EX-99.1 2 a07-12293_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD.

Earnings Release Supplement

As of March 31, 2007

INDEX TO SUPPLEMENT



 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings Release

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Financial Information

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

Segment Information

 

14

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wessex House, 4th Floor

 

45 Reid Street

 

Hamilton HM 12 Bermuda

 

 

 

 

 

 

441-278-9250

PRESS RELEASE

 

441-278-9255 fax

NASDAQ Symbol ACGL

 

 

 

 

For Immediate Release

 

CONTACT:

 

 

John D. Vollaro

 

 

Executive Vice President and

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. REPORTS 2007 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS


HAMILTON, BERMUDA, April 26, 2007 — Arch Capital Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: ACGL) reports that net income available to common shareholders for the 2007 first quarter was $198.6 million, or $2.59 per share, compared to $129.6 million, or $1.71 per share, for the 2006 first quarter. The Company also reported after-tax operating income available to common shareholders of $207.4 million, or $2.71 per share, for the 2007 first quarter, compared to $143.1 million, or $1.89 per share, for the 2006 first quarter. The Company’s after-tax operating income available to common shareholders represented a 24.7% annualized return on average common equity for the 2007 first quarter, compared to 22.8% for the 2006 first quarter. After-tax operating income available to common shareholders, a non-GAAP measure, is defined as net income available to common shareholders, excluding net realized gains or losses and net foreign exchange gains or losses, net of income taxes. See page 6 for a further discussion of after-tax operating income available to common shareholders and Regulation G.

The Company’s book value per common share, adjusted for the effects of share repurchases, increased by 7.0% to $46.89 at March 31, 2007 from $43.97 per share at December 31, 2006. Gross and net premiums written for the 2007 first quarter were $1.21 billion and $871.7 million, respectively, compared to $1.17 billion and $873.7 million, respectively, for the 2006 first quarter. The Company’s combined ratio was 83.4% for the 2007 first quarter, compared to 88.3% for the 2006 first quarter. All per share amounts discussed in this release are on a diluted basis.

The following table summarizes the Company’s underwriting results:

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

1,210,614

 

$

1,167,814

 

Net premiums written

 

871,745

 

873,719

 

Net premiums earned

 

745,493

 

761,601

 

Underwriting income

 

124,598

 

90,228

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

83.4

%

88.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1




 

The following table summarizes, on an after-tax basis, the Company’s consolidated financial data, including a reconciliation of after-tax operating income available to common shareholders to net income available to common shareholders and related diluted per share results:

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

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

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After-tax operating income available to common shareholders

 

$

207,372

 

$

143,081

 

Net realized gains (losses), net of tax

 

786

 

(2,912

)

Net foreign exchange losses, net of tax

 

(9,607

)

(10,546

)

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

198,551

 

$

129,623

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted per common share results:

 

 

 

 

 

After-tax operating income available to common shareholders

 

$

2.71

 

$

1.89

 

Net realized gains (losses), net of tax

 

0.01

 

(0.04

)

Net foreign exchange losses, net of tax

 

(0.13

)

(0.14

)

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

2.59

 

$

1.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding—diluted

 

76,640,686

 

75,855,309

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The combined ratio represents a measure of underwriting profitability, excluding investment income, and is the sum of the loss ratio and expense ratio. A combined ratio under 100% represents an underwriting profit and a combined ratio over 100% represents an underwriting loss. The combined ratio of the Company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries consisted of a loss ratio of 56.3% and an underwriting expense ratio of 27.1% for the 2007 first quarter, compared to a loss ratio of 61.5% and an underwriting expense ratio of 26.8% for the 2006 first quarter. The loss ratio of 56.3% for the 2007 first quarter was comprised of 36.8 points of paid losses, (0.4) points related to reserves for reported losses and 19.9 points related to incurred but not reported reserves.

In establishing the reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, the Company has made various assumptions relating to the pricing of its reinsurance contracts and insurance policies and also has considered available historical industry experience and current industry conditions. The Company’s reserving method to date has been, to a large extent, the expected loss method, which is commonly applied when limited loss experience exists. Any estimates and assumptions made as part of the reserving process could prove to be inaccurate due to several factors, including the fact that limited historical information has been reported to the Company through March 31, 2007.

For a discussion of underwriting activities and a review of the Company’s results by operating segment, see “Segment Information” in the Supplemental Financial Information section of this release.

Consolidated cash flow provided by operating activities for the 2007 first quarter was $403.1 million, compared to $423.2 million for the 2006 first quarter. The lower level of operating cash flows in the 2007 first quarter was primarily due to a higher level of paid losses as the Company’s insurance and reinsurance loss reserves have continued to mature.

Net investment income for the 2007 first quarter rose to $112.7 million from $80.3 million for the 2006 first quarter. The increase in net investment income in the 2007 first quarter primarily resulted from a higher level of average invested assets in the 2007 first quarter and an increase in the pre-tax investment income yield to 4.91% for the 2007 first quarter, compared to 4.29% for the 2006 first quarter. The Company’s investment portfolio, which mainly consists of high quality fixed income securities, had an average Standard & Poor’s quality rating of “AAA” at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006. The average effective duration of the Company’s investment portfolio was 3.3 years at March 31, 2007, compared to 3.2 years at December 31, 2006.

2




 

For the 2007 and 2006 first quarters, the effective tax rates on income before income taxes were 4.0% and 7.9%, respectively, and the effective tax rates on pre-tax operating income available to common shareholders were 4.6% and 7.4%, respectively. The reduction in the effective tax rate on pre-tax operating income available to common shareholders in the 2007 first quarter, compared to the 2006 first quarter, primarily resulted from a change in the relative mix of income reported by jurisdiction. The Company’s effective tax rates may fluctuate from period to period based on the relative mix of income reported by jurisdiction primarily due to the varying tax rates in each jurisdiction. The Company’s quarterly tax provision is adjusted to reflect changes in its expected annual effective tax rates, if any. The Company currently expects that its annual effective tax rate on pre-tax operating income available to common shareholders for 2007 will be in the range of 4.0% to 6.0%.

Net foreign exchange losses for the 2007 first quarter of $9.7 million consisted of net unrealized losses of $17.2 million and net realized gains of $7.5 million, compared to net foreign exchange losses for the 2006 first quarter of $10.3 million, which consisted of net unrealized losses of $7.9 million and net realized losses of $2.4 million. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses result from the effects of revaluing the Company’s net insurance liabilities required to be settled in foreign currencies at each balance sheet date. The Company holds investments in foreign currencies which are intended to mitigate its exposure to foreign currency fluctuations in its net insurance liabilities. However, changes in the value of such investments due to foreign currency rate movements are reflected as a direct increase or decrease to shareholders’ equity and are not included in the statement of income.

Diluted weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding, used in the calculation of after-tax operating income and net income per common share, were 76.6 million in the 2007 first quarter, compared to 75.9 million in the 2006 first quarter. The higher level of weighted average shares outstanding in the 2007 first quarter was primarily due to increases in the dilutive effects of stock options and nonvested restricted stock calculated using the treasury stock method and the exercise of stock options. Under the treasury stock method, the dilutive impact of options and nonvested stock on diluted weighted average shares outstanding increases as the market price of the Company’s common shares increases. Share repurchases during the 2007 first quarter had a minimal impact on the weighted average shares outstanding in the period due to the timing of such transactions.

On February 28, 2007, ACGL’s Board of Directors authorized the investment of up to $1 billion in ACGL’s common shares through a share repurchase program. Repurchases under the program may be effected from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions through February 2009. Through April 25, 2007, ACGL repurchased approximately 906,000 common shares under the share repurchase program for an aggregate purchase price of $59.9 million. As a result of share repurchase transactions in the 2007 first quarter, book value per common share at March 31, 2007 was reduced by $0.17 per share. The timing and amount of the repurchase transactions under this program will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions and corporate and regulatory considerations.

At March 31, 2007, the Company’s capital of $4.08 billion consisted of $300.0 million of senior notes, representing 7.3% of the total, $325.0 million of preferred shares, representing 8.0% of the total, and common shareholders’ equity of $3.46 billion, representing the balance. The increase in the Company’s capital during the 2007 first quarter of $192.7 million was primarily attributable to operating income for the 2007 first quarter and an after-tax increase in the fair value of the Company’s investment portfolio, partially offset by share repurchases during the period. The increase in the fair value of the investment portfolio was primarily due to a decrease in the level of interest rates in the 2007 first quarter.

The Company will hold a conference call for investors and analysts at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 27, 2007. A live webcast of this call will be available via the Media-Earnings Webcasts section of the Company’s website at http://www.archcapgroup.bm and will be archived on the website from 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 27 through midnight Eastern Time on May 27, 2007. A telephone replay of the conference call

3




 

also will be available beginning on April 27 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time until May 4 at midnight Eastern Time. To access the replay, domestic callers should dial 888-286-8010 (passcode 53460223), and international callers should dial 617-801-6888 (passcode 53460223).

Arch Capital Group Ltd., a Bermuda-based company with over $4.0 billion in capital at March 31, 2007, provides insurance and reinsurance on a worldwide basis through its wholly owned subsidiaries.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. This release or any other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company may include forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe” or “continue” or their negative or variations or similar terminology.

Forward-looking statements involve the Company’s current assessment of risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Important factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements are discussed below and elsewhere in this release and in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and include:

·                        the Company’s ability to successfully implement its business strategy during “soft” as well as “hard” markets;

·                        acceptance of the Company’s business strategy, security and financial condition by rating agencies and regulators, as well as by brokers and its insureds and reinsureds;

·                        the Company’s ability to maintain or improve its ratings, which may be affected by its ability to raise additional equity or debt financings, by ratings agencies’ existing or new policies and practices, as well as other factors described herein;

·                        general economic and market conditions (including inflation, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates) and conditions specific to the reinsurance and insurance markets in which the Company operates;

·                        competition, including increased competition, on the basis of pricing, capacity, coverage terms or other factors;

·                        the Company’s ability to successfully integrate, establish and maintain operating procedures (including the implementation of improved computerized systems and programs to replace and support manual systems) to effectively support its underwriting initiatives and to develop accurate actuarial data, especially in light of the rapid growth of its business;

·                        the loss of key personnel;

·                        the integration of businesses the Company has acquired or may acquire into its existing operations;

·                        accuracy of those estimates and judgments utilized in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements, including those related to revenue recognition, insurance and other reserves, reinsurance recoverables, investment valuations, intangible assets, bad debts, income taxes, contingencies and litigation, and any determination to use the deposit method of accounting, which for a relatively new insurance and reinsurance company, like the Company, are even more difficult to make than those made in a mature company since limited historical information has been reported to the Company through March 31, 2007;

·                        greater than expected loss ratios on business written by the Company and adverse development on claim and/or claim expense liabilities related to business written by its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries;

·                        severity and/or frequency of losses;

4




 

·                        claims for natural or man-made catastrophic events in the Company’s insurance or reinsurance business could cause large losses and substantial volatility in its results of operations;

·                        acts of terrorism, political unrest and other hostilities or other unforecasted and unpredictable events;

·                        losses relating to aviation business and business produced by a certain managing underwriting agency for which the Company may be liable to the purchaser of its prior reinsurance business or to others in connection with the May 5, 2000 asset sale described in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the SEC;

·                        availability to the Company of reinsurance to manage its gross and net exposures and the cost of such reinsurance;

·                        the failure of reinsurers, managing general agents, third party administrators or others to meet their obligations to the Company;

·                        the timing of loss payments being faster or the receipt of reinsurance recoverables being slower than anticipated by the Company;

·                        material differences between actual and expected assessments for guaranty funds and mandatory pooling arrangements;

·                        changes in accounting principles or policies or in the Company’s application of such accounting principles or policies; and

·                        statutory or regulatory developments, including as to tax policy and matters and insurance and other regulatory matters such as the adoption of proposed legislation that would affect Bermuda-headquartered companies and/or Bermuda-based insurers or reinsurers and/or changes in regulations or tax laws applicable to the Company, its subsidiaries, brokers or customers.

In addition, other general factors could affect the Company’s results, including developments in the world’s financial and capital markets and its access to such markets.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. 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 or elsewhere. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



5




 

Comment on Regulation G

Throughout this release, the Company presents its operations in the way it believes will be the most meaningful and useful to investors, analysts, rating agencies and others who use the Company’s financial information in evaluating the performance of the Company. This presentation includes the use of after-tax operating income available to common shareholders, which is defined as net income available to common shareholders, excluding net realized gains or losses and net foreign exchange gains or losses, net of income taxes. The presentation of after-tax operating income available to common shareholders is a “non-GAAP financial measure” as defined in Regulation G. The reconciliation of such measure to net income available to common shareholders (the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure) in accordance with Regulation G is included on page 2 of this release.

The Company believes that net realized gains or losses and net foreign exchange gains or losses in any particular period are not indicative of the performance of, or trends in, the Company’s business performance. Although net realized gains or losses and net foreign exchange gains or losses are an integral part of the Company’s operations, the decision to realize investment gains or losses and the recognition of foreign exchange gains or losses are independent of the insurance underwriting process and result, in large part, from general economic and financial market conditions. Furthermore, certain users of the Company’s financial information believe that, for many companies, the timing of the realization of investment gains or losses is largely opportunistic, and, under applicable GAAP accounting, losses on the Company’s investments can be realized as the result of other-than-temporary declines in value without actual realization. Due to these reasons, the Company excludes net realized gains or losses and net foreign exchange gains or losses from the calculation of after-tax operating income available to common shareholders.

The Company believes that showing net income available to common shareholders exclusive of the items referred to above reflects the underlying fundamentals of the Company’s business since the Company evaluates the performance of and manages its business to produce an underwriting profit. In addition to presenting net income available to common shareholders, the Company believes that this presentation enables investors and other users of the Company’s financial information to analyze the Company’s performance in a manner similar to how the Company’s management analyzes performance. The Company also believes that this measure follows industry practice and, therefore, allows the users of the Company’s financial information to compare the Company’s performance with its industry peer group. The Company believes that the equity analysts and certain rating agencies which follow the Company and the insurance industry as a whole generally exclude these items from their analyses for the same reasons.

 

6




ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Selected Information on Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components of losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

$

274,368

 

$

221,054

 

Increase in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

145,693

 

247,124

 

Total losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

$

420,061

 

$

468,178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated net (favorable) adverse development in prior year loss reserves, net of related adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance

 

$

2,926

 

$

7,922

 

Reinsurance

 

(46,227

)

(1,510

)

Total

 

($43,301

)

$

6,412

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impact on combined ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance

 

0.7

%

2.1

%

Reinsurance

 

(13.9

%)

(0.4

%)

Total

 

(5.8

%)

0.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated net losses incurred from current period catastrophic events (1)

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance

 

 

 

Reinsurance

 

$

15,758

 

$

16,276

 

Total

 

$

15,758

 

$

16,276

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impact on loss ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance

 

 

 

Reinsurance

 

4.8

%

4.3

%

Total

 

2.1

%

2.1

%

 

(1)          Equals estimated losses from catastrophic events occurring in the current accident year, net of reinsurance and reinstatement premiums. Amounts shown for the insurance segment are for named catastrophic events only. Amounts shown for the reinsurance segment include (i) named events with over $5 million of losses incurred for its Bermuda operations and (ii) all losses incurred for its U.S. operations.

Annualized Operating Return on Average Common Equity

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After-tax operating income available to common shareholders

 

$

207,372

 

$

143,081

 

Annualized operating income available to common shareholders

 

829,488

 

572,324

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning common shareholders’ equity

 

3,265,619

 

2,480,527

 

Ending common shareholders’ equity

 

3,458,348

 

2,549,554

 

Average common shareholders’ equity

 

3,361,984

 

2,515,041

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annualized operating return on average common equity

 

24.7

%

22.8

%

 

7




ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Investment Information

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands except share data)

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income:

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

112,689

 

$

80,326

 

Per diluted share

 

$

1.47

 

$

1.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax yield (at amortized cost)

 

4.91

%

4.29

%

After-tax yield (at amortized cost)

 

4.75

%

4.13

%

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investable assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Total cash and investments (1)

 

$

9,528,634

 

$

9,319,148

 

Securities transactions entered into but not settled at the balance sheet date

 

(52,257

)

(227,941

)

Investable assets

 

$

9,476,377

 

$

9,091,207

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow from operations

 

$

403,131

 

$

423,178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income portfolio (1):

 

 

 

 

 

Average effective duration (in years)

 

3.3

 

3.2

 

Average credit quality (Standard & Poors)

 

AAA

 

AAA

 

Imbedded book yield (2)

 

4.98

%

4.97

%

 

(1)                                  Includes fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements and excludes short-term investment of funds received under securities lending agreements.

(2)                                  Before investment expenses.

Book Value Per Common Share and Share Repurchases

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

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

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculation of book value per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

$

3,783,348

 

$

3,590,619

 

Less preferred shareholders’ equity

 

(325,000

)

(325,000

)

Common shareholders’ equity

 

3,458,348

 

3,265,619

 

Common shares outstanding (1)

 

73,746,726

 

74,270,466

 

Book value per common share

 

$

46.89

 

$

43.97

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of share repurchases during period:

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate purchase price of shares repurchased

 

$

44,475

 

 

 

Shares repurchased

 

682,767

 

 

 

Average price per share repurchased

 

$

65.14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated dilutive impact on ending book value per common share (2)

 

($0.17

)

 

 

 

(1)                                  Excludes the effects of 5,486,649 and 5,669,994 stock options and 89,238 and 91,514 restricted stock units outstanding at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

(2)                                  As the average price per share repurchased during the period exceeded the book value per common share at March 31, 2007, the repurchase of shares during the period reduced book value per common share.

8




ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written

 

$

871,745

 

$

873,719

 

Increase in unearned premiums

 

(126,252

)

(112,118

)

Net premiums earned

 

745,493

 

761,601

 

Net investment income

 

112,689

 

80,326

 

Net realized losses

 

(981

)

(3,383

)

Fee income

 

1,969

 

1,805

 

Other income

 

604

 

 

Total revenues

 

859,774

 

840,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

420,061

 

468,178

 

Acquisition expenses

 

120,128

 

129,672

 

Other operating expenses

 

90,813

 

82,977

 

Interest expense

 

5,523

 

5,555

 

Net foreign exchange losses

 

9,742

 

10,253

 

Total expenses

 

646,267

 

696,635

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

213,507

 

143,714

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

8,495

 

11,424

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

205,012

 

132,290

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred dividends

 

6,461

 

2,667

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

198,551

 

$

129,623

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

2.69

 

$

1.78

 

Diluted

 

$

2.59

 

$

1.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

73,931,996

 

72,899,249

 

Diluted

 

76,640,686

 

75,855,309

 

 

9




ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Investments and cash:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2007, $6,933,803; 2006, $6,858,970)

 

$

6,963,359

 

$

6,876,548

 

Short-term investments available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2007, $794,726; 2006, $956,926)

 

796,682

 

957,698

 

Short-term investment of funds received under securities lending agreements, at fair value

 

1,160,098

 

891,376

 

Other investments (cost: 2007, $394,604; 2006, $282,923)

 

422,387

 

307,082

 

Cash

 

225,249

 

317,017

 

Total investments and cash

 

9,567,775

 

9,349,721

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued investment income

 

68,012

 

68,440

 

Fixed maturities and short-term investments pledged under securities lending agreements, at fair value

 

1,120,957

 

860,803

 

Premiums receivable

 

954,168

 

749,961

 

Funds held by reinsureds

 

60,783

 

82,385

 

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable

 

1,537,176

 

1,552,157

 

Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable

 

120,883

 

122,149

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

501,287

 

470,138

 

Deferred income tax assets, net

 

64,271

 

63,606

 

Deferred acquisition costs, net

 

314,686

 

290,999

 

Receivable for securities sold

 

164,124

 

190,168

 

Other assets

 

487,749

 

511,940

 

Total Assets

 

$

14,961,871

 

$

14,312,467

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

$

6,595,820

 

$

6,463,041

 

Unearned premiums

 

1,950,264

 

1,791,922

 

Reinsurance balances payable

 

393,658

 

301,679

 

Senior notes

 

300,000

 

300,000

 

Deposit accounting liabilities

 

43,284

 

45,107

 

Securities lending collateral

 

1,160,098

 

891,376

 

Payable for securities purchased

 

216,381

 

418,109

 

Other liabilities

 

519,018

 

510,614

 

Total Liabilities

 

11,178,523

 

10,721,848

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cumulative preferred shares ($0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized)

 

 

 

 

 

— Series A (issued: 2007 and 2006, 8,000,000)

 

80

 

80

 

— Series B (issued: 2007 and 2006, 5,000,000)

 

50

 

50

 

Common shares ($0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, issued: 2007, 73,746,726; 2006, 74,270,466)

 

737

 

743

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

1,910,125

 

1,944,304

 

Retained earnings

 

1,794,569

 

1,596,018

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax

 

77,787

 

49,424

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

 

3,783,348

 

3,590,619

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

14,961,871

 

$

14,312,467

 

 

10




ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Non-Cumulative Preferred Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

130

 

$

 

Preferred shares issued

 

 

80

 

Balance at end of period

 

130

 

80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

743

 

733

 

Common shares issued, net

 

1

 

5

 

Purchases of common shares under share repurchase program

 

(7

)

 

Balance at end of period

 

737

 

738

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Paid-in Capital

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

1,944,304

 

1,595,440

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting for unearned stock grant compensation

 

 

(9,646

)

Series A non-cumulative preferred shares issued

 

 

193,378

 

Common shares issued

 

109

 

160

 

Exercise of stock options

 

6,997

 

12,152

 

Common shares retired

 

(46,291

)

(647

)

Amortization of share-based compensation

 

4,306

 

3,299

 

Other

 

700

 

274

 

Balance at end of period

 

1,910,125

 

1,794,410

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Compensation Under Share Award Plan

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

 

(9,646

)

Cumulative effect of change in accounting for unearned stock grant compensation

 

 

9,646

 

Balance at end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

1,593,907

 

901,348

 

Adjustment to adopt SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140”

 

2,111

 

 

Balance at beginning of year, as adjusted

 

1,596,018

 

901,348

 

Dividends declared on preferred shares

 

(6,461

)

(2,667

)

Net income

 

205,012

 

132,290

 

Balance at end of period

 

1,794,569

 

1,030,971

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

51,535

 

(7,348

)

Adjustment to adopt SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140”

 

(2,111

)

 

Balance at beginning of year, as adjusted

 

49,424

 

(7,348

)

Change in unrealized appreciation (decline) in value of investments, net of deferred income tax

 

20,587

 

(67,032

)

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred income tax

 

7,776

 

(2,265

)

Balance at end of period

 

77,787

 

(76,645

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

3,783,348

 

$

2,749,554

 

 

11




ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 (U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Comprehensive Income

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

205,012

 

$

132,290

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized decline in value of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period

 

22,014

 

(67,987

)

Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses, net of income taxes, included in net income

 

(1,427

)

955

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

7,776

 

(2,265

)

Other comprehensive loss

 

28,363

 

(69,297

)

Comprehensive Income

 

$

233,375

 

$

62,993

 

 

12




 

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

205,012

 

$

132,290

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized losses

 

1,097

 

783

 

Other income

 

(604

)

 

Share-based compensation

 

4,306

 

3,299

 

Changes in:

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable

 

147,462

 

256,469

 

Unearned premiums, net of prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

127,107

 

113,179

 

Premiums receivable

 

(203,707

)

(200,073

)

Deferred acquisition costs, net

 

(23,700

)

(10,134

)

Funds held by reinsureds

 

21,602

 

35,771

 

Reinsurance balances payable

 

91,498

 

76,441

 

Deferred income tax assets, net

 

(2,972

)

(7,352

)

Other liabilities

 

1,296

 

46,147

 

Other items, net

 

34,734

 

(23,642

)

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

 

403,131

 

423,178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of fixed maturity investments

 

(5,047,868

)

(4,330,266

)

Proceeds from sales of fixed maturity investments

 

4,326,607

 

4,121,591

 

Proceeds from redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity investments

 

183,984

 

83,394

 

Purchases of other investments

 

(151,978

)

(32,596

)

Proceeds from sales of other investments

 

54,754

 

5,359

 

Net sales (purchases) of short-term investments

 

188,663

 

(444,527

)

Change in securities lending collateral

 

(268,722

)

10,429

 

Purchases of furniture, equipment and other

 

(4,138

)

(4,602

)

Net Cash Used For Investing Activities

 

(718,698

)

(591,218

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of common shares under share repurchase program

 

(44,475

)

 

Proceeds from common shares issued, net

 

3,145

 

8,690

 

Proceeds from preferred shares issued, net of issuance costs

 

 

193,527

 

Change in securities lending collateral

 

268,722

 

(10,429

)

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

 

2,355

 

2,450

 

Preferred dividends paid

 

(6,461

)

 

Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities

 

223,286

 

194,238

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effects of exchange rate changes on foreign currency cash

 

513

 

(769

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash

 

(91,768

)

25,429

 

Cash beginning of year

 

317,017

 

222,477

 

Cash end of period

 

$

225,249

 

$

247,906

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes paid, net

 

$

596

 

$

9,591

 

Interest paid

 

 

$

42

 

 

13




 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company classifies its businesses into two underwriting segments — insurance and reinsurance — and a corporate and other segment (non-underwriting). The Company’s insurance and reinsurance operating segments each have segment managers who are responsible for the overall profitability of their respective segments and who are directly accountable to the Company’s chief operating decision makers, the President and Chief Executive Officer of ACGL and the Chief Financial Officer of ACGL. The chief operating decision makers do not assess performance, measure return on equity or make resource allocation decisions on a line of business basis. The Company determined its reportable operating segments using the management approach described in SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.”

Management measures segment performance based on underwriting income or loss. The Company does not manage its assets by segment and, accordingly, investment income is not allocated to each underwriting segment. In addition, other revenue and expense items are not evaluated by segment. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those used for the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Inter-segment insurance business is allocated to the segment accountable for the underwriting results.

The insurance segment consists of the Company’s insurance underwriting subsidiaries which primarily write on both an admitted and non-admitted basis. The insurance segment consists of eight specialty product lines, including: casualty; construction, surety and national accounts; executive assurance; healthcare; professional liability; programs; property, marine and aviation; and other (consisting of collateral protection business and excess workers’ compensation and employers’ liability business produced by Wexford).

The reinsurance segment consists of the Company’s reinsurance underwriting subsidiaries. The reinsurance segment generally seeks to write significant lines on specialty property and casualty reinsurance treaties. Classes of business include: casualty; marine and aviation; other specialty; property catastrophe; property excluding property catastrophe (losses on a single risk, both excess of loss and pro rata); and other (consisting of non-traditional and casualty clash business).

The corporate and other segment (non-underwriting) includes net investment income, other fee income, net of related expenses, other income (loss), other expenses incurred by the Company, interest expense, net realized gains or losses, net foreign exchange gains or losses and income taxes. In addition, results for the corporate and other segment included dividends on the Company’s non-cumulative preferred shares.

14




The following tables set forth underwriting income or loss by segment, together with a reconciliation of underwriting income to net income available to common shareholders:

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2007

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Insurance

 

Reinsurance

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written (1)

 

$

661,210

 

$

558,654

 

$

1,210,614

 

Net premiums written

 

428,344

 

443,401

 

871,745

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

$

413,847

 

$

331,646

 

$

745,493

 

Fee income

 

1,425

 

544

 

1,969

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

(259,322

)

(160,739

)

(420,061

)

Acquisition expenses, net

 

(46,695

)

(73,433

)

(120,128

)

Other operating expenses

 

(68,894

)

(13,781

)

(82,675

)

Underwriting income

 

$

40,361

 

$

84,237

 

124,598

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

112,689

 

Net realized losses

 

 

 

 

 

(981

)

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

604

 

Other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

(8,138

)

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

(5,523

)

Net foreign exchange losses

 

 

 

 

 

(9,742

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

213,507

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

(8,495

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

205,012

 

Preferred dividends

 

 

 

 

 

(6,461

)

Net income available to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

$

198,551

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

 

62.7

%

48.5

%

56.3

%

Acquisition expense ratio (2)

 

11.1

%

22.1

%

16.0

%

Other operating expense ratio

 

16.6

%

4.2

%

11.1

%

Combined ratio

 

90.4

%

74.8

%

83.4

%


(1)          Certain amounts included in the gross premiums written of each segment are related to intersegment transactions and are included in the gross premiums written of each segment. Accordingly, the sum of gross premiums written for each segment does not agree to the total gross premiums written as shown in the table above due to the elimination of intersegment transactions in the total.

(2)          The acquisition expense ratio is adjusted to include certain fee income.

15




 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2006

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Insurance

 

Reinsurance

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written (1)

 

$

615,484

 

$

564,668

 

$

1,167,814

 

Net premiums written

 

397,254

 

476,465

 

873,719

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

$

380,254

 

$

381,347

 

$

761,601

 

Fee income

 

1,404

 

401

 

1,805

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

(248,002

)

(220,176

)

(468,178

)

Acquisition expenses, net

 

(37,885

)

(91,787

)

(129,672

)

Other operating expenses

 

(62,076

)

(13,252

)

(75,328

)

Underwriting income

 

$

33,695

 

$

56,533

 

90,228

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

80,326

 

Net realized losses

 

 

 

 

 

(3,383

)

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

(7,649

)

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

(5,555

)

Net foreign exchange losses

 

 

 

 

 

(10,253

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

143,714

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

(11,424

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

132,290

 

Preferred dividends

 

 

 

 

 

(2,667

)

Net income available to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

$

129,623

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

 

65.2

%

57.7

%

61.5

 

Acquisition expense ratio (2)

 

9.7

%

24.1

%

16.9

 

Other operating expense ratio

 

16.3

%

3.5

%

9.9

 

Combined ratio

 

91.2

%

85.3

%

88.3

 


(1)          Certain amounts included in the gross premiums written of each segment are related to intersegment transactions and are included in the gross premiums written of each segment. Accordingly, the sum of gross premiums written for each segment does not agree to the total gross premiums written as shown in the table above due to the elimination of intersegment transactions in the total.

(2)          The acquisition expense ratio is adjusted to include certain fee income.

16




 

The following table sets forth the insurance segment’s net premiums written and earned by major line of business, together with net premiums written by client location:

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

INSURANCE SEGMENT
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Amount

 

% of 
Total

 

Amount

 

% of 
Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, marine and aviation

 

$

84,863

 

19.8

 

$

68,646

 

17.3

 

Construction, surety and national accounts

 

79,230

 

18.5

 

80,629

 

20.3

 

Professional liability

 

70,403

 

16.4

 

62,454

 

15.7

 

Programs

 

58,323

 

13.6

 

60,534

 

15.2

 

Executive assurance

 

44,091

 

10.3

 

45,591

 

11.5

 

Casualty

 

43,091

 

10.1

 

50,750

 

12.8

 

Healthcare

 

21,530

 

5.0

 

18,115

 

4.6

 

Other

 

26,813

(1)

6.3

 

10,535

 

2.6

 

Total

 

$

428,344

 

100.0

 

$

397,254

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, marine and aviation

 

$

81,804

 

19.8

 

$

62,968

 

16.6

 

Construction, surety and national accounts

 

67,104

 

16.2

 

66,703

 

17.5

 

Professional liability

 

77,130

 

18.6

 

54,045

 

14.2

 

Programs

 

56,209

 

13.6

 

57,389

 

15.1

 

Executive assurance

 

45,378

 

11.0

 

50,076

 

13.2

 

Casualty

 

51,542

 

12.4

 

62,808

 

16.5

 

Healthcare

 

19,844

 

4.8

 

16,677

 

4.4

 

Other

 

14,836

(1)

3.6

 

9,588

 

2.5

 

Total

 

$

413,847

 

100.0

 

$

380,254

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written by client location

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

320,005

 

74.7

 

$

324,465

 

81.7

 

Europe

 

74,935

 

17.5

 

47,580

 

12.0

 

Other

 

33,404

 

7.8

 

25,209

 

6.3

 

Total

 

$

428,344

 

100.0

 

$

397,254

 

100.0

 


(1)          Includes excess workers’ compensation and employers’ liability business.

17




The following table sets forth the reinsurance segment’s net premiums written and earned by major line of business and type of business, together with net premiums written by client location:

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

REINSURANCE SEGMENT 
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Amount

 

% of 
Total

 

Amount

 

% of 
Total

 

Net premiums written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty (1)

 

$

144,476

 

32.6

 

$

162,988

 

34.2

 

Property excluding property catastrophe

 

94,944

 

21.4

 

106,782

 

22.4

 

Property catastrophe

 

80,659

 

18.2

 

70,336

 

14.7

 

Other specialty

 

73,996

 

16.7

 

93,264

 

19.6

 

Marine and aviation

 

43,715

 

9.8

 

41,352

 

8.7

 

Other

 

5,611

 

1.3

 

1,743

 

0.4

 

Total

 

$

443,401

 

100.0

 

$

476,465

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty (1)

 

$

140,444

 

42.4

 

$

171,197

 

44.9

 

Property excluding property catastrophe

 

73,039

 

22.0

 

79,620

 

20.9

 

Property catastrophe

 

34,691

 

10.5

 

49,106

 

12.8

 

Other specialty

 

52,042

 

15.7

 

57,919

 

15.2

 

Marine and aviation

 

26,622

 

8.0

 

23,650

 

6.2

 

Other

 

4,808

 

1.4

 

(145

)

(0.0

)

Total

 

$

331,646

 

100.0

 

$

381,347

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro rata

 

$

263,815

 

59.5

 

$

272,534

 

57.2

 

Excess of loss

 

179,586

 

40.5

 

203,931

 

42.8

 

Total

 

$

443,401

 

100.0

 

$

476,465

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro rata

 

$

242,439

 

73.1

 

$

295,288

 

77.4

 

Excess of loss

 

89,207

 

26.9

 

86,059

 

22.6

 

Total

 

$

331,646

 

100.0

 

$

381,347

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written by client location

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

253,991

 

57.3

 

$

277,315

 

58.2

 

Europe

 

124,338

 

28.0

 

127,263

 

26.7

 

Bermuda

 

50,841

 

11.5

 

43,839

 

9.2

 

Other

 

14,231

 

3.2

 

28,048

 

5.9

 

Total

 

$

443,401

 

100.0

 

$

476,465

 

100.0

 


(1)          Includes professional liability and executive assurance business.

18




Discussion of 2007 First Quarter Performance

Insurance Segment

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

661,210

 

$

615,484

 

Net premiums written

 

428,344

 

397,254

 

Net premiums earned

 

413,847

 

380,254

 

Underwriting income

 

40,361

 

33,695

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

 

62.7

%

65.2

%

Acquisition expense ratio

 

11.1

%

9.7

%

Other operating expense ratio

 

16.6

%

16.3

%

Combined ratio

 

90.4

%

91.2

%

 

Gross premiums written by the insurance segment in the 2007 first quarter were 7.4% higher than in the 2006 first quarter, while net premiums written increased 7.8%. Roughly half of the growth in net premiums written was generated by the insurance segment’s European operations primarily as a result of increases in the professional liability and executive assurance lines. The balance of the growth was generated by the insurance segment’s U.S. operations through increases in property as well as from $9.4 million of excess workers’ compensation and employers’ liability business produced by Wexford, a managing general agent. As previously announced, the insurance segment’s U.S. operations entered into an agreement effective January 1, 2007 to write business produced by Wexford and also entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire the operations of Wexford, including the renewal rights of the subject business, as of January 1, 2008. Net premiums earned by the insurance segment in the 2007 first quarter were 8.8% higher than in the 2006 first quarter, and reflect changes in net premiums written over the previous five quarters, including the mix and type of business written.

The insurance segment’s loss ratio of 62.7% in the 2007 first quarter reflected a 0.2 point reduction in the loss ratio related to estimated net favorable development in prior year loss reserves, compared to a loss ratio of 65.2% in the 2006 first quarter which included 2.1 points related to estimated net adverse development.

The insurance segment’s underwriting expense ratio was 27.7% in the 2007 first quarter, compared to 26.0% in the 2006 first quarter. The acquisition expense ratio was 11.1% for the 2007 first quarter, compared to 9.7% for the 2006 first quarter. The acquisition expense ratio is influenced by, among other things, (1) the amount of ceding commissions received from unaffiliated reinsurers and (2) the amount of business written on a surplus lines (non-admitted) basis. The increase in the 2007 first quarter acquisition expense ratio primarily resulted from the reversal of contingent commission income on ceded surety business that resulted from loss development which added 0.9 points. In addition, part of the increase was due to changes in the mix of business. The insurance segment’s other operating expense ratio was 16.6% for the 2007 first quarter, compared to 16.3% for the 2006 first quarter.

19




Reinsurance Segment

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

558,654

 

$

564,668

 

Net premiums written

 

443,401

 

476,465

 

Net premiums earned

 

331,646

 

381,347

 

Underwriting income

 

84,237

 

56,533

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

 

48.5

%

57.7

%

Acquisition expense ratio

 

22.1

%

24.1

%

Other operating expense ratio

 

4.2

%

3.5

%

Combined ratio

 

74.8

%

85.3

%

 

Gross premiums written by the reinsurance segment in the 2007 first quarter were 1.1% lower than in the 2006 first quarter. Growth in property and marine lines was offset by a reduction in casualty and other specialty business. The growth in property and marine lines was in response to current market opportunities as prices for catastrophe-exposed property and marine lines remained strong. The decrease in casualty business was in response to market conditions.

Ceded premiums written by the reinsurance segment were 20.6% of gross premiums written for the 2007 first quarter, compared to 15.6% for the 2006 first quarter. Arch Re Bermuda ceded $108.9 million, or 19.5% of gross premiums written, of certain lines of property and marine premiums written to Flatiron Re Ltd. in the 2007 first quarter, compared to $82.4 million, or 14.6%, in the 2006 first quarter. The increase in business ceded to Flatiron Re Ltd. was due to the fact that certain premiums written in the 2006 first quarter were from 2005 and prior underwriting years and were not subject to the quota share treaty with Flatiron Re Ltd., which covers business written from January 1, 2006. On an earned basis, Arch Re Bermuda ceded $66.0 million to Flatiron Re Ltd. in the 2007 first quarter, compared to $18.3 million in the 2006 first quarter.

Net premiums written by the reinsurance segment in the 2007 first quarter were 6.9% lower than in the 2006 first quarter. Net premiums earned by the reinsurance segment in the 2007 first quarter were 13.0% lower than in the 2006 first quarter. The larger decrease in net premiums earned in the 2007 first quarter primarily resulted from the transactions with Flatiron Re Ltd. noted above and also reflects changes in net premiums written over the previous five quarters, including the mix and type of business written.

The reinsurance segment’s loss ratio of 48.5% in the 2007 first quarter reflected a 14.1 point reduction in the loss ratio related to estimated net favorable development in prior year loss reserves, compared to a loss ratio of 57.7% in the 2006 first quarter which included 0.6 points related to estimated net adverse development before related adjustments. The 2007 first quarter loss ratio reflected approximately 4.8 points of catastrophic activity, consisting of $11.4 million of losses incurred related to European Storm Kyrill, net of reinstatement premiums, and $4.3 million related to U.S. storm activity, while the 2006 first quarter loss ratio reflected approximately 4.3 points of catastrophic activity, consisting of $8.2 million of loss incurred related to U.S. storm activity and $8.1 million related to Cyclone Larry. The 2007 first quarter loss ratio also reflected changes in the reinsurance segment’s mix of business.

The underwriting expense ratio for the reinsurance segment was 26.3% in the 2007 first quarter, compared to 27.6% in the 2006 first quarter. The acquisition expense ratio for the 2007 first quarter was 22.1%, compared to 24.1% for the 2006 first quarter. The acquisition expense ratio included commission income (in excess of the reimbursement of direct acquisition expenses) on the quota-share reinsurance treaty with Flatiron Re Ltd. which reduced the 2007 first quarter acquisition expense ratio by 2.8 points, compared to 0.8 points in the 2006 first quarter. In addition, the acquisition expense ratio for the 2007 first quarter included 0.2 points related to prior year loss development, compared to a decrease of 1.0 point in the 2006 first quarter. The reinsurance segment’s other operating expense ratio was 4.2% for the 2007 first quarter, compared to 3.5% for the 2006 first quarter. The higher ratio in the 2007 first quarter primarily resulted from a lower level of net premiums earned than in the 2006 first quarter.

20