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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP INC
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
For the Quarterly Period Ended
Commission File
No. 1-13653
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Incorporated under
the Laws of Ohio
IRS Employer I.D.
No. 31-1544320
One East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days. Yes X No
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a
smaller reporting company:
Large Accelerated Filer X Accelerated Filer Non-Accelerated Filer Smaller Reporting Company
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company. Yes No X
As of August 1, 2008, there were 115,193,710 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock outstanding, excluding
14.9 million shares owned by subsidiaries.
Part I - Financial Information
Item 1 - Financial Statements:
Consolidated Statement of Earnings
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure of Market Risk
Item 4 - Controls and Procedures
Part II - Other Information
Item 2 - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Item 6 - Exhibits
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
ITEM I - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (unaudited)
Fixed maturities:
Available for sale - at fair value
(amortized cost - $15,767.3 and $15,188.1)
Trading - at fair value
Equity securities - at fair value
(cost - $734.6 and $914.5)
Policy loans
Real estate and other investments
Total cash and investments
Recoverables from reinsurers and prepaid
reinsurance premiums
Agents' balances and premiums receivable
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
$26,157.6
Liabilities and Capital:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
$ 6,221.7
Annuity benefits accumulated
Life, accident and health reserves
Payable to reinsurers
Variable annuity liabilities (separate accounts)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
Common Stock, no par value
- 200,000,000 shares authorized
- 115,066,902 and 113,499,080 shares outstanding
Capital surplus
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),
net of tax
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS (unaudited)
Six months ended
Property and casualty insurance premiums
Life, accident and health premiums
Realized gains (losses) on securities
Property and casualty insurance:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
Commissions and other underwriting
Annuity benefits
Life, accident and health benefits
Annuity and supplemental insurance
acquisition expenses
Interest charges on borrowed money
Other operating and general expenses
Operating earnings before income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net operating earnings
Minority interest expense
Earnings from continuing operations
Discontinued operations, net of tax
Net Earnings
Basic earnings per Common Share:
Continuing operations
Net earnings available to Common Shares
Diluted earnings per Common Share:
Average number of Common Shares:
Cash dividends per Common Share
$.125
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (unaudited)
Accumulated
and Capital
Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2007
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Change in unrealized gain (loss)
on securities
Change in foreign currency translation
Change in unrealized pension and other
Postretirement benefits
Total comprehensive income (loss)
Dividends on Common Stock
Shares issued:
Redemption of convertible notes
Exercise of stock options
Other benefits plans
Other stock-based compensation expense
Shares acquired and retired
Shares tendered in option exercises
Capital transactions of subsidiaries
Balance at June 30, 2008
($271.1)
Cumulative effect of accounting change
Other benefit plans
(.3)
($ 41.7)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
Adjustments:
Realized (gains) losses on investing activities
Net purchases/sales of trading securities
Deferred annuity and life policy acquisition costs
Decrease (increase) in reinsurance and other receivables
Increase in other assets
Increase in insurance claims and reserves
Decrease in payable to reinsurers
Decrease in other liabilities
Purchases of and additional investments in:
Fixed maturity investments
Real estate, property and equipment
Maturities and redemptions of fixed maturity investments
Sales of:
Decrease in securities lending collateral
Cash and cash equivalents of businesses acquired
Increase in other investments
Annuity receipts
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals
Net transfers from variable annuity assets
Additional long-term borrowings
Reductions of long-term debt
Decrease in securities lending obligation
Issuances of Common Stock
Repurchases of Common Stock
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock
Net cash provided by financing activities
INDEX TO NOTES
Acquisitions of Subsidiaries
Segments of Operations
Condensed Consolidating Information
Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements for American Financial Group, Inc. ("AFG") and subsidiaries are unaudited; however, management believes that all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals unless otherwise disclosed herein) necessary for fair presentation have been made. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and therefore do not include all information and footnotes necessary to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years to conform to the current year's presentation. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. All acquisitions have been treated as purchases. The results of operations of companies since their formation or acquisition are included in the consolidated financial statements.
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Changes in circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimates.
Fair Value Measurements Effective January 1, 2008, AFG adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements." SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The standard establishes a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability ("inputs") are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect AFG's assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. In 2008, the FASB delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonrecurring fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and liabilities until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. Adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a significant impact on AFG's financial condition or results of operations.
Investments Fixed maturity and equity securities classified as "available for sale" are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in a separate component of shareholders' equity. Fixed maturity and equity securities classified as "trading" are reported at fair value with changes in unrealized holding gains or losses during the period included in investment income. Loans receivable are carried primarily at the aggregate unpaid balance.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
Premiums and discounts on fixed maturity securities are amortized using the interest method; mortgage-backed securities are amortized over a period based on estimated future principal payments, including prepayments. Prepayment assumptions are reviewed periodically and adjusted to reflect actual prepayments and changes in expectations.
Gains or losses on securities are determined on the specific identification basis. When a decline in the value of a specific investment is considered to be other than temporary at the balance sheet date, a provision for impairment is charged to earnings (included in realized gains (losses)) and the cost basis of that investment is reduced.
Certain AFG subsidiaries loan fixed maturity and equity securities to other institutions for short periods of time. The borrower is required to provide collateral on which AFG earns investment income, net of a fee to the lending agent. AFG records the collateral held (included in other assets) in its Balance Sheet at fair value. The obligation to return the collateral is included in other liabilities. The securities loaned remain a recorded asset on AFG's Balance Sheet. The fair value of collateral held was approximately $108 million at June 30, 2008, and $139 million at December 31, 2007. The fair value of securities loaned plus accrued interest was approximately $113 million and $139 million at those dates.
Derivatives Derivatives included in AFG's Balance Sheet are recorded at fair value and consist primarily of (i) components of certain fixed maturity securities and (ii) the equity-based component of certain annuity products (included in annuity benefits accumulated) and related call options (included in other investments) designed to be consistent with the characteristics of the liabilities and used to mitigate the risk embedded in those annuity products. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are included in current earnings.
Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of cost of subsidiaries over AFG's equity in their underlying net assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an impairment test at least annually.
Reinsurance Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policies. AFG's property and casualty insurance subsidiaries report as assets (a) the estimated reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses, including an estimate for losses incurred but not reported, and (b) amounts paid to reinsurers applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. Payable to reinsurers includes ceded premiums due to reinsurers as well as ceded premiums retained by AFG's property and casualty insurance subsidiaries under contracts to fund ceded losses as they become due. AFG's insurance subsidiaries also assume reinsurance from other companies. Income on reinsurance assumed is recognized based on reports received from ceding companies.
Certain annuity and supplemental insurance subsidiaries cede life insurance policies to a third party on a funds withheld basis whereby the subsidiaries retain the assets (securities) associated with the reinsurance contracts. Interest is credited to the reinsurer based on the actual investment performance of the retained assets. These reinsurance contracts are considered to contain embedded derivatives (that must be adjusted to fair value) because the yield on the payables is based on specific blocks of the ceding companies'
assets, rather than the overall creditworthiness of the ceding company. AFG determined that changes in the fair value of the underlying portfolios of fixed maturity securities is an appropriate measure of the value of the embedded derivative. The securities related to these transactions are classified as "trading." The adjustment to fair value on the embedded derivatives offsets the investment income recorded on the adjustment to fair value of the related trading portfolios.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DPAC") Policy acquisition costs (principally commissions, premium taxes and other marketing and underwriting expenses) related to the production of new business are deferred. For the property and casualty companies, DPAC is limited based upon recoverability without any consideration for anticipated investment income and is charged against income ratably over the terms of the related policies. A premium deficiency is recognized if the sum of expected claims costs, claims adjustment expenses, unamortized acquisition costs and policy maintenance costs exceed the related unearned premiums. A premium deficiency would first be recognized by charging any unamortized acquisition costs to expense to the extent required to eliminate the deficiency. If the premium deficiency was greater than unamortized acquisition costs, a liability would be accrued for the excess deficiency and reported with unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses.
DPAC related to annuities and universal life insurance products is deferred to the extent deemed recoverable and amortized, with interest, in relation to the present value of actual and expected gross profits on the policies. To the extent that realized gains and losses result in adjustments to the amortization of DPAC related to annuities, such adjustments are reflected as components of realized gains. DPAC related to annuities is also adjusted, net of tax, for the change in amortization that would have been recorded if the unrealized gains (losses) from securities had actually been realized. This adjustment is included in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, a component of "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax" in the shareholders' equity section of the Balance Sheet.
DPAC related to traditional life and health insurance is amortized over the expected premium paying period of the related policies, in proportion to the ratio of annual premium revenues to total anticipated premium revenues.
DPAC includes the present value of future profits on business in force of annuity and supplemental insurance companies acquired ("PVFP"). PVFP represents the portion of the costs to acquire companies that is allocated to the value of the right to receive future cash flows from insurance contracts existing at the date of acquisition. PVFP is amortized with interest in relation to expected gross profits of the acquired policies for annuities and universal life products and in relation to the premium paying period for traditional life and health insurance products.
Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses The net liabilities stated for unpaid claims and for expenses of investigation and adjustment of unpaid claims are based upon (a) the accumulation of case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting period on direct business written; (b) estimates received from ceding reinsurers and insurance pools and associations; (c) estimates of unreported losses (including possible development on known claims) based on past experience; (d) estimates based on experience of expenses for investigating and adjusting claims; and (e) the current state of the law and coverage litigation. Establishing reserves for asbestos, environmental and other mass tort claims involves considerably more judgment than other types of
claims due to, among other things, inconsistent court decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, novel theories of coverage, and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage.
Loss reserve liabilities are subject to the impact of changes in claim amounts and frequency and other factors. Changes in estimates of the liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reflected in the Statement of Earnings in the period in which determined. Despite the variability inherent in such estimates, management believes that the liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are adequate.
Annuity Benefits Accumulated Annuity receipts and benefit payments are recorded as increases or decreases in "annuity benefits accumulated" rather than as revenue and expense. Increases in this liability for interest credited are charged to expense and decreases for surrender charges are credited to other income.
Life, Accident and Health Reserves Liabilities for future policy benefits under traditional life, accident and health policies are computed using the net level premium method. Computations are based on the original projections of investment yields, mortality, morbidity and surrenders and include provisions for unfavorable deviations. Reserves established for accident and health claims are modified as necessary to reflect actual experience and developing trends.
Variable Annuity Assets and Liabilities Separate accounts related to variable annuities represent the fair value of deposits invested in underlying investment funds on which AFG earns a fee. Investment funds are selected and may be changed only by the policyholder, who retains all investment risk.
Premium Recognition Property and casualty premiums are earned generally over the terms of the policies on a pro rata basis. Unearned premiums represent that portion of premiums written which is applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. On reinsurance assumed from other insurance companies or written through various underwriting organizations, unearned premiums are based on reports received from such companies and organizations. For traditional life, accident and health products, premiums are recognized as revenue when legally collectible from policyholders. For interest-sensitive life and universal life products, premiums are recorded in a policyholder account, which is reflected as a liability. Revenue is recognized as amounts are assessed against the policyholder account for mortality coverage and contract expenses.
Minority Interest For Balance Sheet purposes, minority interest represents the interests of noncontrolling shareholders in consolidated entities. In the Statement of Earnings, minority interest expense represents such shareholders' interest in the earnings of those entities.
Income Taxes Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates. Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not that a benefit will be realized.
AFG records a liability for the inherent uncertainty in quantifying its income tax provisions. Related interest and penalties are recognized as a component of tax expense.
AFG implemented FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109)" ("FIN 48") on
January 1, 2007. FIN 48 sets forth criteria for recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 requires that companies recognize the impact of a tax position if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest, penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure. The cumulative effect of applying FIN 48 was recorded as a reduction to retained earnings at January 1, 2007 and is shown separately in the Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity.
Stock-Based Compensation All share-based grants are recognized as compensation expense over their vesting periods based on their calculated "fair value" at the date of grant. AFG uses the Black-Scholes pricing model to measure the fair value of employee stock options. See Note G - "Shareholders' Equity" for further information on stock options.
Benefit Plans AFG provides retirement benefits to qualified employees of participating companies through the AFG Retirement and Savings Plan, a defined contribution plan. AFG makes all contributions to the retirement fund portion of the plan and matches a percentage of employee contributions to the savings fund. Company contributions are expensed in the year for which they are declared.
AFG and many of its subsidiaries provide health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retirees. AFG also provides postemployment benefits to former or inactive employees (primarily those on disability) who were not deemed retired under other company plans. The projected future cost of providing these benefits is expensed over the period employees earn such benefits.
Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The calculation of diluted earnings per share includes (in millions):
Adjustments to net earnings:
Dilution of majority-owned subsidiaries
($.4)
Assumed issuance of shares under
Adjustments to weighted average
common shares:
Stock-based compensation plans
Convertible notes
AFG's weighted average diluted shares outstanding excludes the following anti-dilutive potential common shares related to stock compensation plans: second quarter of 2008 and 2007 - 4.4 million and 1.3 million; six months of 2008 and 2007 - 4.1 million and .9 million, respectively.
Statement of Cash Flows For cash flow purposes, "investing activities" are defined as making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments and property and equipment. "Financing activities" include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on their investments, borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed. Annuity receipts, benefits and withdrawals are also reflected as financing activities. All other activities are considered "operating." Short-term investments having original maturities of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents for purposes of the financial statements.
Marketform Group In January 2008, AFG paid $75 million in cash (including transaction costs) to acquire approximately 67% of Marketform Group Limited, an agency that focuses on medical malpractice and other specialty property and casualty insurance products outside of the United States using a Lloyd's platform. As part of the acquisition, AFG also provided a $46 million letter of credit and became a corporate member in Lloyd's Syndicate 2468, which is managed by Marketform. Approximately $36 million of the acquisition cost was recorded as an intangible asset for the present value of future profits from the acquired business, which will be amortized over the estimated retention period of seven years. This business generated $53 million in net written premiums for the first six months of 2008.
Strategic Comp Holdings AFG acquired Strategic Comp Holdings, LLC in January 2008 for $37 million in cash. Additional contingent consideration could be due after seven years based on achieving certain operating milestones. Strategic Comp, headquartered in Louisiana, is a provider of workers' compensation programs for mid-size to large commercial accounts. The entire purchase price was recorded as intangible renewal rights and will be amortized over the estimated retention period of seven years. This acquisition resulted in a $7 million increase in net written premiums and generated fee income of $.6 million for the first six months of 2008.
Great American Financial Resources In September 2007, Great American Financial Resources, Inc. ("GAFRI") completed the acquisition of the 9.2 million shares (19%) of its common stock not previously owned by AFG at a price of $24.50 per share in cash. Total cost of the acquisition ($239 million), including cash paid for vested options and merger costs, was provided by AFG (parent company). The acquisition resulted in a $217 million reduction of minority interest and an increase of $28 million in goodwill.
Segments of Operations AFG manages its business as three segments: (i) property and casualty insurance, (ii) annuity and supplemental insurance and (iii) other, which includes holding company costs.
AFG reports its property and casualty insurance business in the following Specialty sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, which includes physical damage and liability coverage for buses, trucks and recreational vehicles, inland and ocean marine, agricultural-related products and other property coverages, (ii) Specialty casualty, which includes primarily excess and surplus, general liability, executive and professional liability and customized programs for small to mid-sized businesses, (iii) Specialty financial, which includes risk management insurance programs for lending and leasing institutions, surety and fidelity products and trade credit insurance, and (iv) California workers' compensation. AFG's annuity and supplemental insurance business markets traditional fixed, indexed and variable annuities and a variety of supplemental insurance products. AFG's reportable segments and their components were determined based primarily upon similar economic characteristics, products and services.
The following tables (in millions) show AFG's revenues and operating earnings before income taxes by significant business segment and sub-segment.
Premiums earned:
Property and transportation
Specialty financial
California workers' compensation
Realized gains (losses)
Annuity and supplemental insurance:
Other (a)
Other lines (b)
Investment and other operating income
Operations (c)
Other (c)(d)
(a) Includes a benefit of $6.0 million in the first six months of 2008 and a charge
of $14.2 million in the 2007 first quarter to adjust retroactive reinsurance gains.
(b) Includes a second quarter 2008 charge of $12.0 million and a second quarter 2007
charge of $44.2 million to increase asbestos and environmental reserves.
(c) GAFRI's $2.0 million second quarter 2007 environmental liabilities charge and
holding company interest and debt expense of $5.3 million for the 2007 second
quarter and $11.0 million for the first six months of 2007 were reclassified from
"Annuity and supplemental insurance" to "Other" to be consistent with the current
year presentation.
(d) Includes second quarter charges of $3.0 million in 2008 and $43.0 million in 2007
related to asbestos and environmental liabilities at former railroad and
manufacturing operations.
D.	Fair Value Measurements The framework established in SFAS 157 for measuring fair value is based on inputs used in estimating fair value. The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (markets in which transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis).
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets (markets in which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, price quotations vary substantially over time or among market makers, or in which little information is released publicly); and valuations based on other significant inputs that are observable in active markets.
Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable. The unobservable inputs may include management's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use based on the best information available in the circumstances.
AFG's Level 1 financial instruments consist primarily of publicly traded equity securities, highly liquid government bonds and separate account assets and liabilities for which quoted market prices in active markets are available. AFG's Level 2 financial instruments include primarily corporate and municipal fixed maturity securities and mortgage-backed securities priced using observable inputs. Level 2 inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads and benchmark securities. AFG's Level 3 is comprised of financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on non-binding broker quotes or internally developed using significant inputs not based on, or corroborated by, readily available market information. AFG's management is responsible for the valuation process and uses data from outside sources in establishing fair value. This data is reviewed by internal investment professionals who determine appropriate fair value measurements.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on June 30, 2008, are summarized below (in millions):
Available for sale ("AFS")
Separate account assets (a)
Total assets accounted for at fair value
Liabilities:
Derivatives embedded in annuity
benefits accumulated
(a) Separate account liabilities equal the fair value for separate account assets.
Approximately 4% of the total assets measured at fair value were Level 3 assets measured using unobservable market inputs. Approximately 40% of these assets were mortgage-backed securities whose fair values were determined primarily using non-binding broker quotes; the balance was primarily private placement debt and equity securities whose fair values were determined internally using
significant unobservable inputs, including the evaluation of underlying collateral and issuer creditworthiness, as well as certain Level 2 inputs such as comparable yields and multiples on similar publicly traded issues.
Changes in balances of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities during the second quarter and first six months of 2008 are presented below (in millions). Transfers into (out of) Level 3 are due to a change in the availability of market observable inputs for individual securities.
Fixed Maturities
Balance at April 1, 2008
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):
Included in net income
Included in other comprehensive
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements
Transfers into (out of) Level 3
Balance at January 1, 2008
Intangible Assets Included in deferred policy acquisition costs in AFG's Balance Sheet are $233.2 million and $249.1 million at June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively, representing the present value of future profits ("PVFP") related to acquisitions by AFG's annuity and supplemental insurance business. The PVFP amounts are net of $104.4 million and $88.1 million of accumulated amortization. Amortization of the PVFP was $7.6 million in the second quarter and $16.3 million during the first six months of 2008 and $2.4 million in the second quarter and $7.6 million in the first six months of 2007, respectively. The increase in amortization for the 2008 periods compared to the 2007 periods reflects an increase in PVFP under purchase accounting for the September 2007 acquisition of the GAFRI common stock not previously owned by AFG.
Included in other assets in AFG's Balance Sheet at June 30, 2008, is $88.5 million in amortizable intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $26.0 million) related to property and casualty insurance acquisitions, primarily the 2008 acquisitions of Marketform and Strategic Comp. Amortization of these intangibles was $6.9 million in the second quarter and $12.1 million during the first six months of 2008 compared to $1.4 million in the second quarter and $2.8 million in the first six months of 2007.
Long-Term Debt The carrying value of long-term debt consisted of the following (in millions):
Direct obligations of AFG:
7-1/8% Senior Debentures due April 2009
7-1/8% Senior Debentures due February 2034
Senior Convertible Notes
Borrowings under bank credit facility
Subsidiaries:
Obligations of AAG Holding (guaranteed by AFG):
7-1/2% Senior Debentures due November 2033
7-1/4% Senior Debentures due January 2034
6-7/8% Senior Notes
Notes payable secured by real estate
due 2008 through 2016
National Interstate bank credit facility
American Premier Underwriters 10-7/8% Subordinated
Notes due May 2011
Payable to Subsidiary Trusts:
AAG Holding 7.35% Subordinated Debentures due May 2033
National Interstate Subordinated Debentures
At June 30, 2008, scheduled principal payments on debt for the balance of 2008 and the subsequent five years were as follows: 2008 - $.5 million; 2009 - $174.6 million; 2010 - $2.8 million; 2011 - $404.1 million; 2012 - $16.4 million; and 2013 - $1.5 million.
As shown below (in millions), the majority of AFG's long-term debt is unsecured obligations of the holding company and its subsidiaries:
Unsecured obligations
Obligations secured by real estate
AFG has a revolving credit facility under which it can borrow up to $500 million through March 2011. Amounts borrowed bear interest at rates ranging from .5% to 1.25% (currently .75%) over LIBOR based on AFG's credit rating. At June 30, 2008, AFG had $395 million in borrowings outstanding under the credit facility (interest rate of 3.4% at June 30, 2008).
In July 2008, AFG entered into a 364 day revolving credit facility under which it can borrow up to $120 million at an interest rate of 2.25% over LIBOR. No amounts have been borrowed under this credit facility.
In the second quarter of 2008, AFG paid $189.7 million in cash and issued 2.4 million shares of Common Stock to redeem its Senior Convertible Notes. AFG paid cash in lieu of Common Stock for all conversions of the Notes prior to the redemption. Since AFG had previously expressed its intent to use cash for the accreted value of the Notes and the option to use stock for the conversion premium, shares issuable for amounts in excess of the accreted value of the Notes are included in AFG's calculation of diluted earnings per share for the first six months of 2008.
In May 2008, National Interstate borrowed $15 million under its credit facility to redeem its $15 million in outstanding variable rate Subordinated Debentures due May 2033. In June 2008, GAFRI paid $28.5 million to redeem its outstanding
6-7/8% Senior Notes at maturity.
Shareholders' Equity AFG is authorized to issue 12.5 million shares of Voting Preferred Stock and 12.5 million shares of Nonvoting Preferred Stock, each without par value.
In the first six months of 2008, AFG repurchased approximately 1.8 million shares of its Common Stock for $47.4 million. In the second quarter of 2008, AFG issued 2.4 million shares of Common Stock in connection with the redemption of its Senior Convertible Notes.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (in millions):
Net unrealized loss on securities
($18.4)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Unrealized pension and other postretirement benefits
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Stock Incentive Plans Under AFG's Stock Incentive Plan, employees of AFG and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive equity awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock awards. In the first quarter of 2008, AFG issued 70,000 shares of Common Stock and granted stock options for 1.5 million shares of Common Stock (at a strike price of $27.20) under the Stock Incentive Plan.
AFG uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the "fair value" of its option grants. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility over a period equal to the expected term. The expected term was estimated based on historical exercise patterns and post vesting cancellations. The fair value of options granted during 2008 was $7.92 per share based on the following assumptions: expected dividend yield - 1.8%; expected volatility - 28%; expected term - 7.5 years; risk-free rate - 3.2%.
Total compensation expense related to stock incentive plans of AFG and its subsidiaries was as follows: second quarter of 2008 and 2007 - $3.4 million and $4.1 million, respectively; six months of 2008 and 2007 - $8.5 million and $10.7 million, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense for the first six months of 2008 and 2007 includes $2.0 million and $3.9 million, respectively, in first quarter non-deductible stock awards.
Commitments and Contingencies Establishing insurance reserves related to environmental exposures, asbestos and other mass tort claims is subject to uncertainties that are significantly greater than those presented by other types of claims. In addition, accruals (included in other liabilities) have been recorded for various environmental and occupational injury and disease claims and other contingencies arising out of the railroad operations disposed of by American Premier's predecessor, Penn Central Transportation Company, and its subsidiaries, prior to its bankruptcy reorganization in 1978 and certain manufacturing operations disposed of by American Premier and GAFRI. Except as discussed in Management's Discussion and Analysis - "Asbestos and Environmental Reserve Charges," there have been no significant changes to the matters discussed and referred to in Note K - "Commitments and Contingencies" of AFG's 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Condensed Consolidating Information In connection with GAFRI's acquisition of its publicly held common stock in September 2007, AFG has guaranteed all of the outstanding debt of GAFRI and GAFRI's wholly-owned subsidiary, AAG Holding Company, Inc. In addition, GAFRI guarantees AAG Holding's public debt. The AFG and GAFRI guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. Condensed consolidating financial statements for AFG are as follows:
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Consol.
GAFRI
Cash and investments
($ 1.6)
Recoverables from reinsurers and
prepaid reinsurance premiums
Investment in subsidiaries and
($6,328.4)
Unpaid losses, loss adjustment expenses
and unearned premiums
Annuity, life, accident and health
benefits and reserves
Other liabilities
$ 4.6
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INCOME STATEMENT
Investment and other income
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
Insurance benefits and expenses
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
Provision (credit) for income taxes
Net Earnings (Loss)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Equity in net (earnings) loss
of subsidiaries
Dividends from subsidiaries
Other adjustments, net
Net cash provided by (used in)
Purchase of investments, property and
Purchase of subsidiaries
Capital contributions to subsidiaries
Maturities and redemptions of fixed
maturity investments
Sale of investments, property and
Annuity surrenders, benefits and
Capital contribution from parent
Cash dividends paid
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of period
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries
Capital contributions from parent
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents
Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
INDEX TO MD&A
Critical Accounting Policies
Income Items
Sources of Funds
Expense Items
Recent Accounting Standards
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipates", "believes", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "plans", "seeks", "could", "may", "should", "will" or the negative version of those words or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to: expectations concerning market and other conditions and their effect on future premiums, revenues, earnings and investment activities; recoverability of asset values; expected losses and the adequacy of reserves for asbestos, environmental pollution and mass tort claims; rate changes; and improved loss experience.
Actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements for a variety of factors including:
changes in financial, political and economic conditions, including changes in interest rates and any extended economic recessions or expansions, performance of securities markets, our ability to estimate accurately the likelihood, magnitude and timing of any losses in connection with investments in the residential mortgage market, especially in the subprime sector, and the availability of capital;
regulatory actions;
changes in the legal environment affecting AFG or its customers;
tax law changes;
levels of natural catastrophes, terrorist activities (including any nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological events), incidents of war and other major losses;
development of insurance loss reserves and establishment of other reserves, particularly with respect to amounts associated with asbestos and environmental claims;
the unpredictability of future litigation if certain settlements do not become effective;
trends in persistency, mortality and morbidity;
availability of reinsurance and ability of reinsurers to pay their obligations;
competitive pressures, including the ability to obtain adequate rates; and
changes in AFG's credit ratings or the financial strength ratings assigned by major ratings agencies to our operating subsidiaries.
The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date of this report. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
AFG is organized as a holding company with almost all of its operations being conducted by subsidiaries. AFG, however, has continuing cash needs for administrative expenses, the payment of principal and interest on borrowings, shareholder dividends, and taxes. Therefore, certain analyses are best done on a parent only basis while others are best done on a total enterprise basis. In addition, because most of its businesses are financial in nature, AFG does not prepare its consolidated financial statements using a current-noncurrent format. Consequently, certain traditional ratios and financial analysis tests are not meaningful.
At June 30, 2008, AFG (parent) had approximately $60 million in cash and securities and had borrowed $395 million under the bank line of credit.
Through the operations of its subsidiaries, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses and in the sale of traditional fixed, indexed and variable annuities and a variety of supplemental insurance products.
AFG's net earnings for the second quarter and first six months of 2008 were $60.3 million ($.52 per share, diluted) and $136.3 million ($1.16 per share, diluted), respectively, compared to $67.0 million ($.54 per share, diluted) and $180.6 million ($1.47 per share, diluted) reported in the same periods of 2007. These results reflect net realized losses on investments in 2008 partially offset by substantially lower charges for asbestos and other environmental exposures. In addition, improved earnings in AFG's annuity and supplemental insurance operations and increased investment income were offset by lower property and casualty underwriting profits due in part to an increase in catastrophe losses.
Significant accounting policies are summarized in Note A to the financial statements. The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts reported in the financial statements. As more information becomes known, these estimates and assumptions change and thus impact amounts reported in the future. The areas where management believes the degree of judgment required to determine amounts recorded in the financial statements make accounting policies critical are as follows:
the establishment of insurance reserves, especially asbestos and environmental-related reserves,
the recoverability of reinsurance,
the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs,
the establishment of asbestos and environmental reserves of former railroad and manufacturing operations, and
the determination of "other-than-temporary" impairment on investments.
For a discussion of these policies, see Management's Discussion and Analysis - "Critical Accounting Policies" in AFG's 2007 Form 10-K.
Ratios AFG's debt to total capital ratio on a consolidated basis is shown below (dollars in millions).
Total capital (*)
Ratio of debt to total capital:
Including debt secured by real estate
Excluding debt secured by real estate
(*) Includes long-term debt, minority interest and
shareholders' equity (excluding unrealized gains (losses)
related to fixed maturity investments).
AFG's ratio of earnings to fixed charges, including annuity benefits as a fixed charge, was 1.99 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2.40 for the entire year of 2007. Excluding annuity benefits, this ratio was 6.27 and 8.49, respectively. Although the ratio excluding interest on annuities is not required or encouraged to be disclosed under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, it is presented because interest credited to annuity policyholder accounts is not always considered a borrowing cost for an insurance company.
Parent Holding Company Liquidity Management believes AFG has sufficient resources to meet its liquidity requirements. If funds generated from operations, including dividends and tax payments from subsidiaries, are insufficient to meet fixed charges in any period, AFG would be required to utilize parent company cash and marketable securities or generate cash through borrowings, sales of other assets, or similar transactions.
AFG can borrow up to $500 million under its revolving credit facility, which expires in 2011. AFG had $395 million in borrowings outstanding under this agreement at June 30, 2008, bearing interest at a rate of 3.4%.
In July 2008, AFG entered into a 364 day credit facility under which it can borrow up to $120 million at an interest rate of 2.25% over LIBOR. No amounts have been borrowed under this credit facility.
In the second quarter of 2008, AFG paid $189.7 million in cash and issued 2.4 million shares of Common Stock to redeem its Senior Convertible Notes. The cash used in the redemption was funded primarily with borrowings under AFG's revolving credit facility.
Through the first six months of 2008, AFG repurchased approximately 1.8 million shares of its Common Stock for $47.4 million.
Under tax allocation agreements with AFG, its 80%-owned U.S. subsidiaries generally pay taxes to (or recover taxes from) AFG based on each subsidiary's contribution to amounts due under AFG's consolidated tax return.
Subsidiary Liquidity In December 2007, National Interstate, a 53%-owned property and casualty insurance subsidiary, entered into a five-year unsecured credit agreement under which it can borrow up to $75 million, subject to certain conditions. Amounts borrowed bear interest at rates ranging from .45% to .9% (currently .65%) over LIBOR based on National Interstate's credit rating. In May 2008, National Interstate borrowed $15 million under the credit agreement to redeem its subordinated debentures at par.
In June 2008, GAFRI used cash on hand to redeem its $28.5 million in 6-7/8% notes at maturity.
The liquidity requirements of AFG's insurance subsidiaries relate primarily to the liabilities associated with their products as well as operating costs and expenses, payments of dividends and taxes to AFG and contributions of capital to their subsidiaries. Historically, cash flows from premiums and investment income have provided more than sufficient funds to meet these requirements without requiring a sale of investments or contributions from AFG. Funds received in excess of cash requirements are generally invested in additional marketable securities. In addition, the insurance subsidiaries generally hold a significant amount of highly liquid, short-term investments.
The excess cash flow of AFG's property and casualty group allows it to extend the duration of its investment portfolio somewhat beyond that of its claim reserves.
In the annuity business, where profitability is largely dependent on earning a "spread" between invested assets and annuity liabilities, the duration of investments is generally maintained close to that of liabilities. With declining rates, AFG receives some protection (from spread compression) due to the ability to lower crediting rates, subject to guaranteed minimums. In a rising interest rate environment, significant protection from withdrawals exists in the form of temporary and permanent surrender charges on AFG's annuity products.
AFG believes its insurance subsidiaries maintain sufficient liquidity to pay claims and benefits and operating expenses, as well as meet commitments in the event of unforeseen events such as reserve deficiencies, inadequate premium rates or reinsurer insolvencies.
Investments AFG's investment portfolio at June 30, 2008, contained
$15.3 billion in "Fixed maturities" classified as available for sale and $732.7 million in "Equity securities," all carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in a separate component of shareholders' equity on an after-tax basis. At June 30, 2008, AFG had a pretax net unrealized loss of $471.6 million on fixed maturities and $1.9 million on equity securities. The $308.4 million increase in unrealized losses in fixed maturities since March 31, 2008, was primarily due to an increase in market interest rates.
Approximately 94% of the fixed maturities held by AFG at June 30, 2008, were rated "investment grade" (credit rating of AAA to BBB) by nationally recognized rating agencies. Investment grade securities generally bear lower yields and lower degrees of risk than those that are unrated and noninvestment grade. Management believes that a high quality investment portfolio should generate a stable and predictable investment return.
AFG's $5.6 billion investment in mortgage-backed securities ("MBSs") represented approximately one-third of its fixed maturities at June 30, 2008. MBSs are subject to significant prepayment risk due to the fact that, in periods of
declining interest rates, mortgages may be repaid more rapidly than scheduled as borrowers refinance higher rate mortgages to take advantage of lower rates.
Approximately 97% of AFG's mortgage-backed securities are rated "AAA." At June 30, 2008, AFG owned approximately $460 million (representing 3% of AFG's total fixed maturity portfolio) of mortgage-backed securities in which the underlying collateral is subprime mortgages. At that date, the net unrealized loss on these securities was approximately $43 million. The securities are collateralized by fixed-rate mortgages and have an overall average life of approximately 4 years. At June 30, 2008, AFG owned approximately $930 million in Alt-A securities (risk profile between prime and subprime) with an average life of approximately 5 years, the vast majority of which are backed by fixed rate mortgages. The unrealized loss on Alt-A securities was $38 million at June 30, 2008. Based on current information, management does not believe that AFG's risk of loss on the subprime or Alt-A securities is material to its financial condition.
At June 30, 2008, AFG owned approximately $850 million in securities with credit enhancement provided by bond insurers, including $601 million of insured municipal bonds, $138 million in insured subprime securities (included in the $460 million in total subprime exposure discussed above) and $99 million in insured corporate bonds. Approximately 91% of the insured municipal bonds carry an explicit underlying rating (i.e. without credit enhancement) with an average of A+, and 55% of the corporate bonds carry an explicit underlying rating with an average of A-. None of the insured subprime securities carry an explicit underlying rating. Management does not believe the risk of loss on the securities without underlying credit ratings is material to AFG's financial condition.
Summarized information for the unrealized gains and losses recorded in AFG's Balance Sheet at June 30, 2008, is shown in the following table (dollars in millions). Approximately $398 million of available for sale "Fixed maturities" and $129 million of "Equity securities" had no unrealized gains or losses at June 30, 2008.
Available for Sale Fixed Maturities
Fair value of securities
Amortized cost of securities
Gross unrealized gain (loss)
($ 593)
Fair value as % of amortized cost
Number of security positions
Number individually exceeding
$2 million gain or loss
Concentration of gains (losses) by type or
industry (exceeding 5% of unrealized):
Mortgage-backed securities
($ 255.9)
Banks, savings and credit institutions
Gas and electric services
Direct obligations of the U.S. Government
Percentage rated investment grade
Cost of securities
Fair value as % of cost
Number of individually exceeding
The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of AFG's available for sale fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2008, based on their fair values. Asset-backed securities and other securities with sinking funds are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers.
One year or less
After one year through five years
After five years through ten years
After ten years
Mortgage-backed securities (average
life of 5-1/2 years)
The table below (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities by dollar amount.
Value as
Gain (Loss)
Fixed Maturities at June 30, 2008
Securities with unrealized gains:
Exceeding $500,000 (43 issues)
Less than $500,000 (1,223 issues)
Securities with unrealized losses:
Exceeding $500,000 (341 issues)
The following table summarizes (dollars in millions) the unrealized loss for all securities with unrealized losses by issuer quality and length of time those securities have been in an unrealized loss position.
Securities with Unrealized
Losses at June 30, 2008
Investment grade fixed maturities with losses for:
Less than one year (1,096 issues)
One year or longer (288 issues)
Non-investment grade fixed maturities with losses for:
Less than one year (131 issues)
($ 41)
One year or longer (53 issues)
Equity securities with losses for:
When a decline in the value of a specific investment is considered to be "other than temporary," a provision for impairment is charged to earnings (accounted for as a realized loss) and the cost basis of that investment is reduced. The determination of whether unrealized losses are "other than temporary" requires judgment based on subjective as well as objective factors. A listing of factors considered and resources used is contained in the discussion of "Investments" under Management's Discussion and Analysis in AFG's 2007 Form 10-K.
Based on its analysis, management believes (i) AFG will recover its cost basis in the securities with unrealized losses and (ii) that AFG has the ability and intent to hold the securities until they mature or recover in value. Although AFG has the ability to continue holding its investments with unrealized losses, its intent to hold them may change due to deterioration in the issuers' creditworthiness, decisions to lessen exposure to a particular issuer or industry, asset/liability management decisions, market movements, changes in views about appropriate asset allocation or the desire to offset taxable realized gains. Should AFG's ability or intent change with regard to a particular
security, a charge for impairment would likely be required. While it is not possible to accurately predict if or when a specific security will become impaired, charges for other than temporary impairment could be material to results of operations in future periods. Management believes it is not likely that future impairment charges will have a significant effect on AFG's liquidity.
Uncertainties Management believes that the areas posing the greatest risk of material loss are the adequacy of its insurance reserves and contingencies arising out of its former railroad and manufacturing operations. See Management's Discussion and Analysis - "Uncertainties" in AFG's 2007 Form 10-K.
General Results of operations as shown in the accompanying financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").
AFG reported operating earnings before income taxes of $100.0 million for the second quarter of 2008 compared to $112.0 million for the 2007 second quarter.
Results for the second quarter of 2008 include (i) $63.1 million in realized losses on securities compared to $14.0 million in gains in the comparable 2007 quarter and (ii) a $39.1 million decline in Specialty property and casualty underwriting results due largely to catastrophe losses. These items were partially offset by a reduction of $72.2 million in asbestos and environmental charges and a $21.9 million increase in investment income.
Six month pretax operating earnings decreased $80.1 million in 2008 compared to 2007 reflecting a $162.1 million decline in realized gains (losses) on securities and a $22.4 million decline in Specialty property and casualty underwriting results which more than offset a $42.4 million increase in investment income and the lower A&E charges discussed above.
Property and Casualty Insurance - Underwriting AFG reports its Specialty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty, (iii) Specialty financial and (iv) California workers' compensation.
Performance measures such as underwriting profit or loss and related combined ratios are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company's performance. See Note C - "Segments of Operations" for the detail of AFG's operating profit by significant business segment.
Underwriting profitability is measured by the combined ratio, which is a sum of the ratios of losses, loss adjustment expenses, underwriting expenses and policyholder dividends to premiums. A combined ratio under 100% is indicative of an underwriting profit. The combined ratio does not reflect investment income, other income or federal income taxes.
Premiums and combined ratios for AFG's property and casualty insurance operations were as follows (dollars in millions):
Gross Written Premiums (GAAP)
Net Written Premiums (GAAP)
Combined Ratios (GAAP)
Total Specialty
Aggregate (including
discontinued lines)
Favorable (Unfavorable) Prior Year
Other specialty
Special A&E charges
Premium growth for the Specialty insurance operations has been impacted primarily by competitive pressures in the commercial general liability and excess and surplus markets. These declines have been offset by additional premiums from AFG's Marketform acquisition in January 2008. Apart from rate decreases in the California workers' compensation business, average renewal rate levels in AFG's other specialty operations were down about 3% through the first half of the year.
The Specialty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $75.5 million in the 2008 second quarter, $39.1 million lower than the same quarter a year earlier, resulting primarily from the effects of a softer market and higher catastrophe losses.
Catastrophe losses, principally from tornados in the Midwestern part of the United States, totaled $25.1 million (4.1 points) for the quarter, compared to $5.0 million (.8 points) in the comparable 2007 period. Underwriting profit of the specialty insurance operations for the first half of 2008 was $195.6 million, 10% below the 2007 period. Results for the first half of 2008 include $27.4 million (2.2 points) in catastrophe losses compared to $6.1 million (.5 points) in the same 2007 period.
Property and transportation net written premiums declined as a result of crop premium reporting delays related to the Midwest floods and required premium adjustments, as well as volume reductions in the property and inland marine operations related to the softer market conditions. These decreases were offset somewhat by higher premiums in AFG's transportation businesses. The increase in the combined ratios compared to the same 2007 periods was due primarily to higher catastrophe losses within the property and inland marine operations. Results for the second quarter and first half of 2008 include $21.9 million (9.8 points) and $24.4 million (5.3 points), respectively, of catastrophe losses compared to $3.9 million (1.7 points) and $4.3 million (.9 points) for the same 2007 periods. Favorable reserve development in the Property and transportation group in the first half of 2008 is primarily due to lower than expected loss frequency in the crop, ocean marine and farm products. Favorable development in the comparable 2007 period relates primarily to lower than expected frequency and severity in specialty commercial automobile, ocean marine, inland marine and farm products.
Specialty casualty gross written premiums were impacted primarily by volume reductions in AFG's excess and surplus lines, and lower general liability premiums resulting from the softening in the homebuilders market. These declines were partially offset by additional premium resulting from the Marketform acquisition in the 2008 first quarter. Net written premiums for the 2008 quarter and year to date were comparable to the 2007 periods, as additional premium volume from Marketform and higher premium retention helped to offset declines in the general liability and excess and surplus lines. The combined ratios were impacted by lower levels of favorable reserve development, particularly in the general liability operations. Favorable reserve development in Specialty casualty in the first half of 2008 reflects lower than expected severity in the general liability, homebuilders and executive liability for large accounts as well as lower than expected frequency in homebuilders, executive liability for small accounts and the program (leisure camps, fairs and festivals, and sports and leisure) businesses. Favorable development for the comparable period in 2007 resulted from lower than expected frequency and severity in the nursing home liability product and general liability business.
Specialty financial gross written premiums increased primarily due to growth in AFG's financial institutions businesses. Higher premium cessions within certain of the lease and loan operations impacted the growth in net written premiums. This group reported underwriting income of $5.0 million in the second quarter of 2008, $5.6 million lower than 2007's second quarter. Rising fuel prices have led to very recent declines in used car prices for larger vehicles, even those that have historically held strong residual values, causing a decrease in operating earnings in AFG's run-off automobile residual value insurance ("RVI") operations from the comparable period in 2007. Year to date underwriting income for this group was $21.7 million, up nearly 52% over the comparable 2007 period. The favorable development in Specialty financial during the first half of 2008 and 2007 relates primarily to lower loss severity in AFG's fidelity and crime products.
California workers' compensation gross and net written premiums decreased from the comparable 2007 periods, reflecting the effect of significantly lower rates due to the continuing impact of the state's reform legislation partly offset by this group's expansion of its excess workers' compensation products. The improved claims environment resulting from the California workers' compensation reform legislation has continued to benefit AFG's results as well as those of the industry. The California renewal rate reductions averaged about 16 percent through the first half of this year and indicate some moderation in rate reductions compared to the last several years. The favorable reserve development in California workers' compensation in the first half of 2008 and 2007 reflects the continuing impact of the reform legislation passed in 2003 and 2004.
Due to the long-tail nature of this business, AFG has been conservative in reserving for the favorable effects of the reform legislation until a higher percentage of claims are paid and the ultimate impact of reforms can be estimated with more precision.
Asbestos and Environmental Reserve Charges During the second quarter of 2008, AFG completed the previously announced comprehensive internal review of its asbestos and environmental exposures relating to the run-off operations of its property and casualty group and its exposures related to former railroad and manufacturing operations and sites. Previous studies, which were done with the aid of outside actuarial and engineering firms and specialty outside counsel, were completed in 2007, 2005 and 2003, respectively.
As a result of the internal review, AFG recorded a $12 million charge (net of reinsurance recoverables) to increase the property and casualty group's asbestos and environmental reserves. At June 30, 2008, the property and casualty group's A&E reserves were $413.2 million, net of reinsurance recoverables. At that date, AFG's three year survival ratio was 9.5 times paid losses for the asbestos reserves and 9.0 times paid losses for the total A&E reserves. These ratios compare favorably with A.M. Best's most recent report (published in 2007) on A&E survival ratios which were 8.6 for asbestos and 7.9 for total industry A&E reserves. During the course of this review, there were no newly identified emerging trends or issues that management believes significantly impact the overall adequacy of AFG's A&E reserves. The modest increases were primarily due to reassessments of the potential loss on certain outstanding cases.
The review relied on a comprehensive exposure analysis by AFG's internal A&E claims specialists in consultation with in-house actuaries and outside specialty counsel. It considered products and non-products exposures, paid claims history, the pattern of new claims, settlements and projected development, as appropriate. As has been observed by others, the asbestos legal climate remains very difficult to predict. While progress continues to be made in state asbestos tort reform and judicial rulings, that progress has been somewhat offset by the lack of reform in certain jurisdictions, increased claims costs, increased defense costs, the assertion of non-products theories and an expanding pool of plaintiffs and defendants. Environmental claims likewise present challenges in prediction, due to uncertainty regarding the interpretation of insurance policies, complexities regarding multi-party involvements at sites, evolving clean up standards and protracted time periods required to assess the level of clean up required at contaminated sites.
The 2007 A&E study resulted in a second quarter 2007 pretax charge of $44.2 million (net of reinsurance) to increase the property and casualty group's A&E reserves.
Statutory Annuity Premiums The following table summarizes AFG's annuity sales (in millions):
403(b) Fixed and Indexed Annuities:
Single Sum
Non-403(b) Indexed Annuities
Non-403(b) Fixed Annuities
Bank Annuities
Variable Annuities
Total Annuity Premiums
The increase in annuity premiums for the second quarter of 2008 compared to the 2007 quarter reflects increased annuity sales through the new bank annuity distribution channel, as well as increased sales of traditional fixed annuities. These increases were partly offset by lower sales of indexed annuities in the single premium market.
Life, Accident and Health Premiums and Benefits The following table summarizes AFG's life, accident and health premiums and benefits as shown in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings (in millions):
Supplemental insurance operations
Life operations (in run-off)
Investment Income The $21.9 million and $42.4 million increase in investment income for the second quarter and first six months of 2008 compared to the same periods in 2007 reflect higher yields on certain fixed maturity investments.
Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities Net realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
Net realized gains (losses)
Charges for impairment
Changes in the fair value of
(*) Adjustments to the amortization of annuity deferred policy
acquisition costs are included in realized gains (losses).
Approximately $109 million of the other than temporary impairments in the first half of 2008 were attributable to equity investments, primarily in financial institutions including $43 million for National City Corporation. Charges of approximately $28 million on mortgage-backed securities in the first half of 2008 resulted primarily from the recent downgrade of Financial Guaranty Insurance Company, which provides credit guarantees for those securities.
Real Estate Operations AFG's subsidiaries are engaged in a variety of real estate operations including hotels, marinas, apartments and office buildings; they also own several parcels of land. Revenues and expenses of these operations, including gains and losses on disposal, are included in AFG's Statement of Earnings as shown below (in millions).
Income from real estate operations includes net pretax gains on the sale of real estate assets of $5.5 million in the second quarter and $5.9 million in the first six months of 2008 compared to $7.5 million and $13.5 million for the 2007 periods.
Annuity Benefits Annuity benefits reflect amounts accrued on annuity policyholders' funds accumulated. On deferred annuities (annuities in the accumulation phase), interest is generally credited to policyholders' accounts at current stated interest rates. Furthermore, for "two-tier" deferred annuities (annuities under which a higher interest amount can be earned if a policy is annuitized rather than surrendered), additional reserves are accrued for (i) persistency and premium bonuses and (ii) excess benefits expected to be paid for future deaths and annuitizations. Changes in crediting rates, actual surrender, death and annuitization experience or modifications in actuarial assumptions can affect these additional reserves. Significant changes in projected investment yields could result in charges (or credits) to earnings in the period the projections are modified.
The $8.6 million decrease in annuity benefits for the second quarter of 2008 compared to the 2007 quarter reflects changes in the fair value of derivatives
related to the indexed annuity business. The $7.5 million increase in annuity benefits for the six months of 2008 compared to the 2007 period is due primarily to growth in the annuity business.
Annuity and Supplemental Insurance Acquisition Expenses Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses include amortization of annuity, supplemental insurance and life business deferred policy acquisition costs ("DPAC") as well as a portion of commissions on sales of insurance products. Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses also include amortization of the present value of future profits of businesses acquired ("PVFP"). The $14.0 million and $9.6 million increases in annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses for the second quarter and first six months in 2008, respectively, compared to the 2007 periods reflect growth as well as overall improved profitability in the annuity and supplemental insurance business.
The vast majority of the annuity and supplemental insurance group's DPAC asset relates to its fixed annuity, variable annuity and life insurance lines of business. Unanticipated spread compression, decreases in the stock market, adverse mortality experience and higher than expected lapse rates could lead to write-offs of DPAC or PVFP in the future.
Other Operating and General Expenses The decrease in other operating and general expenses for the second quarter and six months of 2008 compared to the 2007 periods is due primarily to charges of $3.0 million in the second quarter of 2008 compared to $43.0 million in the second quarter of 2007 to increase liabilities for asbestos and environmental exposures related to AFG's former railroad and manufacturing operations. Other operating and general expenses also include a $1.4 million loss on retirement of debt in the first six months of 2007.
Minority Interest The decrease in minority interest expense for the second quarter and the first six months of 2008 compared to the 2007 periods reflects the September 2007 acquisition of the GAFRI stock not previously owned by AFG.
Discontinued Operations Discontinued operations for 2007 represent additional gains on operations sold in previous years, primarily the settlement of a contingency associated with the 2006 sale of Chatham Bars Inn.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, "Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements," which is effective January 1, 2009, for calendar year companies. Under SFAS No. 160, noncontrolling (minority) interest ($122.6 million at June 30, 2008) will be reported in AFG's Balance Sheet as a separate component of shareholders' equity; net earnings attributable to noncontrolling (minority) interests will be reported in AFG's Statement of Earnings as a deduction from net income (instead of as an expense) in deriving net income attributable to AFG. In addition, SFAS No. 160 requires that purchases and sales of equity interests in less than 100%-owned subsidiaries that do not result in a change of control be accounted for as equity transactions and, upon loss of control, requires any interest retained to be recorded at fair value with a gain or loss recognized in earnings.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), "Business Combinations," which requires the recognition of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interests at fair value as of the acquisition date, and the
immediate expense recognition of acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs. SFAS No. 141(R) is to be applied prospectively to business combinations after January 1, 2009, except that adjustments to an acquired company's valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and tax contingency liability are to be recorded as a component of income tax expense for all business combinations, regardless of the consummation date.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," which is effective January 1, 2009, for calendar year companies. SFAS No. 161 amends and expands the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements.
In May 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. APB 14-1, "Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)." FSP APB 14-1 requires an issuer of convertible debt instruments that may be settled for cash (including partial cash settlements) to separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that reflects the issuer's nonconvertible debt borrowing rate at the date of issuance. The difference between the fair value of the debt component and the initial proceeds from issuance is recorded as a component of equity. The resulting debt discount would be amortized as additional interest expense over the period the debt is outstanding. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and shall be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Accordingly, the new rule would change the accounting for AFG's Senior Convertible Notes which were redeemed in June 2008. AFG does not believe that the adoption of the new rule will result in material changes to its previously issued financial statements.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure of Market Risk
As of June 30, 2008, there were no material changes to the information provided in Item 7A - "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure of Market Risk" of AFG's 2007 Form 10-K.
AFG's management, with participation of its Co-Chief Executive Officers and its principal financial officer, has evaluated AFG's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, AFG's Co-CEOs and principal financial officer concluded that the controls and procedures are effective. There have been no changes in AFG's internal control over financial reporting during the second fiscal quarter of 2008 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, AFG's internal control over financial reporting. AFG acquired Marketform Group Limited and Strategic Comp Holdings, LLC effective January 1, 2008. These companies have been excluded from management's assessment of internal control over financial reporting.
In the ordinary course of business, AFG and its subsidiaries routinely enhance their information systems by either upgrading current systems or implementing new systems. There has been no change in AFG's business processes and procedures during the second fiscal quarter of 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, AFG's internal controls over financial reporting.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities AFG repurchased shares of its common stock during the second quarter of 2008 as follows:
Maximum Number
Purchased as
that May
Part of Publicly
Yet be Purchased
Price Paid
Announced Plans
Under the Plans
or Programs
Or Programs (a)
Represents the remaining shares that may be repurchased under the Plan authorized by AFG's Board of Directors in 2007.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
AFG's Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on May 15, 2008; there were three matters voted upon: (Item 1) election of nine directors, (Item 2) ratifying Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm and (Item 3) shareholder proposal regarding certain employment matters.
The votes cast for, against, withheld and the number of abstentions and broker
non-votes as to each matter voted on at the 2008 Annual Meeting is set forth below:
Withheld
Non-Votes
Kenneth C. Ambrecht
Theodore H. Emmerich
James E. Evans
Terry S. Jacobs
Gregory G. Joseph
Carl H. Lindner
Carl H. Lindner III
S. Craig Lindner
William W. Verity
N/A - Not Applicable
OTHER INFORMATION - CONTINUED
Exhibit Description
Computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges.
31(a)
Certification of the Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant
to section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31(c)
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of the Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief
Financial Officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, American Financial Group, Inc. has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned duly authorized.
BY: s/Keith A. Jensen
Keith A. Jensen
(principal financial and
accounting officer)


text:
<!DOCTYPE html>

		<title>An Image Search Abstraction Layer</title>

		<link href="/public/css/main.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">

An Image Search Abstraction Layer

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text:
An influential text which teaches yoga from an Advaita perspective of nondualistic idealism is the Yoga-Vāsiṣṭha.[263] This work uses numerous short stories and anecdotes to illustrate its main ideas. It teaches seven stages or bhumis of yogic practice. It was a major reference for medieval Advaita Vedanta yoga scholars and before the 12th century, it was one of the most popular texts on Hindu yoga.[264]
The Gita consists of 18 chapters and 700 shlokas (verses),[118] with each chapter named as a different yoga, thus delineating eighteen different yogas.[118][119] Some scholars divide the Gita into three sections, with the first six chapters with 280 shlokas dealing with Karma yoga, the middle six containing 209 shlokas with Bhakti yoga, and the last six chapters with 211 shlokas as Jnana yoga; however, this is rough because elements of karma, bhakti and jnana are found in all chapters.[118]
There is no consensus on its chronology or specific origin other than that yoga developed in ancient India. Suggested origins are the Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1900 BCE)[44] and pre-Vedic Eastern states of India,[45] the Vedic period (1500–500 BCE), and the śramaṇa movement.[46] According to Gavin Flood, continuities may exist between those various traditions:
Ascetic practices (tapas), concentration and bodily postures used by Vedic priests to conduct yajna (sacrifice), might have been precursors to yoga.[note 9] Vratya, a group of ascetics mentioned in the Atharvaveda, emphasized on bodily postures which may have evolved into yogic asanas.[59] Early Samhitas also contain references to other group ascetics such as munis, the keśin, and vratyas.[67] Techniques for controlling breath and vital energies are mentioned in the Brahmanas (texts of the Vedic corpus, c. 1000–800 BCE) and the Atharvaveda.[59][72] Nasadiya Sukta of the Rig Veda suggests the presence of an early contemplative tradition.[note 10]
A yoga system that predated the Buddhist school is Jain yoga. But since Jain sources postdate Buddhist ones, it is difficult to distinguish between the nature of the early Jain school and elements derived from other schools.[89] Most of the other contemporary yoga systems alluded in the Upanishads and some Buddhist texts are lost to time.[90][91][note 12]
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When I look back on this year I'm almost unsure if all I remember of it was actually my life. That's how bizarre it's been!
There were times I was so sure of what I was doing and so sure of who I was and other times I just had no clue!
There were times I'd wake up and think: "Oh bummer I'm still alive!" Dread would fill my heart and I would get up to trudge through another day in what felt like my then rubbish existence.
And other times I'd wake with a huge smile on my face ready for the day ahead and so hopeful of what felt like a bright future.
I've had really tough decisions to make – and live by.
And now I'm looking forward to next year.
It's not "just "tomorrow, it's not "just" next week or "just" next month or "just" next year – these are gems. Opportunities for something new.
For some, this year has been glorious- for others it's been absolutely dismal – some haven't really taken much note because for them it's "just" been another year – and for some (like me) it has been a combination of so many things.
I once heard someone say you can't drive forward with your eyes fixed on the rear view mirror. The truth of that is deep.
Forget what is behind you and reach for what lies ahead.
2013 is NOT "just" another year.
It is a culmination of moments, days weeks, months – all of which are yours to create something really special.
I hope this time next year you can look back on 2013 with a HUGE smile on your face.
There were times this year I just wanted to pack it all in and call it quits – in crucial areas of my life.
Life has never ever been perfect. For anyone. Nevertheless have the courage, grace and generosity to draw out something spectacular from the new year that lies ahead.
Because a new moment sometimes is the difference.
There are so many demands on us – and sometimes those demands are genuine and require our attention – but nothing should ever be so consuming it robs our ability to live.
For me the close of a year is a sublime time to close a chapter and begin a new one.
The incredible gift of a new year is the opportunity to do some things differently and in some cases perhaps start over.
If you feel you don't have a life – get one.
The new start is just moments away.
So this is a reminder for the Personal Development Program I'll be hosting at the end January, 2013.
You will be inspired, you will be challenged and you will leave the course yearning for greater things in your life. Hopefully you'll gain the insight into You to make those things you've been plotting for years to finally come alive!
If you're interested inbox me and I'll send you more details on what we'll be covering on the program.
For people ready to change their lives!
So every year in January I host a two-day Personal Development Program.
After the experience we've had with this course, and even more importantly looking at our clients' feedback, I can confidently say that coming on this program will change your life.
I wasn't going to host one for Jan 2013 because we have a business seminar early Feb (Feb 9 to be exact). But I know how awesome the Personal Branding course is and after making it tradition for the past few years I thought I'd just continue… I always charge a pittance for the Jan course because more than anything it's a kick start for me… more than that is also inspires and challenges me for the new year ahead.
So if you're interested do inbox me and I'll give you more details.
Thank you to every single person who's told me how much they enjoy my writing.
Thank you too for every one who has told me I write so well.
Let it be known it wasn't always this way. I was graded a C average for English in high school – only once – ever – did a teacher at school commend something I wrote.
So I left high school feeling that while I wanted to write I wasn't good enough. Because that was the message that was sent to me. Constantly.
A few years ago I wrote my second book Mangoes in April. I hope to share it someday.
After six publisher rejections for that book I put my pen down and didn't write again for years.
One publisher called my writing colourless. Another said it wasn't believable. Every rejection cut deep into my core and reminded me repeatedly (of the lie) that I wasn't good enough.
In the hope of getting published – I changed my entire book each time I received a rejection letter. I hoped this would help matters. It didn't. It just turned my book into a joke and contaminated the purity of the story I'd set out to tell.
I sent TONS of samples and requests to publishers – so the six rejections I received were a mere sprinkle in the ocean of all the requests I'd sent out.
Eventually when I was too wrecked to receive any more criticism about how lousy my writing and my story was – I stopped sending the requests. Worse still: I stopped writing.
Yes they had won. All of them. The school teachers, the publishers, everyone who had told me I wasn't good enough was victorious: I had come to believe that indeed they were right and I wasn't good enough.
By then I had mutilated my book so much that the essence of why I'd written it in the first place was lost.
I can't remember what triggered my "go" to write again. I guess there came a time when I became so full that I had to let it out and share.
Sharing has always been my reason to write. That need to articulate what's on the inside – even if the only reader is me. Also what changed and brought me back to my writing table was that I was no longer writing for an audience. That need for approval had died. And I buried it with glee! Oh the joy!
I didn't care who read my work or who didn't. It didn't matter if the people who did read liked what I said or loathed every word I'd strung together. I wrote to share. To share me – even it was just to me.
We all have a gift. Something that compels us to share. Something that refuses to die and be put away no matter how many times we're told we're not good enough.
I have done tremendous things in my career and personal life – but there are few things that give me more joy than writing.
I love reading my own work. It inspires me and spurs me on.
When it comes to how I feel about my writing you'll be HUGELY disappointed should you wish to find modesty. I relish how I write – it's juicy and scrumptious and it makes me so happy.
I appreciate my gift because it was given to me first to enjoy – what I share is from the abundance of what I've been given.
I'm grateful for the internet and how it's evolved because it allows me to share without asking someone to approve my work – I don't need anyone's "OK".
I write what I want, when I want to and share it with as many people as want to receive.
So do look out for my book Mangoes in April. I'll publish it online – you'll be able to download it – share it with friends – and I hope more than anything that you'll enjoy it to the point of being inspired to share your gift too.
Give me a short while though- I'm going back to re-write Mangoes in April as I had wanted to share it from the beginning. It's a piece of me and now I can truly say I've grown up enough to treat it with the dignity, honour, reverence and love it deserves.
P.S. I remain most grateful to my English Lecturer in college, Ms Anne Levitz who never ceased to tell me how fantastic my writing was. You have no idea how you built my confidence. You gave me the courage to really buckle down and hone my skill.
And many many thanks to my first career mentor Diane de Beer for loving my work (and me) enough to let me fly. I grew so much under your wings!
And to my Dad who always always read every single thing I ever wrote and relished it so! You were relentless in showing me that my gift mattered.


text:
Marvin Harada, född 12 september 1953, är en jōdoshinshū-buddhistisk präst som sedan 1 april 2020 är Buddhist Churches of Americas biskop. Som biskop för BCA är han även föreståndare för Honganji-has Nordamerikanska distrikt.

Den 25 maj 2021 agerade han som representant för mahayanabuddhismen vid ett Vesak-firande arrangerat av Vita huset.

Biografi
Harada föddes i Ontario i Oregon. Hans mor- eller farföräldrar, bönder från Hiroshima prefektur och Yamaguchi prefektur, flyttade från Japan till USA under tidigt 1900-tal.

Han tog kandidatexamen i religionsvetenskap vid University of Oregon, och senare en masterexamen i buddhologi vid Institute of Buddhist Studies. Han flyttade därefter till Japan för att studera vid Ryukoku universitet och Honganji-ha seminariet Chuo Bukkyo Gakuin. Han tog en masterexamen i jodoshinshu-buddhologi (Shin Buddhist Studies) vid Ryukoku universitet.

1986 tillträdde han som präst vid Orange County Buddhist Church, beläget i staden Anaheim. Han blev sedermera huvudpräst där, meddirektör vid BCA Continuing Buddhist Education samt "supervising minister" vid Sacramento Betsuin och Vista Buddhist Church.

Bibliografi

Referenser

Personligheter inom rena land-buddhism
Personer i USA under 2000-talet
Alumner från University of Oregon
Personer från Ontario, Oregon
Födda 1953
Levande personer
Män

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia