(Note: All dollar amounts in this news release are expressed in
U.S. dollars, except as otherwise noted.)
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (TSX: FFH)(NYSE: FFH)
announces increased net earnings of $562.4 million in the third
quarter of 2009 ($31.04 per share and $30.88 per diluted share)
compared to net earnings of $467.6 million in the third quarter of
2008 ($25.40 per share and $25.27 per diluted share). The
year-over-year increase in quarterly net earnings derived primarily
from improved underwriting profit at the company's insurance and
reinsurance operations (compared to a significant underwriting loss
in the third quarter of 2008 principally related to hurricane
losses) and increased interest and dividend income, partially
offset by reduced net investment gains ($797.8 million, compared to
$864.6 million of net gains on investments in the third quarter of
2008). In the first nine months of 2009, net earnings were $777.4
million ($43.66 per share and $43.42 per diluted share) compared to
$1,127.0 million in the first nine months of 2008 ($60.63 per share
and $59.89 per diluted share), reflecting the significant
investment gains on credit default swaps and equity hedges in the
first nine months of 2008.
Primarily as a result of significant net earnings and the
increased market value of the company's common stock and bond
investments, book value increased to $371.85 per basic share at
September 30, 2009 from $315.91 at June 30, 2009 and $278.28 at
December 31, 2008.
"Our third quarter in 2009 was a key milestone in the history of
Fairfax," said Prem Watsa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Fairfax. "Besides excellent results, we have now privatized
OdysseyRe and we financed it by issuing $1 billion of common stock.
We have also now publicly issued 10-year bonds and preferred shares
in Canada for the first time ever. After the OdysseyRe
privatization, Fairfax continues to have in excess of $1 billion in
cash and marketable securities at the holding company level, and
also has a significantly increased annual dividend capacity from
its three major insurance/reinsurance operations. We ended the
quarter with common shareholders' equity of $7.5 billion and a book
value per basic share of $371.85; including the $8 per share
dividend paid in the first quarter, book value per share was up
36.1% in the first nine months of the year. Our company has never
been stronger."
Highlights in the third quarter included the following:
- The combined ratio of the company's insurance and reinsurance operations
in the third quarter of 2009 was 99.8% on a consolidated basis.
Underwriting profit earned by the company's insurance and reinsurance
operations in the third quarter of 2009 improved to $1.6 million from an
underwriting loss of $170.3 million in the third quarter of 2008
primarily related to U.S. hurricane losses.
- Interest and dividend income of $184.7 million in the third quarter of
2009 increased 36.2% from $135.6 million in the third quarter of 2008.
The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to the impact on
portfolio yield in 2009 of the purchases in the fourth quarter of 2008
and in 2009 of higher yielding municipal and other tax-exempt debt
securities and corporate bonds using the proceeds of sale of lower
yielding government bonds, and the inclusion of the financial results of
Advent and Polish Re in the third quarter of 2009. Interest income as
reported is unadjusted for the positive tax effect of the company's
significant holdings of tax-advantaged debt securities (holdings of
$4,704.8 million at September 30, 2009 compared to $965.1 million at
September 30, 2008), and as a result interest income on an after tax
basis increased significantly in the third quarter of 2009 compared to
the third quarter of 2008.
- Operating income of the company's insurance and reinsurance operations
(excluding net gains on investments) in the third quarter of 2009
increased to $133.0 million from an operating loss of $64.9 million in
the third quarter of 2008, principally as a result of the
above-described improved underwriting results and interest and dividend
income.
- Net premiums written in the third quarter of 2009 decreased 6.0% to
$1,064.3 million from $1,132.1 million in the third quarter of 2008,
reflecting the impact of weak economic conditions, the operating
companies' disciplined response to competitive industry conditions in
global insurance and reinsurance markets and the foreign currency
translation impact of the year-over-year strengthening of the U.S.
dollar, partially offset by the inclusion of the financial results of
Advent and Polish Re in the third quarter of 2009.
- The company held $2,340.6 million of cash, short term investments and
marketable securities at the holding company level ($2,328.9 million net
of short sale and derivative obligations) at September 30, 2009,
compared to $880.1 million at June 30, 2009 ($862.7 million net of short
sale and derivative obligations) and $1,564.2 million at December 31,
2008 ($1,555.0 million net of short sale and derivative obligations).
During the third quarter the company raised aggregate net proceeds of
$1,347.9 million through the issuance of subordinate voting shares and
unsecured senior notes, of which $1,004.7 million was applied to the
closing in the fourth quarter of the company's previously announced
purchase of all of the outstanding shares of OdysseyRe not owned by
Fairfax.
- Holding company debt increased during the third quarter of 2009 to
$1,400.9 million as a result of the company's issuance of Cdn$400
million of unsecured senior notes. The company's total debt to total
capital ratio decreased to 20.9% at September 30, 2009 from 23.7% at
December 31, 2008, primarily as a result of the significant increase in
shareholders' equity (resulting from the equity issuance, the first nine
months earnings and increased unrealized gains on available for sale
securities, less common and preferred share dividends paid), partially
offset by the reduction in non-controlling interests following the
privatization of Northbridge in the first quarter. (The fourth quarter
completion of the OdysseyRe privatization has eliminated approximately
$945 million of non-controlling interest related to OdysseyRe, which has
subsequently increased the company's consolidated total debt to total
capital ratio.)
- At September 30, 2009, common shareholders' equity was $7,547.7 million,
or $371.85 per basic share, compared to $4,866.3 million, or $278.28 per
basic share, at December 31, 2008, a nine month increase of 36.1%
adjusted for the $8.00 per share common dividend paid in the first
quarter.
Fairfax holds a significant investment in equities and
equity-related securities, which the company believes will
significantly appreciate in value over time. During the third
quarter, in response to the significant appreciation in equity
market valuations during 2009, the company hedged approximately
one-quarter of its equity investment exposure by entering into
S&P 500 index-referenced total return swap contracts ($1.5
billion notional amount at approximately the 1,062 level of the
S&P 500 index). The market value and the liquidity of these
investments are volatile and may vary dramatically either up or
down in short periods, and their ultimate value will therefore only
be known over the long term.
There were 18.1 million weighted average shares outstanding
during the third quarters of both 2009 and 2008. At September 30,
2009 there were 20,297,588 common shares effectively outstanding
following the issuance of 2,881,844 subordinate voting shares
during the third quarter of 2009.
Summarized (without notes) consolidated balance sheets and
statements of earnings and comprehensive income, along with
segmented premium and combined ratio information, follow and form
part of this news release. Fairfax's detailed third quarter report
can be accessed at its website www.fairfax.ca. As previously
announced, Fairfax will hold a conference call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern
time on Friday, October 30, 2009 to discuss its third quarter
results.
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited is a financial services
holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in
property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and investment
management.
Certain statements contained herein may constitute
forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the "safe
harbour" provisions of the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are
subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of
Fairfax to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not
limited to: a reduction in net income if the reserves of our
subsidiaries (including reserves for asbestos, environmental and
other latent claims) are insufficient; underwriting losses on the
risks our subsidiaries insure that are higher or lower than
expected; the lowering or loss of one of our subsidiaries'
financial or claims paying ability ratings; an inability to realize
our investment objectives; exposure to credit risk in the event our
subsidiaries' reinsurers or insureds fail to make payments; a
decrease in the level of demand for our subsidiaries' products, or
increased competition; an inability to obtain reinsurance coverage
at reasonable prices or on terms that adequately protect our
subsidiaries; an inability to obtain required levels of capital; an
inability to access cash of our subsidiaries; risks associated with
requests for information from the Securities and Exchange
Commission or other regulatory bodies; risks associated with
government investigations of, and class action litigation related
to, insurance industry practice or any other conduct; the passage
of new legislation; and the failure to realize future income tax
assets. Additional risks and uncertainties are described in our
most recently issued Annual Report which is available at
www.fairfax.ca and in our Base Shelf Prospectus (under "Risk
Factors") filed with the securities regulatory authorities in
Canada and the United States, which is available on SEDAR and
EDGAR. Fairfax disclaims any intention or obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statements.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
as at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
(unaudited - US$ millions)
September 30, December 31,
2009 2008
------------- -------------
(audited)
Assets
Holding company cash, short term investments
and marketable securities (including assets
pledged for short sale and derivative
obligations - $78.8; 2008 - $19.7) 2,340.6 1,564.2
Accounts receivable and other 1,950.0 1,688.7
Recoverable from reinsurers (including
recoverables on paid losses -
$234.6; 2008 - $298.9) 4,100.0 4,234.2
------------- -------------
8,390.6 7,487.1
------------- -------------
Portfolio investments
Subsidiary cash and short term investments
(cost $3,839.1; 2008 - $5,492.3) 3,857.6 5,508.5
Bonds (cost $10,100.0; 2008 - $8,302.1) 10,458.0 8,425.8
Preferred stocks (cost $128.3; 2008 - $41.2) 128.2 38.2
Common stocks (cost $4,132.0; 2008- $3,964.1) 5,118.2 3,816.9
Investments, at equity (fair value
$570.1; 2008 - $575.3) 413.3 219.3
Derivatives and other invested assets
(cost $114.4; 2008 - $157.3) 236.0 398.0
Assets pledged for short sale and derivative
obligations (cost $96.3; 2008 - $8.3) 98.3 8.3
------------- -------------
20,309.6 18,415.0
------------- -------------
Deferred premium acquisition costs 347.7 321.9
Future income taxes 155.9 699.4
Premises and equipment 141.4 133.1
Goodwill and intangible assets 330.1 123.2
Other assets 159.8 125.7
------------- -------------
29,835.1 27,305.4
------------- -------------
------------- -------------
Liabilities
Subsidiary indebtedness 14.7 21.1
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1,172.8 1,326.5
Income taxes payable 152.5 656.3
Short sale and derivative obligations
(including at the holding company -
$11.7; 2008 - $9.2) 73.1 29.4
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers 361.2 355.1
------------- -------------
1,774.3 2,388.4
------------- -------------
Provision for claims 14,983.7 14,728.4
Unearned premiums 2,068.1 1,890.6
Long term debt - holding company borrowings 1,226.1 869.6
Long term debt - subsidiary company
borrowings 891.3 889.1
Other long term obligations - holding company 174.8 187.7
------------- -------------
19,344.0 18,565.4
------------- -------------
Non-controlling interests 1,066.6 1,382.8
------------- -------------
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock 3,108.6 2,124.9
Treasury stock, at cost (30.0) (22.7)
Preferred stock 102.5 102.5
Retained earnings 3,497.7 2,871.9
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 971.4 (107.8)
------------- -------------
7,650.2 4,968.8
------------- -------------
29,835.1 27,305.4
------------- -------------
------------- -------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
(unaudited - US$ millions except per share amounts)
Third quarter First nine months
--------------------- ---------------------
2009 2008 2009 2008
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Revenue
Gross premiums written 1,281.6 1,331.5 3,928.3 3,911.7
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net premiums written 1,064.3 1,132.1 3,295.6 3,368.0
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net premiums earned 1,095.9 1,162.7 3,306.9 3,406.8
Interest and dividends 184.7 135.6 540.3 480.4
Net gains on investments(1) 797.8 864.6 974.8 1,889.7
Other revenue 135.0 - 406.3 -
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
2,213.4 2,162.9 5,228.3 5,776.9
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Expenses
Losses on claims(1) 797.0 989.4 2,347.7 2,645.2
Operating expenses(1) 223.9 216.2 620.8 628.7
Commissions, net 168.4 188.1 518.4 549.4
Interest expense 40.7 37.6 117.0 118.3
Other expenses 134.1 - 402.0 -
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
1,364.1 1,431.3 4,005.9 3,941.6
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Earnings from operations
before income taxes 849.3 731.6 1,222.4 1,835.3
Income taxes 223.7 194.8 314.9 508.3
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net earnings before
non-controlling interests 625.6 536.8 907.5 1,327.0
Non-controlling interests (63.2) (69.2) (130.1) (200.0)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net earnings 562.4 467.6 777.4 1,127.0
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net earnings per share $ 31.04 $ 25.40 $ 43.66 $ 60.63
Net earnings per diluted
share $ 30.88 $ 25.27 $ 43.42 $ 59.89
Cash dividends paid per share $ - $ - $ 8.00 $ 5.00
Shares outstanding (000)
(weighted average) 18,050 18,131 17,669 18,218
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
(unaudited - US$ millions)
Third quarter First nine months
------------------- -------------------
2009 2008 2009 2008
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net earnings 562.4 467.6 777.4 1,127.0
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Other comprehensive income (loss),
net of income taxes
Change in net unrealized gains
(losses) on available for sale
securities(2) 498.6 (289.2) 827.8 (455.2)
Reclassification of net realized
(gains) losses to net earnings(3) (109.8) 95.9 40.1 147.7
Change in unrealized foreign
currency translation gains
(losses)(4) 107.6 (48.7) 188.0 (70.4)
Change in gains and losses on
hedges of net investment in foreign
subsidiary(5) (8.5) - (13.6) -
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Other comprehensive income (loss),
net of income taxes 487.9 (242.0) 1,042.3 (377.9)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Comprehensive income 1,050.3 225.6 1,819.7 749.1
--------- --------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- --------- ---------
(1) Reflects certain reclassifications of foreign exchange in
the third quarter and first nine months ended September 30,
2008.
(2) Net of income tax expense of $236.5(2008 - income tax
recovery of $117.6) and $374.8 (2008 - income tax recovery of
$187.5) for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009,
respectively.
(3) Net of income tax recovery of $49.3 (2008 -income tax
expense of $28.4) and $4.3 (2008 - income tax expense of $49.4) for
the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively.
(4) Net of income tax recovery of $7.7 (2008 -income tax expense
of $17.2) and $19.3 (2008 - income tax expense of $20.8) for the
third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively.
(5) Net of income tax expense of $0.4 (2008 -nil) and income tax
recovery of $1.6 (2008 - nil) for the third quarter and first nine
months of 2009, respectively.
SEGMENTED INFORMATION
(unaudited - US$ millions)
Net premiums written and net premiums earned by the company's insurance and
reinsurance operations in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009
and 2008 were:
Net Premiums Written
Third quarter First nine months
------------------- -------------------
2009 2008 2009 2008
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Insurance - Canada
(Northbridge) 218.9 262.6 682.9 864.6
- U.S.
(Crum & Forster) 165.3 195.7 543.8 686.6
- Asia
(Fairfax Asia) 32.5 28.7 99.4 70.5
Reinsurance - OdysseyRe 524.0 571.8 1,462.8 1,593.1
- Other 124.2 68.1 507.0 148.0
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Insurance and Reinsurance
Operating Companies 1,064.9 1,126.9 3,295.9 3,362.8
--------- --------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Premiums Earned
Third quarter First nine months
------------------- -------------------
2009 2008 2009 2008
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Insurance - Canada
(Northbridge) 248.4 279.8 712.8 836.9
- U.S.
(Crum & Forster) 182.0 233.0 589.7 767.7
- Asia
(Fairfax Asia) 31.0 24.4 83.1 62.6
Reinsurance - OdysseyRe 493.9 545.4 1,444.4 1,572.4
- Other 141.1 72.1 476.9 156.1
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Insurance and Reinsurance
Operating Companies 1,096.4 1,154.7 3,306.9 3,395.7
--------- --------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Combined ratios of the company's insurance and reinsurance operations in
the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 and 2008 were:
Third quarter First nine months
------------------- -------------------
2009 2008 2009 2008
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Insurance - Canada
(Northbridge) 103.5% 109.3% 103.5% 101.8%
- U.S.
(Crum & Forster) 107.9% 128.5% 103.2% 121.8%
- Asia
(Fairfax Asia) 63.0% 85.0% 81.5% 80.6%
Reinsurance - OdysseyRe 96.9% 113.0% 96.7% 103.6%
- Other 101.3% 114.9% 97.0% 103.4%
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Insurance and Reinsurance
Operating Companies 99.8% 114.8% 99.0% 106.8%
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Contacts: Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited Greg Taylor Chief
Financial Officer (416) 367-4941 Media Contact Fairfax Financial
Holdings Limited Paul Rivett, Chief Legal Officer (416)
367-4941
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