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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

ý             QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

 

or

 

o             TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                to                

 


 

Commission file number 001-10898

 


 

The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Minnesota

 

41-0518860

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

385 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

 

(651) 310-7911

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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  ý     No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ý     No  o

 

The number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, without par value, outstanding at August 4, 2004 was 668,771,612.

 

 



 

THE ST. PAUL TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Part I - Financial Information

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

 

 Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 Consolidated Balance Sheet - June 30, 2004 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited) - Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

Part II - Other Information

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

2



 

THE ST. PAUL TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)

(in millions, except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

5,154

 

$

3,100

 

$

8,493

 

$

6,079

 

Net investment income

 

642

 

456

 

1,261

 

912

 

Fee income

 

171

 

134

 

343

 

270

 

Asset management

 

121

 

 

121

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

55

 

16

 

13

 

23

 

Other revenues

 

38

 

43

 

77

 

68

 

Total revenues

 

6,181

 

3,749

 

10,308

 

7,352

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

4,869

 

2,211

 

7,150

 

4,499

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

805

 

484

 

1,331

 

946

 

General and administrative expenses

 

926

 

413

 

1,393

 

807

 

Interest expense

 

66

 

40

 

102

 

92

 

Total claims and expenses

 

6,666

 

3,148

 

9,976

 

6,344

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest

 

(485

)

601

 

332

 

1,008

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(217

)

155

 

10

 

245

 

Minority interest, net of tax

 

7

 

5

 

10

 

(18

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

(275

)

$

441

 

$

312

 

$

781

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.42

)

$

1.02

 

$

0.56

 

$

1.80

 

Diluted

 

(0.42

)

1.01

 

0.56

 

1.79

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

664.8

 

434.4

 

549.7

 

434.4

 

Diluted

 

664.8

 

436.7

 

562.9

 

436.7

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

THE ST. PAUL TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(in millions)

 

 

 

June 30,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities, available for sale at fair value (including $1,886 and $696 subject to securities lending and repurchase agreements) (amortized cost $49,870 and $31,478)

 

$

50,024

 

$

33,046

 

Equity securities, at fair value (cost $812 and $672)

 

852

 

733

 

Real estate

 

1,079

 

2

 

Mortgage loans

 

237

 

211

 

Short-term securities

 

4,370

 

2,138

 

Other investments

 

3,658

 

2,523

 

Total investments

 

60,220

 

38,653

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

207

 

352

 

Investment income accrued

 

629

 

362

 

Premium balances receivable

 

6,606

 

4,090

 

Reinsurance recoverables

 

18,043

 

11,174

 

Ceded unearned premiums

 

1,423

 

939

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

1,618

 

965

 

Deferred tax asset

 

2,248

 

678

 

Contractholder receivables

 

5,103

 

3,121

 

Goodwill

 

5,311

 

2,412

 

Intangible assets

 

1,753

 

422

 

Other assets

 

3,447

 

1,704

 

Total assets

 

$

106,608

 

$

64,872

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves

 

$

56,290

 

$

34,573

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

11,501

 

7,111

 

Contractholder payables

 

5,103

 

3,121

 

Debt

 

6,358

 

2,675

 

Payables for reinsurance premiums

 

918

 

403

 

Payables for securities lending and repurchase agreements

 

 

711

 

Other liabilities

 

6,508

 

4,291

 

Total liabilities

 

86,678

 

52,885

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock:

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Ownership Plan – convertible preferred stock (shares issued and outstanding 0.7)

 

214

 

 

Guaranteed obligation – Stock Ownership Plan

 

(15

)

 

Common stock (shares authorized 1,750; shares issued 438; shares outstanding 669 and 436)

 

17,329

 

10

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

8,705

 

Retained earnings

 

2,393

 

2,290

 

Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

127

 

1,086

 

Treasury stock, at cost (shares 0.1 and 2.0)

 

(6

)

(74

)

Unearned compensation

 

(112

)

(30

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

19,930

 

11,987

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

106,608

 

$

64,872

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

4



 

THE ST. PAUL TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)

(in millions)

 

For the six months ended June 30,

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Ownership Plan – convertible preferred stock:

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

$

 

$

 

Preferred stock assumed at merger

 

219

 

 

Redemptions during the period

 

(5

)

 

Balance, end of period

 

214

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guaranteed obligation – Stock Ownership Plan:

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

 

 

Obligation assumed at merger

 

(15

)

 

Principal payments

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

(15

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock and additional paid in capital

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

8,715

 

8,628

 

Shares issued for merger

 

8,605

 

 

Adjustment for treasury stock cancelled and retired at merger

 

(91

)

 

Net shares issued under employee stock-based compensation plans

 

100

 

53

 

Other

 

 

(3

)

Balance, end of period

 

17,329

 

8,678

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained earnings

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

2,290

 

881

 

Net income

 

312

 

781

 

Dividends

 

(229

)

(123

)

Other

 

20

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

2,393

 

1,539

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

1,086

 

656

 

Net unrealized gain on investment securities, net of reclassification

 

(919

)

493

 

Net change in minimum pension liability adjustment

 

 

 

Net change in other

 

(40

)

13

 

Balance, end of period

 

127

 

1,162

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury stock (at cost)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

(74

)

(5

)

Treasury stock acquired

 

(6

)

 

Net shares issued under employee stock-based compensation plans

 

(17

)

(15

)

Treasury stock cancelled and retired at merger

 

91

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

(6

)

(20

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unearned compensation

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

(30

)

(23

)

Net issuance of restricted stock under employee stock-based compensation plans

 

(64

)

(34

)

Unvested equity-based awards assumed in merger

 

(43

)

 

Restricted stock amortization

 

25

 

14

 

Balance, end of period

 

(112

)

(43

)

Total common shareholders’ equity

 

19,731

 

11,316

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

$

19,930

 

$

11,316

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

436

 

435

 

Common stock assumed at merger

 

229

 

 

Net shares issued for employee stock-based compensation plans

 

4

 

1

 

Balance, end of period

 

669

 

436

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

5



 

THE ST. PAUL TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(in millions)

 

For the six months ended June 30,

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

312

 

$

781

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

(13

)

(23

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

102

 

19

 

Deferred federal income taxes (benefit)

 

(116

)

441

 

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

 

1,331

 

946

 

Premium balances receivable

 

(102

)

(234

)

Reinsurance recoverables

 

215

 

(67

)

Deferred acquisition costs

 

(1,368

)

(996

)

Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves

 

2,236

 

(85

)

Unearned premium reserves

 

147

 

359

 

Trading account activities

 

15

 

(3

)

Recoveries from former affiliate

 

 

361

 

Other

 

(515

)

332

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

2,244

 

1,831

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from maturities of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

2,687

 

2,054

 

Mortgage loans

 

50

 

14

 

Proceeds from sales of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

4,013

 

4,131

 

Equity securities

 

107

 

149

 

Mortgage loans

 

41

 

11

 

Real estate

 

21

 

 

Purchases of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

(6,656

)

(7,199

)

Equity securities

 

(48

)

(40

)

Mortgage loans

 

(55

)

(8

)

Real estate

 

(10

)

 

Short-term securities purchased, net

 

(1,268

)

(223

)

Other investments, net

 

406

 

219

 

Securities transactions in course of settlement

 

(1,244

)

(370

)

Net cash acquired in merger

 

169

 

 

Other

 

11

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(1,776

)

(1,262

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of debt

 

 

1,932

 

Payment of debt

 

(224

)

(649

)

Payment of note payables to former affiliate

 

 

(700

)

Redemption of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock

 

 

(900

)

Issuance of common stock - employee stock options

 

71

 

18

 

Treasury stock acquired - net shares issued under employee stock-based compensation plans

 

(35

)

(6

)

Dividends to shareholders

 

(344

)

(121

)

Repurchase of minority interest

 

(76

)

 

Payment of dividend on subsidiary’s stock

 

(3

)

(3

)

Transfer of employee benefit obligations to former affiliates

 

 

(23

)

Other

 

(2

)

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(613

)

(452

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

(145

)

117

 

Cash at beginning of period

 

352

 

92

 

Cash at end of period

 

$

207

 

$

209

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes (received) paid

 

$

578

 

$

(488

)

Interest paid

 

$

119

 

$

68

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

 

6



 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

1.              BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the Company).  On April 1, 2004, Travelers Property Casualty Corp. (TPC) merged with a subsidiary of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. (SPC), as a result of which TPC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc.  For accounting purposes, this transaction was accounted for as a reverse acquisition with TPC treated as the accounting acquirer.  Accordingly, this transaction was accounted for as a purchase business combination, using TPC’s historical financial information and applying fair value estimates to the acquired assets, liabilities and commitments of SPC as of April 1, 2004.  (See note 2 for a description of the fair value adjustments recorded).  Beginning on April 1, 2004, the results of operations and financial condition of SPC were consolidated with TPC’s.  Accordingly, all financial information presented herein for the three months ended and as of June 30, 2004 include the consolidated accounts of SPC and TPC.  The financial information presented herein for the six months ended June 30, 2004 reflect the accounts of TPC for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and the consolidated accounts of SPC and TPC for the three months ended June 30, 2004.  The data presented herein for the prior year periods reflects the accounts of TPC.

 

On April 23, 2004, the Company filed an Amended Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated April 1, 2004 that incorporated the audited financial statements and notes for TPC as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 from TPC’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with those financial statements and notes.

 

These financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and are unaudited.  In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation, have been reflected. 

 

Certain financial information that is normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, but that is not required for interim reporting purposes, has been omitted.  Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

7



 

2.              MERGER

 

On April 1, 2004, each issued and outstanding share of TPC class A and class B common stock (including the associated preferred stock purchase rights) was exchanged for 0.4334 of a share of the Company’s common stock.  Share and per share amounts for all periods presented have been restated to reflect the exchange of TPC’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, for the Company’s common stock without designated par value.  Common stock and additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheet were also restated to give effect to the difference in par value of the exchanged shares.  Cash was paid in lieu of fractional shares of the Company’s common stock.  Immediately following consummation of the merger, historical TPC shareholders held approximately 66% of the Company’s common stock.

 

Determination of Purchase Price

 

The stock price used in determining the purchase price was based on an average of the closing prices of SPC common stock for the two trading days before through the two trading days after SPC and TPC announced their merger agreement on November 17, 2003.  The purchase price also includes the fair value of the SPC stock options, the fair value adjustment to SPC’s preferred stock, and other costs of the transaction.  The purchase price was approximately $8.75 billion, and was calculated as follows:

 

(in millions, except stock price per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of shares of SPC common stock outstanding as of April 1, 2004

 

229.3

 

SPC’s average stock price for the two trading days before through the two trading days after November 17, 2003, the day SPC and TPC announced their merger

 

$

36.86

 

Fair value of SPC’s common stock

 

8,452

 

Fair value of approximately 23 million of SPC stock options

 

186

 

Excess of fair value over book value of SPC’s convertible preferred stock outstanding, net of the excess of the fair value over the book value of the related guaranteed obligation

 

100

 

Transaction costs of TPC

 

15

 

Purchase price

 

$

8,753

 

 

The primary reasons for the acquisition were, among other things, a) to create a stronger company that will provide significant benefits to shareholders and to customers alike; b) to capitalize on a common strategic focus on delivering the highest value to customers, agents and brokers and, working together, to expand future opportunities and capture new efficiencies; and c) to strengthen the combined company’s position as a leading provider of property and casualty insurance products.

 

8



 

Allocation of the Purchase Price

 

The purchase price has been allocated based on an estimate of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of April 1, 2004, as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net tangible assets (1)

 

$

5,351

 

Total investments (2)

 

423

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs (3)

 

(100

)

Deferred federal income taxes (4)

 

(251

)

Goodwill (5)

 

2,893

 

Other intangible assets, including the fair value adjustment of claim and claim adjustment expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables of $191 (6)(7)

 

1,378

 

Other assets (2)

 

(107

)

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves (3)

 

(25

)

Debt (2)

 

(339

)

Other liabilities (2)

 

(470

)

Allocated purchase price

 

$

8,753

 

 


(1)                Reflects SPC’s shareholders’ equity of $6,439 less SPC’s historical goodwill of $950 and intangible assets of $138.

(2)                Represents adjustments for fair value.

(3)                Represents adjustments to conform SPC’s accounting policies to those of TPC’s.

(4)                Represents a deferred tax liability associated with adjustments to fair value of all assets and liabilities included herein excluding goodwill, as this transaction is not treated as a purchase for tax purposes.

(5)                Represents the excess of the purchase price (cost) over the amounts assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.  None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.  See note 9 and 16.

(6)                Represents identified finite and indefinite life intangible assets, primarily customer-related insurance intangibles and management contracts and customer relationships associated with Nuveen Investments, Inc.’s (Nuveen Investments) asset management business.  See note 9.

(7)                An adjustment has been applied to SPC’s claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables at the acquisition date to estimate their fair value. The fair value adjustment of $191 million was based on management’s estimate of nominal claim and claim expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables (after adjusting for conformity with the acquirer’s accounting policy on discounting of workers’ compensation reserves), expected payment patterns, the April 1, 2004 U.S. Treasury spot rate yield curve, a leverage ratio assumption (reserves to statutory surplus), and a cost of capital expressed as a spread over risk-free rates.  The method used calculates a risk adjustment to a risk-free discounted reserve that will, if reserves run off as expected, produce results that yield the assumed cost-of-capital on the capital supporting the loss reserves.  The fair value adjustment is reported as an intangible asset on the consolidated balance sheet, and the amounts measured in accordance with the acquirer’s accounting policies for insurance contracts, is reported as part of the claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables. The intangible asset will be recognized into income over the expected payment pattern.  Because the time value of money and the risk adjustment (cost of capital) components of the intangible asset run-off at different rates, the amount recognized in income may be a net benefit in some periods and a net expense in other periods.

 

9



 

Identification and Valuation of Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization include the following:

 

(in millions)

 

Amount
assigned as of
April 1, 2004

 

Weighted-
average
amortization
period

 

Major intangible asset class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer-related (a)

 

$

495

 

7.8 years

 

Marketing-related

 

20

 

2 years

 

Contract-based (b)

 

146

 

10.4 years

 

Fair value adjustment on claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables (c)

 

191

 

30 years

 

Total

 

$

852

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets not subject to amortization include the following:

 

(in millions)

 

Amount
assigned as of
April 1, 2004

 

Major intangible asset class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketing-related

 

$

15

 

Contract-based (b)

 

511

 

Total

 

$

526

 

 


(a)                      Primarily includes customer-related insurance intangibles based on rates derived from expected business retention and profitability levels.

(b)                     Contract-based intangibles include management contracts associated with Nuveen Investments, Inc.’s asset management business based on the present value of expected cash flows related to the management contracts. Amounts related to this business are included at the Company’s 79% approximate ownership interest of Nuveen Investments, Inc.

(c)                      See item 7 of the allocation of the purchase price previously presented.

 

Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:

 

The allocated purchase price calculated above results in an estimate of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the merger date of April 1, 2004, as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets acquired

 

$

42,969

 

Liabilities assumed, including debt obligations totaling $3.98 billion

 

(34,216

)

Allocated purchase price

 

$

8,753

 

 

10



 

Pro Forma Results

 

The following unaudited pro forma information presents the combined results of operations of TPC and SPC for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively, with pro forma purchase accounting adjustments as if the acquisition had been consummated as of the beginning of the periods presented.  This pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisition and related transactions been made on the dates indicated, or of future results of the Company.

 

 

 

Six
months ended
June 30,

 

Three
months ended
June 30,

 

(in millions, except per share data)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

12,564

 

$

11,482

 

$

5,842

 

Net income

 

$

437

 

$

1,074

 

$

603

 

Net income per share – basic

 

$

0.65

 

$

1.61

 

$

0.91

 

Net income per share – diluted

 

$

0.64

 

$

1.58

 

$

0.89

 

 

 

3.              ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

In December 2003, the FASB issued Revised Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46R).  FIN 46R, along with its related interpretations, clarifies the application of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements”, to certain entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support.  FIN 46R separates entities into two groups: (1) those for which voting interests are used to determine consolidation and (2) those for which variable interests are used to determine consolidation.  FIN 46R clarifies how to identify a variable interest entity (VIE) and how to determine when a business enterprise should include the assets, liabilities, non-controlling interests and results of activities of a VIE in its consolidated financial statements.  A company that absorbs a majority of a VIE’s expected losses, receives a majority of a VIE’s expected residual returns, or both, is the primary beneficiary and is required to consolidate the VIE into its financial statements.  FIN 46R also requires disclosure of certain information where the reporting company is the primary beneficiary or holds a significant variable interest in a VIE (but is not the primary beneficiary). 

 

FIN 46R is effective for public companies that have interests in VIEs that are considered special-purpose entities for periods ending after December 15, 2003.  Application by public companies for all other types of entities is required for periods ending after March 15, 2004.  The Company adopted FIN 46R effective December 31,2003.

 

The Company holds significant interests in hedge fund investments that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and are included in other investments in the consolidated balance sheet.  Hedge funds are unregistered private investment partnerships, funds or pools that may invest and trade in many different markets, strategies and instruments (including securities, non-securities and derivatives).  The five hedge funds that were determined to be significant VIEs have a total value for all investors combined of approximately $477 million as of June 30, 2004.  The Company’s share of these funds has a carrying value of approximately $138 million at June 30, 2004. The Company’s involvement with these funds began in the third quarter of 2002.

 

11



 

There are various purposes for the Company’s involvement in these funds, including but not limited to the following:

 

                  To seek capital appreciation by investing and trading in securities including, without limitation, investments in common stock, bonds, notes, debentures, investment contracts, partnership interests, options and warrants.

                  To buy and sell U.S. and non-U.S. assets with primary focus on a diversified pool of structured mortgage and asset-backed securities offering attractive and relative value. 

                  To sell securities short primarily to exploit arbitrage opportunities in a broad range of equity and fixed income markets.

 

The Company does not have any unfunded commitments associated with these hedge fund investments, and its exposure to loss is limited to the investment carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheet. 

 

The following entities, which were acquired in the merger, are consolidated under FIN 46R:

 

                  Municipal Trusts – The Company owns interests in various municipal trusts that were formed for the purpose of allowing more flexibility to generate investment income in a manner consistent with the Company’s investment objectives and tax position.  As of June 30, 2004, there were 36 such trusts, which held a combined total of $439 million in municipal securities, of which $84 million were owned by outside investors.  The net carrying value of the trusts owned by the Company at June 30, 2004 was $355 million. 

 

                  Venture Capital Entities – In the Company’s venture capital investment portfolio, the Company has investments in small-to-medium sized companies, in which the Company has variable interests through stock ownership and, in some cases, loans.  These investments are held for the purpose of generating investment returns, and the companies in which the Company invests span a variety of business sectors. The Company consolidates three entities under the provisions of FIN 46R.  The combined carrying value of these entities at June 30, 2004 was a net liability of $5 million. 

 

The following securities, which were acquired in the merger, are not consolidated under FIN 46R:

 

                  Mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of trusts holding solely subordinated debentures of the Company - These securities were issued by five separate trusts that were established for the sole purpose of issuing the securities to investors, and are fully guaranteed by the Company.  The debt that the Company had issued to these trusts is now included in the "Debt" section of liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.  That debt had a carrying value of $1.04 billion at June 30, 2004.  

 

In addition to the foregoing entities, the Company also acquired in the merger significant interests in other VIEs which are not consolidated because the Company is not considered to be the primary beneficiary.  These entities are as follows:

 

                  The Company has a significant variable interest in two real estate entities.  The total carrying value of these entities was approximately $47 million as of June 30, 2004, which also represents the maximum exposure to loss. The purpose of the Company’s involvement in these entities is to generate investment returns.

 

                  The Company also has a variable interest in Camperdown UK Limited.  The Company’s variable interest results from an agreement to indemnify the purchaser in the event a specified reserve deficiency develops, a reserve-related foreign exchange impact occurs, or a foreign tax adjustment is imposed on a pre-sale reporting period.  The maximum amount of this indemnification obligation is $210 million.  The fair value of this obligation as of June 30, 2004 was $29 million. 

 

12



 

Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003

On December 8, 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (2003 Medicare Act) became law.  The 2003 Medicare Act introduces a prescription drug benefit under Medicare Part D as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D.  On January 12, 2004, FASB issued Staff Position FAS 106-1, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (FSP 106-1), which permits sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans that provide prescription drug benefits to make a one-time election to defer accounting for the effects of the 2003 Medicare Act, which was no longer applicable as the Company was required to record the acquired benefit obligation at fair value, including the effects of the 2003 Medicare Act.  As a result, the estimated effect of the 2003 Medicare Act was reflected in the purchase accounting remeasurement of the SPC postretirement benefit plan on April 1, 2004.  FASB Staff Position FAS 106-2, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (FSP 106-2) was issued on May 19, 2004, supersedes FSP 106-1 and provides guidance on the accounting for the effects of the 2003 Medicare Act for sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans that provide prescription drug benefits.  FSP 106-2 also requires certain disclosures regarding the effect of the federal subsidy.

 

The Company has concluded that prescription drug benefits available under certain of its postretirement benefit plan are actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D and thus qualify for the federal subsidy under the 2003 Medicare Act.  The Company also expects that the federal subsidy will offset or reduce the Company’s share of the cost of the underlying postretirement prescription drug coverage on which the subsidy is based.  The effect of this adjustment was a $29 million reduction in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of April 1, 2004 and a reduction of $0.5 million in net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the three months ended June 30, 2004. 

 

13



 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Standards No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure” (FAS 148), an amendment to FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (FAS 123). Provisions of this statement provide two additional alternative transition methods: modified prospective method and retroactive restatement method, for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. The statement eliminated the use of the original FAS 123 prospective method of transition alternative for those entities that change to the fair value based method in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2003. It also amended the disclosure provisions of FAS 123 to require prominent annual disclosure about the effects on reported net income in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and also requires disclosure about these effects in interim financial statements. These provisions were effective for financial statements for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. Accordingly, the Company adopted the applicable disclosure requirements of this statement beginning with year-end 2002 reporting.  The transition provisions of this statement apply upon adoption of the FAS 123 fair value based method.

 

Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted the fair value method of accounting for its employee stock-based compensation plans as defined in FAS 123. FAS 123 indicates that the fair value based method is the preferred method of accounting.  The Company has elected to use the prospective recognition transition alternative of FAS 148. Under this alternative, only the awards granted, modified or settled after January 1, 2003 will be accounted for in accordance with the fair value method.  The adoption of FAS 123 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

 

The effect of applying the fair value based method to all outstanding and unvested stock-based employee awards is as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions, except per share data)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss), as reported

 

$

(275

)

$

441

 

$

312

 

$

781

 

Add:  Equity-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income (loss), net of related tax effects (1)

 

14

 

5

 

19

 

9

 

Deduct:  Equity-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method, net of related tax effects (2)

 

(20

)

(18

)

(32

)

(36

)

Net income (loss), pro forma

 

$

(281

)

$

428

 

$

299

 

$

754

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic – as reported

 

$

(0.42

)

$

1.02

 

$

0.56

 

$

1.80

 

Diluted – as reported

 

$

(0.42

)

$

1.01

 

$

0.56

 

$

1.79

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic – pro forma

 

$

(0.43

)

$

0.98

 

$

0.54

 

$

1.73

 

Diluted – pro forma

 

$

(0.43

)

$

0.98

 

$

0.54

 

$

1.73

 

 


(1)                       Represents compensation expense on all restricted stock and stock option awards granted after January 1, 2003.  Data for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 includes SPC data since the April 1, 2004 merger date when SPC conformed to TPC’s method.  Data for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 represents data for TPC only. 

(2)                       Includes the compensation expense added back in (1).

(3)                       The weighted average number of common shares outstanding applicable to basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 have been restated to reflect the exchange of each share of TPC common stock  and common stock equivalents for 0.4334 of a share of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the merger described in note 2. 

 

14



 

4.              SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

Upon completion of the merger on April 1, 2004, the Company was organized into four reportable business segments: Commercial, Specialty, Personal (these three segments collectively represent the Company’s insurance segments) and Asset Management.  The insurance segments reflect how the Company manages its property and casualty insurance products and insurance-related services and represent an aggregation of these products and services based on type of customer, how the business is marketed, and the manner in which the business is underwritten. The Asset Management segment represents the Company’s 79% interest in Nuveen Investments.

 

For periods prior to the April 1, 2004 merger completion date, segments have been restated from the historical presentation of TPC to conform to the new segment presentation of the Company, where practicable.  As a result, prior period Bond and Construction results were reclassified from the historical TPC Commercial Lines segment to create a historical Specialty segment.

 

Invested and other assets and net investment income (NII) of historical TPC had been specifically identified by reporting segment prior to the merger.  Beginning in the second quarter 2004, the Company developed a methodology to allocate NII and invested assets to the identified segments.  This methodology allocates pretax NII based upon an investable funds concept, which takes into account liabilities (net of non-invested assets) and appropriate capital considerations for each segment.   Invested assets are allocated to segments in proportion to the pretax allocation of NII.  It is not practicable to apply this methodology to historical businesses and, as such, actual (versus allocated) NII is included in revenues and operating income of the restated segments for periods prior to the merger.  It is also not practicable to present total assets for restated Commercial and Specialty segments for periods prior to the merger.  The Company believes that the differences are not significant to a comparison with the new segment presentation.

 

The specific business segment attributes are as follows:

 

Commercial

 

The Commercial segment offers property and casualty insurance and insurance-related services to commercial enterprises and includes certain exposures related to such businesses.  Commercial is organized into three marketing and underwriting groups, each of which focuses on a particular client base and which collectively comprise Commercial’s core operations.  The marketing and underwriting groups include:

                  Commercial Accounts serves primarily mid-sized businesses for casualty products and large and mid-sized businesses for property products.  Commercial Accounts sells a broad range of property and casualty insurance products including property, general liability, commercial auto and workers’ compensation coverages through a large network of independent agents and brokers. 

                  Select Accounts serves small businesses and offers property, liability, commercial auto and workers compensation insurance generally on a guaranteed cost basis, which are often sold as a packaged product covering property and liability exposures. 

                  National Accounts provides casualty products and services to large companies, with particular emphasis on workers’ compensation, general liability, and automobile liability.  Insurance products, placed through large national and regional brokers are generally priced on a loss-sensitive basis (where the ultimate premium or fee charged is adjusted based on actual loss experience) while loss administration services are sold on a fee for service basis to companies who prefer to self-insure all or a portion of their risk.  National Accounts also includes the Company’s residual market business, which primarily offers workers’ compensation products and services to the involuntary market.

 

Commercial also includes the results from the Special Liability Group (which manages the Company’s asbestos and environmental liabilities); the reinsurance, health care, and certain international runoff operations that the Company acquired in the merger; and policies written by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary Gulf Insurance Company (Gulf) (prior to the integration of these products into Specialty).  These operations are collectively referred to as Commercial Other.

 

15



 

Specialty

 

Specialty is a reportable segment created effective with the merger and consists of specialty business acquired in the merger, into which TPC’s Bond and Construction, formerly included in Commercial, have been transferred.  The Specialty segment provides a full range of standard and specialized insurance coverages and services through dedicated underwriting, claims handling and risk management.  The segment includes two groups: Domestic Specialty and International Specialty.

 

Domestic Specialty includes several marketing and underwriting groups, each of which possesses customer expertise and offers products and services to address its respective customers’ specific needs.  These groups include Financial and Professional Services, Bond, Construction, Technology, Ocean Marine, Oil and Gas, Public Sector, Underwriting Facilities, Specialty Excess & Surplus, Discover Re and Personal Catastrophe Risk. 

 

International Specialty includes coverages marketed and underwritten to several specialty customer groups within the United Kingdom, Canada and the Republic of Ireland and the Company’s participation in Lloyds.

 

Personal

Personal writes virtually all types of property and casualty insurance covering personal risks.  The primary coverages in this segment are personal automobile and homeowners insurance sold to individuals.

 

Asset Management

The Asset Management segment is comprised of the Company’s majority interest in Nuveen Investments, whose core businesses are asset management and related research, as well as the development, marketing and distribution of investment products and services for the affluent, high-net-worth and institutional market segments.  Nuveen Investments distributes its investment products and services, including individually managed accounts, closed-end exchange-traded funds and mutual funds, to the affluent and high-net-worth market segments through unaffiliated intermediary firms including broker/dealers, commercial banks, affiliates of insurance providers, financial planners, accountants, consultants and investment advisors.  Nuveen Investments also provides managed account services to several institutional market segments and channels.  Nuveen Investments markets its capabilities under four distinct brands: NWQ, a leader in value-style equities; Nuveen Investments, a leader in tax-free investments; Rittenhouse, a leader in conservative growth-style equities; and Symphony, a leading institutional manager of market-neutral alternative investment portfolios.  Nuveen Investments is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “JNC.”  The Company’s interest in Nuveen Investments is approximately 79%.

 

16



 

The following tables summarize the components of the Company’s revenues by reportable business segments.  

 

(at and for the three months
ended June 30, in millions)

 

Commercial

 

Specialty

 

Personal

 

Asset
Management

 

Total
Reportable
Segments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

2,358

 

$

1,428

 

$

1,368

 

$

 

$

5,154

 

Net investment income

 

413

 

135

 

93

 

 

641

 

Fee income

 

164

 

7

 

 

 

171

 

Asset management

 

 

 

 

121

 

121

 

Other revenues

 

12

 

3

 

21

 

 

36

 

Total operating revenues

 

$

2,947

 

$

1,573

 

$

1,482

 

$

121

 

$

6,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss) (1)

 

$

364

 

$

(838

)

$

197

 

$

27

 

$

(250

)

Assets

 

$

65,296

 

$

25,161

 

$

10,848

 

$

2,730

 

$

104,035

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

1,618

 

$

289

 

$

1,193

 

$

 

$

3,100

 

Net investment income

 

320

 

45

 

91

 

 

456

 

Fee income

 

127

 

7

 

 

 

134

 

Other revenues

 

17

 

3

 

23

 

 

43

 

Total operating revenues

 

$

2,082

 

$

344

 

$

1,307

 

$

 

$

3,733

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (1)

 

$

294

 

$

58

 

$

107

 

$

 

$

459

 

Assets

 

(2

)

(2

)

(2

)

(2

)

$

65,584

 

 


(1)          Operating revenues exclude net realized investment gains and operating income (loss) equals net income (loss) excluding the after-tax impact of net realized investment gains.

(2)          It is not practicable to restate assets by segment for prior periods.

 

17



 

The following tables summarize the components of the Company’s revenues by reportable business segments.

 

(at and for the six months
ended June 30, in millions)

 

Commercial

 

Specialty

 

Personal

 

Asset
Management

 

Total
Reportable
Segments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

4,089

 

$

1,739

 

$

2,665

 

$

 

$

8,493

 

Net investment income

 

836

 

186

 

238

 

 

1,260

 

Fee income

 

332

 

11

 

 

 

343

 

Asset management

 

 

 

 

121

 

121

 

Other revenues

 

26

 

5

 

44

 

 

75

 

Total operating revenues

 

$

5,283

 

$

1,941

 

$

2,947

 

$

121

 

$

10,292

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss) (1)

 

$

794

 

$

(866

)

$

434

 

$

27

 

$

389

 

Assets

 

$

65,296

 

$

25,161

 

$

10,848

 

$

2,730

 

$

104,035

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

3,185

 

$

563

 

$

2,331

 

$

 

$

6,079

 

Net investment income

 

638

 

93

 

180

 

 

911

 

Fee income

 

260

 

10

 

 

 

270

 

Other revenues

 

20

 

3

 

45

 

 

68

 

Total operating revenues

 

$

4,103

 

$

669

 

$

2,556

 

$

 

$

7,328

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (1)

 

$

501

 

$

113

 

$

219

 

$

 

$

833

 

Assets

 

(2

)

(2

)

(2

)

(2

)

$

65,584

 

 


(1)          Operating revenues exclude net realized investment gains and operating income (loss) equals net income (loss) excluding the after-tax impact of net realized investment gains.

(2)          It is not practicable to restate assets by segment for prior periods.

 

18



 

 

 

Three Months
Ended June 30,

 

Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Revenue reconciliation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial multi-peril

 

$

619

 

$

521

 

$

1,174

 

$

1,020

 

Workers’ compensation

 

380

 

273

 

685

 

524

 

Commercial automobile

 

457

 

317

 

790

 

641

 

Property

 

494

 

270

 

798

 

537

 

General liability

 

372

 

213

 

596

 

422

 

Other

 

36

 

24

 

46

 

41

 

Total Commercial

 

2,358

 

1,618

 

4,089

 

3,185

 

Specialty:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workers’ compensation

 

143

 

29

 

169

 

57

 

Commercial automobile

 

119

 

25

 

145

 

50

 

Property

 

109

 

 

109

 

 

General liability

 

141

 

 

141

 

 

International

 

306

 

 

306

 

 

Other

 

610

 

235

 

869

 

456

 

Total Specialty

 

1,428

 

289

 

1,739

 

563

 

Personal:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Automobile

 

825

 

737

 

1,607

 

1,443

 

Homeowners and other

 

543

 

456

 

1,058

 

888

 

Total Personal

 

1,368

 

1,193

 

2,665

 

2,331

 

Total earned premiums

 

5,154

 

3,100

 

8,493

 

6,079

 

Net investment income

 

641

 

456

 

1,260

 

911

 

Fee income

 

171

 

134

 

343

 

270

 

Other revenues

 

36

 

43

 

75

 

68

 

Total Insurance Operations

 

6,002

 

3,733

 

10,171

 

7,328

 

Asset Management

 

121

 

 

121

 

 

Total operating revenues for reportable segments

 

6,123

 

3,733

 

10,292

 

7,328

 

Interest Expense and Other

 

3

 

 

3

 

1

 

Net realized investment gains

 

55

 

16

 

13

 

23

 

Total consolidated revenues

 

$

6,181

 

$

3,749

 

$

10,308

 

$

7,352

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income reconciliation, net of tax and minority interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating income (loss) for reportable segments

 

$

(250

)

$

459

 

$

389

 

$

833

 

Interest Expense and Other

 

(60

)

(28

)

(85

)

(63

)

Total operating income (loss)

 

(310

)

431

 

304

 

770

 

Net realized investment gains

 

35

 

10

 

8

 

11

 

Total consolidated net income (loss)

 

$

(275

)

$

441

 

$

312

 

$

781

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset reconciliation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets for reportable segments

 

$

104,035

 

$

65,584

 

$

104,035

 

$

65,584

 

Other assets

 

2,573

 

447

 

2,573

 

447

 

Total consolidated assets

 

$

106,608

 

$

66,031

 

$

106,608

 

$

66,031

 

 

19



 

5.              INVESTMENTS

 

The Company’s investment portfolio includes the fixed maturities, equity securities, and other investments acquired in the merger at their fair values as of the merger date.  The fair value at acquisition became the new cost basis for these investments.

 

The amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s investments in fixed maturities classified as available for sale were as follows:

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Gross Unrealized

 

Fair

 

(at June 30, 2004, in millions)

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities – collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

$

9,507

 

$

159

 

$

129

 

$

9,537

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

2,820

 

26

 

60

 

2,786

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

21,646

 

430

 

257

 

21,819

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

1,830

 

9

 

30

 

1,809

 

All other corporate bonds

 

13,848

 

279

 

288

 

13,839

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

219

 

18

 

3

 

234

 

Total

 

$

49,870

 

$

921

 

$

767

 

$

50,024

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Gross Unrealized

 

Fair

 

(at December 31, 2003, in millions)

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities – collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

$

7,497

 

$

248

 

$

8

 

$

7,737

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

1,343

 

41

 

 

1,384

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

14,616

 

814

 

2

 

15,428

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

243

 

16

 

3

 

256

 

All other corporate bonds

 

7,537

 

475

 

27

 

7,985

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

242

 

16

 

2

 

256

 

Total

 

$

31,478

 

$

1,610

 

$

42

 

$

33,046

 

 

20



 

The cost and fair value of investments in equity securities were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Unrealized

 

Fair

 

(at June 30, 2004, in millions)

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

$

179

 

$

24

 

$

20

 

$

183

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

633

 

41

 

5

 

669

 

Total

 

$

812

 

$

65

 

$

25

 

$

852

 

 

(at December 31, 2003, in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

$

71

 

$

19

 

$

1

 

$

89

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

601

 

53

 

10

 

644

 

Total

 

$

672

 

$

72

 

$

11

 

$

733

 

 

The cost and fair value of investments in venture capital, which are reported as part of Other investments in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, were as follows.

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Unrealized

 

Fair

 

(at June 30, 2004, in millions)

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venture capital

 

$

496

 

$

42

 

$

12

 

$

526

 

 

Impairments

 

Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities

An investment in a fixed maturity or equity security which is available for sale is impaired if its fair value falls below its book value and the decline is considered to be other-than-temporary.  Factors considered in determining whether a decline is other-than-temporary include the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been below cost; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery.  Additionally, for certain securitized financial assets with contractual cash flows (including asset-backed securities), EITF 99-20 requires the Company to periodically update its best estimate of cash flows over the life of the security.  If management determines that the fair value of its securitized financial asset is less than its carrying amount and there has been a decrease in the present value of the estimated cash flows since the last revised estimate, considering both timing and amount, then an other-than-temporary impairment is recognized. 

 

A debt security is impaired if it is probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due under the security’s contractual terms.  Equity investments are impaired when it becomes apparent that the Company will not recover its cost over the expected holding period.  Further, for securities expected to be sold, an other-than-temporary impairment charge is recognized if the Company does not expect the fair value of a security to recover the cost prior to the expected date of sale.

 

21



 

The Company’s process for reviewing invested assets for impairments during any quarter includes the following:

 

                        identification and evaluation of investments which have possible indications of impairment;

                        analysis of investments with gross unrealized investment losses that have fair values less than 80% of amortized cost during successive quarterly periods over a rolling one-year period;

                        review of portfolio manager(s) recommendations for other-than-temporary impairments based on the investee’s current financial condition, liquidity, near-term recovery prospects and other factors, as well as consideration of other investments that were not recommended for other-than-temporary impairments;

                        consideration of evidential matter, including an evaluation of factors or triggers that would or could cause individual investments to qualify as having other-than-temporary impairments and those that would not support other-than-temporary impairment; and

                        determination of the status of each analyzed investment as other-than-temporary or not, with documentation of the rationale for the decision.

 

Venture Capital Investments

 

Other investments include venture capital investments, which are generally non-publicly traded instruments, consisting of early-stage companies and, historically, having a holding period of four to seven years.  These investments have primarily been made in the health care, software and computer services, and networking and information technologies infrastructures industries.  The Company typically is involved with venture capital companies early in their formation, as they are developing and determining the viability of, and market demand for, their product.  Generally, the Company does not expect these venture capital companies to record revenues in the early stages of their development, which can often take three to four years, and does not generally expect them to become profitable for an even longer period of time.  With respect to the Company’s valuation of such non-publicly traded venture capital investments, on a quarterly basis, portfolio managers as well as an internal valuation committee review and consider a variety of factors in determining the potential for loss impairment.  Factors considered include the following:

 

                        the issuer’s most recent financing events;

                        an analysis of whether fundamental deterioration has occurred;

                        whether or not the issuer’s progress has been substantially less than expected;

                        whether or not the valuations have declined significantly in the entity’s market sector;

                        whether or not the internal valuation committee believes it is probable that the issuer will need financing within six months at a lower price than our carrying value; and

                        whether or not the Company has the ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery, enabling it to receive value equal to or greater than our cost.

 

The quarterly valuation procedures described above are in addition to the portfolio managers’ ongoing responsibility to frequently monitor developments affecting those invested assets, paying particular attention to events that might give rise to impairment write-downs.

 

22



 

Unrealized Losses

The following table summarizes, for all securities in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2004, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position. 

 

 

 

Less than 12 months

 

12 months or longer

 

Total

 

(at June 30, 2004,
in millions)

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities- CMOs and pass-through securities

 

$

5,549

 

$

128

 

$

27

 

$

1

 

$

5,576

 

$

129

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

1,787

 

59

 

71

 

1

 

1,858

 

60

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

9,562

 

255

 

60

 

2

 

9,622

 

257

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

1,610

 

29

 

15

 

1

 

1,625

 

30

 

All other corporate bonds

 

8,909

 

281

 

200

 

7

 

9,109

 

288

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

19

 

1

 

20

 

2

 

39

 

3

 

Total fixed maturities

 

27,436

 

753

 

393

 

14

 

27,829

 

767

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

39

 

20

 

5

 

 

44

 

20

 

Nonredeemable preferred stock

 

99

 

3

 

20

 

2

 

119

 

5

 

Total equity securities

 

138

 

23

 

25

 

2

 

163

 

25

 

Venture capital

 

52

 

12

 

-

 

 

52

 

12

 

Total

 

$

27,626

 

$

788

 

$

418

 

$

16

 

$

28,044

 

$

804

 

 

Impairment charges included in net realized investment gains were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

$

8

 

$

15

 

$

14

 

$

61

 

Equity securities

 

 

4

 

3

 

4

 

Venture capital

 

14

 

 

14

 

 

Real estate and other

 

1

 

 

3

 

12

 

Total

 

$

23

 

$

19

 

$

34

 

$

77

 

 

23



 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company engages in U.S. Treasury note futures transactions to modify the duration of the investment portfolio as part of its management of exposure to changes in interest rates.  The Company enters into 90-day futures contracts on 2-year, 5-year, 10-year and 30-year U.S. Treasury notes which require a daily mark-to-market settlement with the broker.  The notional value of the open U.S. Treasury futures contracts was $1.18 billion at June 30, 2004.  These derivative instruments are not designated and do not qualify as hedges under Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” rules and as such the daily mark-to-market settlement is reflected in net realized investment gains.  The Company has several interest rate swap agreements in which it pays floating and receives fixed interest to manage the exposure of certain of its fixed rate debt to changes in interest rates. The terms of the swaps match those of the debt instrument.  The notional value of these swaps was $730 million at June 30, 2004. These derivative instruments were acquired in the merger and do not qualify for continued hedge accounting rules and, as such, the daily mark-to-market change in fair value is reflected in net realized investment gains.

 

Securities Lending Payable

 

The Company engages in securities lending activities from which it generates net investment income from the lending of certain of its investments to other institutions for short periods of time.  Effective April 1, 2004, the Company entered into a new securities lending agreement.  Borrowers of these securities provide collateral equal to at least 102% of the market value of the loaned securities plus accrued interest.  This collateral is held by a third party custodian, and the Company has the right to access the collateral only in the event that the institution borrowing the Company’s securities is in default under the lending agreement.  Therefore, the Company does not recognize the receipt of the collateral held by the third party custodian or the obligation to return the collateral.  The loaned securities remain a recorded asset of the Company.

 

Prior to April 1, 2004, the Company engaged in securities lending activities where it received cash and marketable securities as collateral.  In those cases where cash collateral was received, the Company reinvested the collateral in a short-term investment pool, the loaned securities remained a recorded asset of the Company and a liability was recorded to recognize the Company’s obligation to return the collateral at the end of the loan.   Where marketable securities had been received as collateral, the collateral was held by a third party custodian, and the Company had the right to access the collateral only in the event that the institution borrowing the Company’s securities was in default under the lending agreement.  In those cases where marketable securities were received as collateral, the Company did not recognize the receipt of the collateral held by the third party custodian or the obligation to return the collateral.  The loaned securities remained a recorded asset of the Company.

 

6.              CHANGES IN EQUITY FROM NONOWNER SOURCES

 

The Company’s total changes in equity from nonowner sources are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(275

)

$

441

 

$

312

 

$

781

 

Change in net unrealized gain on investment securities

 

(1,082

)

355

 

(919

)

493

 

Other changes

 

(40

)

8

 

(40

)

13

 

Total changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

$

(1,397

)

$

804

 

$

(647

)

$

1,287

 

 

24



 

7.   EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

 

EPS has been computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, “Earnings per Share”.  Basic EPS is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  The computation of diluted EPS reflects the effect of potentially dilutive securities.  Excluded from the computation of diluted EPS were approximately 17 million of potentially dilutive shares related to convertible junior subordinated notes payable because the contingency conditions for their issuance have not been satisfied (see note 8 of TPC’s Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2003). 

 

Net loss per diluted share for the three months ended June 30, 2004, excluded the weighted average effects of: 3 million options to purchase common shares, 0.7 million shares of restricted stock, equity units convertible into 15 million common shares, outstanding convertible preferred stock convertible into 5 million common shares, and zero coupon convertible notes convertible into 2 million shares of common stock.  The impact of these potential shares of common stock and their effects on income were excluded from the calculation of net loss per share on a diluted basis as their effect is anti-dilutive for the three months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Net income per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2004, excluded the weighted average effect of zero coupon convertible notes convertible into 1 million common shares.  The impact of the potential shares of common stock and their effect on income were excluded from the calculation of net income per share on a diluted basis as their effect is anti-dilutive for the six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

25



 

The weighted average number of common shares outstanding applicable to basic and diluted EPS for all periods presented have been restated to reflect the exchange of each share of TPC common stock for 0.4334 shares of the Company’s common stock.  The following is a reconciliation of the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions, except per share amounts)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss), as reported

 

$

(275

)

$

441

 

$

312

 

$

781

 

Preferred stock dividends, net of taxes

 

(2

)

 

(2

)

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

 

(277

)

441

 

310

 

781

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

 

(277

)

441

 

310

 

781

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity unit stock purchase contracts

 

 

 

4

 

 

Convertible preferred stock

 

 

 

1

 

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

 

$

(277

)

$

441

 

$

315

 

$

781

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

664.8

 

434.4

 

549.7

 

434.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

664.8

 

434.4

 

549.7

 

434.4

 

Weighed average effects of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options and other incentive plans

 

 

2.3

 

3.0

 

2.3

 

Equity unit stock purchase contracts

 

 

 

7.6

 

 

Convertible preferred stock

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

Total

 

664.8

 

436.7

 

562.9

 

436.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.42

)

$

1.02

 

$

0.56

 

$

1.80

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.42

)

$

1.01

 

$

0.56

 

$

1.79

 

 

26



 

8.              CAPITAL AND DEBT

 

Long-term debt and convertible notes payable outstanding were as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

June 30,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medium-term notes with various maturities from 2004 to 2010

 

$

397

 

$

 

7.875%

Notes due 2005

 

238

 

 

7.125%

Notes due 2005

 

79

 

 

6.75%

Notes due 2006

 

150

 

150

 

5.75%

Notes due 2007

 

500

 

 

5.25%

Notes due 2007

 

442

 

 

3.75%

Notes due 2008

 

400

 

400

 

8.125%

Notes due 2010

 

250

 

 

7.81%

Notes due on various dates through 2011

 

24

 

24

 

5.00%

Notes due 2013

 

500

 

500

 

7.75%

Notes due 2026

 

200

 

200

 

7.625%

Subordinated debentures due 2027

 

125

 

 

8.47%

Subordinated debentures due 2027

 

81

 

 

4.50%

Convertible junior subordinated notes payable due 2032

 

893

 

893

 

6.00%

Convertible notes payable due 2032

 

 

50

 

6.375%

Notes due 2033

 

500

 

500

 

8.50%

Subordinated debentures due 2045

 

56

 

 

8.312%

Subordinated debentures due 2046

 

73

 

 

7.60%

Subordinated debentures due 2050

 

593

 

 

Nuveen Investments’ third-party debt due 2008

 

304

 

 

Commercial paper

 

197

 

 

4.50%

Zero coupon convertible notes due 2009

 

114

 

 

Subtotal

 

6,116

 

2,717

 

Unamortized fair value adjustment

 

282

 

 

Debt issuance costs

 

(40

)

(42

)

Total

 

$

6,358

 

$

2,675

 

 

The Company’s balance sheet includes the debt instruments acquired in the merger, which were recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date.  The resulting fair value adjustment, approximately $301 million, is being amortized over the remaining life of the respective debt instruments using the effective-interest method. The amortization of the fair value adjustment, which reduces interest expense, totaled $19 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2004. 

 

27



 

The following SPC debt instruments were acquired in the merger:

 

                  Medium-Term Notes - The medium-term notes outstanding at June 30, 2004 bear interest rates ranging from 6.4% to 7.4%, with a weighted average rate of 6.8%.  Maturities range from five to 15 years after the issuance dates.  The fair value purchase accounting adjustment recorded at acquisition totaled $45 million, representing a weighted average effective interest rate to maturity of 3.310%. 

 

                  7.875% Senior Notes – These notes mature in April 2005.  The fair value purchase accounting adjustment recorded at acquisition totaled $16 million, representing an effective interest rate to maturity of 1.645%.

 

                  7.125% Senior Notes – These notes mature in June 2005.  The fair value purchase accounting adjustment recorded at acquisition totaled $5 million, representing an effective interest rate to maturity of 1.881%. 

 

                  5.75% Senior Notes – These notes mature in March 2007.  The fair value purchase accounting adjustment recorded at acquisition totaled $44 million, representing an effective interest rate to maturity of 2.625%. 

 

                  5.25% Senior Notes – These notes mature in August 2007.  In July 2002, concurrent with the issuance of 17.8 million of common shares in a public offering, 8.9 million equity units were issued, each having a stated amount of $50, for gross consideration of $443 million.  Each equity unit initially consists of a forward purchase contract maturing in 2005 for the Company’s common stock, and an unsecured $50 senior note of the Company (maturing in 2007).  Total annual distributions on the equity units are at the rate of 9.00%, consisting of interest on the note at a rate of 5.25% and fee payments under the forward contract of 3.75%.  The forward contract requires the investor to purchase, for $50, a variable number of shares of the Company’s common stock on the settlement date of August 16, 2005.  The number of shares to be purchased will be determined based on a formula that considers the average trading price of the stock immediately prior to the time of settlement in relation to the $24.20 per share price at the time of the offering.  If the settlement date had been June 30, 2004, the Company would have issued approximately 15 million common shares based on the average trading price of its common stock immediately prior to that date.  The fair value purchase accounting adjustment recorded at acquisition related to the $443 million of senior notes totaled $23 million, representing an effective interest rate to maturity of 1.389%.

 

                  8.125% Senior Notes – These notes mature in April 2010.  The fair value purchase accounting adjustment recorded at acquisition totaled $51 million, representing an effective interest rate to maturity of 4.257%.

 

                  7.625% Subordinated Debentures – These debentures mature in December 2027.  The fair value purchase accounting adjustment recorded at acquisition totaled $22 million, representing an effective interest rate to maturity of 6.147%. 

 

                  8.47% Subordinated Debentures – These debentures mature in January 2027.  The fair value purchase accounting adjustment recorded at acquisition totaled $7 million, representing an effective interest rate to maturity of 7.660%. 

 

                  8.50% Subordinated Debentures – These debentures mature in December 2045.  The fair value purchase accounting adjustment recorded at acquisition totaled $17 million, representing an effective interest rate to maturity of 6.362%. 

 

                  8.312% Subordinated Debentures – These debentures mature in July 2046.  The fair value purchase accounting adjustment recorded at acquisition totaled $20 million, representing an effective interest rate to maturity of 6.362%. 

 

28



 

                  7.60% Subordinated Debentures – These debentures mature in October 2050.  The fair value purchase accounting adjustment recorded at acquisition totaled $43 million, representing an effective interest rate to maturity of 7.057%. 

 

                  Nuveen Investments’ Debt –These notes mature in September 2008.  The fair value purchase accounting adjustment recorded at acquisition totaled $7 million, representing an effective interest rate to maturity of 3.674%.

 

                  Commercial Paper - Interest rates on commercial paper outstanding at June 30, 2004 ranged from 1.1% to 1.5%. 

 

                  4.50% Zero Coupon Convertible Notes - These notes mature in 2009, but are redeemable at any time for an amount equal to the original issue price plus accreted original issue discount.  The fair value purchase accounting adjustment recorded at acquisition totaled $1 million, representing an effective interest rate to maturity of 4.175%. 

 

The Company maintains an $800 million commercial paper program and $1 billion of bank credit agreements.  Pursuant to covenants in the credit agreements, the Company must maintain an excess of consolidated net worth over goodwill and other intangible assets of not less than $10 billion at all times.  The Company must maintain a ratio of total consolidated debt to the sum of total consolidated debt plus consolidated net worth of not greater than 0.40 to 1.00.  The Company was in compliance with those covenants at June 30, 2004, and there were no amounts outstanding under the credit agreements as of that date. 

 

On April 1, 2004, The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payment of all principal, premiums, if any, and interest on certain debt obligations of its subsidiaries TPC and Travelers Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. (TIGHI).  The guarantees pertain to the $400.0 million 3.75% Notes due 2008, the $500.0 million 5.00% Notes due 2013, the $500.0 million 6.375% Notes due 2033, the $150.0 million 6.75% Notes due 2006, the $200.0 million 7.75% Notes due 2026 and the $892.5 million 4.5% Convertible Notes due 2032.

 

The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory restrictions that limit the maximum amount of dividends available to be paid to their parent without prior approval of insurance regulatory authorities. A maximum of $2.42 billion is available in 2004 for such dividends without prior approval of the Connecticut Insurance Department and the Minnesota Department of Commerce.  The Company received $800 million of dividends from its insurance subsidiaries during the first six months of 2004.

 

29



 

9.    INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

 

Intangible Assets

The following presents a summary of the Company’s intangible assets by major asset class as of June 30, 2004:

 

(in millions)

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangibles subject to amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer-related

 

$

1,026

 

$

185

 

$

841

 

Marketing-related

 

20

 

3

 

17

 

Contract-based

 

146

 

4

 

142

 

Fair value adjustment of claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables

 

191

 

(36

)

227

 

Total intangibles assets subject to amortization

 

1,383

 

156

 

1,227

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketing-related

 

15

 

 

15

 

Contract-based

 

511

 

 

511

 

Total intangible assets not subject to  amortization

 

526

 

 

526

 

Total intangible assets

 

$

1,909

 

$

156

 

$

1,753

 

 

The June 30, 2004 ending balance of $1.91 billion includes $1.38 billion of intangible assets acquired in the merger (see note 2).  Contract-based intangibles include management contracts associated with Nuveen Investments’ asset management business based on the present value of expected cash flows related to the management contracts.  Amounts related to this business are included in the Company’s 79% ownership interest in Nuveen Investments.

 

The following presents a summary of the Company’s amortization expense for intangible assets by major asset class, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004:

 

(in millions)

 

Three months
ended June 30,
2004

 

Six months
ended June
30, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer-related

 

$

40

 

$

52

 

Marketing-related

 

3

 

3

 

Contract-based

 

4

 

4

 

Fair value adjustment of claims and  claim adjustment expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables

 

(36

)

(36

)

Total amortization expense

 

$

11

 

$

23

 

 

30



 

At December 31, 2003, the Company had $422 million of intangible assets, with a gross carrying amount of $555 million and accumulated amortization of $133 million.  All of these intangible assets were customer-related and subject to amortization.  Amortization expense was $9 million and $18 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively.

 

Intangible asset amortization expense is estimated to be $68 million for the remainder of 2004, $160 million in 2005, $162 million in 2006, $156 million in 2007, $136 million in 2008, and $111 million in 2009.

 

Goodwill

The Company had goodwill with a carrying amount of $2.41 billion as of December 31, 2003.  As a result of the acquisition of SPC, $2.89 billion of goodwill was recorded on April 1, 2004.  The carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill as of June 30, 2004 was $5.31 billion.

 

The following table presents goodwill by segment as of June 30, 2004:

 

(in millions)

 

June 30,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

$

1,937

 

Specialty

 

887

 

Personal

 

613

 

Asset management

 

1,716

 

Other

 

158

 

Total

 

$

5,311

 

 

10.       PENSION PLANS AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS

 

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

The following table summarizes the components of net pension and postretirement benefit expense recognized in the consolidated statement of income for the Company’s plans.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension Plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

14

 

$

7

 

$

22

 

$

14

 

Interest cost on benefit obligation

 

27

 

9

 

37

 

18

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(36

)

(10

)

(48

)

(19

)

Amortization of unrecognized:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service cost

 

(1

)

(1

)

(3

)

(3

)

Net actuarial loss

 

2

 

1

 

4

 

3

 

Net benefit expense

 

$

6

 

$

6

 

$

12

 

$

13

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postretirement benefit plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

1

 

$

 

$

1

 

$

 

Interest cost on benefit obligation

 

5

 

 

5

 

1

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

 

Amortization of unrecognized:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service cost

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial loss

 

 

 

 

 

Net benefit expense

 

$

5

 

$

 

$

5

 

$

1

 

 

The Company does not have a best estimate of contributions it expects to be paid to the qualified pension plans during the next fiscal year at this time.

 

31



 

11.       CONTINGENCIES, COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES

 

Contingencies

 

The following section describes the major pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, to which the Company or its subsidiaries are a party or to which any of the Company’s property is subject.

 

Asbestos and Environmental-Related Proceedings

 

In the ordinary course of its insurance business, the Company receives claims for insurance arising under policies issued by the Company asserting alleged injuries and damages from asbestos and other hazardous waste and toxic substances which are the subject of related coverage litigation, including, among others, the litigation described below.  The Company continues to be subject to aggressive asbestos-related litigation.  The conditions surrounding the final resolution of these claims and the related litigation continue to change. 

 

TPC is involved in bankruptcy and other proceedings relating to ACandS, Inc. (ACandS), formerly a national installer of products containing asbestos.  The proceedings involve disputes as to whether and to what extent any of ACandS’ potential liabilities for bodily injury asbestos claims were covered by insurance policies issued by TPC.  There were a number of developments in the proceedings since the beginning of 2003, including two decisions which were favorable to TPC.  These developments and the status of the various proceedings are described below.

 

One of the proceedings was an arbitration commenced in January 2001 to determine whether and to what extent ACandS’ financial obligations for bodily injury asbestos claims are subject to insurance policy aggregate limits.  On July 31, 2003, the arbitration panel ruled in favor of TPC that asbestos bodily injury claims paid by ACandS on or after that decision date are subject to the aggregate limits of the policies issued to ACandS, which have been exhausted.  In October 2003, ACandS commenced a lawsuit seeking to vacate the arbitration award as beyond the panel’s scope of authority (ACandS, Inc. v. Travelers Casualty and Surety Co., U.S.D.Ct., E.D. Pa.).  TPC has filed its opposition to ACandS’ motion to vacate.

 

ACandS filed for bankruptcy in September 2002 (In re: ACandS, Inc., pending in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware).  On January 26, 2004, the bankruptcy court issued a decision rejecting confirmation of ACandS’ proposed plan of reorganization.  The bankruptcy court found, consistent with TPC’s objections to ACandS’ proposed plan, that the proposed plan was not fundamentally fair, was not proposed in good faith and did not comply with Section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code.  ACandS has filed a notice of appeal of the bankruptcy court’s decision and has filed objections to the bankruptcy court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law in the United States District Court.  TPC has moved to dismiss the appeal and objections and has also filed an opposition to ACandS’ objections.

 

In its proposed plan of reorganization, ACandS sought to establish a trust to pay asbestos bodily injury claims against it and sought to assign to the trust its rights under the insurance policies issued by TPC.  The proposed plan and disclosure statement filed by ACandS claimed that ACandS had settled the vast majority of asbestos-related bodily injury claims currently pending against it for approximately $2.80 billion.  ACandS asserts that, based on a prior agreement between TPC and ACandS and ACandS’ interpretation of the July 31, 2003 arbitration panel ruling, TPC is liable for 45% of the $2.80 billion.  In August 2003, ACandS filed a new lawsuit against TPC seeking to enforce this position (ACandS, Inc. v. Travelers Casualty and Surety Co., U.S.D.Ct., E.D. Pa.).  Before TPC responded to the complaint ACandS dismissed the action without prejudice to refiling.  Should ACandS reinitiate the proceeding, TPC intends to vigorously contest it and believes that it has meritorious defenses.

 

32



 

In addition to the proceedings described above, TPC and ACandS are also involved in litigation (ACandS, Inc. v. Travelers Casualty and Surety Co., U.S.D.Ct., E.D. Pa.) commenced in September 2000.  This litigation primarily involves the extent to which the asbestos bodily injury claims against ACandS are subject to occurrence limits under insurance policies issued by TPC.  TPC has filed a motion to dismiss this action based upon the July 31, 2003 arbitration decision.  TPC’s motion to dismiss and ACandS’ motion to vacate were argued to the District Court on July 21, 2004, and the parties are awaiting a decision.  The Company believes that the findings of the Bankruptcy Court supports several of TPC’s assertions in the proceedings.

 

The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses in all these proceedings, which it is vigorously asserting, including, among others, that the purported settlements are not final, are unreasonable in amount and are not binding on TPC; that any bankruptcy plan of reorganization which ACandS files is defective to the extent it seeks to accelerate any of TPC’s obligations under policies issued to ACandS or to deprive TPC of its right to litigate the claims against ACandS; that the arbitration award is valid and binding on the parties and applies to claims purportedly settled by ACandS during the pendency of the arbitration proceeding; and that the occurrence limits in the policies substantially reduce or eliminate TPC’s obligations, if any, with respect to the purportedly settled claims.

 

In October 2001 and April 2002, two purported class action suits (Wise v. Travelers and Meninger v. Travelers), were filed against TPC and other insurers (not including SPC) in state court in West Virginia.  The plaintiffs in these cases, which were subsequently consolidated into a single proceeding in Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia, allege that the insurer defendants engaged in unfair trade practices by inappropriately handling and settling asbestos claims.  The plaintiffs seek to reopen large numbers of settled asbestos claims and to impose liability for damages, including punitive damages, directly on insurers.  Lawsuits similar to Wise have been filed in Massachusetts (2002) and Hawaii (filed in 2002, and served in May 2003) (these suits are collectively referred to as the “Statutory and Hawaii Actions”).  Also, in November 2001, plaintiffs in consolidated asbestos actions pending before a mass tort panel of judges in West Virginia state court moved to amend their complaint to name TPC as a defendant, alleging that TPC and other insurers breached alleged duties to certain users of asbestos products.  In March 2002, the court granted the motion to amend.  Plaintiffs seek damages, including punitive damages.  Lawsuits seeking similar relief and raising allegations similar to those presented in the West Virginia amended complaint are also pending in Ohio and Texas state courts against TPC, SPC and United States Fidelity and Guaranty Corporation (USF&G) and in Louisiana state court against TPC (the claims asserted in these suits, together with the West Virginia suit, are collectively referred to as the “Common Law Claims”).

 

33



 

All of the actions against TPC described in the preceding paragraph, other than the Hawaii Actions, are currently subject to a temporary restraining order entered by the federal bankruptcy court in New York, which had previously presided over and approved the reorganization in bankruptcy of TPC’s former policyholder Johns Manville.  In August 2002, the bankruptcy court conducted a hearing on TPC’s motion for a preliminary injunction prohibiting further prosecution of the lawsuits pursuant to the reorganization plan and related orders.  At the conclusion of this hearing, the court ordered the parties to mediation, appointed a mediator and continued the temporary restraining order.  During 2003, the same bankruptcy court extended the existing injunction to apply to an additional set of cases filed in various state courts in Texas and Ohio as well as to the attorneys who are prosecuting these cases.  The order also enjoins these attorneys and their respective law firms from commencing any further lawsuits against TPC based upon these allegations without the prior approval of the court.  Notwithstanding the injunction, additional Common Law Claims have been filed and served on TPC.  The parties met with the mediator several times, and on November 19, 2003, the parties advised the bankruptcy court that a settlement of the Statutory and Hawaii Actions had been reached.  This settlement includes a lump sum payment of up to $412 million by TPC, subject to a number of significant contingencies.  After continued meetings with the mediator, the parties advised the bankruptcy court on May 25, 2004 that a settlement resolving substantially all pending and similar future Common Law Claims against TPC had also been reached.  This settlement would require a payment of up to $90 million by TPC, subject to a number of significant contingencies.  The bankruptcy court must approve all the settlement agreements and clarify certain prior orders of the bankruptcy court concerning the scope and breadth of the injunction previously entered by that court in the Johns Manville proceeding.  This approval must become final and, to the extent any appeals are taken, all such appeals seeking to reverse these orders must have been denied in order for the settlements to take effect.  The bankruptcy court held a hearing on July 6, 2004 with respect to TPC’s motions to approve the settlements and to enforce the court’s prior injunction as required by the settlements.  If the settlements are approved, then the Statutory and Hawaii Actions and substantially all pending Common Law Claims against TPC will have been resolved with an order in place that would bar similar claims in the future.  It is not possible to predict how the court will rule on the motions to approve the settlements of the Statutory and Hawaii Actions and the Common Law Claims against TPC.  If all of the conditions of the settlements are not satisfied, then the temporary restraining order currently in effect will be lifted and TPC will again be subject to the pending litigation and could be subject to additional litigation based on similar theories of liability.

 

TPC, SPC and USF&G have numerous defenses in all of the direct action cases asserting Common Law Claims.  Many of these defenses have been raised in initial motions to dismiss filed by TPC, SPC, USF&G and other insurers.  There have been favorable rulings during 2003 and 2004 in Texas and during 2004 in Ohio on some of these motions filed by SPC, USF&G and other insurers during the pendency of the Johns Manville stay that dealt with statute of limitations and the validity of the alleged causes of actions.  The plaintiffs in these actions have appealed these favorable rulings.  TPC’s, SPC’s and USF&G’s defenses include the fact that these novel theories have no basis in law; that they are directly at odds with the well established law pertaining to the insured/insurer relationship; that there is no generalized duty to warn as alleged by the plaintiffs; and that the applicable statute of limitations as to many of these claims has long since expired.  TPC’s defenses also include the fact that, to the extent that they have not been released by virtue of prior settlement agreements by the claimants with TPC’s policyholders, all of these claims were released by virtue of approved settlements and orders entered by the Johns Manville bankruptcy court.

 

The Company is defending its asbestos and environmental-related litigation vigorously and believes that it has meritorious defenses; however, the outcome of these disputes is uncertain.  In this regard, the Company employs dedicated specialists and aggressive resolution strategies to manage asbestos and environmental loss exposure, including settling litigation under appropriate circumstances.  For a discussion of recent settlement activity and other information regarding the Company’s asbestos and environmental exposure, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Asbestos Claims and Litigation”, “– Environmental Claims and Litigation” and “– Uncertainty Regarding Adequacy of Asbestos and Environmental Reserves.”

 

34



 

Currently, it is not possible to predict legal outcomes and their impact on the future development of claims and litigation relating to asbestos and environmental claims.  Any such development will be affected by future court decisions and interpretations, as well as changes in applicable legislation.  Because of these uncertainties, additional liabilities may arise for amounts in excess of the current related reserves.  In addition, the Company’s estimate of ultimate claims and claim adjustment expenses may change.  These additional liabilities or increases in estimates, or a range of either, cannot now be reasonably estimated and could result in income statement charges that could be material to the Company’s results of operations and financial condition in future periods. As part of its continuing analysis of asbestos reserves, which includes an annual ground-up review of asbestos policyholders, the Company continues to study the implications of these and other developments. The Company expects to complete the current annual ground-up review, which will also include a review of the asbestos liabilities acquired in the merger, during the fourth quarter of 2004.

 

Other Proceedings

 

Beginning in January 1997, various plaintiffs commenced a series of purported class actions and one multi-party action in various courts against some of TPC’s subsidiaries, dozens of other insurers and the National Council on Compensation Insurance, or the NCCI.  The allegations in the actions are substantially similar.  The plaintiffs generally allege that the defendants conspired to collect excessive or improper premiums on loss-sensitive workers’ compensation insurance policies in violation of state insurance laws, antitrust laws, and state unfair trade practices laws.  Plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages.  After several voluntary dismissals, refilings and consolidations, actions are, or until recently were, pending in the following jurisdictions:  Georgia (Melvin Simon & Associates, Inc., et al. v. Standard Fire Insurance Company, et al.); Tennessee (Bristol Hotel Asset Company, et al. v. The Aetna Casualty and Surety Company, et al.); Florida (Bristol Hotel Asset Company, et al. v. Allianz Insurance Company, et al. and Bristol Hotel Management Corporation, et al. v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Company, et al.); New Jersey (Foodarama Supermarkets, Inc., et al. v. Allianz Insurance Company, et al.); Illinois (CR/PL Management Co., et al. v. Allianz Insurance Company Group, et al.); Pennsylvania (Foodarama Supermarkets, Inc. v. American Insurance Company, et al.); Missouri (American Freightways Corporation, et al. v. American Insurance Co., et al.); California (Bristol Hotels & Resorts, et al. v. NCCI, et al.);  Texas (Sandwich Chef of Texas, Inc., et al. v. Reliance National Indemnity Insurance Company, et al.); Alabama (Alumax Inc., et al. v. Allianz Insurance Company, et al.); Michigan (Alumax, Inc., et al. v. National Surety Corp., et al.); Kentucky (Payless Cashways, Inc., et al. v. National Surety Corp. et al.); New York (Burnham Service Corp. v. American Motorists Insurance Company, et al.); and Arizona (Albany International Corp. v. American Home Assurance Company, et al.).

 

The trial courts ordered dismissal of the California, Pennsylvania and New York cases, one of the two Florida cases (Bristol Hotel Asset Company, et al. v. Allianz Insurance Company, et al.), and, in August 2003, the Kentucky case.  In addition, the trial courts have ordered partial dismissals of six other cases: those pending in Tennessee, New Jersey, Illinois, Missouri, Alabama and Arizona.  The trial courts in Georgia, Texas and Michigan denied defendants’ motions to dismiss.  The California appellate court reversed the trial court in part and ordered reinstatement of most claims, while the New York appellate court affirmed dismissal in part and allowed plaintiffs to dismiss their remaining claims voluntarily.  The Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Jersey courts denied class certification. The New Jersey appellate court denied plaintiffs’ request to appeal.  After the rulings described above, the plaintiffs withdrew the New York and Michigan cases.  Although the trial court in Texas granted class certification, the appellate court reversed that ruling in January 2003, holding that class certification should not have been granted.  In October 2003, the United States Supreme Court denied plaintiff’s request for further review of that appellate ruling.  TPC is vigorously defending all of the pending cases and the Company’s management believes TPC has meritorious defenses; however the outcome of these disputes is uncertain.

 

Gulf, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TPC, brought an action on May 22, 2003, as amended on July 29, 2003, in the Supreme Court of New York, County of New York (Gulf Insurance Company v. Transatlantic Reinsurance Company, et al.), against Transatlantic Reinsurance Company (Transatlantic), and three other reinsurance companies to recover amounts due under reinsurance contracts

 

35



 

issued to Gulf and related to Gulf’s February 2003 settlement of a coverage dispute under a vehicle residual value protection insurance policy.  On May 22, 2003, as amended on September 5, 2003, Transatlantic brought an action against Gulf regarding the same dispute, which has been consolidated with Gulf’s action.  Transatlantic seeks rescission of its vehicle residual value reinsurance contracts issued to Gulf and unspecified damages for breach of contract.  XL Reinsurance America, Inc. (XL), Odyssey America Reinsurance Corporation (Odyssey) and Employers Reinsurance Company (Employers), the other defendant reinsurers, also filed answers and counterclaims in the Gulf action asserting positions similar to Transatlantic, including counterclaims for rescission of vehicle residual value reinsurance contracts issued to Gulf.  On October 1, 2003, Gulf entered into a final settlement agreement with Employers, and all claims and counterclaims with respect to Employers have been dismissed. 

 

On April 20, 2004, Gerling Global Reinsurance Corporation of America (Gerling) brought an action against Gulf in the Supreme Court of New York County concerning its participation on Gulf’s vehicle residual value reinsurance contracts, and asserted positions similar to the other reinsurers.  The Gerling action has been consolidated with the pending Gulf action for pre-trial purposes.  Gulf has asserted counterclaims against Gerling seeking to recover amounts due under the residual value reinsurance contracts for payments made by Gulf pursuant to the February 2003 settlement and under other residual value protection insurance policies. 

 

On May 12, 2004, Gulf further amended its complaint to include amounts due under a second installment payment made by Gulf pursuant to the February 2003 settlement and to name Gerling as a defendant.  Gulf now seeks a total of $103.2 million due under the reinsurance contracts for the February 2003 settlement and consequential and punitive damages from Transatlantic, XL, Odyssey and Gerling. 

 

On May 26, 2004, the Court denied Gulf’s motion to dismiss certain claims asserted by Transatlantic and a joint motion by Transatlantic, XL and Odyssey for summary judgment against Gulf.  Discovery is currently proceeding in the matters.  Gulf denies the reinsurers’ allegations, believes that it has a strong legal basis to collect the amounts due under the reinsurance contracts and intends to vigorously pursue the actions.

 

TPC and its board of directors were named as defendants in three purported class action lawsuits brought by four of TPC’s former shareholders seeking injunctive relief as well as unspecified monetary damages.  The actions were captioned Henzel, et al. v. Travelers Property Casualty Corp., et al. (Jud. Dist. of Waterbury, CT Nov. 17, 2003); Vozzolo v. Travelers Property Casualty Corp., et al. (Jud. Dist. of Waterbury, CT Nov. 17, 2003); and Farina v. Travelers Property Casualty Corp., et al. (Jud. Dist. of Waterbury, CT December 15, 2003). The Farina complaint also named SPC and its former subsidiary, Adams Acquisition Corp., as defendants.  On March 18, 2004, TPC and SPC announced that all of these lawsuits had been settled, subject to court approval of the settlements.  The settlement included a modification to the termination fee that could have been paid had the merger not been completed, additional disclosure in the proxy statement distributed in connection with the merger and a nominal amount for attorneys fees.  The parties intend to move soon for Court approval of certification of a class for settlement purposes, notice to the class of the settlement, and approval of the terms of the settlement.

 

In connection with SPC’s Western MacArthur asbestos litigation, which was recently settled, several purported class action lawsuits were filed in the fourth quarter of 2002 against SPC and its chief executive officer and chief financial officer.  In the first quarter of 2003, the lawsuits were consolidated into a single action, which makes various allegations relating to the adequacy of SPC’s previous public disclosures and reserves relating to the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation, and seeks unspecified damages and other relief.  In the second quarter of 2004, SPC executed a definitive settlement agreement and the court granted preliminary approval of the settlement. The court must still grant final approval of the settlement and a final hearing is scheduled for the third quarter of 2004.

 

36



 

SPC had disclosed in its Securities and Exchange Commission filings prior to the merger that its pretax net exposure with regard to surety bonds it had issued on behalf of companies operating in the energy trading sector totaled approximately $336 million at March 31, 2004, with the largest individual exposure approximating $173 million.  In July 2004, the company representing that exposure announced an agreement to provide collateral to the Company to support the surety bonds SPC had issued for gas supply contracts held by two municipal gas providers.  If all provisions of the settlement agreement are fulfilled, the Company’s gross exposure on the two surety bonds would fall to approximately $8 million.

 

In addition to those described above, the Company is involved in numerous lawsuits, not involving asbestos and environmental claims, arising mostly in the ordinary course of business operations either as a liability insurer defending third-party claims brought against policyholders or as an insurer defending coverage claims brought against it.  While the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings could be significant to the Company’s results of operations in a future quarter, in the opinion of the Company’s management it would not be likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations for a calendar year or on the Company’s financial condition or liquidity. 

 

Other Commitments and Guarantees

 

Commitments – The Company has long-term commitments to fund venture capital investments through its subsidiary, St. Paul Venture Capital VI, LLC, through new and existing partnerships, and certain other venture capital entities.  The Company’s total future estimated obligations related to its venture capital investments were $319 million at June 30, 2004.  In the normal course of business, the Company has additional unfunded commitments to partnerships, joint ventures and certain private equity investments in which it invests.  These additional commitments totaled $567 million and $652 million at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. 

 

Guarantees – As part of the merger, the Company assumed certain contingent obligations for guarantees related to agency loans, issuances of debt securities, third party loans related to venture capital investments, certain tax indemnifications related to swap agreements, various guarantees and indemnifications in connection with the transfer of ongoing reinsurance operations to Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd., and various indemnifications related to the sale of business entities.

 

37



 

Sales of Businesses - In the ordinary course of selling business entities to third parties, the Company has agreed to indemnify purchasers for losses arising out of breaches of representations and warranties with respect to the business entities being sold, covenants and obligations of the Company and/or its subsidiaries following the closing, and in certain cases obligations arising from undisclosed liabilities, adverse reserve development, premium deficiencies or certain named litigation.  Such indemnification provisions generally survive for periods ranging from 12 months following the applicable closing date to the expiration of the relevant statutes of limitation, or in some cases agreed upon term limitations.  As of June 30, 2004, the aggregate amount of the Company’s quantifiable indemnification obligations in effect for sales of business entities was $2.20 billion, with a deductible amount of $72 million.  The deductible amount represents an aggregate minimum threshold which our obligations must exceed before we would be obligated to make any payments. 

 

12.       REINSURANCE

 

The Company’s consolidated financial statements reflect the effects of assumed and ceded reinsurance transactions.  Assumed reinsurance refers to the acceptance of certain insurance risks that other insurance companies have underwritten.  Ceded reinsurance involves transferring certain insurance risks (along with the related written and earned premiums) the Company has underwritten to other insurance companies who agree to share these risks.  The primary purpose of ceded reinsurance is to protect the Company from potential losses in excess of the amount it is prepared to accept.

 

The Company evaluates and monitors the financial condition of its reinsurers under voluntary reinsurance arrangements to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies.  In addition, in the ordinary course of business, the Company may become involved in coverage disputes with its reinsurers.  In recent quarters, the Company has experienced an increase in the frequency of these reinsurance coverage disputes.  Some of these disputes could result in lawsuits and arbitrations brought by or against the reinsurers to determine the Company’s rights and obligations under the various reinsurance agreements.  The Company employs dedicated specialists and aggressive strategies to manage reinsurance collections and disputes.

 

The Company reports its reinsurance recoverables net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance recoverables.  The allowance is based upon the Company’s ongoing review of amounts outstanding, length of collection periods, changes in reinsurer credit standing, amounts in dispute, applicable coverage defenses and other relevant factors.  Accordingly, the establishment of reinsurance recoverables and the related allowance for uncollectible reinsurance recoverables is an inherently uncertain process involving estimates.  Amounts deemed to be uncollectible, including amounts due from known insolvent reinsurers, are written off against the allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance recoverables.  Any subsequent collections of amounts previously written off are reported as part of underwriting results.

 

The allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance recoverables was $739 million and $386 million at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.  The increase in the allowance included $140 million of provisions related to reinsurance recoverables acquired in the merger, $116 million related to conforming the Company’s accounting methods for estimating uncollectible reinsurance, and $100 million related to the Company’s ongoing review process described above. 

 

38



 

The effect of assumed and ceded reinsurance on premiums written, premiums earned and insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 was as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Premiums written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

5,905

 

$

3,672

 

$

9,828

 

$

7,305

 

Assumed

 

293

 

114

 

402

 

223

 

Ceded

 

(937

)

(517

)

(1,498

)

(1,092

)

Net premiums written

 

$

5,261

 

$

3,269

 

$

8,732

 

$

6,436

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

5,909

 

$

3,540

 

$

9,667

 

$

6,943

 

Assumed

 

337

 

123

 

464

 

247

 

Ceded

 

(1,092

)

(563

)

(1,638

)

(1,111

)

Net premiums earned

 

$

5,154

 

$

3,100

 

$

8,493

 

$

6,079

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

4,977

 

$

2,571

 

$

7,434

 

$

5,200

 

Assumed

 

146

 

139

 

275

 

253

 

Ceded

 

(243

)

(507

)

(555

)

(966

)

Policyholder dividends

 

(11

)

8

 

(4

)

12

 

Net claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

$

4,869

 

$

2,211

 

$

7,150

 

$

4,499

 

 

The Company entered into commutation agreements with a major reinsurer, effective June 30, 2004, resulting in a charge of $153 million for amounts received less than the reinsurance balances of approximately $1.26 billion. In connection with the commutation, the Company also entered into a new reinsurance agreement effective April 1, 2004, that provides $300 million aggregate coverage for the 2000 accident year exposures written by SPC.  Because the new agreement is for events occurring prior to the effective date of the agreement, the resulting $59 million gain has been deferred and will be recognized in earnings as amounts are recovered from the reinsurer. Under the terms of these agreements, the Company received net cash of approximately $867 million.

 

39



 

13.       CLAIMS AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE RESERVES

 

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves were as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

June 30,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

Property-casualty reserves

 

$

56,130

 

$

34,474

 

Accident and health

 

160

 

99

 

Total

 

$

56,290

 

$

34,573

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves at June 30, 2004 increased by $21.72 billion over year-end 2003, primarily as a result of the merger with SPC.  Of this increase, $19.50 billion resulted from including the acquired reserves and $1.27 billion was due to reserve adjustments, ($1.17 billion, net of reinsurance), including actions taken to conform to the Company’s accounting and actuarial methods for construction and surety reserves. 

 

Construction claims have three categories of exposures: construction defect, construction wrap-up and contractor. In the Company’s experience, construction defect and wrap-up have been the most complex and subject to variability.  Construction defect claims relate to property damage claims that result from errors a contractor makes during a project that are not known until after the project is completed.  Construction wrap-up exposures relate to insurance programs, such as workers’ compensation and general liability, for construction projects in which all contractors working on such a project are covered under the programs.

 

The Company analyzed the acquired construction reserves using its long-established unit which tracks, disaggregates and studies construction claims for these three categories.  The Company applied its actuarial models and experience and then determined that $500 million of additional reserves would be recorded.  The Company recorded this amount as a charge in the second quarter since it determined that the effect of the change in accounting and actuarial methods was inseparable from the effect of the change in estimate.

 

The change in surety reserves has two components: (1) conformity of accounting and actuarial methods and (2) net strengthening of reserves due to the financial condition of a construction contractor. 

 

With respect to conformity of methodologies, the Company establishes its surety reserves when it is determined that a contractor is not likely to be capable of completing its bonded obligations in accordance with their respective terms (i.e., reserves are evaluated on a contractor-by-contractor basis). The acquired reserves were established for each bond when it was determined that the individual project was not likely to be completed in accordance with its terms (i.e., reserves were evaluated on a project-by-project basis). This change, along with other conformity changes, resulted in an increase in surety reserves of $396 million ($300 million, net of reinsurance).  This also resulted in an additional liability for reinstatement premiums of $75 million, which is reported in payables for reinsurance.

 

Also, in response to first quarter developments that included requests for additional advances by a specific construction contractor and that resulted in a first quarter charge by SPC, a comprehensive update of exposures to this construction contractor was completed in the second quarter.  Detailed reviews performed by independent engineering and accounting firms resulted in increases in estimates of costs to complete the contractor’s existing projects. The Company also performed analyses of the contractor’s business and financial condition, the impact of various completion alternatives on the cost to complete bonded projects, liquidated damages, reinsurance recoveries, co-surety participation and collateral.  Based upon these analyses, the Company recorded an increase of $252 million to its surety reserves. 

 

40



 

In total, the Company recorded charges of $648 million ($552 million, net of reinsurance), related to the acquired surety reserves during the second quarter since it determined that the effect of the change in accounting and actuarial methods was inseparable from the effect of the change in estimate. 

 

Separately, the fair value adjustments to the acquired claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables as of April 1, 2004, the merger date, is reported as an intangible asset and is being amortized over the expected payout period of the acquired reserves.  See note 2.

 

Other significant second quarter changes impacting claims and claim adjustment expenses included unfavorable prior year reserve development of $205 million related to environmental reserves and $173 million of unfavorable development related to Specialty.  These amounts were offset by net favorable prior year reserve development of $234 million related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack (primarily in the Commercial segment), additional net favorable development of $100 million in the Personal segment and $15 million in the Commercial segment. 

 

14.       RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES

 

Beginning in the second quarter of 2004, the Company’s management approved and committed to plans to terminate and relocate certain employees and to exit certain activities.  The cost of these actions has been recognized as a liability and are included in either the allocation of the purchase price or recorded as part of general and administrative expense.  The following table summarizes the Company’s costs related to these plans. 

 

(in millions)

 

Accrued
Costs

 

Payments

 

Balance at
June 30,
2004

 

Charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee termination and relocation costs

 

$

71

 

$

(18

)

$

53

 

Costs to exit leases

 

4

 

 

4

 

Other exit costs

 

4

 

 

4

 

Total included in the allocation of purchase price

 

79

 

(18

)

61

 

Employee termination and relocation costs included in general and administrative expenses

 

40

 

 

40

 

Total restructuring costs

 

$

119

 

$

(18

)

$

101

 

 

Employee termination and relocation costs consist primarily of severance benefits for which payments will be substantially completed by the end of 2006.  Costs to exit leases include remaining lease obligations on properties to be vacated by the Company and are expected to be fully paid by the end of 2007.  Other exit costs include the remaining costs related to a redundant computer software contract which are expected to be fully paid by the end of 2005.

 

41



 

15.       INCENTIVE PLAN

 

In accordance with the merger agreement, the outstanding stock options to purchase shares in TPC common stock were converted into options to purchase the Company’s common stock; and the restricted stock awards in TPC common stock were converted to restricted stock awards in the Company’s common stock.  These stock options and restricted stock awards retained the same terms and conditions that were applicable prior to the conversion.  The 0.4334 merger exchange ratio was applied to the outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards to reflect this conversion.  Under the TPC stock option programs, the exercise price is equal to the fair value of the company’s common stock at the time of grant.  Generally, options vest 20% each year over a five-year period and may be exercised for a period of ten years from date of grant. 

 

Also in connection with the merger, the Company assumed 23 million outstanding SPC stock options, of which approximately 4 million remained unvested, and assumed approximately 240,000 of outstanding SPC restricted stock awards related to SPC equity-based compensation plans.  These stock options and restricted stock awards retained the same terms and conditions that were applicable prior to the merger.  Under the SPC stock option programs, the exercise price is equal to the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the time of grant.  Generally, options vest 25% each year over a four-year period and may be exercised for a period of ten years from date of grant.  Under the SPC capital accumulation plan the number of shares included in the restricted stock award is calculated at a 10% discount from the market price at the time of the award and generally vest in full after a two year period.  The estimated fair value of all the outstanding SPC stock options at April 1, 2004 was $186 million and was included in the determination of the purchase price based upon the announcement date market price per share of SPC common stock, using an option-pricing model.  The unvested stock option awards and the restricted stock awards require the holder to render service during the vesting period and are therefore considered unearned compensation.  At April 1, 2004, the estimated fair value of the unvested awards and restricted stock awards were $35 million and $9 million, respectively; and have been included in unearned compensation as a separate component of equity.  The unearned compensation expense is being recognized as a charge to income over the remaining vesting period.

 

On January 22, 2004 and January 23, 2003, TPC, through its Capital Accumulation Program issued 847,593 and 842,368 shares, respectively, of class A common stock in the form of restricted stock to participating officers and other key employees.  The fair value per share of the class A common stock was $41.35 and $37.33, respectively.  The shares issued and the fair value of the class A common stock have been restated to reflect the exchange of each share of TPC common stock for 0.4334 shares of the Company’s stock.  The restricted stock generally vests after a three-year period.  Except under limited circumstances, during this period the stock cannot be sold or transferred by the participant, who is required to render service to the Company during the restricted period.  The unamortized unearned compensation expense associated with these awards is included as unearned compensation as a separate component of equity in the consolidated balance sheet.  Unearned compensation expense is recognized as a charge to income ratably over the vesting period.

 

On April 27, 2004, the Company, through the Travelers Property Casualty Corp. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan, issued approximately 682,000 shares of common stock in the form of restricted stock and approximately 1,079,000 options to purchase the Company’s common stock as a special management award to legacy TPC participating officers and other key employees.  The fair value per share of the common stock was $42.55, which was the grant value of the restricted stock and also the exercise price of the options.  The restricted stock generally vests after a three-year period while the stock options vest 50% in year two and 25% in each of the following two years.  Except under limited circumstances during the vesting period, the stock cannot be sold or transferred by the participant, who is required to render service to the Company during the restricted period.  Compensation expense is recognized as a charge to income over the vesting period.

 

42



 

In addition to the Company’s equity-based compensation plans discussed above, Nuveen Investments has an equity-based compensation plan in which awards are granted in Nuveen Investments’ publicly traded common stock.  The after-tax compensation cost associated with these awards included in the Company’s earnings was approximately $3 million.

 

16.       INCOME TAXES

 

The components of income tax expense (benefit) were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Income tax expense (benefit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

$

(128

)

$

166

 

$

114

 

$

(199

)

Deferred

 

(108

)

(13

)

(125

)

440

 

Total federal income tax expense (benefit)

 

(236

)

153

 

(11

)

241

 

Foreign

 

12

 

2

 

14

 

4

 

State

 

7

 

 

7

 

 

Total income tax expense (benefit)

 

$

(217

)

$

155

 

$

10

 

$

245

 

 

The Company’s net deferred tax asset increased by $1.57 billion from the period December 31, 2003 to June 30, 2004.  This increase was primarily due to the addition of $932 million of deferred tax assets as a result of the merger and a reduction in the Company’s unrealized investment gains during that period.

 

17.       OTHER ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS

 

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (Platinum)

In June 2004, the Company sold six million shares of common stock of Platinum that it had acquired in connection with the merger.  Total proceeds from the sale were approximately $177 million, which resulted in a net after-tax realized loss of $13 million.  The carrying value of the Company’s investment in Platinum had been adjusted to fair value as of the April 1, 2004 merger date as a purchase accounting adjustment.  The Company retained its ownership of options to purchase up to six million additional Platinum common shares at an exercise price of $27 per share, which represents 120% of the initial public offering price of Platinum’s shares.

 

43



 

Commercial Insurance Resources, Inc.

On August 1, 2002, Commercial Insurance Resources, Inc. (CIRI), a subsidiary of the Company and the holding company for the Gulf Insurance Group, completed a transaction with a group of outside investors and senior employees of Gulf Insurance Group.  Capital investments made by the investors and employees included $85.9 million of mandatorily convertible preferred stock at a purchase price of $8.83 per share, $49.7 million of aggregate principal of convertible notes and $0.4 million of common shares at a purchase price of $8.83 per share, representing a 24% ownership interest, on a fully diluted basis.  The dividend rate on the preferred stock is 6%.  The interest rate on the notes is 6.0% payable on an interest-only basis.  The notes mature on December 31, 2032.  Trident II, L.P., Marsh & McLennan Capital Professionals Fund, L.P., Marsh & McLennan Employees’ Securities Company, L.P. and Trident Gulf Holding, LLC (collectively, Trident) invested $125 million, and a group of approximately 75 senior employees of Gulf Insurance Group invested $14.2 million.  Fifty percent of the CIRI senior employees’ investment was financed by CIRI.  The financing was collateralized by the CIRI securities purchased and was forgivable if Trident achieves certain investment returns.  The applicable agreements provided for registration rights and transfer rights and restrictions and other matters customarily addressed in agreements with minority investors.

 

On May 28, 2004, The Travelers Indemnity Company (Indemnity), a subsidiary of the Company, completed its previously announced transaction with Trident to purchase all of the outstanding shares (8,970,000 shares) of the mandatorily convertible preferred stock held by Trident at a purchase price of $8.83 per share for $79.2 million and the convertible notes held by Trident for $45.8 million of aggregate principal.  By June 30, 2004, Indemnity completed its purchase from employees of $6.6 million of the mandatorily convertible preferred stock at a purchase price of $8.83 per share, convertible notes with an aggregate principal amount of $3.8 million, and common equity of $3.1 million at a purchase price of $8.83 per share.  The notes that were previously issued to employees to finance 50% of their investment in CIRI were assumed by Indemnity as part of the agreement to purchase the employees’ investments in CIRI.  The excess of the cost to re-purchase the minority interest over the minority interest carrying value on the balance sheet was recorded as a charge to additional paid-in capital during the second quarter.

 

44



 

18.       CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE ST. PAUL TRAVELERS COMPANIES AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

The following consolidating financial statements of The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. (St. Paul Travelers) and subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X.  These consolidating financial statements have been prepared from the Company’s financial information on the same basis of accounting as the consolidated financial statements.  St. Paul Travelers has fully and unconditionally guaranteed certain debt obligations of TPC, its wholly-owned subsidiary, which totaled $2.64 billion as of June 30, 2004. 

 

Prior to the merger, TPC fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payment of all principal, premiums, if any, and interest on certain debt obligations of its wholly-owned subsidiary TIGHI.  St. Paul Travelers has fully and unconditionally guaranteed such guarantee obligations of TPC.  TPC is deemed to have no assets or operations independent of TIGHI.  Consolidating financial information for TIGHI has not been presented herein because such financial information would be substantially the same as the financial information provided for TPC.

 

THE ST. PAUL TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME (Unaudited)

For the three months ended June 30, 2004

(in millions)

 

 

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

St. Paul
Travelers

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

3,382

 

$

1,772

 

$

 

$

 

$

5,154

 

Net investment income

 

457

 

184

 

1

 

 

642

 

Fee income

 

163

 

8

 

 

 

171

 

Asset management

 

 

121

 

 

 

121

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

180

 

(64

)

(61

)

 

55

 

Other revenues

 

31

 

8

 

2

 

(3

)

38

 

Total revenues

 

4,213

 

2,029

 

(58

)

(3

)

6,181

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

2,141

 

2,728

 

 

 

4,869

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

538

 

267

 

 

 

805

 

General and administrative expenses

 

497

 

417

 

13

 

(1

)

926

 

Interest expense

 

36

 

3

 

29

 

(2

)

66

 

Total claims and expenses

 

3,212

 

3,415

 

42

 

(3

)

6,666

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest

 

1,001

 

(1,386

)

(100

)

 

(485

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

291

 

(478

)

(30

)

 

(217

)

Equity in loss of subsidiaries

 

 

 

(205

)

205

 

 

Minority interest, net of tax

 

2

 

5

 

 

 

7

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

708

 

$

(913

)

$

(275

)

$

205

 

$

(275

)

 

45



 

THE ST. PAUL TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)

At June 30, 2004

(in millions)

 

 

 

TPC

 

Other Subsidiaries

 

St. Paul Travelers

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities, available for sale at fair value (including $1,886 and $696 subject to securities lending and repurchase agreements)  (amortized cost $49,870 and $31,478)

 

$

32,415

 

$

17,591

 

$

32

 

$

(14

)

$

50,024

 

Equity securities, at fair value (cost $812 and $672)

 

679

 

102

 

71

 

 

852

 

Real estate

 

2

 

1,077

 

 

 

1,079

 

Mortgage loans

 

175

 

62

 

 

 

237

 

Short-term securities

 

2,336

 

2,009

 

25

 

 

4,370

 

Other investments

 

2,367

 

1,239

 

52

 

 

3,658

 

Total investments

 

37,974

 

22,080

 

180

 

(14

)

60,220

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

117

 

91

 

(1

)

 

207

 

Investment income accrued

 

383

 

248

 

4

 

(6

)

629

 

Premium balances receivable

 

4,154

 

2,452

 

 

 

6,606

 

Reinsurance recoverables

 

10,617

 

7,426

 

 

 

18,043

 

Ceded unearned premiums

 

831

 

592

 

 

 

1,423

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

1,021

 

597

 

 

 

1,618

 

Deferred tax asset

 

1,065

 

1,132

 

222

 

(171

)

2,248

 

Contractholder receivables

 

3,464

 

1,639

 

 

 

5,103

 

Goodwill

 

2,412

 

2,899

 

 

 

5,311

 

Intangible assets

 

374

 

1,379

 

 

 

1,753

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

 

 

22,726

 

(22,726

)

 

Other assets

 

1,729

 

2,327

 

(244

)

(365

)

3,447

 

Total assets

 

$

64,141

 

$

42,862

 

$

22,887

 

$

(23,282

)

$

106,608

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves

 

$

34,408

 

$

21,882

 

$

 

$

 

$

56,290

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

7,250

 

4,251

 

 

 

11,501

 

Contractholder payables

 

3,464

 

1,639

 

 

 

5,103

 

Debt

 

2,627

 

489

 

3,622

 

(380

)

6,358

 

Payables for reinsurance premiums

 

240

 

678

 

 

 

918

 

Payables for securities lending and repurchase agreements

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities

 

3,977

 

3,168

 

(665

)

28

 

6,508

 

Total liabilities

 

51,966

 

32,107

 

2,957

 

(352

)

86,678

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Ownership Plan – convertible preferred stock (Shares issued and outstanding 0.7)

 

 

29

 

214

 

(29

)

214

 

Guaranteed obligation – Stock Ownership Plan

 

 

 

(15

)

 

(15

)

Common stock (Shares authorized 1,750; Shares issued 438; Shares outstanding 669 and 436)

 

4

 

776

 

17,329

 

(780

)

17,329

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

8,696

 

7,826

 

 

(16,522

)

 

Retained earnings

 

3,103

 

2,554

 

2,393

 

(5,657

)

2,393

 

Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

453

 

(323

)

127

 

(130

)

127

 

Treasury stock, at cost (Shares 0.1 and 2.0)

 

(6

)

 

(6

)

6

 

(6

)

Unearned compensation

 

(75

)

 

(112

)

75

 

(112

)

Minority interest

 

 

(107

)

 

107

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

12,175

 

10,755

 

19,930

 

(22,930

)

19,930

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

64,141

 

$

42,862

 

$

22,887

 

$

(23,282

)

$

106,608

 

 

46



 

THE ST. PAUL TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

For the six months ended June 30, 2004

(in millions)

 

 

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

St. Paul
Travelers

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

1,295

 

$

(913

)

$

312

 

$

(382

)

$

312

 

Equity in net income of subsidiaries

 

 

 

(382

)

382

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment (gains) losses

 

(139

)

67

 

61

 

(2

)

(13

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

78

 

41

 

(18

)

1

 

102

 

Deferred federal income taxes (benefit)

 

(48

)

(331

)

263

 

 

(116

)

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

 

1,064

 

267

 

 

 

1,331

 

Premium balances receivable

 

(64

)

(38

)

 

 

(102

)

Reinsurance recoverables

 

557

 

(342

)

 

 

215

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

(1,121

)

(247

)

 

 

(1,368

)

Claim and claim adjustment reserves

 

(165

)

2,401

 

 

 

2,236

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

139

 

8

 

 

 

147

 

Trading account activities

 

15

 

 

 

 

15

 

Other

 

(201

)

73

 

(387

)

 

(515

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,410

 

986

 

(151

)

(1

)

2,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from maturities of investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

2,096

 

591

 

 

 

2,687

 

Mortgage loans

 

50

 

 

 

 

50

 

Proceeds from sales of investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

3,038

 

975

 

 

 

4,013

 

Equity securities

 

79

 

8

 

20

 

 

107

 

Mortgage loans

 

40

 

1

 

 

 

41

 

Real estate

 

 

21

 

 

 

21

 

Purchases of investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

(5,406

)

(1,250

)

 

 

(6,656

)

Equity securities

 

(37

)

(11

)

 

 

(48

)

Mortgage loans

 

(55

)

 

 

 

(55

)

Real estate

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(10

)

Short-term securities, (purchases) sales, net

 

(198

)

(1,087

)

16

 

1

 

(1,268

)

Other investments, net

 

287

 

119

 

 

 

406

 

Securities transactions in course of settlement

 

(945

)

(299

)

 

 

(1,244

)

Net cash acquired in merger

 

(16

)

186

 

(1

)

 

169

 

Other

 

 

11

 

 

 

11

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(1,067

)

(745

)

35

 

1

 

(1,776

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payment of debt

 

(50

)

 

(174

)

 

(224

)

Issuance of common stock-employee stock options

 

43

 

2

 

26

 

 

71

 

Treasury stock acquired – net shares issued under employee stock-based compensation plans

 

(14

)

(15

)

(6

)

 

(35

)

Dividends (paid to) received by parent company

 

(400

)

(161

)

561

 

 

 

Dividends to shareholders

 

(81

)

-

 

(263

)

 

(344

)

Payment of dividend on subsidiaries stock

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(3

)

Repurchase of minority interest

 

(76

)

 

 

 

(76

)

Other

 

 

27

 

(29

)

 

(2

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(578

)

(150

)

115

 

 

(613

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

(235

)

91

 

(1

)

 

(145

)

Cash at beginning of period

 

352

 

 

 

 

352

 

Cash at end of period

 

$

117

 

$

91

 

$

(1

)

$

 

$

207

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes (received) paid

 

$

550

 

$

40

 

$

(12

)

$

 

$

578

 

Interest paid

 

$

69

 

$

 

$

50

 

$

 

$

119

 

 

47



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

 

The following is a discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the Company).  On April 1, 2004, Travelers Property Casualty Corp. (TPC) merged with a subsidiary of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. (SPC), as a result of which TPC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc.  Each share of TPC par value $0.01 class A, including the associated preferred stock purchase rights, and TPC par value $0.01 class B common stock was exchanged for 0.4334 of a share of the Company’s common stock without designated par value.  Share and per share amounts for all periods presented have been restated to reflect the second quarter exchange of TPC common stock for the Company’s common stock.  For accounting purposes, this transaction was accounted for as a reverse acquisition with TPC treated as the accounting acquirer.  Accordingly, this transaction was accounted for as a purchase business combination, using TPC historical financial information and applying fair value estimates to the acquired assets, liabilities, and commitments of SPC as of April 1, 2004.  Beginning on April 1, 2004, the results of operations and financial condition of SPC were consolidated with TPC’s.  Accordingly, all financial information presented herein for the three months ended and as of June 30, 2004 include the consolidated accounts of SPC and TPC.  The financial information presented herein for the six months ended June 30, 2004 reflect the accounts of TPC for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and the consolidated accounts of SPC and TPC for the three months ended June 30, 2004.  The data presented herein for the prior year periods reflects the accounts of TPC.

 

On April 23, 2004, the Company filed an Amended Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated April 1, 2004 that incorporated the audited financial statements and notes for TPC as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 from TPC’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with those financial statements and notes.

 

For more information regarding the completion of the merger, including the calculation and allocation of the purchase price, refer to note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report. 

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

2004 Second Quarter Consolidated Results of Operations

      The Company’s results for the second quarter of 2004 represent combined results for SPC and TPC subsequent to the completion of the merger of the two companies on April 1, 2004 

      Net loss of $275 million, or $0.42 per share basic and diluted

      Results include $1.63 billion of pretax ($1.07 billion after-tax) of charges for reserve adjustments and restructuring charges

      Net investment income of $490 million, after-tax 

      Continuing favorable, but moderating, rate environment due to more aggressive pricing in the marketplace

      Catastrophe losses of $16 million, after-tax

 

2004 Second Quarter Consolidated Financial Condition

      Total assets of $106.61 billion, up $41.74 billion from December 31, 2003, reflecting impact of merger

      Total investments of $60.22 billion; fixed maturities and short-term securities comprise 90% of total investments

      Total debt of $6.36 billion at June 30, 2004, up $3.68 billion from December 31, 2003 primarily due to merger

      Shareholders’ equity of $19.93 billion

 

48



 

Other 2004 Second Quarter Highlights

      The Company has identified its business segments effective with the merger to include the following four segments: Commercial, Specialty, Personal (these three segments collectively represent the Company’s insurance segments), and Asset Management.  Prior period results for these segments have been restated, to the extent practicable, to conform with these business segments.

 

CONSOLIDATED OVERVIEW

 

The Company provides a wide range of property and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations and individuals, primarily in the United States and in selected international markets.  Through its majority ownership of Nuveen Investments, Inc. (Nuveen Investments), it also has a presence in the asset management industry. 

 

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions, except per share amounts)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(275

)

$

441

 

$

312

 

$

781

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.42

)

$

1.02

 

$

0.56

 

$

1.80

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.42

)

$

1.01

 

$

0.56

 

$

1.79

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (basic)

 

664.8

 

434.4

 

549.7

 

434.4

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding and common stock equivalents (diluted)

 

664.8

 

436.7

 

562.9

 

436.7

 

 

The Company’s discussions related to all items, other than net income (loss) and operating income (loss), are presented on a pretax basis, unless otherwise noted.

 

The $275 million net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2004 included $1.05 billion of after-tax reserve adjustments and $26 million of restructuring charges associated with the merger, which are discussed later in this report.  The 2004 second quarter results also reflect the impact of the merger between TPC and SPC and lower weather-related catastrophe losses.

 

Consolidated revenues were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

$

5,154

 

$

3,100

 

$

8,493

 

$

6,079

 

Net investment income

 

642

 

456

 

1,261

 

912

 

Fee income

 

171

 

134

 

343

 

270

 

Asset management

 

121

 

 

121

 

 

Realized investment gains

 

55

 

16

 

13

 

23

 

Other

 

38

 

43

 

77

 

68

 

Total revenues

 

$

6,181

 

$

3,749

 

$

10,308

 

$

7,352

 

 

49



 

The growth in earned premiums of $2.05 billion in the second quarter of 2004 and $2.41 billion for the first six months of 2004 was primarily due to the merger and also reflected rate increases on renewal business, growth in targeted new business and stable customer retention levels throughout the Company’s insurance segments.  Earned premiums in the second quarter of 2004 were reduced by $75 million primarily due to reinsurance reinstatement premiums.

 

Second quarter 2004 net investment income increased $186 million due largely to the increase in invested assets totaling $22.25 billion as a result of the merger.  Also included in net investment income is the effect of a decline in pretax investment yields due to a higher proportion of tax-exempt investments and lower yields on fixed income securities.  Year-to-date net investment income of $1.26 billion was 38% higher than the 2003 year-to-date total, primarily due to the impact of the merger and the $127 million first-quarter impact of the initial public trading of an investment held by a private equity investment.

 

Nuveen Investments generated asset management revenues of $121 million for the second quarter of 2004.

 

The Company’s net pretax realized investment gains of $55 million in the second quarter of 2004 were primarily generated by sales of fixed-maturity investments. 

 

Consolidated net written premiums were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

$

2,230

 

$

1,626

 

$

3,995

 

$

3,328

 

Specialty

 

1,473

 

332

 

1,813

 

647

 

Personal

 

1,558

 

1,311

 

2,924

 

2,461

 

Total net written premiums

 

$

5,261

 

$

3,269

 

$

8,732

 

$

6,436

 

 

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, net written premiums increased 61% and 36% over the comparable periods of 2003, due primarily to the merger.  Business retention levels remained consistent with prior year levels and rate increases continued, but at a moderating level.  In addition, net written premiums for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, were reduced by $75 million due primarily to a reinsurance reinstatement premium for surety coverages.

 

Consolidated claims and expenses were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

$

4,869

 

$

2,211

 

$

7,150

 

$

4,499

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

805

 

484

 

1,331

 

946

 

General and administrative costs

 

926

 

413

 

1,393

 

807

 

Interest expense

 

66

 

40

 

102

 

92

 

Total claims and expenses

 

$

6,666

 

$

3,148

 

$

9,976

 

$

6,344

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, increased by $2.66 billion and $2.65 billion, respectively, primarily due to claims and claim adjustment expenses related to increased earned premium volumes, including that from the merger, and the impact of reserve adjustments totaling $1.45 billion.  These reserve adjustments were comprised of the following components:

 

50



 

      $800 million related to actions taken to conform to the Company’s accounting and actuarial methods for construction and surety reserves;

      $216 million related to uncollectible reinsurance recoverables;

      $153 million related to a commutation agreement with a major reinsurer; 

      $252 million related to the financial condition of a construction contractor;

      $205 million related to environmental reserves;

      $173 million of unfavorable prior year reserve development in the Specialty segment, offset by $100 million and $15 million of favorable prior year reserve development in the Personal and Commercial segments, respectively; and

      $234 million of favorable prior year reserve development related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack (primarily in the Commercial segment).

 

These reserve adjustments are further described in the segment results.

 

Included in general and administrative expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, was a $62 million increase in the allowance for uncollectible amounts for loss-sensitive business and $40 million of restructuring charges related to the merger. Also included was $35 million of amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets acquired in the merger and a benefit of $36 million associated with the accretion of the fair value adjustment to claims and claim adjustment expenses and reinsurance recoverables. 

 

Interest expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 included $27 million of incremental interest expense on SPC debt assumed in the merger, net of $19 million of accretion of the fair value adjustment recorded at the acquisition date.

 

GAAP combined ratios for the Company’s insurance segments were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

93.1

%

69.5

%

82.4

%

72.1

%

Underwriting expense ratio

 

29.6

 

25.3

 

28.2

 

25.3

 

GAAP combined ratio

 

122.7

%

94.8

%

110.6

%

97.4

%

 

The increase in the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio in the second quarter and first six months of 2004 compared to the same periods of 2003 was primarily due to a 29.1 point and 17.9 point impact, respectively, from the reserve adjustments.  The increase in underwriting expense ratios also included a 2.4 point and 1.4 point impact from the remaining reserve adjustments and restructuring costs associated with the merger for the three and six month periods ending June 30, 2004, respectively, and higher contingent commissions that resulted from improved underwriting results.

 

51



 

REPORTABLE BUSINESS SEGMENTS

 

The Company has identified the following reportable business segments, effective with the merger:

 

Commercial

The Commercial segment offers property and casualty insurance and insurance-related services to commercial enterprises and includes certain exposures related to such businesses.  Commercial is organized into three marketing and underwriting groups, each of which focuses on a particular client base and which collectively comprise Commercial’s core operations.  The marketing and underwriting groups include:

      Commercial Accounts serves primarily mid-sized businesses for casualty products and large and mid-sized businesses for property products.  Commercial Accounts sells a broad range of property and casualty insurance products including property, general liability, commercial auto and workers’ compensation coverages through a large network of independent agents and brokers. 

      Select Accounts serves small businesses and offers property, liability, commercial auto and workers compensation insurance generally on a guaranteed cost basis, which are often sold as a packaged product covering property and liability exposures. 

      National Accounts provides casualty products and services to large companies, with particular emphasis on workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability.  Insurance products, placed through large national and regional brokers are generally priced on a loss-sensitive basis (where the ultimate premium or fee charged is adjusted based on actual loss experience) while loss administration services are sold on a fee for service basis to companies who prefer to self-insure all or a portion of their risk.  National Accounts also includes the Company’s residual market business, which primarily offers workers’ compensation products and services to the involuntary market.  

 

Commercial also includes the results from the Special Liability Group (which manages the Company’s asbestos and environmental liabilities); the reinsurance, health care, and certain international runoff operations that the Company acquired in the merger; and the policies written by the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Gulf Insurance Company (GULF) (prior to the integration of these products into Specialty).  These operations are collectively referred to as Commercial Other.

 

Specialty

Specialty is a reportable segment created effective with the merger and consists of specialty business acquired in the merger, into which TPC’s Bond and Construction, formerly included in Commercial, have been transferred. The Specialty segment provides a full range of standard and specialized insurance coverages and services through dedicated underwriting, claims handling and risk management.  The segment includes two groups: Domestic Specialty and International Specialty.

 

Domestic Specialty includes several marketing and underwriting groups, each of which possesses customer expertise and offers products and services to address its respective customers’ specific needs.  These groups include Financial and Professional Services, Bond, Construction, Technology, Ocean Marine, Oil and Gas, Public Sector, Underwriting Facilities, Specialty Excess & Surplus, Discover Re and Personal Catastrophe Risk. 

 

International Specialty includes coverages marketed and underwritten to several specialty customer groups within the United Kingdom, Canada and the Republic of Ireland and the Company’s participation in Lloyds.

 

Personal

Personal writes virtually all types of property and casualty insurance covering personal risks.  The primary coverages in this segment are personal automobile and homeowners insurance sold to individuals.

 

52



 

Asset Management

The Asset Management segment is comprised of the Company’s majority interest in Nuveen Investments.  Nuveen Investments’ core businesses are asset management and related research, as well as the development, marketing and distribution of investment products and services for the affluent, high-net-worth and institutional market segments.  Nuveen Investments distributes its investment products and services, including individually managed accounts, closed-end exchange-traded funds and mutual funds, to the affluent and high-net-worth market segments through unaffiliated intermediary firms including broker/dealers, commercial banks, affiliates of insurance providers, financial planners, accountants, consultants and investment advisors.  Nuveen Investments also provides managed account services to several institutional market segments and channels.  Nuveen Investments markets its capabilities under four distinct brands: NWQ, a leader in value-style equities; Nuveen Investments, a leader in tax-free investments; Rittenhouse, a leader in conservative growth-style equities; and Symphony, a leading institutional manager of market-neutral alternative investment portfolios.  Nuveen Investments is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “JNC.”  The Company’s interest in Nuveen Investments is approximately 79%.

 

Prior period operating segment results have been restated to reflect the new segments, where practicable, as further described in note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT

 

Commercial

 

Results of the Company’s Commercial segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 were as follows. 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

$

2,358

 

$

1,618

 

$

4,089

 

$

3,185

 

Net investment income

 

413

 

320

 

836

 

638

 

Fee income

 

164

 

127

 

332

 

260

 

Other revenues

 

12

 

17

 

26

 

20

 

Total revenues

 

$

2,947

 

$

2,082

 

$

5,283

 

$

4,103

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total claims and expenses

 

$

2,448

 

$

1,690

 

$

4,188

 

$

3,494

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

364

 

$

294

 

$

794

 

$

501

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

67.8

%

71.1

%

66.3

%

76.4

%

Underwriting expense ratio

 

29.5

 

25.3

 

28.0

 

24.9

 

GAAP combined ratio

 

97.3

%

96.4

%

94.3

%

101.3

%

 

Operating income of $364 million for the quarter increased $70 million, or 24%, over the prior-year quarter.  Year- to-date operating income of $794 million increased $293 million, or 58%, over the prior-year period.

 

53



 

The growth in earned premiums of $740 million in the second quarter of 2004 and $904 million for the first six months of 2004 was primarily due to the merger and also reflected significant amounts of new business in 2003, strong customer retention and continuing favorable, but moderating, rate environment due to more aggressive pricing in the marketplace.

 

Second quarter 2004 net investment income increased $93 million due largely to the increase in invested assets as a result of the merger.  Also included in net investment income is the effect of a decline in pretax investment yields due to a higher proportion of tax-exempt investments and lower yields on fixed income investments.  Year-to-date net investment income of $836 million was 31% higher than the 2003 year-to-date total, primarily due to the impact of the merger and the $82 million first-quarter impact of the initial public trading of an investment held by a private equity investment. 

 

National Accounts is the primary source of fee income due to its service businesses, which include claim and loss prevention services to large companies that choose to self-insure a portion of their insurance risks, and claims and policy management services to workers’ compensation residual market pools, automobile assigned risk plans and to self-insurance pools.  The strong increase in 2004 fee income reflected higher new business levels, resulting, in part, from the third quarter 2003 renewal rights transaction with Royal & SunAlliance, price increases and more workers’ compensation business being written by state residual market pools.

 

Commercial net written premiums by market were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Accounts

 

$

1,116

 

$

751

 

$

1,964

 

$

1,549

 

Select Accounts

 

709

 

517

 

1,240

 

1,026

 

National Accounts

 

237

 

169

 

477

 

375

 

Total Commercial Core

 

2,062

 

1,437

 

3,681

 

2,950

 

Commercial Other

 

168

 

189

 

314

 

378

 

Total Commercial

 

$

2,230

 

$

1,626

 

$

3,995

 

$

3,328

 

 

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, net written premium increased 37% and 20% over the comparable periods of 2003, primarily due to the merger and strong retention across all business lines along with favorable, but moderating, price increases.  New business volume declined, however, reflecting the increasingly competitive marketplace.  Commercial Accounts continued to benefit from the Atlantic Mutual and Royal & SunAlliance renewal rights transactions completed in the third quarter of 2003.  National Accounts’ premium volume in the second quarter and first six months of 2004 included the new business from the Royal & SunAlliance renewal rights transaction and increases in residual market pools. 

 

Claims and expenses in the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004 included a $197 million addition to environmental reserves, a $152 million addition to the reserve for uncollectible reinsurance recoverables and $44 million from the commutation of agreements with a major reinsurer.  Partially offsetting the impact of these reserve increases was favorable prior year loss development of $225 million related to less than expected claims from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack and additional favorable net prior year reserve development of $15 million, primarily due to lower claim frequency in property coverages.  No catastrophe losses were incurred in the second quarter of 2004 and claim frequency trends continued to be favorable.  Claims and expenses for the three and six month period ended June 30, 2004 also included an increase in the amortization of deferred acquisition costs reflecting the impact of the merger as well increases in commissions and premium taxes associated with the increase in earned premiums previously described.  Claims and expenses also included additional expenses related to business growth and higher contingent commissions that resulted from favorable underwriting results, a $20 million increase in the allowance for uncollectible amounts due from policyholders, and $34 million of restructuring charges. 

 

54



 

Claims and expenses in the second quarter and first six months of 2003 included weather-related catastrophe losses of $42 million and $72 million, respectively.  In addition, the year-to-date 2003 total included $250 million of unfavorable prior year reserve development, primarily related to a line of business placed in runoff in late 2001 that had insured residual values of leased vehicles.  That unfavorable year-to-date prior year reserve development in 2003 was partially offset by other net favorable development of $71 million, primarily related to property coverages. 

 

Beginning in the first quarter of 2004, the underwriting expense ratio was computed by treating billing and policy fees, which are a component of other revenues, as a reduction of underwriting expenses.  Previously, the underwriting expense ratio excluded these amounts.  Prior periods were restated to conform to this new presentation.

 

The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio in the second quarter of 2004 included a 6.5 point impact of the reserve adjustments referred to above, which was more than offset by the favorable impact of premium rate increases that exceeded loss cost trends, and the absence of catastrophe losses.  The underwriting expense ratio for the three months ended June 30, 2004 included a 2.3 point increase due to merger-related restructuring charges and the increase in the allowance for uncollectible amounts due from policyholders. 

 

Specialty

 

The following table summarizes the Specialty segment’s results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

$

1,428

 

$

289

 

$

1,739

 

$

563

 

Net investment income

 

135

 

45

 

186

 

93

 

Fee income

 

7

 

7

 

11

 

10

 

Other revenues

 

3

 

3

 

5

 

3

 

Total revenues

 

1,573

 

344

 

1,941

 

669

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total claims and expenses

 

2,870

 

262

 

3,288

 

511

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

$

(838

)

$

58

 

$

(866

)

$

113

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

165.7

%

51.0

%

153.6

%

51.8

%

Underwriting expense ratio

 

34.5

 

35.2

 

34.6

 

36.2

 

GAAP combined ratio

 

200.2

%

86.2

%

188.2

%

88.0

%

 

The operating loss of $838 million for the quarter compared to operating income of $58 million in the prior-year quarter was due mainly to the reserve adjustments described below.  The year-to-date operating loss totaled $866 million, compared to operating income of $113 million in the prior-year period. 

 

55



 

Domestic Specialty earned premiums for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 reflected continued strong customer retention levels across the majority of the markets comprising this segment, combined with good but moderating rate increases.  Repositioning of the book of business has resulted in reduced retention levels in Construction and Bond.  Increased competition in the marketplace continues to put pressure on rate increases, especially in the domestic operations.  New business levels declined from prior year periods, further reflecting the impact of increasing competition in the marketplace.  Increases in earned premiums in the second quarter and first six months of 2004 were driven largely by the incremental premiums resulting from the merger.  In the second quarter of 2004, earned premiums were reduced by $75 million in the Bond operation, primarily due to reinsurance reinstatement premiums.  Earned premium volume for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 represented revenue from the TPC Bond and Construction operations previously reported in TPC Commercial Lines.

 

Second quarter 2004 net investment income increased $90 million due largely to the increase in invested assets as a result of the merger.  Also included in net investment income is the effect of a decline in pretax investment yields due to a higher proportion of tax-exempt investments and lower fixed income yields.  Year-to-date net investment income of $186 million was twice that of the 2003 year-to-date total, primarily due to the impact of the merger.

 

Specialty net written premiums by market were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic Specialty

 

$

1,132

 

$

332

 

$

1,472

 

$

647

 

International Specialty

 

341

 

 

341

 

 

Total net written premiums

 

$

1,473

 

$

332

 

$

1,813

 

$

647

 

 

Net written premium levels across the majority of the underwriting groups comprising the Specialty business reflected stable business retention levels combined with slowing rate increases.  Net written premiums in the Bond business unit in the second quarter were reduced by $75 million, consistent with the earned premium impact discussed previously.  That reduction was somewhat offset by a ceded return premium, impacting most business centers, due to the commutation of certain reinsurance arrangements, as previously discussed.  Net written premiums in the Construction business have declined due to repositioning of the business, combined with the increased competition in the marketplace.  The market for business underwritten by Financial and Professional Services, particularly Directors’ & Officers’ liability coverages, continues to reflect the increasing competition among new market entrants and existing carriers.  In that environment, the Company remains selective in underwriting new business and is maintaining terms and conditions on renewal business that emphasize bottom-line profitability.  Each of the other Domestic Specialties experienced its own unique conditions but most were characterized by stable retention levels, positive but moderating price increases, and a competitive market for new business.  Premium volume in the International Specialties market reflected continued rate increases, combined with new business and the impact of exchange rates.

 

Claims and expenses in the second quarter and first six months of 2004 were driven by $1.44 billion of reserve adjustments, which is discussed in more detail below.

 

During the second quarter of 2004, the Company analyzed the acquired construction reserves using its long-established unit which tracks, disaggregates and studies construction claims.  The Company applied its actuarial models and experience and determined that an increase in reserves of $500 million was necessary, primarily due to construction defect exposures. 

 

56



 

As part of conforming accounting and actuarial methods, the Company recorded a charge of $300 million in its surety business.  In addition, a comprehensive update of exposures to a specific construction contractor was completed in the second quarter.  Detailed reviews performed by independent engineering and accounting firms resulted in increases in estimates of costs to complete the contractor’s existing projects.  The Company also performed analyses of the contractor’s business and financial condition, the impact of various completion alternatives on the cost to complete bonded projects, liquidated damages, reinsurance recoveries and collateral.  Based upon these analyses, the Company recorded a charge of $252 million. 

 

In its Bond operation, the Company has exposures to a small number of commercial accounts which are in various stages of bankruptcy proceedings.  In addition, certain other commercial accounts have experienced deterioration in creditworthiness since the Company issued bonds to them.  With respect to surety bonds issued on behalf of construction contractors, creditworthiness is a primary consideration and the underwriting process involves a number of factors, including consideration of a contractor’s financial condition, business prospects, experience and management.  The risk in respect of such bonds tends to decrease as the related construction projects are completed, but may increase to the extent the financial condition of a contractor deteriorates or difficulties arise during the course of a project.

 

The second quarter results also include a $109 million charge related to the commutation of agreements with a major reinsurer; a $224 million charge as a result of an increase in the allowance for uncollectible amounts from reinsurers, loss-sensitive business, and co-surety participations; and other net charges totaling $55 million.

 

The second quarter results also reflect increased current year loss ratios on portions of the Bond and Construction books of business.  These ratios are consistent with the prior year reserve increases and are being addressed through underwriting and pricing actions.  The remaining markets comprising this segment recorded strong operating results, driven by favorable current year loss experience.

 

The underwriting expense ratio was computed by treating billing and policy fees, which are a component of other revenues, as a reduction of underwriting expenses.  The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio in the second quarter of 2004 included a 101.2 point impact of the reserve adjustments, including the reinstatement premium.  The underwriting expense ratio for the second quarter of 2004 included a 4.7 point impact of the reinstatement premium, a provision for loss-sensitive business and restructuring costs.

 

Personal

 

The following table summarizes the Personal segment’s results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

$

1,368

 

$

1,193

 

$

2,665

 

$

2,331

 

Net investment income

 

93

 

91

 

238

 

180

 

Other revenues

 

21

 

23

 

44

 

45

 

Total revenues

 

1,482

 

1,307

 

2,947

 

2,556

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total claims and expenses

 

1,193

 

1,153

 

2,307

 

2,240

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

197

 

$

107

 

$

434

 

$

219

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

60.9

%

71.9

%

60.5

%

71.2

%

Underwriting expense ratio

 

24.7

 

23.1

 

24.5

 

23.2

 

GAAP combined ratio

 

85.6

%

95.0

%

85.0

%

94.4

%

 

57



 

Operating income of $197 million for the quarter was $90 million higher than the prior-year quarter.  Year to date operating income of $434 million was $215 million higher than the prior-year period. 

 

Earned premiums in the second quarter and first six months of 2004 increased 15% and 14%, respectively, over the same periods of 2003, primarily due to an increase in new business volume, continued strong business retention levels and higher rates. 

 

Net investment income of $93 million for the second quarter was $2 million higher than the same period of 2003, driven by higher invested assets, offset to an extent by the effect of a decline in pretax investment yields due to a higher proportion of tax-exempt investments in the current year.  Year-to-date net investment income of $238 million was 32% higher than the 2003 year-to-date total, primarily due to the $42 million first-quarter impact of the initial public trading of an investment held by a private equity investment.

 

Personal net written premiums by product line were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Automobile

 

$

892

 

$

778

 

$

1,739

 

$

1,515

 

Homeowners and other

 

666

 

533

 

1,185

 

946

 

Total

 

$

1,558

 

$

1,311

 

$

2,924

 

$

2,461

 

 

Net written premiums for  2004 increased 19% for both the second-quarter and six-months over the same periods of 2003, due to higher business volumes and renewal price increases in both the Automobile and Homeowners and other lines of business.  Personal had approximately 5.9 million and 5.3 million policies in force at June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. 

 

Automobile net written premiums increased in 2004 due to higher organic new business volumes, continued strong retention, renewal price increases, and the favorable impact of new business associated with the Royal & SunAlliance renewal rights transaction.  Renewal price change increases for standard voluntary business, although still positive, reflected a moderation in rates.  Policies in force increased 10.8% at June 30, 2004 compared to the comparable prior year period. 

 

Homeowners and other net written premiums increased in 2004 due to higher organic new business volumes, continued strong retention, renewal price increases and the favorable impact of new business associated with the Royal & SunAlliance renewal rights transaction.  Although still favorable, renewal price change increases reflected a moderation in rates in the first six months of 2004 compared to the same 2003 period.  Policies in force at June 30, 2004 increased 12.4% compared to the comparable prior year period.  Effective first quarter 2004, Homeowners and other policies in force exclude certain endorsements to Homeowners policies previously considered separate policies in force.  The prior period has been restated to conform to the current period presentation.

 

Production through independent agents, which represented over 82% of total net written premiums in the first six months of 2004, was up $400 million, or 19.8%, to $2.4 billion.  Production through other channels, which include affinity and joint marketing arrangements, was up $63 million, or 14.3%, to $504 million in the first half of 2004.

 

58



 

Claims and expenses increased by 3% in both the second quarter and first six months of 2004 compared with the same periods of 2003.  The modest increase in both periods was driven by growth in business volume, which was largely offset by favorable prior year reserve development and lower catastrophe losses.  Favorable prior year reserve development totaled $100 million and $201 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2004, respectively, compared to favorable development of $37 million and $72 million in the respective periods of 2003.  Catastrophe losses totaled $24 million in the second quarter of 2004, compared to losses of $69 million in the same 2003 period.  Through the first six months of 2004, catastrophe losses of $44 million were significantly lower than catastrophe losses of $106 million in the comparable period of 2003.  In 2004, catastrophe losses were due to a combination of severe winter weather in the northeast in the first quarter and wind/hail storms, primarily in the Midwest in May and June.  In 2003, catastrophe losses were primarily due to winter storms in the Mid-Atlantic states, the Northeast and Colorado in the first quarter, hail and ice storms in April and tornados and hailstorms in May.

 

The significant improvement in the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio for both the second quarter and first six months of 2004 over the same periods of 2003 reflects the impact of price increases that exceeded loss cost trends, an increase in favorable prior year reserve development, and a decrease in catastrophe losses.  The increase in the underwriting expense ratio in 2004 was primarily due to investments in technology and infrastructure to support business growth and product development, as well as an increase in both base and contingent commissions due to a change in product mix and profitable results.  Beginning in the first quarter of 2004, the underwriting expense ratio was computed by treating billing and policy fees, which are a component of other revenues, as a reduction of underwriting expenses.  Previously, the underwriting expense ratio excluded these amounts.  Ratios for 2003 have been restated to conform to this new presentation. 

 

Asset Management

 

The following table summarizes Nuveen Investments’ key financial data for the three months ended June 30, 2004. 

 

(in millions)

 

For the three
months ended
June 30, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

121

 

Expenses

 

62

 

Pretax income, as reported by Nuveen Investments

 

59

 

Net amortization of the fair value adjustment to intangibles

 

3

 

Nuveen Investments’ pretax income, as adjusted

 

$

56

 

 

 

 

 

Asset Management net income, net of minority interest

 

$

27

 

 

 

 

 

Assets under management

 

$

101,857

 

 

Gross sales of investment products in the quarter totaled $5.99 billion, consisting of $5.19 billion of retail and institutional managed accounts, $0.51 billion of closed-end exchange-traded funds and $0.28 billion of mutual funds.  Nuveen Investments' net flows (equal to the sum of sales, reinvestments and exchanges, less redemptions) totaled $3.11 billion in the quarter.  Assets under management grew by $934 million, or 0.9%, since the acquisition, driven by the positive net flows, which were partially offset by market depreciation during that three-month period.  Assets under management at June 30, 2004 were comprised of $47.26 billion of exchange-traded funds, $30.30 billion of retail managed accounts, $12.42 billion of institutional managed accounts, and $11.87 billion of mutual funds.  Investment advisory fees accounted for 96% of Nuveen Investments revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2004. 

 

59



 

Interest Expense and Other

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

3

 

$

 

$

3

 

$

1

 

Net after-tax expense

 

$

(60

)

$

(28

)

$

(85

)

$

(63

)

 

The increase in net after-tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 over the comparable periods of 2003 reflected $19 million of second-quarter incremental interest expense on the debt assumed in the merger (net of $12 million of accretion of the fair value adjustment recorded at the acquisition date) and $9 million of second-quarter charges related to the merger.  For additional information, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources.” 

 

ASBESTOS CLAIMS AND LITIGATION

 

The Company believes that the property and casualty insurance industry has suffered from court decisions and other trends that have attempted to expand insurance coverage for asbestos claims far beyond the intent of insurers and policyholders.  As a result, the Company continues to experience an increase in the number of asbestos claims being tendered to the Company by the Company’s policyholders (which includes others seeking coverage under a policy) including claims against the Company’s policyholders by individuals who do not appear to be impaired by asbestos exposure.  Factors underlying these increases include more intensive advertising by lawyers seeking asbestos claimants, the increasing focus by plaintiffs on new and previously peripheral defendants and entities seeking bankruptcy protection as a result of asbestos-related liabilities.  In addition to contributing to the increase in claims, bankruptcy proceedings may increase the volatility of asbestos-related losses by initially delaying the reporting of claims and later by significantly accelerating and increasing loss payments by insurers, including the Company.  Bankruptcy proceedings are also causing increased settlement demands against those policyholders who are not in bankruptcy but that remain in the tort system.  Recently, in many jurisdictions, those who allege very serious injury and who can present credible medical evidence of their injuries are receiving priority trial settings in the courts, while those who have not shown any credible disease manifestation have their hearing dates delayed or placed on an inactive docket.  This trend, along with focus on new and previously peripheral defendants, contributes to the increase in loss and loss expense payments experienced by the Company.  In addition, the Company sees, as an emerging trend, an increase in the Company’s asbestos-related loss and loss expense experience as a result of the exhaustion or unavailability due to insolvency of other insurance potentially available to policyholders along with the insolvency or bankruptcy of other defendants.  TPC is currently involved in coverage litigation concerning a number of policyholders who have filed for bankruptcy, including, among others, ACandS, Inc., who in some instances have asserted that all or a portion of their asbestos-related claims are not subject to aggregate limits on coverage as described generally in the next paragraph.  (Also see “Part II - Other Information - Legal Proceedings”).  These trends are expected to continue through 2004.  As a result of the factors described above, there is a high degree of uncertainty with respect to future exposure from asbestos claims.

 

In some instances, policyholders continue to assert that their claims for asbestos-related insurance are not subject to aggregate limits on coverage and that each individual bodily injury claim should be treated as a separate occurrence under the policy.  It is difficult to predict whether these policyholders will be successful on both issues or whether the Company will be successful in asserting additional defenses.  To the extent both issues are resolved in policyholders’ favor and other additional Company defenses are not successful, the Company’s coverage obligations under the policies at issue would be materially increased and bounded only by the applicable-per-occurrence limits and the number of asbestos bodily injury claims against the policyholders.  Accordingly, it is difficult to predict the ultimate cost of the claims for coverage not subject to aggregate limits.

 

60



 

Many coverage disputes with policyholders are only resolved through settlement agreements.  Because many policyholders make exaggerated demands, it is difficult to predict the outcome of settlement negotiations.  Settlements involving bankrupt policyholders may include extensive releases which are favorable to the Company but which could result in settlements for larger amounts than originally anticipated.  As in the past, the Company will continue to pursue settlement opportunities.

 

In addition, proceedings have been launched directly against insurers, including the Company, challenging insurers’ conduct in respect of asbestos claims, and, as discussed below, claims by individuals seeking damages arising from alleged asbestos-related bodily injuries.  The Company anticipates the filing of other direct actions against insurers, including the Company, in the future.  It is difficult to predict the outcome of these proceedings, including whether the plaintiffs will be able to sustain these actions against insurers based on novel legal theories of liability.  The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to these claims and has received favorable rulings in certain jurisdictions.  Additionally, TPC has entered into settlement agreements, which, if approved in connection with the proceedings initiated by TPC in the John Mansville bankruptcy court, will resolve substantially all of the pending claims against TPC.  (Also, see “Part II Other Information, Part 1 Legal Proceedings”).

 

Because each policyholder presents different liability and coverage issues, the Company generally evaluates the exposure presented by each policyholder on a policyholder-by-policyholder basis.  In the course of this evaluation, the Company considers: available insurance coverage, including the role of any umbrella or excess insurance the Company has issued to the policyholder; limits and deductibles; an analysis of each policyholder’s potential liability; the jurisdictions involved; past and anticipated future claim activity and loss development on pending claims; past settlement values of similar claims; allocated claim adjustment expense; potential role of other insurance; the role, if any, of non-asbestos claims or potential non-asbestos claims in any resolution process; and applicable coverage defenses or determinations, if any, including the determination as to whether or not an asbestos claim is a products/completed operation claim subject to an aggregate limit and the available coverage, if any, for that claim.  When the gross ultimate exposure for indemnity and related claim adjustment expense is determined for a policyholder, the Company calculates, by each policy year, a ceded reinsurance projection based on any applicable facultative and treaty reinsurance, past ceded experience and reinsurance collections.  Conventional actuarial methods are not utilized to establish asbestos reserves.  The Company’s evaluations have not resulted in any data from which a meaningful average asbestos defense or indemnity payment may be determined.

 

The Company also compares its historical direct and net loss and expense paid experience, year-by-year, to assess any emerging trends, fluctuations, or characteristics suggested by the aggregate paid activity.  Net asbestos losses paid for the first half of 2004 were $250 million, compared with $306 million in the same 2003 period.  Approximately 53% in the first six months of 2004 and 57% in the first six months of 2003 of total paid losses relate to policyholders with whom the Company previously entered into settlement agreements that would limit the Company’s liability. 

 

61



 

The following table displays activity for asbestos losses and loss expenses and reserves:

 

(at and for the six months ended June 30, in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

3,782

 

$

4,287

 

Ceded

 

(805

)

(883

)

Net

 

2,977

 

3,404

 

Reserves acquired:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

502

 

 

Ceded

 

(191

)

 

Net

 

311

 

 

Incurred losses and loss expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

7

 

 

Ceded

 

(2

)

 

Net

 

5

 

 

Accretion of discount:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

10

 

13

 

Ceded

 

 

 

Net

 

10

 

13

 

Losses paid:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

249

 

342

 

Ceded

 

1

 

(36

)

Net

 

250

 

306

 

Ending reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

4,052

 

3,958

 

Ceded

 

(999

)

(847

)

Net

 

$

3,053

 

$

3,111

 

 

See “-Uncertainty Regarding Adequacy of Asbestos and Environmental Reserves.”

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS AND LITIGATION

 

The Company continues to receive claims from policyholders who allege that they are liable for injury or damage arising out of their alleged disposition of toxic substances.  Mostly, these claims are due to various legislative as well as regulatory efforts aimed at environmental remediation.  For instance, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), enacted in 1980 and later modified, enables private parties as well as federal and state governments to take action with respect to releases and threatened releases of hazardous substances.  This federal statute permits the recovery of response costs from some liable parties and may require liable parties to undertake their own remedial action.  Liability under CERCLA may be joint and several with other responsible parties.

 

The Company has been, and continues to be, involved in litigation involving insurance coverage issues pertaining to environmental claims.  The Company believes that some court decisions have interpreted the insurance coverage to be broader than the original intent of the insurers and policyholders.  These decisions often pertain to insurance policies that were issued by the Company prior to the mid-1970s.  These decisions continue to be inconsistent and vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  Environmental claims when submitted rarely indicate the monetary amount being sought by the claimant from the policyholder, and the Company does not keep track of the monetary amount being sought in those few claims which indicate a monetary amount.

 

62



 

The Company’s reserves for environmental claims are not established on a claim-by-claim basis.  The Company carries an aggregate bulk reserve for all of the Company’s environmental claims that are in dispute until the dispute is resolved.  This bulk reserve is established and adjusted based upon the aggregate volume of in-process environmental claims and the Company’s experience in resolving those claims.  At June 30, 2004, approximately 74% of the net environmental reserve (approximately $486 million) is carried in a bulk reserve and includes unresolved and incurred but not reported environmental claims for which the Company has not received any specific claims as well as for the anticipated cost of coverage litigation disputes relating to these claims.  The balance, approximately 26% of the net environmental reserve (approximately $170 million), consists of case reserves for resolved claims.

 

The Company’s reserving methodology is preferable to one based on “identified claims” because the resolution of environmental exposures by the Company generally occurs by settlement on a policyholder-by-policyholder basis as opposed to a claim-by-claim basis.  Generally, the settlement between the Company and the policyholder extinguishes any obligation the Company may have under any policy issued to the policyholder for past, present and future environmental liabilities and extinguishes any pending coverage litigation dispute with the policyholder.  This form of settlement is commonly referred to as a “buy-back” of policies for future environmental liability.  In addition, many of the agreements have also extinguished any insurance obligation which the Company may have for other claims, including but not limited to asbestos and other cumulative injury claims.  The Company and its policyholders may also agree to settlements which extinguish any future liability arising from known specified sites or claims.  Provisions of these agreements also include appropriate indemnities and hold harmless provisions to protect the Company.  The Company’s general purpose in executing these agreements is to reduce the Company’s potential environmental exposure and eliminate the risks presented by coverage litigation with the policyholder and related costs.

 

In establishing environmental reserves, the Company evaluates the exposure presented by each policyholder and the anticipated cost of resolution, if any.  In the course of this analysis, the Company considers the probable liability, available coverage, relevant judicial interpretations and historical value of similar exposures.  In addition, the Company considers the many variables presented, such as the nature of the alleged activities of the policyholder at each site; the allegations of environmental harm at each site; the number of sites; the total number of potentially responsible parties at each site; the nature of environmental harm and the corresponding remedy at each site; the nature of government enforcement activities at each site; the ownership and general use of each site; the overall nature of the insurance relationship between the Company and the policyholder, including the role of any umbrella or excess insurance the Company has issued to the policyholder; the involvement of other insurers; the potential for other available coverage, including the number of years of coverage; the role, if any, of non-environmental claims or potential non-environmental claims, in any resolution process; and the applicable law in each jurisdiction.  Conventional actuarial techniques are not used to estimate these reserves.

 

Recently there have been judicial interpretations that, in some cases, have been unfavorable to the industry and the Company.  Additionally, payments for loss and allocated loss adjustment expenses have increased over past years.  In its review of environmental reserves the Company considered: the adequacy of reserves for past settlements; changing judicial and legislative trends; the potential for policyholders with smaller exposures to be named in new clean-up action for both on- and off-site waste disposal activities; the potential for adverse development and additional new claims beyond previous expectations; and the potential higher costs for new settlements.  Based on these trends, developments and management judgment, the Company increased its incurred but not reported (IBNR) reserves accordingly.

 

63



 

The duration of the Company’s investigation and review of these claims and the extent of time necessary to determine an appropriate estimate, if any, of the value of the claim to the Company, vary significantly and are dependent upon a number of factors.  These factors include, but are not limited to, the cooperation of the policyholder in providing claim information, the pace of underlying litigation or claim processes, the pace of coverage litigation between the policyholder and the Company and the willingness of the policyholder and the Company to negotiate, if appropriate, a resolution of any dispute pertaining to these claims.  Because these factors vary from claim-to-claim and policyholder-by-policyholder, the Company cannot provide a meaningful average of the duration of an environmental claim.  However, based upon the Company’s experience in resolving these claims, the duration may vary from months to several years.

 

Over the past three years, the Company has experienced a reduction in the number of policyholders with pending coverage litigation disputes, a continued reduction in the number of policyholders tendering for the first time an environmental remediation-type claim to the Company and continued increases in settlement amounts.  While there continues to be a reduction in the number of policyholders with active environmental claims, the recent decline is not as dramatic as it had been in the past.

 

The following table displays activity for environmental losses and loss expenses and reserves:

 

(at and for the six months ended June 30 in millions)

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

331

 

$

448

 

Ceded

 

(41

)

(62

)

Net

 

290

 

386

 

Reserves acquired:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

271

 

 

Ceded

 

(58

)

 

Net

 

213

 

 

Incurred losses and loss expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

242

 

 

Ceded

 

(37

)

 

Net

 

205

 

 

Losses paid:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

80

 

110

 

Ceded

 

(30

)

(31

)

Net

 

50

 

79

 

Ending reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

764

 

338

 

Ceded

 

(108

)

(31

)

Net

 

$

656

 

$

307

 

 

See “-Uncertainty Regarding Adequacy of Asbestos and Environmental Reserves.”

 

As described previously, in the second quarter of 2004, the Company recorded a pretax charge of $205 million, net of reinsurance, to increase environmental reserves due to revised estimates of costs related to recent settlement initiatives. 

 

64



 

UNCERTAINTY REGARDING ADEQUACY OF ASBESTOS AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESERVES

 

As a result of the processes and procedures described above, management believes that the reserves carried for asbestos and environmental claims at June 30, 2004 are appropriately established based upon known facts, current law and management’s judgment.  However, the uncertainties surrounding the final resolution of these claims continue, and it is presently not possible to estimate the ultimate exposure for asbestos and environmental claims and related litigation.  As a result, the reserve is subject to revision as new information becomes available and as claims develop.  The continuing uncertainties include, without limitation, the risks and lack of predictability inherent in major litigation, any impact from the bankruptcy protection sought by various asbestos producers and other asbestos defendants, a further increase or decrease in asbestos and environmental claims which cannot now be anticipated, the role of any umbrella or excess policies the Company has issued, the resolution or adjudication of some disputes pertaining to the amount of available coverage for asbestos claims in a manner inconsistent with the Company’s previous assessment of these claims, the number and outcome of direct actions against the Company and future developments pertaining to the Company’s ability to recover reinsurance for asbestos and environmental claims. In addition, the Company sees, as an emerging trend, an increase in the Company’s asbestos-related loss and loss expense experience as a result of the exhaustion or unavailability due to insolvency of other insurance potentially available to policyholders along with the insolvency or bankruptcy of other defendants.  It is also not possible to predict changes in the legal and legislative environment and their impact on the future development of asbestos and environmental claims.  This development will be affected by future court decisions and interpretations, as well as changes in applicable legislation.  It is also difficult to predict the ultimate outcome of large coverage disputes until settlement negotiations near completion and significant legal questions are resolved or, failing settlement, until the dispute is adjudicated.  This is particularly the case with policyholders in bankruptcy where negotiations often involve a large number of claimants and other parties and require court approval to be effective. As part of its continuing analysis of asbestos reserves, which includes an annual ground-up review of asbestos policyholders, the Company continues to study the implications of these and other developments.  The Company expects to complete the current annual ground-up review, which will include the asbestos liabilities acquired in the merger, during the fourth quarter of 2004.

 

Because of the uncertainties set forth above, additional liabilities may arise for amounts in excess of the current related reserves.  In addition, the Company’s estimate of ultimate claims and claim adjustment expenses may change.  These additional liabilities or increases in estimates, or a range of either, cannot now be reasonably estimated and could result in income statement charges that could be material to the Company’s operating results and financial condition in future periods.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Liquidity is a measure of a company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the short and long term cash requirements of its business operations.  The liquidity requirements of the Company’s business have been met primarily by funds generated from operations, asset maturities and income received on investments.  Cash provided from these sources is used primarily for claims and claim adjustment expense payments and operating expenses.  Catastrophe claims, the timing and amount of which are inherently unpredictable, may create increased liquidity requirements.  The timing and amount of reinsurance recoveries may be affected by reinsurer solvency and increasing reinsurance coverage disputes.  Additionally, recent increases in asbestos-related claim payments, as well as potential judgments and settlements arising out of litigation, may also result in increased liquidity requirements.  It is the opinion of the Company’s management that the Company’s future liquidity needs will be adequately met from all of the above sources.

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $2.24 billion and $1.83 billion in the first six months of 2004 and 2003, respectively.  Cash flows in 2004 included $867 million in cash proceeds received pursuant to the commutation of specific reinsurance agreements described previously.  Cash flows in 2004 also benefited from premium rate and volume increases.  The substantial merger-related adjustments recorded in the second quarter did not impact current period cash flows.  The 2003 net cash flows provided by operating activities benefited from premium rate increases and the receipt of $361 million from Citigroup related to recoveries under the asbestos indemnification agreement in the first quarter of 2003 and $531 million of federal income taxes refunded from the Company’s net operating loss carryback in the second quarter of 2003.

 

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Net cash flows used in investing activities totaled $1.78 billion in the first half of 2004, compared with $1.26 billion in the same 2003 period.  The 2004 and 2003 net cash flows used in investing activities primarily reflected the investing of net cash from operating activities.  In 2003, cash used in investing activities was partly offset by sales of securities to fund net payment activity related to debt and junior subordinated debt securities held by subsidiary trusts of $318 million. 

 

Net cash flows are generally invested in marketable securities.  The Company closely monitors the duration of these investments, and investment purchases and sales are executed with the objective of having adequate funds available to satisfy the Company’s maturing liabilities.  As the Company’s investment strategy focuses on asset and liability durations, and not specific cash flows, asset sales may be required to satisfy obligations and/or rebalance asset portfolios.  The Company’s invested assets at June 30, 2004 totaled $60.22 billion, of which 90% was invested in fixed maturity and short-term investments, 1% in common stocks and other equity securities, and 9% in real estate and other investments.  The average duration of fixed maturities and short-term securities was 4.2 years as of June 30, 2004, an increase of 0.1 years from December 31, 2003.  The increase in average duration resulted from the investment of underwriting cash flows and investment maturities and sales proceeds in longer-term investments along with the reduction of certain treasury futures contracts.

 

The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory restrictions that limit the maximum amount of dividends available to be paid to their parent without prior approval of insurance regulatory authorities. A maximum of $2.42 billion will be available in 2004 for such dividends without prior approval of the Connecticut Insurance Department and the Minnesota Department of Commerce.  The Company received $800 million of dividends from its insurance subsidiaries during the first six months of 2004.  On July 15, 2004, the Company received an additional $450 million of dividends from one of its insurance subsidiaries, which was redeployed to other operating companies.

 

At June 30, 2004, total cash and short-term invested assets aggregating $218 million were held at the holding company level.  These liquid assets were primarily funded by dividends received from the Company’s operating subsidiaries.  These liquid assets, combined with other sources of funds available, primarily additional dividends from operating subsidiaries, are considered sufficient to meet the liquidity requirements of the Company.  These liquidity requirements include primarily shareholder dividends and debt service. 

 

The Company maintains an $800 million commercial paper program and $1 billion of bank credit agreements.  Pursuant to covenants in the credit agreements, the Company must maintain an excess of consolidated net worth over goodwill and other intangible assets of not less than $10 billion at all times.  The Company also must maintain a ratio of total consolidated debt to the sum of total consolidated debt plus consolidated net worth of not greater than 0.40 to 1.00.  The Company was in compliance with those covenants at June 30, 2004, and there were no amounts outstanding under the credit agreements as of that date. 

 

Net cash flows used in financing activities totaled $613 million in the first half of 2004 and were primarily attributable to dividends paid to shareholders of $344 million. Net maturities and retirements of debt, and the repurchase of CIRI’s outstanding notes, totaled $224 million in the first half of 2004. In addition, the Company repurchased the minority interest in CIRI during the second quarter for a total cost of $76 million.  Cash flows used by financing activities of $452 million in the first half of 2003 were primarily attributable to the redemption of $900 million of junior subordinated debt securities held by subsidiary trusts.  These refinancing activities were initiated with the objective of lowering the average interest rate on the Company’s total outstanding debt.  Also reflected in 2003 was the issuance of $550 million of short-term floating rate notes, which were used to prepay the $550 million promissory note due in January 2004.  Net cash flows used in financing activities in the first half of 2003 also included dividends paid to shareholders of $121 million.

 

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On April 28, 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share ($147 million) to shareholders of record as of the close of business June 10, 2004, which was paid on June 30, 2004.  The Company also paid $114 million of additional dividends in the second quarter that had been declared by SPC prior to the merger.  That amount consisted of SPC’s regular quarterly dividend at a rate of $0.29 per share ($66 million), and a special $0.21 per share ($48 million) dividend related to the merger.  The Company is expected to pay common dividends at an annual rate of $0.88 per share post-merger.  The special dividend declared by SPC prior to the closing of the merger was designed to result in the holders of SPC’s common stock prior to the merger receiving aggregate dividends with record dates in 2004 of $1.16 per share, which was SPC’s indicated annual dividend rate prior to the merger. 

 

The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of the Company’s common stock will be at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including the Company’s financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant.  Dividends would be paid by the Company only if declared by its Board of Directors out of funds legally available and subject to any other restrictions that may be applicable to the Company.

 

Upon completion of the merger on April 1, 2004, the Company acquired all obligations related to SPC’s outstanding debt, which had a carrying value of $3.68 billion at the time of the merger.  In accordance with purchase accounting rules, the carrying value of the SPC debt acquired was adjusted to market value as of April 1, 2004 using the effective interest rate method, which resulted in a $301 million adjustment to increase the amount of the Company’s consolidated debt outstanding.  That fair value adjustment is being amortized over the remaining life of the respective debt instruments acquired.  That amortization, which totaled $19 million in the second quarter of 2004, reduces reported interest expense during the period. 

 

The Company has the option to defer interest payments on its convertible junior subordinated notes for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly interest periods.  If the Company elects to defer interest payments on the notes, it will not be permitted, with limited exceptions, to pay dividends on its common stock during a deferral period.

 

Ratings

 

Ratings are an important factor in setting the Company’s competitive position in the insurance marketplace.  The Company receives ratings from the following major rating agencies: A.M. Best Co. (A.M. Best), Fitch Ratings (Fitch), Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) and Standard & Poor’s Corp. (S&P).  Rating agencies typically issue two types of ratings: claims-paying (or financial strength) ratings which assess an insurer’s ability to meet its financial obligations to policyholders and debt ratings which assess a company’s prospects for repaying its debts and assist lenders in setting interest rates and terms for a company’s short and long term borrowing needs.  The system and the number of rating categories can vary widely from rating agency to rating agency.  Customers usually focus on claims-paying ratings, while creditors focus on debt ratings.  Investors use both to evaluate a company’s overall financial strength.  The ratings issued on the Company or its subsidiaries by any of these agencies are announced publicly and are available on the Company’s website and from the agencies.

 

The Company’s insurance operations could be negatively impacted by a downgrade in one or more of the Company’s financial strength ratings.  If this were to occur, there could be a reduced demand for certain products in certain markets.  Additionally, the Company’s ability to access the capital markets could be impacted and higher borrowing costs may be incurred.

 

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In January 2004, A.M. Best placed the financial strength rating of A of Gulf, a then majority-owned subsidiary of the Company, under review with developing implications, and S&P indicated that its A+ counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on members of the Gulf Insurance Group are remaining on CreditWatch with negative implications, pending the completion of a support arrangement between The Travelers Indemnity Company and Gulf.

 

Also in January 2004, A.M. Best downgraded the financial strength rating of TNC Insurance Corp.(Northland, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) from A+ to A, removed the rating from under review and assigned a stable outlook.

 

In connection with the April 1, 2004 consummation of the merger, A.M. Best, Moody’s, S&P and Fitch announced the following rating actions with respect to the Company.

 

      A.M. Best:  On April 2, 2004, A.M. Best downgraded the financial strength rating of the Travelers Property Casualty Pool to A+ from A++.  The rating has been removed from under review and assigned a stable outlook.  A.M. Best also downgraded the debt ratings to a from aa- on senior and to a- from a+ on subordinated notes issued by TPC and TIGHI.  These ratings have been removed from under review and assigned stable outlooks.  A.M. Best also removed from under review and affirmed the St. Paul Insurance Group financial strength rating of A with a positive outlook, and removed from under review and upgraded The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. senior debt rating to a from bbb+ with a stable outlook.

 

      Moody’s:  On March 31, 2004, Moody’s announced that it had lowered the debt ratings of TPC and TIGHI by one notch (senior debt to A3 from A2 and junior subordinated debt to Baa1 from A3).  Following its rating action, Moody’s noted the outlook for the debt and financial strength ratings of TPC and its rated affiliates is stable.  Moody’s rated the members of the Travelers Indemnity Pool Aa3 for insurance financial strength with a stable outlook.  Moody’s affirmed the St. Paul Insurance Group financial strength rating of A1 with a positive outlook and affirmed The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. senior debt rating of A3 with a stable outlook.

 

      S&P:  On April 1, 2004, S&P lowered its counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on the members of the Travelers Property Casualty pool, Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. of America, and Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. of Europe Ltd. (Travelers Europe) to A+ from AA- and removed them from CreditWatch.  S&P also lowered its counterparty credit rating of TPC to BBB+ from A- and removed it from CreditWatch.  The A+ counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on Gulf and its intercompany insurance pool members remain on CreditWatch with negative implications pending receipt of explicit support from Travelers.  S&P expects that Travelers Indemnity Co. will guarantee all past and future liabilities associated with Gulf’s book of business.  S&P noted that the outlook on all TPC operating units (except for Gulf) is stable.  S&P removed from CreditWatch and affirmed the financial strength rating of A+ of the St. Paul Insurance Group, and removed The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. from CreditWatch and affirmed The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. senior debt rating of BBB+, both with a stable outlook.

 

      Fitch:  On April 1, 2004, Fitch announced the insurer financial strength ratings of TPC’s primary underwriting pool were removed from Rating Watch Negative and affirmed at AA.  The Rating Outlook is Stable.  Both TPC and TIGHI’s long-term issuer ratings and senior debt have been removed from Rating Watch Negative and downgraded to A- from A.  For all debt ratings, the Rating Outlook is Stable.  Fitch also removed The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. from Rating Watch Positive and upgraded the senior debt rating to A from BBB with a stable outlook.

 

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On June 29, 2004 A.M. Best announced the following ratings changes:

 

      A.M. Best upgraded the financial strength rating of Travelers Casualty and Surety of Europe to A+ from A with a stable outlook.

 

      A.M. Best downgraded the financial strength rating of Gulf Insurance Group to A- from A with a stable outlook.

 

In connection with the Company’s July 23, 2004 announcement of estimated range of earnings, A.M. Best, Moody’s, S&P and Fitch announced the following rating actions with respect to the Company.

 

      A.M. Best: On July 23, 2004, A.M. Best affirmed the financial strength rating of Travelers Property Casualty Pool (A+), St. Paul Insurance Group (A) and Discover Reinsurance Company (A-). A.M. Best downgraded the debt rating to a- from a on senior, bbb+ from a- on subordinated, bbb from bbb+ on trust preferred securities and bbb from bbb+ on preferred stock for The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc.  A.M. Best also downgraded the debt ratings of Travelers Property Casualty Corp. and Travelers Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. to a- from a. Discover Reinsurance Company was assigned an outlook of negative, while the St. Paul Insurance Group and Travelers PC Pool were assigned outlooks of stable.

 

      Moody’s: On July 23, 2004, Moody’s affirmed the insurance financial strength ratings of the Travelers intercompany pool (Aa3), St. Paul Insurance Group (A1) and Gulf Insurance Group (A2). Additionally, Moody’s affirmed the long-term debt ratings of The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc., Travelers Property Casualty Corp. and Travelers Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. (A3). The outlook for the legacy St. Paul Insurance Group was assigned an outlook of negative.

 

      S&P: On July 23, 2004, S&P affirmed the counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on members of the St. Paul Insurance Group, Travelers intercompany pool, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of Europe, LTD and Gulf Insurance Group (A+). S&P also affirmed the counterparty credit and senior debt ratings of The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. (BBB+).  A stable outlook was assigned to all the above ratings.

 

      Fitch: On July 23, 2004, Fitch downgraded the insurer financial strength rating of the members of the Travelers Property Casualty Group to AA- from AA. Fitch also assigned the members of the St. Paul Insurance Group the insurer financial strength rating of AA-. The senior and long-term issuer debt ratings of The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc., Travelers Property Casualty Corp. and Travelers Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. were affirmed at A-. All ratings were assigned the outlook of stable.

 

The Company does not expect the rating actions taken or those anticipated to have any significant impact on the operations of the Company, and its insurance subsidiaries.

 

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The following table summarizes the current claims-paying and financial strength ratings of Travelers Property Casualty insurance pools, The St. Paul Insurance Group, Travelers C&S of America, Travelers Europe, Discover Reinsurance Company and Travelers Personal single state companies, by A.M. Best, Fitch, Moody’s and S&P as of July 28, 2004.  The table also presents the position of each rating in the applicable agency’s rating scale.

 

 

 

A.M. Best

 

Moody’s

 

S&P

 

Fitch

Travelers Property Casualty pool (a)

 

A+  (2nd of 16)

 

Aa3(4th of 21)

 

A+ (5th of 21)

 

AA- (4th of 24)

St. Paul Insurance Group (b)

 

A(3rd of 16)

 

A1  (5th of 21)

 

A+ (5th of 21)

 

AA- (4th of 24)

Travelers C&S of America

 

A+  (2nd of 16)

 

Aa3(4th of 21)

 

A+ (5th of 21)

 

AA- (4th of 24)

Gulf Insurance Group (c)

 

A-(4th of 16)

 

A2(6th of 21)

 

A+ (5th of 21)

 

Northland pool (d)

 

A(3rd of 16)

 

 

 

First Floridian Auto and Home Ins. Co.

 

A(3rd of 16)

 

 

 

AA- (4th of 24)

First Trenton Indemnity Company

 

A(3rd of 16)

 

 

 

AA- (4th of 24)

The Premier Insurance Co. of MA

 

A(3rd of 16)

 

 

 

AA- (4th of 24)

Travelers Europe

 

A+(2nd of 16)

 

 

A+ (5th of 21)

 

Discover Reinsurance Company

 

A-(4th of 16)

 

 

 

AA- (4th of 24)

 


(a)     The Travelers Property Casualty pool consists of The Travelers Indemnity Company, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company, The Phoenix Insurance Company, The Standard Fire Insurance Company, Travelers Casualty Insurance Company of America, (formerly Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of Illinois), Farmington Casualty Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company of Connecticut, The Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut, The Charter Oak Fire Insurance Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company of America, Travelers Commercial Casualty Company, Travelers Casualty Company of Connecticut, Travelers Commercial Insurance Company, Travelers Property Casualty Company of America, (formerly The Travelers Indemnity Company of Illinois), Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company, TravCo Insurance Company, The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company, Travelers Personal Security Insurance Company, Travelers Personal Insurance Company (formerly Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company of Illinois) and Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company.

 

(b)     The St. Paul Insurance Group consists of Athena Assurance Company, Discover Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Discover Specialty Insurance Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Underwriters, Inc., GeoVera Insurance Company, Pacific Select Property Insurance Company, St. Paul Fire and Casualty Insurance Company, St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, St. Paul Guardian Insurance Company, St. Paul Medical Liability Insurance Company, St. Paul Mercury Insurance Company, St. Paul Protective Insurance Company, St. Paul Surplus Lines Insurance Company, Seaboard Surety Company, United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, USF&G Insurance Company of Mississippi and USF&G Specialty Insurance Company.

 

(c)     The Gulf Insurance Group consists of Gulf Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, Gulf Underwriters Insurance Company, Select Insurance Company and Atlantic Insurance Company.  Gulf Insurance Company reinsures 100% of the business of these subsidiaries.  Gulf Insurance Company’s direct and assumed insurance liabilities are guaranteed by The Travelers Indemnity Company.

 

(d)     The Northland pool consists of Northland Insurance Company, Northfield Insurance Company, Northland Casualty Company, Mendota Insurance Company, Mendakota Insurance Company, American Equity Insurance Company, and American Equity Specialty Insurance Company.

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES 

 

The Company considers its most significant accounting estimates to be those applied to claim and claim adjustment expense reserves and related reinsurance recoverables, and investment impairments.

 

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves 

 

Gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves by product line were as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

June 30,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General liability

 

$

19,072

 

$

11,042

 

Property

 

5,153

 

2,162

 

Commercial multi-peril

 

4,124

 

3,384

 

Commercial automobile

 

4,725

 

2,717

 

Workers’ compensation

 

14,638

 

11,288

 

Fidelity and surety

 

1,801

 

581

 

Personal automobile

 

2,690

 

2,384

 

Homeowners and personal lines – other

 

899

 

916

 

International and other

 

3,028

 

 

Property-casualty

 

56,130

 

34,474

 

Accident and health

 

160

 

99

 

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves

 

$

56,290

 

$

34,573

 

 

The Company maintains property and casualty loss reserves to cover estimated ultimate unpaid liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to reported and unreported claims incurred as of the end of each accounting period.  Reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability, but instead represent estimates, generally utilizing actuarial projection techniques at a given accounting date.  These reserve estimates are expectations of what the ultimate settlement and administration of claims will cost based on the Company’s assessment of facts and circumstances then known, review of historical settlement patterns, estimates of trends in claims severity, frequency, legal theories of liability and other factors.  Variables in the reserve estimation process can be affected by both internal and external events, such as changes in claims handling procedures, economic inflation, legal trends and legislative changes.  Many of these items are not directly quantifiable, particularly on a prospective basis.  Additionally, there may be significant reporting lags between the occurrence of the policyholder event and the time it is actually reported to the insurer.  Reserve estimates are continually refined in a regular ongoing process as historical loss experience develops and additional claims are reported and settled.  Adjustments to reserves are reflected in the results of the periods in which the estimates are changed.  Because establishment of reserves is an inherently uncertain process involving estimates, currently established reserves may not be sufficient.  If estimated reserves are insufficient, the Company will incur additional income statement charges.

 

Some of the Company’s loss reserves are for asbestos and environmental claims and related litigation which aggregated $3.71 billion on a net basis at June 30, 2004.  While the ongoing study of asbestos claims and associated liabilities and of environmental claims considers the inconsistencies of court decisions as to coverage, plaintiffs’ expanded theories of liability and the risks inherent in major litigation and other uncertainties, in the opinion of the Company’s management, it is possible that the outcome of the continued uncertainties regarding asbestos or environmental related claims could result in liability in future periods that differ from current reserves by an amount that could be material to the Company’s future operating results and financial condition.  See the discussion of Asbestos Claims and Litigation and Environmental Claims and Litigation in this report.

 

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As described earlier, the Company acquired SPC’s runoff health care operations in the merger, which are included in the General Liability product line in the table above.  SPC had ceased underwriting new business in this operation at the end of 2001 and had experienced significant adverse loss development on its health care loss reserves since that time.  The Company continues to utilize specific tools and metrics to explicitly monitor and validate its key assumptions supporting its conclusions with regard to these reserves.  These tools and metrics were established to more explicitly monitor and validate key assumptions supporting the Company’s reserve conclusions since management believed that its traditional statistics and reserving methods needed to be supplemented in order to provide a more meaningful analysis.  The tools developed track three primary indicators which influence those conclusions and include:  a) newly reported claims, b) reserve development on known claims and c) the “redundancy ratio,” which compares the cost of resolving claims to the reserve established for that individual claim.  These three indicators are related such that if one deteriorates, additional improvement on another is necessary for the Company to conclude that further reserve strengthening is not necessary.  The results of these indicators in the second quarter of 2004 support the Company’s current view that it has recorded a reasonable provision for its medical malpractice exposures as of June 30, 2004.

 

Reinsurance Recoverables

 

The following table summarizes the composition of the Company’s reinsurance recoverable assets:

 

 

 

As of

 

(in millions)

 

June 30,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

Gross reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

$

12,401

 

$

6,946

 

Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance

 

(739

)

(387

)

Net reinsurance recoverables

 

11,662

 

6,559

 

Mandatory pools and associations

 

2,432

 

2,204

 

Structured settlements

 

3,949

 

2,411

 

Total reinsurance recoverables

 

$

18,043

 

$

11,174

 

 

Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured business.  The Company evaluates and monitors the financial condition of its reinsurers under voluntary reinsurance arrangements to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies.  In addition, in the ordinary course of business, the Company may become involved in coverage disputes with its reinsurers.  In recent quarters, the Company has experienced an increase in the frequency of these reinsurance coverage disputes.  Some of these disputes could result in lawsuits and arbitrations brought by or against the reinsurers to determine the Company’s rights and obligations under the various reinsurance agreements.  The Company employs dedicated specialists and aggressive strategies to manage reinsurance collections and disputes.

 

The Company reports its reinsurance recoverables net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance recoverables.  The allowance is based upon the Company’s ongoing review of amounts outstanding, length of collection periods, changes in reinsurer credit standing, amounts in dispute, applicable coverage defenses, and other relevant factors.  Accordingly, the establishment of reinsurance recoverables and the related allowance for uncollectible reinsurance recoverables is also an inherently uncertain process involving estimates.  Changes in these estimates could result in additional income statement charges.

 

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Investment Impairments

 

Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities

An investment in a fixed maturity or equity security which is available for sale or reported at fair value is impaired if its fair value falls below its book value and the decline is considered to be other-than-temporary.

 

Debt securities for which fair value is less than 80% of amortized cost for more than one quarter are evaluated for other-than-temporary impairment.  A debt security is impaired if it is probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due under the security’s contractual terms.

 

Factors the Company considers in determining whether a decline is other-than-temporary for debt securities include the following:

 

      the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been below cost. It is likely that the decline will become “other-than-temporary” if the market value has been below cost for six to nine months or more;

      the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer.  The issuer may be experiencing depressed and declining earnings relative to competitors, erosion of market share, deteriorating financial position, lowered dividend payments, declines in securities ratings, bankruptcy, and financial statement reports that indicate an uncertain future.  Also, the issuer may experience specific events that may influence its operations or earnings potential, such as changes in technology, discontinuation of a business segment, catastrophic losses or exhaustion of natural resources; and

      the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery.

 

Equity investments are impaired when it becomes probable that the Company will not recover its cost over the expected holding period.  Public equity investments (i.e., common stocks) trading at a price that is less than 80% of cost for more than one quarter are reviewed for impairment.  Investments accounted for using the equity method of accounting are evaluated for impairment any time the investment has sustained losses and/or negative operating cash flow for a period of nine months or more.  Events triggering the other-than-temporary impairment analysis of public and non-public equities may include the following, in addition to the considerations noted above for debt securities:

 

Factors affecting performance:

 

      the investee loses a principal customer or supplier for which there is no short-term prospect for replacement or experiences other substantial changes in market conditions;

      the company is performing substantially and consistently behind plan;

      the investee has announced, or the Company has become aware of, adverse changes or events such as changes or planned changes in senior management, restructurings, or a sale of assets; and

      the regulatory, economic, or technological environment has changed in a way that is expected to adversely affect the investee’s profitability.

 

Factors affecting on-going financial condition:

 

      factors that raise doubts about the investee’s ability to continue as a going concern, such as negative cash flows from operations, working-capital deficiencies, investment advisors’ recommendations, or non-compliance with regulatory capital requirements or debt covenants;

      a secondary equity offering at a price substantially lower than the holder’s cost;

      a breach of a covenant or the failure to service debt; and

      fraud within the company.

 

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For debt and equity investments, factors that may indicate that a decline in value is not other-than-temporary include the following:

      the securities owned continue to generate reasonable earnings and dividends, despite a general stock market decline;

      bond interest or preferred stock dividend rate (on cost) is lower than rates for similar securities issued currently but quality of investment is not adversely affected; 

      the investment is performing as expected and is current on all expected payments;

      specific, recognizable, short-term factors have affected the market value; and

      financial condition, market share, backlog and other key statistics indicate growth.

 

Venture Capital Investments

Other Investments include venture capital investments, which are generally non-publicly traded instruments, consisting of early-stage companies and, historically, having a holding period of four to seven years.  These investments have primarily been made in the health care, software and computer services, and networking and information technologies infrastructures industries.  The Company typically is involved with venture capital companies early in their formation, as they are developing and determining the viability of, and market demand for, their product.  Generally the Company does not expect these venture capital companies to record revenues in the early stages of their development, which can often take three to four years, and does not generally expect them to become profitable for an even longer period of time.  With respect to the Company’s valuation of such non-publicly traded venture capital investments, on a quarterly basis, portfolio managers as well as an internal valuation committee review and consider a variety of factors in determining the potential for loss impairment.  Factors considered include the following:

 

      the issuer’s most recent financing event;

      an analysis of whether fundamental deterioration has occurred;

      whether or not the issuer’s progress has been substantially less than expected;

      whether or not the valuations have declined significantly in the entity’s market sector;

      whether or not the internal valuation committee believes it is probable that the issuer will need financing within six months at a lower price than our carrying value; and

      whether or not we have the ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery, enabling us to receive value equal to or greater than our cost.

 

The quarterly valuation procedures described above are in addition to the portfolio managers’ ongoing responsibility to frequently monitor developments affecting those invested assets, paying particular attention to events that might give rise to impairment write-downs.

 

The Company manages the portfolio to maximize return, evaluating current market conditions and the future outlook for the entities in which it has invested. Because this portfolio primarily consists of privately-held, early-stage venture investments, events giving rise to impairment can occur in a brief period of time (e.g., the entity has been unsuccessful in securing additional financing, other investors decide to withdraw their support, complications arise in the product development process, etc.), and decisions are made at that point in time, based on the specific facts and circumstances, with respect to a recognition of “other-than-temporary” impairment or sale of the investment.

 

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Impairment charges included in net realized investment gains were as follows:

 

 

 

2004

 

(in millions)

 

1st Quarter

 

2nd Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

$

6

 

$

8

 

Equity securities

 

3

 

 

Real estate and other

 

2

 

1

 

Venture capital

 

 

14

 

Total

 

$

11

 

$

23

 

 

 

 

2003

 

(in millions)

 

1st Quarter

 

2nd Quarter

 

3rd Quarter

 

4th Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

$

41

 

$

15

 

$

6

 

$

3

 

Equity securities

 

 

4

 

 

2

 

Real estate and other

 

17

 

 

1

 

1

 

Total

 

$

58

 

$

19

 

$

7

 

$

6

 

 

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, the Company recognized other-than-temporary impairments of $8 million and $14 million, respectively, in the fixed income portfolio related to various issuers with credit risk associated with the issuer’s deteriorated financial position.

 

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, the Company realized $14 million of impairments in its venture capital portfolio on six holdings.  Three of the holdings were impaired due to new financings at less than favorable rates.  Two holdings experienced fundamental economic deterioration (characterized by less than expected revenues).  The remaining holding was impaired due to the impending shut down of the entity.  The Company continues to evaluate current developments in the market that have the potential to affect the valuation of the Company’s investments.

 

For publicly traded securities, the amounts of the impairments were recognized by writing down the investments to quoted market prices.  For non-publicly traded securities, impairments are recognized by writing down the investment to its estimated fair value, as determined during the Company’s quarterly internal review process.

 

The specific circumstances that led to the impairments described above did not materially impact other individual investments held during 2004. 

 

The Company’s investment portfolio includes non-publicly traded investments, such as real estate partnerships and joint ventures, investment partnerships, private equities, venture capital investments and certain fixed income securities.  The real estate partnerships and joint ventures, investment partnerships and certain private equities are accounted for using the equity method of accounting, which are carried at cost, adjusted for the Company’s share of earnings or losses and reduced by any cash distributions.  Certain other private equity investments, including venture capital investments, are not subject to the provisions of SFAS 115 but are reported at estimated fair value in accordance with SFAS 60.  The fair value of the venture capital investments are based on an estimate determined by an internal valuation committee for securities for which there is no public market.  The internal valuation committee reviews such factors as recent filings, operating results, balance sheet stability, growth, and other business and market sector fundamental statistics in estimating fair values of specific investments. 

 

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The following is a summary of the approximate carrying value of the Company’s non-publicly traded securities at June 30, 2004:

 

(in millions)

 

Carrying Value

 

 

 

 

 

Investment partnerships, including hedge funds

 

$

1,987

 

Fixed income securities

 

451

 

Equity investments

 

347

 

Real estate partnerships and joint ventures

 

211

 

Venture capital

 

468

 

Total

 

$

3,464

 

 

The following table summarizes for all fixed maturities and equity securities available for sale and for equity securities reported at fair value for which fair value is less than 80% of amortized cost at June 30, 2004, the gross unrealized investment loss by length of time those securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position:

 

 

 

Period For Which Fair Value Is Less Than 80% of Amortized Cost

 

(in millions)

 

Less Than
3 Months

 

Greater
Than
3 Months
Less Than
6 Months

 

Greater
Than
6 Months
Less Than
12 Months

 

Greater
Than
12 Months

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

$

3

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

3

 

Equity securities

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

Venture capital

 

6

 

 

 

 

6

 

Total

 

$

10

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

10

 

 

The Company believes that the prices of the securities identified above were temporarily depressed primarily as a result of market dislocation and generally poor cyclical economic conditions.  Further, unrealized losses as of June 30, 2004 represent less than 2% of the portfolio, and, therefore, any impact on the Company’s financial position would not be significant.

 

At June 30, 2004, non-investment grade securities comprised 4% of the Company’s fixed income investment portfolio.  Included in those categories at June 30, 2004 were securities in an unrealized loss position that, in the aggregate, had an amortized cost of $656 million and a fair value of $628 million, resulting in a net pretax unrealized loss of $28 million.  These securities in an unrealized loss position represented less than 2% of the total amortized cost and less than 2% of the fair value of the fixed income portfolio at June 30, 2004, and accounted for 3.7% of the total pretax unrealized loss in the fixed income portfolio.

 

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Following are the pretax realized losses on investments sold during the three months ended June 30, 2004:

 

(in millions)

 

Loss

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

$

59

 

$

1,097

 

Equity securities

 

2

 

12

 

Other

 

26

 

198

 

Total

 

$

87

 

$

1,307

 

 

 

Following are the pretax realized losses on investments sold during the six months ended June 30, 2004:

 

 

(in millions)

 

Loss

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

$

65

 

$

1,676

 

Equity securities

 

3

 

32

 

Other

 

26

 

198

 

Total

 

$

94

 

$

1,906

 

 

Resulting purchases and sales of investments are based on cash requirements, the characteristics of the insurance liabilities and current market conditions.  The Company identifies investments to be sold to achieve its primary investment goals of assuring the Company’s ability to meet policyholder obligations as well as to optimize investment returns, given these obligations.

 

FUTURE APPLICATION OF ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

See note 1 of notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

 

OUTLOOK

 

There are currently state and federal proposals to reform the existing system for handling asbestos claims and related litigation.  One prominent proposal is the creation of a federal asbestos claims trust to compensate asbestos claimants.  The trust would primarily be funded by former manufacturers, distributors and sellers of asbestos products and insurers.  At this time it is not possible to predict the likelihood or timing of enactment of such proposals.  The effect on the Company, if these proposals are enacted, will depend upon various factors including the size of the compensation fund, the portion allocated to insurers and the formula for allocating contributions among insurers.  If legislative reform proposals are enacted, the Company’s contribution allocation could be larger than its current asbestos reserves.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report may contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements.  Specifically, the Company may have forward-looking statements about the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity; the sufficiency of the Company’s asbestos and other reserves; and the post-merger integration.  Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements.

 

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Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, the following: adverse developments involving asbestos claims and related litigation; the impact of aggregate policy coverage limits for asbestos claims; the impact of bankruptcies of various asbestos producers and related businesses; the willingness of parties including the Company to settle asbestos-related litigation; the Company’s ability to fully integrate the former St. Paul and Travelers businesses in the manner or in the timeframe currently anticipated; the Company’s inability to obtain price increases due to competition or otherwise; the performance of the Company’s investment portfolios, which could be adversely impacted by adverse developments in U.S. and global financial markets, interest rates and rates of inflation; weakening U.S. and global economic conditions; insufficiency of, or changes in, loss reserves; the occurrence of catastrophic events, both natural and man-made, including terrorist acts, with a severity or frequency exceeding the Company’s expectations; exposure to, and adverse developments involving, environmental claims and related litigation; the impact of claims related to exposure to potentially harmful products or substances, including, but not limited to, lead paint, silica and other potentially harmful substances; adverse changes in loss cost trends, including inflationary pressures in medical costs and auto and home repair costs; developments relating to coverage and liability for mold claims; the effects of corporate bankruptcies on surety bond claims; adverse developments in the cost and availability of reinsurance; adverse developments in the ability to collect from reinsurers, co-sureties and derivatives counter-parties; the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company; adverse outcomes in legal proceedings; judicial expansion of policy coverage and the impact of new theories of liability; the impact of legislative actions, including federal and state legislation related to asbestos liability reform; larger than expected assessments for guaranty funds and mandatory pooling arrangements; a downgrade in the Company’s claims-paying and financial strength ratings; the loss or significant restriction on the Company’s ability to use credit scoring in the pricing and underwriting of Personal policies; and changes to the risk-based capital requirements.

 

The Company’s forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report or as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

 

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Item 3.            QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and other relevant market rate or price changes.  Market risk is directly influenced by the volatility and liquidity in the markets in which the related underlying assets are traded.  We analyze quantitative information about market risk based on sensitivity analysis models. 

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The primary market risk to the investment portfolio is interest rate risk associated with investments in fixed maturity securities.  The primary market risk for all of the Company’s debt is interest rate risk at the time of refinancing.  Changes in the financial instruments included in the Company’s sensitivity analysis model, including fixed maturities, interest-bearing non-redeemable preferred stocks, mortgage loans, short-term securities, cash, investment income accrued, fixed rate trust securities and derivative financial instruments, have occurred since December 31, 2003.  The primary reason for these changes was the April 1, 2004 merger of TPC with a subsidiary of SPC, in which TPC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the merger).  For information regarding the merger, see note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. 

 

The sensitivity analysis model used by the Company produces a loss in fair value of market sensitive instruments of approximately $2.0 billion and $1.2 billion based on a 100 basis point increase in interest rates as of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

 

The loss in fair value estimates does not take into account the impact of possible interventions that the Company might reasonably undertake in order to mitigate or avoid losses that would result from emerging interest rate trends.  In addition, the loss value only reflects the impact of an interest rate increase on the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments.  As a result, the loss value excludes a significant portion of the Company’s consolidated balance sheet which, if included in the sensitivity analysis model, would potentially mitigate the impact of the loss in fair value associated with a 100 basis point increase in interest rates.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

 

As a result of the merger, changes in the Company’s exposure to equity price risk and foreign exchange risk have occurred since December 31, 2003.  This market risk exposure is concentrated in the Company’s invested assets, and insurance reserves, denominated in foreign currencies.  Cash flows from the Company’s foreign operations are the primary source of funds for the purchase of investments denominated in foreign currencies.  The Company purchases these investments primarily to hedge insurance reserves and other liabilities denominated in the same currency, effectively reducing its foreign currency exchange rate exposure.

 

At June 30, 2004, approximately 5.4% of the Company’s invested assets were denominated in foreign currencies. Invested assets denominated in the British Pound Sterling comprised approximately 2.9% of total invested assets at June 30, 2004. The Company has determined that a hypothetical 10% reduction in the value of the Pound Sterling would have an approximate $170 million reduction in the value of its assets, although there would be a similar offsetting change in the value of the related insurance reserves.  No other individual foreign currency accounts for more than 1.3% of the Company’s invested assets at June 30, 2004.

 

The Company has also entered into foreign currency forwards with a U.S. dollar equivalent notional amount of $547 million as of June 30, 2004 to hedge its foreign currency exposure on certain contracts.  Of this total, 41% are denominated in British Pound Sterling, 22% are denominated in the Japanese yen, and 23% are denominated in the Euro and 14% are denominated in the Canadian dollar.  The Company’s exposure to foreign exchange risk was not significant at December 31, 2003.

 

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Item 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.  Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.  As a result of the merger of SPC and TPC and the consolidation of the combined company’s corporate headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, the Company has made a number of significant changes in its internal controls over financial reporting beginning in the second quarter of 2004.  The changes involved combining the financial reporting process and the attendant personnel and system changes. The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2004.  Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures provided reasonable assurance that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to accomplish their objectives.

 

In addition, except as described above, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2004 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

This section describes the major pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, to which the Company or its subsidiaries are a party or to which any of the Company’s property is subject. 

 

Asbestos and Environmental-Related Proceedings 

 

In the ordinary course of its insurance business, the Company receives claims for insurance arising under policies issued by the Company asserting alleged injuries and damages from asbestos and other hazardous waste and toxic substances which are the subject of related coverage litigation, including, among others, the litigation described below.  The Company continues to be subject to aggressive asbestos-related litigation.  The conditions surrounding the final resolution of these claims and the related litigation continue to change. 

 

TPC is involved in bankruptcy and other proceedings relating to ACandS, Inc. (ACandS), formerly a national installer of products containing asbestos.  The proceedings involve disputes as to whether and to what extent any of ACandS’ potential liabilities for bodily injury asbestos claims were covered by insurance policies issued by TPC.  There were a number of developments in the proceedings since the beginning of 2003, including two decisions which were favorable to TPC.  These developments and the status of the various proceedings are described below.

 

One of the proceedings was an arbitration commenced in January 2001 to determine whether and to what extent ACandS’ financial obligations for bodily injury asbestos claims are subject to insurance policy aggregate limits.  On July 31, 2003, the arbitration panel ruled in favor of TPC that asbestos bodily injury claims paid by ACandS on or after that decision date are subject to the aggregate limits of the policies issued to ACandS, which have been exhausted.  In October 2003, ACandS commenced a lawsuit seeking to vacate the arbitration award as beyond the panel’s scope of authority (ACandS, Inc. v. Travelers Casualty and Surety Co., U.S.D.Ct., E.D. Pa.).  TPC has filed its opposition to ACandS’ motion to vacate.

 

ACandS filed for bankruptcy in September 2002 (In re: ACandS, Inc., pending in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware).  On January 26, 2004, the bankruptcy court issued a decision rejecting confirmation of ACandS’ proposed plan of reorganization.  The bankruptcy court found, consistent with TPC’s objections to ACandS’ proposed plan, that the proposed plan was not fundamentally fair, was not proposed in good faith and did not comply with Section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code.  ACandS has filed a notice of appeal of the bankruptcy court’s decision and has filed objections to the bankruptcy court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law in the United States District Court.  TPC has moved to dismiss the appeal and objections and has also filed an opposition to ACandS’ objections.

 

In its proposed plan of reorganization, ACandS sought to establish a trust to pay asbestos bodily injury claims against it and sought to assign to the trust its rights under the insurance policies issued by TPC.  The proposed plan and disclosure statement filed by ACandS claimed that ACandS had settled the vast majority of asbestos-related bodily injury claims currently pending against it for approximately $2.80 billion.  ACandS asserts that, based on a prior agreement between TPC and ACandS and ACandS’ interpretation of the July 31, 2003 arbitration panel ruling, TPC is liable for 45% of the $2.80 billion.  In August 2003, ACandS filed a new lawsuit against TPC seeking to enforce this position (ACandS, Inc. v. Travelers Casualty and Surety Co., U.S.D.Ct., E.D. Pa.).  Before TPC responded to the complaint ACandS dismissed the action without prejudice to refiling.  Should ACandS reinitiate the proceeding, TPC intends to vigorously contest it and believes that it has meritorious defenses.

 

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In addition to the proceedings described above, TPC and ACandS are also involved in litigation (ACandS, Inc. v. Travelers Casualty and Surety Co., U.S.D.Ct., E.D. Pa.) commenced in September 2000.  This litigation primarily involves the extent to which the asbestos bodily injury claims against ACandS are subject to occurrence limits under insurance policies issued by TPC.  TPC has filed a motion to dismiss this action based upon the July 31, 2003 arbitration decision. TPC’s motion to dismiss and ACandS’ motion to vacate were argued to the District Court on July 21, 2004, and the parties are awaiting a decision.  The Company believes that the findings of the Bankruptcy Court supports several of TPC’s assertions in the proceedings.

 

The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses in all these proceedings, which it is vigorously asserting, including, among others, that the purported settlements are not final, are unreasonable in amount and are not binding on TPC; that any bankruptcy plan of reorganization which ACandS files is defective to the extent it seeks to accelerate any of TPC’s obligations under policies issued to ACandS or to deprive TPC of its right to litigate the claims against ACandS; that the arbitration award is valid and binding on the parties and applies to claims purportedly settled by ACandS during the pendency of the arbitration proceeding; and that the occurrence limits in the policies substantially reduce or eliminate TPC’s obligations, if any, with respect to the purportedly settled claims.

 

In October 2001 and April 2002, two purported class action suits (Wise v. Travelers and Meninger v. Travelers), were filed against TPC and other insurers (not including SPC) in state court in West Virginia.  The plaintiffs in these cases, which were subsequently consolidated into a single proceeding in Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia, allege that the insurer defendants engaged in unfair trade practices by inappropriately handling and settling asbestos claims.  The plaintiffs seek to reopen large numbers of settled asbestos claims and to impose liability for damages, including punitive damages, directly on insurers.  Lawsuits similar to Wise have been filed in Massachusetts (2002) and Hawaii (filed in 2002, and served in May 2003) (these suits are collectively referred to as the “Statutory and Hawaii Actions”).  Also, in November 2001, plaintiffs in consolidated asbestos actions pending before a mass tort panel of judges in West Virginia state court moved to amend their complaint to name TPC as a defendant, alleging that TPC and other insurers breached alleged duties to certain users of asbestos products.  In March 2002, the court granted the motion to amend.  Plaintiffs seek damages, including punitive damages.  Lawsuits seeking similar relief and raising allegations similar to those presented in the West Virginia amended complaint are also pending in Ohio and Texas state courts against TPC, SPC and United States Fidelity and Guaranty Corporation (USF&G) and in Louisiana state court against TPC (the claims asserted in these suits, together with the West Virginia suit, are collectively referred to as the “Common Law Claims”).

 

All of the actions against TPC described in the preceding paragraph, other than the Hawaii Actions, are currently subject to a temporary restraining order entered by the federal bankruptcy court in New York, which had previously presided over and approved the reorganization in bankruptcy of TPC’s former policyholder Johns Manville.  In August 2002, the bankruptcy court conducted a hearing on TPC’s motion for a preliminary injunction prohibiting further prosecution of the lawsuits pursuant to the reorganization plan and related orders.  At the conclusion of this hearing, the court ordered the parties to mediation, appointed a mediator and continued the temporary restraining order.  During 2003, the same bankruptcy court extended the existing injunction to apply to an additional set of cases filed in various state courts in Texas and Ohio as well as to the attorneys who are prosecuting these cases.  The order also enjoins these attorneys and their respective law firms from commencing any further lawsuits against TPC based upon these allegations without the prior approval of the court.  Notwithstanding the injunction, additional Common Law Claims have been filed and served on TPC.  The parties met with the mediator several times, and on November 19, 2003, the parties advised the bankruptcy court that a settlement of the Statutory and Hawaii Actions had been reached.  This settlement includes a lump

 

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sum payment of up to $412 million by TPC, subject to a number of significant contingencies.  After continued meetings with the mediator, the parties advised the bankruptcy court on May 25, 2004 that a settlement resolving substantially all pending and similar future Common Law Claims against TPC had also been reached.  This settlement would require a payment of up to $90 million by TPC, subject to a number of significant contingencies.  The bankruptcy court must approve all the settlement agreements and clarify certain prior orders of the bankruptcy court concerning the scope and breadth of the injunction previously entered by that court in the Johns Manville proceeding.  This approval must become final and, to the extent any appeals are taken, all such appeals seeking to reverse these orders must have been denied in order for the settlements to take effect.  The bankruptcy court held a hearing on July 6, 2004 with respect to TPC’s motions to approve the settlements and to enforce the court’s prior injunction as required by the settlements.  If the settlements are approved, then the Statutory and Hawaii Actions and substantially all pending Common Law Claims against TPC will have been resolved with an order in place that would bar similar claims in the future.  It is not possible to predict how the court will rule on the motions to approve the settlements of the Statutory and Hawaii Actions and the Common Law Claims against TPC.  If all of the conditions of the settlements are not satisfied, then the temporary restraining order currently in effect will be lifted and TPC will again be subject to the pending litigation and could be subject to additional litigation based on similar theories of liability.

 

TPC, SPC and USF&G have numerous defenses in all of the direct action cases asserting Common Law Claims.  Many of these defenses have been raised in initial motions to dismiss filed by TPC, SPC, USF&G and other insurers.  There have been favorable rulings during 2003 and 2004 in Texas and during 2004 in Ohio on some of these motions filed by SPC, USF&G and other insurers during the pendency of the Johns Manville stay that dealt with statute of limitations and the validity of the alleged causes of actions.  The plaintiffs in these actions have appealed these favorable rulings.  TPC’s, SPC’s and USF&G’s defenses include the fact that these novel theories have no basis in law; that they are directly at odds with the well established law pertaining to the insured/insurer relationship; that there is no generalized duty to warn as alleged by the plaintiffs; and that the applicable statute of limitations as to many of these claims has long since expired.  TPC’s defenses also include the fact that, to the extent that they have not been released by virtue of prior settlement agreements by the claimants with TPC’s policyholders, all of these claims were released by virtue of approved settlements and orders entered by the Johns Manville bankruptcy court.

 

The Company is defending its asbestos and environmental-related litigation vigorously and believes that it has meritorious defenses; however, the outcome of these disputes is uncertain.  In this regard, the Company employs dedicated specialists and aggressive resolution strategies to manage asbestos and environmental loss exposure, including settling litigation under appropriate circumstances.  For a discussion of recent settlement activity and other information regarding the Company’s asbestos and environmental exposure, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Asbestos Claims and Litigation”, “– Environmental Claims and Litigation” and “– Uncertainty Regarding Adequacy of Asbestos and Environmental Reserves.”

 

Currently, it is not possible to predict legal outcomes and their impact on the future development of claims and litigation relating to asbestos and environmental claims.  Any such development will be affected by future court decisions and interpretations, as well as changes in applicable legislation.  Because of these uncertainties, additional liabilities may arise for amounts in excess of the current related reserves.  In addition, the Company’s estimate of ultimate claims and claim adjustment expenses may change.  These additional liabilities or increases in estimates, or a range of either, cannot now be reasonably estimated and could result in income statement charges that could be material to the Company’s results of operations and financial condition in future periods.

 

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Other Proceedings

 

Beginning in January 1997, various plaintiffs commenced a series of purported class actions and one multi-party action in various courts against some of TPC’s subsidiaries, dozens of other insurers and the National Council on Compensation Insurance, or the NCCI.  The allegations in the actions are substantially similar.  The plaintiffs generally allege that the defendants conspired to collect excessive or improper premiums on loss-sensitive workers’ compensation insurance policies in violation of state insurance laws, antitrust laws, and state unfair trade practices laws.  Plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages.  After several voluntary dismissals, refilings and consolidations, actions are, or until recently were, pending in the following jurisdictions:  Georgia (Melvin Simon & Associates, Inc., et al. v. Standard Fire Insurance Company, et al.); Tennessee (Bristol Hotel Asset Company, et al. v. The Aetna Casualty and Surety Company, et al.); Florida (Bristol Hotel Asset Company, et al. v. Allianz Insurance Company, et al. and Bristol Hotel Management Corporation, et al. v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Company, et al.); New Jersey (Foodarama Supermarkets, Inc., et al. v. Allianz Insurance Company, et al.); Illinois (CR/PL Management Co., et al. v. Allianz Insurance Company Group, et al.); Pennsylvania (Foodarama Supermarkets, Inc. v. American Insurance Company, et al.); Missouri (American Freightways Corporation, et al. v. American Insurance Co., et al.); California (Bristol Hotels & Resorts, et al. v. NCCI, et al.);  Texas (Sandwich Chef of Texas, Inc., et al. v. Reliance National Indemnity Insurance Company, et al.); Alabama (Alumax Inc., et al. v. Allianz Insurance Company, et al.); Michigan (Alumax, Inc., et al. v. National Surety Corp., et al.); Kentucky (Payless Cashways, Inc., et al. v. National Surety Corp. et al.); New York (Burnham Service Corp. v. American Motorists Insurance Company, et al.); and Arizona (Albany International Corp. v. American Home Assurance Company, et al.).

 

The trial courts ordered dismissal of the California, Pennsylvania and New York cases, one of the two Florida cases (Bristol Hotel Asset Company, et al. v. Allianz Insurance Company, et al.), and, in August 2003, the Kentucky case.  In addition, the trial courts have ordered partial dismissals of six other cases: those pending in Tennessee, New Jersey, Illinois, Missouri, Alabama and Arizona.  The trial courts in Georgia, Texas and Michigan denied defendants’ motions to dismiss.  The California appellate court reversed the trial court in part and ordered reinstatement of most claims, while the New York appellate court affirmed dismissal in part and allowed plaintiffs to dismiss their remaining claims voluntarily.  The Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Jersey courts denied class certification. The New Jersey appellate court denied plaintiffs’ request to appeal.  After the rulings described above, the plaintiffs withdrew the New York and Michigan cases.  Although the trial court in Texas granted class certification, the appellate court reversed that ruling in January 2003, holding that class certification should not have been granted.  In October 2003, the United States Supreme Court denied plaintiff’s request for further review of that appellate ruling.  TPC is vigorously defending all of the pending cases and the Company’s management believes TPC has meritorious defenses; however the outcome of these disputes is uncertain.

 

Gulf Insurance Company (Gulf), a wholly-owned subsidiary of TPC, brought an action on May 22, 2003, as amended on July 29, 2003, in the Supreme Court of New York, County of New York (Gulf Insurance Company v. Transatlantic Reinsurance Company, et al.), against Transatlantic Reinsurance Company (Transatlantic), and three other reinsurance companies to recover amounts due under reinsurance contracts issued to Gulf and related to Gulf’s February 2003 settlement of a coverage dispute under a vehicle residual value protection insurance policy.  On May 22, 2003, as amended on September 5, 2003, Transatlantic brought an action against Gulf regarding the same dispute, which has been consolidated with Gulf’s action.  Transatlantic seeks rescission of its vehicle residual value reinsurance contracts issued to Gulf and unspecified damages for breach of contract.  XL Reinsurance America, Inc. (XL), Odyssey America Reinsurance Corporation (Odyssey) and Employers Reinsurance Company (Employers), the other defendant reinsurers, also filed answers and counterclaims in the Gulf action asserting positions similar to Transatlantic, including counterclaims for rescission of vehicle residual value reinsurance contracts issued to Gulf.  On October 1, 2003, Gulf entered into a final settlement agreement with Employers, and all claims and counterclaims with respect to Employers have been dismissed. 

 

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On April 20, 2004, Gerling Global Reinsurance Corporation of America (Gerling) brought an action against Gulf in the Supreme Court of New York County concerning its participation on Gulf’s vehicle residual value reinsurance contracts, and asserted positions similar to the other reinsurers.  The Gerling action has been consolidated with the pending Gulf action for pre-trial purposes.  Gulf has asserted counterclaims against Gerling seeking to recover amounts due under the residual value reinsurance contracts for payments made by Gulf pursuant to the February 2003 settlement and under other residual value protection insurance policies. 

 

On May 12, 2004, Gulf further amended its complaint to include amounts due under a second installment payment made by Gulf pursuant to the February 2003 settlement and to name Gerling as a defendant.  Gulf now seeks a total of $103.2 million due under the reinsurance contracts for the February 2003 settlement and consequential and punitive damages from Transatlantic, XL, Odyssey and Gerling. 

 

On May 26, 2004, the Court denied Gulf’s motion to dismiss certain claims asserted by Transatlantic and a joint motion by Transatlantic, XL and Odyssey for summary judgment against Gulf.  Discovery is currently proceeding in the matters.  Gulf denies the reinsurers’ allegations, believes that it has a strong legal basis to collect the amounts due under the reinsurance contracts and intends to vigorously pursue the actions.

 

TPC and its board of directors were named as defendants in three purported class action lawsuits brought by four of TPC’s former shareholders seeking injunctive relief as well as unspecified monetary damages.  The actions were captioned Henzel, et al. v. Travelers Property Casualty Corp., et al. (Jud. Dist. of Waterbury, CT Nov. 17, 2003); Vozzolo v. Travelers Property Casualty Corp., et al. (Jud. Dist. of Waterbury, CT Nov. 17, 2003); and Farina v. Travelers Property Casualty Corp., et al. (Jud. Dist. of Waterbury, CT December 15, 2003). The Farina complaint also named SPC and its former subsidiary, Adams Acquisition Corp., as defendants.  On March 18, 2004, TPC and SPC announced that all of these lawsuits had been settled, subject to court approval of the settlements.  The settlement included a modification to the termination fee that could have been paid had the merger not been completed, additional disclosure in the proxy statement distributed in connection with the merger and a nominal amount for attorneys fees.  The parties intend to move soon for Court approval of certification of a class for settlement purposes, notice to the class of the settlement, and approval of the terms of the settlement.

 

In connection with SPC’s Western MacArthur asbestos litigation, which was recently settled, several purported class action lawsuits were filed in the fourth quarter of 2002 against SPC and its chief executive officer and chief financial officer.  In the first quarter of 2003, the lawsuits were consolidated into a single action, which makes various allegations relating to the adequacy of SPC’s previous public disclosures and reserves relating to the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation, and seeks unspecified damages and other relief.  In the second quarter of 2004, SPC executed a definitive settlement agreement and the court granted preliminary approval of the settlement. The court must still grant final approval of the settlement and a final hearing is scheduled for the third quarter of 2004.

 

SPC had disclosed in its Securities and Exchange Commission filings prior to the merger that its pretax net exposure with regard to surety bonds it had issued on behalf of companies operating in the energy trading sector totaled approximately $336 million at March 31, 2004, with the largest individual exposure approximating $173 million.  In July 2004, the company representing that exposure announced an agreement to provide collateral to the Company to support the surety bonds SPC had issued for gas supply contracts held by two municipal gas providers.  If all provisions of the settlement agreement are fulfilled, the Company’s gross exposure on the two surety bonds would fall to approximately $8 million.

 

 

85



 

In addition to those described above, the Company is involved in numerous lawsuits, not involving asbestos and environmental claims, arising mostly in the ordinary course of business operations either as a liability insurer defending third-party claims brought against policyholders or as an insurer defending coverage claims brought against it.  While the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings could be significant to the Company’s results of operations in a future quarter, in the opinion of the Company’s management it would not be likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations for a calendar year or on the Company’s financial condition or liquidity. 

 

Item 2.            CHANGES IN SECURITIES, USE OF PROCEEDS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases by the Company of its common stock during the periods indicated. 

 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

Period

 

Total number of
shares
(or units)
purchased

 

Average price
paid
per share (or unit)

 

Total number of
shares
or (units) purchased
as part of publicly
announced plans or
programs

 

Maximum number
(or approximate
dollar value) of
shares (or units)
that may yet be
purchased under
the plans or
programs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apr. 1, 2004-Apr. 30, 2004

 

130,550

 

$

40.24

 

 

 

May 1, 2004-May 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

June 1, 2004-June 30, 2004

 

7,990

 

40.40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

138,540

 

$

40.25

 

 

 

 


(a)   All repurchases in the table represent shares repurchased from restricted stock award recipients upon vesting of their awards to fund the recipients’ tax liabilities related to the award. 

 

Item 3.            DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None. 

 

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

 

The initial annual meeting of shareholders of the Company was held on July 28, 2004.  At the meeting:

 

(1)           twenty-three persons were elected to serve as directors of the Company until the 2005 annual meeting of shareholders;

 

(2)           the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan was approved; and

 

(3)           the selection of KPMG LLP to serve as the independent auditors of the Company for 2004 was ratified.

 

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The number of votes cast for, against or withheld, and the number of abstentions with respect to each such matter is set forth below, as are the number of broker non-votes, where applicable.

 

(1)           Election of Directors:

 

 

 

Votes For

 

Votes Withheld

 

Howard P. Berkowitz

 

574,601,175

 

32,376,635

 

Kenneth J. Bialkin

 

572,257,864

 

34,719,969

 

Carolyn H. Byrd

 

587,455,458

 

19,522,374

 

John H. Dasburg

 

587,768,295

 

19,209,538

 

Leslie B. Disharoon

 

590,059,411

 

16,918,421

 

Janet M. Dolan

 

590,401,139

 

16,576,694

 

Kenneth M. Duberstein

 

562,123,131

 

44,854,702

 

Jay S. Fishman

 

586,753,973

 

20,223,860

 

Lawrence G. Graev

 

562,974,705

 

44,003,127

 

Meryl D. Hartzband

 

574,759,644

 

32,218,188

 

Thomas R. Hodgson

 

587,956,776

 

19,021,057

 

William H. Kling

 

584,729,428

 

22,248,405

 

James A. Lawrence

 

590,442,611

 

16,535,221

 

Robert I. Lipp

 

584,580,415

 

22,397,417

 

Blythe J. McGarvie

 

587,675,329

 

19,302,504

 

Glen D. Nelson, M.D.

 

559,949,529

 

47,028,303

 

Clarence Otis, Jr.

 

588,278,524

 

18,699,309

 

Jeffrey M. Peek

 

590,374,370

 

16,603,462

 

Nancy M. Roseman

 

587,261,378

 

19,716,455

 

Charles W. Scharf

 

590,370,787

 

16,607,046

 

Gordon M. Sprenger

 

590,225,259

 

16,752,574

 

Frank J. Tasco

 

587,763,228

 

19,214,604

 

Laurie J. Thomsen

 

588,194,862

 

18,782,971

 

 

(2)           Approval of 2004 Stock Incentive Plan:

 

Votes For

 

Votes Against

 

Votes Abstained

 

Broker Non-Votes

 

403,125,227

 

122,571,312

 

4,818,116

 

76,463,157

 

 

(3)           Ratification of auditors:

 

Votes For

 

Votes Against

 

Votes Abstained

 

591,839,432

 

11,004,361

 

3,739,987

 

 

87



 

Item 5.    OTHER INFORMATION

 

For additional information regarding the historical financial information for SPC, please refer to SPC’s 2003 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K.

 

Item 6.    EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

(a)           Exhibits:

 

See Exhibit Index.

 

(b)           Reports on Form 8-K:

 

      On April 1, 2004, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 1, 2004, reporting that the merger of TPC and SPC had been completed and that required pro forma financial information related to the merger would be filed under an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K.  Several documents related to the merger were also filed as exhibits to this Form 8-K. 

 

      On April 22, 2004, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 16, 2004, reporting that final court approval had been obtained for the Company’s asbestos-related litigation settlement agreement related to the Western MacArthur Companies. 

 

      On April 23, 2004, the Company filed an amended Current Report on Form 8-K/A, dated April 1, 2004, reporting the required pro forma financial information related to the merger consummated on April 1, 2004.

 

      On April 29, 2004, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 29, 2004, reporting the financial results of the Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. 

 

      On May 26, 2004, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 24, 2004, reporting the execution of an agreement resolving common law asbestos-related direct actions pending against the Company’s Travelers Property Casualty Corp. subsidiaries. 

 

      On July 23, 2004, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 23, 2004, reporting the ranges of the Company’s estimated earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. 

 

      On August 3, 2004, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 2, 2004, reporting that the Company had reached a conclusion as to the accounting treatment for previously announced reserve adjustments. 

 

      On August 5, 2004, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 4, 2004, reporting the financial results of the Company for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

88



 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

August 9, 2004

 

By

/s/ Bruce A. Backberg

 

 

 

 

 

Bruce A. Backberg

 

 

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

(Authorized Signatory)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

August 9, 2004

 

By

/s/ John C. Treacy

 

 

 

 

 

John C. Treacy

 

 

 

 

Vice President and Corporate Controller

 

 

 

 

(Chief Accounting Officer)

 

89



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description of Exhibit

 

 

 

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, effective as of April 1, 2004, were filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 1, 2004, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

3.2

 

Bylaws of the Company, effective as of April 1, 2004, were filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 1, 2004, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.1†

 

Employment agreement between the Company and Jay S. Fishman.

 

 

 

12.1†

 

Statement re computation of ratios.

 

 

 

31.1†

 

Certification of Jay S. Fishman, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2†

 

Certification of Jay S. Benet, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1†

 

Certification of Jay S. Fishman, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2†

 

Certification of Jay S. Benet, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Copies of the exhibits may be obtained from the Registrant for a reasonable fee by writing to The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc., 385 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102, Attention: Corporate Secretary. 

 

The total amount of securities authorized pursuant to any instrument defining rights of holders of long-term debt of the Company does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.  Therefore, the Company is not filing any instruments evidencing long-term debt.  However, the Company will furnish copies of any such instrument to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 


              Filed herewith.

 

90