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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
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(Mark One)
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þ
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For
the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005 |
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o
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For
the transition period
from to |
Commission file number: 001-31468
Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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Bermuda
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98-0428969 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization) |
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
Mintflower Place
8 Par-La-Ville Road
Hamilton HM 08
Bermuda
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code:
(441) 296-5550
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has
filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has
been subject to such filing requirements for the past
90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated
filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act). Yes þ No o
As of May 5, 2005, the Registrant had 63,327,564 common
voting shares outstanding, with a par value of
1/6
cent per share.
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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Item 1. |
Financial Statements |
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars, except
share amounts)
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As at | |
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As at | |
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March 31, 2005 | |
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December 31, 2004 | |
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(Unaudited) | |
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(Audited) | |
ASSETS |
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost:
2005 $1,905,716; 2004 $2,320,229)
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$ |
1,882,210 |
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$ |
2,325,273 |
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Equity investments, at fair value (cost: 2005
$72,998; 2004 $92,997)
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113,115 |
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143,435 |
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Total investments available for sale
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1,995,325 |
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2,468,708 |
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Other investments
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19,889 |
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19,373 |
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Total investments
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2,015,214 |
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2,488,081 |
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Cash and cash equivalents, at fair value
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222,249 |
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110,576 |
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Unearned premium ceded
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24,749 |
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16,982 |
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Premiums receivable
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274,641 |
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173,763 |
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Investment trades pending
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8,997 |
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Securities lending collateral
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343,222 |
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420,856 |
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Funds withheld
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5,366 |
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5,130 |
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Deferred acquisition costs
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68,865 |
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59,031 |
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Reinsurance recoverable
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111,293 |
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94,700 |
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Accrued investment income
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19,279 |
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23,822 |
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Other assets
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4,448 |
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5,172 |
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Total Assets
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$ |
3,098,323 |
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$ |
3,398,113 |
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LIABILITIES |
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
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590,665 |
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549,541 |
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Unearned premium
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394,220 |
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287,546 |
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Reinsurance balances payable
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93,251 |
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74,909 |
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Investment trades pending
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129 |
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Securities lending payable
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343,222 |
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420,856 |
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Debt
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248,994 |
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248,963 |
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Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
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24,743 |
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40,612 |
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Dividends payable
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25,379 |
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23,613 |
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Total Liabilities
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$ |
1,720,474 |
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$ |
1,646,169 |
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SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
Common voting shares: 1/6 cent par value; authorized
1,200,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding at
March 31, 2005; 63,327,564 shares (2004
62,131,232)
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106 |
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104 |
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Additional paid-in capital
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1,114,719 |
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1,111,735 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive income
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16,637 |
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55,094 |
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Retained earnings
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246,387 |
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585,011 |
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Total Shareholders Equity
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1,377,849 |
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1,751,944 |
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Total Liabilities and Shareholders Equity
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$ |
3,098,323 |
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$ |
3,398,113 |
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The accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
1
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars, except
share amounts)
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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(Unaudited) | |
REVENUES
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Gross premiums written
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$ |
306,273 |
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$ |
333,225 |
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Reinsurance premiums ceded
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(26,836 |
) |
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(35,855 |
) |
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Net premiums written
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279,437 |
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297,370 |
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Change in net unearned premiums
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(98,906 |
) |
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(106,546 |
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Net premiums earned
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180,531 |
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190,824 |
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Net investment income
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21,414 |
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15,282 |
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Net realized gains on investments
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12,338 |
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1,736 |
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Net foreign exchange (losses) gains
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(3,355 |
) |
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1,009 |
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Total Revenues
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210,928 |
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208,851 |
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EXPENSES
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Loss and loss adjustment expenses
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79,524 |
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46,185 |
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Acquisition costs
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37,364 |
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35,704 |
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General and administrative expenses
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15,238 |
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13,711 |
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Financing expense
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4,267 |
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4,170 |
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Total Expenses
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136,393 |
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99,770 |
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Income before taxes
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74,535 |
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109,081 |
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Income tax expense
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30 |
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38 |
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NET INCOME
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$ |
74,505 |
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$ |
109,043 |
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COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
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Net income
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$ |
74,505 |
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$ |
109,043 |
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Other comprehensive (loss) income
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(38,457 |
) |
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25,851 |
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Comprehensive income
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$ |
36,048 |
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$ |
134,894 |
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Per share data
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Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares
outstanding:
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Basic
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62,580,009 |
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63,409,264 |
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Diluted
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67,279,778 |
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68,769,273 |
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Basic earnings per common share
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$ |
1.19 |
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$ |
1.72 |
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Diluted earnings per common share
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$ |
1.11 |
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$ |
1.59 |
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The accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
2
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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(Unaudited) | |
Common voting shares
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Balance beginning of period
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$ |
104 |
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$ |
106 |
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Issue of common shares
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2 |
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Balance end of period
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106 |
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106 |
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Additional paid-in-capital
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Balance beginning of period
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1,111,735 |
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1,130,305 |
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Issue of common shares
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|
1,740 |
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|
833 |
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Compensation recognized under stock option plan
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1,244 |
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|
606 |
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Balance end of period
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1,114,719 |
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1,131,744 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive income
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Balance beginning of period
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55,094 |
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|
53,731 |
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Net change in unrealized (losses) gains on investments
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(38,449 |
) |
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25,836 |
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Net change in currency translation adjustments
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(8 |
) |
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15 |
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Balance end of period
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16,637 |
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|
79,582 |
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Retained earnings
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Balance beginning of period
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|
585,011 |
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|
473,563 |
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Net income
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|
74,505 |
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|
109,043 |
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Dividends on common shares and warrants
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(413,129 |
) |
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(24,059 |
) |
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Balance end of period
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|
246,387 |
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|
558,547 |
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Total Shareholders Equity
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$ |
1,377,849 |
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$ |
1,769,979 |
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The accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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(Unaudited) | |
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
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Net income
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$ |
74,505 |
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$ |
109,043 |
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Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
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Accretion (amortization) of premium/(discount) on fixed
maturities
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|
2,504 |
|
|
|
3,966 |
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|
Depreciation
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|
353 |
|
|
|
466 |
|
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|
Compensation recognized under stock option plan
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|
1,244 |
|
|
|
606 |
|
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Net realized gains on investments
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|
(12,338 |
) |
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|
(1,736 |
) |
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|
Accretion of Senior Notes
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|
31 |
|
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|
30 |
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|
Change in:
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Unearned premium ceded
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(7,767 |
) |
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(22,391 |
) |
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Premiums receivable
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(100,878 |
) |
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(104,401 |
) |
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Funds withheld
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|
(236 |
) |
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|
(593 |
) |
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Deferred acquisition costs
|
|
|
(9,834 |
) |
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(11,126 |
) |
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Reinsurance recoverable
|
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|
(16,593 |
) |
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|
639 |
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Accrued investment income
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|
4,543 |
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|
3,451 |
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Other assets
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|
|
433 |
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|
|
683 |
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Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
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|
41,124 |
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|
26,464 |
|
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Unearned premium
|
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|
106,674 |
|
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|
128,937 |
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Reinsurance balances payable
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|
18,342 |
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|
|
26,642 |
|
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Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
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|
(15,869 |
) |
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|
(5,199 |
) |
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Net change in currency translation adjustments
|
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|
(8 |
) |
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|
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Net cash provided by operating activities
|
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|
86,230 |
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|
|
155,496 |
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Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
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|
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|
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Purchases of fixed maturities
|
|
|
(272,734 |
) |
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|
(544,929 |
) |
|
Purchases of equity investments
|
|
|
(9,250 |
) |
|
|
(3,620 |
) |
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Proceeds from sale and maturity of fixed maturities
|
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|
670,700 |
|
|
|
456,538 |
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Proceeds from sale of equity investments
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|
46,412 |
|
|
|
3,118 |
|
|
Investment of securities lending collateral
|
|
|
77,634 |
|
|
|
(65,661 |
) |
|
Purchases of equipment
|
|
|
(64 |
) |
|
|
(2,449 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
|
|
|
512,698 |
|
|
|
(157,003 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issue of common shares
|
|
|
1,742 |
|
|
|
833 |
|
|
Securities lending collateral received
|
|
|
(77,634 |
) |
|
|
65,661 |
|
|
Dividends paid
|
|
|
(411,363 |
) |
|
|
(24,042 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
|
|
|
(487,255 |
) |
|
|
42,452 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
111,673 |
|
|
|
40,945 |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents Beginning of period
|
|
|
110,576 |
|
|
|
139,587 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents End of period
|
|
$ |
222,249 |
|
|
$ |
180,532 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars,
except per share amounts or as where otherwise described)
(Unaudited)
|
|
1. |
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation |
These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements
include the accounts of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (the
Company) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries
Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd. (Montpelier Re) and
Montpelier Agency Ltd. (MAL). Montpelier Re has two
subsidiaries: Montpelier Marketing Services (UK) Limited
(MMSL) and Montpelier Holdings (Barbados) SRL
(MHB). MMSL was incorporated on November 19,
2001, and provides business introduction and other support
services to Montpelier Re. MHB, a Barbados registered society
with Restricted Liability incorporated on July 25, 2002,
was the registered holder of certain types of securities,
including United States equity securities. On February 1,
2005, all securities held by MHB were transferred to the
Montpelier Re investment portfolio. On July 23, 2004, the
Company incorporated MAL to provide insurance management
services. MAL has not yet commenced operations. Loudoun Re
(Loudoun) is a captive insurance company
incorporated in the United States. Montpelier Re has no equity
investment in Loudoun; however, Montpelier Re financed Loudoun
during 2004 through the issuance of a surplus note. Under
FIN 46R, Loudoun is consolidated into the financial
statements of Montpelier Re. Montpelier Re has also established
a trust known as the Montpelier Re Foundation to promote and
carry out charitable purposes. This trust is not consolidated
into the financial statements of the Company.
The Company, through its principal operating subsidiary
Montpelier Re, is a provider of global property and casualty
reinsurance and insurance products.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been
prepared on the basis of accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States (GAAP) for interim
financial information and in accordance with the instructions to
Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.
Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and
footnotes required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial
statements. This report on Form 10-Q should be read in
conjunction with the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of
management, these unaudited consolidated financial statements
reflect all the normal recurring adjustments considered
necessary for a fair presentation of the Companys
financial position at the end of and for the periods presented.
The results of operations and cash flows for any interim period
will not necessarily be indicative of the results of operations
and cash flows for subsequent quarters or the full fiscal year.
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated on consolidation. The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
|
|
2. |
Significant Accounting Policies |
|
|
|
Premiums and related costs |
Premiums are recognized as written, net of any applicable
retrocessional coverage purchased, for the full period of the
contract as of the date that the contract is bound. The Company
writes both excess of loss and pro-rata contracts.
For the majority of excess of loss contracts, written premium is
based on the deposit premium as defined in the contract.
Subsequent adjustments to the deposit premium are recognized in
the period in which they are determined. For excess of loss and
pro-rata contracts where no deposit premium is specified in the
contract, written premium is recognized based on estimates of
ultimate premiums provided by the ceding companies.
5
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Initial estimates of written premium are recognized in the
period in which the underlying risks incept. Subsequent
adjustments, based on reports of actual premium by the ceding
companies, or revisions in estimates, are recorded in the period
in which they are determined.
Premiums are earned ratably over the term of the reinsurance
contract. The portion of the premium related to the unexpired
portion of the contract is reflected in unearned premium.
Premiums receivable are recorded at amounts due less any
required provision for doubtful accounts.
Where contract terms require the reinstatement of coverage after
a ceding companys loss, the mandatory reinstatement
premiums are recorded as written premium when the loss event
occurs, and are earned ratably over the remaining contract risk
period.
Acquisition costs are comprised of ceding commissions,
brokerage, premium taxes and other expenses that relate directly
to the writing of reinsurance contracts. Deferred acquisition
costs are amortized over the terms of the related contracts and
are limited to their estimated realizable value based on the
related unearned premium, anticipated claims expenses and
investment income. Acquisition costs also include profit
commission.
In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to reduce
the loss that may arise from events that could cause unfavorable
underwriting results by reinsuring certain levels of risk in
various areas of exposure with other insurers or reinsurers. The
Company remains liable in the event that it is unable to collect
amounts due from its own reinsurers, and with respect to certain
contracts that carry underlying reinsurance protection, the
Company would be liable in the event that the ceding companies
are unable to collect amounts due from the underlying third
party reinsurers. The Company records provisions for
uncollectible underlying reinsurance recoverable when collection
becomes unlikely. The Company is selective in regard to its
reinsurers, placing the majority of its reinsurance with
reinsurers with a strong financial condition, industry ratings
and underwriting ability. The Company monitors the financial
condition and ratings of its reinsurers on an ongoing basis.
Reinsurance recoverable includes the Companys share of
balances due from the underlying third party reinsurance
contracts for paid losses, unpaid loss and loss adjustment
expenses and reserves for losses incurred but not reported.
Initial estimates of reinsurance recoverable are recognized in
the period in which the loss event occurs. Subsequent
adjustments, based on reports of actual amounts recoverable by
ceding companies, are recorded in the period in which they are
determined.
Montpelier Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP).
Effective January 1, 2005, the Company provides a LTIP to
certain key employees, non-employee directors and consultants of
the Company and its subsidiaries, whereby an individual is
provided with long-term incentive awards, the value of which is
based on the Companys common shares. Awards that may be
granted under the LTIP consist of share appreciation rights
(SARs), restricted share units (RSUs)
and performance shares (Performance Shares). SARs
give a participant the right to receive a payment in cash or
common shares (or a combination of cash and common shares) based
on the post-grant appreciation of a number of common shares
subject to the award if vesting conditions are satisfied. RSUs
give a participant the right to receive a payment in cash or
common shares (or a combination of cash and common shares) equal
to the number of RSUs subject to the award if vesting conditions
are satisfied. The vesting conditions for SARS and RSUs are
determined by the Compensation and Nominating Committee of the
Board of Directors and may relate to a period of continued
employment or service, attainment of performance goals, or a
combination of the two. Performance Shares give a participant
the right to receive a payment in cash or common shares (or a
combination of cash and common shares) equal to the number of
Performance Shares subject to the award if performance goals are
satisfied. The performance
6
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
goals are determined by the Compensation and Nominating
Committee and may relate to the Company, one or more of its
subsidiaries, or one or more of its divisions, units,
partnerships, joint ventures, minority investments, product
lines or products, or any combination of the foregoing. If all
applicable terms and conditions of the award are satisfied, the
participant will be entitled to receive a number of common
shares equal to the number of Performance Shares earned, a cash
payment in an amount determined by multiplying the fair market
value of common shares by the number of Performance Shares
earned, or a combination of common shares and cash.
Performance Unit Plan (the PUP). Prior to
December 31, 2004, performance units were granted to
executive officers and certain other key employees. The ultimate
value of these performance units, which vest at the end of
three-year performance periods, is dependent upon the
Companys achievement of specific performance targets over
the course of the overlapping three-year periods and the market
value of the Companys shares at the end of the vesting
period. Performance units are payable in cash, common shares or
a combination of both.
The liability for both the LTIP and the PUP is based on the
number of awards or units granted, the share price at the end of
the respective fiscal period end, plus an adjustment for any
dividends paid out during the performance period and an estimate
of an ultimate 100% harvest ratio, unless otherwise adjusted,
and is expensed over the vesting period of the performance
awards or units granted. At the end of the sixth quarter and
every quarter thereafter of each three-year performance period,
the Company reassesses the projected results for each three-year
performance period and adjusts the accrued LTIP and PUP
liability as necessary. The Company recalculates the liability
under the LTIP and the PUP as the Companys financial
results evolve and the share price changes and reflects such
adjustments in income in the period in which they are
determined. Final determination of actual performance and amount
of payment is at the sole discretion of the Compensation and
Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors.
Option Plan. The Company has adopted Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting
for Stock-based Compensation. Accordingly, the Company
recognizes the compensation expense for stock option grants
based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant. The
compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of
each grant, with a corresponding recognition of the equity
expected to be issued in additional paid-in capital.
Deferred Compensation Plan. The Company provides a
deferred compensation plan (DCP) to executive
officers and certain other key employees, whereby the individual
can elect to defer receipt of compensation by choosing to
theoretically transfer compensation to certain investment
options, including a phantom share investment option and
investment fund options. The DCP would be an unfunded obligation
of the Company and would be included within accounts payable,
accrued expenses and other liabilities.
The Companys Board of Directors has approved a
non-management directors non-mandatory equity plan
effective May 20, 2005 (the Directors Share
Plan). All directors who do not receive compensation for
service as an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
are eligible to participate in the Directors Share Plan.
Eligible directors who elect to participate will have their cash
retainer fee reduced and will receive a number of share units of
equivalent value. Share units will comprise a contractual right
to receive common voting shares upon termination of service as a
director. In addition, while the share units are outstanding,
they will be credited with dividend equivalents. Participation
elections will be made on an annual basis (from Annual General
Meeting to Annual General Meeting) and will remain in effect
unless revoked. Revocation will be given effect beginning with
the next subsequent Annual General Meeting.
7
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
During the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, the
Company purchased retrocessional excess of loss protection
against large risk losses on the direct insurance and
facultative book and against catastrophes on the Companys
overall property writings. In addition, the Company also
purchased retrocessional stop-loss protection against losses on
the Companys casualty writings. For certain pro-rata
contracts, the subject direct insurance contracts carry
underlying reinsurance protection from third party reinsurers
which the Company nets against premiums.
The earned reinsurance premiums ceded were $16.1 million
and $13.4 million for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and 2004, respectively. Total recoveries netted against
loss and loss adjustment expenses was $17.0 million and
$(0.5) million for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and 2004, respectively.
The Company remains liable in the event that it is unable to
collect amounts due from its own reinsurers. With respect to
certain contracts that carry underlying reinsurance protection,
the Company would be liable in the event that the ceding
companies are unable to collect amounts due from the underlying
third party reinsurers. The Company records provisions for
uncollectible underlying reinsurance recoverable when collection
becomes unlikely. There were no such provisions recorded for
uncollectible reinsurance recoverable amounts at March 31,
2005 or 2004. Under the Companys reinsurance security
policy, reinsurers are generally required to be rated A- or
better by A.M. Best. The Company will consider reinsurers
that are not rated or do not fall within the above rating
category on a case-by-case basis.
The Company has an investment in the common shares of Aspen
Insurance Holdings Limited (Aspen), the
Bermuda-based holding company of Aspen Insurance UK Limited
(Aspen Re). Aspen completed its initial public
offering on December 4, 2003. On February 3, 2005, the
Company sold 1.5 million of its Aspen common shares at
$24.80 per common share for total proceeds of
$37.2 million, realizing a gain of $14.4 million. On
March 29, 2005, the Company sold an additional
0.2 million of its Aspen common shares at $24.00 per
common share for total proceeds of $3.9 million, realizing
a gain of $1.4 million. As a result, the Company currently
owns 2.3 million common shares, or approximately 3.4% of
Aspens outstanding common shares. The Companys
investment in Aspen is carried at quoted market value at
March 31, 2005. At March 31, 2004, the
shareholders agreement and other restrictions presented
significant obstacles and uncertainties in the determination of
the number of shares that could be reasonably expected to
qualify for sale within one year. As a result of this
illiquidity, at March 31, 2004 a portion of the total
investment was considered restricted and was discounted from
quoted market value. The aggregate unrealized gain is included
in accumulated other comprehensive income. The carrying value of
Aspen at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 was
$58.9 million and $98.1 million, respectively.
On August 2, 2004, the Company invested an aggregate of
$20.0 million as part of an investor group which included
one of our major shareholders, acquiring the life and
investments business of Safeco Corporation (since renamed
Symetra Financial Corporation) pursuant to a Stock Purchase
Agreement. Symetra is an unquoted investment and is carried at
estimated fair value at March 31, 2005 of
$19.9 million based on reported net asset values and other
information available to management, with the unrealized loss
included in accumulated other comprehensive income.
|
|
5. |
Debt and Financing Arrangements |
On August 4, 2003, the Company issued $250.0 million
aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured debt (the
Senior Notes) at an issue price of 99.517%. The net
proceeds were used in part to repay a term loan facility with
the remainder used for general corporate purposes. The Senior
Notes bear interest at a rate
8
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
of 6.125% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on
February 15 and August 15 of each year. Unless
previously redeemed, the Senior Notes will mature on
August 15, 2013. The Company may redeem the Senior Notes at
any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, at a
make-whole redemption price, however, the Company
has no current intention of calling the notes. The Senior Notes
do not contain any covenants regarding financial ratios or
specified levels of net worth or liquidity to which the Company
or any of its subsidiaries must adhere.
The Company incurred interest expense on the Senior Notes for
each of the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 of
$3.8 million and paid interest of $7.7 million and
$8.1 million, respectively.
|
|
|
Letter of Credit Facilities |
In the normal course of business, the Company provides security
to reinsureds as required under contract provisions. Such
security takes the form of a letter of credit issued by a bank
at the request of the Company. In order for the Company to write
Lloyds Qualifying Quota Share business, it was required to
provide a letter of credit in favor of The Society and Council
of Lloyds (Lloyds) in accordance with
Lloyds rules. Effective May 27, 2004 the Company
entered into a three-year Amended and Restated Letter of Credit
Reimbursement and Pledge Agreement with Banc of America
Securities LLC and a syndicate of lending institutions for the
provision of a letter of credit facility for the account of
Montpelier Re in favor of Lloyds or certain
U.S. ceding companies (Tranche A) in an
amount of up to $250.0 million, and in favor of certain
U.S. ceding companies only (Tranche B) in
an amount of up to $200.0 million of which up to
$50.0 million may be used by the Company as a revolving
line of credit for general corporate purposes. Simultaneously, a
previously existing Letter of Credit Reimbursement and Pledge
Agreement was superseded by the Amended and Restated Letter of
Credit Reimbursement and Pledge Agreement, and the letters of
credit issued under the previous facility were then issued under
the new facility agreement. On October 28, 2004, Montpelier
Re exercised an option to increase the aggregate amount of
Tranche B by $50.0 million to $250.0 million.
This agreement replaces the Letter of Credit Reimbursement and
Pledge Agreement with Fleet National Bank discussed below.
Letters of credit issued under this facility at March 31,
2005 were $357.2 million and the letters of credit and the
revolving line of credit were secured by cash and investments of
approximately $392.9 million.
The Company previously made arrangements with Fleet National
Bank and a syndicate of lending institutions for the provision
of a letter of credit facility in favor of Lloyds in an
amount of up to $250.0 million, and in favor of certain
U.S. ceding companies in an amount of up to
$200.0 million, which was superseded by the Amended and
Restated Letter of Credit Reimbursement and Pledge Agreement
discussed above. Letters of credit issued under this facility at
March 31, 2004 were $262.3 million and were secured by
cash and investments of approximately $288.5 million.
The Letter of Credit Facility Agreement contains covenants that
limit the Companys and Montpelier Res ability, among
other things, to grant liens on their assets, sell assets, merge
or consolidate. The Letter of Credit Facility Agreement also
requires the Company to maintain specific financial ratios and
Montpelier Re to maintain certain credit ratings. If the Company
or Montpelier Re fails to comply with these covenants or meet
these financial ratios, the lenders could declare a default and
begin exercising remedies against the collateral, Montpelier Re
would not be able to request the issuance of additional letters
of credit and the Company would not be able to borrow under the
revolving line of credit. For the three months ended
March 31, 2005, each of the Company and Montpelier Re was
in compliance with all covenants.
Effective December 23, 2004, Montpelier Re entered into a
$50.0 million Letter of Credit Reimbursement and Pledge
Agreement with HSBC Bank USA, National Association. The
agreement is a one year secured facility that allows Montpelier
Re to request the issuance of up to $50.0 million in
letters of credit. The agreements covenants are the same
as those described above under the Letter of Credit Facility
9
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Agreement with Banc of America Securities LLC. There were no
letters of credit issued under this facility at March 31,
2005.
|
|
6. |
Related Party Transactions |
As at March 31, 2005, two directors were employed by White
Mountains Insurance Group, which beneficially owned 19.1% of the
Company at March 31, 2005 and 2004.
The Company has engaged White Mountains Advisors LLC, a wholly
owned indirect subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, to
provide investment advisory and management services. The Company
pays investment management fees based on the month-end market
values held under management. The fees, which vary depending on
the amount of assets under management, are included in net
investment income. The Company incurred an average annualized
fee of 0.14% and 0.12% for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and 2004, respectively. For the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company expensed investment
management fees of approximately $0.8 and $0.4 million,
respectively, and recorded an amount payable for these services
of $0.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively. The
Companys Chairman of the Finance Committee is Deputy
Chairman of the Board of Directors of White Mountains Insurance
Group, the Principal Executive Officer of White Mountains
Advisors LLC and is the general manager or investment manager of
various funds which own less than 5% of the Company.
In the ordinary course of business, the Company entered into one
reinsurance agreement with OneBeacon Insurance Group, a
subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group. For each of the
three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004,
$0.3 million was received in gross premiums related to
these contracts.
On March 10, 2005, certain shareholders of the Company
completed a secondary offering of 3,704,924 common shares. The
secondary offering did not have any impact on common shares
outstanding. The Company did not receive any proceeds from, or
incur any offering expenses for, the secondary offering.
The Companys Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer adopted a written plan in accordance with
Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for
the purpose of the exercise of options and the sale of limited
amounts of the Companys shares owned by him. The plan
covered the possible exercise of 600,000 options and share sales
over a 12 month period commencing March 3, 2004,
subject to market conditions and the terms of the plan. Pursuant
to this plan, 10,000 and 90,000 options were exercised
during the first quarter of 2005, exhausting the plan, at the
exercise price of $16.67 and $17.50, respectively, resulting in
an increase in common shares by their par amount and an increase
in additional paid-in capital of $1.7 million.
On March 4, 2005, the Compensating and Nominating Committee
of the Board of Directors permitted certain founding executive
officers of the Company to exercise their 1,822,500 remaining
vested and unvested share options, in exchange for 599,187 and
408,489 unrestricted and restricted shares, respectively,
resulting in an increase in common shares by their par amount
and a decrease in additional paid-in capital of an equivalent
amount.
During the three months ended March 31, 2005, Bank of
America Securities LLC exercised 146,802.6 warrants in
exchange for 86,656 common shares, resulting in an increase
in common shares by their par amount and a decrease in
additional paid-in capital of an equivalent amount.
10
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Regular dividends declared on common voting shares and warrants
for the three months ended March 31, 2005 amounted to
$0.36 per common voting share and warrant. These dividends
were paid on April 15, 2005. On February 25, 2005 the
Company declared a special dividend in the amount of
$5.50 per common voting share and warrant which was paid on
March 31, 2005 to shareholders and warrant holders of
record at March 15, 2005.
The total amount of dividends paid to holders of our common
voting shares and warrants for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and 2004 was $411.4 million and
$24.0 million, respectively.
Management has determined that the Company operates in one
segment only. The Company focuses on writing global property and
casualty reinsurance and insurance products.
The following table sets forth a breakdown of the Companys
gross premiums written by line of business, by geographic area
of risks insured and by broker for the periods indicated ($ in
millions):
Gross Premiums Written by Line
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
|
|
| |
Property Specialty
|
|
$ |
79.4 |
|
|
|
26.0 |
% |
|
$ |
88.1 |
|
|
|
26.5 |
% |
Property Catastrophe
|
|
|
155.8 |
|
|
|
50.9 |
|
|
|
174.7 |
|
|
|
52.4 |
|
Other Specialty
|
|
|
70.1 |
|
|
|
22.8 |
|
|
|
69.1 |
|
|
|
20.7 |
|
Qualifying Quota Share
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
306.3 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
333.2 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Premiums Written by Geographic Area of Risks Insured
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
|
|
| |
USA and Canada
|
|
$ |
128.8 |
|
|
|
42.0 |
% |
|
$ |
133.9 |
|
|
|
40.1 |
% |
Worldwide(1)
|
|
|
111.3 |
|
|
|
36.3 |
|
|
|
106.7 |
|
|
|
32.0 |
|
Western Europe, excluding the United Kingdom and Ireland
|
|
|
17.7 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
|
|
27.6 |
|
|
|
8.3 |
|
United Kingdom and Ireland
|
|
|
17.9 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
|
22.9 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
|
Worldwide, excluding USA and Canada(2)
|
|
|
8.9 |
|
|
|
2.9 |
|
|
|
17.5 |
|
|
|
5.3 |
|
Japan
|
|
|
5.5 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
Others (1.5% or less)
|
|
|
16.2 |
|
|
|
5.3 |
|
|
|
21.3 |
|
|
|
6.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
306.3 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
333.2 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Worldwide comprises insurance and reinsurance
contracts that insure or reinsure risks in more than one
geographic area. |
|
(2) |
Worldwide, excluding USA and Canada comprises
insurance and reinsurance contracts that insure or reinsure
risks in more than one geographic area but specifically exclude
the USA and Canada. |
11
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Gross Premiums Written by Broker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
|
|
| |
Marsh
|
|
$ |
76.1 |
|
|
|
26.4 |
% |
|
$ |
84.8 |
|
|
|
26.9 |
% |
Benfield
|
|
|
55.7 |
|
|
|
19.3 |
|
|
|
62.5 |
|
|
|
19.8 |
|
Aon
|
|
|
45.3 |
|
|
|
15.7 |
|
|
|
57.6 |
|
|
|
18.2 |
|
Willis Group
|
|
|
52.8 |
|
|
|
18.3 |
|
|
|
46.0 |
|
|
|
14.6 |
|
Other brokers
|
|
|
58.7 |
|
|
|
20.3 |
|
|
|
64.7 |
|
|
|
20.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total brokers
|
|
|
288.6 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
315.6 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct (no broker)
|
|
|
17.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
306.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
333.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share is as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Basic earnings per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income available to common shareholders
|
|
$ |
74,505 |
|
|
$ |
109,043 |
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding Basic
|
|
|
62,580,009 |
|
|
|
63,409,264 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per common share
|
|
$ |
1.19 |
|
|
$ |
1.72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income available to common shareholders
|
|
$ |
74,505 |
|
|
$ |
109,043 |
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding Basic
|
|
|
62,580,009 |
|
|
|
63,409,264 |
|
Dilutive effect of warrants
|
|
|
4,084,240 |
|
|
|
4,080,029 |
|
Dilutive effect of share options
|
|
|
615,529 |
|
|
|
1,279,980 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares
outstanding Diluted
|
|
|
67,279,778 |
|
|
|
68,769,273 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per common share
|
|
$ |
1.11 |
|
|
$ |
1.59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends per common share
|
|
$ |
5.86 |
|
|
$ |
0.34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10. |
Commitments and Contingencies |
|
|
|
Concentrations of Credit Risk |
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to
concentration of credit risk consist principally of investments,
cash and reinsurance balances. The investment portfolio is
managed following standards of diversification. Provisions limit
the allowable holdings of a single issue or issuer. The Company
believes that there are no significant concentrations of credit
risk associated with its investments other than concentrations
in government and government-sponsored enterprises. The Company
did not have an aggregate investment in a single entity other
than the U.S. government and U.S. government-sponsored
enterprises, in excess of 10% of the Companys
shareholders equity at March 31, 2005 or 2004.
U.S. government-sponsored enterprises do not have the full
and complete support of the U.S. government and therefore
the Company faces credit risk in respect of these holdings.
12
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The Company also underwrites a significant amount of its
reinsurance and insurance business through brokers and a credit
risk exists should any of these brokers be unable to fulfill
their contractual obligations with respect to the payments of
reinsurance and insurance balances to the Company.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to reinsurance
balances are limited due to their dispersion across various
companies and geographies.
The Company, in common with the insurance and reinsurance
industry in general, is subject to litigation and arbitration in
the normal course of its business. The Company was not involved
in any material pending litigation or arbitration proceedings at
March 31, 2005 or 2004.
|
|
11. |
Employee Incentive Plans |
|
|
|
Montpelier Long-Term Incentive Plan
(LTIP) |
The LTIP is the Companys primary long-term incentive
scheme for certain key employees, non-employee directors and
consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries. At the
discretion of the Boards Compensation and Nominating
Committee (the Committee), incentive awards, the
value of which is based on the Companys common shares, may
be made to eligible plan participants.
Incentive awards that may be granted under the LTIP consist of
share appreciation rights (SARs), restricted share
units (RSUs) and performance shares
(Performance Shares). Each type of award gives a
plan participant the right to receive a payment in cash, common
shares or a combination thereof at the discretion of the
Committee. In the case of SARs, such payment is based on the
post-grant appreciation in value of a number of common shares
subject to the award if vesting conditions are satisfied. In the
case of RSUs, such payment is equal to the value of RSUs subject
to the award if vesting conditions are satisfied. In the case of
Performance Shares, such payment is equal to an amount varying
from nothing to up to 200% of the value of the Performance
Shares at the end of a three-year performance period, to the
extent performance goals set by the Committee are met.
All incentive awards granted by the Committee under the LTIP for
the 2005-2007 performance period were in the form of Performance
Shares, and no awards of SARs or RSUs were made to plan
participants. The total number of Performance Share awards
outstanding under the LTIP at March 31, 2005 was 400,000
(or up to 800,000 common shares should the maximum harvest of
200% of awards for the 2005-2007 performance period apply).
For the 2005-2007 performance period, the primary performance
target for all participants for a 100% harvest ratio of
Performance Shares is the achievement of an underwriting return
on an internally generated risk-based capital measure of 16%
over the period. Consistent with our accounting policy, we are
estimating the LTIP liability and the LTIP expense initially
using a 100% harvest ratio and will reassess the harvest ratio
used in the calculation of the LTIP liability at June 30,
2006 and each quarter thereafter.
|
|
|
Performance Unit Plan (PUP) |
The PUP was formerly the Companys primary executive
long-term incentive scheme until it was exhausted at
December 31, 2004. Performance units entitle the recipient
to receive, without payment to the Company, all, double, or a
part of the value of the units granted, depending on the
achievement of specific financial or operating goals.
Performance units vest at the end of a three-year performance
cycle, and can be denominated in common shares at market value
and are payable in cash, common shares or a combination thereof
at the discretion of the Boards Compensation and
Nominating Committee.
13
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
A total of 936,000 performance units were authorized and awarded
under the PUP at December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 (or up to
1,872,000 common shares should the maximum harvest of 200%
of units apply) covering the three performance periods
2002-2004, 2003-2005 and 2004-2006.
For the 2002-2004 cycle, the actual harvest ratio as determined
by the Compensation and Nominating Committee, was 132.0%. On
February 28, 2005 the Company paid out the 2002-2004 PUP
accrual of $14.0 million.
For the 2003-2005 cycle, the performance target for a 100%
harvest ratio is the achievement of an overall combined ratio of
72% over the period or the achievement of an annual total return
to shareholders of 18% as measured over the period. To date we
have experienced an overall combined ratio less than 72% for
this three-year performance period. Taking into account our
results to date as well as the estimated overall combined ratio
for the remainder of this performance period, we have adjusted
the estimated harvest ratio from 116.4% at December 31,
2004 to 115.0% at March 31, 2005.
For the 2004-2006 cycle, the performance target for a 100%
harvest ratio is the achievement of an overall combined ratio of
72% over the period or the achievement of an annual total return
to shareholders of 18% as measured over the period. Consistent
with our accounting policy, we are estimating the PUP liability
and PUP expense using a 100% harvest ratio and will reassess the
harvest ratio used in the calculation of the PUP liability at
June 30, 2005 and each quarter thereafter.
As at March 31, 2005, the following table summarizes the
impact of potential share price changes and potential
adjustments to the harvest ratio used in the liability
calculation on the amount of liability and expense recorded for
the outstanding three-year cycles of the LTIP and PUP plans ($
in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase/Decrease | |
|
|
Increase/Decrease | |
|
in PUP/LTIP | |
|
|
in PUP/LTIP | |
|
Accrual Resulting from a | |
|
|
Accrual Resulting from a | |
|
5% Increase/Decrease in | |
|
|
$1 Increase/Decrease in | |
|
the Estimated Harvest | |
PUP/LTIP Performance Period |
|
the Share Price* | |
|
Ratio Applied** | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
2003-05
|
|
$ |
289 |
|
|
$ |
473 |
|
2004-06
|
|
|
140 |
|
|
|
263 |
|
2005-07
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
* |
Based on estimated harvest ratios applied at March 31, 2005 |
|
|
** |
Based on the share price of $35.15 plus paid and accrued
dividends at March 31, 2005 |
An estimated 1% change in the estimated combined ratio is
approximately equivalent to a 5% change in the harvest ratio for
the respective performance period.
|
|
12. |
Statutory Requirements |
Montpelier Re is registered under The Insurance Act 1978
(Bermuda), Amendments Thereto and Related Regulations (the
Act). Under the Act, Montpelier Re is required to
annually prepare and file Statutory Financial Statements and a
Statutory Financial Return. The Act also requires Montpelier Re
to maintain a minimum share capital of $1.0 million and to
meet a minimum solvency margin equal to the greater of
$100.0 million, 50% of net premiums written or 15% of the
loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. For the three months
ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, Montpelier Re satisfied
these requirements.
The Act limits the maximum amount of annual dividends or
distributions paid by Montpelier Re to the Company without the
prior notification to, and in certain cases the approval of, the
Bermuda Monetary Authority of such payment.
Montpelier Re is also required to maintain a minimum liquidity
ratio, which was met for the periods ended March 31, 2005
and 2004.
14
|
|
Item 2. |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations |
The following is a discussion and analysis of our results of
operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and
2004 and financial condition as at March 31, 2005. This
discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the
unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes
thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this report and
with our audited consolidated financial statements and related
notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are not
historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and
expectations. These statements are based upon current plans,
estimates and projections. Our actual results may differ
materially from those projected in these forward-looking
statements as a result of various factors. See
Cautionary Statement under Safe Harbor
Provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 and Risk Factors contained in
Item 1 Business included in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Outlook and Trends
Generally speaking, pricing in property and other insurance and
reinsurance markets is cyclical in nature. Multi-year periods of
intense price competition and insufficient pricing (soft
market) have been followed by periods of higher,
sufficient pricing (a hard market). Then, over a
period of a few years, as lost capital is replenished, and new
competitors enter the business, prices fall again.
A hard market has sometimes been precipitated by a large
catastrophic event or series of events. The terrorist events of
September 11, 2001 occurred at the end of a long period of
insufficient pricing, including a period during which asbestos
and other latent loss liabilities had significantly weakened the
ability of some competitors to assume insurance risk. For these
reasons, adequately priced opportunities were widespread for the
past few years.
In market loss terms, 2004 was the worst year ever for insured
natural catastrophes. At December 31, 2004, we estimated
industry insured losses of approximately $37 billion for
the four U.S. hurricanes and two large Japanese typhoons
that occurred during the third quarter of 2004. Such
catastrophic events had a material adverse impact on our
financial condition and results of operations. While such events
might have been expected to improve pricing in the future, due
to the financial strength of the industry, in 2005 we continue
to see competition eroding the adequacy of rate levels in many
of the classes of business, with commercial property insurance
worldwide and non-U.S. property treaty renewals
particularly affected.
We expect that casualty reinsurance rates will remain relatively
stable overall. Rate levels in other classes of business are
expected to remain stable or decline.
Separately, we see the growth of a new class of competition in
our markets. Hedge Funds and, to a lesser extent, the issue of
catastrophe bonds, are elements we now see more regularly as
competition to traditional reinsurance markets.
In general, we estimate that our overall gross premiums written
for 2005 will be lower by at least 10%, and perhaps more, as
compared to 2004 as a result of the above factors, if as the
year develops, we find that we do not like the way market rates
are trending. See the gross premiums written discussion below
for additional commentary.
Results of Operations
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and
2004 |
The $34.5 million decrease in net income for the three
months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in
2004 was principally driven by an increase in loss and loss
adjustment expenses related to a number of individual risk
losses in the Property Specialty category which occurred during
the quarter, in addition to $3.5 million of net unfavorable loss
reserve development for the first quarter of 2005 as compared to
a significant overall favorable loss reserve development in the
first quarter of 2004 of $23.3 million. A
15
decrease in net premiums earned also contributed to the decrease
in net income as compared to the prior period.
These factors were partially offset by an increase in net
investment income as a result of our higher investment portfolio
average balance and an increase in net realized gains on
investments, mainly from the sale of a portion of our holdings
in Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited.
The following table summarizes our book value per common share
as at the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at | |
|
As at | |
|
|
March 31, 2005 | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Book value per share(1)
|
|
$ |
21.76 |
|
|
$ |
28.20 |
|
Fully converted book value per share(2)
|
|
$ |
21.24 |
|
|
$ |
26.75 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Based on total shareholders equity divided by basic shares
outstanding. |
|
(2) |
Fully converted book value per share is a non-GAAP measure based
on total shareholders equity plus the assumed proceeds
from the exercise of outstanding warrants of $119.6 million
at March 31, 2005 and outstanding options and warrants of
$157.5 million at December 31, 2004, divided by the
sum of shares and outstanding warrants (assuming their exercise)
of 70,499,922 shares at March 31, 2005 and divided by
the sum of shares, outstanding options and warrants of
71,372,892 shares at December 31, 2004. The Company
believes that fully converted book value per share more
accurately reflects the value attributable to a common share. |
We ended the quarter with a fully converted book value per share
(as defined above) of $21.24, a decrease of $5.51 from
December 31, 2004. This decrease of 20.6% resulted mainly
from the net impact of a special dividend of $5.50 per
common share and warrant paid during the first quarter of 2005,
our regular ordinary quarterly dividend, and the other
comprehensive loss of $38.5 million. We experienced a loss
of approximately 0.2% on our investment portfolio including
unrealized losses for the three months ended March 31, 2005.
Total return to shareholders, which is a non-GAAP measure, was
$0.35 or 1.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2005. It
measures the internal rate of return of the change in fully
converted book value per share from $26.75 at December 31,
2004 to $21.24 at March 31, 2005, giving effect to the
accrued ordinary quarterly dividend of $0.36 and the special
dividend of $5.50 per common share and warrant for the
three months ended March 31, 2005. Management believes that
this measure most accurately reflects the return made by its
shareholders as it takes into account the effect of all dilutive
securities and the effect of dividends.
Management believes that fully converted book value per share
and total return to shareholders are measurements which are
important to investors and other interested parties who benefit
from having a consistent basis for comparison with other
companies within the industry. However, these measures may not
be comparable to similarly titled measures used by companies
either outside or inside of the insurance industry. These
measures may be incorporated into the formulae applied by our
Compensation and Nominating Committee when determining the
harvest ratio under our Performance Unit Plan and our Long-Term
Incentive Plan.
16
The following table summarizes our consolidated financial
results for the periods indicated ($ in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
|
Ended March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Net premiums earned
|
|
$ |
180.5 |
|
|
$ |
190.8 |
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
21.4 |
|
|
|
15.3 |
|
Net realized gains on investments
|
|
|
12.3 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
Net foreign exchange (losses) gains
|
|
|
(3.3 |
) |
|
|
1.0 |
|
Loss and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
79.5 |
|
|
|
46.2 |
|
Acquisition costs
|
|
|
37.4 |
|
|
|
35.7 |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
15.2 |
|
|
|
13.7 |
|
Financing expense
|
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
74.5 |
|
|
$ |
109.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per common share
|
|
$ |
1.19 |
|
|
$ |
1.72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per common share
|
|
$ |
1.11 |
|
|
$ |
1.59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Details of gross premiums written by line of business are
provided below ($ in millions):
Gross Premiums Written by Line
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Property Specialty
|
|
$ |
79.4 |
|
|
|
26.0 |
% |
|
$ |
88.1 |
|
|
|
26.5 |
% |
Property Catastrophe
|
|
|
155.8 |
|
|
|
50.9 |
|
|
|
174.7 |
|
|
|
52.4 |
|
Other Specialty
|
|
|
70.1 |
|
|
|
22.8 |
|
|
|
69.1 |
|
|
|
20.7 |
|
Qualifying Quota Share
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
306.3 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
333.2 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The decrease in gross premiums written during the quarter ended
March 31, 2005, as compared to the same period in 2004 was
mainly as a result of continued competition which has eroded the
adequacy of rate levels in many of the classes of business, with
commercial property insurance worldwide and
non-U.S. property treaty renewals particularly impacted.
The January 2005 renewal season saw increasing price
deterioration and a reduced number of risks meeting our return
criteria. However, while we believe pricing remains adequate on
the business we have renewed, we have declined a significant
number of programs in all categories where we believe pricing
was inadequate. As a result, the January renewal season showed
an initial reduction in our estimated premium income on an
underwriting year basis of approximately 20% by comparison to
the same time last year. This is not necessarily indicative of
our expectations of our level of gross premiums written for 2005
as a whole mainly because for some business, particularly
pro-rata business, there is a time lag between when contracts
are bound and when the original underlying policies are written.
The April renewal season saw some modest rate improvements,
particularly on Japan windstorm risks. There are early signs
that Florida renewals may show improvements in pricing but
general price levels as well as terms and conditions of
contracts in the overall market continue to weaken. Our 2005
gross premiums written amount will depend significantly upon the
outcome of these opportunities, and, of course, any significant
loss activity during 2005. As it currently stands we expect that
our overall gross premiums written for 2005 will be lower than
2004 by at least 10% and perhaps more if as the year develops we
find that we do not like the way
17
the market rates are trending. We expect that casualty
reinsurance rates will remain relatively stable overall. Rate
levels in other classes of business are expected to remain
stable or to decline.
Gross premiums written related to the Property Specialty
category have decreased somewhat from the same period in 2004.
Absent a $12.0 million adjustment premium recorded during
the first quarter of 2004, gross premiums written would have
decreased by approximately 21% from the same period last year.
This decrease is due to the price deterioration as discussed
above.
The Property Catastrophe category has declined during the first
quarter of 2005 by approximately 11% as compared to the same
period in 2004, again as a result of the price deterioration as
discussed above. Price deterioration on Property Catastrophe
risks has been less steep than on Property Specialty risks
overall.
Gross premiums written in the Other Specialty category for 2005
are comparable to those written in 2004. As expected, we have
written a modestly larger amount of casualty reinsurance in 2005
as compared to 2004. Casualty reinsurance business includes
medical malpractice, specialized errors and omissions business,
UK employers liability and catastrophe and/or clash layers
for general liability and retrocessional account, predominantly
on an excess of loss basis. For the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and 2004, casualty accounted for
approximately 9.1% and 6.5% of gross premiums written,
respectively. We estimate that casualty business will account
for approximately 10% to 15% of our gross premiums written
during 2005, but this could be affected by premium rate levels.
Casualty business is expected to be a higher percentage of gross
premiums written due to the decline in other business written as
discussed above.
As we no longer write QQS business, the QQS gross premiums
written in 2005 and 2004 related to adjustments in estimates to
the 2003 and 2002 underwriting years, mainly as a result of the
movement in foreign exchange rates. We expect to commute all
2002 underwriting year QQS contracts during the second or third
quarter of 2005.
As expected, the proportion of Property Catastrophe gross
premiums written as a percentage of total gross premiums written
is substantially higher than the Property Specialty class during
the first quarter of 2005 and 2004 because a proportionally
higher volume of Property Catastrophe business is traditionally
written during the first quarter. Other lines of business,
including Property Specialty, are written throughout the year,
with the least amount of premiums being written during the
fourth quarter. We expect that by the end of the year the
Property Specialty and Property Catastrophe categories will
continue to account for the largest portion of gross premiums
written.
|
|
|
Reinsurance Premiums Ceded |
Reinsurance premiums ceded for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and 2004 were $26.9 million and
$35.9 million, respectively. For both the 2005 and 2004
periods we have purchased reinsurance protecting ourselves
against large risk losses on our direct and facultative book and
catastrophes on our overall property writings. Excluding
reinstatement reinsurance premiums ceded related to the
catastrophes which occurred during the third quarter of 2004, we
anticipate that reinsurance premiums ceded for the
2005 year will be at similar levels as in 2004.
Net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and 2004 were $180.5 million and $190.8 million,
respectively. Approximately 69.9% and 65.8% of net premiums
earned during the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively, related to prior underwriting years and the
remainder to business written in the respective underwriting
year.
Net premiums earned decreased slightly in the three months ended
March 31, 2005 as compared to 2004, mainly due to the
decrease in gross and net premiums written during the first
quarter of 2005 and the expensing of the additional reinsurance
purchased during 2004. Net premiums earned are expected to
decrease in 2005 due to the expected decline in gross and net
premiums written during 2005 as discussed above.
18
|
|
|
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses |
The underwriting results of an insurance or reinsurance company
are often measured by reference to its loss ratio and expense
ratio. The loss ratio is calculated by dividing loss and loss
adjustment expenses incurred (including estimates for incurred
but not reported losses) by net premiums earned. The expense
ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition costs combined with
general and administrative expenses by net premiums earned. The
combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense
ratio.
For comparative purposes, our combined ratio and components
thereof are set out below for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
|
Ended March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Net loss ratio
|
|
|
44.1 |
% |
|
|
24.2 |
% |
Expense ratio
|
|
|
29.1 |
% |
|
|
25.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined ratio
|
|
|
73.2 |
% |
|
|
50.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses were $79.5 million
and $46.2 million for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and 2004, respectively. Much of the variation in the loss
ratios between the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
results from increases in the projected losses related to the
four U.S. hurricanes and Japanese typhoon Songda, which
occurred during the third quarter of 2004. Our estimated gross
losses for these events increased by $36.7 million during
the quarter. Reinsurance recoveries of $17.0 million and
$(0.5) million were netted against loss and loss adjustment
expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and
2004, respectively. During the first quarter of 2005 we recorded
$17.2 million of reinsurance recoveries related to the 2004
hurricanes. The remainder of the recoveries recorded during the
first quarter of 2005, and all of the recoveries recorded during
the same period in 2004, related to QQS business. Based on
additional information received from the QQS syndicates, we
reduced our estimated recovery ratio on reinsurance purchased by
the QQS syndicates which resulted in a reinsurance recovery
amount of $(0.2) million for the three months ended
March 31, 2005, compared to $(0.5)million in 2004.
We paid net losses of $55.0 million and $19.1 million
for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. The majority of the increase in paid losses during
2005 as compared to 2004 related to claim payments made of
$40.0 million related to the 2004 catastrophes as discussed
above. In addition, we would also expect net paid losses to
increase compared to the prior year during the remainder of the
year as our book of business matures and we make claim payments
related to multiple underwriting years. We also expect that our
paid losses will be higher than average during the first six
months of 2005 as we continue to pay claims related to the 2004
catastrophes. At March 31, 2005, approximately 39% of our
gross reserves related to the third quarter 2004 catastrophes.
The following are our net loss ratios by line of business for
the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
|
Ended March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005(1) | |
|
2004(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Property Specialty
|
|
|
60.4 |
% |
|
|
24.5 |
% |
Property Catastrophe
|
|
|
31.4 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
|
Other Specialty
|
|
|
25.6 |
|
|
|
52.7 |
|
Qualifying Quota Share
|
|
|
225.9 |
|
|
|
50.2 |
|
|
Overall Net Loss Ratio
|
|
|
44.1 |
% |
|
|
24.2 |
% |
|
|
(1) |
The overall gross loss ratio for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 was 49.1%. |
|
(2) |
The overall gross loss ratio for the three months ended
March 31, 2004 was 22.4%. |
19
The Property Catastrophe and Property Specialty groups of
business contained the lines most impacted by the aforementioned
catastrophes and accounted for the higher net loss ratios
resulting from increases in estimates for ultimate losses for
the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the first quarter of
2004. In addition, the level of reported losses excluding those
events was higher than in 2004. In contrast, the Property
Catastrophe loss ratio for the first three months of 2004
benefited from a lack of catastrophic events during that quarter
as well as favorable prior year development. The Other Specialty
class continues to experience very low levels of reported
losses. Some of the decrease in the loss ratio for the three
months ended March 31, 2005 compared with the prior year is
due to a reduction in the estimated ultimate losses for the
December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami which is included in the
Other Specialty line of business. The Qualifying Quota Share
loss ratio for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 is higher
than for the same period in 2004. This increase is due to a
combination of factors, including increases in the projected
loss ratios provided by the syndicates as well as a negative
impact from foreign currency fluctuations. Because we stopped
writing QQS business in 2004, our net premiums earned in this
category are small and declining, which results in a net loss
ratio which is not a meaningful measurement for this category.
The 2002 underwriting year QQS contracts are expected to be
commuted during the second or third quarter of 2005.
The following tables set forth a reconciliation of our gross and
net loss and loss adjustment expense reserves by line of
business for the three months ended March 31, 2005 ($ in
millions):
Gross Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ultimate | |
|
|
|
|
Gross | |
|
|
|
Gross | |
|
Losses for the | |
|
Gross | |
|
|
Reserves at | |
|
Change in Prior | |
|
Paid Losses | |
|
2005 Year at | |
|
Reserves at | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
Years Estimates | |
|
During | |
|
March 31, | |
|
March 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
During 2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Property Specialty
|
|
$ |
207.7 |
|
|
$ |
11.9 |
|
|
$ |
(16.7 |
) |
|
$ |
40.9 |
|
|
$ |
243.8 |
|
Property Catastrophe
|
|
|
156.8 |
|
|
|
17.5 |
|
|
|
(29.3 |
) |
|
|
7.7 |
|
|
|
152.7 |
|
Other Specialty
|
|
|
128.6 |
|
|
|
(13.5 |
) |
|
|
(4.1 |
) |
|
|
25.3 |
|
|
|
136.3 |
|
Qualifying Quota Share
|
|
|
56.4 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
|
|
(5.3 |
) |
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
57.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
549.5 |
|
|
$ |
20.5 |
|
|
$ |
(55.4 |
) |
|
$ |
76.1 |
|
|
$ |
590.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ultimate | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses for the | |
|
Net | |
|
|
Net Reserves at | |
|
Change in Prior | |
|
Net | |
|
2005 Year at | |
|
Reserves at | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
Years Estimates | |
|
Paid Losses | |
|
March 31, | |
|
March 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
During 2005 | |
|
During 2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Property Specialty
|
|
$ |
160.8 |
|
|
$ |
(0.1 |
) |
|
$ |
(16.7 |
) |
|
$ |
40.9 |
|
|
$ |
184.9 |
|
Property Catastrophe
|
|
|
117.9 |
|
|
|
12.3 |
|
|
|
(29.3 |
) |
|
|
7.7 |
|
|
|
108.6 |
|
Other Specialty
|
|
|
128.6 |
|
|
|
(13.5 |
) |
|
|
(4.1 |
) |
|
|
25.3 |
|
|
|
136.3 |
|
Qualifying Quota Share
|
|
|
47.5 |
|
|
|
4.8 |
|
|
|
(4.9 |
) |
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
49.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
454.8 |
|
|
$ |
3.5 |
|
|
$ |
(55.0 |
) |
|
$ |
76.1 |
|
|
$ |
479.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The three months ended March 31, 2005 include approximately
$3.5 million of net adverse development from prior years,
increasing the net loss ratio for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 by 1.9 points. This compares with
$23.3 million of favorable development from prior years in
the first quarter of 2004, which benefited the net loss ratio by
12.2 points.
20
The net adverse development during the three months ended
March 31, 2005 of losses incurred during prior accident
years resulted from the following:
|
|
|
|
|
In the Property Specialty category, the gross estimate of loss
and loss adjustment expenses from the 2004 catastrophes
increased by approximately $15.2 million during the first
quarter of 2005. However, much of this increase was covered by
our reinsurance program, and the increase in net estimated
losses from these events was $3.2 million during the
quarter. We experienced offsetting favorable development on
events from the 2002 and 2003 accident years, resulting in
$0.1 million of favorable development on projected net loss
and loss adjustment expenses over all prior accident years. |
|
|
|
In the Property Catastrophe category, the gross estimate of loss
and loss adjustment expenses from all prior years increased by
$17.5 million during the quarter, driven primarily by
increases in ultimate loss estimates for the 2004 hurricanes,
typhoons and tsunami. However, a portion of this increase was
covered by our reinsurance program, resulting in
$12.3 million of unfavorable development on projected net
loss and loss adjustment expenses over all prior accident years. |
|
|
|
With regards to our Other Specialty category, claim frequency
has continued to be very low for these classes of business. We
have given more weight to the actual loss experience compared to
the initial expected loss ratios in our reserving process,
resulting in reduced projections for prior accident years. The
lower selected loss ratios have resulted in a reduction of
$13.5 million in net loss and loss adjustment expense
reserves for our Other Specialty business. |
|
|
|
During the three months ended March 31, 2005, we increased
our expected gross loss ratio for QQS business. Some of the
increase was based on higher loss ratio estimates provided by
the ceding companies. We also recognized some losses from
foreign currency fluctuations. Taking into account the effect of
reinsurance purchased by the QQS syndicates with respect to the
contracts in which we participate, our net loss and loss
adjustment expense reserves increased by $4.8 million for
the quarter ended March 31, 2005. We expect to commute the
2002 QQS contracts during the second or third quarter of 2005. |
Other than the matters described above, we did not make any
significant changes in the assumptions or methodology used in
our reserving process during the three months ended
March 31, 2005.
At March 31, 2005, we estimated our gross and net reserves
for loss and loss adjustment expenses using the methodology as
outlined in our Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates
later in this section.
Management has determined that the best estimate for gross loss
and loss adjustment expense reserves at March 31, 2005 and
2004 was $590.7 million and $276.3 million,
respectively.
Management has determined that the best estimate for net loss
and loss adjustment expense reserves at March 31, 2005 and
2004 was $479.4 million and $269.2 million,
respectively.
The following are managements best estimate of a range of
likely outcomes around their best estimate of gross and net loss
and loss adjustment expense reserves by line of business ($ in
millions):
Gross Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves at
March 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Low End of | |
|
|
|
High End of | |
|
|
the Range | |
|
Selected | |
|
the Range | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Property Specialty
|
|
$ |
182.8 |
|
|
$ |
243.8 |
|
|
$ |
304.8 |
|
Property Catastrophe
|
|
|
122.2 |
|
|
|
152.7 |
|
|
|
183.2 |
|
Other Specialty
|
|
|
102.2 |
|
|
|
136.3 |
|
|
|
170.4 |
|
Qualifying Quota Share
|
|
|
49.2 |
|
|
|
57.9 |
|
|
|
66.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
590.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
Net Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves at
March 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Low End of | |
|
|
|
High End of | |
|
|
the Range | |
|
Selected | |
|
the Range | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Property Specialty
|
|
$ |
138.7 |
|
|
$ |
184.9 |
|
|
$ |
231.1 |
|
Property Catastrophe
|
|
|
86.9 |
|
|
|
108.6 |
|
|
|
130.3 |
|
Other Specialty
|
|
|
102.2 |
|
|
|
136.3 |
|
|
|
170.4 |
|
Qualifying Quota Share
|
|
|
42.2 |
|
|
|
49.6 |
|
|
|
57.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
479.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Foreign Exchange Gains (Losses) |
Net foreign exchange gains (losses) result from the effect of
the fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates on the
translation of foreign currency assets and liabilities combined
with realized gains (losses) resulting from the receipt of
premium installments and payment of claims in foreign
currencies. The foreign exchange (loss) gain during the three
months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 is primarily due to
the (strengthening) weakening of the U.S. dollar
resulting in (losses) gains on translation arising out of
receipts of foreign currency premium installments. Our premiums
receivable and liabilities for losses incurred in foreign
currencies are exposed to the risk of changes in value resulting
from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and may affect our
financial results in the future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
|
Ended March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
($ in millions) | |
Acquisition costs (including profit commission)
|
|
$ |
37.4 |
|
|
$ |
35.7 |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
$ |
15.2 |
|
|
$ |
13.7 |
|
Expense Ratio (including profit commission)
|
|
|
29.1 |
% |
|
|
25.9 |
% |
Expense Ratio (excluding profit commission)
|
|
|
27.2 |
% |
|
|
23.7 |
% |
Acquisition costs are generally driven by contract terms and are
normally a set percentage of premiums. General and
administrative expenses are comprised of fixed expenses, which
include salaries and benefits, share options, office and risk
management expenses, and variable expenses which include costs
related to our performance unit plan, long-term incentive plan
and bonuses.
Acquisition costs as a percentage of gross premiums earned,
excluding reinsurance and profit commission, were 17.3% and
15.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. The 2005 ratio is slightly higher than the 2004
ratio as a result of an increase in acquisition costs due to the
increased level of proportional business written. We anticipate
that the acquisition cost ratio, excluding profit commission,
will remain at a similar level in 2005 as in 2004 although the
amount may vary due to the mix of business written and estimated
loss experience.
Profit commission expensed was $3.4 million and
$4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005
and 2004, respectively. Profit commission has declined
substantially as compared to the same period in 2004 mainly due
to the increase in loss and loss adjustment expenses related to
the third quarter of 2004 catastrophes. Profit commission will
fluctuate as our estimate of loss and loss adjustment expense
reserves fluctuates.
22
General and administrative expenses for the periods indicated
consisted of the following ($ in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
|
Ended March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Fixed expenses, excluding share options
|
|
$ |
10.5 |
|
|
$ |
8.2 |
|
Current and deferred incentive compensation
|
|
|
3.5 |
|
|
|
4.9 |
|
Fair value of share options expense
|
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total General and Administrative expenses
|
|
$ |
15.2 |
|
|
$ |
13.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in general and administrative expenses from 2004 to
2005 is partially as a result of an increase in fixed expenses
for professional fees and office expenses, consistent with the
increase in staff numbers which occurred later in 2004. This was
partially offset by a decrease in the accrual for current and
deferred incentive compensation expense as described below.
For the three months ended March 31, 2005, the performance
unit plan (PUP) expense and Long-Term Incentive Plan
(LTIP) expense included in current and deferred
incentive compensation were lower than the same period in 2004
as a result of a combination of factors. For the 2002-2004
performance period the PUP expense was being accrued based on an
estimated harvest ratio of 166.5%. This performance period was
paid out during the first quarter of 2005 in the amount of
$14.0 million using an ending harvest ratio of 132.0%,
which was lower than the ratio at March 31, 2004 due to the
third quarter 2004 catastrophes. The new LTIP plan came into
effect on January 1, 2005 and for the first quarter of 2005
we accrued the estimated LTIP expense based on an estimated
harvest ratio of 100.0%, which is consistent with our accounting
policy. For the 2003-2005 period, the harvest ratio increased to
115.0% at March 31, 2005 from 100.0% at the end of
March 31, 2004. The share price, including an adjustment
for dividends paid during the performance period for 2005 only,
was at a similar level as in 2004. The overall effect was a net
decrease in the PUP and LTIP expense as compared to 2004.
We anticipate that our general and administrative expense ratio
will increase during 2005 as we expect our general and
administrative expenses to be at a similar level to 2004 but
anticipate that our earned premium will decline as discussed in
the Gross Premiums Written section above.
The remaining share options were converted into common voting
shares during the first quarter of 2005 and the remaining
unvested balance was expensed. There will be no additional share
options expense for the remainder of 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
|
Ended March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
($ in millions) | |
Net investment income
|
|
$ |
21.4 |
|
|
$ |
15.3 |
|
Net investment income was primarily composed of interest on
coupon-paying bonds and bank interest, partially offset by
accretion of premium on bonds and investment management and
custodian fees of $3.2 million and $4.4 million for
the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. The investment management fees were paid to White
Mountains Advisors LLC, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of
White Mountains Insurance Group, one of our major shareholders.
Management believes that the fees charged were consistent with
those that would have been charged by an unrelated party.
Excluding accretion of premium on bonds, the investment
management and custodian fees are higher for 2005 as compared to
2004 due to a larger asset base for the majority of the first
quarter of 2005 as compared to 2004. The fees will vary as our
mix of investments changes.
Because we provide short-tail insurance and reinsurance coverage
for losses resulting mainly from natural and man-made
catastrophes, we could become liable to pay substantial claims
on short notice. Accordingly, we have structured our investment
portfolio to preserve capital and provide us with a high level
of liquidity,
23
which means that the large majority of our investment portfolio
contains shorter term fixed maturity investments, such as
U.S. government securities, U.S. government-sponsored
enterprises securities, corporate debt securities and
mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.
Based on the weighted average monthly investments held, and
including net unrealized (losses) gains of $(38.5) million
and $25.9 million for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and 2004, respectively, the total investment return was
(0.2)% and 1.8%, respectively. In 2005, as expected, our
investment income has increased as a result of our larger
investment portfolio, but has been offset somewhat by the higher
level of paid claims during the quarter related to the
catastrophes that occurred during the third quarter of 2004. Net
paid claims were $55.0 million during the first quarter of
2005 as compared to $19.1 million during the same period in
2004. During 2005, we expect to continue to pay substantial
additional claims related to the catastrophes and, as such, the
portfolio may shrink which may lead to minimal growth or a
reduction in net investment income for the year. In addition,
the level of the investment portfolio and related investment
income will be affected by the special dividend of
$387.7 million we paid on March 31, 2005, any
catastrophes which could occur during the remainder of 2005, and
by any other capital management initiatives which may be enacted.
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 were
$818.1 million and $459.5 million, respectively. Gross
realized losses during the first quarter of 2005 included a loss
of $0.2 million relating to equity securities for declines
in value considered to be other than temporary. There were no
such losses realized during the first quarter of 2004. The
aggregate fair value of securities in an unrealized loss
position was $1.7 billion and $191.8 million at
March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Of the gross
unrealized losses of $29.7 million at March 31, 2005,
investments with a market value of $36.8 million,
representing gross unrealized losses of $0.3 million, have
been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than
12 months. Of the gross unrealized losses of
$0.2 million at March 31, 2004, no investment had
continuously been in an unrealized loss position for more than
12 months.
We believe that the gross unrealized losses relating to our
fixed maturity investments at March 31, 2005 of
$29.6 million resulted primarily from increases in market
interest rates from the dates that certain investments within
that portfolio were acquired as opposed to fundamental changes
in the credit quality of the issuers of such securities.
Therefore, these decreases in value are viewed as being
temporary because we have the intent and ability to retain such
investments for a period of time sufficient to allow for any
anticipated recovery in market value. We also believe that the
gross unrealized losses relating to our equity portfolio of
$0.1 million at March 31, 2005 are temporary based on
an analysis of various factors including the time period during
which the individual investment has been in an unrealized loss
position and the significance of the decline.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
|
Ended March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in millions) | |
Fees letter of credit facilities
|
|
$ |
0.4 |
|
|
$ |
0.4 |
|
Interest Senior Notes
|
|
|
3.9 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
|
Interest term loan and revolving facilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Interest Expense
|
|
$ |
4.3 |
|
|
$ |
4.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees for the letter of credit facilities relates to the Letters
of Credit that we have in place as detailed in the Capital
Resources section below.
We paid interest expense related to the Senior Notes during the
three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 of
$7.7 million and $8.1 million, respectively.
24
|
|
|
Net Realized Gains on Investments |
Net realized gains on investments for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and 2004 were $12.3 million and
$1.7 million, respectively, which were due to net gains
realized from the sale of fixed maturity and equity investments,
and in particular, the $15.8 million in realized gains from
the sales of Aspen shares during the first quarter of 2005.
Financial Condition and Liquidity
We are a holding company that conducts no operations of our own.
We rely primarily on cash dividends and management fees from
Montpelier Re to pay our operating expenses, interest on our
debt and dividends to our shareholders and warrant holders.
There are restrictions on the payment of dividends from
Montpelier Re to the Company, which are described in more detail
below. We currently have in place a regular dividend program of
$0.36 per common voting share and warrant per quarter. In
addition, on February 25, 2005 we declared a special
dividend in the amount of $5.50 per common voting share and
warrant which was paid on March 31, 2005 to shareholders
and warrant holders of record at March 15, 2005. We expect
to continue the payment of regular dividends in the future but
we cannot assure that such payments will continue. Any
determination to pay any future cash dividends will be at the
discretion of our Board of Directors and will be dependent upon
our results of operations and cash flows, our financial position
and capital requirements, general business conditions, legal,
tax, regulatory and any contractual restrictions on the payment
of dividends, and any other factors our Board of Directors deems
relevant.
Our ability to underwrite business is dependent upon the quality
of our claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated
by independent rating agencies. In the normal course of
business, we evaluate our capital needs to support the volume of
business written in order to maintain our claims paying and
financial strength ratings. We regularly provide financial
information to rating agencies to both maintain and enhance
existing ratings.
Capital Resources
Our shareholders equity at March 31, 2005 was
$1,377.8 million, of which $246.4 million was retained
earnings. Our capital base has decreased by $374.1 million
since December 31, 2004, mainly as a result of the special
dividend paid as discussed above, offset by earnings for the
quarter. Our contractual obligations and commitments are set out
below as at March 31, 2005.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due in | |
|
|
|
|
|
Due in | |
|
|
|
|
Less than | |
|
Due in | |
|
Due in | |
|
More than | |
|
|
Total | |
|
1 Year | |
|
1-3 Years | |
|
3-5 Years | |
|
5 Years | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
($ in thousands) | |
Debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.125% Senior Notes due 2013
|
|
$ |
378,243 |
|
|
$ |
15,313 |
|
|
$ |
30,625 |
|
|
$ |
30,625 |
|
|
$ |
301,680 |
|
Gross Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves
|
|
|
590,665 |
|
|
|
383,420 |
|
|
|
134,617 |
|
|
|
51,823 |
|
|
|
20,805 |
|
Operating leases
|
|
|
40,890 |
|
|
|
1,949 |
|
|
|
8,211 |
|
|
|
9,202 |
|
|
|
21,528 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
1,009,798 |
|
|
$ |
400,682 |
|
|
$ |
173,453 |
|
|
$ |
91,650 |
|
|
$ |
344,013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On August 4, 2003, we issued $250.0 million aggregate
principal amount of senior unsecured debt (the Senior
Notes) at an issue price of 99.517% of their principal
amount. The net proceeds were used to repay a term loan facility
with the remainder used for general corporate purposes. The
Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.125% per annum,
payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and
August 15 of each year. Unless previously redeemed, the
Senior Notes will mature on August 15, 2013. We may redeem
the Senior Notes at any time and from time to time, in whole or
in part, at a make-whole redemption price. The Senior
25
Notes do not contain any covenants regarding financial ratios or
specified levels of net worth or liquidity to which we must
adhere.
The table above includes the estimated timing of the payment of
estimated future cash flows for gross loss and loss adjustment
expenses based on our best estimate of obligations to pay
policyholders at March 31, 2005. The amount and timing of
the cash flows are uncertain and do not have contractual payout
terms. Due to the short-tail nature of our business, we expect
that gross and net loss and loss adjustment expenses generally
will be settled during the time period in which they are
incurred. For a discussion of these uncertainties refer to the
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves section below.
These estimated obligations will be funded through existing cash
and investments.
We may issue additional debt or equity as circumstances warrant.
In this regard, on February 12, 2004 we filed a universal
shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the potential
future sale of up to $500.0 million of debt, trust
preferred and/or equity securities. The registration statement
was declared effective and should provide us with significant
flexibility with respect to our access to the public capital
markets. Also included in the registration statement were
31,665,460 common shares which may be offered for sale by
our shareholders. We will not receive any proceeds from sales by
our shareholders but may have to pay related expenses. We cannot
assure you that additional financing under the universal shelf
registration statement or elsewhere will be available at terms
acceptable to us.
On May 26, 2004 our Board of Directors approved a plan to
repurchase up to $150.0 million of our common shares from
time to time depending on market conditions during a period of
up to 24 months. On June 2, 2004, we repurchased
1,263,865 common shares at $34.50 per common share.
The closing market price per common share on May 28, 2004
was $34.88. The purchase price totaled $43.6 million and
was funded using existing cash on hand. On August 5, 2004,
we repurchased a further 625,000 common shares at
$35.00 per common share. The closing market price per
common share on August 3, 2004 was $35.43. The purchase
price totaled $21.9 million and was funded using existing
cash on hand. No repurchases occurred during the three months
ended March 31, 2005.
Our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer adopted a
written plan in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the purpose of the exercise
of options and the sale of limited amounts of our shares owned
by him. The plan, which has now been exhausted, covered the
possible exercise of 600,000 options and share sales over a
12 month period commencing March 3, 2004, subject to
market conditions and the terms of the plan. Pursuant to this
plan, options for 10,000 and 90,000 common shares were
exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2005 at
exercise prices of $16.67 and $17.50, respectively, resulting in
an increase in common shares by their par amount and an increase
in additional paid-in capital of $1.7 million.
On March 4, 2005, the Compensation and Nominating Committee
permitted certain founding executive officers of the Company to
exercise their 1,822,500 remaining vested and unvested
share options in exchange for 599,187 and
408,489 unrestricted and restricted shares, respectively,
resulting in an increase in common shares by their par amount
and a decrease in additional paid-in capital of an equivalent
amount.
Credit Facilities ($ in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit Line | |
|
Usage | |
|
Expiry Date | |
|
Purpose |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Letters of Credit Facilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One facility Total
|
|
$ |
500,000 |
|
|
$ |
357,186 |
|
|
|
May 2007 |
|
|
Required security for reinsureds; general corporate purposes (up
to $50,000 only) |
One facility Total
|
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
Nil |
|
|
|
December 2005 |
|
|
Required security for reinsureds |
In the normal course of business, we provide security to
reinsureds as required under contract provisions. Such security
takes the form of a letter of credit issued by a bank at our
request. In order for us to write Lloyds Qualifying Quota
Share business, we were required to provide a letter of credit
in favor of The Society and Council of Lloyds
(Lloyds) in accordance with Lloyds
rules. Effective May 27, 2004, the Company
26
entered into a three-year Amended and Restated Letter of Credit
Reimbursement and Pledge Agreement with Banc of America
Securities LLC and a syndicate of lending institutions for the
provision of a letter of credit facility for the account of
Montpelier Re in favor of Lloyds or certain
U.S. ceding companies (Tranche A) in an
amount of up to $250.0 million, and in favor of certain
U.S. ceding companies only (Tranche B) in an
amount of up to $200.0 million of which up to
$50.0 million may be used by us as a revolving line of
credit for general corporate purposes. On October 28, 2004,
we exercised an option to increase the aggregate amount of
Tranche B by $50.0 million to $250.0 million as
we anticipated that reinsureds would be requesting additional
security as a result of the third quarter catastrophes. Letters
of credit issued under this facility at March 31, 2005 were
$357.2 million and are secured by cash and investments of
approximately $392.9 million.
Effective December 23, 2004, Montpelier Re entered into a
$50.0 million Letter of Credit Reimbursement and Pledge
Agreement with HSBC Bank USA, National Association. The
agreement is a one year secured facility that allows Montpelier
Re to request the issuance of up to $50.0 million in
letters of credit. The agreements covenants are the same
as those under the Letter of Credit Facility Agreement and are
described below. There were no letters of credit issued under
this facility at March 31, 2005.
We expect these letter of credit facilities to be sufficient to
support Montpelier Res estimated obligations for the next
12 months in the absence of a very major catastrophe. The
Letter of Credit Facility Agreements contain covenants that
limit our and Montpelier Res ability, among other things,
to grant liens on their assets, sell assets, merge or
consolidate. The Letter of Credit Facility Agreements also
require us to maintain specific financial ratios and Montpelier
Re to maintain certain credit ratings. If we or Montpelier Re
fail to comply with these covenants or meet these financial
ratios, the lenders could declare a default and begin exercising
remedies against the collateral, Montpelier Re would not be able
to request the issuance of additional letters of credit and we
would not be able to borrow under the revolving line of credit.
For the three months ended March 31, 2005, each of the
Company and Montpelier Re we were in compliance with all
covenants.
Montpelier Re is registered under The Insurance Act 1978
(Bermuda), Amendments Thereto and Related Regulations (the
Act). Under the Act, Montpelier Re is required
annually to prepare and file Statutory Financial Statements and
a Statutory Financial Return. The Act also requires Montpelier
Re to meet minimum solvency requirements. For the three months
ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, Montpelier Re satisfied
these requirements.
Bermuda law limits the maximum amount of annual dividends or
distributions payable by Montpelier Re to us and in certain
cases requires the prior notification to, or the approval of,
the Bermuda Monetary Authority. Subject to such laws, the
directors of Montpelier Re have the unilateral authority to
declare or not to declare dividends to us. There is no assurance
that dividends will be declared or paid in the future.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We are not party to any off-balance sheet transaction, agreement
or other contractual arrangement to which an entity
unconsolidated with us is a party that management believes is
reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our
financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of
operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources
that is material to investors.
27
Investments
The table below shows the aggregate amounts of investments
available for sale, other investments and cash and cash
equivalents comprising our portfolio of invested assets ($ in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at | |
|
As at | |
|
|
March 31, 2005 | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value
|
|
$ |
1,882,210 |
|
|
$ |
2,325,273 |
|
Equity investments, available for sale, at fair value
|
|
|
113,115 |
|
|
|
143,435 |
|
Other investments, at estimated fair value
|
|
|
19,889 |
|
|
|
19,373 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, at fair value
|
|
|
222,249 |
|
|
|
110,576 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Invested Assets
|
|
$ |
2,237,463 |
|
|
$ |
2,598,657 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Because a significant portion of our contracts provide
short-tail reinsurance coverage for losses resulting mainly from
natural and man-made catastrophes, we could become liable for a
significant amount of losses on short notice. Accordingly, we
have structured our investment portfolio to preserve capital and
provide us with significant liquidity, which means that our
investment portfolio contains a significant amount of relatively
short term fixed maturity investments, such as
U.S. government securities, U.S. government-sponsored
enterprises securities, corporate debt securities and
mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.
The market value of our portfolio of fixed maturity investments
at March 31, 2005 comprises U.S. government securities
(15.8%), non U.S. government securities (2.2%),
U.S. government-sponsored enterprises securities (40.1%),
corporate debt securities (31.5%) and mortgage-backed and
asset-backed securities (10.4%). All of the fixed maturity
investments we currently hold were publicly traded at
March 31, 2005. Based on the weighted average monthly
investments held, and including net unrealized gains, our total
return on investments for the three months ended March 31,
2005 was (0.2)%. The average duration of our fixed maturity
portfolio was 2.3 years and the average rating of the
portfolio was AA+ at March 31, 2005. If the right
conditions arise in 2005, we may deploy further capital in
strategic investments or investment classes other than existing
classes.
We have an investment in the common shares of Aspen Insurance
Holdings Limited (Aspen), a Bermuda-based holding
company of Aspen Insurance UK Limited (Aspen Re). At
March 31, 2005, we owned 2.3 million common shares of
Aspen, which represented approximately 3.4% of Aspen on an
undiluted basis. Our investment in Aspen is carried at quoted
market value at March 31, 2005. At March 31, 2004 the
shareholders agreement and other restrictions presented
significant obstacles and uncertainties in the determination of
the number of shares that could be reasonably expected to
qualify for sale within one year. As a result of this
illiquidity, at March 31, 2004 a portion of the total
investment was considered restricted and was discounted. The
aggregate unrealized gain is included in accumulated other
comprehensive income. On February 3, 2005, we sold
1.5 million of our Aspen common shares at $24.80 per
common share for total proceeds of $37.2 million, realizing
a gain of $14.4 million. On March 29, 2005, we sold an
additional 0.2 million of our Aspen common shares at
$24.00 per common share for total proceeds of
$3.9 million, realizing a gain of $1.4 million. The
carrying value of Aspen at March 31, 2005 was
$58.9 million.
On August 2, 2004, we invested an aggregate of
$20.0 million as part of an investor group, which included
one of our major shareholders, acquiring the life and
investments business of Safeco Corporation (since renamed
Symetra Financial Corporation), pursuant to a Stock Purchase
Agreement. Symetra is an unquoted investment and is carried at
estimated fair value at March 31, 2005 of
$19.9 million based on reported net asset values and other
information available to management, with the unrealized loss
included in accumulated other comprehensive income.
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves
As described in the Summary of Critical Accounting
Estimates later in this section, for most insurance and
reinsurance companies, the most significant judgment made by
management is the estimation of the loss and loss adjustment
expense reserves. Due to the short-tail nature of our business,
generally we expect that the
28
majority of our losses will be paid relatively quickly. However,
this can be affected by such factors as the event causing the
loss, the location of the loss, and whether our losses are from
policies with insurers or reinsurers. Accordingly, it is
necessary to estimate, as part of the loss and loss adjustment
expense reserve, an amount for losses incurred but not reported
(IBNR). Net loss and loss adjustment expense
reserves at March 31, 2005 were $479.4 million,
$340.6 million of which was IBNR.
Significant assumptions are required to be made when
establishing loss reserves. For additional information
concerning loss and loss adjustment expenses see the Summary
of Critical Accounting Estimates later in this section.
Cash Flows
In the three months ended March 31, 2005, we generated an
operating net cash inflow of $86.2 million, primarily
relating to premiums received by Montpelier Re net of
acquisition costs. We paid losses of $55.0 million during
the three months ended March 31, 2005. We received a net
amount of $435.1 million from investments during the three
months ended March 31, 2005, and had a cash balance of
$222.2 million at March 31, 2005. The increase in
liquidity has resulted from premiums received and sales of
certain of our fixed maturities. Our liquidity depends on
operating, investing and financing cash flows as described below.
Our sources of funds primarily consist of the receipt of
premiums written, investment income and proceeds from sales and
redemptions of investments.
Cash is used primarily to pay loss and loss adjustment expenses,
brokerage commissions, excise taxes, general and administrative
expenses, to purchase new investments, to pay dividends, to pay
for any premiums retroceded and future authorized share
repurchases. In the first quarter of 2005 we have purchased
reinsurance protecting ourselves against large risk losses on
our direct and facultative book and against catastrophes on our
overall property writings. Excluding reinstatement reinsurance
premiums ceded related to the catastrophes which occurred during
the third quarter of 2004, we anticipate that reinsurance
premiums ceded for the 2005 year will be at similar levels
as in 2004.
Our cash flows from operations represent the difference between
premiums collected and investment earnings realized, loss and
loss adjustment expenses paid, underwriting and other expenses
paid and investment gains realized. Cash flows from operations
may differ substantially, however, from net income. To date, we
have invested substantially all cash flows not required for
operating purposes but have also paid out dividends to our
shareholders and repurchased common shares during 2005 and 2004.
We have written certain business that has loss experience
generally characterized as having low frequency and high
severity. This may result in volatility in both our results and
our operational cash flows. The potential for large claims or a
series of claims under one or more of our insurance or
reinsurance contracts means that substantial and unpredictable
payments may need to be made within relatively short periods of
time. As a result, cash flows from operating activities may
fluctuate, perhaps significantly, between individual quarters
and years.
In addition to relying on premiums received and investment
income from our investment portfolio, we intend to mitigate
these risks by carrying a substantial amount of short and medium
term investments that would mature, or possibly be sold, prior
to the settlement of our expected liabilities. No assurance can
be given, however, that we will successfully match the structure
of Montpelier Res investments with its liabilities. If our
calculations with respect to liabilities are incorrect, or if we
improperly structure our investments, we could be forced to
liquidate investments prior to maturity, potentially at a
significant loss.
The estimated fair value of fixed maturity, equity, other
investments and cash and cash equivalents balance was
$2,237.5 million as of March 31, 2005, compared to
$2,598.7 million at December 31, 2004. The primary
cause of this decrease was the payment of a special dividend of
$387.7 million, paid claims of $55.0 million and the
increase in net unrealized losses on investments of
$38.5 million during the quarter, partially offset by the
receipt of $153.4 million in premiums net of acquisition
costs and net investment income of $21.4 million.
29
For the period from inception until March 31, 2005, we have
had sufficient cash flow from operations to meet our liquidity
requirements. We have generated cash flows from operations since
our inception significantly in excess of our operating
commitments. To the extent that capital is not utilized in our
reinsurance or insurance operations we have used such capital to
invest in new opportunities and returned additional capital to
shareholders in the form of dividends or share repurchases under
certain circumstances. As discussed above, we returned
$387.7 million of capital to shareholders and warrant
holders by way of a special dividend during the first quarter of
2005. We may take additional capital management measures in the
future.
Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates
The Companys consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of
financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
reported and disclosed amounts of assets and liabilities, as
well as disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as at
the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. We believe the following
accounting policies are critical to our operations as their
application requires management to make the most significant
judgments.
Other significant accounting policies that we use to prepare our
consolidated financial statements are included in Note 2 to
the December 31, 2004 Consolidated Financial Statements
included in the Companys filing on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves. For most
insurance and reinsurance companies, the most significant
judgment made by management is the estimation of loss and loss
adjustment expense reserves.
We maintain loss and loss adjustment expense reserves to cover
our estimated liability for both reported and unreported claims.
We utilize a reserving methodology that calculates a point
estimate for our ultimate losses, and we then develop a range
around our point estimate. The point estimate represents
managements best estimate of ultimate loss and loss
adjustment expenses. Our internal actuaries review our reserving
assumptions and our methodologies on a quarterly basis and our
loss estimates are subject to an annual corroborative review by
independent actuaries using generally accepted actuarial
principles.
The extent of reliance on management judgment in the reserving
process differs as to whether the business is insurance or
reinsurance and as to whether the business is written on an
excess of loss or on a pro-rata basis.
Loss reserve calculations for insurance business are not precise
in that they deal with the inherent uncertainty of future
contingent events. Estimating loss reserves requires us to make
assumptions regarding future reporting and development patterns,
frequency and severity trends, claims settlement practices,
potential changes in the legal environment and other factors
such as inflation.
Reserving for reinsurance business introduces further
uncertainties. As predominantly a broker market reinsurer for
both excess of loss and proportional contracts, we must rely on
loss information reported to brokers by primary insurers who
must estimate their own losses at the policy level, often based
on incomplete and changing information. The information we
receive varies by cedant and may include paid losses, estimated
case reserves, and an estimated provision for incurred but not
reported losses (IBNR reserves). Additionally,
reserving practices and the quality of data reporting may vary
among ceding companies which adds further uncertainty to the
estimation of our ultimate losses.
There is a time lag inherent in reporting from the original
claimant to the primary insurer to the broker and then to the
reinsurer, especially in the case of excess of loss reinsurance
contracts. Also, the combination of low claim frequency and high
severity make the available data more volatile and less useful
for predicting ultimate losses. In the case of proportional
contracts, we rely on an analysis of a contracts
historical experience, industry information, and the
professional judgment of underwriters in estimating reserves for
these contracts. In addition, if available, we also rely
partially on ultimate loss ratio forecasts as reported by
cedants, which are normally subject to a quarterly or six month
lag.
30
As a result of the time lag described above, we must estimate
IBNR reserves, which consist of a provision for additional
development in excess of the case reserves reported by ceding
companies, as well as a provision for claims which have occurred
but which have not yet been reported to us by ceding companies.
Because of the degree of reliance that we necessarily place on
ceding companies for claims reporting, the associated time lag,
the low frequency/high severity nature of much of the business
that we underwrite, and the varying reserving practices among
ceding companies, our reserve estimates are highly dependent on
management judgment and therefore uncertain.
Estimating loss reserves for our small book of longer tail
casualty reinsurance business, which can be either on an excess
of loss or proportional basis, involves further uncertainties.
In addition to the uncertainties inherent in the reserving
process described above, casualty business can be subject to
much longer reporting lags than property business, and claims
often take many years to settle. During this period, additional
factors and trends will be revealed and as these factors become
apparent, reserves will be adjusted. There is also the potential
for the emergence of new classes of losses or types of losses
within the casualty book. Any factors that extend the time until
claims are settled add uncertainty to the reserving process. At
March 31, 2005, management has estimated gross loss and
loss adjustment expense reserves related to our casualty
business of $79.9 million.
Since we rely on estimates of paid losses, case reserves, and
IBNR provided by ceding companies in order to assist us in
estimating our own loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, we
maintain certain procedures in order to mitigate the risk that
such information is incomplete or inaccurate. At least monthly,
management assesses the reporting activities of these companies
on the basis of qualitative and quantitative criteria. On a
timely basis management takes appropriate follow-up action as
required, which may include requests for supplemental
information or analysis and, in certain cases, ceding company
audits conducted by our own staff or by third parties as
appropriate. In our short history, disputes with ceding
companies have been extremely rare and those which have not been
resolved in negotiation have been resolved through arbitration
in accordance with contractual provisions.
Our loss and loss adjustment expense reserves include both a
component for outstanding case reserves for claims which have
been reported and a component for IBNR reserves.
Our case reserve estimates are initially set on the basis of
loss reports received from third parties. The majority of both
our reinsurance and insurance business is sourced through
brokers but a small proportion is sourced directly from the
insured party or ceding company. The reinsurance and insurance
business which is sourced through brokers is subject to a
potential time lag in the receipt of information which we factor
into our reserving process as discussed above.
We are predominantly a reinsurance company specializing in short
tail property reinsurance business, but we write a small
proportion of longer tail casualty reinsurance business. We also
write a small book of direct insurance business, all of which is
comprised of short tail property risks.
In general, claims relating to short tail property risks are
reported more promptly by third parties than those relating to
long tail risks, including the majority of casualty risks.
However, the timeliness of reporting can be affected by such
factors as the nature of the event causing the loss, the
location of the loss, and whether the losses are from policies
in force with primary insurers or with reinsurers.
The claim count on the types of insurance and reinsurance that
we write, which are low frequency and high severity in nature,
is generally low. The reporting delay for longer tail casualty
business, which comprises a small proportion of our business, is
traditionally longer than for our short tail lines. Because our
casualty premiums written have been small relative to our
property premiums written and because losses associated with
such casualty premiums are substantially slower to develop than
those associated with our property premiums, our volume of
casualty claims has been significantly smaller than our volume
of property claims to date.
Due to these factors, we do not normally expect to experience
significant claims processing back-logs. At March 31, 2005,
we did not have a significant back-log in either our insurance
or reinsurance claims processing.
31
IBNR reserves are estimated by management using various
actuarial methods as well as a combination of our own historical
loss experience, historical insurance industry loss experience,
our underwriters experience, estimates of pricing adequacy
trends, and managements professional judgment. In the case
of our reinsurance business, we also take into account ceding
company reports on IBNR reserves in making our estimates.
Due to our relatively short operating history, our loss
experience is limited and reliable evidence of changes in trends
of numbers of claims incurred, average settlement amounts,
numbers of claims outstanding and average losses per claim will
necessarily take many years to develop. In addition, due to the
nature of the business, this information is not routinely
provided by the cedants for every contract.
Because of these factors, management supplements our own claims
experience with other information in setting reserves. For
catastrophic events, we consider aggregate industry loss reports
and catastrophe model projections in addition to ceding company
estimates and other factors as described above. For other
classes, we utilize industry loss ratio and development pattern
information in conjunction with our own experience.
To the extent we rely on industry data to aid us in our reserve
estimates there is a risk that the data may not match our risk
profile or that the industrys reserving practices overall
differ from our own and those of our cedants. In addition,
reserving can prove especially difficult should a significant
loss event take place near the end of an accounting period,
particularly if it involves a catastrophic event. These factors
further contribute to the degree of uncertainty in the reserving
process.
The uncertainties inherent in the reserving process, together
with the potential for unforeseen developments, may result in
loss and loss adjustment expenses significantly greater or less
than the reserves provided. Changes to our prior year loss
reserves will impact our current underwriting results by
improving our results if the prior year reserves prove to be
redundant or reducing our results if the prior year reserves
prove to be insufficient. We expect volatility in our results in
periods that significant loss events occur because
U.S. GAAP does not permit insurers or reinsurers to reserve
for loss events until they have occurred and are expected to
give rise to a claim. As a result, we are not allowed to record
contingency reserves to account for expected future losses. We
anticipate that claims arising from future events will require
the establishment of substantial reserves from time to time.
Management believes that the reserves for loss and loss
adjustment expenses are sufficient to cover losses that fall
within assumed coverages on the basis of the methodologies used
to estimate those reserves. However, there can be no assurance
that actual losses will not exceed our total reserves. Loss and
loss adjustment expense reserve estimates and the methodology of
estimating such reserves are regularly reviewed and updated as
new information becomes known to us. Any resulting adjustments
are reflected in income in the period in which they become known.
Management has determined that the best estimate for gross loss
and loss adjustment expense reserves at March 31, 2005 was
$590.7 million. Of this estimate $6.3 million relates
to our insurance business and $584.4 million relates to our
reinsurance business. Managements best estimate of a range
of likely outcomes around this estimate is between
$456.4 million and $725.0 million. For additional
information concerning our loss and loss adjustment expense
reserves, see Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses above.
The following table sets forth a breakdown between case reserves
and IBNR by line of business at March 31, 2005 ($ in
millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Loss and | |
|
|
|
|
Gross Case | |
|
Loss Adjustment | |
|
|
Gross IBNR | |
|
Reserves at | |
|
Expense Reserves | |
|
|
at March 31, | |
|
March 31, | |
|
at March 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Property Specialty
|
|
$ |
113.9 |
|
|
$ |
129.9 |
|
|
$ |
243.8 |
|
Property Catastrophe
|
|
|
78.0 |
|
|
|
74.7 |
|
|
|
152.7 |
|
Other Specialty
|
|
|
116.4 |
|
|
|
19.9 |
|
|
|
136.3 |
|
Qualifying Quota Share
|
|
|
32.3 |
|
|
|
25.6 |
|
|
|
57.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
340.6 |
|
|
$ |
250.1 |
|
|
$ |
590.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32
Premiums. Though we are principally a provider of
reinsurance, we write both insurance and reinsurance contracts.
Our insurance premium is all written on an excess of loss basis.
Our assumed reinsurance premium is written on an excess of loss
or on a pro-rata basis. Reinsurance contracts are generally
written prior to the time the underlying direct policies are
written by cedants and accordingly they must estimate such
premiums when purchasing reinsurance coverage. For the majority
of excess of loss contracts, including all insurance business,
the deposit premium is defined in the contract wording. The
deposit premium is based on the ceding companies estimated
premiums, and this estimate is the amount we record as written
premium in the period the underlying risks incept. In the
majority of cases, these contracts are adjustable at the end of
the contract period to reflect the changes in underlying risks
during the contract period. Subsequent adjustments, based on
reports by the ceding companies of actual premium, are recorded
in the period they are determined, which are normally reported
within six months to a one year subsequent to the expiration of
the policy. To date these adjustments have not been significant.
On pro-rata contracts and certain excess of loss contracts where
the deposit premium is not specified in the contract, an
estimate of written premium is recorded in the period in which
the underlying risks incept. The premium estimate is based on
information provided by ceding companies. At the inception of
the contract the ceding company estimates how much premium they
expect to write during the year. As these are pro-rata
contracts, our gross written premium related to these contracts
is a function of the amount of premium they estimate they will
write. When the actual premium is reported by the ceding
company, which may be on a quarterly or six month lag, it may be
significantly higher or lower than the estimate.
We regularly evaluate the appropriateness of these premium
estimates based on the latest information available, which
includes actual reported premium to date, the latest premium
estimates as provided by cedants and brokers, historical
experience, managements professional judgment, information
obtained during the underwriting renewal process, as well as a
continuing assessment of relevant economic conditions. Any
adjustments to premium estimates are recorded in the period in
which they become known. Adjustments to original premium
estimates could be material and may significantly impact
earnings in the period they are determined. The net income
impact in 2005 of premium adjustments with respect to premiums
estimated to have been earned in 2004 was immaterial. We also
expect the net income impact for the remainder of 2005 of
premium adjustments with respect to premiums estimated to have
been earned in 2004 to be immaterial.
Where contract terms on excess of loss contracts require the
reinstatement of coverage after a ceding companys loss,
the mandatory reinstatement premiums are recorded as written
premiums when the loss event occurs, and are recognized as
earned premium ratably over the remaining contract period. We
accrue reinstatement premiums based on case reserves reported by
ceding companies and on managements best estimate of IBNR
reserves as described above under Loss and Loss
Adjustment Expense Reserves when the IBNR reserves can
be identified on an individual contract basis. Generally
pro-rata contracts do not contain provisions for the
reinstatement of coverage.
Management includes an assessment of the creditworthiness of
cedants in the review process above, primarily based on market
knowledge, the timeliness of cedants past payments and the
status of current balances owing. In addition, management may
also review the financial statements of ceding companies. Based
on this assessment, management believes that as at
March 31, 2005 no provision for doubtful accounts is
necessary.
For excess of loss contracts, other than risk attaching
contracts or contracts where the deposit premium is not defined,
premium income is generally earned ratably over the term of the
reinsurance contract, usually 12 months. For all other
contracts, comprising contracts written on a pro-rata or risks
attaching basis, premiums are generally earned over a
24 month period which is the risk period of the underlying
(12 month) policies. The portion of the premium related to
the unexpired portion of the policy at the end of any reporting
period is reflected on the balance sheet in unearned premium.
Montpelier Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP).
The Compensation and Nominating Committee of the Board of
Directors (the Committee) approved a new Long-Term
Incentive Plan which became effective as of January 1,
2005. At the discretion of the Committee, incentive awards, the
value of which is based on the Companys Common Shares, may
be made to all eligible plan participants.
33
Incentive awards that may be granted under the LTIP consist of
share appreciation rights (SARs), restricted share
units (RSUs) and performance shares
(Performance Shares). Each type of award gives a
plan participant the right to receive a payment in cash, common
shares or a combination thereof at the discretion of the
Committee. In the case of SARs, such payment is based on the
post-grant appreciation in value of a number of common shares
subject to the award if vesting conditions are satisfied. In the
case of RSUs, such payment is equal to the value of RSUs subject
to the award if vesting conditions are satisfied. In the case of
Performance Shares, such payment is equal to an amount varying
from nothing to up to 200% of the value of the Performance
Shares at the end of a three-year performance period, to the
extent performance goals set by the Committee are met.
All incentive awards granted by the Committee under the LTIP for
the 2005-2007 performance period were in the form of Performance
Shares and no awards of SARs or RSUs were made to plan
participants.
For the 2005-2007 performance period, the primary performance
target for all participants for a 100% harvest ratio of
Performance Shares is the achievement of an underwriting return
on an internally generated risk-based capital measure of 16%
over the period. The total number of Performance Share awards
outstanding under the LTIP at March 31, 2005 was 400,000
(or up to 800,000 common shares should the maximum harvest of
200% of awards for the 2005-2007 performance period apply).
Consistent with our accounting policy, we are estimating the
LTIP liability and the LTIP expense initially using a 100%
harvest ratio and will reassess the harvest ratio used in the
calculation of the LTIP liability at June 30, 2006 and each
quarter thereafter.
Performance Unit Plan (PUP). The PUP was
formerly the Companys primary executive long-term
incentive scheme, until it was exhausted at December 31,
2004. Pursuant to the terms of the PUP, at the discretion of the
Committee, performance units were granted to executive officers
and certain other key employees. Performance units entitle the
recipient to receive, without payment to the Company, all,
double, or a part of the value of the units granted, depending
on the achievement of specific financial or operating goals.
Performance units vest at the end of a three-year performance
cycle, and are payable in cash, common shares or a combination
thereof at the discretion of the Committee.
A total of 936,000 performance units were authorized and awarded
under the PUP at March 31, 2005 and 2004 (or up to
1,872,000 common shares should the maximum harvest of 200% of
units apply) covering the three performance periods, 2002-2004,
2003-2005 and 2004-2006.
We accrue the projected value of the LTIP and PUP units and
expense the value in the income statement over the course of
each three-year performance period. The accrual is based on the
number of units granted, the share price at the end of the
respective fiscal period end, plus an adjustment for any
dividends paid out during the performance period, and an
estimate of an ultimate 100% harvest ratio, unless otherwise
adjusted as discussed below. At the end of the sixth quarter,
and every subsequent quarter, we reassess the projected results
for each three year performance period and adjust the accrued
LTIP and PUP liability as necessary. We recalculate the
liability under the LTIP and PUP as our financial results evolve
and the share price changes, and reflect such adjustments in
income in the period in which they are determined. This may
result in an adjustment to the harvest ratio used in the
liability calculation which may increase or decrease the amount
of liability and expense recorded during the period.
For the 2002-2004 cycle, the actual harvest ratio as determined
by the Compensating and Nominating Committee was 132.0%. On
February 28, 2005, we paid out the 2002-2004 PUP accrual of
$14.0 million.
For the 2003-2005 cycle, the performance target for a 100%
harvest ratio is the achievement of an overall combined ratio of
72% over the period or the achievement of an annual total return
to shareholders of 18% as measured over the period. To date we
have experienced an overall combined ratio less than 72% for
this three-year performance period. Taking into account our
results to date as well as the estimated overall combined ratio
for the remainder of this performance period, we have adjusted
the estimated harvest ratio from 100.0% at March 31, 2004
to 115.0% at March 31, 2005.
For the 2004-2006 cycle, the performance target for a 100%
harvest ratio is the achievement of an overall combined ratio of
72% over the period or the achievement of an annual total return
to shareholders of 18% as
34
measured over the period. Consistent with our accounting policy,
we are currently estimating the PUP liability and PUP expense
using a 100% harvest ratio and will reassess the harvest ratio
used in the calculation of the PUP liability at June 30,
2005 and each quarter thereafter.
As at March 31, 2005, the following table summarizes the
impact of potential share price changes and potential
adjustments to the harvest ratio used in the liability
calculation on the amount of liability and expense recorded for
the outstanding three-year cycles of the LTIP and PUP plans
($ in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase/Decrease in PUP/LTIP | |
|
|
Increase/Decrease in PUP/LTIP | |
|
Accrual Resulting from a | |
|
|
Accrual Resulting from a | |
|
5% Increase/Decrease in | |
|
|
$1 Increase/Decrease in | |
|
the Estimated Harvest | |
PUP/LTIP Performance Period |
|
the Share Price* | |
|
Ratio Applied** | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
2003-05
|
|
$ |
289 |
|
|
$ |
473 |
|
2004-06
|
|
|
140 |
|
|
|
263 |
|
2005-07
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
* |
Based on estimated harvest ratios applied at March 31, 2005 |
|
** |
Based on the share price of $35.15 plus paid and accrued
dividends at March 31, 2005 |
An estimated 1% change in the estimated combined ratio is
approximately equivalent to a 5% change in the harvest ratio for
the respective performance period.
Effects of Inflation
The potential exists, after a catastrophe loss, for the
development of inflationary pressures in a local economy. We
take into account the anticipated effects on us in our
catastrophe loss models. The effects of inflation are also
considered in pricing and in estimating reserves for loss and
loss adjustment expenses, however, we cannot know the precise
effects of inflation on our results until claims are ultimately
settled.
We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on
our consolidated results of operations, except insofar as
inflation may affect interest rates.
|
|
Item 3. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk |
We believe that we are principally exposed to three types of
market risk: interest rate risk, foreign currency risk and
credit risk.
The company has in place a derivatives use plan. However it has
not entered into any derivative contracts to date.
Interest Rate Risk. Our primary market risk exposure is
to changes in interest rates. Our fixed maturity portfolio is
exposed to interest rate risk. Fluctuations in interest rates
have a direct impact on the market valuation of these
investments. As interest rates rise, the market value of our
fixed maturity portfolio falls, and the converse is also true.
We manage interest rate risk by selecting investments with
characteristics such as duration, yield, currency and liquidity
to maximize total risk adjusted returns while maintaining a
significant portion of the portfolio in relatively short-term
investments that would mature or could be sold to satisfy
anticipated cash needs arising from Montpelier Res
reinsurance liabilities.
As of March 31, 2005, an immediate 100 basis point
increase in market interest rates would have resulted in an
estimated decrease in the market value of our fixed maturity
portfolio of 2.3% or approximately $46.8 million and the
impact on our portfolio from an immediate 100 basis point
decrease in market interest rates would have resulted in an
estimated increase in market value of 2.2% or approximately
$43.4 million.
As of March 31, 2005, we held $195.8 million, or 8.8%
of our total invested assets, in mortgage-related securities.
These assets are exposed to prepayment risk, which occurs when
holders of individual mortgages increase the frequency with
which they prepay the outstanding principal before the maturity
date and refinance at a lower interest rate cost. Given the
proportion that these securities comprise of the overall
35
portfolio, and the current low interest rate environment,
prepayment risk is not considered significant at this time.
Foreign Currency Risk. A significant portion of our
business is reinsuring or insuring risks, receiving premiums and
paying losses in foreign currencies. We also maintain a small
portion of our investment portfolio in investments in foreign
currencies. Accordingly, we are exposed to fluctuations in the
rates of these currencies. In the event of a significant loss
event which requires settlement in a foreign currency, we may
use forward foreign currency exchange contracts in an effort to
hedge against movements in the value of foreign currencies
relative to the United States dollar. A forward foreign currency
exchange contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a
specified currency at a future date at a price set at the time
of the contract.
Foreign currency exchange contracts will not eliminate
fluctuations in the value of our assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies but rather allow us to
establish a rate of exchange for a future point in time. We do
not expect to enter into such contracts with respect to a
material amount of our assets. At March 31, 2005 and 2004,
we did not have any outstanding forward foreign currency
exchange contracts.
Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar. The British
pound is the functional currency of our wholly-owned subsidiary,
Montpelier Marketing Services (UK) Limited
(MMSL). Accordingly, MMSLs assets and
liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the
balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses of MMSL are translated
at average exchange rates during the period. The effect of
translation adjustments at the end of the period is not included
in our consolidated results of operations but is included in
accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of
shareholders equity. On a consolidated basis, MMSL does
not generate material revenue and expenses and, therefore, the
effects of changes in exchange rates during the period are not
material.
Our premiums receivable and liabilities for losses incurred in
foreign currencies are exposed to the risk of changes in value
resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and may
affect our financial results in the future.
Credit Risk. We have exposure to credit risk primarily as
a holder of fixed maturity investments. In accordance with our
investment guidelines as approved by our Board of Directors, our
risk management strategy and investment policy is to invest in
debt instruments of high credit quality issuers and to limit the
amount of credit exposure with respect to particular ratings
categories and any one issuer. All of our fixed maturity
investments were publicly traded at March 31, 2005 and
99.7% were investment grade. All of our fixed maturity
investments were publicly traded and were all investment grade
at March 31, 2004.
|
|
Item 4. |
Controls and Procedures |
|
|
|
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures |
We have established disclosure controls and procedures designed
to ensure that material information relating to the Company,
including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the
officers who certify the Companys financial reports and to
other members of management and the Board of Directors. We
conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and
operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of
March 31, 2005 under the supervision and with the
participation of management, including our CEO and CFO. Based on
their evaluation as of March 31, 2005 the Companys
principal executive officer and principal financial officer have
concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in §§240.13a-15(e) and
240.15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
Exchange Act)) are effective to provide reasonable
assurance that information required to be disclosed by the
Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange
Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the
time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission
rules and forms.
|
|
|
Changes in Internal Controls |
During the first quarter of 2005, there were no changes in the
Companys internal controls that materially affected or are
reasonably likely to materially affect the Companys
internal control over financial reporting.
36
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
|
|
Item 1. |
Legal Proceedings |
The Company, in common with the insurance and reinsurance
industry in general, is subject to litigation and arbitration in
the normal course of its business. We are not currently involved
in any material pending litigation or arbitration proceedings.
|
|
Item 2. |
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of
Proceeds |
There were no stock repurchases for the quarter ended
March 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) | |
|
(d) | |
|
|
(a) | |
|
(b) |
|
Total Number of Shares | |
|
Approximate Dollar Value | |
|
|
Total Number | |
|
Average Price |
|
Purchased as Part of | |
|
of Shares that May Yet | |
|
|
of Shares | |
|
Paid Per |
|
Publicly Announced | |
|
Be Purchased Under the | |
|
|
Purchased | |
|
Share |
|
Plans or Programs(1) | |
|
Plans or Programs(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
January 1, 2005 through January 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
84,521,657 |
|
February 1, 2005 through February 28, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 1, 2005 through March 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
84,521,657 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
On May 26, 2004 the Companys Board of Directors
approved a plan to repurchase up to $150.0 million of the
Companys shares from time to time depending on market
conditions during a period of up to 24 months. |
|
|
Item 3. |
Defaults Upon Senior Securities |
None.
|
|
Item 4. |
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
None.
Item 5. Other
Information
(a) None.
(b) None.
37
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description of Document |
|
|
|
|
3 |
.1 |
|
Memorandum of Association (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to the Companys Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-89408)). |
|
3 |
.2 |
|
Amended and Restated Bye-Laws (incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 3.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form
8-K dated May 20, 2003). |
|
4 |
.1 |
|
Specimen Ordinary Share Certificate (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-89408)). |
|
4 |
.2 |
|
Share Purchase Warrant, dated as of January 3, 2002,
between the Registrant and Banc of America Securities LLC, as
amended by Amendment, dated as of February 11, 2002, as
further amended by Amendment, dated as of July 1, 2002
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the
Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 333-89408)), as further amended by
Amendment 3 dated as of March 31, 2003 (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Companys Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2003). |
|
4 |
.3 |
|
Share Purchase Warrant, dated January 3, 2002, between the
Registrant and entities affiliated with White Mountains
Insurance Group (originally issued to Benfield Group plc), as
amended by Amendment, dated as of February 11, 2002, as
further amended by Amendment, dated as of July 1, 2002
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the
Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 333-89408)), as further amended by
Amendment 3 dated as of March 31, 2003 (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Companys Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31,
2003). |
|
4 |
.4 |
|
Share Purchase Warrant, dated January 3, 2002, between the
Registrant and White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., as amended
by Amendment, dated as of February 11, 2002, as further
amended by Amendment, dated as of July 1, 2002
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the
Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 333- 89408)), as further amended by
Amendment 3 dated as of March 31, 2003 (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Companys Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2003). |
|
4 |
.5 |
|
Senior Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2003, between the
Company, as Issuer, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 333-106919)). |
|
4 |
.6 |
|
First Supplemental Indenture to Senior Indenture, dated as of
July 30, 2003, between the Company, as Issuer, and The Bank
of New York, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 to the Companys Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-106919)). |
|
10 |
.1 |
|
Shareholders Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2001,
among the Registrant and each of the persons listed on Schedule
1 thereto, as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated
December 24, 2001 (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Registration Statement
on Form S-1(Registration No. 333- 89408)). |
|
10 |
.2 |
|
Service Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2001, between
Anthony Taylor, the Registrant and Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd.
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 333-89408)), as further amended by
Amendment dated as of August 27, 2004 (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current
Report on Form 8-K filed September 1, 2004). |
|
10 |
.3 |
|
Service Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2002, between
Anthony Taylor and Montpelier Marketing Services (UK) Limited
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the
Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 333-89408)). |
|
10 |
.4 |
|
Service Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2002, between C.
Russell Fletcher, III and Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd.
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the
Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 333-89408)). |
|
10 |
.5 |
|
Service Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2002, between
Thomas George Story Busher and Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd.
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the
Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 333-89408)). |
38
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description of Document |
|
|
|
|
10 |
.6 |
|
Service Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2002, between
Thomas George Story Busher and Montpelier Marketing Services
(UK) Limited (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.6 to the Companys Registration Statement
on Form S-1(Registration No. 333-89408)). |
|
10 |
.7 |
|
Service Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2002, between
Nicholas Newman-Young and Montpelier Marketing Services (UK)
Limited (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6
to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 333-89408)). |
|
10 |
.9 |
|
Share Option Plan, as amended August 27, 2004 (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Companys
Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 1, 2004). |
|
10 |
.10 |
|
Performance Unit Plan as amended August 27, 2004
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the
Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed
September 1, 2004). |
|
10 |
.11 |
|
Long-Term Incentive Plan as amended August 27, 2004
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the
Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed
September 1, 2004). |
|
10 |
.12 |
|
Amended Letter of Credit Reimbursement and Pledge Agreement,
among the Company; and Banc of America Securities LLC and a
syndicate of lending institutions, dated May 27, 2004
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 2,
2004). |
|
10 |
.13 |
|
Service Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2004, between
Anthony Taylor and Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Companys
Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 1, 2004). |
|
10 |
.14 |
|
Service Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2004, between
Anthony Taylor and Montpelier Marketing Services (UK) Limited
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the
Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed
September 1, 2004). |
|
10 |
.15 |
|
Severance Plan, dated as of August 27, 2004, among certain
Executives and the Company (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 to the Companys Current Report on Form
8-K filed September 1, 2004). |
|
10 |
.16 |
|
Service Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2004, between
Kernan V. Oberting and Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd. (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys
Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 9, 2004). |
|
10 |
.17 |
|
Letter of Credit Reimbursement and Pledge Agreement, between
Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd. and HSBC Bank USA, National
Association, dated December 23, 2004 (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on December 23, 2004). |
|
10 |
.18 |
|
Form of Performance Share Award under the Montpelier Re Holdings
Ltd. Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on
Form 8-K filed February 28, 2005). |
|
10 |
.19 |
|
Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. 2005 Annual Bonus Plan (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Companys
Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 28, 2005). |
|
10 |
.20 |
|
Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. Directors Share Plan (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Companys
Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 28, 2005). |
|
10 |
.21 |
|
Net Share Settlement Agreement between Montpelier Re Holdings
Ltd. and Anthony Taylor, incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.25 to the Companys Annual Report on Form
10-K filed March 4, 2005. |
|
10 |
.22 |
|
Net Share Settlement Agreement between Montpelier Re Holdings
Ltd. and Thomas George Story Busher (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed March 4, 2005). |
|
10 |
.23 |
|
Net Share Settlement Agreement between Montpelier Re Holdings
Ltd. and C. Russell Fletcher III (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed March 4, 2005). |
|
10 |
.24 |
|
Net Share Settlement Agreement between Montpelier Re Holdings
Ltd. and Nicholas Newman-Young (incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 10.24 to the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed March 4, 2005). |
39
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description of Document |
|
|
|
|
10 |
.25 |
|
Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd. Amended and Restated Deferred
Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.25 to the Companys Annual Report on Form
10-K filed March 4, 2005). |
|
31 |
.1 |
|
Officer Certifications of Anthony Taylor, Chief Executive
Officer of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd., and Kernan Oberting,
Chief Financial Officer of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd., as
adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002, filed with this report. |
|
32 |
.1 |
|
Officer Certifications of Anthony Taylor, Chief Executive
Officer of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd., and Kernan Oberting,
Chief Financial Officer of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd., pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, submitted
with this report. |
40
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd.
|
|
(Registrant) |
|
|
|
|
Title: |
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
May 5, 2005
Date
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Kernan V. Oberting
|
|
|
|
|
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
May 5, 2005
Date
41