Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Fixed maturity investments trading, at fair value (amortized cost: 2018—$5,651,953; 2017—$5,876,261)	$ 5,559,953	$ 5,858,348
Short-term investments trading, at fair value (amortized cost: 2018—$3,728,930; 2017—$3,381,714)	3,728,894	3,381,757
Other investments, at fair value (cost: 2018—$341,883; 2017—$330,416)	366,184	355,218
Investments in investment affiliates, equity method (cost: 2018—$72,135; 2017—$61,944)	127,247	100,137
Cash and cash equivalents	719,219	754,990
Restricted cash	286,279	394,663
Total investments and cash	10,787,776	10,845,113
Premiums receivable	1,947,462	939,487
Deferred acquisition costs	317,834	213,816
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	336,384	132,938
Securities lending collateral	2,117	2,717
Loss reserves recoverable	970,950	1,233,997
Paid losses recoverable	71,876	46,873
Income taxes recoverable	11,023	9,044
Deferred tax asset	60,438	52,467
Receivable for investments sold	15,662	12,182
Intangible assets	167,052	171,411
Goodwill	229,573	229,573
Accrued investment income	31,082	29,096
Other assets	549,841	508,165
Total assets	15,499,070	14,426,879
Liabilities
Reserve for losses and loss expenses	4,699,599	4,831,390
Unearned premiums	2,190,884	1,147,186
Reinsurance balances payable	406,081	331,645
Securities lending payable	2,117	2,717
Deferred tax liability	2,142	4,600
Payable for investments purchased	60,275	74,496
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	576,260	1,225,875
Notes payable to AlphaCat investors	1,206,671	1,108,364
Senior notes payable	245,664	245,564
Debentures payable	538,751	539,158
Total liabilities	9,928,444	9,510,995
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,390,233	1,004,094
Shareholders' equity
Preferred shares (Issued and Outstanding: 2018—16,000; 2017—16,000)	400,000	400,000
Common shares (Issued: 2018—163,186,889; 2017—161,994,491; Outstanding: 2018—80,511,948; 2017—79,319,550)	28,558	28,349
Treasury shares (2018—82,674,941; 2017—82,674,941)	(14,468)	(14,468)
Additional paid-in capital	816,282	814,641
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	9,859	(22,192)
Retained earnings	2,568,905	2,688,742
Total shareholders' equity available to Validus	3,809,136	3,895,072
Noncontrolling interests	371,257	16,718
Total shareholders' equity	4,180,393	3,911,790
Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and shareholders’ equity	$ 15,499,070	$ 14,426,879