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 September 30, 2022
or
☐ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from ____ to ____
Commission File No. 1-13653
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Incorporated under the Laws of Ohio IRS Employer I.D. No. 31-1544320
301 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(513) 579-2121
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: |
| Title of Each Class | | Trading Symbol(s) | | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
| Common Stock | | AFG | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 5.875% Subordinated Debentures due March 30, 2059 | | AFGB | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 5.625% Subordinated Debentures due June 1, 2060 | | AFGD | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 5.125% Subordinated Debentures due December 15, 2059 | | AFGC | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 4.50% Subordinated Debentures due September 15, 2060 | | AFGE | | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☑ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐
Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
As of November 1, 2022, there were 85,143,503 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding, excluding 14.9 million shares owned by subsidiaries.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
PART I
ITEM 1. — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in Millions)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Assets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 794 | | | $ | 2,131 | |
Investments: | | | |
Fixed maturities, available for sale at fair value (amortized cost — $10,744 and $10,193; allowance for expected credit losses of $9 and $9) | 10,034 | | | 10,357 | |
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value | 30 | | | 28 | |
Equity securities, at fair value | 996 | | | 1,042 | |
Investments accounted for using the equity method | 1,661 | | | 1,517 | |
Mortgage loans | 676 | | | 520 | |
Real estate and other investments | 131 | | | 150 | |
Total cash and investments | 14,322 | | | 15,745 | |
Recoverables from reinsurers | 4,108 | | | 3,519 | |
Prepaid reinsurance premiums | 1,180 | | | 834 | |
Agents’ balances and premiums receivable | 1,698 | | | 1,265 | |
Deferred policy acquisition costs | 292 | | | 267 | |
Assets of managed investment entities | 5,099 | | | 5,296 | |
Other receivables | 1,328 | | | 857 | |
Other assets | 1,259 | | | 902 | |
Goodwill | 246 | | | 246 | |
Total assets | $ | 29,532 | | | $ | 28,931 | |
| | | |
Liabilities and Equity: | | | |
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 12,067 | | | $ | 11,074 | |
Unearned premiums | 3,785 | | | 3,041 | |
Payable to reinsurers | 1,366 | | | 920 | |
Liabilities of managed investment entities | 5,002 | | | 5,220 | |
Long-term debt | 1,533 | | | 1,964 | |
Other liabilities | 1,847 | | | 1,700 | |
Total liabilities | 25,600 | | | 23,919 | |
| | | |
Shareholders’ equity: | | | |
Common Stock, no par value — 200,000,000 shares authorized — 85,140,521 and 84,920,965 shares outstanding | 85 | | | 85 | |
Capital surplus | 1,358 | | | 1,330 | |
Retained earnings | 3,091 | | | 3,478 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (602) | | | 119 | |
Total shareholders’ equity | 3,932 | | | 5,012 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 29,532 | | | $ | 28,931 | |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)
(In Millions, Except Per Share Data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Revenues: | | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,767 | | | $ | 1,529 | | | $ | 4,462 | | | $ | 3,952 | |
Net investment income | 151 | | | 169 | | | 549 | | | 521 | |
Realized gains (losses) on: | | | | | | | |
Securities | (35) | | | (17) | | | (143) | | | 103 | |
Subsidiaries | — | | | — | | | — | | | 4 | |
Income of managed investment entities: | | | | | | | |
Investment income | 75 | | | 45 | | | 175 | | | 135 | |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | (5) | | | 1 | | | (25) | | | 9 | |
Other income | 31 | | | 27 | | | 93 | | | 70 | |
Total revenues | 1,984 | | | 1,754 | | | 5,111 | | | 4,794 | |
| | | | | | | |
Costs and Expenses: | | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance: | | | | | | | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 1,176 | | | 954 | | | 2,643 | | | 2,335 | |
Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 445 | | | 417 | | | 1,291 | | | 1,187 | |
Interest charges on borrowed money | 19 | | | 24 | | | 65 | | | 71 | |
Expenses of managed investment entities | 62 | | | 37 | | | 148 | | | 115 | |
Other expenses | 72 | | | 55 | | | 187 | | | 196 | |
Total costs and expenses | 1,774 | | | 1,487 | | | 4,334 | | | 3,904 | |
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 210 | | | 267 | | | 777 | | | 890 | |
Provision for income taxes | 45 | | | 48 | | | 155 | | | 164 | |
Net earnings from continuing operations | 165 | | | 219 | | | 622 | | | 726 | |
Net earnings from discontinued operations | — | | | — | | | — | | | 914 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Earnings | $ | 165 | | | $ | 219 | | | $ | 622 | | | $ | 1,640 | |
| | | | | | | |
Earnings per Basic Common Share: | | | | | | | |
Continuing operations | $ | 1.93 | | | $ | 2.57 | | | $ | 7.30 | | | $ | 8.52 | |
Discontinued operations | — | | | — | | | — | | | 10.72 | |
Total basic earnings | $ | 1.93 | | | $ | 2.57 | | | $ | 7.30 | | | $ | 19.24 | |
Earnings per Diluted Common Share: | | | | | | | |
Continuing operations | $ | 1.93 | | | $ | 2.56 | | | $ | 7.29 | | | $ | 8.45 | |
Discontinued operations | — | | | — | | | — | | | 10.66 | |
Total diluted earnings | $ | 1.93 | | | $ | 2.56 | | | $ | 7.29 | | | $ | 19.11 | |
Average number of Common Shares: | | | | | | | |
Basic | 85.2 | | | 84.8 | | | 85.1 | | | 85.2 | |
Diluted | 85.4 | | | 85.2 | | | 85.3 | | | 85.8 | |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In Millions)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Net earnings | $ | 165 | | | $ | 219 | | | $ | 622 | | | $ | 1,640 | |
| | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax: | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities: | | | | | | | |
Unrealized holding losses on securities arising during the period | (231) | | | (29) | | | (698) | | | (177) | |
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net earnings | 3 | | | 2 | | | 8 | | | (16) | |
Reclassification adjustment for unrealized gains of subsidiaries sold | — | | | — | | | — | | | (884) | |
Total net unrealized losses on securities | (228) | | | (27) | | | (690) | | | (1,077) | |
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | |
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on cash flow hedges arising during the period | (21) | | | — | | | (27) | | | (1) | |
Reclassification adjustment for investment income included in net earnings | — | | | — | | | (2) | | | (11) | |
Reclassification adjustment for unrealized gains on cash flow hedges of subsidiaries sold | — | | | — | | | — | | | (29) | |
Total net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges | (21) | | | — | | | (29) | | | (41) | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (5) | | | (3) | | | (2) | | | (3) | |
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments (“OPRP”): | | | | | | | |
Unrealized holding losses on pension and OPRP arising during the period | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1) | |
Reclassification adjustment for pension settlement loss included in net earnings | — | | | — | | | — | | | 9 | |
Total pension and OPRP adjustments | — | | | — | | | — | | | 8 | |
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | (254) | | | (30) | | | (721) | | | (1,113) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (89) | | | $ | 189 | | | $ | (99) | | | $ | 527 | |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in Millions) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Shareholders’ Equity | | | | |
Common | | | Common Stock and Capital | | Retained | | Accumulated Other Comp. | | | | | | |
Shares | | | Surplus | | Earnings | | Income (Loss) | | Total | | | | |
Balance at June 30, 2022 | 85,154,263 | | | | $ | 1,436 | | | $ | 2,979 | | | $ | (348) | | | $ | 4,067 | | | | | |
Net earnings | — | | | | — | | | 165 | | | — | | | 165 | | | | | |
Other comprehensive loss | — | | | | — | | | — | | | (254) | | | (254) | | | | | |
Dividends ($0.56 per share) | — | | | | — | | | (48) | | | — | | | (48) | | | | | |
Shares issued: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercise of stock options | 14,553 | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | |
Restricted stock awards | — | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | |
Other benefit plans | 19,220 | | | | 2 | | | — | | | — | | | 2 | | | | | |
Dividend reinvestment plan | 1,328 | | | | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | 1 | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation expense | — | | | | 4 | | | — | | | — | | | 4 | | | | | |
Shares acquired and retired | (45,500) | | | | — | | | (5) | | | — | | | (5) | | | | | |
Shares exchanged — benefit plans | (886) | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | |
Forfeitures of restricted stock | (2,457) | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at September 30, 2022 | 85,140,521 | | | | $ | 1,443 | | | $ | 3,091 | | | $ | (602) | | | $ | 3,932 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at June 30, 2021 | 84,713,927 | | | | $ | 1,388 | | | $ | 4,023 | | | $ | 190 | | | $ | 5,601 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | — | | | | — | | | 219 | | | — | | | 219 | | | | | |
Other comprehensive loss | — | | | | — | | | — | | | (30) | | | (30) | | | | | |
Dividends ($6.50 per share) | — | | | | — | | | (551) | | | — | | | (551) | | | | | |
Shares issued: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercise of stock options | 153,842 | | | | 6 | | | — | | | — | | | 6 | | | | | |
Restricted stock awards | — | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | |
Other benefit plans | 17,029 | | | | 2 | | | — | | | — | | | 2 | | | | | |
Dividend reinvestment plan | 6,272 | | | | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | 1 | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation expense | — | | | | 4 | | | — | | | — | | | 4 | | | | | |
Shares acquired and retired | (94,960) | | | | (1) | | | (11) | | | — | | | (12) | | | | | |
Shares exchanged — benefit plans | (562) | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | |
Forfeitures of restricted stock | (540) | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at September 30, 2021 | 84,795,008 | | | | $ | 1,400 | | | $ | 3,680 | | | $ | 160 | | | $ | 5,240 | | | | | |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED) — CONTINUED
(Dollars in Millions) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Shareholders’ Equity | | | | |
Common | | | Common Stock and Capital | | Retained | | Accumulated Other Comp. | | | | | | |
Shares | | | Surplus | | Earnings | | Income (Loss) | | Total | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2021 | 84,920,965 | | | | $ | 1,415 | | | $ | 3,478 | | | $ | 119 | | | $ | 5,012 | | | | | |
Net earnings | — | | | | — | | | 622 | | | — | | | 622 | | | | | |
Other comprehensive loss | — | | | | — | | | — | | | (721) | | | (721) | | | | | |
Dividends ($11.68 per share) | — | | | | — | | | (993) | | | — | | | (993) | | | | | |
Shares issued: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercise of stock options | 138,498 | | | | 5 | | | — | | | — | | | 5 | | | | | |
Restricted stock awards | 151,080 | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | |
Other benefit plans | 54,171 | | | | 7 | | | — | | | — | | | 7 | | | | | |
Dividend reinvestment plan | 27,518 | | | | 4 | | | — | | | — | | | 4 | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation expense | — | | | | 14 | | | — | | | — | | | 14 | | | | | |
Shares acquired and retired | (80,701) | | | | (1) | | | (9) | | | — | | | (10) | | | | | |
Shares exchanged — benefit plans | (57,195) | | | | (1) | | | (7) | | | — | | | (8) | | | | | |
Forfeitures of restricted stock | (13,815) | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at September 30, 2022 | 85,140,521 | | | | $ | 1,443 | | | $ | 3,091 | | | $ | (602) | | | $ | 3,932 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2020 | 86,345,246 | | | | $ | 1,367 | | | $ | 4,149 | | | $ | 1,273 | | | $ | 6,789 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | — | | | | — | | | 1,640 | | | — | | | 1,640 | | | | | |
Other comprehensive loss | — | | | | — | | | — | | | (1,113) | | | (1,113) | | | | | |
Dividends ($21.50 per share) | — | | | | — | | | (1,826) | | | — | | | (1,826) | | | | | |
Shares issued: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercise of stock options | 1,118,586 | | | | 55 | | | — | | | — | | | 55 | | | | | |
Restricted stock awards | 207,020 | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | |
Other benefit plans | 60,494 | | | | 7 | | | — | | | — | | | 7 | | | | | |
Dividend reinvestment plan | 42,926 | | | | 5 | | | — | | | — | | | 5 | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation expense | — | | | | 11 | | | — | | | — | | | 11 | | | | | |
Shares acquired and retired | (2,769,182) | | | | (44) | | | (274) | | | — | | | (318) | | | | | |
Shares exchanged — benefit plans | (91,926) | | | | (1) | | | (9) | | | — | | | (10) | | | | | |
Forfeitures of restricted stock | (118,156) | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at September 30, 2021 | 84,795,008 | | | | $ | 1,400 | | | $ | 3,680 | | | $ | 160 | | | $ | 5,240 | | | | | |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In Millions)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Operating Activities: | | | |
Net earnings | $ | 622 | | | $ | 1,640 | |
Adjustments: | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | 78 | | | 160 | |
Annuity benefits | — | | | 377 | |
Realized (gains) losses on investing activities | 136 | | | (1,111) | |
Net purchases of trading securities | (2) | | | (6) | |
Deferred annuity and life policy acquisition costs | — | | | (98) | |
Change in: | | | |
Reinsurance and other receivables | (1,830) | | | (987) | |
Other assets | (163) | | | 238 | |
Insurance claims and reserves | 1,737 | | | 1,204 | |
Payable to reinsurers | 446 | | | 339 | |
Other liabilities | 16 | | | 88 | |
Managed investment entities’ assets/liabilities | 133 | | | (78) | |
Other operating activities, net | (130) | | | (341) | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 1,043 | | | 1,425 | |
| | | |
Investing Activities: | | | |
Purchases of: | | | |
Fixed maturities | (3,733) | | | (6,907) | |
Equity securities | (194) | | | (110) | |
Mortgage loans | (273) | | | (179) | |
Equity index options and other investments | (96) | | | (313) | |
Real estate, property and equipment | (72) | | | (53) | |
Businesses | (10) | | | — | |
Proceeds from: | | | |
Maturities and redemptions of fixed maturities | 2,126 | | | 4,075 | |
Repayments of mortgage loans | 117 | | | 27 | |
Sales of fixed maturities | 1,068 | | | 690 | |
Sales of equity securities | 112 | | | 462 | |
Sales and settlements of equity index options and other investments | 128 | | | 562 | |
Sales of real estate, property and equipment | 31 | | | 25 | |
Sales of businesses | — | | | 3,547 | |
Cash and cash equivalents of businesses sold | — | | | (2,060) | |
Managed investment entities: | | | |
Purchases of investments | (1,061) | | | (1,480) | |
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments | 801 | | | 1,579 | |
Other investing activities, net | (6) | | | 32 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | (1,062) | | | (103) | |
| | | |
Financing Activities: | | | |
| | | |
Reductions of long-term debt | (436) | | | — | |
Issuances of Common Stock | 12 | | | 60 | |
Repurchases of Common Stock | (10) | | | (318) | |
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock | (989) | | | (1,482) | |
Annuity receipts | — | | | 2,403 | |
Ceded annuity receipts | — | | | (311) | |
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals | — | | | (1,931) | |
Ceded annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals | — | | | 282 | |
Net transfers from variable annuity assets | — | | | 34 | |
Issuances of managed investment entities’ liabilities | 666 | | | 1,665 | |
Retirements of managed investment entities’ liabilities | (561) | | | (1,701) | |
| | | |
Net cash used in financing activities | (1,318) | | | (1,299) | |
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents | (1,337) | | | 23 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 2,131 | | | 2,810 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 794 | | | $ | 2,833 | |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INDEX TO NOTES |
| | | | | |
A. | Accounting Policies | | H. | Goodwill and Other Intangibles | |
B. | Discontinued Operations | | I. | Long-Term Debt | |
C. | Acquisition and Sale of Businesses | | J. | Shareholders’ Equity | |
D. | Segments of Operations | | K. | Income Taxes | |
E. | Fair Value Measurements | | L. | Contingencies | |
F. | Investments | | M. | Insurance | |
G. | Managed Investment Entities | | | | |
| | | | | |
A. Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements for American Financial Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“AFG”) are unaudited; however, management believes that all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals unless otherwise disclosed herein) necessary for fair presentation have been made. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform to the current year’s presentation. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The results of operations of companies since their formation or acquisition are included in the consolidated financial statements. Events or transactions occurring subsequent to September 30, 2022, and prior to the filing of this Form 10-Q, have been evaluated for potential recognition or disclosure herein.
Unless otherwise stated, the information in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements relates to AFG’s continuing operations.
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Changes in circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimates.
Discontinued Operations Disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift and that have a major effect on a reporting entity’s operations and financial results are reported as discontinued operations.
Fair Value Measurements Accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The standards establish a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (“inputs”) are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect AFG’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. AFG did not have any material nonrecurring fair value measurements in the first nine months of 2022.
Investments Equity securities other than those accounted for under the equity method are reported at fair value with holding gains and losses generally recorded in realized gains (losses) on securities. However, AFG records holding gains and losses on its portfolio of limited partnerships and similar investments, which do not qualify for equity method accounting and are carried at fair value, and certain other securities classified at purchase as “fair value through net investment income” in net investment income.
Fixed maturity securities classified as “available for sale” are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Fixed maturity securities classified as “trading” are reported at fair value with changes in unrealized holding gains or losses during the period included in net investment income. Mortgage loans (net of any allowance) are carried primarily at the aggregate unpaid balance.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Premiums and discounts on fixed maturity securities are amortized using the effective interest method. Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) are amortized over a period based on estimated future principal payments, including prepayments. Prepayment assumptions are reviewed periodically and adjusted to reflect actual prepayments and changes in expectations.
Limited partnerships and similar investments are generally accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, AFG records its share of the earnings or losses of the investee based on when it is reported by the investee in its financial statements rather than in the period in which the investee declares a dividend. AFG’s share of the earnings or losses from equity method investments is generally recorded on a quarter lag due to the timing of the receipt of the investee’s financial statements. AFG’s equity in the earnings (losses) of limited partnerships and similar investments is included in net investment income.
Realized gains or losses on the disposal of fixed maturity securities are determined on the specific identification basis. When a decline in the value of an available for sale fixed maturity is considered to be other-than-temporary at the balance sheet date, an allowance for credit losses (impairment), including any write-off of accrued interest, is charged to earnings (included in realized gains (losses) on securities). If management can assert that it does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that it will have to sell it before recovery of its amortized cost basis (net of allowance), then the impairment is separated into two components: (i) the allowance related to credit losses (recorded in earnings) and (ii) the amount related to all other factors (recorded in other comprehensive income). The credit-related portion is measured by comparing a security’s amortized cost to the present value of its current expected cash flows discounted at its effective yield prior to the charge. The allowance is limited to the difference between a security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value. Subsequent increases or decreases in expected credit losses are recorded immediately in net earnings through realized gains (losses). If management intends to sell an impaired security, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, an impairment is recorded in earnings to reduce the amortized cost (net of allowance) of that security to fair value.
Credit Losses on Financial Instruments Measured at Amortized Cost Credit-related impairments for financial instruments measured at amortized cost (mortgage loans, premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverables) reflect estimated credit losses expected over the life of an exposure or pool of exposures. The estimate of expected credit losses considers historical information, current information, as well as reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. Expected credit losses, and subsequent increases or decreases in such expected losses, are recorded immediately through net earnings as an allowance that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, with the net carrying value of the financial asset presented on the balance sheet at the amount expected to be collected.
Derivatives Derivatives included in AFG’s Balance Sheet are recorded at fair value. Changes in fair value of derivatives are included in earnings unless the derivatives are designated and qualify as highly effective cash flow hedges.
To qualify for hedge accounting, at the inception of a derivative contract, AFG formally documents the relationship between the terms of the hedge and the hedged items and its risk management objective. This documentation includes defining how hedge effectiveness is evaluated at the inception date and over the life of the derivative.
Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as highly effective cash flow hedges are recorded in AOCI and are reclassified into earnings when the variability of the cash flows from the hedged items impacts earnings. When the change in the fair value of a qualifying cash flow hedge is included in earnings, it is included in the same line item in the statement of earnings as the cash flows from the hedged item. AFG uses interest rate swaps that are designated and qualify as highly effective cash flow hedges to mitigate interest rate risk related to certain floating-rate securities.
Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of cost of subsidiaries over AFG’s equity in their underlying net assets at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an impairment test at least annually. An entity is not required to complete the quantitative annual goodwill impairment test on a reporting unit if the entity elects to perform a qualitative analysis and determines that it is more likely than not that the reporting unit’s fair value exceeds its carrying amount.
Reinsurance Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policies. AFG reports as assets (i) the estimated reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses, including an estimate for losses incurred but not reported, and (ii) amounts paid or due to reinsurers
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. Payable to reinsurers includes ceded premiums due to reinsurers, as well as ceded premiums retained by AFG under contracts to fund ceded losses as they become due. AFG also assumes reinsurance from other companies. Earnings on reinsurance assumed is recognized based on information received from ceding companies.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (“DPAC”) Policy acquisition costs (principally commissions, premium taxes and certain underwriting and policy issuance costs) directly related to the successful acquisition or renewal of an insurance contract are deferred. DPAC is limited based upon recoverability without any consideration for anticipated investment income and is charged against income ratably over the terms of the related policies. A premium deficiency is recognized if the sum of expected claims costs, claims adjustment expenses and unamortized acquisition costs exceed the related unearned premiums. A premium deficiency is first recognized by charging any unamortized acquisition costs to expense to the extent required to eliminate the deficiency. If the premium deficiency is greater than unamortized acquisition costs, a liability is accrued for the excess deficiency and reported with unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses.
Managed Investment Entities A company is considered the primary beneficiary of, and therefore must consolidate, a variable interest entity (“VIE”) based primarily on its ability to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact that entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of, or receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
AFG manages, and has investments in, collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) that are VIEs (see Note G — “Managed Investment Entities”). AFG has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of these CLOs because (i) its role as asset manager gives it the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the CLOs and (ii) through its investment in the CLO debt tranches, it has exposure to CLO losses (limited to the amount AFG invested) and the right to receive CLO benefits that could potentially be significant to the CLOs.
Because AFG has no right to use the CLO assets and no obligation to pay the CLO liabilities, the assets and liabilities of the CLOs are shown separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. AFG has elected the fair value option for reporting on the CLO assets and liabilities to improve the transparency of financial reporting related to the CLOs. The net gain or loss from accounting for the CLO assets and liabilities at fair value is presented separately in AFG’s Statement of Earnings.
The fair values of a CLO’s assets may differ from the separately measured fair values of its liabilities even though the CLO liabilities only have recourse to the CLO assets. AFG has set the carrying value of the CLO liabilities equal to the fair value of the CLO assets (which have more observable fair values) as an alternative to reporting those liabilities at a separately measured fair value. CLO earnings attributable to AFG’s shareholders are measured by the change in the fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs and management fees earned.
At September 30, 2022, assets and liabilities of managed investment entities included $117 million in assets and $105 million in liabilities of temporary warehousing entities that were established to provide AFG the ability to form new CLOs when management believes market conditions are favorable. At closing, all warehoused assets will be transferred to the new CLOs and the liabilities will be repaid.
Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses The net liabilities stated for unpaid claims and for expenses of investigation and adjustment of unpaid claims represent management’s best estimate and are based upon (i) the accumulation of case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting period on direct business written; (ii) estimates received from ceding reinsurers and insurance pools and associations; (iii) estimates of unreported losses (including possible development on known claims) based on past experience; (iv) estimates based on experience of expenses for investigating and adjusting claims; and (v) the current state of the law and coverage litigation. Establishing reserves for asbestos, environmental and other mass tort claims involves considerably more judgment than other types of claims due to, among other things, inconsistent court decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, novel theories of coverage, and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage.
Loss reserve liabilities are subject to the impact of changes in claim amounts and frequency and other factors. Changes in estimates of the liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reflected in the statement of earnings in the period in which determined. Despite the variability inherent in such estimates, management believes that the liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are adequate and reasonable.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Debt Issuance Costs Debt issuance costs related to AFG’s outstanding debt are presented in its Balance Sheet as a direct reduction in the carrying value of long-term debt and are amortized over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method as a component of interest expense. Debt issuance costs related to AFG’s revolving credit facilities are included in other assets in AFG’s Balance Sheet.
Leases Leases for terms of longer than one year are recognized as assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases on the balance sheet based on the present value of contractual cash flows.
At September 30, 2022 AFG has a $118 million lease liability included in other liabilities and a lease right-of-use asset of $104 million included in other assets compared to $136 million and $118 million, respectively, at December 31, 2021.
Premium Recognition Property and casualty premiums are earned generally over the terms of the policies on a pro rata basis. Unearned premiums represent that portion of premiums written, which is applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. On reinsurance assumed from other insurance companies or written through various underwriting organizations, unearned premiums are based on information received from such companies and organizations.
Income Taxes Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is established to reduce total deferred tax assets to an amount that will more likely than not be realized. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recorded in net earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.
AFG recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only when the position is more likely than not to be sustained under examination by the appropriate taxing authority. Interest and penalties on AFG’s reserve for uncertain tax positions are recognized as a component of tax expense.
Stock-Based Compensation All share-based grants are recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over their vesting periods based on their calculated fair value at the date of grant.
AFG records excess tax benefits or deficiencies for share-based payments through income tax expense in the statement of earnings. In addition, AFG accounts for forfeitures of awards when they occur.
Benefit Plans AFG provides retirement benefits to qualified employees of participating companies through the AFG 401(k) Retirement and Savings Plan, a defined contribution plan. AFG makes all contributions to the retirement fund portion of the plan and matches a percentage of employee contributions to the savings fund. Company contributions are expensed in the year for which they are declared. AFG and many of its subsidiaries provide health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retirees. AFG also provides postemployment benefits to former or inactive employees (primarily those on disability) who were not deemed retired under other company plans. The projected future cost of providing these benefits is expensed over the period employees earn such benefits.
Earnings Per Share Although basic earnings per share only considers shares of common stock outstanding during the period, the calculation of diluted earnings per share includes the following adjustments to weighted average common shares related to stock-based compensation plans: third quarter of 2022 and 2021 — 0.2 million and 0.4 million; first nine months of 2022 and 2021 — 0.2 million and 0.6 million.
There were no anti-dilutive potential common shares for the third quarter or the first nine months of 2022 and 2021.
Statement of Cash Flows For cash flow purposes, “investing activities” are defined as making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments, property and equipment and businesses. “Financing activities” include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on their investments, borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed. All other activities are considered “operating.” Short-term investments having original maturities of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents for purposes of the financial statements.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
B. Discontinued Operations
Annuity Business Effective May 31, 2021, AFG completed the sale of its Annuity business to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”). MassMutual acquired Great American Life Insurance Company and its two insurance subsidiaries, Annuity Investors Life Insurance Company and Manhattan National Life Insurance Company. In addition to AFG’s annuity operations, these subsidiaries included AFG’s run-off life and long-term care operations. Proceeds from the sale were $3.57 billion (including $34 million in post-closing adjustments) and AFG realized a $656 million net gain on the sale in the first nine months of 2021.
Details of the assets and liabilities of the Annuity subsidiaries sold were as follows (in millions): | | | | | |
| May 31, 2021 |
Assets of businesses sold: | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,060 | |
Investments | 38,323 | |
Recoverables from reinsurers | 6,748 | |
Other assets | 2,152 | |
Total assets of discontinued annuity operations | 49,283 | |
Liabilities of businesses sold: | |
Annuity benefits accumulated | 43,690 | |
Other liabilities | 1,813 | |
Total liabilities of discontinued annuity operations | 45,503 | |
| |
Reclassify AOCI | (913) | |
Net investment in annuity businesses sold, excluding AOCI | $ | 2,867 | |
Details of the results of operations for the discontinued annuity operations were (in millions):
| | | | | | | |
| | | Nine months ended September 30, 2021 (*) |
Net investment income | | | $ | 746 | |
Realized gains on securities | | | 112 | |
Other income | | | 52 | |
Total revenues | | | 910 | |
Annuity benefits | | | 377 | |
Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses | | | 136 | |
Other expenses | | | 73 | |
Total costs and expenses | | | 586 | |
Earnings before income taxes from discontinued operations | | | 324 | |
Provision for income taxes on discontinued operations | | | 66 | |
Net earnings from operations, net of tax | | | 258 | |
Gain on sale, net of tax | | | 656 | |
| | | |
Net earnings from discontinued operations | | | $ | 914 | |
(*)Results through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
The impact of the sale of the annuity business is shown below (in millions):
| | | | | |
| May 31, 2021 |
Cash proceeds | $ | 3,571 | |
Sale related expenses | (8) | |
Total net proceeds | 3,563 | |
| |
Net investment in annuity businesses sold, excluding AOCI | 2,867 | |
Reclassify net deferred tax asset | (199) | |
Pretax gain on sale | 895 | |
Income tax expense: | |
Reclassify net deferred tax asset | 199 | |
Tax liabilities triggered by the sale | 41 | |
Other | (1) | |
Total income tax expense | 239 | |
Net gain on sale | $ | 656 | |
Summarized cash flows for the discontinued annuity operations were (in millions):
| | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, 2021 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 87 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | (1,709) | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | 477 | |
Derivatives The vast majority of AFG’s derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting were held by the sold annuity subsidiaries. The following table summarizes the gains (losses) included in net earnings from discontinued operations for changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting for the first nine months of 2021 (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | |
Derivative | | | | Nine months ended September 30, 2021 (*) |
MBS with embedded derivatives | | | | $ | (1) | |
| | | | |
Fixed-indexed and variable-indexed annuities (embedded derivative) | | | | (222) | |
Equity index call options | | | | 237 | |
Equity index put options | | | | 5 | |
Reinsurance contract (embedded derivative) | | | | 1 | |
| | | | $ | 20 | |
(*)Results through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale.
C. Acquisition and Sale of Businesses
Verikai In December 2021, AFG acquired Verikai, Inc., a machine learning and artificial intelligence company that utilizes predictive risk tools to assess insurance risk, for $120 million using cash on hand at the parent. Verikai continues to operate as a stand-alone company to service its insurance clients. AFG expects to benefit from Verikai’s predictive risk tool and unique Marketplace solution as it enters the medical stop loss insurance business, with a primary focus on small and underserved risks. AFG may pay up to $50 million in contingent consideration based on performance measures over a multiple year period.
Expenses related to the acquisition were approximately $1 million and were expensed as incurred. The purchase price was allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities of Verikai based on management’s best estimate of fair value as of the acquisition date.
Annuity Operations See Note B — “Discontinued Operations,” for information on the 2021 sale of AFG’s annuity operations.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
In the third quarter of 2022, AFG acquired an insurance agency business for $12 million, including $10 million in cash. Virtually all of the purchase price was recorded as an amortizing intangible asset representing the fair value of the agency’s customer base at acquisition.
D. Segments of Operations
Subsequent to the sale of its annuity operations, see Note B — “Discontinued Operations,” AFG manages its business as two segments: Property and casualty insurance and Other, which includes holding company costs and operations attributable to the noncontrolling interests of the managed investment entities.
AFG reports its property and casualty insurance business in the following Specialty sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, which includes physical damage and liability coverage for buses and trucks and other specialty transportation niches, inland and ocean marine, agricultural-related products and other commercial property coverages, (ii) Specialty casualty, which includes primarily excess and surplus, executive and professional liability, general liability, umbrella and excess liability, specialty coverages in targeted markets, customized programs for small to mid-sized businesses and workers’ compensation insurance, and (iii) Specialty financial, which includes risk management insurance programs for lending and leasing institutions (including equipment leasing and collateral and lender-placed mortgage property insurance), fidelity and surety products and trade credit insurance. Premiums and underwriting profit included under Other specialty represent business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments and amortization of deferred gains on retroactive reinsurance transactions related to the sales of businesses in prior years. AFG’s reportable segments and their components were determined based primarily upon similar economic characteristics, products and services.
The following tables (in millions) show AFG’s revenues and earnings from continuing operations before income taxes by segment and sub-segment.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Revenues | | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance: | | | | | | | |
Premiums earned: | | | | | | | |
Specialty | | | | | | | |
Property and transportation | $ | 857 | | | $ | 700 | | | $ | 1,805 | | | $ | 1,547 | |
Specialty casualty | 677 | | | 613 | | | 1,973 | | | 1,772 | |
Specialty financial | 171 | | | 163 | | | 505 | | | 477 | |
Other specialty | 62 | | | 53 | | | 179 | | | 156 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total premiums earned | 1,767 | | | 1,529 | | | 4,462 | | | 3,952 | |
Net investment income | 145 | | | 165 | | | 524 | | | 467 | |
Other income | 2 | | | 4 | | | 12 | | | 9 | |
Total property and casualty insurance | 1,914 | | | 1,698 | | | 4,998 | | | 4,428 | |
Other | 105 | | | 73 | | | 256 | | | 208 | |
Real estate-related entities (*) | — | | | — | | | — | | | 51 | |
Total revenues before realized gains (losses) | 2,019 | | | 1,771 | | | 5,254 | | | 4,687 | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | (35) | | | (17) | | | (143) | | | 103 | |
Realized gain on subsidiaries | — | | | — | | | — | | | 4 | |
Total revenues | $ | 1,984 | | | $ | 1,754 | | | $ | 5,111 | | | $ | 4,794 | |
(*)Represents investment income from the real estate and real estate-related entities acquired from AFG’s discontinued annuity operations while they were held by the annuity operations. Subsequent to the sale of the annuity operations, income from these investments is included in the segment of the acquirer.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Earnings From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance: | | | | | | | |
Underwriting: | | | | | | | |
Specialty | | | | | | | |
Property and transportation | $ | 39 | | | $ | 45 | | | $ | 140 | | | $ | 163 | |
Specialty casualty | 118 | | | 110 | | | 372 | | | 237 | |
Specialty financial | 15 | | | 26 | | | 81 | | | 72 | |
Other specialty | (14) | | | (12) | | | (30) | | | (16) | |
Other lines | (3) | | | (1) | | | (5) | | | (2) | |
Total underwriting | 155 | | | 168 | | | 558 | | | 454 | |
Investment and other income, net | 134 | | | 161 | | | 498 | | | 451 | |
Total property and casualty insurance | 289 | | | 329 | | | 1,056 | | | 905 | |
Other (a) | (44) | | | (45) | | | (136) | | | (173) | |
Real estate-related entities (b) | — | | | — | | | — | | | 51 | |
Total earnings from continuing operations before realized gains (losses) and income taxes | 245 | | | 284 | | | 920 | | | 783 | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | (35) | | | (17) | | | (143) | | | 103 | |
Realized gain on subsidiaries | — | | | — | | | — | | | 4 | |
Total earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 210 | | | $ | 267 | | | $ | 777 | | | $ | 890 | |
(a)Includes holding company interest and expenses, including a gain of $1 million and a loss of $10 million on retirement of debt in the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, respectively.
(b)Represents investment income from the real estate and real estate-related entities acquired from AFG’s discontinued annuity operations while they were held by the annuity operations. Subsequent to the sale of the annuity operations, income from these investments is included in the segment of the acquirer.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
E. Fair Value Measurements
Accounting standards for measuring fair value are based on inputs used in estimating fair value. The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (markets in which transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis). AFG’s Level 1 financial instruments consist primarily of publicly traded equity securities, highly liquid government bonds for which quoted market prices in active markets are available and short-term investments of managed investment entities.
Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets (markets in which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, price quotations vary substantially over time or among market makers, or in which little information is released publicly); and valuations based on other significant inputs that are observable in active markets. AFG’s Level 2 financial instruments include corporate and municipal fixed maturity securities, asset-backed securities (“ABS”), mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), certain non-affiliated common stocks and investments of managed investment entities priced using observable inputs. Level 2 inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, corroborated broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads and benchmark securities. When non-binding broker quotes can be corroborated by comparison to similar securities priced using observable inputs, they are classified as Level 2.
Level 3 — Valuations derived from market valuation techniques generally consistent with those used to estimate the fair values of Level 2 financial instruments in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable or when the market for a security exhibits significantly less liquidity relative to markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements. The unobservable inputs may include management’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use based on the best information available at the valuation date. Financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on non-binding broker quotes or internally developed using significant inputs not based on, or corroborated by, observable market information are classified as Level 3.
The contingent consideration liability (included in other liabilities in AFG’s Balance Sheet) relates to AFG’s acquisitions of Verikai in December 2021, and to a lesser extent, a small insurance agency in September 2022, which are discussed in Note C — “Acquisition and Sale of Businesses.” These liabilities are remeasured at fair value at each balance sheet date with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings. To estimate the fair value of the contingent consideration liability related to the Verikai acquisition ($23 million at September 30, 2022), AFG uses a weighted probability-based income approach which includes significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3. There was no change to the estimated fair value of this liability during the third quarter or first nine months of 2022.
As discussed in Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities,” AFG has set the carrying value of its CLO liabilities equal to the fair value of the CLO assets (which have more observable fair values) as an alternative to reporting those liabilities at separately measured fair values. As a result, the CLO liabilities are categorized within the fair value hierarchy on the same basis (proportionally) as the related CLO assets. Since the portion of the CLO liabilities allocated to Level 3 is derived from the fair value of the CLO assets, these amounts are excluded from the progression of Level 3 financial instruments.
AFG’s management is responsible for the valuation process and uses data from outside sources (including nationally recognized pricing services and broker/dealers) in establishing fair value. AFG’s internal investment professionals are a group of approximately 20 investment professionals whose primary responsibility is to manage AFG’s investment portfolio. These professionals monitor individual investments as well as overall industries and are active in the financial markets on a daily basis. The group is led by AFG’s chief investment officer, who reports directly to one of AFG’s Co-CEOs. Valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by AFG’s internal investment professionals who are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price. To validate the appropriateness of the prices obtained, these investment managers consider widely published indices (as benchmarks), recent trades, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and the credit quality of the specific issuers. In addition, the Company communicates directly with the pricing services regarding the methods and assumptions used in pricing, including verifying, on a test basis, the inputs used by the service to value specific securities.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value in the financial statements are summarized below (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total |
September 30, 2022 | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | |
Available for sale (“AFS”) fixed maturities: | | | | | | | |
U.S. government and government agencies | $ | 214 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 214 | |
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | — | | | 1,257 | | | 1 | | | 1,258 | |
Foreign government | — | | | 223 | | | — | | | 223 | |
Residential MBS | — | | | 1,596 | | | 8 | | | 1,604 | |
Commercial MBS | — | | | 85 | | | — | | | 85 | |
Collateralized loan obligations | — | | | 1,804 | | | 2 | | | 1,806 | |
Other asset-backed securities | — | | | 1,970 | | | 301 | | | 2,271 | |
Corporate and other | 10 | | | 2,268 | | | 295 | | | 2,573 | |
Total AFS fixed maturities | 224 | | | 9,203 | | | 607 | | | 10,034 | |
Trading fixed maturities | — | | | 30 | | | — | | | 30 | |
Equity securities | 570 | | | 42 | | | 384 | | | 996 | |
Assets of managed investment entities (“MIE”) | 296 | | | 4,792 | | | 11 | | | 5,099 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total assets accounted for at fair value | $ | 1,090 | | | $ | 14,067 | | | $ | 1,002 | | | $ | 16,159 | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Contingent consideration — acquisitions | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 25 | | | $ | 25 | |
Liabilities of managed investment entities | 291 | | | 4,701 | | | 10 | | | 5,002 | |
Other liabilities — derivatives | — | | | 46 | | | — | | | 46 | |
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value | $ | 291 | | | $ | 4,747 | | | $ | 35 | | | $ | 5,073 | |
| | | | | | | |
December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | |
Available for sale fixed maturities: | | | | | | | |
U.S. government and government agencies | $ | 215 | | | $ | 1 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 216 | |
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | — | | | 1,791 | | | 41 | | | 1,832 | |
Foreign government | — | | | 246 | | | — | | | 246 | |
Residential MBS | — | | | 946 | | | 14 | | | 960 | |
Commercial MBS | — | | | 104 | | | — | | | 104 | |
Collateralized loan obligations | — | | | 1,643 | | | — | | | 1,643 | |
Other asset-backed securities | — | | | 2,398 | | | 278 | | | 2,676 | |
Corporate and other | 11 | | | 2,402 | | | 267 | | | 2,680 | |
Total AFS fixed maturities | 226 | | | 9,531 | | | 600 | | | 10,357 | |
Trading fixed maturities | — | | | 28 | | | — | | | 28 | |
Equity securities | 679 | | | 50 | | | 313 | | | 1,042 | |
Assets of managed investment entities | 390 | | | 4,893 | | | 13 | | | 5,296 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total assets accounted for at fair value | $ | 1,295 | | | $ | 14,502 | | | $ | 926 | | | $ | 16,723 | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Contingent consideration — acquisitions | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 23 | | | $ | 23 | |
Liabilities of managed investment entities | 384 | | | 4,823 | | | 13 | | | 5,220 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value | $ | 384 | | | $ | 4,823 | | | $ | 36 | | | $ | 5,243 | |
Approximately 6% of the total assets carried at fair value at September 30, 2022, were Level 3 assets. Approximately 16% ($158 million) of those Level 3 assets were priced using non-binding broker quotes, for which there is a lack of transparency as to the inputs used to determine fair value. Details as to the quantitative inputs are neither provided by the brokers nor otherwise reasonably obtainable by AFG. Approximately $23 million (2%) of the Level 3 assets were priced by pricing services where either a single price was not corroborated, prices varied enough among the providers, or other market factors led management to determine these securities be classified as Level 3 assets. Approximately 23% ($231 million) of the Level 3 assets were equity investments in limited partnerships and similar investments that do not qualify for equity method accounting whose prices were determined based on financial information provided by the limited partnerships.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Internally developed fixed maturities are priced using a variety of inputs, including appropriate credit spreads over the treasury yield (of a similar duration), trade information and prices of comparable securities and other security specific features (such as optional early redemption). Internally developed Level 3 asset fair values represent approximately $590 million (59%) of the total fair value of Level 3 assets at September 30, 2022. Approximately 67% ($397 million) of these internally developed Level 3 assets are priced using a pricing model that uses a discounted cash flow approach to estimate the fair value of fixed maturity securities. The credit spread applied by management is the significant unobservable input of the pricing model. In instances where the pricing model suggests a price in excess of par value and the security is currently callable at par value, management caps the fair value at par value. Approximately 25% ($145 million) of the internally developed Level 3 assets are equity securities which are priced primarily using broker quotes and internal models with some inputs that are not market observable. Management believes that any justifiable changes in unobservable inputs used to determine internally developed fair values would not have resulted in a material change in AFG’s financial position.
Changes in balances of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value during the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 and 2021 are presented below (in millions). The transfers into and out of Level 3 were due to changes in the availability of market observable inputs. All transfers are reflected in the table at fair value as of the end of the reporting period.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at June 30, 2022 | | Net earnings (loss) | | Other comprehensive income (loss) | | Purchases and issuances | | Sales and settlements | | Transfer into Level 3 | | Transfer out of Level 3 | | Balance at September 30, 2022 |
AFS fixed maturities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. government agency | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
State and municipal | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1 | |
Residential MBS | 8 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 4 | | | (4) | | | 8 | |
Commercial MBS | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Collateralized loan obligations | 2 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2 | |
Other asset-backed securities | 313 | | | — | | | (8) | | | 5 | | | (9) | | | — | | | — | | | 301 | |
Corporate and other | 269 | | | (1) | | | (12) | | | 45 | | | (5) | | | — | | | (1) | | | 295 | |
Total AFS fixed maturities | 593 | | | (1) | | | (20) | | | 50 | | | (14) | | | 4 | | | (5) | | | 607 | |
Equity securities | 378 | | | (2) | | | — | | | 24 | | | (15) | | | — | | | (1) | | | 384 | |
Assets of MIE | 12 | | | (1) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 11 | |
Total Level 3 assets | $ | 983 | | | $ | (4) | | | $ | (20) | | | $ | 74 | | | $ | (29) | | | $ | 4 | | | $ | (6) | | | $ | 1,002 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contingent consideration — acquisitions | $ | (23) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (25) | |
Total Level 3 liabilities | $ | (23) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (25) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at June 30, 2021 | | Net earnings (loss) | | Other comprehensive income (loss) | | Purchases and issuances | | Sales and settlements | | Transfer into Level 3 | | Transfer out of Level 3 | | Balance at September 30, 2021 |
AFS fixed maturities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. government agency | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
State and municipal | 36 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 8 | | | (2) | | | 42 | |
Residential MBS | 28 | | | (1) | | | — | | | — | | | (1) | | | — | | | (8) | | | 18 | |
Commercial MBS | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Collateralized loan obligations | 6 | | | — | | | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (6) | | | 1 | |
Other asset-backed securities | 315 | | | 1 | | | (1) | | | 41 | | | (38) | | | — | | | (9) | | | 309 | |
Corporate and other | 220 | | | — | | | (1) | | | 36 | | | (9) | | | 2 | | | — | | | 248 | |
Total AFS fixed maturities | 605 | | | — | | | (1) | | | 77 | | | (48) | | | 10 | | | (25) | | | 618 | |
Equity securities | 245 | | | 7 | | | — | | | 20 | | | (4) | | | — | | | — | | | 268 | |
Assets of MIE | 15 | | | (2) | | | — | | | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | (2) | | | 12 | |
Total Level 3 assets | $ | 865 | | | $ | 5 | | | $ | (1) | | | $ | 98 | | | $ | (52) | | | $ | 10 | | | $ | (27) | | | $ | 898 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2021 | | Net earnings (loss) | | Other comprehensive income (loss) | | Purchases and issuances | | Sales and settlements | | Transfer into Level 3 | | Transfer out of Level 3 | | Balance at September 30, 2022 |
AFS fixed maturities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. government agency | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
State and municipal | 41 | | | — | | | (3) | | | — | | | (1) | | | — | | | (36) | | | 1 | |
Residential MBS | 14 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1) | | | 4 | | | (9) | | | 8 | |
Commercial MBS | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Collateralized loan obligations | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2 | | | — | | | 2 | |
Other asset-backed securities | 278 | | | 2 | | | (24) | | | 62 | | | (51) | | | 34 | | | — | | | 301 | |
Corporate and other | 267 | | | (1) | | | (26) | | | 105 | | | (15) | | | — | | | (35) | | | 295 | |
Total AFS fixed maturities | 600 | | | 1 | | | (53) | | | 167 | | | (68) | | | 40 | | | (80) | | | 607 | |
Equity securities | 313 | | | 20 | | | — | | | 75 | | | (20) | | | 3 | | | (7) | | | 384 | |
Assets of MIE | 13 | | | (3) | | | — | | | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 11 | |
Total Level 3 assets | $ | 926 | | | $ | 18 | | | $ | (53) | | | $ | 243 | | | $ | (88) | | | $ | 43 | | | $ | (87) | | | $ | 1,002 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contingent consideration — acquisitions | $ | (23) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (25) | |
Total Level 3 liabilities | $ | (23) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (25) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2020 | | Net earnings (loss) | | OCI | | Purchases and issuances | | Sales and settlements | | Transfer into Level 3 | | Transfer out of Level 3 | | Sale of Annuity Business | | Balance at September 30, 2021 |
AFS fixed maturities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. government agency | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
State and municipal | 39 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (3) | | | 8 | | | (2) | | | — | | | 42 | |
Residential MBS | 38 | | | (4) | | | — | | | 6 | | | (2) | | | 6 | | | (26) | | | — | | | 18 | |
Commercial MBS | 2 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2) | | | — | | | — | |
Collateralized loan obligations | 16 | | | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | (1) | | | — | | | (15) | | | — | | | 1 | |
Other asset-backed securities | 305 | | | 1 | | | — | | | 131 | | | (110) | | | 14 | | | (32) | | | — | | | 309 | |
Corporate and other | 138 | | | (1) | | | (2) | | | 142 | | | (29) | | | 5 | | | (5) | | | — | | | 248 | |
Total AFS fixed maturities | 538 | | | (3) | | | (2) | | | 279 | | | (145) | | | 33 | | | (82) | | | — | | | 618 | |
Equity securities | 176 | | | 78 | | | — | | | 44 | | | (23) | | | — | | | (7) | | | — | | | 268 | |
Assets of MIE | 21 | | | 1 | | | — | | | 3 | | | — | | | 1 | | | (14) | | | — | | | 12 | |
Assets of discontinued annuity operations | 2,971 | | | 85 | | | (21) | | | 209 | | | (328) | | | 32 | | | (229) | | | (2,719) | | | — | |
Total Level 3 assets | $ | 3,706 | | | $ | 161 | | | $ | (23) | | | $ | 535 | | | $ | (496) | | | $ | 66 | | | $ | (332) | | | $ | (2,719) | | | $ | 898 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities of discontinued annuity operations | $ | (3,933) | | | $ | (222) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (146) | | | $ | 158 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,143 | | | $ | — | |
Total Level 3 liabilities | $ | (3,933) | | | $ | (222) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (146) | | | $ | 158 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,143 | | | $ | — | |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying value and fair value of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value in the financial statements are summarized below (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Carrying | | Fair Value |
| Value | | Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 |
September 30, 2022 | | | | | | | | | |
Financial assets: | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 794 | | | $ | 794 | | | $ | 794 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Mortgage loans | 676 | | | 623 | | | — | | | — | | | 623 | |
Total financial assets not accounted for at fair value | $ | 1,470 | | | $ | 1,417 | | | $ | 794 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 623 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt | $ | 1,533 | | | $ | 1,344 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,341 | | | $ | 3 | |
Total financial liabilities not accounted for at fair value | $ | 1,533 | | | $ | 1,344 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,341 | | | $ | 3 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | |
Financial assets: | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,131 | | | $ | 2,131 | | | $ | 2,131 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Mortgage loans | 520 | | | 533 | | | — | | | — | | | 533 | |
Total financial assets not accounted for at fair value | $ | 2,651 | | | $ | 2,664 | | | $ | 2,131 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 533 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt | $ | 1,964 | | | $ | 2,261 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,258 | | | $ | 3 | |
Total financial liabilities not accounted for at fair value | $ | 1,964 | | | $ | 2,261 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,258 | | | $ | 3 | |
F. Investments
Available for sale fixed maturities at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, consisted of the following (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized Cost | | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | | Gross Unrealized | | Net Unrealized | | Fair Value |
Gains | | Losses |
September 30, 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. government and government agencies | $ | 229 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (15) | | | $ | (15) | | | $ | 214 | |
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 1,356 | | | — | | | 2 | | | (100) | | | (98) | | | 1,258 | |
Foreign government | 235 | | | — | | | — | | | (12) | | | (12) | | | 223 | |
Residential MBS | 1,759 | | | 1 | | | 22 | | | (176) | | | (154) | | | 1,604 | |
Commercial MBS | 88 | | | — | | | — | | | (3) | | | (3) | | | 85 | |
Collateralized loan obligations | 1,879 | | | 1 | | | — | | | (72) | | | (72) | | | 1,806 | |
Other asset-backed securities | 2,449 | | | 7 | | | — | | | (171) | | | (171) | | | 2,271 | |
Corporate and other | 2,749 | | | — | | | 3 | | | (179) | | | (176) | | | 2,573 | |
Total fixed maturities | $ | 10,744 | | | $ | 9 | | | $ | 27 | | | $ | (728) | | | $ | (701) | | | $ | 10,034 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. government and government agencies | $ | 216 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2 | | | $ | (2) | | | $ | — | | | $ | 216 | |
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 1,758 | | | — | | | 74 | | | — | | | 74 | | | 1,832 | |
Foreign government | 248 | | | — | | | — | | | (2) | | | (2) | | | 246 | |
Residential MBS | 915 | | | — | | | 48 | | | (3) | | | 45 | | | 960 | |
Commercial MBS | 102 | | | — | | | 2 | | | — | | | 2 | | | 104 | |
Collateralized loan obligations | 1,643 | | | 1 | | | 3 | | | (2) | | | 1 | | | 1,643 | |
Other asset-backed securities | 2,677 | | | 7 | | | 17 | | | (11) | | | 6 | | | 2,676 | |
Corporate and other | 2,634 | | | 1 | | | 55 | | | (8) | | | 47 | | | 2,680 | |
Total fixed maturities | $ | 10,193 | | | $ | 9 | | | $ | 201 | | | $ | (28) | | | $ | 173 | | | $ | 10,357 | |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Equity securities which are reported at fair value with holding gains and losses recognized in net earnings, consisted of the following at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Actual Cost | | | | Fair Value | | Actual Cost | | | | |
| | Fair Value | | over (under) Cost | | | Fair Value | | Fair Value over Cost |
Common stocks | $ | 549 | | | $ | 530 | | | $ | (19) | | | $ | 491 | | | $ | 586 | | | $ | 95 | |
Perpetual preferred stocks | 462 | | | 466 | | | 4 | | | 403 | | | 456 | | | 53 | |
Total equity securities carried at fair value | $ | 1,011 | | | $ | 996 | | | $ | (15) | | | $ | 894 | | | $ | 1,042 | | | $ | 148 | |
Investments accounted for using the equity method held by AFG’s continuing operations, by category, carrying value and net investment income are as follows (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Net Investment Income |
| Carrying Value | | Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Real estate-related investments (*) | $ | 1,218 | | | $ | 1,130 | | | $ | 40 | | | $ | 52 | | | $ | 209 | | | $ | 151 | |
Private equity | 413 | | | 352 | | | (2) | | | 21 | | | 36 | | | 66 | |
Private debt | 30 | | | 35 | | | (1) | | | — | | | 1 | | | 5 | |
Total investments accounted for using the equity method | $ | 1,661 | | | $ | 1,517 | | | $ | 37 | | | $ | 73 | | | $ | 246 | | | $ | 222 | |
(*)Includes 92% with underlying investments in multi-family properties, 1% in single family properties and 7% in other property types as of September 30, 2022 and 88% with underlying investments in multi-family properties, 1% in single family properties and 11% in other property types as of December 31, 2021.
The earnings (losses) from these investments are generally reported on a quarter lag due to the timing required to obtain the necessary information from the funds. AFG regularly reviews and discusses fund performance with the fund managers to corroborate the reasonableness of the underlying reported asset values and to assess whether any events have occurred within the lag period that may materially affect the valuation of these investments.
With respect to partnerships and similar investments, AFG had unfunded commitments of $389 million and $366 million as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
The following table shows gross unrealized losses (dollars in millions) on available for sale fixed maturities by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at the following balance sheet dates.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Less Than Twelve Months | | Twelve Months or More |
Unrealized Loss | | Fair Value | | Fair Value as % of Cost | | Unrealized Loss | | Fair Value | | Fair Value as % of Cost |
September 30, 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. government and government agencies | $ | (4) | | | $ | 108 | | | 96 | % | | $ | (11) | | | $ | 106 | | | 91 | % |
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | (98) | | | 1,124 | | | 92 | % | | (2) | | | 14 | | | 88 | % |
Foreign government | (7) | | | 145 | | | 95 | % | | (5) | | | 61 | | | 92 | % |
Residential MBS | (174) | | | 1,421 | | | 89 | % | | (2) | | | 19 | | | 90 | % |
Commercial MBS | (3) | | | 68 | | | 96 | % | | — | | | 10 | | | 100 | % |
Collateralized loan obligations | (61) | | | 1,465 | | | 96 | % | | (11) | | | 329 | | | 97 | % |
Other asset-backed securities | (137) | | | 1,806 | | | 93 | % | | (34) | | | 326 | | | 91 | % |
Corporate and other | (151) | | | 2,174 | | | 94 | % | | (28) | | | 208 | | | 88 | % |
Total fixed maturities | $ | (635) | | | $ | 8,311 | | | 93 | % | | $ | (93) | | | $ | 1,073 | | | 92 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. government and government agencies | $ | (1) | | | $ | 92 | | | 99 | % | | $ | (1) | | | $ | 22 | | | 96 | % |
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | — | | | 9 | | | 100 | % | | — | | | 13 | | | 100 | % |
Foreign government | (2) | | | 160 | | | 99 | % | | — | | | — | | | — | % |
Residential MBS | (3) | | | 419 | | | 99 | % | | — | | | 7 | | | 100 | % |
Commercial MBS | — | | | 34 | | | 100 | % | | — | | | — | | | — | % |
Collateralized loan obligations | (1) | | | 806 | | | 100 | % | | (1) | | | 77 | | | 99 | % |
Other asset-backed securities | (8) | | | 1,250 | | | 99 | % | | (3) | | | 81 | | | 96 | % |
Corporate and other | (8) | | | 500 | | | 98 | % | | — | | | 26 | | | 100 | % |
Total fixed maturities | $ | (23) | | | $ | 3,270 | | | 99 | % | | $ | (5) | | | $ | 226 | | | 98 | % |
At September 30, 2022, the gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities of $728 million relate to approximately 1,900 securities. Investment grade securities (as determined by nationally recognized rating agencies) represented approximately 94% of the gross unrealized loss and 94% of the fair value.
To evaluate fixed maturities for expected credit losses (impairment), management considers whether the unrealized loss is credit-driven or a result of changes in market interest rates, the extent to which fair value is less than cost basis, historical operating, balance sheet and cash flow data from the issuer, third party research and communications with industry specialists and discussions with issuer management.
AFG analyzes its MBS for expected credit losses (impairment) each quarter based upon expected future cash flows. Management estimates expected future cash flows based upon its knowledge of the MBS market, cash flow projections (which reflect loan to collateral values, subordination, vintage and geographic concentration) received from independent sources, implied cash flows inherent in security ratings and analysis of historical payment data.
Management believes AFG will recover its cost basis (net of any allowance) in the securities with unrealized losses and that AFG has the ability to hold the securities until they recover in value and had no intent to sell them at September 30, 2022.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Credit losses on available for sale fixed maturities are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows compared to amortized cost. Impairment losses are recognized through an allowance and recoveries of previously impaired amounts are recorded as an immediate reversal of all or a portion of the allowance. In addition, the allowance on available for sale fixed maturities cannot cause the amortized cost net of the allowance to be below fair value. Accordingly, future changes in the fair value of an impaired security (when the allowance was limited by the fair value) due to reasons other than issuer credit (e.g. changes in market interest rates) result in increases or decreases in the allowance, which are recorded through realized gains (losses) on securities. A progression of the allowance for expected credit losses on fixed maturity securities held by AFG’s continuing operations is shown below (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Structured Securities (*) | | Corporate and Other | | Total |
Balance at June 30, 2022 | $ | 7 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 7 | |
Initial allowance for purchased securities with credit deterioration | — | | | — | | | — | |
Provision for expected credit losses on securities with no previous allowance | 2 | | | — | | | 2 | |
Additions (reductions) to previously recognized expected credit losses | — | | | — | | | — | |
Reductions due to sales or redemptions | — | | | — | | | — | |
Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | 9 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 9 | |
| | | | | |
Balance at June 30, 2021 | $ | 8 | | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 9 | |
Initial allowance for purchased securities with credit deterioration | — | | | — | | | — | |
Provision for expected credit losses on securities with no previous allowance | — | | | — | | | — | |
Additions (reductions) to previously recognized expected credit losses | — | | | — | | | — | |
Reductions due to sales or redemptions | — | | | — | | | — | |
Balance at September 30, 2021 | $ | 8 | | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 9 | |
| | | | | |
Balance at January 1, 2022 | $ | 8 | | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 9 | |
Initial allowance for purchased securities with credit deterioration | — | | | — | | | — | |
Provision for expected credit losses on securities with no previous allowance | 3 | | | — | | | 3 | |
Additions (reductions) to previously recognized expected credit losses | (2) | | | — | | | (2) | |
Reductions due to sales or redemptions | — | | | (1) | | | (1) | |
Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | 9 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 9 | |
| | | | | |
Balance at January 1, 2021 | $ | 10 | | | $ | 2 | | | $ | 12 | |
Initial allowance for purchased securities with credit deterioration | — | | | — | | | — | |
Provision for expected credit losses on securities with no previous allowance | — | | | — | | | — | |
Additions (reductions) to previously recognized expected credit losses | (2) | | | 1 | | | (1) | |
Reductions due to sales or redemptions | — | | | (2) | | | (2) | |
Balance at September 30, 2021 | $ | 8 | | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 9 | |
(*)Includes mortgage-backed securities, collateralized loan obligations and other asset-backed securities.
In the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 and 2021, AFG did not purchase any securities with expected credit losses.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of AFG’s available for sale fixed maturities as of September 30, 2022 (dollars in millions). Securities with sinking funds are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized | | Fair Value |
Cost, net (*) | | Amount | | % |
Maturity | | | | | |
One year or less | $ | 578 | | | $ | 575 | | | 6 | % |
After one year through five years | 2,693 | | | 2,511 | | | 25 | % |
After five years through ten years | 1,018 | | | 932 | | | 9 | % |
After ten years | 280 | | | 250 | | | 2 | % |
| 4,569 | | | 4,268 | | | 42 | % |
Collateralized loan obligations and other ABS (average life of approximately 3.5 years) | 4,320 | | | 4,077 | | | 41 | % |
MBS (average life of approximately 5.5 years) | 1,846 | | | 1,689 | | | 17 | % |
Total | $ | 10,735 | | | $ | 10,034 | | | 100 | % |
(*)Amortized cost, net of allowance for expected credit losses.
Certain risks are inherent in fixed maturity securities, including loss upon default, price volatility in reaction to changes in interest rates, and general market factors and risks associated with reinvestment of proceeds due to prepayments or redemptions in a period of declining interest rates.
There were no investments in individual issuers that exceeded 10% of shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2022 or December 31, 2021.
Net Investment Income The following table shows (in millions) investment income earned and investment expenses incurred in AFG’s continuing operations.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Investment income: | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities | $ | 98 | | | $ | 73 | | | $ | 263 | | | $ | 217 | |
Equity securities: | | | | | | | |
Dividends | 9 | | | 6 | | | 24 | | | 21 | |
Change in fair value (*) | (6) | | | 7 | | | (8) | | | 41 | |
Equity in earnings of partnerships and similar investments | 37 | | | 73 | | | 246 | | | 222 | |
Other | 17 | | | 14 | | | 37 | | | 28 | |
Gross investment income | 155 | | | 173 | | | 562 | | | 529 | |
Investment expenses | (4) | | | (4) | | | (13) | | | (8) | |
Net investment income | $ | 151 | | | $ | 169 | | | $ | 549 | | | $ | 521 | |
(*)Although the change in the fair value of the majority of AFG’s equity securities is recorded in realized gains (losses) on securities, AFG records holding gains and losses in net investment income on its portfolio of limited partnerships and similar investments that do not qualify for equity method accounting and certain other securities classified at purchase as “fair value through net investment income.”
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from continuing operations included in AOCI related to fixed maturity securities are summarized as follows (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, 2022 | | Three months ended September 30, 2021 |
| Realized gains (losses) | | | | Realized gains (losses) | | |
| Before Impairments | | Impairment Allowance | | Total | | Change in Unrealized | | Before Impairments | | Impairment Allowance | | Total | | Change in Unrealized |
Fixed maturities | $ | (6) | | | $ | (2) | | | $ | (8) | | | $ | (288) | | | $ | (2) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2) | | | $ | (35) | |
Equity securities | (27) | | | — | | | (27) | | | — | | | (15) | | | — | | | (15) | | | — | |
Mortgage loans and other investments | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Total pretax | (33) | | | (2) | | | (35) | | | (288) | | | (17) | | | — | | | (17) | | | (35) | |
Tax effects | 7 | | | — | | | 7 | | | 60 | | | 5 | | | — | | | 5 | | | 8 | |
Net of tax | $ | (26) | | | $ | (2) | | | $ | (28) | | | $ | (228) | | | $ | (12) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (12) | | | $ | (27) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | | Nine months ended September 30, 2021 |
| Realized gains (losses) | | | | Realized gains (losses) | | |
| Before Impairments | | Impairment Allowance | | Total | | Change in Unrealized | | Before Impairments | | Impairment Allowance | | Total | | Change in Unrealized |
Fixed maturities | $ | (20) | | | $ | (1) | | | $ | (21) | | | $ | (874) | | | $ | (2) | | | $ | 1 | | | $ | (1) | | | $ | (59) | |
Equity securities | (122) | | | — | | | (122) | | | — | | | 104 | | | — | | | 104 | | | — | |
Mortgage loans and other investments | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Total pretax | (142) | | | (1) | | | (143) | | | (874) | | | 102 | | | 1 | | | 103 | | | (59) | |
Tax effects | 30 | | | — | | | 30 | | | 184 | | | (20) | | | — | | | (20) | | | 13 | |
Net of tax | $ | (112) | | | $ | (1) | | | $ | (113) | | | $ | (690) | | | $ | 82 | | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 83 | | | $ | (46) | |
All equity securities other than those accounted for under the equity method are carried at fair value through net earnings. AFG recorded net holding gains (losses) on equity securities from continuing operations during the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 and 2021 on securities that were still owned at September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021 as follows (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Included in realized gains (losses) | $ | (26) | | | $ | (16) | | | $ | (119) | | | $ | 82 | |
Included in net investment income | (7) | | | 7 | | | (4) | | | 41 | |
| $ | (33) | | | $ | (9) | | | $ | (123) | | | $ | 123 | |
Gross realized gains and losses (excluding changes in impairment allowance and mark-to-market of derivatives) on available for sale fixed maturity investment transactions from continuing operations consisted of the following (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, |
2022 | | 2021 |
Gross gains | $ | 2 | | | $ | 4 | |
Gross losses | (11) | | | (2) | |
Derivatives Designated and Qualifying as Cash Flow Hedges As of September 30, 2022, AFG has interest rate swaps that are designated and qualify as highly effective cash flow hedges to mitigate interest rate risk related to certain floating-rate securities included in AFG’s portfolio of fixed maturity securities. The purpose of each of these swaps is to effectively convert a portion of AFG’s floating-rate fixed maturity securities to fixed rates by offsetting the variability in cash flows attributable to changes in short-term reference rates (LIBOR or SOFR).
Under the terms of the swaps, AFG receives fixed-rate interest payments in exchange for variable interest payments based on short-term LIBOR or SOFR. The notional amounts of the interest rate swaps generally decline over each swap’s respective life (the swaps expire between July 2024 and July 2028) in anticipation of the expected decline in AFG’s portfolio of fixed maturity securities with floating interest rates based on short-term LIBOR or SOFR. The total outstanding notional amount of AFG’s interest rate swaps was $1.22 billion at September 30, 2022, all of which were entered into in the first nine months of 2022. The fair value of the interest rate swaps in an asset position and included in other assets at
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
September 30, 2022 was less than $1 million. The fair value of the interest rate swaps in a liability position and included in other liabilities at September 30, 2022 was $37 million. The net unrealized gain or loss on cash flow hedges is included in AOCI, net of deferred taxes. The amount reclassified from AOCI (before taxes) to net earnings was income of $1 million and $3 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, respectively. A collateral receivable supporting these swaps of $63 million at September 30, 2022 is included in other assets in AFG’s Balance Sheet.
G. Managed Investment Entities
AFG is the investment manager and it has investments ranging from 7.4% to 82.7% of the most subordinate debt tranche of fourteen active collateralized loan obligation entities (“CLOs”), which are considered variable interest entities. AFG also owns portions of the senior debt tranches of certain of these CLOs. Upon formation between 2012 and 2022, these entities issued securities in various senior and subordinate classes and invested the proceeds primarily in secured bank loans, which serve as collateral for the debt securities issued by each CLO. None of the collateral was purchased from AFG. AFG’s investments in the subordinate debt tranches of these entities receive residual income from the CLOs only after the CLOs pay expenses (including management fees to AFG) and interest on and returns of capital to senior levels of debt securities. There are no contractual requirements for AFG to provide additional funding for these entities. AFG has not provided and does not intend to provide any financial support to these entities.
AFG’s maximum exposure to economic loss on the CLOs that it manages is limited to its investment in those CLOs, which had an aggregate fair value of $97 million (including $62 million invested in the most subordinate tranches and $12 million invested in a temporary warehousing entity) at September 30, 2022, and $76 million at December 31, 2021.
In May 2022, AFG formed one new CLO, which issued $404 million face amount of liabilities (including $13 million face amount purchased by AFG).
The following table shows a progression of the fair value of AFG's investment in CLO tranches held by continuing operations (in millions): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Balance at beginning of period | $ | 85 | | | $ | 57 | | | $ | 76 | | | $ | 57 | |
Purchases | — | | | — | | | 33 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
Distributions | (4) | | | (5) | | | (13) | | | (17) | |
Change in fair value | 4 | | | 4 | | (11) | | | 16 |
Balance at end of period (*) | $ | 85 | | | $ | 56 | | | $ | 85 | | | $ | 56 | |
(*)Excludes $12 million and $40 million invested in temporary warehousing entities at September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively, that were established to provide AFG the ability to form new CLOs when management believes market conditions are favorable.
The revenues and expenses of the CLOs are separately identified in AFG’s Statement of Earnings, after the elimination of management fees and earnings attributable to AFG as measured by the change in the fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs. Selected financial information related to the CLOs is shown below (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Gains (losses) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities (*): | | | | | | |
Assets | $ | 7 | | | $ | 10 | | | $ | (297) | | | $ | 77 | |
Liabilities | (12) | | | (9) | | | 272 | | | (68) | |
Management fees paid to AFG | 4 | | | 4 | | | 12 | | | 12 | |
CLO earnings (losses) attributable to AFG: | | | | | | | |
From continuing operations | $ | 4 | | | $ | 5 | | | $ | (10) | | | $ | 17 | |
From discontinued annuity operations | — | | | — | | | — | | | 20 | |
Total | $ | 4 | | | $ | 5 | | | $ | (10) | | | $ | 37 | |
(*)Included in revenues in AFG’s Statement of Earnings.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the CLOs’ fixed maturity investments exceeded the fair value of the investments by $366 million and $72 million at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the CLOs’ debt exceeded its carrying value by $448 million and $187 million at those dates. The CLO assets include loans with an aggregate fair value of $4 million at September 30, 2022 and $9 million at December 31, 2021, for which the CLOs are not accruing interest because the loans are in default (aggregate unpaid principal balance of $12 million at September 30, 2022 and $18 million at December 31, 2021).
In addition to the CLOs that it manages, AFG had investments in CLOs that are managed by third parties (therefore not consolidated), which are included in available for sale fixed maturity securities and had a fair value of $1.81 billion at September 30, 2022 and $1.64 billion at December 31, 2021.
H. Goodwill and Other Intangibles
There were no changes in the goodwill balance of $246 million during the first nine months of 2022.
Included in other assets in AFG’s Balance Sheet is $111 million at September 30, 2022 and $106 million at December 31, 2021 in amortizable intangible assets related to property and casualty insurance acquisitions. These amounts are net of accumulated amortization of $20 million and $67 million, respectively. Amortization of intangibles was $2 million and $1 million in the third quarter of 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $7 million and $5 million in the first nine months of 2022 and 2021, respectively.
I. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
| Principal | | Discount and Issue Costs | | Carrying Value | | Principal | | Discount and Issue Costs | | Carrying Value |
Direct Senior Obligations of AFG: | | | | | | | | | | | |
4.50% Senior Notes due June 2047 | $ | 586 | | | $ | (2) | | | $ | 584 | | | $ | 590 | | | $ | (2) | | | $ | 588 | |
3.50% Senior Notes due August 2026 | — | | | — | | | — | | | 425 | | | (3) | | | 422 | |
5.25% Senior Notes due April 2030 | 295 | | | (5) | | | 290 | | | 300 | | | (5) | | | 295 | |
Other | 3 | | | — | | | 3 | | | 3 | | | — | | | 3 | |
| 884 | | | (7) | | | 877 | | | 1,318 | | | (10) | | | 1,308 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Direct Subordinated Obligations of AFG: | | | | | | | | | | | |
4.50% Subordinated Debentures due September 2060 | 200 | | | (5) | | | 195 | | | 200 | | | (5) | | | 195 | |
5.125% Subordinated Debentures due December 2059 | 200 | | | (6) | | | 194 | | | 200 | | | (6) | | | 194 | |
5.625% Subordinated Debentures due June 2060 | 150 | | | (4) | | | 146 | | | 150 | | | (4) | | | 146 | |
5.875% Subordinated Debentures due March 2059 | 125 | | | (4) | | | 121 | | | 125 | | | (4) | | | 121 | |
| 675 | | | (19) | | | 656 | | | 675 | | | (19) | | | 656 | |
| $ | 1,559 | | | $ | (26) | | | $ | 1,533 | | | $ | 1,993 | | | $ | (29) | | | $ | 1,964 | |
Scheduled principal payments on debt for the balance of 2022, the subsequent five years and thereafter are as follows: 2022 — none; 2023 — none; 2024 — none; 2025 — none; 2026 — none; 2027 — none and thereafter — $1.56 billion.
In the first six months of 2022, AFG repurchased $49 million principal amount of its 3.50% Senior Notes due in August 2026 in open market transactions for $51 million. In June 2022, AFG redeemed the remaining $376 million of outstanding 3.50% Senior Notes due August 2026 for $382 million (including a $6 million make-whole premium).
In the third quarter of 2022, AFG repurchased $4 million principal amount of its 4.50% Senior Notes due in June 2047 for $3 million and $5 million principal amount of its 5.25% Senior Notes due in April 2030 for $5 million in open market transactions (a portion of these repurchases settled in the first few days of October 2022).
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
AFG can borrow up to $500 million under its revolving credit facility, which expires in December 2025. Amounts borrowed under this agreement bear interest at rates ranging from 1.00% to 1.875% (currently 1.375%) over LIBOR based on AFG’s credit rating. No amounts were borrowed under this facility at September 30, 2022 or December 31, 2021.
J. Shareholders’ Equity
AFG is authorized to issue 12.5 million shares of Voting Preferred Stock and 12.5 million shares of Nonvoting Preferred Stock, each without par value.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (“AOCI”) Comprehensive income is defined as all changes in shareholders’ equity except those arising from transactions with shareholders. Comprehensive income includes net earnings and other comprehensive income (loss), which consists primarily of changes in net unrealized gains or losses on available for sale fixed maturity securities.
The progression of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) follows (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | | | |
| AOCI Beginning Balance | | Pretax | | Tax | | Net of tax | | | | | | | | AOCI Ending Balance |
Quarter ended September 30, 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized holding losses on securities arising during the period | | | $ | (292) | | | $ | 61 | | | $ | (231) | | | | | | | | | |
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net earnings (*) | | | 4 | | | (1) | | | 3 | | | | | | | | | |
Total net unrealized losses on securities | $ | (326) | | | (288) | | | 60 | | | (228) | | | | | | | | | $ | (554) | |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized holding losses on cash flow hedges arising during the period | | | $ | (26) | | | $ | 5 | | | $ | (21) | | | | | | | | | |
Reclassification adjustment for investment income included in net earnings | | | (1) | | | 1 | | | — | | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges | (8) | | | (27) | | | 6 | | | (21) | | | | | | | | | (29) | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (15) | | | (4) | | | (1) | | | (5) | | | | | | | | | (20) | |
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments (“OPRP”) | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | | | | | 1 | |
Total | $ | (348) | | | $ | (319) | | | $ | 65 | | | $ | (254) | | | | | | | | | $ | (602) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Quarter ended September 30, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized holding losses on securities arising during the period | | | $ | (37) | | | $ | 8 | | | $ | (29) | | | | | | | | | |
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net earnings (*) | | | 2 | | | — | | | 2 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities | $ | 205 | | | (35) | | | 8 | | | (27) | | | | | | | | | $ | 178 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (16) | | | (3) | | | — | | | (3) | | | | | | | | | (19) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments (“OPRP”) | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | | | | | 1 | |
Total | $ | 190 | | | $ | (38) | | | $ | 8 | | | $ | (30) | | | | | | | | | $ | 160 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | | | |
| AOCI Beginning Balance | | Pretax | | Tax | | Net of tax | | | | | | | | AOCI Ending Balance |
Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized holding losses on securities arising during the period | | | $ | (884) | | | $ | 186 | | | $ | (698) | | | | | | | | | |
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net earnings (*) | | | 10 | | | (2) | | | 8 | | | | | | | | | |
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities | $ | 136 | | | (874) | | | 184 | | | (690) | | | | | | | | | $ | (554) | |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | |
Unrealized holding losses on cash flow hedges arising during the period | | | (34) | | | 7 | | | (27) | | | | | | | | | |
Reclassification adjustment for investment income included in net earnings | | | (3) | | | 1 | | | (2) | | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges | — | | | (37) | | | 8 | | | (29) | | | | | | | | | (29) | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (18) | | | (1) | | | (1) | | | (2) | | | | | | | | | (20) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pension and other postretirement plan adjustments | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | | | | | 1 | |
Total | $ | 119 | | | $ | (912) | | | $ | 191 | | | $ | (721) | | | | | | | | | $ | (602) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Nine months ended September 30, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized holding losses on securities arising during the period | | | $ | (224) | | | $ | 47 | | | $ | (177) | | | | | | | | | |
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net earnings (*) | | | (21) | | | 5 | | | (16) | | | | | | | | | |
Reclassification for unrealized gains on securities of subsidiaries sold | | | (1,119) | | | 235 | | | (884) | | | | | | | | | |
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities | $ | 1,255 | | | (1,364) | | | 287 | | | (1,077) | | | | | | | | | $ | 178 | |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized holding losses on cash flow hedges arising during the period | | | (1) | | | — | | | (1) | | | | | | | | | |
Reclassification adjustment for investment income included in net earnings from discontinued operations | | | (14) | | | 3 | | | (11) | | | | | | | | | |
Reclassification for unrealized gains on cash flow hedges of subsidiaries sold | | | (37) | | | 8 | | | (29) | | | | | | | | | |
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges | 41 | | | (52) | | | 11 | | | (41) | | | | | | | | | — | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (16) | | | (3) | | | — | | | (3) | | | | | | | | | (19) | |
Pension and OPRP adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized holding losses on pension and OPRP arising during the period | | | (1) | | | — | | | (1) | | | | | | | | | |
Reclassification adjustment for pension settlement loss included in other expense in net earnings | | | 11 | | | (2) | | | 9 | | | | | | | | | |
Total pension and OPRP adjustments | (7) | | | 10 | | | (2) | | | 8 | | | | | | | | | 1 | |
Total | $ | 1,273 | | | $ | (1,409) | | | $ | 296 | | | $ | (1,113) | | | | | | | | | $ | 160 | |
(*)The reclassification adjustment out of net unrealized gains (losses) on securities affected the following lines in AFG’s Statement of Earnings:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| OCI component | | Affected line in the statement of earnings | |
| Pretax | | Realized gains (losses) on securities | |
| Tax | | Provision for income taxes | |
Stock Incentive Plans Under AFG’s stock incentive plans, employees of AFG and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive equity awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock awards. In the first nine months of 2022, AFG issued 151,080 shares of restricted Common Stock (fair value of $133.94 per share) under the Stock Incentive Plan.
Total compensation expense related to stock incentive plans of AFG and its subsidiaries was $4 million in the third quarter of 2022 and 2021 and $14 million and $11 million in the first nine months of 2022 and 2021, respectively.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
K. Income Taxes
The following is a reconciliation of income taxes on continuing operations at the statutory rate of 21% to the provision for income taxes as shown in AFG’s Statement of Earnings (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Amount | | % of EBT | | Amount | | % of EBT | | Amount | | % of EBT | | Amount | | % of EBT |
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes (“EBT”) | $ | 210 | | | | | $ | 267 | | | | | $ | 777 | | | | | $ | 890 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income taxes at statutory rate | $ | 44 | | | 21 | % | | $ | 56 | | | 21 | % | | $ | 163 | | | 21 | % | | $ | 187 | | | 21 | % |
Effect of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Employee stock ownership plan dividend paid deduction | (1) | | | — | % | | (2) | | | (1 | %) | | (7) | | | (1 | %) | | (10) | | | (1 | %) |
Stock-based compensation | — | | | — | % | | (2) | | | (1 | %) | | (4) | | | (1 | %) | | (12) | | | (1 | %) |
Tax exempt interest | (1) | | | — | % | | (2) | | | (1 | %) | | (5) | | | (1 | %) | | (6) | | | (1 | %) |
Adjustment to prior year taxes | (3) | | | (2 | %) | | (1) | | | — | % | | (3) | | | — | % | | (1) | | | — | % |
Dividends received deduction | — | | | — | % | | — | | | — | % | | (1) | | | — | % | | (1) | | | — | % |
Foreign operations | 1 | | | — | % | | 2 | | | 1 | % | | 6 | | | 1 | % | | — | | | — | % |
Nondeductible expenses | 2 | | | 1 | % | | 2 | | | 1 | % | | 5 | | | 1 | % | | 6 | | | 1 | % |
Change in valuation allowance | 2 | | | 1 | % | | (2) | | | (1 | %) | | 1 | | | — | % | | 1 | | | — | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other | 1 | | | — | % | | (3) | | | (1 | %) | | — | | | — | % | | — | | | (1 | %) |
Provision for income taxes as shown in the statement of earnings | $ | 45 | | | 21 | % | | $ | 48 | | | 18 | % | | $ | 155 | | | 20 | % | | $ | 164 | | | 18 | % |
AFG’s net operating loss carryforwards (“NOL”) subject to separate return limitation year (“SRLY”) tax rules of $43 million will expire unutilized at December 31, 2022. Since AFG maintains a full valuation allowance against its SRLY NOLs, the expiration of these loss carryforwards will be offset by a corresponding reduction in the valuation allowance and will have no overall impact on AFG’s income tax expense or results of operations.
In August 2022, the United States federal government enacted the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) which, among other things, created a new corporate alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) based on the earnings that a company reports in its financial statements and imposes a 1% excise tax on corporate stock repurchases. The effective date of the IRA is January 1, 2023, and the August 2022 enactment did not have an immediate impact on AFG’s financial statements. Due to the lack of specific guidance at this time, AFG cannot determine whether it will be subject to the new AMT. Any AMT incurred would be available to offset AFG’s taxes payable under the standard calculation in future periods. Accordingly, the AMT is a timing difference and would result in the recording of an offsetting deferred tax asset with no impact on overall income tax expense. The excise tax on stock repurchases would be recorded as part of the cost of the repurchases directly in shareholders’ equity.
L. Contingencies
There have been no significant changes to the matters discussed and referred to in Note M — “Contingencies” of AFG’s 2021 Form 10-K, which covers property and casualty insurance reserves for claims related to environmental exposures, asbestos and other mass tort claims and environmental and occupational injury and disease claims of subsidiaries’ former railroad and manufacturing operations.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
M. Insurance
Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves The following table provides an analysis of changes in the liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses during the first nine months of 2022 and 2021 (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Balance at beginning of year | $ | 11,074 | | | $ | 10,392 | |
Less reinsurance recoverables, net of allowance | 3,419 | | | 3,117 | |
Net liability at beginning of year | 7,655 | | | 7,275 | |
Provision for losses and LAE occurring in the current period | 2,869 | | | 2,543 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Net decrease in the provision for claims of prior years | (226) | | | (208) | |
Total losses and LAE incurred | 2,643 | | | 2,335 | |
Payments for losses and LAE of: | | | |
Current year | (667) | | | (589) | |
Prior years | (1,501) | | | (1,430) | |
Total payments | (2,168) | | | (2,019) | |
Foreign currency translation and other | 1 | | | — | |
Net liability at end of period | 8,131 | | | 7,591 | |
Add back reinsurance recoverables, net of allowance | 3,936 | | | 3,400 | |
Gross unpaid losses and LAE included in the balance sheet at end of period | $ | 12,067 | | | $ | 10,991 | |
The net decrease in the provision for claims of prior years during the first nine months of 2022 reflects (i) lower than anticipated losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim frequency in the trucking and ocean marine businesses and in the Singapore operations, lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the aviation business and lower than anticipated claim severity in the property and inland marine business (within the Property and transportation sub-segment), (ii) lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses, lower than expected claim frequency in the executive liability business and lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the excess and surplus business (within the Specialty casualty sub-segment) and (iii) lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety, trade credit and financial institutions businesses (within the Specialty financial sub-segment). This favorable development was partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the targeted markets and excess liability businesses (within the Specialty casualty sub-segment).
The net decrease in the provision for claims of prior years during the first nine months of 2021 reflects (i) lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the transportation businesses, lower than expected losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim severity in the property and inland marine business and lower than expected claim frequency in the aviation business (within the Property and transportation sub-segment), (ii) lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses (within the Specialty casualty sub-segment) and (iii) lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety and trade credit businesses and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the financial institutions business (within the Specialty financial sub-segment). This favorable development was partially offset by (i) higher than expected claim frequency and severity in equine business (within the Property and transportation sub-segment) and (ii) higher than anticipated claim severity in the general liability and targeted markets businesses (within the Specialty casualty sub-segment).
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Recoverables from Reinsurers and Premiums Receivable Progressions of the 2022 and 2021 allowance for expected credit losses on recoverables from reinsurers and premiums receivable related to continuing operations are shown below (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Recoverables from Reinsurers | | Premiums Receivable |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Balance at June 30 | $ | 7 | | | $ | 8 | | | $ | 9 | | | $ | 9 | |
Provision (credit) for expected credit losses | 1 | | | — | | | (1) | | | 1 | |
Write-offs charged against the allowance | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Balance at September 30 | $ | 8 | | | $ | 8 | | | $ | 8 | | | $ | 10 | |
| | | | | | | |
Balance at January 1 | $ | 8 | | | $ | 6 | | | $ | 8 | | | $ | 10 | |
Provision (credit) for expected credit losses | — | | | 2 | | | — | | | — | |
Write-offs charged against the allowance | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Balance at September 30 | $ | 8 | | | $ | 8 | | | $ | 8 | | | $ | 10 | |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “projects”, “estimates”, “intends”, “plans”, “seeks”, “could”, “may”, “should”, “will” or the negative version of those words or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to: expectations concerning market and other conditions and their effect on future premiums, revenues, earnings, investment activities, and the amount and timing of share repurchases; recoverability of asset values; expected losses and the adequacy of reserves for asbestos, environmental pollution and mass tort claims; rate changes; and improved loss experience.
Actual results and/or financial condition could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons including but not limited to:
•changes in financial, political and economic conditions, including changes in interest and inflation rates, currency fluctuations and extended economic recessions or expansions in the U.S. and/or abroad;
•performance of securities markets;
•new legislation or declines in credit quality or credit ratings that could have a material impact on the valuation of securities in AFG’s investment portfolio;
•the availability of capital;
•changes in insurance law or regulation, including changes in statutory accounting rules, including modifications to capital requirements;
•the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic;
•changes in the legal environment affecting AFG or its customers;
•tax law and accounting changes;
•levels of natural catastrophes and severe weather, terrorist activities (including any nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological events), incidents of war or losses resulting from pandemics, civil unrest and other major losses;
•disruption caused by cyber-attacks or other technology breaches or failures by AFG or its business partners and service providers, which could negatively impact AFG’s business and/or expose AFG to litigation;
•development of insurance loss reserves and establishment of other reserves, particularly with respect to amounts associated with asbestos and environmental claims;
•availability of reinsurance and ability of reinsurers to pay their obligations;
•competitive pressures;
•the ability to obtain adequate rates and policy terms;
•changes in AFG’s credit ratings or the financial strength ratings assigned by major ratings agencies to AFG’s operating subsidiaries;
•the impact of the conditions in the international financial markets and the global economy relating to AFG’s international operations; and
•effects on AFG’s reputation, including as a result of environmental, social and governance matters.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date of this report. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of Management’s Discussion and Analysis is to provide a discussion and analysis of the financial statements and other statistical data that management believes will enhance the understanding of AFG’s financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. The tables and narrative that follow are presented in a manner that is consistent with the information that AFG’s management uses to make operational decisions and allocate capital resources. They are provided to demonstrate the nature of the transactions and events that could impact AFG’s financial results. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements beginning on page 2. OVERVIEW
Financial Condition
AFG is organized as a holding company with almost all of its operations being conducted by subsidiaries. AFG, however, has continuing cash needs for administrative expenses, the payment of principal and interest on borrowings, shareholder dividends, and taxes. Therefore, certain analyses are most meaningfully presented on a parent only basis while others are best done on a total enterprise basis. In addition, because its businesses are financial in nature, AFG does not prepare its consolidated financial statements using a current-noncurrent format. Consequently, certain traditional ratios and financial analysis tests are not meaningful.
Results of Operations
Through the operations of its subsidiaries, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses. AFG’s former annuity operations are reported as discontinued operations.
AFG reported net earnings from continuing operations of $165 million ($1.93 per share, diluted) for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $219 million ($2.56 per share, diluted) for the third quarter of 2021. Lower underwriting profit, lower net investment income, higher holding company expenses and higher net realized losses on securities in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 were the drivers of these results, partially offset by lower interest charges on borrowed money.
AFG reported net earnings from continuing operations of $622 million ($7.29 per share, diluted) for the first nine months of 2022 compared to $726 million ($8.45 per share, diluted) for the first nine months of 2021. Higher underwriting profit, higher net investment income, lower interest charges on borrowed money and lower holding company expenses in 2022 compared to 2021 were more than offset by net realized losses on securities in the first nine months of 2022 compared to net realized gains on securities in the first nine months of 2021.
Sale of the Annuity Business
In May 2021, AFG sold its annuity business, including Great American Life Insurance Company and its two insurance subsidiaries, Annuity Investors Life Insurance Company and Manhattan National Life Insurance Company to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”). Total proceeds from the sale were $3.57 billion and AFG realized an after-tax gain on the sale of $656 million in the first six months of 2021.
Outlook
AFG’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are impacted by the economic, legal and regulatory environment. Inflation, supply chain disruption, labor shortages and other economic conditions may impact premium levels, loss cost trends and investment returns. Management believes that AFG’s strong financial position and current liquidity and capital at its subsidiaries will give AFG the flexibility to continue to effectively address and respond to the ongoing uncertainties presented by the macro-economic environment, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. AFG’s insurance subsidiaries continue to have capital at or in excess of the levels required by ratings agencies in order to maintain their current ratings, and the parent company does not have any near-term debt maturities.
Management expects continued premium growth and strong underwriting results in the ongoing favorable property and casualty insurance market. In addition, the deployment of cash in a rising interest rate environment will continue to increase investment income on fixed maturity investments compared to 2021.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Significant accounting policies are summarized in Note A — “Accounting Policies” to the financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts reported in the financial statements. As more information becomes known, these estimates and assumptions change and, thus, impact amounts reported in the future. The areas where management believes the degree of judgment required to determine amounts recorded in the financial statements is most significant are as follows:
•the establishment of insurance reserves, especially asbestos and environmental-related reserves,
•the recoverability of reinsurance,
•the establishment of asbestos and environmental liabilities of former railroad and manufacturing operations, and
•the valuation of investments, including the determination of impairment allowances.
For a discussion of these policies, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Critical Accounting Policies” in AFG’s 2021 Form 10-K.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Ratios
AFG’s debt to total capital ratio on a consolidated basis is shown below (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2022 | | December 31, |
| | 2021 | | 2020 |
Principal amount of long-term debt | $ | 1,559 | | | | | $ | 1,993 | | | $ | 1,993 | |
Total capital | 6,074 | | | | | 6,869 | | | 7,486 | |
Ratio of debt to total capital: | | | | | | | |
Including subordinated debt | 25.7 | % | | | | 29.0 | % | | 26.6 | % |
Excluding subordinated debt | 14.6 | % | | | | 19.2 | % | | 17.6 | % |
The ratio of debt to total capital is a non-GAAP measure that management believes is useful for investors, analysts and ratings agencies to evaluate AFG’s financial strength and liquidity and to provide insight into how AFG finances its operations. In addition, maintaining a ratio of debt, excluding subordinated debt and debt secured by real estate (if any), to total capital of 35% or lower is a financial covenant in AFG’s bank credit facility. The ratio is calculated by dividing the principal amount of AFG’s long-term debt by its total capital, which includes long-term debt and shareholders’ equity (excluding unrealized gains (losses) related to fixed maturity investments).
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows
AFG’s principal sources of cash include insurance premiums, income from its investment portfolio and proceeds from the maturities, redemptions and sales of investments. Insurance premiums in excess of acquisition expenses and operating costs are invested until they are needed to meet policyholder obligations or made available to the parent company through dividends to cover debt obligations and corporate expenses, and to provide returns to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as detailed in AFG’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows are shown below (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,043 | | | $ | 1,425 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | (1,062) | | | (103) | |
Net cash used in financing activities | (1,318) | | | (1,299) | |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (1,337) | | | $ | 23 | |
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations typically produce positive net operating cash flows as premiums collected and investment income exceed policy acquisition costs, claims payments and operating expenses. AFG’s net cash provided by operating activities is impacted by the level and timing of
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
property and casualty premiums, claim and expense payments and recoveries from reinsurers. AFG’s discontinued annuity operations, which were sold in May 2021, typically produced positive net operating cash flows as investment income exceeded acquisition costs and operating expenses. Interest credited on annuity policyholder funds is a non-cash increase in AFG’s annuity benefits accumulated liability and annuity premiums, benefits and withdrawals are considered financing activities due to the deposit-type nature of annuities. Cash flows provided by operating activities also include the activity of AFG’s managed investment entities (collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”)) other than those activities included in investing or financing activities. The changes in the assets and liabilities of the managed investment entities included in operating activities increased cash flows from operating activities by $133 million during the first nine months of 2022 and reduced cash flows from operating activities by $78 million in the first nine months of 2021, accounting for a $211 million increase in cash flows from operating activities in the 2022 period compared to the 2021 period. As discussed in Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements, AFG has no right to use the CLO assets and no obligation to pay the CLO liabilities and such assets and liabilities are shown separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Excluding the impact of the managed investment entities, net cash provided by operating activities was $910 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $1.50 billion in the first nine months of 2021, a decrease of $593 million reflecting the sale of the annuity operations.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities AFG’s investing activities consist primarily of the investment of funds provided by its property and casualty businesses and, prior to the May 2021 sale, its discontinued annuity operations. Cash proceeds from the sale of the annuity operations in excess of cash and cash equivalents held in the annuity subsidiaries that were sold was a $1.48 billion source of cash provided by investing activities in the first nine months of 2021. Investing activities also include the purchase and disposal of managed investment entity investments, which are presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Net investment activity in the managed investment entities was a $260 million use of cash in the first nine months of 2022 compared to a $99 million source of cash in the comparable 2021 period, accounting for a $359 million increase in net cash used in investing activities in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the same 2021 period. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note G — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements. Excluding the impact of the sale of the annuity operations and the activity of the managed investment entities, net cash used in investing activities was $802 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $1.68 billion in the first nine months of 2021, a decrease of $877 million as the opportunistic investment of cash on hand in the property and casualty operations during the rising interest rate environment in the first nine months of 2022 was more than offset by the absence of investing activities from the disposed annuity operations.
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities AFG’s financing activities consist primarily of issuances and retirements of long-term debt, issuances and repurchases of common stock, dividend payments and, prior to the sale of the annuity business, transactions with annuity policyholders. Net cash used in financing activities was $1.32 billion for the first nine months of 2022 compared to $1.30 billion in the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $19 million. Debt retirements were a $436 million use of cash in the first nine months of 2022 compared to no debt retirements in the first nine months of 2021. During the first nine months of 2022, AFG repurchased $10 million of its Common Stock compared to $318 million in the comparable 2021 period, resulting in a $308 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021. AFG paid cash dividends totaling $989 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $1.48 billion in the first nine months of 2021, resulting in a net $493 million decrease in cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021. Net annuity receipts exceeded annuity surrenders, benefits, withdrawals and transfers by $477 million in 2021 through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale, accounting for a $477 million increase in net cash used in financing activities in the 2022 period compared to the 2021 period. Financing activities also include issuances and retirements of managed investment entity liabilities, which are nonrecourse to AFG and presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Issuances of managed investment entity liabilities exceeded retirements by $105 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to retirements exceeding issuances by $36 million in the first nine months of 2021, accounting for a $141 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in the 2022 period compared to the 2021 period. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note G — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements.
Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity
Parent Holding Company Liquidity Management believes AFG has sufficient resources to meet its liquidity requirements. If funds generated from operations, including dividends, tax payments and borrowings from subsidiaries, are insufficient to meet fixed charges in any period, AFG would be required to utilize parent company cash and investments or to generate cash through borrowings, sales of other assets, or similar transactions.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
AFG’s capital and liquidity was significantly enhanced as a result of the 2021 sale of its annuity business to MassMutual for proceeds of $3.57 billion. By the end of the second quarter of 2022, AFG had deployed the proceeds from this sale primarily through special cash dividends, share repurchases, debt retirements and the purchase of Verikai. Nevertheless, AFG continues to have significant excess capital available for future returns of capital to shareholders in the form of regular and special cash dividends and through opportunistic share repurchases or to be deployed into its property and casualty businesses as management identifies the potential for healthy, profitable organic growth, and opportunities to expand through acquisitions and start-ups that meet target return thresholds.
During the first nine months of 2022, AFG repurchased 80,701 shares of its Common Stock for $10 million and paid special cash dividends totaling $850 million ($2.00 per share in March and $8.00 per share in May). In addition, on November 2, 2022, AFG declared a special cash dividend of $2.00 per share, payable on November 22, 2022. The aggregate amount of this special dividend will be approximately $170 million.
AFG may, at any time and from time to time, seek to retire or purchase its outstanding debt through cash purchases or exchanges for equity or debt, in open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will be upon such terms and at such prices as management may determine, and will depend on prevailing market conditions, AFG’s liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. During the first nine months of 2022, AFG retired $434 million principal amount of its senior notes for $441 million cash ($5 million of which settled in early October).
During 2021, AFG repurchased 2,777,684 shares of its Common Stock for $319 million and paid special cash dividends of $26.00 per share of AFG Common Stock ($14.00 per share in June, $2.00 per share in August, $4.00 per share in October, $4.00 per share in November and $2.00 per share in December) totaling $2.21 billion.
In December 2021, AFG acquired Verikai, Inc., a machine learning and artificial intelligence company that utilizes predictive risk tools to assess insurance risk, for $120 million using cash on hand at the parent.
AFG can borrow up to $500 million under its revolving credit facility, which expires in December 2025. Amounts borrowed under this agreement bear interest at rates ranging from 1.00% to 1.875% (currently 1.375%) over LIBOR based on AFG’s credit rating. The credit facility also includes provisions relating to the replacement of LIBOR with different floating rates in the event of the discontinuance of LIBOR. There were no borrowings under this agreement, or under any other parent company short-term borrowing arrangements, during 2021 or the first nine months of 2022.
Under a tax allocation agreement with AFG, all 80% (or more) owned U.S. subsidiaries generally pay taxes to (or recover taxes from) AFG based on each subsidiary’s contribution to amounts due under AFG’s consolidated tax return.
Subsidiary Liquidity The liquidity requirements of AFG’s insurance subsidiaries relate primarily to the policyholder claims and underwriting expenses and payments of dividends and taxes to AFG. Historically, cash flows from premiums and investment income have generally provided more than sufficient funds to meet these requirements. Funds received in excess of cash requirements are generally invested in marketable securities. In addition, the insurance subsidiaries generally hold a significant amount of highly liquid, short duration investments.
AFG believes its insurance subsidiaries maintain sufficient liquidity to pay claims and underwriting expenses. In addition, these subsidiaries have sufficient capital to meet commitments in the event of unforeseen events such as reserve deficiencies, inadequate premium rates or reinsurer insolvencies. Even in the current uncertain economic environment, management believes that the capital levels in AFG’s insurance subsidiaries are adequate to maintain its business and rating agency ratings. Nonetheless, changes in statutory accounting rules, significant declines in the fair value of the insurance subsidiaries’ investment portfolios or significant ratings downgrades on these investments, could create a need for additional capital.
Investments
At September 30, 2022, AFG’s investment portfolio contained $10.03 billion in fixed maturity securities classified as available for sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income and $30 million in fixed maturities classified as trading with holding gains and losses included in net investment income. In addition, AFG’s investment portfolio includes $692 million in equity securities carried at fair value with holding gains and losses included in realized gains (losses) on securities and $304 million in equity securities carried at fair value with holding gains and losses included in net investment income.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Fair values for AFG’s portfolio are determined by AFG’s internal investment professionals using data from nationally recognized pricing services, non-binding broker quotes and other market information. Fair values of equity securities are generally based on published closing prices. At September 30, 2022, approximately 86% of AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio was priced using pricing services and 8% was priced using non-binding broker quotes. When prices obtained for the same security vary, AFG’s internal investment professionals select the price they believe is most indicative of an exit price.
The pricing services use a variety of observable inputs to estimate fair value of fixed maturities that do not trade on a daily basis. Based upon information provided by the pricing services, these inputs include, but are not limited to, recent reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids or offers, reference data, and measures of volatility. Included in the pricing of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) are estimates of the rate of future prepayments and defaults of principal over the remaining life of the underlying collateral. Due to the lack of transparency in the process that brokers use to develop prices, valuations that are based on brokers’ prices are classified as Level 3 in the GAAP hierarchy unless the price can be corroborated, for example, by comparison to similar securities priced using observable inputs.
Valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by AFG’s internal investment professionals who are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price. To validate the appropriateness of the prices obtained, these investment managers consider widely published indices (as benchmarks), recent trades, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and the credit quality of the specific issuers. In addition, AFG communicates directly with pricing services regarding the methods and assumptions used in pricing, including verifying, on a test basis, the inputs used by the services to value specific securities.
In general, the fair value of AFG’s fixed maturity investments is inversely correlated to changes in interest rates. The following table demonstrates the sensitivity of such fair values to reasonably likely changes in interest rates by illustrating the estimated effect on AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio that an immediate increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate yield curve would have had at September 30, 2022 (dollars in millions). Effects of increases or decreases from the 100 basis points illustrated would be approximately proportional.
| | | | | |
Fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | 10,064 | |
Percentage impact on fair value of 100 bps increase in interest rates | (3.0 | %) |
Pretax impact on fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | (302) | |
At September 30, 2022, approximately 91% of the fixed maturities held by AFG were rated “investment grade” (credit rating of AAA to BBB) by nationally recognized rating agencies, 4% were rated “non-investment grade” and 5% were not rated. Investment grade securities generally bear lower yields and lower degrees of risk than those that are unrated and non-investment grade. Management believes that the high-quality investment portfolio should generate a stable and predictable investment return.
Municipal bonds represented approximately 12% of AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio at September 30, 2022. AFG’s municipal bond portfolio is high quality, with over 99% of the securities rated investment grade at that date. The portfolio is well diversified across the states of issuance and individual issuers. At September 30, 2022, approximately 92% of the municipal bond portfolio was held in revenue bonds, with the remaining 8% held in general obligation bonds.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Summarized information for the unrealized gains and losses recorded in AFG’s Balance Sheet at September 30, 2022, is shown in the following table (dollars in millions). Approximately $322 million of available for sale fixed maturity securities had no unrealized gains or losses at September 30, 2022.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Securities With Unrealized Gains | | Securities With Unrealized Losses |
Available for Sale Fixed Maturities | | | |
Fair value of securities | $ | 328 | | | $ | 9,384 | |
Amortized cost of securities, net of allowance for expected credit losses | $ | 301 | | | $ | 10,112 | |
Gross unrealized gain (loss) | $ | 27 | | | $ | (728) | |
Fair value as % of amortized cost | 109 | % | | 93 | % |
Number of security positions | 271 | | | 1,905 | |
Number individually exceeding $2 million gain or loss | 2 | | | 69 | |
Concentration of gains (losses) by type or industry (exceeding 5% of unrealized): | | | |
Mortgage-backed securities | $ | 22 | | | $ | (179) | |
| | | |
Media | 3 | | | (5) | |
| | | |
States and municipalities | 2 | | | (100) | |
| | | |
Other asset-backed securities | — | | | (171) | |
Collateralized loan obligations | — | | | (72) | |
| | | |
| | | |
Asset managers | — | | | (52) | |
Percentage rated investment grade | 54 | % | | 94 | % |
The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of AFG’s available for sale fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2022, based on their fair values. Securities with sinking funds are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Securities With Unrealized Gains | | Securities With Unrealized Losses |
Maturity | | | |
One year or less | 11 | % | | 4 | % |
After one year through five years | 21 | % | | 26 | % |
After five years through ten years | 13 | % | | 9 | % |
After ten years | 4 | % | | 3 | % |
| 49 | % | | 42 | % |
Collateralized loan obligations and other asset-backed securities (average life of approximately 3.5 years) | 14 | % | | 42 | % |
Mortgage-backed securities (average life of approximately 5.5 years) | 37 | % | | 16 | % |
| 100 | % | | 100 | % |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The table below (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities by dollar amount:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Aggregate Fair Value | | Aggregate Unrealized Gain (Loss) | | Fair Value as % of Cost |
Fixed Maturities at September 30, 2022 | | | | | |
Securities with unrealized gains: | | | | | |
Exceeding $500,000 (12 securities) | $ | 27 | | | $ | 11 | | | 169 | % |
$500,000 or less (259 securities) | 301 | | | 16 | | | 106 | % |
| $ | 328 | | | $ | 27 | | | 109 | % |
Securities with unrealized losses: | | | | | |
Exceeding $500,000 (394 securities) | $ | 4,478 | | | $ | (533) | | | 89 | % |
$500,000 or less (1,511 securities) | 4,906 | | | (195) | | | 96 | % |
| $ | 9,384 | | | $ | (728) | | | 93 | % |
The following table (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized losses for all securities with unrealized losses by issuer quality and the length of time those securities have been in an unrealized loss position:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Aggregate Fair Value | | Aggregate Unrealized Loss | | Fair Value as % of Cost |
Securities with Unrealized Losses at September 30, 2022 | | | | | |
Investment grade fixed maturities with losses for: | | | | | |
Less than one year (1,456 securities) | $ | 7,806 | | | $ | (607) | | | 93 | % |
One year or longer (164 securities) | 984 | | | (81) | | | 92 | % |
| $ | 8,790 | | | $ | (688) | | | 93 | % |
Non-investment grade fixed maturities with losses for: | | | | | |
Less than one year (219 securities) | $ | 505 | | | $ | (28) | | | 95 | % |
One year or longer (66 securities) | 89 | | | (12) | | | 88 | % |
| $ | 594 | | | $ | (40) | | | 94 | % |
| | | | | |
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| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
When a decline in the value of a specific investment is considered to be other-than-temporary, an allowance for credit losses (impairment) is charged to earnings (accounted for as a realized loss). The determination of whether unrealized losses are other-than-temporary requires judgment based on subjective as well as objective factors as detailed in AFG’s 2021 Form 10-K under Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Investments.”
Based on its analysis, management believes AFG will recover its cost basis (net of any allowance) in the fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses and that AFG has the ability to hold the securities until they recover in value and had no intent to sell them at September 30, 2022. Although AFG has the ability to continue holding its fixed maturity investments with unrealized losses, its intent to hold them may change due to deterioration in the issuers’ creditworthiness, decisions to lessen exposure to a particular issuer or industry, asset/liability management decisions, market movements, changes in views about appropriate asset allocation or the desire to offset taxable realized gains. Should AFG’s ability or intent change regarding a particular security, a charge for impairment would likely be required. While it is not possible to accurately predict if or when a specific security will become impaired, increases in the allowance for credit losses could be material to results of operations in future periods. Significant declines in the fair value of AFG’s investment portfolio could have a significant adverse effect on AFG’s liquidity. For information on AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities, see “Results of Operations — Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities.”
Uncertainties
Management believes that the areas posing the greatest risk of material loss are the adequacy of its insurance reserves and contingencies arising out of its former railroad and manufacturing operations. See “Asbestos and environmental reserves” under “Results of Operations — Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Net prior year reserve development” for the quarters ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 and Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Uncertainties — Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves” in AFG’s 2021 Form 10–K.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
MANAGED INVESTMENT ENTITIES
Accounting standards require AFG to consolidate its investments in collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) entities that it manages and owns an interest in (in the form of debt). See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note G — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements. The effect of consolidating these entities is shown in the tables below (in millions). The “Before CLO Consolidation” columns include AFG’s investment and earnings in the CLOs on an unconsolidated basis.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Before CLO Consolidation | | Managed Investment Entities | | Consol. Entries | | | | Consolidated As Reported |
September 30, 2022 | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and investments | $ | 14,419 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (97) | | | (*) | | $ | 14,322 | |
Assets of managed investment entities | — | | | 5,099 | | | — | | | | | 5,099 | |
Other assets | 10,111 | | | — | | | — | | | (*) | | 10,111 | |
Total assets | $ | 24,530 | | | $ | 5,099 | | | $ | (97) | | | | | $ | 29,532 | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | |
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums | $ | 15,852 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 15,852 | |
Liabilities of managed investment entities | — | | | 5,087 | | | (85) | | | (*) | | 5,002 | |
Long-term debt and other liabilities | 4,746 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 4,746 | |
Total liabilities | 20,598 | | | 5,087 | | | (85) | | | | | 25,600 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Shareholders’ equity: | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock and Capital surplus | 1,443 | | | 12 | | | (12) | | | | | 1,443 | |
Retained earnings | 3,091 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 3,091 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (602) | | | — | | | — | | | | | (602) | |
Total shareholders’ equity | 3,932 | | | 12 | | | (12) | | | | | 3,932 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 24,530 | | | $ | 5,099 | | | $ | (97) | | | | | $ | 29,532 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and investments | $ | 15,821 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (76) | | | (*) | | $ | 15,745 | |
Assets of managed investment entities | — | | | 5,296 | | | — | | | | | 5,296 | |
Other assets | 7,890 | | | — | | | — | | | (*) | | 7,890 | |
Total assets | $ | 23,711 | | | $ | 5,296 | | | $ | (76) | | | | | $ | 28,931 | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | |
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums | $ | 14,115 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 14,115 | |
Liabilities of managed investment entities | — | | | 5,296 | | | (76) | | | (*) | | 5,220 | |
Long-term debt and other liabilities | 4,584 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 4,584 | |
Total liabilities | 18,699 | | | 5,296 | | | (76) | | | | | 23,919 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Shareholders’ equity: | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock and Capital surplus | 1,415 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 1,415 | |
Retained earnings | 3,478 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 3,478 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax | 119 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 119 | |
Total shareholders’ equity | 5,012 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 5,012 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 23,711 | | | $ | 5,296 | | | $ | (76) | | | | | $ | 28,931 | |
(*)Elimination of the fair value of AFG’s investment in CLOs and related accrued interest.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Before CLO Consol. (a) | | Managed Investment Entities | | Consol. Entries | | | | Consolidated As Reported |
Three months ended September 30, 2022 | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,767 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 1,767 | |
Net investment income | 155 | | | — | | | (4) | | | (b) | | 151 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | (35) | | | — | | | — | | | | | (35) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income of managed investment entities: | | | | | | | | | |
Investment income | — | | | 75 | | | — | | | | | 75 | |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | | | (5) | | | — | | | (b) | | (5) | |
Other income | 35 | | | — | | | (4) | | | (c) | | 31 | |
Total revenues | 1,922 | | | 70 | | | (8) | | | | | 1,984 | |
Costs and Expenses: | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance benefits and expenses | 1,621 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 1,621 | |
Expenses of managed investment entities | — | | | 70 | | | (8) | | | (b)(c) | | 62 | |
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 91 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 91 | |
Total costs and expenses | 1,712 | | | 70 | | | (8) | | | | | 1,774 | |
Earnings before income taxes | 210 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 210 | |
Provision for income taxes | 45 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 45 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | $ | 165 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 165 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Three months ended September 30, 2021 | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,529 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 1,529 | |
Net investment income | 174 | | | — | | | (5) | | | (b) | | 169 | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | (17) | | | — | | | — | | | | | (17) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income of managed investment entities: | | | | | | | | | |
Investment income | — | | | 45 | | | — | | | | | 45 | |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | | | (1) | | | 2 | | | (b) | | 1 | |
Other income | 31 | | | — | | | (4) | | | (c) | | 27 | |
Total revenues | 1,717 | | | 44 | | | (7) | | | | | 1,754 | |
Costs and Expenses: | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance benefits and expenses | 1,371 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 1,371 | |
Expenses of managed investment entities | — | | | 44 | | | (7) | | | (b)(c) | | 37 | |
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 79 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 79 | |
Total costs and expenses | 1,450 | | | 44 | | | (7) | | | | | 1,487 | |
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 267 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 267 | |
Provision for income taxes | 48 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 48 | |
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| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | $ | 219 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 219 | |
(a)Includes income of $4 million in the third quarter of 2022 and $5 million in the third quarter of 2021, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments and $4 million of income in both the third quarter of 2022 and 2021, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $4 million and $3 million in the third quarter of 2022 and 2021, respectively, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Before CLO Consol. (a) | | Managed Investment Entities | | Consol. Entries | | | | Consolidated As Reported |
Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 4,462 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 4,462 | |
Net investment income | 539 | | | — | | | 10 | | | (b) | | 549 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | (143) | | | — | | | — | | | | | (143) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income of managed investment entities: | | | | | | | | | |
Investment income | — | | | 175 | | | — | | | | | 175 | |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | | | (1) | | | (24) | | | (b) | | (25) | |
Other income | 105 | | | — | | | (12) | | | (c) | | 93 | |
Total revenues | 4,963 | | | 174 | | | (26) | | | | | 5,111 | |
Costs and Expenses: | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance benefits and expenses | 3,934 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 3,934 | |
Expenses of managed investment entities | — | | | 173 | | | (25) | | | (b)(c) | | 148 | |
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 252 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 252 | |
Total costs and expenses | 4,186 | | | 173 | | | (25) | | | | | 4,334 | |
Earnings before income taxes | 777 | | | 1 | | | (1) | | | | | 777 | |
Provision for income taxes | 155 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 155 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | $ | 622 | | | $ | 1 | | | $ | (1) | | | | | $ | 622 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Nine months ended September 30, 2021 | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 3,952 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 3,952 | |
Net investment income | 538 | | | — | | | (17) | | | (b) | | 521 | |
Realized gains (losses) on: | | | | | | | | | |
Securities | 103 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 103 | |
Subsidiaries | 4 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 4 | |
Income of managed investment entities: | | | | | | | | | |
Investment income | — | | | 135 | | | — | | | | | 135 | |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | | | 1 | | | 8 | | | (b) | | 9 | |
Other income | 82 | | | — | | | (12) | | | (c) | | 70 | |
Total revenues | 4,679 | | | 136 | | | (21) | | | | | 4,794 | |
Costs and Expenses: | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance benefits and expenses | 3,522 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 3,522 | |
Expenses of managed investment entities | — | | | 136 | | | (21) | | | (b)(c) | | 115 | |
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 267 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 267 | |
Total costs and expenses | 3,789 | | | 136 | | | (21) | | | | | 3,904 | |
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 890 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 890 | |
Provision for income taxes | 164 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 164 | |
Net earnings from continuing operations | 726 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 726 | |
Net earnings from discontinued operations | 914 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 914 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | $ | 1,640 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 1,640 | |
(a)Includes a loss of $10 million in the first nine months of 2022 and income of $17 million in the first nine months of 2021, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments and $12 million of income in both the first nine months of 2022 and 2021, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $13 million and $9 million in the first nine months of 2022 and 2021, respectively, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General
AFG’s net earnings, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. In addition to discontinued operations, core net operating earnings excludes realized gains (losses) on securities because such gains and losses are influenced significantly by financial markets, interest rates and the timing of sales. In addition, special charges related to coverage that AFG no longer writes, such as asbestos and environmental exposures, are excluded from core earnings.
AFG recorded $914 million in non-core net earnings from the discontinued annuity operations (sold in May 2021) in the first nine months of 2021, which includes a $656 million after-tax gain on the sale.
In the first nine months of 2021, AFG recognized a non-core after-tax gain of $3 million related to contingent consideration received from the December 2020 sale of AFG’s Lloyd’s of London insurer, Neon Underwriting Ltd (“Neon”).
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The following table (in millions, except per share amounts) identifies non-core items and reconciles net earnings to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure. AFG believes core net operating earnings is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends and for management to evaluate financial performance against historical results because it believes this provides a more comparable measure of its continuing business.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Components of net earnings: | | | | | | | |
Core operating earnings before income taxes | $ | 244 | | | $ | 284 | | | $ | 930 | | | $ | 794 | |
Pretax non-core items: | | | | | | | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | (35) | | | (17) | | | (143) | | | 103 | |
Neon exited lines (*) | — | | | — | | | — | | | 4 | |
| | | | | | | |
Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | 1 | | | — | | | (10) | | | — | |
Other | — | | | — | | | — | | | (11) | |
Earnings before income taxes | 210 | | | 267 | | | 777 | | | 890 | |
Provision for income taxes: | | | | | | | |
Core operating earnings | 52 | | | 53 | | | 192 | | | 152 | |
Non-core items: | | | | | | | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | (7) | | | (5) | | | (30) | | | 20 | |
Neon exited lines (*) | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1 | |
| | | | | | | |
Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | — | | | — | | | (3) | | | — | |
Other | — | | | — | | | (4) | | | (9) | |
Total provision for income taxes | 45 | | | 48 | | | 155 | | | 164 | |
Net earnings from continuing operations | 165 | | | 219 | | | 622 | | | 726 | |
Net earnings from discontinued annuity operations | — | | | — | | | — | | | 914 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net earnings | $ | 165 | | | $ | 219 | | | $ | 622 | | | $ | 1,640 | |
| | | | | | | |
Net earnings: | | | | | | | |
Core net operating earnings | $ | 192 | | | $ | 231 | | | $ | 738 | | | $ | 642 | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | (28) | | | (12) | | | (113) | | | 83 | |
Neon exited lines (*) | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3 | |
| | | | | | | |
Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | 1 | | | — | | | (7) | | | — | |
Other | — | | | — | | | 4 | | | (2) | |
Net earnings from continuing operations | 165 | | | 219 | | | 622 | | | 726 | |
Discontinued annuity operations | — | | | — | | | — | | | 914 | |
Net earnings | $ | 165 | | | $ | 219 | | | $ | 622 | | | $ | 1,640 | |
| | | | | | | |
Diluted per share amounts: | | | | | | | |
Core net operating earnings | $ | 2.24 | | | $ | 2.71 | | | $ | 8.65 | | | $ | 7.48 | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | (0.32) | | | (0.15) | | | (1.32) | | | 0.95 | |
Neon exited lines (*) | — | | | — | | | — | | | 0.04 | |
| | | | | | | |
Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | 0.01 | | | — | | | (0.09) | | | — | |
Other | — | | | — | | | 0.05 | | | (0.02) | |
Diluted per share amounts, continuing operations | 1.93 | | | 2.56 | | | 7.29 | | | 8.45 | |
Discontinued annuity operations | — | | | — | | | — | | | 10.66 | |
Net earnings | $ | 1.93 | | | $ | 2.56 | | | $ | 7.29 | | | $ | 19.11 | |
(*)In the first nine months of 2021, AFG recognized a non-core after-tax gain of $3 million related to contingent consideration received on the sale of Neon.
Net earnings were $165 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $219 million in the third quarter of 2021 reflecting lower core net operating earnings and higher net realized losses on securities in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021. Core net operating earnings for the third quarter of 2022 decreased $39 million compared to the third quarter of 2021 reflecting lower underwriting profit, lower net investment income and higher holding company expenses, partially offset by lower interest charges on borrowed money. Realized losses on securities in the third quarter
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
of 2022 and 2021 resulted primarily from the change in fair value of equity securities that were still held at the balance sheet date.
Net earnings were $622 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $1.64 billion in the first nine months of 2021. The lower results reflect net earnings from the discontinued annuity operations in the first nine months 2021 and net realized losses on securities in the first nine months of 2022 compared to net realized gains on securities in the first nine months of 2021, partially offset by higher core net operating earnings. The discontinued annuity operations includes an after-tax gain on the sale of the annuity subsidiaries of $656 million. Core net operating earnings for the first nine months of 2022 increased $96 million compared to the first nine months of 2021 reflecting higher underwriting profit, higher net investment income, lower interest charges on borrowed money and lower holding company expenses. Realized gains (losses) on securities in the first nine months of 2022 and 2021 resulted primarily from the change in fair value of equity securities that were still held at the balance sheet date.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 AND 2021
Segmented Statement of Earnings
Subsequent to the sale of its annuity operations, AFG reports its operations as two segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”) and (ii) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
AFG’s net earnings, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Other | | | | | | |
| P&C | | | | Consol. MIEs | | Holding Co., other and unallocated | | Total | | Non-core reclass | | GAAP Total |
Three months ended September 30, 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,767 | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,767 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,767 | |
Net investment income | 145 | | | | | (4) | | | 10 | | | 151 | | | — | | | 151 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (35) | | | (35) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income of MIEs: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment income | — | | | | | 75 | | | — | | | 75 | | | — | | | 75 | |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | | | | | (5) | | | — | | | (5) | | | — | | | (5) | |
Other income | 2 | | | | | (4) | | | 33 | | | 31 | | | — | | | 31 | |
Total revenues | 1,914 | | | | | 62 | | | 43 | | | 2,019 | | | (35) | | | 1,984 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Costs and Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 1,176 | | | | | — | | | — | | | 1,176 | | | — | | | 1,176 | |
Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 436 | | | | | — | | | 9 | | | 445 | | | — | | | 445 | |
Interest charges on borrowed money | — | | | | | — | | | 19 | | | 19 | | | — | | | 19 | |
Expenses of MIEs | — | | | | | 62 | | | — | | | 62 | | | — | | | 62 | |
Other expenses | 13 | | | | | — | | | 60 | | | 73 | | | (1) | | | 72 | |
Total costs and expenses | 1,625 | | | | | 62 | | | 88 | | | 1,775 | | | (1) | | | 1,774 | |
Earnings before income taxes | 289 | | | | | — | | | (45) | | | 244 | | | (34) | | | 210 | |
Provision for income taxes | 62 | | | | | — | | | (10) | | | 52 | | | (7) | | | 45 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Core Net Operating Earnings | 227 | | | | | — | | | (35) | | | 192 | | | | | |
Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | | | | | — | | | (28) | | | (28) | | | 28 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gain on retirement of debt, net of tax | — | | | | | — | | | 1 | | | 1 | | | (1) | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Earnings | $ | 227 | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | (62) | | | $ | 165 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 165 | |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Other | | | | | | |
| P&C | | Annuity | | Consol. MIEs | | Holding Co., other and unallocated | | Total | | Non-core reclass | | GAAP Total |
Three months ended September 30, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,529 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,529 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,529 | |
Net investment income | 165 | | | — | | | (5) | | | 9 | | | 169 | | | — | | | 169 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (17) | | | (17) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income of MIEs: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment income | — | | | — | | | 45 | | | — | | | 45 | | | — | | | 45 | |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | | | — | | | 1 | | | — | | | 1 | | | — | | | 1 | |
Other income | 4 | | | — | | | (4) | | | 27 | | | 27 | | | — | | | 27 | |
Total revenues | 1,698 | | | — | | | 37 | | | 36 | | | 1,771 | | | (17) | | | 1,754 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Costs and Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 954 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 954 | | | — | | | 954 | |
Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 407 | | | — | | | — | | | 10 | | | 417 | | | — | | | 417 | |
Interest charges on borrowed money | — | | | — | | | — | | | 24 | | | 24 | | | — | | | 24 | |
Expenses of MIEs | — | | | — | | | 37 | | | — | | | 37 | | | — | | | 37 | |
Other expenses | 8 | | | — | | | — | | | 47 | | | 55 | | | — | | | 55 | |
Total costs and expenses | 1,369 | | | — | | | 37 | | | 81 | | | 1,487 | | | — | | | 1,487 | |
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 329 | | | — | | | — | | | (45) | | | 284 | | | (17) | | | 267 | |
Provision for income taxes | 64 | | | — | | | — | | | (11) | | | 53 | | | (5) | | | 48 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Core Net Operating Earnings | 265 | | | — | | | — | | | (34) | | | 231 | | | | | |
Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | | | — | | | — | | | (12) | | | (12) | | | 12 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Earnings | $ | 265 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (46) | | | $ | 219 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 219 | |
(*)See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax impacts of these reconciling items.
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
Performance measures such as underwriting profit or loss and related combined ratios are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company’s performance. Underwriting profitability is measured by the combined ratio, which is a sum of the ratios of losses and loss adjustment expenses, and commissions and other underwriting expenses to premiums. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. The combined ratio does not reflect net investment income, other income, other expenses or federal income taxes.
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $289 million in pretax earnings in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $329 million in the third quarter of 2021, a decrease of $40 million (12%). The decrease in pretax earnings reflects lower underwriting profit and lower net investment income in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The following table details AFG’s earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty insurance operations for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Gross written premiums | $ | 3,153 | | | $ | 2,656 | | | 19 | % |
Reinsurance premiums ceded | (1,169) | | | (927) | | | 26 | % |
Net written premiums | 1,984 | | | 1,729 | | | 15 | % |
Change in unearned premiums | (217) | | | (200) | | | 9 | % |
Net earned premiums | 1,767 | | | 1,529 | | | 16 | % |
Loss and loss adjustment expenses | 1,176 | | | 954 | | | 23 | % |
Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 436 | | | 407 | | | 7 | % |
Underwriting gain | 155 | | | 168 | | | (8 | %) |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | 145 | | | 165 | | | (12 | %) |
Other income and expenses, net | (11) | | | (4) | | | 175 | % |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Earnings before income taxes | $ | 289 | | | $ | 329 | | | (12 | %) |
|
| | | | | |
|
| | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | Change |
Combined Ratios: | | | | | |
Specialty lines | | | | | |
Loss and LAE ratio | 66.4 | % | | 62.4 | % | | 4.0 | % |
Underwriting expense ratio | 24.7 | % | | 26.6 | % | | (1.9 | %) |
Combined ratio | 91.1 | % | | 89.0 | % | | 2.1 | % |
| | | | | |
Aggregate — including exited lines | | | | | |
Loss and LAE ratio | 66.5 | % | | 62.4 | % | | 4.1 | % |
Underwriting expense ratio | 24.7 | % | | 26.6 | % | | (1.9 | %) |
Combined ratio | 91.2 | % | | 89.0 | % | | 2.2 | % |
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty property and casualty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.
To understand the overall profitability of particular lines, the timing of claims payments and the related impact of investment income must be considered. Certain “short-tail” lines of business (primarily property coverages) generally have quick loss payouts, which reduce the time funds are held, thereby limiting investment income earned thereon. In contrast, “long-tail” lines of business (primarily liability coverages and workers’ compensation) generally have payouts that are either structured over many years or take many years to settle, thereby significantly increasing investment income earned on related premiums received.
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $3.15 billion for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $2.66 billion for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $497 million (19%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | |
| GWP | | % | | GWP | | % | | % Change |
Property and transportation | $ | 1,737 | | | 55 | % | | $ | 1,334 | | | 50 | % | | 30 | % |
Specialty casualty | 1,184 | | | 38 | % | | 1,121 | | | 42 | % | | 6 | % |
Specialty financial | 232 | | | 7 | % | | 201 | | | 8 | % | | 15 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| $ | 3,153 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 2,656 | | | 100 | % | | 19 | % |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 37% of gross written premiums for the third quarter of 2022 compared to 35% of gross written premiums for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of 2 percentage points. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | Change in |
| Ceded | | % of GWP | | Ceded | | % of GWP | | % of GWP |
Property and transportation | $ | (778) | | | 45 | % | | $ | (561) | | | 42 | % | | 3 | % |
Specialty casualty | (407) | | | 34 | % | | (389) | | | 35 | % | | (1 | %) |
Specialty financial | (56) | | | 24 | % | | (36) | | | 18 | % | | 6 | % |
Other specialty | 72 | | | | | 59 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| $ | (1,169) | | | 37 | % | | $ | (927) | | | 35 | % | | 2 | % |
Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.98 billion for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $1.73 billion for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $255 million (15%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | |
| NWP | | % | | NWP | | % | | % Change |
Property and transportation | $ | 959 | | | 48 | % | | $ | 773 | | | 45 | % | | 24 | % |
Specialty casualty | 777 | | | 39 | % | | 732 | | | 42 | % | | 6 | % |
Specialty financial | 176 | | | 9 | % | | 165 | | | 10 | % | | 7 | % |
Other specialty | 72 | | | 4 | % | | 59 | | | 3 | % | | 22 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| $ | 1,984 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 1,729 | | | 100 | % | | 15 | % |
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.77 billion for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $1.53 billion for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $238 million (16%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | |
| NEP | | % | | NEP | | % | | % Change |
Property and transportation | $ | 857 | | | 49 | % | | $ | 700 | | | 46 | % | | 22 | % |
Specialty casualty | 677 | | | 38 | % | | 613 | | | 40 | % | | 10 | % |
Specialty financial | 171 | | | 10 | % | | 163 | | | 11 | % | | 5 | % |
Other specialty | 62 | | | 3 | % | | 53 | | | 3 | % | | 17 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| $ | 1,767 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 1,529 | | | 100 | % | | 16 | % |
Gross written premiums for the third quarter of 2022 increased $497 million (19%) compared to the third quarter of 2021 reflecting increased exposures, new business opportunities and renewal rate increases. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 5% in the third quarter of 2022. Excluding overall rate decreases in the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates increased approximately 6%.
Property and transportation Gross written premiums increased $403 million (30%) in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021. While nearly all businesses in this group reported higher year-over-year premiums, the growth was driven by higher commodity futures pricing in the crop insurance business. Excluding the impact of the crop insurance business, gross and net written premiums increased 14% and 10%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021. Average renewal rates increased approximately 5% for this group in the third quarter of 2022. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 3 percentage points in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 reflecting growth in the crop insurance operations (which
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
cede a larger percentage of premiums than the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment), higher cessions in the ocean marine business and the impact of reinstatement premiums related to Hurricane Ian.
Specialty casualty Gross written premiums increased $63 million (6%) in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 due primarily to increased exposures resulting from payroll growth in the workers’ compensation businesses and the impact of economic recovery in the social services business. This premium growth was partially offset by lower year-over-year premiums in the mergers and acquisitions liability business. Average renewal rates increased approximately 6% for this group in the third quarter of 2022. Excluding overall rate decreases in the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 7%. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 1 percentage point in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 reflecting lower gross written premiums in the mergers and acquisitions liability business (which cedes a larger percentage of premiums than the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment).
Specialty financial Gross written premiums increased $31 million (15%) in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 due primarily to growth in the financial institutions business related to lender-placed mortgage protection insurance. Average renewal rates increased approximately 4% for this group in the third quarter of 2022. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 6 percentage points in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 reflecting the impact of reinstatement premiums related to Hurricane Ian and higher cessions in the innovative markets business.
Other specialty The amounts shown as reinsurance premiums ceded represent business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Reinsurance premiums assumed increased $13 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 reflecting an increase in premiums retained, primarily from businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Combined Ratio
The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of the combined ratio and underwriting profit for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | | | Three months ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | Change | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Property and transportation | | | | | | | | | |
Loss and LAE ratio | 77.3 | % | | 73.7 | % | | 3.6 | % | | | | |
Underwriting expense ratio | 18.1 | % | | 19.8 | % | | (1.7 | %) | | | | |
Combined ratio | 95.4 | % | | 93.5 | % | | 1.9 | % | | | | |
Underwriting profit | | | | | | | $ | 39 | | | $ | 45 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Specialty casualty | | | | | | | | | |
Loss and LAE ratio | 55.3 | % | | 54.6 | % | | 0.7 | % | | | | |
Underwriting expense ratio | 27.3 | % | | 27.4 | % | | (0.1 | %) | | | | |
Combined ratio | 82.6 | % | | 82.0 | % | | 0.6 | % | | | | |
Underwriting profit | | | | | | | $ | 118 | | | $ | 110 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Specialty financial | | | | | | | | | |
Loss and LAE ratio | 47.2 | % | | 34.2 | % | | 13.0 | % | | | | |
Underwriting expense ratio | 44.1 | % | | 50.0 | % | | (5.9 | %) | | | | |
Combined ratio | 91.3 | % | | 84.2 | % | | 7.1 | % | | | | |
Underwriting profit | | | | | | | $ | 15 | | | $ | 26 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total Specialty | | | | | | | | | |
Loss and LAE ratio | 66.4 | % | | 62.4 | % | | 4.0 | % | | | | |
Underwriting expense ratio | 24.7 | % | | 26.6 | % | | (1.9 | %) | | | | |
Combined ratio | 91.1 | % | | 89.0 | % | | 2.1 | % | | | | |
Underwriting profit | | | | | | | $ | 158 | | | $ | 169 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Aggregate — including exited lines | | | | | | | | | |
Loss and LAE ratio | 66.5 | % | | 62.4 | % | | 4.1 | % | | | | |
Underwriting expense ratio | 24.7 | % | | 26.6 | % | | (1.9 | %) | | | | |
Combined ratio | 91.2 | % | | 89.0 | % | | 2.2 | % | | | | |
Underwriting profit | | | | | | | $ | 155 | | | $ | 168 | |
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $158 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $169 million in the third quarter of 2021, a decrease of $11 million (7%). This decrease reflects lower underwriting profit in the Property and transportation and Specialty financial sub-segments, partially offset by higher underwriting profit in the Specialty casualty sub-segment. Overall catastrophe losses were $51 million (2.5 points on the combined ratio), including $18 million in net reinstatement premiums, in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $31 million (2.1 points) in the third quarter of 2021. As a result of catastrophe losses incurred in the third quarter of 2022, AFG reduced certain profit-based commissions payable to agents by $12 million, resulting in a net impact from catastrophes of $39 million for the 2022 quarter. Underwriting results for the Specialty property and casualty insurance operations include $3 million (0.1 points on the combined ratio) in COVID-19 related losses in the third quarter of 2021.
Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $39 million for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $45 million for the third quarter of 2021, a decrease of $6 million (13%), reflecting lower underwriting profit in the crop operations compared to very strong crop results in 2021. Catastrophe losses were $13 million (1.4 points on the combined ratio), including $4 million in net reinstatement premiums in the third quarter of 2022 compared to catastrophe losses of $14 million (2.1 points) in the third quarter of 2021.
Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $118 million for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $110 million for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $8 million (7%). This increase reflects higher year-over-year underwriting profit in the executive liability, social services and mergers and acquisitions liability businesses, partially offset by an overall decrease in favorable prior year reserve development. Catastrophe losses were $3 million (0.4 points on the combined ratio), including $1 million in reinstatement premiums in the third quarter of 2022 compared to catastrophe
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
losses of $3 million (0.4 points) in the third quarter of 2021. Underwriting results for the Specialty casualty sub-segment include $1 million (0.1 points on the combined ratio) in COVID-19 related losses in the third quarter of 2021.
Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $15 million for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $26 million in the third quarter of 2021, a decrease of $11 million (42%). This decrease was primarily the result of catastrophe losses from Hurricane Ian in the financial institutions business. Catastrophe losses were $34 million (15.2 points on the combined ratio), including $13 million in net reinstatement premiums compared to $14 million (8.2 points) in the third quarter of 2021. As a result of the catastrophe losses incurred in the third quarter of 2022, the Specialty financial sub-segment reduced profit-based commissions payable to agents, which had a favorable impact on the combined ratio. Underwriting results for the Specialty financial sub-segment include $2 million (0.9 points on the combined ratio) in COVID-19 related losses in the third quarter of 2021.
Other specialty This group reported an underwriting loss of $14 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $12 million in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $2 million (17%). This increase reflects higher losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021.
Aggregate Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes adverse prior year reserve development of $3 million and $1 million in the third quarter of 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to business outside the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 66.5% for the third quarter of 2022 compared to 62.4% for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of 4.1 percentage points. The components of AFG’s property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | |
| Amount | | Ratio | | Change in |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | Ratio |
Property and transportation | | | | | | | | | |
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 669 | | | $ | 520 | | | 77.7 | % | | 74.1 | % | | 3.6 | % |
Prior accident years development | (15) | | | (18) | | | (1.8 | %) | | (2.5 | %) | | 0.7 | % |
Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | | | — | | | — | % | | — | % | | — | % |
Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 9 | | | 14 | | | 1.4 | % | | 2.1 | % | | (0.7 | %) |
Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 663 | | | $ | 516 | | | 77.3 | % | | 73.7 | % | | 3.6 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
Specialty casualty | | | | | | | | | |
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 414 | | | $ | 387 | | | 61.2 | % | | 63.2 | % | | (2.0 | %) |
Prior accident years development | (42) | | | (56) | | | (6.3 | %) | | (9.1 | %) | | 2.8 | % |
Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | | | 1 | | | — | % | | 0.1 | % | | (0.1 | %) |
Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 2 | | | 3 | | | 0.4 | % | | 0.4 | % | | — | % |
Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 374 | | | $ | 335 | | | 55.3 | % | | 54.6 | % | | 0.7 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
Specialty financial | | | | | | | | | |
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 70 | | | $ | 58 | | | 38.3 | % | | 36.3 | % | | 2.0 | % |
Prior accident years development | (11) | | | (18) | | | (6.3 | %) | | (11.2 | %) | | 4.9 | % |
Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | | | 2 | | | — | % | | 0.9 | % | | (0.9 | %) |
Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 21 | | | 14 | | | 15.2 | % | | 8.2 | % | | 7.0 | % |
Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 80 | | | $ | 56 | | | 47.2 | % | | 34.2 | % | | 13.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total Specialty | | | | | | | | | |
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 1,196 | | | $ | 1,002 | | | 67.0 | % | | 65.6 | % | | 1.4 | % |
Prior accident years development | (56) | | | (83) | | | (3.1 | %) | | (5.4 | %) | | 2.3 | % |
Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | | | 3 | | | — | % | | 0.1 | % | | (0.1 | %) |
Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 33 | | | 31 | | | 2.5 | % | | 2.1 | % | | 0.4 | % |
Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,173 | | | $ | 953 | | | 66.4 | % | | 62.4 | % | | 4.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
Aggregate — including exited lines | | | | | | | | | |
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 1,196 | | | $ | 1,002 | | | 67.0 | % | | 65.6 | % | | 1.4 | % |
Prior accident years development | (53) | | | (82) | | | (3.0 | %) | | (5.4 | %) | | 2.4 | % |
Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | | | 3 | | | — | % | | 0.1 | % | | (0.1 | %) |
Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 33 | | | 31 | | | 2.5 | % | | 2.1 | % | | 0.4 | % |
Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,176 | | | $ | 954 | | | 66.5 | % | | 62.4 | % | | 4.1 | % |
Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 67.0% for the third quarter of 2022 compared to 65.6% for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of 1.4 percentage points.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Property and transportation The 3.6 percentage point increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses is due primarily to lower profitability in the crop insurance business compared to very strong results recorded in the 2021 quarter.
Specialty casualty The 2.0 percentage point decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects improved results in the workers’ compensation and executive liability businesses.
Specialty financial The 2.0 percentage point increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects higher reported losses in the financial institutions business, partially offset by improved results in the fidelity and crime business.
Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $56 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $83 million in the third quarter of 2021, a decrease of $27 million (33%).
Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $15 million in the third quarter of 2022 reflects lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the trucking business, lower than anticipated claim frequency in the aviation and ocean marine businesses and in the Singapore operations and lower than expected claim severity in the property and inland marine business. Net favorable reserve development of $18 million in the third quarter of 2021 reflects lower than expected claim severity in the ocean marine business, lower than expected claim frequency in the aviation business and lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the trucking business.
Specialty casualty Net favorable reserve development of $42 million in the third quarter of 2022 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the targeted markets and excess and surplus businesses. Net favorable reserve development of $56 million in the third quarter of 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the excess and surplus business.
Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $11 million in the third quarter of 2022 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety and trade credit businesses. Net favorable reserve development of $18 million in the third quarter of 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety and trade credit businesses.
Other specialty In addition to the development discussed above, total Specialty prior year reserve development includes net adverse reserve development of $12 million in the third quarter of 2022 and $9 million in the third quarter of 2021, reflecting net adverse reserve development associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program, partially offset by the amortization of the deferred gains on the retroactive reinsurance transactions entered into in connection with the sale of businesses in 1998 and 2001.
Asbestos and environmental reserves During the third quarter of 2022, AFG completed an in-depth internal review of its asbestos and environmental exposures relating to the run-off operations of its property and casualty insurance segment and its exposures related to former railroad and manufacturing operations and sites. In addition to its ongoing internal monitoring of asbestos and environmental exposures, AFG has periodically conducted comprehensive external studies of its asbestos and environmental reserves with the aid of specialty actuarial, engineering and consulting firms and outside counsel, with an in-depth internal review during the intervening years.
During the 2022 internal review, no new trends were identified and recent claims activity was generally consistent with AFG’s expectations resulting from AFG’s in-depth internal review in 2021 and most recent external study in 2020. As a result, and consistent with the internal review in the third quarter of 2021, the 2022 review resulted in no net change to AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment’s asbestos and environmental reserves. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Uncertainties — Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves” and Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Results of Operations — Holding Company, Other and Unallocated” in AFG’s 2021 Form 10-K.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
At September 30, 2022, the property and casualty insurance segment’s insurance reserves include A&E reserves of $391 million, net of reinsurance recoverables. At September 30, 2022, the property and casualty insurance segment’s three-year survival ratios compare favorably with industry survival ratios published by S&P Global Market Intelligence (as of December 31, 2021, and adjusted for several large industry portfolio transfers) as detailed in the following table: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves |
| Three-Year Survival Ratio (Times Paid Losses) |
| Asbestos | | Environmental | | Total A&E |
AFG (9/30/2022) | 23.8 | | 29.6 | | 26.0 |
Industry (12/31/2021) | 9.0 | | 7.3 | | 8.5 |
In addition, the 2022 and 2021 internal reviews encompassed reserves for asbestos and environmental exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations. For a discussion of the minor increases in AFG’s liabilities recorded for those operations, see “Results of Operations — Holding Company, Other and Unallocated,” for the quarters ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes net adverse reserve development of $3 million and $1 million in the third quarter of 2022 and the third quarter of 2021, respectively, related to business outside the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
COVID-19 related losses
In the third quarter of 2022, AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations released $8 million of prior accident year COVID-19 reserves based on improved loss experience in the trade credit and workers’ compensation businesses. In the third quarter of 2021, AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded $3 million in reserve charges related to COVID-19, primarily related to the economic slowdown impacting the trade credit business, and released approximately $2 million of accident year 2020 reserves based on loss experience. Given the uncertainties surrounding the ultimate number and scope of claims relating to the pandemic, approximately 53% of the $79 million in cumulative COVID-19 related losses are held as incurred but not reported reserves at September 30, 2022.
Catastrophe losses
AFG generally seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophes through individual risk selection, including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures, and the purchase of reinsurance. Based on data available at December 31, 2021, AFG’s exposure to a catastrophic earthquake or windstorm that industry models indicate should statistically occur once in every 100, 250 or 500 years as a percentage of AFG’s Shareholders’ Equity is shown below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Approximate impact of modeled loss | |
| Industry Model | | on AFG’s Shareholders’ Equity | |
| 100-year event | | 1% | |
| 250-year event | | 1% | |
| 500-year event | | 2% | |
AFG maintains comprehensive property catastrophe reinsurance coverage for its property and casualty insurance operations, including a $20 million per occurrence net retention, for losses up to $125 million in the vast majority of circumstances. In certain unlikely events, AFG’s ultimate loss under this coverage could be as high as $39 million for a single occurrence. AFG’s operating units purchased replacement reinsurance coverage for those layers of catastrophe reinsurance program expected to be affected by Hurricane Ian. AFG further maintains supplemental fully collateralized reinsurance coverage up to 94% of $325 million for catastrophe losses in excess of $125 million of traditional catastrophe reinsurance through a catastrophe bond.
Catastrophe losses of $33 million in the third quarter of 2022 (before net reinstatement premiums) resulted primarily from Hurricane Ian. Catastrophe losses of $31 million in the third quarter of 2021 resulted primarily from Hurricane Ida and, to a lesser extent, storms in multiple regions of the United States.
Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $436 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $407 million for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $29 million (7%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio, calculated as commissions and other underwriting expenses divided by net premiums earned, was 24.7% for the third quarter of 2022 compared to 26.6% for the third quarter of 2021, a decrease of 1.9 percentage points. Detail
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
of AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | Change in |
| U/W Exp | | % of NEP | | U/W Exp | | % of NEP | | % of NEP |
Property and transportation | $ | 155 | | | 18.1 | % | | $ | 139 | | | 19.8 | % | | (1.7 | %) |
Specialty casualty | 185 | | | 27.3 | % | | 168 | | | 27.4 | % | | (0.1 | %) |
Specialty financial | 76 | | | 44.1 | % | | 81 | | | 50.0 | % | | (5.9 | %) |
Other specialty | 20 | | | 33.4 | % | | 19 | | | 34.7 | % | | (1.3 | %) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| $ | 436 | | | 24.7 | % | | $ | 407 | | | 26.6 | % | | (1.9 | %) |
Property and transportation Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 1.7 percentage points in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 reflecting the impact of higher premiums in the crop insurance business on the ratio in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021.
Specialty casualty Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums were comparable in the third quarter of 2022 and the third quarter of 2021.
Specialty financial Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 5.9 percentage points in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 reflecting lower profit-based commissions to agents in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021.
Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $145 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $165 million in the third quarter of 2021, a decrease of $20 million (12%). The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | Change | | % Change |
Net investment income: | | | | | | | |
Net investment income, excluding alternative investments | $ | 109 | | | $ | 81 | | | $ | 28 | | | 35 | % |
Alternative investments | 36 | | | 84 | | | (48) | | | (57 | %) |
Total net investment income | $ | 145 | | | $ | 165 | | | $ | (20) | | | (12 | %) |
| | | | | | | |
Average invested assets (at amortized cost) | $ | 14,105 | | | $ | 13,194 | | | $ | 911 | | | 7 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets) | 4.11 | % | | 5.00 | % | | (0.89 | %) | | |
| | | | | | | |
Tax equivalent yield (*) | 4.21 | % | | 5.10 | % | | (0.89 | %) | | |
(*)Adjusts the yield on equity securities and tax-exempt bonds to the fully taxable equivalent yield.
The decrease in the property and casualty insurance segment’s net investment income for the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 reflects lower returns on AFG’s alternative investments portfolio (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs) as compared to the very strong performance of this portfolio in the prior year period, partially offset by higher yields on fixed maturity investments. The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 4.11% for the third quarter of 2022 compared to 5.00% for the third quarter of 2021, a decrease of 0.89 percentage points as higher yields on fixed maturity investments were more than offset by lower yields on alternative investments. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 7.1% in the third quarter of 2022 compared to 20.3% in the comparable prior year period.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was a net expense of $11 million for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $4 million for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $7 million (175%). The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Other income: | | | |
Income (loss) related to the sale of real estate | $ | — | | | $ | (1) | |
Other | 2 | | | 5 | |
Total other income | 2 | | | 4 | |
Other expenses: | | | |
Amortization of intangibles | 2 | | | 1 | |
Interest expense on funds withheld | 8 | | | 7 | |
Other (*) | 3 | | | — | |
Total other expenses | 13 | | | 8 | |
Other income and expenses, net | $ | (11) | | | $ | (4) | |
(*)Includes $2 million of expenses in the third quarter of 2022 related to certain technology initiatives.
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $44 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $45 million in the third quarter of 2021, a decrease of $1 million (2%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $45 million in both the third quarter of 2022 and the third quarter of 2021.
The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core loss before income taxes from operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Revenues: | | | | | |
Net investment income | $ | 10 | | | $ | 9 | | | 11 | % |
Other income — P&C fees | 22 | | | 21 | | | 5 | % |
Other income | 11 | | | 6 | | | 83 | % |
Total revenues | 43 | | | 36 | | | 19 | % |
| | | | | |
Costs and Expenses: | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance — loss adjustment and underwriting expenses | 9 | | | 10 | | | (10 | %) |
Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees | 13 | | | 11 | | | 18 | % |
Other expenses (*) | 47 | | | 36 | | | 31 | % |
Costs and expenses, excluding interest charges on borrowed money | 69 | | | 57 | | | 21 | % |
Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses and interest charges on borrowed money | (26) | | | (21) | | | 24 | % |
Interest charges on borrowed money | 19 | | | 24 | | | (21 | %) |
Core loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | (45) | | | (45) | | | — | % |
| | | | | |
Pretax non-core gain on retirement of debt | 1 | | | — | | | — | % |
| | | | | |
GAAP loss from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | $ | (44) | | | $ | (45) | | | (2 | %) |
(*)Excludes a pretax non-core gain on retirement of debt of $1 million in the third quarter of 2022.
Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $10 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $9 million in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $1 million (11%), reflecting higher average investment balances and income from directly owned real estate investments.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, a workers’ compensation insurance subsidiary, collects fees from a small group of unaffiliated insurers for providing underwriting, policy administration and claims services. In addition, certain of AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In the third quarter of 2022, AFG collected $20 million for these services compared to $18 million in the third quarter of 2021. Management views this fee income, net of the $13 million in the third quarter of 2022 and $11 million in the third quarter of 2021 in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. In addition, AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collected $2 million and $3 million in fees from AFG’s disposed annuity operations during the third quarter of 2022 and the third quarter of 2021, respectively, as compensation for certain services provided under a transition services agreement. The expenses related to providing such services are embedded in property and casualty underwriting expenses. Consistent with internal management reporting, all of these fees and the related expenses are netted and recorded as a reduction of commissions and other underwriting expenses in AFG’s segmented results.
Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $4 million in both the third quarter of 2022 and the third quarter of 2021, in management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG’s consolidated managed investment entities). The management fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidate MIEs column under “Results of Operations — Segmented Statement of Earnings.” Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $7 million in the third quarter of 2022 and $2 million the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $5 million (250%) due primarily to $3 million in income from the sale of real estate in the 2022 quarter.
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $47 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $36 million in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $11 million (31%), reflecting slightly higher holding company expenses and charges to increase the liabilities related to the A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations.
A&E Reserves
As a result of the 2022 and 2021 in-depth internal reviews of A&E exposures discussed under “Asbestos and environmental reserves” under “Results of Operations — Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Net prior year reserve development,” AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance operations recorded minor charges in the third quarter of 2022 and the third quarter of 2021 to increase liabilities related to the A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations. Both charges are included in AFG’s core operating earnings. The charges were due primarily to relatively small movements across several sites that reflect changes in the scope and costs of investigation and an increase in estimated ongoing operation and maintenance costs.
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded interest expense of $19 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $24 million in the third quarter of 2021, a decrease of $5 million (21%) reflecting the retirement of AFG’s $425 million principal amount of 3.50% Senior Notes during the first six months of 2022.
Holding Company and Other — Gain on Retirement of Debt
During the third quarter of 2022, AFG repurchased $9 million principal amount of its senior notes which resulted in a $1 million pretax gain.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities were net losses of $35 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $17 million in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $18 million (106%). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended September 30, |
2022 | | 2021 |
Realized gains (losses) before impairment allowances: | | | |
Disposals | $ | (3) | | | $ | — | |
Change in the fair value of equity securities | (27) | | | (15) | |
Change in the fair value of derivatives | (3) | | | (2) | |
| | | |
| (33) | | | (17) | |
| | | |
Change in allowance for impairments on securities | (2) | | | — | |
| | | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | $ | (35) | | | $ | (17) | |
The $27 million net realized loss from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the third quarter of 2022 includes losses of $8 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $6 million on investments in media companies, $4 million on investments in retail companies and $2 million on investments in healthcare companies. The $15 million net realized loss from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the third quarter of 2021 includes losses of $5 million on investments in healthcare companies, $4 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies and $4 million on investments in technology companies.
Consolidated Income Taxes on Continuing Operations
AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes on continuing operations was $45 million for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $48 million for the third quarter of 2021, a decrease of $3 million (6%). See Note K — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate on continuing operations.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 AND 2021
Segmented Statement of Earnings
Subsequent to the sale of its annuity operations, AFG reports its operations as two segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”) and (ii) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
AFG’s net earnings, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Other | | | | | | |
| P&C | | Consol. MIEs | | Holding Co., other and unallocated | | Total | | Non-core reclass | | GAAP Total |
Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 4,462 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,462 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,462 | |
Net investment income | 524 | | | 10 | | | 15 | | | 549 | | | — | | | 549 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (143) | | | (143) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Income of MIEs: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment income | — | | | 175 | | | — | | | 175 | | | — | | | 175 | |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | | | (25) | | | — | | | (25) | | | — | | | (25) | |
Other income | 12 | | | (12) | | | 93 | | | 93 | | | — | | | 93 | |
Total revenues | 4,998 | | | 148 | | | 108 | | | 5,254 | | | (143) | | | 5,111 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Costs and Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 2,643 | | | — | | | — | | | 2,643 | | | — | | | 2,643 | |
Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,261 | | | — | | | 30 | | | 1,291 | | | — | | | 1,291 | |
Interest charges on borrowed money | — | | | — | | | 65 | | | 65 | | | — | | | 65 | |
Expenses of MIEs | — | | | 148 | | | — | | | 148 | | | — | | | 148 | |
Other expenses | 38 | | | — | | | 139 | | | 177 | | | 10 | | | 187 | |
Total costs and expenses | 3,942 | | | 148 | | | 234 | | | 4,324 | | | 10 | | | 4,334 | |
Earnings before income taxes | 1,056 | | | — | | | (126) | | | 930 | | | (153) | | | 777 | |
Provision for income taxes | 222 | | | — | | | (30) | | | 192 | | | (37) | | | 155 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Core Net Operating Earnings | 834 | | | — | | | (96) | | | 738 | | | | | |
Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | | | | | | | | | | | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | | | — | | | (113) | | | (113) | | | 113 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss on retirement of debt, net of tax | — | | | — | | | (7) | | | (7) | | | 7 | | | — | |
Other, net of tax | — | | | — | | | 4 | | | 4 | | | (4) | | | — | |
Net Earnings | $ | 834 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (212) | | | $ | 622 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 622 | |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Other | | | | | | |
| P&C | | Annuity | | Consol. MIEs | | Holding Co., other and unallocated | | Total | | Non-core reclass | | GAAP Total |
Nine months ended September 30, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 3,952 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,952 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,952 | |
Net investment income | 467 | | | 51 | | | (17) | | | 20 | | | 521 | | | — | | | 521 | |
Realized gains (losses) on: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Securities | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 103 | | | 103 | |
Subsidiary | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 4 | | | 4 | |
Income of MIEs: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment income | — | | | — | | | 135 | | | — | | | 135 | | | — | | | 135 | |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | | | — | | | 9 | | | — | | | 9 | | | — | | | 9 | |
Other income | 9 | | | — | | | (12) | | | 73 | | | 70 | | | — | | | 70 | |
Total revenues | 4,428 | | | 51 | | | 115 | | | 93 | | | 4,687 | | | 107 | | | 4,794 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Costs and Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 2,335 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2,335 | | | — | | | 2,335 | |
Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,163 | | | — | | | — | | | 24 | | | 1,187 | | | — | | | 1,187 | |
Interest charges on borrowed money | — | | | — | | | — | | | 71 | | | 71 | | | — | | | 71 | |
Expenses of MIEs | — | | | — | | | 115 | | | — | | | 115 | | | — | | | 115 | |
Other expenses | 25 | | | 1 | | | — | | | 159 | | | 185 | | | 11 | | | 196 | |
Total costs and expenses | 3,523 | | | 1 | | | 115�� | | | 254 | | | 3,893 | | | 11 | | | 3,904 | |
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 905 | | | 50 | | | — | | | (161) | | | 794 | | | 96 | | | 890 | |
Provision for income taxes | 177 | | | 11 | | | — | | | (36) | | | 152 | | | 12 | | | 164 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Core Net Operating Earnings | 728 | | | 39 | | | — | | | (125) | | | 642 | | | | | |
Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | | | — | | | — | | | 83 | | | 83 | | | (83) | | | — | |
Discontinued operations, net of tax | — | | | 914 | | | — | | | — | | | 914 | | | — | | | 914 | |
Neon exited lines | 3 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3 | | | (3) | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other, net of tax | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2) | | | (2) | | | 2 | | | — | |
Net Earnings | $ | 731 | | | $ | 953 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (44) | | | $ | 1,640 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,640 | |
(*)See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax impacts of these reconciling items.
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $1.06 billion in GAAP pretax earnings in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $909 million in the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $147 million (16%). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were $1.06 billion in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $905 million in the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $151 million (17%). The increase in GAAP and core pretax earnings reflects higher underwriting profit and higher net investment income in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty insurance operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Gross written premiums | $ | 7,212 | | | $ | 6,209 | | | 16 | % |
Reinsurance premiums ceded | (2,344) | | | (1,906) | | | 23 | % |
Net written premiums | 4,868 | | | 4,303 | | | 13 | % |
Change in unearned premiums | (406) | | | (351) | | | 16 | % |
Net earned premiums | 4,462 | | | 3,952 | | | 13 | % |
Loss and loss adjustment expenses | 2,643 | | | 2,335 | | | 13 | % |
Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,261 | | | 1,163 | | | 8 | % |
Core underwriting gain | 558 | | | 454 | | | 23 | % |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | 524 | | | 467 | | | 12 | % |
Other income and expenses, net | (26) | | | (16) | | | 63 | % |
Core earnings before income taxes | 1,056 | | | 905 | | | 17 | % |
| | | | | |
Pretax non-core Neon exited lines (*) | — | | | 4 | | | (100 | %) |
GAAP earnings before income taxes | $ | 1,056 | | | $ | 909 | | | 16 | % |
| | | | | |
(*)In the second quarter of 2021, AFG recognized a non-core pretax gain of $4 million related to contingent consideration received on the sale of Neon. |
| | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | Change |
Combined Ratios: | | | | | |
Specialty lines | | | | | |
Loss and LAE ratio | 59.1 | % | | 59.0 | % | | 0.1 | % |
Underwriting expense ratio | 28.3 | % | | 29.4 | % | | (1.1 | %) |
Combined ratio | 87.4 | % | | 88.4 | % | | (1.0 | %) |
| | | | | |
Aggregate — including exited lines | | | | | |
Loss and LAE ratio | 59.2 | % | | 59.0 | % | | 0.2 | % |
Underwriting expense ratio | 28.3 | % | | 29.4 | % | | (1.1 | %) |
Combined ratio | 87.5 | % | | 88.4 | % | | (0.9 | %) |
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty property and casualty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $7.21 billion for the first nine months of 2022 compared to $6.21 billion for the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $1.00 billion (16%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | |
| GWP | | % | | GWP | | % | | % Change |
Property and transportation | $ | 3,459 | | | 48 | % | | $ | 2,705 | | | 44 | % | | 28 | % |
Specialty casualty | 3,108 | | | 43 | % | | 2,922 | | | 47 | % | | 6 | % |
Specialty financial | 645 | | | 9 | % | | 582 | | | 9 | % | | 11 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| $ | 7,212 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 6,209 | | | 100 | % | | 16 | % |
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 33% of gross written premiums for the first nine months of 2022 compared to 31% of gross written premiums for the first nine months of 2021, an increase of 2 percentage points. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | Change in |
| Ceded | | % of GWP | | Ceded | | % of GWP | | % of GWP |
Property and transportation | $ | (1,367) | | | 40 | % | | $ | (965) | | | 36 | % | | 4 | % |
Specialty casualty | (1,035) | | | 33 | % | | (1,010) | | | 35 | % | | (2 | %) |
Specialty financial | (133) | | | 21 | % | | (97) | | | 17 | % | | 4 | % |
Other specialty | 191 | | | | | 166 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| $ | (2,344) | | | 33 | % | | $ | (1,906) | | | 31 | % | | 2 | % |
Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $4.87 billion for the first nine months of 2022 compared to $4.30 billion for the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $565 million (13%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | |
| NWP | | % | | NWP | | % | | % Change |
Property and transportation | $ | 2,092 | | | 43 | % | | $ | 1,740 | | | 41 | % | | 20 | % |
Specialty casualty | 2,073 | | | 43 | % | | 1,912 | | | 44 | % | | 8 | % |
Specialty financial | 512 | | | 10 | % | | 485 | | | 11 | % | | 6 | % |
Other specialty | 191 | | | 4 | % | | 166 | | | 4 | % | | 15 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| $ | 4,868 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 4,303 | | | 100 | % | | 13 | % |
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $4.46 billion for the first nine months of 2022 compared to $3.95 billion for the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $510 million (13%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | |
| NEP | | % | | NEP | | % | | % Change |
Property and transportation | $ | 1,805 | | | 40 | % | | $ | 1,547 | | | 39 | % | | 17 | % |
Specialty casualty | 1,973 | | | 44 | % | | 1,772 | | | 45 | % | | 11 | % |
Specialty financial | 505 | | | 11 | % | | 477 | | | 12 | % | | 6 | % |
Other specialty | 179 | | | 5 | % | | 156 | | | 4 | % | | 15 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| $ | 4,462 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 3,952 | | | 100 | % | | 13 | % |
The $1.00 billion (16%) increase in gross written premiums for the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021 reflects growth in the crop insurance business. Excluding crop, gross and net written premiums increased 9% and 10%, respectively, compared to the first nine months of 2021 reflecting increased exposures, new business opportunities, and renewal rate increases. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 5% in the first nine months of 2022. Excluding the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal pricing increased approximately 7%.
Property and transportation Gross written premiums increased $754 million (28%) in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021 due primarily to growth in the crop insurance business. Excluding crop, gross and net written premiums grew 14% and 13%, respectively, reflecting increased exposures and higher rates. Average renewal rates increased approximately 6% for this group in the first nine months of 2022. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 4 percentage points in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021 reflecting growth in the crop insurance operations (which cede a larger percentage of premiums than the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment), higher cessions in the ocean marine business and the impact of reinstatement premiums related to Hurricane Ian.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Specialty casualty Gross written premiums increased $186 million (6%) in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021 due primarily to increased exposures in the excess and surplus business, rate increases and new business opportunities in the targeted markets businesses and increased exposures resulting from payroll growth in the workers’ compensation businesses. This premium growth was partially offset by lower year-over-year premiums in the mergers and acquisitions liability business. Average renewal rates increased approximately 5% for this group in the first nine months of 2022. Excluding overall rate decreases in the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 8%. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 2 percentage points in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021 reflecting lower cessions in the environmental, excess and surplus and excess liability businesses and lower gross written premiums in the mergers and acquisitions liability business (which cedes a larger percentage of premiums than the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment).
Specialty financial Gross written premiums increased $63 million (11%) in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021 due primarily to higher premiums in the financial institutions business related to lender-placed mortgage protection insurance, rate increases and new business opportunities in the fidelity and crime business and new business opportunities in the innovative markets business. Average renewal rates increased approximately 5% for this group in the first nine months of 2022. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 4 percentage points for the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021 reflecting the impact of reinstatement premiums related to Hurricane Ian and higher cessions in the innovative markets business.
Other specialty The amounts shown as reinsurance premiums ceded represent business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Reinsurance premiums assumed increased $25 million (15%) in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021, reflecting an increase in premiums retained, primarily from businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Combined Ratio
The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of the combined ratio and underwriting profit for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, | | | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | Change | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Property and transportation | | | | | | | | | |
Loss and LAE ratio | 69.0 | % | | 64.7 | % | | 4.3 | % | | | | |
Underwriting expense ratio | 23.2 | % | | 24.9 | % | | (1.7 | %) | | | | |
Combined ratio | 92.2 | % | | 89.6 | % | | 2.6 | % | | | | |
Underwriting profit | | | | | | | $ | 140 | | | $ | 163 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Specialty casualty | | | | | | | | | |
Loss and LAE ratio | 54.3 | % | | 59.7 | % | | (5.4 | %) | | | | |
Underwriting expense ratio | 26.8 | % | | 26.9 | % | | (0.1 | %) | | | | |
Combined ratio | 81.1 | % | | 86.6 | % | | (5.5 | %) | | | | |
Underwriting profit | | | | | | | $ | 372 | | | $ | 237 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Specialty financial | | | | | | | | | |
Loss and LAE ratio | 34.1 | % | | 33.7 | % | | 0.4 | % | | | | |
Underwriting expense ratio | 49.8 | % | | 51.2 | % | | (1.4 | %) | | | | |
Combined ratio | 83.9 | % | | 84.9 | % | | (1.0 | %) | | | | |
Underwriting profit | | | | | | | $ | 81 | | | $ | 72 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total Specialty | | | | | | | | | |
Loss and LAE ratio | 59.1 | % | | 59.0 | % | | 0.1 | % | | | | |
Underwriting expense ratio | 28.3 | % | | 29.4 | % | | (1.1 | %) | | | | |
Combined ratio | 87.4 | % | | 88.4 | % | | (1.0 | %) | | | | |
Underwriting profit | | | | | | | $ | 563 | | | $ | 456 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Aggregate — including exited lines | | | | | | | | | |
Loss and LAE ratio | 59.2 | % | | 59.0 | % | | 0.2 | % | | | | |
Underwriting expense ratio | 28.3 | % | | 29.4 | % | | (1.1 | %) | | | | |
Combined ratio | 87.5 | % | | 88.4 | % | | (0.9 | %) | | | | |
Underwriting profit | | | | | | | $ | 558 | | | $ | 454 | |
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $563 million for the first nine months of 2022 compared to $456 million for the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $107 million (23%), reflecting higher underwriting profit in the Specialty casualty and Specialty financial sub-segments, partially offset by lower underwriting profit in the Property and transportation sub-segment. Underwriting results for the Specialty property and casualty insurance operations include $14 million (0.3 points on the combined ratio) in COVID-19 related losses in the first nine months of 2021. Overall catastrophe losses were $82 million (1.7 points on the combined ratio), including $18 million in net reinstatement premiums, in the first nine months of 2022 compared to catastrophe losses of $73 million (1.8 points), including $12 million in net reinstatement premiums the first nine months of 2021. As a result of catastrophe losses incurred in the third quarter of 2022, AFG reduced certain profit-based commissions payable to agents by $12 million, resulting in a net impact from catastrophes of $70 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $140 million for the first nine months of 2022 compared to $163 million for the first nine months of 2021, a decrease of $23 million (14%), reflecting lower underwriting profit in the transportation businesses, primarily the result of lower favorable prior year reserve development. Catastrophe losses were $38 million (2.0 points on the combined ratio), including $4 million in net reinstatement premiums, in the first nine months of 2022 compared to catastrophe losses of $43 million (2.7 points), including $9 million in net reinstatement premiums, in the first nine months of 2021.
Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $372 million for the first nine months of 2022 compared to $237 million for the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $135 million (57%). This increase reflects higher year-over-year underwriting profit in the workers’ compensation, excess and surplus, executive liability and mergers and acquisitions liability businesses. COVID-19 related losses were $8 million (0.4 points on the combined ratio) in the first nine months of 2021. Catastrophe losses were $4 million (0.1 points on the combined ratio), including $1 million in net reinstatement
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
premiums, in the first nine months of 2022 compared to catastrophe losses of $7 million (0.4 points), including net reinstatement premiums of $1 million, in the first nine months of 2021.
Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $81 million for the first nine months of 2022 compared to $72 million for the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $9 million (13%). This increase reflects higher year-over-year underwriting profit in the trade credit and financial institutions businesses. COVID-19 related losses were $6 million (1.2 points on the combined ratio) in the first nine months of 2021. Catastrophe losses were $39 million (6.0 points on the combined ratio), including $13 million in net reinstatement premiums, in the first nine months of 2022 compared to catastrophe losses of $22 million (4.3 points), including $2 million in net reinstatement premiums, in the first nine months of 2021. As a result of the catastrophe losses incurred in the third quarter of 2022, the Specialty financial sub-segment reduced profit-based commissions payable to agents, which had a favorable impact on the combined ratio.
Other specialty This group reported an underwriting loss of $30 million for the first nine months of 2022 compared to $16 million in the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $14 million (88%). This increase reflects higher losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021.
Aggregate Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes adverse prior year reserve development of $5 million and $2 million in the first nine months of 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 59.2% for the first nine months of 2022 compared to 59.0% for the first nine months of 2021, an increase of 0.2 percentage points. The components of AFG’s property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, | | |
| Amount | | Ratio | | Change in |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | Ratio |
Property and transportation | | | | | | | | | |
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 1,291 | | | $ | 1,067 | | | 71.4 | % | | 68.5 | % | | 2.9 | % |
Prior accident years development | (79) | | | (101) | | | (4.4 | %) | | (6.5 | %) | | 2.1 | % |
Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | | | — | | | — | % | | — | % | | — | % |
Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 34 | | | 34 | | | 2.0 | % | | 2.7 | % | | (0.7 | %) |
Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,246 | | | $ | 1,000 | | | 69.0 | % | | 64.7 | % | | 4.3 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
Specialty casualty | | | | | | | | | |
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 1,209 | | | $ | 1,130 | | | 61.3 | % | | 63.7 | % | | (2.4 | %) |
Prior accident years development | (140) | | | (85) | | | (7.1 | %) | | (4.8 | %) | | (2.3 | %) |
Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | | | 8 | | | — | % | | 0.4 | % | | (0.4 | %) |
Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 3 | | | 6 | | | 0.1 | % | | 0.4 | % | | (0.3 | %) |
Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,072 | | | $ | 1,059 | | | 54.3 | % | | 59.7 | % | | (5.4 | %) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Specialty financial | | | | | | | | | |
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 185 | | | $ | 173 | | | 35.9 | % | | 36.2 | % | | (0.3 | %) |
Prior accident years development | (39) | | | (38) | | | (7.8 | %) | | (8.0 | %) | | 0.2 | % |
Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | | | 6 | | | — | % | | 1.2 | % | | (1.2 | %) |
Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 26 | | | 20 | | | 6.0 | % | | 4.3 | % | | 1.7 | % |
Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 172 | | | $ | 161 | | | 34.1 | % | | 33.7 | % | | 0.4 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total Specialty | | | | | | | | | |
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 2,805 | | | $ | 2,468 | | | 62.6 | % | | 62.2 | % | | 0.4 | % |
Prior accident years development | (231) | | | (210) | | | (5.2 | %) | | (5.3 | %) | | 0.1 | % |
Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | | | 14 | | | — | % | | 0.3 | % | | (0.3 | %) |
Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 64 | | | 61 | | | 1.7 | % | | 1.8 | % | | (0.1 | %) |
Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 2,638 | | | $ | 2,333 | | | 59.1 | % | | 59.0 | % | | 0.1 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
Aggregate — including exited lines | | | | | | | | | |
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 2,805 | | | $ | 2,468 | | | 62.6 | % | | 62.2 | % | | 0.4 | % |
Prior accident years development | (226) | | | (208) | | | (5.1 | %) | | (5.3 | %) | | 0.2 | % |
Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | | | 14 | | | — | % | | 0.3 | % | | (0.3 | %) |
Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 64 | | | 61 | | | 1.7 | % | | 1.8 | % | | (0.1 | %) |
Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 2,643 | | | $ | 2,335 | | | 59.2 | % | | 59.0 | % | | 0.2 | % |
Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 62.6% for the first nine months of 2022 compared to 62.2% for the first nine months of 2021, an increase of 0.4 percentage points.
Property and transportation The 2.9 percentage point increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects an increase in the loss and LAE ratios of the crop insurance and property and inland marine businesses in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Specialty casualty The 2.4 percentage point decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects improved results in the workers’ compensation and executive liability businesses.
Specialty financial The 0.3 percentage point decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects improved results in the trade credit business.
Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $231 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $210 million in the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $21 million (10%).
Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $79 million in the first nine months of 2022 reflects lower than anticipated losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim frequency in the trucking and ocean marine businesses and in the Singapore operations, lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the aviation business and lower than anticipated claim severity in the property and inland marine business. Net favorable reserve development of $101 million in the first nine months of 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the transportation businesses, lower than expected losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim severity in the property and inland marine business and lower than expected claim frequency in the aviation business, partially offset by higher than expected claim frequency and severity in equine business.
Specialty casualty Net favorable reserve development of $140 million in the first nine months of 2022 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses, lower than expected claim frequency in the executive liability business and lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the excess and surplus business, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the targeted markets and excess liability businesses. Net favorable reserve development of $85 million in the first nine months of 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the general liability and targeted markets businesses.
Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $39 million in the first nine months of 2022 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety, trade credit and financial institutions businesses. Net favorable reserve development of $38 million in the first nine months of 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety and trade credit businesses and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the financial institutions business.
Other specialty In addition to the development discussed above, total Specialty prior year reserve development includes net adverse reserve development of $27 million in the first nine months of 2022 and $14 million in the first nine months of 2021, reflecting net adverse development associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program, partially offset by the amortization of the deferred gains on the retroactive reinsurance transactions entered into in connection with the sale of businesses in 1998 and 2001.
Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes net adverse reserve development of $5 million in the first nine months of 2022 and $2 million in the first nine months of 2021 related to business outside the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
COVID-19 related losses
In the first nine months of 2022, AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations released $14 million of prior accident year COVID-19 reserves based on improved loss experience in the trade credit and workers’ compensation businesses. Underwriting results for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations in the first nine months of 2021 include $14 million in reserve charges related to COVID-19, primarily related to the workers’ compensation and trade credit businesses. AFG released approximately $12 million of accident year 2020 reserves based on loss experience in the first nine months of 2021. Given the uncertainties surrounding the ultimate number and scope of claims relating to the pandemic, approximately 53% of the $79 million in cumulative COVID-19 related losses are held as incurred but not reported reserves at September 30, 2022.
Catastrophe losses
Catastrophe losses of $64 million in the first nine months of 2022 (before net reinstatement premiums) resulted primarily from Hurricane Ian and storms in multiple regions of the United States. Catastrophe losses of $61 million in the first nine
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
months of 2021 (before net reinstatement premiums) resulted primarily from Hurricane Ida and storms in multiple regions of the United States, including the winter storms in Texas.
Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $1.26 billion in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $1.16 billion for the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $98 million (8%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio was 28.3% for the first nine months of 2022 compared to 29.4% for the first nine months of 2021, a decrease of 1.1 percentage points. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | Change in |
| U/W Exp | | % of NEP | | U/W Exp | | % of NEP | | % of NEP |
Property and transportation | $ | 419 | | | 23.2 | % | | $ | 384 | | | 24.9 | % | | (1.7 | %) |
Specialty casualty | 529 | | | 26.8 | % | | 476 | | | 26.9 | % | | (0.1 | %) |
Specialty financial | 252 | | | 49.8 | % | | 244 | | | 51.2 | % | | (1.4 | %) |
Other specialty | 61 | | | 34.7 | % | | 59 | | | 37.5 | % | | (2.8 | %) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| $ | 1,261 | | | 28.3 | % | | $ | 1,163 | | | 29.4 | % | | (1.1 | %) |
Property and transportation Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 1.7 percentage points in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021 reflecting the impact of higher premiums in the crop insurance and trucking businesses on the ratio in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021.
Specialty casualty Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums were comparable in the first nine months of 2022 and the first nine months of 2021.
Specialty financial Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 1.4 percentage points in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021 reflecting lower profit-based commissions to agents in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021.
Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $524 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $467 million in the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $57 million (12%). The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, | | | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | Change | | % Change |
Net investment income: | | | | | | | |
Net investment income, excluding alternative investments | $ | 287 | | | $ | 243 | | | $ | 44 | | | 18 | % |
Alternative investments | 237 | | | 224 | | | 13 | | | 6 | % |
Total net investment income | $ | 524 | | | $ | 467 | | | $ | 57 | | | 12 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Average invested assets (at amortized cost) | $ | 13,981 | | | $ | 12,763 | | | $ | 1,218 | | | 10 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets) | 5.00 | % | | 4.88 | % | | 0.12 | % | | |
| | | | | | | |
Tax equivalent yield (*) | 5.10 | % | | 5.00 | % | | 0.10 | % | | |
(*)Adjusts the yield on equity securities and tax-exempt bonds to the fully taxable equivalent yield.
The increase in the property and casualty insurance segment’s net investment income for the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021 reflects higher average investments and higher yields on fixed maturities. The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 5.00% for the first nine months of 2022 compared to 4.88% for the first nine months of 2021, an increase of 0.12 percentage points. The annualized return earned on alternative investments (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs) was 16.1% in the first nine months of 2022 compared to 24.4% in the prior year period.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was a net expense of $26 million for the first nine months of 2022 compared to $16 million for the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $10 million (63%). The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Other income: | | | |
Income (loss) related to the sale of real estate | $ | 1 | | | $ | (2) | |
Other | 11 | | | 11 | |
Total other income | 12 | | | 9 | |
Other expenses: | | | |
Amortization of intangibles | 7 | | | 5 | |
Interest expense on funds withheld | 21 | | | 19 | |
Other (*) | 10 | | | 1 | |
Total other expense | 38 | | | 25 | |
Other income and expenses, net | $ | (26) | | | $ | (16) | |
(*)Includes $7 million of expenses in the first nine months of 2022 related to certain technology initiatives.
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $136 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $172 million in the first nine months of 2021, a decrease of $36 million (21%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $126 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $161 million in the first nine months of 2021, a decrease of $35 million (22%).
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core loss before income taxes from operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Revenues: | | | | | |
Net investment income | $ | 15 | | | $ | 20 | | | (25 | %) |
Other income — P&C fees | 67 | | | 58 | | | 16 | % |
Other income | 26 | | | 15 | | | 73 | % |
Total revenues | 108 | | | 93 | | | 16 | % |
| | | | | |
Costs and Expenses: | | | | | |
Property and casualty insurance — loss adjustment and underwriting expenses | 30 | | | 24 | | | 25 | % |
Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees | 37 | | | 34 | | | 9 | % |
Other expenses (*) | 102 | | | 125 | | | (18 | %) |
Costs and expenses, excluding interest charges on borrowed money | 169 | | | 183 | | | (8 | %) |
Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses and interest charges on borrowed money | (61) | | | (90) | | | (32 | %) |
Interest charges on borrowed money | 65 | | | 71 | | | (8 | %) |
Core loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | (126) | | | (161) | | | (22 | %) |
| | | | | |
Pretax non-core loss on retirement of debt | (10) | | | — | | | |
Pretax non-core loss on pension settlement | — | | | (11) | | | (100 | %) |
GAAP loss from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | $ | (136) | | | $ | (172) | | | (21 | %) |
(*)Excludes a pretax non-core loss on retirement of debt of $10 million in the first nine months of 2022 and a pretax non-core loss of $11 million related to the settlement of pension liabilities of a small former manufacturing operation in the second quarter of 2021.
Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $15 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $20 million in the first nine months of 2021, a decrease of $5 million (25%). The small portfolio of equity securities held at the holding company that are carried at fair value through net investment income declined in value by $7 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to increasing in value by $7 million in the first nine months of 2021. Excluding the change in fair value of these equity securities, net investment income outside of AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment improved to $22 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $13 million in the first nine months of 2021 reflecting higher average investment balances and income from directly owned real estate investments acquired from the annuity subsidiaries in conjunction with the sale of the annuity business in May 2021.
Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, a workers’ compensation insurance subsidiary, collects fees from a small group of unaffiliated insurers for providing underwriting, policy administration and claims services. In addition, certain of AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In the first nine months of 2022, AFG collected $60 million in fees for these services compared to $54 million in the first nine months of 2021. Management views this fee income, net of the $37 million in the first nine months of 2022 and $34 million in the first nine months of 2021 in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. In addition, AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collected $7 million and $4 million in fees from AFG’s disposed annuity operations in the first nine months of 2022 and the first nine months of 2021, respectively, as compensation for certain services provided under a transition services agreement. The expenses related to providing such services are embedded in property and casualty underwriting expenses. Consistent with internal management reporting, all of these fees and the related expenses are netted and recorded as a reduction of commissions and other underwriting expenses in AFG’s segmented results.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $12 million in both the first nine months of 2022 and the first nine months of 2021, in management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG’s consolidated managed investment entities). The management fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidate MIEs column under “Results of Operations — Segmented Statement of Earnings.” Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $14 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $3 million in the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $11 million (367%) due primarily to income from the sale of real estate in 2022.
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $102 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $125 million the first nine months of 2021, a decrease of $23 million (18%) reflecting lower holding company expenses related to employee benefit plans that are tied to stock market performance, partially offset by charges to increase the liabilities related to the A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations.
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded interest expense of $65 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $71 million in the first nine months of 2021, a decrease of $6 million (8%), reflecting the retirement of AFG’s 3.50% Senior Notes in the first six months of 2022.
Holding Company and Other — Loss on Retirement of Debt
During the first nine months of 2022, AFG retired $434 million principal amount of its senior notes, which resulted in a $10 million pretax non-core loss.
Holding Company and Other — Loss on Pension Settlement
In the second quarter of 2021, AFG settled pension liabilities related to a small former manufacturing operation resulting in a pretax non-core loss of $11 million.
Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities were net losses of $143 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to net gains of $103 million in the first nine months of 2021, a change of $246 million (239%). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, |
2022 | | 2021 |
Realized gains (losses) before impairment allowances: | | | |
Disposals | $ | (9) | | | $ | 2 | |
Change in the fair value of equity securities | (122) | | | 104 | |
Change in the fair value of derivatives | (11) | | | (4) | |
| | | |
| (142) | | | 102 | |
| | | |
Change in allowance for impairments on securities | (1) | | | 1 | |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | $ | (143) | | | $ | 103 | |
The $122 million net realized loss from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the first nine months of 2022 includes losses of $58 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $15 million on investments in healthcare companies, $14 million on investments in media companies, $10 million on investments in retail companies and $6 million on investments in technology companies, partially offset by gains of $10 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies. The $104 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the first nine months of 2021 includes gains of $27 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies, $20 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $20 million from investments in media companies and $19 million on investments in healthcare companies.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Realized Gain on Subsidiary
In the second quarter of 2021, AFG recognized a pretax gain on sale of subsidiary of $4 million related to contingent consideration received on the sale of Neon.
Consolidated Income Taxes on Continuing Operations
AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes on continuing operations was $155 million for the first nine months of 2022 compared to $164 million for the first nine months of 2021, a decrease of $9 million (5%). See Note K — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate on continuing operations.
Real Estate Entities Acquired from the Annuity Operations
Prior to the completion of the sale of its annuity operations in May 2021, AFG parent and its property and casualty insurance operations acquired certain real estate-related partnerships and directly owned real estate from those operations. GAAP pretax earnings from continuing operations for the first six months of 2021 includes the earnings from these entities and certain other expenses that were retained from the annuity operations.
The retained real estate entities contributed $51 million in GAAP pretax earnings through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale.
Discontinued Annuity Operations
AFG’s discontinued annuity operations, which were sold in May 2021, contributed $914 million in GAAP net earnings in the first six months of 2021, which includes a $656 million after-tax gain on the sale.
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
As of September 30, 2022, there were no material changes to the information provided in Item 7A — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk of AFG’s 2021 Form 10-K. The following table demonstrates the sensitivity of fair values to reasonably likely changes in interest rates by illustrating the estimated effect on AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio that an immediate increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate yield curve would have had at September 30, 2022 (dollars in millions). Effects of increases or decreases from the 100 basis points illustrated would be approximately proportional.
| | | | | |
Fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | 10,064 | |
Percentage impact on fair value of 100 bps increase in interest rates | (3.0 | %) |
Pretax impact on fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | (302) | |
ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures
AFG’s management, with participation of its Co-Chief Executive Officers and its Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated AFG’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, AFG’s Co-CEOs and CFO concluded that the controls and procedures are effective. There have been no changes in AFG’s internal control over financial reporting during the third fiscal quarter of 2022 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, AFG’s internal control over financial reporting.
In the ordinary course of business, AFG and its subsidiaries routinely enhance their information systems by either upgrading current systems or implementing new systems. During the first quarter of 2022, AFG implemented a new general ledger, accounting and financial reporting system. The new general ledger system was implemented in order to provide a consistent system platform for AFG’s subsidiaries, enhance overall efficiency and streamline management reporting and analysis. This change in systems was subject to thorough testing and review both before and after final implementation. This implementation has not materially affected, and management does not expect it to materially affect, AFG’s internal controls.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities AFG repurchased shares of its Common Stock during 2022 as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Number of Shares Purchased | | Average Price Paid Per Share | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | | Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (b) |
First quarter | 35,201 | | | $ | 131.05 | | | 35,201 | | | 7,655,721 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Second quarter | — | | | — | | | — | | | 7,655,721 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Third quarter: | | | | | | | |
July | — | | | $ | — | | | — | | | 7,655,721 | |
August | 2,000 | | | 126.76 | | | 2,000 | | | 7,653,721 | |
September | 43,500 | | | 122.85 | | | 43,500 | | | 7,610,221 | |
Total | 80,701 | | | $ | 126.52 | | (a) | 80,701 | | | |
(a)AFG declared special dividends of $10.00 per share of its Common Stock in the first nine months of 2022. Adjusted for the special dividends, the average price paid per share was $122.16 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
(b)Represents the remaining shares that may be repurchased until December 31, 2025 under the Plans authorized by AFG’s Board of Directors in October 2020 and May 2021.
In addition, AFG acquired 47,909 shares of its Common Stock (at an average of $135.41 per share) in the first quarter of 2022, 8,400 shares (at an average of $146.32 per share) in the second quarter of 2022, 265 shares (at $133.34 per share) in July 2022 and 621 shares (at an average of $129.15 per share) in September 2022 in connection with its stock incentive plans.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
ITEM 6. Exhibits
| | | | | | | | |
Number | | Exhibit Description |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
101.INS | | XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |
101.SCH | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
101.CAL | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
101.DEF | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
101.LAB | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. |
101.PRE | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. |
104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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| American Financial Group, Inc. |
| | | |
November 4, 2022 | By: | | /s/ Brian S. Hertzman |
| | | Brian S. Hertzman |
| | | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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