black-Scholes options pricing model with modification to measure the value of the conditional vesting feature.  Key assumptions used in the valuation included expected volatility of 33.9%, a weighted average expected term of 6.4 years, an expected dividend yield of 7.0% and a risk-free interest rate of 3.13%.  The total fair value of these options (net of expected forfeitures) of approximately $6 million is charged to expense over the shorter of the vesting term or the period up to the date at which the participant becomes retirement eligible.  In second quarter and first six months of 2011, the expense associated with the March 18, 2011 grant of options was approximately $0 million and $2 million, respectively.
 
 
 

 
 
46

 
On March 20, 2011, approximately 830,650 performance units earned under the AXA Performance Unit Plan 2009 were fully vested for total value of approximately $17 million.  Distributions to participants were made on April 14, 2011, resulting in cash settlements of approximately 80% of these performance units for aggregate value of approximately $14 million and equity settlements of the remainder with approximately 163,866 restricted AXA ordinary shares for aggregate value of approximately $3 million.  These AXA ordinary shares were sourced from Treasury shares.


9)  
INCOME TAXES

Income taxes for the interim periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 were computed using an estimated annual effective tax rate.  This rate is revised, if necessary, at the end of each successive interim period to reflect the current estimate of the annual effective tax rate.  The tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2010 reflected a $148 million benefit primarily related to the release of state deferred taxes due to the conversion of ACMC, Inc. from a corporation to a limited liability company.
 
The IRS completed its examination of the AXA Financial's 2004 and 2005 Federal corporate income tax returns and issued its Revenue Agent's Report on August 10, 2011.  AXA Financial expects to appeal certain issues to the Appeals Division of the IRS.  It is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change within the next 12 months due to the conclusion of these IRS proceedings and the addition of new issues for open tax years.  The possible change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits cannot be estimated at this time.


10)  
LITIGATION

There have been no new material legal proceedings and no material developments in specific litigations previously reported in AXA Financial Group’s Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2010, except as set forth below:

Insurance Litigation

In Eagan, in June 2011, the Court granted final approval of the settlement between the parties.

In July 2011, a lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court of the District of New Jersey, entitled Mary Ann Sivolella v. AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company and AXA Equitable Funds Management Group, LLC (“FMG LLC”).  The lawsuit was filed derivatively on behalf of eight funds.  The lawsuit seeks recovery under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, for alleged excessive fees paid to AXA Equitable and FMG LLC for investment management services.  Plaintiff seeks recovery of the alleged overpayments, or alternatively, rescission of the contracts and restitution of all fees paid.

Insurance Regulatory Matters

AXA Financial Group, along with other life insurance industry companies, has been the subject of various examinations regarding its unclaimed property and escheatment procedures.  For example, in June 2011, the New York State Attorney General’s office issued a subpoena to AXA Financial Group in connection with its investigation of industry unclaimed property and escheatment practices.  In July 2011, AXA Financial Group, along with all other life insurance companies licensed to do business in New York, received a request for a special report from the New York State Insurance Department principally concerning insurance company practices for locating beneficiaries when no death claim has been filed.  AXA Financial Group has also been contacted by a third party auditor on behalf of a number of U.S. state jurisdictions for compliance with unclaimed property laws of those jurisdictions. AXA Financial Group is cooperating with these examinations.

In addition to the matters described above and in AXA Financial Group’s Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2010, a number of lawsuits have been filed against life and health insurers in the jurisdictions in which AXA Equitable, MONY Life, and their respective insurance subsidiaries do business involving insurers’ sales practices, alleged agent misconduct, alleged failure to properly supervise agents, contract administration and other matters.  Some of the lawsuits have resulted in the award of substantial judgments against other insurers, including material amounts of punitive damages, or in substantial settlements.  In some states, juries have substantial discretion in awarding punitive damages.  AXA Equitable, AXA Life, MONY Life, MLOA and USFL, like other life and health insurers, from time to time are involved in such litigations.  Some of these actions and proceedings filed against AXA Financial and its subsidiaries have been brought on behalf of various alleged classes of claimants and certain of these claimants seek damages of unspecified amounts.  While the ultimate outcome of such matters cannot be predicted with certainty, in the opinion of management no such matter is likely to have a material adverse effect on AXA Financial Group’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.  However, it should be noted that the frequency of large damage awards, including large punitive damage awards that bear little or no relation to actual economic damages incurred by plaintiffs in some jurisdictions, continues to create the potential for an unpredictable judgment in any given matter.


 
47

 

AllianceBernstein Litigation

In connection with its market timing matters, the derivative claim, which was brought by AllianceBernstein Holding unitholders against the officers and directors of AllianceBernstein and in which plaintiffs sought an unspecified amount of damages, has been resolved pursuant to a stipulation of settlement with plaintiffs and the recovery of insurance proceeds totaling $23 million from relevant carriers.  The stipulation of settlement has been submitted to the court for final approval and, if approved by the court, will result in the settlement proceeds, after payment of plaintiffs’ legal fees, being disbursed to AllianceBernstein.

________________________________________________________
 

Although the outcome of litigation generally cannot be predicted with certainty, management intends to vigorously defend against the allegations made by the plaintiffs in the actions described above and those described in AXA Financial Group’s Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2010, and believes that the ultimate resolution of the litigation described therein involving AXA Financial and/or its subsidiaries should not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position of AXA Financial Group.  Management cannot make an estimate of loss, if any, or predict whether or not any of the litigations described above or in AXA Financial Group’s Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2010 will have a material adverse effect on AXA Financial Group’s consolidated results of operations in any particular period.


11)  
RESTRUCTURING

As part of AXA Financial Group’s on-going efforts to reduce costs and operate more efficiently, from time to time, management has approved and initiated plans to reduce headcount and relocate certain operations.  In the second quarter and first six months of 2011, respectively, AXA Financial Group recorded a $25 million and a $26 million pre-tax charge related to severance costs.

During 2010, AllianceBernstein performed a comprehensive review of its real estate requirements in connection with its workforce reductions that commenced in 2008.  As a result, AllianceBernstein recorded a non-cash pre-tax charge of $102 million in 2010 that reflected the net present value of the difference between the amount of AllianceBernstein’s on-going contractual operating lease obligations for this space and their estimate of current market rental rates, as well as the write-off of leasehold improvements, furniture and equipment related to this space.  During the first six months of 2011, no adjustments were made to the real estate liability.  During the first six months of 2010, a $12 million pre-tax real estate charge was recorded.
 
 

 
48

 

12)  
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The components of comprehensive income (loss) follow:

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Net earnings (loss)
  $ 721     $ 1,749     $ 476     $ 2,096  
 
                               
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
                               
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of reclassification adjustment
    187       380       212       564  
Changes in defined benefit plan related items not yet recognized
                               
 in periodic benefit cost, net of reclassification adjustment
    (16 )     (10 )     (42 )     (31 )
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes
    171       370       170       533  
Comprehensive income (loss)
    892       2,119       646       2,629  
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to
                               
noncontrolling interest
    (66 )     1       (119 )     (61 )
 
                               
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to AXA Financial, Inc.
  $ 826     $ 2,120     $ 527     $ 2,568  
 
 

 
 
49

 


13)  
SEGMENT INFORMATION

The following tables reconcile segment revenues and earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes to total revenues and earnings (loss) as reported on the consolidated statements of earnings and segment assets to total assets on the consolidated balance sheets, respectively.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
Segment revenues:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Financial Advisory/Insurance
  $ 3,055     $ 5,970     $ 4,413     $ 7,773  
Investment Management(1) 
    728       691       1,483       1,421  
Consolidation/elimination
    (5 )     (6 )     (10 )     (12 )
Total Revenues
  $ 3,778     $ 6,655     $ 5,886     $ 9,182  
                                 
Segment earnings (loss) from continuing operations,
                               
before income taxes:
                               
                                 
Financial Advisory/Insurance
  $ 956     $ 2,559     $ 424     $ 2,712  
Investment Management
    93       79       210       193  
Consolidation/elimination
    1       1       1       3  
                                 
Total Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations, before Income Taxes
  $ 1,050     $ 2,639     $ 635     $ 2,908  
 
(1)    Net of interest expense incurred on securities borrowed.

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
Segment assets:
 
 
   
 
 
Financial Advisory/Insurance
  $ 175,898     $ 171,595  
Investment Management
    12,437       12,363  
Consolidation/elimination
    (17 )     (41 )
Total Assets
  $ 188,318     $ 183,917  
 
 

 
 
50

 

Item 2.
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
 
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for AXA Financial Group that follows should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein, with the information provided under “Forward-looking Statements” included elsewhere herein and Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) in Part II, Item 7 and “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A included in AXA Financial Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (“2010 Form 10-K”).
 
BACKGROUND

AXA Financial Group is a diversified financial services organization offering a broad spectrum of financial advisory, insurance and investment management products and services.  Through its insurance company subsidiaries, it is among the oldest and largest life insurance organizations in the United States.  It is also a leading asset manager, with total assets under management of approximately $561.83 billion at June 30, 2011, of which approximately $461.00 billion were managed by AllianceBernstein.  AXA Financial is a wholly owned subsidiary of AXA S.A. (“AXA”), a French holding company for an international group of insurance and related financial services companies.

AXA Financial Group conducts operations in two business segments, the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment and the Investment Management segment.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s business is conducted by AXA Equitable, AXA Advisors, AXA Network, AXA Distributors and the MONY Companies, as well as their subsidiaries.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment offers a variety of term, variable and universal life insurance products, variable and fixed-interest annuity products, mutual funds and other investment products and asset management, financial planning and other services principally to individuals, small and medium-size businesses and professional and trade associations.  The Investment Management segment is principally comprised of the investment management business of AllianceBernstein, a leading global investment management firm.  AllianceBernstein earns revenues primarily by charging fees for managing the investment assets of, and providing research to, its clients.

FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2011 OVERVIEW

The Insurance Group continues to review and modify its product portfolio with the strategy of developing new and innovative products with the objective of offering a more balanced and diversified product portfolio that drives profitable growth while appropriately managing risk.  Solid progress has been made in executing this strategy, as several new and innovative life insurance and annuity products have been introduced to the marketplace, which have been well received.  In the first six months of 2011, sales of these new and innovative products continue to account for a meaningful amount of our total product sales.

In the second quarter and first six months of 2011, respectively, annuities first year premiums by the Insurance Group increased by $71 million, or 6% and $210 million, or 10%, from the comparable 2010 periods, primarily due to increased premiums and deposits of variable annuity products.  The Insurance Group’s life insurance first year premiums and deposits in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 increased by $15 million, or 14% and $32 million, or 16%, from the comparable 2010 periods, primarily due to increased sales of universal life insurance products, partially offset by decreases in first year term life insurance sales.

AllianceBernstein’s total assets under management (“AUM”) as of June 30, 2011 were $461.00 billion, down $17.00 billion, or 3.7%, compared to December 31, 2010.  AllianceBernstein’s AUM decreased $16.30 billion compared to March 31, 2011.  AllianceBernstein’s AUM increased $12.80 billion, or 2.9%, compared to June 30, 2010.  During the first six months of 2011, AUM decreased as a result of net outflows of $33.90 billion (primarily in the Institutions channel), partially offset by market appreciation of $15.70 billion and $1.20 billion related to an acquisition.  During the quarter ended June 30, 2011 AUM decreased as a result of net outflows of $19.50 billion partially offset by market appreciation of $2.00 billion and $1.20 billion related to an acquisition.  During the twelve month period ended June 30, 2011, AUM increased as a result of market appreciation of $82.40 billion and an additional inflow of $9.10 billion (including $8.00 billion from the acquisition of an alternative investments group in October 2010) partially offset by net outflows of $78.70 billion.

 
RECENT EVENTS - FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
 
Our business and results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the capital markets and the economy, generally.  Stressed conditions in the economy and volatility and disruptions in the capital markets and/or particular asset classes can have an adverse effect on our business, consolidated results of operations and financial condition.  Recent events, including among other things, sluggish economic data, concerns over European sovereign debt and the downgrade by Standard & Poors of the United States' debt from AAA to AA+ have added to the uncertainty in the capital markets and could further disrupt economic activity in the United States and elsewhere.  In addition, the recent decision by the United States Federal Reserve to keep the federal funds rate exceptionally low through mid-2013 may exacerbate the interest rate risks inherent in our business.  As a result of these events, many of the risks we face, including those identified in the Risk Factors section of the 2010 Form 10-K, and the resulting adverse effects on our business, consolidated results of operation and financial condition could be exacerbated.  See “Item 1A - Risk Factors” in the 2010 Form 10-K. 
 
GENERAL

In recent years, variable annuity products with GMDB, GMIB and GWBL features (the “VA Guarantee Features”) have been the predominant products issued by AXA Equitable.  These products account for over half of AXA Equitable’s Separate Accounts assets and have been a significant driver of its results.  Because the future claims exposure on these products is sensitive to movements in the equity markets and interest rates, the Insurance Group has in place various hedging and reinsurance programs that are designed to mitigate the impact of movements in the equity markets and interest rates.  Due to the accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP, certain of these hedging and reinsurance programs contribute to earnings volatility. These programs generally include, among others, the following:
 
 
 
 
51

 
·  
GMIB reinsurance contracts.  GMIB reinsurance contracts are used to cede to affiliated and non-affiliated reinsurers a portion of the exposure on variable annuity products that offer the GMIB feature.  Under U.S. GAAP, the GMIB reinsurance contracts ceded to non-affiliated reinsurers are accounted for as derivatives and are reported at fair value.  Gross reserves for GMIB, on the other hand, are calculated under U.S. GAAP on the basis of assumptions related to projected benefits and related contract charges over the lives of the contracts and therefore will not immediately reflect the offsetting impact on future claims exposure resulting from the same capital market and/or interest rate fluctuations that cause gains or losses on the fair value of the GMIB reinsurance contracts.  Because the changes in the fair value of the GMIB reinsurance contracts are recorded in the period in which they occur while offsetting changes in gross reserves for GMIB will be recognized over time, earnings will tend to be more volatile, particularly during periods in which equity markets and/or interest rates change significantly.
 
·  
Hedging programs.  Hedging programs are used to hedge certain risks associated with the VA Guarantee Features.  These programs currently utilize various derivative instruments that are managed in an effort to reduce the economic impact of unfavorable changes in VA Guarantee Features’ exposures attributable to movements in the equity markets and interest rates.  Although these programs are designed to provide a measure of economic protection against the impact adverse market conditions may have with respect to VA Guarantee Features, they do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP, meaning that as in the case of the GMIB reinsurance contracts, changes in the value of the derivatives will be recognized in the period in which they occur while offsetting changes in reserves will be recognized over time, which will contribute to earnings volatility.
 
The table below shows, for second quarter and the first six months of 2011 and 2010 and the year ended December 31, 2010, the impact on Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes of the items discussed above (prior to the impact of Amortization of deferred acquisition costs):
 

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
Year Ended
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
December 31, 2010
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Income (loss) on free-standing derivatives,(1)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
repurchase agreements and reverse
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
repurchase agreements
  $ 619     $ 3,172     $ (243 )   $ 2,892     $ (415 )
Increase (decrease) in fair value of
                                       
GMIB reinsurance contracts(2) 
    134       622       (67 )     586       243  
(Increase) decrease in GMDB, GMIB
                                       
and GWBL reserves, net of
                                       
related GMDB reinsurance(3) 
    (224 )     (669 )     (213 )     (714 )     (922 )
Total
  $ 529     $ 3,125     $ (523 )   $ 2,764     $ (1,094 )

(1)
Reported in Net investment income (loss) in the consolidated statements of earnings (loss).
(2)
Reported in Increase (decrease) in fair value of reinsurance contracts in the consolidated statements of earnings (loss).
(3)
Reported in Policyholders’ benefits in the consolidated statements of earnings (loss).
 
 

 

 
52

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Application of Critical Accounting Estimates

AXA Financial Group’s MD&A is based upon its consolidated financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  The preparation of these financial statements requires the application of accounting policies that often involve a significant degree of judgment, requiring management to make estimates and assumptions (including normal, recurring accruals) that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Management, on an ongoing basis, reviews and evaluates the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements, including those related to investments, recognition of insurance income and related expenses, DAC and VOBA, future policy benefits, recognition of Investment Management revenues and related expenses and benefit plan costs.  AXA Financial Group bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  The results of such factors for the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  If management determines that modifications in assumptions and estimates are appropriate given current facts and circumstances, the consolidated results of operations and financial position as reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements could change significantly.

Management believes the critical accounting policies relating to the following areas are most dependent on the application of estimates, assumptions and judgments:

 
·         Financial Advisory/Insurance Revenue Recognition
 
·         Insurance Reserves and Policyholder Benefits
 
·         DAC and VOBA
 
·         Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
·         Investment Management Revenue Recognition and Related Expenses
 
·         Share-based and Other Compensation Programs
 
·         Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
 
·         Investments – Impairments and Fair Value Measurements
 
·         Income Taxes
 
A discussion of each of the critical accounting estimates may be found in AXA Financial’s 2010 Form 10-K, under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Estimates - Application of Critical Accounting Estimates.”
 
 
 
 

 
 
53

 



CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The consolidated earnings (loss) narrative that follows discusses the results for second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the comparable 2010 period’s results.

AXA Financial, Inc.
 
Consolidated Results of Operations
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Universal life and investment-type product policy fee income
  $ 862     $ 813     $ 1,809     $ 1,588  
Premiums
    378       383       771       773  
Net investment income (loss):
                               
Investment income (loss) from derivative instruments
    560       3,141       (315 )     2,804  
Other investment income (loss)
    849       816       1,648       1,600  
Total net investment income (loss)
    1,409       3,957       1,333       4,404  
Investment gains (losses), net:
                               
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
    (25 )     (52 )     (25 )     (96 )
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income
    1       3       1       6  
Net impairment losses recognized
    (24 )     (49 )     (24 )     (90 )
Other investment gains (losses), net
    (4 )     3       (5 )     27  
Total investment gains (losses), net
    (28 )     (46 )     (29 )     (63 )
Commissions, fees and other income
    1,023       926       2,069       1,894  
Increase (decrease) in fair value of reinsurance contracts
    134       622       (67 )     586  
Total revenues
    3,778       6,655       5,886       9,182  
 
                               
Policyholders' benefits
    947       1,499       1,734       2,401  
Interest credited to policyholders' account balances
    278       247       549       512  
Compensation and benefits
    604       559       1,208       1,177  
Commissions
    274       238       528       459  
Distribution related payments
    78       71       153       138  
Amortization of deferred sales commission
    10       12       20       24  
Interest expense
    84       93       168       188  
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and
                               
value of business acquired
    287       1,170       559       1,103  
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    (256 )     (236 )     (486 )     (455 )
Rent expense
    69       65       139       137  
Amortization of other intangible assets
    10       10       20       20  
Other operating costs and expenses
    343       288       659       570  
Total benefits and other deductions
    2,728       4,016       5,251       6,274  
 
                               
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    1,050       2,639       635       2,908  
Income tax (expense) benefit
    (329 )     (890 )     (159 )     (812 )
 
                               
Net earnings (loss)
    721       1,749       476       2,096  
Less: net (earnings) loss attributable to the
                               
noncontrolling interest
    (49 )     (43 )     (109 )     (103 )
 
                               
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to AXA Financial, Inc.
  $ 672     $ 1,706     $ 367     $ 1,993  
 
 
 
 

 
 
54

 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2011 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
Net earnings attributable to the AXA Financial Group in second quarter 2011 were $672 million, a decrease of $1.03 billion from the $1.71 billion of net earnings attributable to the AXA Financial Group during second quarter 2010 as lower investment income from derivative instruments, a lower increase in the fair value of reinsurance contracts and increases in other operating costs and expenses were partially offset by increases in policy fee income, lower impairment losses on fixed maturities, higher commissions, fees and other income, lower policyholders’ benefits and lower DAC and VOBA amortization.
 
Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest were $49 million in second quarter 2011 as compared to $43 million from second quarter 2010 as earnings from AllianceBernstein were higher quarter over quarter.
 
Net earnings inclusive of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, were $721 million in second quarter 2011, a decrease of $1.03 billion from the $1.75 billion of net earnings reported for second quarter 2010 due to the decline of $1.04 billion in the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment partially offset by the $14 million increase in earnings in the Investment Management segment.  There were no results from discontinued operations reported in the second quarters of 2011 and 2010.
 
Income tax expense in second quarter 2011 was $329 million compared to $890 million in second quarter 2010.  The change from quarter to quarter was primarily due to lower earnings in second quarter 2011 compared to second quarter 2010.
 
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes were $1.05 billion for second quarter 2011, a decline of $1.59 billion from the $2.64 billion in pre-tax earnings reported for the year earlier quarter.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s earnings from continuing operations totaled $956 million in second quarter 2011, $1.60 billion lower than second quarter 2010’s earnings of $2.56 billion; the decrease was primarily due to lower investment income from derivatives and a lower increase in the fair value of reinsurance contracts partially offset by higher policy fee income, lower impairment losses on fixed maturities, higher commissions, fees and other income, lower policyholders’ benefits and lower DAC and VOBA amortization.  The Investment Management segment’s earnings from continuing operations were $93 million in second quarter 2011, $14 million higher than the $79 million in second quarter 2010, principally due to lower net investment income losses and higher distribution revenues, partially offset by higher compensation and benefits, higher distribution related payments and higher other operating costs at AllianceBernstein in the 2011 quarter.
 
Total consolidated revenues for AXA Financial Group were $3.79 billion in second quarter 2011, a decrease of $2.88 billion from the $6.65 billion reported in the 2010 quarter.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment posted a $2.92 million decrease in its revenues while the Investment Management segment had an increase of $37 million.  The decrease of Financial Advisory/Insurance segment revenues to $3.06 billion in the 2011 period as compared to $5.97 billion in second quarter 2010 was principally due to the $2.58 billion lower investment income from derivatives, a lower increase in the fair value of reinsurance contracts accounted for as derivatives of $134 million as compared to $622 million in the 2010 quarter, partially offset by the $49 million higher policy fee income and the $14 million decrease in investment gains (losses), net.  The Investment Management segment’s $728 million in revenues for second quarter 2011 as compared to $691 million in the 2010 period primarily was due to $37 million of lower net investment income losses and a $9 million increase in distribution revenues partially offset by the $10 million decrease in Bernstein research services at AllianceBernstein.
 
Consolidated total benefits and expenses were $2.73 billion in second quarter 2011, a decrease of $1.29 billion from the $4.02 billion total for the comparable quarter in 2010.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s total expenses were $2.10 billion, a decrease of $1.31 billion from the second quarter 2010 total of $3.41 billion.  The second quarter 2011 total expenses for the Investment Management segment were $635 million, $23 million higher than the $612 million in expenses in second quarter 2010.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s decrease was principally due to DAC and VOBA amortization of $287 million in the 2011 quarter as compared to amortization of DAC and VOBA of $1.17 billion in the comparable 2010 quarter and $552 million decline in policyholders’ benefits partially offset by a $41 million increase in other operating costs and expenses (including $25 million related to severance expenses), a $36 million increase in commissions and a $31 million increase in compensation and benefits.  The increase in expenses for the Investment Management segment was related to $15 million higher compensation and benefits and a $7 million increase in distribution related payments at AllianceBernstein.
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
Net earnings attributable to the AXA Financial Group in the first six months of 2011 were $367 million, a decline of $1.63 billion from the $1.99 billion of net earnings attributable to AXA Financial Group during the first six months of 2010 as lower investment income from derivative instruments, a decrease in the fair value of reinsurance contracts compared to an increase in the prior period, higher operating costs and expenses and the absence of a one-time tax benefit in 2010 were partially offset by increases in policy fee income, higher commissions, fees and other income, lower policyholders’ benefits and decreases in DAC and VOBA amortization.
 
 
 
 
 
55

 
Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest were $109 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to $103 million from the comparable 2010 period.  The increase was principally due to lower losses in AllianceBernstein subsidiaries for which there is a noncontrolling interest, ($15 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 as compared to $26 million for the comparable prior year).
 
Net earnings inclusive of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, were $476 million in the first six months of 2011, a decline of $1.62 billion from the $2.10 billion of net earnings reported for the comparable 2010 period due to the respective declines of $1.49 billion and $132 million in the Financial Advisory/Insurance and Investment Management segments.  There were no results from discontinued operations reported in the first six months of 2011 and 2010.
 
Income tax expense in the first six months of 2011 was $159 million compared to $812 million in the comparable 2010 period.  The decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to the decrease in pre-tax income. The income tax expense in the first six months of 2010 was also impacted by a tax benefit of $148 million in first quarter 2010 related to the release of state deferred taxes held in the Investment Management segment resulting from the conversion of an AXA Equitable subsidiary from a corporation to a limited liability company, ACMC LLC (“ACMC”).  As a limited liability company, ACMC’s income is subject to state income taxes at the rate of its sole owner, AXA Equitable; that rate is substantially less than the rate previously applicable to ACMC as a corporation.  ACMC’s principal asset is its holdings of AllianceBernstein Units.  There will continue to be a reduction of related taxes in future periods, but to a far lesser degree.
 
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes were $635 million for the first six months of 2011, a decline of $2.27 billion from the $2.91 billion in pre-tax earnings reported for the year earlier period.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s earnings from continuing operations totaled $424 million in the first six months of 2011, $2.29 billion lower than the first six months of 2010’s earnings of $2.71 billion; the decrease was primarily due to investment loss from derivatives as compared to income in the prior period, a decrease in the fair value of reinsurance contracts as compared to an increase in the prior period partially offset by higher policy fee income, lower impairments on fixed maturities, higher commissions, fees and other income, lower DAC and VOBA amortization and lower policyholders’ benefits.  The Investment Management segment’s earnings from continuing operations were $210 million in the first six months of 2011, $17 million higher than the $193 million in the comparable 2010 period, principally due to higher distribution revenues, lower net investment income (loss) in the first six months of 2011 as compared to the 2010 period, partially offset by higher compensation and benefits, higher distribution related payments and higher other operating costs at AllianceBernstein in the first six months of 2011.
 
Total consolidated revenues for AXA Financial Group were $5.89 billion in the first six months of 2011, a decrease of $3.30 billion from the $9.18 billion reported in the comparable 2010 period.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment reported a $3.36 billion decrease in its revenues while the Investment Management segment had an increase of $62 million.  The decrease of Financial Advisory/Insurance segment revenues to $4.41 billion in the 2011 period as compared to $7.77 billion in the first six months of 2010 was principally due to the $312 million investment loss from derivatives as compared to $2.81 billion investment income in the prior period, a decrease in the fair value of reinsurance contracts accounted for as derivatives of $67 million as compared to a $586 million increase in the first six months of 2010, partially offset by the $221 million higher policy fee income and the $158 million increase in commissions, fees and other income.  The Investment Management segment’s $1.48 billion in revenues for the first six months of 2011 as compared to $1.42 billion in the comparable 2010 period primarily was due to a $49 million improvement in net investment income (loss) and a $9 million increase in distribution revenues at AllianceBernstein.
 
Consolidated total benefits and expenses were $5.25 billion in the first six months of 2011, a decrease of $1.02 billion from the $6.27 billion total for the comparable period in 2010.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s total benefits and expenses were $3.99 billion, a decrease of $1.07 billion from the first six months of 2010 total of $5.06 billion.  The first six months of 2011’s total expenses for the Investment Management segment were $1.27 billion, $45 million higher than the $1.23 billion in expenses in the comparable 2010 period.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s decrease was principally due to DAC and VOBA amortization of $559 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to amortization of DAC and VOBA of $1.10 billion in the comparable 2010 period, a $667 million decline in policyholders’ benefits and a $4 million reduction in compensation and benefits, partially offset by a $69 million increase in commissions and a $68 million increase in other operating costs and expenses (including a $26 million charge for severance costs).  The increase in expenses for the Investment Management segment was related to $36 million higher compensation and benefits and a $15 million increase in distribution related payments at AllianceBernstein.
 
 

 
 
56

 


 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT
 
Financial Advisory/Insurance Segment
 

Financial Advisory/Insurance Segment
 
Results of Operations
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Universal life and investment-type product policy fee income
  $ 862     $ 813     $ 1,809     $ 1,588  
Premiums
    378       383       771       773  
Net investment income (loss):
                               
Investment income (loss) from derivative instruments
    562       3,143       (312 )     2,806  
Other investment income (loss)
    844       849       1,622       1,625  
Total net investment income (loss)
    1,406       3,992       1,310       4,431  
Investment gains (losses), net:
                               
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
    (25 )     (52 )     (25 )     (96 )
Portion of losses recognized in other comprehensive income
    1       3       1       6  
Net impairment losses recognized
    (24 )     (49 )     (24 )     (90 )
Other investment gains (losses), net
    (4 )     7       (2 )     27  
Total investment gains (losses), net
    (28 )     (42 )     (26 )     (63 )
Commissions, fees and other income
    303       202       616       458  
Increase (decrease) in fair value of reinsurance contracts
    134       622       (67 )     586  
Total revenues
    3,055       5,970       4,413       7,773  
 
                               
Policyholders' benefits
    947       1,499       1,734       2,401  
Interest credited to policyholders' account balances
    278       247       549       512  
Compensation and benefits
    257       226       500       504  
Commission costs
    274       238       528       459  
Interest expense
    83       81       166       166  
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    287       1,170       559       1,103  
Capitalization of DAC
    (256 )     (236 )     (486 )     (455 )
Rent expense
    22       20       46       46  
Amortization of other intangible assets, net
    1       1       2       2  
All other operating costs and expenses
    206       165       391       323  
Total benefits and other deductions
    2,099       3,411       3,989       5,061  
 
                               
Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations, before
                               
Income Taxes
  $ 956     $ 2,559     $ 424     $ 2,712  

Three Months ended June 30, 2011 as Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
Revenues
 
In second quarter 2011, the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s revenues decreased $2.92 billion to $3.06 billion from $5.97 billion in the 2010 quarter.  The revenue decrease for this segment was principally due to lower investment income from derivative instruments in the 2011 quarter as compared to the prior year’s quarter of $2.58 billion, a lower increase in the fair value of the reinsurance contracts as compared to the 2010 quarter of $488 million partially offset by higher policy fee income of $49 million, $101 million higher commissions, fees and other income and the $24 million impairment loss in the 2011 quarter as compared to $49 million in impairment loss in the year earlier quarter.
 
 
 
 
 
57

 
Policy fee income totaled $862 million in second quarter 2011, $49 million higher than for second quarter 2010.  This increase was primarily due to higher fees earned on higher average Separate Account balances due primarily to market appreciation in 2010 and continuing into 2011.
 
Net investment income totaled $1.41 billion in second quarter 2011, a decline of $2.59 billion from the $3.99 billion in the 2010 quarter primarily due to the $2.58 billion decrease in income on derivative instruments ($562 million in the 2011 quarter as compared to $3.14 billion in the year earlier period).  Other investment income decreased $5 million to $844 million as the $34 million increase from equity limited partnerships was offset by the $22 million decline on trading securities ($90 million of income in the 2011 quarter versus the $112 million in the 2010 quarter) and $14 million lower income on fixed maturities.
 
Investment losses, net totaled $28 million in second quarter 2011 as compared to $42 million in the prior year’s quarter.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s net loss in second quarter 2011 was due to $24 million of writedowns on fixed maturities in second quarter 2011 as compared to $49 million in second quarter 2010.  Gains from sales of fixed maturities totaled $5 million in second quarter 2011 as compared to $4 million in second quarter 2010.  In addition, there was $11 million in additions to valuation allowances on mortgage loans in the second quarter of 2011 as compared to $5 million in the 2010 period.
 
Commissions, fees and other income increased $101 million in second quarter 2011 to $303 million from $202 million in second quarter 2010.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s second quarter 2011 increase was principally due to a $5 million increase in the fair value of foreign exchange contracts in the 2011 quarter as compared to a $72 million decrease in second quarter 2010 and a $23 million increase to $215 million of gross investment management and distribution fees received from EQAT and VIP Trust due to a higher asset base primarily due to market appreciation.
 
In second quarter 2011, there was a $134 million increase in the fair value of the GMIB reinsurance contracts, which are accounted for as derivatives, as compared to a $622 million increase in second quarter 2010; both quarters’ changes reflected existing capital market conditions.
 
Benefits and Other Deductions
 
Total benefits and other deductions decreased $1.31 billion in second quarter 2011 to $2.10 billion principally due to the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s $883 million lower DAC and VOBA amortization, $287 million in second quarter 2011 as compared to $1.17 billion of DAC and VOBA amortization in the 2010 quarter and $552 million lower policyholders’ benefits.
 
In second quarter 2011, policyholders’ benefits totaled $947 million, a decrease of $552 million from the $1.50 billion reported for second quarter 2010.  The decrease was principally due to a $348 million lower increase in GMDB/GMIB reserves ($199 million in second quarter 2011 as compared to $547 million in second quarter 2010), a $97 million lower increase in the GWBL reserves (a $25 million increase in the 2011 quarter as compared to the $122 million increase in the year earlier period) as well as a $92 million decrease to $599 million in benefits paid in the 2011 period.  These decreases were supplemented by the $19 million lower increase in no lapse guarantee reserves ($1 million in second quarter 2011 as compared to $20 million in the 2010 quarter).  Policyholders’ dividends decreased $8 million to $123 million in second quarter 2011.
 
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances increased $31 million in second quarter 2011 to $278 million from $247 million in second quarter 2010 primarily due to the absence of a $15 million liability release in second quarter 2010, and higher average policyholders’ account balances partially offset by lower crediting rates.
 
Total compensation and benefits increased $31 million to $257 million in second quarter 2011 from $226 million in second quarter 2010.  The increase for the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment was primarily due to higher incentive compensation, an increase in share-based and other compensation programs and an increase in employee benefit costs.
 
For second quarter 2011, commissions in the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment totaled $274 million, an increase of $36 million from $238 million in second quarter 2010 principally due to higher asset based compensation reflecting higher asset values, higher mutual fund commissions and increased variable annuity and universal life product sales.
 
DAC and VOBA amortization was $287 million in second quarter 2011, a change of $883 million from $1.17 billion of amortization in second quarter 2010.  The larger DAC amortization in 2010 was primarily due to substantial hedge gains from lower market performance.  In second quarter 2011, DAC amortization was reduced by $131 million due to a favorable change in expected mortality margins from variable and interest sensitive life products.
 
In accordance with the guidance for the accounting and reporting by insurance enterprises for certain long-duration contracts and participating contracts and for realized gains and losses from the sale of investments, current and expected future profit margins for products covered by this guidance are examined regularly in determining the amortization of DAC.  Due primarily to the significant decline in Separate Accounts balances during 2008 and a change in the estimate of average gross short-term annual return on Separate Accounts balances to 9.0%, future estimated gross profits for certain issue years for the Accumulator® products were expected to be negative as the increases in the fair values of derivatives used to hedge certain risks related to these products are recognized in current earnings while the related reserves do not fully and immediately reflect the impact of equity and interest market fluctuations.  As required under U.S. GAAP, for those issue years with future estimated negative gross profits, the DAC amortization method was permanently changed in fourth quarter 2008 from one based on estimated gross profits to one based on estimated account balances for the Accumulator® products, subject to loss recognition testing.  In second quarter 2011, the DAC amortization method was changed to one based on estimated account balances for all issue years for the Accumulator® products due to the continued volatility of margins and the continued emergence of periods of negative margins.
 
 

 
 
58

 
For universal life products and investment-type products, DAC is amortized over the expected total life of the contract group as a constant percentage of estimated gross profits arising principally from investment results, Separate Account fees, mortality and expense margins and surrender charges based on historical and anticipated future experience, updated at the end of each accounting period.  When estimated gross profits are expected to be negative for multiple years of a contract life, DAC is amortized using the present value of estimated assessments.  The effect on the amortization of DAC of revisions to estimated gross profits or assessments is reflected in earnings in the period such estimated gross profits or assessments are revised.  A decrease in expected gross profits or assessments would accelerate DAC amortization.  Conversely, an increase in expected gross profits or assessments would slow DAC amortization.  The effect on the DAC assets that would result from realization of unrealized gains (losses) is recognized with an offset to accumulated comprehensive income in consolidated shareholder’s equity as of the balance sheet date.

A significant assumption in the amortization of DAC on variable annuities and, to a lesser extent, on variable and interest-sensitive life insurance relates to projected future Separate Account performance.  Management sets estimated future gross profit or assessment assumptions related to Separate Account performance using a long-term view of expected average market returns by applying a reversion to the mean approach, a commonly used industry practice.  This future return approach influences the projection of fees earned, as well as other sources of estimated gross profits.  Returns that are higher than expectations for a given period produce higher than expected account balances, increase the fees earned resulting in higher expected future gross profits and lower DAC amortization for the period.  The opposite occurs when returns are lower than expected.

In applying this approach to develop estimates of future returns, it is assumed that the market will return to an average gross long-term return estimate, developed with reference to historical long-term equity market performance.  Currently, the average gross long-term return estimate is measured from December 31, 2008. Management has set limitations as to maximum and minimum future rate of return assumptions, as well as a limitation on the duration of use of these maximum or minimum rates of return.  As of June 30, 2011, the average gross short-term and long-term annual return estimate on variable and interest-sensitive life insurance and variable annuities was 9% (6.74% net of product weighted average Separate Account fees), and the gross maximum and minimum short-term annual rate of return limitations were 15% (12.74% net of product weighted average Separate Account fees) and 0% (-2.26% net of product weighted average Separate Account fees), respectively.  The maximum duration over which these rate limitations may be applied is 5 years.  This approach will continue to be applied in future periods.  These assumptions of long-term growth are subject to assessment of the reasonableness of resulting estimates of future return assumptions.

If actual market returns continue at levels that would result in assuming future market returns of 15.0% for more than 5 years in order to reach the average gross long-term return estimate, the application of the 5 year maximum duration limitation would result in an acceleration of DAC amortization.  Conversely, actual market returns resulting in assumed future market returns of 0.0% for more than 5 years would result in a required deceleration of DAC amortization.  At June 30, 2011, current projections of future average gross market returns assume a 0% annualized return for the next seven quarters, which is within the maximum and minimum limitations, and assume a reversion to the mean of 9% in eleven quarters.  To demonstrate the sensitivity of variable annuity DAC amortization, a 1% increase in the assumption for future Separate Account rate of return would result in an approximately $250 million net decrease in DAC amortization and a 1% decrease in the assumption for future Separate Account rate of return would result in an approximately $219 million net increase in DAC amortization.  This information considers only the effect of changes in the future Separate Account rate of return and not changes in any other assumptions used in the measurement of the DAC balance.

In addition, projections of future mortality assumptions related to variable and interest-sensitive life products are based on a long-term average of actual experience.  This assumption is updated quarterly to reflect recent experience as it emerges.  Improvement of life mortality in future periods from that currently projected would result in future deceleration of DAC amortization.  Conversely, deterioration of life mortality in future periods from that currently projected would result in future acceleration of DAC amortization.  Generally, life mortality experience has been improving in recent years.

Other significant assumptions underlying gross profit estimates relate to contract persistency and General Account investment spread.

DAC capitalization totaled $256 million in second quarter 2011, an increase of $20 million from the $236 million reported in second quarter 2010.  The increase was primarily due to a $24 million increase in first-year commissions, partially offset by a $4 million decrease in deferrable operating expenses.
 
 
 
 
 
59

 
Other operating costs and expenses for the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment increased $41 million to $206 million in the second quarter of 2011 as compared to $165 million in the year earlier quarter principally due to $25 million of severance costs recorded in second quarter 2011, a $16 million increase in legal expenses and litigation reserves and $14 million in expenses related to fees paid to an affiliate in 2011 (including the $10 million related to employee salaries previously reported in compensation and benefits in the consolidated statement of earnings), partially offset by a $7 million decrease in printing and stationary expenses and a $4 million decrease in advertising expenses.
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 as Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
Revenues
 
In the first six months of 2011, the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s revenues decreased $3.36 billion to $4.41 billion from $7.77 billion in the 2010 period.  The revenue decrease for this segment was principally due to investment losses from derivative instruments in the first six months of 2011, as compared to investment income in the first six months of 2010, and a decrease in the fair value of the reinsurance contracts in the first six months of 2011 as compared to an increase in the 2010 period partially offset by higher policy fee income of $221 million, the $158 million higher commissions, fees and other income and $24 million of impairment losses in the first six months of 2011 as compared to $90 million in impairment losses in the year earlier period.
 
Policy fee income totaled $1.81 billion in the first six months of 2011, $221 million higher than for the 2010 period.  This increase was primarily due to higher fees earned on higher average Separate Account balances due primarily to market appreciation in 2010 and continuing into 2011 and a decrease in the initial fee liability resulting from the projection of lower future cost of insurance charges (more than offset in DAC amortization).
 
Net investment income totaled $1.31 billion in the first six months of 2011, a decline of $3.12 billion from the $4.43 billion in the 2010 period primarily due to losses on derivative instruments of $312 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to income of $2.81 billion in the year earlier period.  Other investment income decreased $3 million to $1.62 billion as the $96 million increase from equity limited partnerships were offset by the $59 million decline in income on trading securities ($81 million in income in the first six months of 2011 versus $140 million in the 2010 period) and $30 million lower income on fixed maturities.
 
Investment losses, net totaled $26 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to net losses of $63 million in the prior year’s comparable period.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s net losses in the first six months of 2011 was due to the $24 million of writedowns on fixed maturities in the first six months of 2011 as compared to $90 million in the comparable 2010 period (all of which related to CMBS securities) partially offset by $8 million of gains from the sale of General Account fixed maturities, down from $31 million from the year earlier period.  In addition, there were $11 million in additions to valuation allowances on mortgage loans in the first six months of 2011 as compared to $14 million in the 2010 period.
 
Commissions, fees and other income increased $158 million in the first six months of 2011 to $616 million from $458 million in the comparable 2010 period.  The Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s increase in the first six months of 2011 were principally due to a $98 million lower decrease in the fair value of foreign exchange contracts (from $102 million in the first six months of  2010 to $4 million in the comparable 2011 period), a $43 million increase to $426 million of gross investment management and distribution fees received from EQAT and VIP Trust due to a higher asset base primarily due to market appreciation, and a $17 million increase primarily in third party fee income at AXA Advisors and AXA Network.
 
In the first six months of 2011, there was a $67 million decrease in the fair value of the GMIB reinsurance contracts, which are accounted for as derivatives, as compared to a $586 million increase in their fair value in the first six months of 2010; both quarters’ changes reflected existing capital market conditions.
 
Benefits and Other Deductions
 
Total benefits and other deductions decreased $1.07 billion in the first six months of 2011 to $3.99 billion principally due to the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s $667 million decrease in policyholders’ benefits and $544 million lower DAC and VOBA amortization ($559 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to $1.10 billion in the comparable 2010 period).
 
In the first six months of 2011, policyholders’ benefits totaled $1.73 billion, a decrease of $667 million from the $2.40 billion reported for the comparable 2010 period.  The decrease was principally due to a $392 million lower increase in GMDB/GMIB reserves ($215 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to $607 million in the first six months of 2010), a $109 million decrease in the GWBL reserves (a $2 million decline in the first six months of 2011 as compared to the $107 million increase in the year earlier period) as well as a $110 million decrease to $1.23 billion in benefits paid in the 2011 period.  These decreases were supplemented by the $60 million lower increase in no lapse guarantee reserves ($13 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to $73 million in the first six months of 2010).  Policyholders dividends increased $4 million to $277 million in the first six months of 2011, partially offsetting the above listed declines.
 
 
 
 
 
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Total compensation and benefits decreased $4 million to $500 million in the first six months of 2011 from $504 million in the comparable 2010 period.  The decrease for the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment was primarily due to a $6 million decrease in salaries ($9 million in agent compensation and $22 million in salaries for employees transferred to an unconsolidated affiliate in 2011, whose related party costs are now reported in other operating costs and expenses, partially offset by higher incentive compensation and a $3 million increase in share-based and other compensation programs.
 
For the first six months of 2011, commissions in the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment totaled $528 million, an increase of $69 million from $459 million in the first six months of 2010 principally due to higher asset based compensation reflecting higher asset values, higher mutual fund commissions and increased variable annuity and universal life product sales.
 
DAC and VOBA amortization was $559 million in the first six months of 2011, a decrease of $544 million from $1.10 billion of amortization in the comparable 2010 period.  The larger DAC and VOBA amortization in 2010 was primarily due to substantial hedge gains from lower market performance in the first six months of 2010.  In 2011, DAC amortization was reduced due to a favorable change in expected mortality margins and higher future margins in later policy years, partially offset by lower projected cost of insurance charges in variable and interest sensitive life products (partially offset in the initial fee liability).
 
DAC capitalization totaled $486 million in the first six months of 2011, an increase of $31 million from the $455 million reported in the comparable 2010 period.  The increase was primarily due to a $43 million increase in first-year commissions, partially offset by a $12 million decrease in deferrable operating expenses.
 
Other operating costs and expenses for the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment increased $68 million to $391 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to $323 million in the year earlier period principally due to $26 million in severance costs recorded in the first six months of 2011, $22 million in expenses related to fees paid to an affiliate in 2011 related to employee salaries previously reported in compensation and benefits in the consolidated statement of earnings, an $18 million increase in legal expenses and litigation reserves and $9 million higher sub-advisory fees partially offset by a $7 million decrease in advertising expenses.
 
Premiums and Deposits
 
The market for annuity and life insurance products of the types issued by the Insurance Group continues to be dynamic as the global economy and capital markets continue to recover from the period of significant stress experienced in recent years.  Among other things:

·    
features and pricing of various products, including but not limited to variable annuity products, continue to change, in response to changing customer preferences, company risk appetites, capital utilization and other factors, and
·    
various insurance companies, including one or more in the Insurance Group, have eliminated and/or limited sales of certain annuity and life insurance products or features.
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
61

 

The following table lists sales for major insurance product lines and mutual funds.  Premiums and deposits are presented net of internal conversions and are presented gross of reinsurance ceded.
 

Premiums, Deposits and Mutual Fund Sales
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
Retail:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Annuities
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
First year
  $ 853     $ 770     $ 1,621     $ 1,467  
Renewal
    606       602       1,204       1,198  
      1,459       1,372       2,825       2,665  
Life(1)
                               
First year
    74       70       149       137  
Renewal
    563       569       1,129       1,149  
      637       639       1,278       1,286  
Other(2)
                               
First year
    3       3       6       6  
Renewal
    54       61       120       128  
      57       64       126       134  
                                 
Total retail
    2,153       2,075       4,229       4,085  
                                 
Wholesale:
                               
Annuities
                               
First year
    404       416       770       714  
Renewal
    100       125       211       247  
      504       541       981       961  
Life(1)
                               
First year
    47       36       87       67  
Renewal
    191       164       375       327  
      238       200       462       394  
                                 
Other
    -       1       -       1  
                                 
                                 
Total wholesale
    742       742       1,443       1,356  
                                 
Total Premiums and Deposits
  $ 2,895     $ 2,817     $ 5,672     $ 5,441  
Total Mutual Fund Sales(3) 
  $ 1,224     $ 1,278     $ 2,344     $ 2,404  

(1)
Includes variable, interest-sensitive and traditional life products.
(2)
Includes reinsurance assumed and health insurance.
(3)
Includes through AXA Advisors’ advisory accounts.

Total premiums and deposits for insurance and annuity products for the second quarter of 2011 were $2.90 billion, an increase of $78 million from the $2.82 billion in the comparable 2010 quarter while total first year premiums and deposits increased $86 million to $1.38 billion in the second quarter of 2011 from $1.29 billion in the comparable 2010 quarter.  The annuity lines’ first year premiums and deposits increased $71 million to $1.26 billion due to the $99 million increase in sales of variable annuities ($91 million in the retail channel and $8 million in the wholesale) partially offset by lower sales of fixed annuities of $26 million.  First year premiums and deposits for the life insurance products increased $15 million, primarily due to the $18 million and $5 million respective increases in sales of universal life insurance products in the wholesale and retail channels, partially offset by the $4 million and $2 million respective decreases in first year term life insurance sales in the wholesale and retail channels.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Total premiums and deposits for insurance and annuity products for the first six months of 2011 were $5.67 billion, an increase of $231 million from the $5.44 billion in the comparable 2010 period while total first year premiums and deposits increased $242 billion to $2.63 billion in the first six months of 2011 from $2.39 billion in the comparable 2010 period.  The annuity lines’ first year premiums and deposits increased $210 million to $2.39 billion due to the $242 million increase in sales of variable annuities ($156 million in the retail channel and $86 million in the wholesale) partially offset by lower sales of fixed annuities of $31 million.  First year premiums and deposits for the life insurance products increased $32 million, primarily due to the $28 million and $21 million respective increases in sales of universal life insurance products in the wholesale and retail channels and, partially offset by the $9 million and $4 million respective decreases in first year term life insurance sales in the wholesale and retail channels.
 

Surrenders and Withdrawals
 
The following table presents surrender and withdrawal amounts and rates for major insurance product lines.   Annuity surrenders and withdrawals are presented net of internal replacements.
 

Surrenders and Withdrawals
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Rates(1)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
   
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
(Dollars in Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Annuities
  $ 1,656     $ 1,443     $ 3,346     $ 2,909       6.7 %     6.5 %
Variable and interest-sensitive life
    230       215       466       437       4.3 %     4.3 %
Traditional life
    131       148       276       299       3.8 %     4.0 %
Total
  $ 2,017     $ 1,806     $ 4,088     $ 3,645                  

(1)
Surrender rates are based on the average surrenderable future policy benefits and/or policyholders’ account balances for the related policies and contracts in force during 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Surrenders and withdrawals increased $211 million, from $1.81 billion in the second quarter of 2010 to $2.02 billion for the second quarter of 2011.  There were increases of $213 million and $15 million in individual annuities and variable and interest-sensitive life surrenders and withdrawals, respectively, with a decrease of $17 million reported for the traditional life insurance line.
 
Surrenders and withdrawals increased $443 million, from $3.65 billion in the first six months of 2010 to $4.09 billion for the first six months of 2011.  There were increases of $437 million and $29 million in individual annuities and variable and interest-sensitive life surrenders and withdrawals, respectively, with a decrease of $23 million reported for the traditional life insurance line.  The annualized annuities surrender rate increased to 6.7% in the first six months of 2011 from 6.5% in the comparable 2010 period but continue to be lower than the expected long-term surrender rates.  In 2010, expectations of long-term surrender rates for variable annuities with GMDB and GMIB guarantees were lowered at certain policy durations based upon emerging experience.  If current lower rates continue, the expected claims costs from minimum guarantees will increase, partially offset by increased product policy fee income.
 



 
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Investment Management Segment
 

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Investment Management - Results of Operations
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Investment advisory and services fees(1) 
  $ 508     $ 513     $ 1,023     $ 1,025  
Bernstein research services
    107       117       227       228  
Distribution revenues
    92       84       181       164  
Other revenues(1) 
    30       27       56       54  
Commissions, fees and other income
    737       741       1,487       1,471  
                                 
Investment income (loss)
    (7 )     (44 )     2       (48 )
Less: interest expense to finance trading activities
    (2 )     (2 )     (3 )     (2 )
Net investment income (loss)
    (9 )     (46 )     (1 )     (50 )
                                 
Investment gains (losses), net
    -       (4 )     (3 )     -  
Total revenues
    728       691       1,483       1,421  
                                 
Expenses:
                               
Compensation and benefits
    348       333       709       673  
Distribution related payments
    78       71       153       138  
Amortization of deferred sales commissions
    10       12       20       24  
Real estate charge
    -       -       -       12  
Interest expense
    1       12       2       22  
Rent expense
    47       45       93       91  
Amortization of other intangible assets, net
    9       9       18       18  
Other operating costs and expenses
    142       130       278       250  
Total expenses
    635       612       1,273       1,228  
                                 
Earnings (Loss) from Operations before Income Taxes
  $ 93     $ 79     $ 210     $ 193  

(1)
Included fees earned by AllianceBernstein totaling $20 million, $19 million, $37 million and $37 million for services provided to the Insurance Group.

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011 as Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
Revenues
 
The Investment Management segment’s pre-tax earnings from continuing operations for second quarter 2011 were $93 million, an increase of $14 million from $79 million in the prior year’s comparable period.
 
Revenues totaled $728 million in the 2011 quarter, an increase of $37 million from $691 million in the 2010 quarter, primarily due to lower net investment income losses and higher distribution revenues.
 
Investment advisory and services fees include base fees and performance fees.  In second quarter 2011, investment advisory and services fees totaled $508 million, a decrease of $5 million from the $513 million in the 2010 quarter.  The 2011 decrease in investment advisory and services fees was primarily due to the $5 million decrease in base fees from $510 million in second quarter 2010 to $505 million in the 2011 quarter.
 
In second quarter 2011, the Bernstein research revenues were $107 million, a $10 million decrease over the $117 million in the 2010 period.  This decrease was driven by lower market volumes.
 
 
 
 
 
64

 
The distribution revenues increased $9 million to $92 million in second quarter 2011 as compared to $83 million in second quarter 2010.  This increase was due to the increase in Retail average AUM, but also reflected a higher increase in the Retail AUM on which distribution fees are received compared to sub-advisory AUM on which no such fees are earned.
 
Net investment income (loss) consisted principally of dividend and interest income and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on trading and other investments, offset by interest expense related to interest accrued on cash balances on customers’ brokerage accounts.  The $37 million decrease in net investment losses to $9 million in second quarter 2011 as compared to $46 million in the 2010 quarter was primarily due to $35 million lower investment loss from deferred compensation related investments.
 
The second quarter 2010 investment loss of $4 million principally resulted from losses on sales of investments including investments in AllianceBernstein’s consolidated joint venture.
 
Expenses
 
The Investment Management segment’s total expenses were $635 million in second quarter 2011, an increase of $23 million as compared to $612 million in the 2010 quarter principally due to higher compensation and benefits, higher other operating costs and expenses and higher distribution related payments partially offset by lower interest expense.
 
The Investment Management segment’s employee compensation and benefits expense in the 2011 period totaled $348 million, a $15 million increase as compared to $333 million in the 2010 quarter.  Base compensation, fringe benefits and other employment costs for second quarter 2011 increased $8 million due to higher salaries.  Incentive compensation increased $4 million in second quarter 2011 due to higher deferred compensation vesting expense offset by lower cash incentive compensation..  Commission expense increased $2 million in the 2011 quarter reflecting higher private client sales volume.
 
The distribution related payment increase of $7 million to $78 million in second quarter 2011 from $71 million in the second quarter of 2010 was in line with the increase in distribution revenues.
 
The decrease of $11 million of interest expense was primarily due to the repayment of senior notes in 2010.
 
The increase of $12 million to $142 million in other operating costs and expenses were primarily due to $4 million higher transfer fees, $3 million higher travel and entertainment expenses and $2 million higher portfolio services expenses.
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 as Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
Revenues
 
The Investment Management segment’s pre-tax earnings from continuing operations for the first six months of 2011 were $210 million, an increase of $17 million from $193 million in the prior year’s comparable period.
 
Revenues totaled $1.48 billion in the first six months of 2011, an increase of $62 million from $1.42 billion in the comparable 2010 period, primarily due to lower net investment losses and higher distribution revenues.
 
Investment advisory and services fees include base fees and performance fees.  In the first six months of 2011, investment advisory and services fees totaled $1.02 billion, a decrease of $2 million from the $1.03 billion in the comparable 2010 period.  The 2011 decrease in investment advisory and services fees were primarily due to the $5 million decrease in base fees offset by the $3 million increase in performance fees.
 
In the first six months of 2011, the Bernstein research revenues were $227 million, a $1 million decrease from the $228 million in the 2010 period.  This decrease was driven by lower market volumes.
 
The distribution revenues increased $17 million to $181 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to $164 million in the comparable 2010 period.  This increase was due to the increase in Retail average AUM, but also reflected a higher increase in the Retail AUM on which distribution fees are received compared to sub-advisory AUM on which no such fees are earned.
 
Net investment income (loss) consisted principally of dividend and interest income and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on trading and other investments, offset by interest expense related to interest accrued on cash balances on customers’ brokerage accounts.  The $49 million decrease in net investment loss to $1 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to $50 million of net investment loss in 2010 was primarily due to $8 million of investment income from deferred compensation related investments in the first six months of 2011 as compared to $26 million of investment losses in the comparable prior period and $13 million lower investment loss from investments in venture capital joint ventures ($16 million in the first six months of 2011 versus $29 million in the year earlier period).
 
 
 
 
 
65

 
The increase in the first six months of 2011 of $3 million in investment losses, net as compared to no investment gains, net in the comparable 2010 period principally resulted from losses in the first six months of 2011 on sales of investments including investments in AllianceBernstein’s consolidated joint venture as compared to no gains (losses) in the 2010 period.
 
Expenses
 
The Investment Management segment’s total expenses were $1.27 billion in the first six months of 2011, an increase of $45 million as compared to $1.23 billion in the comparable 2010 period principally due to higher compensation and benefits, higher other operating costs and expenses and higher distribution related payments partially offset by lower interest expense.
 
The segment’s employee compensation and benefits expense in the first six months of 2011 totaled $709 million, a $36 million increase as compared to $673 million in the comparable 2010 period.  Base compensation, fringe benefits and other employment costs for the first six months of 2011 increased $20 million due to higher salaries partially offset by lower severance costs.  Commission expense increased $7 million in the first six months of 2011 reflecting higher private client sales volume.  Incentive compensation increased $7 million in the first six months of 2011 due to higher deferred compensation vesting expense offset by lower cash incentive compensation.
 
The distribution related payment increase of $15 million to $153 million in the first six months of 2011 from $138 million in the first six months of 2010 was in line with the increase in distribution revenues.
 
The first six months of 2010 included a $12 million real estate charge; there was no comparable expense in the 2011 period.
 
Interest expense decreased $20 million to $2 million in the first six months of 2011 primarily due to the repayment of senior notes in 2010.
 
The increase of $28 million to $278 million in other operating costs and expenses was primarily due to $8 million higher travel and entertainment expenses, $6 million higher transfer fees, $5 million higher portfolio services expenses and $5 million higher professional fees.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
66

 


Fees and Assets under Management
 
Breakdowns of fees and assets under management follow:
 

Fees and Assets Under Management
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
At or For the
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
FEES
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Third party
  $ 490     $ 495     $ 988     $ 990  
General Account and other
    11       10       22       19  
Insurance Group Separate Accounts
    7       8       13       16  
Total Fees
  $ 508     $ 513     $ 1,023     $ 1,025  
                                 
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT
                               
Assets by Manager
                               
AllianceBernstein
                               
Third party
                  $ 398,659     $ 392,059  
General Account and other
                    36,904       35,795  
Insurance Group Separate Accounts
                    25,465       20,317  
Total AllianceBernstein
                    461,028       448,171  
                                 
Insurance Group
                               
General Account and other(2) 
                    29,274       30,549  
Insurance Group Separate Accounts
                    71,527       60,902  
Total Insurance Group
                    100,801       91,451  
                                 
Total by Account:
                               
Third party(1) 
                    398,659       392,059  
General Account and other(2) 
                    66,178       66,344  
Insurance Group Separate Accounts
                    96,992       81,219  
Total Assets Under Management
                  $ 561,829     $ 539,622  

(1)
Includes $37.76 billion and $45.84 billion of assets managed on behalf of AXA affiliates at June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Third party assets under management include 100% of the estimated fair value of real estate owned by joint ventures in which third party clients own an interest.
(2)
Includes invested assets of AXA Financial not managed by the AllianceBernstein, principally policy loans, totaling approximately $23.49 billion and $25.14 billion at June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and mortgages and equity real estate totaling $5.78 billion and $5.41 billion at June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Fees for assets under management decreased $2 million during the first six months of 2011 from the comparable 2010 period due to a decrease in performance fees.  Total assets under management increased $22.2 billion, primarily due to higher third party assets under management at AllianceBernstein and higher Insurance Group Separate Accounts AUM.  AllianceBernstein’s increase in AUM at June 30, 2011 resulted from market appreciation partially offset by net outflows.  General Account and other assets under management decreased $166 million from the first six months of 2010.  The $15.77 billion increase in Insurance Group Separate Account assets under management at the end of the first six months of 2011 as compared to the 2010 period resulted from increases in EQAT’s and other Separate Accounts’ AUM due to market appreciation.
 
AllianceBernstein’s assets under management at the end of the first six months of 2011 totaled $461.0 billion as compared to $448.2 billion at June 30, 2010 as market appreciation of $82.4 billion and $9.10 billion related to acquisitions were partially offset by net outflows of $78.7 billion.  The gross inflows were $16.6 billion, $30.6 billion and $7.4 billion in institutional investment, retail and private client channels, respectively, as compared to corresponding outflows of $78.7 billion, $42.6 billion and $12.0 billion, respectively.  Non-US clients accounted for 35.1% of the June 30, 2011 total.
 
 
 
 
 
67

 
AllianceBernstein also classifies its assets under management by its four investment services categories: Value Equity, Growth Equity, Fixed Income and Other.  Since second quarter 2010, the two Equity services have experienced net outflows while the Fixed Income services have shown net inflows.  There was a $17.8 billion decrease in Value Equity to $121.4 billion at June 30, 2011 as the $36.8 billion of market appreciation and $8.0 billion of new investments were more than offset by the $62.6 billion of long-term outflows.  Growth Equity assets under management totaled $62.6 billion, $11.9 billion lower than its June 30, 2010 balance due to $37.6 billion in outflows that were partially offset by $19.9 billion in market appreciation and $1.2 billion of new investments.  Assets under management in Fixed Income products increased $17.3 billion to $215.8 billion between June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2011 as $33.8 billion in new investments and $15.4 billion in market appreciation were partially offset by $31.9 billion in outflows.  The $25.2 billion increase in Other assets under management to $61.2 billion resulted from $7.9 billion in acquisition AUM, $10.3 billion in market appreciation and $8.2 billion in new investments being partially offset by $1.2 billion in net outflows.  AllianceBernstein management believes the net outflows in the Equity and Other services and net inflows in the Fixed Income services are attributable to the investment performance in the short-term and long-term relative to benchmarks and other investment managers.  Other contributing factors include financial market conditions, the experience of the portfolio manager, the client’s overall relationship with AllianceBernstein, the level and quality of client servicing, recommendations of consultants, and changes in clients’ investment preferences and liquidity needs.

Average assets under management totaled $474.0 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 as compared to $472.1 billion for the prior year’s comparable period.  The respective increases for the Retail and Private Client channels of $8.5 billion and $4.8 billion, respectively, were offset by the $11.4 billion decline in the Institutional channel while the respective average AUM increases for the Fixed Income and Other categories of $18.3 billion and $22.4 billion were offset by decreases of $23.9 billion and $14.9 billion, respectively, in the Value Equity and Growth Equity services.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
68

 


 
GENERAL ACCOUNTS INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
 
The Insurance Group’s consolidated investment portfolio is composed of the General Account investment portfolios of the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment and investment assets of AXA Financial (“the Holding Company”) and its distribution and non-operating subsidiaries (together, the “Holding Company Group”).  The General Account Investment Assets (“GAIA”) portfolio consists of a well diversified portfolio of public and private fixed maturities, commercial and agricultural mortgages and other loans, equity securities and other invested assets.
 
The General Accounts’ portfolios and investment results support the insurance and annuity liabilities of the segment’s business operations.  The following table reconciles the consolidated balance sheet asset amounts to GAIA.
 

General Account Investment Assets
 
June 30, 2011
 
   
 
                   
   
 
     
Holding
     
 
Balance
     
Company
     
 
Sheet Total
 
Other(1)
 
Group(2) (4)
 
GAIA(5)
 
   
 
                   
 
(In Millions)
 
Balance Sheet Captions:
 
 
                   
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value(3) 
  $ 43,131     $ 79     $ 1     $ 43,051  
Mortgage loans on real estate
    5,289       (335 )     -       5,624  
Equity real estate
    493       (1 )     398       96  
Policy Loans
    4,906       (147 )     -       5,052  
Other equity investments
    1,957       379       -       1,579  
Trading securities
    3,051       521       -       2,530  
Other invested assets
    1,984       1,971       -       13  
Total investments
    60,811       2,467       399       57,945  
Cash and cash equivalents
    4,246       1,465       667       2,114  
Debt & other
    (1,476 )     896       (836 )     (1,536 )
Total
  $ 63,581     $ 4,828     $ 230     $ 58,523  

(1)
Assets listed in the “Other” category principally consist of assets held in portfolios other than the Holding Company Group and the General Account which are not managed as part of GAIA, related accrued income or expense, certain reclassifications and intercompany adjustments and, for fixed maturities, the reversal of net unrealized gains (losses).  The “Other” category is deducted in arriving at GAIA.
(2)
The “Holding Company Group” category includes that group’s assets, which are not managed as part of GAIA.  The “Holding Company Group” category is deducted in arriving at GAIA.
(3)
Includes Insurance Group loans to affiliates and other miscellaneous assets and liabilities related to GAIA that are reclassified from various balance sheet lines.
(4)
At June 30, 2011, the principal investment of the Holding Company Group is a real estate property purchased from AXA Equitable in June 2009, with a carrying value of $398 million.
(5)
GAIA investments are presented at their amortized costs for fixed maturities and carrying values for all other invested assets.
 
 
 

 
 
69

 


Investment Results of General Account Investment Assets
 
The following table summarizes investment results by asset category for the periods indicated.
 

Investment Results By Asset Category
 
         
 
   
 
   
 
 
         
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
Yield(1)
   
Amount
   
Yield(1)
   
Amount
 
         
 
   
 
   
 
 
         
 
   
 
   
 
 
Fixed Maturities:
       
 
   
 
   
 
 
Investment grade
       
 
   
 
   
 
 
Income
    5.02%     $ 487       5.31%     $ 503  
Ending assets(2) 
            40,248               38,890  
Below investment grade
                               
Income
    7.02%       48       6.94%       56  
Ending assets(2) 
            2,803               3,264  
Mortgages:
                               
Income
    6.54%       86       6.98%       90  
Ending assets(3) 
            5,624               5,281  
Equity Real Estate:
                               
Income(4) 
    22.39%       6       27.40%       6  
Ending assets(4) 
            96               110  
Other Equity Investments:
                               
Income
    16.91%       61       8.02%       28  
Ending assets(5) 
            1,579               1,431  
Policy Loans:
                               
Income
    6.31%       77       6.40%       79  
Ending assets(6) 
            5,052               5,100  
Cash and Short-term Investments:
                               
Income
    0.26%       1       0.08%       1  
Ending assets(7) 
            2,114               4,899  
Trading Securities:
                               
Income
    15.73%       92       31.97%       112  
Ending assets(8) 
            2,530               1,959  
Other Invested Assets:
                               
Income
            -               -  
Ending assets(9) 
            13               2  
                                 
Total Invested Assets:
                               
Income
    5.99%       858       6.18%       875  
Ending Assets
            60,059               60,936  
                                 
Debt and Other:
                               
Interest expense and other
    7.09%       (27 )     7.09%       (26 )
Ending liabilities(10) 
            (1,536 )             (1,536 )
                                 
Total:
                               
Income
    5.91%       831       6.03%       849  
Investment fees
    (0.12)%       (17 )     (0.11)%       (16 )
Income
    5.79%     $ 814       5.92%     $ 833  
Ending Net Assets
          $ 58,523             $ 59,400  
 

 
 
70

 


         
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
         
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
   
Year Ended
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
December 31,
 
   
Yield(1)
   
Amount
   
Yield(1)
   
Amount
   
2010
 
         
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
         
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Fixed Maturities:
       
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Investment grade
       
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Income
    5.04%     $ 973       5.30%     $ 1,003     $ 39,224  
Ending assets(2) 
            40,248               38,890          
Below investment grade
                                       
Income
    7.05%       98       6.69%       107          
Ending assets(2) 
            2,803               3,264       2,955  
Mortgages:
                                       
Income
    6.73%       174       6.98%       180          
Ending assets(3) 
            5,624               5,281       5,209  
Equity Real Estate:
                                       
Income(4) 
    19.16%       12       24.36%       11          
Ending assets(4) 
            96               110       141  
Other Equity Investments:
                                       
Income
    24.16%       166       10.80%       72          
Ending assets(5) 
            1,579               1,431       1,484  
Policy Loans:
                                       
Income
    6.26%       154       6.41%       159          
Ending assets(6) 
            5,052               5,100       5,082  
Cash and Short-term Investments:
                                       
Income
    0.23%       3       0.15%       2          
Ending assets(7) 
            2,114               4,899       3,345  
Trading Securities:
                                       
Income
    6.62%       80       20.62%       140          
Ending assets(8) 
            2,530               1,959       2,502  
Other Invested Assets:
                                       
Income
            2       -       -          
Ending assets(9) 
            13               2       8  
                                         
Total Invested Assets:
                                       
Income
    5.83%       1,662       5.86%       1,674          
Ending Assets
            60,059               60,936       59,950  
                                         
Debt and Other:
                                       
Interest expense and other
    6.79%       (53 )     7.09%       (53 )        
Ending liabilities(10) 
            (1,536 )             (1,536 )     (1,836 )
                                         
Total:
                                       
Income
    5.71%       1,609       5.85%       1,621          
Investment fees
    (0.13)%       (34 )     (0.12)%       (31 )        
Income
    5.58%     $ 1,575       5.73%     $ 1,590          
Ending Net Assets
          $ 58,523             $ 59,400     $ 58,114  
 

 
 
71

 


(1)
Yields have been calculated on a compound annual effective rate basis using the quarterly average asset carrying values, excluding unrealized gains (losses) in fixed maturities and adjusted for the current period’s income and fees.
(2)
Fixed maturities investment assets are shown net of securities purchased but not yet paid for of $(24) million, $(62) million and $0 million, and include accrued income of $476 million, $496 million and $493 million, amounts due from securities sales of $0 million, $5 million and $1 million and other assets of $2 million, $2 million and $2 million at June 30, 2011 and 2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
(3)
Mortgage investment assets include accrued income of $38 million, $39 million and $38 million and are adjusted for related escrow and other liability balances of $(96) million, $(46) million and $(50) million at June 30, 2011 and 2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
(4)
Equity real estate carrying values included accrued income of $2 million, $2 million and $2 million and were adjusted for related liability balances of $(1) million, $(1) million and $(1) million as of June 30, 2011 and 2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
(5)
Other equity investment assets included accrued income and pending trade settlements of $(2) million, $2 million and $0 million at June 30, 2011 and 2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
(6)
Policy loan asset values include accrued income of $148 million, $151 million and $154 million at June 30, 2011 and 2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
(7)
Cash and short-term investment assets include net payables from collateral movements of $(1,121) million, $(994) million and $(252) million and were adjusted for unsettled trades, cash in transit and accrued income of $(1) million, $(66) million and $(1) million at June 30, 2011 and 2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
(8)
Trading securities include ending accrued income of $15 million, $7 million and $17 million at June 30, 2011 and 2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
(9)
Other invested assets include General Account interest rate floors and options.
(10)
Debt and other includes accrued expenses of $(9) million, $(9) million and $(9) million at June 30, 2011 and 2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

Fixed Maturities
 
The fixed maturity portfolio consists largely of investment grade corporate debt securities and includes significant amounts of U.S. government and agency obligations.  At June 30, 2011, 75% of the fixed maturity portfolio was publicly traded.  At June 30, 2011, GAIA held commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) with an amortized cost of $1.60 billion.  The General Account had $7 million exposure to the sovereign debt of Greece, Portugal, Italy, Spain and the Republic of Ireland at June 30, 2011.  The total exposure to Eurozone sovereign debt was $11 million at June 30, 2011.
 
Fixed Maturities by Industry
 
The General Accounts’ fixed maturities portfolios include publicly-traded and privately-placed corporate debt securities across an array of industry categories.
 

 
72

 

The following table sets forth these fixed maturities by industry category as of the dates indicated along with their associated gross unrealized gains and losses.
 

Fixed Maturities by Industry(1)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
       
   
 
   
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
       
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
       
   
 
   
 
   
 
       
At June 30, 2011:
 
 
   
 
   
 
       
Corporate securities:(1)
 
 
   
 
   
 
       
Finance
  $ 8,857     $ 435     $ 22     $ 9,270  
Manufacturing
    7,785       625       26       8,384  
Utilities
    4,447       341       15       4,773  
Services
    4,188       319       7       4,500  
Energy
    1,860       153       -       2,013  
Retail and wholesale
    1,442       117       2       1,557  
Transportation
    939       86       7       1,018  
Other
    49       4       1       52  
Total corporate securities
    29,567       2,080       80       31,567  
U.S. government
    5,723       66       111       5,678  
Commercial mortgage-backed
    1,605       22       436       1,191  
Residential mortgage-backed(2) 
    2,469       112       1       2,580  
Preferred stock
    1,487       29       61       1,455  
State & municipal
    568       20       6       582  
Foreign government
    578       67       -       645  
Asset-backed securities
    595       16       10       601  
Total
  $ 42,592     $ 2,412     $ 705     $ 44,299  
                                 
At December 31, 2010:
                               
Corporate securities:(1)
                               
Finance
  $ 8,605     $ 380     $ 40     $ 8,945  
Manufacturing
    7,524       566       38       8,052  
Utilities
    4,582       312       23       4,871  
Services
    4,032       299       12       4,319  
Energy
    1,814       152       1       1,965  
Retail and wholesale
    1,514       106       9       1,611  
Transportation
    1,026       79       9       1,096  
Other
    59       4       -       63  
Total corporate securities
    29,156       1,898       132       30,922  
U.S. government
    5,179       50       109       5,120  
Commercial mortgage-backed
    1,807       5       487       1,325  
Residential mortgage-backed(2) 
    2,195       93       1       2,287  
Preferred stock
    1,704       24       95       1,633  
State & municipal
    586       11       20       577  
Foreign government
    581       65       2       644  
Asset-backed securities
    475       15       12       478  
Total
  $ 41,683     $ 2,161     $ 858     $ 42,986  

(1)
Investment data has been classified based on standard industry categorizations for domestic public holdings and similar classifications by industry for all other holdings.
 (2)
Includes publicly traded agency pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.
 
 

 
 
73

 
Fixed Maturities Credit Quality
 
The Securities Valuation Office (“SVO”) of the NAIC, evaluates the investments of insurers for regulatory reporting purposes and assigns fixed maturity securities to one of six categories (“NAIC Designations”).  NAIC Designations of “1” or “2” include fixed maturities considered investment grade, which include securities rated Baa3 or higher by Moody’s or BBB- or higher by Standard & Poor’s.  NAIC Designations of “3” through “6” are referred to as below investment grade, which include securities rated Ba1 or lower by Moody’s and BB+ or lower by Standard & Poor’s.  As a result of time lags between the funding of investments, the finalization of legal documents and the completion of the SVO filing process, the fixed maturity portfolio generally includes securities that have not yet been rated by the SVO as of each balance sheet date.  Pending receipt of SVO ratings, the categorization of these securities by NAIC designation is based on the expected ratings indicated by internal analysis.
 
The amortized cost of the General Accounts’ public and private below investment grade fixed maturities totaled $2.49 billion, or 6%, of the total fixed maturities at June 30, 2011 and $2.55 billion, or 6%, of the total fixed maturities at December 31, 2010.  Below investment grade fixed maturities represented 48% and 48% of the gross unrealized losses at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
 
Public Fixed Maturities Credit Quality.  The following table sets forth the General Accounts’ public fixed maturities portfolios by NAIC rating at the dates indicated.
 

Public Fixed Maturities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross
 
Gross
 
 
NAIC
 
 
 
Amortized
 
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
 
 
Designation(1)
 
Rating Agency Equivalent
 
Cost
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At June 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
Aaa, Aa, A
 
$
 22,365
 
$
 1,211
 
$
 182
 
$
 23,394
2
 
Baa
 
 
 8,359
 
 
 601
 
 
 45
 
 
 8,915
 
 
Investment grade
 
 
 30,724
 
 
 1,812
 
 
 227
 
 
 32,309
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3
 
Ba
 
 
872
 
 
28
 
 
18
 
 
 882
4
 
B
 
 
319
 
 
1
 
 
27
 
 
 293
5
 
C and lower
 
 
74
 
 
-
 
 
20
 
 
 54
6
 
In or near default
 
 
107
 
 
8
 
 
22
 
 
 93
 
 
Below investment grade
 
 
 1,372
 
 
 37
 
 
 87
 
 
 1,322
Total
 
$
 32,096
 
$
 1,849
 
$
 314
 
$
 33,631
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
Aaa, Aa, A
 
$
 21,017
 
$
 1,102
 
$
 215
 
$
 21,904
2
 
Baa
 
 
 9,133
 
 
 560
 
 
 80
 
 
 9,613
 
 
Investment grade
 
 
 30,150
 
 
 1,662
 
 
 295
 
 
 31,517
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3
 
Ba
 
 
947
 
 
15
 
 
43
 
 
 919
4
 
B
 
 
244
 
 
 - 
 
 
32
 
 
 212
5
 
C and lower
 
 
79
 
 
 - 
 
 
21
 
 
 58
6
 
In or near default
 
 
95
 
 
5
 
 
28
 
 
 72
 
 
Below investment grade
 
 
 1,365
 
 
 20
 
 
 124
 
 
 1,261
Total
 
$
 31,515
 
$
 1,682
 
$
 419
 
$
 32,778

(1)
At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, no securities had been categorized based on expected NAIC designation pending receipt of SVO ratings.
 
 
 

 
 
74

 


Private Fixed Maturities Credit Quality.  The following table sets forth the General Accounts’ private fixed maturities portfolios by NAIC rating at the dates indicated.
 

Private Fixed Maturities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross
 
Gross
 
 
NAIC
 
 
 
Amortized
 
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
 
 
Designation(1)
 
Rating Agency Equivalent
 
Cost
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At June 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
Aaa, Aa, A
 
$
 5,478
 
$
 252
 
$
 114
 
$
 5,616
2
 
Baa
 
 
 3,896
 
 
 280
 
 
 24
 
 
 4,152
 
 
Investment grade
 
 
 9,374
 
 
 532
 
 
 138
 
 
 9,768
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3
 
Ba
 
 
453
 
 
10
 
 
31
 
 
 432
4
 
B
 
 
167
 
 
10
 
 
44
 
 
 133
5
 
C and lower
 
 
153
 
 
1
 
 
59
 
 
 95
6
 
In or near default
 
 
349
 
 
10
 
 
119
 
 
 240
 
 
Below investment grade
 
 
 1,122
 
 
 31
 
 
 253
 
 
 900
Total
 
$
 10,496
 
$
 563
 
$
 391
 
$
 10,668
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
Aaa, Aa, A
 
$
 5,167
 
$
 225
 
$
 126
 
$
 5,266
2
 
Baa
 
 
 3,817
 
 
 236
 
 
 22
 
 
 4,031
 
 
Investment grade
 
 
 8,984
 
 
 461
 
 
 148
 
 
 9,297
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3
 
Ba
 
 
456
 
 
10
 
 
45
 
 
 421
4
 
B
 
 
230
 
 
 - 
 
 
49
 
 
 181
5
 
C and lower
 
 
157
 
 
1
 
 
67
 
 
 91
6
 
In or near default
 
 
341
 
 
7
 
 
130
 
 
 218
 
 
Below investment grade
 
 
 1,184
 
 
 18
 
 
 291
 
 
 911
Total
 
$
 10,168
 
$
 479
 
$
 439
 
$
 10,208

(1)
Includes, at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, 19 securities with amortized cost of $262 million (fair value, $266 million) and 14 securities with amortized cost of $148 million (fair value, $154 million) that have been categorized based on expected NAIC designation pending receipt of SVO ratings.

 
75

 


Corporate Fixed Maturities Credit Quality.  The following table sets forth the General Accounts’ public and private holdings of corporate fixed maturities by NAIC rating at the dates indicated.
 

Corporate Fixed Maturities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross
 
Gross
 
 
NAIC
 
 
 
Amortized
 
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
 
 
Designation
 
Rating Agency Equivalent
 
Cost
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At June 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
Aaa, Aa, A
 
$
 16,938
 
$
 1,175
 
$
 34
 
$
 18,079
2
 
Baa
 
 
 11,637
 
 
 860
 
 
 35
 
 
 12,462
 
 
Investment grade
 
 
 28,575
 
 
 2,035
 
 
 69
 
 
 30,541
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3
 
Ba
 
 
863
 
 
34
 
 
9
 
 
 888
4
 
B
 
 
81
 
 
1
 
 
1
 
 
 81
5
 
C and lower
 
 
22
 
 
-
 
 
1
 
 
 21
6
 
In or near default
 
 
26
 
 
10
 
 
-
 
 
 36
 
 
Below investment grade
 
 
 992
 
 
 45
 
 
 11
 
 
 1,026
Total
 
$
 29,567
 
$
 2,080
 
$
 80
 
$
 31,567
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
Aaa, Aa, A
 
$
 15,931
 
$
 1,093
 
$
 54
 
$
 16,970
2
 
Baa
 
 
 12,207
 
 
 776
 
 
 53
 
 
 12,930
 
 
Investment grade
 
 
 28,138
 
 
 1,869
 
 
 107
 
 
 29,900
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3
 
Ba
 
 
819
 
 
21
 
 
15
 
 
 825
4
 
B
 
 
156
 
 
 - 
 
 
8
 
 
 148
5
 
C and lower
 
 
34
 
 
 - 
 
 
2
 
 
 32
6
 
In or near default
 
 
9
 
 
8
 
 
 - 
 
 
 17
 
 
Below investment grade
 
 
 1,018
 
 
 29
 
 
 25
 
 
 1,022
Total
 
$
 29,156
 
$
 1,898
 
$
 132
 
$
 30,922

Asset-backed Securities
 
At June 30, 2011, the amortized cost and fair value of asset-backed securities held were $595 million and $601, respectively; at December 31, 2010, those amounts were $475 million and $478 million, respectively.  At June 30, 2011, the amortized cost and fair value of asset-backed securities collateralized by subprime mortgages were $38 million and $36 respectively.  At that same date, the amortized cost and fair value of asset-backed securities collateralized by non subprime mortgages were $60 million and $62 million, respectively.
 
Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities
 
Weakness in commercial real estate fundamentals, along with an overall decrease in liquidity and availability of capital, led to a very difficult refinancing environment and an increase in overall delinquency rates on commercial mortgages in the commercial mortgage-backed securities market.
 

 
76

 

The following table sets forth the amortized cost and fair value of the Insurance Group’s commercial mortgage-backed securities at the dates indicated by credit quality and by year of issuance (vintage).
 

 
 
 
 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Moody's Agency Rating
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ba and
 
 
 
December 31,
Vintage
 
Aaa
 
Aa
 
A
 
Baa
 
Below
 
Total
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At amortized cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2004
 
$
 3
 
$
 20
 
$
 41
 
$
 122
 
$
 155
 
$
 341
 
$
 359
 
2005
 
 
 - 
 
 
 15
 
 
 76
 
 
 167
 
 
 363
 
 
 621
 
 
 785
 
2006
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 6
 
 
 413
 
 
 419
 
 
 435
 
2007
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 3
 
 
 - 
 
 
 221
 
 
 224
 
 
 228
Total CMBS
 
$
 3
 
$
 35
 
$
 120
 
$
 295
 
$
 1,152
 
$
 1,605
 
$
 1,807
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2004
 
$
 3
 
$
 21
 
$
 40
 
$
 118
 
$
 132
 
$
 314
 
$
 330
 
2005
 
 
 - 
 
 
 15
 
 
 67
 
 
 148
 
 
 274
 
 
 504
 
 
 631
 
2006
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 5
 
 
 247
 
 
 252
 
 
 256
 
2007
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 2
 
 
 - 
 
 
 119
 
 
 121
 
 
 108
Total CMBS
 
$
 3
 
$
 36
 
$
 109
 
$
 271
 
$
 772
 
$
 1,191
 
$
 1,325

Mortgages
 
Investment Mix
 
At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, approximately 9.7% and 9.3%, respectively, of GAIA were in commercial and agricultural mortgage loans.  The table below shows the composition of the commercial and agricultural mortgage loan portfolio, before the loss allowance, as of the dates indicated.
 

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
June 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Commercial mortgage loans
  $ 4,347     $ 3,804  
Agricultural mortgage loans
    1,394       1,466  
 
               
Total Mortgage Loans
  $ 5,741     $ 5,270  

 
 

 
 
77

 

The investment strategy for the mortgage loan portfolio emphasizes diversification by property type and geographic location with a primary focus on asset quality.  The tables below show the breakdown of the amortized cost of the General Accounts investments in mortgage loans by geographic region and property type as of the dates indicated.
 

Mortgage Loans by Region and Property Type
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
Amortized
   
% of
   
Amortized
   
% of
 
 
 
Cost
   
Total
   
Cost
   
Total
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
By Region:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
U.S. Regions:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Pacific
  $ 1,578       27.5 %   $ 1,478       28.1 %
Middle Atlantic
    1,354       23.5       1,090       20.7  
South Atlantic
    909       15.8       750       14.2  
East North Central
    685       12.0       687       13.0  
Mountain
    453       7.9       450       8.5  
West North Central
    329       5.8       362       6.9  
West South Central
    311       5.4       325       6.2  
East South Central
    64       1.1       69       1.3  
New England
    58       1.0       59       1.1  
 
                               
Total Mortgage Loans
  $ 5,741       100.0 %   $ 5,270       100.0 %
 
                               
By Property Type:
                               
Office buildings
  $ 2,082       36.3 %   $ 1,585       30.1 %
Agricultural properties
    1,394       24.3       1,466       27.8  
Apartment complexes
    978       17.0       929       17.6  
Retail Stores
    483       8.4       488       9.3  
Industrial buildings
    470       8.2       482       9.1  
Hospitality
    265       4.6       267       5.1  
Other
    69       1.2       53       1.0  
 
                               
Total Mortgage Loans
  $ 5,741       100.0 %   $ 5,270       100.0 %

At June 30, 2011, the General Account investments in commercial mortgage loans had a weighted average loan-to-value ratio of 74% while the agricultural mortgage loans weighted average loan-to-value ratio was 43%.
 

 
78

 

The values used in these ratio calculations were developed as part of the periodic review of the commercial and agricultural mortgage loan portfolio, which includes an evaluation of the underlying collateral value.
 

 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage Loans by Loan-to-Value and Debt Service Coverage Ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt Service Coverage Ratio(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
Greater
 
1.8x to
 
1.5x to
 
1.2x to
 
1.0x to
 
than
 
Mortgage
Loan-to-Value Ratio
 
than 2.0x
 
2.0x
 
1.8x
 
1.5x
 
1.2x
 
1.0x
 
Loan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0% - 50%
 
$
 276
 
$
 85
 
$
 156
 
$
 711
 
$
 225
 
$
 68
 
$
 1,521
50% - 70%
 
 
 205
 
 
 232
 
 
 759
 
 
 379
 
 
 185
 
 
 42
 
 
 1,802
70% - 90%
 
 
 105
 
 
 71
 
 
 451
 
 
 700
 
 
 211
 
 
 58
 
 
 1,596
90% plus
 
 
 60
 
 
 - 
 
 
 84
 
 
 24
 
 
 583
 
 
 71
 
 
 822
Total Commercial and Agricultural
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage Loans
 
$
 646
 
$
 388
 
$
 1,450
 
$
 1,814
 
$
 1,204
 
$
 239
 
$
 5,741

(1)
The debt service coverage ratio is calculated using actual results from property operations.

The tables below show the breakdown of the commercial and agricultural mortgage loans by year of origination at June 30, 2011.
 

Mortgage Loans by Year of Origination
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
June 30, 2011
 
Year of Origination
Amortized Cost
   
% of Total
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
(Dollars In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
2011
  $ 777       13.5 %
2010
    396       6.9  
2009
    564       9.8  
2008
    360       6.3  
2007
    996       17.4  
2006 and prior
    2,648       46.1  
 
               
Total Mortgage Loans
  $ 5,741       100.0 %

As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, $13 million and $6 million of mortgage loans were classified as problem loans while $383 million and $280 million were classified as potential problem loans.  There were no loans in the restructured category at either date.
 
 
 
 

 
79

 

Valuation allowances for the commercial mortgage loan portfolio were related to loan specific reserves.  The following table sets forth the change in valuation allowances for the commercial mortgage loan portfolio as of the dates indicated.  There were no valuation allowances for agricultural mortgages at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
 

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
June 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Balances, beginning of year
  $ 49     $ 18  
Additions charged to income
    11       33  
Deductions for writedowns and asset dispositions
    (1 )     (2 )
 
               
Balances, End of Period
  $ 59     $ 49  

Other Equity Investments
 
At June 30, 2011, private equity partnerships, hedge funds and real-estate related partnerships were 96% of total other equity investments.  These interests, which represent 2.7% of GAIA, consist of a diversified portfolio of LBO, mezzanine, venture capital and other alternative limited partnerships, diversified by sponsor, fund and vintage year.  The portfolio is actively managed to control risk and generate investment returns over the long term.
 

Other Equity Investments - Classifications
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
June 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Common stock
  $ 62     $ 54  
Joint ventures and limited partnerships:
               
Private equity
    1,197       1,093  
Hedge funds
    220       246  
Real estate related
    97       91  
 
               
Total Other Equity Investments
  $ 1,576     $ 1,484  

Trading Securities
 
At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, the Insurance Group’s trading account securities included U.S. Treasury securities pledged under repurchase agreements with amortized costs of $2.58 billion and $2.59 billion and fair values of $2.52 billion and $2.48 billion.  The repurchase agreements are accounted for as collateralized borrowings and reported in Broker-dealer related payables in the consolidated balance sheets.
 
Repurchase Agreements
 
The Insurance Group uses repurchase agreements to finance the purchase of U.S. Treasury securities to reduce the economic impact of unfavorable changes in exposures attributable to interest rates as part of the variable annuity hedging strategy.  During the first six months of 2011 and full year 2010, the Insurance Group’s maximum outstanding repurchase agreements were $2.55 billion and $2.80 billion, respectively.  There are no repurchase agreements that are treated as sales.
 
Off Balance Sheet Transactions
 
At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, there were no off balance sheet transactions to which the Insurance Group was a party.
 
Derivatives
 
The Insurance Group has issued and continues to offer certain variable annuity products with GMDB, GMIB and GWBL features.  The risk associated with the GMDB feature is that under-performance of the financial markets could result in GMDB benefits, in the event of death, being higher than what accumulated policyholder account balances would support.  The risk associated with the GMIB/GWBL feature is that under-performance of the financial markets could result in GMIB/GWBL benefits, in the event of elections, being higher than what accumulated policyholders’ account balances would support.  The Insurance Group uses derivatives for asset/liability risk management primarily to reduce exposures to equity market declines and interest rate fluctuations.  Derivative hedging strategies are designed to reduce these risks from an economic perspective.  Operation of these hedging programs is based on models involving numerous estimates and assumptions, including, among others, mortality, lapse, surrender and withdrawal rates, election rates, market volatility and interest rates.
 
 
 
 
80

 
A wide range of derivative contracts are used in these hedging programs, including exchange traded equity, currency and interest rate futures contracts, total return and/or other equity swaps, interest rate swap and floor contracts, and swaptions, in addition to repurchase agreement transactions, that collectively are managed in an effort to reduce the economic impact of unfavorable changes in GMDB, GMIB and GWBL exposures attributable to movements in the equity and fixed income markets.  The Insurance Group does not currently use credit default swaps.  For both GMDB and GMIB, the Insurance Group retains certain risks including basis and some volatility risk and risk associated with actual versus expected assumptions for mortality, lapse and surrender, withdrawal and contractholder election rates, among other things.  The derivative contracts are managed to correlate with changes in the value of the GMDB, GMIB and GWBL features that result from financial markets movements.  The Insurance Group also uses repurchase agreements to finance the purchase of U.S. Treasury securities to reduce the economic impact of unfavorable changes in exposures attributable to interest rates as part of the variable annuity hedging strategy.  Since 2010, a portion of exposure to realized interest rate volatility has been hedged through the purchase of swaptions.  The Insurance Group has purchased reinsurance contracts to mitigate the risks associated with GMDB features and the impact of potential market fluctuations on future policyholder elections of GMIB features contained in certain annuity contracts issued by the Insurance Group.
 
The GWBL features and reinsurance contracts covering GMIB exposure are both considered derivatives for accounting purposes and, therefore, must be reported in the balance sheet at their fair value.  None of the derivatives used in these programs were designated as qualifying hedges under the U.S. GAAP accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.  All gains (losses) on derivatives are reported in Net investment income (loss) in the consolidated statements of earnings (loss) except those resulting from changes in the fair values of the embedded derivatives: the GWBL features are reported in Policyholder’s benefits and the GMIB reinsurance contracts are reported on a separate line in the consolidated statement of earnings.
 
In addition to its hedging program that seeks to mitigate economic exposures specifically related to variable annuity contracts with GMDB, GMIB, and GWBL features, the Insurance Group has implemented hedging programs to provide additional protection against the adverse effects of equity market and interest rate declines on its statutory liabilities.  The remaining protection expired in first quarter 2011.  Since the beginning of 2010, the Insurance Group occasionally has in place, including at June 30, 2011, an anticipatory hedge program to protect against declining interest rates with respect to a part of its projected variable annuity sales.  Beginning in fourth quarter 2010, the Insurance Group purchased swaptions to initiate a hedge of its General Account duration and convexity gap resulting from minimum crediting rates on interest-sensitive life and annuity business.
 
Margins or “spreads” on interest-sensitive life insurance and annuity contracts are affected by interest rate fluctuations as the yield on portfolio investments, primarily fixed maturities, are intended to support required payments under these contracts, including interest rates credited to their policy and contract holders.  The Insurance Group currently uses interest rate floors and swaptions to reduce the risk associated with minimum crediting rate guarantees on these General Account interest-sensitive contracts.
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
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The table below presents quantitative disclosures about the Insurance Group’s derivative instruments, including those embedded in other contracts though required to be accounted for as derivative instruments.
 

Derivative Instruments by Category
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
At June 30, 2011
   
Gains (Losses)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Reported in
 
   
 
   
Fair Value
   
Earnings (Loss)
 
   
Notional
   
Asset
   
Liability
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
Amount
   
Derivatives
   
Derivatives
   
June 30, 2011
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In Millions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Freestanding derivatives
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Equity contracts:(1)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Futures
  $ 9,973     $ -     $ -     $ (647 )
Swaps
    1,349       1       24       (72 )
Options
    317       43       32       3  
                                 
Interest rate contracts:(1)
                               
Floors
    9,000       309       -       47  
Swaps
    13,050       446       125       193  
Futures
    16,109       -       -       209  
Swaptions
    10,553       460       -       (45 )
                                 
Other:
                               
Currency contracts
    -       -       -       -  
                                 
Net investment income 
                            (312 )
                                 
Embedded derivatives:
                               
GMIB reinsurance contracts(2) 
    -       1,156       -       (67 )
                                 
GWBL features(3) 
    -       -       35       3  
                                 
Balances, June 30, 2011
  $ 60,351     $ 2,415     $ 216     $ (376 )

(1)
Reported in Other invested assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
(2)
Reported in Other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
(3)
Reported in Future policy benefits and other policyholder liabilities.

Realized Investment Gains and Losses
 
Realized investment gains and losses are generated from numerous sources, including the sale of fixed maturity securities, equity securities, investments in limited partnerships and other types of investments, as well as adjustments to the cost basis of investments for other-than-temporary impairments. Realized investment gains (losses) are also generated from prepayment premiums received on private fixed maturity securities, recoveries of principal on previously impaired securities, provisions for losses on commercial mortgage and other loans, fair value changes on commercial mortgage loans carried at fair value, and fair value changes on embedded derivatives and free-standing derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment.
 

 
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The following tables set forth “Realized investment gains (losses), net,” for the periods indicated:
 

Realized Investment Gains (Losses), Net
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Fixed maturities
  $ (19 )   $ (45 )   $ (16 )   $ (60 )
Other equity investments
    -       7       -       10  
Other
    (9 )     (5 )     (10 )     (13 )
Total
  $ (28 )   $ (43 )   $ (26 )   $ (63 )

Net realized gains (losses) on fixed maturities were $(19) million and $(16) million for the second quarter and first six months of 2011, compared to net realized gains (losses) of $(45) million and $(60) million in the comparable 2010 periods, as set forth in the following table:
 

Fixed Maturities
 
Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Gross realized investment gains:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Gross gains on sales and maturities
  $ 6     $ 102     $ 17     $ 145  
Other
    -       -       -       -  
Total gross realized investment gains
    6       102       17       145  
Gross realized investment losses:
                               
Other-than-temporary impairments recognized
                               
in earnings (loss)
    (24 )     (49 )     (24 )     (90 )
Gross losses on sales and maturities
    (1 )     (98 )     (9 )     (115 )
Credit related losses on sales
    -       -       -       -  
Other
    -       -       -       -  
Total gross realized investment losses
    (25 )     (147 )     (33 )     (205 )
Total
  $ (19 )   $ (45 )   $ (16 )   $ (60 )

 
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The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, the composition of OTTI recorded in earnings (loss) by asset type.
 

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments Recorded in Earnings (Loss)
 
 
       
 
         
 
 
 
       
 
         
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
 
2011(1)
 
2010
 
2011(1)
 
2010
 
 
       
 
         
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
       
 
         
 
 
Fixed maturities(2):
       
 
         
 
 
Public fixed maturities
  $ (8 )   $ (1 )   $ (8 )   $ (11 )
Private fixed maturities
    (16 )     (48 )     (16 )     (79 )
Total fixed maturities securities
    (24 )     (49 )     (24 )     (90 )
Equity securities
    -       -       -       (1 )
Other invested assets
    -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ (24 )   $ (49 )   $ (24 )   $ (91 )

(1)
The second quarter and first six months of 2011 excludes $1 million and $1 million, respectively, of OTTI recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), representing any difference between the fair value of the impaired debt security and the net present value of its projected future cash flows at the time of impairment.
(2)
No OTTI amounts were reported for equity securities and other invested assets during either reporting period.

At June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, the $24 million and $90 million in OTTI on fixed maturities recorded in income were due to credit events or adverse conditions of the respective issuer.  In these situations, management believes such circumstances have caused, or will lead to, a deficiency in the contractual cash flows related to the investment.  The amount of the impairment recorded in earnings is the difference between the amortized cost of the debt security and the net present value of its projected future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit in the debt security prior to impairment.
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
The following discussion supplements that found in the 2010 Form 10-K’s MD&A section under the caption “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
 
Overview
 
Liquidity management is focused around a centralized funds management process.  This centralized process includes the monitoring and control of cash flow associated with policyholder receipts and disbursements and General Account portfolio principal, interest and investment activity.  Funds are managed through a banking system designed to reduce float and maximize funds availability.  The derivative transactions used to hedge the Insurance Group’s variable annuity products are integrated into AXA Financial’s overall liquidity process; forecast potential payments and collateral calls during the life of and at the settlement of each derivative transaction are included in the cash flow forecast.  Information regarding liquidity needs and availability is reported by various departments and investment managers.  The information is used to produce forecasts of available funds and cash flow.  Significant market volatility can affect daily cash requirements due to the settlement and collateral calls of derivative transactions.
 
In addition to gathering and analyzing information on funding needs, AXA Financial Group has a centralized process for both investing short-term cash and borrowing funds to meet cash needs.  In general, the short-term investment positions have a maturity profile of 1-7 days with considerable flexibility as to availability.
 
In managing the liquidity of the Financial Advisory/Insurance segment’s business, management also considers the risk of policyholder and contractholder withdrawals of funds earlier than assumed when selecting assets to support these contractual obligations.  Surrender charges and other contract provisions are used to mitigate the extent, timing and profitability impact of withdrawals of funds by customers from annuity contracts and deposit liabilities.  The following table sets forth withdrawal characteristics of the Insurance Group’s General Account annuity reserves and deposit liabilities (based on statutory liability values) as of the dates indicated.



General Accounts Annuity Reserves and Deposit Liabilities
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
Amount
   
% of Total
   
Amount
   
% of Total
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in Millions)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Not subject to discretionary withdrawal provisions
  $ 5,827       26.2 %   $ 5,611       25.8 %
 
                               
Subject to discretionary withdrawal, with adjustment:
                               
With market value adjustment
    1,081       4.9       960       4.4  
At contract value, less surrender charge of 5% or more
    1,294       5.8       1,523       7.0  
Subtotal
    2,375       10.7       2,483       11.4  
 
                               
Subject to discretionary withdrawal at contract value with
                               
no surrender charge or surrender charge of less than 5%
    14,027       63.1       13,648       62.8  
 
                               
Total Annuity Reserves And Deposit Liabilities
  $ 22,229       100 %   $ 21,742       100.0 %

Analysis of Statement of Cash Flows
 
Cash and cash equivalents of $4.25 billion at June 30, 2011 decreased $190 million from $4.44 billion at December 31, 2010.  Cash inflows are primarily provided by operations, policyholder deposits, short-term financings, proceeds from sales of investments, and borrowings from affiliates.  Significant cash outflows include purchases of investments, policyholder withdrawals, repayments of long- and short-term debt and borrowings and loans to affiliates.
 
Net cash used in operating activities was $222 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to the $324 million of cash provided by operating activities in the 2010 period.  The cash used in operating activities in the 2011 period resulted from the decrease in broker-dealer customer related receivables/payables of $360 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to a decrease of $29 million in the 2010 period and contributions to pension plans of $293 million in the first six months 2011 compared to $193 million in the comparable prior period partially offset by the $95 million increase in segregated cash and securities, net to $1.02 billion in the first six months of 2011 compared to a decrease of $40 million in the comparable 2010 period.
 
 
 
 
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Cash flows from investing activities decreased $2.79 billion, from cash provided of $871 million in the first six months of 2010 to cash used of $1.92 billion in the comparable 2011 period.  The difference was primarily due to the cash outflow related to the settlements of derivative instruments of $568 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to cash inflows of $1.01 billion in the comparable period and the absence of activity in loans to affiliates in the first six months of 2011 as compared to the $500 million increase in loans to affiliates in the comparable 2010 period.
 
Cash flows provided by financing activities decreased $758 million from $2.71 billion in the first six months of 2010 to $1.95 billion in the 2011 period.  Short-term financings decreased $96 million period over period.  Collateralized pledged assets decreased $205 million in the 2011 period as compared to an $894 million decline in the corresponding 2010 period.  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase decreased $67 million in the 2011 period as compared to a $416 million decline in the corresponding 2010 period.  These declines in cash flows were partially offset by increases in deposits net of withdrawals from policyholders’ account balances of $264 million from $1.31 billion in 2010 as compared to $1.57 billion in 2011 and increases in the changes in collateralized pledged liabilities of $364 million from $299 million in 2010 to $663 million in the first six months of 2011.
 
AXA Financial (the “Holding Company”)
 
Liquidity Requirements
 
In 2011, AXA Financial expects to fund most of its liquidity and capital needs through additional borrowings from AXA or its affiliates and/or from third parties.  While AXA or its affiliates historically have provided funding to AXA Financial, neither AXA nor any affiliate has any obligation to provide AXA Financial with additional liquidity and capital.
 
AXA Financial’s cash requirements include debt service, operating expenses, taxes, certain employee benefits and the provision of funding to various subsidiaries to meet their capital requirements.  AXA Financial paid no cash dividends in 2010 nor in the 2011 period.  Due to AXA Financial’s assumption of primary liability from AXA Equitable for all current and future obligations of certain of its benefit plans, AXA Financial pays for such benefits; all such amounts are reimbursed by subsidiaries of AXA Financial.
 
AXA Financial’s liquidity needs in 2011 and subsequent years will be impacted by, among other things, interest payments on borrowings from AXA and it affiliates and/or from third parties.  Such future needs may also include additional loans to and/or investments in its subsidiaries.
 
Management from time to time explores selective acquisition opportunities in financial advisory, insurance and investment management businesses.
 
Sources of Liquidity
 
Sources of liquidity for AXA Financial include (i) dividends principally from AXA Equitable and MONY Life, as well as interest income from AXA Equitable’s surplus notes, payment of which is not assured as the payment is subject to regulatory approval by the NYID, (ii) borrowings from AXA and/or AXA affiliates, (iii) borrowings from third parties, including under AXA Financial’s bank credit facilities and commercial paper program, and (iv) interest, dividends, distributions and/or sales proceeds on investments and other assets.  Insurance subsidiaries may be restricted by operation of applicable insurance laws (particularly New York Insurance law in the case of AXA Equitable and MONY Life) from making dividend payments or their own need for funds.  In 2010, AXA Financial repaid $780 million of its Senior Notes.  The remaining $350 million of Senior Notes mature in 2028.
 
In second quarter 2011, AXA Financial received $379 million and $56 million of dividends from AXA Equitable and MONY Life, respectively.  In fourth quarter 2010, AXA Financial received $300 million and $70 million of dividends from AXA Equitable and MONY Life, respectively.
 
Existing Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper Programs
 
On July 13 2011, AXA, AXA Financial and AXA Bermuda entered into a multi-currency revolving credit facility with a number of lending institutions.  The credit agreement provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility totaling €4.0 billion (or its equivalent in optional currencies).  The maximum amount which may be drawn or utilized by AXA Financial and AXA Bermuda in respect of loans and letters of credit is $1.00 billion in aggregate and with respect to swingline loans $500 million in aggregate for AXA and AXA Financial.  AXA Financial and AXA Bermuda may only draw loans denominated in U.S. Dollars.  The obligations of AXA Financial and AXA Bermuda are guaranteed by AXA.  Loans drawn under the credit agreement may be borrowed for general corporate purposes until its maturity on July 13, 2016, unless extended pursuant to its terms.
 
On July 13, 2011, AXA and AXA Financial terminated a €3.50 billion global revolving credit facility.  The letter of credit facility will remain in place until June 8, 2012.  The letter of credit facility makes up to $960 million available to AXA Bermuda.  At June 30, 2011, no borrowings were outstanding.
 
 
 
 
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In June 2010, AXA and AXA Financial entered into a credit agreement with Citibank.  The Credit Agreement calls for a $300 million multicurrency revolving credit facility to be available to AXA Financial for general corporate purposes until its maturity on June 29, 2015.  On December 23, 2010, AXA and AXA Financial entered into a second agreement with Citibank which calls for a $250 million multicurrency revolving credit facility, all of which is available to AXA Financial for general corporate purposes until its maturity on December 23, 2015.  At June 30, 2011, no borrowings were outstanding.
 
In September 2010, AXA and AXA Financial entered into a credit agreement with J. P. Morgan Europe Limited.  The credit agreement calls for a $250 million multicurrency revolving credit facility to be available to AXA Financial for general corporate purposes until its maturity on September 17, 2014.  At June 30, 2011, no borrowings were outstanding.
 
In June 2009, AXA Financial and its parent, AXA, initiated a commercial paper program on a private placement basis under which AXA Financial or AXA may issue short-term unsecured notes in an aggregate not to exceed $1.50 billion outstanding at any time.  On May 18, 2011 the commercial paper program was increased to a maximum of $2 billion.  As of June 30, 2011 there was $487 million of commercial paper outstanding.
 
In December 2009, AXA, AXA Financial and AXA Bermuda entered into a credit agreement with a number of major European lending institutions.  The credit agreement provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility totaling €1.40 billion (or its equivalent in optional currencies).  The obligations of AXA Financial and AXA Bermuda are guaranteed by AXA.  Amounts under the credit agreement may be borrowed for general corporate purposes until its maturity date in December 2014.  At June 30, 2011, no borrowings were outstanding.
 
Debt Covenants, Compliance and the Absence of Material Adverse Changes
 
AXA Financial’s senior debt agreements have covenants regarding change of ownership and certain ratios.  There are no material adverse change (“MAC”) clauses in any of AXA Financial’s debt.  MAC clauses are specific covenants regarding material financial changes or rating changes that could result in a cancellation of the agreement or default.
 
Borrowings and Loans
 
On July 25, 2011 AXA issued a $450 million short-term note to AXA Financial.  This note pays interest of 0.47% and matures on September 26, 2011.
 
On March 30, 2010, AXA Financial issued subordinated notes to an affiliate, AXA Life Insurance Company, LTD, in the amount of $770 million that mature on March 30, 2020.  The proceeds were used to redeem $770 million of affiliate notes issued in July 2004 whose proceeds had been used to fund the MONY Acquisition.  The new subordinated notes have an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.20%.
 
Securities Lending Program
 
AXA Financial Group does not have an active securities lending program.
 

The Insurance Group
 
Liquidity Requirements
 
The Insurance Group’s liquidity requirements principally relate to the liabilities associated with its various life insurance and annuity products in its continuing operations; the active management of various economic hedging programs; shareholder dividends to AXA Financial; and operating expenses, including debt service.  The Insurance Group’s liabilities include, among other things, the payment of benefits under life insurance and annuity products, as well as cash payments in connection with policy surrenders, withdrawals and loans.
 
The Insurance Group’s liquidity needs are affected by: fluctuations in mortality; other benefit payments; policyholder-directed transfers from General Account to Separate Account investment options; and the level of surrenders and withdrawals previously discussed in “Results of Continuing Operations by Segment - Financial Advisory/Insurance,” as well as by debt service requirements and dividends to its shareholders.
 
Each of the members of the Insurance Group is subject to the regulatory capital requirements of its place of domicile, which are designed to monitor capital adequacy.  The level of an insurer’s required capital is impacted by many factors including, but not limited to, business mix, product design, sales volume, invested assets, liabilities, reserves and movements in the capital markets, including interest rates and equity markets.  At December 31, 2010, the total adjusted capital of each of the members of the Insurance Group was in excess of its respective regulatory capital requirements and management believes that the members of the Insurance Group have (or have the ability to meet) the necessary capital resources to support their business.  For additional information, see “Item 1 – Business – Regulation” and “Item 1A – Risk Factors” in the 2010 Form 10-K.
 
 
 
 
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AXA Bermuda - Reinsurance Assumed and Related Hedging Program

The Insurance Group has implemented capital management actions to mitigate statutory reserve strain for certain level term and UL policies with secondary guarantees and GMDB and GMIB riders on the Accumulator® products sold on or after January 1, 2006 and in-force at September 30, 2008 through reinsurance transactions with AXA Bermuda, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA Financial.

AXA Equitable, USFL and MLOA receive statutory reserve credits for reinsurance treaties with AXA Bermuda to the extent AXA Bermuda holds assets in an irrevocable trust and/or letters of credit.  At June 30, 2011, there were $5.23 billion of assets in the irrevocable trust and $2.14 billion in letters of credit.  Under the reinsurance transactions, AXA Bermuda is permitted to transfer assets from the Trust under certain circumstances.  The level of statutory reserves held by AXA Bermuda fluctuate based on market movements, mortality experience and policyholder behavior.  Increasing reserve requirements may necessitate that additional assets be placed in trust and/or securing additional letters of credit, which could adversely impact liquidity.

In addition, AXA Bermuda utilizes derivative instruments as well as repurchase agreement transactions that are collectively managed in an effort to reduce the economic impact of unfavorable changes to GMDB and GMIB reserves.  The use of such instruments are accompanied by agreements which specify the circumstances under which the parties are required to pledge collateral related to the decline in the estimated fair value of specified instruments.  Moreover, under the terms of a majority of the transactions, payments to counterparties related to the change in fair value of the instruments may be required.  The amount of collateral pledged and the amount of payments required to be made pursuant to such transactions may increase under certain circumstances, which could adversely impact AXA Bermuda’s liquidity.
 

Sources of Liquidity
 
The principal sources of the Insurance Group’s cash flows are premiums, deposits and charges on policies and contracts, investment income, repayments of principal and sales proceeds from its fixed maturity portfolios, sales of other General Account Investment Assets, borrowings from third-parties and affiliates and dividends and distributions from subsidiaries.
 
The Insurance Group’s primary source of short-term liquidity to support its insurance operations is a pool of liquid, high-quality short-term instruments structured to provide liquidity in excess of the expected cash requirements.  In addition, a portfolio of public bonds including U.S. Treasury and agency securities and other investment grade fixed maturities is available to meet the Insurance Group’s liquidity needs.  Other liquidity sources include dividends and distributions from AllianceBernstein.
 
Existing Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper Programs
 
On February 13, 2009, AXA Bermuda entered into an agreement with AXA that makes available a $500 million revolving credit facility.  On May 6, 2009, the revolving credit facility was amended to make a total of $1.00 billion available under the facility.  During fourth quarter 2010, AXA Bermuda utilized $600 million under this facility: $300 million was repaid before December 31, 2010 and the remaining $300 million was repaid in first quarter 2011.  No amounts were outstanding under this facility on June 30, 2011.
 
On July 17, 2008, AXA Equitable and MONY Life were accepted as members of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLBNY”), which provides these companies with access to collateralized borrowings and other FHLBNY products.  At June 30, 2011, there were no outstanding borrowings from FHLBNY.
 
For additional information, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – AXA Financial – Existing Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper Programs.”
 
Guarantees and Other Commitments
 
The Insurance Group had approximately $2.21 billion of undrawn letters of credit related to reinsurance as well as $503 million and $136 million of commitments under equity financing arrangements to certain limited partnership and existing mortgage loan agreements at June 30, 2011.  For further information on guarantees and commitments, see the “Supplementary Information” section in Item 7 – Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the 2010 Form 10-K.
 
Statutory Regulation, Capital and Dividends
 
Several states, including New York, regulate transactions between an insurer and its affiliates under insurance holding company acts.  These acts contain certain reporting requirements and restrictions on provision of services and on transactions, such as intercompany service agreements, asset transfers, reinsurance, loans and shareholder dividend payments by insurers.  Depending on their size, such transactions and payments may be subject to prior notice to, or approval by, the insurance department of the applicable state.
 
 
 
 
88

 
AXA Equitable, MONY Life and AXA Life are restricted as to the amounts they may pay as dividends to AXA Financial.  Under the applicable states’ insurance law, a domestic life insurer may, without prior approval of the Superintendent, pay a dividend to its shareholders not exceeding an amount calculated based on a statutory formula.  This formula would permit AXA Equitable, MONY Life and AXA Life to pay shareholder dividends not greater than $380 million, $57 million and $6 million, respectively, during 2011.  Payment of dividends exceeding this amount requires the insurer to file notice of its intent to declare such dividends with the Superintendent who then has 30 days to disapprove the distribution.
 
For second quarter and the first six months of 2011 and 2010, respectively, AXA Equitable’s, MONY Life’s and AXA Life’s combined statutory net income (loss) totaled $(26) million, $399 million, $319 million and $(167) million.  Statutory surplus, capital stock and Asset Valuation Reserve totaled $4.99 billion and $4.88 billion at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
 
In the first six months of 2011 and 2010, $435 million of shareholder dividends were paid by members of the Insurance Group to AXA Financial.
 
Members of the Insurance Group monitor their capital requirements on an ongoing basis taking into account the prevailing conditions in the capital markets.  Lower interest rates and/or poor equity market performance increase the capital needed to support the variable annuity guarantee business.  While future capital requirements will depend on future market conditions, management believes that the Insurance Group will continue to have the ability to meet the capital requirements necessary to support its business.
 
AllianceBernstein
 
In second quarter 2011, AllianceBernstein purchased an equity portfolio business for $10 million consisting of $6 million of cash payments and $4 million payable over the next two years.
 
On March 31, 2011, the remaining 50% interest in its Australian joint venture was purchased by AllianceBernstein from AXA and its subsidiaries for $21 million.

For the first six months of 2011, net cash provided by AllianceBernstein’s operating activities was $44 million, down $627 million from the 2010 period, due to a decrease in broker dealer-related net payables and additional seed investments.  During the first six months of 2011, net cash used in investing activities was $36 million.  The $32 million increase from the comparable 2010 period was principally the result of the purchase of the remaining 50% interest in the Australian joint venture mentioned above.  During the first six months of 2011, net cash used in financing activities decreased $305 million to $285 million. The decrease reflects higher issuance of commercial paper (net of repayments) of $260 million and lower distributions of $71 million as a result of lower earnings (distributions on earnings are paid one quarter in arrears) offset by $15 million higher purchases of Holding units to fund deferred compensation plans.

At June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, AllianceBernstein had $315 million and $79 million outstanding under its commercial paper program.  No amounts were outstanding under its revolving credit facility nor was any short-term debt outstanding related to SCB LLC bank loans at June 30, 2011.
 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
 
AXA Financial Group is involved in a number of ventures and transactions with AXA and certain of its affiliates.  See Notes 11 and 18 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in AXA Financial’s 2010 Form 10-K as well as AllianceBernstein’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for information on related party transactions.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
AXA Financial Group’s consolidated contractual agreements include policyholder obligations, long-term debt, loans from affiliates, employee benefits, operating leases and various funding commitments.  See the “Supplementary Information – Contractual Obligation” section in Item 7 – Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in AXA Financial’s 2010 Form 10-K for additional information.
 
 
ACCOUNTING CHANGES AND NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for a discussion of recently adopted accounting pronouncements.  Also see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.
 
 

 
 
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Item 3.                  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
There have been no material changes to the quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk described in Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” included in the 2010 Form 10-K.
 

Item 4.                  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of AXA Financial Group’s disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2011.  Based on that evaluation, management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that AXA Financial Group's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2011.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There has been no change in AXA Financial Group’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, AXA Financial Group’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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PART II OTHER INFORMATION
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
     
 
See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein.  Except as disclosed in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements there have been no new material legal proceedings and no new material developments in legal proceedings previously reported in the 2010 Form 10-K.
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors
     
 
There have been no material changes to the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” included in the 2010 Form 10-K
     
Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
     
 
NONE
 
     
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
     
 
NONE
     
Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)
     
Item 5. Other Information
     
  NONE   
     
Item 6.   Exhibits  
     
 
Number
 
Description and Method of Filing
       
 
31.1
 
Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
31.2
 
Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
32.1
 
Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
32.2
 
Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
       
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, AXA Financial, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


     
AXA FINANCIAL, INC.


Date:
August 11, 2011
 
By:
/s/ Richard S. Dziadzio
       
Name:
Richard S. Dziadzio
       
Title:
Senior Executive Vice President and
         
Chief Financial Officer
         
         
Date:
August 11, 2011
   
/s/ Alvin H. Fenichel
       
Name:
Alvin H. Fenichel
       
Title:
Senior Vice President and
         
Chief Accounting Officer

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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