10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 


 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended

March 31, 2003

 

Commission file number 0-2253

 

PartnerRe Ltd.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Bermuda

 

Not Applicable

(State or other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

96 Pitts Bay Road

Pembroke, Bermuda

 

HM 08

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(441) 292-0888

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

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 (the Exchange Act) 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  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes x No ¨

 

The number of the Registrant’s common shares (par value $1.00 per share) outstanding as of May 8, 2003 was 53,454,954

 

 


 


Table of Contents

 

PartnerRe Ltd.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

         

Page


    

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    

ITEM 1.

  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

    
    

Independent Accountants’ Report

  

3

    

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, 2003 (unaudited) and December 31, 2002 (audited)

  

4

    

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

  

5

    

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

  

6

    

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

  

7

    

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

  

8

ITEM 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  

13

ITEM 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk (see Part I, Item 2)

    

ITEM 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

  

27

    

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

    

ITEM 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

  

27

ITEM 2.

  

Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

  

27

ITEM 3.

  

Defaults upon Senior Securities

  

27

ITEM 4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

  

27

ITEM 5.

  

Other Information

  

27

ITEM 6.

  

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

  

28

    

Signatures

  

29

    

Certifications

  

30

    

Exhibit Index

  

32

 

 

2


Table of Contents

 

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT

 

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of PartnerRe Ltd.

 

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of PartnerRe Ltd. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2003 and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

 

We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and of making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

 

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We have previously audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the consolidated balance sheet of PartnerRe Ltd. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 10, 2003, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and included an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company’s change in method of accounting for goodwill and derivative instruments and hedging activities. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2002 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

 

 

Deloitte & Touche

Hamilton, Bermuda

May 5, 2003

(May 13, 2003 as to Note 2)

 

3


Table of Contents

 

PartnerRe Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data)

 

    

March 31,

2003


    

December 31,

2002


 
    

(Unaudited)

    

(Audited)

 

Assets

                 

Investments and cash

                 

Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2003, $4,208,828; 2002, $3,998,382)

  

$

4,331,177

 

  

$

4,145,594

 

Short-term investments, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2003, $15,271; 2002, $3,787)

  

 

15,483

 

  

 

3,801

 

Equities, available for sale, at fair value (cost: 2003, $502,857; 2002, $493,893)

  

 

470,772

 

  

 

473,163

 

Trading securities, at fair value (cost: 2003, $71,823; 2002, $72,998)

  

 

74,301

 

  

 

75,284

 

Cash and cash equivalents, at fair value, which approximates amortized cost

  

 

1,084,888

 

  

 

710,640

 

Other invested assets

  

 

4,121

 

  

 

3,630

 

    


  


Total investments and cash

  

 

5,980,742

 

  

 

5,412,112

 

Accrued investment income

  

 

82,285

 

  

 

66,980

 

Reinsurance balances receivable

  

 

1,440,641

 

  

 

994,502

 

Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses

  

 

221,504

 

  

 

216,681

 

Funds held by reinsured companies

  

 

745,504

 

  

 

726,722

 

Deferred acquisition costs

  

 

358,253

 

  

 

304,873

 

Deposit assets

  

 

453,672

 

  

 

359,606

 

Taxes recoverable

  

 

105,031

 

  

 

100,002

 

Goodwill

  

 

429,519

 

  

 

429,519

 

Other

  

 

133,541

 

  

 

126,977

 

    


  


Total Assets

  

$

9,950,692

 

  

$

8,737,974

 

    


  


Liabilities

                 

Unpaid losses and loss expenses

  

$

3,846,402

 

  

$

3,658,416

 

Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts

  

 

869,112

 

  

 

815,978

 

Unearned premiums

  

 

1,327,349

 

  

 

869,925

 

Funds held under reinsurance treaties

  

 

32,866

 

  

 

32,359

 

Deposit liabilities

  

 

462,776

 

  

 

356,091

 

Long-term debt

  

 

220,000

 

  

 

220,000

 

Net payable for securities purchased

  

 

500,286

 

  

 

190,110

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other

  

 

131,873

 

  

 

117,913

 

    


  


Total Liabilities

  

 

7,390,664

 

  

 

6,260,792

 

    


  


Trust Preferred and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities

  

 

400,000

 

  

 

400,000

 

Shareholders’ Equity

                 

Common shares (par value $1.00, issued and outstanding: 2003, 52,410,728; 2002, 52,375,938)

  

 

52,411

 

  

 

52,376

 

Preferred shares (par value $1.00, issued and outstanding: 2003, 10,000,000; 2002, 10,000,000; aggregate liquidation preference, $250,000,000)

  

 

10,000

 

  

 

10,000

 

Additional paid-in capital

  

 

977,989

 

  

 

977,714

 

Deferred compensation

  

 

(227

)

  

 

(261

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income:

                 

Net unrealized gains on investments, net of tax

  

 

87,441

 

  

 

119,605

 

Currency translation adjustment

  

 

(20,588

)

  

 

(30,820

)

Retained earnings

  

 

1,053,002

 

  

 

948,568

 

    


  


Total Shareholders’ Equity

  

 

2,160,028

 

  

 

2,077,182

 

    


  


Total Liabilities, Trust Preferred and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities and Shareholders’ Equity

  

$

9,950,692

 

  

$

8,737,974

 

    


  


 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

4


Table of Contents

 

PartnerRe Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

    

For the three

months ended

March 31,

2003


    

For the three

months ended

March 31,

2002


 

Revenues

                 

Gross premiums written

  

$

1,261,590

 

  

$

846,852

 

    


  


Net premiums written

  

$

1,234,747

 

  

$

824,473

 

Increase in unearned premiums

  

 

(428,510

)

  

 

(344,999

)

    


  


Net premiums earned

  

 

806,237

 

  

 

479,474

 

Net investment income

  

 

61,679

 

  

 

58,704

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

  

 

40,952

 

  

 

(7,881

)

Other income

  

 

2,491

 

  

 

675

 

    


  


Total Revenues

  

 

911,359

 

  

 

530,972

 

    


  


Expenses

                 

Losses and loss expenses including life policy benefits

  

 

555,997

 

  

 

311,854

 

Acquisition costs

  

 

169,722

 

  

 

104,047

 

Other operating expenses

  

 

52,000

 

  

 

36,936

 

Interest expense

  

 

3,196

 

  

 

3,196

 

Net foreign exchange (gains) losses

  

 

(3,080

)

  

 

3,603

 

    


  


Total Expenses

  

 

777,835

 

  

 

459,636

 

    


  


Income before distributions related to Trust Preferred and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities and taxes

  

 

133,524

 

  

 

71,336

 

Distributions related to Trust Preferred and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities

  

 

6,815

 

  

 

6,815

 

Income tax expense

  

 

2,077

 

  

 

1,266

 

    


  


Net income

  

$

124,632

 

  

$

63,255

 

    


  


Preferred dividends

  

$

5,000

 

  

$

5,000

 

    


  


Net income available to common shareholders

  

$

119,632

 

  

$

58,255

 

    


  


Calculation of comprehensive income, net of tax:

                 

Net income as reported

  

$

124,632

 

  

$

63,255

 

Net unrealized losses on investments

  

 

(32,164

)

  

 

(28,666

)

Change in currency translation adjustment

  

 

10,232

 

  

 

(2,695

)

    


  


Comprehensive income

  

$

102,700

 

  

$

31,894

 

    


  


Per share data:

                 

Earnings per common share:

                 

Basic net income

  

$

2.28

 

  

$

1.16

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

  

 

52,403.2

 

  

 

50,202.6

 

Diluted net income

  

$

2.23

 

  

$

1.13

 

Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding

  

 

53,738.6

 

  

 

51,687.5

 

Dividends declared per common share

  

$

0.29

 

  

$

0.28

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5


Table of Contents

 

PartnerRe Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

    

Common

Shares


  

Preferred

Shares


  

Additional

Paid-In

Capital


    

Deferred

Compen-

sation


    

Net

Unrealized Gains

(Losses) on

Investments,

Net of tax


    

Currency

Translation

Adjustment


    

Retained

Earnings


    

Total Share-

holders’

Equity


 

Balance at December 31, 2002

  

$

52,376

  

$

10,000

  

$

977,714

 

  

$

(261

)

  

$

119,605

 

  

$

(30,820

)

  

$

948,568

 

  

$

2,077,182

 

Issue of common shares

  

 

35

  

 

  

 

1,470

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

1,505

 

Adjustment on purchase   contracts for common   shares

  

 

  

 

  

 

(1,195

)

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

(1,195

)

Amortization of   deferred compensation

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

34

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

34

 

Net unrealized losses for   period

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

(32,164

)

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

(32,164

)

Currency translation   adjustment

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

10,232

 

  

 

 

  

 

10,232

 

Net income

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

124,632

 

  

 

124,632

 

Dividends on common   shares

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

(15,198

)

  

 

(15,198

)

Dividends on preferred   shares

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

(5,000

)

  

 

(5,000

)

    

  

  


  


  


  


  


  


Balance at March 31, 2003

  

$

52,411

  

$

10,000

  

$

977,989

 

  

$

(227

)

  

$

87,441

 

  

$

(20,588

)

  

$

1,053,002

 

  

$

2,160,028

 

    

  

  


  


  


  


  


  


Balance at December 31, 2001

  

$

50,164

  

$

10,000

  

$

885,678

 

  

$

(397

)

  

$

24,023

 

  

$

(58,043

)

  

$

836,684

 

  

$

1,748,109

 

Issue of common shares

  

 

77

  

 

  

 

2,285

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

2,362

 

Adjustment on purchase   contracts for common   shares

  

 

  

 

  

 

(1,011

)

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

(1,011

)

Amortization of   deferred compensation

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

34

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

34

 

Net unrealized losses for   period

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

(28,666

)

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

(28,666

)

Currency translation   adjustment

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

(2,695

)

  

 

 

  

 

(2,695

)

Net income

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

63,255

 

  

 

63,255

 

Dividends on common   shares

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

(14,049

)

  

 

(14,049

)

Dividends on preferred   shares

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

(5,000

)

  

 

(5,000

)

    

  

  


  


  


  


  


  


Balance at March 31, 2002

  

$

50,241

  

$

10,000

  

$

886,952

 

  

$

(363

)

  

$

(4,643

)

  

$

(60,738

)

  

$

880,890

 

  

$

1,762,339

 

    

  

  


  


  


  


  


  


 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

6


Table of Contents

 

PartnerRe Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

    

For the three

months ended

March 31,

2003


    

For the three

months ended

March 31,

2002


 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

                 

Net income

  

$

124,632

 

  

$

63,255

 

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

                 

Accrual of discount on investments, net of amortization of premium

  

 

1,806

 

  

 

(365

)

Net realized investment (gains) losses

  

 

(40,952

)

  

 

7,881

 

Changes in:

                 

Unearned premiums

  

 

428,510

 

  

 

345,000

 

Reinsurance balances receivable

  

 

(429,676

)

  

 

(286,310

)

Unpaid losses and loss expenses including life policy benefits

  

 

197,236

 

  

 

72,913

 

Taxes recoverable

  

 

1,397

 

  

 

1,325

 

Other changes in assets and liabilities

  

 

(47,162

)

  

 

(27,968

)

Other items, net

  

 

(1,511

)

  

 

641

 

    


  


Net cash provided by operating activities

  

 

234,280

 

  

 

176,372

 

    


  


Cash Flows From Investing Activities

                 

Sales of fixed maturities

  

 

2,542,035

 

  

 

624,701

 

Redemptions of fixed maturities

  

 

77,767

 

  

 

62,316

 

Purchases of fixed maturities

  

 

(2,425,508

)

  

 

(857,366

)

Net purchases of short term investments

  

 

(11,641

)

  

 

(713

)

Sales of equities

  

 

25,308

 

  

 

33,742

 

Purchases of equities

  

 

(41,953

)

  

 

(119,370

)

Other

  

 

(6,239

)

  

 

(9,503

)

    


  


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

  

 

159,769

 

  

 

(266,193

)

    


  


Cash Flows from Financing Activities

                 

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

  

 

(20,198

)

  

 

(19,049

)

Issue of common shares

  

 

1,505

 

  

 

2,362

 

Adjustment on purchase contract for common shares

  

 

(1,195

)

  

 

(1,011

)

    


  


Net cash used in financing activities

  

 

(19,888

)

  

 

(17,698

)

    


  


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

  

 

87

 

  

 

(858

)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  

 

374,248

 

  

 

(108,377

)

Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period

  

 

710,640

 

  

 

451,614

 

    


  


Cash and cash equivalents—end of period

  

$

1,084,888

 

  

$

343,237

 

    


  


 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

7


Table of Contents

PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1.   General

 

PartnerRe Ltd. (the “Company”) is a leading global reinsurer, providing multi-line reinsurance to insurance companies through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Partner Reinsurance Company Ltd. (“Partner Reinsurance Company”), PartnerRe SA, and Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S. (“PartnerRe U.S.”). Risks reinsured include, but are not limited to, property, casualty, motor, agriculture, aviation/space, catastrophe, credit/surety, engineering/energy, marine, special risk, other lines, and life/annuity and health.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions 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. In the opinion of management, these condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all the normal recurring adjustments and estimates necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002 and its results of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 and shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the three months then ended. Actual results could differ from those estimates and results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders.

 

2.   Recent Development

 

In May 2003, the Company issued 11.6 million of 6.75% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (“Series C preferred shares”) for a total consideration of $280.9 million after underwriting discounts and commissions totaling $9.1 million. The Series C preferred shares can not be redeemed before May 8, 2008. Beginning May 8, 2008, the Company may redeem Series C preferred shares at $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends without interest. Dividends on the Series C preferred shares will be cumulative from the date of issuance and are payable quarterly in arrears, starting September 1, 2003. A portion of the net proceeds from the sale will be used to redeem the Company’s existing 8% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares (“Series A preferred shares”) for which the Company issued a redemption notice on May 9, 2003. Accordingly, the Company expects the Series A preferred shares to be fully redeemed by June 9, 2003. The remaining net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

 

While the redemption of the Series A preferred shares will have no impact on the net income of the Company for the second quarter of 2003, the difference between the aggregate liquidation value and the carrying value of the Series A preferred shares, which totals $7.8 million, will be treated as a dividend on preferred shares and will result in a $7.8 million reduction to the net income amount used in the calculation of earnings per share available to common shareholders.

 

3.   New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 149 “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS 149). The statement amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. The statement will be effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003. The Company is in the process of determining the effect that the adoption of this new guidance will have on its operations.

 

In February 2003, the Derivatives Implementation Group of the FASB issued SFAS 133 Implementation Issue No. B36 “Embedded Derivatives: Modified Coinsurance Arrangements and Debt Instruments That Incorporate Credit Risk Exposures That Are Unrelated or Only Partially Related to the Creditworthiness of the Obligor under Those Instruments.” This new guidance addresses the potential for embedded derivatives within funds held balances relating to certain reinsurance contracts. The guidance will be effective for fiscal quarters beginning after September 15, 2003. The Company is in the process of determining the effect that the adoption of this new guidance will have on its operations.

 

8


Table of Contents

PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” FIN 46 requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity’s activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns or both. A variable interest entity is a corporation, partnership, trust, or any other legal structure used for business purposes that either (a) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (b) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. A variable interest entity may be essentially passive or it may engage in research and development or other activities on behalf of another company. The consolidation requirements of FIN 46 apply immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements apply to older entities in the first fiscal year or interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. Certain of the disclosure requirements apply to all financial statements issued after January 31, 2003, regardless of when the variable interest entity was established. The adoption of FIN 46 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation–Transition and Disclosure” (SFAS 148). SFAS 148 amends existing guidance to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, SFAS 148 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS 123 to require more prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The additional disclosure requirements of SFAS 148 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. Management has elected to continue to follow the intrinsic value method of accounting as prescribed by APB No. 25, to account for employee stock options. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for grants of stock options under the Option Plan or the Directors’ Stock Plan.

 

The following table illustrates the effect on net income available to common shareholders and net income per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions with the method of SFAS 123 ($ 000’s except per share data):

 

    

2003


  

2002


Net income available to common shareholders:

             

As reported

  

$

119,632

  

$

58,255

Pro forma

  

$

117,029

  

$

56,203

Net income per common share:

             

Basic

             

As reported

  

$

2.28

  

$

1.16

Pro forma

  

$

2.23

  

$

1.12

Diluted

             

As reported

  

$

2.23

  

$

1.13

Pro forma

  

$

2.18

  

$

1.09

 

In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45 (FIN 45) “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.” FIN 45 elaborates on the existing disclosure requirements for most guarantees. It also clarifies that at the time a company issues a guarantee, the Company must recognize an initial liability for the fair value of the obligation it assumes under that guarantee and must disclose that information in its interim and annual financial statements. The initial recognition and measurement provisions apply on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The disclosure requirements are effective for financial statements of interim or annual periods ending after December 15, 2002. The adoption of FIN 45 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 

3.    Segment Information

 

The Company monitors the performance of its underwriting operations in two major segments, Non-life and Life. The Non-life segment is further divided into three sub-segments, US Property and Casualty, Global (Non-US) Property and Casualty and Worldwide Specialty. The Life segment includes Life, Health and Annuity lines of business. Segments represent markets that are reasonably homogeneous in terms of geography, client types, buying patterns, underlying risk patterns and approach to risk management.

 

9


Table of Contents

PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

The US and Global (Non-US) Property and Casualty sub-segments include property and casualty business as well as motor business. These lines are generally written in local markets. The US Property and Casualty sub-segment is comprised of property, casualty and motor risks generally originating in the United States, written by PartnerRe U.S. The Global (Non-US) Property and Casualty sub-segment is comprised of property, casualty and motor business generally originating outside of the United States, written by Partner Reinsurance Company and PartnerRe SA. The Worldwide Specialty sub-segment is comprised of business that is generally considered to be specialized due to the sophisticated technical underwriting required to analyze risks, and is global in nature, inasmuch as appropriate risk management for these lines requires a globally diversified portfolio of risks. This segment consists of several lines of business for which the Company believes it has developed specialized knowledge and underwriting capabilities. These lines of business include agriculture, aviation/space, catastrophe, credit/surety, engineering/energy, marine, special risk, and other lines.

 

Because the Company does not manage its assets by segment, investment income is not allocated to the Non-life sub-segments of the reinsurance operations. However, because of the interest sensitive nature of some of the Company’s Life products, investment income is considered in Management’s assessment of the profitability of the Life segment of the reinsurance operations. The following items are not considered in evaluating the results of each segment: net realized investment gains/losses, other income, other operating expenses, interest expense, distributions related to Trust Preferred and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities, net foreign exchange gains or losses, income tax expense or benefit and preferred share dividends. Segment revenues and profits or losses are shown net of intercompany transactions.

 

Management measures segment results for the Property and Casualty segments and Worldwide Specialty segment on the basis of the “technical ratio”, which is obtained by dividing the sum of the loss and loss adjustment expenses and acquisition costs by net premiums earned. The technical ratio differs from the combined ratio as it does not include the impact of other operating expenses. Management measures segment results for the Life segment on the basis of “net technical result” which includes revenues from net premiums earned and allocated investment income and expenses from loss and loss expenses and acquisition costs. The following table provides a summary of the segment revenues and results for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002  

($  millions except ratios):

 

10


Table of Contents

 

PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

    

For the three

months ended

March 31, 2003


    

For the three

months ended

March 31, 2002


 

NON-LIFE SEGMENT

                 

US Property and Casualty

                 

Net premiums written

  

$

317.7

 

  

$

174.2

 

Net premiums earned

  

 

195.8

 

  

 

120.5

 

Loss and loss expense ratio (1)

  

 

70.3

%

  

 

66.3

%

Acquisition expense ratio (2)

  

 

25.7

 

  

 

27.0

 

    


  


Technical ratio (3)

  

 

96.0

%

  

 

93.3

%

Global (Non-US) Property and Casualty

                 

Net premiums written

  

$

304.9

 

  

$

200.8

 

Net premiums earned

  

 

201.8

 

  

 

121.2

 

Loss and loss expense ratio (1)

  

 

68.2

%

  

 

73.9

%

Acquisition expense ratio (2)

  

 

24.0

 

  

 

23.5

 

    


  


Technical ratio (3)

  

 

92.2

%

  

 

97.4

%

Worldwide Specialty

                 

Net premiums written

  

$

530.3

 

  

$

409.1

 

Net premiums earned

  

 

333.5

 

  

 

205.3

 

Loss and loss expense ratio (1)

  

 

62.2

%

  

 

55.9

%

Acquisition expense ratio (2)

  

 

18.5

 

  

 

16.8

 

    


  


Technical ratio (3)

  

 

80.7

%

  

 

72.7

%

TOTAL NON-LIFE SEGMENT

                 

Gross premiums written

  

$

1,174.6

 

  

$

803.4

 

Net premiums written

  

 

1,152.9

 

  

 

784.1

 

Net premiums earned

  

 

731.1

 

  

 

447.0

 

Loss and loss expense ratio (1)

  

 

66.0

%

  

 

63.6

%

Acquisition expense ratio (2)

  

 

22.0

 

  

 

21.4

 

    


  


Technical ratio (3)

  

 

88.0

 

  

 

85.0

 

Other overhead expense ratio (4)

  

 

6.6

 

  

 

7.6

 

    


  


Combined ratio (5)

  

 

94.6

%

  

 

92.6

%

LIFE SEGMENT

                 

Gross premiums written

  

$

87.0

 

  

$

43.4

 

Net premiums written

  

 

81.8

 

  

 

40.4

 

Net premiums earned

  

 

75.1

 

  

 

32.6

 

Technical result (6)

  

$

(7.2

)

  

$

(3.5

)

Allocated investment income

  

 

12.2

 

  

 

6.4

 

    


  


Net technical result

  

$

5.0

 

  

$

2.9

 

    


  


 

(1)   Loss and loss expense ratio is obtained by dividing losses and loss expenses by net premiums earned.
(2)   Acquisition expense ratio is obtained by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned.
(3)   Technical ratio is defined as the sum of the loss and loss expense ratio and the acquisition expense ratio.
(4)   Other overhead expense ratio is obtained by dividing other operating expenses by net premiums earned.
(5)   Combined ratio is the sum of the loss and loss expense ratio and expense ratio. The expense ratio is defined as the sum of the acquisition expense ratio and the other overhead expense ratio.
(6)   Technical result is defined as net premiums earned less losses and loss expenses and acquisition costs.

 

11


Table of Contents

PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

    

For the three

months ended

March 31,

2003


    

For the three

months ended

March 31,

2002


 

Reconciliation to Net Income:

                 

Non-Life technical result

  

$

87.7

 

  

$

67.1

 

Life technical result

  

 

(7.2

)

  

 

(3.5

)

    


  


Technical result

  

$

80.5

 

  

$

63.6

 

Other operating expenses

  

 

(52.0

)

  

 

(36.9

)

Net investment income

  

 

61.7

 

  

 

58.7

 

Other income

  

 

2.5

 

  

 

0.7

 

Interest expense

  

 

(3.2

)

  

 

(3.2

)

Net foreign exchange gains (losses)

  

 

3.1

 

  

 

(3.6

)

Income tax recovery (expense) on operating income

  

 

0.4

 

  

 

(0.7

)

Distribution related to Trust Preferred and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Shares

  

 

(6.8

)

  

 

(6.8

)

Net realized investment gains (losses), net of tax

  

 

38.4

 

  

 

(8.5

)

    


  


Net income

  

$

124.6

 

  

$

63.3

 

    


  


 

 

12


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following is a discussion and analysis of the unaudited consolidated financial condition at March 31, 2003 and results of operations of PartnerRe Ltd. (the “Company”) for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the attached unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company at and for the year ended December 31, 2002 and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements at and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and notes thereto have been reviewed by independent accountants in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

Certain statements contained in this document, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis, may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s assumptions and expectations concerning the potential effect on the Company of future events and financial performance and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements. PartnerRe’s forward-looking statements could be affected by numerous foreseeable and unforeseeable events and developments such as:

 

  (1)   the occurrence of catastrophic events with a frequency or severity exceeding our expectations;

 

  (2)   a decrease in the level of demand for reinsurance and/or an increase in the supply of reinsurance capacity;

 

  (3)   increased competitive pressures, including the consolidation and increased globalization of reinsurance providers;

 

  (4)   actual losses and loss expenses exceeding our loss reserves, which are necessarily based on actuarial and statistical projections of ultimate losses;

 

  (5)   acts of terrorism;

 

  (6)   changes in the cost, availability and performance of retrocessional reinsurance, including the ability to collect reinsurance recoverables;

 

  (7)   concentration risk in dealing with a limited number of brokers;

 

  (8)   developments in and risks associated with global financial markets which could affect our investment portfolio;

 

  (9)   changing rates of inflation and other economic conditions;

 

  (10)   availability of borrowings and letters of credit under the Company’s credit facilities;

 

  (11)   losses due to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;

 

  (12)   restrictions in the issue of work permits which could result in loss of the services of any one of our executives;

 

  (13)   changes in the legal or regulatory environments in which we operate, including the passage of federal or state legislation subjecting Partner Reinsurance Company Ltd. or PartnerRe SA to supervision or regulation, including additional tax regulation, in the United States or other jurisdictions in which we operate; or

 

  (14)   actions by rating agencies that might impact the Company’s ability to write new business.

 

The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with other cautionary statements that are included herein. The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “hope,” “will likely result” or “will continue” or words of similar impact generally involve forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

 

13


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

 

General

 

The Company provides multi-line reinsurance to insurance companies on a worldwide basis through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Partner Reinsurance Company Ltd. (“Partner Reinsurance Company”), PartnerRe SA, and Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S. (“PartnerRe U.S.”). Risks reinsured include, but are not limited to, property, casualty, motor, agriculture, aviation/space, catastrophe, credit/surety, engineering/energy, marine, special risk, other lines and life/annuity and health.

 

Because of the inherent volatility of some of the lines of business the Company underwrites, the operating results and financial condition of the Company can be adversely impacted by catastrophes and other large losses that may give rise to claims under reinsurance coverages provided by the Company. Catastrophe reinsurance comprises a material portion of the Company’s exposure. Catastrophe losses result from events such as windstorms, earthquakes, floods, hail, tornadoes, severe winter weather, fires, explosions and other man-made or natural disasters, the incidence and severity of which are inherently unpredictable. Because catastrophe reinsurance accumulates large aggregate exposures to man-made and natural disasters, the Company’s loss experience in this line of business could be characterized by low frequency and high severity, particularly since it usually provides reinsurance, that pays only after the primary insurer has experienced a specified level of loss, which tends to reduce the Company’s exposure to higher-frequency low-severity losses. This is likely to result in substantial volatility in the Company’s financial results for any fiscal quarter or year and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

The Company writes other lines of business which can be affected by large losses, including property, casualty, motor, agriculture, aviation/space, credit/surety, marine, engineering/energy, special risk, other lines and life/annuity and health. The Company endeavors to manage its exposure to catastrophe and other large losses by (i) attempting to limit its aggregate exposure on catastrophe reinsurance in any particular geographic zone defined by the Company and attempting to limit its exposure to per risk reinsurance, (ii) selective underwriting practices, (iii) diversification of risks by geographic area and by lines and classes of business, and (iv) to a certain extent by purchasing retrocessional reinsurance. Despite the Company’s efforts to manage its exposure to catastrophe and other large losses, the effect of a single catastrophic event or series of events affecting one or more geographic zones or changes in the relative frequency or severity of catastrophic or other large loss events could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. Should the Company incur a substantial catastrophe loss, its ability to write future business may be impacted.

 

Business Environment

 

Reinsurance is a highly competitive and cyclical industry. The industry is influenced by several factors including variations in interest rates and financial markets, changes in legal, regulatory and judicial environments, inflation and general economic conditions. Throughout the late 1990’s, the industry’s operating profitability declined due to the deterioration of pricing, terms and conditions and increasing loss costs. These negative trends were offset by high investment returns that led to continued growth in capital—a prime determinant of capacity and competition.

 

In 2000, the cumulative impact of several years of declining profitability, punctuated by the large European storms Lothar and Martin at the end of 1999, led to an improvement in pricing, which gained momentum into 2001. The large loss events of 2001, including the terrorist attack of September 11 and the Enron bankruptcy, in conjunction with steep declines in interest rates and equity values, added to the pressure for improvements in insurance and reinsurance pricing and improved terms and conditions. The Company observed in January 2002 the strongest renewal season in over five years. Market conditions remained strong throughout 2002 and continued into the 2003 renewal season.

 

Notwithstanding recent progress, there is no certainty as to how long the current market will last, or when increased competition will lead to declines in pricing adequacy and weakening terms and conditions. Management believes that reinsurance pricing generally follows loss cost trends, but that the lag between the loss trend cycle and the pricing cycle is affected by the availability of capital in the industry. As was demonstrated in the late 1990s, the growing capital of the industry forestalled a quick response to deteriorating loss trends and profitability. The cumulative pressures on industry capital, due to catastrophic losses, adverse reserve development, ongoing loss cost inflation, and steep declines in equity values in 2000-2001 ultimately led to an improvement in market conditions. While a number of companies exited certain lines or the reinsurance market altogether, other companies have been created in the aftermath of September 11. The total capital raised by these new companies was not substantial when compared to the capital lost by the industry over the last few years. However, this new capacity and the expected growth in retained earnings of the industry resulting from recent favorable market conditions should, at some point in the future, increase the level of available capital to a more adequate level. Management is unable to predict when improved capital levels or other developments in the economic, regulatory, or judicial environment would drive increased competition in the industry.

 

14


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

 

Results of Operations—for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

 

The Company measures its performance in several ways. Core to this process is the concept of operating earnings, a measure that focuses on the underlying fundamentals of our operations. Operating earnings as used by the Company is defined as net income available to common shareholders excluding after-tax net realized gains and losses on investments. Net income available to common shareholders is defined as net income less preferred share dividends. Operating earnings focuses on the underlying fundamentals of our operations without the influence of realized gains and losses from the sale of investments, which are generally driven by the timing of the disposition of investments and not by the underlying fundamentals of the Company’s operations. Likewise, dividend payments to our preferred shareholders are deducted from net income; thereby focusing this measure on results for our common shareholders. Similarly, Management looks at operating earnings per fully diluted common share. This measurement is calculated by dividing operating earnings by the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding. Finally, operating earnings is used in the calculation of the Company’s Return on Equity. Operating Return on Equity is calculated by dividing operating earnings by the net book value of our common equity (total shareholders’ equity less the aggregate liquidation value of the preferred shares) at the beginning of the year.

 

Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 were as follows ($     millions, except per share data and return on equity):

 

 

    

2003


    

2002


 

Net income

  

$

124.6

 

  

$

63.3

 

Less:

                 

Net realized investment gains (losses), net of tax

  

 

38.4

 

  

 

(8.5

)

Preferred dividends

  

 

5.0

 

  

 

5.0

 

    


  


Operating earnings available to common shareholders

  

$

81.2

 

  

$

66.8

 

    


  


Diluted net income per common share

  

$

2.23

 

  

$

1.13

 

Less:

                 

Net realized investment gains (losses), net of tax, per common share

  

 

0.72

 

  

 

(0.16

)

    


  


Diluted operating earnings per common share

  

$

1.51

 

  

$

1.29

 

    


  


Return on beginning common shareholders’ equity calculated with net income

  

 

26.2

%

  

 

15.6

%

Less:

                 

Net realized gains (losses), net of tax

  

 

8.4

 

  

 

(2.2

)

    


  


Operating return on equity

  

 

17.8

%

  

 

17.8

%

    


  


 

Operating earnings for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 was free of significant catastrophic losses or other large losses. The positive effect of the improvement in pricing, terms and conditions observed during the 2002 and 2003 renewals was seen in both periods but more predominantly in the 2003 period since premiums written during the latter half of 2002 are earned during 2003.

 

The next section provides a detailed analysis of the Company’s operating performance for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002.

 

15


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

 

Results by Segment

 

The Company monitors the performance of its underwriting operations in two segments, Non-life and Life. The Non-life segment is further divided into three sub-segments, U.S. Property and Casualty, Global (Non-U.S.) Property and Casualty, and Worldwide Specialty. The Life segment includes Life, Health, and Annuity lines of business. Segments represent markets that are reasonably homogeneous in terms of geography, client types, buying patterns, underlying risk patterns, and approach to risk management.

 

The U.S. and Global (Non-U.S.) Property and Casualty sub-segments include property and casualty business as well as motor business. These lines are generally written in local markets. The U.S. Property and Casualty sub-segment is comprised of property, casualty, and motor risks generally originating in the United States, written by PartnerRe U.S. The Global (Non-U.S.) Property and Casualty sub-segment is comprised of property, casualty, and motor business generally originating outside of the United States, written by Partner Reinsurance Company and PartnerRe SA. The Worldwide Specialty sub-segment is comprised of business that is generally considered to be specialized due to the sophisticated technical underwriting required to analyze risks, and is global in nature, inasmuch as appropriate risk management for these lines requires a globally diversified portfolio of risks. This segment consists of several lines of business for which the Company believes it has developed specialized knowledge and underwriting capabilities. These lines of business include agriculture, aviation/space, catastrophe, credit/surety, engineering/energy, marine, special risk, and other lines.

 

Because the Company does not manage its assets by segment, investment income is not allocated to the Non-life sub-segments of the reinsurance operations. However, because of the interest-sensitive nature of some of the Company’s Life products, investment income is considered in Management’s assessment of the profitability of the Life segment of the reinsurance operations. The following items are not considered in evaluating the results of each segment: net realized investment gains and losses, other income, other operating expenses, interest expense, distributions related to Trust Preferred and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities, net foreign exchange gains and losses, income tax expense or benefit, and preferred share dividends. Segment revenues and profits or losses are shown net of intercompany transactions.

 

Management measures segment results for the Non-life segment on the basis of the “technical ratio,” which is obtained by dividing the sum of the loss and loss adjustment expenses and acquisition costs by net premiums earned. The technical ratio differs from the combined ratio as it does not include the impact of other operating expenses. Management measures segment results for the Life segment on the basis of “net technical result,” which includes revenues from net premiums earned and allocated investment income, and expenses from loss and loss expenses and acquisition costs.

 

16


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

 

Non-life Segment

 

US Property and Casualty

 

Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 were as follows ($  millions):

 

 

    

2003


  

2002


Gross premiums written

  

$

318.1

  

$

175.5

Net premiums written

  

 

317.7

  

 

174.2

Net premiums earned

  

 

195.8

  

 

120.5

 

Through the first three months of 2003, the Company observed a combination of rate increases and improved terms and conditions in the property, casualty and motor lines as it renewed its existing book of business. Despite this improvement in terms and conditions in the industry, the Company has remained selective in pursuing business that meets its profitability objectives. Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2003 increased by 81.3%, 82.4% and 62.5%, respectively, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2002. This growth resulted primarily from a combination of increased participations, pricing and exposures as well as new business opportunities in all lines but more predominantly in the casualty line. Contributing to the growth rate of gross and net premiums written for the first quarter of 2003 is the greater proportion of treaties with minimum and deposit (M&D) premium features. Treaties with M&D premium features provide the Company with a guaranteed minimum level of premiums for the treaty period and a larger percentage of ultimate premiums recorded “upfront”. The increase in treaties with M&D clauses leads to a greater percentage of the total premiums written recognized in the quarter in which the treaty is signed, as opposed to recognizing the premium written more or less evenly over the treaty period. The M&D clause does not change the total amount of premium written over the term of the treaty but it results in the recognition of higher premiums written early in the treaty period and lower premiums written in the later part of the treaty period. Accordingly, the growth trends experienced during the first quarter of 2003 for gross and net premiums written do not reflect the annual growth trends expected for this sub-segment. Premiums written are earned on a basis that is consistent with the risks covered under the terms of the reinsurance contracts, which generally is one to two years. The M&D premium feature does not affect the earning pattern for premiums.

 

Losses and loss expenses incurred and the corresponding ratio as a percentage of net premiums earned (“loss and loss expense ratio”), and acquisition costs (primarily brokerage expenses, commissions, excise taxes and other costs directly related to underwriting reinsurance contracts), and the corresponding ratio as a percentage of net premiums earned (“acquisition expense ratio”), were as follows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 ($  millions except ratios):

 

 

    

2003


    

2002


 

Losses and loss expenses

  

$

137.6

 

  

$

79.9

 

Acquisition expenses

  

 

50.3

 

  

 

32.5

 

    


  


Loss and loss expense ratio

  

 

70.3

%

  

 

66.3

%

Acquisition expense ratio

  

 

25.7

 

  

 

27.0

 

    


  


Technical ratio

  

 

96.0

%

  

 

93.3

%

 

The increase in losses and loss expenses for the first three months of 2003 compared to the corresponding 2002 period resulted primarily from the growth in exposure due to a growing book of business. Both periods are free from significant catastrophic losses or other large losses. The increase in the corresponding loss and loss expense ratio reflects the larger volume of casualty business earned as compared to the equivalent period in 2002. Casualty treaties typically carry a higher loss and loss expense ratio given the nature of the risks reinsured.

 

The increase in acquisition expenses for the 2003 period compared to the corresponding 2002 period resulted primarily from an increase in the volume of business earned in the three months ended March 31, 2003. The decrease in the acquisition expense ratio during the first three months of 2003 resulted from an increase in the business earned related to non-proportional treaties that typically carry lower acquisition costs than proportional treaties.

 

17


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

 

Global (Non-US) Property and Casualty

 

Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 were as follows ($  millions):

 

    

2003


  

2002


Gross premiums written

  

$

304.7

  

$

207.3

Net premiums written

  

 

304.9

  

 

200.8

Net premiums earned

  

 

201.8

  

 

121.2

 

During first three months of 2003, the Company observed a combination of rate increases and improved terms and conditions in the property, casualty and motor markets in most countries. The turmoil in the financial markets and the downgrading of other major reinsurers provided opportunities for the Company. As a result, the Company was able to increase its shares on existing treaties and grow its book of business during the January 2003 renewals. Despite the overall improvement in terms and conditions in the industry, the Company remained selective in pursuing business that meets its profitability objectives. Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2003 increased by 47.0%, 51.8% and 66.5%, respectively, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2002. Growth, in this sub-segment, resulted from a combination of increased participations, pricing and exposures as well as new business opportunities in all lines but more predominantly in the property line. The strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. dollar also contributed to this increase. Premiums written are earned on a basis that is consistent with the risks covered under the terms of the reinsurance contracts, which generally is one to two years.

 

Losses and loss expenses incurred, and the corresponding loss and loss expense ratio, and acquisition costs, and the corresponding acquisition expense ratio, were as follows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 ($  millions except ratios):

 

    

2003


    

2002


 

Losses and loss expenses

  

$

137.7

 

  

$

89.6

 

Acquisition expenses

  

 

48.5

 

  

 

28.5

 

    


  


Loss and loss expense ratio

  

 

68.2

%

  

 

73.9

%

Acquisition expense ratio

  

 

24.0

 

  

 

23.5

 

    


  


Technical ratio

  

 

92.2

%

  

 

97.4

%

 

The increase in losses and loss expenses for the first three months of 2003 compared to the corresponding 2002 period resulted primarily from the growth in exposure due to a growing book of business. Both periods are free from significant catastrophic losses or other large losses. The decrease in the loss and loss expense ratio reflects the improved market conditions seen by the Company in all lines during the 2002 and 2003 renewals.

 

The increase in acquisition expenses for the 2003 period compared to the corresponding 2002 period resulted primarily from an increase in the volume of business earned in the three months ended March 31, 2003. The acquisition expense ratio was comparable for both periods.

 

18


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

 

Worldwide Specialty

 

Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 were as follows ($  millions):

 

    

2003


  

2002


Gross premiums written

  

$

551.8

  

$

420.6

Net premiums written

  

 

530.3

  

 

409.1

Net premiums earned

  

 

333.5

  

 

205.3

 

Through the first three months of 2003, the Company saw improvements in terms and conditions in most specialty lines and stable conditions in other lines and the beginning of softening market conditions in commercial aviation. The Company has attempted to take advantage of the rate increases and improved terms and conditions it has seen in this sub-segment. Despite this improvement in terms and conditions in the industry, the Company remained selective in pursuing business that meets its profitability objectives and allocated capital within this segment to lines where prices and conditions were the most attractive. Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2003 increased by 31.2%, 29.6% and 62.4%, respectively, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2002. This growth resulted from a combination of increased participations, pricing and exposures as well as new business opportunities across most specialty lines and more predominantly in the engineering/energy, aviation, non-U.S. specialty casualty (part of special risk line) and catastrophe lines. The difference between gross and net premiums written was attributable to the cost of retrocession protection. The Company selectively purchases retrocession protection as part of its overall risk management process. Premiums written are earned on a basis that is consistent with the risks covered under the terms of the reinsurance contracts, which generally is one to two years.

 

Losses and loss expenses incurred, and the corresponding loss and loss expense ratio, and acquisition costs, and the corresponding acquisition expense ratio, were as follows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 ($  millions except ratios):

 

    

2003


    

2002


 

Losses and loss expenses

  

$

207.5

 

  

$

114.7

 

Acquisition expenses

  

 

61.7

 

  

 

34.6

 

    


  


Loss and loss expense ratio

  

 

62.2

%

  

 

55.9

%

Acquisition expense ratio

  

 

18.5

 

  

 

16.8

 

    


  


Technical ratio

  

 

80.7

%

  

 

72.7

%

 

The increase in losses and loss expenses for the first three months of 2003 compared to the corresponding 2002 period resulted primarily from the growth in exposure due to a growing book of business. The increase in the loss and loss expense ratio arises primarily from large losses in the marine line, the Australian brush fires and new claims reported by cedents relating to the European floods of 2002.

 

The increase in acquisition expenses compared to the three months ended March 31, 2002 resulted primarily from a larger volume of business earned in the three months ended March 31, 2003. The increase in the acquisition expense ratio resulted primarily from an increase in business written through brokers, which typically carries a commission expense, in the catastrophe line during the first quarter of 2003.

 

19


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

 

Life Segment

 

Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 were as follows ($  millions):

 

    

2003


  

2002


Gross premiums written

  

$

87.0

  

$

43.4

Net premiums written

  

 

81.8

  

 

40.4

Net premiums earned

  

 

75.1

  

 

32.6

 

The increases in gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned for the 2003 period compared to the same period during 2002 resulted primarily from the Company taking advantage of the disruption observed in the life insurance and reinsurance market as the poor performance of equity markets in the last three years reduced the capital available in the industry. Life insurers and reinsurers have experienced a reduction in their capital base with the dramatic decline in the equity markets. In addition, life (re)insurers suffered losses on their guaranteed minimum return and guaranteed minimum death benefit liabilities, which by definition cannot decrease below a minimum level. Furthermore, the investment portfolio of life insurers and reinsurers typically contains a higher asset allocation to equity investments and these companies generally experience a more severe reduction of capital than multi-line reinsurers when the equity market do not perform well.

 

Life policy benefits and acquisition costs (primarily brokerage expenses, commissions, excise taxes and other costs directly related to underwriting reinsurance contracts) incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 were as follows ($ millions):

 

    

2003


  

2002


Life policy benefits

  

$

73.2

  

$

27.6

Acquisition expenses

  

 

9.2

  

 

8.5

 

The increase in life policy benefits for the 2003 period compared to the same period during 2002 resulted primarily from the growth in exposure due to a growing book of business. Acquisition expenses have increased at a lower rate than losses in the first quarter of 2003 due to the increase in earned premiums on a treaty that carries lower acquisition costs.

 

Premium distribution by line of business

 

The distribution of net premiums written by line of business, for all segments, for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 was as follows:

 

    

2003

%


  

2002

%


Non-Life

         

Property and Casualty

         

Property

  

19

  

19

Casualty

  

20

  

15

Motor

  

11

  

12

Worldwide Specialty

         

Agriculture

  

2

  

4

Aviation/Space

  

5

  

5

Catastrophe

  

18

  

23

Credit/Surety

  

3

  

4

Engineering/Energy

  

6

  

3

Marine

  

3

  

3

Special Risk

  

6

  

7

Life

  

7

  

5

 

 

20


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

 

The distribution of premiums is affected by renewal patterns for non-proportional treaties as premiums for those treaties are written at the inception of the treaty rather than over the treaty period. The above percentages of net premiums written for the catastrophe line of business, which is written predominantly on a non-proportional basis, are higher than what can be expected for the year because a significant portion of the year’s catastrophe premiums was written in the first three months. The comparison of the distribution of net premiums written by line of business for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 shows how the lines of business grew relative to each other. The relative increase in the casualty, engineering/energy and life lines of business in the first three months of 2003 reflects a faster growth in those lines as a result of the Company’s taking advantage of better pricing, terms and conditions during the 2003 renewals. The relative decrease in the catastrophe line of business in the three months ended March 31, 2003 is attributable to the limits set by Management over the Company’s overall catastrophe exposure which resulted in slower growth in this line. The relative decrease in the credit/surety and motor lines of business in the three months ended March 31, 2003 is attributable to a slower growth in these lines compared to the overall growth. The relative decrease in the agriculture line of business in the first three months of 2003 reflects a negative growth in this line as the Company selectively did not renew treaties whose pricing, terms and conditions did not meet the Company’s profitability objectives.

 

The distribution of gross premiums written by type of business for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 was as follows:

 

    

2003

%


  

2002

%


Non-life Segment

         

Proportional

  

36

  

36

Non-Proportional

  

52

  

50

Facultative

  

5

  

9

Life Segment

         

Proportional

  

6

  

4

Non-Proportional

  

1

  

1

 

The Company typically writes business on either a proportional or non-proportional basis. On a proportional treaty, the Company shares proportionally in both the premiums and losses of the cedent. In non-proportional business, the Company is typically exposed to loss events in excess of a predetermined dollar amount or loss ratio. In both proportional and non-proportional business, the Company is typically reinsuring a large group of primary insurance contracts written by the ceding company. In addition, the Company writes business on a facultative basis. Facultative arrangements are generally specific to an individual risk and can be written on either a proportional or non-proportional basis. Generally, the Company has more influence over pricing, as well as terms and conditions, in non-proportional and facultative arrangements. The Company observed fewer attractive opportunities in the facultative market during the first quarter relative to other opportunities and this explains the decrease in the percentage of facultative treaties compared to the first quarter of 2002.

 

The geographic distribution of gross premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 was as follows:

 

    

2003

%


  

2002

%


Europe

  

44

  

39

North America

  

42

  

45

Asia, Australia, New Zealand

  

9

  

10

Latin America and the Caribbean

  

4

  

5

Africa

  

1

  

1

 

Although the Company experienced growth in absolute value in every geographic area except for a small decrease in Africa, growth was more pronounced in Europe during the first quarter of 2003. The strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. dollar also contributed to the increase in Europe for the 2003 period.

 

 

21


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

 

Investment Results

 

Net investment income and net realized investment gains (losses) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 were as follows ($  millions):

 

    

2003


  

2002


 

Net investment income

  

$

61.7

  

$

58.7

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

  

 

41.0

  

 

(7.9

)

 

Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2003 increased by 5.1% compared to the 2002 period. The increase in net investment income is primarily due to the positive effect of the decline of the U.S. Dollar against the Euro and other currencies. In the first quarter of 2003 the Company had a larger volume of invested assets resulting from positive operating cash flow throughout 2002 and the first quarter of 2003; however, the lower yield earned on invested assets has significantly offset the positive effect of the increase in the asset base. The average yield to maturity on the Company’s fixed income investment portfolio was 3.5% during the first quarter of 2003 compared to 5.3% during the first quarter of 2002. In order to protect the Company’s book value against the negative impact of a potential increase in interest rates, Management has shortened the duration of the fixed income portfolio and this, combined with the overall decrease in market interest rates in the last two years, explains the decrease of the portfolio yield to maturity in the first quarter of 2003 compared to the same period in 2002.

 

The components of net investment income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 were as follows ($ millions):

 

    

2003


    

2002


 

Fixed maturities, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents

  

$

49.3

 

  

$

51.6

 

Equities

  

 

3.9

 

  

 

4.1

 

Funds held and other

  

 

11.1

 

  

 

6.5

 

Total return and interest rate swaps

  

 

0.6

 

  

 

—  

 

Investment expenses

  

 

(3.2

)

  

 

(3.5

)

    


  


Net investment income

  

$

61.7

 

  

$

58.7

 

 

Net realized investment gains and losses on sales of investments are generally a function of the timing of dispositions of available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities, charges for the recognition of other-than-temporary impairments in the Company’s investment portfolio, changes in the market value of trading securities, fair value adjustments on total return and interest rate swaps, and the net ineffectiveness of the Company’s currency hedging activities. As the Company has transferred the management of most fixed income assets in-house, there was a higher than normal level of sale activity during the first quarter of 2003 to reposition the fixed income portfolio to reflect the Company’s preferred asset allocation. Since most of the securities in the fixed income portfolio carry unrealized gains, the sale of securities generated realized investment gains. The Company expects the repositioning of the fixed income portfolio will continue in the second quarter of 2003.

 

The net realized gains of $41.0 million recorded during the first quarter of 2003 included gross realized losses in the amount of $17.6 million and the approximate aggregate fair value of securities sold at a loss during the first quarter was $809.0 million. Of these total amounts, losses realized on sales of fixed maturities and equity securities were approximately $10.2 million and $7.4 million, respectively. The aggregate fair value of fixed maturities and equity securities sold at a loss were approximately $793.4 million and $15.6 million, respectively.

 

The components of net realized investment gains or losses for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 were as follows ($ millions):

 

    

2003


    

2002


 

Net realized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, excluding other-than-temporary impairments

  

$

44.7

 

  

$

(7.8

)

Other-than-temporary impairments

  

 

(5.9

)

  

 

—  

 

Net realized losses on trading securities

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(0.4

)

Change in net unrealized holding gains on trading securities

  

 

0.5

 

  

 

1.4

 

Net realized gains (losses) on designated hedging activity

  

 

0.8

 

  

 

(0.3

)

Net realized gains (losses) on undesignated hedging activity

  

 

0.7

 

  

 

(0.7

)

Other realized investment gains (losses)

  

 

(0.2

)

  

 

(0.1

)

    


  


Net realized investment gains (losses)

  

$

41.0

 

  

$

(7.9

)

 

 

22


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

 

Financial Condition and Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Shareholders’ Equity and Capital Management

 

Shareholders’ equity at March 31, 2003 was $2,160.0 million compared to $2,077.2 million at December 31, 2002. The major factors influencing the level of shareholders’ equity in the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 were:

 

    net income of $124.6 million;

 

    dividend payments of $20.2 million;

 

    a net increase in common shares and additional paid-in capital of $1.5 million, due to the issuance of common shares through the exercise of stock options;

 

    payments of $1.2 million under the purchase contracts for common shares;

 

    the $10.2 million positive effect of the currency translation adjustment resulting from the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro; and

 

    a $32.2 million decrease in net unrealized gains on investments, net of deferred taxes, recorded in equity.

 

The Company continuously evaluates its capital needs to support its reinsurance and investment operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2003, the Company did not repurchase common shares. As of March 31, 2003, approximately 4.2 million common shares remain authorized for repurchase under the Company’s current repurchase program.

 

In 2001, following the event of September 11, the Company raised $400.0 million in new capital in the form of Trust Preferred and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities. $200.0 million was raised in the form of Trust Preferred Securities, which have a 30-year maturity with an option to extend to 49 years. The Trust Preferred Securities were issued out of a subsidiary of the Company’s U.S. operations. Additionally, the Company issued $200 million of Premium Equity Participating Security Units (“PEPS Units”), where each PEPS Unit consists of a purchase contract to buy common shares of the Company prior to December 31, 2004, and one of the Company’s Series B Preferred Shares. Series B Preferred Shares are redeemable on June 30, 2005 and are pledged as collateral to secure the holders’ obligation under the purchase contract.

 

The table below sets forth the capital structure of the Company at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002 ($ 000’s):

 

    

March 31,
2003


         

December 31,
2002


      

Capital Structure:

                           

Long-term debt

  

$

220,000

  

8

%

  

$

220,000

  

8

%

Trust Preferred Securities

  

 

200,000

  

7

 

  

 

200,000

  

7

 

Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (PEPS)

  

 

200,000

  

7

 

  

 

200,000

  

7

 

8% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares (1)

  

 

242,163

  

9

 

  

 

242,163

  

9

 

Common Shareholders’ Equity

  

 

1,917,865

  

69

 

  

 

1,835,019

  

69

 

    

  

  

  

Total Capital

  

$

2,780,028

  

100

%

  

$

2,697,182

  

100

%

    

  

  

  


(1)  See Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements on page 8 for information relating to recent development with respect to the 8% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares.

 

23


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

 

Assets

 

At March 31, 2003, total assets were $9,950.7 million compared to total assets of $8,738.0 million at December 31, 2002. Total invested assets, including cash and cash equivalents, were $5,980.7 million as at March 31, 2003 compared to $5,412.1 million at December 31, 2002. The major factors influencing the change in cash and invested assets in the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 were:

 

    net cash provided by operating activities of $234.3 million;

 

    increase in unsettled security trades of $310.2 million;

 

    dividend and distribution payments on common and preferred shares and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities totaling $28.2 million;

 

    cash receipts for the issue of common shares aggregating $1.5 million;

 

    increase of $9.3 million in net unrealized gains on investments, adjusted to exclude realized gains or losses on sales of securities that do not change the total market value of invested assets; and

 

    the positive impact of the weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Euro as it relates to conversion of PartnerRe SA’s investments and cash balances into U.S. dollars.

 

At March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, fixed maturities, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents had the same average expected duration of 3.3 years. As at March 31, 2003, approximately 93% of the fixed income portfolio was rated investment grade (BBB- or higher) compared to 94% as at December 31, 2002. At March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, fixed maturities, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents had an average yield to maturity at market of 3.5%.

 

Liabilities

 

At March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, the Company has recorded gross non-life reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses of $3,846.4 million and $3,658.4 million, respectively, and net non-life reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses of $3,636.9 million and $3,440.6 million, respectively. The gross and net non-life reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses have increased during the first quarter of 2003 primarily as a result of the increase in the volume of premiums earned during the period. During the first quarter of 2003, the Company incurred net non-life losses and loss expenses of $482.8 million and net non-life paid losses of $326.4 million. Additionally, the strengthening of most European currencies against the U.S. dollar during the first quarter resulted in an increase of the non-life reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses of $39.9 million. Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts were $869.1 million and $816.0 million at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively. The increase in the value of policy benefits for life and annuity contracts between December 31, 2002 and March 31, 2003 resulted primarily from both the increase in the volume of premiums earned by the Company during the first three months of 2003 and the strengthening of most European currencies against the U.S. dollar during that period. The Company is maintaining its original net loss estimate of $400 million on the September 11 terrorist attack and has paid less than $142.1 million in claims so far.

 

The Company’s reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses include an estimate for its net ultimate liability for asbestos and environmental claims. Ultimate values for such claims cannot be estimated using traditional reserving techniques. There are significant uncertainties in estimating the amount of the Company’s potential losses for these claims and these uncertainties are not likely to be resolved in the near future. The Company actively evaluates potential exposure to asbestos and environmental claims and establishes additional reserves as appropriate. The Company believes that it has made a reasonable provision for these exposures and is unaware of any specific existing facts that would materially affect its estimates.

 

 

24


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

 

Liquidity

 

Cash flow from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003 increased to $234.3 million from $176.4 million in the same period in 2002. This increase is primarily attributable to the significant increase in business written by the Company during the 2002 and 2003 renewals.

 

As a holding company, the Company relies primarily on cash dividends from Partner Reinsurance Company and PartnerRe SA, including its subsidiary, PartnerRe U.S. (collectively the “reinsurance subsidiaries”) for its cash flow. Although the payment of dividends by the reinsurance subsidiaries to the Company is limited under Bermuda and French laws and certain reinsurance statutes of various U.S. states in which PartnerRe U.S. is licensed to transact business, there are presently no significant restrictions on the payment of dividends by the reinsurance subsidiaries; except that PartnerRe U.S. would have to request regulatory approval prior to paying dividends.

 

The Company has cash outflows in the form of operating expenses and dividends to both common and preferred shareholders. Holding company operating expenses were $6.3 million, common dividends were $15.2 million and preferred dividends were $5.0 million for the first quarter of 2003. The Company also paid $4.0 million on the PEPS units during the first quarter of 2003.

 

PartnerRe U.S. has $220.0 million in outstanding third party debt as well as $200.0 million of Trust Preferred stock outstanding. Interest payments on the long-term debt are made semiannually. Distribution on Trust Preferred stock amounted to $4.0 million while no payment was due on the long-term debt during the first quarter of 2003. Payments under these two obligations are currently made from cash on hand at the U.S. holding company.

 

The reinsurance subsidiaries of the Company depend upon cash flow from the collection of premiums and investment income. Cash outflows are in the form of claims payments, operating expenses as well as dividend payments to the holding company, and additionally, in the case of PartnerRe U.S., interest payments on the long-term debt and distributions on the Trust Preferred stock. Historically, the reinsurance subsidiaries of the Company have generated sufficient cash flow to meet all of their obligations. Because of the inherent volatility of the business written by the Company, cash flows from operating activities may vary significantly between periods.

 

Some of the Company’s treaties contain special funding and termination clauses that are triggered in the event the Company is downgraded by one of the major rating agencies to levels specified in the treaties, or the Company’s capital is significantly reduced. If such an event were to happen, the Company would be required, in certain instances, to post collateral in the form of letters of credits and/or trust accounts against existing outstanding losses, if any, related to the treaty. In a limited number of instances, the subject treaties could be cancelled retroactively or commuted by the cedent.

 

The long-term debt and capital securities issued by the Company and its subsidiaries contain various customary default, cross payment and acceleration provisions. These include, but are not limited to, failure to make interest and principal payments, breaches of various covenants, payment defaults or acceleration of indebtedness, certain events of bankruptcy and changes in control of the Company. As at March 31, 2003, the Company was in compliance with all required covenants and no conditions of default existed related to any of the Company’s debt or capital securities.

 

Credit Agreements

 

In the normal course of its operations, the Company enters into agreements with financial institutions to provide unsecured credit facilities. These facilities are used primarily for the issuance of letters of credit. Under the terms of certain reinsurance agreements, irrevocable letters of credit are issued on an unsecured basis in respect of reported loss and unearned premium reserves.

 

Some of the credit facilities contain customary default and cross default provisions and require that the Company maintains certain covenants, including the following:

 

25


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

 

  i.   a financial strength rating from A.M. Best Company of at least “A-” (for our material reinsurance subsidiaries which are rated by A.M. Best Company);
  ii.   maximum ratio of total debt to total capitalization of 35%. For the purposes of this covenant, “debt” does not include Trust Preferred and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Shares; and
  iii.   a minimum consolidated tangible net worth of $1.25 billion plus 50% of cumulative net income since January 1, 2003 (total of $1.3 billion at March 31, 2003). For the purpose of this covenant, “consolidated tangible net worth” includes Trust Preferred and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Shares and excludes goodwill.

 

The Company’s breach of any of these covenants would result in an event of default, upon which the Company would likely be required to repay any outstanding borrowings and replace letters of credit issued under these facilities. At March 31, 2003, the Company’s total debt to total capitalization ratio was 7.9% and its consolidated tangible net worth (as defined under the terms of these facilities) was $2.13 billion.

 

Currency

 

The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar. The Company has exposure to foreign currency risk due to its ownership of PartnerRe SA whose functional currency is the Euro, and due to PartnerRe SA and Partner Reinsurance Company (including the Swiss branch) underwriting reinsurance exposures and collecting premiums in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and holding certain net assets in such currencies. The Company’s most significant foreign currency exposure is to the Euro. The Euro increased in value by 3% in the first three months of 2003 (from 1.05 to 1.08 U.S. dollar per Euro) thereby decreasing the aggregate currency translation loss of $30.8 million at December 31, 2002 to $20.6 million at March 31, 2003.

 

The value of the U.S. dollar weakened approximately 3% against the Euro, 7% against the Canadian Dollar, 1% against the Swiss Franc and Japanese Yen and 2% against the British Pound in the first three months of 2003 and, since a large proportion of the Company’s assets and liabilities is expressed in these currencies, there was a corresponding increase in the value of these assets and liabilities expressed in U.S. dollar terms.

 

Net foreign exchange gains amounted to $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and foreign exchange losses amounted to $3.6 million for corresponding 2002 period. Foreign exchange gains and losses are a function of i) the relative value of the U.S. dollar against other currencies in which the Company does business, ii) the difference between the period-end exchange rates which are used to revalue the balance sheet and the average exchange rates which are used to revalue the income statement and iii) the classification on the Company’s condensed consolidated income statement of the exchange gain or loss resulting from revaluing a reinsurance subsidiary’s transactions into that subsidiary’s functional currency, the Euro. In accordance with SFAS 52 “Foreign Currency Translation”, the foreign exchange gain or loss resulting from the subsequent translation of this subsidiary’s financial statements (expressed in the Euro functional currency) into U.S. dollars, is classified in the currency translation adjustment account, which is a balance sheet equity account.

 

Effects of Inflation

 

The effects of inflation are considered implicitly in pricing and estimating reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses. The actual effects of inflation on the results of operations of the Company cannot be accurately known until claims are ultimately settled.

 

Recent Development

 

In May 2003, the Company issued 11.6 million of 6.75% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (“Series C preferred shares”) for a total consideration of $280.9 million after underwriting discounts and commissions totaling $9.1 million. The Series C preferred shares cannot be redeemed before May 8, 2008. Beginning May 8, 2008, the Company may redeem Series C preferred shares at $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends without interest. Dividends on the Series C preferred shares will be cumulative from the date of issuance and are payable quarterly in arrears, starting September 1, 2003. A portion of the net proceeds from the sale will be used to redeem the Company’s existing 8% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares (“Series A preferred shares”) for which the Company issued a redemption notice on May 9, 2003. Accordingly, the Company expects the Series A preferred shares to be fully redeemed by June 9, 2003. The remaining net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

 

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ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK (See Part I, Item 2)

 

ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Within the 90 days prior to the date of this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to be effective in alerting them on a timely basis to material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or to the best of the Company’s knowledge in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date the Company carried out its evaluation.

 

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

The Company’s reinsurance subsidiaries, in common with the insurance and reinsurance industry in general, are subject to litigation and arbitration in the normal course of their business operations. In addition to claims litigation, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to lawsuits and regulatory actions in the normal course of business that do not arise from or directly relate to claims on reinsurance treaties. This category of business litigation typically involves, inter alia, allegations of underwriting errors or misconduct, employment claims or regulatory activity. While the outcome of the business litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company is disputing and will continue to dispute allegations against the Company and/or its subsidiaries that Management believes are without merit.

 

As of March 31, 2003, the Company was not a party to any material litigation or arbitration other than as part of the ordinary course of business. While none of this is expected by Management to have a significant adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity for a year, it does have the potential to adversely impact the results of a quarter.

 

ITEM 2.   CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

 

In May 2003, the Company issued 11.6 million of 6.75% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (“Series C preferred shares”) for a total consideration of $280.9 million after underwriting discounts and commissions totaling $9.1 million. The Series C preferred shares can not be redeemed before May 8, 2008. Beginning May 8, 2008, the Company may redeem Series C preferred shares at $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends without interest. Dividends on the Series C preferred shares will be cumulative from the date of issuance and are payable quarterly in arrears, starting September 1, 2003. A portion of the net proceeds from the sale will be used to redeem the Company’s existing 8% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares (“Series A preferred shares”) for which the Company issued a redemption notice on May 9, 2003. Accordingly, the Company expects the Series A preferred shares to be fully redeemed by June 9, 2003.

 

ITEM 3.   DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

 

None.

 

ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

 

None.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

 

None.

 

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

(continued)

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

 

  (a)   Exhibits—The following exhibits are filed as part of this report on Form 10-Q:

 

3.1

  

Amended Memorandum of Association.

3.2

  

Amended and Restated Bye-laws.

4.1

  

Specimen Common Share Certificate.

4.2

  

Specimen Class B Warrant.

4.3

  

Specimen Share Certificate for the 8% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares.

4.4

  

Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of 8% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares.

4.5

  

Specimen of Unit Certificate for the PEPS Units.

4.6

  

Certificate of Designation of the Company’s 5.61% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares.

4.7

  

Certificate of Designation of the Company’s 6.75% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares.

4.8

  

Specimen Share Certificate for the 6.75% Series C Cumulative Preferred Shares.

11.1

  

Statements Regarding Computation of Net Income Per Common and Common Equivalent Share.

15

  

Letter Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Information.

 

  (b)   Reports on Form 8-K.

 

Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 8, 2003, under Items 5 and 7.

 

Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2003, under Items 5 and 9.

 

Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2003, under Items 5 and 7.

 

Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2003, under Item 5.

 

Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2003, under Item 9.

 

Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2003, under Item 9.

 

Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 17, 2003, under Item 5.

 

Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2003, under Items 7 and 9.

 

Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 15, 2002, under Item 5.

 

Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 6, 2002, under Item 5.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

PartnerRe Ltd.

(Registrant)

By:

 

/S/    PATRICK A. THIELE


   

Name:

Title:

 

Patrick A. Thiele

President & Chief Executive Officer

 

Date:   May 14, 2003

 

By:

 

/S/    ALBERT A. BENCHIMOL


   

Name:

 

Albert A. Benchimol

   

Title:

 

Executive Vice-President & Chief Financial

Officer (Chief Accounting Officer)

 

Date:   May 14, 2003

 

 

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CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Patrick Thiele, certify that:

 

1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of PartnerRe Ltd.;

 

2.   Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

 

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

 

4.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

 

  a)   designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

 

  b)   evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  c)   presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a)   all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b)   any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

6.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

 

Date:   May 14, 2003

 

Name:   /s/    Patrick A. Thiele

 

Title:   President & Chief Executive Officer

 

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CERTIFICATIONS (Continued)

 

I, Albert Benchimol, certify that:

 

1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of PartnerRe Ltd.;

 

2.   Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

 

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

 

4.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

 

  a)   designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

 

  b)   evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  c)   presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a)   all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b)   any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

6.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

 

Date:   May 14, 2003

 

Name:   /s/    Albert A. Benchimol

 

Title:   Executive Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer (Chief Accounting Officer)

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

Exhibit Number


  

Exhibit


    

Sequentially

Numbered

Page


3.1

  

Amended Memorandum of Association.*

      

3.2

  

Amended and Restated Bye-laws.*

      

4.1

  

Specimen Common Share Certificate.**

      

4.2

  

Specimen Class B Warrant.***

      

4.3

  

Specimen Share Certificate for the 8% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares.†

      

4.4

  

Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of 8% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares.†

      

4.5

  

Specimen of Unit Certificate for the PEPS Units.‡

      

4.6

  

Certificate of Designation of the Company’s 5.61% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares.‡

      

4.7

  

Certificate of Designation of the Company’s 6.75% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares.‡‡

      

4.8

  

Specimen Share Certificate for the 6.75% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares.‡‡

      

11.1

  

Statements Regarding Computation of Net Income Per Common and Common Equivalent Share.

      

15

  

Letter Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Information.

      

 


*   Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form F-3 of the Company, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 20, 1997 (Registration No. 333-7094).

 

**   Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 1997.

 

***   Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 1999.

 

  Incorporated by reference to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 1997.

 

  Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2001, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2002.

 

‡‡   Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-A, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2003.

 

32