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Investment Securities
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Investment Securities  
Investment Securities

Note 5.  Investment Securities

 

White Mountains’ invested assets consist of securities and other long-term investments held for general investment purposes.  The portfolio of investment securities includes fixed maturity investments and equity securities which are all classified as trading securities. Trading securities are reported at fair value as of the balance sheet date.  Realized and unrealized investment gains and losses on trading securities are reported pre-tax in revenues. White Mountains’ investments in debt securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, are generally valued using industry standard pricing models. Key inputs include benchmark yields, benchmark securities, reported trades, issuer spreads, bids, offers, credit ratings and prepayment speeds. Income on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities is recognized using an effective yield based on anticipated prepayments and the estimated economic life of the securities. When actual prepayments differ significantly from anticipated prepayments, the estimated economic life is recalculated and the remaining unamortized premium or discount is amortized prospectively over the remaining economic life.

 

Realized gains and losses resulting from sales of investment securities are accounted for using the specific identification method.  Premiums and discounts on all fixed maturity investments are accreted or amortized to income over the anticipated life of the investment.  Short-term investments consist of money market funds, certificates of deposit and other securities which, at the time of purchase, mature or become available for use within one year.  Short-term investments are carried at amortized cost, which approximated fair value as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

Other long-term investments primarily comprise White Mountains’ investments in hedge funds and private equity funds.

 

Net Investment Income

 

Pre-tax net investment income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Millions

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Investment income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity investments

 

$

42.6

 

$

50.2

 

$

88.5

 

$

103.1

 

Short-term investments

 

1.6

 

2.3

 

2.3

 

2.8

 

Common equity securities

 

3.0

 

2.2

 

6.4

 

4.3

 

Convertible fixed maturity investments

 

1.1

 

1.9

 

2.6

 

4.0

 

Other long-term investments

 

(.2

)

(.4

)

.7

 

.5

 

Interest on funds held under reinsurance treaties

 

(.2

)

(.8

)

(.8

)

(1.6

)

Total investment income

 

47.9

 

55.4

 

99.7

 

113.1

 

Less third-party investment expenses

 

(2.1

)

(2.7

)

(4.4

)

(4.6

)

Net investment income, pre-tax

 

$

45.8

 

$

52.7

 

$

95.3

 

$

108.5

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses

 

White Mountains recognized $57.3 million and $76.6 million of pre-tax net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and $11.1 million and $93.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010.

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

Net realized investment gains (losses) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Millions

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Fixed maturity investments

 

$

18.1

 

$

7.9

 

$

19.5

 

$

33.4

 

Short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

Common equity securities

 

15.7

 

17.7

 

17.9

 

20.4

 

Convertible fixed maturity investments

 

2.9

 

9.5

 

7.0

 

13.7

 

Other long-term investments

 

8.4

 

(2.6

)

28.0

 

(5.2

)

Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax

 

45.1

 

32.5

 

72.4

 

62.3

 

Income taxes attributable to realized investment gains (losses)

 

(11.1

)

(5.0

)

(23.7

)

(15.6

)

Net realized investment gains (losses), after-tax

 

$

34.0

 

$

27.5

 

$

48.7

 

$

46.7

 

 

Net unrealized investment gains (losses)

 

The following table summarizes changes in the carrying value of investments measured at fair value:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30, 2011

 

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2011

 

Millions

 

Net
unrealized
gains
(losses)

 

Net
foreign
exchange
gains
(losses)

 

Total
changes in
fair value
reflected in
earnings

 

Net
unrealized
gains
(losses)

 

Net
foreign
exchange
gains
(losses)

 

Total
changes in
fair value
reflected in
earnings

 

Fixed maturities

 

$

17.2

 

$

25.5

 

$

42.7

 

$

9.2

 

$

10.2

 

$

19.4

 

Short-term investments

 

 

(.4

)

(.4

)

 

(1.0

)

(1.0

)

Common equity securities

 

(18.8

)

(.1

)

(18.9

)

5.9

 

(.9

)

5.0

 

Convertible fixed maturity investments

 

(6.0

)

 

(6.0

)

(8.1

)

 

(8.1

)

Other long-term investments

 

(6.4

)

1.2

 

(5.2

)

(7.2

)

(3.9

)

(11.1

)

Net unrealized investment gains (losses), pre-tax

 

(14.0

)

26.2

 

12.2

 

(.2

)

4.4

 

4.2

 

Income taxes attributable to unrealized investment gains (losses)

 

1.9

 

(6.7

)

(4.8

)

2.1

 

(1.0

)

1.1

 

Net unrealized investment gains (losses), after-tax

 

$

(12.1

)

$

19.5

 

$

7.4

 

$

1.9

 

$

3.4

 

$

5.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30, 2010

 

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2010

 

Millions

 

Net
unrealized
gains
(losses)

 

Net
foreign
exchange
gains
(losses)

 

Total
changes in
fair value
reflected in
earnings

 

Net
unrealized
gains
(losses)

 

Net
foreign
exchange
gains
(losses)

 

Total
changes in
fair value
reflected in
earnings

 

Fixed maturities

 

$

8.5

 

$

30.9

 

$

39.4

 

$

33.1

 

$

27.6

 

$

60.7

 

Short-term investments

 

(1.6

)

1.1

 

(.5

)

 

(.8

)

(.8

)

Common equity securities

 

(46.4

)

2.3

 

(44.1

)

(32.5

)

1.1

 

(31.4

)

Convertible fixed maturity investments

 

(13.9

)

 

(13.9

)

(11.1

)

 

(11.1

)

Other long-term investments

 

(5.2

)

2.9

 

(2.3

)

11.5

 

1.9

 

13.4

 

Net unrealized investment gains (losses), pre-tax

 

(58.6

)

37.2

 

(21.4

)

1.0

 

29.8

 

30.8

 

Income taxes attributable to unrealized investment gains (losses)

 

(15.3

)

9.7

 

(5.6

)

6.4

 

7.4

 

13.8

 

Net unrealized investment gains (losses), after-tax

 

$

(73.9

)

$

46.9

 

$

(27.0

)

$

7.4

 

$

37.2

 

$

44.6

 

 

The following table summarizes the amount of total pre-tax gains (losses) included in earnings attributable to unrealized investment gains (losses) for Level 3 investments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Millions

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Fixed maturities

 

$

(3.3

)

$

(3.4

)

$

(1.4

)

$

6.2

 

Common equity securities

 

1.3

 

(19.1

)

(.5

)

(22.5

)

Convertible fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

Other long-term investments

 

(2.2

)

(7.5

)

(9.9

)

28.9

 

Total unrealized investment gains (losses), pre-tax - Level 3 investments

 

$

(4.2

)

$

(30.0

)

$

(11.8

)

$

12.6

 

 

Investment Holdings

 

The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized investment gains and losses, net foreign currency gains and losses and carrying values of White Mountains’ fixed maturity investments as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, were as follows:

 

 

 

June 30, 2011

 

Millions

 

Cost or
amortized
cost

 

Gross
unrealized
gains

 

Gross
unrealized
losses

 

Net foreign
currency
gains (losses)

 

Carrying
value

 

U.S. Government and agency obligations

 

$

290.6

 

$

6.1

 

$

 

$

(.5

)

$

296.2

 

Debt securities issued by corporations

 

2,001.9

 

76.4

 

(8.9

)

(36.6

)

2,032.8

 

Municipal obligations

 

3.3

 

 

 

 

3.3

 

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

 

2,306.9

 

21.1

 

(4.8

)

(15.2

)

2,308.0

 

Foreign government, agency and provincial obligations

 

829.6

 

3.8

 

(.4

)

(1.5

)

831.5

 

Preferred stocks

 

81.0

 

6.3

 

 

(.2

)

87.1

 

Total fixed maturity investments

 

$

5,513.3

 

$

113.7

 

$

(14.1

)

$

(54.0

)

$

5,558.9

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

Millions

 

Cost or
amortized
cost

 

Gross
unrealized
gains

 

Gross
unrealized
losses

 

Net foreign
currency
gains (losses)

 

Carrying
value

 

U.S. Government and agency obligations

 

$

385.9

 

$

13.6

 

$

(.8

)

$

 

$

398.7

 

Debt securities issued by corporations

 

2,149.2

 

87.9

 

(21.1

)

(37.9

)

2,178.1

 

Municipal obligations

 

3.3

 

.1

 

(.1

)

 

3.3

 

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

 

2,082.0

 

18.2

 

(15.6

)

(12.9

)

2,071.7

 

Foreign government, agency and provincial obligations

 

1,053.6

 

7.7

 

(6.6

)

(8.3

)

1,046.4

 

Preferred stocks

 

81.9

 

6.1

 

 

(.1

)

87.9

 

Total fixed maturity investments

 

$

5,755.9

 

$

133.6

 

$

(44.2

)

$

(59.2

)

$

5,786.1

 

 

The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized investment gains and losses, net foreign currency gains and losses and carrying values of White Mountains’ common equity securities, convertible fixed maturities and other long-term investments as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, were as follows:

 

 

 

June 30, 2011

 

Millions

 

Cost or
amortized
cost

 

Gross
unrealized
gains

 

Gross
unrealized
losses

 

Net foreign
currency
gains (losses)

 

Carrying
value

 

Common equity securities

 

$

593.0

 

$

115.7

 

$

(5.8

)

$

.9

 

$

703.8

 

Convertible fixed maturities

 

$

111.7

 

$

9.7

 

$

(1.7

)

$

 

$

119.7

 

Other long-term investments

 

$

301.9

 

$

55.8

 

$

(13.7

)

$

(10.7

)

$

333.3

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

Millions

 

Cost or
amortized
cost

 

Gross
unrealized
gains

 

Gross
unrealized
losses

 

Net foreign
currency
gains (losses)

 

Carrying
value

 

Common equity securities

 

$

561.2

 

$

105.5

 

$

(1.5

)

$

1.8

 

$

667.0

 

Convertible fixed maturities

 

$

126.9

 

$

16.2

 

$

(.1

)

$

 

$

143.0

 

Other long-term investments

 

$

329.5

 

$

62.4

 

$

(13.0

)

$

(6.8

)

$

372.1

 

 

Other long-term investments

 

White Mountains holds investments in hedge funds and private equity funds, which are included in other long-term investments. The fair value of these investments has been estimated using the net asset value of the funds. At June 30, 2011, White Mountains held investments in 17 hedge funds and 33 private equity funds.  The decrease in the fair value of hedge funds and private equity funds is due to net redemptions during the period.   The largest investment in a single fund was $34.3 million at June 30, 2011. The following table summarizes investments in hedge funds and private equity interests by investment objective and sector at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 

 

 

June 30, 2011

 

December 31, 2010

 

Millions

 

Fair Value

 

Unfunded
Commitments

 

Fair Value

 

Unfunded
Commitments

 

Hedge funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long/short equity

 

$

51.1

 

$

 

$

50.4

 

$

 

Long/short credit & distressed

 

35.3

 

 

34.1

 

 

Long diversified strategies

 

23.8

 

 

24.0

 

 

Long/short equity REIT

 

14.9

 

 

25.2

 

 

Long/short equity activist

 

13.1

 

 

16.9

 

 

Long bank loan

 

.9

 

 

5.1

 

 

Total hedge funds

 

139.1

 

 

155.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private equity funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distressed residential real estate

 

34.3

 

 

49.2

 

 

Energy infrastructure & services

 

27.5

 

9.9

 

24.2

 

10.8

 

Multi-sector

 

26.8

 

9.1

 

26.0

 

10.6

 

Manufacturing/Industrial

 

14.1

 

 

17.9

 

 

Private equity secondaries

 

11.2

 

4.0

 

10.4

 

4.4

 

Real estate

 

9.8

 

4.2

 

9.1

 

4.6

 

International multi-sector, Europe

 

8.3

 

5.1

 

10.5

 

5.3

 

International multi-sector, Asia

 

3.8

 

2.7

 

4.9

 

2.7

 

Insurance

 

3.6

 

41.3

 

3.9

 

41.3

 

Venture capital

 

2.6

 

.5

 

2.2

 

1.0

 

Healthcare

 

2.4

 

7.0

 

1.5

 

8.0

 

Total private equity funds

 

144.4

 

83.8

 

159.8

 

88.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total hedge and private equity funds included in other long-term investments

 

$

283.5

 

$

83.8

 

$

315.5

 

$

88.7

 

 

Redemption of investments in certain hedge funds is subject to restrictions including lock-up periods where no redemptions or withdrawals are allowed, restrictions on redemption frequency and advance notice periods for redemptions.  Amounts requested for redemptions remain subject to market fluctuations until the redemption effective date, which generally falls at the end of the defined redemption period. The following summarizes the June 30, 2011 fair value of hedge funds subject to restrictions on redemption frequency and advance notice period requirements for investments in active hedge funds:

 

 

 

Notice Period

 

Millions
Redemption frequency

 

30-59 days
notice

 

60-89 days
notice

 

90-119 days
notice

 

120+ days
notice

 

Total

 

Monthly

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

5.7

 

$

5.7

 

Quarterly

 

27.7

 

32.9

 

20.1

 

 

80.7

 

Semi-annual

 

 

5.5

 

 

14.9

 

20.4

 

Annual

 

23.7

 

 

7.7

 

.9

 

32.3

 

Total

 

$

51.4

 

$

38.4

 

$

27.8

 

$

21.5

 

$

139.1

 

 

Certain of the hedge fund investments in which White Mountains is invested are no longer active and are in process of disposing of their underlying investments. Distributions from such funds are remitted to investors as the fund’s underlying investments are liquidated.  At June 30, 2011, distributions of $3.6 million were outstanding from these investments. The actual amount of the final distribution remittances remain subject to market fluctuations. The date at which such remittances will be received is not determinable at June 30, 2011.

 

White Mountains has also submitted redemption requests for certain of its investments in active hedge funds.  At June 30, 2011 redemptions of $2.2 million are outstanding. The date at which such remittances will be received is not determinable at June 30, 2011. Redemptions are recorded as receivables when approved by the hedge funds and no longer subject to market fluctuations.

 

Investments in private equity funds are generally subject to a “lock-up” period during which investors may not request a redemption. Distributions prior to the expected termination date of the fund may be limited to dividends or proceeds arising from the liquidation of the fund’s underlying investments. In addition, certain private equity funds provide an option to extend the lock-up period at either the sole discretion of the fund manager or upon agreement between the fund and the investors. At June 30, 2011, investments in private equity funds were subject to lock-up periods as follows:

 

Millions

 

1-3 years

 

3 – 5 years

 

5 – 10 years

 

>10 years

 

Total

 

Private Equity Funds — expected lock-up period remaining

 

$

50.8

 

$

 

$

79.5

 

$

14.1

 

$

144.4

 

 

Fair value measurements at June 30, 2011

 

White Mountains’ invested assets measured at fair value include fixed maturity securities, common and preferred equity securities, convertible fixed maturity securities and other long-term investments which primarily consist of hedge funds and private equity funds. Fair value measurements reflect management’s best estimate of the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements fall into a hierarchy with three levels based on the nature of the inputs. Fair value measurements based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets are at the top of the hierarchy (“Level 1”), followed by fair value measurements based on observable inputs that do not meet the criteria for Level 1, including quoted prices in inactive markets and quoted prices in active markets for similar, but not identical instruments (“Level 2”). Measurements based on unobservable inputs, including a reporting entity’s estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use are at the bottom of the hierarchy (“Level 3”).

 

White Mountains uses quoted market prices or other observable inputs to estimate fair value for the vast majority of its investment portfolio. Investments valued using Level 1 inputs include fixed maturities, primarily U.S. Treasury securities, publicly-traded common equities and short-term investments, which include U.S. Treasury Bills. Investments valued using Level 2 inputs consist of fixed maturities, including corporate debt, state and other government debt, convertible fixed maturity securities and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Fair value estimates for investments classified as Level 3 measurements include investments in hedge funds, private equity funds and certain investments in fixed maturities and common equity securities. Fair value measurements for securities for which observable inputs are unavailable are estimated using industry standard pricing models and observable inputs such as benchmark interest rates, matrix pricing, market comparables, broker quotes, issuer spreads, bids, offers, credit ratings, prepayment speeds and other relevant inputs. In circumstances where quoted prices or observable inputs are adjusted to reflect management’s best estimate of fair value, such fair value measurements are considered a lower level measurement in the fair value hierarchy.

 

White Mountains employs a number of procedures to assess the reasonableness of the fair value measurements for its other long-term investments, including obtaining and reviewing each fund’s audited financial statements and discussing each fund’s pricing with the fund’s manager. However, since the fund managers do not provide sufficient information to evaluate the pricing inputs and methods for each underlying investment, the inputs are considered to be unobservable. Accordingly, the fair values of White Mountains’ investments in hedge funds and private equity funds have been classified as Level 3 measurements. The fair value of White Mountains’ investments in hedge funds and private equity funds has been determined using net asset value.

 

In addition to the investments described above, White Mountains has $86.4 million and $77.8 million of investment-related liabilities recorded at fair value and included in other liabilities as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.  These liabilities relate to securities that have been sold short by limited partnerships in which White Mountains has investments and is required to consolidate under GAAP.  All of the liabilities included have a Level 1 designation.

 

Fair Value Measurements by Level

 

The following tables summarize White Mountains’ fair value measurements for investments at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, by level. The fair value measurements for derivative assets associated with White Mountains’ variable annuity reinsurance business are presented in Note 8.

 

 

 

June 30, 2011

 

Millions

 

Fair value

 

Level 1 Inputs

 

Level 2 Inputs

 

Level 3 Inputs

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Government and agency obligations

 

$

296.2

 

$

286.6

 

$

9.6

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities issued by corporations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer

 

708.6

 

 

708.6

 

 

Industrial

 

452.7

 

 

452.7

 

 

Financials

 

239.7

 

6.4

 

233.3

 

 

Communications

 

220.5

 

 

220.5

 

 

Energy

 

87.5

 

 

87.5

 

 

Basic materials

 

159.4

 

 

159.4

 

 

Utilities

 

141.9

 

 

141.9

 

 

Technology

 

22.5

 

 

22.5

 

 

Total debt securities issued by corporations:

 

2,032.8

 

6.4

 

2,026.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal obligations

 

3.3

 

 

3.3

 

 

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

 

2,308.0

 

 

2,255.2

 

52.8

 

Foreign government, agency and provincial obligations

 

831.5

 

83.9

 

747.6

 

 

Preferred stocks

 

87.1

 

 

16.9

 

70.2

 

Total fixed maturities

 

5,558.9

 

376.9

 

5,059.0

 

123.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

813.5

 

723.4

 

90.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financials

 

239.6

 

169.4

 

.6

 

69.6

 

Consumer

 

150.8

 

149.1

 

1.2

 

.5

 

Basic materials

 

91.7

 

90.5

 

1.2

 

 

Energy

 

64.6

 

64.6

 

 

 

Utilities

 

46.3

 

42.3

 

 

4.0

 

Technology

 

34.4

 

33.5

 

.9

 

 

Other

 

76.4

 

18.1

 

57.9

 

.4

 

Total common equity securities

 

703.8

 

567.5

 

61.8

 

74.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible fixed maturity investments

 

119.7

 

 

119.7

 

 

Other long-term investments(1) 

 

298.0

 

 

 

298.0

 

Total investments

 

$

7,493.9

 

$

1,667.8

 

$

5,330.6

 

$

495.5

 

 

 

(1)         Excludes carrying value of $35.3 associated with other long-term investment limited partnerships accounted for using the equity method.

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

Millions

 

Fair value

 

Level 1 Inputs

 

Level 2 Inputs

 

Level 3 Inputs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Government and agency obligations

 

$

398.7

 

$

388.9

 

$

9.8

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities issued by corporations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer

 

769.0

 

 

769.0

 

 

Industrial

 

511.3

 

 

511.3

 

 

Financials

 

265.8

 

6.3

 

259.5

 

 

Communications

 

226.3

 

 

226.3

 

 

Basic materials

 

125.3

 

 

125.3

 

 

Utilities

 

106.7

 

 

106.7

 

 

Energy

 

151.5

 

 

151.5

 

 

Technology

 

22.1

 

 

22.1

 

 

Total debt securities issued by corporations:

 

2,178.0

 

6.3

 

2,171.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal obligations

 

3.3

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

 

2,071.7

 

 

2,014.7

 

57.0

 

Foreign government, agency and provincial obligations

 

1,046.5

 

82.6

 

963.9

 

 

Preferred stocks

 

87.9

 

 

16.5

 

71.4

 

Total fixed maturities

 

5,786.1

 

477.8

 

5,179.9

 

128.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

975.3

 

878.7

 

96.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financials

 

221.6

 

152.6

 

1.2

 

67.8

 

Consumer

 

123.3

 

122.5

 

.8

 

 

Basic materials

 

98.8

 

97.1

 

1.7

 

 

Energy

 

60.2

 

60.2

 

 

 

Utilities

 

47.6

 

44.6

 

 

3.0

 

Technology

 

31.8

 

30.4

 

1.4

 

 

Other

 

83.7

 

30.5

 

52.8

 

.4

 

Total common equity securities

 

667.0

 

537.9

 

57.9

 

71.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible fixed maturity investments

 

143.0

 

 

143.0

 

 

Other long-term investments(1)

 

330.2

 

 

 

330.2

 

Total investments

 

$

7,901.6

 

$

1,894.4

 

$

5,477.4

 

$

529.8

 

 

 

(1)         Excludes carrying value of $41.9 associated with other long-term investment limited partnerships accounted for using the equity method.

 

Debt securities issued by corporations

 

The following table summarizes the ratings of the corporate debt securities held in White Mountains’ investment portfolio as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 

Millions

 

June 30, 2011

 

December 31, 2010

 

AAA

 

$

 

$

 

AA

 

114.2

 

210.0

 

A

 

846.1

 

833.7

 

BBB

 

1,050.0

 

1,109.1

 

BB

 

15.6

 

24.5

 

Other

 

6.9

 

.7

 

Debt securities issued by corporations

 

$

2,032.8

 

$

2,178.0

 

 

Mortgage-backed, Asset-backed Securities

 

White Mountains purchases commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities with the goal of maximizing risk adjusted returns in the context of a diversified portfolio. White Mountains’ non-agency commercial mortgage-backed portfolio (“CMBS”) is generally short tenor, fixed rate and structurally senior, with more than 20 points of subordination on average for fixed rate CMBS and more than 60 points of subordination on average for floating rate CMBS as of June 30, 2011.  In general, subordination represents the percentage principal loss on the underlying collateral that would be absorbed by other securities lower in the capital structure before the more senior security incurs any loss. White Mountains believes these levels of protection will mitigate the risk of loss tied to the refinancing challenges facing the commercial real estate market.  As of June 30, 2011, on average approximately 1% of the underlying loans were reported as non-performing for all non-agency CMBS held by White Mountains. White Mountains is not an originator of residential mortgage loans and did not hold any residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) categorized as sub-prime as of June 30, 2011.  White Mountains’ investments in hedge funds and private equities contain negligible amounts of sub-prime mortgage-backed securities at June 30, 2011. White Mountains considers sub-prime mortgage-backed securities as those that have underlying loan pools that exhibit weak credit characteristics, or those that are issued from dedicated sub-prime shelves or dedicated second-lien shelf registrations (i.e., White Mountains considers investments backed primarily by second-liens to be a sub-prime risk regardless of credit scores or other metrics).

 

White Mountains categorizes mortgage-backed securities as “non-prime” (also called “Alt A” or “A-”) if they are backed by collateral that has overall credit quality between prime and sub-prime based on White Mountains’ review of the characteristics of their underlying mortgage loan pools, such as credit scores and financial ratios. White Mountains’ non-agency residential mortgage-backed portfolio is generally of moderate average life and structurally senior. White Mountains does not own any collateralized debt obligations, including residential mortgage-backed collateralized debt obligations.

 

 

 

June 30, 2011

 

December 31, 2010

 

Millions

 

Fair Value

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Fair Value

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Mortgage-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GNMA

 

$

1,222.8

 

$

1,170.7

 

$

52.1

 

$

1,143.6

 

$

1,102.7

 

$

40.9

 

FNMA

 

264.4

 

263.7

 

.7

 

234.9

 

234.9

 

 

FHLMC

 

67.5

 

67.5

 

 

39.1

 

39.1

 

 

Total Agency(1)

 

1,554.7

 

1,501.9

 

52.8

 

1,417.6

 

1,376.7

 

40.9

 

Non-agency:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

108.1

 

108.1

 

 

90.6

 

74.5

 

16.1

 

Commercial

 

111.4

 

111.4

 

 

87.0

 

87.0

 

 

Total Non-agency

 

219.5

 

219.5

 

 

177.6

 

161.5

 

16.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total mortgage-backed securities

 

1,774.2

 

1,721.4

 

52.8

 

1,595.2

 

1,538.2

 

57.0

 

Other asset-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit card receivables

 

223.7

 

223.7

 

 

248.3

 

248.3

 

 

Vehicle receivables

 

285.8

 

285.8

 

 

228.1

 

228.1

 

 

Other

 

24.3

 

24.3

 

 

.1

 

.1

 

 

Total other asset-backed securities

 

533.8

 

533.8

 

 

476.5

 

476.5

 

 

Total mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

$

2,308.0

 

$

2,255.2

 

$

52.8

 

$

2,071.7

 

$

2,014.7

 

$

57.0

 

 

 

(1)         Represents publicly traded mortgage-backed securities which carry the full faith and credit guaranty of the U.S. government (i.e., GNMA) or are guaranteed by a government sponsored entity (i.e., FNMA, FHLMC).

 

Non-agency Mortgage-backed Securities

 

The security issuance years of White Mountains’ investments in non-agency RMBS and non-agency CMBS securities as of June 30, 2011 are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Security Issuance Year

 

Millions

 

Fair Value

 

2003

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

2010

 

2011

 

Non-agency RMBS

 

$

108.1

 

$

3.8

 

$

 

$

42.6

 

$

29.6

 

$

10.5

 

$

21.6

 

Non-agency CMBS

 

111.4

 

3.0

 

22.8

 

 

16.4

 

 

69.2

 

Total

 

$

219.5

 

$

6.8

 

$

22.8

 

$

42.6

 

$

46.0

 

$

10.5

 

$

90.8

 

 

Non-agency Residential Mortgage-backed Securities

 

The classification of the underlying collateral quality and the tranche levels of White Mountains non-agency RMBS securities are as follows as of June 30, 2011:

 

Millions

 

Fair Value

 

Super Senior (1)

 

Senior (2)

 

Subordinate(3)

 

Prime

 

$

90.1

 

$

27.2

 

$

62.9

 

$

 

Non-prime

 

18.0

 

17.1

 

.9

 

 

Sub-prime

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

108.1

 

$

44.3

 

$

63.8

 

$

 

 

 

(1)         At issuance, Super Senior were rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s or Aaa by Moody’s and were senior to other AAA or Aaa bonds.

(2)         At issuance, Senior were rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s and were senior to non-AAA bonds.

(3)         At issuance, Subordinate were not rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s and were junior to AAA bonds.

 

Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities

 

The amount of fixed and floating rate securities and their tranche levels of White Mountains’ non-agency CMBS securities are as follows as of June 30, 2011:

 

Millions

 

Fair Value

 

Super Senior (1)

 

Senior(2)

 

Subordinate(3)

 

Fixed rate CMBS

 

$

80.5

 

$

8.4

 

$

72.1

 

$

 

Floating rate CMBS

 

30.9

 

30.9

 

 

 

Total

 

$

111.4

 

$

39.3

 

$

72.1

 

$

 

 

 

(1)         At issuance, Super Senior were rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s and were senior to other AAA bonds.

(2)         At issuance, Senior were rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s or Aaa by Moody’s and were senior to non-AAA or non-Aaa bonds.

(3)         At issuance, Subordinate were not rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s and were junior to AAA bonds.

 

Rollforward of Fair Value Measurements by Level

 

White Mountains uses quoted market prices where available as the inputs to estimate fair value for its investments in active markets. Such measurements are considered to be either Level 1 or Level 2 measurements, depending on whether the quoted market price inputs are for identical securities (Level 1) or similar securities (Level 2). Level 3 measurements for fixed maturities, common equity securities, convertible fixed maturities and other long-term investments at June 30, 2011 are comprised of securities for which the estimated fair value has not been determined based upon quoted market price inputs for identical or similar securities.

 

The following table summarizes the changes in White Mountains’ fair value measurements by level for the six months ended June 30, 2011:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 3 Investments

 

 

 

Millions

 

Level 1
Investments

 

Level 2
Investments

 

Fixed
Maturities

 

Common
equity
securities

 

Convertible
fixed
maturities

 

Other long-
term
investments

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2011

 

$

1,894.4

 

$

5,477.4

 

$

128.4

 

$

71.2

 

$

 

$

330.2

(1)

$

7,901.6

(1)

Total realized and unrealized gains (losses)

 

21.9

 

38.8

 

(1.6

)

(1.6

)

 

13.5

 

71.0

 

Foreign currency gains (losses) through OCI and other revenue

 

6.6

 

65.7

 

 

1.0

 

 

5.5

 

78.8

 

Amortization/Accretion

 

2.3

 

(27.8

)

 

 

 

 

(25.5

)

Purchases

 

4,058.3

 

2,796.9

 

52.7

 

3.9

 

 

25.8

 

6,937.6

 

Sales

 

(4,315.7

)

(3,076.9

)

 

 

 

(77.0

)

(7,469.6

)

Transfers in

 

 

57.5

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

58.5

 

Transfers out

 

 

(1.0

)

(57.5

)

 

 

 

(58.5

)

Balance at June 30, 2011

 

$

1,667.8

 

$

5,330.6

 

$

123.0

 

$

74.5

 

$

 

$

298.0

(1)

$

7,493.9

(1)

 

 

(1)         Excludes carrying value of $35.3 and $41.9 at June 30, 2011 and January 1, 2011 associated with other long-term investment limited partnerships accounted for using the equity method.

 

Fair Value Measurements — transfers between levels - Six-month period ended June 30, 2011

 

During the first six months of 2011, three securities which had been classified as Level 3 measurements at January 1, 2011 were recategorized as Level 2 measurements because quoted market prices for similar securities that were considered reliable and could be validated against an alternative source were available at June 30, 2011. These measurements comprise “Transfers out” of Level 3 and “Transfers in” to Level 2 of $57.5 million in fixed maturities for the period ended June 30, 2011. One security that was classified as a Level 2 investment at January 1, 2011 was priced with unobservable inputs during the current period and represents the “Transfers in” of $1.0 million in Level 3 investments.  The fair value of this security was estimated using industry standard pricing models, in which management selected inputs using its best judgment.  The security is considered to be Level 3 because the measurements are not directly observable. At June 30, 2011, the estimated fair value for this security determined using the industry standard pricing models was $0.8 million less than the estimated fair value based upon quoted prices provided by a third party.