SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Form 10-Q

(Mark one)

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2004

or

For the Transition Period from                     to                    .

Commission File Number 1-15202

W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(203) 629-3000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

None
Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

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

Number of shares of common stock, $.20 par value, outstanding as of August 3, 2004: 84,072,728

Table of Contents

Part I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

W. R. Berkley Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in thousands)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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W. R. Berkley Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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W. R. Berkley Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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W. R. Berkley Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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W. R. Berkley Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2004

1. GENERAL

     The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the following notes and with the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. Reclassifications have been made in the 2003 financial statements as originally reported to conform them to the presentation of the 2004 financial statements.

     The income tax provision has been computed based on the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate, which differs from the federal income tax rate of 35% principally because of tax-exempt investment income.

     Basic earnings per share data is based upon the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share data reflects the potential dilution that would occur if options granted under employee stock-based compensation plans were exercised.

     In the opinion of management, the financial information reflects all adjustments which are necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods. Seasonal weather variations affect the severity and frequency of losses sustained by the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. Although the effect on the Company’s business of such natural catastrophes as tornadoes, hurricanes, hailstorms and earthquakes is mitigated by reinsurance, they nevertheless can have a significant impact on the results of any one or more reporting periods.

2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

     In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46”), which was replaced in December 2003 by FIN 46R. FIN 46R addresses consolidation issues surrounding special purpose entities and certain other entities, collectively termed variable interest entities (“VIE”). A VIE is an entity in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN 46R requires VIEs to be consolidated by their primary beneficiaries. The Company adopted FIN 46R in 2003, except for the consolidation provisions which were adopted on January 1, 2004.

     As a result of adopting the consolidation provisions of FIN 46R, the Company deconsolidated the W. R. Berkley Capital Trust (the “Trust”). The Company owns preferred securities of the Trust that were previously accounted for at the date of purchase as an extinguishment of debt and eliminated in consolidation. The impact of de-consolidating the Trust was to increase fixed maturity securities by $13,787,000 and to increase junior subordinated debentures by $14,906,000, as of January 1, 2004. The difference between these two amounts, which was $727,000 after income taxes, was reported on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle.

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W. R. Berkley Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
June 30, 2004

3. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     The following is a reconciliation of comprehensive income (dollars in thousands):

4. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

     The Company adopted FASB Statement No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure – an amendment of FASB No. 123”, effective as of January 1, 2003. Under the prospective method of adoption selected by the Company, the fair value recognition provisions of FASB 148 are applied to all employee awards granted, modified or settled after January 1, 2003. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share as if the fair value based method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested awards in each period (dollars in thousands, except per share data).

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W. R. Berkley Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
June 30, 2004

5. INVESTMENTS

     The cost, fair value and carrying value of fixed maturity securities and equity securities are as follows (dollars in thousands):

6. REINSURANCE CEDED

     The Company reinsures a portion of its exposures principally to reduce its net liability on individual risks and to protect against catastrophic losses. The following amounts arising under reinsurance ceded contracts have been deducted in arriving at the amounts reflected in the statement of operations (dollars in thousands):

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W. R. Berkley Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
June 30, 2004

7. INDUSTRY SEGMENTS

     The Company’s operations are presently conducted in five segments of the insurance business: specialty lines of insurance, regional property casualty insurance, alternative markets, reinsurance, and international.

     Our specialty segment underwrites complex and sophisticated third-party liability risks, principally within the excess and surplus lines, professional liability, and commercial transportation markets. The specialty business is conducted through nine operating units. The companies within the segment are divided along the different customer bases and product lines which they serve. The specialty units deliver their products through a variety of distribution channels depending on the customer base and particular risks insured. The customers in this segment are highly diverse.

     Our regional subsidiaries provide commercial insurance products to customers primarily in 32 states. Key clients of this segment are small-to-mid-sized businesses and governmental entities. The regional subsidiaries are organized geographically, which provides them with the flexibility to adapt to local market conditions, while enjoying the superior administrative capabilities and financial strength of the Company. The regional operations are conducted through four geographic regions based on markets served: Midwest, New England, Southern (excluding Florida) and Mid Atlantic.

     Our alternative markets operations specialize in developing, insuring, reinsuring and administering self-insurance programs and other alternative risk transfer mechanisms. Our clients include employers, employer groups, insurers, and alternative market funds seeking less costly, more efficient ways to manage exposure to risks. In addition to providing primary and excess workers’ compensation insurance, the alternative markets segment also provides a wide variety of fee-based third-party administrative services.

     Our reinsurance operations specialize in underwriting property casualty reinsurance on both a treaty and a facultative basis. The principal reinsurance units are facultative reinsurance, which writes individual certificates and program facultative business, treaty reinsurance, which functions as a traditional reinsurer in specialty and standard reinsurance lines, and Lloyd’s reinsurance, which writes quota share reinsurance with certain Lloyd’s syndicates.

     International operations are conducted in Argentina and the Philippines. In Argentina, we currently offer commercial and personal property casualty insurance. In the Philippines, we provide savings and life products to customers, including endowment policies to pre-fund education costs and retirement income.

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W. R. Berkley Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
June 30, 2004

7. INDUSTRY SEGMENTS (continued)

     Summary financial information about the Company’s operating segments is presented in the following table. Income (loss) before income taxes by segment consists of revenues less expenses related to the respective segment’s operations, including allocated investment income. Identifiable assets by segment are those assets used in or allocated to the operation of each segment.

     Identifiable assets by segment are as follows (dollars in thousands):

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8. COMMITMENTS, LITIGATION AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

     The Company’s subsidiaries are regularly engaged in the defense of claims arising out of the conduct of the insurance business. The Company does not believe that such litigation, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

     This is a “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including statements related to our outlook for the industry and for our performance for the year 2004 and beyond, are based upon the Company’s historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. They are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the cyclical nature of the property casualty industry, the long-tail and potentially volatile nature of the reinsurance business, product demand and pricing, claims development and the process of estimating reserves, the uncertain nature of damage theories and loss amounts, increases in the level of our retention, natural and man-made catastrophic losses, including as a result of terrorist activities, the impact of competition, the availability of reinsurance, the ability of our reinsurers to pay reinsurance recoverables owed to us, investment risks, including those relating to fixed income securities, merger arbitrage investments, and other equity securities, exchange rate and political risks relating to our international operations, legislative and regulatory developments, changes in the ratings assigned to us by ratings agencies, the availability of dividends from our insurance company subsidiaries, our ability to successfully acquire and integrate companies and invest in new insurance ventures, our ability to attract and retain qualified employees, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks could cause actual results of the industry or our actual results for the year 2004 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of the Company. Any projections of growth in the Company’s net premiums written and management fees would not necessarily result in commensurate levels of underwriting and operating profits. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made.

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Item 2.

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

Overview

     W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company that provides, through its subsidiaries, commercial property casualty insurance products and services. The Company’s principal focus is casualty business. The Company’s primary sources of revenues and earnings are insurance and investments.

     The profitability of the Company’s insurance business is affected primarily by the adequacy of premium rates. The ultimate adequacy of premium rates is not known at the time a property casualty insurance policy is issued because premiums are determined before claims are reported. The ultimate adequacy of premium rates is affected mainly by the severity and frequency of claims, which are influenced by many factors, including natural and other disasters, regulatory measures and court decisions that define and expand the extent of coverage and the effects of economic inflation on the amount of compensation due for injuries or losses. General insurance prices are also influenced by the available insurance capacity, i.e., the level of policyholders’ surplus employed in the industry and the industry’s willingness to deploy that capital.

     The Company’s invested assets, which are derived from its own capital and cash flow from its insurance business, are invested principally in fixed income securities. The return on fixed income securities is affected primarily by general interest rates and the credit quality and duration of the securities. The Company also invests in equity securities, including equity securities related to merger arbitrage and convertible arbitrage strategies.

Critical Accounting Estimates

     Management considers estimates and assumptions relating to reserves for losses and loss expenses to be critical to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results since these estimates and assumptions are based on complex and subjective judgments, often including the interplay of specific uncertainties with related accounting measurements. Such estimates are also susceptible to change as significant periods of time may elapse between the occurrence of an insured loss, the report of the loss to the insurer and the insurer’s payment of that loss.

     To recognize liabilities for unpaid losses, either known or unknown, insurers establish reserves, which is a balance sheet account representing estimates of future amounts needed to pay claims and related expenses with respect to insured events which have occurred. Our loss reserves reflect our best estimates of the cost of settling all such claims.

     In general, when a claim is reported, claims personnel establish a “case reserve” for the estimated amount of the ultimate payment. The estimate represents an informed judgment based on general reserving practices and reflects the experience and knowledge of the claims personnel regarding the nature and value of the specific type of claim. Reserves are also established on an aggregate basis to provide for losses incurred but not yet reported to the insurer, potential inadequacy of case reserves, the estimated expenses of settling claims, including legal and other fees and general expenses of administering the claims adjustment process, and a provision for potentially uncollectible reinsurance. Reserves are established based upon the then current legal interpretation of coverage provided.

     In examining reserve adequacy, several factors are considered in addition to the economic value of losses. These factors include historical data, legal developments, changes in social attitudes and economic conditions, including the effects of inflation. The actuarial process relies on the basic assumption that past experience, adjusted judgmentally for the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis for predicting future outcomes. Reserve amounts are necessarily based on management’s informed estimates and judgments using data currently available. As additional experience and other data become available and are

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reviewed, these estimates and judgments are revised. This may result in increases or decreases to reserves for insured events of prior years. The reserving process implicitly recognizes the impact of inflation and other factors affecting loss costs by taking into account historical claim patterns and perceived trends.

     Reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability. Rather, reserves represent an estimate of what management expects the ultimate settlement and claim administration will cost. While the methods for establishing the reserves are well tested over time, some of the major assumptions about anticipated loss emergence patterns are subject to unanticipated fluctuation. These estimates, which generally involve actuarial projections, are based on management’s assessment of facts and circumstances then known, as well as estimates of future trends in claims severity and frequency, judicial theories of liability and other factors, including the actions of third parties which are beyond the Company’s control. The variables described above are affected by both internal and external events, such as inflation, judicial and litigation trends, reinsurance coverage and legislative changes.

     The inherent uncertainties of estimating reserves are greater for certain types of liabilities, where long periods of time elapse before a definitive determination of liability is made. In periods with increased economic volatility, it becomes more difficult to accurately predict claim costs. Reserve estimates are continually refined in an ongoing process as experience develops and further claims are reported and settled. Adjustments to reserves are reflected in the results of the periods in which such estimates are changed. Because setting reserves is inherently uncertain, the Company cannot assure that its current reserves will prove adequate in light of subsequent events.

     Management determines the loss reserves included in the Company’s financial statements based on actuarial analyses prepared by its actuarial staff. The Company uses a variety of actuarial techniques and methods in estimating the Company’s ultimate liability for losses and loss expenses. These methods include paid loss development, incurred loss development, paid and incurred Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods and frequency and severity methods. This actuarial data is analyzed by line of business, coverage, and accident or policy year, as appropriate, for each operating unit. Industry loss experience is also used to supplement the Company’s own data in selecting “tail factors” and in areas where the Company’s own data is limited.

     The establishment of loss reserves includes consideration of qualitative factors that may affect the ultimate loss reserves. These qualitative considerations include, among others, the impact of re-underwriting initiatives, changes in the mix of business, changes in distribution sources and changes in terms and conditions. Examples of changes in terms and conditions that can have a significant impact on reserve levels are the use of aggregate policy limits, the expansion of coverage exclusions, whether or not defense costs are within policy limits and changes in deductibles and attachment points.

     For the six months ended June 30, 2004, the Company reported losses and loss expenses of $1,227 million, of which $92 million represented an increase in estimates for claims occurring in prior years. The increase in estimates for claims occurring in prior years by business segment was as follows: $33 million for reinsurance, $31 million for specialty, $17 million for alternative markets and $11 million for regional. The increase was primarily related to general liability, professional liability and workers’ compensation business written from 1997 through 2001, and was primarily a result of higher than expected reported losses for those years as well as increased estimates for legal defense costs and medical cost trends.

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Results of Operations for the First Six Months of 2004 Compared with the First Six Months of 2003

     Following is a summary of gross premiums written, net premiums written, premiums earned, loss ratios (losses and loss expenses incurred expressed as a percentage of premiums earned), expense ratios (underwriting expenses expressed as a percentage of premiums earned) and combined ratios (sum of loss ratio and expense ratio) for each of our business segments for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):

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Results of Operations

     The following table presents the Company’s net income and net income per share for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (amounts in thousands, except per share data).

     The increase in net income in 2004 compared with 2003 reflects higher profits from underwriting activity as well as higher investment income. The improvement in underwriting results reflects higher insurance prices, improved terms and conditions and growth in more profitable lines of business.

Gross Premiums Written. Gross premiums written were $2,347 million in 2004, up 13% from 2003. The increase in gross premiums written in 2004 was a result of higher prices as well as new business. A summary of gross premiums written in 2004 compared with 2003 by business segment follows:

	•		Specialty premiums increased by 16% to $778 million in 2004 compared with $670 million in 2003 due to higher prices and new business. The increase in premiums included a 13% increase for the Company’s three excess and surplus lines companies and a 22% increase for commercial transportation. Gross premiums for directors and officers liability insurance decreased 13% due to a more competitive market environment for that line of business. Gross premiums written in 2004 also include $40 million from the Company’s London-based unit, W. R. Berkley Insurance (Europe), Limited, which began operations in July 2003.
	•		Regional premiums increased by 13% to $668 million in 2004 compared with $590 million in 2003. The increase generally reflects higher prices and new business across all four regional units.
	•		Alternative markets premiums increased by 40% to $380 million in 2004 compared with $272 million in 2003 due to higher prices and new business. The increase included a 25% increase in excess workers’ compensation business and a 40% increase in primary workers’ compensation business. In addition, premiums assumed from assigned risk plans accounted for 8 percentage points of the overall 40% growth rate for the segment.
	•		Reinsurance premiums decreased by 5% to $482 million in 2004 compared with $506 million in 2003. Gross premiums written for Lloyd’s reinsurance decreased 15% to $108 million due to a planned reduction in that business, and gross premiums for domestic treaty reinsurance decreased 15% to $190 million as a result of a more competitive market environment for that business. Facultative reinsurance premiums increased 18% to $184 million.
	•		International premiums increased by 10% to $40 million in 2004 compared with $36 million in 2003.

Net Premiums Written. Net premiums written were $2,103 million in 2004, up 19% from 2003. Net premiums grew more than gross premiums due to a reduction in the portion of gross premiums ceded to reinsurers. The decrease in premiums ceded to reinsurers was a result of the termination of an aggregate reinsurance agreement effective December 31, 2003. Premiums ceded under the aggregate reinsurance agreement were $70 million in the first six months of 2003.

Premiums Earned. Premiums earned increased 30% in 2004 compared with 2003. Insurance premiums are earned ratably over the term of a given policy, and therefore premiums earned in 2004 are related to premiums written during both 2003 and 2004. The growth rate for 2004 earned premiums reflects the underlying growth in net premiums written of 35% for all of 2003 and 19% for the first six months of 2004.

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Net Investment Income. Following is a summary of net investment income for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):

     Net investment income increased 34% in 2004 compared with 2003. Average invested assets increased 38% to $6.7 billion in 2004 compared with $4.9 billion in 2003. The increase was a result of cash flow from operations and the proceeds from debt issued during 2003. The average annualized gross yield on investments was 4.1% in 2004 compared with 4.9% in 2003. The lower yield in 2004 reflects the decrease in general interest rate levels as well as an increase in the portion of the portfolio invested in cash equivalents and tax-exempt securities.

     Interest on funds held under reinsurance treaties decreased by $15 million due to the termination of an aggregate reinsurance agreement effective December 31, 2003.

Realized Investment Gains and Losses. Realized investment gains and losses result from sales of securities and from provisions for other than temporary impairment in securities. Realized investment gains were $40 million in 2004 and $57 million in 2003. Realized gains in 2004 resulted primarily from the sale of common and preferred equity securities and the sale of high yield fixed income securities. Realized gains in 2003 resulted primarily from the sale of fixed income securities in order to decrease the duration of the portfolio and to increase the portion of the portfolio invested in municipal securities. There were no provisions for other than temporary impairment in the first six months of 2004 or 2003.

Service Fees. The alternative markets segment offers fee-based services to help clients develop and administer self-insurance programs, primarily for workers’ compensation coverages. Service fees increased 9% in 2004 compared with 2003 primarily as a result of an increase in service fees for managing assigned risk plans.

Losses and Loss Expenses. Losses and loss expenses increased 28% in 2004 compared with 2003 primarily as a result of the increased premium volume. The consolidated loss ratio decreased to 62.7% in 2004 from 63.6% in 2003. A summary of loss ratios in 2004 compared with 2003 by business segment follows:

	•		The specialty segment’s loss ratio was 61.7% in 2004 compared with 61.6% in 2003 as higher prices and more favorable terms and conditions were offset by an increase in prior year reserves.
	•		The regional loss ratio decreased to 56.9% in 2004 from 58.1% in 2003 primarily as a result of higher prices in 2003 and 2004. Weather-related losses for the regional segment were $19 million and $21 million in 2004 and 2003, respectively.
	•		The alternative market loss ratio was 69.7% in 2004 compared with 67.7% in 2003. The Company discounts its liabilities for excess workers’ compensation business because of the long period of time over which losses are paid. The increase in the loss ratio in 2004 reflects a lower discount rate for current year business and an increase in prior year reserves.
	•		The reinsurance loss ratio was 67.8% in 2004 compared with 71.6% in 2003. The decrease reflects the improved results for the current accident year as a result of higher prices for both treaty and facultative risks.
	•		The international loss ratio was 51.4% in 2004 compared with 52.4% in 2003.

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Other Operating Costs and Expenses. Following is a summary of other operating costs and expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):

     Underwriting expenses increased 26% in 2004 compared with 2003 as a result of higher premium volume. The consolidated expense ratio decreased to 27.3% in 2004 from 28.1% in 2003. The decrease is due to a 30% increase in earned premiums with no significant increase in underwriting expenses other than commissions and premium taxes.

     Service company expenses represent the costs associated with the alternative market’s fee-based business. The increase in service expenses of 8% compared with 2003 was commensurate with the increase in service fee revenues of 9%.

     Other costs and expenses represent primarily general and administrative expenses for the corporate office and costs associated with our foreign operations. Other costs and expenses were $25 million for 2004 and 2003.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased 24% to $32 million as a result of the issuance of $200 million of 5.875% senior notes in February 2003 and $150 million of 5.125% senior notes in September 2003.

Income taxes. The effective income tax rate was 31% in 2004 and 2003. The effective tax rate differs from the federal income tax rate of 35% primarily because of tax-exempt investment income and state income taxes.

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Results of Operations for the Second Quarter of 2004 Compared to the Second Quarter of 2003

     Following is a summary of gross premiums written, net premiums written, premiums earned, loss ratios (losses and loss expenses incurred expressed as a percentage of premiums earned), expense ratios (underwriting expenses expressed as a percentage of premiums earned) and combined ratios (sum of loss ratio and expense ratio) for each of our business segments for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):

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Results of Operations

     The following table presents the Company’s net income and net income per share for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (amounts in thousands, except per share data).

     The increase in net income in 2004 compared with 2003 reflects higher profits from underwriting activity as well as higher investment income, partially offset by a decrease in realized investment gains. The improvement in underwriting results reflects higher insurance prices, improved terms and conditions and growth in more profitable lines of business.

Premiums. Gross premiums written, net premiums written and premiums earned increased 12%, 16% and 25%, respectively, compared with the second quarter of 2003. The percentage change in gross premiums written in second quarter of 2004 compared with the same period in 2003 for each business segment was as follows: 18% for specialty; 13% for regional; 31% for alternative markets; -3% for reinsurance; 0% for international. The quarterly change in gross, net and earned premiums was consistent with the year-to-date premium changes, and the reasons for those changes, described above.

Net Investment Income. Following is a summary of net investment income for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):

     Net investment income increased 36% in 2004 compared with 2003. Average invested assets increased 38% to $7.0 billion in 2004 compared with $5.1 billion in 2003. The average annualized gross yield on investments was 4.0% in 2004 compared with 4.7% in 2003. The lower yield in 2004 reflects the decrease in general interest rate levels as well as an increase in the portion of the portfolio invested in cash equivalents and tax-exempt securities. Interest on funds held under reinsurance treaties decreased by $8 million due to the termination of an aggregate reinsurance agreement effective December 31, 2003.

Realized Investment Gains and Losses. Realized investment gains and losses result from sales of securities and from provisions for other than temporary impairment in securities. Realized investment gains were $10 million in 2004 and $44 million in 2003. Realized gains in 2004 resulted primarily from the sale of common and preferred equity securities and the sale of high yield fixed income securities. There were no provisions for other then temporary impairment in the second quarter of 2004 or 2003.

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Service Fees. The alternative markets segment offers fee-based services to help clients develop and administer self-insurance programs, primarily for workers’ compensation coverages. Service fees increased 7% in 2004 compared with 2003 primarily as a result of an increase in service fees for managing assigned risk plans.

Losses and Loss Expenses. Losses and loss expenses increased 22% in 2004 compared with 2003 primarily as a result of the increased premium volume. The consolidated loss ratio decreased to 62.4% in 2004 from 63.8% in 2003. The changes in the quarterly loss ratios for 2004 compared with 2003, on a consolidated basis as well as by business segment, were consistent with the year-to-date changes, and the reasons for those changes, described above.

Other Operating Costs and Expenses. Following is a summary of other operating costs and expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):

     Underwriting expenses increased 23% in 2004 compared with 2003 as a result of higher premium volume. The consolidated expense ratio decreased to 27.4% in 2004 from 27.8% in 2003. The decrease is due to a 25% increase in earned premiums with no significant increase in underwriting expenses other than commissions and premium taxes.

     Service company expenses represent the costs associated with the alternative market’s fee-based business. The increase in service expenses of 3% compared with 2003 as a result of the increase in service fee revenues of 7%.

     Other costs and expenses represent primarily general and administrative expenses for the corporate office and costs associated with our foreign operations. Other costs and expenses were $13 million for 2004 and 2003.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased 19% to $16 million as a result of the issuance of $200 million of 5.875% senior notes in February 2003 and $150 million of 5.125% senior notes in September 2003.

Income taxes. The effective income tax rate was 30% in 2004 and 31% in 2003. The effective tax rate differs from the federal income tax rate of 35% primarily because of tax-exempt investment income and state income taxes.

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Investments

     As part of its investment strategy, the Company establishes a level of cash and highly liquid short-term and intermediate-term securities that, combined with expected cash flow, is believed adequate to meet foreseeable payment obligations. The Company also attempts to maintain an appropriate relationship between the average duration of the investment portfolio and the approximate duration of its liabilities, i.e., policy claims and debt obligations.

     The carrying value of the Company’s investment portfolio as of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

Fixed Maturities. The Company’s investment policy with respect to fixed maturity securities is generally to purchase instruments with the expectation of holding them to their maturity. However, active management of a portion of the portfolio is considered necessary to maintain an approximate matching of assets and liabilities as well as to adjust the portfolio as a result of changes in financial market conditions and tax considerations. At June 30, 2004 (as compared to December 31, 2003), the fixed maturities portfolio mix was as follows: U.S. Government securities were 16% (14% in 2003); state and municipal securities were 51% (46% in 2003); corporate securities were 8% (14% in 2003); mortgage-backed securities were 20% (21% in 2003); and foreign bonds were 5% in 2004 (5% in 2003).

Equity Securities Available for Sale. Equity securities available for sale represent primarily investments in common and preferred stocks of publicly traded banks, utilities and real estate investment trusts.

Equity Securities Trading Account. The trading account is comprised of direct investments in arbitrage securities and investments in arbitrage-related limited partnerships that specialize in merger arbitrage and convertible arbitrage strategies. Merger arbitrage is the business of investing in the securities of publicly held companies that are the targets in announced tender offers and mergers. Convertible arbitrage is the business of investing in convertible securities with the goal of capitalizing on price differentials between these securities and their underlying equities. The Company increased its investment in merger arbitrage securities by $50 million during the first six months of 2004.

Investments in Affiliates. At June 30, 2004 (as compared to December 31, 2003), investments in affiliates were as follows: equity in Kiln plc was $47 million ($40 million in 2003); real estate partnerships were $64 million ($58 million in 2003); structured finance partnerships were $51 million ($18 million in 2003); and other investments were $11 million ($11 million in 2003).

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Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position. The following table summarizes, for all securities in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2004, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position (dollars in thousands):