| Investments |
Investments
a)The following tables summarize the Company's available-for-sale investments.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | June 30, 2015 | (dollars in thousands) | Amortized Cost | | Gross Unrealized Holding Gains | | Gross Unrealized Holding Losses | | Unrealized Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses | | Estimated Fair Value | Fixed maturities: | | | | | | | | | | U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies | $ | 638,848 |
| | $ | 10,695 |
| | $ | (3,855 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | 645,688 |
| Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions | 3,862,159 |
| | 165,902 |
| | (17,030 | ) | | — |
| | 4,011,031 |
| Foreign governments | 1,343,152 |
| | 113,536 |
| | (1,056 | ) | | — |
| | 1,455,632 |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 427,372 |
| | 3,530 |
| | (1,865 | ) | | — |
| | 429,037 |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | 890,612 |
| | 23,564 |
| | (4,273 | ) | | (2,258 | ) | | 907,645 |
| Asset-backed securities | 65,752 |
| | 58 |
| | (510 | ) | | — |
| | 65,300 |
| Corporate bonds | 1,981,737 |
| | 45,276 |
| | (16,520 | ) | | (1,662 | ) | | 2,008,831 |
| Total fixed maturities | 9,209,632 |
| | 362,561 |
| | (45,109 | ) | | (3,920 | ) | | 9,523,164 |
| Equity securities: | | | | | | | | | | Insurance, banks and other financial institutions | 617,618 |
| | 735,581 |
| | (1,350 | ) | | — |
| | 1,351,849 |
| Industrial, consumer and all other | 1,578,072 |
| | 1,458,669 |
| | (13,429 | ) | | — |
| | 3,023,312 |
| Total equity securities | 2,195,690 |
| | 2,194,250 |
| | (14,779 | ) | | — |
| | 4,375,161 |
| Short-term investments | 2,185,228 |
| | 26 |
| | (5 | ) | | — |
| | 2,185,249 |
| Investments, available-for-sale | $ | 13,590,550 |
| | $ | 2,556,837 |
| | $ | (59,893 | ) | | $ | (3,920 | ) | | $ | 16,083,574 |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | December 31, 2014 | (dollars in thousands) | Amortized Cost | | Gross Unrealized Holding Gains | | Gross Unrealized Holding Losses | | Unrealized Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses | | Estimated Fair Value | Fixed maturities: | | | | | | | | | | U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies | $ | 662,462 |
| | $ | 12,963 |
| | $ | (2,163 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | 673,262 |
| Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions | 4,075,748 |
| | 245,158 |
| | (3,359 | ) | | — |
| | 4,317,547 |
| Foreign governments | 1,458,255 |
| | 154,707 |
| | (1,041 | ) | | — |
| | 1,611,921 |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 427,904 |
| | 5,325 |
| | (2,602 | ) | | — |
| | 430,627 |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | 954,263 |
| | 34,324 |
| | (3,482 | ) | | (2,258 | ) | | 982,847 |
| Asset-backed securities | 100,073 |
| | 99 |
| | (682 | ) | | — |
| | 99,490 |
| Corporate bonds | 2,250,432 |
| | 69,016 |
| | (10,441 | ) | | (1,819 | ) | | 2,307,188 |
| Total fixed maturities | 9,929,137 |
| | 521,592 |
| | (23,770 | ) | | (4,077 | ) | | 10,422,882 |
| Equity securities: | | | | | | | | | | Insurance, banks and other financial institutions | 523,739 |
| | 789,717 |
| | (1,531 | ) | | — |
| | 1,311,925 |
| Industrial, consumer and all other | 1,427,919 |
| | 1,403,566 |
| | (5,834 | ) | | — |
| | 2,825,651 |
| Total equity securities | 1,951,658 |
| | 2,193,283 |
| | (7,365 | ) | | — |
| | 4,137,576 |
| Short-term investments | 1,594,819 |
| | 36 |
| | (6 | ) | | — |
| | 1,594,849 |
| Investments, available-for-sale | $ | 13,475,614 |
| | $ | 2,714,911 |
| | $ | (31,141 | ) | | $ | (4,077 | ) | | $ | 16,155,307 |
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b)The following tables summarize gross unrealized investment losses by the length of time that securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | June 30, 2015 | | Less than 12 months | | 12 months or longer | | Total | (dollars in thousands) | Estimated Fair Value | | Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses | | Estimated Fair Value | | Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses | | Estimated Fair Value | | Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses | Fixed maturities: | | | | | | | | | | | | U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies | $ | 97,844 |
| | $ | (2,842 | ) | | $ | 114,198 |
| | $ | (1,013 | ) | | $ | 212,042 |
| | $ | (3,855 | ) | Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions | 654,959 |
| | (12,765 | ) | | 63,885 |
| | (4,265 | ) | | 718,844 |
| | (17,030 | ) | Foreign governments | 31,312 |
| | (542 | ) | | 44,756 |
| | (514 | ) | | 76,068 |
| | (1,056 | ) | Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 124,536 |
| | (703 | ) | | 97,983 |
| | (1,162 | ) | | 222,519 |
| | (1,865 | ) | Residential mortgage-backed securities | 112,947 |
| | (2,832 | ) | | 156,760 |
| | (3,699 | ) | | 269,707 |
| | (6,531 | ) | Asset-backed securities | 12,146 |
| | (11 | ) | | 46,122 |
| | (499 | ) | | 58,268 |
| | (510 | ) | Corporate bonds | 433,329 |
| | (9,696 | ) | | 356,992 |
| | (8,486 | ) | | 790,321 |
| | (18,182 | ) | Total fixed maturities | 1,467,073 |
| | (29,391 | ) | | 880,696 |
| | (19,638 | ) | | 2,347,769 |
| | (49,029 | ) | Equity securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | Insurance, banks and other financial institutions | 13,307 |
| | (578 | ) | | 8,040 |
| | (772 | ) | | 21,347 |
| | (1,350 | ) | Industrial, consumer and all other | 84,162 |
| | (11,641 | ) | | 18,108 |
| | (1,788 | ) | | 102,270 |
| | (13,429 | ) | Total equity securities | 97,469 |
| | (12,219 | ) | | 26,148 |
| | (2,560 | ) | | 123,617 |
| | (14,779 | ) | Short-term investments | 159,963 |
| | (5 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | 159,963 |
| | (5 | ) | Total | $ | 1,724,505 |
| | $ | (41,615 | ) | | $ | 906,844 |
| | $ | (22,198 | ) | | $ | 2,631,349 |
| | $ | (63,813 | ) |
At June 30, 2015, the Company held 666 securities with a total estimated fair value of $2.6 billion and gross unrealized losses of $63.8 million. Of these 666 securities, 275 securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for one year or longer and had a total estimated fair value of $906.8 million and gross unrealized losses of $22.2 million. Of these securities, 271 securities were fixed maturities and four were equity securities. The Company does not intend to sell or believe it will be required to sell these fixed maturities before recovery of their amortized cost. The Company has the ability and intent to hold these equity securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for the anticipated recovery of their fair value.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | December 31, 2014 | | Less than 12 months | | 12 months or longer | | Total | (dollars in thousands) | Estimated Fair Value | | Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses | | Estimated Fair Value | | Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses | | Estimated Fair Value | | Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses | Fixed maturities: | | | | | | | | | | | | U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies | $ | 108,250 |
| | $ | (62 | ) | | $ | 163,359 |
| | $ | (2,101 | ) | | $ | 271,609 |
| | $ | (2,163 | ) | Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions | 58,583 |
| | (542 | ) | | 92,441 |
| | (2,817 | ) | | 151,024 |
| | (3,359 | ) | Foreign governments | 18,856 |
| | (386 | ) | | 56,217 |
| | (655 | ) | | 75,073 |
| | (1,041 | ) | Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 45,931 |
| | (210 | ) | | 147,558 |
| | (2,392 | ) | | 193,489 |
| | (2,602 | ) | Residential mortgage-backed securities | 9,613 |
| | (2,285 | ) | | 207,374 |
| | (3,455 | ) | | 216,987 |
| | (5,740 | ) | Asset-backed securities | 30,448 |
| | (20 | ) | | 45,160 |
| | (662 | ) | | 75,608 |
| | (682 | ) | Corporate bonds | 141,176 |
| | (2,263 | ) | | 621,821 |
| | (9,997 | ) | | 762,997 |
| | (12,260 | ) | Total fixed maturities | 412,857 |
| | (5,768 | ) | | 1,333,930 |
| | (22,079 | ) | | 1,746,787 |
| | (27,847 | ) | Equity securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | Insurance, banks and other financial institutions | 16,219 |
| | (1,531 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | 16,219 |
| | (1,531 | ) | Industrial, consumer and all other | 86,062 |
| | (5,834 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | 86,062 |
| | (5,834 | ) | Total equity securities | 102,281 |
| | (7,365 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | 102,281 |
| | (7,365 | ) | Short-term investments | 181,964 |
| | (6 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | 181,964 |
| | (6 | ) | Total | $ | 697,102 |
| | $ | (13,139 | ) | | $ | 1,333,930 |
| | $ | (22,079 | ) | | $ | 2,031,032 |
| | $ | (35,218 | ) |
At December 31, 2014, the Company held 552 securities with a total estimated fair value of $2.0 billion and gross unrealized losses of $35.2 million. Of these 552 securities, 396 securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for one year or longer and had a total estimated fair value of $1.3 billion and gross unrealized losses of $22.1 million. All 396 securities were fixed maturities.
The Company completes a detailed analysis each quarter to assess whether the decline in the fair value of any investment below its cost basis is deemed other-than-temporary. All securities with unrealized losses are reviewed. The Company considers many factors in completing its quarterly review of securities with unrealized losses for other-than-temporary impairment, including the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been below cost and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. For equity securities, the ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery is considered. For fixed maturities, the Company considers whether it intends to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, the implied yield-to-maturity, the credit quality of the issuer and the ability to recover all amounts outstanding when contractually due.
For equity securities, a decline in fair value that is considered to be other-than-temporary is recognized in net income based on the fair value of the security at the time of assessment, resulting in a new cost basis for the security. For fixed maturities where the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost, a decline in fair value is considered to be other-than-temporary and is recognized in net income based on the fair value of the security at the time of assessment, resulting in a new cost basis for the security. If the decline in fair value of a fixed maturity below its amortized cost is considered to be other-than-temporary based upon other considerations, the Company compares the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected to the amortized cost of the security. The extent to which the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost of the security represents the credit-related portion of the other-than-temporary impairment, which is recognized in net income, resulting in a new cost basis for the security. Any remaining decline in fair value represents the non-credit portion of the other-than-temporary impairment, which is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The discount rate used to calculate the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is the effective interest rate implicit for the security at the date of purchase.
When assessing whether it intends to sell a fixed maturity or if it is likely to be required to sell a fixed maturity before recovery of its amortized cost, the Company evaluates facts and circumstances including decisions to reposition the investment portfolio, potential sales of investments to meet cash flow needs and, ultimately, current market prices.
c)The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturities at June 30, 2015 are shown below by contractual maturity.
| | | | | | | | | (dollars in thousands) | Amortized Cost | | Estimated Fair Value | Due in one year or less | $ | 599,532 |
| | $ | 603,525 |
| Due after one year through five years | 1,874,619 |
| | 1,923,716 |
| Due after five years through ten years | 1,785,413 |
| | 1,871,155 |
| Due after ten years | 3,566,332 |
| | 3,722,786 |
| | 7,825,896 |
| | 8,121,182 |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 427,372 |
| | 429,037 |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | 890,612 |
| | 907,645 |
| Asset-backed securities | 65,752 |
| | 65,300 |
| Total fixed maturities | $ | 9,209,632 |
| | $ | 9,523,164 |
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d)The following table presents the components of net investment income.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Quarter Ended June 30, | | Six Months Ended June 30, | (dollars in thousands) | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2015 | | 2014 | Interest: | | | | | | | | Municipal bonds (tax-exempt) | $ | 24,293 |
| | $ | 25,187 |
| | $ | 50,145 |
| | $ | 48,291 |
| Municipal bonds (taxable) | 14,150 |
| | 12,614 |
| | 28,250 |
| | 21,610 |
| Other taxable bonds | 34,013 |
| | 40,109 |
| | 69,151 |
| | 75,853 |
| Short-term investments, including overnight deposits | 1,116 |
| | 1,608 |
| | 2,367 |
| | 3,082 |
| Dividends on equity securities | 18,633 |
| | 14,508 |
| | 37,657 |
| | 31,364 |
| Income from equity method investments | 1,712 |
| | 1,458 |
| | 3,056 |
| | 5,041 |
| Other | 479 |
| | 523 |
| | 540 |
| | 1,702 |
| | 94,396 |
| | 96,007 |
| | 191,166 |
| | 186,943 |
| Investment expenses | (3,810 | ) | | (3,838 | ) | | (7,705 | ) | | (8,059 | ) | Net investment income | $ | 90,586 |
| | $ | 92,169 |
| | $ | 183,461 |
| | $ | 178,884 |
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e)Cumulative credit losses recognized in net income on fixed maturities where other-than-temporary impairment was identified and a portion of the other-than-temporary impairment was included in other comprehensive income (loss) were $10.7 million at June 30, 2015 and $12.7 million at December 31, 2014.
f)The following table presents net realized investment gains and the change in net unrealized gains on investments.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Quarter Ended June 30, | | Six Months Ended June 30, | (dollars in thousands) | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2015 | | 2014 | Realized gains: | | | | | | | | Sales of fixed maturities | $ | 770 |
| | $ | 1,642 |
| | $ | 2,338 |
| | $ | 5,643 |
| Sales of equity securities | 7,000 |
| | 14,051 |
| | 22,956 |
| | 26,094 |
| Other | 1,739 |
| | 4,405 |
| | 2,413 |
| | 14,315 |
| Total realized gains | 9,509 |
| | 20,098 |
| | 27,707 |
| | 46,052 |
| Realized losses: | | | | | | | | Sales of fixed maturities | (97 | ) | | (8,246 | ) | | (221 | ) | | (16,148 | ) | Sales of equity securities | (113 | ) | | (99 | ) | | (272 | ) | | (143 | ) | Other-than-temporary impairments | — |
| | (1,007 | ) | | (5,092 | ) | | (1,007 | ) | Other | (3,194 | ) | | (3,626 | ) | | (10,446 | ) | | (4,240 | ) | Total realized losses | (3,404 | ) | | (12,978 | ) | | (16,031 | ) | | (21,538 | ) | Net realized investment gains | $ | 6,105 |
| | $ | 7,120 |
| | $ | 11,676 |
| | $ | 24,514 |
| Change in net unrealized gains on investments: | | | | | | | | Fixed maturities | $ | (286,551 | ) | | $ | 147,439 |
| | $ | (180,213 | ) | | $ | 296,250 |
| Equity securities | (64,792 | ) | | 152,256 |
| | (6,447 | ) | | 218,709 |
| Short-term investments | 11 |
| | (3 | ) | | (9 | ) | | (2 | ) | Net increase (decrease) | $ | (351,332 | ) | | $ | 299,692 |
| | $ | (186,669 | ) | | $ | 514,957 |
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For the six months ended June 30, 2015, all of the other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income and included in net realized investment gains were attributable to equity securities. For both the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income and included in net realized investment gains included losses attributable to fixed maturities totaling $0.2 million and losses attributable to equity securities totaling $0.8 million.
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