VR Validus Holdings, Ltd. (delisted)

Validus Holdings, Ltd. (“Validus” or the “Company”) (NYSE: VR) today reported net income available to Validus common shareholders of $7.8 million, or $0.10 per diluted common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2016, compared to $69.0 million, or $0.81 per diluted common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2015. Net income available to Validus common shareholders was $359.4 million, or $4.36 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $374.9 million, or $4.34 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Net operating income available to Validus common shareholders was $64.3 million, or $0.80 per diluted common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2016, compared to $105.4 million, or $1.24 per diluted common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2015. Net operating income available to Validus common shareholders was $319.2 million, or $3.88 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $409.7 million, or $4.74 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2015.

The annualized return on average equity was 0.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2016, compared to 7.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2015. The return on average equity was 9.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to 10.3% for the year ended December 31, 2015.

The annualized net operating return on average equity was 6.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2016, compared to 11.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2015. The net operating return on average equity was 8.6% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to 11.3% for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Book value per diluted common share at December 31, 2016 was $44.97, compared to $45.16 at September 30, 2016, reflecting quarterly growth of 0.4%, inclusive of common dividends.

Commenting on the results for the three months ended December 31, 2016, Validus' Chairman and CEO Ed Noonan stated:

"Validus had another strong year in 2016. Despite the global insurance market growing more competitive, we were able to deliver an 84.2% combined ratio and grow our book value per diluted share (including dividends) by 9.5%. We continue to position the Company well to weather the soft market while building the foundation to capitalize on better market conditions down the road."

Income available to Validus common shareholders by segment for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was as follows:

      Income available to Validus common shareholders for the three months ended December 31, 2016   2015 (Expressed in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share information) Validus Re - Underwriting income (a) (c) $ 50.3 $ 71.3 Talbot - Underwriting (loss) income (a) (c) (1.4 ) 36.1 Western World - Underwriting (loss) income (a) (c) (6.7 ) 3.8 Validus' share of AlphaCat income 6.3 8.8 Validus' share of PaCRe, Ltd. — (1.7 ) Validus' share of AlphaCat income, net (a) 6.3   7.1   Total segmental income 48.5 118.3 Net investment income (b) 35.9 29.9 Corporate operating expenses (19.3 ) (42.4 ) Eliminations and other (0.8 ) (0.4 ) Net operating income available to Validus common shareholders (c) $ 64.3   $ 105.4   Net operating income per diluted share available to Validus common shareholders (c) $ 0.80   $ 1.24   Net income available to Validus common shareholders (c) $ 7.8   $ 69.0   Net income per diluted share available to Validus common shareholders $ 0.10   $ 0.81  

 

(a) Underwriting income (loss) and Validus' share of AlphaCat income are non-GAAP measures. (b) Net investment income relates to our managed investment portfolio. Total net investment income, inclusive of AlphaCat's non-managed portfolio is $38.2 million and $31.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. (c) A reconciliation of net operating income available to Validus common shareholders and underwriting income to net income available to Validus common shareholders, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is presented at the end of this release.  

January 2017 Reinsurance Renewals - Validus Re and AlphaCat segments

During the January 2017 renewal season, the Validus Re and AlphaCat segments underwrote $628.9 million in gross premiums written, an increase of 3.0% from the January 2016 renewal period. This renewal data does not include: (i) Talbot and Western World's operations as the business of each of these segments is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year; and (ii) Validus Re's U.S. agriculture premiums.

The following table presents the Validus Re and AlphaCat segments' combined January 2017 and 2016 reinsurance renewals by Catastrophe XOL, Per Risk and Proportional premiums.

    Validus Re and AlphaCat segments' combined premium (a) (Dollars in thousands) Catastrophe XOL   Per Risk   Proportional   Total 2017 $ 359,287 $ 62,448 $ 207,178 $ 628,913 2016 $ 366,235   $ 56,364   $ 187,860   $ 610,459   (Decrease) Increase (1.9 )% 10.8 % 10.3 % 3.0 %

(a) The renewal data above does not include intercompany eliminations between Validus Re and Talbot.

The following table presents the Validus Re and AlphaCat segments' January 2017 and 2016 reinsurance renewals by line of business.

    Validus Re segment premium (a) Property   Specialty   Marine   Total (Dollars in thousands) U.S. International Casualty Other Specialty 2017 $ 96,601 $ 97,719 $ 21,783 $ 151,081 $ 98,489 $ 465,673 2016 $ 93,782   $ 92,302   $ 22,643   $ 137,942   $ 95,310   $ 441,979   Increase (Decrease) 3.0 % 5.9 % (3.8 )% 9.5 % 3.3 % 5.4 %   AlphaCat segment premium Property Specialty Marine Total (Dollars in thousands) U.S. International Casualty Other Specialty 2017 $ 136,574 $ 21,538 $ — $ 5,128 $ — $ 163,240 2016 $ 127,192   $ 37,942   $ —   $ 3,346   $ —   $ 168,480   Increase (Decrease) 7.4 % (43.2 )% — 53.3 % — (3.1 )%   Validus Re and AlphaCat segments' combined premium (a) Property Specialty Marine Total (Dollars in thousands) U.S. International Casualty Other Specialty 2017 $ 233,175 $ 119,257 $ 21,783 $ 156,209 $ 98,489 $ 628,913 2016 $ 220,974   $ 130,244   $ 22,643   $ 141,288   $ 95,310   $ 610,459   Increase (Decrease) 5.5 % (8.4 )% (3.8 )% 10.6 % 3.3 % 3.0 %

(a) The renewal data above does not include intercompany eliminations between Validus Re and Talbot.

This earnings release should be read in conjunction with the Company's fourth quarter 2016 investor financial supplement that has been posted to the Investors section of the Company's website located at www.validusholdings.com.

Fourth Quarter 2016 Results

Highlights for the fourth quarter are as follows:

• Gross premiums written for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were $339.5 million compared to $309.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $29.8 million, or 9.6%. The increase was primarily driven by increases in the Validus Re and Western World segments and was offset by decreases in the Talbot and AlphaCat segments.
• The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was 50.9%, which included $46.8 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 8.7 percentage points compared to a loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2015 of 39.5%, which included $58.1 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 10.7 percentage points. The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2016 included losses on fourth quarter 2016 notable loss events of $70.6 million or 13.0 percentage points of the loss ratio. Partially offsetting these losses was a reduction on the second quarter 2016 notable loss event, the Canadian Wildfires, of $18.3 million, benefiting the loss ratio by 3.3 percentage points, for total notable losses of $52.3 million or 9.7 percentage points of the loss ratio. There were no notable or non-notable loss events occurring during the three months ended December 31, 2015. The favorable development of $46.8 million on prior accident years for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was primarily due to favorable development on attritional losses of $41.5 million and favorable development on events of $5.3 million.
• The combined ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was 89.6%, compared to a combined ratio of 78.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 11.3 percentage points.
• Net investment income from managed investments for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $35.9 million compared to $29.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $6.0 million, or 20.0%. The increase was primarily driven by returns on the Company's portfolio of structured securities, of which $4.0 million was generated from a single fixed income fund.
• Tax benefit for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $21.1 million compared to $0.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a favorable movement of $20.4 million. The favorable movement was primarily due to a partial release of a valuation allowance which had been applied against a deferred tax asset related to net operating losses acquired as part of the Flagstone acquisition. The Company believes it is now more-likely-than-not that it will have sufficient future taxable income to realize a portion of that deferred tax asset over the next three years and in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company was required to record a tax benefit of $18.4 million in the quarter.
• Net operating income available to Validus common shareholders for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $64.3 million compared to $105.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $41.1 million, or 39.0%.
• Net income available to Validus common shareholders for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $7.8 million compared to $69.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $61.3 million, or 88.8%.
• Annualized return on average equity was 0.8% and annualized net operating return on average equity was 6.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to 7.6% and 11.6%, respectively, for the three months ended December 31, 2015.

Notable Losses

The Company defines a notable loss event as an event whereby consolidated net losses and loss expenses aggregate to a threshold greater than or equal to $30.0 million. The Company defines a non-notable loss event as an event whereby consolidated net losses and loss expenses aggregate to a threshold greater than or equal to $15.0 million but less than $30.0 million.

Losses and loss expenses from notable loss events occurring during the three months ended December 31, 2016 were as follows:

      Hurricane Matthew (Dollars in thousands) Validus Re   Talbot   Western World   AlphaCat   Total Net Losses and Loss Expenses $ 13,580 $ 12,337 $ 3,400 $ 9,823 $ 39,140 Less: Net Losses and Loss Expenses Attributable to AlphaCat Third Party Investors and Noncontrolling Interest —   —   —   (8,943 ) (8,943 ) Validus' Share of Net Losses and Loss Expenses 13,580 12,337 3,400 880 30,197 Less: Reinstatement Premiums, net (2,781 ) —   —   —   (2,781 ) Net Loss Attributable to Validus $ 10,799   $ 12,337   $ 3,400   $ 880   $ 27,416     2016 New Zealand Earthquake (Dollars in thousands) Validus Re Talbot Western World AlphaCat Total Net Losses and Loss Expenses $ 18,902 $ 2,250 $ — $ 10,269 $ 31,421 Less: Net Losses and Loss Expenses Attributable to AlphaCat Third Party Investors and Noncontrolling Interest —   —   —   (9,068 ) (9,068 ) Validus' Share of Net Losses and Loss Expenses 18,902 2,250 — 1,201 22,353 Less: Reinstatement Premiums, net (68 ) 3   —   —   (65 ) Net Loss Attributable to Validus $ 18,834   $ 2,253   $ —   $ 1,201   $ 22,288     Total Notable Loss Events (Dollars in thousands) Validus Re Talbot Western World AlphaCat Total Net Losses and Loss Expenses $ 32,482 $ 14,587 $ 3,400 $ 20,092 $ 70,561 Less: Net Losses and Loss Expenses Attributable to AlphaCat Third Party Investors and Noncontrolling Interest —   —   —   (18,011 ) (18,011 ) Validus' Share of Net Losses and Loss Expenses 32,482 14,587 3,400 2,081 52,550 Less: Reinstatement Premiums, net (2,849 ) 3   —   —   (2,846 ) Net Loss Attributable to Validus $ 29,633   $ 14,590   $ 3,400   $ 2,081   $ 49,704    

Hurricane Matthew resulted in losses and loss expenses of $39.1 million, or 7.2 percentage points of the loss ratio. Net of losses attributable to AlphaCat investors and noncontrolling interest of $8.9 million and reinstatement premiums of $2.8 million, the net loss attributable to the Company from this event was $27.4 million. The 2016 New Zealand earthquake resulted in losses and loss expenses of $31.4 million, or 5.8 percentage points of the loss ratio. Net of losses attributable to AlphaCat investors and noncontrolling interest of $9.1 million and reinstatement premiums of $0.1 million, the net loss attributable to the Company from this event was $22.3 million.

There were no non-notable loss events occurring during the three months ended December 31, 2016.

The Company's loss ratio, excluding the impact of notable and non-notable loss events and the change in prior accident years, for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was 49.8% and 50.2%, respectively.

Validus Re Segment

Highlights for the fourth quarter include the following:

• Gross premiums written for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were $38.8 million compared to $14.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $24.5 million, or 170.6%. Gross premiums written for the three months ended December 31, 2016 included $10.5 million of property premiums, $(4.2) million of marine premiums and $32.5 million of specialty premiums, compared to $15.6 million of property premiums, $(0.7) million of marine premiums and $(0.5) million of specialty premiums for the three months ended December 31, 2015. The increase in the specialty lines of $33.0 million was primarily driven by new casualty business of $24.9 million and growth in the financial lines of $9.3 million. Partially offsetting this increase were decreases in the property and marine lines of $5.0 million and $3.5 million, respectively.
• The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was 43.7%, which included $28.9 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 12.9 percentage points compared to a loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2015 of 43.3%, which included $22.6 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 9.7 percentage points. The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2016 included losses on fourth quarter 2016 notable loss events of $32.5 million, or 14.4 percentage points of the loss ratio. Partially offsetting these losses was a reduction on the second quarter 2016 notable loss event, the Canadian Wildfires, of $12.0 million, benefiting the loss ratio by 5.3 percentage points, for total notable losses of $20.5 million or 9.1 percentage points of the loss ratio. The favorable development of $28.9 million on prior accident years for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was primarily due to favorable development on attritional losses of $24.3 million and favorable development on events of $4.6 million.
• The combined ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was 77.6% compared to 69.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 8.3 percentage points.
• Underwriting income for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $50.3 million compared to $71.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $21.1 million, or 29.5%.

Talbot Segment

Highlights for the fourth quarter include the following:

• Gross premiums written for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were $218.6 million compared to $229.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $11.0 million, or 4.8%. Gross premiums written for the three months ended December 31, 2016 included $71.4 million of property premiums, $39.6 million of marine premiums and $107.6 million of specialty premiums compared to $73.9 million of property premiums, $60.6 million of marine premiums and $95.1 million of specialty premiums for the three months ended December 31, 2015. The decrease in the marine lines of $21.0 million was primarily driven by decreases in the upstream energy and cargo classes as a result of reductions in our participation and non-renewals on various programs due to the current rate environment and premium adjustments on prior year policies. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in gross premiums written in the specialty lines of $12.5 million, primarily due to increases in the contingency, political lines and financial lines classes of $10.0 million, $7.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively.
• Net premiums earned for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were $174.5 million compared to $203.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $29.4 million or 14.4%. The decrease was driven primarily by the decline in gross premiums written in the marine lines and slower earnings patterns on longer-term contracts in the specialty lines during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. Also contributing to the decrease was the impact of reinstatement premiums payable during the three months ended December 31, 2016.
• The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was 60.6%, which included $16.1 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 9.2 percentage points compared to a loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2015 of 38.6%, which included $23.1 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 11.3 percentage points. The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2016 included losses on fourth quarter 2016 notable loss events of $14.6 million, or 8.4 percentage points of the loss ratio. Partially offsetting these losses was a reduction on the second quarter 2016 notable loss event, the Canadian Wildfires, of $2.2 million, benefiting the loss ratio by 1.3 percentage points, for total notable losses of $12.4 million or 7.1 percentage points of the loss ratio. The favorable development of $16.1 million on prior accident years for the three months ended December 31, 2016 is primarily due to favorable development on attritional losses.
• The combined ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was 100.9% compared to 82.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 18.4 percentage points.
• Underwriting loss for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $1.4 million compared to income of $36.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $37.5 million, or 104.0%.

Western World Segment

Highlights for the fourth quarter include the following:

• Gross premiums written for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were $87.0 million compared to $71.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $15.9 million, or 22.3%. Gross premiums written for the three months ended December 31, 2016 included $29.0 million of property premiums and $58.0 million of liability premiums, compared to $13.9 million of property premiums and $57.2 million of liability premiums for the three months ended December 31, 2015. The increase in gross premiums written in the property lines of $15.2 million was primarily due to additional business written in the programs property, commercial package property, and brokerage property classes of $5.6 million, $3.9 million, and $3.1 million, respectively, as a result of the continued build out of the underwriting platform in short-tail lines.
• The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was 72.0%, which included $0.6 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 0.9 percentage points compared to a loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2015 of 54.7%, which included $7.3 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 11.9 percentage points. The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2016 included losses on fourth quarter 2016 notable loss events of $3.4 million, or 4.5 percentage points of the loss ratio and other U.S.-based weather losses of $2.8 million, or 3.7 percentage points of the loss ratio. The favorable development of $7.3 million on prior accident years for the three months ended December 31, 2015 is primarily due to favorable development on attritional losses and the amortization of the risk premium adjustment accounted for at the time of the acquisition of Western World.
• The combined ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was 109.2% compared to 94.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 14.9 percentage points. The increase was driven by lower favorable development on prior accident years and higher losses and loss expenses on notable loss events and U.S.-based weather losses during the three months ended December 31, 2016.
• Underwriting loss for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $6.7 million compared to income of $3.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $10.5 million or 278.7%.

AlphaCat Segment

Highlights for the fourth quarter include the following:

• AlphaCat's assets under management were $2,741.3 million as at January 1, 2017, compared to $2,615.1 million as at October 1, 2016. Third party assets under management were $2,498.6 million as at January 1, 2017, compared to $2,292.6 million as at October 1, 2016.
• Revenues earned for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were $4.7 million, of which $3.9 million were earned from third parties, compared to $6.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, of which $5.0 million were earned from third parties. The decrease in revenues earned from third parties of $1.1 million was driven by a decrease in performance fees earned as a result of the notable loss events incurred during the three months ended December 31, 2016.
• Total expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were $2.9 million, compared to $3.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 15.7%.
• Income before investment income from AlphaCat Funds and Sidecars for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $1.8 million, compared to $2.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $1.1 million, or 38.0%.
• Investment income from AlphaCat Funds and Sidecars, excluding PaCRe which was off-risk effective January 1, 2016, for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $4.5 million, compared to $5.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $1.4 million or 23.9%. The decrease was driven by the notable loss events incurred during the three months ended December 31, 2016.
• Validus' share of AlphaCat income, excluding PaCRe which was off-risk effective January 1, 2016, for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $6.3 million, compared to $8.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $2.5 million, or 28.5%.

Investments

Highlights of our managed portfolio for the fourth quarter include the following:

• Net investment income from managed investments for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $35.9 million compared to $29.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $6.0 million, or 20.0%. The increase was primarily driven by returns on the Company's portfolio of structured securities, of which $4.0 million was generated from a single fixed income fund. Annualized effective yield for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was 2.25%, compared to 1.90% for the three months ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 35 basis points.
• Net realized gains on managed investments for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were $9.2 million compared to losses of $3.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a favorable movement of $12.5 million. The favorable movement primarily resulted from realized gains on the termination of two interest rate swap contracts which were entered into in the third quarter of 2016 to partially offset the impact of interest rate increases on the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio.
• The change in net unrealized losses on managed investments for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $67.7 million compared to $34.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, an unfavorable movement of $33.2 million, or 96.1%. The unfavorable movement was primarily driven by an increase in interest rates during the three months ended December 31, 2016.

Corporate Operating Expenses

Highlights for the fourth quarter include the following:

• General and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were $20.0 million compared to $24.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $4.2 million or 17.5% primarily due to a reduction in the performance bonus accrual during the three months ended December 31, 2016.
• Share compensation expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were $3.9 million compared to $3.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $0.4 million or 10.1%.
• Finance expenses, excluding the Company's share of AlphaCat finance expenses from consolidated variable interest entities, for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were $14.5 million compared to $15.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $0.9 million or 5.8%.
• Dividends paid on preferred shares for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were $2.2 million compared to $nil for the three months ended December 31, 2015.
• Tax benefit for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $21.2 million compared to $0.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, a favorable movement of $20.5 million. The favorable movement was primarily due to recognizing a deferred tax benefit during the three months ended December 31, 2016 as described in the "Fourth Quarter 2016 Results" section above.

Year to Date 2016 Results

Highlights for the year to date include the following:

• Gross premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $2,648.7 million compared to $2,557.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $91.2 million, or 3.6%. The increase was primarily due to increases in the AlphaCat and Western World segments and was offset by decreases in the Talbot and Validus Re segments.
• The loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 47.4% which included $216.2 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 9.6 percentage points compared to a loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2015 of 43.5%, which included $306.1 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 13.6 percentage points. The loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2016 included notable losses of $90.2 million, or 4.0 percentage points of the loss ratio and non-notable losses of $70.2 million, or 3.1 percentage points of the loss ratio. The loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2015 included notable losses of $97.0 million, or 4.3 percentage points of the loss ratio and non-notable losses of $22.2 million, or 1.0 percentage point of the loss ratio. The favorable development of $216.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily due to favorable development on attritional losses of $201.8 million and favorable development on events of $14.4 million. The favorable development of $306.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily due to favorable development on attritional losses of $253.9 million and favorable development on events of $52.2 million, primarily relating to Superstorm Sandy.
• The combined ratio for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 84.2% compared to 79.7% for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 4.5 percentage points.
• Net investment income from managed investments for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $141.7 million compared to $121.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $20.6 million, or 17.0%. The increase was primarily driven by returns on the Company's portfolio of structured securities, of which $16.7 million was generated from a single fixed income fund. Effective yield for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 2.24%, compared to 1.91% for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 33 basis points.
• Net operating income available to Validus common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $319.2 million compared to $409.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $90.6 million, or 22.1%.
• Net income available to Validus common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $359.4 million compared to $374.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $15.5 million, or 4.1%.
• Return on average equity was 9.7% and net operating return on average equity was 8.6% for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to 10.3% and 11.3%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Shareholders' Equity and Capitalization

As at December 31, 2016, total shareholders' equity was $4.0 billion including $166.0 million of noncontrolling interest and $150.0 million of preferred shares. Shareholders' equity available to Validus common shareholders was $3.7 billion as at December 31, 2016. Book value per diluted common share was $44.97 at December 31, 2016 based on 82,026,998 diluted common shares, compared to $45.16 at September 30, 2016 based on 82,341,307 diluted common shares, an increase of 0.4%, inclusive of dividends for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Book value per diluted common share is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation of this measure to book value per common share is presented at the end of this release.

Total capitalization available to Validus at December 31, 2016 was $4.6 billion, including $537.2 million of junior subordinated deferrable debentures and $245.4 million of senior notes. Total capitalization at December 31, 2016 was $6.3 billion, including $1.5 billion of redeemable noncontrolling interest and $166.0 million of noncontrolling interest related to AlphaCat.

Share Repurchases

The Company repurchased 317,401 shares during the three months ended December 31, 2016. The share repurchases made during the three months ended December 31, 2016 resulted in a dilutive impact to book value per diluted common share of $0.03 for the quarter. A summary of the share repurchases made to date under the Company’s previously announced share repurchase programs is as follows:

      Share Repurchase Activity(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars except for share and per share information) As at September 30, 2016         Quarter ended Share repurchases: (cumulative) October November December December 31, 2016 Aggregate purchase price (a) $ 2,687,746 $ 4,029 $ 9,250 $ 3,381 $ 16,660 Shares repurchased 80,191,448 81,174 174,734 61,493 317,401 Average price (a) $ 33.52 $ 49.63 $ 52.94 $ 54.98 $ 52.49         Share Repurchase Activity

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars except for share and per share information)

Share repurchases: As at December 31, 2016   As at February 1, 2017   Cumulative to Date Aggregate purchase price (a) $ 2,704,406 $ — $ 2,704,406 Shares repurchased 80,508,849 — 80,508,849 Average price (a) $ 33.59 $ — $ 33.59

(a) Share transactions are on a trade date basis through February 1, 2017 and are inclusive of commissions. Average share price is rounded to two decimal places.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call for analysts and investors on February 3, 2017 at 10:00 AM (Eastern) to discuss the fourth quarter 2016 financial results and related matters. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 1-844-309-6712 (toll-free U.S.) or 1-484-747-6926 (international) and entering the passcode 2077 7771. Those who intend to participate in the conference call should register at least ten minutes in advance to ensure access to the call. A telephone replay of the conference call will be available through February 17, 2017, by dialing 1-855-859-2056 (toll-free U.S.) or 1-404-537-3406 (international) and entering the passcode 2077 7771.

This conference call will also be available through a live audio webcast accessible through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website located at www.validusholdings.com. A replay of the webcast will be available at the Investors section of the Company's website through February 17, 2017. In addition, a financial supplement relating to the Company's financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2016 is available in the Investors section of the Company's website.

About Validus Holdings, Ltd.

Validus Holdings, Ltd. ("Validus") is a holding company for reinsurance and insurance operating companies and investment advisors including Validus Reinsurance, Ltd. (“Validus Re”), Talbot Underwriting Ltd. (“Talbot”), Western World Insurance Group, Inc. (“Western World”) and AlphaCat Managers, Ltd. (“AlphaCat”).

Validus Re is a Bermuda based reinsurer focused on treaty reinsurance. Talbot is a specialty insurance group primarily operating within the Lloyd's insurance market through Syndicate 1183. Western World is a U.S. specialty lines insurance company focused on excess and surplus lines. AlphaCat is a Bermuda based investment adviser managing capital for third parties and Validus in insurance linked securities and other property catastrophe and specialty reinsurance investments.

 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)

        December 31, 2016   December 31, 2015 Assets Fixed maturities trading, at fair value (amortized cost: 2016—$5,584,599; 2015—$5,556,900) $ 5,543,030 $ 5,510,331 Short-term investments trading, at fair value (amortized cost: 2016—$2,796,358; 2015—$1,941,615) 2,796,170 1,941,635 Other investments, at fair value (cost: 2016—$380,130; 2015—$315,963) 405,712 336,856 Investments in investment affiliates, equity method (cost: 2016—$95,929; 2015—$69,794) 100,431 87,673 Cash and cash equivalents 419,976 723,109 Restricted cash 70,956   73,270   Total investments and cash 9,336,275 8,672,874 Investment in operating affiliate, equity method (cost: 2016—$nil; 2015—$392) — 392 Premiums receivable 725,390 658,682 Deferred acquisition costs 209,227 181,002 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 77,996 77,992 Securities lending collateral 9,779 4,863 Loss reserves recoverable 430,421 350,586 Paid losses recoverable 35,247 23,071 Income taxes recoverable 4,870 16,228 Deferred tax asset 43,529 21,661 Receivable for investments sold 3,901 39,766 Intangible assets 115,592 121,258 Goodwill 196,758 196,758 Accrued investment income 26,488 23,897 Other assets 134,282   126,782   Total assets $ 11,349,755   $ 10,515,812     Liabilities Reserve for losses and loss expenses $ 2,995,195 $ 2,996,567 Unearned premiums 1,076,049 966,210 Reinsurance balances payable 54,781 75,380 Securities lending payable 10,245 5,329 Deferred tax liability 3,331 3,847 Payable for investments purchased 29,447 77,475 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 587,648 627,331 Notes payable to AlphaCat investors 278,202 75,493 Senior notes payable 245,362 245,161 Debentures payable 537,226   537,668   Total liabilities $ 5,817,486   $ 5,610,461   Commitments and contingent liabilities Redeemable noncontrolling interest 1,528,001 1,111,714 Shareholders’ equity Preferred shares (Issued and Outstanding: 2016—6,000; 2015—nil) 150,000 — Common shares (Issued: 2016—161,279,976; 2015—160,570,772; Outstanding: 2016—79,132,252; 2015—82,900,617) 28,224 28,100 Treasury shares (2016—82,147,724; 2015—77,670,155) (14,376 ) (13,592 ) Additional paid-in capital 821,023 1,002,980 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (23,216 ) (12,569 ) Retained earnings 2,876,636   2,634,056   Total shareholders’ equity available to Validus 3,838,291 3,638,975 Noncontrolling interest 165,977   154,662   Total shareholders’ equity $ 4,004,268   $ 3,793,637   Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and shareholders’ equity $ 11,349,755   $ 10,515,812            

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Consolidated Statements of Operations - Underwriting Income Format

For the three months and years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)

Three Months Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2016   2015 2016   2015 Underwriting revenues Gross premiums written $ 339,454 $ 309,605 $ 2,648,705 $ 2,557,506 Reinsurance premiums ceded (40,635 ) (33,128 ) (289,705 ) (328,681 ) Net premiums written 298,819 276,477 2,359,000 2,228,825 Change in unearned premiums 241,580   266,823   (109,835 ) 18,064   Net premiums earned 540,399   543,300   2,249,165   2,246,889   Other insurance related income 561   969   2,961   6,113   Total underwriting revenues 540,960   544,269   2,252,126   2,253,002     Underwriting deductions Losses and loss expenses 275,126 214,748 1,065,097 977,833 Policy acquisition costs 120,889 102,285 449,482 410,058 General and administrative expenses 77,955 98,563 336,294 363,709 Share compensation expenses 10,442   10,062   42,907   38,341   Total underwriting deductions 484,412   425,658   1,893,780   1,789,941     Underwriting income $ 56,548 $ 118,611 $ 358,346 $ 463,061   Net investment income 38,153 31,612 150,385 127,824 Finance expenses (14,630 ) (16,581 ) (58,520 ) (74,742 ) Dividends on preferred shares (2,203 ) — (4,455 ) — Tax benefit (expense) 21,147 756 19,729 (6,376 ) Loss from operating affiliate — (1,708 ) (23 ) (3,949 ) (Income) attributable to AlphaCat investors (7,080 ) (974 ) (23,358 ) (2,412 ) Net operating (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest (27,612 ) (26,321 ) (122,906 ) (93,657 ) Net operating income available to Validus common shareholders $ 64,323 $ 105,395 $ 319,198 $ 409,749   Net realized gains (losses) on investments 9,220 (2,928 ) 15,757 2,298 Change in net unrealized (losses) gains on investments (67,460 ) (34,862 ) 16,871 (32,395 ) Income (loss) from investment affiliates 2,166 (1,261 ) (2,083 ) 4,281 Foreign exchange (losses) gains (901 ) 797 10,864 (8,731 ) Other income (loss) 7 1,576 (766 ) (1,002 ) Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest 412   325   (457 ) 693   Net income available to Validus common shareholders $ 7,767   $ 69,042   $ 359,384   $ 374,893     Selected ratios: Ratio of net to gross premiums written 88.0 % 89.3 % 89.1 % 87.1 %   Losses and loss expenses ratio 50.9 % 39.5 % 47.4 % 43.5 %   Policy acquisition costs ratio 22.4 % 18.8 % 20.0 % 18.3 % General and administrative expenses ratio (a) 16.3 % 20.0 % 16.8 % 17.9 % Expense ratio 38.7 % 38.8 % 36.8 % 36.2 %   Combined ratio 89.6 % 78.3 % 84.2 % 79.7 %  

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

 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

Segment Information

For the three months and years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)

          Validus Re Segment Three Months Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31, 2016   2015 2016   2015 Underwriting revenues Gross premiums written $ 38,835 $ 14,349 $ 1,111,054 $ 1,126,759 Reinsurance premiums ceded 94   (87 ) (111,564 ) (149,088 ) Net premiums written 38,929 14,262 999,490 977,671 Change in unearned premiums 185,584   217,652   (55,545 ) 12,542   Net premiums earned 224,513   231,914   943,945   990,213   Other insurance related income (loss) 52   257   (55 ) 3,575   Total underwriting revenues 224,565   232,171   943,890   993,788     Underwriting deductions Losses and loss expenses 98,056 100,485 411,488 457,976 Policy acquisition costs 53,380 37,478 181,040 166,387 General and administrative expenses 20,191 20,174 72,770 78,428 Share compensation expenses 2,663   2,685   11,034   10,350   Total underwriting deductions 174,290   160,822   676,332   713,141           Underwriting income $ 50,275   $ 71,349   $ 267,558   $ 280,647   Talbot Segment         Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31, 2016   2015 2016   2015 Underwriting revenues Gross premiums written $ 218,644 $ 229,687 $ 970,702 $ 1,018,835 Reinsurance premiums ceded (38,233 ) (34,752 ) (175,729 ) (198,896 ) Net premiums written 180,411 194,935 794,973 819,939 Change in unearned premiums (5,891 ) 8,985   (13,057 ) 18,152   Net premiums earned 174,520   203,920   781,916   838,091   Other insurance related income 66   287   455   851   Total underwriting revenues 174,586   204,207   782,371   838,942     Underwriting deductions Losses and loss expenses 105,675 78,810 424,946 347,322 Policy acquisition costs 42,683 46,197 177,127 187,535 General and administrative expenses 24,550 39,965 134,479 155,306 Share compensation expenses 3,123   3,178   13,078   12,373   Total underwriting deductions 176,031   168,150   749,630   702,536           Underwriting (loss) income $ (1,445 ) $ 36,057   $ 32,741   $ 136,406   Western World Segment         Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31, 2016   2015 2016   2015 Underwriting revenues Gross premiums written $ 87,030 $ 71,132 $ 323,220 $ 278,504 Reinsurance premiums ceded (7,287 ) (5,487 ) (22,634 ) (18,877 ) Net premiums written 79,743 65,645 300,586 259,627 Change in unearned premiums (4,464 ) (3,925 ) (27,354 ) (977 ) Net premiums earned 75,279   61,720   273,232   258,650   Other insurance related income 216   257   912   1,044   Total underwriting revenues 75,495   61,977   274,144   259,694     Underwriting deductions Losses and loss expenses 54,189 33,780 183,812 171,878 Policy acquisition costs 17,738 14,298 64,442 41,408 General and administrative expenses 9,576 9,578 43,280 38,715 Share compensation expenses 718   558   2,543   2,083   Total underwriting deductions 82,221   58,214   294,077   254,084           Underwriting (loss) income $ (6,726 ) $ 3,763   $ (19,933 ) $ 5,610      

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

Segment Information

For the three months and years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)

          AlphaCat Segment Three Months Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31, 2016   2015 2016   2015 Revenues Third party $ 3,928 $ 5,039 $ 18,771 $ 19,661 Related party 737   1,251   3,329   5,309   Total revenues 4,665   6,290   22,100   24,970     Expenses General and administrative expenses 2,676 3,232 10,233 12,115 Share compensation expenses 82 140 249 580 Finance expenses 33 53 947 9,312 Tax expense 90 — 90 — Foreign exchange gains (losses) 2   (7 ) 19   (16 ) Total expenses 2,883   3,418   11,538   21,991   Income before investment income from AlphaCat Funds and Sidecars 1,782   2,872   10,562   2,979     Investment income (loss) from AlphaCat Funds and Sidecars (a) AlphaCat Sidecars 14 1,618 607 5,504 AlphaCat ILS Funds - Lower Risk (b) 1,998 2,037 8,901 7,491 AlphaCat ILS Funds - Higher Risk (b) 1,864 1,820 7,471 8,428 BetaCat ILS Funds 644 461 3,623 1,702 PaCRe —   (1,708 ) (23 ) (3,949 ) Total investment income from AlphaCat Funds and Sidecars 4,520   4,228   20,579   19,176           Validus' share of AlphaCat income $ 6,302   $ 7,100   $ 31,141   $ 22,155  

(a) The investment income from the AlphaCat funds and sidecars is based on equity accounting.

(b) Lower risk AlphaCat ILS funds have a maximum permitted portfolio expected loss of less than 7%, whereas higher risk AlphaCat ILS funds have a maximum permitted portfolio expected loss of greater than 7%. Expected loss represents the average annual loss over the set of simulation scenarios divided by the total limit.

          Corporate and Investments Three Months Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31, 2016   2015 2016   2015 Investment income Managed net investment income (a) $ 35,875 $ 29,885 $ 141,718 $ 121,166   Operating expenses General and administrative expenses 19,973 24,222 72,249 75,724 Share compensation expenses 3,856 3,501 16,003 12,955 Finance expenses (a) 14,546 15,448 57,183 61,071 Dividends on preferred shares 2,203 — 4,455 — Tax (benefit) expense (a) (21,237 ) (756 ) (19,819 ) 6,376   Total operating expenses 19,341   42,415   130,071   156,126     Other items Net realized gains (losses) on managed investments (a) 9,166 (3,353 ) 14,680 1,698 Change in net unrealized (losses) gains on managed investments (a) (67,676 ) (34,515 ) 14,106 (32,007 ) Income (loss) from investment affiliates 2,166 (1,261 ) (2,083 ) 4,281 Foreign exchange (losses) gains (a) (850 ) 852 10,778 (8,172 ) Other income (loss) 7   1,576   (766 ) (1,002 ) Total other items (57,187 ) (36,701 ) 36,715   (35,202 )         Total Corporate and Investments $ (40,653 ) $ (49,231 ) $ 48,362   $ (70,162 )  

(a) These items exclude the components which are included in Validus' share of AlphaCat and amounts which are consolidated from variable interest entities.

 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation

Book Value per Common Share, Book Value per Diluted Common Share and Book Value per Diluted Common Share plus Accumulated Dividends

As at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)

      December 31, 2016 (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Equity Amount   Shares   Exercise Price (a)   Book Value Per

Share

Book value per common share Total shareholders' equity available to Validus common shareholders (b) $ 3,688,291 79,132,252 $ 46.61   Tangible book value per common share $ 42.66   Book value per diluted common share Total shareholders' equity available to Validus common shareholders (b) 3,688,291 79,132,252 Assumed exercise of outstanding stock options (c) 614 26,136 $ 23.48 Unvested restricted shares —   2,868,610   Book value per diluted common share $ 3,688,905   82,026,998   $ 44.97 Adjustment for accumulated dividends 11.56 Book value per diluted common share plus accumulated dividends $ 56.53   Tangible book value per diluted common share $ 41.16         December 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Equity Amount   Shares   Exercise Price (a)   Book Value Per

Share

Book value per common share Total shareholders' equity available to Validus common shareholders (b) $ 3,638,975 82,900,617 $ 43.90   Tangible book value per common share $ 40.06   Book value per diluted common share Total shareholders' equity available to Validus common shareholders (b) 3,638,975 82,900,617 Assumed exercise of outstanding stock options (c) 1,319 65,401 $ 20.17 Unvested restricted shares —   3,026,376   Book value per diluted common share $ 3,640,294   85,992,394   $ 42.33 Adjustment for accumulated dividends 10.16 Book value per diluted common share plus accumulated dividends $ 52.49   Tangible book value per diluted common share $ 38.63

(a) Weighted average exercise price for those stock options that have an exercise price lower than book value per share.

(b) Total shareholders' equity available to Validus common shareholders excludes the liquidation value of the preferred shares of $150.0 million.

(c) Using the "as-if-converted" method, assuming all proceeds received upon exercise of stock options will be retained by the Company and the resulting common shares from exercise remain outstanding.

 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation

Underwriting Income, Net Operating Income available to Validus Common Shareholders, Net Operating Income per share available to Validus Common Shareholders and Annualized Net Operating Return on Average Equity

For the three months and years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share information)

        Three Months Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31, 2016   2015 2016   2015 Net income available to Validus common shareholders $ 7,767 $ 69,042 $ 359,384 $ 374,893 Adjustments for: Net realized (gains) losses on investments (9,220 ) 2,928 (15,757 ) (2,298 ) Change in net unrealized losses (gains) on investments 67,460 34,862 (16,871 ) 32,395 (Income) loss from investment affiliates (2,166 ) 1,261 2,083 (4,281 ) Foreign exchange losses (gains) 901 (797 ) (10,864 ) 8,731 Other (income) loss (7 ) (1,576 ) 766 1,002 Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest (412 ) (325 ) 457   (693 ) Net operating income available to Validus common shareholders $ 64,323 $ 105,395 $ 319,198 $ 409,749 Net investment income (38,153 ) (31,612 ) (150,385 ) (127,824 ) Finance expenses 14,630 16,581 58,520 74,742 Dividends on preferred shares 2,203 — 4,455 — Tax (benefit) expense (21,147 ) (756 ) (19,729 ) 6,376 Loss from operating affiliate — 1,708 23 3,949 Income attributable to AlphaCat investors 7,080 974 23,358 2,412 Net operating income attributable to noncontrolling interest 27,612   26,321   122,906   93,657   Underwriting income $ 56,548   $ 118,611   $ 358,346   $ 463,061     Net operating income available to Validus common shareholders 64,323 105,395 319,198 409,749 Less: Dividends on outstanding warrants —   —   —   (3,566 ) Net operating income allocated to Validus, adjusted $ 64,323   $ 105,395   $ 319,198   $ 406,183     Net income per share available to Validus common shareholders - diluted $ 0.10 $ 0.81 $ 4.36 $ 4.34 Adjustments for: Net realized (gains) losses on investments (0.11 ) 0.03 (0.19 ) (0.03 ) Change in net unrealized losses (gains) on investments 0.84 0.42 (0.20 ) 0.38 (Income) loss from investment affiliates (0.03 ) 0.01 0.03 (0.05 ) Foreign exchange losses (gains) 0.01 (0.01 ) (0.14 ) 0.10 Other (income) loss — (0.02 ) 0.01 0.01 Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest (0.01 ) —   0.01   (0.01 ) Net operating income per share available to Validus common shareholders - diluted $ 0.80   $ 1.24   $ 3.88   $ 4.74     Weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents 80,621,967 85,181,258 82,359,460 86,426,760   Average shareholders' equity available to Validus common shareholders $ 3,702,956 $ 3,641,970 $ 3,697,114 $ 3,641,920   Annualized return on average equity 0.8 % 7.6 % 9.7 % 10.3 % Annualized net operating return on average equity 6.9 % 11.6 % 8.6 % 11.3 %  

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include forward-looking statements, both with respect to the Company and its industry, that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. 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. All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. 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 statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events; 2) rating agency actions; 3) adequacy of Validus' risk management and loss limitation methods; 4) cyclicality of demand and pricing in the insurance and reinsurance markets; 5) statutory or regulatory developments including tax policy, reinsurance and other regulatory matters; 6) Validus' ability to implement its business strategy during "soft" as well as "hard" markets; 7) adequacy of Validus' loss reserves; 8) continued availability of capital and financing; 9) retention of key personnel; 10) competition; 11) potential loss of business from one or more major insurance or reinsurance brokers; 12) Validus' 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; 13) general economic and market conditions (including inflation, volatility in the credit and capital markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates); 14) the integration of businesses Validus may acquire or new business ventures Validus may start; 15) the effect on Validus' investment portfolios of changing financial market conditions including inflation, interest rates, liquidity and other factors; 16) acts of terrorism or outbreak of war; and 17) availability of reinsurance and retrocessional coverage, as well as management's response to any of the aforementioned factors.

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 and elsewhere, including the risk factors included in Validus' most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and other documents of the Company on file with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Any forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by Validus will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Validus or its business or operations. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In presenting the Company's results, management has included and discussed certain schedules containing net operating income (loss), net operating income (loss) available (attributable) to Validus common shareholders, net operating income (loss) per share, underwriting income (loss), annualized net operating return on average equity, 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. 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. A reconciliation of underwriting income and net operating income (loss) available (attributable) to Validus common shareholders to net income (loss) available (attributable) to Validus common shareholders, the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, is presented in the section above entitled “Underwriting Income, Net Operating Income available to Validus common shareholders, Net Operating Income per share available to Validus common shareholders and Annualized Net Operating Return on Average Equity”. A reconciliation of underwriting income and operating income to net income, the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, is presented in the “Consolidated Statements of Operations” above.

The AlphaCat segment information is presented as an asset manager view and therefore is considered non-GAAP.

Underwriting income indicates the performance of the Company's core underwriting segments, excluding revenues and expenses such as net investment income (loss), finance expenses, net realized and change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, foreign exchange gains (losses), other income (loss) and transaction expenses. 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 business. Underwriting profitability is influenced significantly by earned premium growth, adequacy of the Company's pricing and loss frequency and severity.

Underwriting profitability over time 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 believes that underwriting income provides investors with a valuable measure of profitability derived from underwriting activities.

Net operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined as net income (loss) excluding net realized and change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, income (loss) from investment affiliates, foreign exchange gains (losses), other income (loss) and non-recurring items. Net operating income (loss) available (attributable) to Validus common shareholders is defined as above, but excludes operating income (loss) available (attributable) to noncontrolling interest and dividends on preferred shares. Reconciliations of these measures to net income (loss) and net income (loss) available (attributable) to Validus common shareholders, the most directly comparable GAAP measures, are presented at the end of this release.

Annualized net operating return on average equity is presented in the section above entitled “Underwriting Income, Net Operating Income available to Validus common shareholders, Net Operating Income per share available to Validus common shareholders and Annualized Net Operating Return on Average Equity.” A reconciliation of book value per diluted common share and book value per diluted common share plus accumulated dividends to book value per common share, the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, is presented in the section above entitled “Book Value per Common Share, Book Value per Diluted Common Share and Book Value per Diluted Common Share plus Accumulated Dividends.” Net operating income (loss) is calculated based on net income (loss) excluding net realized gains (losses) on investments, change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, foreign exchange gains (losses), other income (loss), income (loss) from investment affiliates and non-recurring items. Realized gains (losses) from the sale of investments are driven by the timing of the disposition of investments, not by our operating performance. Gains (losses) arising from translation of non-US$ denominated balances are unrelated to our underlying business. Net operating income (loss) available (attributable) to Validus common shareholders is defined as net operating income (loss) as defined above, but excluding operating income (loss) available (attributable) to noncontrolling interest and dividends on preferred shares.

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Investors:Validus Holdings, Ltd.Investor.Relations@validusholdings.com+1-441-278-9000orMedia:Brunswick GroupMustafa Riffat / Charlotte Connerton+1-212-333-3810