Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 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—$84,840; 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)	0	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 receivable	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 interests	1,528,001	1,111,714
Shareholders' equity
Preferred shares (Issued and Outstanding: 2016—6,000; 2015—nil)	150,000	0
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 interests	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