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8-K - FORM 8-K - Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd.d8k.htm
The
Association
of
Insurance
and
Financial
Analysts
35
th
Annual
Conference
March 2010
Exhibit 99.1


2.
Forward-Looking Statements
This
presentation
contains
“forward-looking
statements”
which
are
made
pursuant
to
the
safe
harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  The forward-looking
statements are based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs concerning future
developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that actual
developments will be those anticipated by the Company. Actual results may differ materially from
those projected as a result of significant risks and uncertainties, including non-receipt of the
expected payments, changes in interest rates, effect of the performance of financial markets on
investment
income
and
fair
values
of
investments,
development
of
claims
and
the
effect
on
loss
reserves, accuracy in projecting loss reserves, the impact of competition and pricing environments,
changes in the demand for the Company's products, the effect of general economic conditions,
adverse state and federal legislation, regulations and regulatory investigations into industry
practices,  developments relating to existing agreements, heightened competition, changes in
pricing  environments, and changes in asset valuations.  The Company undertakes no obligation
to publicly update any forward-looking statements as a result of events or developments
subsequent to the presentation.


3.
Argo Group Today
Major business segment locations
Bermuda Headquarters
An international specialty underwriter of property/casualty
insurance and reinsurance products
Headquartered in Bermuda
Operations in 50 states and worldwide
Total capitalization of $2.0 billion
Operations conducted through four business segments
Our Strategy
Deploy
capital
in
the
international
specialty
market
for
maximum
return
Continuous focus on new business development and organic growth
Grow strategically through acquisitions
Prudent management of our balance sheet and investment portfolio
Brussels
London
Maximize shareholder value through our focus on Return on Capital


4.
Building a Specialty Platform
Goal
Execution
Status
Expand US Excess and Surplus
franchise and broaden US
specialty platform
Acquired Colony and Rockwood in 2001
Acquired the assets of Interstate and
Grocers in 2005 and 2003
Launched Public Entity business in 2001
Acquired Massamont and Insight in 2008
Completed 9 acquisitions of companies
and asset purchases over eight years
PXRE transaction in 2007
Launched Argo Re in 2008
Establish Bermuda Platform
Establish Lloyd’s Platform
Heritage acquisition in 2008
Enhance Argo’s risk profile
Significantly managed down legacy exposures
Sold PXRE’s legacy casualty exposure in 2008
Hired CFO in 2008
Hired Andrew Carrier as Argo Re President and
Nigel Mortimer as head of Excess Casualty in 2008
Recently Added:
International CEO: Julian Enoizi
Chief Actuary: Mike Fusco
Chief Risk Officer: Bernhard Scheifele
Chief Accounting Officer: James Tees
Chief Investment Officer: Rip Reeves
Bolster management ranks


5.
Argo Today –
A Diversified Business Model
US        International
For the FY 2009
Note: Based on gross written premiums (GWP)
Insurance       Reinsurance
Property         Casualty
~70%
~30%
8%
92%
27%
73%


6.
What We Do
Combined
Ratio*
Insureds
Segment Profile
Excess and
Surplus Lines
•Commercial Property and
Casualty on a non-admitted basis
•Distribution through wholesale
agents and brokers
Commercial
Specialty
Argo
International
•Argo Managing Agency plc
•Short-tail risks with an emphasis
on commercial specialty, and
non-US professional indemnity
insurance
95.6%
52.3%
Reinsurance
•Insureds include US regional
carriers and international multi-
line carriers
•Casualty clients are
predominately US Fortune 1000
companies written on a primary
basis
•Argo Re (class 4 specialty
reinsurance platform)
•Provides property CAT
reinsurance, excess casualty
95.8%
*
GWP and Combined Ratio for FY 2009
%
GWP*
32.3%
23.9%
8.2%
35.5%
99.6%
•Representative insureds include
restaurants, contractors, day
care centers, apartment
complexes, and others
•Commercial Property and
Casualty on an admitted basis
•Distribution through select
independent agents, brokers,
wholesalers and program
managers
•Food and hospitality, specialty
retail, grocery stores, mining
industry and public entities
•Insureds include US and
international small/medium
commercial businesses,
transportation, fine arts and
specie, financial institutions and
others


7.
Pre-Tax Operating Income
($mm)
Excess & Surplus Lines
Largest and Most Profitable Segment
Status
Historical combined ratio in low 90% range
Colony, Argonaut Specialty & Argo Pro
Competitive advantages
Excellent
infrastructure
broad
geography
Underwriting expertise
Broad product portfolio for small account
underwriters
Controlled distribution
Wholesale agents
Benefits from a category XII ‘A’
(Excellent)
rating by A.M. Best
88.9%
89.3%
93.3%
99.6%
Combined Ratio
2006
2007
2008
2009
$102
$113
$98
$65


8.
Pre-Tax Operating Income
($mm)
Commercial Specialty
Specialty Niche Segment
Status
Historical combined ratio in low 90% range
Primarily admitted, retail-driven
Competitive advantages
Expertise in niche markets
grocery stores
mining operations
laundry & dry cleaners
small/medium-size public entities
Benefits from a category XII ‘A’
(Excellent)
rating by A.M. Best
89.4%
88.7%
96.5%
95.6%
$50
$61
$43
$46
2006
2007
2008
2009
Combined Ratio


9.
Status
Underwriting on $1.2 billion of capital today
Achieved desired diversification in second
year
Appointed Andrew Carrier as Argo Re
President and Nigel Mortimer as head of
Excess Casualty
New casualty underwriting team in place
Competitive advantages
Utilize established infrastructure
Built diversified book of business
Proven record of leadership
Benefits from a category XII ‘A’
(Excellent)
rating by A.M. Best
Reinsurance
Argo Re –
Well Established
52.3%
77.9%
Pre-Tax Operating Income
($mm)
Combined Ratio
$24
$50
2008
2009


10.
Status
Acquired Heritage in May 2008
Appointed Julian Enoizi as CEO in
June 2009
Worldwide property
Direct and Facultative
North American and International
Binding Authority
Non-U.S. liability
Professional indemnity
General liability
Competitive advantages
Specialist knowledge
Access to decision makers
Carries the Lloyd’s market ratings of
‘A’
(Excellent) rating by A.M. Best,
and ‘A+’
by S&P
Argo International
Lloyd’s Underwriting Agency
96%
102%
Pre-Tax Operating Income
($mm)
Note:   Data is for the full year ending Dec. 31, 2008
Combined Ratio
$11
$24
2008¹
2009
1


11.
Combined Business Mix
Established platform to write business
worldwide and penetrate niche markets
Specialty Insurance
Excess & Surplus Lines
Commercial Specialty
Reinsurance/Insurance
Quota share reinsurance
of business partners
Property reinsurance
Excess casualty and
professional liability insurance
Argo International (Lloyd’s)
Worldwide property insurance
Non-U.S. liability
56%
8%
36%
As of December 31, 2009


12.
Growth in Key Profit Drivers
Net Premium Earned
Gross Written Premium
Investment Income
$622
$1,989
2002
2009
18%
CAGR
$378
$1,415
2002
2009
21%
CAGR
$53
$146
2002
2009
16%
CAGR
($mm)


13.
$39.08
$33.52
$30.36
$27.22
$23.40
$45.15
$44.18
$52.36
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Growth of Book Value
BVPS Growth Since 2002
12.2%
CAGR
* Book value per common share - outstanding, includes the impact of the Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock
on an as if converted basis.  Preferred stock had fully converted into common shares as of Dec. 31, 2007.


14.
Significant Increases in Capital Relative to Operating Metrics
$1,996
$1,624
$1,816
$2,203
$2,558
$3,598
$4,001
$4,352
$1,415
$992
$1,782
$1,754
$860
$717
$567
$1,127
$860
$813
$699
$634
$563
2.2x
0.7x
2.6x
2.9x
2.5x
2.2x
2.1x
2.6x
0.6x
0.5x
0.8x
0.8x
0.9x
1.0x
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500
5,000
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
0.0x
0.5x
1.0x
1.5x
2.0x
2.5x
3.0x
3.5x
Total Capitalization
Earning Assets
Net Premiums Earned
EA Multiple
EP Multiple
($mm)


1.5B
$   3.81
86%
15.
Argo Group 2009 Financial Highlights
2008
2009
Change
** Impacted by $17.4mm of pre-tax losses from U.S. storms in Q2 and $74.0mm from hurricanes Gustav and Ike in Q3.
Gross Written Premium
$  1.60B
2.0B
24%
Net Earned Premium
$  1.13B
1.4B
26%
Total Revenue
$  1.25B
24%
Net Operating Income Per Share
3.17
$   4.28
35%
Net Income Per Share
$    2.05**
Net Investment Income
$   150M
$
146M
3%
YTD Growth in Book Value Per Share
(2.1%)
18.5%


16.
Dec 31, 2008
2,997
24.1%
1,782
1,353
6,382
$4,001
429
$44.18
Dec 31, 2007
2,425
21.0%
1,754
1,385
5,124
$3,598
369
$45.15
Strong Balance Sheet and Capital Base
Reserves
Total Leverage*
Total Capital
Shareholders’
Equity
Total Assets
Investment Portfolio
Indebtedness*
Book Value Per Share
In millions, except for book value and leverage data
*Includes $311.4 mm of Junior Subordinated Debentures
Dec 31, 2009
3,203
19.1%
1,996
1,615
6,897
$4,352
381
$52.36


17.
Consolidated Investment Portfolio
Fixed income (94%)
Equities (6%)
Total: $4.0bn
Total: $0.3bn
Average Rating of AA+
Duration of 3.0 years
Internally and externally managed
Conservative focus on large cap
33%
15%
18%
13%
11%
U.S. Government
State / Muni
Corporate
Structured
Short Term
Other
10%
Financials
Industrial & Other
15%
85%
2009 Consolidated Portfolio Allocation


Investment Leverage / Yields
Levers to Drive a Profitable Organization
External
Internal
18.
Focus Areas for the Coming Year
Investments in people
Investment in IT
Expense savings
Controlled expansion in the US and
London
Focus on clients
Focus on distribution partners
Focus on the competitive environment
Premiums / Risk Selection
Financial Leverage / Capital Structure
Infrastructure Cost


19.
Why Argo?
Broadly diversified insurance and reinsurance platform
Deep product expertise in niche focus areas
Proven track record of growth and profitability
Proven ability to manage through insurance cycle
Prudent risk management and controls
Strong leadership
Significant room for future growth
ROE driven focus


Thank you
Q&A