2014.03.31 - 10Q

Table of Contents



 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 __________________________________________________
 Form 10-Q 
__________________________________________________

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014

Commission file number 001-33606
__________________________________________________
VALIDUS HOLDINGS, LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
__________________________________________________
BERMUDA
 
98-0501001
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
29 Richmond Road, Pembroke, Bermuda HM 08
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
 (441) 278-9000
(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 o
 
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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o
 
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. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a 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 o  No x
As of April 30, 2014 there were 90,786,820 outstanding Common Shares, $0.175 par value per share, of the registrant.
 

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INDEX
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As at March 31, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Assets


 


Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2014—$5,263,024; 2013—$5,522,853)
$
5,287,600

 
$
5,542,258

Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost: 2014—$831,679; 2013—$751,734)
831,800

 
751,778

Other investments, at fair value (cost: 2014—$632,924; 2013—$637,728)
662,974

 
618,316

Cash and cash equivalents
1,017,350

 
1,056,346

Total investments and cash
7,799,724

 
7,968,698

Investments in affiliates
221,607

 
141,243

Premiums receivable
1,091,391

 
697,233

Deferred acquisition costs
202,367

 
134,269

Prepaid reinsurance premiums
218,363

 
103,251

Securities lending collateral
4,877

 
3,392

Loss reserves recoverable
348,407

 
370,154

Paid losses recoverable
37,032

 
80,080

Intangible assets
105,367

 
106,407

Goodwill
20,393

 
20,393

Accrued investment income
16,518

 
18,876

Other assets
190,043

 
202,436

Total assets
$
10,256,089

 
$
9,846,432

 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Reserve for losses and loss expenses
$
2,925,059

 
$
3,030,399

Unearned premiums
1,273,734

 
824,496

Reinsurance balances payable
212,807

 
154,874

Securities lending payable
5,343

 
3,858

Deferred income taxes
22,609

 
19,086

Net payable for investments purchased
84,303

 
19,383

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
183,794

 
278,187

Notes payable to operating affiliates
561,373

 
439,272

Senior notes payable
247,225

 
247,198

Debentures payable
541,454

 
541,416

Total liabilities
$
6,057,701

 
$
5,558,169

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingent liabilities


 


Redeemable noncontrolling interest
8,390

 
86,512

 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity
 
 
 
Common shares, 571,428,571 authorized, par value $0.175 (Issued: 2014—154,597,094; 2013—154,488,497; Outstanding: 2014—90,786,237; 2013—96,044,312)
$
27,055

 
$
27,036

Treasury shares (2014—63,810,857; 2013—58,444,185)
(11,167
)
 
(10,228
)
Additional paid-in-capital
1,490,652

 
1,677,894

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
(155
)
 
(617
)
Retained earnings
2,142,679

 
2,010,009

Total shareholders’ equity available to Validus
3,649,064

 
3,704,094

Noncontrolling interest
540,934

 
497,657

Total shareholders’ equity
$
4,189,998

 
$
4,201,751

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and shareholders’ equity
$
10,256,089

 
$
9,846,432

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2013
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
Revenues
 
 
 
Gross premiums written
$
1,011,991

 
$
1,104,760

Reinsurance premiums ceded
(194,908
)
 
(187,216
)
Net premiums written
817,083

 
917,544

Change in unearned premiums
(334,126
)
 
(386,483
)
Net premiums earned
482,957

 
531,061

Net investment income
23,362

 
25,649

Net realized gains on investments
3,740

 
1,721

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments
55,693

 
(7,237
)
Income from investment affiliate
5,348

 
1,477

Other income
13,830

 
2,685

Foreign exchange (losses) gains
(6,478
)
 
6,922

Total revenues
578,452

 
562,278

 
 
 
 
Expenses
 
 
 
Losses and loss expenses
162,671

 
144,771

Policy acquisition costs
85,649

 
93,611

General and administrative expenses
74,445

 
80,279

Share compensation expenses
7,147

 
2,318

Finance expenses
15,900

 
14,369

Total expenses
345,812

 
335,348

 
 
 
 
Income before taxes, income from operating affiliates and (income) attributable to operating affiliate investors
232,640

 
226,930

Tax benefit
40

 
318

Income from operating affiliates
4,927

 
3,523

(Income) attributable to operating affiliate investors
(31,710
)
 
(10,077
)
Net income
$
205,897

 
$
220,694

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(43,509
)
 
2,549

Net income available to Validus
$
162,388

 
$
223,243

 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
462

 
(9,785
)
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
$
462

 
$
(9,785
)
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income available to Validus
$
162,850

 
$
213,458

 
 
 
 
Earnings per share
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding
 
 
 
Basic
93,451,999

 
107,386,438

Diluted
97,799,519

 
110,052,999

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share available to common shareholders
$
1.72

 
$
1.94

Earnings per diluted share available to common shareholders
$
1.66

 
$
1.90

 
 
 
 
Cash dividends declared per share
$
0.30

 
$
2.30

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)
 
March 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2013
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
Common shares
 

 
 

Balance - Beginning of period
$
27,036

 
$
26,722

Common shares issued, net
19

 
47

Balance - End of period
$
27,055

 
$
26,769

 
 
 
 
Treasury shares
 

 
 

Balance - Beginning of period
$
(10,228
)
 
$
(7,836
)
Repurchase of common shares
(939
)
 
(333
)
Balance - End of period
$
(11,167
)
 
$
(8,169
)
 
 
 
 
Additional paid-in capital
 

 
 

Balance - Beginning of period
$
1,677,894

 
$
2,160,478

Common shares issued, net
2,011

 
3,074

Repurchase of common shares
(196,400
)
 
(69,358
)
Share compensation expenses
7,147

 
2,318

Balance - End of period
$
1,490,652

 
$
2,096,512

 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
 

 
 

Balance - Beginning of period
$
(617
)
 
$
(2,953
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
462

 
(9,785
)
Balance - End of period
$
(155
)
 
$
(12,738
)
 
 
 
 
Retained earnings
 

 
 

Balance - Beginning of period
$
2,010,009

 
$
1,844,416

Dividends
(29,718
)
 
(266,143
)
Net income
205,897

 
220,694

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(43,509
)
 
2,549

Balance - End of period
$
2,142,679

 
$
1,801,516

 
 
 
 
Total shareholders’ equity available to Validus
$
3,649,064

 
$
3,903,890

 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling interest
$
540,934

 
$
431,144

 
 
 
 
Total shareholders’ equity
$
4,189,998

 
$
4,335,034

 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)
 
March 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2013
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities
 

 
 

Net income
$
205,897

 
$
220,694

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

 
 

Share compensation expenses
7,147

 
2,318

Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary
(1,372
)
 

Amortization of discount on senior notes
27

 
27

Income from investment affiliate
(5,348
)
 
(1,477
)
Net realized gains on investments
(3,740
)
 
(1,721
)
Change in net unrealized (gains) losses on investments
(55,693
)
 
7,237

Amortization of intangible assets
1,040

 
1,040

Income from operating affiliates
(4,927
)
 
(3,523
)
Foreign exchange (gains) losses included in net income
(4,347
)
 
18,906

Amortization of premium on fixed maturities
4,117

 
5,059

Change in:
 

 
 

Premiums receivable
(393,543
)
 
(400,153
)
Deferred acquisition costs
(68,098
)
 
(72,916
)
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
(115,112
)
 
(100,984
)
Loss reserves recoverable
21,832

 
6,447

Paid losses recoverable
43,054

 
30,438

Income taxes recoverable

 
(2,132
)
Accrued investment income
2,366

 
1,532

Other assets
13,558

 
8,020

Reserve for losses and loss expenses
(105,842
)
 
(138,633
)
Unearned premiums
449,238

 
487,467

Reinsurance balances payable
57,765

 
51,300

Deferred income taxes
3,551

 
1,250

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
(95,997
)
 
(40,113
)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
(44,427
)
 
80,083

 
 
 
 
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities
 

 
 

Proceeds on sales of investments
1,086,527

 
1,410,509

Proceeds on maturities of investments
124,716

 
125,841

Purchases of fixed maturities
(884,461
)
 
(2,140,447
)
(Purchases) sales of short-term investments, net
(107,411
)
 
744,518

Sales of other investments
3,539

 
31,121

Increase in securities lending collateral
(1,485
)
 
(1,689
)
Redemption of investment in operating affiliates
43,366

 
50,222

Purchase of investment in investment affiliate

 
(1,341
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
264,791

 
218,734

 
 
 
 
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities
 

 
 

Net (repayment of) proceeds on issuance of notes payable to operating affiliates
(30,600
)
 
175,637

Issuance of common shares, net
2,030

 
3,121

Purchases of common shares under share repurchase program
(197,339
)
 
(69,691
)
Dividends paid
(29,330
)
 
(262,232
)
Increase in securities lending payable
1,485

 
1,689

(Redemption of) investment in third party redeemable noncontrolling interest
(10,496
)
 
36,290

Net cash (used in) financing activities
(264,250
)
 
(115,186
)
 
 
 
 
Effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
4,890

 
(33,786
)
 
 
 
 
Net (decrease) increase in cash
(38,996
)
 
149,845

 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period
$
1,056,346

 
$
1,219,379

 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period
$
1,017,350

 
$
1,369,224

 
 
 
 
Taxes paid during the period
$
175

 
$
693

 
 
 
 
Interest paid during the period
$
19,174

 
$
17,819

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)



1. Basis of preparation and consolidation
These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include Validus Holdings, Ltd. and its wholly and majority owned subsidiaries (together the "Company") and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 in Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In addition, the year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
In the opinion of management, these unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (including normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's financial position and results of operations as at the end of and for the periods presented. To facilitate comparison of information, certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. The consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 includes a reclassification of $19,400 from cash flows used in financing activities to cash flows provided by operating activities to revise the presentation of subscriptions received in advance from third party investors. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, $10,077 within finance expenses has been reclassified into income attributable to operating affiliate investors to conform to current period presentation. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.
The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. While management believes that the amounts included in the Consolidated Financial Statements reflect its best estimates and assumptions, actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The Company’s principal estimates include:
reserve for losses and loss expenses;
premium estimates for business written on a line slip or proportional basis;
the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets;
reinsurance recoverable balances including the provision for uncollectible amounts; and
investment valuation of financial assets.
The term “ASC” used in these notes refers to Accounting Standard Codification issued by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).
2. Recent accounting pronouncements
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity
In March 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2013-05, “Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity” (ASU 2013-05). The objective of this Update is to resolve the diversity in practice about whether Subtopic 810-10, Consolidation-Overall, or Subtopic 830-30, Foreign Currency Matters-Translation of Financial Statements, applies to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary within a foreign entity. The amendments became effective for the Company on January 1, 2014. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
Financial Services - Investment Companies - Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure Requirements
In June 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2013-08, “Financial Services - Investment Companies - Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure Requirements” (ASU 2013-08). The amendments in this Update change the assessment of whether an entity is an investment company by developing a new two-tiered approach for that assessment, which

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Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


requires an entity to possess certain fundamental characteristics while allowing judgment in assessing other typical characteristics. The new approach requires an entity to assess all of the characteristics of an investment company and consider its purpose and determine whether it is an investment company. The amendments became effective for the Company on January 1, 2014. The Company performed an assessment and has concluded that the AlphaCat ILS funds meet the characteristics outlined in this Update and therefore will continue to be treated as investment companies.
Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists
In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2013-11 “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” (ASU 2013-11). This Update applies to all entities that have unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. An unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. To the extent a net operating loss carryforward is not available to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position at the reporting date, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The amendments became effective for the Company on January 1, 2014. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


3. Investments
(a)
Fixed maturity, short-term and other investments
The Company's investments in fixed maturities, short-term investments and other investments are classified as trading and carried at fair value, with related changes in net unrealized gains or losses included in earnings.
The amortized cost (or cost), gross unrealized gains and (losses) and estimated fair value of investments at March 31, 2014 were as follows:
 
Amortized Cost or Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
U.S. government and government agency
$
1,122,846

 
$
2,241

 
$
(4,232
)
 
$
1,120,855

Non-U.S. government and government agency
438,415

 
5,138

 
(1,224
)
 
442,329

U.S. states, municipalities and political subdivisions
43,960

 
626

 
(122
)
 
44,464

Agency residential mortgage-backed securities
293,013

 
8,201

 
(1,653
)
 
299,561

Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities
16,721

 
254

 
(645
)
 
16,330

U.S. corporate
1,331,550

 
9,315

 
(3,455
)
 
1,337,410

Non-U.S. corporate
699,404

 
6,460

 
(1,973
)
 
703,891

Bank loans
640,672

 
4,678

 
(1,649
)
 
643,701

Catastrophe bonds
30,500

 
1,747

 

 
32,247

Asset-backed securities
623,631

 
1,408

 
(540
)
 
624,499

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
22,312

 
7

 
(6
)
 
22,313

Total fixed maturities
5,263,024

 
40,075

 
(15,499
)
 
5,287,600

Total short-term investments
831,679

 
121

 

 
831,800

Other investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fund of hedge funds
2,977

 
138

 
(921
)
 
2,194

Hedge funds (a)
581,369

 
110,058

 
(84,965
)
 
606,462

Private equity investments
12,068

 
2,562

 
(668
)
 
13,962

Investment funds
30,311

 
188

 

 
30,499

Mutual funds
6,199

 
3,658

 

 
9,857

Total other investments
632,924

 
116,604

 
(86,554
)
 
662,974

Total investments including noncontrolling interests
$
6,727,627

 
$
156,800

 
$
(102,053
)
 
$
6,782,374

Noncontrolling interest (a)
$
(512,121
)
 
$
(95,750
)
 
$
76,468

 
$
(531,403
)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest (b)
$
(1,976
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(1,976
)
Total investments excluding noncontrolling interests
$
6,213,530

 
$
61,050

 
$
(25,585
)
 
$
6,248,995

(a)
Included in the hedge funds balance are investments held by PaCRe in which the Company has an equity interest of 10%. The remaining 90% interest is held by third party investors and included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as noncontrolling interest.
(b)
Included in the total investments balance are investments held by one AlphaCat ILS fund which is consolidated by the Company but in which the Company has an equity interest of less than 100%. The remaining interests are held by third party investors and included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as redeemable noncontrolling interest.

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Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


The amortized cost (or cost), gross unrealized gains and (losses) and estimated fair value of investments at December 31, 2013 were as follows:
 
Amortized Cost or Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
U.S. government and government agency
$
1,368,826

 
$
2,589

 
$
(6,736
)
 
$
1,364,679

Non-U.S. government and government agency
454,578

 
6,511

 
(2,021
)
 
459,068

U.S. states, municipalities and political subdivisions
42,978

 
459

 
(317
)
 
43,120

Agency residential mortgage-backed securities
305,450

 
8,310

 
(2,261
)
 
311,499

Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities
16,530

 
143

 
(914
)
 
15,759

U.S. corporate
1,328,960

 
9,208

 
(5,684
)
 
1,332,484

Non-U.S. corporate
711,581

 
5,917

 
(3,173
)
 
714,325

Bank loans
712,859

 
5,659

 
(1,402
)
 
717,116

Catastrophe bonds
72,000

 
2,551

 

 
74,551

Asset-backed securities
509,091

 
1,409

 
(843
)
 
509,657

Total fixed maturities
5,522,853

 
42,756

 
(23,351
)
 
5,542,258

Total short-term investments
751,734

 
45

 
(1
)
 
751,778

Other investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fund of hedge funds
3,141

 
83

 
(921
)
 
2,303

Hedge funds (a)
584,518

 
71,641

 
(95,076
)
 
561,083

Private equity investments
12,333

 
1,410

 
(258
)
 
13,485

Investment funds
31,537

 
92

 

 
31,629

Mutual funds
6,199

 
3,617

 

 
9,816

Total other investments
637,728

 
76,843

 
(96,255
)
 
618,316

Total investments including noncontrolling interests
$
6,912,315

 
$
119,644

 
$
(119,607
)
 
$
6,912,352

Noncontrolling interest (a)
(512,121
)
 
(62,850
)
 
85,569

 
(489,402
)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest (b)
$
(18,365
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(18,365
)
Total investments excluding noncontrolling interests
$
6,381,829

 
$
56,794

 
$
(34,038
)
 
$
6,404,585

(a)
Included in the hedge funds balance are investments held by PaCRe in which the Company has an equity interest of 10%. The remaining 90% interest is held by third party investors and included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as noncontrolling interest.
(b)
Included in the total investments balance are investments held by two AlphaCat ILS funds which are consolidated by the Company but in which the Company has an equity interest of less than 100%. The remaining interests are held by third party investors and included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as redeemable noncontrolling interest.

9

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


The following table sets forth certain information regarding the investment ratings of the Company’s fixed maturities portfolio as at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Investment ratings are the lower of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s rating for each investment security, presented in Standard & Poor’s equivalent rating. For investments where Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s ratings are not available, Fitch ratings are used and presented in Standard & Poor’s equivalent rating.
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
% of Total
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
% of Total
AAA
$
906,648

 
17.1
%
 
$
788,490

 
14.2
%
AA
2,124,629

 
40.2
%
 
2,378,491

 
42.9
%
A
1,178,357

 
22.3
%
 
1,174,562

 
21.2
%
BBB
397,563

 
7.5
%
 
420,559

 
7.6
%
Total investment-grade fixed maturities
4,607,197

 
87.1
%
 
4,762,102

 
85.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BB
336,265

 
6.4
%
 
350,678

 
6.3
%
B
321,128

 
6.1
%
 
390,430

 
7.0
%
CCC
4,247

 
0.1
%
 
4,659

 
0.1
%
CC
2,602

 
%
 
2,731

 
0.1
%
D/NR
16,161

 
0.3
%
 
31,658

 
0.6
%
Total non-investment grade fixed maturities
680,403

 
12.9
%
 
780,156

 
14.1
%
Total fixed maturities
$
5,287,600

 
100.0
%
 
$
5,542,258

 
100.0
%
The amortized cost and estimated fair value amounts for fixed maturities held at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are shown below by contractual maturity. Actual maturity may differ from contractual maturity because certain borrowers may have the right to call or prepay certain obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Amortized Cost
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Estimated Fair Value
Due in one year or less
$
625,774

 
$
629,800

 
$
688,855

 
$
692,768

Due after one year through five years
3,311,970

 
3,325,578

 
3,603,459

 
3,613,847

Due after five years through ten years
366,524

 
366,409

 
396,389

 
395,633

Due after ten years
3,079

 
3,110

 
3,079

 
3,095

 
4,307,347

 
4,324,897

 
4,691,782

 
4,705,343

Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities
955,677

 
962,703

 
831,071

 
836,915

Total fixed maturities
$
5,263,024

 
$
5,287,600

 
$
5,522,853

 
$
5,542,258

(b)
Net investment income
Net investment income was derived from the following sources:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
Fixed maturities and short-term investments
$
23,297

 
$
27,531

Cash and cash equivalents
1,957

 
533

Securities lending income
2

 

Total gross investment income
25,256

 
28,064

Investment expenses
(1,894
)
 
(2,415
)
Total net investment income
$
23,362

 
$
25,649


10

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


(c)
Net realized gains and change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments
The following represents an analysis of net realized gains and the change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
Fixed maturities, short-term and other investments and cash equivalents
 
 
 
Gross realized gains
$
5,296

 
$
10,720

Gross realized (losses)
(1,556
)
 
(8,999
)
Net realized gains on investments
3,740

 
1,721

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments (a)
55,693

 
(7,237
)
Total net realized gains and change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments including noncontrolling interest
59,433

 
(5,516
)
Noncontrolling interest (a)
(42,002
)
 
4,651

Total net realized gains and change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments excluding noncontrolling interest
$
17,431

 
$
(865
)
(a)
Includes change in net unrealized (gains) losses on investments held by PaCRe in which the Company has an equity interest of 10%. The remaining 90% interest is held by third party investors and is included in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest.
(d)
Pledged investments
The following tables outline investments pledged as collateral under the Company's credit facilities. For further details on the credit facilities, please refer to Note 12: Debt and financing arrangements.”
 
 
March 31, 2014
Description
 
Commitment
 
Issued and Outstanding
 
Investments and cash pledged as collateral
$400,000 syndicated unsecured letter of credit facility
 
$
400,000

 
$

 
$

$525,000 syndicated secured letter of credit facility
 
525,000

 
309,422

 
499,905

$200,000 secured bi-lateral letter of credit facility
 
200,000

 
18,676

 
35,225

Talbot FAL facility
 
25,000

 
25,000

 
30,897

PaCRe senior secured letter of credit facility
 
10,000

 
294

 

AlphaCat Re secured letter of credit facility
 
30,000

 
24,800

 
30,022

IPC bi-lateral facility
 
40,000

 
19,817

 
96,960

$375,000 Flagstone bi-lateral facility
 
375,000

 
292,532

 
453,943

 
 
$
1,605,000

 
$
690,541

 
$
1,146,952

 
 
December 31, 2013
Description
 
Commitment
 
Issued and Outstanding
 
Investments and cash pledged as collateral
$400,000 syndicated unsecured letter of credit facility
 
$
400,000

 
$

 
$

$525,000 syndicated secured letter of credit facility
 
525,000

 
358,567

 
507,620

$200,000 secured bi-lateral letter of credit facility
 
200,000

 
16,726

 
130,256

Talbot FAL facility
 
25,000

 
25,000

 
30,801

PaCRe senior secured letter of credit facility
 
10,000

 
294

 

AlphaCat Re secured letter of credit facility
 
24,800

 
24,800

 
24,806

IPC bi-lateral facility
 
40,000

 
20,177

 
98,465

$375,000 Flagstone bi-lateral facility
 
375,000

 
305,686

 
454,458

 
 
$
1,599,800

 
$
751,250

 
$
1,246,406


11

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


In addition, $2,889,470 of cash and cash equivalents and investments were pledged during the normal course of business as at March 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013: $2,947,475). Of those, $2,884,472 were held in trust (December 31, 2013: $2,942,508). Pledged assets are generally for the benefit of the Company's cedants and policyholders, to support AlphaCat's fully collateralized reinsurance transactions and to facilitate the accreditation of Talbot as an alien insurer/reinsurer by certain regulators. See Note 14 (b) for detail on Talbot's FAL facility.
4. Fair value measurements
(a)
Classification within the fair value hierarchy
Fair value is defined as the price to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Under U.S. GAAP, a company must determine the appropriate level in the fair value hierarchy for each fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs, which refer broadly to assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, into three levels. It gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which a fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1 - Fair values are measured based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access.
Level 2 - Fair values are measured based on quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or for which significant inputs are observable (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 - Fair values are measured based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. The unobservable inputs reflect our own judgments about assumptions where there is little, if any, market activity for that asset or liability that market participants might use.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from financial instrument to financial instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors including, for example, the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the instrument. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires significantly more judgment.
Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by management in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. This may lead us to change the selection of our valuation technique (for example, from market to cash flow approach) or may cause us to use multiple valuation techniques to estimate the fair value of a financial instrument. These circumstances could cause an instrument to be reclassified between levels within the fair value hierarchy.
There have been no material changes in the Company's valuation techniques during the period, or periods, represented by these Consolidated Financial Statements. The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of each class of financial instrument recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

12

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


At March 31, 2014, the Company’s investments were allocated between Levels 1, 2 and 3 as follows:
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
U.S. government and government agency
$

 
$
1,120,855

 
$

 
$
1,120,855

Non-U.S. government and government agency

 
442,329

 

 
442,329

U.S. states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 
44,464

 

 
44,464

Agency residential mortgage-backed securities

 
299,561

 

 
299,561

Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities

 
16,330

 

 
16,330

U.S. corporate

 
1,337,410

 

 
1,337,410

Non-U.S. corporate

 
703,891

 

 
703,891

Bank loans

 
643,701

 

 
643,701

Catastrophe bonds

 
25,544

 
6,703

 
32,247

Asset-backed securities

 
624,499

 

 
624,499

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 
22,313

 

 
22,313

Total fixed maturities

 
5,280,897

 
6,703

 
5,287,600

Total short-term investments
817,937

 
13,863

 

 
831,800

Other investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fund of hedge funds

 

 
2,194

 
2,194

Hedge funds (a)

 

 
606,462

 
606,462

Private equity investments

 

 
13,962

 
13,962

Investment fund

 
30,499

 

 
30,499

Mutual funds

 
9,857

 

 
9,857

Total other investments

 
40,356

 
622,618

 
662,974

Total investments including noncontrolling interests
$
817,937

 
$
5,335,116

 
$
629,321

 
$
6,782,374

Noncontrolling interest (a)
$

 
$

 
$
(531,403
)
 
$
(531,403
)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest (b)
$
(1,976
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(1,976
)
Total investments excluding noncontrolling interests
$
815,961

 
$
5,335,116

 
$
97,918

 
$
6,248,995

(a)
Included in the hedge funds balance are investments held by PaCRe in which the Company has an equity interest of 10%. The remaining 90% interest is held by third party investors and included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as noncontrolling interest.
(b)
Included in the total investments balance are investments held by one AlphaCat ILS fund which is consolidated by the Company but in which the Company has an equity interest of less than 100%. The remaining interests are held by third party investors and included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as redeemable noncontrolling interest.

13

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


At December 31, 2013, the Company’s investments were allocated between Levels 1, 2 and 3 as follows:
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
U.S. government and government agency
$

 
$
1,364,679

 
$

 
$
1,364,679

Non-U.S. government and government agency

 
459,068

 

 
459,068

U.S. states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 
43,120

 

 
43,120

Agency residential mortgage-backed securities

 
311,499

 

 
311,499

Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities

 
15,759

 

 
15,759

U.S. corporate

 
1,332,484

 

 
1,332,484

Non-U.S. corporate

 
714,325

 

 
714,325

Bank loans

 
717,116

 

 
717,116

Catastrophe bonds

 
74,551

 

 
74,551

Asset-backed securities

 
509,657

 

 
509,657

Total fixed maturities

 
5,542,258

 

 
5,542,258

Total short-term investments
747,215

 
4,563

 

 
751,778

Other investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fund of hedge funds

 

 
2,303

 
2,303

Hedge funds (a)

 

 
561,083

 
561,083

Private equity investments

 

 
13,485

 
13,485

Investment fund

 
31,629

 

 
31,629

Mutual funds

 
9,816

 

 
9,816

Total other investments

 
41,445

 
576,871

 
618,316

Total investments including noncontrolling interests
$
747,215

 
$
5,588,266

 
$
576,871

 
$
6,912,352

Noncontrolling interest (a)
$

 
$

 
$
(489,402
)
 
$
(489,402
)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest (b)
$
(18,365
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(18,365
)
Total investments excluding noncontrolling interests
$
728,850

 
$
5,588,266

 
$
87,469

 
$
6,404,585

(a)
Included in the hedge funds balance are investments held by PaCRe in which the Company has an equity interest of 10%. The remaining 90% interest is held by third party investors and included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as noncontrolling interest.
(b)
Included in the total investments balance are investments held by two AlphaCat ILS funds which are consolidated by the Company but in which the Company has an equity interest of less than 100%. The remaining interests are held by third party investors and included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as redeemable noncontrolling interest.
At March 31, 2014, Level 3 investments excluding the noncontrolling interest totaled $97,918 (December 31, 2013: $87,469), representing 1.6% (December 31, 2013: 1.4%) of total investments, excluding noncontrolling interest, measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
(b)
Level 1 assets measured at fair value
Short term investments
Short term investments categorized as Level 1 consist primarily of highly liquid securities, all with maturities less than one year from the date of purchase. The fair value of the Company's portfolio of short term investments are generally determined using amortized cost which approximates fair value. The Company has determined that certain of its short-term investments, held in highly liquid money market-type funds, should be included in Level 1 as their fair values are based on quoted market prices in active markets.

14

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


(c)
Level 2 assets measured at fair value
Fixed maturity investments
Fixed maturity investments included in Level 2 include U.S. government and government agency, non-U.S. government and government agency, U.S. states, municipalities and political subdivisions, agency residential mortgage-backed securities, non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities, U.S. corporate, non-U.S. corporate, bank loans, catastrophe bonds, asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities.
In general, valuation of the Company's fixed maturity investment portfolios is provided by pricing services, such as index providers and pricing vendors, as well as broker quotations. The pricing vendors provide valuations for a high volume of liquid securities that are actively traded. For securities that do not trade on an exchange, the pricing services generally utilize market data and other observable inputs in matrix pricing models to determine month end prices. Prices are generally verified using third party data. Securities which are priced by an index provider are generally included in the index.
In general, broker-dealers value securities through their trading desks based on observable inputs. The methodologies include mapping securities based on trade data, bids or offers, observed spreads, and performance on newly issued securities. Broker-dealers also determine valuations by observing secondary trading of similar securities. Prices obtained from broker quotations are considered non-binding, however they are based on observable inputs and by observing secondary trading of similar securities obtained from active, non-distressed markets.
The Company considers these Level 2 inputs as they are corroborated with other market observable inputs. The techniques generally used to determine the fair value of the Company's fixed maturity investments are detailed below by asset class.
U.S. government and government agency
U.S. government and government agency securities consist primarily of debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and mortgage pass-through agencies such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Government National Mortgage Association. Fixed maturity investments included in U.S. government and government agency securities are primarily priced by pricing services. When evaluating these securities, the pricing services gather information from market sources and integrate other observations from markets and sector news. Evaluations are updated by obtaining broker dealer quotes and other market information including actual trade volumes, when available. The fair value of each security is individually computed using analytical models which incorporate option adjusted spreads and other daily interest rate data.
Non-U.S. government and government agency
Non-U.S. government and government agency securities consist of debt securities issued by non-U.S. governments and their agencies along with supranational organizations (also known as sovereign debt securities). Securities held in these sectors are primarily priced by pricing services who employ proprietary discounted cash flow models to value the securities. Key quantitative inputs for these models are daily observed benchmark curves for treasury, swap and high issuance credits. The pricing services then apply a credit spread for each security which is developed by in-depth and real time market analysis. For securities in which trade volume is low, the pricing services utilize data from more frequently traded securities with similar attributes. These models may also be supplemented by daily market and credit research for international markets.
U.S. states, municipalities and political subdivisions
The Company's U.S. states, municipalities and political subdivisions portfolio contains debt securities issued by U.S. domiciled state and municipal entities. These securities are generally priced by independent pricing services using the techniques described for U.S. government and government agency securities described above.
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities
The Company's agency residential mortgage-backed investments are primarily priced by pricing services using a mortgage pool specific model which utilizes daily inputs from the active to be announced ("TBA") market which is very liquid, as well as the U.S. treasury market. The model also utilizes additional information, such as the weighted average maturity, weighted average coupon and other available pool level data which is provided by the sponsoring agency. Valuations are also corroborated with daily active market quotes.

15

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities
The Company's non-agency mortgage-backed investments include non-agency prime residential mortgage-backed fixed maturity investments. The Company has no fixed maturity investments classified as sub-prime held in its fixed maturity investments portfolio. Securities held in these sectors are primarily priced by pricing services using an option adjusted spread model or other relevant models, which principally utilize inputs including benchmark yields, available trade information or broker quotes, and issuer spreads. The pricing services also review collateral prepayment speeds, loss severity and delinquencies among other collateral performance indicators for the securities valuation, when applicable.
U.S. corporate
Corporate debt securities consist primarily of investment-grade debt of a wide variety of U.S. corporate issuers and industries. The Company's corporate fixed maturity investments are primarily priced by pricing services. When evaluating these securities, the pricing services gather information from market sources regarding the issuer of the security and obtain credit data, as well as other observations, from markets and sector news. Evaluations are updated by obtaining broker dealer quotes and other market information including actual trade volumes, when available. The pricing services also consider the specific terms and conditions of the securities, including any specific features which may influence risk. In certain instances, securities are individually evaluated using a spread which is added to the U.S. treasury curve or a security specific swap curve as appropriate.
Non-U.S. corporate
Non-U.S. corporate debt securities consist primarily of investment-grade debt of a wide variety of non-U.S. corporate issuers and industries. The Company's non-U.S. corporate fixed maturity investments are primarily priced by pricing services. When evaluating these securities, the pricing services gather information from market sources regarding the issuer of the security and obtain credit data, as well as other observations, from markets and sector news. Evaluations are updated by obtaining broker dealer quotes and other market information including actual trade volumes, when available. The pricing services also consider the specific terms and conditions of the securities, including any specific features which may influence risk.
Bank loans
The Company's bank loan investments consist primarily of below-investment-grade debt of a wide variety of corporate issuers and industries. The Company's bank loans are primarily priced by pricing services. When evaluating these securities, the pricing services gather information from market sources regarding the issuer of the security and obtain credit data, as well as other observations, from markets and sector news. Evaluations are updated by obtaining broker dealer quotes and other market information including actual trade volumes, when available. The pricing services also consider the specific terms and conditions of the securities, including any specific features which may influence risk.
Catastrophe bonds
Catastrophe bonds are based on broker or underwriter bid indications.
Asset-backed securities
Asset backed securities include mostly investment-grade debt securities backed by pools of loans with a variety of underlying collateral, including automobile loan receivables, student loans, credit card receivables, and collateralized loan obligations originated by a variety of financial institutions. Securities held in these sectors are primarily priced by pricing services. The pricing services apply dealer quotes and other available trade information such as bids and offers, prepayment speeds which may be adjusted for the underlying collateral or current price data, the U.S. treasury curve and swap curve as well as cash settlement. The pricing services determine the expected cash flows for each security held in this sector using historical prepayment and default projections for the underlying collateral and current market data. In addition, a spread is applied to the relevant benchmark and used to discount the cash flows noted above to determine the fair value of the securities held in this sector.
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Commercial mortgage backed securities are investment-grade debt primarily priced by pricing services. The pricing services apply dealer quotes and other available trade information such as bids and offers, prepayment speeds which may be adjusted for the underlying collateral or current price data, the U.S. treasury curve and swap curve as well as cash settlement. The pricing services determine the expected cash flows for each security held in this sector using historical prepayment and default projections for the underlying collateral and current market data. In addition, a spread is applied to the relevant benchmark and used to discount the cash flows noted above to determine the fair value of the securities held in this sector.

16

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


Short term investments
Short term investments consist primarily of highly liquid securities, all with maturities less than one year from the date of purchase. The fair value of the Company's portfolio of short term investments is generally determined using amortized cost which approximates fair value. The Company has determined that, other than highly liquid money market-type funds, the remaining securities are classified within Level 2 because these securities are typically not actively traded due to their approaching maturity and, as such, their amortized cost approximates fair value.
Investment fund
Investment fund consists of one pooled investment which is invested in fixed income securities with high credit ratings. The investment fund is only open to Lloyd’ trust fund participants. The fair value of units in the investment fund is based on the net asset value of the fund as reported by Lloyd’s Treasury & Investment Management.
Mutual funds
Mutual funds consist of two investment funds which are invested in various quoted investments. The fair value of units in the mutual funds is based on the net asset value of the fund as reported by the fund manager.
(d)
Level 3 assets measured at fair value
Level 3 includes financial instruments that are valued using market approach and income approach valuation techniques. These models incorporate both observable and unobservable inputs. The Company's hedge funds, a fund of hedge funds, private equity investments and certain catastrophe bonds are the only financial instruments in this category as at March 31, 2014. For each respective hedge fund investment, the Company obtains and reviews the valuation methodology used by the fund administrators and investment managers to ensure that the hedge fund investments are following fair value principles consistent with U.S. GAAP in determining the net asset value (“NAV”).
Within the hedge fund industry, there is a general lack of transparency necessary to facilitate a detailed independent assessment of the values placed on the securities underlying the NAV provided by the fund manager or fund administrator. To address this, on a quarterly basis, we perform a number of monitoring procedures designed to assist us in the assessment of the quality of the information provided by managers and administrators. These procedures include, but are not limited to, regular review and discussion of each fund's performance with its manager and regular evaluation of fund performance against applicable benchmarks.
Fund of hedge funds
The fund of hedge funds includes a side pocket. While a redemption request has been submitted, the timing of receipt of proceeds on the side pocket is unknown. The fund's administrator provides a monthly reported NAV with a one-month delay in its valuation. As a result, the fund administrator's February 28, 2014 NAV was used as a basis for fair value measurement in the Company's March 31, 2014 balance sheet. The fund manager has provided an estimate of the fund NAV at March 31, 2014 based on the estimated performance provided from the underlying funds. To determine the reasonableness of the estimated NAV, the Company compares the one-month delayed fund administrator's NAV to the fund manager's estimated NAV that incorporates relevant valuation sources on a timely basis. Material variances are recorded in the current reporting period while immaterial variances are recorded in the following reporting period. As this valuation technique incorporates both observable and significant unobservable inputs, the fund of hedge funds is classified as a Level 3 asset.
Hedge funds
The hedge funds were valued at $606,462 at March 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013: $561,083). The hedge funds consist of an investment in four Paulson & Co. managed funds (the "Paulson hedge funds") and one investment fund assumed from the Flagstone Acquisition (the "Flagstone investment fund").
The Paulson hedge funds' administrator provides monthly reported NAVs with a one-month delay in its valuation. As a result, the funds' administrator's February 28, 2014 NAV was used as a partial basis for fair value measurement in the Company's March 31, 2014 balance sheet. The fund manager provides an estimate of the NAV at March 31, 2014 based on estimated performance. The Company adjusts fair value to the fund manager's estimated NAV that incorporates relevant valuation sources on a timely basis. To determine the reasonableness of the estimated NAV, the Company assesses the variance between the fund manager's estimated NAV and the fund administrator's NAV. Material variances are recorded in the current reporting period while immaterial variances are recorded in the following reporting period. Historically, our valuation estimates have not materially differed from the subsequent NAVs.

17

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


The Flagstone investment fund's administrator provides quarterly NAVs with a three-month delay in valuation. As a result, the December 31, 2013 NAV was used as a basis for fair value measurement in the Company's March 31, 2014 balance sheet.
As these valuation techniques incorporate both observable and significant unobservable inputs, both the Paulson hedge funds and the Flagstone investment fund are classified as Level 3 assets. The Paulson hedge funds are subject to quarterly liquidity.
Private equity investments
Private equity investments consist of investments in three private equity funds assumed from the Flagstone Acquisition. The private equity funds' respective fund administrators provide quarterly or semi-annual NAVs with a three-month or six-month delay in valuation as well as audited NAVs as at December 31. As a result, the December 31, 2013 NAV was used as a basis for the fair value measurement in the Company's March 31, 2014 balance sheet. As this valuation technique incorporates both observable and significant unobservable inputs, the private equity investments are classified as Level 3 assets.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for all investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
Level 3 investments - Beginning of period
 
$
576,871

 
$
556,234

Purchases
 

 
459

Sales
 
(3,589
)
 
(31,334
)
Net realized gains
 
10

 
40

Net unrealized gains (losses)
 
49,326

 
(1,706
)
Transfers into Level 3
 
6,703

 

Level 3 investments - End of period
 
$
629,321

 
$
523,693

Noncontrolling interest (a)
 
(531,403
)
 
(428,087
)
Level 3 investments excluding noncontrolling interest
 
$
97,918

 
$
95,606

(a)
Includes Level 3 investments held by PaCRe in which the Company has an equity interest of 10%. The remaining 90% interest is held by third party investors and included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as noncontrolling interest.
There have not been any transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 there was a transfer of investments from Level 2 into Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. This transfer was due to a reassessment of the extent of unobservable inputs used in establishing the fair value of certain catastrophe bonds. There were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2013.
5. Investments in affiliates
The following table presents the Company's investments in affiliates as at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
As at March 31, 2014
 
As at December 31, 2013
Investment affiliate
$
39,848

 
$
34,500

Operating affiliates
181,759

 
106,743

Investments in affiliates
$
221,607

 
$
141,243

(a)
Investment affiliate
Aquiline Financial Services Fund II L.P.
On December 20, 2011, the Company entered into an Assignment and Assumption Agreement (the "Agreement") with Aquiline Capital Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Assignor") and Aquiline Capital Partners II GP (Offshore) Ltd., a Cayman Islands company limited by shares (the "General Partner") pursuant to which the Company has assumed 100% of the Assignor's interest in Aquiline Financial Services Fund II L.P. (the "Partnership") representing a total capital commitment of $50,000 (the "Commitment"), as a limited partner in the Partnership (the "Transferred Interest"). The Transferred Interest is governed by the

18

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


terms of an Amended and Restated Exempted Limited Partnership Agreement dated as of July 2, 2010 (the "Limited Partnership Agreement"). Pursuant to the terms of the Limited Partnership Agreement, the Commitment will expire on July 2, 2015.
The Partnership provides quarterly capital account statements with a three-month delay in its valuation. As a result, the Partnership's December 31, 2013 capital account statement was used as the basis for calculating the Company's share of Partnership income for the period.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending investment in the Company's investment affiliate balance for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2013
Investment affiliate, beginning of period
 
$
34,500

 
$
15,218

Capital contributions
 

 
1,341

Income from investment affiliate
 
5,348

 
1,477

Investment affiliate, end of period
 
$
39,848

 
$
18,036

The following table presents the Company's investment in the Partnership as at March 31, 2014:
 
Investment in investment affiliate
 
Investment at cost
 
Voting ownership %
 
Equity Ownership
 
Carrying Value
Aquiline Financial Services Fund II L.P.
$
32,110

 
%
 
6.7
%
 
$
39,848

The following table presents the Company's investment in the Partnership as at December 31, 2013:
 
Investment in investment affiliate
 
Investment at cost
 
Voting ownership %
 
Equity Ownership
 
Carrying Value
Aquiline Financial Services Fund II L.P.
$
32,110

 
%
 
6.7
%
 
$
34,500

(b)
Operating affiliates
AlphaCat Re 2011 Ltd.
On May 25, 2011, the Company joined with other investors in capitalizing AlphaCat Re 2011 Ltd. ("AlphaCat Re 2011"), a special purpose reinsurer formed for the purpose of writing collateralized reinsurance and retrocessional reinsurance. AlphaCat Re 2011 was a market facing entity and the Company's investment in AlphaCat Re 2011 has been treated as an equity method investment.
AlphaCat Re 2011 is now considered "off-risk" as the risk periods for all reinsurance contracts written have expired. As a result, partial returns of investment have been made to the investors of AlphaCat Re 2011.The Company's portion of the returns made during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are included in the tables below.
AlphaCat Re 2012 Ltd.
On May 29, 2012, the Company joined with other investors in capitalizing AlphaCat Re 2012 Ltd. ("AlphaCat Re 2012"), a special purpose reinsurer formed for the purpose of writing collateralized reinsurance with a particular focus on windstorm risks for Florida domiciled insurance companies. AlphaCat Re 2012 was a market facing entity and the Company's investment in AlphaCat Re 2012 has been treated as an equity method investment.
AlphaCat Re 2012 is now considered "off-risk" as the risk periods for all reinsurance contracts written have expired. As a result, partial returns of investment have been made to the investors of AlphaCat Re 2012.The Company's portion of the returns made during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are included in the tables below.

19

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


AlphaCat 2013, Ltd.
On December 17, 2012, the Company joined with other investors in capitalizing AlphaCat 2013, Ltd. ("AlphaCat 2013"), an entity formed for the purpose of investing in collateralized reinsurance and retrocession on a worldwide basis. AlphaCat 2013 deployed its capital through transactions entered into by AlphaCat Reinsurance Ltd. (“AlphaCat Re”) and the Company's investment in AlphaCat 2013 has been treated as an equity method investment.
Partial returns of investment have been made to the investors of AlphaCat 2013.The Company's portion of the returns made during the three months ended March 31, 2014 are included in the tables below.
AlphaCat 2014, Ltd.
On December 20, 2013, the Company joined with other investors in capitalizing AlphaCat 2014, Ltd. (“AlphaCat 2014”), an entity formed for the purpose of investing in collateralized reinsurance and retrocessional contracts for the January 1, 2014 renewal season. AlphaCat 2014 deploys its capital through transactions entered into by AlphaCat Re and the Company's investment in AlphaCat 2014 has been treated as an equity method investment.
AlphaCat ILS funds
The AlphaCat ILS funds invest in instruments with returns linked to property catastrophe reinsurance, retrocession and insurance linked securities ("ILS") contracts. AlphaCat ILS funds all deploy their capital through the AlphaCat Master Fund Ltd. (the “Master Fund”) and AlphaCat Re. All three funds are variable interest entities, with one being consolidated by the Company as the primary beneficiary and one being accounted for as an equity method investment since the Company holds an equity interest of 9.1%. The third fund had been consolidated by the Company as the primary beneficiary from its formation through to December 31, 2013. However, on January 1, 2014 the fund received $35,000 in additional third party subscriptions, resulting in a reduction of the Company’s equity interest below 50%. Since the Company retains significant influence, this fund has been deconsolidated and accounted for as an equity method investment from January 1, 2014. The fair value of the retained interest, based on the fair value of the underlying instruments in Master Fund and AlphaCat Re, amounted to $113,455 at January 1, 2014. The deconsolidation resulted in a gain of $1,372 and is included in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as other income. The Company's maximum exposure to any of the funds is the amount of capital invested at any given time.
AlphaCat Master Fund Ltd. and AlphaCat Reinsurance Ltd.
The Company utilizes Master Fund and AlphaCat Re for the purpose of investing in capital market products and writing collateralized reinsurance, respectively, on behalf of certain entities within the AlphaCat operating segment. Master Fund and AlphaCat Re are market facing entities which enter into transactions on behalf of AlphaCat 2013, AlphaCat 2014 and the AlphaCat ILS funds. The Company owns all of the voting equity interest in Master Fund and AlphaCat Re and, as a result, their financial statements are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.
The following tables present a reconciliation of the beginning and ending investment in operating affiliates for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
AlphaCat Re 2011
 
AlphaCat Re 2012
 
 AlphaCat 2013
 
AlphaCat 2014
 
AlphaCat ILS funds
 
Total
As at December 31, 2013
$
9,809

 
$
1,313

 
$
51,744

 
$
21,982

 
$
21,895

 
$
106,743

Return of investment
(5,825
)
 

 
(37,541
)
 

 

 
(43,366
)
Fair value of retained interest on deconsolidation of AlphaCat ILS fund


 

 

 

 
113,455

 
113,455

Income (loss) from operating affiliates
193

 
(36
)
 
1,475

 
1,611

 
1,684

 
4,927

As at March 31, 2014
$
4,177

 
$
1,277

 
$
15,678

 
$
23,593

 
$
137,034

 
$
181,759



20

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
 
AlphaCat Re 2011
 
AlphaCat Re 2012
 
 AlphaCat 2013
 
AlphaCat ILS fund
 
Total
As at December 31, 2012
$
62,792

 
$
29,319

 
$
45,000

 
$
20,000

 
$
157,111

Return of investment
(46,436
)
 
(3,786
)
 

 

 
(50,222
)
Income from operating affiliates
449

 
1,825

 
1,100

 
149

 
3,523

As at March 31, 2013
$
16,805

 
$
27,358

 
$
46,100

 
$
20,149

 
$
110,412

The following table presents the Company's investments in AlphaCat Re 2011, AlphaCat Re 2012, AlphaCat 2013, AlphaCat 2014 and the AlphaCat ILS funds in the Consolidated Financial Statements as at March 31, 2014:
 
Investment in operating affiliates
 
Cost
 
Voting ownership %
 
Equity ownership %
 
Carrying value
AlphaCat Re 2011
$
4,178

 
43.7
%
 
22.3
%
 
$
4,177

AlphaCat Re 2012
654

 
49.0
%
 
37.9
%
 
1,277

AlphaCat 2013
16,454

 
40.9
%
 
19.7
%
 
15,678

AlphaCat 2014
22,000

 
42.3
%
 
19.6
%
 
23,593

AlphaCat ILS funds (a)
133,455

 
n/a

 
n/a

 
137,034

Total
$
176,741

 
 
 
 
 
$
181,759

(a)
Equity ownerships in the two funds were 9.1% and 49.7% respectively as at March 31, 2014.
The following table presents the Company's investments in AlphaCat Re 2011, AlphaCat Re 2012, AlphaCat 2013, AlphaCat 2014 and the AlphaCat ILS fund in the Consolidated Financial Statements as at December 31, 2013:
 
Investment in operating affiliates
 
Cost
 
Voting ownership %
 
Equity ownership %
 
Carrying value
AlphaCat Re 2011
$
9,882

 
43.7
%
 
22.3
%
 
$
9,809

AlphaCat Re 2012
654

 
49.0
%
 
37.9
%
 
1,313

AlphaCat 2013
45,000

 
40.9
%
 
19.7
%
 
51,744

AlphaCat 2014
22,000

 
42.3
%
 
19.6
%
 
21,982

AlphaCat ILS fund
20,000

 
%
 
9.1
%
 
21,895

Total
$
97,536

 
 
 
 
 
$
106,743

(c)
Notes payable and (income) attributable to operating affiliates
Notes are issued during the course of a year by Master Fund and AlphaCat Re to AlphaCat 2013, AlphaCat 2014 and the AlphaCat ILS funds (collectively the “feeder funds”) in order to fund the purchase of capital market products and to write collateralized reinsurance on their behalf. These notes are subsequently redeemed as the underlying transactions are settled. The Company’s investments in the feeder funds, together with investments made by third parties, are provided as consideration for these notes to Master Fund and AlphaCat Re, which are consolidated in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The effective economic interest in Master Fund and AlphaCat Re that results from these transactions is represented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as notes payable to operating affiliates. The subsequent income or loss generated by the relevant capital market products or collateralized reinsurance is transferred to the operating affiliates as (income) loss attributable to operating affiliate investors in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. To the extent that the (income) loss attributable to operating affiliate investors has not been returned to investors, it is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


Notes issued during the three months ended March 31, 2014 amounted to $334,444 (2013: $294,349). The underlying capital market products and collateralized reinsurance typically have at least a twelve month duration. The notes do not have any principal amount, since the final amount payable is dependent on the income or loss as discussed above. They also do not have any stated maturity date, since repayment is dependent on the settlement of the underlying transactions. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 there have been repayments of these notes amounting to $391,115 (2013: $nil).
The following tables present a reconciliation of the beginning and ending notes payable to operating affiliates for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
AlphaCat 2013
 
AlphaCat 2014
 
AlphaCat ILS funds
 
Total
As at December 31, 2013
$
223,809

 
$

 
$
215,463

 
$
439,272

Notes payable to operating affiliates recognized on deconsolidation of AlphaCat ILS fund

 

 
178,837

 
178,837

Issuance of notes payable to operating affiliates

 
149,707

 
184,737

 
334,444

Redemption of notes payable to operating affiliates
(175,349
)
 

 
(215,766
)
 
(391,115
)
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
(297
)
 
109

 
123

 
(65
)
As at March 31, 2014
$
48,163

 
$
149,816

 
$
363,394

 
$
561,373

 
AlphaCat 2013
 
AlphaCat ILS funds
 
Total
As at December 31, 2012
$

 
$

 
$

Issuance of notes payable to operating affiliates
162,506

 
131,843

 
294,349

Foreign exchange gain
(1,067
)
 
(2,694
)
 
(3,761
)
As at March 31, 2013
$
161,439

 
$
129,149

 
$
290,588

The portion of notes payable to operating affiliates that were due to the Company, as an investor in the affiliates, and third party investors as at March 31, 2014 amounted to $141,343 and $420,030, respectively (December 31, 2013: $63,654 and $375,618).
The following table presents the (income) attributable to operating affiliate investors for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
March 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2013
AlphaCat 2013
$
(10,476
)
 
$
(8,141
)
AlphaCat 2014
(10,789
)
 

AlphaCat ILS funds
(10,445
)
 
(1,936
)
(Income) attributable to operating affiliate investors
$
(31,710
)
 
$
(10,077
)
The portion of income attributable to operating affiliate investors that was due to the Company, as an investor in the affiliates, and third party investors for the three months ended March 31, 2014 amounted to $6,472 and $25,238, respectively (2013: $1,847 and $8,230).


22

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


6. Noncontrolling interest
On April 2, 2012, the Company joined with other investors in capitalizing PaCRe Ltd. ("PaCRe"), a Class 4 Bermuda reinsurer formed for the purpose of writing high excess property catastrophe reinsurance. The Company has an equity interest of 10% and the remaining 90% interest is held by third party investors. The Company has a majority voting equity interest in PaCRe and as a result, the financial statements of PaCRe are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.
The portion of PaCRe’s earnings attributable to third party investors is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest. PaCRe's shareholder rights do not include redemption features within the control of the third party shareholders. The third party equity is recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as noncontrolling interest.
The portion of the earnings from the one consolidated AlphaCat ILS fund attributable to third party investors is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest. The AlphaCat ILS funds have rights that enable shareholders, subject to certain limitations, to redeem their shares. The third party equity is therefore recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as redeemable noncontrolling interest. When and if a redemption notice is received, the fair value of the redemption is reclassified to a liability.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of redeemable noncontrolling interest and noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
 
Noncontrolling interest
 
Total
As at December 31, 2013
$
86,512

 
$
497,657

 
$
584,169

Income attributable to third parties
232

 
43,277

 
43,509

Adjustment to noncontrolling interest as a result of deconsolidation
(78,354
)
 

 
(78,354
)
As at March 31, 2014
$
8,390

 
$
540,934

 
$
549,324

The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of redeemable noncontrolling interest and noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2013:
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
 
Noncontrolling interest
 
Total
As at December 31, 2012
$

 
$
434,280

 
$
434,280

Issuance of shares
55,690

 

 
55,690

Income (loss) attributable to third parties
587

 
(3,136
)
 
(2,549
)
As at March 31, 2013
$
56,277

 
$
431,144

 
$
487,421

7. Derivative instruments
The Company enters into derivative instruments for risk management purposes, specifically to hedge unmatched foreign currency exposures and interest rate exposures. As at March 31, 2014, the Company held foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in the U.S. dollar against a number of foreign currencies. As at March 31, 2014, the Company held two interest rate swaps to fix the payment of interest on the Company's 2006 and 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures, as well as three interest rate swaps and one cross-currency interest rate swap to fix the payment of interest and mitigate the foreign exchange rate impact on Flagstone's 2006 and 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures.

23

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


The following table summarizes information on the classification and amount of the fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
 
As at March 31, 2014
 
As at December 31, 2013
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
Net notional exposure
 
Asset Derivative at Fair Value (a)
 
Liability Derivative at Fair Value (a)
 
Net notional exposure
 
Asset Derivative at Fair Value (a)
 
Liability Derivative at Fair Value (a)
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
$
151,853

 
$
3,839

 
$
477

 
$
163,576

 
$
1,167

 
$
2,313

Interest rate swap contracts
 
$
552,263

 
$

 
$
867

 
$
552,263

 
$

 
$
911

(a)
Asset and liability derivatives are classified within other assets and accounts payable and accrued expenses respectively on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(a)
Classification within the fair value hierarchy
As described in Note 4: "Fair value measurements" under U.S. GAAP, a company must determine the appropriate level in the fair value hierarchy for each fair value measurement. The assumptions used within the valuation of the Company's derivative instruments are observable in the marketplace, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which other similar transactions are executed in the marketplace. Accordingly, these derivatives were classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
(b)
Derivative instruments designated as a fair value hedge
The Company designates its foreign currency derivative instruments as fair value hedges and formally and contemporaneously documents all relationships between the derivative instruments and hedged items and links the derivative instruments to specific assets and liabilities. The Company assesses the effectiveness of the hedges, both at inception and on an on-going basis and determines whether the hedges are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value of the linked hedged items.
The following table provides the total impact on earnings, recognized in income within foreign exchange gains (losses), relating to the derivative instruments formally designated as fair value hedges along with the impact of the related hedged items for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative
 
$
3,303

 
$
1,261

Amount of gain (loss) on hedged item recognized in income attributable to risk being hedged
 
$
(3,303
)
 
$
(1,261
)
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (ineffective portion)
 
$

 
$

(c)
Derivative instruments designated as a cash flow hedge
The Company designates its interest rate derivative instruments as cash flow hedges and formally and contemporaneously documents all relationships between the hedging instruments and hedged items and links the derivative instruments to specific assets and liabilities. The Company assesses the effectiveness of the hedges, both at inception and on an on-going basis and determines whether the hedges are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value of the linked hedged items. The Company currently applies the long haul method when assessing the hedge's effectiveness.

24

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


The following table provides the total impact on other comprehensive income (loss) and earnings relating to the derivative instruments formally designated as cash flow hedges along with the impact of the related hedged items for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
Interest rate swap contracts
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Amount of effective portion recognized in other comprehensive income
 
$
3,208

 
$
1,608

Amount of effective portion subsequently reclassified to earnings
 
$
(3,208
)
 
$
(1,608
)
Amount of ineffective portion excluded from effectiveness testing
 
$

 
$

The above balances relate to interest payments and have therefore been classified as finance expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
(d)
Balance sheet offsetting
There was no balance sheet offsetting activity as at March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
The Company currently provides cash collateral as security for interest rate swap contracts. The Company does not provide cash collateral or financial instruments as security for foreign currency forward contracts. Our derivative instruments are generally traded under International Swaps and Derivatives Association master netting agreements, which establish terms that apply to all transactions. On a periodic basis, the amounts receivable from or payable to the counterparties are settled in cash.
The Company has not elected to settle multiple transactions with an individual counterparty on a net basis.


25

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


8. Reserve for losses and loss expenses
Reserves for losses and loss expenses are based in part upon the estimation of case reserves from broker, insured and ceding company reported data. The Company also uses statistical and actuarial methods to estimate ultimate expected losses and loss expenses, from which incurred but not reported losses can be calculated. The period of time from the occurrence of a loss to the reporting of a loss to the Company and to the settlement of the Company's liability may be several months or years. During this period, additional facts and trends may be revealed. As these factors become apparent, reserves will be adjusted, sometimes requiring an increase or decrease in the overall reserves of the Company, and at other times requiring a reallocation of incurred but not reported reserves to specific case reserves. These estimates are reviewed and adjusted regularly, and such adjustments, if any, are reflected in earnings in the period in which they become known. While management believes that it has made a reasonable estimate of ultimate losses, there can be no assurances that ultimate losses and loss expenses will not exceed this estimate.
The following table represents an analysis of paid and unpaid losses and loss expenses incurred and a reconciliation of the beginning and ending unpaid losses and loss expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2013
Reserve for losses and loss expenses, beginning of period
 
$
3,030,399

 
$
3,517,573

Losses and loss expenses recoverable
 
(370,154
)
 
(439,967
)
Net reserves for losses and loss expenses, beginning of period
 
2,660,245

 
3,077,606

Increase (decrease) in net losses and loss expenses incurred in respect of losses occurring in:
 
 
 
 
Current year
 
202,086

 
210,569

Prior years
 
(39,415
)
 
(65,798
)
Total incurred losses and loss expenses
 
162,671

 
144,771

Less net losses and loss expenses paid in respect of losses occurring in:
 
 
 
 
Current year
 
(7,967
)
 
(4,838
)
Prior years
 
(250,115
)
 
(255,274
)
Total net paid losses
 
(258,082
)
 
(260,112
)
Foreign exchange loss (gain)
 
11,818

 
(33,826
)
Net reserve for losses and loss expenses, end of period
 
2,576,652

 
2,928,439

Losses and loss expenses recoverable
 
348,407

 
429,252

Reserve for losses and loss expenses, end of period
 
$
2,925,059

 
$
3,357,691

Incurred losses and loss expenses comprise:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2013
Gross losses and loss expenses
$
181,975

 
$
162,411

Reinsurance recoverable
(19,304
)
 
(17,640
)
Net incurred losses and loss expenses
$
162,671

 
$
144,771




26

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


9. Reinsurance
The Company enters into reinsurance and retrocession agreements in order to mitigate its accumulation of loss, reduce its liability on individual risks, enable it to underwrite policies with higher limits and increase its aggregate capacity. The cession of insurance and reinsurance does not legally discharge the Company from its primary liability for the full amount of the policies, and the Company is required to pay the loss and bear collection risk if the reinsurer fails to meet its obligations under the reinsurance or retrocession agreement. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the underlying liabilities.
Credit risk
The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentration of credit risk arising from its exposure to individual reinsurers. The reinsurance program is generally placed with reinsurers whose rating, at the time of placement, was A- or better as rated by Standard & Poor's or the equivalent with other rating agencies. Exposure to a single reinsurer is also controlled with restrictions dependent on rating. At March 31, 2014, 98.5% (December 31, 2013: 96.7%) of reinsurance recoverables (which includes loss reserves recoverable and recoverables on paid losses and $183,858 of total IBNR recoverable (December 31, 2013: $196,840)) were fully collateralized or from reinsurers rated A- or better.
Reinsurance recoverables by reinsurer as at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows:
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Reinsurance Recoverable
 
% of Total
 
Reinsurance Recoverable
 
% of Total
Top 10 reinsurers
$
291,958

 
75.7
%
 
$
340,253

 
75.6
%
Other reinsurers’ balances > $1 million
85,348

 
22.2
%
 
100,784

 
22.4
%
Other reinsurers’ balances < $1 million
8,133

 
2.1
%
 
9,197

 
2.0
%
Total
$
385,439

 
100.0
%
 
$
450,234

 
100.0
%
 
 
March 31, 2014
Top 10 Reinsurers
 
Rating
 
Reinsurance Recoverable
 
% of Total
Lloyd's Syndicates
 
A+
 
$
66,563

 
17.3
%
Everest Re
 
A+
 
49,838

 
12.9
%
Fully Collateralized
 
NR
 
39,120

 
10.1
%
Hannover Re
 
AA-
 
36,377

 
9.4
%
Third Point Reinsurance Ltd
 
A-
 
34,081

 
8.8
%
Swiss Re
 
AA-
 
17,108

 
4.5
%
Transatlantic Re
 
A+
 
13,449

 
3.5
%
XL Re
 
A+
 
12,608

 
3.3
%
Munich Re
 
AA-
 
12,333

 
3.2
%
Merrimack Mutual Fire Insurance
 
A+
 
10,481

 
2.7
%
Total
 
 
 
$
291,958

 
75.7
%

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Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


 
 
December 31, 2013
Top 10 Reinsurers
 
Rating
 
Reinsurance Recoverable
 
% of Total
Lloyd's Syndicates
 
A+
 
$
73,398

 
16.3
%
National Indemnity
 
AA+
 
51,037

 
11.3
%
Everest Re
 
A+
 
48,055

 
10.7
%
Hannover Re
 
AA-
 
41,483

 
9.2
%
Fully Collateralized
 
NR
 
36,683

 
8.1
%
Third Point Reinsurance Ltd
 
A-
 
30,428

 
6.8
%
Swiss Re
 
AA-
 
20,022

 
4.5
%
Transatlantic Re
 
A+
 
14,114

 
3.1
%
XL Re
 
A+
 
12,673

 
2.8
%
Munich Re
 
AA-
 
12,360

 
2.8
%
Total
 
 
 
$
340,253

 
75.6
%
NR: Not rated
At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the provision for uncollectible reinsurance relating to reinsurance recoverables was $5,427 and $5,794, respectively. To estimate the provision for uncollectible reinsurance, the reinsurance recoverable is first allocated to applicable reinsurers. This determination is based on a process rather than an estimate, although an element of judgment is applied, especially in relation to ceded IBNR. The Company then uses default factors to determine the portion of a reinsurer’s balance deemed to be uncollectible. Default factors require considerable judgment and are determined in part using the current rating, or rating equivalent, of each reinsurer as well as other key considerations and assumptions.
10. Share capital
(a)
Authorized and issued
The Company’s authorized share capital is 571,428,571 common shares with a par value of $0.175 per share. The holders of common shares are entitled to receive dividends. Holders of common shares are allocated one vote per share, provided that, if the controlled shares of any shareholder or group of related shareholders constitute more than 9.09 percent of the outstanding common shares of the Company, their voting power will be reduced to 9.09 percent.
The Company may from time to time repurchase its securities, including common shares, Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures and Senior Notes. On February 5, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an increase in the Company's common share purchase authorization to $500,000. This amount is in addition to the $1,774,436 of common shares repurchased by the Company through February 5, 2014 under its previously authorized share repurchase programs.
The Company has repurchased 62,171,982 common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $1,917,688 from the inception of its share repurchase program to March 31, 2014. The Company had $356,748 remaining under its authorized share repurchase program as of March 31, 2014.
The Company expects the purchases under its share repurchase program to be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing, form and amount of the share repurchases under the program will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, the Company’s capital position relative to internal and rating agency targets, legal requirements and other factors. The repurchase program may be modified, extended or terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.

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Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


The following table is a summary of the common shares issued and outstanding:
 
Common Shares
Common shares issued, December 31, 2013
154,488,497

Restricted share awards vested, net of shares withheld
18,219

Options exercised
90,019

Direct issuance of common stock
359

Common shares issued, March 31, 2014
154,597,094

Treasury shares, March 31, 2014
(63,810,857
)
Common shares outstanding, March 31, 2014
90,786,237

 
Common Shares
Common shares issued, December 31, 2012
152,698,191

Restricted share awards vested, net of shares withheld
130,637

Restricted share units vested, net of shares withheld
3,796

Options exercised
128,020

Direct issuance of common stock
183

Deferred share units vested, net of shares withheld
2,935

Common shares issued, March 31, 2013
152,963,762

Treasury shares, March 31, 2013
(46,681,321
)
Common shares outstanding, March 31, 2013
106,282,441

(b)
Warrants
During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, no warrants were exercised. Holders of the outstanding warrants are entitled to exercise the warrants in whole or in part at any time until the expiration date. The total outstanding warrants at March 31, 2014 were 5,174,114 (December 31, 2013: 5,296,056). No further warrants are anticipated to be issued.
(c)
Deferred share units
Under the terms of the Company’s Director Stock Compensation Plan, non-management directors may elect to receive their director fees in deferred share units rather than cash. The number of share units distributed in case of election under the plan is equal to the amount of the annual retainer fee otherwise payable to the director on such payment date divided by 100% of the fair market value of a share on such payment date. Additional deferred share units are issued in lieu of dividends that accrue on these deferred share units.  There were no outstanding deferred share units at March 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013: $nil).
As of February 16, 2013, John Hendrickson became an employee director. As a result, his 5,039 deferred share units vested and 2,935 common shares were issued to him, net of shares withheld for taxes.
(d)
Dividends
On February 5, 2014, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 (2013: $0.30) per common share and $0.30 per common share equivalent for which each outstanding warrant is exercisable. This dividend was paid on March 31, 2014 to holders of record on March 14, 2014.
On February 6, 2013 the Company announced a special dividend in the amount of $2.00 per common share and $2.00 per common share equivalent for which each outstanding warrant is exercisable (the "2013 Special Dividend"). The 2013 Special Dividend was paid on February 26, 2013 to shareholders and warrant holders of record as of February 19, 2013.


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Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


11. Stock plans
(a)
Long Term Incentive Plan and Short Term Incentive Plan
The Company’s Amended and Restated 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) provides for grants to employees of options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted shares, restricted share units, performance shares, dividend equivalents or other share-based awards. In addition, the Company may issue restricted share awards or restricted share units in connection with awards issued under its annual Short Term Incentive Plan (“STIP”). The total number of shares reserved for issuance under the LTIP and STIP are 13,126,896 shares of which 1,987,700 shares are remaining. The LTIP and STIP are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. No SARs have been granted to date. Grant prices are established at the fair market value of the Company’s common shares at the date of grant.
i.
Options
Options may be exercised for voting common shares upon vesting. Options have a life of 10 years and vest either pro rata or at the end of the required service period from the date of grant. Fair value of the option awards at the date of grant is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.
Expected volatility is based on stock price volatility of comparable publicly-traded companies. The Company used the simplified method consistent with U.S. GAAP authoritative guidance on stock compensation expenses to estimate expected lives for options granted during the period as historical exercise data was not available and the options met the requirement as set out in the guidance.
The Company has not granted any stock options since September 4, 2009.
There were no share compensation expenses in respect of options recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
A modification event was triggered as a result of the 2013 Special Dividend. In accordance with the terms of the LTIP under which the options were issued, an adjustment was required to protect the holders of such stock options from changes in the value of the stock options following the declaration of the 2013 Special Dividend. The modification of the options included a decrease in the exercise price of each stock option and an increase in the number of shares underlying each stock option. The fair value of the options before and after the modification was unchanged.
Activity with respect to options for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was as follows:
 
Options
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Exercise Price
Options outstanding, December 31, 2013
1,572,713

 
$
6.66

 
$
18.88

Options exercised
(90,019
)
 
4.25

 
25.46

Options outstanding, March 31, 2014
1,482,694

 
$
6.81

 
$
18.48

Activity with respect to options for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was as follows: 
 
Options
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Exercise Price
Options outstanding, December 31, 2012
1,823,947

 
$
6.52

 
$
20.69

Options regranted (modified)
1,833,414

 
6.76

 
19.02

Options exercised
(128,020
)
 
3.40

 
28.98

Options cancelled (modified)
(1,733,139
)
 
6.76

 
20.12

Options outstanding, March 31, 2013
1,796,202

 
$
6.75

 
$
18.95

At March 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no unrecognized share compensation expenses in respect of options.

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Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)



ii.
Restricted share awards
Restricted shares granted under the LTIP and STIP vest either pro rata or at the end of the required service period and contain certain restrictions during the vesting period, relating to, among other things, forfeiture in the event of termination of employment and transferability. Share compensation expenses of $7,001 were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (2013: $4,061). The expenses represent the proportionate accrual of the fair value of each grant based on the remaining vesting period.
Activity with respect to unvested restricted share awards for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was as follows:
 
Restricted Share Awards
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted share awards outstanding, December 31, 2013
2,684,745

 
$
33.74

Restricted share awards granted
17,533

 
36.81

Restricted share awards vested
(27,353
)
 
29.31

Restricted share awards forfeited
(23,094
)
 
34.57

Restricted share awards outstanding, March 31, 2014
2,651,831

 
$
33.80

Activity with respect to unvested restricted share awards for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was as follows:
 
Restricted Share Awards
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted share awards outstanding, December 31, 2012
2,170,547

 
$
29.24

Restricted share awards granted
22,005

 
35.63

Restricted share awards vested
(148,304
)
 
25.97

Restricted share awards forfeited
(93,993
)
 
28.42

Restricted share awards outstanding, March 31, 2013
1,950,255

 
$
29.60

At March 31, 2014, there were $62,370 (December 31, 2013: $69,219) of total unrecognized share compensation expenses in respect of restricted share awards that are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.0 years (December 31, 2013: 3.2 years).
iii.
Restricted share units
Restricted share units under the LTIP and STIP vest either ratably or at the end of the required service period and contain certain restrictions during the vesting period, relating to, among other things, forfeiture in the event of termination of employment and transferability. Share compensation expenses of $166 were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (2013: $121). The expenses represent the proportionate accrual of the fair value of each grant based on the remaining vesting period.
Activity with respect to unvested restricted share units for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was as follows:
 
Restricted Share Units
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted share units outstanding, December 31, 2013
66,518

 
$
33.74

Restricted share units issued in lieu of cash dividends
495

 
33.74

Restricted share units outstanding, March 31, 2014
67,013

 
$
33.74

Activity with respect to unvested restricted share units for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was as follows:

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Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


 
Restricted Share Units
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted share units outstanding, December 31, 2012
47,238

 
$
29.61

Restricted share units vested
(5,468
)
 
25.27

Restricted share units issued in lieu of cash dividends
3,020

 
29.69

Restricted share units outstanding, March 31, 2013
44,790

 
$
30.15

At March 31, 2014, there were $1,519 (December 31, 2013: $1,678) of total unrecognized share compensation expenses in respect of restricted share units that are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.2 years (December 31, 2013: 3.4 years).
iv.
Performance share awards
The performance share awards contain a performance based component. The performance component relates to the compounded growth in the Dividend Adjusted Diluted Book Value per Share (“DBVPS”) over a three year period relative to the Company's peer group. For performance share awards granted during the period, the grant date Diluted Book Value per Share is based on the DBVPS at the end of the most recent financial reporting year. The Dividend Adjusted Performance Period End DBVPS will be the DBVPS three years after the grant date DBVPS. The fair value estimate earns over the requisite attribution period and the estimate will be reassessed at the end of each performance period which will reflect any adjustments in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income in the period in which they are determined.
Share compensation expenses of $(20) were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (2013: $(1,864)). The negative expense is due to a reversal of expenses on unvested performance share awards based on a review of current and projected performance criteria.
Activity with respect to unvested performance share awards for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was as follows:
 
Performance Share Awards
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Performance share awards outstanding, December 31, 2013
101,820

 
$
33.56

Performance share awards conversion adjustment
(15,344
)
 
31.38

Performance share awards outstanding, March 31, 2014
86,476

 
$
33.95

Activity with respect to unvested performance share awards for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was as follows:
 
Performance Share Awards
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Performance share awards outstanding, December 31, 2012
220,845

 
$
31.81

Performance share awards forfeited
(128,667
)
 
32.41

Performance share awards outstanding, March 31, 2013
92,178

 
$
30.99

At March 31, 2014, there were $1,207 (December 31, 2013: $1,642) of total unrecognized share compensation expenses in respect of performance share awards that are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years (December 31, 2013: 2.0 years).
(b)
 Total share compensation expenses
The breakdown of share compensation expenses by award type was as follows:

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Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2013
Restricted share awards
$
7,001

 
$
4,061

Restricted share units
166

 
121

Performance share awards
(20
)
 
(1,864
)
Total
$
7,147

 
$
2,318

 


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Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


12. Debt and financing arrangements
(a)
Financing structure
The financing structure at March 31, 2014 was:
 
Commitment
 
Issued and outstanding (a)
 
Drawn
2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
$
150,000

 
$
150,000

 
$
150,000

2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
200,000

 
139,800

 
139,800

Flagstone 2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
137,904

 
137,904

 
137,904

Flagstone 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
113,750

 
113,750

 
113,750

Total debentures payable
601,654

 
541,454

 
541,454

2010 Senior Notes due 2040
250,000

 
250,000

 
247,225

Total debentures and senior notes payable
851,654

 
791,454

 
788,679

$400,000 syndicated unsecured letter of credit facility
400,000

 

 

$525,000 syndicated secured letter of credit facility
525,000

 
309,422

 

$200,000 secured bi-lateral letter of credit facility
200,000

 
18,676

 

Talbot FAL facility
25,000

 
25,000

 

PaCRe senior secured letter of credit facility
10,000

 
294

 

AlphaCat Re secured letter of credit facility
30,000

 
24,800

 

IPC bi-lateral facility
40,000

 
19,817

 

$375,000 Flagstone bi-lateral facility
375,000

 
292,532

 

Total credit and other facilities
1,605,000

 
690,541

 

Total debt and financing arrangements
$
2,456,654

 
$
1,481,995

 
$
788,679

The financing structure at December 31, 2013 was:
 
Commitment
 
Issued and outstanding (a)
 
Drawn
2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
$
150,000

 
$
150,000

 
$
150,000

2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
200,000

 
139,800

 
139,800

Flagstone 2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
137,866

 
137,866

 
137,866

Flagstone 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
113,750

 
113,750

 
113,750

Total debentures payable
601,616

 
541,416

 
541,416

2010 Senior Notes due 2040
250,000

 
250,000

 
247,198

Total debentures and senior notes payable
851,616

 
791,416

 
788,614

$400,000 syndicated unsecured letter of credit facility
400,000

 

 

$525,000 syndicated secured letter of credit facility
525,000

 
358,567

 

$200,000 secured bi-lateral letter of credit facility
200,000

 
16,726

 

Talbot FAL facility
25,000

 
25,000

 

PaCRe senior secured letter of credit facility
10,000

 
294

 

AlphaCat Re secured letter of credit facility
24,800

 
24,800

 

IPC bi-lateral facility
40,000

 
20,177

 

$375,000 Flagstone bi-lateral facility
375,000

 
305,686

 

Total credit and other facilities
1,599,800

 
751,250

 

Total debt and financing arrangements
$
2,451,416

 
$
1,542,666

 
$
788,614

(a)
Indicates utilization of commitment amount, not necessarily drawn borrowings.

34

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


(b)
Senior notes and junior subordinated deferrable debentures
The following table summarizes the key terms of the Company's senior notes and junior subordinated deferrable debentures as at the issuance date for each placement.
Description
Issuance date
Commitment
Maturity date
Fixed/Spread
 
Interest payments due
2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
June 15, 2006
$
150,000

June 15, 2036
9.069
%
(b)
Quarterly
Flagstone 2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
August 23, 2006
$
137,904

September 15, 2036
3.540
%
(a)
Quarterly
2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
June 21, 2007
$
200,000

June 15, 2037
8.480
%
(b)
Quarterly
Flagstone 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
June 8, 2007
$
88,750

July 30, 2037
3.000
%
(a)
Quarterly
Flagstone 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
September 20, 2007
$
25,000

September 15, 2037
3.100
%
(a)
Quarterly
2010 Senior Notes due 2040
January 26, 2010
$
250,000

January 26, 2040
8.875
%
(b)
Semi-annually in arrears
(a)
Variable interest rate is the three-month LIBOR, reset quarterly, plus spread as noted in the table.
(b)
Fixed interest rate.
The following table summarizes the key terms of the Company's senior notes and junior subordinated deferrable debentures as at March 31, 2014:
Description
Issuance date
Commitment
Maturity date
Fixed/Spread
 
Interest payments due
2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
June 15, 2006
$
150,000

June 15, 2036
5.831
%
(b)
Quarterly
Flagstone 2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
August 23, 2006
$
137,904

September 15, 2036
6.463
%
(b)
Quarterly
2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
June 21, 2007
$
200,000

June 15, 2037
5.180
%
(b)
Quarterly
Flagstone 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
June 8, 2007
$
88,750

July 30, 2037
5.900
%
(b)
Quarterly
Flagstone 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
September 20, 2007
$
25,000

September 15, 2037
5.983
%
(b)
Quarterly
2010 Senior Notes due 2040
January 26, 2010
$
250,000

January 26, 2040
8.875
%
(a)
Semi-annually in arrears
(a)
Fixed interest rate.
(b)
Interest rate has been fixed as a result of interest rate swap contracts entered into by the Company.

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Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


Senior Notes
The Senior Notes due 2040 (the “2010 Senior Notes”) were part of a registered public offering. The 2010 Senior Notes mature on January 26, 2040.  The Company may redeem the notes, in whole at any time, or in part from time to time, at our option on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a make-whole redemption price as described in “Description of the Notes - Optional Redemption” in the 2010 Senior Notes prospectus supplement.  In addition, the Company may redeem the notes, in whole, but not in part, at any time upon the occurrence of certain tax events as described in “Description of the Notes - Redemption for Tax Purposes’ in the prospectus supplement.
Debt issuance costs were deferred as an asset and are amortized over the life of the 2010 Senior Notes. There were no redemptions made during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
The 2010 Senior Notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company and rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The 2010 Senior Notes will be effectively junior to all of the Company’s future secured debt, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such debt, and will rank senior to all our existing and future subordinated debt. The 2010 Senior Notes are structurally subordinated to all obligations of the Company’s subsidiaries.
Future payments of principal of $250,000 on the 2010 Senior Notes are all expected to be after 2018.
Junior subordinated deferrable debentures
The Company participated in private placements of junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures due 2036 and 2037 (respectively, the “2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures” and “2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures”).
Debt issuance costs for the 2006 and 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures were deferred as an asset and were amortized to income over the five year optional redemption periods. They are redeemable at the Company's option at par. There were no redemptions made during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
As part of the acquisition of Flagstone, the Company assumed junior subordinated deferrable debentures due 2036 and 2037 (respectively, the “Flagstone 2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures” and “Flagstone 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures”). These debentures are redeemable quarterly at par. There were no redemptions made during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
Future payments of principal of $541,454 on the debentures discussed above are all expected to be after 2018.
(c)
Credit facilities
i.
$400,000 syndicated unsecured letter of credit facility and $525,000 syndicated secured letter of credit facility
On March 9, 2012, the Company entered into a $400,000 four-year unsecured credit facility with Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as syndication agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Lloyds Securities Inc. and Suntrust Bank, as co-documentation agents and the lenders party thereto, which provides for letter of credit and revolving credit availability for the Company (the “Four Year Unsecured Facility”) (the full $400,000 of which is available for letters of credit and/or revolving loans). The Four Year Unsecured Facility was provided by a syndicate of commercial banks. Letters of credit under the Four Year Unsecured Facility are available to support obligations in connection with the insurance business of the Company and its subsidiaries. Loans under the Four Year Unsecured Facility are available for the general corporate and working capital purposes of the Company. The Company may request that existing lenders under the Four Year Unsecured Facility or prospective additional lenders agree to make available additional commitments from time to time so long as the aggregate commitments under the Four Year Unsecured Facility do not exceed $500,000.
Also on March 9, 2012, the Company entered into a $525,000 four-year secured credit facility, with the same parties, which provides for letter of credit availability for the Company (the “Four Year Secured Facility” and together with the Four Year Unsecured Facility, the “Credit Facilities”). The Four Year Secured Facility was also provided by a syndicate of commercial banks. Letters of credit under the Four Year Secured Facility will be available to support obligations in connection with the insurance business of the Company. The Company may request that existing lenders under the Four Year Secured Facility or prospective additional lenders agree to make available additional commitments from time to time so long as the aggregate commitments under the Four Year Secured Facility do not exceed $700,000. The obligations of the Company under the Four Year Secured Facility are secured by cash and securities deposited into cash collateral accounts from time to time with The Bank of New York Mellon.

36

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


As of March 31, 2014, there were $309,422 in outstanding letters of credit under the Four Year Secured Facility (December 31, 2013: $358,567) and $nil outstanding under the Four Year Unsecured Facility.
The Credit Facilities contain covenants that include, among other things (i) the requirement that the Company initially maintain a minimum level of consolidated net worth of at least $2,600,000 and, commencing with the end of the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2012, to be increased quarterly by an amount equal to 50.0% of the Company’s consolidated net income (if positive) for such quarter plus 50.0% of the aggregate increases in the consolidated shareholders’ equity of the Company during such fiscal quarter by reason of the issuance and sale of common equity interests of the Company, including upon any conversion of debt securities of the Company into such equity interests, (ii) the requirement that the Company maintain at all times a consolidated total debt to consolidated total capital ratio not greater than 0.35:1.00, and (iii) the requirement that Validus Reinsurance, Ltd. and any other material insurance subsidiaries maintain a financial strength rating by A.M. Best of not less than “B++” (Fair).  In addition, the Credit Facilities contain customary negative covenants applicable to the Company, including limitations on the ability to pay dividends and other payments in respect of equity interests at any time that the Company is otherwise in default with respect to certain provisions under the respective Credit Facilities, limitations on the ability to incur liens, sell assets, merge or consolidate with others, enter into transactions with affiliates, and limitations on the ability of its subsidiaries to incur indebtedness. The Credit Facilities also contain customary affirmative covenants, representations and warranties and events of default for credit facilities of its type. As of March 31, 2014, and throughout the reporting periods presented, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and restrictions under the Credit Facilities.
On March 9, 2012, upon entering into the Credit Facilities, the Company terminated its (a) three-year bi-lateral $60,000 unsecured revolving credit facility, dated March 12, 2010, (b) $340,000 three-year unsecured credit facility, dated March 12, 2010 and (c) $500,000 five-year secured credit facility, dated March 12, 2007. No early termination penalties were incurred.
ii.
$25,000 Talbot FAL facility
Talbot holds a standby Letter of Credit facility (the “Talbot FAL facility”) to provide Funds at Lloyd’s to support the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 underwriting years of account. As of March 31, 2014 the Company had $25,000 (December 31, 2013: $25,000) in outstanding letters of credit under the Talbot FAL facility.
The Talbot FAL facility contains affirmative covenants that include requirements for consolidated net worth and debt to capital ratios in line with those in place for the Credit Facilities and discussed above. The Talbot FAL facility also contains restrictions on our ability to incur debt at our subsidiaries, incur liens, sell assets and merge or consolidate with others. Other than in respect of existing and future preferred and hybrid securities, the payment of dividends and other payments in respect of equity interests are not permitted at any time that we are in default with respect to certain provisions under the Talbot FAL facility. As of March 31, 2014 and throughout the reporting periods presented, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and restrictions under the Talbot FAL facility.
iii.
$40,000 IPC bi-lateral facility
The Company assumed an existing evergreen letter of credit facility through the acquisition of IPC (the "IPC bi-lateral facility"). As of March 31, 2014, there were $19,817 outstanding letters of credit issued under the IPC bi-lateral facility (December 31, 2013: $20,177). As of March 31, 2014 and throughout the reporting periods presented, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and restrictions under the IPC bi-lateral facility.
iv.
$200,000 secured bi-lateral letter of credit facility
The Company holds an uncommitted secured bi-lateral letter of credit facility with Citibank Europe plc (the “Secured bi-lateral letter of credit facility”). As of March 31, 2014, $18,676 (December 31, 2013: $16,726) of letters of credit were outstanding under the Secured bi-lateral letter of credit facility. The Secured bi-lateral letter of credit facility has no fixed termination date and as of March 31, 2014, the Company is in compliance with all terms and covenants thereof.
v.
$10,000 PaCRe senior secured letter of credit facility
On May 11, 2012, PaCRe (as "Borrower") and its subsidiary, PaCRe Investments, Ltd. (as "Guarantor") entered into a secured evergreen credit and letter of credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. This facility provides for revolving borrowings by the Borrower and for letters of credit issued by the Borrower to be used to support its reinsurance obligations in aggregate amount of $10,000. As of March 31, 2014, $294 (December 31, 2013: $294) of letters of credit were outstanding under this facility. As of March 31, 2014, and throughout the reporting periods presented, PaCRe was in compliance with all covenants and restrictions thereof.

37

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


vi.
$30,000 AlphaCat Re secured letter of credit facility
On January 2, 2013 AlphaCat Reinsurance Ltd. (as "Borrower") entered into a secured evergreen letter of credit facility with Comerica Bank. This facility provides for letters of credit issued by the Borrower to be used to support its reinsurance obligations in the aggregate amount of $24,800. During the period ended March 31, 2014 the size of the facility was increased to $30,000 from $24,800. As of March 31, 2014, $24,800 (December 31, 2013: $24,800) of letters of credit were outstanding under this facility. As of March 31, 2014, and throughout the reporting periods presented, AlphaCat Reinsurance Ltd., was in compliance with all covenants and restrictions thereof.
vii.
$375,000 Flagstone bi-lateral facility
As part of the Flagstone Acquisition, the Company assumed an evergreen Letters of Credit Master Agreement between Citibank Europe Plc and Flagstone Reassurance Suisse, S.A. (the “Flagstone Bi-Lateral Facility”). At March 31, 2014, the Flagstone Bi-Lateral Facility had $292,532 (December 31, 2013: $305,686) letters of credit issued and outstanding. As of March 31, 2014, and throughout the reporting periods presented, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and restrictions under the Flagstone Bi-Lateral Facility.
(d)
Finance expenses
Finance expenses consist of interest on our junior subordinated deferrable debentures, senior notes, the amortization of debt offering costs, fees relating to our credit facilities, bank charges and the costs of FAL as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2013
2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
 
$
2,187

 
$
2,187

2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
 
1,809

 
1,809

Flagstone 2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
 
2,223

 
1,472

Flagstone 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
 
1,750

 
1,072

2010 Senior Notes due 2040
 
5,597

 
5,597

Credit facilities
 
1,559

 
954

Bank charges
 
113

 
133

AlphaCat ILS funds fees (a)
 
677

 
1,114

Talbot FAL Facility
 
(15
)
 
31

Total finance expenses
 
$
15,900

 
$
14,369

(a)
Includes finance expenses incurred by AlphaCat Managers, Ltd. in relation to the AlphaCat ILS funds and fund-raising for AlphaCat 2014 and AlphaCat 2013 respectively.
13. Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), by component for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Beginning balance, December 31
$
(617
)
$
(2,953
)
Current period foreign currency translation adjustments
462

(9,785
)
Ending balance, March 31
$
(155
)
$
(12,738
)


38

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


14. Commitments and contingencies
(a)
Concentrations of credit risk
The Company’s investments are managed following prudent standards of diversification. The Company attempts to limit its credit exposure by purchasing high quality fixed income investments to maintain an average portfolio, excluding bank loans, credit quality of AA- or higher, with mortgage and commercial mortgage-backed issues having an aggregate weighted average credit quality of AAA. In addition, the Company limits its exposure to any single issuer to 3% of its investment portfolio or less, excluding government and agency securities. With the exception of the Company's bank loan portfolio, which represents 9.5% of the Company's total investments as at March 31, 2014, the minimum credit rating of any security purchased is Baa3/BBB-. In the case where currently held investments are downgraded below Baa3/BBB-, the Company tolerates a holding of up to 2% of its investment portfolio in aggregate market value, or 10% with written authorization. Excluding bank loans, 1.0% of the portfolio had a split rating below Baa3/BBB- as at March 31, 2014. The Company did not have an aggregate exposure to any single issuer of more than 0.9% of its investment portfolio, other than with respect to government and agency securities as at March 31, 2014.
(b)
Funds at Lloyd's
The amounts provided under the Talbot FAL Facility would become a liability of the Company in the event of Syndicate 1183 declaring a loss at a level which would call on this arrangement.
Talbot operates in Lloyd’s through a corporate member, Talbot 2002 Underwriting Capital Ltd (“T02”), which is the sole participant in Syndicate 1183. Lloyd’s sets T02’s required capital annually based on Syndicate 1183’s business plan, rating environment and reserving environment together with input arising from Lloyd’s discussions with, inter alia, regulatory and rating agencies. Such capital, called Funds at Lloyd’s (“FAL”), comprises: cash, investments and undrawn letters of credit provided by various banks.
The amounts of cash, investments and letters of credit provided for each year of account as follows:
 
2014 Underwriting Year
 
2013 Underwriting Year
Talbot FAL facility
$
25,000

 
$
25,000

Group funds
450,000

 
403,700

Total
$
475,000

 
$
428,700

The amounts which are provided as FAL are not available for distribution to the Company for the payment of dividends. Talbot’s corporate member may also be required to maintain funds under the control of Lloyd’s in excess of its capital requirement and such funds also may not be available for distribution to the Company for the payment of dividends. See Note 3 (d) for Talbot's investments pledged as collateral.
(c)
Lloyd's Central Fund
Whenever a member of Lloyd's is unable to pay its debts to policyholders, such debts may be payable by the Lloyd's Central Fund. If Lloyd's determines that the Central Fund needs to be increased, it has the power to assess premium levies on current Lloyd's members up to 3% of a member's underwriting capacity in any one year. The Company does not believe that any assessment is likely in the foreseeable future and has not provided any allowance for such an assessment. However, based on the Company's 2014 estimated premium income at Lloyd's of £625,000, at the March 31, 2014 exchange rate of £1 equals $1.6658 and assuming the maximum 3% assessment, the Company would be assessed approximately $31,234.
(d)
Aquiline Commitment
As discussed in Note 5 "Investments in affiliates," the Company entered into an Assignment and Assumption Agreement with Aquiline Capital Partners LLC, pursuant to which it assumed a total capital commitment of $50,000 which will expire on July 2, 2015. The Company's remaining commitment at March 31, 2014 was $17,890 (December 31, 2013: $17,890).


39

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


15. Related party transactions
The transactions listed below are classified as related party transactions as each counter party has either a direct or indirect shareholding in the Company.
Aquiline Capital Partners, LLC and its related companies ("Aquiline"), which own 3,446,643 shares in the Company, hold warrants to purchase 2,756,088 shares, and have two employees on the Company's Board of Directors who do not receive compensation from the Company and are shareholders of Group Ark Insurance Holdings Ltd. ("Group Ark"). Christopher E. Watson, a director of the Company, serves as a director of Group Ark. Pursuant to reinsurance agreements with a subsidiary of Group Ark, the Company recognized gross premiums written during the three months ended March 31, 2014 of $1,373 (2013: $1,795), with $181 included in premiums receivable at March 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013: $242). The Company also recognized reinsurance premiums ceded during the three months ended March 31, 2014 of $5 (2013: $4). The Company recorded $2,688 of loss reserves recoverable at March 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013: $3,698). Earned premium adjustments of $1,441 (2013: $719) were recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
On November 24, 2009, the Company entered into an Investment Management Agreement with Conning, Inc. ("Conning") to manage a portion of the Company's investment portfolio. Aquiline acquired Conning on June 16, 2009. Jeffrey W. Greenberg, a director of the Company, serves as a director of Conning Holdings Corp., the parent company of Conning. Investment management fees earned by Conning for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $56 (2013: $191) with $170 included in accounts payable and accrued expenses at March 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013: $283).
On December 20, 2011, the Company entered into an Assignment and Assumption Agreement (the "Agreement") with Aquiline Capital Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Assignor") and Aquiline Capital Partners II GP (Offshore) Ltd., a Cayman Islands company limited by shares (the "General Partner") pursuant to which the Company has assumed 100% of the Assignor's interest in Aquiline Financial Services Fund II L.P. (the "Partnership") representing a total capital commitment of $50,000 (the "Commitment"), as a limited partner in the Partnership (the "Transferred Interest"). Messrs. Greenberg and Watson, directors of the Company, serve as managing principal and senior principal, respectively, of Aquiline Capital Partners LLC. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company incurred $nil (2013: $120) in partnership fees and made $nil (2013: $1,341) capital contributions. There were no amounts included in accounts payable and accrued expenses at March 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013: $nil).
Certain shareholders of the Company and their affiliates, as well as employers of entities associated with directors or officers have purchased insurance and/or reinsurance from the Company in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes these transactions were settled for arms length consideration.


40

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


16. Earnings per share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and earnings per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2013
Basic earnings per share
 

 
 

Net income
$
205,897


$
220,694

(Income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(43,509
)

2,549

Net income available to Validus
162,388


223,243

Less: Dividends and distributions declared on outstanding warrants
(1,552
)
 
(14,464
)
Income available to common shareholders
$
160,836

 
$
208,779

 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
93,451,999

 
107,386,438

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share available to common shareholders
$
1.72

 
$
1.94

 
 
 
 
Earnings per diluted share
 

 
 

Net income
$
205,897

 
$
220,694

(Income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(43,509
)
 
2,549

Net income available to Validus
162,388

 
223,243

Less: Dividends and distributions declared on outstanding warrants

 
(14,464
)
Income available to common shareholders
$
162,388

 
$
208,779

 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
93,451,999

 
107,386,438

Share equivalents:
 
 
 
Warrants
2,716,010

 

Stock options
750,369

 
1,631,556

Unvested restricted shares
881,141

 
1,035,005

Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding
97,799,519

 
110,052,999

 
 
 
 
Earnings per diluted share available to common shareholders
$
1.66

 
$
1.90

Share equivalents that would result in the issuance of common shares of 12,498 (2013: 104,405) were outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2014, but were not included in the computation of earnings per diluted share because the effect would be antidilutive.


41

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


17. Segment information
The Company conducts its operations worldwide through three operating segments, which have been determined under U.S. GAAP segment reporting to be Validus Re, AlphaCat and Talbot. The Company’s operating segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed and have capital allocated separately because each segment requires different strategies.
Validus Re Segment
The Validus Re segment is focused on short-tail lines of reinsurance. The primary lines in which the segment conducts business are property, marine and specialty which includes agriculture, aerospace and aviation, financial lines of business, nuclear, terrorism, life, accident & health, workers’ compensation, crisis management, contingency, motor, technical lines, composite and trade credit.
AlphaCat Segment
The AlphaCat segment manages strategic relationships that leverage the Company’s underwriting and investment expertise and earns management, performance and underwriting fees primarily from the Company’s operating affiliates, AlphaCat Re 2011, AlphaCat Re 2012, AlphaCat 2013 and AlphaCat 2014, as well as PaCRe and the AlphaCat ILS funds.
Talbot Segment
The Talbot segment focuses on a wide range of marine and energy, war, political violence, commercial property, financial institutions, contingency, bloodstock, accident & health and aviation classes of business on an insurance or facultative reinsurance basis and principally property, aerospace and marine classes of business on a treaty reinsurance basis.
Corporate and eliminations
The Company has a corporate function ("corporate"), which includes the activities of the parent company, and which carries out certain functions for the group. Corporate includes ‘non-core’ underwriting expenses, predominantly general and administrative and stock compensation expenses. Corporate also denotes the activities of certain key executives such as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. For internal reporting purposes, corporate is reflected separately, however corporate is not considered an operating segment under these circumstances. Other reconciling items include, but are not limited to, the elimination of inter segment revenues and expenses and unusual items that are not allocated to segments.

42

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


The following tables summarize the results of our operating segments and "Corporate":
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Validus Re Segment
 
AlphaCat Segment
 
Talbot Segment
 
Corporate & Eliminations
 
Total
Underwriting income
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Gross premiums written
 
$
678,986

 
$
84,347

 
$
290,695

 
$
(42,037
)
 
$
1,011,991

Reinsurance premiums ceded
 
(142,640
)
 
(3,700
)
 
(90,605
)
 
42,037

 
(194,908
)
Net premiums written
 
536,346

 
80,647

 
200,090

 

 
817,083

Change in unearned premiums
 
(297,960
)
 
(49,964
)
 
13,798

 

 
(334,126
)
Net premiums earned
 
238,386

 
30,683

 
213,888

 

 
482,957

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting deductions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss expenses
 
68,155

 
(7,860
)
 
102,376

 

 
162,671

Policy acquisition costs
 
39,245

 
2,980

 
44,928

 
(1,504
)
 
85,649

General and administrative expenses
 
18,195

 
4,128

 
35,149

 
16,973

 
74,445

Share compensation expenses
 
2,208

 
(10
)
 
2,582

 
2,367

 
7,147

Total underwriting deductions
 
127,803

 
(762
)
 
185,035

 
17,836

 
329,912

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting income (loss)
 
$
110,583

 
$
31,445

 
$
28,853

 
$
(17,836
)
 
$
153,045

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
18,765

 
880

 
4,686

 
(969
)
 
23,362

Other income
 
6,770

 
9,497

 
17

 
(2,454
)
 
13,830

Finance expenses
 
(3,839
)
 
(683
)
 
(26
)
 
(11,352
)
 
(15,900
)
Operating income (loss) before taxes, income from operating affiliates and (income) attributable to operating affiliate investors
 
132,279

 
41,139

 
33,530

 
(32,611
)
 
174,337

Tax benefit (expense)
 
578

 

 
130

 
(668
)
 
40

Income from operating affiliates
 

 
4,927

 

 

 
4,927

(Income) attributable to operating affiliate investors
 

 
(31,710
)
 

 

 
(31,710
)
Net operating income (loss)
 
$
132,857

 
$
14,356

 
$
33,660

 
$
(33,279
)
 
$
147,594

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized gains on investments
 
2,446

 
1,225

 
69

 

 
3,740

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments
 
11,898

 
45,872

 
2,577

 
(4,654
)
 
55,693

Income from investment affiliate
 
5,348

 

 

 

 
5,348

Foreign exchange (losses) gains
 
(6,176
)
 
38

 
(150
)
 
(190
)
 
(6,478
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
146,373

 
$
61,491

 
$
36,156

 
$
(38,123
)
 
$
205,897

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

 
(43,509
)
 

 

 
(43,509
)
Net income (loss) available (attributable) to Validus
 
$
146,373

 
$
17,982

 
$
36,156

 
$
(38,123
)
 
$
162,388

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected ratios (a):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums written / Gross premiums written
 
79.0
%
 
95.6
 %
 
68.8
%
 
 
 
80.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss expenses
 
28.6
%
 
(25.6
)%
 
47.9
%
 
 
 
33.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policy acquisition costs
 
16.5
%
 
9.7
 %
 
21.0
%
 
 
 
17.7
%
General and administrative expenses (b)
 
8.5
%
 
13.4
 %
 
17.6
%
 
 
 
16.9
%
Expense ratio
 
25.0
%
 
23.1
 %
 
38.6
%
 
 
 
34.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio
 
53.6
%
 
(2.5
)%
 
86.5
%
 
 
 
68.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
 
$
5,603,777


$
1,582,014


$
2,975,510


$
94,788


$
10,256,089

(a)
Ratios are based on net premiums earned.
(b)
The general and administrative expense ratio includes share compensation expenses.

43

Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
 
Validus Re Segment
 
AlphaCat Segment
 
Talbot Segment
 
Corporate & Eliminations
 
Total
Underwriting income
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Gross premiums written
 
$
747,963

 
$
96,516

 
$
293,530

 
$
(33,249
)
 
$
1,104,760

Reinsurance premiums ceded
 
(125,728
)
 

 
(94,737
)
 
33,249

 
(187,216
)
Net premiums written
 
622,235

 
96,516

 
198,793

 

 
917,544

Change in unearned premiums
 
(319,101
)
 
(68,899
)
 
1,517

 

 
(386,483
)
Net premiums earned
 
303,134

 
27,617

 
200,310

 

 
531,061

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting deductions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss expenses
 
73,402

 

 
71,369

 

 
144,771

Policy acquisition costs
 
51,744

 
2,638

 
40,526

 
(1,297
)
 
93,611

General and administrative expenses
 
29,441

 
4,037

 
30,912

 
15,889

 
80,279

Share compensation expenses
 
1,413

 
77

 
1,405

 
(577
)
 
2,318

Total underwriting deductions
 
156,000

 
6,752

 
144,212

 
14,015

 
320,979

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting income (loss)
 
$
147,134

 
$
20,865

 
$
56,098

 
$
(14,015
)
 
$
210,082

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
23,193

 
881

 
4,718

 
(3,143
)
 
25,649

Other income
 
13,490

 
6,633

 

 
(17,438
)
 
2,685

Finance expenses
 
(3,252
)
 
(1,248
)
 
(74
)
 
(9,795
)
 
(14,369
)
Operating income (loss) before taxes, income from operating affiliates and (income) attributable to operating affiliate investors
 
180,565

 
27,131

 
60,742

 
(44,391
)
 
224,047

Tax expense (benefit)
 
1,757

 

 
(1,054
)
 
(385
)
 
318

Income from operating affiliates
 

 
3,523

 

 

 
3,523

(Income) attributable to operating affiliate investors
 

 
(10,077
)
 

 

 
(10,077
)
Net operating income (loss)
 
$
182,322

 
$
20,577

 
$
59,688

 
$
(44,776
)
 
$
217,811

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized gains on investments
 
1,593

 

 
128

 

 
1,721

Change in net unrealized (losses) on investments
 
(2,193
)
 
(4,788
)
 
(256
)
 

 
(7,237
)
Income from investment affiliate
 
1,477

 

 

 

 
1,477

Foreign exchange gains (losses)
 
11,162

 
(1,187
)
 
(3,918
)
 
865

 
6,922

Net income (loss)
 
$
194,361

 
$
14,602

 
$
55,642

 
$
(43,911
)
 
$
220,694

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

 
2,549

 

 

 
2,549

Net income (loss) available (attributable) to Validus
 
$
194,361

 
$
17,151

 
$
55,642

 
$
(43,911
)
 
$
223,243

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected ratios (a):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums written / Gross premiums written
 
83.2
%
 
100.0
%
 
67.7
%
 
 
 
83.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss expenses
 
24.2
%
 
0.0
%
 
35.6
%
 
 
 
27.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policy acquisition costs
 
17.1
%
 
9.6
%
 
20.2
%
 
 
 
17.6
%
General and administrative expenses (b)
 
10.2
%
 
14.9
%
 
16.1
%
 
 
 
15.6
%
Expense ratio
 
27.3
%
 
24.5
%
 
36.3
%
 
 
 
33.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio
 
51.5
%
 
24.5
%
 
71.9
%
 
 
 
60.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
 
$
6,299,481


$
1,189,190


$
3,043,312


$
32,417


$
10,564,400

(a)
Ratios are based on net premiums earned.
(b)
The general and administrative expense ratio includes share compensation expenses.


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Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


The Company’s exposures are generally diversified across geographic zones. The following tables set forth the gross premiums written allocated to the territory of coverage exposure for the periods indicated:
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Gross Premiums Written
 
Validus Re
 
AlphaCat
 
Talbot
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
%
United States
$
191,868

 
$
8,698

 
$
26,311

 
$
(5,665
)
 
$
221,212

 
21.9
%
Worldwide excluding United States (a)
61,534

 
7,678

 
37,182

 
(4,740
)
 
101,654

 
9.9
%
Australia and New Zealand
12,816

 
1,019

 
2,880

 
(281
)
 
16,434

 
1.6
%
Europe
37,896

 
1,301

 
18,791

 
(2,817
)
 
55,171

 
5.5
%
Latin America and Caribbean
6,934

 

 
31,239

 
(3,052
)
 
35,121

 
3.5
%
Japan
159

 

 
538

 
(53
)
 
644

 
0.1
%
Canada
2,899

 
216

 
3,145

 
(523
)
 
5,737

 
0.6
%
Rest of the world (b)
53,850

 

 
18,404

 
(1,798
)
 
70,456

 
7.0
%
Sub-total, non United States
176,088

 
10,214

 
112,179

 
(13,264
)
 
285,217

 
28.2
%
Worldwide including United States (a)
105,191

 
65,435

 
23,653

 
(6,646
)
 
187,633

 
18.5
%
Other location non-specific (c)
205,839

 

 
128,552

 
(16,462
)
 
317,929

 
31.4
%
Total
$
678,986

 
$
84,347

 
$
290,695

 
$
(42,037
)
 
$
1,011,991

 
100.0
%
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
 
Gross Premiums Written
 
Validus Re
 
AlphaCat
 
Talbot
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
%
United States
$
236,496

 
$
17,489

 
$
20,541

 
$
(6,864
)
 
$
267,662

 
24.2
%
Worldwide excluding United States (a)
50,308

 
14,689

 
39,458

 
(4,508
)
 
99,947

 
9.0
%
Australia and New Zealand
25,026

 
2,183

 
3,005

 
(230
)
 
29,984

 
2.7
%
Europe
40,870

 
1,964

 
18,311

 
(2,848
)
 
58,297

 
5.3
%
Latin America and Caribbean
8,418

 

 
42,000

 
(3,218
)
 
47,200

 
4.3
%
Japan
737

 

 
654

 
(50
)
 
1,341

 
0.1
%
Canada
2,642

 
318

 
2,706

 
(525
)
 
5,141

 
0.5
%
Rest of the world (b)
19,079

 

 
18,314

 
(1,403
)
 
35,990

 
3.3
%
Sub-total, non United States
147,080

 
19,154

 
124,448

 
(12,782
)
 
277,900

 
25.2
%
Worldwide including United States (a)
100,540

 
59,873

 
19,156

 
(3,689
)
 
175,880

 
15.9
%
Other location non-specific (c)
263,847

 

 
129,385

 
(9,914
)
 
383,318

 
34.7
%
Total
$
747,963

 
$
96,516

 
$
293,530

 
$
(33,249
)
 
$
1,104,760

 
100.0
%
(a)
Represents risks in two or more geographic zones.
(b)
Represents risks in one geographic zone.
(c)
The other locations non-specific category refers to business for which an analysis of exposure by geographic zone is not applicable, such as marine and aerospace risks, since these exposures can span multiple geographic areas and, in some instances, are not fixed locations.


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Table of Contents

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)


18. Subsequent events
(a)
 Quarterly Dividend
On April 30, 2014, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per each common share and $0.30 per common share equivalent for which each outstanding warrant is exercisable, payable on June 30, 2014 to holders of record on June 13, 2014.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following is a discussion and analysis of the Company's consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 and the Company's consolidated financial condition, liquidity and capital resources at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this filing and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the discussions of critical accounting policies and the qualitative and quantitative disclosure about market risk contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
 
For a variety of reasons, the Company's historical financial results may not accurately indicate future performance. See "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." The Risk Factors set forth in Part I Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 present a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein.
 
Executive Overview
The Company conducts its operations worldwide through three operating segments which have been determined under U.S. GAAP segment reporting to be Validus Re, AlphaCat and Talbot. Validus Re is a Bermuda-based reinsurance segment focused on short tail lines of reinsurance. AlphaCat is a Bermuda-based investment adviser, managing capital from third parties and the Company in insurance linked securities and other investments in the property catastrophe reinsurance space. Talbot is a specialty insurance segment, primarily operating within the Lloyd's insurance market through Syndicate 1183. 
The Company’s strategy is to concentrate primarily on short-tail risks, which has been an area where management believes prices and terms provide an attractive risk-adjusted return and the management team has proven expertise. The Company’s profitability in any given period is based upon premium and investment revenues, less net losses and loss expenses, acquisition expenses and operating expenses. Financial results in the insurance and reinsurance industry are influenced by the frequency and/or severity of claims and losses, including as a result of catastrophic events, changes in interest rates, financial markets and general economic conditions, the supply of insurance and reinsurance capacity and changes in legal, regulatory and judicial environments.

On April 25, 2013, the Company acquired Longhorn Re, Ltd. (renamed Validus Re Americas, Ltd.), a single contract Bermuda-domiciled crop reinsurer.

On December 20, 2013, the Company joined with other investors in capitalizing AlphaCat 2014, a special purpose vehicle formed for the purpose of investing in collateralized reinsurance and retrocessional contracts. The Company has an equity interest and voting rights in AlphaCat 2014 which are below 50%, therefore the investment in AlphaCat 2014 is included as an equity method investment in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.



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Business Outlook and Trends
We underwrite global property insurance and reinsurance and have large aggregate exposures to natural and man-made disasters. The occurrence of claims from catastrophic events results in substantial volatility, and can have material adverse effects on the Company’s financial condition and results and its ability to write new business. This volatility affects results for the period in which the loss occurs because U.S. accounting principles do not permit reinsurers to reserve for such catastrophic events until they occur. Catastrophic events of significant magnitude historically have been relatively infrequent, although management believes the property catastrophe reinsurance market has experienced a higher level of worldwide catastrophic losses in terms of both frequency and severity in the period from 1992 to the present. We also expect that increases in the values and concentrations of insured property will increase the severity of such occurrences in the future. The Company seeks to reflect these types of trends when pricing contracts.
Property and other reinsurance premiums have historically risen in the aftermath of significant catastrophic losses. As loss reserves are established, industry surplus is depleted and the industry’s capacity to write new business diminishes. At the same time, management believes that there is a heightened awareness of exposure to natural catastrophes on the part of cedants, rating agencies and catastrophe modeling firms, resulting in an increase in the demand for reinsurance protection. The global property and casualty insurance and reinsurance industry has historically been highly cyclical. Since 2007, increased capital provided by new entrants or by the commitment of capital by existing insurers and reinsurers increased the supply of insurance and reinsurance which resulted in a softening of rates on most lines. During 2010 and 2011, there was an increased level of catastrophe activity, principally the Chilean earthquake, Deepwater Horizon, Tohoku and Christchurch earthquake events, but the Company continues to see increased competition and decreased premium rates in most classes of business.
During the January 2013 renewal season, the Validus Re and AlphaCat segments underwrote $655.7 million in gross premiums written, an increase of 12.7% from the prior year period. This increase was driven primarily by an increase in gross premiums written in the specialty lines. This renewal data does not include Talbot’s operations as its business is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year. During the mid-year 2013 renewal period, the Validus Re segment experienced rate softening across U.S. and international property lines. The Talbot segment experienced relatively flat rate price movements in the year ended December 31, 2013 with increases being generated by the onshore energy, marine treaty and marine liability accounts offset by decreases generated by aviation accounts and the remainder of the treaty portfolio.
During the January 2014 renewal season, the Validus Re and AlphaCat segments underwrote $575.2 million in gross premiums written, a decrease of 3.2% from the prior period, excluding the impact of the agriculture business in both years. This decrease was primarily driven by a challenging rate environment in our U.S. property catastrophe business, which experienced a reduction in rates of approximately 12.5%.
Financial Measures
 
The Company believes that the primary financial indicator for evaluating performance and measuring the overall growth in value generated for shareholders is book value per diluted common share. Book value per diluted common share plus accumulated dividends, together with other important financial indicators, is shown below:

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2013
Book value per diluted common share plus accumulated dividends
$
45.56

 
$
41.57

 
$
43.91

Book value per diluted common share
37.58

 
34.79

 
36.23

Underwriting income
153,045

 
210,082

 
604,908

Net operating income attributable to Validus
146,090

 
215,618

 
578,672

Annualized return on average equity
17.7
%
 
22.5
%
 
14.0
%

Book value per diluted common share plus accumulated dividends is considered by management to be the primary indicator of financial performance, as we believe growth in book value on a diluted basis, plus the dividends that have accumulated, ultimately translates into the return that a shareholder will receive. Book value per diluted common share plus accumulated dividends increased by $1.65, or 3.8%, from $43.91 at December 31, 2013 to $45.56 at March 31, 2014. Cash dividends per common share are an integral part of the value created for shareholders. The Company paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.30 per common share and common

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share equivalent in the three months ended March 31, 2014. On April 30, 2014, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per common share and $0.30 per common share equivalent for which each outstanding warrant is exercisable, payable on June 30, 2014 to holders of record on June 13, 2014. Book value per diluted common share plus accumulated dividends is calculated based on total shareholders’ equity plus the assumed proceeds from the exercise of outstanding options and warrants, divided by the sum of common shares, unvested restricted shares and options and warrants outstanding (assuming their exercise), plus accumulated dividends. Book value per diluted common share plus accumulated dividends is a non-GAAP financial measure, as described in more detail in the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
Book value per diluted common share is considered by management to be a measure of our returns to common shareholders, as we believe growth in book value on a diluted basis ultimately translates into growth in stock price. Book value per diluted common share after dividends paid, increased by $1.35, or 3.7%, from $36.23 at December 31, 2013 to $37.58 at March 31, 2014. The increase was as a result of the net income available to Validus for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Book value per diluted common share is a non-GAAP financial measure, as described in more detail in the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
Underwriting income measures the performance of the Company’s core underwriting function, excluding revenues and expenses such as net investment income (loss), other income, finance expenses, net realized and change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, foreign exchange gains (losses) and non-recurring items. The Company believes the reporting of underwriting income enhances the understanding of our results by highlighting the underlying profitability of the Company’s core insurance and reinsurance operations. Underwriting income is a non-GAAP financial measure, as described in more detail in the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
Net operating income available to Validus is defined as net income excluding net realized and change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, income (loss) from investment affiliate, foreign exchange gains (losses), non-recurring items and income (loss) (attributable) to noncontrolling interest. This measure focuses on the underlying fundamentals of our operations without the influence of gains (losses) from the sale of investments, translation of non-U.S. dollar currencies and non-recurring items. Net operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure, as described in more detail in the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”    
Annualized return on average equity represents the return generated on common shareholders’ capital during the period. Return on average equity is calculated by dividing the net income available to Validus for the period by the average shareholders’ equity available to Validus during the period. Average shareholders’ equity is the average of the beginning, ending and intervening quarter end shareholders’ equity balances. The Company’s objective is to generate superior returns on capital that appropriately reward shareholders for the risks assumed. The decrease in annualized return on average equity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was driven primarily by a decrease in net income available to Validus. Net income available to Validus for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased by $60.9 million or 27.3% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013.

First Quarter 2014 Summarized Consolidated Results of Operations
Gross premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $1,012.0 million compared to $1,104.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, a decrease of $92.8 million, or 8.4%.
Net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $483.0 million compared to $531.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, a decrease of $48.1 million, or 9.1%.
Underwriting income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $153.0 million compared to $210.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, a decrease of $57.0 million, or 27.1%.
Combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2014 of 68.3% which included $39.4 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 8.2 percentage points compared to a combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2013 of 60.5% which included $65.8 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 12.4 percentage points.
Loss ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2014 of 33.7% compared to 27.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
Loss ratios by line of business are as follows:

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Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
 
Percentage Point Change
Property
14.3
%
 
5.4
%
 
8.9
 %
Marine
40.1
%
 
34.7
%
 
5.4
 %
Specialty
55.2
%
 
61.1
%
 
(5.9
)%
All lines
33.7
%
 
27.3
%
 
6.4
 %
Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $23.4 million compared to $25.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, a decrease of $2.3 million, or 8.9%.
Net operating income available to Validus for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $146.1 million compared to $215.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, a decrease of $69.5 million, or 32.2%.
Net income available to Validus for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $162.4 million, or $1.66 per diluted common share compared to $223.2 million or $1.90 per diluted common share for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
Losses and loss expenses from notable loss events for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 were $nil.
Investment yield for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was 1.29% compared to 1.38% for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
Annualized return on average equity and annualized net operating return on average equity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were 17.7% and 15.9%, respectively, compared to 22.5% and 21.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
Total investments and cash as at March 31, 2014 was $7.8 billion compared to $8.0 billion at December 31, 2013.
    
Overview of the Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013.
The change in net operating income available to Validus for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013 is described in the following table:

 
 
 
 
Increase (decrease) to net operating income available to Validus over the three months ended March 31
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014 compared to 2013
Net premiums earned
 
$
(48,104
)
Notable losses (a)
 

Incurred current year losses, excluding notable losses
 
8,483

Prior period loss development
 
(26,383
)
Other underwriting deductions (b)
 
8,967

Underwriting income (c)
 
(57,037
)
(Income) attributable to operating affiliate investors
 
(21,633
)
Other operating expenses and income, net (d)
 
8,453

Net operating income (c)
 
(70,217
)
Net operating (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
689

Net operating income available to Validus (c)
 
$
(69,528
)

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(a)
There were no notable loss events for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(b)
Other underwriting deductions consist of policy acquisition costs, general & administrative expenses and share compensation expenses.
(c)
Non-GAAP Financial Measures. In presenting the Company’s results, management has included and discussed underwriting income and operating income that is not calculated under standards or rules that comprise U.S. GAAP. Such measures are referred to as non-GAAP. Non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Further discussion of these measures is presented in the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
(d)
Other operating expenses and income, net, consists of net investment income, other income, finance expenses, taxes and income (loss) from operating affiliates.

Net operating income available to Validus for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $146.1 million compared to $215.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, a decrease of $69.5 million or 32.2%. The primary factors driving the decrease in net operating income were:
 
Decrease in underwriting income of $57.0 million primarily due to:
 
A decrease in net premiums earned of $48.1 million, primarily due to a reduction in gross premiums written; and

A decrease in favorable prior period loss development of $26.4 million, offset by;

A favorable movement in policy acquisition costs of $8.0 million.

Also contributing to the decrease was an unfavorable movement in income attributable to operating affiliate investors of $21.6 million, offset by an increase in other income of $11.1 million.

Segment Reporting
Management has determined that the Company operates in three reportable segments - Validus Re, AlphaCat and Talbot.
 

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First Quarter 2014 Results of Operations - Validus Re Segment

The following table presents results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively:  
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
Underwriting income
 
 
 
 
Gross premiums written
 
$
678,986

 
$
747,963

Reinsurance premiums ceded
 
(142,640
)
 
(125,728
)
Net premiums written
 
536,346

 
622,235

Change in unearned premiums
 
(297,960
)
 
(319,101
)
Net premiums earned
 
238,386

 
303,134

 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting deductions
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss expenses
 
68,155

 
73,402

Policy acquisition costs
 
39,245

 
51,744

General and administrative expenses
 
18,195

 
29,441

Share compensation expenses
 
2,208

 
1,413

Total underwriting deductions
 
127,803

 
156,000

 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting income (a)
 
110,583

 
147,134

 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
18,765

 
23,193

Other income
 
6,770

 
13,490

Finance expenses
 
(3,839
)
 
(3,252
)
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income before taxes
 
132,279

 
180,565

Tax benefit
 
578

 
1,757

Net operating income (a)
 
$
132,857

 
$
182,322

 
 
 
 
 
Selected ratios:
 
 

 
 

Net premiums written / Gross premiums written
 
79.0
%
 
83.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss expenses
 
28.6
%
 
24.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
Policy acquisition costs
 
16.5
%
 
17.1
%
General and administrative expenses (b)
 
8.5
%
 
10.2
%
Expense ratio
 
25.0
%
 
27.3
%
Combined ratio
 
53.6
%
 
51.5
%

a)      Non-GAAP Financial Measures: In presenting the Company's results, management has included and discussed underwriting income and net operating income that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise U.S. GAAP. Such measures are referred to as non-GAAP. Non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Further discussion of these measures is presented in the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

b)    The general and administrative expense ratio includes share compensation expenses.

The change in net operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013, respectively, is described in the following table:

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Increase (decrease) to net operating income over the three months ended March 31
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014 compared to 2013
Net premiums earned
 
$
(64,748
)
Notable losses (a)
 

Incurred current year losses, excluding notable losses
 
24,001

Prior period loss development
 
(18,754
)
Other underwriting deductions (b)
 
22,950

Underwriting income (d)
 
(36,551
)
Other operating income and expenses, net (c)
 
(12,914
)
Net operating income (d)
 
$
(49,465
)
(a)
There were no notable loss events for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(b)
Other underwriting deductions consist of policy acquisition costs, general & administrative expenses and share compensation expenses.
(c)
Other operating income and expenses, net, consists of net investment income, other income, finance expenses and taxes.
(d)
Non-GAAP Financial Measures. In presenting the Company’s results, management has included and discussed underwriting and operating income that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise U.S. GAAP. Such measures are referred to as non-GAAP. Non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Further discussion of these measures is presented in the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

Gross Premiums Written
 
 
Gross Premiums Written
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
 
$
270,602

 
$
326,024

 
$
(55,422
)
Marine
 
152,962

 
161,432

 
(8,470
)
Specialty
 
255,422

 
260,507

 
(5,085
)
Total
 
$
678,986

 
$
747,963

 
$
(68,977
)

The decrease in gross premiums written in the property lines of $55.4 million was primarily due to a reduction in catastrophe excess of loss treaties of $45.2 million. This was as a result of current market conditions, the impact of a program that was withdrawn and a number of non-renewals due to both unfavorable pricing and the inclusion of terror exposure on some programs without an appropriate premium for the additional risk. The decrease in gross premiums written of $8.5 million in the marine lines was primarily due to non-renewals and some business historically written in marine lines being renewed in specialty lines. The decrease in gross premiums written of $5.1 million in the specialty lines was due to a $37.5 million reduction in agricultural business as a result of reduced participation in a number of quota share agreements, offset by new composite business as well as business written by the new trade credit team, totaling $17.9 million and $15.3 million, respectively.

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Business Mix - Ratio of Gross Premiums Written by Line of Business to Total Gross Premiums Written
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Gross
Premiums
Written
 
Gross
Premiums
Written (%)
 
Gross
Premiums
Written
 
Gross
Premiums
Written (%)
Property
 
$
270,602

 
39.9
%
 
$
326,024

 
43.6
%
Marine
 
152,962

 
22.5
%
 
161,432

 
21.6
%
Specialty
 
255,422

 
37.6
%
 
260,507

 
34.8
%
Total
 
$
678,986

 
100.0
%
 
$
747,963

 
100.0
%

Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
 
 
Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
 
$
121,870

 
$
84,058

 
$
37,812

Marine
 
13,365

 
2,972

 
10,393

Specialty
 
7,405

 
38,698

 
(31,293
)
Total
 
$
142,640

 
$
125,728

 
$
16,912

Reinsurance premiums ceded in the property lines increased by $37.8 million, due to significant restructuring of retrocessional coverage purchased, reflecting favorable market conditions and changes in timing of purchases, that resulted in $64.9 million of new aggregate excess of loss and industry loss warranty purchases. This was offset by a $28.1 million decrease in catastrophe bond coverage due to the non-renewal of a contract. The increase in reinsurance premiums in the marine lines of $10.4 million was primarily due to additional quota share coverage purchased as a result of price reductions and broader coverage and terms available in the market. The decrease in reinsurance premiums ceded in the specialty lines of $31.3 million was due primarily to the non-renewal of proportional coverage that was purchased in the first quarter of 2013 and related to the agriculture business.
Net Premiums Written
 
 
Net Premiums Written
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
 
$
148,732

 
$
241,966

 
$
(93,234
)
Marine
 
139,597

 
158,460

 
(18,863
)
Specialty
 
248,017

 
221,809

 
26,208

Total
 
$
536,346

 
$
622,235

 
$
(85,889
)
The decrease in Validus Re net premiums written was driven by factors highlighted above in respect of gross premiums written and reinsurance premiums ceded.

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Net Retention - Ratio of Net Premiums Written to Gross Premiums Written
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Net Premiums
Written
 
% of Gross Premiums Written
 
Net Premiums
Written
 
% of Gross Premiums Written
Property
 
$
148,732

 
55.0
%
 
$
241,966

 
74.2
%
Marine
 
139,597

 
91.3
%
 
158,460

 
98.2
%
Specialty
 
248,017

 
97.1
%
 
221,809

 
85.1
%
Total
 
$
536,346

 
79.0
%
 
$
622,235

 
83.2
%
The property ratio has decreased by 19.2 percentage points reflecting the restructuring of the property retrocessional coverage and specifically the increase in non-proportional coverage as well as a reduction in gross written premium. The marine ratio has decreased by 6.9 percentage due to an increase in ceded premiums as a result of the factors mentioned above. The specialty ratio has increased by12.0 percentage due to the decrease in reinsurance coverage purchased for the agriculture business.

Net Premiums Earned
 
 
Net Premiums Earned
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
 
$
123,662

 
$
184,482

 
$
(60,820
)
Marine
 
42,857

 
56,601

 
(13,744
)
Specialty
 
71,867

 
62,051

 
9,816

Total
 
$
238,386

 
$
303,134

 
$
(64,748
)
The decrease in net premiums earned is consistent with the pattern of net premiums written in the current quarter and the second half of 2013.

Losses and Loss Expenses
 
Losses and Loss Expense Ratio - All lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
All lines—current period—notable losses
0.0
 %
 
0.0
 %
All lines—change in prior accident years
(4.2
)%
 
(9.5
)%
All lines—current period excluding items above
32.8
 %
 
33.7
 %
All lines—loss ratio
28.6
 %
 
24.2
 %


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Losses and Loss Expenses - All lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
Change
All lines—current period—notable losses

 

 

All lines—change in prior accident years
(10,028
)
 
(28,782
)
 
18,754

All lines—current period excluding items above
78,183

 
102,184

 
(24,001
)
All lines - losses and loss expenses
68,155

 
73,402

 
(5,247
)

Notable Losses
There were no notable loss events for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 
Losses and Loss Expenses by Line of Business
 
Losses and Loss Expense Ratio - Property Lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Property—current period—notable losses
0.0
 %
 
0.0
 %
Property—change in prior accident years
(1.7
)%
 
(17.7
)%
Property—current period excluding items above
13.5
 %
 
18.3
 %
Property—loss ratio
11.8
 %
 
0.6
 %

 
Losses and Loss Expenses - Property Lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property - current period—notable losses
$

 
$

 
$

Property - change in prior accident years
(2,111
)
 
(32,565
)
 
30,454

Property—current period excluding items above
16,696

 
33,688

 
(16,992
)
Property - losses and loss expenses
$
14,585

 
$
1,123

 
$
13,462

Property lines experienced $30.5 million lower favorable loss reserve development, primarily related to unfavorable claims emergence on non-notable loss events and lower favorable development on other attritional losses this quarter.
 
Losses and Loss Expense Ratio - Marine Lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Marine—current period—notable losses
0.0
 %
 
0.0
%
Marine—change in prior accident years
(31.5
)%
 
1.5
%
Marine—current period excluding items above
38.8
 %
 
36.8
%
Marine—loss ratio
7.3
 %
 
38.3
%

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Losses and Loss Expenses - Marine Lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Marine - current period—notable losses
$

 
$

 
$

Marine—change in prior accident years
(13,513
)
 
828

 
(14,341
)
Marine—current period excluding items above
16,619

 
20,824

 
(4,205
)
Marine - losses and loss expenses
$
3,106

 
$
21,652

 
$
(18,546
)
Marine lines experienced $13.5 million favorable loss reserve development during three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to unfavorable loss reserve development of $0.8 million in 2013 due primarily to favorable emergence on the Gryphon Alpha mooring failure this quarter and unfavorable development on Hurricane Sandy in the prior period.
 
Losses and Loss Expense Ratio - Specialty Lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Specialty—current period—notable losses
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
Specialty—change in prior accident years
7.8
%
 
4.8
%
Specialty—current period excluding items above
62.4
%
 
76.8
%
Specialty—loss ratio
70.2
%
 
81.6
%

 
Losses and Loss Expenses - Specialty Lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Specialty - current period—notable losses
$

 
$

 
$

Specialty—change in prior accident years
5,596

 
2,955

 
2,641

Specialty—current period excluding items above
44,868

 
47,672

 
(2,804
)
Specialty - losses and loss expenses
$
50,464

 
$
50,627

 
$
(163
)
Specialty lines experienced $2.6 million higher unfavorable loss reserve development, primarily related to an increase in the loss estimate on agriculture losses this quarter. The current period loss ratio was significantly lower due to aerospace losses during the first quarter last year.

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Policy Acquisition Costs
 
Policy Acquisition Costs
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
$
21,934

 
$
28,532

 
$
(6,598
)
Marine
7,564

 
11,604

 
(4,040
)
Specialty
9,747

 
11,608

 
(1,861
)
Total
$
39,245

 
$
51,744

 
$
(12,499
)

 
Acquisition Cost Ratio
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
17.7
%
 
15.5
%
 
2.2
 %
Marine
17.6
%
 
20.5
%
 
(2.9
)%
Specialty
13.6
%
 
18.7
%
 
(5.1
)%
Total
16.5
%
 
17.1
%
 
(0.6
)%
The acquisition cost ratio for the property lines has increased by 2.2 percentage points primarily due to the impact of the restructured retrocessional coverage discussed above. The acquisition cost ratio for the specialty lines has decreased by 5.1 percentage points due to changes in terms on some of the renewed agricultural policies.
General and Administrative and Share Compensation Expenses
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Expenses
 
% of Net Premiums Earned
 
Expenses
 
% of Net Premiums Earned
General and administrative expenses
 
$
18,195

 
7.6
%
 
$
29,441

 
9.7
%
Share compensation expenses
 
$
2,208

 
0.9
%
 
$
1,413

 
0.5
%
Total
 
$
20,403

 
8.5
%
 
$
30,854

 
10.2
%
The decrease in general and administrative expenses of $11.2 million or 38.2% was primarily due to the higher costs that were assumed in the prior year following the acquisition of Flagstone.

Selected Underwriting Ratios
The underwriting results of an insurance or reinsurance company are often measured by reference to its combined ratio, which is the sum of the loss and loss expense ratio and the expense ratio. The loss and loss expense ratio is calculated by dividing losses and loss expenses incurred (including estimates for incurred but not reported losses) by net premiums earned. The expense ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition costs combined with general and administrative expenses by net premiums earned. The following table presents the loss and loss expense ratio, policy acquisition cost ratio, general and administrative expense ratio, expense ratio and combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

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Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Loss and loss expense ratio
28.6
%
 
24.2
%
Policy acquisition cost ratio
16.5
%
 
17.1
%
General and administrative expense ratio (a)
8.5
%
 
10.2
%
Expense ratio
25.0
%
 
27.3
%
Combined ratio
53.6
%
 
51.5
%
(a)
Includes general and administrative expenses and share compensation expenses.
The increase in the combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2014 of 2.1 percentage points compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013 is due to the movement in the underlying ratios as discussed above.

Net Investment Income
 
 
Net Investment Income
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Fixed maturities and short-term investments
 
$
18,212

 
$
21,716

 
$
(3,504
)
Other investments
 
490

 
3,769

 
(3,279
)
Cash and cash equivalents
 
1,603

 
(201
)
 
1,804

Securities lending income
 
2

 

 
2

Total gross investment income
 
20,307

 
25,284

 
(4,977
)
Investment expenses
 
(1,542
)
 
(2,091
)
 
549

Total
 
$
18,765

 
$
23,193

 
$
(4,428
)
The decrease in net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $4.4 million or 19.1% mainly due to a special dividend received on other investments in 2013.
Other Income
 
 
Other Income
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Other income
 
$
6,770

 
$
13,490

 
$
(6,720
)
Other income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily arises from the run off of legacy Flagstone balances.
Finance Expenses
 
 
Finance Expenses
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Finance expenses
 
$
3,839

 
$
3,252

 
$
587

Finance expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were comparable.


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First Quarter 2014 Results of Operations - AlphaCat Segment

The following table presents results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively:  
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Underwriting income
 
 
 
 
 
Gross premiums written
 
$
84,347

 
$
96,516

 
Reinsurance premiums ceded
 
(3,700
)
 

 
Net premiums written
 
80,647

 
96,516

 
Change in unearned premiums
 
(49,964
)
 
(68,899
)
 
Net premiums earned
 
30,683

 
27,617

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting deductions
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss expenses
 
(7,860
)
 

 
Policy acquisition costs
 
2,980

 
2,638

 
General and administrative expenses
 
4,128

 
4,037

 
Share compensation expenses
 
(10
)
 
77

 
Total underwriting deductions
 
(762
)
 
6,752

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting income (a)
 
31,445

 
20,865

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
880

 
881

 
Other income
 
9,497

 
6,633

 
Finance expenses
 
(683
)
 
(1,248
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income before income from operating affiliates and (income) attributable to operating affiliate investors
 
41,139

 
27,131

 
Income from operating affiliates
 
4,927

 
3,523

 
(Income) attributable to operating affiliate investors
 
(31,710
)
 
(10,077
)
 
Net operating income (a)
 
14,356

 
20,577

 
Net operating (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
(1,504
)
 
(2,193
)
 
Net operating income available to Validus (a)
 
$
12,852

 
$
18,384

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected ratios:
 
 

 
 

 
Net premiums written / Gross premiums written
 
95.6
 %
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss expenses
 
(25.6
)%
 
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policy acquisition costs
 
9.7
 %
 
9.6
%
 
General and administrative expenses (b)
 
13.4
 %
 
14.9
%
 
Expense ratio
 
23.1
 %
 
24.5
%
 
Combined ratio
 
(2.5
)%
 
24.5
%
 

a)      Non-GAAP Financial Measures: In presenting the Company's results, management has included and discussed underwriting income and net operating income that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise U.S. GAAP. Such measures are referred to as non-GAAP. Non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Further discussion of these measures is presented in the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

b)    The general and administrative expense ratio includes share compensation expenses.

The change in net operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013, respectively, is described in the following table:

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Increase (decrease) to net operating income available to Validus over the three months ended March 31
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
2014 compared to 2013
Net premiums earned
 
 
3,066

Notable losses (a)
 
 

Prior period loss development
 
 
7,860

Other underwriting deductions (b)
 
 
(346
)
Underwriting income (d)
 
 
10,580

(Income) attributable to operating affiliate investors
 
 
(21,633
)
Other operating income and expenses, net (c)
 
 
4,832

Net operating income (d)
 
 
(6,221
)
Net operating income attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
 
689

Net operating income available to Validus (d)
 
 
(5,532
)
(a)
There were no notable loss events for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(b)
Other underwriting deductions consist of policy acquisition costs, general & administrative expenses and share compensation expenses.
(c)
Other operating income and expenses, net, consists of net investment income, other income, finance expenses, taxes and income (loss) from operating affiliates.
(d)
Non-GAAP Financial Measures. In presenting the Company’s results, management has included and discussed underwriting and operating income that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise U.S. GAAP. Such measures are referred to as non-GAAP. Non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Further discussion of these measures is presented in the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
Gross Premiums Written
 
 
Gross Premiums Written
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
 
$
84,347

 
$
96,516

 
$
(12,169
)
Total
 
$
84,347

 
$
96,516

 
$
(12,169
)

The decrease in gross premiums written in the property lines of $12.2 million was as a result of having a smaller sidecar in operation during the period compared to the prior period. The capital base of AlphaCat 2014 was $160.0 million compared to $230.0 million in AlphaCat 2013.
Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
AlphaCat reinsurance premiums ceded for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $3.7 million compared to $nil for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The reinsurance was purchased due to the availability of attractively priced coverage.

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Table of Contents



Net Premiums Written
 
 
Net Premiums Written
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
 
$
80,647

 
$
96,516

 
$
(15,869
)
Total
 
$
80,647

 
$
96,516

 
$
(15,869
)

The decrease in AlphaCat net premiums written was driven by factors highlighted above in respect of gross premiums written and reinsurance premiums ceded. The ratios of net premiums written to gross premiums written were 95.6% and 100.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.    

Net Premiums Earned
 
 
Net Premiums Earned
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
 
$
30,683

 
$
27,617

 
$
3,066

Total
 
$
30,683

 
$
27,617

 
$
3,066

The increase in net premiums earned in property lines is due to significantly higher mid-year renewals in 2013 compared to 2012.

Losses and Loss Expenses
 
Losses and Loss Expense Ratio - Property Lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Property - current period - notable losses
 %
 
%
Property - change in prior accident years
(25.6
)%
 
%
Property - current period excluding items above
 %
 
%
Property—loss ratio
(25.6
)%
 
%

 
Losses and Loss Expenses - Property Lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property - current period—notable losses

 

 

Property - change in prior accident years
(7,860
)
 

 
(7,860
)
Property - current period excluding items above

 

 

Property - losses and loss expenses
(7,860
)
 

 
(7,860
)

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Table of Contents




Property lines experienced $7.9 million higher favorable loss reserve development compared to three months ended March 31, 2013, due to the partial release of reserves originally established in the third quarter of 2013 on an aggregate excess of loss contract. AlphaCat typically writes high excess and aggregate stop loss contracts, therefore losses can be triggered by a combination of loss events incurred by the cedant.
Policy Acquisition Costs
 
Policy Acquisition Costs
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
$
2,980

 
$
2,638

 
$
342

Total
$
2,980

 
$
2,638

 
$
342


 
Acquisition Cost Ratio
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
9.7
%
 
9.6
%
 
0.1
%
Total
9.7
%
 
9.6
%
 
0.1
%
The acquisition cost ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were comparable.

General and Administrative and Share Compensation Expenses
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Expenses
 
% of Net Premiums Earned
 
Expenses
 
% of Net Premiums Earned
General and administrative expenses
 
4,128

 
13.4
 %
 
4,037

 
14.6
%
Share compensation expenses
 
(10
)
 
 %
 
77

 
0.3
%
Total
 
$
4,118

 
13.4
 %
 
$
4,114

 
14.9
%
The general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were comparable.
Selected Underwriting Ratios
The following table presents the loss and loss expense ratio, policy acquisition cost ratio, general and administrative expense ratio, expense ratio and combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Loss and loss expense ratio
(25.6
)%
 
0.0
%
Policy acquisition cost ratio
9.7
 %
 
9.6
%
General and administrative expense ratio (a)
13.4
 %
 
14.9
%
Expense ratio
23.1
 %
 
24.5
%
Combined ratio
(2.5
)%
 
24.5
%
(a)
Includes general and administrative expenses and share compensation expenses.

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Table of Contents



The decrease in the combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2014 of 27.0 percentage points compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013 is due to the movement in the underlying ratios as discussed above.
Net Investment Income
 
 
Net Investment Income
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Fixed maturities and short-term investments
 
$
865

 
$
874

 
$
(9
)
Cash and cash equivalents
 
15

 
7

 
8

Total net investment income
 
880

 
881

 
(1
)
Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was comparable.

Other Income
 
 
Other Income
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Other income
 
$
9,497

 
$
6,633

 
$
2,864

The increase in other income of $2.9 million, or 43.2%, is primarily due to the gain on the deconsolidation of one of the AlphaCat ILS funds in the quarter.
Finance Expenses
 
 
Finance Expenses
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Finance expenses
 
$
683

 
$
1,248

 
$
(565
)
Finance expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were comparable.


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Table of Contents




Income From Operating Affiliates
 
 
Income from Operating Affiliates
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
AlphaCat Re 2011
 
193

 
449

 
(256
)
AlphaCat Re 2012
 
(36
)
 
1,825

 
(1,861
)
AlphaCat 2013
 
1,475

 
1,100

 
375

AlphaCat 2014
 
1,611

 

 
1,611

AlphaCat ILS funds
 
1,684

 
149

 
1,535

Total
 
4,927

 
3,523

 
1,404


For details of voting and equity ownership interests of the above entities, refer to Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I. The increase in income from operating affiliates for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is due to additional income as a result of the deconsolidation of one of the AlphaCat ILS funds.


(Income) Attributable To Operating Affiliate Investors

 
 
(Income) attributable to operating affiliate investors
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
(Income) attributable to operating affiliate investors
 
$
(31,710
)
 
$
(10,077
)
 
$
(21,633
)

Income attributable to operating affiliate investors for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $31.7 million compared to $10.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 reflecting the improved underwriting performance of the segment and the transfer of economics as a result of the deconsolidation of one of the AlphaCat ILS funds. This represents the transfer of investors' economic interest in the non-consolidated affiliated entities and includes both the Company's and third-party investors' share.

Net Operating (Income) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
 
 
Net operating (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Net operating (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
$
(1,504
)
 
$
(2,193
)
 
$
689


For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the net operating income attributable to noncontrolling interest was $1.5 million, which comprised $1.3 million relating to 90% of the net operating income in PaCRe for the quarter and $0.2 million of net operating income relating to the consolidated AlphaCat ILS fund.



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Table of Contents



First Quarter 2014 Results of Operations - Talbot Segment

The following table presents results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively:  
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
Underwriting income
 
 
 
 
Gross premiums written
 
$
290,695

 
$
293,530

Reinsurance premiums ceded
 
(90,605
)
 
(94,737
)
Net premiums written
 
200,090

 
198,793

Change in unearned premiums
 
13,798

 
1,517

Net premiums earned
 
213,888

 
200,310

 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting deductions
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss expenses
 
102,376

 
71,369

Policy acquisition costs
 
44,928

 
40,526

General and administrative expenses
 
35,149

 
30,912

Share compensation expenses
 
2,582

 
1,405

Total underwriting deductions
 
185,035

 
144,212

 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting income (a)
 
28,853

 
56,098

 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
4,686

 
4,718

Other income
 
17

 

Finance expenses
 
(26
)
 
(74
)
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income before taxes
 
33,530

 
60,742

Tax (expense) benefit
 
130

 
(1,054
)
Net operating income (a)
 
$
33,660

 
$
59,688

 
 
 
 
 
Selected ratios:
 
 

 
 

Net premiums written / Gross premiums written
 
68.8
%
 
67.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss expenses
 
47.9
%
 
35.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
Policy acquisition costs
 
21.0
%
 
20.2
%
General and administrative expenses (b)
 
17.6
%
 
16.1
%
Expense ratio
 
38.6
%
 
36.3
%
Combined ratio
 
86.5
%
 
71.9
%

a)      Non-GAAP Financial Measures: In presenting the Company's results, management has included and discussed underwriting income and net operating income that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise U.S. GAAP. Such measures are referred to as non-GAAP. Non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Further discussion of these measures is presented in the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

b)    The general and administrative expense ratio includes share compensation expenses.

The change in net operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013, respectively, is described in the following table:

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Increase (decrease) to net operating income over the three months ended March 31
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
2014 compared to 2013
Net premiums earned
 
 
$
13,578

Notable losses (a)
 
 

Incurred current year losses, excluding notable losses
 
 
(15,518
)
Prior period loss development
 
 
(15,489
)
Other underwriting deductions (b)
 
 
(9,816
)
Underwriting income (d)
 
 
(27,245
)
Other operating income and expenses, net (c)
 
 
1,217

Net operating income (d)
 
 
$
(26,028
)
(a)
There were no notable loss events for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(b)
Other underwriting deductions consist of policy acquisition costs, general & administrative expenses and share compensation expenses.
(c)
Other operating income and expenses, net, consists of net investment income, other income, finance expenses and taxes.
(d)
Non-GAAP Financial Measures. In presenting the Company’s results, management has included and discussed underwriting and operating income that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise U.S. GAAP. Such measures are referred to as non-GAAP. Non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Further discussion of these measures is presented in the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

Gross Premiums Written
 
 
Gross Premiums Written
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
 
$
78,103

 
$
77,975

 
$
128

Marine
 
119,571

 
124,726

 
(5,155
)
Specialty
 
93,021

 
90,829

 
2,192

Total
 
$
290,695

 
$
293,530

 
$
(2,835
)

The increase in gross premiums written in the property lines was due to new business and premium adjustments of $11.4 million, offset by $11.3 million of Latin American business now written by Validus Re. This business was previously written by Talbot and ceded to Validus Re. The decrease in gross premiums written in the marine lines of $5.2 million was due primarily to a reduction in marine and energy liability lines of $4.3 million which was as a result of a difference in the timing of premium adjustments.

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Business Mix - Ratio of Gross Premiums Written by Line of Business to Total Gross Premiums Written
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Gross
Premiums
Written
 
Gross
Premiums
Written (%)
 
Gross
Premiums
Written
 
Gross
Premiums
Written (%)
Property
 
$
78,103

 
26.9
%
 
$
77,975

 
26.6
%
Marine
 
119,571

 
41.1
%
 
124,726

 
42.5
%
Specialty
 
93,021

 
32.0
%
 
90,829

 
30.9
%
Total
 
$
290,695

 
100.0
%
 
$
293,530

 
100.0
%
The changes in mix of business are consistent with the changes in gross premiums written discussed above.
Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
 
 
Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
 
$
43,649

 
$
48,409

 
$
(4,760
)
Marine
 
18,473

 
15,356

 
3,117

Specialty
 
28,483

 
30,972

 
(2,489
)
Total
 
$
90,605

 
$
94,737

 
$
(4,132
)
The decrease in reinsurance premiums ceded in the property lines of $4.8 million was due primarily to decreases in property treaty lines of $8.8 million due to lower quota share premiums as a result of business being written directly through Validus Re and a reduction of $4.1 million in energy onshore premiums due to downward premium adjustments and changes in program price and structure. These were offset by an increase of $8.7 million in direct property lines primarily due to increases in coverage.
Net Premiums Written
 
 
Net Premiums Written
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
 
$
34,454

 
$
29,566

 
$
4,888

Marine
 
101,098

 
109,370

 
(8,272
)
Specialty
 
64,538

 
59,857

 
4,681

Total
 
$
200,090

 
$
198,793

 
$
1,297


The increase in Talbot net premiums written was driven by the factors highlighted above in respect of gross premiums written and reinsurance premiums ceded.

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Net Retention - Ratio of Net Premiums Written to Gross Premiums Written
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Net Premiums
Written
 
% of Gross Premiums Written
 
Net Premiums
Written
 
% of Gross Premiums Written
Property
 
$
34,454

 
44.1
%
 
$
29,566

 
37.9
%
Marine
 
101,098

 
84.6
%
 
109,370

 
87.7
%
Specialty
 
64,538

 
69.4
%
 
59,857

 
65.9
%
Total
 
$
200,090

 
68.8
%
 
$
198,793

 
67.7
%
The property ratio has increased by 6.2 percentage points due to the reduction in quota share ceded to Validus Re as this business is now written directly through Validus Re.

Net Premiums Earned
 
 
Net Premiums Earned
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
 
$
50,939

 
$
43,548

 
$
7,391

Marine
 
89,072

 
84,978

 
4,094

Specialty
 
73,877

 
71,784

 
2,093

Total
 
$
213,888

 
$
200,310

 
$
13,578

The increase in property and specialty lines net premiums earned are consistent with the pattern of net premiums written influencing the earned premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase in the marine lines net premiums earned is due to a combination of a decrease in reinstatement premiums in the first quarter of 2013, which would have been fully earned and a reduction in gross premiums written compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Losses and Loss Expenses
 
Losses and Loss Expense Ratio - All lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
All lines—current period—notable losses
 %
 
 %
All lines—change in prior accident years
(10.0
)%
 
(18.5
)%
All lines—current period excluding items above
57.9
 %
 
54.1
 %
All lines—loss ratio
47.9
 %
 
35.6
 %


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Losses and Loss Expenses - All lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
Change
All lines—current period—notable losses

 

 

All lines—change in prior accident years
(21,527
)
 
(37,016
)
 
15,489

All lines—current period excluding items above
123,903

 
108,385

 
15,518

All lines - loss and loss expenses
102,376

 
71,369

 
31,007


Notable Losses
There were no notable loss events for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 
Losses and Loss Expenses by Line of Business
 
Losses and Loss Expense Ratio - Property Lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Property—current period—notable losses
 %
 
 %
Property—change in prior accident years
(26.8)
 %
 
(21.9)
 %
Property—current period excluding items above
71.2
 %
 
51.3
 %
Property—loss ratio
44.4
 %
 
29.4
 %

 
Losses and Loss Expenses - Property Lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property - current period—notable losses

 

 

Property - change in prior accident years
(13,667
)
 
(9,528
)
 
(4,139
)
Property—current period excluding items above
36,284

 
22,311

 
13,973

Property - losses and loss expenses
22,617

 
12,783

 
9,834

Property lines experienced $4.1 million higher favorable loss reserve development, primarily related to favorable development on the Tohoku earthquake. The current period loss ratio, excluding the impact of notable losses, was higher by 19.9 percentage points, representing a higher level of attritional claims experienced during the quarter, including a construction fire loss of $9.6 million.
 
Losses and Loss Expense Ratio - Marine Lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Marine—current period—notable losses
%
 
 %
Marine—change in prior accident years
6.4
%
 
(21.8)
 %
Marine—current period excluding items above
49.5
%
 
54.1
 %
Marine—loss ratio
55.9
%
 
32.3
 %

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Losses and Loss Expenses - Marine Lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Marine - current period—notable losses

 

 

Marine—change in prior accident years
5,680

 
(18,518
)
 
24,198

Marine—current period excluding items above
44,064

 
45,978

 
(1,914
)
Marine - losses and loss expenses
49,744

 
27,460

 
22,284

Marine lines experienced $5.7 million of unfavorable loss reserve development for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $18.5 million of favorable loss reserve development for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The adverse loss reserve development primarily related to higher than expected development on attritional claims during the period, including a single buoy mooring failure of $6.8 million, as well as a higher than expected emergence of events.

 
Losses and Loss Expense Ratio - Specialty Lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Specialty—current period—notable losses
 %
 
 %
Specialty—change in prior accident years
(18.3
)%
 
(12.5)
 %
Specialty—current period excluding items above
58.9
 %
 
55.9
 %
Specialty—loss ratio
40.6
 %
 
43.4
 %

 
Losses and Loss Expenses - Specialty Lines
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Specialty - current period—notable losses

 

 

Specialty—change in prior accident years
(13,540
)
 
(8,970
)
 
(4,570
)
Specialty—current period excluding items above
43,555

 
40,096

 
3,459

Specialty - losses and loss expenses
30,015

 
31,126

 
(1,111
)
Specialty lines experienced $4.6 million higher favorable loss reserve development, primarily related to lower than expected development on attritional claims during the period.
Policy Acquisition Costs
 
Policy Acquisition Costs
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
$
6,271

 
$
5,024

 
$
1,247

Marine
21,990

 
18,095

 
3,895

Specialty
16,667

 
17,407

 
(740
)
Total
$
44,928

 
$
40,526

 
$
4,402



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Acquisition Cost Ratio
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Property
12.3
%
 
11.5
%
 
0.8
 %
Marine
24.7
%
 
21.3
%
 
3.4
 %
Specialty
22.6
%
 
24.2
%
 
(1.6
)%
Total
21.0
%
 
20.2
%
 
0.8
 %
The increase in the marine acquisition cost ratio was due to profit commission adjustments that reduced the costs for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

General and Administrative and Share Compensation Expenses
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Expenses
 
% of Net Premiums Earned
 
Expenses
 
% of Net Premiums Earned
General and administrative expenses
 
35,149

 
16.4
%
 
30,912

 
15.4
%
Share compensation expenses
 
2,582

 
1.2
%
 
1,405

 
0.7
%
Total
 
$
37,731

 
17.6
%
 
$
32,317

 
16.1
%
General and administrative expenses have increased by $4.2 million due to salary increases, an increase in overall headcount and a strengthening of the British pound against the U.S. dollar compared to the prior period.

Selected Underwriting Ratios
The following table presents the loss and loss expense ratio, policy acquisition cost ratio, general and administrative expense ratio, expense ratio and combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Loss and loss expense ratio
47.9
%
 
35.6
%
Policy acquisition cost ratio
21.0
%
 
20.2
%
General and administrative expense ratio (a)
17.6
%
 
16.1
%
Expense ratio
38.6
%
 
36.3
%
Combined ratio
86.5
%
 
71.9
%
(a)
Includes general and administrative expenses and share compensation expenses.
The increase in the combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2014 of 14.6 percentage points compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013 is due to the movement in the underlying ratios as discussed above.

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Net Investment Income
 
 
Investment Income
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
Fixed maturities and short-term investments
 
$
4,699

 
$
4,315

 
$
384

 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
339

 
727

 
(388
)
 
Total gross investment income
 
5,038

 
5,042

 
(4
)
 
Investment expenses
 
(352
)
 
(324
)
 
(28
)
 
Total
 
$
4,686

 
$
4,718

 
$
(32
)
 
Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was comparable.

Non-Segment Discussion

Corporate Expenses
Corporate general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014, net of eliminations related to the operating segments, were $17.0 million compared to $15.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, an increase of $1.1 million or 6.8%. General and administrative expenses have increased due to the increase in headcount. Corporate general and administrative expenses are comprised of executive and board expenses, internal and external audit expenses and other costs relating to the Company as a whole.
Corporate share compensation expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014, net of operating segment eliminations were $2.4 million compared to $(0.6) million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, an increase of $2.9 million.
Corporate finance expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $11.4 million compared to $9.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, an increase of $1.6 million or 15.9%.

Non-Operating Income and Expenses
The following non-operating income and expense items are discussed on a consolidated basis, since management does not include these items when assessing the results of its operating segments.

Net Realized and Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments
 
 
Net Realized and Change in Net Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Investments
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Net realized gains on investments
 
$
3,740

 
$
1,721

 
$
2,019

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments
 
55,693

 
(7,237
)
 
62,930

Net realized and change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments
 
$
59,433

 
$
(5,516
)
 
$
64,949

The movement in the change in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments of $64.9 million was due to a favorable movement in net realized and unrealized gains on fixed maturity and short term investments of $14.6 million and a favorable movement in net realized and unrealized gains on other investments of $50.3 million.

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The favorable movement on fixed maturity and short term investments was primarily as a result of a shift in the yield curve and a tightening of corporate bond spreads. The favorable movement on other investments was primarily due to improved performance of the Paulson & Co. hedge fund investments held by PaCRe.

Income From Investment Affiliate
 
 
Income From Investment Affiliate
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Income from investment affiliate
 
$
5,348

 
$
1,477

 
$
3,871

Income from investment affiliate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $3.9 million higher than for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The income from investment affiliate relates to the income earned from the Company's investment in the Aquiline Financial Services Fund II L.P. which is recorded on a three-month lag and therefore reflects the underlying performance of that fund for the previous quarter.

Foreign Exchange (Losses) Gains
Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. As a significant portion of our operations are transacted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates may affect period-to-period comparisons. The Company's largest foreign currency fluctuation exposure is due to the following currencies, with the movement in each currency against the U.S. dollar shown in the table below:
 
 
 
 
U.S. dollar strengthened (weakened) against:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
British Pound sterling
(0.6
)%
 
6.9
%
Euro
(0.2
)%
 
3.2
%
Canadian dollar
4.0
 %
 
2.4
%
Swiss franc
(0.9
)%
 
4.0
%
Australian dollar
(3.9
)%
 
%
New Zealand dollar
(5.2
)%
 
%
Singapore dollar
(0.3
)%
 
1.7
%
Japanese yen
(1.9
)%
 
8.4
%

 
 
Foreign Exchange
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Foreign exchange (losses) gains
 
$
(6,478
)
 
$
6,922

 
$
(13,400
)

Foreign exchange losses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were ($6.5) million compared to gains of $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, a decrease of $13.4 million, or 193.6%, due to the impact of a weaker U.S dollar on reserves held in New Zealand dollars.


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The Company currently hedges foreign currency exposure by balancing assets (primarily cash, investments and premium receivables) with liabilities (primarily case reserves and event IBNR) for certain major non-U.S. dollar currencies, or by entering into forward foreign currency contracts. Consequently, the Company aims to have a limited exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations.

Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

 
 
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
$
(43,509
)
 
$
2,549

 
$
(46,058
)

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, net income attributable to noncontrolling interest was $43.5 million, which was comprised of operating income of $1.5 million, as discussed in the AlphaCat Segment Results of Operations, and a non-operating gain of $42.0 million, primarily on the investment portfolio within PaCRe.

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest was $2.5 million, which was comprised of operating income of $2.2 million, as discussed in the AlphaCat Segment Results of Operations, and a non-operating loss of $4.7 million, primarily on the investment portfolio within PaCRe.


Other Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The operating results of an insurance or reinsurance company are also often measured by reference to its net operating income, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Net operating income, as set out in the table below, is reconciled to net income (the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure) by the addition or subtraction of certain Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) line items, as illustrated below.
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Net operating income
 
147,594

 
217,811

Net realized gains on investments
 
3,740

 
1,721

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments
 
55,693

 
(7,237
)
Income from investment affiliate
 
5,348

 
1,477

Foreign exchange (losses) gains
 
(6,478
)
 
6,922

Net income
 
$
205,897

 
$
220,694

Operating income indicates the performance of the Company’s core underwriting function, excluding revenues and expenses such as the reconciling items in the table above. The Company believes the reporting of operating income enhances the understanding of our results by highlighting the underlying profitability of the Company’s core insurance and reinsurance business. This profitability is influenced significantly by earned premium growth, adequacy of the Company’s pricing and loss frequency and severity. Over time it is also influenced by the Company’s underwriting discipline, which seeks to manage exposure to loss through favorable risk selection and diversification, its management of claims, its use of reinsurance and its ability to manage its expense ratio, which it accomplishes through its management of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses.
The Company excludes the U.S. GAAP measures noted above, in particular net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments, from its calculation of operating income because the amount of these gains and losses is heavily influenced by, and fluctuates in part, according to availability of investment market opportunities. The Company believes these amounts are largely independent of its core underwriting activities and including them distorts the analysis of trends in its operations. In addition to presenting net income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company believes that showing operating income provides investors with a valuable measure of profitability and enables investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of its financial

75


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information to more easily analyze the Company’s results of operations in a manner similar to how management analyzes the Company’s underlying business performance.
Operating income should not be viewed as a substitute for U.S. GAAP net income as there are inherent material limitations associated with the use of operating income as compared to using net income, which is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure. The most significant limitation is the ability of users of the financial information to make comparable assessments of operating income with other companies, particularly as operating income may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. Therefore, the Company provides prominence in this filing to the use of the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, net income, which includes the reconciling items in the table above. The Company compensates for these limitations by providing both clear and transparent disclosure of net income and reconciliation of operating income to net income.
The Company also uses underwriting income as a primary measure of underwriting results in its analysis of historical financial information and when performing its budgeting and forecasting processes. Analysts, investors and rating agencies who follow the Company request this non-GAAP financial information on a regular basis. In addition, underwriting income is one of the factors considered by the compensation committee of our Board of Directors in determining the total annual incentive compensation.
In presenting the Company's results, management has also included and discussed certain schedules containing book value per diluted common share and book value per diluted common share plus accumulated dividends that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise U.S. GAAP. Such measures are referred to as non-GAAP and may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The following tables present reconciliations of diluted book value per share to book value per share, the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
 
 
As at March 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Equity Amount
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
 
Book Value Per
Share
Book value per common share
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Total shareholders' equity available to Validus
$
3,649,064

 
90,786,237

 
 
 
$
40.19

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Book value per diluted common share
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Total shareholders' equity available to Validus
3,649,064

 
90,786,237

 
 
 
 
Assumed exercise of outstanding warrants
90,950

 
5,174,114

 
$
17.58

 
 
Assumed exercise of outstanding stock options
27,396

 
1,482,694

 
$
18.48

 
 
Unvested restricted shares

 
2,805,320

 
 
 
 
Book value per diluted common share
$
3,767,410

 
100,248,365

 
 
 
$
37.58

Adjustment for accumulated dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
7.98

Book value per diluted common share plus accumulated dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
45.56

 

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As at December 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Equity Amount
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
 
Book Value Per
Share
Book value per common share
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Total shareholders' equity available to Validus
$
3,704,094

 
96,044,312

 
 
 
$
38.57

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Book value per diluted common share
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Total shareholders' equity available to Validus
3,704,094

 
96,044,312

 
 
 
 
Assumed exercise of outstanding warrants
98,513

 
5,296,056

 
$
18.60

 
 
Assumed exercise of outstanding stock options
29,688

 
1,572,713

 
$
18.88

 
 
Unvested restricted shares

 
2,853,083

 
 
 
 
Book value per diluted common share
$
3,832,295

 
105,766,164

 
 
 
$
36.23

Adjustment for accumulated dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
7.68

Book value per diluted common share plus accumulated dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
43.91



Liquidity and Capital Resources
Investments
At March 31, 2014, the Company held investments totaling $6,782.4 million, compared to $6,912.4 million at December 31, 2013, a decrease of $130.0 million, or 1.9%, primarily as a result of share repurchase activity. A significant portion of (re)insurance contracts written by the Company provides short-tail reinsurance coverage for losses resulting mainly from natural and man-made catastrophes, which could result in payment of a substantial amount of losses at short notice. Accordingly, the Company’s investment portfolio is primarily structured to provide liquidity, which means the investment portfolio contains a significant amount of relatively short-term fixed maturity investments, such as government and government agency securities, corporate debt securities, bank loans and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. At March 31, 2014, the average duration of the Company’s fixed maturity and short term investment portfolio was 1.61 years (December 31, 2013: 1.60 years). This duration is reviewed regularly based on changes in the duration of our liabilities and in general market conditions.
The Company’s investment portfolio is also structured to preserve capital. With the exception of the Company's bank loan portfolio and catastrophe bonds, the Company’s investment guidelines require that fixed income investments are rated BBB- or higher at the time of purchase. At March 31, 2014, the Company’s total investment portfolio including cash had an average credit quality rating of AA- ( December 31, 2013 : AA-) and an effective yield of 1.29% ( December 31, 2013 : 1.30%) for the period then ended. The estimated fair value of investment grade fixed maturities was $4,607.2 million, or 87.1% of the fixed maturity portfolio, compared to $4,762.1 million as at December 31, 2013, or 85.9%, a decrease of $154.9 million, or 3.3%. The estimated fair value of non-investment grade fixed maturities, excluding bank loans, as at March 31, 2014 was $36.7 million compared to $63.0 million as at December 31, 2013, a decrease of $26.3 million, or 41.8%.
The Company also has an allocation to other investments, primarily hedge funds. At March 31, 2014, these other investments, excluding noncontrolling interests, totaled $131.6 million, or 1.94%, of our total investments ( December 31, 2013 : $128.9 million or 1.9%). For further details related to our investment portfolio, including the extent of investments with fair values measured using unobservable inputs, see Notes 4 and 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1.
The value of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio will fluctuate with, among other factors, changes in the interest rate environment and in overall economic conditions. Additionally, the structure of the investment portfolio exposes the Company to other risks, including insolvency or reduced credit quality of corporate debt securities, and prepayment, default and structural risks on asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities and bank loans.

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The estimated fair value of investments at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was as follows:
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
Estimated Fair Value
 
% of Total Investments
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
% of Total Investments
U.S. government and government agency
$
1,120,855

 
17.9
 %
 
$
1,364,679

 
21.3
 %
Non-U.S. government and government agency
442,329

 
7.1
 %
 
459,068

 
7.2
 %
U.S. states, municipalities and political subdivision
44,464

 
0.7
 %
 
43,120

 
0.7
 %
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities
299,561

 
4.8
 %
 
311,499

 
4.9
 %
Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities
16,330

 
0.3
 %
 
15,759

 
0.2
 %
U.S. corporate
1,337,410

 
21.4
 %
 
1,332,484

 
20.8
 %
Non-U.S. corporate
703,891

 
11.3
 %
 
714,325

 
11.2
 %
Bank loans
643,701

 
10.3
 %
 
717,116

 
11.2
 %
Catastrophe bonds
32,247

 
0.5
 %
 
74,551

 
1.2
 %
Asset-backed securities
624,499

 
10.0
 %
 
509,657

 
8.0
 %
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
22,313

 
0.3
 %
 

 
 %
Total fixed maturities
5,287,600

 
84.6
 %
 
5,542,258

 
86.5
 %
Total short-term investments
831,800

 
13.3
 %
 
751,778

 
11.7
 %
Total other investments
662,974

 
10.6
 %
 
618,316

 
9.7
 %
Total investments
6,782,374

 
108.5
 %
 
6,912,352

 
107.9
 %
Noncontrolling interest (a)
(531,403
)
 
(8.5
)%
 
(489,402
)
 
(7.6
)%
Redeemable noncontrolling interest (b)
(1,976
)
 
 %
 
(18,365
)
 
(0.3
)%
Total investments excluding noncontrolling interest
$
6,248,995

 
100.0
 %
 
$
6,404,585

 
100.0
 %
(a)
Included in the other investments balance are investments held by PaCRe in which the Company has an equity interest of 10%. The remaining 90% interest is held by third party investors.
(b)
Included in the short-term investments balance are investments held by the consolidated AlphaCat ILS fund, where the Company has an equity interest of less than 100% and the remaining interest is held by third party investors.
As part of the ongoing risk management process, the Company monitors the aggregation of country or jurisdiction risk exposure. Jurisdiction risk exposure is the risk that events within a jurisdiction, such as currency crises, regulatory changes and other political events, will adversely affect the ability of obligors within the jurisdiction to honor their obligations. The following table provides a breakdown of the fair value of jurisdiction risk exposures outside the United States within the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio:

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March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair Value
 
% of Total
 
Fair Value
 
% of Total
United Kingdom
$
135,958

 
11.9
%
 
$
153,248

 
13.1
%
Germany
64,880

 
5.7
%
 
74,834

 
6.4
%
Supranational
60,725

 
5.3
%
 
59,274

 
5.1
%
Netherlands
29,408

 
2.6
%
 
29,395

 
2.5
%
France
29,100

 
2.5
%
 
24,340

 
2.1
%
Norway
24,764

 
2.2
%
 
24,097

 
2.1
%
Province of British Columbia
22,332

 
1.9
%
 
22,430

 
1.9
%
Other (individual jurisdictions below $20,000)
75,162

 
6.5
%
 
71,450

 
5.9
%
Total Non-U.S. Government Securities
442,329

 
38.6
%
 
459,068

 
39.1
%
European Corporate Securities
234,984

 
20.5
%
 
248,613

 
21.2
%
United Kingdom Corporate Securities
178,425

 
15.6
%
 
165,845

 
14.1
%
Other Non-U.S. Corporate Securities
290,482

 
25.3
%
 
299,867

 
25.6
%
Total Non-U.S. Fixed Income Portfolio
$
1,146,220

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,173,393

 
100.0
%

The Company manages its corporate debt securities by limiting its exposure to any single issuer, excluding government and agency securities, to 3% or less of its total investments and cash. At March 31, 2014, the Company did not have an aggregate exposure to any single issuer of more than 1.0%, other than with respect to government and government agency securities. The top ten exposures to fixed income corporate issuers at March 31, 2014 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2014
Issuer (a)
Fair Value (b)
 
S&P Rating (c)
 
% of Total Cash and Investments
JPMorgan Chase & Co
74,087

 
 A-
 
0.9
%
Bank of New York Mellon Corp
52,568

 
 A+
 
0.7
%
BP PLC
47,297

 
 A
 
0.6
%
Bank of America Corp
46,548

 
 BBB+
 
0.6
%
General Electric Co
43,353

 
 A+
 
0.6
%
Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA
43,146

 
 A
 
0.6
%
Wells Fargo & Company
38,780

 
 A
 
0.5
%
Apple Inc
34,729

 
 AA+
 
0.4
%
Goldman Sachs Group Inc
34,052

 
 BBB+
 
0.4
%
Verizon Communications Inc
33,636

 
 BBB+
 
0.4
%
Total
448,196

 
 
 
5.7
%
(a)
Issuers exclude government-backed government-sponsored enterprises and cash and cash equivalents.
(b)
Credit exposures represent only direct exposure to fixed maturities and short-term investments of the parent issuer and its major subsidiaries. These exposures exclude asset and mortgage backed securities that were issued, sponsored or serviced by the parent.
(c)
Ratings used are the lower of Standard & Poor's (S&P) and Moody's. When Moody's ratings are used, they are presented in S&P's equivalent rating.
    


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The tables below show the Company’s investments in affiliates, accounted for under the equity method:
 
March 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)
Investment at cost
 
Voting ownership
 
Equity ownership
 
Carrying value
AlphaCat Re 2011
$
4,178

 
43.7
%
 
22.3
%
 
$
4,177

AlphaCat Re 2012
654

 
49.0
%
 
37.9
%
 
1,277

AlphaCat 2013
16,454

 
40.9
%
 
19.7
%
 
15,678

AlphaCat 2014
22,000

 
42.3
%
 
19.6
%
 
23,593

AlphaCat ILS funds (a)
133,455

 
n/a

 
n/a

 
137,034

Aquiline Financial Services Fund II L.P.
32,110

 
%
 
6.7
%
 
39,848

Total
$
208,851

 
 
 
 
 
$
221,607

a)
Equity ownerships in the two funds were 9.1% and 49.7%, respectively as at March 31, 2014.
 
December 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
Investment at cost
 
Voting ownership
 
Equity ownership
 
Carrying value
AlphaCat Re 2011
$
9,882

 
43.7
%
 
22.3
%
 
$
9,809

AlphaCat Re 2012
654

 
49.0
%
 
37.9
%
 
1,313

AlphaCat 2013
45,000

 
40.9
%
 
19.7
%
 
51,744

AlphaCat 2014
22,000

 
42.3
%
 
19.6
%
 
21,982

AlphaCat ILS fund
20,000

 
%
 
9.1
%
 
21,895

Aquiline Financial Services Fund II L.P.
32,110

 
%
 
6.7
%
 
34,500

Total
$
129,646

 
 
 
 
 
$
141,243

During the first quarter of 2014, the Company received partial returns of investment from AlphaCat Re 2011 and AlphaCat 2013 of $5.8 million and $37.5 million, respectively. The Company expects to receive further returns of investment during the year from AlphaCat Re 2011, AlphaCat Re 2012 and AlphaCat 2013.

Reserves for Losses and Loss Expenses
At March 31, 2014, gross and net reserves for losses and loss expenses were estimated using the methodology as outlined in the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section below. The following tables indicate the breakdown of gross and net reserves for losses and loss expenses between lines of business and between case reserves and IBNR.

 
 
As at March 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Gross Case Reserves
 
Gross IBNR
 
Total Gross Reserve for Losses and Loss Expenses
Property
 
$
757,450

 
$
588,920

 
$
1,346,370

Marine
 
468,031

 
420,656

 
888,687

Specialty
 
242,691

 
447,311

 
690,002

Total
 
$
1,468,172

 
$
1,456,887

 
$
2,925,059

 

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As at March 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Net Case Reserves
 
Net IBNR
 
Total Net Reserve for Losses and Loss Expenses
Property
 
$
660,709

 
$
502,879

 
$
1,163,588

Marine
 
427,921

 
388,064

 
815,985

Specialty
 
214,993

 
382,086

 
597,079

Total
 
$
1,303,623

 
$
1,273,029

 
$
2,576,652

 
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of gross and net reserves for losses and loss expenses by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Validus Re Segment
 
AlphaCat Segment
 
Talbot Segment
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Gross reserves at period beginning
 
$
1,723,465

 
$
17,612

 
$
1,362,574

 
$
(73,252
)
 
$
3,030,399

Losses recoverable
 
(105,601
)
 

 
(337,805
)
 
73,252

 
(370,154
)
Net reserves at period beginning
 
1,617,864

 
17,612

 
1,024,769

 

 
2,660,245

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Incurred losses- current year
 
78,183

 

 
123,903

 

 
202,086

Change in prior accident years
 
(10,028
)
 
(7,860
)
 
(21,527
)
 

 
(39,415
)
Incurred losses
 
68,155

 
(7,860
)
 
102,376

 

 
162,671

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange
 
11,422

 
(21
)
 
417

 

 
11,818

Paid losses
 
(168,097
)
 

 
(89,985
)
 

 
(258,082
)
Net reserves at period end
 
1,529,344

 
9,731

 
1,037,577

 

 
2,576,652

Losses recoverable
 
99,563

 

 
321,400

 
(72,556
)
 
348,407

Gross reserves at period end
 
$
1,628,907

 
$
9,731

 
$
1,358,977

 
$
(72,556
)
 
$
2,925,059


The amount of recorded reserves represents management's best estimate of expected losses and loss expenses on premiums earned. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years was $39.4 million of which $10.0 million related to the Validus Re segment, $7.9 million related to the AlphaCat segment and $21.5 million related to the Talbot segment.

The management of insurance and reinsurance companies use significant judgment in the estimation of reserves for losses and loss expenses. Given the magnitude of some notable loss events and other uncertainties inherent in loss estimation, meaningful uncertainty remains regarding the estimation for these events. The Company's actual ultimate net loss may vary materially from these estimates. Ultimate losses for notable loss events are estimated through detailed review of contracts which are identified by the Company as potentially exposed to the specific notable loss event. However, there can be no assurance that the ultimate loss amount estimated for a specific contract will be accurate, or that all contracts with exposure to a specific notable loss event will be identified in a timely manner. Potential losses in excess of the estimated ultimate loss assigned to a contract on the basis of a specific review, or loss amounts from contracts not specifically included in the detailed review may be reserved for in the reserve for potential development on notable loss events. Any reserve for potential development on notable loss events (or “RDE”) is included as part of the Company's overall reserve as defined and disclosed in the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section.

For disclosure purposes, only those notable loss events which had an initial ultimate loss estimate above $30.0 million are disclosed separately and included in the reserves for notable loss roll forward table. To the extent that there are complexity and volatility factors relating to notable loss events in the aggregate, additions to the RDE may be established for a specific accident year. The Company increased the threshold for disclosure for notable losses effective January 1, 2013 from $15.0 million to $30.0 million.

The reserve for notable loss events table below does not disclose 2010 or 2011 notable loss events. Deepwater Horizon and the Christchurch earthquake, both 2010 events, had closing reserves at March 31, 2014, of $79.3 million and $82.5 million, respectively.

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RESERVES FOR NOTABLE LOSS EVENTS - USD (000's)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012 NOTABLE LOSS EVENTS
 
December 31, 2012
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
Development
 
 
 
Closing
 
Development
 
 
 
Closing
 
Development
 
 
 
Closing
 
 
Initial
 
(Favorable) /
 
Allocations
 
Estimate (c)
 
(Favorable) /
 
Allocations
 
Estimate (c)
 
(Favorable) /
 
Allocations
 
Estimate (c)
Notable Loss
 
Estimate (a)
 
Unfavorable (b)
 
of RDE
 
31-Dec-13
 
Unfavorable (b)
 
of RDE
 
31-Dec-13
 
Unfavorable (b)
 
of RDE
 
31-Mar-14
Hurricane Sandy
 
$
361,036

 
$

 

 
$
361,036

 
$
(2,009
)
 

 
$
359,027

 
(643
)
 

 
$
358,384

Costa Concordia
 
76,197

 
(2,061
)
 

 
74,136

 
39,567

 

 
113,703

 

 

 
113,703

Cat 67
 
22,713

 
5,377

 

 
28,090

 
(8,817
)
 

 
19,273

 
1

 

 
19,274

U.S. Drought
 
22,021

 

 

 
22,021

 
4,619

 

 
26,640

 
100

 

 
26,740

Hurricane Isaac
 
15,209

 
67

 

 
15,276

 
(9,374
)
 

 
5,902

 
(18
)
 

 
5,884

Total 2012 Notable Loss Events
 
$
497,176

 
$
3,383

 
$

 
$
500,559

 
$
23,986

 
$

 
$
524,545

 
$
(560
)
 
$

 
$
523,985

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Closing
 
 
 
 
 
Closing
 
 
 
 
 
Closing
 
 
 
 
 
 
Paid Loss (Recovery)
 
Reserve (d)
 
 
 
Paid Loss (Recovery)
 
Reserve (d)
 
 
 
Paid Loss (Recovery)
 
Reserve (d)
Notable Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
31-Dec-12
 
 
 
 
31-Dec-13
 
 
 
 
31-Mar-14
Hurricane Sandy
 
 
 
 
 
$
38,515

 
$
322,521

 
 
 
$
134,978

 
$
185,534

 
 
 
$
9,337

 
$
175,554

Costa Concordia
 
 
 
 
 
13,040

 
61,096

 
 
 
36,456

 
64,207

 
 
 
11,370

 
52,837

Cat 67
 
 
 
 
 
13,432

 
14,658

 
 
 
2,332

 
3,509

 
 
 
53

 
3,457

U.S. Drought
 
 
 
 
 
12,346

 
9,675

 
 
 
14,294

 

 
 
 
(2
)
 
102

Hurricane Isaac
 
 
 
 
 
313

 
14,963

 
 
 
3,727

 
1,862

 
 
 
62

 
1,782

Total 2012 Notable Loss Events
 
 
 


 
$
77,646

 
$
422,913

 
 
 
$
191,787

 
$
255,112

 
 
 
$
20,820

 
$
233,732

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013 NOTABLE LOSS EVENTS
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Development
 
 
 
Closing
 
Development
 
 
 
Closing
 
 
Initial
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Favorable) /
 
Allocations
 
Estimate (c)
 
(Favorable) /
 
Allocations
 
Estimate (c)
Notable Loss
 
Estimate (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unfavorable (b)
 
of RDE
 
31-Dec-13
 
Unfavorable (b)
 
of RDE
 
31-Mar-14
European Floods
 
$
77,587

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(16,762
)
 

 
$
60,825

 
$
(12,111
)
 

 
$
48,714

Total 2013 Notable Loss Events
 
$
77,587

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(16,762
)
 
$

 
$
60,825

 
$
(12,111
)
 
$

 
$
48,714

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Closing
 
 
 
 
 
Closing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Paid Loss (Recovery)
 
Reserve (d)
 
 
 
Paid Loss (Recovery)
 
Reserve (d)
Notable Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31-Dec-13
 
 
 
 
 
31-Mar-14
European Floods
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
8,006

 
$
52,819

 
 
 
$
3,339

 
$
37,369

Total 2013 Notable Loss Events
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
8,006

 
$
52,819

 
 
 
$
3,339

 
$
37,369


(a)    Includes paid losses, case reserves and IBNR reserves.
(b)    Development other than allocation of RDE.
(c)     Excludes impact of movements in foreign exchange rates.

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(d)     Closing Reserve for the period equals Closing Estimate for the period less cumulative Paid Losses.

Sources of Liquidity
 
Holding Company Liquidity
Validus Holdings, Ltd. is a holding company and conducts no operations of its own. The Company relies primarily on cash dividends and other permitted payments from operating subsidiaries within the Validus Re, AlphaCat and Talbot segments to pay dividends, finance expenses and other holding company expenses. There are restrictions on the payment of dividends from most operating subsidiaries, primarily due to regulatory requirements in the jurisdictions in which the operating subsidiaries are domiciled. We believe the dividend/distribution capacity of the Company’s subsidiaries will provide the Company with sufficient liquidity for the foreseeable future. We continue to generate substantial cash from operating activities and remain in a strong financial position, with resources available for reinvestment in existing businesses, strategic acquisitions and managing our capital structure to meet short and long-term objectives.

The following table details the capital resources of the Company's more significant subsidiaries on an unconsolidated basis.
 
 
 
Capital at
(Dollars in thousands)
 
March 31, 2014
Validus Reinsurance, Ltd. (consolidated)
 
3,915,659

Noncontrolling interest in PacRe, Ltd.
 
540,934

Redeemable noncontrolling interest in AlphaCat ILS fund
 
8,390

Talbot Holdings, Ltd. (consolidated)
 
806,266

Other subsidiaries, net
 
69,060

Other, net
 
(353,242
)
Total consolidated capitalization
 
4,987,067

Senior notes payable
 
(247,225
)
Debentures payable
 
(541,454
)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest in AlphaCat ILS fund
 
(8,390
)
Total shareholders' equity
 
$
4,189,998


Sources and Uses of Cash

The Company has written certain (re)insurance business that has loss experience generally characterized as having low frequency and high severity. This results in volatility in both results and operational cash flows. The potential for large claims or a series of claims under one or more reinsurance contracts means that substantial and unpredictable payments may be required within relatively short periods of time. As a result, cash flows from operating activities may fluctuate, perhaps significantly, between individual quarters and years. Management believes the Company’s unused credit facility amounts and highly liquid investment portfolio are sufficient to support any potential operating cash flow deficiencies.
In addition to relying on premiums received and investment income from the investment portfolio, the Company intends to meet these cash flow demands by carrying a substantial amount of short and medium term investments that would mature, or possibly be sold, prior to the settlement of expected liabilities. The Company cannot provide assurance, however, that it will successfully match the structure of its investments with its liabilities due to uncertainty related to the timing and severity of loss events.

There are three main sources of cash flows for the Company: operating activities, investing activities and financing activities. The movement in net cash provided by or used in operating, investing and financing activities and the effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash and cash equivalents for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is provided in the following table.


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Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
 
$
(44,427
)
 
$
80,083

 
$
(124,510
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
 
264,791

 
218,734

 
46,057

Net cash (used in) financing activities
 
(264,250
)
 
(115,186
)
 
(149,064
)
Effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
4,890

 
(33,786
)
 
38,676

Net (decrease) increase in cash
 
$
(38,996
)
 
$
149,845

 
$
(188,841
)
 
Operating Activities
Cash flow from operating activities is derived primarily from the receipt of premiums less the payment of losses and loss expenses related to underwriting activities.
Net cash used in operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $44.4 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $80.1 million for three months ended March 31, 2013, an unfavorable movement of $124.5 million. This unfavorable movement is due to payments made to third party investors in affiliates during the quarter with no comparative in the prior period as well as upfront payments in respect of certain retrocessional coverage.
We anticipate that cash flows from operations will continue to be sufficient to cover cash outflows under our contractual commitments as well as most loss scenarios through the foreseeable future. Refer to the “Capital Resources” section below for further information on our anticipated obligations.
Investing Activities
Cash flow from investing activities is derived primarily from the receipt of net proceeds on the Company’s investment portfolio. As at March 31, 2014, the Company’s portfolio was composed of fixed income investments, short-term and other investments amounting to $6,782.4 million or 87.0% of total cash and investments.
Net cash provided by investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $264.8 million compared to $218.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, a favorable movement of $46.1 million. This favorable movement was due to a reduction of $1,256.0 million in fixed maturity securities purchases, offset by a net increase of $851.9 million in the purchase of short-term investments and a reduction in proceeds on the sale of investments of $324.0 million.
Financing Activities
Cash flow from financing activities is derived primarily from the issuance and purchase of shares in the Company and its subsidiaries, and the issuance and repayment of notes to operating affiliates.
Net cash used in financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $264.3 million compared to $115.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013, an unfavorable movement of $149.1 million. This unfavorable movement was driven primarily by a $206.2 million movement in the issuance of notes payable to operating affiliates which is the result of a net repayment of $30.6 million in the current quarter compared to an issuance of $175.6 million in 2013. There was also an increase of $127.6 million in the repurchase of common shares under the share repurchase program and an unfavorable movement of $46.8 million in third party redeemable noncontrolling interest. The unfavorable movement in redeemable noncontrolling interest was as the result of a redemption of $10.5 million during the quarter compared to an investment of $36.3 million in the prior quarter. These movements were offset by a decrease in dividends paid of $232.9 million as a result of the special dividend that was paid in the first quarter of 2013 with no comparative dividend in the current quarter.

Capital Resources
 
The following table details the Company's capital position as at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

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Capitalization (Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Senior Notes (a)
$
247,225

 
$
247,198

Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures (JSDs) (b)
289,800

 
289,800

Flagstone Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures (JSDs) (c)
251,654

 
251,616

Total debt
788,679

 
788,614

 
 
 
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
8,390

 
86,512

 
 
 
 
Ordinary shares, capital and surplus available to Validus
3,649,219

 
3,704,711

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
(155
)
 
(617
)
Noncontrolling interest
540,934

 
497,657

Total shareholders' equity (d)
4,189,998

 
4,201,751

 
 
 
 
Total capitalization (d) (f)
4,987,067

 
5,076,877

Total capitalization available to Validus (e) (f)
$
4,437,743

 
$
4,492,708

 
 
 
 
Debt to total capitalization
15.8
%
 
15.5
%
Debt (excluding JSDs) to total capitalization
5.0
%
 
4.9
%

Notes

(a) On January 21, 2010, the Company offered and sold $250.0 million of Senior Notes due 2040 (the “2010 Senior Notes”) in a registered public offering. The 2010 Senior Notes mature on January 26, 2040, and are redeemable at the Company’s option in whole any time or in part from time to time at a make-whole redemption price. The net proceeds of $244.0 million from the sale of the 2010 Senior Notes, after the deduction of commissions paid to the underwriters in the transaction and other expenses, was used by the Company for general corporate purposes, which included the repurchase of our outstanding capital stock and dividends to our shareholders.

(b) $150.0 million of Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures (the "2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures") were issued on June 15, 2006, mature on June 15, 2036 and have been redeemable at the Company's option at par since June 15, 2011. $200.0 million of Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures ("2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures") were issued on June 21, 2007, mature on June 15, 2037 and have been redeemable at the Company's option at par since June 15, 2012. During 2008 and 2009, the Company repurchased $60.2 million principal amount of its 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures due 2037 from an unaffiliated financial institution.

(c) As part of the acquisition of Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings, S.A., the Company assumed $137.2 million of junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures due 2036 (the “Flagstone 2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures”). The Flagstone 2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures mature on September 15, 2036 and have been redeemable at the Company's option at par since September 15, 2011. In addition, the Company assumed $113.7 million of junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures due 2037 (the “Flagstone 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures”). $88.8 million of the Flagstone 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures mature on July 30, 2037 and have been redeemable at the Company's option at par since July 30, 2012. $25.0 million of the Flagstone 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures mature on September 15, 2037 and have been redeemable at the Company's option at par since September 15, 2012.

(d) Total capitalization equals total shareholders' equity plus borrowings drawn under credit facilities, Senior Notes and Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures and redeemable noncontrolling interests.

(e) Total capitalization available to Validus equals total capitalization less noncontrolling interests.

(f) The Company does not include notes payable to operating affiliate investors within total capitalization, since these are issued to some of the Company's operating affiliates specifically for the purpose of purchasing capital market products and writing collateralized reinsurance.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' equity available to Validus at March 31, 2014 was $3,649.1 million.
 
On April 30, 2014, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per common share and $0.30 per common share equivalent for which each outstanding warrant is exercisable, which is payable on June 30, 2014 to shareholders and warrant holders of record on June 13, 2014. The timing and amount of any future cash dividends, however, will be at the discretion of the Board and

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will depend upon our results of operations and cash flows, our financial position and capital requirements, general business conditions, legal, tax, regulatory, rating agency and contractual constraints or restrictions and any other factors that the Board deems relevant.

On February 6, 2013, the Company approved a special dividend in the amount of $2.00 per common share and common share equivalent. The dividend was paid on February 26, 2013 to shareholders and warrant holders of record on February 19, 2013. On the same date the Board also approved an increase in the Company's regular quarterly dividend to $0.30 from $0.25 per common share and common share equivalent for which each outstanding warrant is exercisable.

The Company may from time to time repurchase its securities, including common shares, Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures and Senior Notes. On February 5 and October 31, 2013, the Board of Directors of the Company approved increases in its common share repurchase authorization to $500.0 million and $500.0 million, respectively. On February 5, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a further increase to the Company's common share repurchase authorization to $500.0 million. This amount is in addition to the $1,774.4 million of common shares repurchased by the Company through February 5, 2014 under its previously authorized share repurchase programs.

The Company expects the purchases under its share repurchase program to be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing, form and amount of the share repurchases under the program will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, the Company's capital position relative to internal and rating agency targets, legal requirements and other factors. The repurchase program may be modified, extended or terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.

Debt and Financing Arrangements
 
The following table details the Company's borrowings and credit facilities as at March 31, 2014.
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Maturity Date /
Term
Commitments (a)
 
In Use/Outstanding
2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
June 15, 2036
$
150,000

 
$
150,000

2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
June 15, 2037
200,000

 
139,800

2010 Senior Notes due 2040
January 26, 2040
250,000

 
250,000

$400,000 syndicated unsecured letter of credit facility
March 9, 2016
400,000

 

$525,000 syndicated secured letter of credit facility
March 9, 2016
525,000

 
309,422

$200,000 secured bi-lateral letter of credit facility
Evergreen
200,000

 
18,676

Talbot FAL Facility (b)
December 31, 2015
25,000

 
25,000

PaCRe senior secured letter of credit facility
Evergreen
10,000

 
294

AlphaCat Re secured letter of credit facility
Evergreen
30,000

 
24,800

IPC Bi-Lateral Facility
Evergreen
40,000

 
19,817

$375,000 Flagstone bi-lateral facility
Evergreen
375,000

 
292,532

Flagstone 2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
September 15, 2036
137,904

 
137,904

Flagstone 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
September 15, 2037
113,750

 
113,750

Total
 
$
2,456,654

 
$
1,481,995


(a)
Indicates utilization of commitment amount, not drawn borrowings.

(b)
Talbot operates in Lloyd’s through a corporate member, Talbot 2002 Underwriting Capital Ltd (“T02”), which is the sole participant in Syndicate 1183. Lloyd’s sets T02’s required capital annually based on Syndicate 1183’s business plan, rating environment, reserving environment together with input arising from Lloyd’s discussions with, inter alia, regulatory and rating agencies. Such capital, called Funds at Lloyd’s (“FAL”), comprises: cash, investments and undrawn letters of credit provided by various banks.
 
Please refer to Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Part I, Item 1) for further discussion of the Company’s debt and financing arrangements.



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Ratings
 
The following table summarizes the financial strength ratings of the Company and its principal reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries from internationally recognized rating agencies as of May 2, 2014:
 
 
A.M. Best (a)
 
S&P (b)
 
Moody’s (c)
 
Fitch (d)
Validus Holdings, Ltd.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuer credit rating
bbb
 
BBB+
 
Baa2
 
A-
Senior debt
bbb
 
BBB+
 
Baa2
 
BBB-
Subordinated debt
bbb-
 
BBB
 
Baa3
 
Preferred stock
bb+
 
BBB-
 
Ba1
 
Outlook on ratings
Stable
 
Stable
 
Positive
 
Stable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Validus Reinsurance, Ltd.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial strength rating
A
 
A
 
A3
 
A
Outlook on ratings
Stable
 
Stable
 
Positive
 
Stable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Talbot
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial strength rating applicable to all Lloyds syndicates
A
 
A+
 
 
A+
Outlook on ratings
Positive
 
Positive
 
 
Positive
Validus Reinsurance (Switzerland), Ltd.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial strength rating
A
 
A-
 
 
Outlook on ratings
Stable
 
Stable
 
 

(a)
The A.M. Best ratings were most recently affirmed on February 25, 2014 for Validus Holdings, Ltd, Validus Reinsurance, Ltd and Validus Reinsurance (Switzerland), Ltd. The A.M. Best rating for Lloyds was most recently affirmed on July 19, 2013.
(b)
The S&P ratings were most recently affirmed on August 30, 2012 for Validus Holdings, Ltd and Validus Reinsurance, Ltd. The S&P rating for Validus Reinsurance (Switzerland), Ltd. was issued on December 11, 2013. The S&P rating for Lloyds was most recently affirmed on August 28, 2012.
(c)
The Moody’s ratings were most recently affirmed on September 16, 2013 for Validus Holdings, Ltd and Validus Reinsurance, Ltd.
(d)
The Fitch ratings were most recently affirmed on February 5, 2014 for Validus Holdings, Ltd. and Validus Reinsurance, Ltd. The Fitch ratings for Lloyds were affirmed on June 25, 2013.



Recent accounting pronouncements
 
Please refer to Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Part I, Item 1) for further discussion of relevant recent accounting pronouncements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
There are certain accounting policies that the Company considers to be critical due to the judgment and uncertainty inherent in the application of those policies. In calculating financial statement estimates, the use of different assumptions could produce materially different estimates. The Company believes the following critical accounting policies affect significant estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:
 
Reserve for losses and loss expenses;

Premium estimates for business written on a line slip or proportional basis;


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The valuation of goodwill and intangible assets;

Reinsurance premiums ceded and reinsurance recoverable balances including the provision for uncollectible amounts; and

Investment valuation of financial assets.

Critical accounting policies and estimates are discussed further in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.


CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”) provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. Any prospectus, prospectus supplement, the Company’s Annual Report to shareholders, any proxy statement, any other Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K of the Company or any other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company may include forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Such statements include forward-looking statements both with respect to the Company in general, and to the insurance and reinsurance sectors in particular. Statements that include the words “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “believe”, “project”, “anticipate”, “will”, “may”, and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements for purposes of the PSLRA or otherwise. All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements and, therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any such statement.
 
We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events;

our ability to obtain and maintain ratings, which may affect our ability to raise additional equity or debt financings, , as well as other factors described herein;

adequacy of the Company’s risk management and loss limitation methods;

cyclicality of demand and pricing in the insurance and reinsurance markets;

the Company’s ability to implement its business strategy during “soft” as well as “hard” markets;

adequacy of the Company’s loss reserves;

continued availability of capital and financing;

the Company’s ability to identify, hire and retain, on a timely and unimpeded basis and on anticipated economic and other terms, experienced and capable senior management, as well as underwriters, claims professionals and support staff;

acceptance of our business strategy, security and financial condition by rating agencies and regulators, as well as by brokers and (re)insureds;

competition, including increased competition, on the basis of pricing, capacity, coverage terms or other factors;

potential loss of business from one or more major insurance or reinsurance brokers;

the Company’s ability to implement, successfully and on a timely basis, complex infrastructure, distribution capabilities, systems, procedures and internal controls, and to develop accurate actuarial data to support the business and regulatory and reporting requirements;

general economic and market conditions (including inflation, volatility in the credit and capital markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates) and conditions specific to the insurance and reinsurance markets in which we operate;

the integration of businesses we may acquire or new business ventures, including overseas offices, we may start and the risk associated with implementing our business strategies and initiatives with respect to the new business ventures;

accuracy of those estimates and judgments used in the preparation of our financial statements, including those related to revenue recognition, insurance and other reserves, reinsurance recoverables, investment valuations, intangible assets, bad debts, taxes, contingencies, litigation and any determination to use the deposit method of accounting, which, for a relatively new insurance and reinsurance company like our company, are even more difficult to make than those made in a mature company because of limited historical information;

the effect on the Company’s investment portfolio of changing financial market conditions including inflation, interest rates, liquidity and other factors;

acts of terrorism, political unrest, outbreak of war and other hostilities or other non-forecasted and unpredictable events;

availability and cost of reinsurance and retrocession coverage;

the failure of reinsurers, retrocessionaires, producers or others to meet their obligations to us;

the timing of loss payments being faster or the receipt of reinsurance recoverables being slower than anticipated by us;

changes in domestic or foreign laws or regulations, or their interpretations;

changes in accounting principles or the application of such principles by regulators;

statutory or regulatory or rating agency developments, including as to tax policy and reinsurance and other regulatory matters such as the adoption of proposed legislation that would affect Bermuda-headquartered companies and/or Bermuda-based insurers or reinsurers; and

the other factors set forth under Part I Item 1A "Risk Factors" and under Part II Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the other sections of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as well as the risk and other factors set forth in the Company's other filings with the SEC, as well as management's response to any of the aforementioned factors.
In addition, other general factors could affect our results, including: (a) developments in the world’s financial and capital markets and our access to such markets; (b) changes in regulations or tax laws applicable to us, and (c) the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due to terrorism or other hostilities.
The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included herein or elsewhere. Any forward-looking statements made in this report are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, us or our business or operations. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.


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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
We are principally exposed to five types of market risk:
 
interest rate risk;

foreign currency risk;

credit risk;

liquidity risk; and

inflation risk.

Interest Rate Risk:  The Company’s fixed maturity portfolio is exposed to interest rate risk. Fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the market valuation of these investments. As interest rates rise and credit spreads widen, the market value of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio falls and the Company has the risk that cash outflows will have to be funded by selling assets, which will be trading at depreciated values. As interest rates decline and credit spreads tighten, the market value of the Company’s fixed income portfolio increases and the Company has reinvestment risk, as funds reinvested will earn less than is necessary to match anticipated liabilities. We manage interest rate risk by selecting investments with characteristics such as duration, yield, currency and liquidity tailored to the anticipated cash outflow characteristics of the insurance and reinsurance liabilities the Company assumes.
 
As at March 31, 2014 and 2013, the impact on the Company's fixed maturity and short-term investments from an immediate 100 basis point increase in market interest rates (based on U.S. treasury yield) would have resulted in an estimated decrease in market value of 1.8% and 1.7% or approximately $113.3 million and $109.1 million, respectively. As at March 31, 2014 and 2013, the impact on the Company's fixed maturity portfolio from an immediate 100 basis point decrease in market interest rates would have resulted in an estimated increase in market value of 1.3% and 1.3% or approximately $82.2 million and $82.3 million, respectively.
 
As at March 31, 2014, the Company held $962.7 million (December 31, 2013: $836.9 million), or 18.2% (December 31, 2013: 15.1%), of the Company's fixed maturity portfolio in asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. These assets are exposed to prepayment risk, which occurs when holders of underlying loans increase the frequency with which they prepay the outstanding principal before the maturity date and refinance at a lower interest rate cost. The adverse impact of prepayment is more evident in a declining interest rate environment. As a result, the Company will be exposed to reinvestment risk, as cash flows received by the Company will be accelerated and will be reinvested at the prevailing interest rates.
 
Foreign Currency Risk: Certain of the Company's reinsurance contracts provide that ultimate losses may be payable in foreign currencies depending on the country of original loss. Foreign currency exchange rate risk exists to the extent that there is an increase in the exchange rate of the foreign currency in which losses are ultimately owed. Therefore, we attempt to manage our foreign currency risk by seeking to match our liabilities under insurance and reinsurance policies that are payable in foreign currencies with cash and investments that are denominated in such currencies. As of March 31, 2014, $967.8 million, or 9.4% of our total assets and $903.4 million, or 14.9% of our total liabilities were held in foreign currencies. As of March 31, 2014, approximately $114.1 million, or 1.8% of our total liabilities held in foreign currencies were non-monetary items which do not require revaluation at each reporting date. As of March 31, 2013, $1,105.9 million, or 10.5% of our total assets and $1,143.9 million, or 18.5% of our total liabilities were held in foreign currencies. As of March 31, 2013, $168.1 million, or 2.7% of our total liabilities held in foreign currencies were non-monetary items which do not require revaluation at each reporting date. When necessary, we may also use derivatives to economically hedge un-matched foreign currency exposures, specifically forward contracts. Foreign currency forward contracts do not eliminate fluctuations in the value of our assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies but rather allow us to establish a rate of exchange for a future point in time. For further information on the accounting treatment of our foreign currency derivatives, refer to Note 7 of Part I, Item 1 - Consolidated Financial Statements. To the extent foreign currency exposure is not hedged or otherwise matched, the Company may experience exchange losses, which in turn would adversely affect the results of operations and financial condition.

Credit Risk: We are exposed to credit risk from the possibility that counterparties may default on their obligations to us. The Company’s primary credit risks reside in investment in U.S. corporate bonds and recoverable from reinsurers. We limit our credit exposure by purchasing high quality fixed income investments to maintain an average portfolio credit quality of AA- or higher with

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mortgage and commercial mortgage-backed issues having an aggregate weighted average credit quality of AAA. In addition, we have limited our exposure to any single issuer to 3.0% or less of total investments, excluding treasury and agency securities. With the exception of the bank loan portfolio, the Company’s investment guidelines require that investments be rated BBB- or higher at the time of purchase. Where investments are downgraded below BBB-/Baa3, we permit our investment managers to hold up to 2.0% in aggregate market value, or up to 10.0% with written authorization of the Company. At March 31, 2014, 0.8% of the portfolio, excluding bank loans was below BBB-/Baa3 and we did not have an aggregate exposure to any single issuer of more than 0.9% of total investments, other than with respect to government and agency securities.
 
The amount of the maximum exposure to credit risk is indicated by the carrying value of the Company's financial assets. The Company's primary credit risks reside in investment in U.S. corporate bonds and recoverables from reinsurers. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentration of credit risk arising from its exposure to individual reinsurers. The reinsurance program is generally placed with reinsurers whose rating, at the time of placement, was A- or better rated by S & P or the equivalent with other rating agencies. Exposure to a single reinsurer is also controlled with restrictions dependent on rating. At March 31, 2014, 98.5% of reinsurance recoverables (which includes loss reserves recoverable and recoverables on paid losses) were from reinsurers rated A- or above, (December 31, 2013: 96.7%, rated A-) or from reinsurers posting full collateral.
 
Liquidity risk: Certain of the Company's investments may become illiquid. Disruptions in the credit markets may materially affect the liquidity of the Company's investments, including non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities and bank loans which represent 8.5% (December 31, 2013: 9.2%) of total cash and investments at March 31, 2014. If the Company requires significant amounts of cash on short notice in excess of normal cash requirements (which could include claims on a major catastrophic event) in a period of market illiquidity, the investments may be difficult to sell in a timely manner and may have to be disposed of for less than what may otherwise have been possible under other conditions. At March 31, 2014, the Company had $1,075.3 million of unrestricted, liquid assets, defined as unpledged cash and cash equivalents, short term investments, government and government agency securities. Details of the Company's debt and financing arrangements at March 31, 2014 are provided below.
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Maturity Date / Term
 
In Use / Outstanding
2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
June 15, 2036
 
$
150,000

2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
June 15, 2037
 
139,800

2010 Senior Notes due 2040
January 26, 2040
 
250,000

$400,000 syndicated unsecured letter of credit facility
March 9, 2016
 

$525,000 syndicated secured letter of credit facility
March 9, 2016
 
309,422

$200,000 secured bi-lateral letter of credit facility
Evergreen
 
18,676

Talbot FAL facility
December 31, 2015
 
25,000

PaCRe senior secured letter of credit facility
Evergreen
 
294

AlphaCat Re secured letter of credit facility
Evergreen
 
24,800

IPC Bi-Lateral Facility
Evergreen
 
19,817

$375,000 Flagstone bi-lateral facility
Evergreen
 
292,532

Flagstone 2006 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
September 15, 2036
 
137,904

Flagstone 2007 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
September 15, 2037
 
113,750

Total
 
 
$
1,481,995

 
Inflation Risk:    We do not believe that inflation has had or will have a material effect on our combined results of operations, except insofar as (a) inflation may affect interest rates, and (b) losses and loss expenses may be affected by inflation.
 
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to

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Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this report.
 
Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that all material information relating to the Company required to be filed in this report has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported when required and the information is accumulated and communicated, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the Company’s evaluation required pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
During the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to litigation and arbitration. Legal proceedings such as claims litigation are common in the insurance and reinsurance industry in general. The Company and its subsidiaries may be subject to lawsuits and regulatory actions in the normal course of business that do not arise from or directly relate to claims on reinsurance treaties or contracts or insurance policies.
Litigation typically can include, but is not limited to, allegations of underwriting errors or misconduct, employment claims, regulatory activity, shareholder disputes or disputes arising from business ventures. These events are difficult, if not impossible, to predict with certainty. It is Company policy to dispute all allegations against the Company and/or its subsidiaries that management believes are without merit.
As at March 31, 2014, the Company was not a party to, or involved in any litigation or arbitration that it believes could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

ITEM 1A.               RISK FACTORS
 
Please refer to the discussion of Risk factors in Part 1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

ITEM 2.                        UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
The Company has repurchased approximately 62.2 million common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $1,917.7 million from the inception of the share repurchase program to April 30, 2014.
The Company expects the purchases under its share repurchase program to be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing, form and amount of the share repurchases under the program will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, the Company’s capital position relative to internal and rating agency targets, legal requirements and other factors.
On February 5, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an increase to the Company's common share repurchase authorization to $500.0 million. This amount is in addition to the $1,774.4 million of common shares repurchased by the Company through February 5, 2014 under its previously authorized share repurchase programs.
The repurchase program may be modified, extended or terminated by the Board of Directors at any time. The remaining amount available under the current share repurchase authorization is $356.7 million as of April 30, 2014.

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Share repurchases include repurchases by the Company of shares, from time to time, from employees in order to facilitate the payment of withholding taxes on restricted shares which have vested. We repurchase these shares at their fair market value, as determined by reference to the closing price of our common shares on the day the restricted shares vested.

 

 
 
 
Share Repurchase Activity
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars except for share and per share information)
 
 
As at December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended
Effect of share repurchases:
 
(cumulative)
 
January
 
February
 
March
 
March 31, 2014
Aggregate purchase price (a)
 
$
1,720,349

 
$
44,689

 
$
101,456

 
$
51,194

 
$
197,339

Shares repurchased
 
56,805,310

 
$
1,202,160

 
$
2,799,228

 
$
1,365,284

 
$
5,366,672

Average price (a)
 
$
30.29

 
$
37.17

 
$
36.24

 
$
37.50

 
$
36.77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated cumulative net accretive (dilutive) impact on:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Diluted BV per common share (b)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
2.58

Diluted EPS - Quarter (c)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
0.60

 
 
 
Share Repurchase Activity
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars except for share and per share information)
Effect of share repurchases:
 
As at March 31, 2014 (cumulative)
 
April
 
As at April 30, 2014
 
Cumulative to Date Effect
Aggregate purchase price (a)
 
$
1,917,688

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,917,688

Shares repurchased
 
62,171,982

 

 

 
62,171,982

Average price (a)
 
$
30.84

 
$

 
$

 
$
30.84


(a) Share transactions are on a trade date basis through April 30, 2014 and are inclusive of commissions.  Average share price is rounded to two decimal places.
 
(b) As the average price per share repurchased during the periods from 2009 at the inception of the share repurchase program through to 2013 was lower than the book value per common share, the repurchase of shares increased the ending book value per share.
 
(c) The estimated impact on earnings per diluted share was calculated by comparing reported results versus i) net income per share plus an estimate of lost net investment income on the cumulative share repurchases divided by ii) weighted average diluted shares outstanding excluding the weighted average impact of cumulative share repurchases. The impact of cumulative share repurchases was accretive to earnings per diluted share.
 
ITEM 3.                        DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
None.
 
ITEM 4.                        MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.
  
ITEM 5.                        OTHER INFORMATION
 
None.


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ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Description
Exhibit 31.1*
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Exhibit 31.2*
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Exhibit 32*
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Exhibit 101.1 INS*
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
Exhibit 101.SCH*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
Exhibit 101.CAL*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
Exhibit 101.LAB*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
Exhibit 101.PRE*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
Exhibit 101.DEF*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
*Filed herewith

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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
VALIDUS HOLDINGS, LTD.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Date:
May 2, 2014
/s/ Edward J. Noonan
 
 
Edward J. Noonan
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
Date:
May 2, 2014
/s/ Jeffrey D. Sangster
 
 
Jeffrey D. Sangster
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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