10-Q
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008
Commission file number 001-33606
 
VALIDUS HOLDINGS, LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
BERMUDA   98-0501001
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
19 Par-La-Ville Road, Hamilton, Bermuda HM 11
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(441) 278-9000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
     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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ  No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
     
     Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o
     
     Non-accelerated filer þ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o  No þ
     As of May 14, 2008, there were 74,230,410 outstanding Common Shares, $0.175 par value per share, of the registrant.
 
 

 


 

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 EX-31.1: CERTIFICATION
 EX-31.2: CERTIFICATION
 EX-32 : CERTIFICATION

 


 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
                 
    March 31,      
    2008
(Unaudited)
    December 31,
2007
 
Assets
               
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2008 - $2,760,377; 2007 - $2,403,074)
  $ 2,759,884     $ 2,411,398  
Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost: 2008 - $133,770; 2007 - $251,150)
    133,711       250,623  
Cash and cash equivalents
    347,347       444,698  
 
           
Total cash and investments
    3,240,942       3,106,719  
Premiums receivable
    572,175       401,241  
Deferred acquisition costs
    135,789       105,562  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
    71,855       22,817  
Securities lending collateral
    191,256       164,324  
Loss reserves recoverable
    118,575       134,404  
Paid losses recoverable
    7,008       7,810  
Income taxes recoverable
          3,325  
Intangible assets
    130,339       131,379  
Goodwill
    20,393       20,393  
Accrued investment income
    22,187       19,960  
Other assets
    25,119       26,290  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 4,535,638     $ 4,144,224  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities
               
Reserve for losses and loss expenses
  $ 977,236     $ 926,117  
Unearned premiums
    750,257       557,344  
Reinsurance balances payable
    88,356       36,848  
Securities lending payable
    192,468       164,324  
Income taxes payable
    1,531        
Deferred income taxes
    13,421       16,663  
Net payable for investments purchased
    52,307       31,426  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    119,404       126,702  
Debentures payable
    350,000       350,000  
 
           
Total liabilities
    2,544,980       2,209,424  
 
               
Commitments and contingent liabilities
               
 
               
Shareholders’ equity
               
Ordinary shares, 571,428,571 authorized, par value $0.175 Issued and outstanding (2008 – 74,230,410; 2007 - 74,199,836)
    12,990       12,985  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,391,303       1,384,604  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    18       (49 )
Retained earnings
    586,347       537,260  
 
           
Total shareholders’ equity
    1,990,658       1,934,800  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 4,535,638     $ 4,144,224  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
                 
    Three months ended     Three months ended  
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Revenues
               
Gross premiums written
  $ 521,594     $ 378,070  
Reinsurance premiums ceded
    (84,900 )     (30,958 )
 
           
Net premiums written
    436,694       347,112  
Change in unearned premiums
    (144,830 )     (235,620 )
 
           
Net premiums earned
    291,864       111,492  
Net investment income
    36,043       18,497  
Net realized gains on investments
    7,744       46  
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investments
    (14,977 )     1,643  
Other income
    935        
Foreign exchange gains
    8,179       1,389  
 
           
Total revenues
    329,788       133,067  
 
               
Expenses
               
Losses and loss expense
    140,024       46,487  
Policy acquisition costs
    56,701       12,219  
General and administrative expenses
    37,107       11,227  
Share compensation expense
    6,535       1,945  
Finance expenses
    21,517       4,441  
 
           
Total expenses
    261,884       76,319  
 
           
 
               
Net income before taxes
    67,904       56,748  
Income tax expense
    1,429        
 
           
Net income
  $ 66,475     $ 56,748  
 
           
 
               
Comprehensive income
               
Currency translation adjustments
    67        
 
           
Comprehensive income
  $ 66,542     $ 56,748  
 
           
 
               
Earnings per share
               
Weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding
               
Basic
    74,209,371       58,482,601  
Diluted
    78,329,727       60,215,392  
 
               
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.87     $ 0.97  
 
           
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.85     $ 0.94  
 
           
 
               
Cash dividends declared per share
  $ 0.20     $ 0.00  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
                 
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Common shares
               
Balance – Beginning of period
  $ 12,985     $ 10,234  
Issue of common shares
    5        
 
           
Balance – End of period
  $ 12,990     $ 10,234  
 
           
 
               
Additional paid-in capital
               
Balance – Beginning of period
  $ 1,384,604     $ 1,048,025  
Issue of common shares, net of expenses
    164        
Stock option expense
    1,023       915  
Fair value of warrants qualifying as equity
           
Share compensation expense
    5,512       1,030  
 
           
Balance – End of period
  $ 1,391,303     $ 1,049,970  
 
           
 
               
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
               
Balance – Beginning of period
  $ (49 )   $ 875  
Currency translation adjustments
    67        
Cumulative effect of adoption of fair value option
          (875 )
 
           
Balance – End of period
  $ 18     $  
 
           
 
               
Retaining earnings
               
Balance – Beginning of period
  $ 537,260     $ 133,389  
Cumulative effect of adoption of fair value option
          875  
Dividends
    (17,388 )      
Net income
    66,475       56,748  
 
           
Balance – End of period
  $ 586,347     $ 191,012  
 
           
 
               
Total shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,990,658     $ 1,251,216  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
                 
    Three months ended     Three months ended  
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Cash flows provided by operating activities
               
Net income for the period
  $ 66,475     $ 56,748  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
               
Share compensation expense
    6,535       1,945  
Net realized gains on sales of investments
    (7,744 )     (46 )
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investments
    14,977       (1,643 )
Amortization of intangible assets
    1,040        
Foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents included in net income
    (5,701 )     (3,241 )
Amortization of discounts on fixed maturities
    226       (2,627 )
Changes in:
               
Premiums receivable
    (170,863 )     (213,886 )
Deferred acquisition costs
    (30,318 )     (38,491 )
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
    (48,992 )     (18,819 )
Losses recoverable
    15,782       (450 )
Paid losses recoverable
    811        
Taxes recoverable
    4,701        
Accrued investment income
    (2,226 )     (1,227 )
Other assets
    85       (1,668 )
Reserve for losses and loss expense
    51,935       34,192  
Unearned premiums
    193,221       254,439  
Reinsurance balances payable
    51,447       18,270  
Deferred taxation
    (3,242 )      
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (7,009 )     (7,822 )
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    131,140       75,674  
 
           
 
               
Cash flows used in investing activities
               
Proceeds on maturity of investments
    66,540        
Proceeds on sales of investments
    573,454       163,758  
Purchases of fixed maturities
    (973,142 )     (401,955 )
Sales of short-term investments, net
    117,157       183,956  
Increase in securities lending collateral
    (28,144 )     (3,932 )
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (244,135 )     (58,173 )
 
           
 
               
Cash flows provided by financing activities
               
Issue of common shares, net of expenses
    169        
Dividends paid to shareholders
    (17,388 )      
Increase in securities lending payable
    28,144       3,932  
 
           
Net cash provided by financing activities
    10,925       3,932  
 
           
 
               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    4,719       3,241  
 
               
Net (decrease) increase in cash
    (97,351 )     24,674  
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents – Beginning of period
    444,698       63,643  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents – End of period
  $ 347,347     $ 88,317  
 
           
Net taxes paid during the period
  $ (114 )   $  
 
           
Interest paid during the period
  $ 7,641     $ 3,401  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
1.  
Basis of preparation and consolidation
     These unaudited consolidated financial statements include Validus Holdings, Ltd. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (together, the “Company”) and have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In addition, the year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. This Quarterly Report should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
     In the opinion of management, these unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations as at the end of and for the periods presented. Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The major estimates reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements include the reserve for losses and loss expenses, premium estimates for business written on a line slip or proportional basis, and reinsurance recoverable balances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The terms “FAS” and “FASB” used in these notes refer to Statements of Financial Accounting Standards issued by the United States Financial Accounting Standards Board. The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the results of operations and cash flows of Talbot since the date of acquisition of July 2, 2007 and not any prior periods (including for comparative purposes).
2.  
Recent accounting pronouncements
     In March 2008, the FASB issued FAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment of FASB Statement 133” (“FAS 161”). This statement expands the disclosure requirements of FAS 133 and requires the reporting entity to provide enhanced disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivative instruments, quantitative disclosures about the fair values and amounts of gains and losses on derivative contracts, and credit risk related contingent features in derivative agreements. The statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of FAS 161 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
3.  
Investments
     During the first quarter of 2007, the Company adopted FAS 157 and FAS 159. Prior to January 1, 2007, the Company’s investments in fixed maturities were classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value, with related net unrealized gains or losses excluded from earnings and included in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. The Company believes that accounting for its investment portfolio as trading more closely reflects its investment guidelines. Beginning on January 1, 2007, the Company’s investments in fixed maturities were classified as trading and carried at fair value, with related net unrealized gains or losses included in earnings.
a)  
Classification within the fair value hierarchy under FAS 157
     Under SFAS 157, a company must determine the appropriate level in the fair value hierarchy for each fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy in SFAS 157 prioritizes the inputs, which refer broadly to assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, into three levels. It gives the highest priority to quoted

6


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which a fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
     Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. A significant adjustment to a Level 2 input could result in the Level 2 measurement becoming a Level 3 measurement. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
     Level 1 primarily consists of financial instruments whose value is based on quoted market prices or alternative approaches but for which the Company typically obtained independent external valuation information including cash and certain cash instruments such as money market funds, overnight repos and commercial paper. Level 2 includes financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including time value, yield curve, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severity, current market and contractual prices for the underlying financial instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Financial instruments in this category include U.S. Treasuries, sovereign debt, corporate debt and U.S. agency and non-agency mortgage and asset-backed securities. The Company currently believes that none of its marketable securities are being valued based on unobservable inputs and so does not consider any securities to be classified as Level 3.
     At March 31, 2008, the Company’s investments are allocated between levels 1, 2 and 3 as follows:
                                 
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
U.S. Government and Government Agency
  $     $ 783,204     $     $ 783,204  
Other Sovereign and Sovereign Agency
          170,428             170,428  
States, municipalities, political subdivisions
          27,433             27,433  
Corporate
          611,774             611,774  
Asset-backed securities
          196,330             196,330  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
          737,224             737,224  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
          233,491             233,491  
 
                       
Total fixed maturities
          2,759,884             2,759,884  
Total short-term investments
    126,785       6,926             133,711  
 
                       
Total
  $ 126,785     $ 2,766,810     $     $ 2,893,595  
 
                       
     At December 31, 2007, the Company’s investments are allocated between levels 1, 2 and 3 as follows:
                                 
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
U.S. Government and Government Agency
  $     $ 707,703     $     $ 707,703  
Other Sovereign and Sovereign Agency
          141,493             141,493  
Corporate
          488,127             488,127  
Asset-backed securities
          191,455             191,455  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
          723,632             723,632  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
          158,988             158,988  
 
                       
Total fixed maturities
          2,411,398             2,411,398  
Total short-term investments
    215,052       35,571             250,623  
 
                       
Total
  $ 215,052     $ 2,446,969     $     $ 2,662,021  
 
                       

7


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
     The table in section (c) below shows the aggregate cost (or amortized cost) and fair value of the Company’s marketable securities, by investment type, as of the periods indicated.
b)  
Net investment income
     Net investment income is derived from the following sources:
                 
    Three months ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2008     2007  
Fixed maturities and short-term investments
  $ 31,691     $ 18,075  
Securities lending income
    435       1  
Cash and cash equivalents
    4,838       931  
 
           
Total gross investment income
    36,964       19,007  
Investment expenses
    (921 )     (510 )
 
           
Net investment income
  $ 36,043     $ 18,497  
 
           
     The following represents an analysis of net realized gains (losses) and the change in unrealized gains (losses) of investments:
                 
    Three months ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2008     2007  
Fixed maturities, short-term investments and cash equivalents
               
Gross realized gains
  $ 8,356     $ 89  
Gross realized losses
    (612 )     (43 )
 
           
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
    7,744       46  
Change in unrealized gains (losses) of securities lending
    (1,212 )      
Change in unrealized gains (losses) of investments
    (13,765 )     1,643  
 
           
Total net realized (losses) gains and change in unrealized gains (losses) of investments
  $ (7,233 )   $ 1,689  
 
           
c)  
Fixed maturity and short-term investments
     The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair value of investments at March 31, 2008 are as follows:
                                 
    Amortized     Gross     Gross unrealized     Estimated fair  
    Cost     unrealized gains     losses     value  
U.S. Government and Government Agency
  $ 762,842     $ 20,441     $ (79 )   $ 783,204  
Other Sovereign and Sovereign Agency
    167,669       3,090       (331 )     170,428  
States, municipalities, political subdivisions
    27,001       432             27,433  
Corporate
    606,573       10,128       (4,927 )     611,774  
Asset-backed securities
    196,058       1,567       (1,295 )     196,330  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
    763,806       7,221       (33,803 )     737,224  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
    236,428       108       (3,045 )     233,491  
 
                       
Total fixed maturities
    2,760,377       42,987       (43,480 )     2,759,884  
Total short-term investments
    133,770       20       (79 )     133,711  
 
                       
Total
  $ 2,894,147     $ 43,007     $ (43,559 )   $ 2,893,595  
 
                       

8


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
     The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair value of investments at December 31, 2007 are as follows:
                                 
            Gross     Gross        
            unrealized     unrealized     Estimated  
    Amortized Cost     gains     losses     fair value  
U.S. Government and Government Agency
  $ 700,697     $ 7,163     $ (157 )   $ 707,703  
Other Sovereign and Sovereign Agency
    143,744       1,003       (3,254 )     141,493  
Corporate
    486,752       4,346       (2,971 )     488,127  
Asset-backed securities
    191,413       641       (599 )     191,455  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
    722,749       6,362       (5,479 )     723,632  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
    157,719       1,317       (48 )     158,988  
 
                       
Total fixed maturities
    2,403,074       20,832       (12,508 )     2,411,398  
Total short-term investments
    251,150       63       (590 )     250,623  
 
                       
Total
  $ 2,654,224     $ 20,895     $ (13,098 )   $ 2,662,021  
 
                       
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the investment ratings of the Company’s fixed maturities portfolio as at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. Investment ratings are the lower of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s rating for each investment security, presented in Standard & Poor’s equivalent rating. For investments where Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s ratings are not available, Fitch ratings are used and presented in Standard & Poor’s equivalent rating.
                                 
    March 31, 2008     December 31, 2007  
    Estimated             Estimated        
    fair value     % of total     fair value     % of total  
AAA
  $ 2,261,315       82.0 %   $ 2,029,573       84.2 %
AA+
    45,081       1.6 %     37,458       1.6 %
AA
    39,150       1.4 %     51,091       2.1 %
AA-
    165,197       6.0 %     96,578       4.0 %
A+
    115,707       4.2 %     88,181       3.7 %
A
    89,004       3.2 %     70,666       2.9 %
A-
    38,837       1.4 %     29,948       1.2 %
BBB+
    5,593       0.2 %     7,903       0.3 %
 
                       
Total
  $ 2,759,884       100.0 %   $ 2,411,398       100.0 %
 
                       
     The amortized cost and estimated fair value amounts for fixed maturity securities held at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 are shown by contractual maturity. Actual maturity may differ from contractual maturity because certain borrowers may have the right to call or prepay certain obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
                                 
    March 31, 2008     December 31, 2007  
    Amortized     Estimated     Amortized     Estimated  
    cost     fair value     cost     fair value  
Due in one year or less
  $ 184,321     $ 185,649     $ 197,833     $ 198,466  
Due after one year through five years
    1,336,058       1,362,416       1,083,470       1,087,758  
Due after five years through ten years
    24,754       25,788       29,509       30,427  
Due after ten years
    18,952       18,986       20,381       20,672  
 
                       
 
    1,564,085       1,592,839       1,331,193       1,337,323  
Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities
    1,196,292       1,167,045       1,071,881       1,074,075  
 
                       
Total
  $ 2,760,377     $ 2,759,884     $ 2,403,074     $ 2,411,398  
 
                       

9


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
     The Company has a five year, $500,000 secured letter of credit facility provided by a syndicate of commercial banks. At March 31, 2008 approximately $102,065 (December 31, 2007: $104,524) of letters of credit were issued and outstanding under this facility for which $108,827 of investments were pledged as collateral (December 31, 2007: $109,164). During the prior year the Company entered into a $100,000 standby letter of credit facility which provides Funds at Lloyd’s.  At March 31, 2008, $100,000 (December 31, 2007: $100,000) of letters of credit were issued and outstanding under this facility for which $121,572 of investments were pledged as collateral (December 31, 2007: $118,121).
     Cash and cash equivalents and investments in Talbot of $1,120,838 at March 31, 2008 were held in trust for the benefit of cedants and policyholders, and to facilitate the accreditation as an alien insurer/reinsurer by certain regulators (December 31, 2007: $1,064,430).
d)  
Securities lending
     The Company participates in a securities lending program whereby certain securities from its portfolio are loaned to third parties for short periods of time through a lending agent. The Company retains all economic interest in the securities it lends and receives a fee from the borrower for the temporary use of the securities. Collateral in the form of cash, government securities and letters of credit is required at a rate of 102% of the market value of the loaned securities and is held by a third party. As at March 31, 2008, the Company had $188,956 (December 31, 2007: $161,579) in securities on loan. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company had recorded a $1,212 unrealized loss on this collateral on its statements of operations (December 31, 2007: $nil).
     Securities lending collateral reinvested is primarily comprised of corporate floating rate securities with an average reset period of 34.4 days (December 31, 2007: 42.9 days). As at March 31, 2008, the securities lending collateral reinvested by the Company in connection with its securities lending program is allocated between levels 1, 2 and 3 as follows:
                                 
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Corporate
  $     $ 95,158     $     $ 95,158  
Asset-backed securities
          20,838             20,838  
Short-term investments
    67,306       7,954             75,260  
 
                       
 
  $ 67,306     $ 123,950     $     $ 191,256  
 
                       
     As at December 31, 2007, the securities lending collateral reinvested by the Company in connection with its securities lending program are allocated between levels 1, 2 and 3 as follows:
                                 
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Corporate
  $     $ 49,055     $     $ 49,052  
Asset-backed securities
          11,515             11,518  
Short-term investments
    97,797       5,957             103,754  
 
                       
 
  $ 97,797     $ 66,527     $     $ 164,324  
 
                       
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the investment ratings of the Company’s securities lending collateral reinvested as at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. Investment ratings are the lower of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s rating for each investment

10


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
security, presented in Standard & Poor’s equivalent rating. For investments where Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s ratings are not available, Fitch ratings are used and presented in Standard & Poor’s equivalent rating.
                                 
    March 31, 2008     December 31, 2007  
    Estimated             Estimated        
    fair value     % of total     fair value     % of total  
AAA
  $ 38,675       31.2 %   $ 18,611       28.0 %
AA+
          0.0 %     2,999       4.5 %
AA
    37,735       30.5 %     15,997       24.0 %
AA-
    21,744       17.5 %     11,954       18.0 %
A+
    18,836       15.2 %     9,010       13.5 %
A
    6,960       5.6 %     7,956       12.0 %
A-
          0.0 %           0.0 %
BBB+
          0.0 %           0.0 %
 
                       
Total
  $ 123,950       100.0 %   $ 66,527       100.0 %
 
                       
     The amortized cost and estimated fair value amounts for securities lending collateral reinvested held at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 are shown by contractual maturity. Actual maturity may differ from contractual maturity because certain borrowers may have the right to call or prepay certain obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
                                 
    March 31, 2008     December 31, 2007  
    Amortized     Estimated     Amortized     Estimated  
    cost     fair value     cost     fair value  
Due in one year or less
  $ 76,303     $ 76,223     $ 103,793     $ 104,151  
Due after one year through five years
    116,132       115,033       60,469       60,173  
Due after five years through ten years
                       
Due after ten years
                       
 
                       
Total
  $ 192,435     $ 191,256     $ 164,262     $ 164,324  
 
                       
4.  
Reinsurance
     The Company enters into reinsurance and retrocession agreements in order to mitigate its accumulation of loss, reduce its liability on individual risks, enable it to underwrite policies with higher limits, and increase aggregate capacity. The cession of insurance and reinsurance does not legally discharge the Company from its primary liability for the full amount of the policies, and the Company is required to pay the loss and bear collection risk if the reinsurer fails to meet its obligations under the reinsurance agreement. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the underlying liabilities.
a)  
Credit risk
     The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentration of credit risk arising from its exposure to individual reinsurers. The reinsurance program is generally placed with reinsurers whose rating, at the time of placement, was A- or better rated by Standard & Poor’s or the equivalent with other rating agencies. Exposure to a single reinsurer is also controlled with restrictions dependent on rating. 100.0% of reinsurance recoverables (which includes loss reserves recoverable and recoverables on paid losses) at March 31, 2008 were from reinsurers rated A- or better and included $32,299 of IBNR recoverable (December 31, 2007: $35,340). Reinsurance recoverables by reinsurer are as follows:

11


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
                                 
    March 31, 2008     December 31, 2007  
    Reinsurance     % of     Reinsurance     % of  
    recoverable     Total     recoverable     Total  
Top 10 reinsurers
  $ 117,501       93.6 %   $ 129,978       91.4 %
Other reinsurers balances > $1 million
    5,886       4.7 %     8,700       6.1 %
Other reinsurers balances < $1 million
    2,196       1.7 %     3,536       2.5 %
 
                       
Total
  $ 125,583       100.0 %   $ 142,214       100.0 %
 
                       
                     
        March 31, 2008  
        Reinsurance     % of  
Top 10 Reinsurers   Rating   recoverable     Total  
Hannover Ruck -AG
  AA-   $ 28,405       24.2 %
Lloyd’s syndicates
  A+     26,366       22.4 %
Swiss Re
  AA-     18,761       16.0 %
Muenchener Ruckversicherungs
  AA-     15,137       12.9 %
Allianz
  AA     13,547       11.5 %
Aspen Insurance UK
  A     5,023       4.3 %
Axa Re
  AA     3,272       2.8 %
National Indemnity Company
  AAA     2,275       1.9 %
Transatlantic Reinsurance
  AA-     2,869       2.4 %
Brit Insurance Limited.
  A     1,846       1.6 %
 
               
 
      $ 117,501       100.0 %
 
             
                     
        December 31, 2007  
        Reinsurance     % of  
Top 10 Reinsurers   Rating   recoverable     Total  
Hannover Ruck -AG
  AA-   $ 31,630       24.4 %
Lloyd’s syndicates
  A+     29,613       22.8 %
Swiss Re
  AA-     18,758       14.4 %
Muenchener Ruckversicherungs
  AA-     14,322       11.0 %
Allianz
  AA     13,461       10.4 %
Axa Re
  AA     7,418       5.7 %
Aspen Insurance UK
  A     4,978       3.8 %
National Indemnity Company
  AAA     4,738       3.6 %
Transatlantic Reinsurance
  AA-     2,970       2.3 %
Max Re Ltd.
  A-     2,090       1.6 %
 
               
 
      $ 129,978       100.0 %
 
             
     At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the provision for uncollectible reinsurance relating to losses recoverable was $2,756 and $3,106. To estimate the provision for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable, the reinsurance recoverable must first be allocated to applicable reinsurers. This determination is based on a process rather than an estimate, although an element of judgment must be applied. As part of this process, ceded IBNR is allocated by reinsurer. Of the $125,583 reinsurance recoverable at March 31, 2008, $nil was collateralized (December 31, 2007: $nil).
     The Company uses a default analysis to estimate uncollectible reinsurance. The primary components of the default analysis are reinsurance recoverable balances by reinsurer and default factors used to determine the portion of a reinsurer’s balance deemed to be uncollectible. Default factors require considerable judgment and are determined using the current rating, or rating equivalent, of each reinsurer as well as other key considerations and assumptions.

12


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
     At March 31, 2008, the use of different assumptions within the model could have a material effect on the provision for uncollectible reinsurance reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. To the extent the creditworthiness of the Company’s reinsurers was to deteriorate due to an adverse event affecting the reinsurance industry, such as a large number of major catastrophes, actual uncollectible amounts could be significantly greater than the Company’s provision.
b)  
Collateralized quota share retrocession treaties
     Between May 8, 2006 and July 28, 2006, Validus Re entered into retrocessional reinsurance agreements with Petrel Re Limited (“Petrel”), a Bermuda reinsurance company. These agreements include quota share reinsurance agreements (“Petrel Collateralized Quota Shares”) whereby Petrel assumes a quota share of certain lines of marine & energy and other lines of business assumed by Validus Re for unaffiliated third parties for the 2006 and 2007 underwriting years. Under the terms of the reinsurance agreements, the Company has determined it is not required to consolidate the assets, liabilities and results of operations of Petrel under the terms of FIN 46(R). Petrel is a separate legal entity in which the Company has no equity investment, management or board interests or related party relationships. The collateralized quota share retrocessional reinsurance agreement with Petrel Re Limited was not extended beyond the 2007 underwriting year.
     Petrel is required to contribute funds into a trust (the “Petrel Trust”) for the benefit of Validus Re. Under the Petrel Collateralized Quota Shares, the amount required to be on deposit in the Petrel Trust is the sum of (i) full aggregate outstanding limits in excess of unpaid premium and related ceding commission on all in force covered policies plus (ii) an amount determined by Validus Re in its discretion to support known losses under covered policies (the “Required Amount of Available Assets”). If the actual amounts on deposit in the Petrel Trust, together with certain other amounts (the “Available Assets”), do not at least equal the Required Amount of Available Assets, Validus Re will, among other things, cease ceding business on a prospective basis.
     Validus Re pays a reinsurance premium to Petrel in the amount of the ceded percentage of the original gross premiums written on the business reinsured with Petrel less a ceding commission, which includes a reimbursement of direct acquisition expenses as well as a commission to Validus Re for generating the business. The Petrel Collateralized Quota Shares also provides for a profit commission to Validus Re based on the underwriting results for the 2006 and 2007 underwriting years on a cumulative basis.
     For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 Validus Re ceded $nil and $24,586 of premiums written through the Petrel Collateralized Quota Shares. The earned portion of premiums ceded to Petrel for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $6,113 and $10,553.
     On December 22, 2007, Validus Re entered into a collateralized retrocessional reinsurance agreement with an unaffiliated third party whereby the Company cedes certain business underwritten in the marine offshore energy lines. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 Validus Re ceded $11,731 and $nil of premiums written through this agreement. The earned portions of premiums ceded for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were $2,764 and $nil.
5.  
Share capital
     A reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of the Company, was approved by the shareholders, effective immediately following the Company’s Annual General Meeting on March 1, 2007, whereby each 1.75 outstanding shares was consolidated into 1 share, and the par value of the Company’s shares was increased to US $0.175 per share. This share consolidation has been reflected retroactively in these financial statements.
a)  
Authorized and issued
     The Company’s authorized share capital is 571,428,571 ordinary voting and non-voting ordinary shares with a par value of $0.175 each. The holders of ordinary voting shares are allocated one vote per share, provided that, if the controlled shares of any shareholder or group of related

13


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
shareholders constitute more than 9.09 percent of the outstanding common shares of the Company, their voting power will be reduced to 9.09 percent.
     As of December 31, 2005, the Company had issued 58,423,173 common shares at a price of $17.50 in a private offering. Shares issued consisted of both voting common shares and non-voting common shares which are identical in all respects, other than with respect to voting and conversion of non-voting common shares. Of the shares issued at December 31, 2005, 14,057,138 were non-voting and an additional 5,714,285 shares converted to non-voting upon the filing of the Company’s registration statement for its initial public offering (“IPO”). Proceeds from this issuance, after offering expenses, were $999,997. These proceeds were used for general corporate purposes.
     The Company issued an additional 59,427 voting shares in a private offering in February, 2006 at a price of $17.50 for net proceeds of $1,030.
     On July 2, 2007, the Company acquired Talbot and agreed to issue an additional 18,415 common shares to certain employees of Talbot. These employees had elected to receive common shares of the Company in lieu of a cash settlement for the purchase of their Talbot shares. The issued common shares of the Company were valued at $23.00 per share and were issued on July 2, 2007.
     On July 30, 2007, the Company completed its IPO, selling 15,244,888 common shares at a price of $22.00 per share. The net proceeds to the Company from the IPO were approximately $310,731, after deducting the underwriters’ discount and fees. On July 31, 2007, the Company used $188,971 of the net proceeds to fully repay borrowings and to pay accrued interest under its unsecured credit facility. The Company used the remaining $121,760 of net proceeds to make a capital contribution to Validus Re Ltd. to support the future growth of reinsurance operations and to pay certain expenses related to the Talbot acquisition and made a $3,000 payment to Aquiline in connection with the termination of the Advisory Agreement.
     On August 27, 2007, the Company issued an additional 453,933 common shares at a price of $22.00 per share pursuant to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common shares. The net proceeds to the Company of $9,349 were contributed to Validus Re Ltd. Inclusive of the net proceeds from the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common shares, total proceeds from the IPO were approximately $320,080 and capital contributed to Validus Re Ltd. was approximately $127,312.
     During the three months ended March 31, 2008, 18,512 warrants were exercised, resulting in the net share issuance of 5,913 common shares. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, 24,661 options were exercised resulting in the issuance of 24,661 common shares.
b)  
Warrants
     The Company’s founder and sponsoring investors provided their insurance industry expertise, resources and relationships during the period ended December 31, 2005 to ensure that the Company would be fully operational with key management in place in time for the January 2006 renewal season. In return for these services the founder and sponsoring investors were issued warrants. Until July 30, 2007, the IPO date, agreements with the founder and sponsoring investors provided that the warrants represented, in the aggregate, 12.0% of the fully diluted shares of the Company (assuming exercise of all options, warrants and any other rights to purchase common shares) and were subject to adjustment such that the warrants would continue to represent, in the aggregate, 12.0% of the fully diluted shares of the Company until such time as the Company consummated an initial public offering, amalgamation, merger or another such similar corporate event. In consideration for the founder’s and sponsoring investors’ commitments, the Company had issued as at March 31, 2008 warrants to the founding shareholder and sponsoring investors to purchase, in the aggregate, up to 8,711,729 (December 31, 2007 — to 8,711,729) common shares. Of those issued 2,090,815 (December 31, 2006

14


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
- 1,557,188) of the warrants are to purchase non-voting common shares. The 12.0% agreement expired on the consummation of the IPO. No further warrants are anticipated to be issued.
     In February 2006 and July 2007 additional warrants were issued to the founding shareholder and sponsoring investors to maintain the allocation at 12.0% of the fully diluted shares of the Company pursuant to the anti-dilution provision of the warrants. 8,593 warrants were issued in February 2006 and 256,409 warrants were issued in July 2007.
     The warrants may be settled using either the physical settlement or net-share settlement methods. The warrants have been classified as equity instruments, in accordance with EITF 00-19: “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock”. The warrants were initially measured at an aggregate fair value of $75,091 and recorded to additional paid-in capital. The founding shareholder’s warrants in the amount of $25,969 were accounted for as a deduction from additional paid-in capital and the balance of $49,122 was expensed. The additional warrants issued for the period ended December 31, 2006 increased the fair value to $75,168 with the increase of $77 expensed. The additional warrants issued for the period ended December 31, 2007 increased the fair value to $78,060 with the increase of $2,893 expensed.
     The fair value of each warrant issued was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The volatility assumption used, of approximately 30.0%, was derived from the historical volatility of the share price of a range of publicly-traded Bermuda reinsurance companies of a similar business nature to the Company. No allowance was made for any potential illiquidity associated with the private trading of the Company’s shares. The other assumptions in the warrant-pricing model were as follows:
                         
    December 15, 2005   February 3, 2006   July 24, 2007
    issuance   issuance   issuance
Warrants issued
    8,446,727       8,593       256,409  
Average strike price
  $ 17.50     $ 17.50     $ 20.00  
Volatility
    30.0 %     30.0 %     30.0 %
Risk-free rate
    4.5 %     4.5 %     4.5 %
Expected dividend yield
    0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %
Expected term (years)
    10       10       8  
Calculated fair-value per warrant
  $ 8.89     $ 8.89     $ 11.28  
     During the three months ended March 31, 2008, 18,512 warrants were exercised, resulting in the net share issuance of 5,913 common shares.
c)  
Dividends
     On February 20, 2008 the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per common share and $0.20 per common share equivalent for which each outstanding warrant is then exercisable, payable on March 17, 2008 to holders of record on March 3, 2008. The Company did not declare any dividends for the three months ended March 31, 2007.
6.  
Stock plans
a)  
Long-term incentive plan
     The Company’s Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) provides for grants to employees of any option, stock appreciation right (“SAR”), restricted share, restricted share unit, performance share, performance unit, dividend equivalent or other share-based award. The total number of shares reserved for issuance under the LTIP is 13,126,896 shares. The LTIP is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. No SARs, performance shares, performance units or dividend equivalents have

15


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
been granted to date. Grant prices are established at the estimated fair market value of the Company’s common shares at the date of grant.
b)  
LTIP options
     Options granted under the LTIP may be exercised for voting common shares upon vesting. Options have a life of 10 years and vest ratably. Grant prices are established at the estimated fair value of the Company’s common shares at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used: risk free interest rate of 3.53%,(2007: 4.5%) expected life of 7 years, (2007:7 years) expected volatility of 30.0% (2007: 30.0%) and a dividend yield of 3.2% (2007: nil). Expected volatility is based on stock price volatility of comparable publicly-traded companies. Share expense of $1,023 was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2008 (2007: $915) related to the options, with a corresponding increase to additional paid-in capital. The expense represents the proportionate accrual of the fair value of each grant based on the remaining vesting period. Activity with respect to the options for the three months ended March 31, 2008 is as follows:
                         
            Weighted     Weighted average  
            average grant     grant date  
    Options     date fair value     exercise price  
Options outstanding, December 31, 2007
    2,761,176     $ 7.61     $ 17.82  
Options granted
    159,303       6.78       24.84  
Options exercised
    (24,661 )     7.35       17.50  
Options forfeited
    (1,850 )     10.30       20.39  
 
                 
Options outstanding, March 31, 2008
    2,893,968     $ 7.57     $ 18.20  
 
                 
Options exercisable at March 31, 2008
    995,295     $ 7.39     $ 17.55  
 
                 
     Activity with respect to options for the year ended December 31, 2007 is as follows:
                         
            Weighted     Weighted average  
            average grant     grant date  
    Options     date fair value     exercise price  
Options outstanding, December 31, 2006
    2,568,894     $ 7.35     $ 17.50  
Options granted
    206,464       10.88       21.44  
Options exercised
                 
Options forfeited
    (14,182 )     10.30       20.39  
 
                 
Options outstanding, December 31, 2007
    2,761,176     $ 7.61     $ 17.82  
 
                 
Options exercisable at December 31, 2007
    908,361     $ 7.36     $ 17.52  
 
                 
     At March 31, 2008 there was $12,343 (December 31, 2007: $12,340) of total unrecognized compensation expense related to the outstanding options that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.0 years (December 31, 2007: 3.1 years).
c)  
LTIP restricted shares
     Restricted shares granted under the LTIP vest either ratably or at the end of the required service period and contain certain restrictions for the vesting period, relating to, among other things, forfeiture in the event of termination of employment and transferability. Share expense of $2,942 (2007: $1,030) was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2008 related to the restricted shares. The expense represents the proportionate accrual of the fair value of each grant based on the remaining vesting period. Activity with respect to unvested restricted shares for the three months ended March 31, 2008 is as follows:

16


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
                 
            Weighted  
    Restricted     average grant  
    shares     date fair value  
Restricted shares outstanding, December 31, 2007
    2,158,220     $ 20.44  
Restricted shares granted
    684,861       25.21  
Restricted shares vested
           
Restricted shares forfeited
    (2,189 )      
 
           
Restricted shares outstanding, March 31, 2008
    2,840,892     $ 21.64  
 
           
     Activity with respect to unvested restricted shares for the period ended December 31, 2007 is as follows:
                 
            Weighted  
    Restricted     average grant  
    shares     date fair value  
Restricted shares outstanding, December 31, 2006
    733,964     $ 17.52  
Restricted shares granted
    1,428,306       21.94  
Restricted shares vested
           
Restricted shares forfeited
    (4,050 )     (20.39 )
 
           
Restricted shares outstanding, December 31, 2007
    2,158,220     $ 20.44  
 
           
     At March 31, 2008 there was $36,960 (December 31, 2007: $25,116) of total unrecognized compensation expense related to the outstanding restricted shares that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.1 years (December 31, 2007: 3.4 years).
d)  
Employee Seller Shares
     Pursuant to the Share Sale Agreement for the purchase of Talbot, the Company issued 1,209,741 restricted shares to Talbot employees (the “Employee Seller Shares”). Upon consummation of the acquisition, the Employee Seller Shares were validly issued, fully-paid and non-assessable and entitled to vote and participate in distributions and dividends in accordance with the Company’s bye-laws. However, the Employee Seller Shares are subject to a restricted period during which the Employee Seller Shares are subject to forfeiture (as implemented by repurchase by the Company for a nominal amount). Forfeiture of Employee Seller Shares will generally occur in the event that any such Talbot employee’s employment terminates, with certain exceptions, prior to the end of the restricted period. The restricted period will end for 25% of the Employee Seller Shares on each anniversary of the closing date of July 2, 2007 for all Talbot employees other than Talbot’s Chairman, such that after four years forfeiture will be completely extinguished. Share expense of $2,567 and $nil, respectively, was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. The expense represents the proportionate accrual of the fair value of each grant based on the remaining vesting period. Activity with respect to unvested restricted shares for the three months ended March 31, 2008 is as follows:
                 
            Weighted  
    Restricted     average grant  
    shares     date fair value  
Employee seller shares outstanding, December 31, 2007
    1,209,741     $ 22.01  
Employee seller shares granted
           
Employee seller shares vested
           
Employee seller shares forfeited
           
 
           
Employee seller shares outstanding, March 31, 2008
    1,209,741     $ 22.01  
 
           
Employee seller shares exercisable at March 31, 2008
        $  
 
           
     Activity with respect to unvested restricted shares for the year ended December 31, 2007 is as follows:

17


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
                 
            Weighted  
    Restricted     average grant  
    shares     date fair value  
Employee seller shares outstanding, December 31, 2006
        $  
Employee seller shares granted
    1,209,741       22.01  
Employee seller shares vested
           
Employee seller shares forfeited
           
 
           
Employee seller shares outstanding, December 31, 2007
    1,209,741     $ 22.01  
 
           
Employee seller shares exercisable at December 31, 2007
        $  
 
           
     At March 31, 2008 there was $16,285 (December 31, 2007: $18,852) of total unrecognized compensation expense related to the outstanding restricted shares that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.0 years (December 31, 2007: 3.1 years).
e)  
Restricted Share Units
     Restricted share units under the LTIP vest either ratably or at the end of the required service period and contain certain restrictions for the vesting period, relating to, among other things, forfeiture in the event of termination of employment and transferability. Share expense of $3 was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2008 related to the restricted share units. The expense represents the proportionate accrual of the fair value of each grant based on the remaining vesting period. Activity with respect to unvested restricted share units for the three months ended March 31, 2008 is as follows:
                 
            Weighted  
    Restricted     average grant  
    share units     date fair value  
Restricted share units outstanding, December 31, 2007
        $  
Restricted share units granted
    7,853       24.84  
Restricted share units vested
           
Restricted share units forfeited
           
 
           
Restricted share units outstanding, March 31, 2008
    7,853     $ 24.84  
 
           
     At March 31, 2008 there was $182 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to the outstanding restricted share units that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 4.9 years.
f)  
Total Share Expense
     The breakdown of share expense is as follows:
                 
    Three months ended     Three months ended  
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007  
LTIP options
  $ 1,023     $ 915  
LTIP restricted shares
    2,942       1,030  
LTIP restricted share units
    3        
Employee seller shares
    2,567        
 
           
Total share compensation expense
  $ 6,535     $ 1,945  
 
           

18


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
7.  
Debt and financing arrangements
a)  
Financing structure and finance expenses
     The financing structure at March 31, 2008 was:
                 
            In Use /  
    Commitment     Outstanding  
9.069% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
  $ 150,000     $ 150,000  
8.480% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
    200,000       200,000  
$200,000 unsecured letter of credit facility
    200,000        
$500,000 secured letter of credit facility
    500,000       102,065  
Talbot FAL facility
    100,000       100,000  
Talbot third party FAL facility (1)
    174,365       174,365  
 
           
Total
  $ 1,324,365     $ 726,430  
 
           
 
(1)     Talbot operates in Lloyd’s through a corporate member, Talbot 2002 Underwriting Capital Ltd (“T02”), which is the sole participant in Syndicate 1183.  Lloyd’s sets T02’s required capital annually based on syndicate 1183’s business plan, rating environment, reserving environment together with input arising from Lloyd’s discussions with, inter alia, regulatory and rating agencies. Such capital, called Funds at Lloyd’s (“FAL”), comprises: cash, investments and undrawn letters of credit provided by various banks. For the 2005, 2006 and 2007 years of account, Talbot’s underwriting was supported by various third parties (“Talbot third party FAL facility”). Of this facility, $30,350 was provided in respect of the 2005 year of account only. This year of account has now closed and the funds are in the process of being returned to the appropriate FAL providers. The members of the Talbot third party FAL facility provided FAL, in the form of cash, investments and undrawn letters of credit provided by various banks, in exchange for payment calculated principally by reference to the Syndicate 1183’s 2005, 2006 and 2007 results, as appropriate, when they are declared.
     The financing structure at December 31, 2007 was:
                 
            In Use /  
    Commitment     Outstanding  
9.069% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
  $ 150,000     $ 150,000  
8.480% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
    200,000       200,000  
$200,000 unsecured letter of credit facility
    200,000        
$500,000 secured letter of credit facility
    500,000       104,524  
Talbot FAL facility
    100,000       100,000  
Talbot third party FAL facility
    174,365       174,365  
 
           
Total
  $ 1,324,365     $ 728,889  
 
           
     Finance expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $21,517 (2007: $4,441). Finance expenses consist of interest on our junior subordinated deferrable debentures, the amortization of debt offering costs, fees relating to our credit facilities and the costs of FAL as follows:
                 
    Three months ended     Three months ended  
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007  
9.069% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
  $ 3,588     $ 3,584  
8.480% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
    4,358        
Credit facilities
    351       857  
Talbot FAL facilities
    131        
Talbot other interest
    63        
Talbot third party FAL facility
    13,026        
 
           
Total
  $ 21,517     $ 4,441  
 
           

19


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
b)  
Junior subordinated deferrable debentures
     On June 15, 2006, the Company participated in a private placement of $150,000 of junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures due 2036 (the “9.069% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures”). The 9.069% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures mature on June 15, 2036, are redeemable at the Company’s option at par beginning June 15, 2011, and require quarterly interest payments by the Company to the holders of the 9.069% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures. Interest will be payable at 9.069% per annum through June 15, 2011, and thereafter at a floating rate of three-month LIBOR plus 355 basis points, reset quarterly. The proceeds of $150,000 from the sale of the 9.069% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures, after the deduction of commissions paid to the placement agents in the transaction and other expenses, are being used by the Company to fund Validus Re segment operations and for general working capital purposes. Debt issuance costs of $3,750 were deferred as an asset and are amortized to income over the five year optional redemption period.
     On June 21, 2007, the Company participated in a private placement of $200,000 of junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures due 2037 (the “8.480% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures”). The 8.480% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures mature on June 15, 2037, are redeemable at the Company’s option at par beginning June 15, 2012, and require quarterly interest payments by the Company to the holders of the 8.480% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures. Interest will be payable at 8.480% per annum through June 15, 2012, and thereafter at a floating rate of three-month LIBOR plus 295 basis points, reset quarterly. The proceeds of $200,000 from the sale of the 8.480% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures, after the deduction of commissions paid to the placement agents in the transaction and other expenses, were used by the Company to fund the purchase of Talbot Holdings Ltd. Debt issuance costs of $2,000 were deferred as an asset and are amortized to income over the five year optional redemption period. As discussed in Note 11, on April 29, 2008, the Company repurchased $45,700 principal amount of its 8.480% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures.
     Carrying value of the Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures approximates fair value.
     Future expected payments of interest and principal on the Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures are as follows:
         
2008
  $ 22,923  
2009
    22,923  
2010
    22,923  
2011
    166,120  
2012 and thereafter
    204,240  
 
     
Total minimum future payments
  $ 439,129  
 
     
c)  
Credit facilities
     On March 14, 2006 (the “effective date”), the Company entered into a 364-day $100,000 revolving credit facility and a three-year $200,000 secured letter of credit facility. The credit facilities were provided by a syndicate of commercial banks arranged by J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. Associated with each of these bank facilities are various covenants that include, among other things, (i) the requirement under the revolving credit facility that the Company at all times maintain a minimum level of consolidated net worth of at least 65% of consolidated net worth calculated as of the effective date, (ii) the requirement under the letter of credit facility that the Company initially maintain a minimum level of consolidated net worth of at least 65% of the consolidated net worth as calculated as of the effective date, and thereafter to be increased quarterly by an amount equal to 50% of consolidated net income (if positive) for such quarter plus 50% of any net proceeds received from any issuance of common shares of the Company during such quarter, and (iii) the requirement under each of the facilities that the Company maintain at all times a consolidated total debt to consolidated total capitalization ratio not greater than 0.30:1.00. The Company was in compliance with the covenants at December 31, 2006 and for the period then ended.

20


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
     On March 12, 2007, we entered into a new $200,000 three-year unsecured facility, as subsequently amended on October 25, 2007, which provides for letter of credit availability for Validus Re Ltd. and our other subsidiaries and revolving credit availability for the Company (the full $200,000 of which is available for letters of credit and/or revolving loans), and a new $500,000 five-year secured letter of credit facility, as subsequently amended, which provides for letter of credit availability for Validus Re Ltd. and our other subsidiaries. The new credit facilities were provided by a syndicate of commercial banks arranged by J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. The new credit facilities replaced our existing 364-day $100,000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility and our existing three-year $200,000 senior secured letter of credit facility, which have each been terminated.
     The credit facilities contain affirmative covenants that include, among other things, (i) the requirement that we initially maintain a minimum level of consolidated net worth of at least $872,000, and commencing with the end of the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2007 to be increased quarterly by an amount equal to 50% of our consolidated net income (if positive) for such quarter plus 50% of any net proceeds received from any issuance of common shares during such quarter, (ii) the requirement that we maintain at all times a consolidated total debt to consolidated total capitalization ratio not greater than 0.35:1.00, and (iii) the requirement that Validus Re Ltd. and any other material insurance subsidiaries maintain a financial strength rating by A.M. Best of not less than “B++” (Fair). At March 31, 2008 and for the period then ended, we were in compliance with the covenants under our new credit facility. The credit facilities also contain restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and other payments in respect of equity interests at any time that we are otherwise in default with respect to certain provisions under the credit facilities, make investments, incur debt at our subsidiaries, incur liens, sell assets and merge or consolidate with others. As of March 31, 2008 and throughout the reporting periods presented, where appropriate, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and restrictions.
     On July 2, 2007, the Company made a draw upon the $200,000 unsecured credit facility in the amount of $188,000. These funds were used to fund a portion of the cash purchase price for the Company’s acquisition of Talbot and associated expenses. The interest rate set in respect of borrowing amounts under its credit facility borrowings as of July 2, 2007 was 6.0% per annum. On July 31, 2007, the Company fully repaid these borrowings and paid accrued interest with $188,971 of proceeds from its initial public offering. As of March 31, 2008, we have $102,065 in outstanding letters of credit under our five-year secured letter of credit facility (December 31, 2007: $104,524) and no amounts outstanding under our three-year unsecured facility (December 31, 2007: $Nil).
     On November 25, 2003, Talbot entered into a standby Letter of Credit facility as subsequently amended (the “2003 Talbot FAL facility”). The 2003 Talbot FAL facility provided for dollar-based letter of credit availability for Talbot and designated subsidiaries for the purpose of providing funds at Lloyd’s. The commitment amount under the 2003 Talbot FAL facility was $30,000 was provided by Lloyds TSB Bank plc. The 2003 Talbot FAL facility contains affirmative covenants that include, among other things, (i) the requirement that Talbot maintain a minimum level of consolidated tangible net worth, (ii) the requirement that Talbot maintain at all times a consolidated net borrowings to consolidated tangible net worth ratio not greater than 0.35:1.00, (iii) the requirement that Talbot’s subordinated FAL (Funds at Lloyd’s which in accordance with the applicable providers agreement, is intended to be drawn in priority to any letters of credit under the 2003 Talbot FAL facility ) be at least $200,000, and (iv) a requirement that the forecast losses of the syndicate not exceed 7.5% of the syndicate premium limit in any one open year of account and a requirement that the per scenario estimated net losses not exceed 15% of the syndicate premium limit in any year of account. The 2003 Talbot FAL facility also contained restrictions on Talbot’s ability to incur debt at the parent or subsidiary level, sell assets, incur liens, merge or consolidate with others and make investments or change investment strategy. This facility was cancelled in November 2007 and replaced by a $100,000 standby Letter of Credit facility.
     On March 10, 2006, Talbot entered into $25,000 revolving loan facility, as subsequently amended (the “Talbot Revolving Loan Facility“), which provided for dollar or sterling-based revolving credit availability for Talbot. The facility limit for the Talbot Revolving Loan Facility automatically reduced to $7,500 at July 1,

21


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
2007. The Talbot Revolving Loan Facility was provided by Lloyds TSB Bank plc. The Talbot Revolving Loan Facility contains affirmative covenants that include, among other things the requirement that Talbot maintain a minimum level of consolidated tangible net worth and also contains restrictions on Talbot’s ability to incur debt, incur liens and sell or transfer assets on non-arms length terms. As of December 31, 2006 and throughout the reporting periods presented, where appropriate, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and restrictions. This facility was cancelled in November 2007 and Lloyds TSB Bank plc entered into the $200,000 three-year unsecured facility by assuming $7,500 from the existing syndicate of commercial banks.
     On October 25, 2007, the Company entered into the First Amendment to each of its Three-Year Unsecured Letter of Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2007 and its Five-Year Secured Letter of Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2007 (together, the “Credit Facilities”), among the Company, Validus Reinsurance, Ltd., the Lenders party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, to provide for, among other things, additional capacity to incur up to $100,000 under a new Funds at Lloyd’s Letter of Credit Facility (“FAL LoC Facility”) to support underwriting capacity provided to Talbot 2002 Underwriting Ltd through Syndicate 1183 at Lloyd’s of London for the 2008 and 2009 underwriting years of account. The amendment also modifies certain provisions in the Credit Facilities in order to permit dividend payments on existing and future preferred and hybrid securities notwithstanding certain events of default.
     On November 28, 2007, Talbot entered into a $100,000 standby Letter of Credit facility (the “Talbot FAL facility”) to provide funds at Lloyd’s; this facility is guaranteed by the Company and is secured against the assets of Validus Re Ltd. The Talbot FAL facility was provided by a syndicate of commercial banks arranged by Lloyds TSB Bank plc and ING Bank N.V., London Branch. The Talbot fAL Facility contains affirmative covenants that include, among other things, (i) the requirement that we initially maintain a minimum level of consolidated net worth of at least $1,164,265, and commencing with the end of the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2007 to be increased quarterly by an amount equal to 50% of our consolidated net income (if positive) for such quarter plus 50% of any net proceeds received from any issuance of common shares during such quarter, and (ii) the requirement that we maintain at all times a consolidated total debt to consolidated total capitalization ratio not greater than 0.35:1.00. This Talbot FAL facility replaced the 2003 Talbot FAL facility.
     The Talbot FAL facility also contains restrictions on our ability to make investments, incur debt at our subsidiaries, incur liens, sell assets and merge or consolidate with others. Other than in respect of existing and future preferred and hybrid securities, the payment of dividends and other payments in respect of equity interests are not permitted at any time that we are in default with respect to certain provisions under the credit facilities. As of March 31, 2008 the Company had $100,000 in outstanding letters of credit and was in compliance with all covenants and restrictions.
d)  
Funds at Lloyd’s
     Talbot’s underwriting at Lloyd’s is supported by Funds at Lloyd’s (“FAL”) comprising: cash, investments and undrawn letters of credit provided by various banks on behalf of various companies and persons under reinsurance and other agreements. The FAL are provided in exchange for payment calculated principally by reference to the syndicate’s results, as appropriate, when they are declared. The amounts of cash, investments and letters of credit at March 31, 2008 supporting the 2008 underwriting year amount to $316,483, all of which is provided by the Company. A third party FAL facility comprising $174,365 which supports the 2007 and prior underwriting years has now been withdrawn from Lloyd’s and placed in escrow, however, the funds remain available to pay losses on those years for which that FAL has been contracted to support. Of this facility, $30,350 was provided in respect of the 2005 year of account only. This year of account has now closed and the funds are in the process of being returned to the appropriate FAL providers.

22


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
8.  
Commitments and contingencies
a)  
Concentrations of credit risk
     The Company’s investments are managed following prudent standards of diversification. The Company attempts to limit its credit exposure by purchasing high quality fixed income investments to maintain an average portfolio credit quality of AA- or higher with mortgage and commercial mortgage-backed issues having an aggregate weighted average credit quality of triple-A.  In addition, the Company limits its exposure to any single issuer to 3% or less of its investment portfolio, excluding treasury and agency securities.  The minimum credit rating of any security purchased is A-/A3 and where investments are downgraded, the Company permits a holding of up to 2% in aggregate market value, or 10% with written pre-authorization.  At March 31, 2008, 0.2% of the portfolio had a split rating below A-/A3 and the Company did not have an aggregate exposure to any single issuer of more than 1.2% of our investment portfolio, other than with respect to U.S. government and agency securities.
b)  
Funds at Lloyd’s
     Talbot operates in Lloyd’s through a corporate member, Talbot 2002 Underwriting Capital Ltd (“T02”), which is the sole participant in Syndicate 1183.  Lloyd’s sets T02’s required capital annually based on syndicate 1183’s business plan, rating environment, reserving environment together with input arising from Lloyd’s discussions with, inter alia, regulatory and rating agencies. Such capital, called Funds at Lloyd’s (“FAL”), comprises: cash, investments and undrawn letters of credit provided by various banks. The amounts of cash, investments and letters of credit at March 31, 2008 amount to $316,483 (December 31, 2007: $316,483).  
     For the 2006 and 2007 years of account, the Company’s underwriting was supported by various third parties (“Talbot third party FAL facility”). The members of the Talbot third party FAL facility provided FAL, in the form of cash, investments and undrawn letters of credit provided by various banks, in exchange for payment calculated principally by reference to the Syndicate 1183’s 2006 and 2007 results, as appropriate, when they are declared.
     The Talbot third party FAL facility support each year of account as follows:
                 
    2006     2007  
    Underwriting year     Underwriting year  
Common to both years
  $ 105,990     $ 105,990  
2006 only
    22,500        
2007 only
          15,525  
 
           
Total
  $ 128,490     $ 121,515  
 
           
     The FAL are provided for each year of account as follows:
                         
    2006     2007     2008  
    Underwriting year     Underwriting year     Underwriting year  
Group funds
  $ 110,075     $ 115,000     $ 216,483  
Talbot third party FAL facility
    128,490       121,515        
Talbot FAL facility
    30,000       30,000       100,000  
 
                 
Total FAL
  $ 268,565     $ 266,515     $ 316,483  
 
                 
     The amounts provided under the Talbot FAL facility would become a liability of the group in the event of the syndicate declaring a loss at a level which would call on this arrangement.

23


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
     The amounts provided under the Talbot third party FAL facility would not become a liability of the group in the event of the syndicate declaring a loss at a level which would call on such arrangements.
     The amounts which the Company provides as FAL is not available for distribution to the Company for the payment of dividends. Talbot’s corporate member may also be required to maintain funds under the control of Lloyd’s in excess of its capital requirement and such funds also may not be available for distribution to the Company for the payment of dividends.
c)  
Lloyd’s New Central Fund
     Whenever a member of Lloyd’s is unable to pay its debts to policyholders, such debts may be payable by the Lloyd’s Central Fund. If Lloyd’s determines that the Central Fund needs to be increased, it has the power to assess premium levies on current Lloyd’s members up to 3% of a member’s underwriting capacity in any one year. The Company does not believe that any assessment is likely in the foreseeable future and has not provided any allowance for such an assessment. However, based on the Company’s 2008 capacity at Lloyd’s of £325,000, the March 31, 2008 exchange rate of £0.50 equals $1.00 and assuming the maximum 3% assessment the Company could be assessed approximately $19,500.
9.  
Related party transactions
     The transactions listed below are classified as related party transactions as each counterparty has either a direct or indirect shareholding in the Company.
a)  
     Merrill Lynch entities own 5,714,285 non-voting shares in the Company, hold warrants to purchase 1,067,187 shares and have an employee on the Board of Directors who does not receive compensation from the Company. Merrill Lynch warrants are convertible to non-voting shares as described in note 5. In addition, entities affiliated with Merrill Lynch were the initial purchasers of $40,000 of the 9.069% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures.
 
b)  
     The Company entered into an agreement on December 8, 2005 with BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (“BlackRock”) under which BlackRock was appointed as an investment manager of part of its investment portfolio. The Company incurred $561 during the three months ended March 31, 2008 (2007: $233) of which $550 was included in accounts payable and accrued expenses at March 31, 2008 (2007: $549). Merrill Lynch is a shareholder of Blackrock.
 
c)  
     The Company entered into an agreement on December 8, 2005 with Goldman Sachs Asset Management and its affiliates (“GSAM”) under which GSAM was appointed as an investment manager of part of the Company’s investment portfolio. Goldman Sachs entities, which own 14,057,137 non-voting shares in the Company, hold warrants to purchase 1,604,410 non-voting shares, and have an employee on the Board of Directors who does not receive compensation from the Company. The Company incurred $383 during the three months ended March 31, 2008 (2007: $192) of which $323 was included in accounts payable and accrued expenses at March 31, 2008 (2007: $188).
 
d)  
     Vestar Capital entities, which own 8,571,427 shares in the Company and hold warrants to purchase 972,810 shares, are shareholders of PARIS RE Holdings Limited (“Paris Re”). Pursuant to reinsurance agreements with Paris Re, the Company recorded $7,779 of gross premiums written during the three months ended March 31, 2008 (2007: $nil) of which $5,927 was included in premiums receivable at March 31, 2008 (December 31, 2007: $nil).
 
e)  
     Aquiline entities, which own 6,857,143 shares in the Company, hold warrants to purchase 3,012,371 shares, and have three employees on the Board of Directors who do not receive compensation from the Company, are shareholders of Group Ark Insurance Holdings Ltd. (“Group Ark”). Pursuant to reinsurance

24


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
agreements with Group Ark, the Company recorded $688 of gross premiums written and $1,098 reinsurance ceded during the three months ended March 31, 2008 (2007: $nil) of which $117 was included in reinsurance balances payable at March 31, 2008 (2007: $91).
 
f)     Certain members of the Company’s management and staff have provided guarantees to 1384 Capital Ltd, a company formed to facilitate the provision of Funds at Lloyd’s (“FAL”) by such management and staff. The Company paid $397 of finance expenses to such management and staff in respect of such provision of FAL for the three months ended March 31, 2008 (2007: $nil), all of which was included in accounts payable and accrued expenses at March 31, 2008 (December 31, 2007: $889).
10.  
Earnings per share
     In 2007 a reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of the Company was approved by a vote by the shareholders, whereby each 1.75 outstanding shares was consolidated into 1 share. This reverse stock split has been reflected retroactively in the calculation of earnings per share.
     The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007:
                 
    Three months     Three months  
    ended     ended  
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007  
Basic earnings per share
               
Net income
  $ 66,475     $ 56,748  
Less: Dividends and distributions declared on outstanding warrants
    (1,739 )      
 
           
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 64,736     $ 56,748  
 
               
Weighted average shares – basic ordinary shares outstanding
    74,209,371       58,482,601  
 
           
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.87     $ 0.97  
 
           
 
               
Diluted earnings per share
               
Net income
  $ 66,475     $ 56,748  
 
               
Weighted average shares – basic ordinary shares outstanding
    74,209,371       58,482,601  
Share equivalents:
               
Warrants
    2,517,851       1,370,158  
Restricted Shares
    1,292,666       362,633  
Options
    309,839        
 
           
Weighted average shares – diluted
    78,329,727       60,215,329  
 
           
 
               
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.85     $ 0.94  
 
           
     Share equivalents that would result in the issuance of common shares of 59,548 and 305,976 were outstanding for the three months or period ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be antidilutive.
     In the basic earnings per share calculation, dividends and distributions declared on warrants outstanding are deducted from net income. In calculating diluted earnings per share, we also consider the impact of increasing the number of dilutive shares by a portion of the warrants outstanding, calculated using the treasury stock method. Whichever adjustment is more dilutive is incorporated in the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

25


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
11.  
Subsequent events
     In a privately negotiated transaction on April 29, 2008, the Company repurchased from an unaffiliated financial institution $45,700 principal amount of its 8.480% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures due 2037, described in note 7(b), at an aggregate price of $36,560, plus accrued and unpaid interest of $473, which will result in a second quarter gain and an increase in book value of $8,759, equal to $0.10 per diluted common share, in the quarter ended June 30, 2008.
12.  
Segment information
     The Company conducts its operations worldwide through two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Validus Reinsurance, Ltd. and Talbot Holdings Ltd. from which two operating segments, “Validus Re” and “Talbot”, respectively, have been determined under FAS 131, “Disclosures about Segments of and Enterprise and Related Information”. The Company’s operating segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed and have capital allocated separately because each business requires different strategies.
Validus Re
     The Validus Re segment is focused on short-tail lines of reinsurance. The primary lines in which the segment conducts business is property, marine and specialty which includes aerospace, terrorism, life and accident & health and workers’ compensation catastrophe.
Talbot
     The Talbot segment writes a wide range of marine, property and specialty classes of business. The specialty lines include; political violence, political risk, marine & aviation war, accident & health, bloodstock/livestock, financial institutions, aviation treaty, other treaty & contingency.
Corporate and other reconciling items
     The Company has a “Corporate” function, which includes the activities of the parent company, and which carries out functions for the group. “Corporate” also denotes the activities of certain key executives such as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The only revenue earned by “Corporate” is a minor amount of interest income that is incidental to the activities of the enterprise. For internal reporting purposes, “Corporate” is reflected separately as a business unit, however “Corporate” is not considered an operating segment under these circumstances and FAS 131. Other reconciling items include, but are not limited to, the elimination of intersegment revenues and expenses and unusual items that are not allocated to segments.
     The following tables summarize the underwriting results of our operating segments and corporate segment:

26


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
                                 
                    Corporate and        
                    other        
                    reconciling        
Quarter ended March 31, 2008   Validus Re     Talbot     items     Total  
Gross premiums written
  $ 331,048     $ 201,794     $ (11,248 )   $ 521,594  
Reinsurance premiums ceded
    (23,743 )     (72,405 )     11,248       (84,900 )
 
                       
Net premiums written
    307,305       129,389             436,694  
Change in unearned premiums
    (163,651 )     18,821             (144,830 )
 
                       
Net premiums earned
    143,654       148,210             291,864  
Losses and loss expense
    58,915       81,109             140,024  
Policy acquisition costs
    20,403       36,298             56,701  
General and administrative expenses
    9,379       20,923       6,805       37,107  
Share expenses
    1,226       976       4,333       6,535  
 
                       
 
                               
Underwriting income (loss)
  $ 53,731     $ 8,904     $ (11,138 )   $ 51,497  
 
                       
 
                               
Net investment income
    25,027       10,982       34       36,043  
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
    2,077       5,667             7,744  
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments
    (18,612 )     3,635             (14,977 )
Foreign exchange gains
    7,675       504             8,179  
Other income
          935             935  
Finance expenses
    (354 )     (13,220 )     (7,943 )     (21,517 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net income (loss) before taxes
    69,544       17,407       (19,047 )     67,904  
 
                               
Taxes
    28       1,401             1,429  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 69,516     $ 16,006     $ (19,047 )   $ 66,475  
 
                       
 
                               
Loss and loss expense ratio (1)
    41.0 %     54.7 %             48.0 %
Policy acquisition cost ratio(1)
    14.2 %     24.5 %             19.4 %
General and administrative expense ratio(1)
    7.4 %     14.8 %             15.0 %
 
                         
Expense ratio
    21.6 %     39.3 %             34.4 %
 
                         
 
                               
Combined ratio(1)
    62.6 %     94.0 %             82.4 %
 
                         
 
                               
Total assets
  $ 2,729,481     $ 1,799,552     $ 6,605     $ 4,535,638  
 
                       
 
(1)  
Ratios are based on net premiums earned. The general and administrative expense ratio includes share expenses.

27


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
                                 
                    Corporate and        
                    other        
                    reconciling        
Quarter ended March 31, 2007   Validus Re     Talbot     items     Total  
Gross premiums written
  $ 378,070     $     $     $ 378,070  
Reinsurance premiums ceded
    (30,958 )                 (30,958 )
 
                       
Net premiums written
    347,112                   347,112  
Change in unearned premiums
    (235,620 )                   (235,620 )
 
                       
Net premiums earned
    111,492                     111,492  
Losses and loss expense
    46,487                   46,487  
Policy acquisition costs
    12,219                   12,219  
General and administrative expenses
    7,292             3,935       11,227  
Share expenses
    765             1,180       1,945  
 
                       
 
                               
Underwriting income (loss)
  $ 44,729     $     $ (5,115 )   $ 39,614  
 
                       
 
                               
Net investment income
    18,496             1       18,497  
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
    46                   46  
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments
    1,643                     1,643  
Fair value of warrants issued
                       
Foreign exchange gains
    1,389                   1,389  
Finance expenses
    (856 )           (3,585 )     (4,441 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net income (loss) before taxes
    65,447             (8,699 )     56,748  
 
                               
Taxes
                       
 
                       
 
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 65,447     $     $ (8,699 )   $ 56,748  
 
                       
 
                               
Loss and loss expense ratio (1)
    41.7 %     0.0 %             41.7 %
Policy acquisition cost ratio (1)
    11.0 %     0.0 %             11.0 %
General and administrative expense ratio (1)
    7.2 %     0.0 %             11.8 %
 
                         
Expense ratio
    18.2 %     0.0 %             22.8 %
 
                         
 
                               
Combined ratio (1)
    59.9 %     0.0 %             64.5 %
 
                         
 
                               
Total assets
  $ 2,007,213     $     $ 5,272     $ 2,012,485  
 
                       
 
(1)  
Ratios are based on net premiums earned. The general and administrative expense ratio includes share expenses.

28


 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
     The Company’s exposures are generally diversified across geographic zones. The following tables set forth the gross premiums written allocated to the territory of coverage exposure for the periods indicated:
                                         
    Three months ended March 31, 2008
    Gross premiums written
    Validus Re     Talbot     Eliminations (3)     Total     %  
United States
  $ 127,852     $ 18,733     $     $ 146,585       28.2 %
Worldwide excluding United States (1)
    25,879       58,297             84,176       16.2 %
Europe
    34,343       15,666             50,009       9.6 %
Latin America and Caribbean
    4,371       5,800             10,171       1.9 %
Japan
    354       562             916       0.2 %
Canada
          2,621             2,621       0.5 %
 
                             
Sub-total, non United States
    64,947       82,946             147,893       28.4 %
Worldwide including United States (1)
    35,280       16,046       (9,774 )     41,552       8.0 %
Marine and Aerospace (2)
    102,969       84,069       (1,474 )     185,564       35.4 %
 
                             
Total
  $ 331,048     $ 201,794     $ (11,248 )   $ 521,594       100.0 %
 
                            
                                 
    Three months ended March 31, 2007  
    Gross premiums written  
    Validus Re     Talbot     Total (3)     %  
United States
  $ 139,048     $     $ 139,048       36.8 %
Worldwide excluding United States (1)
    22,935             22,935       6.0 %
Europe
    32,402             32,402       8.6 %
Latin America and Caribbean
    2,861             2,861       0.8 %
Japan
    (7 )           (7 )     0.0 %
Canada
                      0.0 %
 
                       
Sub-total, non United States
    58,191             58,191       15.4 %
Worldwide including United States (1)
    60,108             60,108       15.9 %
Marine and Aerospace (2)
    120,723             120,723       31.9 %
 
                       
Total
  $ 378,070     $     $ 378,070       100.0 %
 
                       
 
(1)  
Represents risks in two or more geographic zones.
 
(2)  
Not classified as geographic area as marine and aerospace risks can span multiple geographic areas and are not fixed locations in some instances.
 
(3)  
Intersegment premiums of $11,248 have been eliminated for March 31, 2008 (March 31, 2007: $nil).

29


 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
     The following is a discussion and analysis of the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 and the Company’s consolidated financial condition and liquidity and capital resources at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. The Company completed the acquisition of Talbot Holdings Ltd. (“Talbot”) on July 2, 2007. As a result, Talbot is only included in the Company’s consolidated results from July 2, 2007 through March 31, 2008. Talbot is not included in consolidated results for the first six months of 2007. This discussion and analysis pertains to the results of the Company inclusive of Talbot from the date of acquisition. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the discussions of critical accounting policies and the qualitative and quantitative disclosure about market risk contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
     The Company was formed on October 19, 2005 and has limited historical financial and operating information. Insurance and reinsurance companies face substantial risk in their initial stages of development. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”. In addition, for a variety of reasons, including the Company’s recent formation, the acquisition of Talbot and relatively few significant catastrophe events in 2006 and 2007, the Company’s historical financial results may not accurately indicate future performance. The Risk Factors set forth in Item 1A of the 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K present a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein.
Executive Overview
     The Company underwrites from two distinct global operating subsidiaries, Validus Re and Talbot. Validus Re, the Company’s principal reinsurance operating subsidiary, operates as a Bermuda-based provider of short-tail reinsurance products on a global basis. Talbot, the Company’s principal insurance operating subsidiary, operates through its two underwriting platforms: Talbot Underwriting Ltd, which manages syndicate 1183 at Lloyd’s of London (“Lloyd’s”), and Underwriting Risk Services Ltd, which is an underwriting agency writing primarily yachts, marinas and fine art business on behalf of the Talbot syndicate and others.
     The Company’s strategy is to concentrate primarily on short-tail risks, which is an area where management believes current prices and terms provide an attractive risk adjusted return and the management team has proven expertise. The Company’s profitability in any given period is based upon premium and investment revenues less net losses and loss expenses, acquisition expenses and operating expenses. Financial results in the insurance and reinsurance industry are influenced by the frequency and/or severity of claims and losses, including as a result of catastrophic events, changes in interest rates, financial markets and general economic conditions, the supply of insurance and reinsurance capacity and changes in legal, regulatory and judicial environments.
Business Outlook and Trends
     The Company was formed in October 2005 in response to the supply/demand imbalance resulting from the large industry losses in 2004 and 2005. In the aggregate, the Company observed substantial increases in premium rates in 2006 compared to 2005 levels. During the year ended December 31, 2007 and the first quarter of 2008, the Company has experienced increased competition in most lines of business. Capital provided by new entrants or by the commitment of additional capital by existing insurers and reinsurers has increased the supply of insurance and reinsurance which has resulted in a softening of rates in most lines. In addition, during the first quarter the Company observed cedents retaining more risk as their capital bases have increased.
     From a competitive perspective, the U.S. property large risk market is the short-tail line experiencing the most significant rate competition resulting in significant rate decreases. Market conditions have caused the Company to reduce both treaty and individual risk portfolios in this line, and will continue to do so until pricing begins to better reflect exposure.

30


 

Financial Measures
     The Company believes the following financial indicators are important in evaluating performance and measuring the overall growth in value generated for shareholders:
     Annualized return on average equity represents the level of net income available to shareholders generated from the average shareholders’ equity during the period. The Company’s objective is to generate superior returns on capital that appropriately reward shareholders for the risks assumed and to grow revenue only when returns meet or exceed internal requirements. Annualized return on average equity was 13.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2008, 29.9% for the year ended December 31, 2007 and 18.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2007.
     Diluted book value per common share is considered by management to be an appropriate measure of our returns to common shareholders, as we believe growth in our book value on a diluted basis ultimately translates into growth of our stock price. Diluted book value per share increased from $24.00 at December 31, 2007 to $24.43 at March 31, 2008. The increase was substantially due to earnings generated in the first three months of 2008.
     Cash dividends per common share are an integral part of the value created for shareholders. The Company declared its first quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per common share in the first quarter of 2008. On May 9, 2008, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per each common share and $0.20 per common share equivalent, for which each outstanding warrant is then exercisable, payable on June 5, 2008 to holders of record on May 22, 2008.
     Underwriting income measures the performance of the Company’s core underwriting function, excluding revenues and expenses such as net investment income (loss), other income, finance expenses, net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments, and foreign exchange gains (losses). The Company believes the reporting of underwriting income enhances the understanding of our results by highlighting the underlying profitability of the Company’s core reinsurance business. Underwriting income for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 was $51.5 million and $39.6 million, respectively.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
     There are certain accounting policies that the Company considers to be critical due to the judgment and uncertainty inherent in the application of those policies. In calculating financial statement estimates, the use of different assumptions could produce materially different estimates. The Company believes the following critical accounting policies affect significant estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:
   
Reserve for losses and loss expenses;
 
   
Premiums; and
 
   
Reinsurance premiums ceded and reinsurance recoverables.
     Critical accounting policies and estimates are discussed further in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Segment Reporting
     Management has determined that the Company operates in two reportable segments. The two segments are its significant operating subsidiaries, Validus Re and Talbot.
Results of Operations
     Validus Holdings, Ltd. and Validus Re were formed on October 19, 2005, and Validus Re commenced operations on December 16, 2005. Neither company had any prior operating history. The Company began writing reinsurance contracts on January 1, 2006. On July 2, 2007 the

31


 

Company acquired Talbot Holdings Ltd. (“Talbot”) and is consolidating Talbot as of that date. The Company’s fiscal year ends on December 31. Financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and relevant SEC guidance.

32


 

     The following table presents results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 and the pro forma results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007:
                         
    Three months     Three months  
    ended     ended  
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007  
    Actual     Actual     Pro Forma (1)  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Gross premiums written
  $ 521,594     $ 378,070     $ 564,512  
Reinsurance premiums ceded
    (84,900 )     (30,958 )     (105,032 )
 
                 
Net premiums written
    436,694       347,112       459,480  
Change in unearned premiums
    (144,830 )     (235,620 )     (212,583 )
 
                 
Net premiums earned
    291,864       111,492       246,897  
 
                       
Losses and loss expenses
    140,024       46,487       114,214  
Policy acquisition costs
    56,701       12,219       42,266  
General and administrative expenses
    37,107       11,227       30,459  
Share compensation expense
    6,535       1,945       4,310  
 
                 
Total underwriting expenses
    240,367       71,878       191,249  
 
                       
Underwriting income (2)
    51,497       39,614       55,648  
Net investment income
    36,043       18,497       28,200  
Other income
    935             943  
Finance expenses
    (21,517 )     (4,441 )     (18,433 )
 
                 
Operating income before taxes
    66,958       53,670       66,358  
 
Taxes
    (1,429 )           (667 )
 
                 
 
                       
Operating income after tax
    65,529       53,670       65,691  
 
                 
 
                       
Net realized gains (losses) on investments.
    7,744       46       (1,276 )
Net unrealized losses on investments
    (14,977 )     1,643       1,643  
Foreign exchange (losses) gains
    8,179       1,389       1,221  
 
                 
Net income after taxes
  $ 66,475     $ 56,748     $ 67,279  
 
                 
Comprehensive income (loss)
                       
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    67              
 
                 
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 66,542     $ 56,748     $ 67,279  
 
                 
Selected ratios
                       
Net premiums written/Gross premiums written
    83.7 %     91.8 %     81.4 %
Losses and loss expenses ratio
    48.0 %     41.7 %     46.3 %
Policy acquisition cost ratio
    19.4 %     11.0 %     17.1 %
General and administrative expense ratio
    15.0 %     11.8 %     14.1 %
 
                 
Expense ratio
    34.4 %     22.8 %     31.2 %
 
                 
Combined ratio
    82.4 %     64.5 %     77.5 %
 
                 
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. The pro forma results of operations including Talbot are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2007 for comparative purposes only. Please refer to the unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-139989). The pro forma results have been adjusted to reflect Talbot’s FAL finance charges within Finance Expenses to be consistent with post acquisition accounting policy. The result of this adjustment is a decrease in Reinsurance Premiums ceded of $4.6 million, a decrease in General and administrative expenses of $4.9 million and an increase in Finance expenses of $9.5 million.

33


 

                 
    Three months     Three months  
    ended     ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2008     2007 (1)  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
VALIDUS RE
               
Gross premiums written
  $ 331,048     $ 378,070  
Reinsurance premiums ceded
    (23,743 )     (30,958 )
 
           
Net premiums written
    307,305       347,112  
Change in unearned premiums
    (163,651 )     (235,620 )
 
           
Net premiums earned
    143,654       111,492  
 
               
Losses and loss expenses
    58,915       46,487  
Policy acquisition costs
    20,403       12,219  
General and administrative expenses
    9,379       7,292  
Share compensation expense
    1,226       765  
 
           
Total underwriting expenses
    89,923       66,763  
 
               
Underwriting income (2)
    53,731       44,729  
 
           
 
               
TALBOT
               
Gross premiums written
  $ 201,794     $  
Reinsurance premiums ceded
    (72,405 )      
 
           
Net premiums written
    129,389        
Change in unearned premiums
    18,821        
 
           
Net premiums earned
    148,210        
 
               
Losses and loss expenses
    81,109        
Policy acquisition costs
    36,298        
General and administrative expenses
    20,923        
Share compensation expense
    976        
 
           
Total underwriting expenses
    139,306        
 
           
 
               
Underwriting income (2)
    8,904        
 
           
 
               
CORPORATE & ELIMINATIONS
               
Gross premiums written
  $ (11,248 )   $  
Reinsurance premiums ceded
    11,248        
 
           
Net premiums written
           
General and administrative expenses
    6,805       3,935  
Share compensation
    4,333       1,180  
 
           
Total underwriting expenses
    11,138       5,115  
 
               
Underwriting income (loss) (2)
    (11,138 )     (5,115 )
 
           
 
               
Total underwriting income (2)
  $ 51,497     $ 39,614  
 
           
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. No pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented in the analysis above.
 
(2)  
Non-GAAP Financial Measures. In presenting the Company’s results, management has included and discussed underwriting income (loss) that is not calculated under standards or rules that comprise U.S. GAAP. Such measures are referred to as non-GAAP. Non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A reconciliation of this measure to net income, the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, is presented in the section below entitled “Underwriting Income.”

34


 

Three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to three months ended March 31, 2007
     Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $66.5 million compared to $56.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $9.7 million or 17.1%. Annualized return on average equity decreased by 5.1% from 18.6% for three months ended March 31, 2007 to 13.5% for three months ended March 31, 2008. The primary factors driving the increase in net income were:
   
Underwriting income increased in the quarter by $11.9 million primarily due to the consolidation of Talbot and increased underwriting income at Validus Re, offset by high levels of risk loss activity;
 
   
An increase in Validus Re underwriting income of $9.0 million or 20.1% as a result of net premiums earned which were increased by $32.2 million or 28.8% compared to the same period in 2007, offset by increased losses as discussed below;
 
   
An increase in net investment income of $17.5 million or 94.9% as a result of growth in the Validus Re investment portfolio and the addition of the Talbot portfolio; and
 
   
An increase in foreign exchange gains of $6.8 million.
 
     The increases above were partially offset by the following factors:
 
   
Increased net realized and unrealized losses on investments of $8.9 million; and
 
   
Increased finance expenses of $17.1 million, primarily resulting from $3.5 million finance expense on the 8.480% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures and $13.1 million of Talbot Funds at Lloyd’s (“FAL”) finance expense.
               This decrease in annualized return on average equity was driven primarily by the following:
   
Total revenues increased by $196.7 million or 147.8% while total expenses increased by $185.6 million or 243.1%. The relatively modest growth in total revenues reflects the addition of Talbot offset by disciplined underwriting practices during the January 1, 2008 renewal season where insurance and reinsurance pricing softened;
 
   
Poor financial market conditions resulted in a change of $16.6 million in unrealized investment gains (losses); and
 
   
An increase of $740.9 million or 60.6% in the value of average equity from $1,221.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 to $1,962.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. This increase in average equity was largely due to $346.2 million of net income for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 combined with net IPO proceeds of $320.1 million.
Gross Premiums Written
     Gross premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $521.6 million compared to $378.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $143.5 million or 38.0%. The increase in gross premiums written was driven primarily by the addition of Talbot which contributed $201.8 million. The increase from Talbot was partially offset by decreases in Validus Re’s property and marine lines of $35.7 and $17.1 million, respectively, as discussed below.
     Details of gross premiums written by line of business are provided below.

35


 

                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007(1)        
    Gross premiums     Gross premiums     Gross premiums     Gross premiums        
    written     written (%)     written     written (%)     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)          
Property
  $ 237,382       45.5 %   $ 238,789       63.2 %     (0.6 )%
Marine
    168,809       32.4 %     101,150       26.8 %     66.9 %
Specialty
    115,403       22.1 %     38,131       10.0 %     202.6 %
 
                               
Total
  $ 521,594       100.0 %   $ 378,070       100.0 %     38.0 %
 
                               
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. No pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented in the analysis above.
Validus Re. Validus Re gross premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $331.1 million compared to $378.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, a decrease of $47.0 million or 12.4%. Details of Validus Re gross premiums written by line of business are provided below.
                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007        
    Gross premiums     Gross premiums     Gross premiums     Gross premiums        
    written     written (%)     written     written (%)     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)          
Property
  $ 203,110       61.4 %   $ 238,789       63.2 %     (14.9 )%
Marine
    84,040       25.4 %     101,150       26.8 %     (16.9 )%
Specialty
    43,898       13.2 %     38,131       10.0 %     15.1 %
 
                               
Total
  $ 331,048       100.0 %   $ 378,070       100.0 %     (12.4 )%
 
                               
     The decrease in Validus Re gross premiums written was driven by decreases in the property and marine lines of $35.7 million and $17.1 million, respectively. The decrease in property lines was due primarily to the nonrenewal of a proportional global onshore energy contract recorded in January 2007 at $49.0 million. Offsetting this decrease, Validus Re wrote a $14.2 million proportional global onshore energy contract in place of this nonrenewal at terms which conformed to its risk portfolio and pricing criteria. The decrease in marine lines was due to the nonrenewal of various contracts where unfavorable changes in risk adjusted pricing exceeded Validus Re’s thresholds. The decreases in property and marine lines were partially offset by the specialty lines which accounted for an increase of $5.8 million in gross premiums written.
     Talbot. In the three months ended March 31, 2008, Talbot gross premiums written were $201.8 million compared to $198.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $3.0 million or 1.5%. Details of gross premiums written by line of business are provided below.
                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007(1)        
    Gross premiums     Gross premiums     Gross premiums     Gross premiums        
    written     written (%)     written     written (%)     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)          
Property
  $ 40,367       20.0 %   $ 48,783       24.6 %     (17.3 )%
Marine
    86,243       42.7 %     77,801       39.1 %     10.9 %
Specialty
    75,184       37.3 %     72,221       36.3 %     4.1 %
 
                               
Total
  $ 201,794       100.0 %   $ 198,805       100.0 %     1.5 %
 
                               
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. The pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2007 for comparative purposes only.
     The increase was due primarily to an increase in premium of $8.4 million written on the marine lines (in particular hull and cargo) and an increase in premium of $3.0 million in specialty lines, offset by reduction of $8.4 million in the property lines. This is mainly due to nonrenewal of certain under priced risks.

36


 

Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
     Reinsurance premiums ceded for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $84.9 million compared to $31.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $53.9 million or 174.2%. The increase in reinsurance premiums ceded was due primarily to the addition of Talbot which contributed $72.4 million. The increase from Talbot was partially offset by an inter-segmental elimination of $11.2 million and a $7.2 million decrease in Validus Re reinsurance premiums ceded, as discussed below.
                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007 (1)        
            Reinsurance             Reinsurance        
    Reinsurance     Premiums     Reinsurance     Premiums        
    Premiums Ceded     Ceded (%)     Premiums Ceded     Ceded (%)     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)          
Property
  $ 17,857       21.0 %   $       0.0 %   NM
Marine
    27,419       32.3 %     29,533       95.4 %     (7.2 )%
Specialty
    39,624       46.7 %     1,425       4.6 %   NM
 
                             
Total
  $ 84,900       100.0 %   $ 30,958       100.0 %     174.2 %
 
                             
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. No pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented in the analysis above.
 
NM  
Not Meaningful
Validus Re. Validus Re reinsurance premiums ceded for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $23.7 million compared to $31.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, a decrease of $7.2 million or 23.3%.
                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007        
            Reinsurance             Reinsurance        
    Reinsurance     Premiums     Reinsurance     Premiums        
    Premiums Ceded     Ceded (%)     Premiums Ceded     Ceded (%)     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)          
Property
  $ 6,363       26.8 %   $       0.0 %   NM  
Marine
    16,977       71.5 %     29,533       95.4 %     (42.5 )%
Specialty
    403       1.7 %     1,425       4.6 %     (71.7 )%
 
                             
 
Total
  $ 23,743       100.0 %   $ 30,958       100.0 %     (23.3 )%
 
                             
 
NM  
Not Meaningful
     The decrease in Validus Re reinsurance premiums ceded was due to a decrease in the marine lines of $12.6 million or 42.5%. This decrease in marine reinsurance premiums ceded was due to reduced premiums written in the marine line. This decrease was partially offset by the property lines which accounted for an increase of $6.4 million related to two opportunistic purchases of retrocessional coverage and $4.8 million of common account coverage on a significant property quota share contract.
Talbot. Talbot reinsurance premiums ceded for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $72.4 million compared to $86.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, a decrease of $14.0 million or 16.2%.
                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007(1)        
            Reinsurance             Reinsurance        
    Reinsurance     Premiums     Reinsurance     Premiums        
    Premiums Ceded     Ceded (%)     Premiums Ceded     Ceded (%)     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)          
Property
  $ 17,589       24.3 %   $ 22,243       25.7 %     (20.9 )%
Marine
    11,916       16.4 %     19,967       23.1 %     (40.3 )%
Specialty
    42,900       59.3 %     44,227       51.2 %     (3.0 )%
 
                             
Total
  $ 72,405       100.0 %   $ 86,437       100.0 %     (16.2 )%
 
                             

37


 

 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. The pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2007 for comparative purposes only.
     The structure of the 2008 reinsurance program changed from the 2007 program as less cover has been purchased at lower levels resulting in increased retention. Talbot purchases reinsurance protection primarily in the first quarter.
Net Premiums Written
     Net premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $436.7 million compared to $347.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $89.6 million or 25.8%. Details of net premiums written by line of business are provided below:
                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007 (1)        
    Net premiums     Net premiums     Net premiums     Net premiums        
    written     written (%)     written     written (%)     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)          
Property
  $ 219,525       50.2 %   $ 238,789       68.8 %     (8.1 )%
Marine
    141,390       32.4 %     71,617       20.6 %     97.4 %
Specialty
    75,779       17.4 %     36,706       10.6 %     106.4 %
 
                             
Total
  $ 436,694       100.0 %   $ 347,112       100.0 %     25.8 %
 
                             
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. No pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented in the analysis above.
     The increase in net premiums written was driven primarily by $129.4 million resulting from the consolidation of Talbot which was partially offset by a $42.0 million decrease in Validus Re’s property lines.
     Validus Re. Validus Re net premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $307.3 million compared to $347.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, a decrease of $39.8 million or 11.5%. Details of net premiums written by line of business are provided below:
                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007        
    Net premiums     Net premiums     Net premiums     Net premiums        
    written     written (%)     written     written (%)     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)          
Property
  $ 196,747       64.0 %   $ 238,789       68.8 %     (17.6 )%
Marine
    67,063       21.8 %     71,617       20.6 %     (6.4 )%
Specialty
    43,495       14.2 %     36,706       10.6 %     18.5 %
 
                             
Total
  $ 307,305       100.0 %   $ 347,112       100.0 %     (11.5 )%
 
                             
     The decrease in Validus Re net premiums written was driven primarily by the property line which accounted for $42.0 million of the decrease. The decrease in property lines reflects the decrease in gross premiums written discussed above.
     The ratio of net premiums written to gross premiums written were 92.8% and 91.8% for the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in the ratio is attributable to reduced reinsurance premiums ceded in the three months ended March 31, 2008.
     Talbot. Talbot net premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $129.4 million compared to $112.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $17.0 million or 15.1%. Details of net premiums written by line of business are provided below:

38


 

                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007(1)        
    Net premiums     Net premiums     Net premiums     Net premiums        
    written     written (%)     written     written (%)     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)          
Property
  $ 22,778       17.6 %   $ 26,540       23.6 %     (14.2 )%
Marine
    74,327       57.4 %     57,834       51.5 %     28.5 %
Specialty
    32,284       25.0 %     27,994       24.9 %     15.3 %
 
                             
Total
  $ 129,389       100.0 %   $ 112,368       100.0 %     15.1 %
 
                             
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. The pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2007 for comparative purposes only.
     The increase in the net premium written was driven by the factors highlighted above in respect of gross premiums written and reinsurance premiums ceded. The ratio of net premiums written to gross premiums written for the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was 64.1% and 56.5%, respectively. The increase in the ratio of net premiums written to gross premiums written is due to the decrease in Talbot’s reinsurance purchasing.
Change in Unearned Premiums
     Change in unearned premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $144.8 million compared to $235.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, a decrease of $90.8 million or 38.5%.
     Validus Re. Validus Re’s change in unearned premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $163.7 million compared to $235.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, a decrease of $72.0 million or 30.5%.
     Talbot. The Talbot change in unearned premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $18.8 million compared to $23.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, a decrease of $4.2 million.
                         
    Three months     Three months        
    ended March 31,     ended March 31,        
    2008     2007(1)        
    (Dollars in thousands)     % Change  
Change in gross unearned premium
  $ (30,391 )   $ (39,501 )     23.1 %
Change in prepaid reinsurance premium
    49,212       62,539       (21.3 )%
 
                 
Net change in unearned premium
  $ 18,821     $ 23,038       (18.3 )%
 
                 
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. The pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2007 for comparative purposes only.
     The increase in unearned premium comprises $9.1 million of gross unearned premium difference less $13.3 million ceded unearned premium. The gross difference arises from the lower second half year gross written premiums in 2007 compared to 2006, which are earned in the first quarter of 2008. In respect of reinsurance, this arises from the lower cost of the 2008 reinsurance program.
Net Premiums Earned
     Net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $291.9 million compared to $111.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $180.4 million or 161.8%. The increase in net premiums earned was driven by $148.2 million resulting from the consolidation of Talbot and increased premiums earned at Validus Re which accounted for $32.2 million of the increase.

39


 

                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007 (1)        
    Net Premiums     Net Premiums     Net Premiums     Net Premiums     %  
    Earned     Earned %     Earned     Earned %     Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)          
Property
  $ 138,195       47.4 %   $ 85,152       76.4 %     62.3 %
Marine
    85,010       29.1 %     15,111       13.6 %     462.6 %
Specialty
    68,659       23.5 %     11,229       10.0 %     511.4 %
 
                             
Total
  $ 291,864       100.0 %   $ 111,492       100.0 %     161.8 %
 
                             
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. No pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented in the analysis above.
Validus Re. Validus Re net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $143.7 million compared to $111.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $32.2 million or 28.8%.
                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007        
    Net Premiums     Net Premiums     Net Premiums     Net Premiums     %  
    Earned     Earned %     Earned     Earned %     Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)          
Property
  $ 107,804       75.0 %   $ 85,152       76.4 %     26.6 %
Marine
    18,725       13.0 %     15,111       13.6 %     23.9 %
Specialty
    17,125       12.0 %     11,229       10.0 %     52.5 %
 
                             
Total
  $ 143,654       100.0 %   $ 111,492       100.0 %     28.8 %
 
                             
     The increase in net premiums earned reflects the benefit of earning premiums on business written in 2007 and 2006. Contracts written on a risks-attaching basis are generally earned over 24 months and therefore have less immediate effect on premiums earned than contracts written on a losses-occurring basis which are generally earned on a 12 month basis.
     Talbot. Talbot net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $148.2 million compared to $135.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $12.8 million or 9.5%.
                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007 (1)        
    Net Premiums     Net Premiums     Net Premiums     Net Premiums     %  
    Earned     Earned %     Earned     Earned %     Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)          
Property
  $ 30,391       20.5 %   $ 33,679       24.9 %     (9.8 )%
Marine
    66,285       44.7 %     54,522       40.3 %     21.6 %
Specialty
    51,534       34.8 %     47,205       34.8 %     9.2 %
 
                             
Total
  $ 148,210       100.0 %   $ 135,406       100.0 %     9.5 %
 
                             
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. The pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2007 for comparative purposes only.
Losses and Loss Expenses
     Losses and loss expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $140.0 million compared to $46.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $93.5 million or 201.2%. $81.1 million of the increase is attributable to the consolidation of Talbot. The loss ratio, which is defined as losses and loss expenses divided by net premiums earned, was 48.0% and 41.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Details of loss ratios by line of business are provided below.

40


 

                         
    Three months ended   Three months ended   Percentage point
    March 31, 2008   March 31, 2007 (1)   change
Property
    42.2 %     35.2 %     7.0  
Marine
    66.7 %     51.7 %     15.0  
Specialty
    36.5 %     77.8 %     (41.3 )
 
                 
Total
    48.0 %     41.7 %     6.3  
 
                 
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. No pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented in the analysis above.
     In each three month period ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, loss events impacting the worldwide insurance and reinsurance markets affected the Company’s loss ratio. In the 2007 period, Windstorm Kyrill had a notable affect on the Company’s loss ratio. In the 2008 period, an elevated level of worldwide property losses had a notable affect on the Company’s loss ratio; the Company has identified six loss events impacting its property class each with expected ultimate losses of greater than $2.5 million. The following table reflects losses and loss expenses as reported for each segment and includes the impact of catastrophe losses and other separately identified loss events expressed as a percentage of net premiums earned (“NPE”), for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007:
                                                     
        Three months ended March 31  
        Validus Re     Talbot     Total  
        Losses and             Losses and             Losses and        
        loss     % of     loss     % of     loss     % of  
        expenses     NPE     expenses     NPE     expenses     NPE  
        (Dollars in             (Dollars in             (Dollars in          
Event   Description   thousands)             thousands)             thousands)          
2008 losses and loss expenses
      $ 58,915       41.0 %   $ 81,109       54.7 %   $ 140,024       48.0 %
 
                                                   
2008 separately identified loss events
                                               
ALON USA
  Petroleum refinery explosion     12,500       8.7 %         NM     12,500       4.1 %
Imperial Sugar
  Sugar refinery explosion     3,602       2.5 %     4,471       3.1 %     8,073       2.8 %
Queensland (January)
  Flood     4,750       3.3 %     2,428       1.6 %     7,178       2.5 %
Queensland (February)
  Flood     5,000       3.5 %     651       0.4 %     5,651       1.9 %
US tornados (Cat 27)
  Tornado     4,000       2.8 %     688       0.5 %     4,688       1.6 %
SeverStal
  Steel plant explosion     347       0.2 %     3,030       2.0 %     3,377       1.2 %
 
                                       
Total 2008 property events
        30,199       21.0 %     11,268       7.6 %     41,467       14.2 %
 
                                                   
 
                                                   
2007 losses and loss expenses (1)
      $ 46,487       41.7 %   $     NM   $ 46,487       41.7 %
2007 separately identified loss events (1)
                                               
Windstorm Kyrill
  Windstorm     20,500       18.4 %         NM     20,500       18.4 %
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. No pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented in the analysis above.
     In addition to the catastrophe losses and separately identified loss events in the above table, the Company establishes reserves for all lines based on the Company’s estimates for known loss events where the expected ultimate loss to the Company is expected to be $2.5 million or greater. In the three month period ended March 31, 2008, the Company incurred one such loss event in its specialty class related to a satellite loss, representing 2.4 percentage points on the first quarter 2008 loss ratio and two such loss events in its marine class representing 2.8 percentage points of the first quarter 2008 loss ratio. In the three month period ended March 31, 2007, the Company incurred one such loss event in its specialty class related to a satellite loss, representing 4.2 percentage points in the first quarter 2007 loss ratio.
     The following table sets forth a reconciliation of gross and net reserves for losses and loss expenses by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2008:

41


 

                                 
    Three months ended March 31, 2008  
    Validus Re     Talbot     Eliminations Total  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Gross reserves at period beginning
  $ 196,814     $ 729,303     $ $ 926,117  
Losses recoverable at period beginning
          (134,404 )     (134,404 )
 
                   
Net reserves at period beginning
    196,814       594,899       791,713  
Incurred losses — current year
    63,855       88,955       152,810  
Incurred losses — change in prior accident years
    (4,940 )     (7,846 )     (12,786 )
 
                   
Incurred losses
    58,915       81,109       140,024  
 
                       
Paid losses
    (12,832 )     (59,476 )     (72,308 )
Foreign exchange
          (768 )     (768 )
 
                   
Net reserves at period end
    242,897       615,764       858,661  
Losses recoverable at period end
          123,075     (4,500 )   118,575  
 
                   
Gross reserves at period end
  $ 242,897     $ 738,839     $ (4,500 ) $ 977,236  
 
                   
     The amount recorded represents management’s best estimate of expected losses and loss expenses on premiums earned. The increase in loss and loss expenses reflects the consolidation of Talbot. The relative absence of major catastrophes in 2006 and 2007 has contributed to the overall low level of losses experienced. Favorable loss development on prior years totaled $12.8 million and was experienced in all lines of business. The $7.8 million favorable loss reserve development in the Talbot segment relates primarily to the 2006 and prior underwriting years as described below. The $4.9 million favorable loss reserve development in the Validus Re segment primarily relates to property lines. Favorable loss reserve development benefitted the Company’s first quarter 2008 loss ratio by 4.4 percentage points.
     The loss ratio in 2008 is not necessarily comparable to the 2007 loss ratio due to the consolidation of Talbot effective July 2, 2007. In general, Talbot has experienced a higher loss ratio than Validus Re in the periods since inception of Validus Re, attributable to the different mix of business written by Validus Re and Talbot. In periods of light natural catastrophe activity, Validus Re can generally be expected to have a lower loss ratio than Talbot.
     At March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, gross and net reserves for losses and loss expenses were estimated using the methodology as outlined in the critical accounting policies and estimates as discussed in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. The Company did not make any significant changes in the assumptions or methodology used in its reserving process during the three months ended March 31, 2008.
                         
    At March 31, 2008  
                    Total gross  
                    reserve for losses  
    Gross case reserves     Gross IBNR     and loss expenses  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Property
  $ 172,377     $ 144,343     $ 316,720  
Marine
    240,835       180,692       421,527  
Specialty
    66,079       172,910       238,989  
 
                 
Total
  $ 479,291     $ 497,945     $ 977,236  
 
                 
                         
    At March 31, 2008  
                    Total net reserve  
                    for losses and  
    Net case reserves     Net IBNR     loss expenses  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Property
  $ 167,720     $ 140,877     $ 308,597  
Marine
    163,806       171,735       335,541  
Specialty
    61,131       153,392       214,523  
 
                 
Total
  $ 392,657     $ 466,004     $ 858,661  
 
                 
Validus Re. Validus Re losses and loss expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $58.9 million compared to $46.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $12.4 million or 26.7%. The loss ratio, defined as losses and loss expenses divided by net premiums earned, was 41.0% and 41.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Details of loss ratios by line of business are provided below.

42


 

                         
    Three months ended March 31   Percentage
    2008   2007   point change
Property
    39.7 %     35.2 %     4.5  
Marine
    44.7 %     51.7 %     (7.0 )
Specialty
    45.5 %     77.8 %     (32.3 )
 
                 
Total
    41.0 %     41.7 %     (0.7 )
 
                 
     Validus Re experienced favorable development of $4.9 million and $3.3 million during the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 favorable development represented 3.4 percentage points and 3.0 percentage points of the loss ratios, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 Validus Re paid losses of $12.8 million and $12.7 million, respectively.
     During the three months ended March 31, 2008:
   
The property lines include $30.2 million, or 28.0 percentage points of the loss ratio, related to event losses, as detailed in the event loss table above. These losses were offset by $4.2 million, or 3.9 percentage points of the loss ratio, of favorable development on prior accident year reserves.
 
   
The marine lines include $4.7 million, or 24.9 percentage points of the loss ratio, related to the marine losses. These losses were offset by $1.2 million, or 6.2 percentage points of the loss ratio, as a result of favorable development on prior accident year reserves.
 
   
The specialty lines include $2.7 million, or 15.8 percentage points of the loss ratio, related to a satellite loss and $0.5 million, or 2.7 percentage points of the loss ratio, as a result of adverse development on prior accident year reserves.
 
     
During the three months ended March 31, 2007:
 
   
The property lines include $15.5 million, or 18.2 percentage points of the loss ratio, related to the Kyrill windstorm. These losses were offset by $3.3 million, or 3.9 percentage points of the loss ratio, of favorable development on prior accident year reserves.
 
   
The marine lines include $5.0 million, or 33.1 percentage points of the loss ratio, related to the Kyrill windstorm.
 
   
The specialty lines include $4.7 million, or 41.9 percentage points of the loss ratio, related to a satellite loss.
Talbot. Talbot losses and loss expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $81.1 million compared to $68.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $12.5 million or 18.2%. The loss ratio was 54.7% and 50.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Details of loss ratios by line of business are provided below.
                         
    Three months ended March 31   Percentage
    2008   2007 (1)   point change
Property
    51.0 %     46.0 %     5.0  
Marine
    72.9 %     57.8 %     15.1  
Specialty
    33.5 %     45.7 %     (12.2 )
 
                 
Total
    54.7 %     50.7 %     4.0  
 
                 
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. The pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2007 for comparative purposes only.
     During the three months ended March 31, 2008:

43


 

   
The property lines include $11.3 million, or 37.2 percentage points of the loss ratio, related to event losses, as detailed in the event loss table above. These losses were offset by $6.8 million, or 22.5 percentage points of the loss ratio, of favorable development on prior accident year reserves.
 
   
The marine lines include $3.4 million, or 2.3 percentage points of the loss ratio, related to marine losses and $9.8 million, or 14.8 percentage points of the loss ratio, as a result of adverse development on prior accident year reserves.
 
   
The specialty lines include $4.3 million, or 8.4 percentage points of the loss ratio, related to a satellite loss. These losses were offset by $10.8 million, or 20.9 percentage points of the loss ratio, of favorable development on prior accident year reserves.
Policy Acquisition Costs
     Policy acquisition costs for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $56.7 million compared to $12.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $44.5 million or 364.0%. Policy acquisition costs were higher due to $36.3 million resulting from the consolidation of Talbot and an increase at Validus Re which accounted for $8.2 million of the increase.
                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007 (1)        
            Policy     Policy     Policy        
    Policy Acquisition     Acquisition     Acquisition     Acquisition        
    Costs     Costs %     Costs     Costs %     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)           (Dollars in thousands)                
Property
  $ 22,335       39.4 %   $ 9,575       78.3 %     133.3 %
Marine
    18,681       32.9 %     1,121       9.2 %     1,566.5 %
Specialty
    15,685       27.7 %     1,523       12.5 %     929.9 %
 
                               
Total
  $ 56,701       100.0 %   $ 12,219       100.0 %     364.0 %
 
                               
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. No pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented in the analysis above.
     Validus Re. Validus Re policy acquisition costs for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $20.4 million compared to $12.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $8.2 million or 67.0%.
                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007 (1)        
    Policy Acquisition     Policy Acquisition     Policy Acquisition     Policy Acquisition     %  
    Costs     Costs %     Costs     Costs %     Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)           (Dollars in thousands)                
Property
  $ 15,980       78.4 %   $ 9,575       78.3 %     66.9 %
Marine
    2,150       10.5 %     1,121       9.2 %     91.8 %
Specialty
    2,273       11.1 %     1,523       12.5 %     49.2 %
 
                               
Total
  $ 20,403       100.0 %   $ 12,219       100.0 %     67.0 %
 
                               
     Policy acquisition costs include brokerage, commission and excise tax and are generally driven by contract terms and are normally a set percentage of premiums. Policy acquisition costs were higher as a result of the higher level of premiums earned in the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Policy acquisition costs as a percent of net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were 14.2% and 11.0%, respectively. The policy acquisition ratio increased largely due to an increase in the policy acquisition ratio on property lines of 3.6 points. A number of proportional property contracts that incepted during the three months ended March 31, 2007 that carry a high acquisition cost ratio are now at their peak earnings period. These contracts increase the acquisition cost ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2008.

44


 

Talbot. Talbot policy acquisition costs for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $36.3 million compared to $30.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $6.3 million or 20.8%.
                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007 (1)        
    Policy Acquisition     Policy Acquisition     Policy Acquisition     Policy Acquisition     %  
    Costs     Costs %     Costs     Costs %     Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)          
Property
  $ 6,355       17.5 %   $ 6,287       20.9 %     1.1 %
Marine
    16,531       45.5 %     12,303       41.0 %     34.4 %
Specialty
    13,412       37.0 %     11,457       38.1 %     17.1 %
 
                               
Total
    36,298       100.0 %   $ 30,047       100.0 %     20.8 %
 
                               
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. The pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2007 for comparative purposes only.
     Policy acquisition costs as a percent of net premiums earned were 24.5% and 22.2%, respectively, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. On a gross basis, policy acquisition costs as a percent of gross earned premiums were 21.6% and 19.1%, respectively, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.
General and Administrative Expenses
     General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $37.1 million compared to $11.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $25.9 million or 230.5%. The increase is primarily a result of Talbot expenses of $20.9 million.
                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007 (1)        
    General and     General and     General and     General and        
    Administrative     Administrative     Administrative     Administrative     %  
    Expenses     Expenses (%)     Expenses     Expenses (%)     Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)          
Validus Re
  $ 9,379       25.3 %   $ 7,292       65.0 %     28.6 %
Talbot
    20,923       56.4 %           0.0 %   NM  
Corporate & Eliminations
    6,805       18.3 %     3,935       35.0 %     72.9 %
 
                               
Total
  $ 37,107       100.0 %   $ 11,227       100.0 %     230.5 %
 
                               
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. No pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented in the analysis above.
 
NM  
Not meaningful
     General and administrative expense ratios for the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were 15.0% and 11.8%, respectively. General and administrative expense ratio is the sum of general and administrative expenses and share compensation expense divided by net premiums earned.
                                 
    Three months ended     Three months ended  
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007 (1)  
            Expenses as %             Expenses as %  
            of Net Earned             of Net Earned  
    Expenses     Premiums     Expenses     Premiums  
    (Dollars in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)  
General and Administrative
  $ 37,107       12.7 %   $ 11,227       10.1 %
Share Compensation
    6,535       2.3 %     1,945       1.7 %
 
                       
Total
  $ 43,642       15.0 %   $ 13,172       11.8 %
 
                       
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. No pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented in the analysis above.

45


 

     General and administrative expenses of $37.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008 represents 12.7 percentage points of the expense ratio. Share compensation expense is discussed in the following section.
Validus Re. Validus Re general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $9.4 million compared to $7.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $2.1 million or 28.6%. The increase in expenses reflects the increase in staff to 65 at March 31, 2008 from 44 at March 31, 2007. General and administrative expenses are generally comprised of salaries and benefits, professional fees, rent and office expenses. General and administrative expenses as a percent of net premiums earned for the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were both 6.5%.
Talbot. Talbot general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $20.9 million compared to $16.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. General and administrative expenses are generally comprised of salaries and benefits, professional fees and rent and office expenses. Expenses in dollar terms have increased as a result of planned increases to personnel and other expenses of $0.8 million, intangible asset amortization of $1.0 million and costs of $0.5 million relating to Talbot Risk Services Pte, an office opened in Singapore in late 2007. General and administrative expenses as a percent of net premiums earned for the three month period ended March 31, 2008 was 14.2%.
Corporate & Eliminations. Corporate general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $6.8 million compared to $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. Corporate general and administrative expenses are comprised of executive and board expenses, internal and external audit expenses and other cost relating to the Company as a whole.
Share Compensation Expense
     Share compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $6.5 million compared to $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $4.6 million or 236.0%. The increase is a result of $2.6 million in respect of the Employee Seller shares issued to Talbot employees as part of the purchase of the group by the Company and an increase of $3.2 million related to Corporate segment staff. This expense is non-cash and has no net effect on total shareholders’ equity, as it balanced by an increase in additional paid-in capital.
                                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007 (1)        
    Share     Share     Share     Share        
    Compensation     Compensation     Compensation     Compensation     %  
    Expense     Expense (%)     Expense     Expense (%)     Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)             (Dollars in thousands)                  
Validus Re
  $ 1,226       18.8 %   $ 765       39.3 %     60.3 %
Talbot
    976       14.9 %           0.0 %   NM  
Corporate & Eliminations
    4,333       66.3 %     1,180       60.7 %     267.2 %
 
                               
Total
  $ 6,535       100.0 %   $ 1,945       100.0 %     236.0 %
 
                               
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. No pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented in the analysis above.
 
NM  
Not meaningful
     Share compensation expense of $6.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008 represents 2.2 percentage points of the general and administrative expense ratio.
Validus Re. Validus Re share compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $1.2 million compared to $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $0.5 million or 60.3%. Share compensation expense as a percent of net premiums earned for the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were 0.9% and 0.7%, respectively.

46


 

Talbot. Talbot share compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $1.0 million. Share compensation expense as a percent of net premiums earned for the three month period ended March 31, 2008 was 0.7%.
Corporate & Eliminations. Corporate share compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $4.3 million compared to $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $3.2 million or 267.2%. The increase is primarily a result of $2.6 million in respect of the Employee Seller shares issued to Talbot employees as part of the purchase of the group by the Company.
Selected Ratios
     The underwriting results of an insurance or reinsurance company are often measured by reference to its combined ratio, which is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. The net loss ratio is calculated by dividing losses and loss expenses incurred (including estimates for incurred but not reported losses) by net premiums earned. The expense ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition costs combined with general and administrative expenses by net premiums earned. The following table presents the loss and loss expense ratio, policy acquisition cost ratio, general and administrative expense ratio, expense ratio and combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.
                         
    Three months ended   Three months ended   Percentage
    March 31, 2008   March 31, 2007   point change
Losses and loss expenses ratio
    48.0 %     41.7 %     6.3  
Policy acquisition cost ratio
    19.4 %     11.0 %     8.4  
General and administrative expense ratio(1)
    15.0 %     11.8 %     3.2  
 
                       
Expense ratio
    34.4 %     22.8 %     11.6  
 
                       
Combined ratio
    82.4 %     64.5 %     17.9  
 
                       
 
(1)  
Includes general and administrative expense, and share compensation expense.
                         
    Three months ended   Three months ended   Percentage
Validus Re   March 31, 2008   March 31, 2007   point change
Losses and loss expenses ratio
    41.0 %     41.7 %     (0.7 )
Policy acquisition cost ratio
    14.2 %     11.0 %     3.2  
General and administrative expense ratio
    7.4 %     7.2 %     0.2  
 
                       
Expense ratio
    21.6 %     18.2 %     3.4  
 
                       
Combined ratio
    62.6 %     59.9 %     2.7  
 
                       
                         
    Three months ended   Three months ended   Percentage
Talbot   March 31, 2008   March 31, 2007(1)   point change
Losses and loss expenses ratio
    54.7 %     50.7 %     4.0  
Policy acquisition cost ratio
    24.5 %     22.2 %     2.3  
General and administrative expense ratio
    14.8 %     12.3 %     2.5  
 
                       
Expense ratio
    39.3 %     34.5 %     4.8  
 
                       
Combined ratio
    94.0 %     85.2 %     8.8  
 
                       
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. The pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2007 for comparative purposes only.

47


 

Underwriting Income
     Underwriting income for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $51.5 million compared to $39.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $11.9 million or 30.0%.
                                         
    Three months ended     % of Sub     Three months ended     % of Sub        
    March 31, 2008     total     March 31, 2007     total     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)             (Dollars in thousands)                  
Validus Re
  $ 53,731       85.8 %   $ 44,729       100.0 %     20.1 %
Talbot
    8,904       14.2 %           0.0 %   NM  
 
                             
Sub total
    62,635       100.0 %     44,729       100.0 %     40.0 %
 
                             
Corporate & Eliminations
    (11,138 )             (5,115 )             117.8 %
 
                                 
Total
  $ 51,497             $ 39,614               30.0 %
 
                                 
 
NM  
Not meaningful
     The underwriting results of an insurance or reinsurance company are also often measured by reference to its underwriting income, which is a non-GAAP measure as previously defined. Underwriting income, as set out in the table below, is reconciled to net income (the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure) by the addition or subtraction of net investment income (loss), other income, finance expenses, net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments, foreign exchange gains (losses), and fair value of warrants issued.
                 
    Three months ended     Three months ended  
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Underwriting income
  $ 51,497     $ 39,614  
Net investment income
    36,043       18,497  
Other income
    935        
Finance expenses
    (21,517 )     (4,441 )
Net realized (losses) gains on investments
    7,744       46  
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments
    (14,977 )     1,643  
Foreign exchange gains (losses)
    8,179       1,389  
 
           
Net income before taxes
  $ 67,904     $ 56,748  
 
           
     Underwriting income indicates the performance of the Company’s core underwriting function, excluding revenues and expenses such as the reconciling items in the table above. The Company believes the reporting of underwriting income enhances the understanding of our results by highlighting the underlying profitability of the Company’s core insurance and reinsurance business. Underwriting profitability is influenced significantly by earned premium growth, adequacy of the Company’s pricing and loss frequency and severity. Underwriting profitability over time is also influenced by the Company’s underwriting discipline, which seeks to manage exposure to loss through favorable risk selection and diversification, its management of claims, its use of reinsurance and its ability to manage its expense ratio, which it accomplishes through its management of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses. The Company believes that underwriting income provides investors with a valuable measure of profitability derived from underwriting activities.
     The Company excludes the U.S. GAAP measures noted above, in particular net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments, from its calculation of underwriting income because the amount of these gains and losses is heavily influenced by, and fluctuates in part, according to availability of investment market opportunities. The Company believes these amounts are largely independent of its underwriting business and including them distorts the analysis of trends in its operations. In addition to presenting net income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company believes that showing underwriting income enables investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of its financial information to more easily analyze the Company’s results of operations in a manner similar to how management analyzes the Company’s underlying business performance. The Company uses underwriting income as a primary measure of underwriting results in its analysis of historical financial information and when performing its budgeting and forecasting processes. Analysts, investors and rating agencies who follow the Company request this non-GAAP financial information on a regular basis. In addition, underwriting income is one of the factors considered by the compensation committee of our Board of Directors in determining the bonus component of the total annual incentive compensation.

48


 

     Underwriting income should not be viewed as a substitute for U.S. GAAP net income as there are inherent material limitations associated with the use of underwriting income as compared to using net income, which is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure. The most significant limitation is the ability of users of the financial information to make comparable assessments of underwriting income with other companies, particularly as underwriting income may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. Therefore, the Company provides more prominence in this filing to the use of the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, net income, which includes the reconciling items in the table above. The Company compensates for these limitations by providing both clear and transparent disclosure of net income and reconciliation of underwriting income to net income.
Net Investment Income
     Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $36.0 million compared to $18.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $17.5 million or 94.9%. Net investment income increased as a result of growth in the Validus Re investment portfolio and the addition of the Talbot investment portfolio. Net investment income is comprised of accretion of premium or discount on fixed maturities, interest on coupon-paying bonds, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents, partially offset by investment management fees. The components of net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 is as presented below.
                         
    Three months ended     Three months ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)          
Fixed maturities and short-term investments
  $ 31,691     $ 18,075       75.3 %
Securities lending income
    435       1     NM  
Cash and cash equivalents
    4,838       931       419.7 %
 
                 
Total investment income
    36,964       19,007       94.5 %
Investment expenses
    (921 )     (510 )     (80.6 )%
 
                 
Net investment income
  $ 36,043     $ 18,497       94.9 %
 
                 
 
NM  
Not Meaningful
     Investment management fees incurred relate to BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (“BlackRock”) and Goldman Sachs Asset Management L.P. and its affiliates (“GSAM”). Each of Merrill Lynch & Co, Inc. (“Merrill Lynch”) and Goldman Sachs is a major shareholder of the Company. BlackRock is considered a related party due to its merger in February 2006 with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers. Investment management fees earned by BlackRock for the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 were $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Investment management fees earned by GSAM for the three month periods ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 were $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Management believes that the fees charged were consistent with those that would have been charged by unrelated third parties.
     Annualized effective investment yield is based on the weighted average investments held calculated on a simple period average and excludes net unrealized gains (losses), foreign exchange gains (losses) on investments and the foreign exchange effect of insurance balances. The Company’s annualized effective investment yield was 4.54% and 4.99% for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and the average duration at March 31, 2008 was 2.4 years (December 31, 2007 - 2.0 years).
     Because Validus Re provides short-tail reinsurance coverage for losses resulting mainly from natural and man-made catastrophes, Validus Re could become liable to pay substantial claims on short notice. Accordingly, the investment portfolio has been structured to preserve capital and provide a high level of liquidity, which means that the large majority of the investment portfolio contains short-term fixed maturity investments, such as U.S. government and agency bonds, U.S. government-sponsored enterprises, corporate debt securities and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.

49


 

     As of March 31, 2008, the Company had approximately $17.6 million of asset-backed securities with sub-prime collateral and $12.4 million of insurance enhanced rated asset-backed securities that have no underlying credit ratings, representing 0.5% and 0.4% of total cash and investments, respectively.
     The Company recorded $15.0 million of net unrealized losses which were primarily the result of market value declines in the Company’s holding of AAA-rated Alt-A non-Agency residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS’). At March 31, 2008, the Company held $117.8 million of Alt-A RMBS. The Company’s Alt-A non-Agency RMBS allocation consists entirely of AAA-rated securities.
Finance Expenses
     Finance expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $21.5 million compared to $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $17.1 million or 384.5%. The higher finance expenses in 2008 were primarily attributable to the following:
 
$4.4 million on the 8.480% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures; and
 
 
$13.1 million of FAL finance expense resulting from the consolidation of Talbot.
     Finance expenses also include the amortization of debt offering costs and offering discounts and fees related to our credit facilities.
                         
    Three months     Three months        
    ended     ended        
    March 31, 2008     March 31, 2007     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)          
9.069% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
  $ 3,588     $ 3,584       0.1 %
8.480% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
    4,358           NM  
Credit facilities
    351       857       (59.0 )%
Talbot FAL facilities
    131           NM  
Talbot other interest
    63           NM  
Talbot third party FAL facility
    13,026           NM  
 
                 
Total
  $ 21,517     $ 4,441       384.5 %
 
                 
 
NM  
Not Meaningful
     Capital in Lloyd’s entities, whether personal or corporate, is required to be set annually for the prospective year and held by Lloyd’s in trust (“Funds at Lloyd’s” or “FAL”). In underwriting years up to and including 2007, Talbot’s FAL has been provided both by Talbot and by third parties, thereafter Talbot’s FAL has been provided exclusively by the Company. Because the third party FAL providers remain “on risk” until each year of account that they support closes (normally after three years) Talbot must retain third party FAL even if a third party FAL provider has ceased to support the active underwriting year. This is achieved by placing such FAL in escrow outside Lloyd’s. Thus the total FAL facility available to the Company is the total FAL for active and prior underwriting years, although the Company can only apply specific FAL against losses incurred by an underwriting year that such FAL is contracted to support.
     Between 30% and 40% of an amount equivalent to each underwriting years’ profit is payable to Talbot third party FAL providers. However some of these costs are fixed. Further, the 2005 underwriting year only became profitable on a cumulative basis in September 2007, thus triggering profit-related payments for that underwriting year.
     The FAL finance charges respond to total syndicate profit (underwriting income, investment income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses). FAL finance charges and total syndicate profits are analyzed by underwriting year of account as follows:

50


 

                                                 
    Three months ended March 31  
          Total Syndicate     FAL Finance Charges as %  
    FAL Finance Charges     Profit     of Total Syndicate Profit  
Underwriting Year of Account   2008     2007 (1)     2008     2007 (1)     2008     2007 (1)  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
2005 (2)
  $     $ 124     $     $ 8,322       NM       1.5 %
2006 (2)
    8,358       9,204       24,080       26,059       34.7 %     35.3 %
2007
    4,668       159       15,911       (8,767 )     29.3 %     NM  
2008
                (15,041 )           NM       NM  
 
                               
Total
  $ 13,026     $ 9,487     $ 24,950     $ 25,614       52.2 %     37.0 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Percentage excluding years in deficit
                                    32.6 %     35.3 %
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. The pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2007 for comparative purposes only.
 
(2)  
The earliest year of account includes the run-off of prior (closed) years of account.
 
NM  
Not meaningful
     FAL finance charges are based on syndicate profit but include fixed elements. Both the 2005 and 2007 years of account were in cumulative loss positions at March 31, 2007 and so provisions for only fixed elements of FAL finance charges were made.
     Total syndicate profit, as set out in the table below, is reconciled to the Talbot segment net income by the addition or subtraction of items noted below:
                 
    Three months ended March 31  
    2008     2007 (1)  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Total syndicate profit
  $ 24,950     $ 25,614  
FAL Finance expenses
    (13,220 )     (9,652 )
Managing agent’s fee (2)
    2,414       2,279  
Managing agent’s profit commission (3)
    7,085       4,590  
Investment income (4)
    2,563       1,418  
Other segment operating expenses, net
    (4,369 )     (4,306 )
Share compensation
    (976 )      
Intangible amortization
    (1,040 )      
Income tax expense
    (1,401 )     (1,005 )
 
           
Talbot segment net income
  $ 16,006     $ 18,938  
 
           
 
(1)  
The results of operations for Talbot are consolidated only from the July 2, 2007 date of acquisition. The pre-acquisition results of operations for Talbot are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2007 for comparative purposes only.
 
(2)  
1.5% of syndicate capacity.
 
(3)  
15.0% of syndicate profit; corresponding syndicate expense reflected in total syndicate profit, above.
 
(4)  
On FAL and on non-syndicate cash balances.
Net Realized Gains on Investments
     Net realized gains on investments for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $7.7 million compared to losses of $46,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007. Net realized gains resulted from the sale of fixed maturity investments.

51


 

Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments
     Net unrealized losses on investments for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $(15.0) million compared to gains of $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The net unrealized losses in the three months ended March 31, 2008 were primarily the result of market value declines in the Company’s holding of AAA-rated Alt-A non-Agency RMBS. At March 31, 2008, the Company held $117.8 million of Alt-A RMBS. The Company’s Alt-A non-Agency RMBS allocation consists entirely of AAA-rated securities.
     The Company early adopted FAS 157 and the FAS 159 Fair Value Option on January 1, 2007 for its investment portfolio. As a result, for the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, net unrealized gains on investments are recorded as a component of net income. Talbot also adopted FAS 157 and the FAS 159 Fair Value Option for its investment portfolio upon acquisition by the Company on July 2, 2007.
Foreign Exchange Gains
     Foreign exchange gains for the three month period ended March 31, 2008 were $8.2 million compared to $1.4 for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $6.8 million. Foreign exchange losses resulted from the effect of the fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates on liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. The foreign exchange gains during the three months ended March 31, 2008 were a result of the weakening of the U.S. dollar resulting in gains on translation arising out of receipts of non-U.S. dollar premium installments. Certain premiums receivable and liabilities for losses incurred in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are exposed to the risk of changes in value resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and may affect financial results in the future. At March 31, 2008, 10.3% of our investments and 26.5% of our net reserves for losses and loss expenses were in foreign currencies.
Financial Condition and Liquidity
     Validus Holdings, Ltd. is a holding company and conducts no operations of its own. The Company relies primarily on cash dividends and other permitted payments from Validus Re and Talbot to pay finance expenses and other holding company expenses. There are restrictions on the payment of dividends from Validus Re and Talbot to the Company. The Bermuda Companies Act 1981 limits the Company’s ability to pay dividends to shareholders. On February 20, 2008 the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share payable on March 17, 2008 to holders of record on March 3, 2008. The timing and amount of any future cash dividends, however, will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our results of operations and cash flows, our financial position and capital requirements, general business conditions, legal, tax, regulatory, rating agency and contractual constraints or restrictions and any other factors that our Board of Directors deems relevant.
     Three main sources provide cash flows for the Company: operating activities, investing activities and financing activities. Cash flow from operating activities is derived primarily from the net receipt of premiums less claims and expenses related to underwriting activities. Cash flow from investing activities is derived primarily from the receipt of investment income on the Company’s total investment portfolio. Cash flow from financing activities is derived primarily from the issuance of common shares and debentures payable.
Capital Resources
     Shareholders’ equity at March 31, 2008 was $1,990.7 million.
     In a privately negotiated transaction on April 29, 2008, the Company repurchased from an unaffiliated financial institution $45.7 million principal amount of its 8.480% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures due 2037 at an aggregate price of $36.5 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest of $0.5 million, which will result in a second quarter gain and an increase in book value of $8.8 million, equal to $0.10 per diluted common share, in the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

52


 

     On May 9, 2008, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per each common share and $0.20 per common share equivalent, for which each outstanding warrant is then exercisable, payable on June 5, 2008 to holders of record on May 22, 2008.
     The Company may from time to time repurchase its securities, including common shares and Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures, subject to board approval.
     Please refer to the discussion of capital resources in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. There have been no other material changes to this discussion.
Recent accounting pronouncements
     Please refer to Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements (Part I, Item I) for further discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.
Debt and Financing Arrangements
     The following table details the Company’s borrowings and credit facilities as at March 31, 2008:
                 
            In use/  
    Commitment     outstanding  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
9.069% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
  $ 150,000     $ 150,000  
8.480% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures
    200,000       200,000  
$200 million unsecured letter of credit facility
    200,000        
$500 million secured letter of credit facility
    500,000       102,065  
Talbot FAL facility
    100,000       100,000  
Talbot third party FAL facility (1)
    174,365       174,365  
 
           
Total
  $ 1,324,365     $ 726,430  
 
           
 
(1)  
The third party FAL facility comprises $174,365 which supports the 2007 and prior underwriting years. These funds have now been withdrawn from Lloyd’s and placed in escrow but remain available to pay losses. Of this facility, $30,350 was provided in respect of the 2005 year of account only. This year of account has now closed and the funds are in the process of being returned to the appropriate FAL providers.
     Please refer to Notes 7 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements (Part I, Item I) for further discussion of the Company’s debt and financing arrangements and the April 29, 2008 Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debenture repurchase.
Investments
     A significant portion of contracts written provide short-tail reinsurance coverage for losses resulting mainly from natural and man-made catastrophes, which could result in a significant amount of losses on short notice. Accordingly, the Company’s investment portfolio is structured to preserve capital and provide significant liquidity, which means the investment portfolio contains a significant amount of relatively short-term fixed maturity investments, such as U.S. government securities, U.S. government-sponsored enterprises securities, corporate debt securities and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.
     Substantially all of the fixed maturity investments held at March 31, 2008 were publicly traded. At March 31, 2008, the average duration of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio was 2.4 years (December 31, 2007: 2.0 years) and the average rating of the portfolio was AAA (December 31, 2007: AAA), of which $2,261.3 million or 81.9% (December 31, 2007: $2,029.6 million) were rated AAA.
     Cash and cash equivalents and investments in Talbot of $1,120.8 million at March 31, 2008 were held in trust for the benefit of cedants and policyholders, and to facilitate the accreditation as an alien insurer/reinsurer by certain regulators (December 31, 2007: $1,064.4 million). Talbot had $1,151.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and investments at March 31, 2008 (December 31, 2007: $1,093.9 million).

53


 

Cash Flows
     During the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company generated net cash from operating activities of $131.1 million and $75.7 million respectively. Cash flows from operations generally represent premiums collected, investment earnings realized and investment gains realized less losses and loss expenses paid and underwriting and other expenses paid. Cash flows from operations may differ substantially, however, from net income.
     Sources of funds consist primarily of the receipt of premiums written, investment income and proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments. In addition, cash will also be received from financing activities. Cash is used to pay primarily losses and loss expenses, brokerage commissions, excise taxes, general and administrative expenses, purchase new investments, payment of premiums retroceded and payment of dividends. The Company has had sufficient resources to meet its liquidity requirements.
     As of March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $347.3 million and $88.3 million, respectively.
     The Company has written certain business that has loss experience generally characterized as having low frequency and high severity. This results in volatility in both results and operational cash flows. The potential for large claims or a series of claims under one or more reinsurance contracts means that substantial and unpredictable payments may be required within relatively short periods of time. As a result, cash flows from operating activities may fluctuate, perhaps significantly, between individual quarters and years.
     In addition to relying on premiums received and investment income from the investment portfolio, the Company intends to meet these cash flow demands by carrying a substantial amount of short and medium term investments that would mature, or possibly be sold, prior to the settlement of expected liabilities. The Company cannot provide assurance, however, that it will successfully match the structure of its investments with its liabilities due to uncertainty related to the timing and severity of loss events.

54


 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
     All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements. This report may include forward-looking statements, both with respect to us and our industry, that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Statements that include the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “anticipate,” “will,” “may” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements.
     We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events;
 
 
our ability to obtain and maintain ratings, which may be affected by our ability to raise additional equity or debt financings, as well as other factors described herein;
 
 
adequacy of our risk management and loss limitation methods;
 
 
cyclicality of demand and pricing in the insurance and reinsurance markets;
 
 
our limited operating history;
 
 
our ability to successfully implement our business strategy during “soft” as well as “hard” markets;
 
 
adequacy of our loss reserves;
 
 
continued availability of capital and financing;
 
 
our ability to identify, hire and retain, on a timely and unimpeded basis and on anticipated economic and other terms, experienced and capable senior management, as well as underwriters, claims professionals and support staff;
 
 
acceptance of our business strategy, security and financial condition by rating agencies and regulators, as well as by brokers and reinsureds;
 
 
competition, including increased competition, on the basis of pricing, capacity, coverage terms or other factors;
 
 
potential loss of business from one or more major insurance or reinsurance brokers;
 
 
our ability to implement, successfully and on a timely basis, complex infrastructure, distribution capabilities, systems, procedures and internal controls, and to develop accurate actuarial data to support the business and regulatory and reporting requirements;
 
 
general economic and market conditions (including inflation, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates) and conditions specific to the insurance and reinsurance markets in which we expect to operate;
 
 
the integration of Talbot Holdings, Ltd., or other businesses we may acquire or new business ventures we may start;
 
 
accuracy of those estimates and judgments used in the preparation of our financial statements, including those related to revenue recognition, insurance and other reserves, reinsurance recoverables, investment valuations, intangible assets, bad debts, income taxes, contingencies, litigation and any determination to use the deposit method of accounting, which, for a relatively new insurance and reinsurance company like our company, are even more difficult to make than those made in a mature company because of limited historical information;

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acts of terrorism, political unrest and other hostilities or other non-forecasted and unpredictable events;
 
 
availability of reinsurance and retrocession coverage to manage our gross and net exposures and the cost of such reinsurance and retrocession;
 
 
the failure of reinsurers, retrocessionaires, producers or others to meet their obligations to us;
 
 
the timing of loss payments being faster or the receipt of reinsurance recoverables being slower than anticipated by us;
 
 
changes in domestic or foreign laws or regulations, or their interpretations;
 
 
changes in accounting principles or the application of such principles by regulators;
 
 
statutory or regulatory or rating agency developments, including as to tax policy and matters and reinsurance and other regulatory matters such as the adoption of proposed legislation that would affect Bermuda-headquartered companies and/or Bermuda-based insurers or reinsurers, and
 
 
the other factors set forth under Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors”, Part I Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and other sections of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the risk and other factors set forth in the Company’s filings with the SEC.
     In addition, other general factors could affect our results, including: (a) developments in the world’s financial and capital markets and our access to such markets; (b) changes in regulations or tax laws applicable to us, including, without limitation, any such changes resulting from the recent investigations relating to the insurance industry and any attendant litigation; and (c) the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due to terrorism or other hostilities.
     The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included herein or elsewhere. Any forward-looking statements made in this report are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, us or our business or operations. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
     We believe we are principally exposed to five types of market risk:
 
interest rate risk;
 
 
foreign currency risk;
 
 
credit risk;
 
 
liquidity risk; and
 
 
effects of inflation.
     Interest Rate Risk: The Company’s primary market risk exposure is to changes in interest rates. The Company’s fixed maturity portfolio is exposed to interest rate risk. Fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the market valuation of these investments. As interest rates rise, the market value of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio falls and the Company has the risk that cash outflows will have to be funded by selling assets, which will be trading at depreciated values. As interest rates decline, the market value of the Company’s fixed income portfolio increases and the Company has reinvestment risk, as funds reinvested will earn less than is necessary to match anticipated liabilities. We manage interest rate risk by selecting investments with characteristics such as duration, yield, currency and liquidity tailored to the anticipated cash outflow characteristics of the insurance and reinsurance liabilities the Company assumes.
     As at March 31, 2008, the impact on the Company’s fixed maturity and short-term investments from an immediate 100 basis point increase in market interest rates would have resulted in an estimated decrease in market value of 2.4%, or approximately $68.7 million. As at March 31, 2008, the impact on the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio from an immediate 100 basis point decrease in market interest rates would have resulted in an estimated increase in market value of 2.3% or approximately $66.1 million.
     As at March 31, 2007, the impact on the Company’s fixed maturity and short-term investments from an immediate 100 basis point increase in market interest rates would have resulted in an estimated decrease in market value of 1.1%, or approximately $16.3 million. As at March 31, 2007, the impact on the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio from an immediate 100 basis point decrease in market interest rates would have resulted in an estimated increase in market value of 1.0% or approximately $14.6 million.
     As at March 31, 2008, the Company held $1,167.0 million (December 31, 2007: $1,074.1 million), or 42.3% (December 31, 2007: 44.5%), of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio in asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. These assets are exposed to prepayment risk, which occurs when holders of underlying loans increase the frequency with which they prepay the outstanding principal before the maturity date and refinance at a lower interest rate cost. The adverse impact of prepayment is more evident in a declining interest rate environment. As a result, the Company will be exposed to reinvestment risk, as cash flows received by the Company will be accelerated and will be reinvested at the prevailing interest rates.
     Foreign Currency Risk: Certain of the Company’s reinsurance contracts provide that ultimate losses may be payable in foreign currencies depending on the country of original loss. Foreign currency exchange rate risk exists to the extent that there is an increase in the exchange rate of the foreign currency in which losses are ultimately owed. Therefore, we attempt to manage our foreign currency risk by seeking to match our liabilities under insurance and reinsurance policies that are payable in foreign currencies with cash and investments that are denominated in such currencies. At March 31, 2008, 10.3% of our investments and 26.5% of our net reserves for losses and loss expenses were in foreign currencies.
     Credit Risk: We are exposed to credit risk primarily from the possibility that counterparties may default on their obligations to us. We attempt to limit our credit exposure by purchasing high quality fixed income investments to maintain an average portfolio credit quality of AA- or higher with mortgage and commercial mortgage-backed issues having an aggregate weighted average credit quality of triple-A. In addition, we have limited our exposure to any single issuer to 3.0% or less of total investments, excluding treasury and agency securities. The minimum credit

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rating of any security purchased is A-/A3 and where investments are downgraded, we permit a holding of up to 2.0% in aggregate market value, or 10.0% with written authorization of the Company. At March 31, 2008, 0.2% of the portfolio was below A-/A3 and we did not have an aggregate exposure to any single issuer of more than 1.2% of total investments, other than with respect to U.S. government and agency securities.
     As of March 31, 2008, Validus had approximately $17.6 million of asset-backed securities with sub-prime collateral and $12.4 million of insurance enhanced asset-backed securities that have no underlying credit ratings, representing 0.5% and 0.4% of total cash and investments, respectively.
     The Company recorded $15.0 million of net unrealized losses which were primarily the result of market value declines in the Company’s holding of AAA-rated Alt-A non-Agency RMBS. At March 31, 2008, the Company held $117.8 million of Alt-A RMBS. The Company’s Alt-A non-Agency RMBS allocation consists entirely of AAA- rated securities.
     The amount of the maximum exposure to credit risk is indicated by the carrying value of the Company’s financial assets. The Company’s primary credit risks reside in investment in U.S. corporate bonds and recoverables from reinsurers at the Talbot segment.
     Liquidity risk: Certain of the Company’s investments may become illiquid. The current disruption in the credit markets may materially affect the liquidity of the Company’s investments, including residential mortgage-backed securities which represent 22.7% (December 31, 2007: 23.3%) of total cash and investments. If the Company requires significant amounts of cash on short notice in excess of normal cash requirements (which could include the requirement to return significant amounts of collateral in connection with its securities lending activities) in a period of market illiquidity, the investments may be difficult to sell in a timely manner and may have to be disposed of for less than what may otherwise have been possible under other conditions.
     Effects of Inflation: We do not believe that inflation has had or will have a material effect on our combined results of operations, except insofar as (a) inflation may affect interest rates, and (b) losses and loss expenses may be affected by inflation.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
     Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
     The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in allowing information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to be recorded, processed, summarized and reported within time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
     We continue to enhance our operating procedures and internal controls (including the timely and successful implementation of our information technology initiatives, which include the implementation of improved computerized systems and programs to replace and support manual systems, and including controls over financial reporting) to effectively support our business and our regulatory and reporting requirements. Our management does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. As a result of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons or by collusion of two or more

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people. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no absolute assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. As a result of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatement due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Accordingly, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the disclosure controls and procedures are met.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
     There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the Company’s evaluation required pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
     We anticipate that, similar to the rest of the insurance and reinsurance industry, we will be subject to litigation and arbitration in the ordinary course of business.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
     Please refer to the discussion of risk factors in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. There have been no material changes to this discussion.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALE OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
     There were no stock repurchases for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
     None.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
     None.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
     None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
     
EXHIBIT    
NUMBER   DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
31.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
31.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
32
  Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  VALIDUS HOLDINGS, LTD.
(Registrant)
 
 
Date: May 14, 2008 /s/ Edward J. Noonan    
  Edward J. Noonan   
  Chief Executive Officer   
 
     
Date: May 14, 2008  /s/ Joseph E. (Jeff) Consolino    
  Joseph E. (Jeff) Consolino   
  Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President   
 

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