UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

FORM 10-Q

 

/X/  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010

 

OR

 

[ ]  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 1-11840

 

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

36-3871531

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

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

 

2775 Sanders Road, Northbrook, Illinois  60062

             (Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip Code)

 

(847) 402-5000

(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   X  

 

No      

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

Yes   X  

 

No      

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”  “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   X  

 

Accelerated filer                          

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer            (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Smaller reporting company         

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes      

 

No   X  

 

As of April 23, 2010, the registrant had 537,903,261 common shares, $.01 par value, outstanding.

 



 

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

March 31, 2010

 

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PAGE

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)

1

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of March 31, 2010 (unaudited) and December 31, 2009

2

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)

3

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

4

 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

43

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Highlights

44

 

Consolidated Net Income (Loss)

45

 

Property-Liability Highlights

46

 

Allstate Protection Segment

49

 

Discontinued Lines and Coverages Segment

57

 

Property-Liability Investment Results

57

 

Allstate Financial Highlights

58

 

Allstate Financial Segment

58

 

Investments Highlights

64

 

Investments

65

 

Capital Resources and Liquidity Highlights

85

 

Capital Resources and Liquidity

85

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

89

 

 

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

90

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

90

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

90

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

91

 



 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

($ in millions, except per share data)

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

 

2009

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-liability insurance premiums

$

6,503

 

$

6,582

 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

 

544

 

 

484

 

Net investment income

 

1,050

 

 

1,176

 

Realized capital gains and losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(250

)

 

(725

)

Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income

 

(5

)

 

--

 

Net other-than-temporary impairment loss recognized in earnings

 

(255

)

 

(725

)

Sales and other realized capital gains and losses

 

(93

)

 

366

 

Total realized capital gains and losses

 

(348

)

 

(359

)

 

 

7,749

 

 

7,883

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense

 

4,792

 

 

4,720

 

Life and annuity contract benefits

 

442

 

 

387

 

Interest credited to contractholder funds

 

463

 

 

579

 

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

 

1,014

 

 

1,397

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

829

 

 

801

 

Restructuring and related charges

 

11

 

 

45

 

Interest expense

 

92

 

 

88

 

 

 

7,643

 

 

8,017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on disposition of operations

 

1

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations before income tax (benefit) expense

 

107

 

 

(131

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(13

)

 

143

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

120

 

$

(274

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share - Basic

$

0.22

 

$

(0.51

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares - Basic

 

540.5

 

 

538.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share - Diluted

$

0.22

 

$

(0.51

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares - Diluted

 

541.8

 

 

538.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per share

$

0.20

 

$

0.20

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

1



 

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

($ in millions, except par value data)

 

March 31,
2010

 

December 31,
2009

Assets

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities, at fair value (amortized cost $82,486 and $81,243)

$

81,284

 

$

78,766

 

Equity securities, at fair value (cost $3,436 and $4,845)

 

3,807

 

 

5,024

 

Mortgage loans

 

7,639

 

 

7,935

 

Limited partnership interests

 

2,802

 

 

2,744

 

Short-term, at fair value (amortized cost $2,482 and $3,056)

 

2,482

 

 

3,056

 

Other

 

2,209

 

 

2,308

 

Total investments

 

100,223

 

 

99,833

 

Cash

 

704

 

 

612

 

Premium installment receivables, net

 

4,823

 

 

4,839

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

5,186

 

 

5,470

 

Reinsurance recoverables, net

 

6,415

 

 

6,355

 

Accrued investment income

 

904

 

 

864

 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,440

 

 

1,870

 

Property and equipment, net

 

954

 

 

990

 

Goodwill

 

874

 

 

875

 

Other assets

 

1,804

 

 

1,872

 

Separate Accounts

 

9,059

 

 

9,072

 

Total assets

$

132,386

 

$

132,652

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for property-liability insurance claims and claims expense

$

19,420

 

$

19,167

 

Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits

 

13,052

 

 

12,910

 

Contractholder funds

 

51,027

 

 

52,582

 

Unearned premiums

 

9,575

 

 

9,822

 

Claim payments outstanding

 

763

 

 

742

 

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

 

5,992

 

 

5,726

 

Long-term debt

 

5,910

 

 

5,910

 

Separate Accounts

 

9,059

 

 

9,072

 

Total liabilities

 

114,798

 

 

115,931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $1 par value, 25 million shares authorized, none issued

 

--

 

 

--

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 2.0 billion shares authorized and 900 million issued, 538 million and 537 million shares outstanding

 

9

 

 

9

 

Additional capital paid-in

 

3,152

 

 

3,172

 

Retained income

 

31,514

 

 

31,492

 

Deferred ESOP expense

 

(44

)

 

(47

)

Treasury stock, at cost (362 million and 363 million shares)

 

(15,782

)

 

(15,828

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized net capital losses on fixed income securities with OTTI

 

(384

)

 

(441

)

Other unrealized net capital gains and losses

 

(172

)

 

(1,072

)

Unrealized adjustment to DAC, DSI and insurance reserves

 

472

 

 

643

 

Total unrealized net capital gains and losses

 

(84

)

 

(870

)

Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments

 

60

 

 

46

 

Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost

 

(1,265

)

 

(1,282

)

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(1,289

)

 

(2,106

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

17,560

 

 

16,692

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

28

 

 

29

 

Total equity

 

17,588

 

 

16,721

 

Total liabilities and equity

$

132,386

 

$

132,652

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2



 

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

($ in millions)

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

2010

 

2009

Cash flows from operating activities

 

(unaudited)

 

Net income (loss)

$

120

 

$

(274

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items

 

16

 

 

(74

)

Realized capital gains and losses

 

348

 

 

359

 

Gain on disposition of operations

 

(1

)

 

(3

)

Interest credited to contractholder funds

 

463

 

 

579

 

Changes in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy benefits and other insurance reserves

 

188

 

 

(244

)

Unearned premiums

 

(261

)

 

(330

)

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

30

 

 

381

 

Premium installment receivables, net

 

24

 

 

71

 

Reinsurance recoverables, net

 

(72

)

 

(81

)

Income taxes

 

73

 

 

1,443

 

Other operating assets and liabilities

 

36

 

 

(305

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

964

 

 

1,522

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

4,930

 

 

4,483

 

Equity securities

 

1,990

 

 

1,872

 

Limited partnership interests

 

146

 

 

154

 

Mortgage loans

 

3

 

 

12

 

Other investments

 

37

 

 

16

 

Investment collections

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

1,122

 

 

1,203

 

Mortgage loans

 

263

 

 

472

 

Other investments

 

18

 

 

31

 

Investment purchases

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

(7,099

)

 

(5,425

)

Equity securities

 

(556

)

 

(1,933

)

Limited partnership interests

 

(185

)

 

(144

)

Mortgage loans

 

(1

)

 

(10

)

Other investments

 

(43

)

 

--

 

Change in short-term investments, net

 

411

 

 

707

 

Change in other investments, net

 

(49

)

 

(48

)

Disposition of operations

 

--

 

 

12

 

Purchases of property and equipment, net

 

(24

)

 

(53

)

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

963

 

 

1,349

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractholder fund deposits

 

828

 

 

1,298

 

Contractholder fund withdrawals

 

(2,569

)

 

(3,577

)

Dividends paid

 

(107

)

 

(220

)

Treasury stock purchases

 

(5

)

 

(3

)

Shares reissued under equity incentive plans, net

 

14

 

 

--

 

Excess tax benefits on share-based payment arrangements

 

(2

)

 

(6

)

Other

 

6

 

 

59

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(1,835

)

 

(2,449

)

Net increase in cash

 

92

 

 

422

 

Cash at beginning of period

 

612

 

 

415

 

Cash at end of period

$

704

 

$

837

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.  General

 

Basis of presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Allstate Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries, primarily Allstate Insurance Company (“AIC”), a property-liability insurance company with various property-liability and life and investment subsidiaries, including Allstate Life Insurance Company (“ALIC”) (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “Allstate”).

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes as of March 31, 2010, and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 are unaudited.  The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals), which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods.  These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  The results of operations for the interim periods should not be considered indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

 

Adopted accounting standards

 

Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which expands disclosure requirements relating to fair value measurements.  The guidance adds requirements for disclosing amounts of and reasons for significant transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and requires gross rather than net disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements.  The guidance also provides clarification that fair value measurement disclosures are required for each class of assets and liabilities.  Disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for measurements that fall in either Level 2 or Level 3 are also required.  The Company adopted the provisions of the new guidance as of March 31, 2010, except for disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which are required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010.  Disclosures are not required for earlier periods presented for comparative purposes.  The new guidance affects disclosures only; and therefore, the adoption had no impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which requires an entity to perform a qualitative analysis to determine whether it holds a controlling financial interest (i.e., is a primary beneficiary) in a variable interest entity (“VIE”).  The analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the entity that has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses, or the right to receive benefits, that could potentially be significant to the VIE.  The Company adopted the new guidance as of January 1, 2010.  The adoption resulted in the consolidation of four VIEs for which the Company concluded it is the primary beneficiary as of January 1, 2010.

 

Two of the consolidated VIEs hold investments managed by Allstate Investment Management Company (“AIMCO”), a subsidiary of the Company.  Consolidation as of January 1, 2010 resulted in an increase in total assets of $696 million, an increase in total liabilities of $679 million, an increase in retained income of $7 million and an increase in noncontrolling interest of $10 million.  During the first quarter of 2010, the Company sold substantially all its variable interests in these two VIEs.  As a result, the Company deconsolidated the VIEs as of March 26, 2010.  Since the deconsolidation was effective prior to March 31, 2010, the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of March 31, 2010 does not reflect the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests in the VIEs.  The Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the first quarter of 2010 does, however, reflect the effects of the consolidation for the portion of the quarter the Company was the primary beneficiary, which were not material.

 

The adoption also resulted in the consolidation of two insurance company affiliates, Allstate Texas Lloyds and Allstate County Mutual Insurance Company, that underwrite homeowners and auto insurance polices, respectively, and reinsure all of their net business to AIC.  Consolidation as of January 1, 2010 resulted in an increase in total assets of $38 million, an increase in total liabilities of $34 million, an increase in retained income of $3 million and an increase in unrealized net capital gains and losses of $1 million.

 

4



 

In the normal course of investing activities, the Company invests in variable interests issued by VIEs. These variable interests include structured investments such as asset-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and residential mortgage-backed securities as well as limited partnerships, special purpose entities and trusts.  For these variable interests, the Company concluded it is not the primary beneficiary due to the amount of the Company’s interest in the VIEs and the Company’s lack of power to direct the activities that are most significant to the economic performance of the VIEs.  The Company’s maximum exposure to loss on these interests is limited to the amount of the Company’s investment.

 

Pending accounting standards

 

Embedded Credit Derivatives Scope Exception

 

In March 2010, the FASB issued accounting guidance that clarifies the scope exception for embedded credit derivative features related to the transfer of credit risk in the form of subordination of one financial instrument to another. The guidance addresses how to determine which embedded credit derivative features, including those in collateralized debt obligations and synthetic collateralized debt obligations, are considered to be embedded derivatives that should not be analyzed for potential bifurcation and separate accounting under the existing accounting guidance for embedded derivatives.  The guidance is effective for fiscal quarters beginning after June 15, 2010.  The Company is evaluating the impact of adoption on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 

Consolidation Analysis Considering Investments Held through Separate Accounts

 

In April 2010, the FASB issued guidance clarifying that an insurer is not required to combine interests in investments held in a qualifying separate account with its interests in the same investments held in the general account when performing a consolidation evaluation.  The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2010 with early adoption permitted.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 

2.  Earnings per share

 

Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including unvested restricted stock units.  Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding.  For Allstate, dilutive potential common shares consist of outstanding stock options.

 

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions, except per share data)

 

Three months
ended March 31,

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

120

$

(274)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

540.5

 

538.9

 

Effect of dilutive potential common shares:

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

1.3

 

--

 

Weighted average common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding

 

541.8

 

538.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share - Basic

$

0.22

$

(0.51)

 

Earnings per share - Diluted

$

0.22

$

(0.51)

 

 

The effect of dilutive potential common shares does not include the effect of options with an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share because their exercise prices exceed the average market price of Allstate common shares during the period or for which the unrecognized compensation cost would have an anti-dilutive effect.  Options to

 

5



 

purchase 24.4 million and 27.3 million Allstate common shares, with exercise prices ranging from $27.36 to $64.53 and $23.72 to $65.38, were outstanding at March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three-month periods.

 

As a result of the net loss for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009, weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding resulting from stock options of 0.6 million were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share since inclusion of these securities would have an anti-dilutive effect.  In the absence of the net loss, weighted average common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding would have totaled 539.5 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009.

 

3.  Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

Non-cash investment exchanges, including modifications of certain mortgage loans, fixed income securities, and other investments, as well as mergers completed with equity securities and limited partnerships, totaled $51 million and $75 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Liabilities for collateral received in conjunction with the Company’s securities lending and over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives are reported in other liabilities and accrued expenses or other investments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  The accompanying cash flows are included in cash flows from operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows along with the activities resulting from management of the proceeds, which are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months
ended March 31,

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Net change in proceeds managed

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in fixed income securities

$

--

$

--

 

Net change in short-term investments

 

171

 

67

 

Operating cash flow provided

 

171

 

67

 

Net change in cash

 

6

 

--

 

Net change in proceeds managed

$

177

$

67

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities for collateral and security repurchase, beginning of year

$

(658)

$

(340)

 

Liabilities for collateral and security repurchase, end of period

 

(481)

 

(273)

 

Operating cash flow used

$

(177)

$

(67)

 

 

6



 

4.  Investments

 

Fair values

 

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value for fixed income securities are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

Amortized

 

Gross unrealized

 

Fair

 

 

cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

value

At March 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

$

8,204

$

238

$

(20)

$

8,422

 

Municipal

 

20,404

 

517

 

(773)

 

20,148

 

Corporate

 

33,585

 

1,413

 

(499)

 

34,499

 

Foreign government

 

3,008

 

315

 

(9)

 

3,314

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)

 

10,343

 

173

 

(1,404)

 

9,112

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)

 

3,220

 

44

 

(812)

 

2,452

 

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)

 

3,684

 

80

 

(467)

 

3,297

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

38

 

2

 

--

 

40

 

Total fixed income securities

$

82,486

$

2,782

$

(3,984)

$

81,284

 

At December 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

$

7,333

$

219

$

(16)

$

7,536

 

Municipal

 

21,683

 

537

 

(940)

 

21,280

 

Corporate

 

32,770

 

1,192

 

(847)

 

33,115

 

Foreign government

 

2,906

 

306

 

(15)

 

3,197

 

RMBS

 

9,487

 

130

 

(1,630)

 

7,987

 

CMBS

 

3,511

 

30

 

(955)

 

2,586

 

ABS

 

3,514

 

62

 

(550)

 

3,026

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

39

 

1

 

(1)

 

39

 

Total fixed income securities

$

81,243

$

2,477

$

(4,954)

$

78,766

 

 

Scheduled maturities

 

The scheduled maturities for fixed income securities are as follows at March 31, 2010:

 

($ in millions)

 

Amortized

 

Fair

 

 

cost

 

value

Due in one year or less

$

2,731

$

2,767

Due after one year through five years

 

24,024

 

24,731

Due after five years through ten years

 

15,082

 

15,757

Due after ten years

 

26,622

 

25,620

 

 

68,459

 

68,875

RMBS and ABS

 

14,027

 

12,409

Total

$

82,486

$

81,284

 

Actual maturities may differ from those scheduled as a result of prepayments by the issuers.  Because of the potential for prepayment on RMBS and ABS, they are not categorized by contractual maturity.  The CMBS are categorized by contractual maturity because they generally are not subject to prepayment risk.

 

7



 

Net investment income

 

Net investment income is as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2010

 

2009

Fixed income securities

$

959

$

1,042

Equity securities

 

21

 

16

Mortgage loans

 

104

 

137

Limited partnership interests

 

6

 

3

Short-term investments

 

2

 

13

Other

 

1

 

1

Investment income, before expense

 

1,093

 

1,212

Investment expense

 

(43)

 

(36)

Net investment income

$

1,050

$

1,176

 

Realized capital gains and losses

 

Realized capital gains and losses by security type are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2010

 

2009

Fixed income securities

$

(136)

$

107

Equity securities

 

14

 

(163)

Mortgage loans

 

(25)

 

(32)

Limited partnership interests

 

(21)

 

(339)

Derivatives

 

(185)

 

95

Other

 

5

 

(27)

Realized capital gains and losses

$

(348)

$

(359)

 

Realized capital gains and losses by transaction type are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2010

 

2009

Impairment write-downs

$

(223)

$

(620)

Change in intent write-downs

 

(32)

 

(105)

Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings

 

(255)

 

(725)

Sales

 

88

 

418

Valuation of derivative instruments

 

(155)

 

103

Settlements of derivative instruments

 

(30)

 

(12)

EMA limited partnership income

 

4

 

(143)

Realized capital gains and losses

$

(348)

$

(359)

 

Gross gains of $142 million and $480 million and gross losses of $74 million and $82 million were realized on sales of fixed income securities during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

8



 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses by asset type for the three months ended March 31, 2010 are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

Total

 

Included
in OCI

 

Net

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal

$

(37)

$

--

$

(37)

Corporate

 

(47)

 

3

 

(44)

RMBS

 

(88)

 

(7)

 

(95)

CMBS

 

(26)

 

--

 

(26)

ABS

 

(3)

 

(1)

 

(4)

Total fixed income securities

 

(201)

 

(5)

 

(206)

Equity securities

 

(6)

 

--

 

(6)

Mortgage loans

 

(19)

 

--

 

(19)

Limited partnership interests

 

(24)

 

--

 

(24)

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

$

(250)

$

(5)

$

(255)

 

The total amount of other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income for fixed income securities, which were not included in earnings, are presented in the following table.  The amount excludes $269 million and $192 million as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, of net unrealized gains related to changes in valuation of the fixed income securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date.

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31,
2010

 

December 31,
2009

Municipal

$

(9)

$

(10)

Corporate

 

(51)

 

(51)

RMBS

 

(590)

 

(594)

CMBS

 

(121)

 

(127)

ABS

 

(88)

 

(89)

Total

$

(859)

$

(871)

 

A rollforward of the amount recognized in earnings related to credit losses for fixed income securities is presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

Beginning balance at December 31, 2009

$

(1,187)

Additional credit loss for securities previously other-than-temporarily impaired

 

(101)

Additional credit loss for securities not previously other-than-temporarily impaired

 

(79)

Reduction in credit loss for securities disposed or collected

 

131

Reduction in credit loss for securities other-than-temporarily impaired to fair value

 

--

Change in credit loss due to accretion of increase in cash flows and time value of cash flows for securities previously other-than-temporarily impaired

 

--

Ending balance at March 31, 2010

$

(1,236)

 

The Company uses its best estimate of future cash flows expected to be collected from the fixed income security discounted at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, to calculate a recovery value and determine whether a credit loss exists.  The determination of cash flow estimates is inherently subjective and methodologies may vary depending on facts and circumstances specific to the security.  All reasonably available information relevant to the collectability of the security, including past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable assumptions and forecasts, are considered when developing the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected.  That information generally includes, but is not limited to, the remaining payment terms of the security, prepayment speeds, foreign exchange rates, the financial condition of the issue or issuer(s), expected defaults, expected recoveries, the value of underlying collateral and current subordination levels, vintage, geographic concentration, available reserves or escrows, third party guarantees and other credit enhancements.  Additionally, other information, such as industry analyst reports and forecasts, sector credit ratings, financial condition of the bond

 

9



 

insurer for insured fixed income securities, and other market data relevant to the realizability of contractual cash flows, may also be considered.  The estimated fair value of collateral may be used to estimate recovery value if the Company determines that the security is dependent on the liquidation of collateral for ultimate settlement.  If the estimated recovery value is less than the amortized cost of the security, a credit loss exists and an other-than-temporary impairment for the difference between the estimated recovery value and amortized cost is recorded in earnings.  The unrealized loss deemed to be related to factors other than credit remains classified in OCI.  If the Company determines that the fixed income security does not have sufficient cash flow or other information to determine a recovery value for the security, the Company may conclude that the entire decline in fair value is deemed to be credit related and is recorded in earnings.

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

Fair

 

Gross unrealized

 

Unrealized net

 

At March 31, 2010

 

value

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

gains (losses)

 

Fixed income securities (1)

$

81,284

$

2,782

$

(3,984)

 

$

(1,202)

 

Equity securities

 

3,807

 

457

 

(86)

 

 

371

 

Short-term investments

 

2,482

 

--

 

--

 

 

--

 

Derivative instruments (2)

 

(14)

 

3

 

(21)

 

 

(18)

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(849)

 

Amounts recognized for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance reserves (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--

 

DAC and DSI (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

726

 

Amounts recognized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

726

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(84)

 

 


(1)        Unrealized net capital gains and losses for fixed income securities as of March 31, 2010 comprises $(590) million related to unrealized net capital losses on fixed income securities with OTTI and $(612) million related to other unrealized net capital gains and losses.

(2)        Included in the fair value of derivative securities are $2 million classified as assets and $16 million classified as liabilities.

(3)        The insurance reserves adjustment represents the amount by which the reserve balance would increase if the net unrealized gains in the applicable product portfolios were realized and reinvested at current lower interest rates, resulting in a premium deficiency.  Although the Company evaluates premium deficiencies on the combined performance of life insurance and immediate annuities with life contingencies, the adjustment primarily relates to structured settlement annuities with life contingencies, in addition to annuity buy-outs and certain payout annuities with life contingencies.

(4)        The DAC and DSI adjustment balance represents the amount by which the amortization of DAC and DSI would increase or decrease if the unrealized gains or losses in the respective product portfolios were realized.

 

 

 

Fair

 

Gross unrealized

 

Unrealized net

 

At December 31, 2009

 

value

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

gains (losses)

 

Fixed income securities

$

78,766

$

2,477

$

(4,954)

 

$

(2,477)

 

Equity securities

 

5,024

 

381

 

(202)

 

 

179

 

Short-term investments

 

3,056

 

--

 

--

 

 

--

 

Derivative instruments (1)

 

(20)

 

2

 

(25)

 

 

(23)

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,321)

 

Amounts recognized for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--

 

DAC and DSI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

990

 

Amounts recognized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

990

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

461

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(870)

 

 


(1)        Included in the fair value of derivative securities are $(2) million classified as assets and $18 million classified as liabilities.

 

10



 

Change in unrealized net capital gains and losses

 

The change in unrealized net capital gains and losses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 is as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

 

Fixed income securities

$

1,275

Equity securities

 

192

Short-term investments

 

--

Derivative instruments

 

5

Total

 

1,472

Amounts recognized for:

 

 

Insurance reserves

 

--

DAC and DSI

 

(264)

Decrease in amounts recognized

 

(264)

Deferred income taxes

 

(422)

Increase in unrealized net capital gains and losses

$

786

 

Portfolio monitoring

 

The Company has a comprehensive portfolio monitoring process to identify and evaluate each fixed income and equity security whose carrying value may be other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

For each fixed income security in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether management with the appropriate authority has made a decision to sell or whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis for reasons such as liquidity, contractual or regulatory purposes.  If a security meets either of these criteria, the security’s decline in fair value is deemed other than temporary and is recorded in earnings.

 

If the Company has not made the decision to sell the fixed income security and it is not more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the fixed income security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the Company evaluates if it expects to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security by comparing the estimated recovery value calculated by discounting the best estimate of future cash flows at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, with the amortized cost of the security.  If the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the fixed income security, the credit loss component of the impairment is recorded in earnings, with the remaining amount of the unrealized loss deemed to be related to other factors and recognized in OCI.

 

For equity securities, the Company considers various factors, including whether the Company has the intent and ability to hold the equity security for a period of time sufficient to recover its cost basis.  Where the Company lacks the intent and ability to hold to recovery, or believes the recovery period is extended, the equity security’s decline in fair value is considered other than temporary and is recorded in earnings.  For equity securities managed by a third party, the Company has contractually retained its decision making authority as it pertains to selling equity securities that are in an unrealized loss position.

 

The Company’s portfolio monitoring process includes a quarterly review of all securities through a screening process which identifies instances where the fair value compared to amortized cost for fixed income securities and cost for equity securities is below established thresholds, and also includes the monitoring of other criteria such as ratings, ratings downgrades or payment defaults.  The securities identified, in addition to other securities for which the Company may have a concern, are evaluated for potential other-than-temporary impairment using all reasonably available information relevant to the collectability or recovery of the security.  Inherent in the Company’s evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment for these fixed income and equity securities are assumptions and estimates about the financial condition of the issue or issuer and its future earnings potential.  Some of the factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in fair value is other than temporary are: 1) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost for fixed income securities, or cost for equity securities; 2) the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer, including relevant industry specific market conditions and trends, geographic location and implications of rating agency actions and offering prices; and 3) the specific reasons that a security is in a significant unrealized loss position, including overall market conditions which could affect liquidity.

 

11



 

The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses and fair value of fixed income and equity securities by the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.

 

($ in millions)

 

Less than 12 months

 

12 months or more

 

Total

 

 

Number

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

Number

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

unrealized

 

 

of issues

 

value

 

losses

 

of issues

 

value

 

losses

 

losses

At March 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

 

46

$

1,486

$

(20)

 

1

$

2

$

--

$

(20)

Municipal

 

556

 

2,499

 

(61)

 

752

 

4,909

 

(712)

 

(773)

Corporate

 

327

 

4,169

 

(105)

 

322

 

4,136

 

(394)

 

(499)

Foreign government

 

58

 

524

 

(7)

 

3

 

10

 

(2)

 

(9)

RMBS

 

233

 

889

 

(10)

 

439

 

2,490

 

(1,394)

 

(1,404)

CMBS

 

7

 

97

 

(5)

 

221

 

1,487

 

(807)

 

(812)

ABS

 

42

 

440

 

(17)

 

157

 

1,369

 

(450)

 

(467)

Redeemable preferred stock

 

1

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

Total fixed income securities (1)

 

1,270

 

10,104

 

(225)

 

1,895

 

14,403

 

(3,759)

 

(3,984)

Equity securities

 

509

 

530

 

(44)

 

14

 

284

 

(42)

 

(86)

Total fixed income and equity securities

 

1,779

$

10,634

$

(269)

 

1,909

$

14,687

$

(3,801)

$

(4,070)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment grade fixed income securities

 

1,168

$

9,477

$

(187)

 

1,429

$

11,440

$

(2,156)

$

(2,343)

Below investment grade fixed income securities

 

102

 

627

 

(38)

 

466

 

2,963

 

(1,603)

 

(1,641)

Total fixed income securities

 

1,270

$

10,104

$

(225)

 

1,895

$

14,403

$

(3,759)

$

(3,984)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

 

38

$

3,523

$

(16)

 

--

$

--

$

--

$

(16)

Municipal

 

761

 

3,646

 

(123)

 

747

 

5,024

 

(817)

 

(940)

Corporate

 

399

 

5,072

 

(178)

 

421

 

5,140

 

(669)

 

(847)

Foreign government

 

50

 

505

 

(15)

 

1

 

1

 

--

 

(15)

RMBS

 

387

 

1,092

 

(23)

 

453

 

2,611

 

(1,607)

 

(1,630)

CMBS

 

25

 

232

 

(4)

 

259

 

1,790

 

(951)

 

(955)

ABS

 

39

 

352

 

(20)

 

173

 

1,519

 

(530)

 

(550)

Redeemable preferred stock

 

1

 

--

 

--

 

1

 

21

 

(1)

 

(1)

Total fixed income securities

 

1,700

 

14,422

 

(379)

 

2,055

 

16,106

 

(4,575)

 

(4,954)

Equity securities

 

1,665

 

1,349

 

(113)

 

28

 

450

 

(89)

 

(202)

Total fixed income and equity securities

 

3,365

$

15,771

$

(492)

 

2,083

$

16,556

$

(4,664)

$

(5,156)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment grade fixed income securities

 

1,587

$

13,891

$

(293)

 

1,561

$

13,127

$

(2,848)

$

(3,141)

Below investment grade fixed income securities

 

113

 

531

 

(86)

 

494

 

2,979

 

(1,727)

 

(1,813)

Total fixed income securities

 

1,700

$

14,422

$

(379)

 

2,055

$

16,106

$

(4,575)

$

(4,954)

 


(1)    Gross unrealized losses resulting from factors other than credit on fixed income securities with other-than-temporary impairments for which the Company has recorded a credit loss in earnings total $8 million for the less than 12 month category and $688 million for the 12 months or greater category.

 

As of March 31, 2010, $1.18 billion of unrealized losses are related to securities with an unrealized loss position less than 20% of cost or amortized cost, the degree of which suggests that these securities do not pose a high risk of being other-than-temporarily impaired.  Of the $1.18 billion, $921 million are related to unrealized losses on investment grade fixed income securities.  Investment grade is defined as a security having a rating of Aaa, Aa, A or Baa from Moody’s, a rating of AAA, AA, A or BBB from S&P, Fitch, Dominion or Realpoint, a rating of aaa, aa, a or bbb from A.M. Best, or a comparable internal rating if an externally provided rating is not available, which is consistent with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) rating.  Unrealized losses on investment grade securities are principally related to rising interest rates or changes in credit spreads since the securities were acquired.

 

As of March 31, 2010, the remaining $2.89 billion of unrealized losses are related to securities in unrealized loss positions greater than or equal to 20% of cost or amortized cost.  Investment grade securities comprising $1.42 billion of these unrealized losses were evaluated based on factors such as discounted cash flows, the financial condition and near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer and were determined to have adequate

 

12



 

resources to fulfill contractual obligations, such as recent financings or bank loans, cash flows from operations, collateral or the position of a subsidiary with respect to its parent’s bankruptcy.  Of the $2.89 billion, $1.45 billion are related to below investment grade fixed income securities and $17 million are related to equity securities.  Of these amounts, $1.38 billion of the below investment grade fixed income securities had been in an unrealized loss position for a period of twelve or more consecutive months as of March 31, 2010.  Unrealized losses on below investment grade securities are principally related to RMBS, ABS and CMBS and were the result of wider credit spreads than at initial purchase which was largely due to the impact of macroeconomic conditions and credit market deterioration on real estate valuations.  Securities in an unrealized loss position were evaluated based on discounted cash flows and credit ratings, as well as the performance of the underlying collateral relative to the securities’ positions in the securities’ respective capital structure.  RMBS and ABS in an unrealized loss position were evaluated with credit enhancements from bond insurers where applicable.  Municipal bonds in an unrealized loss position were evaluated based on the quality of the underlying security, as well as with credit enhancements from bond insurers, where applicable.  Unrealized losses on equity securities are primarily related to equity market fluctuations.

 

As of March 31, 2010, the Company has not made a decision to sell and it is not more likely than not the Company will be required to sell fixed income securities with unrealized losses before recovery of the amortized cost basis.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company had the intent and ability to hold the equity securities with unrealized losses for a period of time sufficient for them to recover.

 

Limited partnership impairment

 

As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the carrying value of equity method limited partnership interests totaled $1.69 billion and $1.64 billion, respectively.  The Company recognizes an impairment loss in value for equity method investments when evidence demonstrates that it is other-than-temporarily impaired.  Evidence of a loss in value that is other than temporary may include the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or the inability of the investee to sustain an earnings potential that would justify the carrying amount of the investment.  The Company had no write-downs for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and had write-downs of $10 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, related to equity method limited partnership interests.

 

As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the carrying value for cost method limited partnership interests was $1.11 billion and $1.10 billion, respectively.  To determine if an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, the Company evaluates whether an impairment indicator has occurred in the period that may have a significant adverse effect on the carrying value of the investment.  Impairment indicators may include: actual recent cash flows received being significantly less than expected cash flows; reduced valuations based on financing completed at a lower value; completed sale of a material underlying investment at a price significantly lower than expected; significantly reduced valuations of the investments held by limited partnerships; or any other adverse events since the last financial statements received that might affect the fair value of the investee’s capital.  Additionally, the Company uses a screening process to identify those investments whose net asset value is below established thresholds for certain periods of time as well as investments that are performing below expectations, for further impairment consideration.  If a cost method limited partnership is deemed other-than-temporarily impaired, the carrying value is written down to fair value, generally estimated to be equivalent to the reported net asset value of the underlying funds.  The Company had write-downs of $24 million and $187 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to cost method investments that were other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

5.  Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The hierarchy for inputs used in determining fair value maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available.  Assets and liabilities recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at fair value are categorized in the fair value hierarchy based on the observability of inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

 

Level 1:       Assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the Company can access.

 

13



 

Level 2:     Assets and liabilities whose values are based on the following:

 

(a)  Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

 

(b)  Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or

 

(c)  Valuation models whose inputs are observable, directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

 

Level 3:     Assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.  Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the assets and liabilities.

 

The availability of observable inputs varies by instrument.  In situations where fair value is based on internally developed pricing models or inputs that are unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment.  The degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is typically greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.  In many instances, valuation inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy.  The category level in the fair value hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.  The Company uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including during periods of market disruption.  In periods of market disruption, the ability to observe prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments.

 

The Company has two types of situations where investments are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.  The first is where quotes continue to be received from independent third-party valuation service providers and all significant inputs are market observable; however, there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset when compared to normal market activity such that the degree of market observability has declined to a point where categorization as a Level 3 measurement is considered appropriate.  Among the indicators considered in determining whether a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for a specific asset has occurred include the level of new issuances in the primary market, trading volume in the secondary market, level of credit spreads over historical levels, bid-ask spread, and price consensus among market participants and sources.

 

The second situation where the Company has classified securities in Level 3 is where specific inputs significant to the fair value estimation models are not market observable.  This has occurred in two primary categories.  The first is for broker quotes.  The second is for ARS backed by student loans for which a key assumption, the anticipated date liquidity will return to this market, is not market observable.

 

Certain assets are not carried at fair value on a recurring basis, including investments such as mortgage loans, limited partnership interests, bank loans and policy loans.  Accordingly, such investments are only included in the fair value hierarchy disclosure when the investment is subject to remeasurement at fair value after initial recognition and the resulting remeasurement is reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements.  In addition, equity options embedded in fixed income securities are not disclosed in the hierarchy with free-standing derivatives as the embedded derivatives are presented with the host contract in fixed income securities. As of March 31, 2010, 73.5% of total assets are measured at fair value and 0.5% of total liabilities are measured at fair value.

 

In determining fair value, the Company principally uses the market approach which generally utilizes market transaction data for the same or similar instruments.  To a lesser extent, the Company uses the income approach which involves determining fair values from discounted cash flow methodologies.  For the majority of Level 2 and Level 3 valuations, a combination of market and income approaches is used.

 

Summary of significant valuation techniques for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

 

Level 1 measurements

 

·                  Fixed income securities:  Comprise U.S. Treasuries.  Valuation is based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company can access.

 

·                  Equity securities:  Comprise actively traded, exchange-listed U.S. and international equity securities. Valuation is based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company can access.

 

14



 

·                  Short-term:  Comprise actively traded money market funds that have daily quoted net asset values for identical assets that the Company can access.

 

·                  Separate account assets:  Comprise actively traded mutual funds that have daily quoted net asset values for identical assets that the Company can access.  Net asset values for the actively traded mutual funds in which the separate account assets are invested are obtained daily from the fund managers.

 

Level 2 measurements

 

·                  Fixed income securities:

 

U.S. government and agencies:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.

 

Municipal:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.

 

Corporate, including privately placed:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.  Also includes privately placed securities valued using a discounted cash flow model that is widely accepted in the financial services industry and uses market observable inputs and inputs derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.  The primary inputs to the discounted cash flow model include an interest rate curve, as well as published credit spreads for similar assets in markets that are not active that incorporate the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer.

 

Foreign government:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.

 

RMBS - U.S. government sponsored entities (“U.S. Agency”), Prime residential mortgage-backed securities (“Prime”) and Alt-A residential mortgage-backed securities (“Alt-A”); ABS - auto and student loans:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, prepayment speeds, collateral performance and credit spreads.

 

Redeemable preferred stock:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, underlying stock prices and credit spreads.

 

CMBS:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, collateral performance and credit spreads.

 

·                  Equity securities:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active.

 

·                  Short-term:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.  For certain short-term investments, amortized cost is used as the best estimate of fair value.

 

·                  Other investments:  Free-standing exchange listed derivatives that are not actively traded are valued based on quoted prices for identical instruments in markets that are not active.

 

OTC derivatives, including interest rate swaps, foreign currency swaps, foreign exchange forward contracts, certain credit default swaps, and commodity swaps, are valued using models that rely on inputs such as interest rate yield curves, currency rates, counterparty credit spreads and commodity prices that are observable for substantially the full term of the contract.  The valuation techniques underlying the models are widely accepted in the financial services industry and do not involve significant judgment.

 

·                  Contractholder funds:  Derivatives embedded in certain annuity contracts are valued based on internal models that rely on inputs such as interest rate yield curves and equity index volatility assumptions that are market observable for substantially the full term of the contract.  The valuation techniques are widely accepted in the financial services industry and do not include significant judgment.

 

15



 

Level 3 measurements

 

·                  Fixed income securities:

 

Municipal:  Auction rate securities (“ARS”) primarily backed by student loans that have become illiquid due to failures in the auction market are valued using a discounted cash flow model that is widely accepted in the financial services industry and uses significant non-market observable inputs, including estimates of future coupon rates if auction failures continue, maturity assumptions and illiquidity premium.  Also includes municipal bonds that are not rated by third party credit rating agencies but are generally rated by the NAIC, in addition to other high-yield municipal bonds.  The primary inputs to the valuation of these municipal bonds include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that exhibit less liquidity relative to those markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.

 

Corporate, including privately placed:  Valued based on non-binding broker quotes.  Also includes equity-indexed notes which are valued using a discounted cash flow model that is widely accepted in the financial services industry and uses significant non-market observable inputs, such as volatility.  Other inputs include an interest rate curve, as well as published credit spreads for similar assets that incorporate the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer.

 

RMBS - Subprime residential mortgage-backed securities (“Subprime”) and Alt-A:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that exhibit less liquidity relative to those markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, prepayment speeds, collateral performance and credit spreads.  Also includes certain Subprime and Alt-A that are valued based on non-binding broker quotes.  Due to the reduced availability of actual market prices or relevant observable inputs as a result of the decrease in liquidity that has been experienced in the market for these securities, Subprime and certain Alt-A are categorized as Level 3.

 

Foreign government:  Valued based on non-binding broker quotes.

 

CMBS:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that exhibit less liquidity relative to those markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, collateral performance and credit spreads.  Also includes CMBS that are valued based on non-binding broker quotes.  Due to the reduced availability of actual market prices or relevant observable inputs as a result of the decrease in liquidity that has been experienced in the market for these securities, certain CMBS are categorized as Level 3.

 

ABS - Collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”):  Valued based on non-binding broker quotes received from brokers who are familiar with the investments.  Due to the reduced availability of actual market prices or relevant observable inputs as a result of the decrease in liquidity that has been experienced in the market for these securities, all CDO are categorized as Level 3.

 

ABS - student loans and other:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that exhibit less liquidity relative to those markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, prepayment speeds, collateral performance and credit spreads.  Also includes ABS that are valued based on non-binding broker quotes.  Due to the reduced availability of actual market prices or relevant observable inputs as a result of the decrease in liquidity that has been experienced in the market for these securities, certain ABS are categorized as Level 3.

 

·                  Other investments:  Certain OTC derivatives, such as interest rate caps and floors, certain credit default swaps and OTC options (including swaptions), are valued using models that are widely accepted in the financial services industry.  Non-market observable inputs such as volatility assumptions may be significant to the valuation of the instruments.  Other primary inputs include interest rate yield curves and credit spreads.

 

·                  Contractholder funds:  Derivatives embedded in certain annuity contracts are valued internally using models widely accepted in the financial services industry that determine a single best estimate of fair value for the embedded derivatives within a block of contractholder liabilities.  The models use stochastically determined cash flows based on the contractual elements of embedded derivatives and other applicable

 

16



 

market data.  These are categorized as Level 3 as a result of the significance of non-market observable inputs.

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis

 

Mortgage loans written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments are valued based on the fair value of the underlying collateral.  Limited partnership interests written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments are valued using net asset values and other sources.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2010:

 

($ in millions)

 

Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical
assets

 

Significant
other
observable
inputs

 

Significant
unobservable
inputs

 

Counterparty
and cash
collateral

 

Balance
as of
March 31,

 

 

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

netting

 

2010

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   U.S. government and agencies

$

4,550

$

3,872

$

--

 

 

$

8,422

 

   Municipal

 

--

 

17,666

 

2,482

 

 

 

20,148

 

   Corporate

 

--

 

32,322

 

2,177

 

 

 

34,499

 

   Foreign government

 

--

 

3,314

 

--

 

 

 

3,314

 

   RMBS

 

--

 

7,033

 

2,079

 

 

 

9,112

 

   CMBS

 

--

 

1,322

 

1,130

 

 

 

2,452

 

   ABS

 

--

 

894

 

2,403

 

 

 

3,297

 

   Redeemable preferred stock

 

--

 

38

 

2

 

 

 

40

 

Total fixed income securities

 

4,550

 

66,461

 

10,273

 

 

 

81,284

 

Equity securities

 

3,568

 

167

 

72

 

 

 

3,807

 

Short-term investments

 

275

 

2,207

 

--

 

 

 

2,482

 

Other investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free-standing derivatives

 

--

 

653

 

58

$

(276)

 

435

 

Separate account assets

 

9,059

 

--

 

--

 

 

 

9,059

 

Other assets

 

--

 

--

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Total recurring basis assets

 

17,452

 

69,488

 

10,405

 

(276)

 

97,069

 

Non-recurring basis (1)

 

--

 

--

 

197

 

 

 

197

 

Total assets at fair value

$

17,452

$

69,488

$

10,602

$

(276)

$

97,266

 

% of total assets at fair value

 

17.9 %

 

71.5 %

 

10.9 %

 

(0.3) %

 

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractholder funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts

$

-- 

$

(220)

$

86 

 

   

$

(134)

 

Other liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free-standing derivatives

 

(1)

 

(548)

 

(96)

$

238

 

(407)

 

Total liabilities at fair value

$

(1)

$

(768)

$

(10)

$

238

$

(541)

 

% of total liabilities at fair value

 

0.2 %

 

142.0 %

 

1.8 %

 

(44.0) %

 

100.0%

 

 


(1)

Includes $147 million of mortgage loans and $50 million of limited partnership interests written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments.

 

17



 

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2009:

 

($ in millions)

 

Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical
assets

 

Significant
other
observable
inputs

 

Significant
unobservable
inputs

 

Counterparty
and cash
collateral

 

Balance
as of
December 31,

 

 

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

netting

 

2009

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   U.S. government and agencies

$

4,415  

$

3,121  

$

--  

 

 

$

7,536  

 

   Municipal

 

--  

 

18,574  

 

2,706  

 

 

 

21,280  

 

   Corporate

 

--  

 

30,874  

 

2,241  

 

 

 

33,115  

 

   Foreign government

 

--  

 

3,177  

 

20  

 

 

 

3,197  

 

   RMBS

 

--  

 

6,316  

 

1,671  

 

 

 

7,987  

 

   CMBS

 

--  

 

1,182  

 

1,404  

 

 

 

2,586  

 

   ABS

 

--  

 

1,025  

 

2,001  

 

 

 

3,026  

 

   Redeemable preferred stock

 

--  

 

37  

 

2  

 

 

 

39  

 

Total fixed income securities

 

4,415  

 

64,306  

 

10,045  

 

 

 

78,766  

 

Equity securities

 

4,821  

 

134  

 

69  

 

 

 

5,024  

 

Short-term investments

 

278  

 

2,778  

 

--  

 

 

 

3,056  

 

Other investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free-standing derivatives

 

--  

 

882  

 

146  

$

(482)  

 

546  

 

Separate account assets

 

9,072  

 

--  

 

--  

 

   

 

9,072  

 

Other assets

 

--  

 

--  

 

2  

 

   

 

2  

 

Total recurring basis assets

 

18,586  

 

68,100  

 

10,262  

 

(482)  

 

96,466  

 

Non-recurring basis (1)

 

--  

 

--  

 

235  

 

   

 

235  

 

Total assets at fair value

$

18,586  

$

68,100  

$

10,497  

$

(482)  

$

96,701  

 

% of total assets at fair value

 

19.2%

 

70.4%

 

10.9%

 

(0.5)%

 

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractholder funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts

$

--   

$

(217) 

$

(110) 

 

   

$

(327)  

 

Other liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free-standing derivatives

 

(2)  

 

(596) 

 

(91) 

$

276   

 

(413)  

 

Total liabilities at fair value

$

(2)  

$

(813) 

$

(201) 

$

276   

$

(740)  

 

% of total liabilities at fair value

 

0.3%

 

109.9%

 

27.1%

 

(37.3)%

 

100.0%

 

 


(1)

Includes $211 million of mortgage loans and $24 million of limited partnership interests written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments.

 

18



 

The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the three-month period ended March 31, 2010.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

Total realized and
unrealized gains (losses)
included in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of
December 31,
2009

 

Net
income
(1)

 

OCI on
Statement of
Financial
Position

 

Purchases,
sales,
issuances and
settlements,
net

 

Transfers
into Level 3

 

Transfers out
of Level 3

 

Balance as
of March 31,
2010

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Municipal

$

2,706 

$

(16)

$

37

$

(216)

$

--

$

(29)

$

2,482 

 

   Corporate

 

2,241 

 

(27)

 

75

 

(11)

 

12

 

(113)

 

2,177 

 

 Foreign government

 

20 

 

-- 

 

--

 

(20)

 

--

 

-- 

 

-- 

 

   RMBS

 

1,671 

 

(58)

 

163

 

303 

 

--

 

-- 

 

2,079 

 

   CMBS

 

1,404 

 

(34)

 

108

 

(163)

 

24

 

(209)

 

1,130 

 

   ABS

 

2,001 

 

15 

 

93

 

331 

 

--

 

(37)

 

2,403 

 

   Redeemable preferred stock

 

 

-- 

 

--

 

-- 

 

--

 

-- 

 

 

Total fixed income securities

 

10,045 

 

(120)

 

476

 

224 

 

36

 

(388)

 

10,273 

 

Equity securities

 

69 

 

-- 

 

3

 

 

--

 

(4)

 

72 

 

Other investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free-standing derivatives, net

 

55 

 

(133)

 

--

 

40 

 

--

 

-- 

 

(38)

(2)

Other assets

 

 

-- 

 

--

 

-- 

 

--

 

-- 

 

 

Total recurring Level 3 assets

$

10,171 

$

(253)

$

479

$

268 

$

36

$

(392)

$

10,309 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractholder funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts

$

(110)

$

194 

$

--

$

$

--

$

-- 

$

86 

 

Total recurring Level 3 liabilities

$

(110)

$

194 

$

--

$

$

--

$

-- 

$

86 

 

 


(1)

The effect to net income totals $(59) million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $(286) million in realized capital gains and losses, $32 million in net investment income, $(1) million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $(194) million in life and annuity contract benefits.

(2)

Comprises $58 million of assets and $(96) million of liabilities.

 

Transfers between level categorizations may occur due to changes in the availability of market observable inputs, which generally are caused by changes in market conditions such as liquidity, trading volume or bid-ask spreads.  Transfers between level categorizations may also occur due to changes in the valuation source.  For example, in situations where a fair value quote is not provided by the Company’s independent third-party valuation service provider and as a result the price is stale or has been replaced with a broker quote, the security is transferred into Level 3.  Transfers in and out of level categorizations are reported as having occurred at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfer occurred.  Therefore, for all transfers into Level 3, all realized and changes in unrealized gains and losses in the quarter of transfer are reflected in the Level 3 rollforward table.

 

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2010, certain CMBS were transferred into Level 2 from Level 3 as a result of increased liquidity in the market and the availability of market observable quoted prices for similar assets.  When transferring these securities into Level 2, the Company does not change the source of fair value estimates or modify the estimates received from independent third-party valuation service providers or the internal valuation approach.  Accordingly, for securities included within this group, there was no change in fair value resulting in a realized or unrealized gain or loss.

 

Transfers into Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2010 included situations where a fair value quote is not provided by the Company’s independent third-party valuation service provider and as a result the price is stale or has been replaced with a broker quote resulting in the security being classified as Level 3.  Transfers out of Level 3 during the three-months ended March 31, 2010 also included situations where a broker quote was used in

 

19



 

the prior period and a fair value quote is now available from the Company’s independent third-party valuation service provider.  A quote utilizing the new pricing source is not available as of the prior period, and any gains or losses related to the change in valuation source for individual securities are not significant.

 

The following table provides the total gains and (losses) included in net income for Level 3 assets and liabilities still held at March 31, 2010.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

Municipal

$

(13)

 

Corporate

 

(28)

 

Foreign government

 

-- 

 

RMBS

 

(58)

 

CMBS

 

(23)

 

ABS

 

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

-- 

 

Total fixed income securities

 

(121)

 

Equity securities

 

-- 

 

Other investments:

 

 

 

Free-standing derivatives, net

 

(85)

 

Other assets

 

-- 

 

Total recurring Level 3 assets

$

(206)

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Contractholder funds:

 

 

 

Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts

$

194 

 

Total recurring Level 3 liabilities

$

194 

 

 

The amounts in the table above represent gains and losses included in net income for the period of time that the asset or liability was determined to be in Level 3.  These gains and losses total $(12) million and are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $(237) million in realized capital gains and losses, $31 million in net investment income, and $(194) million in life and annuity contract benefits.

 

20



 

The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the three-month period ended March 31, 2009.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

Total realized and
unrealized gains (losses)
included in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total
gains (losses)
included in

 

 

Balance as of
December 31,
2008

 

Net income (1)

 

OCI on
Statement of
Financial
Position

 

Purchases,
sales,
issuances
and
settlements,
net

 

Net
transfers
in and/or
(out) of
Level 3

 

Balance as of
March 31,
2009

 

net income
for assets and
liabilities
still held at
March 31,
2009
(3)

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Municipal

$

2,463 

$

$

(34)

$

$

(44)

$

2,395 

$

   Corporate

 

10,195 

 

(50)

 

52 

 

(326)

 

(53)

 

9,818 

 

(49)

   RMBS

 

2,988 

 

(4)

 

(324)

 

(143)

 

(11)

 

2,506 

 

(12)

   CMBS

 

457 

 

(34)

 

(81)

 

(5)

 

438 

 

775 

 

(17)

   ABS

 

1,714 

 

(140)

 

18 

 

(136)

 

(77)

 

1,379 

 

(140)

   Redeemable preferred stock

 

 

-- 

 

-- 

 

-- 

 

-- 

 

 

-- 

Total fixed income securities

 

17,819 

 

(227)

 

(369)

 

(601)

 

253

 

16,875 

 

(217)

Equity securities

 

74 

 

-- 

 

(4)

 

 

--

 

73 

 

-- 

Other investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free-standing derivatives, net

 

(101)

 

 

-- 

 

(8)

 

--

 

(103)

(2)

Other assets

 

 

 

-- 

 

-- 

 

--

 

 

   Total recurring Level 3 assets

$

17,793

$

(219)

$

(373)

$

(606)

$

253

$

16,848

$

(207)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractholder funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts

$

(265)

$

(25)

$

--

$

(1)

$

--

$

(291)

$

(25)

   Total recurring Level 3 liabilities

$

(265)

$

(25)

$

--

$

(1)

$

--

$

(291)

$

(25)

 


(1)

The effect to net income totals $(244) million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $(268) million in realized capital gains and losses, $50 million in net investment income, $1 million in interest credited to contractholder funds, and $25 million in life and annuity contract benefits.

(2)

Comprises $69 million of assets and $(172) million of liabilities.

(3)

The amounts represent gains and losses included in net income for the period of time that the asset or liability was determined to be in Level 3. These gains and losses total $(232) million and are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $(257) million in realized capital gains and losses, $50 million in net investment income, and $25 million in life and annuity contract benefits.

 

Presented below are the carrying values and fair value estimates of financial instruments not carried at fair value.

 

Financial assets

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31, 2010

 

December 31, 2009

 

 

 

Carrying
value

 

Fair
value

 

Carrying
value

 

Fair
value

 

Mortgage loans

7,639

6,355

7,935

6,336

 

Limited partnership interests - cost basis

 

1,112

 

1,139

 

1,103

 

1,098

 

Bank loans

 

406

 

392

 

420

 

391

 

 

The fair value of mortgage loans is based on discounted contractual cash flows or, if the loans are impaired due to credit reasons, the fair value of collateral less costs to sell.  Risk adjusted discount rates are selected using current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar characteristics, using similar types of properties as collateral.  The fair value of limited partnership interests accounted for on the cost basis is determined using reported net asset values of the underlying funds.  The fair value of bank loans, which are reported in other

 

21



 

investments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, are valued based on broker quotes from brokers familiar with the loans and current market conditions.

 

Financial liabilities

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31, 2010

 

December 31, 2009

 

 

 

Carrying
value

 

Fair
value

 

Carrying
value

 

Fair
value

 

Contractholder funds on investment contracts

39,290

38,179

40,943

39,328

 

Long-term debt

 

5,910

 

6,108

 

5,910

 

6,016

 

Liability for collateral

 

481

 

481

 

658

 

658

 

 

The fair value of contractholder funds on investment contracts is based on the terms of the underlying contracts utilizing prevailing market rates for similar contracts adjusted for credit risk.  Deferred annuities included in contractholder funds are valued using discounted cash flow models which incorporate market value margins, which are based on the cost of holding economic capital, and the Company’s own credit risk.  Immediate annuities without life contingencies and fixed rate funding agreements are valued at the present value of future benefits using market implied interest rates which include the Company’s own credit risk.

 

The fair value of long-term debt is based on market observable data (such as the fair value of the debt when traded as an asset) or, in certain cases, is determined using discounted cash flow calculations based on current interest rates for instruments with comparable terms and considers the Company’s own credit risk.  The liability for collateral is valued at carrying value due to its short-term nature.

 

6.  Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company primarily uses derivatives for risk management and asset replication.  In addition, the Company has derivatives embedded in non-derivative “host” contracts, which are required to be separated from the host contracts and accounted for at fair value as derivative instruments.  With the exception of non-hedge derivatives used for asset replication and non-hedge embedded derivatives, all of the Company’s derivatives are evaluated for their ongoing effectiveness as either accounting hedge or non-hedge derivative financial instruments on at least a quarterly basis.  The Company does not use derivatives for trading purposes.  Non-hedge accounting is generally used for “portfolio” level hedging strategies where the terms of the individual hedged items do not meet the strict homogeneity requirements to permit the application of hedge accounting.

 

The Company primarily uses derivatives to partially mitigate potential adverse impacts from changes in risk-free interest rates, negative equity market valuations and increases in credit spreads.  Property-Liability uses interest rate swaption contracts and exchange traded options on Treasury futures to offset potential declining fixed income market values resulting from potential rising interest rates.  Property-Liability also uses interest rate swaps to mitigate municipal bond interest rate risk within the municipal bond portfolio.  Exchange traded equity put options are utilized by Property-Liability for overall equity portfolio protection from significant declines in equity market values below a targeted level.  Equity index futures are used by Property-Liability to offset valuation losses in the equity portfolio during periods of declining equity market values.  Credit default swaps are typically used to mitigate the credit risk within the Property-Liability fixed income portfolio.

 

Portfolio duration management is a risk management strategy that is principally employed by Property-Liability wherein, depending on the current portfolio duration relative to a designated target and the expectations of future interest rate movements, the Company uses financial futures and interest rate swaps to change the duration of the portfolio in order to mitigate the economic effect that interest rates would otherwise have on the fair value of its fixed income securities.

 

Property-Liability uses futures to hedge the market risk related to deferred compensation liability contracts and forward contracts to hedge foreign currency risk.

 

Allstate Financial uses foreign currency swaps primarily to reduce the foreign currency risk associated with issuing foreign currency denominated funding agreements and holding foreign currency denominated investments.  Credit default swaps are also typically used to mitigate the credit risk within the Allstate Financial fixed income portfolio.

 

Asset-liability management is a risk management strategy that is principally employed by Allstate Financial to balance the respective interest-rate sensitivities of its assets and liabilities.  Depending upon the attributes of the

 

22



 

assets acquired and liabilities issued, derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps, caps, floors and futures are acquired to change the interest rate characteristics of existing assets and liabilities to ensure the relationship is maintained within specified ranges and to reduce exposure to rising or falling interest rates.  Allstate Financial uses financial futures and interest rate swaps to hedge anticipated asset purchases and liability issuances and financial futures and options for hedging the Company’s equity exposure contained in equity indexed annuity product contracts that offer equity returns to contractholders.  In addition, Allstate Financial uses interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate risk inherent in funding agreements.

 

When derivatives meet specific criteria, they may be designated as accounting hedges and accounted for as fair value, cash flow, foreign currency fair value or foreign currency cash flow hedges.  Allstate Financial designates certain of its interest rate and foreign currency swap contracts and certain investment risk transfer reinsurance agreements as fair value hedges when the hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting the risk of changes in the fair value of the hedged item.  Allstate Financial designates certain of its foreign currency swap contracts as cash flow hedges when the hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting the exposure of variations in cash flows for the hedged risk that could affect net income.  Amounts are reclassified to net investment income or realized capital gains and losses as the hedged item affects net income.

 

Asset replication refers to the “synthetic” creation of assets through the use of derivatives and primarily investment grade host bonds to replicate securities that are either unavailable in the cash markets or more economical to acquire in synthetic form.  The Company replicates fixed income securities using a combination of a credit default swap and one or more highly rated fixed income securities to synthetically replicate the economic characteristics of one or more cash market securities.  The Company also creates “synthetic” exposure to equity markets through the use of exchange traded equity index future contracts and an investment grade host bond.

 

The Company’s primary embedded derivatives are conversion options in fixed income securities, which provide the Company with the right to convert the instrument into a predetermined number of shares of common stock; equity options in Allstate Financial annuity product contracts, which provide equity returns to contractholders; and equity-indexed notes containing equity call options, which provide a coupon payout that is determined using one or more equity-based indices.

 

The notional amounts specified in the contracts are used to calculate the exchange of contractual payments under the agreements and are generally not representative of the potential for gain or loss on these agreements.  However, the notional amounts specified in selling protection credit default swaps represent the maximum amount of potential loss, assuming no recoveries.

 

Fair value, which is equal to the carrying value, is the estimated amount that the Company would receive (pay) to terminate the derivative contracts at the reporting date.  The carrying value amounts for OTC derivatives have been further adjusted for the effects, if any, of legally enforceable master netting agreements and are presented on a net basis in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  For certain exchange traded derivatives, the exchange requires margin deposits as well as daily cash settlements of margin accounts.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company pledged $19 million of securities and cash in the form of margin deposits.

 

The net impact to pre-tax income for derivatives includes valuation and settlements of derivatives.  For those derivatives which qualify for fair value hedge accounting, net income includes the changes in the fair value of the hedged risk, and therefore reflects any hedging ineffectiveness.  For cash flow hedges, gains and losses amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income are reported in net income.  For embedded derivatives in convertible fixed income securities and equity-indexed notes, net income includes the change in fair value of the embedded derivative and accretion income related to the host instrument.  For non-hedge derivatives, net income includes changes in fair value and accrued periodic settlements.

 

23



 

The following table provides a summary of the volume and fair value positions of derivative instruments as well as their reporting location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at March 31, 2010.

 

($ in millions, except number of contracts)

 

Asset derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

Volume (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance sheet location

 

Notional
amount

 

Number
of
contracts

 

Fair
value,
net

 

Gross
asset

 

Gross
liability

 

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Interest rate swap agreements

 

Other investments

$

63

 

n/a

$

(6)

$

--

$

(6)

 

  Foreign currency swap agreements

 

Other investments

 

41

 

n/a

 

 

3

 

--

 

  Foreign currency and interest rate swap agreements

 

Other investments

 

288

 

n/a

 

28 

 

28

 

-- 

 

      Total

 

 

$

392

 

n/a

$

25 

$

31

$

(6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swap agreements

 

Other investments

$

1,457

 

n/a

$

36 

$

45

$

(9)

 

Interest rate swaption agreements

 

Other investments

 

4,000

 

n/a

 

12 

 

12

 

-- 

 

Interest rate cap and floor agreements

 

Other investments

 

251

 

n/a

 

 

5

 

-- 

 

Financial futures contracts and options

 

Other investments

 

n/a

 

15,000

 

 

5

 

-- 

 

  Equity and index contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options, financial futures and warrants (2)

 

Other investments

 

55

 

38,250

 

379 

 

379

 

-- 

 

Options, financial futures and warrants

 

Other assets

 

n/a

 

347

 

-- 

 

--

 

-- 

 

  Foreign currency contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency swap agreements

 

Other investments

 

54

 

n/a

 

 

5

 

-- 

 

Foreign currency forwards and options

 

Other investments

 

182

 

n/a

 

 

7

 

(1)

 

  Embedded derivative financial instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversion options in fixed income securities

 

Fixed income securities

 

903

 

n/a

 

298 

 

303

 

(5)

 

Equity-indexed call options in fixed income securities

 

Fixed income securities

 

475

 

n/a

 

85 

 

85

 

-- 

 

Other embedded derivative financial instruments

 

Other investments

 

1,000

 

n/a

 

 

2

 

-- 

 

  Credit default contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit Default Swaps -- Buying Protection

 

Other investments

 

214

 

n/a

 

(4)

 

1

 

(5)

 

Credit Default Swaps -- Selling Protection

 

Other investments

 

294

 

n/a

 

(33)

 

--

 

(33)

 

  Other contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Other contracts

 

Other investments

 

46

 

n/a

 

-- 

 

--

 

-- 

 

  Other contracts

 

Other assets

 

6

 

n/a

 

 

2

 

-- 

 

      Total

 

 

$

8,937

 

53,597

$

798

$

851

$

(53)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivative assets

 

 

$

9,329

 

53,597

$

823

$

882

$

(59)

 

 


(1)

Volume for OTC derivative contracts is represented by their notional amounts. Volume for exchange traded derivatives is represented by the number of contracts which is the basis on which they are traded. (n/a = not applicable)

(2)

In addition to the number of contracts presented in the table, the Company held 1,352,432 stock warrants. Stock warrants can be converted to cash upon sale of those instruments or exercised for shares of common stock.

 

24



 

($ in millions, except number of contracts)

 

Liability derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

Volume (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance sheet location

 

Notional
amount

 

Number
of
contracts

 

Fair
value,
net

 

Gross
asset

 

Gross
liability

 

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Interest rate swap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

$

4,019

 

n/a

$

(214)

$

--

$

(214)

 

  Foreign currency swap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

161

 

n/a

 

(17)

 

1

 

(18)

 

  Foreign currency and interest rate swap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

267

 

n/a

 

82 

 

82

 

-- 

 

  Foreign currency and interest rate swap agreements

 

Contractholder funds

 

--

 

n/a

 

13 

 

13

 

-- 

 

      Total

 

 

$

4,447

 

n/a

$

(136)

$

96

$

(232)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Interest rate contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

$

7,252

 

n/a

$

(7)

$

67

$

(74)

 

Interest rate swaption agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

7,000

 

n/a

 

33 

 

33

 

-- 

 

Interest rate cap and floor agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

3,502

 

n/a

 

(29)

 

1

 

(30)

 

Financial futures contracts and options

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

n/a

 

727

 

-- 

 

--

 

-- 

 

  Equity and index contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Options, financial futures and warrants

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

60

 

20,747

 

(180)

 

3

 

(183)

 

  Foreign currency contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency swap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

49

 

n/a

 

 

3

 

-- 

 

Foreign currency forwards and options

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

193

 

n/a

 

-- 

 

4

 

(4)

 

  Embedded derivative financial instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guaranteed accumulation benefits

 

Contractholder funds

 

1,125

 

n/a

 

(56)

 

--

 

(56)

 

    Guaranteed withdrawal benefits

 

Contractholder funds

 

808

 

n/a

 

(32)

 

--

 

(32)

 

Equity-indexed options in life and annuity product contracts

 

Contractholder funds

 

4,282

 

n/a

 

(220)

 

--

 

(220)

 

Other embedded derivative financial instruments

 

Contractholder funds

 

85

 

n/a

 

(2)

 

--

 

(2)

 

  Credit default contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit Default Swaps -- Buying Protection

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

758

 

n/a

 

(15)

 

6

 

(21)

 

Credit Default Swaps -- Selling Protection

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

672

 

n/a

 

(39)

 

8

 

(47)

 

      Total

 

 

$

25,786

 

21,474

$

(544)

$

125

$

(669)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivative liabilities

 

 

$

30,233

 

21,474

$

(680)

$

221

$

(901)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives

 

 

$

39,562

 

75,071

$

143 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)

Volume for OTC derivative contracts is represented by their notional amounts. Volume for exchange traded derivatives is represented by the number of contracts which is the basis on which they are traded. (n/a = not applicable)

 

25



 

The following table provides a summary of the volume and fair value positions of derivative instruments as well as their reporting location in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at December 31, 2009.

 

($ in millions, except number of contracts)

 

Asset derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

Volume (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance sheet location

 

Notional
amount

 

Number
of
contracts

 

Fair
value,
net

 

Gross
asset

 

Gross
liability

 

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Interest rate swap agreements

 

Other investments

$

45

 

n/a

$

(3)

$

--

$

(3)

 

  Foreign currency swap agreements

 

Other investments

 

23

 

n/a

 

(2)

 

--

 

(2)

 

      Total

 

 

$

68

 

n/a

$

(5)

$

--

$

(5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Interest rate contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swap agreements

 

Other investments

$

1,206

 

n/a

$

49 

$

62

$

(13)

 

Interest rate swaption agreements

 

Other investments

 

8,500

 

n/a

 

95 

 

95

 

-- 

 

Interest rate cap and floor agreements

 

Other investments

 

52

 

n/a

 

 

2

 

-- 

 

Financial futures contracts and options

 

Other investments

 

n/a

 

30,000

 

12 

 

12

 

-- 

 

Financial futures contracts and options

 

Other assets

 

n/a

 

404

 

-- 

 

--

 

-- 

 

  Equity and index contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options, financial futures and warrants (2)

 

Other investments

 

62

 

43,850

 

435 

 

435

 

-- 

 

Options, financial futures and warrants

 

Other assets

 

n/a

 

102

 

-- 

 

--

 

-- 

 

  Foreign currency contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency swap agreements

 

Other investments

 

53

 

n/a

 

 

1

 

-- 

 

Foreign currency forwards and options

 

Other investments

 

476

 

n/a

 

 

8

 

(3)

 

  Embedded derivative financial instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversion options in fixed income securities

 

Fixed income securities

 

936

 

n/a

 

312 

 

316

 

(4)

 

Equity-indexed call options in fixed income securities

 

Fixed income securities

 

475

 

n/a

 

89 

 

89

 

-- 

 

Other embedded derivative financial instruments

 

Other investments

 

1,000

 

n/a

 

 

2

 

-- 

 

  Credit default contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit Default Swaps -- Buying Protection

 

Other investments

 

329

 

n/a

 

(6)

 

2

 

(8)

 

Credit Default Swaps -- Selling Protection

 

Other investments

 

93

 

n/a

 

(8)

 

2

 

(10)

 

  Other contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Other contracts

 

Other investments

 

75

 

n/a

 

-- 

 

--

 

-- 

 

  Other contracts

 

Other assets

 

6

 

n/a

 

 

2

 

-- 

 

      Total

 

 

$

13,263

 

74,356

$

990

$

1,028

$

(38)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivative assets

 

 

$

13,331

 

74,356

$

985

$

1,028

$

(43)

 


(1)

Volume for OTC derivative contracts is represented by their notional amounts. Volume for exchange traded derivatives is represented by the number of contracts which is the basis on which they are traded. (n/a = not applicable)

(2)

In addition to the number of contracts presented in the table, the Company held 101,255 stock rights and 1,352,432 stock warrants. Stock rights and stock warrants can be converted to cash upon sale of those instruments or exercised for shares of common stock.

 

26



 

($ in millions, except number of contracts)

 

Liability derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

Volume (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance sheet location

 

Notional
amount

 

Number
of
contracts

 

Fair
value,
net

 

Gross
asset

 

Gross
liability

 

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Interest rate swap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

$

2,443

 

n/a

$

(230)

$

--

$

(230)

 

  Foreign currency swap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

179

 

n/a

 

(18)

 

3

 

(21)

 

  Foreign currency and interest rate swap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

870

 

n/a

 

231 

 

231

 

-- 

 

  Foreign currency and interest rate swap agreements

 

Contractholder funds

 

--

 

n/a

 

44 

 

44

 

-- 

 

      Total

 

 

$

3,492

 

n/a

$

27 

$

278

$

(251)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Interest rate contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

$

6,187

 

n/a

$

28 

$

68

$

(40)

 

Interest rate swaption agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

2,000

 

n/a

 

34 

 

34

 

-- 

 

Interest rate cap and floor agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

3,896

 

n/a

 

(16)

 

9

 

(25)

 

  Equity and index contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Options, financial futures and warrants

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

45

 

21,098

 

(214)

 

3

 

(217)

 

  Foreign currency contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency swap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

54

 

n/a

 

 

3

 

--

 

Foreign currency forwards and options

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

185

 

n/a

 

 

2

 

--

 

  Embedded derivative financial instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guaranteed accumulation benefits

 

Contractholder funds

 

1,113

 

n/a

 

(66)

 

--

 

(66)

 

    Guaranteed withdrawal benefits

 

Contractholder funds

 

810

 

n/a

 

(41)

 

--

 

(41)

 

Equity-indexed options in life and annuity product contracts

 

Contractholder funds

 

4,321

 

n/a

 

(217)

 

--

 

(217)

 

Other embedded derivative financial instruments

 

Contractholder funds

 

85

 

n/a

 

(3)

 

--

 

(3)

 

  Credit default contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit Default Swaps -- Buying Protection

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

839

 

n/a

 

(40)

 

5

 

(45)

 

Credit Default Swaps -- Selling Protection

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

1,195

 

n/a

 

(65)

 

7

 

(72)

 

      Total

 

 

$

20,730

 

21,098

$

(595)

$

131

$

(726)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivative liabilities

 

 

$

24,222

 

21,098

$

(568)

$

409

$

(977)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives

 

 

$

37,553

 

95,454

$

417 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)

Volume for OTC derivative contracts is represented by their notional amounts. Volume for exchange traded derivatives is represented by the number of contracts which is the basis on which they are traded. (n/a = not applicable)

 

The following table provides a summary of the impacts of the Company’s foreign currency contracts in cash flow hedging relationships in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position for the three-month periods ended March 31.  Amortization of net gains from accumulated other comprehensive income related to cash flow hedges is expected to be less than $1 million during the next twelve months.

 

($ in millions)
Effective portion

 

2010

 

2009

 

Gain recognized in OCI on derivatives during the period

$

$

4

 

(Loss) gain recognized in OCI on derivatives during the term of the hedging relationship

$

(18)

$

20

 

Gain reclassified from AOCI into income (net investment income)

$

$

1

 

Gain reclassified from AOCI into income (realized capital gains and losses)

$

-- 

$

--

 

Ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing

 

 

 

 

 

Gain recognized in income on derivatives (realized capital gains and losses)

$

-- 

$

--

 

 

27



 

The following table presents gains and losses from valuation, settlements and hedge ineffectiveness reported on derivatives used in fair value hedging relationships and derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended March 31, 2010

 

 

Net
investment
income

 

Realized
capital
gains and
losses

 

Life and
annuity
contract
benefits

 

Interest
credited to
contractholder
funds

 

Operating
costs and
expenses

 

Total gain
(loss)
recognized
in net
income on
derivatives

Derivatives in fair value accounting hedging relationships

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Interest rate contracts

$

(41)

$

-- 

$

--

$

(1)

$

-- 

$

(42)

  Foreign currency and interest rate contracts

 

-- 

 

-- 

 

--

 

(24)

 

-- 

 

(24)

      Subtotal

 

(41)

 

-- 

 

--

 

(25)

 

-- 

 

(66)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Interest rate contracts

 

-- 

 

(156)

 

--

 

-- 

 

-- 

 

(156)

  Equity and index contracts

 

-- 

 

(39)

 

--

 

34 

 

 

  Embedded derivative financial instruments

 

-- 

 

(13)

 

20

 

(2)

 

-- 

 

  Foreign currency contracts

 

-- 

 

17 

 

--

 

-- 

 

(5)

 

12 

  Credit default contracts

 

-- 

 

 

--

 

-- 

 

-- 

 

      Subtotal

 

-- 

 

(185)

 

20

 

32 

 

 

(132)

      Total

$

(41)

$

(185)

$

20

$

$

$

(198)

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2009

 

 

Net
investment
income

 

Realized
capital
gains and
losses

 

Life and
annuity
contract
benefits

 

Interest
credited to
contractholder
funds

 

Operating
costs and
expenses

 

Total gain
(loss)
recognized
in net
income on
derivatives

Derivatives in fair value accounting hedging relationships

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Interest rate contracts

$

7

$

$

-- 

$

(12)

$

-- 

$

(1)

  Foreign currency and interest rate contracts

 

--

 

(1)

 

-- 

 

(30)

 

-- 

 

(31)

      Subtotal

 

7

 

 

-- 

 

(42)

 

-- 

 

(32)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Interest rate contracts

 

--

 

39 

 

-- 

 

-- 

 

-- 

 

39 

  Equity and index contracts

 

--

 

47 

 

-- 

 

(23)

 

(13)

 

11 

  Embedded derivative financial instruments

 

--

 

(23)

 

(23)

 

(14)

 

-- 

 

(60)

  Foreign currency contracts

 

--

 

 

-- 

 

-- 

 

-- 

 

  Credit default contracts

 

--

 

28 

 

-- 

 

-- 

 

-- 

 

28 

      Subtotal

 

--

 

92 

 

(23)

 

(37)

 

(13)

 

19 

      Total

$

7

$

95 

$

(23)

$

(79)

$

(13)

$

(13)

 

28



 

The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of the Company’s fair value hedging relationships in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended March 31, 2010

 

 

Gain (loss) on derivatives

 

Gain (loss) on hedged risk

Location of gain or (loss) recognized
in net income on derivatives

 

Interest
rate
contracts

 

Foreign
currency &
interest rate
contracts

 

Contractholder
funds

 

Investments

Interest credited to contractholder funds

$

(1)

 

$

(33)

 

$

34

 

$

--

Net investment income

 

(13)

 

 

-- 

 

 

--

 

 

13

Realized capital gains and losses

 

-- 

 

 

-- 

 

 

--

 

 

--

   Total

$

(14)

 

$

(33)

 

$

34

 

$

13

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2009

 

 

Gain (loss) on derivatives

 

Gain (loss) on hedged risk

Location of gain or (loss) recognized
in net income on derivatives

 

Interest
rate
contracts

 

Foreign
currency &
interest rate
contracts

 

Contractholder
funds

 

Investments

Interest credited to contractholder funds

$

(26)

 

$

 (35)

 

$

61

 

$

-- 

Net investment income

 

40 

 

 

-- 

 

 

--

 

 

(40)

Realized capital gains and losses

 

 

 

(1)

 

 

--

 

 

-- 

   Total

$

18 

 

$

(36)

 

$

61

 

$

(40)

 

The Company manages its exposure to credit risk by utilizing highly rated counterparties, establishing risk control limits, executing legally enforceable master netting agreements (“MNAs”) and obtaining collateral where appropriate.  The Company uses MNAs for OTC derivative transactions, including interest rate swap, foreign currency swap, interest rate cap, interest rate floor, credit default swap, forward and certain option agreements (including swaptions).  These agreements permit either party to net payments due for transactions covered by the agreements.  Under the provisions of the agreements, collateral is either pledged or obtained when certain predetermined exposure limits are exceeded.  As of March 31, 2010, counterparties pledged $38 million in cash and $5 million in securities to the Company, and the Company pledged $4 million in cash and $192 million in securities to counterparties which includes $140 million of collateral posted under MNAs for contracts containing credit-risk-contingent provisions that are in a liability position and $56 million of collateral posted under MNAs for contracts without credit-risk-contingent liabilities.  The Company has not incurred any losses on derivative financial instruments due to counterparty nonperformance.  Other derivatives including futures and certain option contracts are traded on organized exchanges, which require margin deposits and guarantee the execution of trades, thereby mitigating any potential credit risk associated with transactions executed on organized exchanges.

 

Counterparty credit exposure represents the Company’s potential loss if all of the counterparties concurrently fail to perform under the contractual terms of the contracts and all collateral, if any, becomes worthless.  This exposure is measured by the fair value of OTC derivative contracts with a positive fair value at the reporting date reduced by the effect, if any, of legally enforceable master netting agreements.

 

The following table summarizes the counterparty credit exposure by counterparty credit rating as it relates to interest rate swap, foreign currency swap, interest rate cap, interest rate floor, credit default swap, forward and certain option agreements (including swaptions).

 

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31, 2010

 

December 31, 2009

 

Rating (1)

 

Number
of
counter-
parties

 

Notional
amount
 (2)

 

Credit
exposure
 (2)

 

Exposure,
net of
collateral
 (2)

 

Number
of
counter-
parties

 

Notional
amount
 (2)

 

Credit
exposure
 (2)

 

Exposure,
net of
collateral
 (2)

 

AA-

 

3

 

$

5,725

 

$

33

 

$

16

 

 

2

 

$

3,269

 

$

26

 

$

1

 

 

A+

 

2

 

 

6,482

 

 

23

 

 

3

 

 

5

 

 

12,359

 

 

204

 

 

57

 

 

A

 

3

 

 

4,192

 

 

14

 

 

11

 

 

3

 

 

2,551

 

 

62

 

 

30

 

 

A-

 

1

 

 

115

 

 

25

 

 

25

 

 

1

 

 

145

 

 

23

 

 

23

 

 

Total

 

9

 

$

16,514

 

$

95

 

$

55

 

 

11

 

$

18,324

 

$

315

 

$

111

 

 


(1)   Rating is the lower of S&P or Moody’s ratings.

 

(2)   Only OTC derivatives with a net positive fair value are included for each counterparty.

 

Market risk is the risk that the Company will incur losses due to adverse changes in market rates and prices.  Market risk exists for all of the derivative financial instruments the Company currently holds, as these instruments

 

29



 

may become less valuable due to adverse changes in market conditions.  To limit this risk, the Company’s senior management has established risk control limits.  In addition, changes in fair value of the derivative financial instruments that the Company uses for risk management purposes are generally offset by the change in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged risk component of the related assets, liabilities or forecasted transactions.

 

Certain of the Company’s derivative instruments contain credit-risk-contingent termination events, cross-default provisions and credit support annex agreements.  Credit-risk-contingent termination events allow the counterparties to terminate the derivative on certain dates if AIC’s, ALIC’s or Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York’s (“ALNY”) financial strength credit ratings by Moody’s or S&P fall below a certain level or in the event AIC, ALIC or ALNY are no longer rated by both Moody’s and S&P. Credit-risk-contingent cross-default provisions allow the counterparties to terminate the derivative instruments if the Company defaults by pre-determined threshold amounts on certain debt instruments.  Credit-risk-contingent credit support annex agreements specify the amount of collateral the Company must post to counterparties based on AIC’s, ALIC’s or ALNY’s financial strength credit ratings by Moody’s or S&P, or in the event AIC, ALIC or ALNY are no longer rated by both Moody’s and S&P.

 

The following summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments with termination, cross-default or collateral credit-risk-contingent features that are in a liability position, as well as the fair value of assets and collateral that are netted against the liability in accordance with provisions within legally enforceable MNAs.

 

($ in millions)

 

March
31, 2010

 

December
31, 2009

 

Gross liability fair value of contracts containing credit-risk-contingent features

$

411 

$

429 

 

Gross asset fair value of contracts containing credit-risk-contingent features and subject to MNAs

 

(231)

 

(265)

 

Collateral posted under MNAs for contracts containing credit-risk-contingent features

 

(140)

 

(122)

 

Maximum amount of additional exposure for contracts with credit-risk-contingent features if all features were triggered concurrently

$

40 

$

42 

 

 

Credit derivatives - selling protection

 

Credit default swaps (“CDS”) are utilized for selling credit protection against a specified credit event.  A credit default swap is a derivative instrument, representing an agreement between two parties to exchange the credit risk of a specified entity (or a group of entities), or an index based on the credit risk of a group of entities (all commonly referred to as the “reference entity” or a portfolio of “reference entities”), for a periodic premium.  In selling protection, CDS are used to replicate fixed income securities and to complement the cash market when credit exposure to certain issuers is not available or when the derivative alternative is less expensive than the cash market alternative.  CDS typically have a five-year term.

 

30



 

The following table shows the CDS notional amounts by credit rating and fair value of protection sold as of March 31, 2010:

 

($ in millions)

 

Notional amount

 

 

 

 

 

AA

 

A

 

BBB

 

BB and
lower

 

Total

 

Fair
value

 

Single name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment grade
corporate debt

$

55

$

134

$

121

$

30

$

340

$

(9)

 

High yield debt

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

16

 

16

 

(1)

 

Municipal

 

165

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

165

 

(9)

 

Subtotal

 

220

 

134

 

121

 

46

 

521

 

(19)

 

Baskets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tranche

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment grade
corporate debt

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

65

 

65

 

(28)

 

First-to-default

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment grade
corporate debt

 

--

 

15

 

15

 

--

 

30

 

-- 

 

Municipal

 

--

 

100

 

--

 

--

 

100

 

(28)

 

Subtotal

 

--

 

115

 

15

 

65

 

195

 

(56)

 

Index

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment grade
corporate debt

 

6

 

66

 

170

 

8

 

250

 

 

Total

$

226

$

315

$

306

$

119

$

966

$

(72)

 

 

The following table shows the CDS notional amounts by credit rating and fair value of protection sold as of December 31, 2009:

 

($ in millions)

 

Notional amount

 

 

 

 

 

AA

 

A

 

BBB

 

BB and
lower

 

Total

 

Fair
value

 

Single name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment grade corporate debt

$

63

$

86

$

84

$

30

$

263

$

(12)

 

High yield debt

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

10

 

10

 

-- 

 

Municipal

 

135

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

135

 

(10)

 

Subtotal

 

198

 

86

 

84

 

40

 

408

 

(22)

 

Baskets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tranche

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment grade corporate debt

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

65

 

65

 

(27)

 

First-to-default

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment grade corporate debt

 

--

 

45

 

15

 

--

 

60

 

-- 

 

Municipal

 

20

 

135

 

--

 

--

 

155

 

(28)

 

Subtotal

 

20

 

180

 

15

 

65

 

280

 

(55)

 

Index

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment grade corporate debt

 

14

 

159

 

408

 

19

 

600

 

 

Total

$

232

$

425

$

507

$

124

$

1,288

$

(73)

 

 

In selling protection with CDS, the Company sells credit protection on an identified single name, a basket of names in a first-to-default (“FTD”) structure or a specific tranche of a basket, or credit derivative index (“CDX”) that is generally investment grade, and in return receives periodic premiums through expiration or termination of the agreement.  With single name CDS, this premium or credit spread generally corresponds to the difference between the yield on the referenced entity’s public fixed maturity cash instruments and swap rates, at the time the agreement

 

31



 

is executed.  With a FTD basket or a tranche of a basket, because of the additional credit risk inherent in a basket of named credits, the premium generally corresponds to a high proportion of the sum of the credit spreads of the names in the basket and the correlation between the names.  CDX index is utilized to take a position on multiple (generally 125) reference entities.  Credit events are typically defined as bankruptcy, failure to pay, or restructuring, depending on the nature of the reference credit.  If a credit event occurs, the Company settles with the counterparty, either through physical settlement or cash settlement.  In a physical settlement, a reference asset is delivered by the buyer of protection to the Company, in exchange for cash payment at par, whereas in a cash settlement, the Company pays the difference between par and the prescribed value of the reference asset.  When a credit event occurs in a single name or FTD basket (for FTD, the first credit event occurring for any one name in the basket), the contract terminates at time of settlement. When a credit event occurs in a tranche of a basket, there is no immediate impact to the Company until cumulative losses in the basket exceed the contractual subordination.  To date, realized losses have not exceeded the subordination.  For CDX index, the reference entity’s name incurring the credit event is removed from the index while the contract continues until expiration.  The maximum payout on a CDS is the contract notional amount.  A physical settlement may afford the Company with recovery rights as the new owner of the asset.

 

The Company monitors risk associated with credit derivatives through individual name credit limits at both a credit derivative and a combined cash instrument/credit derivative level.  The ratings of individual names for which protection has been sold are also monitored.

 

7.  Reserve for Property-Liability Insurance Claims and Claims Expense

 

The Company establishes reserves for claims and claims expense (“loss”) on reported and unreported claims of insured losses. The Company’s reserving process takes into account known facts and interpretations of circumstances and factors including the Company’s experience with similar cases, actual claims paid, historical trends involving claim payment patterns and pending levels of unpaid claims, loss management programs, product mix and contractual terms, law changes, court decisions, changes to regulatory requirements and economic conditions.  In the normal course of business, the Company may also supplement its claims processes by utilizing third party adjusters, appraisers, engineers, inspectors, other professionals and information sources to assess and settle catastrophe and non-catastrophe related claims.  The effects of inflation are implicitly considered in the reserving process.

 

Because reserves are estimates of unpaid portions of losses that have occurred, including incurred but not reported losses, the establishment of appropriate reserves, including reserves for catastrophes, is an inherently uncertain and complex process.  The ultimate cost of losses may vary materially from recorded amounts, which are based on management’s best estimates.  The highest degree of uncertainty is associated with reserves for losses incurred in the current reporting period as it contains the greatest proportion of losses that have not been reported or settled.  The Company regularly updates its reserve estimates as new information becomes available and as events unfold that may affect the resolution of unsettled claims.  Changes in prior year reserve estimates, which may be material, are reported in property-liability insurance claims and claims expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period such changes are determined.

 

Management believes that the reserve for property-liability insurance claims and claims expense, net of reinsurance recoverables, is appropriately established in the aggregate and adequate to cover the ultimate net cost of reported and unreported claims arising from losses which had occurred by the date of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position based on available facts, technology, laws and regulations.

 

8.  Reinsurance

 

Property-liability insurance premiums earned and life and annuity premiums and contract charges have been reduced by the reinsurance premium ceded amounts shown in the following table:

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Property-liability insurance premiums earned

$

268

$

265

 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

 

191

 

204

 

 

32



 

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense and life and annuity contract benefits and interest credited to contractholder funds have been reduced by the reinsurance recovery amounts shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense

$

80

$

111

 

Life and annuity contract benefits

 

130

 

461

 

Interest credited to contractholder funds

 

7

 

6

 

 

9.  Company Restructuring

 

The Company undertakes various programs to reduce expenses.  These programs generally involve a reduction in staffing levels, and in certain cases, office closures.  Restructuring and related charges include employee termination and relocation benefits, and post-exit rent expenses in connection with these programs, and non-cash charges resulting from pension benefit payments made to agents in connection with the 1999 reorganization of Allstate’s multiple agency programs to a single exclusive agency program.  In the first quarter of 2010, restructuring programs primarily relate to Allstate Protection’s claim office consolidations and realignment of litigation services.  The expenses related to these activities are included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as restructuring and related charges, and totaled $11 million and $45 million during the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

The following table presents changes in the restructuring liability during the three-month period ended March 31, 2010.

 

($ in millions)

 

Employee
costs

 

Exit
costs

 

Total
liability

 

Balance at December 31, 2009

$

45 

$

$

51 

 

Expense incurred

 

 

-- 

 

 

Adjustments to liability

 

(5)

 

-- 

 

(5)

 

Payments applied against liability

 

(3)

 

(1)

 

(4)

 

Balance at March 31, 2010

$

45 

$

$

50 

 

 

The payments applied against the liability for employee costs primarily reflect severance costs, and the payments for exit costs generally consist of post-exit rent expenses and contract termination penalties.  As of March 31, 2010, the cumulative amount incurred to date for active programs totaled $161 million for employee costs and $45 million for exit costs.

 

10.  Guarantees and Contingent Liabilities

 

State facility assessments

 

The Company is required to participate in assigned risk plans, reinsurance facilities and joint underwriting associations in various states that provide insurance coverage to individuals or entities that otherwise are unable to purchase such coverage from private insurers.  Because of the Company’s participation, it may be exposed to losses that surpass the capitalization of these facilities and/or to assessments from these facilities.

 

Shared markets

 

As a condition of maintaining its licenses to write personal property and casualty insurance in various states, the Company is required to participate in assigned risk plans, reinsurance facilities and joint underwriting associations that provide various types of insurance coverage to individuals or entities that otherwise are unable to purchase such coverage from private insurers.  Underwriting results related to these arrangements, which tend to be adverse, have been immaterial to the Company’s results of operations.

 

Guarantees

 

The Company owns certain fixed income securities that obligate the Company to exchange credit risk or to forfeit principal due, depending on the nature or occurrence of specified credit events for the referenced entities.  In the event all such specified credit events were to occur, the Company’s maximum amount at risk on these fixed income securities, as measured by the amount of the aggregate initial investment, was $160 million at March 31,

 

33



 

2010.  The obligations associated with these fixed income securities expire at various dates during the next five years.

 

Related to the disposal through reinsurance of substantially all of Allstate Financial’s variable annuity business to The Prudential Insurance Company of America, a subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. (collectively “Prudential”) in 2006, the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, ALIC and ALNY, have agreed to indemnify Prudential for certain pre-closing contingent liabilities (including extra-contractual liabilities of ALIC and ALNY and liabilities specifically excluded from the transaction) that ALIC and ALNY have agreed to retain.  In addition, the Company, ALIC and ALNY will each indemnify Prudential for certain post-closing liabilities that may arise from the acts of ALIC, ALNY and their agents, including in connection with ALIC’s and ALNY’s provision of transition services.  The reinsurance agreements contain no limitations or indemnifications with regard to insurance risk transfer, and transferred all of the future risks and responsibilities for performance on the underlying variable annuity contracts to Prudential, including those related to benefit guarantees.  Management does not believe this agreement will have a material adverse effect on results of operations, cash flows or financial position of the Company.

 

The Company provides residual value guarantees on Company leased automobiles.  If all outstanding leases were terminated effective March 31, 2010, the Company’s maximum obligation pursuant to these guarantees, assuming the automobiles have no residual value, would be $11 million at March 31, 2010.  The remaining term of each residual value guarantee is equal to the term of the underlying lease that ranges from less than one year to three years.  Historically, the Company has not made any material payments pursuant to these guarantees.

 

In the normal course of business, the Company provides standard indemnifications to contractual counterparties in connection with numerous transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures.  The types of indemnifications typically provided include indemnifications for breaches of representations and warranties, taxes and certain other liabilities, such as third party lawsuits.  The indemnification clauses are often standard contractual terms and are entered into in the normal course of business based on an assessment that the risk of loss would be remote.  The terms of the indemnifications vary in duration and nature.  In many cases, the maximum obligation is not explicitly stated and the contingencies triggering the obligation to indemnify have not occurred and are not expected to occur.  Consequently, the maximum amount of the obligation under such indemnifications is not determinable. Historically, the Company has not made any material payments pursuant to these obligations.

 

The aggregate liability balance related to all guarantees was not material as of March 31, 2010.

 

Regulation and Compliance

 

The Company is subject to changing social, economic and regulatory conditions.  From time to time, regulatory authorities or legislative bodies seek to influence and restrict premium rates, require premium refunds to policyholders, require reinstatement of terminated policies, restrict the ability of insurers to cancel or non-renew policies, require insurers to continue to write new policies or limit their ability to write new policies, limit insurers’ ability to change coverage terms or to impose underwriting standards, impose additional regulations regarding agent and broker compensation, and otherwise expand overall regulation of insurance products and the insurance industry.  The Company has established procedures and policies to facilitate compliance with laws and regulations, to foster prudent business operations, and to support financial reporting.  The Company routinely reviews its practices to validate compliance with laws and regulations and with internal procedures and policies.  As a result of these reviews, from time to time the Company may decide to modify some of its procedures and policies.  Such modifications, and the reviews that led to them, may be accompanied by payments being made and costs being incurred.  The ultimate changes and eventual effects of these actions on the Company’s business, if any, are uncertain.

 

A multi-state market conduct examination of Allstate’s claims handling practices is in process and Florida, Illinois, Iowa, and New York are serving as the lead states.  The official notice of the examination was issued by the Illinois Department of Insurance (formerly Illinois Division of Insurance) on March 30, 2009.

 

34



 

Legal and regulatory proceedings and inquiries

 

Background

 

The Company and certain subsidiaries are involved in a number of lawsuits, regulatory inquiries, and other legal proceedings arising out of various aspects of its business.  As background to the “Proceedings” subsection below, please note the following:

 

·                  These matters raise difficult and complicated factual and legal issues and are subject to many uncertainties and complexities, including the underlying facts of each matter; novel legal issues; variations between jurisdictions in which matters are being litigated, heard, or investigated; differences in applicable laws and judicial interpretations; the length of time before many of these matters might be resolved by settlement, through litigation or otherwise; the fact that some of the lawsuits are putative class actions in which a class has not been certified and in which the purported class may not be clearly defined; the fact that some of the lawsuits involve multi-state class actions in which the applicable law(s) for the claims at issue is in dispute and therefore unclear; and the current challenging legal environment faced by large corporations and insurance companies.

 

·                  The outcome of these matters may be affected by decisions, verdicts, and settlements, and the timing of such decisions, verdicts, and settlements, in other individual and class action lawsuits that involve the Company, other insurers, or other entities and by other legal, governmental, and regulatory actions that involve the Company, other insurers, or other entities. The outcome may also be affected by future state or federal legislation, the timing or substance of which cannot be predicted.

 

·                  In the lawsuits, plaintiffs seek a variety of remedies including equitable relief in the form of injunctive and other remedies and monetary relief in the form of contractual and extra-contractual damages.  In some cases, the monetary damages sought include punitive or treble damages.  Often specific information about the relief sought, such as the amount of damages, is not available because plaintiffs have not requested specific relief in their pleadings.  When specific monetary demands are made, they are often set just below a state court jurisdictional limit in order to seek the maximum amount available in state court, regardless of the specifics of the case, while still avoiding the risk of removal to federal court.  In Allstate’s experience, monetary demands in pleadings bear little relation to the ultimate loss, if any, to the Company.

 

·                  In connection with regulatory examinations and proceedings, government authorities may seek various forms of relief, including penalties, restitution, and changes in business practices.  The Company may not be advised of the nature and extent of relief sought until the final stages of the examination or proceeding.

 

·                  For the reasons specified above, it is often not possible to make meaningful estimates of the amount or range of loss that could result from the matters described below in the “Proceedings” subsection.  The Company reviews these matters on an ongoing basis and follows appropriate accounting guidance when making accrual and disclosure decisions.  When assessing reasonably possible and probable outcomes, the Company bases its decisions on its assessment of the ultimate outcome following all appeals.

 

·                  Due to the complexity and scope of the matters disclosed in the “Proceedings” subsection below and the many uncertainties that exist, the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be reasonably predicted.  In the event of an unfavorable outcome in one or more of these matters, the ultimate liability may be in excess of amounts currently reserved, if any, and may be material to the Company’s operating results or cash flows for a particular quarterly or annual period.  However, based on information currently known to it, management believes that the ultimate outcome of all matters described below, as they are resolved over time, is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company.

 

Proceedings

 

There are a number of state and nationwide class action lawsuits pending in various state courts challenging the legal propriety of Allstate’s medical bill review processes on a number of grounds, including the manner in which Allstate determines reasonableness and necessity.  These lawsuits, which to a large degree mirror similar lawsuits filed against other carriers in the industry, allege these processes are used by Allstate systematically to undervalue claims.  Plaintiffs seek monetary damages in the form of contractual and extra-contractual damages.  The Company denies these allegations and continues to vigorously defend the pending lawsuits. Management believes that the

 

35



 

ultimate liability arising from these lawsuits as they are resolved over time is not likely to have a material effect on the operating results, cash flows, or financial position of the Company.

 

There is a nationwide putative class action pending against Allstate that challenges Allstate’s use of a vendor’s automated database in valuing total loss automobiles.  To a large degree, this lawsuit mirrors similar lawsuits filed against other carriers in the industry.  Plaintiffs allege that Allstate systematically underpays first party total loss vehicle claims.  The plaintiffs are seeking actual and punitive damages.  The lawsuit is in the discovery stage and Allstate is vigorously defending it.

 

The Company is vigorously defending a number of matters filed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, including individual lawsuits and two statewide putative class actions in Louisiana.  These matters are in various stages of development.  The lawsuits and developments in litigation arising from the hurricanes include the following:

 

·                  The Company has been sued in a putative class action in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.  The plaintiffs allege that they were entitled to, but did not receive, payment for general contractor overhead and profit (“GCOP”) or that the GCOP they received was not adequate to compensate them for the entire costs of a general contractor.  The plaintiffs also alleged that Allstate incorrectly calculated depreciation on property losses.  The Court granted partial summary judgment and dismissed the claim challenging the method of calculating depreciation.  In October 2008, the Court heard plaintiffs’ motion to certify three subclasses: the first class would impose a “three trade rule” meaning any time three or more trades are reflected on the estimate, GCOP must be paid; the second class encompassed the alleged miscalculation of GCOP when both general and specialty contractors are involved; and the third class sought to impose on the Company statutory penalties for its alleged breach of contract with regard to the first two subclasses.  At the October 2008 hearing, the Court denied plaintiffs’ motion on the certification of the first and third subclasses referred to above.  The Court took under advisement the plaintiffs’ motion for certification of the second subclass.  On April 6, 2010, the Court issued its ruling denying plaintiffs’ motion to certify the second subclass.  Plaintiffs had until April 20, 2010 to file a petition for interlocutory appeal of the denial of class certification and did not file by the end of that day.  The case should now proceed at the trial court on the named plaintiffs’ individual claims only.  Once the trial court enters a final judgment on plaintiffs’ individual claims (either as a result of a dispositive motion or a trial on the merits), plaintiffs will have the right to appeal the trial court’s rulings, including the denial of class certification.

 

·                  The Louisiana Attorney General filed a putative class action lawsuit in state court against Allstate and other insurers on behalf of Road Home fund recipients alleging that the insurers have failed to pay all damages owed under their policies.  The insurers removed the matter to federal court.  The district court denied plaintiffs’ motion to remand the matter to state court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (“Fifth Circuit”) affirmed that ruling.  The defendants filed a motion to dismiss and the plaintiffs filed a motion to remand the claims involving a Road Home subrogation agreement.  In March 2009, the district court denied the State’s request that its claims be remanded to state court.  As for the defendant insurers’ motion, the judge granted it in part and denied it in part.  Dismissal of all of the extra-contractual claims, including the bad faith and breach of fiduciary duty claims, was granted.  Dismissal also was granted of all claims based on the Valued Policy Law and all flood loss claims based on the levee breaches finding that the insurers flood exclusions precluded coverage.  The remaining claims are for breach of contract and for declaratory relief on the alleged underpayment of claims by the insurers.  The judge did not dismiss the class action allegations.  The defendants also had moved to dismiss the complaint on grounds that the State had no standing to bring the lawsuit as an assignee of insureds because of anti-assignment language in the insurers’ policies.  The judge denied the defendants’ motion for reconsideration on the assignment issue but found the matter was ripe for consideration by the federal appellate court.  The defendants have filed a petition for permission to appeal to the Fifth Circuit.  The Fifth Circuit has accepted review.  After the Fifth Circuit accepted review, plaintiffs filed a motion to remand the case to state court, asserting that the class claims on which federal jurisdiction was premised have now effectively been dismissed as a result of a ruling in a related case.  The Fifth Circuit has denied the motion for remand, without prejudice to plaintiffs’ right to refile the motion for remand after the Fifth Circuit disposes of the pending appeal.  The Fifth Circuit has tentatively scheduled oral argument during the week of July 5, 2010.

 

36



 

Allstate is vigorously defending a lawsuit involving worker classification issues.  This lawsuit is a certified class action challenging a state wage and hour law.  In December 2009, the liability phase of the case was tried and a decision is pending.  In this case, plaintiffs seek monetary relief, such as penalties and liquidated damages, and non-monetary relief, such as injunctive relief.

 

The Company is defending certain matters relating to the Company’s agency program reorganization announced in 1999.  These matters are in various stages of development.

 

·                  These matters include a lawsuit filed in 2001 by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) alleging retaliation under federal civil rights laws (the “EEOC I” suit) and a class action filed in 2001 by former employee agents alleging retaliation and age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), breach of contract and ERISA violations (the “Romero I” suit).  In 2004, in the consolidated EEOC I and Romero I litigation, the trial court issued a memorandum and order that, among other things, certified classes of agents, including a mandatory class of agents who had signed a release, for purposes of effecting the court’s declaratory judgment that the release is voidable at the option of the release signer.  The court also ordered that an agent who voids the release must return to Allstate “any and all benefits received by the [agent] in exchange for signing the release.”  The court also stated that, “on the undisputed facts of record, there is no basis for claims of age discrimination.”  The EEOC and plaintiffs asked the court to clarify and/or reconsider its memorandum and order and in January 2007, the judge denied their request.  In June 2007, the court granted the Company’s motions for summary judgment.  Following plaintiffs’ filing of a notice of appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (“Third Circuit”) issued an order in December 2007 stating that the notice of appeal was not taken from a final order within the meaning of the federal law and thus not appealable at this time.  In March 2008, the Third Circuit decided that the appeal should not summarily be dismissed and that the question of whether the matter is appealable at this time will be addressed by the Third Circuit along with the merits of the appeal.  In July 2009, the Third Circuit vacated the decision which granted the Company’s summary judgment motions, remanded the cases to the trial court for additional discovery, and directed that the cases be reassigned to another trial court judge.  In January 2010, the cases were assigned to a new judge for further proceedings in the trial court.

 

·                  A putative nationwide class action has also been filed by former employee agents alleging various violations of ERISA, including a worker classification issue.  These plaintiffs are challenging certain amendments to the Agents Pension Plan and are seeking to have exclusive agent independent contractors treated as employees for benefit purposes.  This matter was dismissed with prejudice by the trial court, was the subject of further proceedings on appeal, and was reversed and remanded to the trial court in 2005.  In June 2007, the court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss the case.  Following plaintiffs’ filing of a notice of appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued an order in December 2007 stating that the notice of appeal was not taken from a final order within the meaning of the federal law and thus not appealable at this time. In March 2008, the Third Circuit decided that the appeal should not summarily be dismissed and that the question of whether the matter is appealable at this time will be addressed by the Third Circuit along with the merits of the appeal.  In July 2009, the Third Circuit vacated the decision which granted the Company’s motion to dismiss the case, remanded the case to the trial court for additional discovery, and directed that the case be reassigned to another trial court judge.  In January 2010, the case was assigned to a new judge for further proceedings in the trial court.

 

In all of these various matters, plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages, and equitable relief.  Allstate has been vigorously defending these lawsuits and other matters related to its agency program reorganization.

 

In New Mexico, Allstate is defending a certified class action challenging the method by which Allstate discloses installment fees. The class members are limited to New Mexico policyholders based on the trial court’s acceptance of plaintiffs’ amended complaint. The plaintiffs contend that installment fees must be disclosed on the insurance policy itself, which would include the declarations page, because the fees allegedly meet the legal definition of “premium”.  Plaintiffs seek repayment of installment fees since October 1996.

 

Other Matters

 

Various other legal, governmental, and regulatory actions, including state market conduct exams, and other governmental and regulatory inquiries are currently pending that involve the Company and specific aspects of its conduct of business.  Like other members of the insurance industry, the Company is the target of a number of class

 

37



 

action lawsuits and other types of proceedings, some of which involve claims for substantial or indeterminate amounts.  These actions are based on a variety of issues and target a range of the Company’s practices.  The outcome of these disputes is currently unpredictable.

 

One or more of these matters could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operating results or cash flows for a particular quarterly or annual period.  However, based on information currently known to it, management believes that the ultimate outcome of all matters described in this “Other Matters” subsection, in excess of amounts currently reserved, if any, as they are resolved over time is not likely to have a material effect on the operating results, cash flows or financial position of the Company.

 

Shareholder demand letter

 

On April 16, 2009, Allstate received the Service Employees International Union (“SEIU”) Pension Plans Master Trust’s shareholder demand for board action concerning the Company’s past executive compensation practices.  The Company believes that as many as 28 other companies may have received similar letters from the SEIU.  The SEIU correspondence has been referred to Allstate’s Board of Directors for its consideration and disposition.

 

Asbestos and environmental

 

Allstate’s reserves for asbestos claims were $1.16 billion and $1.18 billion, net of reinsurance recoverables of $587 million and $600 million, at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  Reserves for environmental claims were $197 million and $198 million, net of reinsurance recoverables of $49 million and $49 million, at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Approximately 61% and 62% of the total net asbestos and environmental reserves at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, were for incurred but not reported estimated losses.

 

Management believes its net loss reserves for asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines exposures are appropriately established based on available facts, technology, laws and regulations.  However, establishing net loss reserves for asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines claims is subject to uncertainties that are greater than those presented by other types of claims.  The ultimate cost of losses may vary materially from recorded amounts, which are based on management’s best estimate. Among the complications are lack of historical data, long reporting delays, uncertainty as to the number and identity of insureds with potential exposure and unresolved legal issues regarding policy coverage; unresolved legal issues regarding the determination, availability and timing of exhaustion of policy limits; plaintiffs’ evolving and expanding theories of liability, availability and collectability of recoveries from reinsurance, retrospectively determined premiums and other contractual agreements; and estimating the extent and timing of any contractual liability, and other uncertainties.  There are also complex legal issues concerning the interpretation of various insurance policy provisions and whether those losses are covered, or were ever intended to be covered, and could be recoverable through retrospectively determined premium, reinsurance or other contractual agreements.  Courts have reached different and sometimes inconsistent conclusions as to when losses are deemed to have occurred and which policies provide coverage; what types of losses are covered; whether there is an insurer obligation to defend; how policy limits are determined; how policy exclusions and conditions are applied and interpreted; and whether clean-up costs represent insured property damage.  Management believes these issues are not likely to be resolved in the near future, and the ultimate cost may vary materially from the amounts currently recorded resulting in an increase in loss reserves.  In addition, while the Company believes that improved actuarial techniques and databases have assisted in its ability to estimate asbestos, environmental, and other discontinued lines net loss reserves, these refinements may subsequently prove to be inadequate indicators of the extent of probable losses.  Due to the uncertainties and factors described above, management believes it is not practicable to develop a meaningful range for any such additional net loss reserves that may be required.

 

38



 

11.  Income Taxes

 

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate on income from operations for the three months ended March 31 is as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statutory federal income tax rate — expense (benefit)

$

37 

 

35.0  %

$

(46)

 

(35.0) %

 

Tax-exempt income

 

(50)

 

(47.3)    

 

(69)

 

(52.6)    

 

Dividends received deduction

 

(4)

 

(3.7)    

 

(4)

 

(2.9)    

 

(Increase) decrease in cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance

 

(1)

 

(0.4)    

 

 

3.2     

 

State income taxes

 

 

2.4     

 

 

3.1     

 

Other

 

 

1.7     

 

-- 

 

--     

 

Valuation allowance

 

-- 

 

--     

 

254 

 

193.6     

 

Effective income tax rate — (benefit) expense

$

(13)

 

(12.3) %

$

143 

 

109.4  %

 

 

Income tax expense for the first quarter of 2009 included expense of $254 million attributable to an increase in the valuation allowance relating to the deferred tax asset on capital losses.

 

12.  Components of Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs

 

The components of net periodic cost for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Pension benefits

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

$

38 

$

32 

 

Interest cost

 

80 

 

82 

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(83)

 

(99)

 

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service credit

 

(1)

 

(1)

 

Net actuarial loss

 

40 

 

 

Settlement loss

 

13 

 

16 

 

Net periodic pension cost

$

87 

$

34 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postretirement benefits

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

$

$

 

Interest cost

 

10 

 

14 

 

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service credit

 

(6)

 

-- 

 

Net actuarial gain

 

(5)

 

(8)

 

Net periodic postretirement cost

$

 2 

$

10 

 

 

39



 

13.  Business Segments

 

Summarized revenue data for each of the Company’s business segments are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Property-Liability

 

 

 

 

 

Property-liability insurance premiums earned

 

 

 

 

 

Standard auto

$

4,137 

$

4,164 

 

Non-standard auto

 

234 

 

246 

 

Total auto

 

4,371 

 

4,410 

 

Homeowners

 

1,516 

 

1,535 

 

Other personal lines

 

616 

 

638 

 

Allstate Protection

 

6,503 

 

6,583 

 

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

 

-- 

 

(1)

 

Total property-liability insurance premiums earned

 

6,503 

 

6,582 

 

Net investment income

 

304 

 

344 

 

Realized capital gains and losses

 

(190)

 

(314)

 

Total Property-Liability

 

6,617 

 

6,612 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Financial

 

 

 

 

 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional life insurance

 

106 

 

100 

 

Immediate annuities with life contingencies

 

27 

 

34 

 

Accident and health

 

156 

 

112 

 

Total life and annuity premiums

 

289 

 

246 

 

Interest-sensitive life insurance

 

242 

 

226 

 

Fixed annuities

 

13 

 

12 

 

Total contract charges

 

255 

 

238 

 

Total life and annuity premiums and contract charges

 

544 

 

484 

 

Net investment income

 

731 

 

819 

 

Realized capital gains and losses

 

(162)

 

(43)

 

Total Allstate Financial

 

1,113 

 

1,260 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

Service fees

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

15 

 

13 

 

Realized capital gains and losses

 

 

(2)

 

Total Corporate and Other before reclassification of service fees

 

22 

 

14 

 

Reclassification of service fees (1)

 

(3)

 

(3)

 

Total Corporate and Other

 

19 

 

11 

 

Consolidated revenues

$

7,749 

$

7,883 

 

 


(1)  For presentation in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, service fees of the Corporate and Other segment are reclassified to operating costs and expenses.

 

40



 

Summarized financial performance data for each of the Company’s reportable segments are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

Property-Liability

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting income

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Protection

$

75 

$

214 

 

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

 

(4)

 

(6)

 

Total underwriting income

 

71 

 

208 

 

Net investment income

 

304 

 

344 

 

Income tax expense on operations

 

(88)

 

(136)

 

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

(123)

 

(316)

 

Property-Liability net income

 

164 

 

100 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Financial

 

 

 

 

 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

 

544 

 

484 

 

Net investment income

 

731 

 

819 

 

Periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge derivative financial instruments

 

17 

 

 

Contract benefits and interest credited to contractholder funds

 

(905)

 

(929)

 

Operating costs and expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

 

(178)

 

(230)

 

Restructuring and related charges

 

-- 

 

(18)

 

Income tax expense on operations

 

(70)

 

(42)

 

Operating income

 

139 

 

85 

 

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

(105)

 

(170)

 

DAC and DSI (amortization) accretion related to realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

(2)

 

(19)

 

DAC and DSI unlocking related to realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

(18)

 

(224)

 

Reclassification of periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge financial instruments, after-tax

 

(11)

 

(1)

 

Gain on disposition of operations, after-tax

 

 

 

Allstate Financial net income (loss)

 

 

(327)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

Service fees (1)

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

15 

 

13 

 

Operating costs and expenses (1)

 

(100)

 

(93)

 

Income tax benefit on operations

 

32 

 

32 

 

Operating loss

 

(50)

 

(45)

 

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

 

(2)

 

Corporate and Other net loss

 

(48)

 

(47)

 

Consolidated net income (loss)

$

120 

$

(274)

 

 


(1)  For presentation in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, service fees of the Corporate and Other segment are reclassified to operating costs and expenses.

 

41



 

14.  Other Comprehensive Income

 

The components of other comprehensive income (loss) on a pre-tax and after-tax basis are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

Pre-tax

 

Tax

 

After-
tax

 

Pre-tax

 

Tax

 

After-
tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized net holding gains and losses arising during the period, net of related offsets

$

1,086 

$

(379)

$

707 

$

39 

$

(90)

$

(51)

 

Less: reclassification adjustment of realized capital gains and losses

 

(122)

 

43 

 

(79)

 

(34)

 

12 

 

(22)

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses

 

1,208 

 

(422)

 

786 

 

73 

 

(102)

 

(29)

 

Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments

 

22 

 

(8)

 

14 

 

(12)

 

 

(8)

 

Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost

 

26 

 

(9)

 

17 

 

(1)

 

-- 

 

(1)

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

$

1,256 

$

(439)

 

817

$

60 

$

(98)

 

(38)

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

120

 

 

 

 

 

(274)

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

$

937

 

 

 

 

$

(312)

 

 

42



 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

The Allstate Corporation

Northbrook, IL 60062

 

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position of The Allstate Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2010, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

 

We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

 

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statement of financial position of The Allstate Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 25, 2010, which report includes an explanatory paragraph relating to a change in the Company’s recognition and presentation for other-than-temporary impairments of debt securities in 2009, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2009 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated statement of financial position from which it has been derived.

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

Chicago, Illinois

April 28, 2010

 

43



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

OVERVIEW

 

The following discussion highlights significant factors influencing the consolidated financial position and results of operations of The Allstate Corporation (referred to in this document as “we”, “our”, “us”, the “Company” or “Allstate”).  It should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto found under Part I. Item 1. contained herein, and with the discussion, analysis, consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Part I. Item 1. and Part II. Item 7. and Item 8. of The Allstate Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2009. Further analysis of our insurance segments is provided in the Property-Liability Operations (which includes the Allstate Protection and the Discontinued Lines and Coverages segments) and in the Allstate Financial Segment sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”).  The segments are consistent with the way in which we use financial information to evaluate business performance and to determine the allocation of resources.

 

Allstate is focused on three priorities:  improve customer loyalty, reinvent protection and retirement for the consumer and grow our businesses.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

·

Consolidated net income was $120 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to a net loss of $274 million in the first quarter of 2009. Net income per diluted share was $0.22 in the first quarter of 2010 compared to net loss per diluted share of $0.51 in the first quarter of 2009.

·

Property-Liability net income was $164 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $100 million in the first quarter of 2009.

·

The Property-Liability combined ratio was 98.9 in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 96.8 in the first quarter of 2009.

·

Allstate Financial had net income of $4 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to a net loss of $327 million in the first quarter of 2009.

·

Total revenues were $7.75 billion in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $7.88 billion in the first quarter of 2009.

·

Property-Liability premiums earned in the first quarter of 2010 totaled $6.50 billion, a decrease of 1.2% from $6.58 billion in the first quarter of 2009.

·

Net realized capital losses were $348 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $359 million in the first quarter of 2009.

·

Investments as of March 31, 2010 totaled $100.22 billion, an increase of 0.4% from $99.83 billion as of December 31, 2009. Net investment income in the first quarter of 2010 was $1.05 billion, a decrease of 10.7% from $1.18 billion in the first quarter of 2009.

·

Book value per diluted share (ratio of shareholders’ equity to total shares outstanding and dilutive potential shares outstanding) was $32.26 as of March 31, 2010, an increase of 42.4% from $22.65 as of March 31, 2009 and an increase of 4.6% from $30.84 as of December 31, 2009.

·

For the twelve months ended March 31, 2010, return on the average of beginning and ending period shareholders’ equity was 8.4%, an increase of 22.5 points from (14.1)% for the twelve months ended March 31, 2009.

·

At March 31, 2010, we had $17.56 billion in capital. This total included $3.05 billion in deployable invested assets at the parent holding company level.

 

44



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Property-liability insurance premiums

$

6,503

$

6,582

 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

 

544

 

484

 

Net investment income

 

1,050

 

1,176

 

Realized capital gains and losses:

 

 

 

 

 

Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(250)

 

(725)

 

Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income

 

(5)

 

--

 

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

(255)

 

(725)

 

Sales and other realized capital gains and losses

 

(93)

 

366

 

Total realized capital gains and losses

 

(348)

 

(359)

 

Total revenues

 

7,749

 

7,883

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense

 

(4,792)

 

(4,720)

 

Life and annuity contract benefits

 

(442)

 

(387)

 

Interest credited to contractholder funds

 

(463)

 

(579)

 

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

 

(1,014)

 

(1,397)

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

(829)

 

(801)

 

Restructuring and related charges

 

(11)

 

(45)

 

Interest expense

 

(92)

 

(88)

 

Total costs and expenses

 

(7,643)

 

(8,017)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on disposition of operations

 

1

 

3

 

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

13

 

(143)

 

Net income (loss)

$

120

$

(274)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-Liability

$

164

$

100

 

Allstate Financial

 

4

 

(327)

 

Corporate and Other

 

(48)

 

(47)

 

Net income (loss)

$

120

$

(274)

 

 

45



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

PROPERTY-LIABILITY HIGHLIGHTS

 

·

Premiums written, an operating measure that is defined and reconciled to premiums earned in the Property-Liability Operations section of the MD&A, decreased 0.2% to $6.26 billion in the first quarter of 2010 from $6.27 billion in the first quarter of 2009.

Allstate brand standard auto premiums written increased 1.1% to $4.02 billion in the first quarter of 2010 from $3.98 billion in the first quarter of 2009.

Allstate brand homeowners premiums written increased 1.5% to $1.19 billion in the first quarter of 2010 from $1.17 billion in the first quarter of 2009.

Encompass brand premiums written decreased 21.3% to $263 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $334 million in the first quarter of 2009.

·

Premium operating measures and statistics contributing to overall Allstate brand standard auto premiums written   increase were the following:

1.5% decrease in policies in force (“PIF”) as of March 31, 2010 compared to March 31, 2009

0.2 point increase in the six month renewal ratio to 88.8% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 88.6% in the first quarter of 2009

3.0% increase in the six month policy term average gross premium before reinsurance to $443 in the first quarter of 2010 from $430 in the first quarter of 2009

10.9% decrease in new issued applications in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009

·

Premium operating measures and statistics contributing to overall Allstate brand homeowners premiums written increase were the following:

4.1% decrease in PIF as of March 31, 2010 compared to March 31, 2009

0.5 point increase in the twelve month renewal ratio to 88.0% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 87.5% in the first quarter of 2009

7.0% increase in the twelve month policy term average gross premium before reinsurance to $921 in the first quarter of 2010 from $861 in the first quarter of 2009

6.3% decrease in new issued applications in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009

$6 million decrease in catastrophe reinsurance costs to $135 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $141 million in the first quarter of 2009

·

Factors comprising the Allstate brand standard auto loss ratio increase of 0.6 points to 69.4 in the first quarter of 2010 from 68.8 in the first quarter of 2009 were the following:

0.1% decrease in standard auto claim frequency (rate of claim occurrence per policy in force) for property damage in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009

5.4% increase in standard auto claim frequency for bodily injury in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009

0.4% increase in auto claim severities for property damage in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009

1.3% decrease in auto claim severities (average cost per claim) for bodily injury in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009

·

Factors comprising the Allstate brand homeowners loss ratio, which includes catastrophes, increase of 4.8 points to 87.5 in the first quarter of 2010 from 82.7 in the first quarter of 2009 were the following:

9.6 percentage point increase in the effect of catastrophe losses to 37.1 points in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 27.5 points in the first quarter of 2009

5.1% increase in homeowner claim frequency, excluding catastrophes, in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009

2.1% decrease in claim severity, excluding catastrophes, in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009

·

Factors comprising the $132 million increase in catastrophe losses to $648 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $516 million in the first quarter of 2009 were the following:

$15 million of favorable reserve reestimates in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $60 million favorable reserve reestimates in the first quarter of 2009

11 events with $663 million of losses in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 14 events with losses of $576 million in the first quarter of 2009

 

46



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

·

Factors comprising prior year reserve reestimates of $23 million favorable in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $55 million favorable in the first quarter of 2009 included:

Prior year reserve reestimates related to auto, homeowners and other personal lines in the first quarter of 2010 contributed $5 million unfavorable, $8 million favorable and $22 million favorable, respectively, compared to prior year reserve reestimates in the first quarter of 2009 of $35 million favorable, $32 million favorable and $9 million unfavorable, respectively

prior year reserve reestimates in the first quarter of 2010 and 2009 are largely attributable to prior year catastrophes

·

Property-Liability underwriting income of $71 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $208 million in the first quarter of 2009 included the following primary contributing factors:

Allstate brand standard auto loss ratio increased 0.6 points to 69.4 in the first quarter of 2010 from 68.8 in the first quarter of 2009

Allstate brand homeowners loss ratio, which includes catastrophes, increased 4.8 points to 87.5 in the first quarter of 2010 from 82.7 in the first quarter of 2009

 

Underwriting income, a measure not based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of      America (“GAAP”), is defined below.

·

Property-Liability investments as of March 31, 2010 were $34.81 billion, an increase of 0.8% from $34.53 billion as of December 31, 2009. Net investment income was $304 million in the first quarter of 2010, a decrease of 11.6% from $344 million in the first quarter of 2009.

·

Net realized capital losses were $190 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $314 million in the first quarter of 2009.

 

PROPERTY-LIABILITY OPERATIONS

 

Overview Our Property-Liability operations consist of two business segments: Allstate Protection and Discontinued Lines and Coverages.  Allstate Protection comprises two brands, the Allstate brand and Encompass® brand.  Allstate Protection is principally engaged in the sale of personal property and casualty insurance, primarily private passenger auto and homeowners insurance, to individuals in the United States and Canada.  Discontinued Lines and Coverages includes results from insurance coverage that we no longer write and results for certain commercial and other businesses in run-off.  These segments are consistent with the groupings of financial information that management uses to evaluate performance and to determine the allocation of resources.

 

Underwriting income, a measure that is not based on GAAP and is reconciled to net income below, is calculated as premiums earned, less claims and claims expense (“losses”), amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”), operating costs and expenses and restructuring and related charges, as determined using GAAP.  We use this measure in our evaluation of results of operations to analyze the profitability of the Property-Liability insurance operations separately from investment results.  It is also an integral component of incentive compensation.  It is useful for investors to evaluate the components of income separately and in the aggregate when reviewing performance.  Net income is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to underwriting income.  Underwriting income should not be considered as a substitute for net income and does not reflect the overall profitability of the business.

 

The table below includes GAAP operating ratios we use to measure our profitability.  We believe that they enhance an investor’s understanding of our profitability.  They are calculated as follows:

 

·

Claims and claims expense (“loss”) ratio - the ratio of claims and claims expense to premiums earned. Loss ratios include the impact of catastrophe losses.

·

Expense ratio - the ratio of amortization of DAC, operating costs and expenses, and restructuring and related charges to premiums earned.

·

Combined ratio - the ratio of claims and claims expense, amortization of DAC, operating costs and expenses, and restructuring and related charges to premiums earned. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. The difference between 100% and the combined ratio represents underwriting income as a percentage of premiums earned.

 

47



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

We have also calculated the following impacts of specific items on the GAAP operating ratios because of the volatility of these items between fiscal periods.

 

·

Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio - the percentage of catastrophe losses included in claims and claims expense to premiums earned. This ratio includes prior year reserve reestimates of catastrophe losses.

·

Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on combined ratio - the percentage of prior year reserve reestimates included in claims and claims expense to premiums earned. This ratio includes prior year reserve reestimates of catastrophe losses.

·

Effect of restructuring and related charges on combined ratio - the percentage of restructuring and related charges to premiums earned.

·

Effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on combined ratio - the ratio of claims and claims expense and other costs and expenses in the Discontinued Lines and Coverages segment to Property-Liability premiums earned. The sum of the effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on the combined ratio and the Allstate Protection combined ratio is equal to the Property-Liability combined ratio.

 

Summarized financial data, a reconciliation of underwriting income to net income and GAAP operating ratios for our Property-Liability operations are presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions, except ratios)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Premiums written

$

6,258

$

6,269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$

6,503

$

6,582

 

Net investment income

 

304

 

344

 

Realized capital gains and losses

 

(190)

 

(314)

 

Total revenues

 

6,617

 

6,612

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claims expense

 

(4,792)

 

(4,720)

 

Amortization of DAC

 

(925)

 

(949)

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

(704)

 

(678)

 

Restructuring and related charges

 

(11)

 

(27)

 

Total costs and expenses

 

(6,432)

 

(6,374)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

(21)

 

(138)

 

Net income

$

164

$

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting income

$

71

$

208

 

Net investment income

 

304

 

344

 

Income tax expense on operations

 

(88)

 

(136)

 

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

(123)

 

(316)

 

Net income

$

164

$

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catastrophe losses (1)

$

648

$

516

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP operating ratios

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claims expense ratio

 

73.7

 

71.7

 

Expense ratio

 

25.2

 

25.1

 

Combined ratio

 

98.9

 

96.8

 

Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio (1) 

 

10.0

 

7.8

 

Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on combined ratio (1)

 

(0.4)

 

(0.8)

 

Effect of restructuring and related charges on combined ratio

 

0.2

 

0.4

 

Effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on combined ratio

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

 


(1)  Prior year reserve reestimates included in catastrophe losses totaled $15 million favorable in the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $60 million favorable in the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

48



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Premiums written, an operating measure, is the amount of premiums charged for policies issued during a fiscal period.  Premiums earned is a GAAP measure.  Premiums are considered earned and are included in the financial results on a pro-rata basis over the policy period.  The portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired terms of the policies is recorded as unearned premiums on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

A reconciliation of premiums written to premiums earned is shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Premiums written:

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Protection

$

6,258

$

6,270

 

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

 

 

(1)

 

Property-Liability premiums written

 

6,258

 

6,269

 

Decrease in unearned premiums

 

245

 

337

 

Other

 

 

(24)

 

Property-Liability premiums earned

$

6,503

$

6,582

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned:

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Protection

$

6,503

$

6,583

 

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

 

 

(1)

 

Property-Liability

$

6,503

$

6,582

 

 

ALLSTATE PROTECTION SEGMENT

 

Premiums written by brand are shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

Allstate brand

 

Encompass brand

 

Allstate Protection

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

Standard auto

$

4,023

$

3,978

$

160

$

204

$

4,183

$

4,182

 

Non-standard auto

 

237

 

241

 

3

 

8

 

240

 

249

 

Homeowners

 

1,189

 

1,171

 

80

 

97

 

1,269

 

1,268

 

Other personal lines (1)

 

546

 

546

 

20

 

25

 

566

 

571

 

Total

$

5,995

$

5,936

$

263

$

334

$

6,258

$

6,270

 

 


(1) Other personal lines include commercial, condominium, renters, involuntary auto and other personal lines.

 

Allstate brand premiums written, excluding Allstate Canada, by the direct channel increased 26.7% to $185 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $146 million in the first quarter of 2009.  The direct channel includes call centers and the internet.

 

Premiums earned by brand are shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

Allstate brand

 

Encompass brand

 

Allstate Protection

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

Standard auto

$

3,943

$

3,917

$

194

$

247

$

4,137

$

4,164

 

Non-standard auto

 

230

 

237

 

4

 

9

 

234

 

246

 

Homeowners

 

1,416

 

1,417

 

100

 

118

 

1,516

 

1,535

 

Other personal lines

 

592

 

610

 

24

 

28

 

616

 

638

 

Total

$

6,181

$

6,181

$

322

$

402

$

6,503

$

6,583

 

 

49



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Premium operating measures and statistics that are used to analyze the business are calculated and described below.  Measures and statistics presented for Allstate brand exclude Allstate Canada, loan protection and specialty auto.

 

·

PIF: Policy counts are based on items rather than customers. A multi-car customer would generate multiple item (policy) counts, even if all cars were insured under one policy.

·

Average premium-gross written: Gross premiums written divided by issued item count. Gross premiums written include the impacts from discounts and surcharges; and exclude the impacts from mid-term premium adjustments, ceded reinsurance premiums, or premium refund accruals. Allstate brand average gross premiums represent the appropriate policy term for each line, which is 6 months for standard and non-standard auto and 12 months for homeowners. Encompass brand average gross premiums represent the appropriate policy term for each line, which is 12 months for standard auto and homeowners and 6 months for non-standard auto.

·

Renewal ratio: Renewal policies issued during the period, based on contract effective dates, divided by the total policies issued 6 months prior for standard and non-standard auto (12 months prior for Encompass brand standard auto) or 12 months prior for homeowners.

·

New issued applications: Item counts of automobiles or homeowners insurance applications for insurance policies that were issued during the period. Does not include automobiles that are added by existing customers.

 

Standard auto premiums written totaled $4.18 billion in the first quarter of 2010 and were comparable to the first quarter of 2009.

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

Allstate brand

 

Encompass brand

 

Standard Auto

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

PIF (thousands)

 

17,581

 

17,843

 

802

 

1,042

 

Average premium-gross written (1)

$

443

$

430

$

996

$

956

 

Renewal ratio (%) (1)

 

88.8

 

88.6

 

68.6

 

70.3

 

 


(1) Policy term is six months for Allstate brand and twelve months for Encompass brand.

 

Allstate brand standard auto premiums written totaled $4.02 billion in the first quarter of 2010, an increase of 1.1% from $3.98 billion in the first quarter of 2009.  Contributing to the Allstate brand standard auto premiums written increase in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009 were the following:

 

decrease in PIF as of March 31, 2010 compared to March 31, 2009, due to fewer policies available to renew

10.9% decrease in new issued applications on a countrywide basis to 464 thousand in the first quarter of 2010 from 521 thousand in the first quarter of 2009 driven by Florida and California, due to in part to rate actions that were approved in 2009 in these markets and other actions to improve profitability. Excluding Florida and California, new issued applications on a countrywide basis increased 5.2% to 366 thousand in the first quarter of 2010 from 348 thousand in the first quarter of 2009, with new issued application increases in 36 states, most of which offer an auto discount (the Preferred Package Discount) for the high lifetime value customer segment.

increase in average gross premium in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009, primarily due to rate changes, partially offset by customers electing to change coverage levels of their policy

increase of 0.2 in the renewal ratio in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009

 

50



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Rate changes that are indicated based on loss trend analysis to achieve a targeted return will continue to be pursued. The following table shows the rate changes that were approved for standard auto and does not include rating plan enhancements, including the introduction of discounts and surcharges, that result in no change in the overall rate level in the state.  These rate changes do not reflect initial rates filed for insurance subsidiaries initially writing business in a state.

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

# of States

 

Countrywide(%) (1)

 

State Specific(%) (2) (3)

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

Allstate brand

 

8

 

18(4)

 

0.3

 

0.9

 

2.9

 

3.3

 

Encompass brand

 

6

 

24

 

1.5

 

3.7

 

7.1

 

8.1

 

 


(1) Represents the impact in the states where rate changes were approved during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, as a percentage of total countrywide prior year-end premiums written.

 

(2) Represents the impact in the states where rate changes were approved during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, as a percentage of its respective total prior year-end premiums written in those states.

 

(3) Based on historical premiums written in those states, rate changes approved for standard auto totaled $59 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $178 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

(4) Includes Washington D.C.

 

Non-standard auto premiums written totaled $240 million in the first quarter of 2010, a decrease of 3.6% from $249 million in the first quarter of 2009.

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

Allstate brand

 

Encompass brand

 

Non-Standard Auto

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

PIF (thousands)

 

724

 

750

 

14

 

33

 

Average premium-gross written

$

619

$

615

$

441

$

490

 

Renewal ratio (%)

 

71.8

 

71.6

 

48.7

 

68.3

 

 

Allstate brand non-standard auto premiums written totaled $237 million in the first quarter of 2010, a decrease of 1.7% from $241 million in the first quarter of 2009.  Contributing to the Allstate brand non-standard auto premiums written decrease in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009 were the following:

 

decrease in PIF as of March 31, 2010 compared to March 31, 2009, due to a decline in the number of polices available to renew

2.9% decrease in new issued applications to 99 thousand in the first quarter of 2010 from 102 thousand in the first quarter of 2009

increase in average gross premium in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009

increase in the renewal ratio in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009

 

Rate changes that are indicated based on loss trend analysis to achieve a targeted return will continue to be pursued. The following table shows the rate changes that were approved for non-standard auto and does not include rating plan enhancements, including the introduction of discounts and surcharges, that result in no change in the overall rate level in the state.  These rate changes do not reflect initial rates filed for insurance subsidiaries initially writing business in a state.

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

# of States

 

Countrywide(%) (1)

 

State Specific(%) (2) (3)

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

Allstate brand

 

1

 

4

 

0.9

 

0.1

 

22.1

 

1.6

 

Encompass brand

 

--

 

1

 

  --

 

0.9

 

   --

 

31.7

 

 


(1) Represents the impact in the states where rate changes were approved during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, as a percentage of total countrywide prior year-end premiums written.

 

(2) Represents the impact in the states where rate changes were approved during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, as a percentage of its respective total prior year-end premiums written in those states.

 

(3) Based on historical premiums written in those states, rate changes approved for non-standard auto totaled $8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

51



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Homeowners premiums written totaled $1.27 billion in the first quarter of 2010 and were comparable to the first quarter of 2009.  Excluding the cost of catastrophe reinsurance, premiums written declined 0.4% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009.

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

Allstate brand

 

Encompass brand

 

Homeowners

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

PIF (thousands)

 

6,886

 

7,181

 

354

 

431

 

Average premium-gross written (12 months)

$

921

$

861

$

1,299

$

1,251

 

Renewal ratio (%)

 

88.0

 

87.5

 

77.3

 

79.4

 

 

Allstate brand homeowners premiums written totaled $1.19 billion in the first quarter of 2010, an increase of 1.5% from $1.17 billion in the first quarter of 2009.  Contributing to the Allstate brand homeowners premiums written increase in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009 were the following:

 

decrease in PIF of 4.1% as of March 31, 2010 compared to March 31, 2009, due to fewer policies available to renew and fewer new issued applications

6.3% decrease in new issued applications to 119 thousand in the first quarter of 2010 from 127 thousand in the first quarter of 2009

increase in average gross premium in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009, primarily due to rate changes

increase in the renewal ratio in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009

decrease in the net cost of our catastrophe reinsurance program in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009

 

As of March 2010, an increased Home and Auto discount is now available in 29 states.  This has successfully shifted our mix of new business towards multi-line customers.

 

Rate changes that are indicated based on loss trend analysis to achieve a targeted return will continue to be pursued. The following table shows the rate changes that were approved for homeowners, including rate changes approved based on our net cost of reinsurance, and does not include rating plan enhancements, including the introduction of discounts and surcharges, that result in no change in the overall rate level in the state.

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

# of States

 

Countrywide(%) (1)

 

State Specific(%) (2) (3)

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

Allstate brand

 

6

 

14

 

0.9

 

2.5

 

7.4

 

7.4

 

Encompass brand

 

5

 

18

 

0.7

 

1.6

 

5.2

 

6.7

 

 


(1) Represents the impact in the states where rate changes were approved during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, as a percentage of total countrywide prior year-end premiums written.

 

(2) Represents the impact in the states where rate changes were approved during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, as a percentage of its respective total prior year-end premiums written in those states.

 

(3) Based on historical premiums written in those states, rate changes approved for homeowners totaled $54 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $160 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

52



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Underwriting results are shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

 

2009

 

Premiums written 

$

6,258 

 

$

6,270 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$

6,503 

 

$

6,583 

 

Claims and claims expense

 

(4,790)

 

 

(4,717)

 

Amortization of DAC

 

(925)

 

 

(949)

 

Other costs and expenses

 

(702)

 

 

(676)

 

Restructuring and related charges

 

(11)

 

 

(27)

 

Underwriting income

$

75 

 

$

214 

 

Catastrophe losses

$

648 

 

$

516 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting income (loss) by line of business

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard auto

$

213 

 

$

258 

 

Non-standard auto

 

15 

 

 

19 

 

Homeowners

 

(192)

 

 

(85)

 

Other personal lines

 

39 

 

 

22 

 

Underwriting income

$

75 

 

$

214 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting income (loss) by brand

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate brand

$

118 

 

$

207 

 

Encompass brand

 

(43)

 

 

 

Underwriting income

$

75 

 

$

214 

 

 

Allstate Protection experienced underwriting income of $75 million during the first quarter of 2010 compared to $214 million in the first quarter of 2009 primarily due to increases in homeowners underwriting loss and decreases in standard auto underwriting income.  Homeowners underwriting loss increased 125.9% to an underwriting loss of $192 million in the first quarter of 2010 from an underwriting loss of $85 million in the first quarter of 2009, primarily due to higher catastrophes losses and increases in homeowner claim frequency excluding catastrophes, partially offset by lower severities.  Standard auto underwriting income decreased 17.4% to $213 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $258 million in the first quarter of 2009, primarily due to increases in auto claim frequency and severity, partially offset by higher premiums earned.

 

Catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2010 were $648 million as detailed in the table below.  This compares to catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2009 of $516 million.

 

We define a “catastrophe” as an event that produces pre-tax losses before reinsurance in excess of $1 million and involves multiple first party policyholders, or an event that produces a number of claims in excess of a preset, per-event threshold of average claims in a specific area, occurring within a certain amount of time following the event.  Catastrophes are caused by various natural events including high winds, winter storms, tornadoes, hailstorms, wildfires, tropical storms, hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanoes.  We are also exposed to man-made catastrophic events, such as certain acts of terrorism or industrial accidents.  The nature and level of catastrophes in any future period cannot be reliably predicted.

 

53



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Catastrophe losses related to events that occurred by the size of the event are shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended

March 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

Number
of events

 

 

 

Claims
and
claims
expense

 

 

 

 

Combined
ratio
impact

 

 

Average
catastrophe
loss per event

Size of catastrophe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$101 million to $250 million 

 

2

 

18.2%

$

400 

 

61.7%

 

6.1 

$

200  

$50 million to $100 million

 

2

 

18.2   

 

123 

 

19.0   

 

1.9 

 

62  

Less than $50 million

 

7

 

63.6   

 

140 

 

21.6   

 

2.2 

 

20  

     Total

 

11

 

100.0%

 

663 

 

102.3   

 

10.2 

 

60  

Prior year reserve reestimates

 

 

 

 

 

(15)

 

(2.3) 

 

(0.2)

 

 

    Total catastrophe losses

 

 

 

 

$

648 

 

100.0%

 

10.0 

 

 

 

Catastrophe losses incurred by the type of event are shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

Three months ended

March 31,

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

Number

of events

 

 

 

Number of events

Tornadoes

$

-- 

 

--

$

119 

 

1

Wind/Hail

 

379 

 

6

 

322 

 

10

Other events

 

284 

 

5

 

135 

 

3

Prior year reserve reestimates

 

(15)

 

 

 

(60)

 

 

Total catastrophe losses

$

648 

 

11

$

516 

 

14

 

54



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Combined ratio  Loss ratios are a measure of profitability.  Loss ratios by product, and expense and combined ratios by brand, are shown in the following table.  These ratios are defined in the Property-Liability Operations section of the MD&A.

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

Loss ratio (1)

 

Effect of

catastrophe
losses on the
loss ratio

 

Effect of

pre-tax reserve

reestimates on the

combined ratio

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

Allstate brand loss ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard auto

 

69.4

 

68.8

 

0.7

 

1.6

 

(0.1)

 

(0.7)

 

Non-standard auto

 

68.7

 

68.4

 

0.4

 

0.8

 

(1.3)

 

(0.4)

 

Homeowners

 

87.5

 

82.7

 

37.1

 

27.5

 

(0.4)

 

(1.2)

 

Other personal lines

 

63.5

 

66.1

 

7.3

 

7.7

 

(3.9)

 

0.8 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Allstate brand loss ratio

 

73.0

 

71.7

 

9.7

 

8.1

 

(0.6)

 

(0.7)

 

Allstate brand expense ratio

 

25.1

 

25.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate brand combined ratio

 

98.1

 

96.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Encompass brand loss ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard auto

 

76.8

 

74.1

 

1.0

 

0.8

 

5.2

 

(2.4)

 

Non-standard auto

 

100.0

 

66.7

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

-- 

 

Homeowners

 

103.0

 

61.9

 

46.0

 

10.2

 

(2.0)

 

(12.7)

 

Other personal lines

 

91.7

 

78.6

 

12.5

 

--

 

4.2

 

14.3 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Encompass brand loss ratio

 

86.4

 

70.7

 

15.8

 

3.5

 

2.8

 

(4.2)

 

Encompass brand expense ratio

 

27.0

 

27.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Encompass brand combined ratio

 

113.4

 

98.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Protection loss ratio

 

73.6

 

71.6

 

10.0

 

7.8

 

(0.4)

 

(0.9)

 

Allstate Protection expense ratio

 

25.2

 

25.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Protection combined ratio

 

98.8

 

96.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1) Ratios are calculated using the premiums earned for the respective line of business.

 

Standard auto loss ratio for the Allstate brand increased 0.6 points in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009 due to higher claim frequencies.  In the first quarter of 2010, claim frequencies in the bodily injury and physical damage coverages have increased compared to the first quarter of 2009, but remain within historical norms.  Bodily injury and physical damage coverages severity results increased in line with historical Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) trends.

 

Non-standard auto loss ratio for the Allstate brand increased 0.3 points in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009 due to higher claim frequencies, partially offset by favorable reserve reestimates.  Bodily injury and physical damage coverages severity results increased in line with historical CPI trends.

 

Homeowners loss ratio for the Allstate brand increased 4.8 points to 87.5 in the first quarter of 2010 from 82.7 in the first quarter of 2009 due to higher catastrophe losses and higher frequencies excluding catastrophes, partially offset by lower severities.  Frequencies excluding catastrophes increased in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009, in part, due to inclement weather in the first quarter of 2010, including an increase in freeze related claims, driven by winter weather.

 

55



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Expense ratio for Allstate Protection increased 0.1 points in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009.  Restructuring costs decreased 0.2 points in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009, driven by prior year accruals for reorganization of the Business Insurance sales and support model.  Excluding restructuring, the expense ratio for Allstate Protection increased 0.3 points in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009.  Improved operational efficiencies were offset by increased investments in marketing, pension costs and lower earned premium.

 

The impact of specific costs and expenses on the expense ratio are included in the following table.

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

Allstate brand

 

Encompass brand

 

Allstate Protection

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 2010

 

 2009

 

 2010

 

 2009

Amortization of DAC

 

14.0

 

14.2

 

18.5

 

18.6

 

14.2

 

14.4

Other costs and expenses

 

11.0

 

10.4

 

7.8

 

8.4

 

10.8

 

10.3

Restructuring and related charges

 

0.1

 

0.4

 

0.7

 

0.6

 

0.2

 

0.4

Total expense ratio

 

25.1

 

25.0

 

27.0

 

27.6

 

25.2

 

25.1

 

Reserve reestimates  The tables below shows Allstate Protection net reserves representing the estimated cost of outstanding claims as they were recorded at the beginning of years 2010 and 2009, and the effect of reestimates in each year.

 

($ in millions)

 

January 1 reserves

 

 

  2010

 

  2009

Auto

$

10,606

$

10,220

Homeowners

 

2,399

 

2,824

Other personal lines

 

2,145

 

2,207

Total Allstate Protection

$

15,150

$

15,251

 

($ in millions, except ratios)

 

Three months ended

March 31,

 

 

2010

 

 

2009

 

 

Reserve reestimate (1) (2)

 

Effect on
combined
ratio
(2)

 

 

Reserve
reestimate
(1) (2)

 

Effect on
combined
ratio
(2)

 

Auto

$

5

 

 

0.1

 

$

(35

)

 

(0.5

)

Homeowners

 

(8

)

 

(0.1

)

 

(32

)

 

(0.5

)

Other personal lines

 

(22

)

 

(0.4

)

 

9

 

 

0.1

 

Total Allstate Protection (3)

$

(25

)

 

(0.4

)

$

(58

)

 

(0.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate brand

$

(34

)

 

(0.5

)

$

(41

)

 

(0.6

)

Encompass brand

 

9

 

 

0.1

 

 

(17

)

 

(0.3

)

Total Allstate Protection (3)

$

(25

)

 

(0.4

)

$

(58

)

 

(0.9

)

 


(1)  Favorable reserve reestimates are shown in parentheses.

 

(2)  Discontinued Lines and Coverages segment reserve reestimates in the three months ended March 31, 2010 totaled $2 million unfavorable compared to $3 million unfavorable in the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The effect on the combined ratio totaled 0.1 in the three months ended March 31, 2009.  There was no effect on the combined ratio in the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 

(3)  Reserve reestimates included in catastrophe losses totaled $15 million favorable in the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $60 million favorable in the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

56



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

DISCONTINUED LINES AND COVERAGES SEGMENT

 

Overview  The Discontinued Lines and Coverages segment includes results from insurance coverage that we no longer write and results for certain commercial and other businesses in run-off.  Our exposure to asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines claims is reported in this segment.  We have assigned management of this segment to a designated group of professionals with expertise in claims handling, policy coverage interpretation, exposure identification and reinsurance collection.  As part of its responsibilities, this group is also regularly engaged in policy buybacks, settlements and reinsurance assumed and ceded commutations.

 

Summarized underwriting results are presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

 

2009

 

Premiums written

$

-- 

 

$

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$

-- 

 

$

(1)

 

Claims and claims expense

 

(2)

 

 

(3)

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

(2)

 

 

(2)

 

Underwriting loss

$

(4)

 

$

(6)

 

 

PROPERTY-LIABILITY INVESTMENT RESULTS

 

Net investment income decreased 11.6% or $40 million to $304 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $344 million in the first quarter of 2009.  The decrease was primarily due to lower yields and duration shortening actions taken to protect the portfolio from rising interest rates, partially offset by higher average asset balances.  Net investment income was $326 million and $324 million in the third and fourth quarter of 2009, respectively.

 

Net realized capital gains and losses are presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

 

2009

 

Impairment write-downs

$

(79)

 

$

(256)

 

Change in intent write-downs

 

(9)

 

 

(72)

 

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

(88)

 

 

(328)

 

Sales

 

41 

 

 

50 

 

Valuation of derivative instruments

 

(101)

 

 

20 

 

Settlements of derivative instruments

 

(49)

 

 

 

EMA limited partnership income

 

 

 

(62)

 

Realized capital gains and losses, pre-tax

 

(190)

 

 

(314)

 

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

67 

 

 

(2)

 

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

$

(123)

 

$

(316)

 

 

For a further discussion of net realized capital gains and losses, see the Investments section of the MD&A.

 

57


 


 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

ALLSTATE FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

·                  Net income was $4 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to a net loss of $327 million in the first quarter of 2009.

·                  During the first quarter of 2010, amortization deceleration (credit to income) of $12 million was recorded related to our annual comprehensive review of the DAC and deferred sales inducement costs (“DSI”) balances and assumptions for our interest-sensitive life, fixed annuities and other investment contracts.  This compares to DAC and DSI amortization acceleration of $322 million in the first quarter of 2009.

·                  Net realized capital losses totaled $162 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $43 million in the first quarter of 2009.

·                  Investments as of March 31, 2010 totaled $62.34 billion, reflecting an increase in carrying value of $120 million from $62.22 billion as of December 31, 2009.  Net investment income decreased 10.7% to $731 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $819 million in the first quarter of 2009.

·                  Contractholder fund deposits for the first quarter of 2010 totaled $938 million compared to $1.40 billion in the first quarter of 2009.

 

ALLSTATE FINANCIAL SEGMENT

 

Summary analysis  Summarized financial data is presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

2010

 

2009

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

$

544

 

$

484

 

Net investment income

 

731

 

 

819

 

Realized capital gains and losses

 

(162

)

 

(43

)

Total revenues

 

1,113

 

 

1,260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life and annuity contract benefits

 

(442

)

 

(387

)

Interest credited to contractholder funds

 

(463

)

 

(579

)

Amortization of DAC

 

(89

)

 

(448

)

Operating costs and expenses

 

(120

)

 

(121

)

Restructuring and related charges

 

--

 

 

(18

)

Total costs and expenses

 

(1,114

)

 

(1,553

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on disposition of operations

 

1

 

 

3

 

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

4

 

 

(37

)

Net income (loss)

$

4

 

$

(327

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments at March 31

$

62,336

 

$

59,576

 

 

Net income in the first quarter of 2010 was $4 million compared to a net loss of $327 million in the same period of 2009.  The improvement of $331 million was primarily due to lower amortization of DAC and interest credited to contractholder funds, and increased premiums and contract charges, partially offset by higher net realized capital losses, lower net investment income and increased life and annuity contract benefits.  Additionally, the first quarter of 2009 included $142 million of income tax expense related to an increase in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance.

 

Effective March 31, 2010, we will no longer wholesale or provide distribution support to banks and broker-dealers.  Although we will continue to service inforce contracts sold through these channels, we will no longer solicit new sales through our direct relationships with banks or broker-dealers.  Certain of our master brokerage agencies and independent agents may continue to wholesale our products to banks and broker-dealers through their relationships.  These distribution channels have primarily been used to sell deferred fixed annuities and interest-sensitive life insurance.  In 2009, contract charges on products

 

58



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

sold through these distribution channels were $44 million and contractholder deposits were $896 million.  In the first quarter of 2010, contract charges on products sold through these distribution channels were $11 million and contractholder deposits were $102 million.  As of March 31, 2010, contractholder funds associated with these distribution channels totaled $17.96 billion.

 

Analysis of revenues  Total revenues decreased 11.7% or $147 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 due to higher net realized capital losses and lower net investment income, partially offset by increased premiums and contract charges.

 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges  Premiums represent revenues generated from traditional life insurance, immediate annuities with life contingencies, and accident and health insurance products that have significant mortality or morbidity risk.  Contract charges are revenues generated from interest-sensitive and variable life insurance and fixed annuities for which deposits are classified as contractholder funds or separate account liabilities.  Contract charges are assessed against the contractholder account values for maintenance, administration, cost of insurance and surrender prior to contractually specified dates.  As a result, changes in contractholder funds are considered in the evaluation of growth and as indicators of future levels of revenues.

 

The following table summarizes life and annuity premiums and contract charges by product.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2010

 

 

2009

 

Premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional life insurance

$

106

 

$

100

 

Immediate annuities with life contingencies

 

27

 

 

34

 

Accident and health

 

156

 

 

112

 

Total premiums

 

289

 

 

246

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-sensitive life insurance

 

242

 

 

226

 

Fixed annuities

 

13

 

 

12

 

Total contract charges (1)

 

255

 

 

238

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

$

544

 

$

484

 

 


(1) Total contract charges for the first quarter of 2010 and 2009 include contract charges related to the cost of insurance totaling $156 million and $152 million, respectively.

 

Total premiums increased 17.5% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 primarily due to higher sales of accident and health insurance, with a large portion of the increase resulting from a new large employer case sold through the Allstate Workplace Division.

 

Total contract charges increased 7.1% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 primarily due to higher contract charges on interest-sensitive life insurance products resulting from increases in certain policy administration fees and higher rates charged for the cost of insurance.

 

59



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Contractholder funds represent interest-bearing liabilities arising from the sale of individual and institutional products, such as interest-sensitive life insurance, fixed annuities, funding agreements and bank deposits.  The balance of contractholder funds is equal to the cumulative deposits received and interest credited to the contractholder less cumulative contract maturities, benefits, surrenders, withdrawals and contract charges for mortality or administrative expenses.  The following table shows the changes in contractholder funds.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

2010

 

2009

Contractholder funds, beginning balance

$

52,582

 

$

58,413

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed annuities

 

291

 

 

635

 

Interest-sensitive life insurance

 

395

 

 

342

 

Bank and other deposits

 

252

 

 

427

 

Total deposits

 

938

 

 

1,404

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest credited

 

462

 

 

531

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maturities, benefits, withdrawals and other adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maturities and retirements of institutional products

 

(954

)

 

(1,951

)

Benefits

 

(395

)

 

(450

)

Surrenders and partial withdrawals

 

(1,248

)

 

(1,213

)

Contract charges

 

(241

)

 

(221

)

Net transfers from separate accounts

 

2

 

 

4

 

Fair value hedge adjustments for institutional products

 

(123

)

 

(48

)

Other adjustments (1)

 

4

 

 

152

 

Total maturities, benefits, withdrawals and other adjustments

 

(2,955

)

 

(3,727

)

Contractholder funds, ending balance

$

51,027

 

$

56,621

 

 

 


(1) The table above illustrates the changes in contractholder funds, which are presented gross of reinsurance recoverables on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  The table above is intended to supplement our discussion and analysis of revenues, which are presented net of reinsurance on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  As a result, the net change in contractholder funds associated with products reinsured to third parties is reflected as a component of the other adjustments line.

 

Contractholder funds decreased 3.0% and 3.1% in the first quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Average contractholder funds decreased 9.9% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009.

 

Contractholder deposits decreased 33.2% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 due to lower deposits on fixed annuities and Allstate Bank products.  Deposits on fixed annuities decreased 54.2% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 due to pricing actions to improve returns on new business and reduce our concentration in spread based products.  Bank and other deposits declined 41.0% as a result of a temporary savings account promotion offered in the prior year period.

 

Maturities and retirements of institutional products decreased 51.1% to $954 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $1.95 billion in the same period of 2009.  The prior year period included the retirement of $1.36 billion of extendible institutional market obligations, all of which were retired during 2009.

 

Surrenders and partial withdrawals on deferred fixed annuities, interest-sensitive life insurance products and Allstate Bank products (including maturities of certificates of deposit) increased 2.9% to $1.25 billion in the first quarter of 2010 from $1.21 billion in the same period of 2009 due to higher surrenders and partial withdrawals on market value adjusted annuities, partially offset by lower surrenders and partial withdrawals on Allstate Bank products and traditional fixed annuities.  The annualized surrender and partial withdrawal rate on deferred fixed annuities, interest-sensitive life insurance products and Allstate Bank products, based on the beginning of period contractholder funds, was 11.7% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 11.1% in the same period of 2009.

 

60



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Net investment income decreased 10.7% or $88 million to $731 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $819 million in the same period of 2009 primarily due to lower yields and actions to reduce the portfolio’s exposure to commercial real estate, along with reduced average asset balances.  Net investment income was $744 million and $737 million in the third and fourth quarter of 2009, respectively.

 

Net realized capital gains and losses are presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment write-downs

$

(144

)

$

(357

)

Change in intent write-downs

 

(23

)

 

(33

)

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

(167

)

 

(390

)

Sales

 

44

 

 

359

 

Valuation of derivative instruments

 

(54

)

 

83

 

Settlements of derivative instruments

 

19

 

 

(18

)

EMA limited partnership income

 

(4

)

 

(77

)

Realized capital gains and losses, pre-tax

 

(162

)

 

(43

)

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

57

 

 

(127

)

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

$

(105

)

$

(170

)

 

For further discussion of realized capital gains and losses, see the Investments section of the MD&A.

 

Analysis of costs and expenses  Total costs and expenses decreased 28.3% or $439 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 due primarily to lower amortization of DAC and interest credited to contractholder funds, partially offset by higher life and annuity contract benefits.

 

Life and annuity contract benefits increased 14.2% or $55 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 due to higher contract benefits on accident and health insurance and interest-sensitive life insurance.  The increase in contract benefits on accident and health insurance business was proportionate to the growth in premiums.  The higher contract benefits on interest-sensitive life insurance were primarily due to unfavorable mortality experience in 2010.

 

We analyze our mortality and morbidity results using the difference between premiums and contract charges earned for the cost of insurance and life and annuity contract benefits excluding the portion related to the implied interest on immediate annuities with life contingencies (“benefit spread”).  This implied interest totaled $139 million in both the first quarter of 2010 and 2009.  The benefit spread by product group is disclosed in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2010

 

2009

Life insurance

$

88

 

$

103

 

Accident and health

 

64

 

 

49

 

Annuities

 

(10

)

 

(2

)

Total benefit spread

$

142

 

$

150

 

 

Benefit spread decreased 5.3% or $8 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 primarily due to unfavorable mortality experience on interest-sensitive life insurance, partially offset by growth in accident and health insurance business sold through the Allstate Workplace Division.

 

Interest credited to contractholder funds decreased 20.0% or $116 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 primarily due to lower average contractholder funds, decreased weighted average interest crediting rates on deferred fixed annuities and institutional products, and lower amortization of DSI.  Amortization of DSI in the first quarter of 2010 and 2009 was $5 million and $57 million, respectively.  The decrease is primarily due to the first quarter of 2009 including $38 million in amortization acceleration due to changes in assumptions.

 

61



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

In order to analyze the impact of net investment income and interest credited to contractholders on net income, we monitor the difference between net investment income and the sum of interest credited to contractholder funds and the implied interest on immediate annuities with life contingencies, which is included as a component of life and annuity contract benefits on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (“investment spread”).

 

The investment spread by product group is shown in the following table.

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2010

 

2009 (1)

Annuities and institutional products

$

50

 

$

34

 

Life insurance

 

7

 

 

(3

)

Bank

 

8

 

 

6

 

Accident and health

 

4

 

 

4

 

Net investment income on investments supporting capital

 

60

 

 

60

 

Total investment spread

$

129

 

$

101

 

 


(1) To conform to the current year presentation, certain amounts in the prior year have been reclassified.

 

Investment spread increased 27.7% or $28 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 as lower net investment income was more than offset by decreased interest credited to contractholder funds.

 

To further analyze investment spreads, the following table summarizes the weighted average investment yield on assets supporting product liabilities and capital, interest crediting rates and investment spreads for the three months ended March 31.

 

 

 

Weighted average

investment yield

 

Weighted average interest crediting rate

 

Weighted average investment spreads

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

Interest-sensitive life insurance

 

5.4

%

5.4

%

4.4

%

4.7

%

1.0

%

0.7

%

Deferred fixed annuities and institutional products

 

4.4

 

4.7

 

3.2

 

3.4

 

1.2

 

1.3

 

Immediate fixed annuities with and without life contingencies

 

6.3

 

6.3

 

6.4

 

6.4

 

 (0.1)

 

 (0.1)

 

Investments supporting capital, traditional life and other products

 

4.1

 

4.1

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 N/A

 

 N/A

 

 

The following table summarizes our product liabilities and indicates the account value of those contracts and policies in which an investment spread is generated.

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

Immediate fixed annuities with life contingencies

$

8,517

 

$

8,368

 

Other life contingent contracts and other

 

4,535

 

 

4,301

 

Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits

$

13,052

 

$

12,669

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-sensitive life insurance

$

10,417

 

$

10,015

 

Deferred fixed annuities

 

31,570

 

 

33,554

 

Immediate fixed annuities without life contingencies

 

3,870

 

 

3,884

 

Institutional products

 

3,448

 

 

7,078

 

Allstate Bank

 

1,095

 

 

1,097

 

Market value adjustments related to fair value hedges and other

 

627

 

 

993

 

Contractholder funds

$

51,027

 

$

56,621

 

 

62



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Amortization of DAC decreased 80.1% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009.  The components of amortization of DAC are summarized in the following table.

 

($ in millions) 

 

Three months ended

March 31,

 

 

2010

 

2009

Amortization of DAC before amortization relating to realized capital gains and losses and changes in assumptions

$

(98

)

$

(144

)

Amortization relating to realized capital gains and losses (1)

 

(3

)

 

(27

)

Amortization deceleration (acceleration) for changes in assumptions (“DAC unlocking”)

 

12

 

 

(277

)

Total amortization of DAC

$

(89

)

$

(448

)

 


(1) The impact of realized capital gains and losses on amortization of DAC is dependent upon the relationship between the assets that give rise to the gain or loss and the product liability supported by the assets.  Fluctuations result from changes in the impact of realized capital gains and losses on actual and expected gross profits.

 

The decrease of $359 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 was primarily due to a favorable change in amortization acceleration/deceleration for changes in assumptions.

 

During the first quarter of 2010, we completed our annual comprehensive review of the profitability of our products to determine DAC balances for our interest-sensitive life, fixed annuities and other investment contracts, which covers assumptions for investment returns, including capital gains and losses, interest crediting rates to policyholders, the effect of any hedges, persistency, mortality and expenses in all product lines.  In the first quarter of 2010, the review resulted in a deceleration of DAC amortization (credit to income) of $12 million.  Amortization deceleration of $45 million related to variable life insurance and was primarily due to appreciation in the underlying separate account valuations.  Amortization acceleration of $32 million related to interest-sensitive life insurance and was primarily due to an increase in projected realized capital losses and lower projected renewal premium (which is also expected to reduce persistency), partially offset by lower expenses.

 

In the first quarter of 2009, our annual comprehensive review resulted in the acceleration of DAC amortization (charge to income) of $277 million.  $289 million related to fixed annuities, of which $210 million was attributable to market value adjusted annuities, and $18 million related to variable life insurance.  Partially offsetting these amounts was amortization deceleration (credit to income) for interest-sensitive life insurance of $30 million.  The principal assumption impacting fixed annuity amortization acceleration was an increase in the level of expected realized capital losses in 2009 and 2010.  For interest-sensitive life insurance, the amortization deceleration was due to a favorable change in our mortality assumptions, partially offset by increased expected capital losses.

 

The following table provides the effect on DAC amortization of changes in assumptions relating to the gross profit components of investment margin, benefit margin and expense margin.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended

March 31,

 

 

2010

 

2009

Investment margin

$

15

 

$

(399

)

Benefit margin

 

(45

)

 

129

 

Expense margin

 

42

 

 

(7

)

Net deceleration (acceleration)

$

12

 

$

(277

)

 

63



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Operating costs and expenses were consistent in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009.  The following table summarizes operating costs and expenses.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended

March 31,

Non-deferrable acquisition costs

 

2010

 

2009

Other operating costs and expenses

$

44

 

$

40

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

76

 

 

81

 

 

$

120

 

$

121

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring and related charges

$

--

 

$

18

 

 

Non-deferrable acquisition costs increased 10.0% or $4 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 primarily due to higher non-deferrable commissions related to accident and health insurance business sold through the Allstate Workplace Division.  Other operating costs and expenses decreased 6.2% or $5 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 due primarily to our expense reduction actions, which resulted in lower employee, professional services and sales support expenses.

 

Income tax benefit of $4 million was recognized for the first quarter of 2010 compared to expense of $37 million for the same period of 2009.  Income tax expense for the first quarter of 2009 included expense of $142 million attributable to an increase in the valuation allowance relating to the deferred tax asset on capital losses.

 

INVESTMENTS HIGHLIGHTS

 

·                  Investments as of March 31, 2010 totaled $100.22 billion, an increase of 0.4% from $99.83 billion as of December 31, 2009.

·                  Unrealized net capital losses totaled $849 million as of March 31, 2010, declining from $2.32 billion as of December 31, 2009.  This resulted from improving fixed income and equity portfolio valuations.  The fair value of fixed income securities increased primarily as a result of tightening credit spreads.

·                  Net investment income was $1.05 billion in the first quarter of 2010, a decrease of 10.7% from $1.18 billion in the first quarter of 2009.

·                  Net realized capital losses were $348 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $359 million in the first quarter of 2009.  First quarter 2010 net realized capital losses include $255 million of impairment and intent write-downs, compared to $725 million in the first quarter of 2009, and $185 million of derivative losses primarily resulting from risk mitigation initiatives, compared to $91 million of derivative gains in the first quarter of 2009.  Net realized capital losses in the first quarter of 2010 were partially offset by net realized capital gains of $88 million from investment sales, compared to $418 million in the first quarter of 2009, and EMA limited partnership income of $4 million, compared to losses of $143 million in the first quarter of 2009.

·                  Derivative net realized capital losses from our risk mitigation and return optimization programs (“macro hedge program”) totaled $161 million in the first quarter of 2010 and stemmed primarily from interest rate swaptions used to protect our fixed income portfolio, where valuations were negatively impacted by the decline in interest rates and volatility.

·                  During the first quarter of 2010, our fixed income and mortgage loan portfolio continued to generate significant cash flows totaling $2.37 billion, which provides flexibility to take advantage of market opportunities and manage liabilities.

 

64


 


 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

INVESTMENTS

 

We continue to focus our strategic risk mitigation efforts towards managing interest rate, equity, credit and real estate investment risks, while our return optimization efforts focus on investing in new opportunities to generate income and capital appreciation.  As a result, during the first quarter of 2010 we took the following actions:

·                  Reduced our municipal bond exposure by 5.9% or $1.28 billion of amortized cost primarily through targeted dispositions, calls and scheduled maturities.

·                  Decreased our commercial real estate exposure by 4.9% or $609 million of amortized cost primarily through targeted dispositions and principal repayments from borrowers.

·                  Reduced our exposure to equity markets by $1.41 billion of cost as a result of an updated asset allocation strategy.

·                  Macro hedges were adjusted in respect to our portfolio allocations, but remain in place to protect our portfolio against interest rate and equity risks.  Hedge results were consistent with our positions in relation to the movement in the underlying market indices and the resulting realized capital losses were significantly offset by the increase in fair value of our fixed income and equity securities which is reflected in other comprehensive income.

 

The composition of the investment portfolios at March 31, 2010 is presented in the table below.

 

($ in millions)

 

Property-Liability (5)

 

Allstate Financial (5)

 

Corporate
and Other
(5)

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

Percent
to total

 

 

 

Percent
to total

 

 

 

Percent
to total

 

 

 

Percent
to total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities (1)

$

28,733

 

82.5%

$

50,310

 

80.7%

$

2,241

 

72.8%

$

81,284

 

81.1%

 

Equity securities (2)

 

3,580

 

10.3   

 

227

 

0.4   

 

--

 

--   

 

3,807

 

3.8   

 

Mortgage loans

 

50

 

0.1   

 

7,589

 

12.2   

 

--

 

--   

 

7,639

 

7.6   

 

Limited partnership interests (3)

 

1,744

 

5.0   

 

1,023

 

1.6   

 

35

 

1.1   

 

2,802

 

2.8   

 

Short-term (4)

 

608

 

1.8   

 

1,074

 

1.7   

 

800

 

26.0   

 

2,482

 

2.5   

 

Other

 

94

 

0.3   

 

2,113

 

3.4   

 

2

 

0.1   

 

2,209

 

2.2   

 

Total

$

34,809

 

100.0%

$

62,336

 

100.0%

$

3,078

 

100.0%

$

100,223

 

100.0%

 

 


(1)  Fixed income securities are carried at fair value.  Amortized cost basis for these securities was $28.83 billion, $51.45 billion and $2.20 billion for Property-Liability, Allstate Financial and Corporate and Other, respectively.

(2)  Equity securities are carried at fair value.  Cost basis for these securities was $3.25 billion and $183 million for Property-Liability and Allstate Financial, respectively.

(3)  We have commitments to invest in additional limited partnership interests totaling $595 million and $759 million for Property-Liability and Allstate Financial, respectively.

(4)  Short-term investments are carried at fair value.  Amortized cost basis for these investments was $608 million, $1.07 billion and $800 million for Property-Liability, Allstate Financial and Corporate and Other, respectively.

(5)  Balances reflect the elimination of related party investments between segments.

 

Total investments increased to $100.22 billion at March 31, 2010, from $99.83 billion at December 31, 2009, primarily due to higher valuations for fixed income and equity securities from improved market conditions, partially offset by net reductions in contractholder obligations of $1.56 billion.  Fair values of fixed income securities increased as a result of tightening credit spreads. Credit spread is the additional yield on fixed income securities above the risk-free rate (typically defined as the yield on U.S. Treasury securities) that market participants require to compensate them for assuming credit, liquidity and/or prepayment risks.  Credit spreads vary (i.e., widening or tightening) in response to the market’s perception of risk and liquidity in a specific issuer or specific sector.

 

The Property-Liability investment portfolio increased to $34.81 billion at March 31, 2010, from $34.53 billion at December 31, 2009, primarily due to higher valuations for fixed income and equity securities from improved market conditions, partially offset by operating cash flows.

 

The Allstate Financial investment portfolio increased to $62.34 billion at March 31, 2010, from $62.22 billion at December 31, 2009, primarily due to higher valuations for fixed income securities from improved market conditions that was almost entirely offset by net reductions in contractholder obligations of $1.56 billion primarily from maturities and retirements of institutional products.

 

65



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

The Corporate and Other investment portfolio decreased to $3.08 billion at March 31, 2010, from $3.09 billion at December 31, 2009, as dividends paid to shareholders more than offset higher valuations for fixed income securities from improved market conditions.

 

Fixed income securities by type are listed in the table below.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

Fair value at
March 31, 2010

 

 

Percent to
total
investments

 

 

Fair value at
December 31, 2009

 

 

Percent to
total
investments

 

U.S. government and agencies

 

8,422

 

 

 

8.4

%

 

7,536

 

 

 

7.6

%

 

Municipal

 

 

20,148

 

 

 

20.1

 

 

 

21,280

 

 

 

21.3

 

 

Corporate

 

 

34,499

 

 

 

34.4

 

 

 

33,115

 

 

 

33.2

 

 

Foreign government

 

 

3,314

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

3,197

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)

 

 

 

9,112

 

 

 

 

9.1

 

 

 

 

7,987

 

 

 

 

8.0

 

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)

 

 

 

2,452

 

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

 

2,586

 

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)

 

 

3,297

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

3,026

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

 

40

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

--

 

 

Total fixed income securities

 

81,284

 

 

 

81.1

%

 

78,766

 

 

 

78.9

%

 

 

At March 31, 2010, 93.3% of the consolidated fixed income securities portfolio was rated investment grade, which is defined as a security having a rating of Aaa, Aa, A or Baa from Moody’s, a rating of AAA, AA, A or BBB from Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), Fitch, Dominion, or Realpoint, a rating of aaa, aa, a, or bbb from A.M. Best, or a comparable internal rating, if an externally provided rating is not available, which is consistent with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) rating.

 

66



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

The following table summarizes the fair value and unrealized net capital gains and losses for fixed income securities by credit rating as of March 31, 2010.

 

($ in millions)

 

Aaa

 

Aa

 

A

 

 

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

U.S. government and agencies

$

8,422

$

218

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax exempt

 

1,480

 

95

 

5,743

 

178

 

4,072

 

55

 

Taxable

 

135

 

3

 

2,268

 

(31)

 

1,350

 

(89)

 

Auction rate securities (“ARS”)

 

1,175

 

(47)

 

99

 

(9)

 

118

 

(19)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public

 

2,506

 

32

 

2,620

 

69

 

6,186

 

291

 

Privately placed

 

753

 

23

 

1,580

 

55

 

3,519

 

139

 

Hybrid

 

33

 

3

 

60

 

9

 

584

 

(74)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign government

 

2,025

 

240

 

419

 

10

 

468

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government sponsored entities (“U.S. Agency”)

 

5,452

 

146

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

Prime residential mortgage-backed securities (“Prime”)

 

584

 

(14)

 

99

 

(12)

 

209

 

(7)

 

Alt-A residential mortgage-backed securities (“Alt-A”)

 

42

 

(4)

 

72

 

(10)

 

113

 

(9)

 

Subprime residential mortgage-backed securities (“Subprime”)

 

175

 

(12)

 

454

 

(185)

 

139

 

(104)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMBS

 

1,557

 

(35)

 

344

 

(74)

 

237

 

(219)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”)

 

36

 

(10)

 

514

 

(14)

 

532

 

(92)

 

Consumer and other asset-backed securities (“Consumer and other ABS”)

 

787

 

3

 

257

 

(1)

 

199

 

(6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

3

 

--

 

Total fixed income securities

$

25,162

$

641

$

14,529

$

(15)

$

17,729

$

(96)

 

 

 

 

Baa

 

Ba or lower

 

Total

 

 

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

U.S. government and agencies

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

8,422

$

218

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax exempt

 

1,925

 

(81)

 

677

 

(70)

 

13,897

 

177

 

Taxable

 

791

 

(163)

 

166

 

(50)

 

4,710

 

(330)

 

ARS

 

45

 

(7)

 

104

 

(21)

 

1,541

 

(103)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public

 

7,713

 

324

 

931

 

1

 

19,956

 

717

 

Privately placed

 

6,184

 

122

 

1,142

 

--

 

13,178

 

339

 

Hybrid

 

484

 

(80)

 

204

 

--

 

1,365

 

(142)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign government

 

385

 

18

 

17

 

--

 

3,314

 

306

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Agency

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

5,452

 

146

 

Prime

 

20

 

(7)

 

378

 

(30)

 

1,290

 

(70)

 

Alt-A

 

66

 

(15)

 

443

 

(161)

 

736

 

(199)

 

Subprime

 

78

 

(61)

 

788

 

(746)

 

1,634

 

(1,108)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMBS

 

194

 

(234)

 

120

 

(206)

 

2,452

 

(768)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CDO

 

264

 

(87)

 

416

 

(170)

 

1,762

 

(373)

 

Consumer and other ABS

 

258

 

(5)

 

34

 

(5)

 

1,535

 

(14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

32

 

2

 

5

 

--

 

40

 

2

 

Total fixed income securities

$

18,439

$

(274)

$

5,425

$

(1,458)

$

81,284

$

(1,202)

 

 

67



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Municipal Bonds, including tax exempt, taxable and ARS securities, totaled $20.15 billion as of March 31, 2010 with an unrealized net capital loss of $256 million.  Taxable municipal bonds have an unrealized net capital loss of $330 million resulting from wider credit spreads than at initial purchase, which is largely due to the macroeconomic conditions and credit market deterioration that persisted into 2010, as well as specific issue or issuer conditions.

 

Included in our municipal bond holdings at March 31, 2010 are $1.18 billion of municipal securities which are not rated by third party credit rating agencies, but are rated by the NAIC and also internally rated.  These holdings include $599 million of below investment grade municipal bonds that provide the opportunity to achieve incremental returns.  Our initial investment decisions and ongoing monitoring procedures for these securities are based on a thorough due diligence process which includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the credit quality, sector, structure, and liquidity risks of each issue.

 

48.1% or $9.68 billion of our municipal bond portfolio is insured by nine bond insurers and 39.5% of these securities have a credit rating of Aaa or Aa.  Our practices for acquiring and monitoring municipal bonds primarily are based on the credit quality of the primary obligor.  As of March 31, 2010, we believe valuations substantially reflected the decline in the value of the insurance, and further related valuation declines, if any, are not expected to be material.  While the valuation of these holdings may be temporarily impacted by negative market developments, we expect to receive all of the contractual cash flows.  As of March 31, 2010, 47.3% of our insured municipal bond portfolio was insured by National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation, Inc., 23.9% by Ambac Assurance Corporation, 22.3% by Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation and 2.8% by Assured Guaranty Ltd.

 

Corporate bonds, including publicly traded, privately placed and hybrid securities, totaled $34.50 billion as of March 31, 2010 with an unrealized net capital gain of $914 million.  Privately placed securities primarily consist of corporate issued senior debt securities that are in unregistered form or are directly negotiated with the borrower.  Privately placed corporate securities are rated by the NAIC in instances when information is provided to them.  49.6% of the privately placed corporate securities in our portfolio are rated by an independent rating agency.

 

The following table shows details of hybrid securities as of March 31, 2010.

 

($ in millions)

 

Public

 

Privately placed

 

Total

 

 

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

United Kingdom (“UK”)

77

(5)

60

(3)

137

(8)

 

Europe (non-UK)

 

131

 

 

313

 

(33)

 

444

 

(24)

 

Asia/Australia

 

12

 

-- 

 

137

 

(11)

 

149

 

(11)

 

North America

 

421

 

(56)

 

214

 

(43)

 

635

 

(99)

 

Total

$

641

(52)

724

(90)

1,365

(142)

 

 

Hybrid securities have attributes most similar to those of fixed income securities such as stated interest rates and mandatory redemption dates.  Additionally, some hybrids may have an interest rate step-up feature which is intended to incent the issuer to redeem the security at a specified call date.  Hybrid securities include publicly-traded and privately placed securities.  While hybrid securities are generally issued by investment grade-rated financial institutions, they have structural features, such as the ability to defer principal and interest payments, which make them more sensitive to credit market deterioration.  $1.13 billion of our hybrid securities with $140 million of unrealized net capital losses are Tier 1 securities, and $239 million with $2 million of unrealized net capital losses are Tier 2 securities.  Tier 1 securities are lower in the capital structure than Tier 2 securities.

 

RMBS, CMBS and ABS are structured securities that are primarily collateralized by residential and commercial real estate related loans and other consumer related borrowings.  The cash flows are generally applied in a pre-determined order and are designed so that each security issued qualifies for a specific original rating.  The security issue is typically referred to as the “class”.  For example, the “senior” portion or “top” of the capital structure, or rating class, which would originally qualify for a rating of Aaa typically has priority in receiving the principal repayments on the collateral.  In a sequential structure, underlying collateral principal repayments are directed to the most senior rated Aaa class in the structure until paid in full, after which principal repayments are directed to the next most senior Aaa class in the structure until it is paid in full.  Senior Aaa classes generally share any losses from the underlying collateral on a pro-rata basis after losses are absorbed by classes with lower original ratings and include other “junior” or “subordinate” securities.  The collateral can have fixed interest rates, variable interest rates (such as adjustable rate mortgages (“ARM”)) or may contain features of both fixed and variable rate mortgages.

 

68



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

RMBS, including U.S. Agency, Prime, Alt-A and Subprime, totaled $9.11 billion, with 82.4% rated investment grade, at March 31, 2010.  The RMBS portfolio is subject to interest rate risk, but unlike other fixed income securities, is additionally subject to significant prepayment risk from the underlying mortgages.  The credit risk associated with our RMBS is mitigated due to the fact that 59.8% of the portfolio consists of securities that were issued by, or have underlying collateral that is guaranteed by, U.S. government agencies.  The unrealized net capital loss of $1.23 billion at March 31, 2010 on our RMBS portfolio was the result of wider credit spreads than at initial purchase on non-U.S. Agency securities, which is largely due to the macroeconomic conditions and credit market deterioration, including the impact of real estate valuations, that persisted into 2010.  The following table shows our RMBS portfolio at March 31, 2010 based upon vintage year of the issuance of the securities.

 

($ in millions)

 

U.S. Agency

 

Prime

 

Alt-A

 

Subprime

 

Total RMBS

 

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

   2010

$

255

$

(1)

$

237

$

--

$

75

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

567

$

(1)

   2009

 

968

 

10

 

76

 

--

 

12

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

1,056

 

10 

   2008

 

1,017

 

18

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

1,017

 

18 

   2007

 

593

 

10

 

171

 

(12)

 

112

 

(78)

 

412

 

(393)

 

1,288

 

(473)

   2006

 

369

 

9

 

219

 

(16)

 

195

 

(30)

 

487

 

(338)

 

1,270

 

(375)

   2005

 

682

 

20

 

218

 

(29)

 

145

 

(48)

 

404

 

(246)

 

1,449

 

(303)

   Pre-2005

 

1,568

 

80

 

369

 

(13)

 

197

 

(43)

 

331

 

(131)

 

2,465

 

(107)

       Total

$

5,452

$

146

$

1,290

$

(70)

$

736

$

(199)

$

1,634

$

(1,108)

$

9,112

$

(1,231)

 

Prime are collateralized by residential mortgage loans issued to prime borrowers.  As of March 31, 2010, $988 million of the Prime were fixed rate and $302 million were variable rate.

 

Alt-A includes securities collateralized by residential mortgage loans issued to borrowers with stronger credit profiles than subprime borrowers, but who do not qualify for prime financing terms due to high loan-to-value ratios or limited supporting documentation.  As of March 31, 2010, $546 million of the Alt-A were fixed rate and $190 million were variable rate.

 

Subprime includes securities that are collateralized by mortgage loans issued to borrowers that cannot qualify for Prime or Alt-A financing terms due in part to weak or limited credit history.  It also includes securities that are collateralized by certain second lien mortgages regardless of the borrower’s credit history.  The Subprime portfolio consisted of $1.35 billion and $284 million of first lien and second lien securities, respectively.  Subprime included $834 million of fixed rate and $800 million of variable rate securities.

 

CMBS totaled $2.45 billion, with 95.1% rated investment grade, at March 31, 2010.  The CMBS portfolio is subject to credit risk, but unlike certain other structured securities, is generally not subject to prepayment risk due to protections within the underlying commercial mortgages whereby borrowers are effectively restricted from prepaying their mortgages due to changes in interest rates.  Of the CMBS investments, 90.2% are traditional conduit transactions collateralized by pools of commercial mortgages, broadly diversified across property types and geographical area.  The remainder consists of non-traditional CMBS such as small balance transactions, large loan pools and single borrower transactions.

 

The following table shows our CMBS portfolio at March 31, 2010 based upon vintage year.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

   2007

$

619

$

(229)

   2006

 

551

 

(399)

   2005

 

381

 

(100)

   Pre-2005

 

901

 

(40)

     Total CMBS

$

2,452

$

(768)

 

The unrealized net capital loss of $768 million at March 31, 2010 on our CMBS portfolio was the result of wider credit spreads than at initial purchase, which is largely due to the macroeconomic conditions and credit market deterioration, including the impact of real estate valuations, that persisted into 2010.  While CMBS spreads tightened during 2009 and 2010, credit spreads in most rating classes remain wider than at initial purchase, which is particularly evident in our 2005-2007 vintage year and non-traditional CMBS.  These holdings accounted for $692 million, or 90.1%, of the unrealized net capital loss.

 

69



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

ABS, including CDO and Consumer and other ABS, totaled $3.30 billion, with 86.4% rated investment grade, at March 31, 2010. Credit risk is managed by monitoring the performance of the collateral.  In addition, many of the securities in the ABS portfolio are credit enhanced with features such as overcollateralization, subordinated structures, reserve funds, guarantees and/or insurance.  The unrealized net capital loss of $387 million at March 31, 2010 on our ABS portfolio was the result of wider credit spreads than at initial purchase.

 

CDO totaled $1.76 billion, with 76.4% rated investment grade, at March 31, 2010.  CDO consist primarily of obligations secured by high yield and investment grade corporate credits including $1.37 billion of cash flow collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”) and $98 million of synthetic CDO with unrealized losses of $174 million and $97 million, respectively.  The remaining $295 million of securities consisted of trust preferred CDO, market value CDO, project finance CDO, collateralized bond obligations and other CLO with unrealized losses of $102 million.

 

Cash flow CLO are structures where the underlying assets are primarily comprised of below investment grade senior secured corporate loans.  The collateral is actively managed by external managers that monitor the collateral performance.  The underlying investments are well diversified across industries and among issuers.  A transaction will typically issue notes with various capital structure classes (i.e. Aaa, Aa, A, etc.) as well as equity-like tranches.  In general, these securities are structured with overcollateralization ratios and performance is impacted by downgrades, defaults and recoveries of the underlying assets within the structures.  Downgrades of underlying assets, along with increased defaults reduce overcollateralization ratios over time.  A violation of the senior overcollateralization test could result in an event of default of the structure.  This would give the controlling class, defined as the majority of the senior lenders, certain rights which could include diverting cash flows or liquidating the underlying portfolio to pay off the senior liabilities.

 

Synthetic CDO primarily consist of a portfolio of corporate credit default swaps (“CDS”) which are collateralized by Aaa rated LIBOR-based securities (i.e. “fully funded” synthetic CDO).  Our synthetic CDO collateral primarily is actively managed by external managers monitoring the CDS selection and performance.

 

Consumer and other ABS totaled $1.54 billion, with 97.8% rated investment grade, at March 31, 2010.  Consumer and other ABS consists of $844 million of auto, $76 million of student loan and $615 million of other ABS securities with unrealized gains of $14 million for auto and unrealized losses of $28 million for other ABS securities.

 

Mortgage loans  Our mortgage loan portfolio, which is primarily held in the Allstate Financial portfolio, totaled $7.64 billion at March 31, 2010, compared to $7.94 billion at December 31, 2009, and is primarily comprised of loans secured by first mortgages on developed commercial real estate.  Key considerations used to manage our exposure include property type and geographic diversification.  Our exposure to any metropolitan area is also highly diversified, with the largest exposure not exceeding 9.6% of the portfolio.  The portfolio is diversified across several property types, with the largest concentrations of 34.2% in office buildings and 24.6% in retail property.  Debt service coverage ratio represents the amount of cash flows from the property available to the borrower to meet principal and interest payment obligations.  For fixed rate mortgage loans, which comprise 90% of the total portfolio, the average debt service coverage ratios as of both March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were 1.7.  Mortgage loans with debt service coverage ratios below 1.0 generally have a higher level of risk.  5.5% of the mortgage loan portfolio had a debt service coverage ratio under 1.0 compared to 5.8% as of December 31, 2009.  As of March 31, 2010, 27.2% of these loans have valuation allowances totaling $36 million compared to 18.4% totaling $26 million as of December 31, 2009.  Mortgage loans with debt service coverage below 1.0 for which valuation allowances have not been established primarily relate to instances where the borrower has the financial capacity to fund the revenue shortfalls from the properties for the foreseeable term, the decrease in occupancy is considered temporary, or there are other risk mitigating circumstances such as additional collateral, escrow balances or borrower guarantees.

 

In the first three months of 2010, $346 million of commercial mortgage loans were contractually due.  Of these, 9% were paid as due, 72% were extended generally for less than one year, 11% were refinanced and 8% were foreclosed or in the process of foreclosure.  In addition, $193 million that were not contractually due in the first three months of 2010 were paid in full.  We have nine additional loans totaling $129 million in the process of foreclosure that were not contractually due in the first three months of 2010.  In total we have eleven loans totaling $158 million in foreclosure, reflecting an increase from five loans totaling $49 million as of December 31, 2009.

 

70



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

The net carrying value of impaired loans at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $339 million and $383 million, respectively.  Total valuation allowances of $104 million were held on impaired loans at March 31, 2010.  We recognized $13 million of realized capital losses related to net increases in the valuation allowances on impaired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2010 primarily due to deteriorating debt service coverage resulting from a decrease in occupancy and the risk associated with refinancing near-term maturities due to declining collateral valuations.  Realized capital losses recognized on mortgage loans held for sale totaled $6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 

Limited partnership interests consist of investments in private equity/debt funds, real estate funds and hedge funds.  The overall limited partnership interests portfolio is well diversified across a number of characteristics including fund sponsors, vintage years, strategies, geography (including international), and company/property types.  The following table presents information about our limited partnership interests as of March 31, 2010.

 

($ in millions)

 

Private
equity/ debt
funds

 

Real estate
funds

 

Hedge
funds

 

Total

Cost method of accounting (“Cost”)

$

788

$

268

$

56

$

1,112

Equity method of accounting (“EMA”)

 

650

 

261

 

779

 

1,690

  Total

$

1,438

$

529

$

835

$

2,802

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of sponsors

 

84

 

40

 

11

 

 

Number of individual funds

 

133

 

88

 

92

 

 

Largest exposure to single fund

$

40

$

35

$

107

 

 

 

As of both March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, our aggregate limited partnership exposure represented 2.8% of total invested assets.

 

The following table shows the results from our limited partnership interests by fund type and accounting classification.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

Cost

 

EMA

 

Total
income

 

Impairment
write-downs
(1)

 

Cost

 

EMA

 

Total
income

 

Impairment
write-downs
(1)

Private equity/debt funds

$

6

$

15

$

21

$

(2)

$

3

$

(63)

$

(60)

$

(71)

Real estate funds

 

--

 

(28)

 

(28)

 

(21)

 

--

 

(78)

 

(78)

 

(124)

Hedge funds

 

--

 

17

 

17

 

(1)

 

--

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

(2)

   Total

$

6

$

4

$

10

$

(24)

$

3

$

(143)

$

(140)

$

(197)

 


(1) Impairment write-downs related to Cost limited partnerships were $24 million and $187 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Impairment write-downs related to EMA limited partnerships were $10 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009.  There were no impairment write-downs related to EMA limited partnerships in the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 

Limited partnership interests, excluding impairment write-downs, produced income of $10 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to losses of $140 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Income on EMA limited partnerships is recognized on a delay due to the availability of the related financial statements.  The recognition of income on hedge funds is primarily on a one-month delay and the income recognition on private equity/debt funds and real estate funds are generally on a three-month delay.  Limited partnership interests accounted for under the cost method of accounting recognize income only upon cash distributions by the partnership.

 

71



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Unrealized net capital losses totaled $849 million as of March 31, 2010 compared to unrealized net capital losses of $2.32 billion as of December 31, 2009.  The improvement since December 31, 2009 for fixed income securities was primarily a result of tightening credit spreads on certain fixed income securities.  The improvement since December 31, 2009 for equity securities was a result of higher equity security valuations.  The following table presents unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax and after-tax.

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31,
2010

 

December 31,
2009

U.S. government and agencies

$

218

$

203

Municipal

 

(256)

 

(403)

Corporate

 

914

 

345

Foreign government

 

306

 

291

RMBS

 

(1,231)

 

(1,500)

CMBS  

 

(768)

 

(925)

ABS

 

(387)

 

(488)

Redeemable preferred stock

 

2

 

--

Fixed income securities (1)

 

(1,202)

 

(2,477)

Equity securities

 

371

 

179

Short-term investments

 

--

 

--

Derivatives

 

(18)

 

(23)

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax

 

(849)

 

(2,321)

Amounts recognized for:

 

 

 

 

   Insurance reserves (2)

 

--

 

--

   DAC and DSI (3)

 

726

 

990

       Amounts recognized

 

726

 

990

Deferred income taxes

 

39

 

461

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax

$

(84)

$

(870)

 


(1)  Unrealized net capital gains and losses for fixed income securities as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 comprises $(590) million and $(679) million, respectively, related to unrealized net capital losses on fixed income securities with other-than-temporary impairment and $(612) million and $(1,798) million, respectively, related to other unrealized net capital gains and losses.

 

(2)  The insurance reserves adjustment represents the amount by which the reserve balance would increase if the net unrealized gains in the applicable product portfolios were realized and reinvested at current lower interest rates, resulting in a premium deficiency.  Although we evaluate premium deficiencies on the combined performance of our life insurance and immediate annuities with life contingencies, the adjustment primarily relates to structured settlement annuities with life contingencies, in addition to annuity buy-outs and certain payout annuities with life contingencies.

 

(3)  The DAC and DSI adjustment balance represents the amount by which the amortization of DAC and DSI would increase or decrease if the unrealized gains or losses in the respective product portfolios were realized.  Only the unrealized net capital gains and losses on the Allstate Financial fixed annuity and interest-sensitive life product portfolios are used in this calculation.  The reduction in unrealized net capital losses in the first quarter of 2010 for these product portfolios was less than the reduction in unrealized net capital losses for the total Allstate Financial and consolidated portfolios.  The DAC and DSI adjustment balance, subject to limitations, is determined by applying the DAC and DSI amortization rate to unrealized net capital gains or losses.  Recapitalization of the DAC and DSI balances is limited to the originally deferred costs plus interest.

 

The net unrealized loss for the fixed income portfolio totaled $1.20 billion, comprised of $2.78 billion of gross unrealized gains and $3.98 billion of gross unrealized losses at March 31, 2010.  This is compared to a net unrealized loss for the fixed income portfolio totaling $2.48 billion, comprised of $2.47 billion of gross unrealized gains and $4.95 billion of gross unrealized losses at December 31, 2009.

 

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Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Gross unrealized gains and losses as of March 31, 2010 on fixed income securities by type and sector are provided in the table below.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized

 

 

 

Amortized
cost as a

 

Fair value
as a percent

 

 

 

Par

 

Amortized

 

 

 

 

 

Fair

 

percent of

 

of

 

 

 

value (1)

 

cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

value

 

par value (2)

 

par value (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banking

$

4,242

$

4,063

$

104

$

(206)

$

3,961

 

95.8

%

93.4

%

Financial services

 

3,371

 

3,275

 

109

 

(60)

 

3,324

 

97.2

 

98.6

 

Consumer goods (cyclical and
non-cyclical)

 

5,002

 

5,064

 

233

 

(51)

 

5,246

 

101.2

 

104.9

 

Utilities

 

5,899

 

5,903

 

337

 

(50)

 

6,190

 

100.1

 

104.9

 

Transportation

 

1,661

 

1,677

 

72

 

(33)

 

1,716

 

101.0

 

103.3

 

Capital goods

 

3,551

 

3,560

 

171

 

(28)

 

3,703

 

100.3

 

104.3

 

Basic industry

 

1,480

 

1,502

 

71

 

(15)

 

1,558

 

101.5

 

105.3

 

Energy

 

2,212

 

2,230

 

106

 

(12)

 

2,324

 

100.8

 

105.1

 

Communications

 

1,947

 

1,921

 

91

 

(11)

 

2,001

 

98.7

 

102.8

 

Technology

 

1,121

 

1,138

 

51

 

(10)

 

1,179

 

101.5

 

105.2

 

FDIC guaranteed

 

1,982

 

1,994

 

25

 

--

 

2,019

 

100.6

 

101.9

 

Other

 

1,403

 

1,258

 

43

 

(23)

 

1,278

 

89.7

 

91.1

 

Total corporate fixed income portfolio

 

33,871

 

33,585

 

1,413

 

(499)

 

34,499

 

99.2

 

101.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

 

8,845

 

8,204

 

238

 

(20)

 

8,422

 

92.8

 

95.2

 

Municipal

 

25,891

 

20,404

 

517

 

(773)

 

20,148

 

78.8

 

77.8

 

Foreign government

 

3,474

 

3,008

 

315

 

(9)

 

3,314

 

86.6

 

95.4

 

RMBS

 

10,966

 

10,343

 

173

 

(1,404)

 

9,112

 

94.3

 

83.1

 

CMBS

 

3,286

 

3,220

 

44

 

(812)

 

2,452

 

98.0

 

74.6

 

ABS

 

4,105

 

3,684

 

80

 

(467)

 

3,297

 

89.7

 

80.3

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

47

 

38

 

2

 

--

 

40

 

80.9

 

85.1

 

Total fixed income securities

$

90,485

$

82,486

$

2,782

$

(3,984)

$

81,284

 

91.2

 

89.8

 

 


(1)  Included in par value are zero-coupon securities that are generally purchased at a deep discount to the par value that is received at maturity.  These primarily included corporate, municipal, foreign government and U.S. government and agencies zero-coupon securities with par value of $882 million, $7.83 billion, $1.35 billion and $1.49 billion, respectively.

(2)  Excluding the impact of zero-coupon securities, the percentage of amortized cost to par value would be 99.7% for corporates, 99.9% for municipals, 104.2% for foreign governments and 101.3% for U.S. government and agencies.  Similarly, excluding the impact of zero-coupon securities, the percentage of fair value to par value would be 102.3% for corporates, 99.8% for municipals, 108.9% for foreign governments and 102.8% for U.S. government and agencies.

 

The banking, financial services, consumer goods and utilities sectors had the highest concentration of gross unrealized losses in our corporate fixed income securities portfolio at March 31, 2010.  While credit spreads tightened in 2009 and 2010, they remain wider than at initial purchase for select securities in the portfolio.

 

The net unrealized gain for the equity portfolio totaled $371 million, comprised of $457 million of unrealized gains and $86 million of unrealized losses at March 31, 2010.  This is compared to a net unrealized gain for the equity portfolio totaling $179 million, comprised of $381 million of unrealized gains and $202 million of unrealized losses at December 31, 2009.  Within the equity portfolio, the losses were primarily concentrated in index-based securities, banking, consumer goods and financial services sectors.  The unrealized losses in these sectors were company and sector specific.  As of March 31, 2010, we have the intent and ability to hold our equity securities with unrealized losses until recovery.

 

We have a comprehensive portfolio monitoring process to identify and evaluate each fixed income and equity security whose carrying value may be other-than-temporarily impaired.  The process includes a quarterly review of all securities through a screening criteria which identifies instances where the fair value compared to amortized cost for fixed income securities and cost for equity securities is below established thresholds, and also includes the monitoring of other criteria such as ratings, ratings downgrades or payment defaults.  The securities identified, in addition to other securities for which we may have a concern, are evaluated based on facts and circumstances for

 

73



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

inclusion on our watch-list.  All investments in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2010 were included in our portfolio monitoring process for determining whether declines in value were other than temporary.

 

The extent and duration of a decline in fair value have become less indicative of when the market may believe there has been credit deterioration with respect to an issue or issuer.  While we continue to use declines in fair value and the length of time a security is in an unrealized loss position as indicators of potential credit deterioration, our determination of whether a security’s decline in fair value is other than temporary has placed greater emphasis on our analysis of the underlying credit and collateral.

 

The following table summarizes fixed income and equity securities in a gross unrealized loss position according to significance, aging and investment grade classification.

 

($ in millions, except number

 

March 31, 2010

 

December 31, 2009

   of issues)

 

Fixed income

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment
grade

 

Below
investment
grade

 

Equity

 

Total

 

Investment
grade

 

Below
investment
grade

 

Equity

 

Total

 

Category (I): Unrealized loss less than 20% of cost (1) (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of issues

 

2,165

 

280

 

490

 

2,935

 

2,626

 

290

 

1,517

 

4,433

 

Fair value

$

18,857

$

1,970

$

757

$

21,584

$

24,260

$

1,724

$

1,703

$

27,687

 

Unrealized

$

(921)

$

(191)

$

(69)

$

(1,181)

$

(1,198)

$

(181)

$

(167)

$

(1,546)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category (II): Unrealized loss greater than or equal to 20% of cost for a period of less than 6 consecutive months (1) (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of issues

 

71

 

12

 

32

 

115

 

81

 

30

 

171

 

282

 

Fair value

$

282

$

111

$

42

$

435

$

444

$

191

$

68

$

703

 

Unrealized

$

(87)

$

(41)

$

(12)

$

(140)

$

(142)

$

(77)

$

(24)

$

(243)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category (III): Unrealized loss greater than or equal to 20% of cost for a period of 6 or more consecutive months, but less than 12 consecutive months (1)  (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of issues

 

3

 

11

 

1

 

15

 

26

 

30

 

3

 

59

 

Fair value

$

17

$

49

$

15

$

81

$

196

$

167

$

14

$

377

 

Unrealized

$

(9)

$

(27)

$

(5)

$

(41)

$

(112)

$

(86)

$

(6)

$

(204)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category (IV): Unrealized loss greater than or equal to 20% of cost for 12 or  more consecutive months (1)  (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of issues

 

358

 

265

 

--

 

623

 

415

 

257

 

2

 

674

 

Fair value

$

1,761

$

1,460

$

--

$

3,221

$

2,118

$

1,428

$

14

$

3,560

 

Unrealized

$

(1,326)

$

(1,382)

$

--

$

(2,708)

$

(1,689)

$

(1,469)

$

(5)

$

(3,163)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total number of issues

 

2,597

 

568

 

523

 

3,688

 

3,148

 

607

 

1,693

 

5,448

 

Total fair value

$

20,917

$

3,590

$

814

$

25,321

$

27,018

$

3,510

$

1,799

$

32,327

 

Total unrealized losses

$

(2,343)

$

(1,641)

$

(86)

$

(4,070)

$

(3,141)

$

(1,813)

$

(202)

$

(5,156)

 

 


(1)  For fixed income securities, cost represents amortized cost.

(2) At March 31, 2010, gross unrealized losses resulting from factors other than credit on fixed income securities with other-than-temporary impairments for which we have recorded a credit loss in earnings are included as follows: Category (I) $34 million, Category (II) $1 million, Category (III) $14 million, and Category (IV) $647 million.

 

Categories (I) and (II) have generally been adversely affected by overall economic conditions including interest rate increases and the market’s evaluation of certain sectors.  The degree to which and/or length of time that the securities have been in an unrealized loss position does not suggest that these securities pose a high risk of being other-than-temporarily impaired.  The largest individual unrealized loss was $23 million for Category (I) and $17 million for Category (II) as of March 31, 2010.

 

Gross unrealized losses on fixed income securities in Category (II) decreased $91 million since December 31, 2009.  This change was primarily the result of improved market conditions resulting in higher valuations, which either caused a shift to Category (I) or created an overall gross unrealized gain position.  The remainder of the reduction in Category (II) is primarily a result of losses shifting into Category (III) and (IV) due to continued aging of losses in a continuous unrealized loss position of greater than or equal to 20% of amortized cost.

 

74



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Categories (III) and (IV) are affected by macroeconomic and credit pressures upon real estate valuations and borrowers, and issue, issuer or industry specific conditions.  The degree to which and/or length of time these securities have been in an unrealized loss position subject them to increased scrutiny through our portfolio monitoring process.  The largest individual unrealized loss was $6 million for Category (III) and $46 million for Category (IV) as of March 31, 2010.  Category (III) and (IV) fixed income securities at March 31, 2010 are listed in the following table by fixed income security type and investment quality classification.

 

($ in millions)

 

Investment grade

 

 

Category (III)

 

Category (IV)

 

Total

 

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
losses

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
losses

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
losses

Municipal

$

--

$

--

$

377

$

(245)

$

377

$

(245)

Corporate

 

15

 

(7)

 

135

 

(60)

 

150

 

(67)

RMBS

 

2

 

(2)

 

385

 

(337)

 

387

 

(339)

CMBS

 

--

 

--

 

564

 

(537)

 

564

 

(537)

ABS

 

--

 

--

 

300

 

(147)

 

300

 

(147)

 

$

17

$

(9)

$

1,761

$

(1,326)

$

1,778

$

(1,335)

 

 

 

Below investment grade

 

 

Category (III)

 

Category (IV)

 

Total

 

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
losses

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
losses

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
losses

Municipal

$

11

$

(5)

$

177

$

(75)

$

188

$

(80)

Corporate

 

11

 

(4)

 

52

 

(17)

 

63

 

(21)

RMBS

 

24

 

(14)

 

801

 

(879)

 

825

 

(893)

CMBS

 

--

 

-- 

 

117

 

(206)

 

117

 

(206)

ABS

 

3

 

(4)

 

313

 

(205)

 

316

 

(209)

 

$

49

$

(27)

$

1,460

$

(1,382)

$

1,509

$

(1,409)

Total

$

66

$

(36)

$

3,221

$

(2,708)

$

3,287

$

(2,744)

 

As of March 31, 2010, our gross unrealized losses in Category (III) and (IV) were primarily concentrated in structured securities, as we have experienced declines in fair value primarily due to wider credit spreads since the time of initial purchase.  As of March 31, 2010, RMBS, CMBS and ABS comprised $1.25 billion and $1.26 billion of investment grade and below investment grade securities in Category (III) and (IV), respectively.  Consistent with their rating, our portfolio monitoring indicates that the investment grade securities have a relatively low risk of default.  Securities rated below investment grade, whether at issue or upon subsequent downgrade, have a higher level of risk and can be more volatile.

 

A key consideration in the determination of other-than-temporary impairment for structured securities is whether the present value of loss adjusted cash flows from the underlying collateral will be sufficient to recover our amortized cost basis.  This evaluation focuses on the adequacy of credit enhancement relative to the performance of the underlying collateral, adjusted for projected defaults and prepayments.  Credit enhancement includes, but is not limited to, structural subordination, guarantees and reserves.  Key future collateral performance considerations include historical default/prepayment trends, as well as projected macroeconomic variables such as unemployment rates and interest rates.  In general, securities with credit enhancement in excess of projected loss-adjusted collateral performance or which are reliably insured are deemed not other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

75



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

A description of the other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) assessment for our RMBS, CMBS and ABS, which comprise a majority of our Category (III) and (IV) unrealized losses, follows:

 

·                  The credit loss evaluation for non-agency RMBS securities, including Prime, Alt-A and Subprime securities, primarily relies on projections of losses based on future collateral performance, taking into account security specific delinquency and loss severity trends on the underlying mortgage collateral to date.  The expected performance of each transaction considers projected collateral losses and credit enhancement levels, as well as an assessment of the origination practices of the transaction sponsor, geographic diversification, overall transaction structure, collateral type and quality, transaction vintage year and other considerations that may be of concern.  Our default estimates on the underlying mortgage collateral are forward looking and generally based upon security specific performance trends to date as well as our overall economic outlook, with a focus on housing, unemployment and GDP expectations, and consider other factors that may influence future borrower behaviors.  Our loss severity estimates are forward looking and incorporate estimates of future house price appreciation/depreciation expectations and estimates of foreclosure timing and expenses.

 

The following table shows our Category (IV) below investment grade RMBS securities, including Prime, Alt-A and Subprime, by credit rating as of March 31, 2010.

 

($ in millions)

 

With OTTI recorded

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

 

Ba

 

B

 

Caa or
lower

 

Ba

 

B

 

Caa or
lower

 

Ba

 

B

 

Caa or
lower

 

Total

Prime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

$

--

$

--

$

34

$

3

$

3

$

9

$

3

$

3

$

43

$

49

Unrealized losses

$

--

$

--

$

(14)

$

(1)

$

(3)

$

(4)

$

(1)

$

(3)

$

(18)

$

(22)

Cumulative write-downs recognized

$

--

$

--

$

(3)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(3)

$

(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alt-A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

$

1

$

13

$

114

$

25

$

4

$

17

$

26

$

17

$

131

$

174

Unrealized losses

$

(3)

$

(9)

$

(105)

$

(23)

$

(4)

$

(7)

$

(26)

$

(13)

$

(112)

$

(151)

Cumulative write-downs recognized

$

--

$

(2)

$

(71)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(2)

$

(71)

$

(73)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subprime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

$

5

$

10

$

259

$

64

$

102

$

138

$

69

$

112

$

397

$

578

Unrealized losses

$

(5)

$

(10)

$

(345)

$

(69)

$

(123)

$

(154)

$

(74)

$

(133)

$

(499)

$

(706)

Cumulative write-downs recognized

$

(1)

$

(1)

$

(245)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(1)

$

(1)

$

(245)

$

(247)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

$

6

$

23

$

407

$

92

$

109

$

164

$

98

$

132

$

571

$

801

Unrealized losses

$

(8)

$

(19)

$

(464)

$

(93)

$

(130)

$

(165)

$

(101)

$

(149)

$

(629)

$

(879)

Cumulative write-downs recognized

$

(1)

$

(3)

$

(319)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(1)

$

(3)

$

(319)

$

(323)

 

Other-than-temporary impairment write-downs have been recorded for 54% of our Category (IV) below investment grade RMBS as of March 31, 2010.  For securities in this group rated Caa or lower, 71% have had other-than-temporary impairment write-downs recorded as of March 31, 2010.  For the Category (IV) below investment grade RMBS with other-than-temporary impairment write-downs recorded, approximately 40% of the decline in fair value has been recognized as impairment losses.

 

76



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

·                  The credit loss evaluation for CMBS primarily relies on model-driven projections of future collateral performance, taking into account all reasonably available information specific to the underlying commercial mortgage loans including estimates of current and future property value, current and projected rental income and the credit enhancement levels.  Estimates of future property value and rental income consider specific property-type and metro area economic trends such as property vacancy rates and rental rates, employment indicators and building industry fundamentals.  Other considerations include borrower payment history, the origination practices of the transaction sponsor, overall collateral quality and diversification, transaction vintage year, maturity date, overall structure of the transaction and other factors that may influence performance.  Actual realized losses in the CMBS market have historically been low, therefore our projection of collateral performance is informed by credit opinions obtained from third parties, such as nationally recognized credit rating agencies, industry analysts and a CMBS loss modeling advisory service.

 

The following table shows our Category (IV) below investment grade CMBS securities by credit rating as of March 31, 2010.

 

($ in millions)

 

With OTTI recorded

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

 

Ba

 

B

 

Caa or
lower

 

Ba

 

B

 

Caa or
lower

 

Ba

 

B

 

Caa or
lower

 

Total

CMBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

$

6

$

38

$

9

$

50

$

14

$

--

$

56

$

52

$

9

$

117

Unrealized losses

$

(20)

$

(46)

$

(19)

$

(81)

$

(40)

$

--

$

(101)

$

(86)

$

(19)

$

(206)

Cumulative write-downs recognized

$

(13)

$

(45)

$

(15)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(13)

$

(45)

$

(15)

$

(73)

 

Other-than-temporary impairment write-downs have been recorded for 45% of our Category (IV) below investment grade CMBS as of March 31, 2010.  For securities in this group rated Caa or lower, 100% have had other-than-temporary impairment write-downs recorded as of March 31, 2010.  For the Category (IV) below investment grade CMBS with other-than-temporary impairment write-downs recorded, approximately 46% of the decline in fair value has been recognized as impairment losses.

 

·                  The credit loss evaluation for ABS primarily relies on expectations of future losses on the underlying collateral and structural considerations of each issue.  The projection of future losses is based on our expectations for investment grade corporate, bank loan and high yield markets.  Our expectations are formulated through ongoing monitoring and participation in these markets, and considers opinions from third parties, such as industry analysts and strategists, and credit rating agencies as well as our overall economic outlook for indicators such as unemployment and GDP.  The expected performance of each transaction considers expected collateral losses and credit enhancement levels, as well as factors including default rates, expected recoveries, prepayment rates, changes in interest rates and other characteristics.  In addition, the performance of collateral underlying certain ABS securities is actively monitored by external managers, allowing for enhanced collateral management actions which help mitigate the risk of loss.

 

The following table shows our Category (IV) below investment grade ABS securities, including CDO and other ABS by credit rating as of March 31, 2010.

 

($ in millions)

 

With OTTI recorded

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

 

Ba

 

B

 

Caa or
lower

 

Ba

 

B

 

Caa or
lower

 

Ba

 

B

 

Caa or
lower

 

Total

ABS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

$

--

$

5

$

12

$

251

$

18

$

27

$

251

$

23

$

39

$

313

Unrealized losses

$

--

$

(4)

$

(34)

$

(139)

$

(10)

$

(18)

$

(139)

$

(14)

$

(52)

$

(205)

Cumulative write-downs recognized

$

--

$

(15)

$

(97)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(15)

$

(97)

$

(112)

 

Other-than-temporary impairment write-downs have been recorded for 5% of our Category (IV) below investment grade ABS as of March 31, 2010.  For securities in this group rated Caa or lower, 31% have had other-than-temporary impairment write-downs recorded as of March 31, 2010.  For the Category (IV) below investment grade ABS with other-than-temporary impairment write-downs recorded, approximately 75% of the decline in fair value has been recognized as impairment losses.

 

77



 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

For structured securities deemed other-than-temporarily impaired, we recognized the estimated credit loss in earnings, while $640 million of net unrealized losses related to factors other than credit remains classified in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) as of March 31, 2010.  Structured securities deemed not other-than-temporarily impaired are current on contractual or expected payments and our detailed analysis of the underlying credit and related cash flows has concluded that our amortized cost basis is recoverable or the securities are reliably insured.  The declines in fair value are primarily due to credit spread widening in the structured security marketplace and higher liquidity discounts.

 

We believe that the unrealized losses on our fixed income securities are not predictive of their ultimate performance and the unrealized losses should reverse over the remaining lives of the securities.  We anticipate that these securities will recover in line with our best estimate of the expected cash flows which are used for other-than-temporary impairment evaluations.  As of March 31, 2010, we do not have the intent to sell and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell these securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis.  Our evaluation of whether it is more likely than not we will be required to sell a security before recovery of its amortized cost basis is supported by our liquidity position, which cushions us from the need to liquidate securities with significant unrealized losses to meet cash obligations.

 

Additionally, if a fixed income security which is deemed not to be other-than-temporarily impaired through our portfolio monitoring process has an unrealized loss of 20% or more for at least 36 months or any equity security’s unrealized loss of 20% or more for at least 12 months, additional evaluations and management approvals are required to substantiate that recognition of an impairment write-down is not appropriate.  As of March 31, 2010, no securities met these criteria.

 

We also monitor the quality of our fixed income and bank loan portfolios by categorizing certain investments as “problem,” “restructured,” or “potential problem.”  Problem fixed income securities and bank loans are in default with respect to principal or interest and/or are investments issued by companies that have gone into bankruptcy subsequent to our acquisition or loan.  Fixed income and bank loan investments are categorized as restructured when the debtor is in financial difficulty and we grant a concession.  Potential problem fixed income or bank loan investments are current with respect to contractual principal and/or interest, but because of other facts and circumstances, we have concerns regarding the borrower’s ability to pay future principal and interest according to the original terms, which causes us to believe these investments may be classified as problem or restructured in the future.

 

78



 

Item 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

The following table summarizes problem, restructured and potential problem fixed income securities and bank loans, which are reported in other investments.

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31, 2010

 

 

 

Par
value
(1)

 

 

Amortized
cost 
(1)

 

 

Amortized
cost as a
percent of
par value

 

Fair
value 
(2)

 

 

Fair value as a
percent of

par value

 

Percent of
total fixed
income and
bank loan
portfolios

 

Restructured

 

$

105

 

 

$

83

 

 

79.0%

 

$

79

 

 

75.2%

 

 

0.1%

 

 

Problem

 

 

807

 

 

 

331

 

 

41.0

 

 

265

 

 

32.8

 

 

0.3

 

 

Potential problem

 

 

2,430

 

 

 

1,518

 

 

62.5

 

 

928

 

 

38.2

 

 

1.1

 

 

Total

 

$

3,342

 

 

$

1,932

 

 

 

 

$

1,272

 

 

 

 

 

1.5%

 

 

Cumulative write-downs recognized (3)

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,196

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2009

 

 

 

Par
value
(1)

 

 

Amortized
cost 
(1)

 

 

Amortized
cost as a
percent of
par value

 

Fair
value 
(2)

 

 

Fair value as a
percent of

par value

 

Percent of
total fixed
income and
bank loan
portfolios

 

Restructured

 

$

107

 

 

$

85

 

 

79.4%

 

$

75

 

 

70.1%

 

 

0.1%

 

 

Problem

 

 

823

 

 

 

321

 

 

39.0

 

 

221

 

 

26.9

 

 

0.3

 

 

Potential problem

 

 

2,630

 

 

 

1,651

 

 

62.8

 

 

977

 

 

37.1

 

 

1.2

 

 

Total

 

$

3,560

 

 

$

2,057

 

 

 

 

$

1,273

 

 

 

 

 

1.6%

 

 

Cumulative write-downs recognized (3)

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

1,188

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1) The difference between par value and amortized cost of $1.41 billion at March 31, 2010 and $1.50 billion at December 31, 2009 is primarily attributable to write-downs.  Par value has been reduced by principal payments.

 

(2) Bank loans are reflected at amortized cost.

 

(3) Cumulative write-downs recognized only reflects impairment write-downs related to investments within the problem, potential problem and restructured categories.

 

At March 31, 2010, amortized cost for the problem category was $331 million and was comprised of $136 million of Subprime, $27 million of Alt-A, $5 million of Consumer and other ABS, $4 million of CMBS and $4 million of CDO.  Also included were $81 million of municipal bonds, $66 million of corporates (primarily privately placed) and $8 million of bank loans.  The increase of $10 million compared to December 31, 2009 is primarily attributable to additional Alt-A securities.  The amortized cost of problem investments with a fair value less than 80% of amortized cost totaled $122 million with unrealized losses of $76 million and fair value of $46 million.

 

At March 31, 2010, amortized cost for the potential problem category was $1.52 billion and was comprised of $616 million of Subprime, $404 million of Alt-A, $146 million of CMBS, $117 million of CDO, $70 million of Prime and $10 million of Consumer and other ABS. Also included were $96 million of corporates (primarily privately placed), $39 million of municipal bonds and $20 million of bank loans.  The decrease of $133 million from December 31, 2009 is primarily attributable to a reduction in corporates and CMBS.  The amortized cost of potential problem investments with a fair value less than 80% of amortized cost totaled $1.17 billion with unrealized losses of $610 million and fair value of $555 million.

 

79



 

Item 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Net investment income  The following table presents net investment income.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Fixed income securities

$

959

$

1,042

 

Equity securities

 

21

 

16

 

Mortgage loans

 

104

 

137

 

Limited partnership interests

 

6

 

3

 

Short-term

 

2

 

13

 

Other

 

1

 

1

 

Investment income, before expense

 

1,093

 

1,212

 

Investment expense

 

(43)

 

(36)

 

Net investment income

$

1,050

$

1,176

 

 

Net investment income decreased 10.7% or $126 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009, primarily due to lower yields and duration shortening actions taken to protect the portfolio from rising interest rates, along with reduced average asset balances.  Lower yields particularly impacted short-term and variable rate assets.  Net investment income was $1.08 billion in both the third and fourth quarter of 2009.

 

Net realized capital gains and losses  The following table presents the components of realized capital gains and losses and the related tax effect.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Impairment write-downs

$

(223)

$

(620)

 

Change in intent write-downs

 

(32)

 

(105)

 

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

(255)

 

(725)

 

Sales

 

88

 

418

 

Valuation of derivative instruments

 

(155)

 

103

 

Settlements of derivative instruments

 

(30)

 

(12)

 

EMA limited partnership income

 

4

 

(143)

 

Realized capital gains and losses, pre-tax

 

(348)

 

(359)

 

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

122

 

(129)

 

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

$

(226)

$

(488)

 

 

Impairment write-downs are presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Fixed income securities

$

(180)

$

(233)

 

Equity securities

 

(6)

 

(137)

 

Mortgage loans

 

(13)

 

(28)

 

Limited partnership interests

 

(24)

 

(197)

 

Other investments

 

--

 

(25)

 

Impairment write-downs

$

(223)

$

(620)

 

 

Impairment write-downs for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were primarily the result of RMBS which experienced deterioration in expected cash flows; investments with commercial real estate exposure, including CMBS, limited partnership interests, and mortgage loans;  which were impacted by declines in real estate valuations or experienced deterioration in expected cash flows; and privately placed corporate bonds and municipal bonds due to issuer specific circumstances.  $145 million or 80.6% of the fixed income security write-downs for the three months ended March 31, 2010 related to impaired securities that were performing in line with anticipated or contractual cash flows but were written down primarily because of expected deterioration in the performance of the underlying collateral or our assessment of the probability of future default.  For these securities, as of March 31,

 

80



 

Item 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

2010, there have either been no defaults or defaults have only impacted classes lower than our position in the capital structure.  $35 million of the fixed income security write-downs for the three months ended March 31, 2010 related to securities experiencing a significant departure from anticipated cash flows; however, we believe they retain economic value.

 

Equity securities were written down primarily due to the length of time and extent fair value was below cost, considering our assessment of the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects of the issuer, including relevant industry conditions and trends.

 

Limited partnership impairment write-downs related to Cost limited partnerships which experienced significant declines in portfolio valuations and we could not assert the recovery period would be temporary.  To determine if an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred related to a Cost limited partnership, we evaluate whether an impairment indicator has occurred in the period that may have a significant adverse effect on the carrying value of the investment.  Impairment indicators may include: significantly reduced valuations of the investments held by the limited partnerships; actual recent cash flows received being significantly less than expected cash flows; reduced valuations based on financing completed at a lower value; completed sale of a material underlying investment at a price significantly lower than expected; or any other recent adverse events since the last financial statements received that might affect the fair value of the investee’s capital.

 

Change in intent write-downs are presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Fixed income securities

$

(26)

$

(82)

 

Equity securities

 

--

 

(17)

 

Mortgage loans

 

(6)

 

(6)

 

Change in intent write-downs

$

(32)

$

(105)

 

 

Change in intent write-downs in the three months ended March 31, 2010 related primarily to municipal bonds for which we have the intent to sell.

 

Sales generated $88 million of net realized gains for the three months ended March 31, 2010 primarily due to $20 million of gains on sales of equity securities and $71 million of gains on sales of corporate and municipal fixed income securities.

 

Valuation and settlement of derivative instruments recorded as net realized capital losses totaling $185 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 included $155 million of losses on the valuation of derivative instruments and $30 million of losses on the settlement of derivative instruments.

 

Losses from the risk management programs primarily occurred in the interest rate spike exposure program and related to a decrease in interest rates and a decline in volatility.  Losses also occurred in the equity hedge program related to a decrease in volatility and increase in the equity indices.

 

A changing interest rate environment will drive changes in our portfolio duration targets at a tactical level.  A duration target and range is established with an economic view of liabilities relative to a long-term investment portfolio view.  Tactical duration management is accomplished through both cash market transactions, sales and new purchases and derivative activities that generate realized gains and losses.  As a component of our approach to managing portfolio duration, realized gains and losses on certain derivative instruments are most appropriately considered in conjunction with the unrealized gains and losses on the fixed income portfolio.  This approach mitigates the impacts of general interest rate changes to our overall financial condition.

 

At March 31, 2010, our securities with embedded options totaled $1.40 billion, a decrease in fair value of $6 million from December 31, 2009, resulting in realized capital losses on valuation of $13 million, net sales activity of $36 million, and unrealized net capital gains reported in OCI of $43 million for the host securities.  Net unrealized capital gains were further decreased by $10 million due to amortization of the host securities.  The change in fair value of embedded options is bifurcated from the host securities, separately valued and reported in realized capital gains and losses, while the change in the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost of the host securities is reported in OCI.  Total fair value exceeded total amortized cost by $28 million at March 31, 2010.  Valuation gains and losses are converted into cash for securities with embedded options upon our election to sell

 

81



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

these securities.  In the event the economic value of the options is not realized, we will recover the par value if held to maturity unless the issuer of the note defaults.  Total fair value exceeded par value by $24 million at March 31, 2010.

 

The table below presents the realized capital gains and losses (pre-tax) on the valuation and settlement of derivative instruments shown by underlying exposure and derivative strategy.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three  months ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010 Explanations

 

 

 

Valuation

 

Settlements

 

Total

 

Total

 

 

 

Risk management

Property-Liability

Portfolio duration management (1)

 

 

$

 

 

(2)

 

 

$

 

 

--

 

 

$

 

 

(2)

 

 

$

 

 

(6)

 

Interest rate swaps and municipal interest rate swaps are used to offset the effects of changing interest rates on a portion of the Property-Liability fixed income portfolio that is reported in unrealized net capital gains or losses in OCI.  The 2010 losses are offset in net unrealized capital gains and losses in OCI to the extent it relates to changes in risk-free rates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate spike exposure (1)

 

(78)

 

(44)

 

(122)

 

(11)

 

Interest rate swaption contracts, with terms of less than one year, and exchange traded options on treasury futures, with three month terms, provide an offset to declines in fixed income market values resulting from potential rising interest rates.  As of March 31, 2010, the notional of our over-the-counter (“OTC”) swaption positions totaled $10.00 billion and the notional of our exchange traded options totaled $1.50 billion.  Exchange traded options on treasury futures are utilized to supplement the protection provided by swaption contracts without increasing the counterparty risk associated with OTC contracts.  The 2010 losses on swaptions and options on treasury futures contracts relates to a decrease in interest rates and a decline in volatility.  Volatility represents the measure of variation of average value over a specified time period.  If interest rates do not increase above the strike rate, the maximum loss on swaptions and options on treasury futures is limited to the amount of the premium paid.  The program is routinely monitored and revised as capital market conditions change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedging unrealized  gains on equity securities (1)

 

(29)

 

(10)

 

(39)

 

63

 

Exchange traded put options provide an offset to significant declines in our equity portfolio from equity market declines below a targeted level.  Options can expire, terminate early or the option can be exercised.  If the price level of the equity index does not fall below the put’s strike price, the maximum loss on purchased puts is limited to the amount of the premium paid.  The 2010 losses on options were primarily the result of a decrease in volatility and an increase in the price levels of the equity indices and were partially offset by net unrealized capital gains and losses of our equity portfolio reflected in OCI to the extent it relates to changes in price levels of the equity indices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency contracts

 

9

 

4

 

13

 

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit risk reduction (1)

 

3

 

(1)

 

2

 

8

 

Gains are primarily the result of widening credit spreads on referenced credit entities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Financial

Duration gap management

 

 

(55)

 

 

12

 

 

(43)

 

 

74

 


Interest rate caps, floors and swaps are used by Allstate Financial to balance interest-rate sensitivities of its assets and liabilities.  The contracts settle based on differences between current market rates and a contractually specified fixed rate through expiration.  The contracts can be terminated and settled at any time with minimal additional cost.  The maximum loss on caps and floors is limited to the amount of premiums paid.  The change in valuation reflects the changing value of expected future settlements from changing interest rates, which may vary over the period of the contracts.  The 2010 losses, resulting from decreasing interest rates, are offset in unrealized capital gains and losses of our fixed income securities in OCI to the extent it relates to changes in risk-free rates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anticipatory hedging

 

16

 

4

 

20

 

(16)

 

Futures and interest rate swaps are used to protect investment spread from interest rate changes during mismatches in the timing of cash flows between product sales and the related investment activity.  The futures contracts are exchange traded, daily cash settled and can be exited at any time for minimal additional cost. If the cash flow mismatches are such that a positive net investment position is being hedged, there is an offset for the related investments unrealized loss in OCI.  The 2010 gains were caused by a decrease in risk-free interest rates over the life of the net short position as liability issuances exceeded asset acquisitions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedging of interest rate exposure in annuity contracts

 

(9)

 

--

 

(9)

 

(2)

 

Value of expected future settlements on interest rate caps and the associated value of future credited interest, which is reportable in future periods when incurred, decreased due to a decrease in interest rates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedging unrealized gains on equity indexed notes

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

3

 

 

 

 

82



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010 Explanations

 

 

Valuation

 

Settlements

 

Total

 

Total

 

 

Hedge ineffectiveness

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

(1)

 

The hedge ineffectiveness of less than $1 million includes $47 million in realized capital losses on swaps that were offset by $47 million in realized capital gains on the hedged risk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency contracts

 

(2)

 

6

 

4

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit risk reduction

 

3

 

(3)

 

--

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Risk management

$

(144)

$

(32)

$

(176)

$

148

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income generation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset replication – credit exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2010 changes in valuation on the Property-Liability segment are due to the tightening of credit spreads on referenced credit entities.  The gains are primarily on single name CDS.  The 2010 changes in valuation on the Allstate Financial segment are due to the widening credit spreads on referenced credit entities.  The losses are primarily on first-to-default CDS and credit derivative index CDS.  The changes in valuation would only be converted to cash upon disposition, which can be done at any time, or if the credit event specified in the contract occurs.  For further discussion on CDS, see Note 6 of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Property-Liability

$

4

$

2

$

6

$

(9)

 

Allstate Financial

 

(2)

 

--

 

(2)

 

(6)

 

Total

 

2

 

2

 

4

 

(15)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset replication – equity exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-Liability

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

(19)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Income generation

$

2

$

2

$

4

$

(34)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity indexed notes – Allstate Financial

 

$

 

(4)

 

$

 

--

 

$

 

(4)

 

$

 

(26)

 

Equity-indexed notes are fixed income securities that contain embedded options.  The changes in valuation of the embedded equity indexed call options are reported in realized capital gains and losses.  The results generally track the performance of underlying equity indices.  Valuation gains and losses are converted into cash upon sale or maturity.  In the event the economic value of the options is not realized, we will recover the par value of the host fixed income security if held to maturity unless the issuer of the note defaults.  Par value exceeded fair value by $35 million at March 31, 2010.  Equity-indexed notes are subject to our comprehensive portfolio monitoring and watchlist processes to identify and evaluate when the carrying value may be other-than-temporarily impaired.  The following table compares the March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 holdings, respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

Change

 

Change due

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

in fair

 

to net sale

 

December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

value

 

activity

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Par value

 

 

$

475

 

 

 

$

--

 

 

 

$

--

 

 

 

$

475

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized cost of host contract

 

 

$

349

 

 

 

$

5

 

 

 

$

--

 

 

 

$

344

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of equity-indexed call option

 

 

 

85

 

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

 

89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total amortized cost

 

 

$

434

 

 

 

$

1

 

 

 

$

--

 

 

 

$

433

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fair value

 

 

$

440

 

 

 

$

10

 

 

 

$

--

 

 

 

$

430

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain/loss

 

 

$

6

 

 

 

$

9

 

 

 

$

--

 

 

 

$

(3)

 

 

83



 

Item 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010 Explanations

 

 

Valuation

 

Settlements

 

Total

 

Total

 

 

Conversion options in
fixed income securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible bonds are fixed income securities that contain embedded options.   Changes in valuation of the embedded option are reported in realized capital gains and losses.  The results generally track the performance of underlying equities.  Valuation gains and losses are converted into cash upon our election to sell these securities.  In the event the economic value of the options is not realized, we will recover the par value of the host fixed income security if held to maturity unless the issuer of the note defaults.  Fair value exceeded par value by $59 million at March 31, 2010.  Convertible bonds are subject to our comprehensive portfolio monitoring and watchlist processes to identify and evaluate when the carrying value may be other-than-temporarily impaired.  The following table compares the March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 holdings, respectively.

Property-Liability

 

(8)

 

--

 

(8)

 

--

 

Allstate Financial

 

(1)

 

--

 

(1)

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

(9)

 

--

 

(9)

 

3

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

Change

 

Change due

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,
  2010  

 

in fair
value

 

to net sale
activity

 

December 31,
  2009  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Par value

 

 

$

903

 

 

 

$

--

 

 

 

$

(33)

 

 

 

$

936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized cost
of host contract

 

 

$

642

 

 

 

$

5

 

 

 

$

(27)

 

 

 

$

664

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of
conversion
option

 

 

 

298

 

 

 

 

(9)

 

 

 

 

(5)

 

 

 

 

312

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total amortized
cost

 

 

$

940

 

 

 

$

(4)

 

 

 

$

(32)

 

 

 

$

976

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fair value

 

 

$

962

 

 

 

$

20

 

 

 

$

(36)

 

 

 

$

978

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized
gain/loss

 

 

$

22

 

 

 

$

24

 

 

 

$

(4)

 

 

 

$

2

 

Total Accounting

$

(13)

$

--

$

(13)

$

(23)

 

 

 

Total

$

(155)

$

(30)

$

(185)

$

91

 

 

Total Property-
Liability

$

(101)

$

(49)

$

(150)

$

26

 

 

Total Allstate Financial

 

(54)

 

19

 

(35)

 

65

 

 

 

Total

$

(155)

$

(30)

$

(185)

$

91

 

 

 


(1) A portion of the macro hedge program is contained within this line item.

 

Included in the table above are net realized capital losses on the valuation and settlement of derivative instruments related to our macro hedge program.  These realized capital gains and losses are detailed in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Valuation

 

Settlement

 

Total

Premium-based instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate spike exposure

$

(78)

$

(44)

$

(122)

Hedging unrealized gains on
equity securities

 

(29)

 

(10)

 

(39)

Non premium-based instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio duration management

 

(2)

 

--

 

(2)

Credit risk hedging

 

4

 

(2)

 

2

Total

$

(105)

$

(56)

$

(161)

 

Portions of our current macro hedge program consist of derivatives for which we pay a premium at inception.  This includes over-the-counter interest rate swaptions, exchange traded options on treasury futures, and options on equity indices.  These programs are designed to protect against the “tail risk” associated with both interest rate spikes above, and equity market declines below, targeted thresholds, so that derivative valuation gains will be realized to partially offset corresponding declines in value for our fixed income and equity portfolios, respectively.  The net premium paid during the first quarter of 2010 for these instruments was $46 million with a fair value as of March 31, 2010 of $61 million for all open positions.  Net realized capital losses totaled $161 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010.  For these premium-based instruments, the maximum loss is limited to the remaining fair value of $61 million as of March 31, 2010.  Fair value on interest rate spike exposure includes $4 million on contracts expiring during the second quarter of 2010, $10 million on contracts expiring during the third quarter of 2010, and $28 million on contracts expiring during the fourth quarter of 2010.  The remaining $19 million of fair value relates to equity hedges with $1 million on contracts expiring in the second quarter of 2010 and $18 million on contracts expiring in the fourth quarter of 2010.

 

84



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

The remaining portions of our current macro hedge program do not require an up front premium payment and are related to portfolio duration management and credit risk hedging.  These positions currently include interest rate swaps, municipal interest rate swaps, and CDS buy protection.  Although interest rate swaps and CDS buy protection typically do not require up front premiums, they do involve periodic payments throughout the life of the contract.  The fair value of these positions was $(29) million and the net realized capital gain was zero for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.  The fair value and resulting gains and losses from these instruments is dependent on our positions and the movement of the underlying markets, or referenced entities in the case of CDS buy protection.

 

The macro hedge program is routinely monitored and revised as capital market conditions change.

 

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY HIGHLIGHTS

 

·                  Shareholders’ equity as of March 31, 2010 was $17.56 billion, an increase of 5.2% from $16.69 billion as of December 31, 2009.

·                  Deployable invested assets at the parent holding company level totaled $3.05 billion at March 31, 2010 compared to $3.07 billion at December 31, 2009.

·                  At March 31, 2010, we held 34.9% of our total consolidated cash and investment portfolio, or $35.21 billion, in cash and liquid investments that are saleable within one quarter without significant additional net realized capital losses.

·                  On both January 5, 2010 and April 1, 2010, we paid a quarterly shareholder dividend of $0.20.

 

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

 

Capital resources consist of shareholders’ equity and debt, representing funds deployed or available to be deployed to support business operations or for general corporate purposes.  The following table summarizes our capital resources.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

March 31,
2010

 

 

December 31,
2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, retained income and other shareholders’ equity items

 

$

18,849

 

$

18,798

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(1,289)

 

 

(2,106)

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

17,560

 

 

16,692

 

Debt

 

 

5,910

 

 

5,910

 

Total capital resources

 

$

23,470

 

$

22,602

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of debt to shareholders’ equity

 

 

33.7%

 

 

35.4%

 

Ratio of debt to capital resources

 

 

25.2%

 

 

26.1%

 

 

Shareholders’ equity increased in the first three months of 2010, due primarily to decreases in unrealized net capital losses on investments and net income, partially offset by dividends paid to shareholders.

 

Debt  Except for $42 million in long-term debt related to the synthetic leases scheduled to mature in 2011, we do not have any required principal payments until 2012 when the $350 million of 6.125% Senior Notes is due.

 

Financial ratings and strength  Our ratings are influenced by many factors including our operating and financial performance, asset quality, liquidity, asset/liability management, overall portfolio mix, financial leverage (i.e., debt), exposure to risks such as catastrophes and the current level of operating leverage.  There have been no changes to our debt, commercial paper and insurance financial strength ratings from Moody’s, S&P and A.M. Best since December 31, 2009.

 

Allstate Life Insurance Company (“ALIC”), Allstate Insurance Company (“AIC”) and The Allstate Corporation (the “Corporation”) are party to the Amended and Restated Intercompany Liquidity Agreement (“Liquidity Agreement”) which allows for short-term advances of funds to be made between parties for liquidity and other general corporate purposes.  The Liquidity Agreement does not establish a commitment to advance funds on the part of any party.  ALIC and AIC each serve as a lender and borrower and the Corporation serves only as a lender.  AIC also has a capital support agreement with ALIC.  Under the capital support agreement, AIC is committed to provide capital to ALIC to maintain an adequate capital level.  The maximum amount of potential funding under each of these agreements is $1.00 billion.

 

85



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

In addition to the Liquidity Agreement, the Corporation also has an intercompany loan agreement with certain of its subsidiaries, which include, but are not limited to, AIC and ALIC.  The amount of intercompany loans available to the Corporation’s subsidiaries is at the discretion of the Corporation.  The maximum amount of loans the Corporation will have outstanding to all its eligible subsidiaries at any given point in time is limited to $1.00 billion.  The Corporation may use commercial paper borrowings, bank lines of credit and repurchase agreements to fund intercompany borrowings.

 

Liquidity sources and uses  We actively manage our financial position and liquidity levels in light of changing market, economic, and business conditions.  Liquidity is managed at both the entity and enterprise level across the Company, and is assessed on both base and stressed level liquidity needs.  We believe we have sufficient liquidity to meet these needs, with $35.21 billion of cash and liquid investments saleable within 90 days without generating significant additional capital losses (34.9% of the total cash and investment portfolio).  We expect $10.15 billion of investment portfolio cash flows from maturities, calls, and interest receipts over the next 12 months.  Additionally, we have existing intercompany agreements in place that facilitate liquidity management across the Company to enhance flexibility.

 

Parent company capital capacity  At the parent holding company level, we have deployable invested assets totaling $3.05 billion as of March 31, 2010.  These assets include investments that are generally saleable within one quarter totaling $2.64 billion.  This provides funds for the parent company’s relatively low fixed charges.

 

The Corporation has access to additional borrowing to support liquidity as follows:

·                  A commercial paper facility with a borrowing limit of $1.00 billion to cover short-term cash needs.  As of March 31, 2010, there were no balances outstanding and therefore the remaining borrowing capacity was $1.00 billion; however, the outstanding balance can fluctuate daily.

·                  Our primary credit facility is available for short-term liquidity requirements and backs our commercial paper facility.  Our $1.00 billion unsecured revolving credit facility has an initial term of five years expiring in 2012 with two optional one-year extensions that can be exercised at the end of any of the remaining anniversary years of the facility upon approval of existing or replacement lenders providing more than two-thirds of the commitments to lend.  The program is fully subscribed among 11 lenders with the largest commitment being $185 million.  The commitments of the lenders are several and no lender is responsible for any other lender’s commitment if such lender fails to make a loan under the facility.  This facility contains an increase provision that would allow up to an additional $500 million of borrowing provided the increased portion could be fully syndicated at a later date among existing or new lenders.  This facility has a financial covenant requiring that we not exceed a 37.5% debt to capital resources ratio as defined in the agreement.  This ratio at March 31, 2010 was 19.8%.  Although the right to borrow under the facility is not subject to a minimum rating requirement, the costs of maintaining the facility and borrowing under it are based on the ratings of our senior, unsecured, nonguaranteed long-term debt.  There were no borrowings under the credit facility during the first three months of 2010.  The total amount outstanding at any point in time under the combination of the commercial paper program and the credit facility cannot exceed the amount that can be borrowed under the credit facility.

·                  A universal shelf registration statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 8, 2009.  We can use our current shelf registration to issue an unspecified amount of debt securities, common stock (including 362 million shares of treasury stock as of March 31, 2010), preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and securities of trust subsidiaries.  The specific terms of any securities we issue under this registration statement will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplements.

 

86



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

Liquidity exposure  Contractholder funds as of March 31, 2010 were $51.03 billion.  The following table summarizes contractholder funds by their contractual withdrawal provisions at March 31, 2010.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

Percent to
total

 

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal

$

7,876

 

15.4%

 

Subject to discretionary withdrawal with adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

Specified surrender charges (1)

 

21,530

 

42.2

 

Market value adjustments (2)

 

8,707

 

17.1

 

Subject to discretionary withdrawal without adjustments (3)

 

12,914

 

25.3

 

Total contractholder funds (4)

$

51,027

 

100.0%

 

 


(1) Includes $9.84 billion of liabilities with a contractual surrender charge of less than 5% of the account balance.

(2) $7.24 billion of the contracts with market value adjusted surrenders have a 30-45 day period at the end of their initial and subsequent interest rate guarantee periods (which are typically 5 or 6 years) during which there is no surrender charge or market value adjustment.

(3) 98% of these contracts have a minimum interest crediting rate guarantee of 3% or higher.

(4) Includes $1.27 billion of contractholder funds on variable annuities reinsured to The Prudential Insurance Company of America, a subsidiary of Prudential Financial Inc. effective June 1, 2006.

 

While we are able to quantify remaining scheduled maturities for our institutional products, anticipating retail product surrenders is less precise.  Retail life and annuity products may be surrendered by customers for a variety of reasons.  Reasons unique to individual customers include a current or unexpected need for cash or a change in life insurance coverage needs.  Other key factors that may impact the likelihood of customer surrender include the level of the contract surrender charge, the length of time the contract has been in force, distribution channel, market interest rates, equity market conditions and potential tax implications.  In addition, the propensity for retail life insurance policies to lapse is lower than it is for fixed annuities because of the need for the insured to be re-underwritten upon policy replacement.  Surrenders and partial withdrawals for our retail annuities increased 10.0% in the first three months of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009.  The annualized surrender and partial withdrawal rate on deferred annuities, interest-sensitive life insurance and Allstate Bank products, based on the beginning of year contractholder funds, was 11.7% and 11.1% for the first three months of 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Allstate Financial strives to promptly pay customers who request cash surrenders, however, statutory regulations generally provide up to six months in most states to fulfill surrender requests.

 

Our institutional products are primarily funding agreements sold to unaffiliated trusts used to back medium-term notes.  As of March 31, 2010, total institutional products outstanding were $3.41 billion.  The following table presents the remaining scheduled maturities for our institutional products outstanding as of March 31, 2010.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

2010

$

771

 

2011

 

760

 

2012

 

40

 

2013

 

1,750

 

2016

 

85

 

 

$

3,406

 

 

Our asset-liability management practices limit the differences between the cash flows generated by our investment portfolio and the expected cash flow requirements of our life insurance, annuity and institutional product obligations.

 

87



 

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

The following table summarizes consolidated cash flow activities by business segment for the first three months ended March 31.

 

($ in millions)

 

Property-Liability (1)

 

Allstate Financial (1)

 

Corporate
and Other
(1)

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

Net cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

$

(30)

$

432

$

925

$

928

$

69

$

162

$

964

$

1,522

 

Investing activities

 

89

 

(118)

 

844

 

1,136

 

30

 

331

 

963

 

1,349

 

Financing activities

 

(2)

 

(9)

 

(1,735)

 

(2,217)

 

(98)

 

(223)

 

(1,835)

 

(2,449)

 

Net increase in consolidated cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

92

$

422

 

 


(1) Business unit cash flows reflect the elimination of intersegment dividends, contributions and borrowings.

 

Property-Liability  Cash used in operating activities in the first quarter of 2010 compared to cash provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2009 was primarily due to income tax payments in the first quarter of 2010 compared to income tax refunds in the first quarter of 2009.  Both periods were also impacted by claim payments as a result of catastrophes.

 

Cash provided by investing activities in the first three months of 2010 compared to cash used in investing activities in the first three months of 2009 was primarily due to higher sales of fixed income and equity securities and decreased purchases of equity securities, partially offset by net change in short-term investments.

 

Allstate Financial  Operating cash flows for Allstate Financial in the first three months of 2010 were consistent with the same period in 2009 as higher premiums and decreased operating costs and expenses almost entirely offset lower net investment income, lower tax refunds and higher contract benefits.

 

Lower cash flows provided by investing activities in the first three months of 2010 compared to the first three months of 2009 were primarily related to lower cash flows used in financing activities.

 

Lower cash flows used in financing activities in the first three months of 2010 compared to the first three months of 2009 were primarily due to decreased maturities and retirements of institutional products, partially offset by lower deposits on fixed annuities and Allstate Bank products.

 

Corporate and Other  Fluctuations in the Corporate and Other operating cash flows were primarily due to the timing of intercompany settlements.  Investing activities primarily relate to investments in the portfolios of Kennett Capital Holdings, LLC.  Financing cash flows of the Corporate and Other segment reflect actions such as fluctuations in short-term debt, repayment of debt, proceeds from the issuance of debt, dividends to shareholders of The Allstate Corporation and share repurchases; therefore, financing cash flows are affected when we increase or decrease the level of these activities.

 

88



 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon this evaluation, the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed with or submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act is made known to management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  During the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2010, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

89



 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

 

Information required for Part II, Item 1 is incorporated by reference to the discussion under the heading “Regulation and Compliance” and under the heading “Legal and regulatory proceedings and inquiries” in Note 10 of the condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

This document contains “forward-looking statements” that anticipate results based on our estimates, assumptions and plans that are subject to uncertainty.  These statements are made subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.

 

These forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may be identified by their use of words like “plans,” “seeks,” “expects,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “believes,” “likely,” “targets” and other words with similar meanings.  These statements may address, among other things, our strategy for growth, catastrophe exposure management, product development, investment results, regulatory approvals, market position, expenses, financial results, litigation and reserves.  We believe that these statements are based on reasonable estimates, assumptions and plans.  However, if the estimates, assumptions or plans underlying the forward-looking statements prove inaccurate or if other risks or uncertainties arise, actual results could differ materially from those communicated in these forward-looking statements.  Risk factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to those discussed or identified in this document, in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and those incorporated by reference in Part I, Item 1A of The Allstate Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2009.

 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period

 

Total number of
shares
(or units)
purchased 
(1)

 

 

Average price
paid per share
(or unit)

 

Total number
of shares
(or units) purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans or
programs 
(2)

 

Maximum number
(or approximate dollar
value) of shares
(or units) that may yet
be purchased under the
plans or programs 
(3)

 

January 1, 2010 -
January 31, 2010

 

--

 

$

--

 

--

 

$

--

 

February 1, 2010 -
February 28, 2010

 

158,629

 

$

31.2200

 

--

 

 

--

 

March 1, 2010-
March 31, 2010

 

2,256

 

$

31.3098

 

--

 

 

--

 

Total

 

160,885

 

$

31.2213

 

--

 

 

 

 

 


(1) In accordance with the terms of its equity compensation plans, Allstate acquired the following shares in connection with stock option exercises by employees and/or directors.  The stock was received in payment of the exercise price of the options and in satisfaction of withholding taxes due upon exercise or vesting.

 

January:

 

none

February:

 

158,629

March:

 

2,256

 

(2) Repurchases under our programs are, from time to time, executed under the terms of a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

None

 

(3) A new share repurchase program has not been authorized.

 

90



 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

(a)                                  Exhibits

 

An Exhibit Index has been filed as part of this report on page E-1.

 

91



 

SIGNATURE

 

 

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 Allstate Corporation

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 28, 2010

By

   /s/ Samuel H. Pilch

 

 

Samuel H. Pilch

 

 

(chief accounting officer and duly

 

 

authorized officer of Registrant)

 

92



 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

4

 

Registrant hereby agrees to furnish the Commission, upon request, with the instruments defining the rights of holders of each issue of long-term debt of the Registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

 

 

15

 

Acknowledgment of awareness from Deloitte & Touche LLP, dated April 28, 2010, concerning unaudited interim financial information.

 

 

 

31 (i)

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer

 

 

 

31 (i)

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer

 

 

 

32

 

Section 1350 Certifications

 

 

 

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

E-1