- Net income was $317 million, or $2.49 per share, for first quarter 2017, compared with $59 million, or $0.43 per share, for first quarter 2016.
- Operating income 1 (non-GAAP) was $273 million, or $2.14 per share, for first quarter 2017, compared with $123 million, or $0.89 per share, for first quarter 2016.
- Shareholders' equity per share, non-GAAP operating shareholders' equity 1 per share and non-GAAP adjusted book value 1 per share reached new records at $53.95, $52.51 and $71.51, respectively.
- Acquisition of MBIA UK Insurance Limited resulted in a benefit to net income and operating income of $57 million, or $0.45 per share, at the acquisition date.
- Gross written premiums and PVP 1 for first quarter 2017 were at their highest levels since 2010 at $111 million and $99 million, respectively.
- Share repurchases totaled $216 million, or 5.4 million shares, in first quarter 2017.
Assured Guaranty Ltd. (NYSE: AGO) (AGL and, together with its
consolidated entities, Assured Guaranty or the Company) announced today
its financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017
(first quarter 2017).
1 Please see “Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
When a financial measure is described as "operating," it is a non-GAAP
financial measure. Starting in fourth quarter 2016, based on the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) 2016 Compliance and
Disclosure Interpretations on non-GAAP financial measures, the Company
will no longer adjust for FG VIE consolidation in its non-GAAP financial
measures. The comparable non-GAAP financial measures for prior periods
have been updated to reflect the revised calculation. The Company has
separately disclosed the effect of FG VIE consolidation that is now
included in its non-GAAP financial measures.
|
Summary Financial Results
|
|
(in millions, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
317
|
|
|
$
|
59
|
|
Operating income (non-GAAP)(1)
|
|
273
|
|
|
123
|
|
Gain (loss) related to the effect of consolidating financial
guaranty variable interest entities (FG VIE consolidation) included
in operating income
|
|
5
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per diluted share
|
|
$
|
2.49
|
|
|
$
|
0.43
|
|
Operating income (non-GAAP)(1) per diluted share
|
|
2.14
|
|
|
0.89
|
|
Gain (loss) related to FG VIE consolidation included in operating
income per diluted share
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted shares
(2)
|
|
127.1
|
|
|
137.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross written premiums (GWP)
|
|
$
|
111
|
|
|
$
|
19
|
|
Present value of new business production (PVP)(1)
|
|
99
|
|
|
38
|
|
Gross par written
|
|
4,691
|
|
|
2,749
|
|
Summary Financial Results (continued)
|
|
(in millions, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2017
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
Per Share
|
|
Amount
|
|
Per Share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders' equity
|
|
$
|
6,637
|
|
|
$
|
53.95
|
|
|
$
|
6,504
|
|
|
$
|
50.82
|
|
|
Non-GAAP operating shareholders' equity(1)
|
|
6,460
|
|
|
52.51
|
|
|
6,386
|
|
|
49.89
|
|
|
Non-GAAP adjusted book value(1)
|
|
8,798
|
|
|
71.51
|
|
|
8,506
|
|
|
66.46
|
|
|
Gain (loss) related to FG VIE consolidation included in non-GAAP
operating shareholders' equity
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
Gain (loss) related to FG VIE consolidation included in non-GAAP
adjusted book value
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
(24
|
)
|
|
(0.18
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares outstanding
|
|
123.0
|
|
|
|
|
128.0
|
|
|
|
(1) Please see “Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end
of this press release. The prior year's quarterly non-GAAP financial
measures have been updated to reflect the revised calculation as
discussed in “Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
(2) Diluted shares for generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
net income and non-GAAP operating income were the same.
“Assured Guaranty is off to another strong start this year, with
outstanding first quarter results driven in part by our acquisition of
MBIA UK,” said Dominic Frederico, President and CEO. “New business
production was better than in any quarter since fourth quarter 2010,
with a strong performance by U.S. public finance, several major
international transactions and solid structured finance originations. We
advanced our capital management strategy by repurchasing $216 million in
common shares while, at the same time, improving our financial strength
by increasing our claims-paying resources by $391 million.”
First Quarter Results
GAAP Financial Information
Net income for first quarter 2017 was $317 million, compared with net
income of $59 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016
(first quarter 2016). The increase was primarily attributable to fair
value gains on credit derivatives, the acquisition of MBIA UK Insurance
Limited (MBIA UK), and a commutation gain upon the reassumption
of previously ceded contracts (recorded in other income).
Except for credit impairment, the fair value adjustments on credit
derivatives in the insured portfolio are non-economic adjustments that
reverse to zero over the remaining term of the portfolio. Fair value
gains on credit derivatives were $54 million in first quarter 2017, and
were generated primarily by terminations, price improvements on the
underlying collateral and the widening of the Company's credit spreads.
Fair value losses on credit derivatives in first quarter 2016 were $60
million, mainly due to the tightening of the Company's credit spreads,
and a decrease in the value of a hedge on another financial guarantor.
Net earned premiums were $164 million in first quarter 2017, compared
with $183 million in first quarter 2016. The decrease is due primarily
to lower accelerations, offset in part by net earned premiums in first
quarter 2017 attributable to recent acquisitions.
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
|
|
(in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earned premiums
|
|
$
|
164
|
|
|
$
|
183
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
122
|
|
|
99
|
|
|
Net realized investment gains (losses)
|
|
32
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
Net change in fair value of credit derivatives:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized gains (losses) and other settlements
|
|
15
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
Net unrealized gains (losses)
|
|
39
|
|
|
(68
|
)
|
|
Net change in fair value of credit derivatives
|
|
54
|
|
|
(60
|
)
|
|
Fair value gains (losses) on committed capital securities (CCS)
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
Fair value gains (losses) on FG VIEs
|
|
10
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
Bargain purchase gain and settlement of pre-existing relationships
|
|
58
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Other income (loss)
|
|
89
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
527
|
|
|
245
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss and loss adjustment expenses (LAE)
|
|
59
|
|
|
90
|
|
|
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs
|
|
4
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
24
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
Other operating expenses
|
|
68
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
155
|
|
|
180
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
372
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
|
|
55
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
317
|
|
|
$
|
59
|
|
Economic Loss Development
The economic development in first quarter 2017 was a loss of $47
million, primarily related to an increase in Puerto Rico expected
losses, partially offset by a $53 million benefit attributable to the
settlement of litigation associated with two triple-X transactions.
|
Roll Forward of Net Expected Loss to be Paid (1)
|
|
(in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Expected
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Expected
|
|
Loss to be
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss to be Paid
|
|
Paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Expected
|
|
|
|
(Recovered) as
|
|
on MBIA UK
|
|
Economic
|
|
|
|
Loss to be Paid
|
|
|
|
of
|
|
as of
|
|
Loss
|
|
|
|
(Recovered) as
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
January 10,
|
|
Development/
|
|
Losses (Paid)/
|
|
of March 31,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
|
|
(Benefit)
|
|
Recovered
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Public finance
|
|
$
|
904
|
|
|
$
|
13
|
|
|
$
|
119
|
|
|
$
|
(25
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,011
|
|
U.S. residential mortgage-backed securities
|
|
206
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(22
|
)
|
|
13
|
|
|
197
|
|
Other structured finance
|
|
88
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
(50
|
)
|
|
(10
|
)
|
|
36
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,198
|
|
|
$
|
21
|
|
|
$
|
47
|
|
|
$
|
(22
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,244
|
________________________________________________
(1) Economic loss development represents the change in net expected loss
to be paid attributable to the effects of changes in assumptions based
on observed market trends, changes in discount rates, accretion of
discount and the economic effects of loss mitigation efforts. Economic
loss development is the principal measure that the Company uses to
evaluate the loss experience in its insured portfolio. Expected loss to
be paid includes all transactions insured by the Company, whether
written in insurance or credit derivative form, regardless of the
accounting model prescribed under GAAP.
|
New Business Production
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Par
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Par
|
|
|
|
|
GWP
|
|
|
|
|
PVP(1)
|
|
|
|
|
Written
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GWP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PVP(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Written
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Public finance - U.S.
|
|
$
|
51
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
52
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,430
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
2,749
|
|
|
Public finance - non - U.S.
|
|
58
|
|
|
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
|
|
990
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Structured finance - U.S.
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
243
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Structured finance - non-U.S.
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
111
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
99
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
4,691
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
38
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
2,749
|
|
________________________________________________
(1) Please see “Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end
of this press release.
GWP include amounts collected upfront on new business written, the
present value of expected future premiums on new business written
(discounted at risk free rates), as well as the effects of changes in
the estimated lives of transactions in the inforce book of business. In
first quarter 2017, GWP increased to $111 million from $19 million in
first quarter 2016, due primarily to increased new business production
in U.S. and non-U.S. public finance.
U.S. public finance PVP increased in first quarter 2017 compared with
the comparable prior year period due to higher par written in both the
primary and secondary market, including one large U.S. infrastructure
transaction. During first quarter 2017 Assured Guaranty once again
guaranteed the majority of insured par issued and maintained an A-
average rating on new business written.
In the United Kingdom, the Company generated $40 million of public
finance PVP in first quarter 2017, compared with $7 million of PVP in
first quarter 2016. In first quarter 2017, the Company guaranteed two
university housing transactions and one hospital transaction, as well as
several secondary market utility transactions. The Company’s financial
guaranty product is competitive with other financing options in certain
segments of the infrastructure market. Future business activity will be
influenced by the typically long lead times for these types of
transaction.
Other Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Operating income was $273 million in first quarter 2017, compared with
operating income of $123 million in first quarter 2016. The higher
operating income was due primarily to the bargain purchase gain on the
acquisition of MBIA UK, a gain on the commutation of previously ceded
business included in other income, and lower operating loss and LAE. The
effects of FG VIE consolidation included in operating income (non-GAAP)
were gains of $5 million and $10 million in first quarter 2017 and 2016,
respectively. As discussed in "Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial
Measures," in fourth quarter 2016, the Company revised its calculation
of non-GAAP measures, in response to the SEC's May 17, 2016 release of
updated Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations of the rules and
regulations on the use of non-GAAP financial measures (the May 2016
C&DIs), to include FG VIE consolidation in its non-GAAP measures.
|
Common Share Repurchases
|
|
|
|
Summary of Share Repurchases
|
|
(in millions, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
Average Price
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
|
|
Per Share
|
|
2017 (January 1 - March 31)
|
|
$ 216
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ 39.83
|
|
2017 (April 1 - May 4)
|
|
53
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
38.13
|
|
Total 2017
|
|
269
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
39.49
|
From 2013 through May 4, 2017, the Company repurchased 75.4 million
common shares at an average price of $26.29, representing 39% of the
total shares outstanding at the beginning of the repurchase program in
2013. The remaining authorization is $280 million as of May 4, 2017.
These repurchases can be made from time to time in the open market or in
privately negotiated transactions.
As in the past, the Company's execution of its capital management
strategy is contingent upon its available free cash and the capital
position of the parent company, market conditions, the maintenance of
its strong financial strength ratings and other factors. The repurchase
program may be modified, extended or terminated by the board of
directors at any time. It does not have an expiration date.
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
|
|
(in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2017
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment portfolio:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value
|
|
$
|
10,479
|
|
|
$
|
10,233
|
|
Short-term investments, at fair value
|
|
689
|
|
|
590
|
|
Other invested assets
|
|
173
|
|
|
162
|
|
Total investment portfolio
|
|
11,341
|
|
|
10,985
|
|
Cash
|
|
147
|
|
|
118
|
|
Premiums receivable, net of commissions payable
|
|
876
|
|
|
576
|
|
Ceded unearned premium reserve
|
|
180
|
|
|
206
|
|
Deferred acquisition costs
|
|
106
|
|
|
106
|
|
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses
|
|
74
|
|
|
80
|
|
Salvage and subrogation recoverable
|
|
405
|
|
|
365
|
|
Credit derivative assets
|
|
9
|
|
|
13
|
|
Deferred tax asset, net
|
|
438
|
|
|
497
|
|
Current income tax receivable
|
|
—
|
|
|
12
|
|
FG VIE assets, at fair value
|
|
781
|
|
|
876
|
|
Other assets
|
|
318
|
|
|
317
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
14,675
|
|
|
$
|
14,151
|
|
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unearned premium reserve
|
|
$
|
3,827
|
|
|
$
|
3,511
|
|
Loss and LAE reserve
|
|
1,193
|
|
|
1,127
|
|
Reinsurance balances payable, net
|
|
52
|
|
|
64
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
1,307
|
|
|
1,306
|
|
Credit derivative liabilities
|
|
359
|
|
|
402
|
|
Current income tax payable
|
|
63
|
|
|
—
|
|
FG VIE liabilities with recourse, at fair value
|
|
721
|
|
|
807
|
|
FG VIE liabilities without recourse, at fair value
|
|
134
|
|
|
151
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
382
|
|
|
279
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
8,038
|
|
|
7,647
|
|
Shareholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
841
|
|
|
1,060
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
5,588
|
|
|
5,289
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
206
|
|
|
149
|
|
Deferred equity compensation
|
|
1
|
|
|
5
|
|
Total shareholders' equity
|
|
6,637
|
|
|
6,504
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
|
$
|
14,675
|
|
|
$
|
14,151
|
Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To reflect the key financial measures that management analyzes in
evaluating the Company’s operations and progress towards long-term
goals, the Company discloses both financial measures determined in
accordance with GAAP and financial measures not determined in accordance
with GAAP (non-GAAP financial measures).
Financial measures identified as non-GAAP should not be considered
substitutes for GAAP financial measures. The primary limitation of
non-GAAP financial measures is the potential lack of comparability to
financial measures of other companies, whose definitions of non-GAAP
financial measures may differ from those of Assured Guaranty. Beginning
in fourth quarter 2016, the Company’s publicly disclosed non-GAAP
financial measures are different from the financial measures used by
management in its decision making process and in its calculation of
certain components of management compensation (core financial measures).
The Company had previously excluded the effect of consolidating FG VIEs
(FG VIE consolidation) in its calculation of its non-GAAP financial
measures of operating income (non-GAAP), non-GAAP operating
shareholders’ equity and non-GAAP adjusted book value. Starting in
fourth quarter 2016, based on the May 2016 C&DIs, the Company will no
longer adjust for FG VIE consolidation. However, wherever possible, the
Company has separately disclosed the effect of FG VIE consolidation that
is included in its non-GAAP financial measures. The prior year's
quarterly non-GAAP financial measures have been updated to reflect the
revised calculation.
Management and the Board of Directors use core financial measures, which
are based on non-GAAP financial measures adjusted to remove FG VIE
consolidation, as well as GAAP financial measures and other factors, to
evaluate the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and
progress towards long-term goals. The Company removes FG VIE
consolidation in its core financial measures because, although GAAP
requires the Company to consolidate certain VIEs that have issued debt
obligations insured by the Company, the Company does not own such VIEs
and its exposure is limited to its obligation under its financial
guaranty insurance contract. By disclosing non-GAAP financial measures,
along with FG VIE consolidation, the Company gives investors, analysts
and financial news reporters access to information that management and
the Board of Directors review internally. Assured Guaranty believes its
presentation of non-GAAP financial measures and FG VIE consolidation
provides information that is necessary for analysts to calculate their
estimates of Assured Guaranty’s financial results in their research
reports on Assured Guaranty and for investors, analysts and the
financial news media to evaluate Assured Guaranty’s financial results.
Many investors, analysts and financial news reporters use non-GAAP
operating shareholders’ equity, adjusted for FG VIE consolidation, as
the principal financial measure for valuing AGL’s current share price or
projected share price and also as the basis of their decision to
recommend, buy or sell AGL’s common shares. Many of the Company’s fixed
income investors also use this measure to evaluate the Company’s capital
adequacy.
Many investors, analysts and financial news reporters also use non-GAAP
adjusted book value, adjusted for FG VIE consolidation, to evaluate
AGL’s share price and as the basis of their decision to recommend, buy
or sell the AGL common shares. Operating income adjusted for the effect
of FG VIE consolidation enables investors and analysts to evaluate the
Company’s financial results as compared with the consensus analyst
estimates distributed publicly by financial databases.
The core financial measures that are used to help determine compensation
are: (1) operating income, adjusted for FG VIE consolidation, (2)
non-GAAP operating shareholders' equity, adjusted for FG VIE
consolidation, (3) growth in non-GAAP adjusted book value per share,
adjusted for FG VIE consolidation, and (4) PVP.
The following paragraphs and tables define each non-GAAP financial
measure disclosed by the Company and describe why it is useful. A
reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure and the most directly
comparable GAAP financial measure is presented below.
Operating Income (non-GAAP)
Management believes that operating income is a useful measure because it
clarifies the understanding of the underwriting results and financial
condition of the Company and presents the results of operations of the
Company excluding the fair value adjustments on credit derivatives and
CCS that are not expected to result in economic gain or loss, as well as
other adjustments described below. Management adjusts operating income
further by removing FG VIE consolidation to arrive at its core operating
income measure. Operating income is defined as net income (loss)
attributable to AGL, as reported under GAAP, adjusted for the following:
1) Elimination of realized gains (losses) on the Company’s investments,
except for gains and losses on securities classified as trading. The
timing of realized gains and losses, which depends largely on market
credit cycles, can vary considerably across periods. The timing of sales
is largely subject to the Company’s discretion and influenced by market
opportunities, as well as the Company’s tax and capital profile.
2) Elimination of non-credit-impairment unrealized fair value gains
(losses) on credit derivatives, which is the amount of unrealized fair
value gains (losses) in excess of the present value of the expected
estimated economic credit losses, and non-economic payments. Such fair
value adjustments are heavily affected by, and in part fluctuate with,
changes in market interest rates, the Company's credit spreads, and
other market factors and are not expected to result in an economic gain
or loss.
3) Elimination of fair value gains (losses) on the Company’s CCS. Such
amounts are affected by changes in market interest rates, the Company's
credit spreads, price indications on the Company's publicly traded debt,
and other market factors and are not expected to result in an economic
gain or loss.
4) Elimination of foreign exchange gains (losses) on remeasurement of
net premium receivables and loss and LAE reserves. Long-dated
receivables and loss and LAE reserves represent the present value of
future contractual or expected cash flows. Therefore, the current
period’s foreign exchange remeasurement gains (losses) are not
necessarily indicative of the total foreign exchange gains (losses) that
the Company will ultimately recognize.
5) Elimination of the tax effects related to the above adjustments,
which are determined by applying the statutory tax rate in each of the
jurisdictions that generate these adjustments.
|
Summary Reconciliation of
|
|
GAAP Net Income to Operating Income (non-GAAP) (1)
|
|
(in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
317
|
|
|
$
|
59
|
|
|
Less pre-tax adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized gains (losses) on investments
|
|
32
|
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
Non-credit impairment unrealized fair value gains (losses) on credit
derivatives
|
|
25
|
|
|
(60
|
)
|
|
Fair value gains (losses) on CCS
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
Foreign exchange gains (losses) on remeasurement of premiums
receivable and loss and LAE reserves
|
|
10
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
Total pre-tax adjustments
|
|
65
|
|
|
(92
|
)
|
|
Less tax effect on pre-tax adjustments
|
|
(21
|
)
|
|
28
|
|
|
Operating income (non-GAAP)
|
|
$
|
273
|
|
|
$
|
123
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain (loss) related to FG VIE consolidation (net of tax provision
of $2 and $5) included in operating income
|
|
$
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
10
|
|
________________________________________________
(1) The non-GAAP financial measures presented in the table above should
not be considered a substitute for financial results and measures
determined or calculated in accordance with GAAP. The prior-year
non-GAAP financial measures have been updated to reflect the revised
calculation as discussed above.
|
Operating Income Adjustments and
|
|
Effect of FG VIE Consolidation
|
|
(in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2017
|
|
March 31, 2016
|
|
|
|
Operating
|
|
Effect of FG
|
|
Operating
|
|
Effect of FG
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
VIE
|
|
Income
|
|
VIE
|
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
Consolidation
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
Consolidation
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
(2)
|
|
(1)
|
|
(2)
|
|
Adjustments to revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earned premiums
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
(4
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
(5
|
)
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
1
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
Net realized investment gains (losses)
|
|
32
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Net change in fair value of credit derivatives
|
|
43
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(55
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Fair value gains (losses) on CCS
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Fair value gains (losses) on FG VIEs
|
|
—
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
Other income (loss)
|
|
10
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
0
|
|
|
Total revenue adjustments
|
|
83
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
(85
|
)
|
|
8
|
|
|
Adjustments to expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss expense
|
|
18
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
6
|
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
Other operating expenses
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Total expense adjustments
|
|
18
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
7
|
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
Pre-tax adjustments
|
|
65
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
(92
|
)
|
|
15
|
|
|
Tax effect of adjustments
|
|
21
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
(28
|
)
|
|
5
|
|
|
After-tax adjustments
|
|
$
|
44
|
|
|
$
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
(64
|
)
|
|
$
|
10
|
|
________________________________________________
(1) The "Operating Income Adjustments" column represents the amounts
recorded in the consolidated statements of operations that the Company
removes to arrive at operating income.
(2) The "Effect of FG VIE Consolidation" column represents the amounts
included in the consolidated statements of operations and operating
income (non-GAAP) that the Company removes to arrive at the core
financial measures that management uses in certain of its compensation
calculations and its decision making process.
Non-GAAP Operating Shareholders’ Equity and Non-GAAP Adjusted Book
Value
Management believes that non-GAAP operating shareholders’ equity is a
useful measure because it presents the equity of the Company excluding
the fair value adjustments on investments, credit derivatives and CCS,
that are not expected to result in economic gain or loss, along with
other adjustments described below. Management adjusts non-GAAP operating
shareholders’ equity further by removing FG VIE consolidation to arrive
at its core operating shareholders' equity and core adjusted book value.
Non-GAAP operating shareholders’ equity is the basis of the calculation
of non-GAAP adjusted book value (see below). Non-GAAP operating
shareholders’ equity is defined as shareholders’ equity attributable to
AGL, as reported under GAAP, adjusted for the following:
1) Elimination of non-credit-impairment unrealized fair value gains
(losses) on credit derivatives, which is the amount of unrealized fair
value gains (losses) in excess of the present value of the expected
estimated economic credit losses, and non-economic payments. Such fair
value adjustments are heavily affected by, and in part fluctuate with,
changes in market interest rates, credit spreads and other market
factors and are not expected to result in an economic gain or loss.
2) Elimination of fair value gains (losses) on the Company’s CCS. Such
amounts are affected by changes in market interest rates, the Company's
credit spreads, price indications on the Company's publicly traded debt,
and other market factors and are not expected to result in an economic
gain or loss.
3) Elimination of unrealized gains (losses) on the Company’s investments
that are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive
income (AOCI) (excluding foreign exchange remeasurement). The AOCI
component of the fair value adjustment on the investment portfolio is
not deemed economic because the Company generally holds these
investments to maturity and therefore should not recognize an economic
gain or loss.
4) Elimination of the tax asset or liability related to the above
adjustments, which are determined by applying the statutory tax rate in
each of the jurisdictions that generate these adjustments.
Management uses non-GAAP adjusted book value, adjusted for FG VIE
consolidation, to measure the intrinsic value of the Company, excluding
franchise value. Growth in non-GAAP adjusted book value per share
adjusted for FG VIE consolidation (core adjusted book value) is one of
the key financial measures used in determining the amount of certain
long-term compensation elements to management and employees and used by
rating agencies and investors. Management believes that this is a useful
measure because it enables an evaluation of the net present value of the
Company’s in-force premiums and revenues net of expected losses.
Non-GAAP adjusted book value is non-GAAP operating shareholders’ equity,
as defined above, further adjusted for the following:
1) Elimination of deferred acquisition costs, net. These amounts
represent net deferred expenses that have already been paid or accrued
and will be expensed in future accounting periods.
2) Addition of the net present value of estimated net future revenue on
non financial guaranty contracts. See below.
3) Addition of the deferred premium revenue on financial guaranty
contracts in excess of expected loss to be expensed, net of reinsurance.
This amount represents the expected future net earned premiums, net of
expected losses to be expensed, which are not reflected in GAAP equity.
4) Elimination of the tax asset or liability related to the above
adjustments, which are determined by applying the statutory tax rate in
each of the jurisdictions that generate these adjustments.
The unearned premiums and revenues included in non-GAAP adjusted book
value will be earned in future periods, but actual earnings may differ
materially from the estimated amounts used in determining current
non-GAAP adjusted book value due to changes in foreign exchange rates,
prepayment speeds, terminations, credit defaults and other factors.
|
Reconciliation of GAAP Shareholders' Equity to
|
|
Non-GAAP Operating Shareholders' Equity (1) and Non-GAAP Adjusted
Book Value (1)
|
|
(in millions, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders' equity
|
|
$
|
6,637
|
|
|
$
|
6,504
|
|
|
Less pre-tax adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-credit impairment unrealized fair value gains (losses) on credit
derivatives
|
|
(164
|
)
|
|
(189
|
)
|
|
Fair value gains (losses) on CCS
|
|
60
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment portfolio excluding foreign
exchange effect
|
|
380
|
|
|
316
|
|
|
Less taxes
|
|
(99
|
)
|
|
(71
|
)
|
|
Non-GAAP operating shareholders' equity
|
|
6,460
|
|
|
6,386
|
|
|
Pre-tax adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: Deferred acquisition costs
|
|
106
|
|
|
106
|
|
|
Plus: Net present value of estimated net future revenue
|
|
153
|
|
|
136
|
|
|
Plus: Net unearned premium reserve on financial guaranty contracts
in excess of expected loss to be expensed
|
|
3,236
|
|
|
2,922
|
|
|
Plus taxes
|
|
(945
|
)
|
|
(832
|
)
|
|
Non-GAAP adjusted book value
|
|
$
|
8,798
|
|
|
$
|
8,506
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain (loss) related to FG VIE consolidation included in non-GAAP
operating shareholders' equity (net of tax benefit of $2 and $4)
|
|
$
|
(3
|
)
|
|
$
|
(7
|
)
|
|
Gain (loss) related to FG VIE consolidation included in non-GAAP
adjusted book value (net of tax benefit of $12 and $12)
|
|
$
|
(20
|
)
|
|
$
|
(24
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares outstanding at the end of the period
|
|
123.0
|
|
|
128.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders' equity
|
|
$
|
53.95
|
|
|
$
|
50.82
|
|
|
Non-GAAP operating shareholders' equity
|
|
52.51
|
|
|
49.89
|
|
|
Non-GAAP adjusted book value
|
|
71.51
|
|
|
66.46
|
|
________________________________________________
(1) The non-GAAP financial measures presented in the table above should
not be considered a substitute for financial results and measures
determined or calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Net Present Value of Estimated Net Future Revenue
Management believes that this amount is a useful measure because it
enables an evaluation of the value of future estimated revenue. There is
no corresponding GAAP financial measure. This amount represents the
present value of estimated future revenue from the Company’s
non-financial guaranty contracts, net of reinsurance, ceding commissions
and premium taxes, for contracts without expected economic losses, and
is discounted at 6%. Estimated net future revenue may change from period
to period due to changes in foreign exchange rates, prepayment speeds,
terminations, credit defaults or other factors that affect par
outstanding or the ultimate maturity of an obligation.
PVP or Present Value of New Business Production
Management believes that PVP is a useful measure because it enables the
evaluation of the value of new business production for the Company by
taking into account the value of estimated future installment premiums
on all new contracts underwritten in a reporting period as well as
premium supplements and additional installment premium on existing
contracts as to which the issuer has the right to call the insured
obligation but has not exercised such right, whether in insurance or
credit derivative contract form, which management believes GAAP gross
written premiums and the net credit derivative premiums received and
receivable portion of net realized gains and other settlements on credit
derivatives (Credit Derivative Realized Gains (Losses)) do not
adequately measure. PVP in respect of contracts written in a specified
period is defined as gross upfront and installment premiums received and
the present value of gross estimated future installment premiums,
discounted, in each case, at 6%. For purposes of the PVP calculation,
management discounts estimated future installment premiums on insurance
contracts at 6%. Under GAAP, financial guaranty installment premiums are
discounted at a risk free rate. Additionally, under GAAP, management
records future installment premiums on financial guaranty insurance
contracts covering non-homogeneous pools of assets based on the
contractual term of the transaction, whereas for PVP purposes,
management records an estimate of the future installment premiums the
Company expects to receive, which may be based upon a shorter period of
time than the contractual term of the transaction. Actual future net
earned or written premiums and Credit Derivative Realized Gains (Losses)
may differ from PVP due to factors including, but not limited to,
changes in foreign exchange rates, prepayment speeds, terminations,
credit defaults, or other factors that affect par outstanding or the
ultimate maturity of an obligation.
|
Reconciliation of GWP to PVP (1)
|
|
(in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2017
|
|
|
|
Public Finance
|
|
Structured Finance
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S.
|
|
Non - U.S.
|
|
U.S.
|
|
Non - U.S.
|
|
Total
|
|
GWP
|
|
$
|
51
|
|
|
$
|
58
|
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
111
|
|
Less: Installment GWP and other GAAP adjustments(2)
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
56
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
57
|
|
Plus: Financial guaranty installment premium PVP
|
|
—
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
38
|
|
Plus: PVP of non-financial guaranty insurance
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
7
|
|
PVP
|
|
$
|
52
|
|
|
$
|
40
|
|
|
$
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
2
|
|
|
$
|
99
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2016
|
|
|
|
Public Finance
|
|
Structured Finance
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S.
|
|
Non - U.S.
|
|
U.S.
|
|
Non - U.S.
|
|
Total
|
|
GWP
|
|
$
|
15
|
|
|
$
|
8
|
|
|
$
|
(3
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1
|
)
|
|
$
|
19
|
|
|
Less: Installment GWP and other GAAP adjustments(2)
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
8
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(12
|
)
|
|
Plus: Financial guaranty installment premium PVP
|
|
—
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
Plus: PVP of non-financial guaranty insurance
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
PVP
|
|
$
|
31
|
|
|
$
|
7
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
38
|
|
________________________________________________
(1) The non-GAAP financial measures presented in the table above should
not be considered a substitute for financial results and measures
determined or calculated in accordance with GAAP.
(2) Includes present value of new business on installment policies, GWP
adjustment on existing installment policies due to changes in
assumptions, any cancellations of assumed reinsurance contracts, and
other GAAP adjustments.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
The Company will host a conference call for investors at 8:00 a.m.
Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Atlantic Time) on Friday, May 5, 2017. The
conference call will be available via live and archived webcast in the
Investor Information section of the Company's website at
AssuredGuaranty.com
or by dialing 1-877-281-1545 (in the U.S.) or 1-412-902-6609
(International). A replay of the call will be made available through
August 5, 2017. To listen to the replay, dial 1-877-344-7529 (in the
U.S.) or 1-412-317-0088 (International), passcode 10106054. The replay
will be available one hour after the conference call ends.
Please refer to Assured Guaranty's March 31, 2017 Financial Supplement,
which is posted on the Company's website at
assuredguaranty.com/investor-information/by-company/assured-guaranty-ltd,
for more information on the Company's financial guaranty portfolio
investment portfolio and other items. The Company is also posting on the
same page of its website:
-
“Public Finance Transactions in 1Q 2017,” which lists the U.S. public
finance new issues insured by the Company in first quarter 2017, and
-
“Structured Finance Transactions at March 31, 2017,” which lists the
Company's structured finance exposure as of that date.
In addition, the Company is posting at
assuredguaranty.com/presentations
the “March 31, 2017 Equity Investor Presentation.” Furthermore, the
Company's separate-company subsidiary financial supplements and its
Fixed Income Presentation for the current quarter will be posted on the
Company's website when available. Those documents will be furnished to
the Securities and Exchange Commission in a Current Report on Form 8-K.
Assured Guaranty Ltd. is a publicly traded (NYSE: AGO) Bermuda-based
holding company. Its operating subsidiaries provide credit enhancement
products to the U.S. and international public finance, infrastructure
and structured finance markets. More information on Assured Guaranty
Ltd. and its subsidiaries can be found at
AssuredGuaranty.com
.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Any forward-looking statements made in this press release reflect the
Company's current views with respect to future events and financial
performance and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements
involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ
materially from those set forth in these statements. For example,
Assured Guaranty's calculations of non-GAAP adjusted book value, PVP,
net present value of estimated future installment premiums in force and
total estimated net future premium earnings and statements regarding its
capital position and demand for its insurance and other forward-looking
statements could be affected by reduction in the amount of available
insurance opportunities and/or in the demand for Assured Guaranty's
insurance; rating agency action, including a ratings downgrade, a change
in outlook, the placement of ratings on watch for downgrade, or a change
in rating criteria, at any time, of AGL or any of its subsidiaries,
and/or of any securities AGL or any of its subsidiaries have issued,
and/or of transactions that AGL’s subsidiaries have insured;
developments in the world’s financial and capital markets that adversely
affect obligors’ payment rates, Assured Guaranty’s loss experience, or
its exposure to refinancing risk in transactions (which could result in
substantial liquidity claims on its guarantees); the possibility that
budget or pension shortfalls or other factors will result in credit
losses or impairments on obligations of state, territorial and local
governments and their related authorities and public corporations that
Assured Guaranty insures or reinsures; the failure of Assured Guaranty
to realize loss recoveries that are assumed in its expected loss
estimates; increased competition, including from new entrants into the
financial guaranty industry; rating agency action on obligors, including
sovereign debtors, resulting in a reduction in the value of securities
in Assured Guaranty's investment portfolio and in collateral posted by
and to Assured Guaranty; the inability of Assured Guaranty to access
external sources of capital on acceptable terms; changes in the world’s
credit markets, segments thereof, interest rates or general economic
conditions; the impact of market volatility on the mark-to-market of
Assured Guaranty’s contracts written in credit default swap form;
changes in applicable accounting policies or practices; changes in
applicable laws or regulations, including insurance, bankruptcy and tax
laws, or other governmental actions; the impact of changes in the
world’s economy and credit and currency markets and in applicable laws
or regulations relating to the decision of the United Kingdom to exit
the European Union; the possibility that acquisitions or alternative
investments made by Assured Guaranty do not result in the benefits
anticipated or subject Assured Guaranty to unanticipated consequences;
deterioration in the financial condition of Assured Guaranty’s
reinsurers, the amount and timing of reinsurance recoverables actually
received and the risk that reinsurers may dispute amounts owed to
Assured Guaranty under its reinsurance agreements; difficulties with the
execution of Assured Guaranty’s business strategy; loss of key
personnel; the effects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures;
natural or man-made catastrophes; other risk factors identified in AGL's
filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; other risks
and uncertainties that have not been identified at this time; and
management’s response to these factors. Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are made as of May 4, 2017, and Assured
Guaranty undertakes no obligation to update publicly or review any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.