10-Q 1 afg-201693010q.htm 10-Q
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2016
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
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 þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer þ Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No þ
As of November 1, 2016, there were 86,845,988 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding, excluding 14.9 million shares owned by subsidiaries.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS

| Page
Part I — Financial Information |
Item 1 — Financial Statements: |
Consolidated Balance Sheet | 2
Consolidated Statement of Earnings | 3
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income | 4
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity | 5
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows | 6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | 7
Item 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 35
Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk | 90
Item 4 — Controls and Procedures | 90
Part II — Other Information |
Item 1 — Legal Proceedings | 91
Item 1A — Risk Factors | 91
Item 2 — Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 92
Item 6 — Exhibits | 93
Signature | 93

Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
PART I
ITEM I — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in Millions)

| September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2015
Assets: |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,639 |  |  | $ | 1,220 |
Investments: |  |  |
Fixed maturities, available for sale at fair value (amortized cost — $33,586 and $31,565) | 35,394 |  |  | 32,284 |
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value | 348 |  |  | 254 |
Equity securities, available for sale at fair value (cost — $1,392 and $1,469) | 1,553 |  |  | 1,553 |
Equity securities, trading at fair value | 86 |  |  | 166 |
Mortgage loans | 1,180 |  |  | 1,067 |
Policy loans | 194 |  |  | 201 |
Real estate and other investments | 1,411 |  |  | 991 |
Total cash and investments | 41,805 |  |  | 37,736 |
Recoverables from reinsurers | 2,814 |  |  | 2,636 |
Prepaid reinsurance premiums | 634 |  |  | 480 |
Agents’ balances and premiums receivable | 1,029 |  |  | 937 |
Deferred policy acquisition costs | 867 |  |  | 1,184 |
Assets of managed investment entities | 4,312 |  |  | 4,047 |
Other receivables | 1,391 |  |  | 820 |
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts) | 606 |  |  | 608 |
Other assets | 1,188 |  |  | 1,190 |
Goodwill | 199 |  |  | 199 |
Total assets | $ | 54,845 |  |  | $ | 49,837 |
Liabilities and Equity: |  |  |
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 8,661 |  |  | $ | 8,127 |
Unearned premiums | 2,328 |  |  | 2,060 |
Annuity benefits accumulated | 29,222 |  |  | 26,622 |
Life, accident and health reserves | 700 |  |  | 705 |
Payable to reinsurers | 835 |  |  | 591 |
Liabilities of managed investment entities | 4,067 |  |  | 3,781 |
Long-term debt | 1,300 |  |  | 998 |
Variable annuity liabilities (separate accounts) | 606 |  |  | 608 |
Other liabilities | 1,768 |  |  | 1,575 |
Total liabilities | 49,487 |  |  | 45,067 |
Shareholders’ equity: |  |  |
Common Stock, no par value — 200,000,000 shares authorized — 86,812,651 and 87,474,452 shares outstanding | 87 |  |  | 87 |
Capital surplus | 1,242 |  |  | 1,214 |
Retained earnings | 3,079 |  |  | 2,987 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax | 753 |  |  | 304 |
Total shareholders’ equity | 5,161 |  |  | 4,592 |
Noncontrolling interests | 197 |  |  | 178 |
Total equity | 5,358 |  |  | 4,770 |
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 54,845 |  |  | $ | 49,837 |

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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,
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,159 |  |  | $ | 1,173 |  |  | $ | 3,184 |  |  | $ | 3,104 |
Life, accident and health net earned premiums | 6 |  |  | 28 |  |  | 18 |  |  | 80 |
Net investment income | 433 |  |  | 425 |  |  | 1,267 |  |  | 1,217 |
Realized gains (losses) on: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities (*) | 2 |  |  | (16 | ) |  | (32 | ) |  | 2 |
Subsidiaries | — |  |  | 5 |  |  | 2 |  |  | (157 | )
Income (loss) of managed investment entities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment income | 48 |  |  | 40 |  |  | 141 |  |  | 112 |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | 11 |  |  | (11 | ) |  | 9 |  |  | (16 | )
Other income | 46 |  |  | 43 |  |  | 172 |  |  | 185 |
Total revenues | 1,705 |  |  | 1,687 |  |  | 4,761 |  |  | 4,527 |
Costs and Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and casualty insurance: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 765 |  |  | 825 |  |  | 2,033 |  |  | 2,002 |
Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 356 |  |  | 336 |  |  | 1,038 |  |  | 987 |
Annuity benefits | 189 |  |  | 208 |  |  | 640 |  |  | 543 |
Life, accident and health benefits | 8 |  |  | 31 |  |  | 26 |  |  | 96 |
Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses | 54 |  |  | 49 |  |  | 131 |  |  | 156 |
Interest charges on borrowed money | 19 |  |  | 18 |  |  | 56 |  |  | 58 |
Expenses of managed investment entities | 38 |  |  | 28 |  |  | 109 |  |  | 80 |
Other expenses | 98 |  |  | 93 |  |  | 258 |  |  | 250 |
Total costs and expenses | 1,527 |  |  | 1,588 |  |  | 4,291 |  |  | 4,172 |
Earnings before income taxes | 178 |  |  | 99 |  |  | 470 |  |  | 355 |
Provision for income taxes | 65 |  |  | 33 |  |  | 190 |  |  | 115 |
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests | 113 |  |  | 66 |  |  | 280 |  |  | 240 |
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | 4 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 16 |  |  | 17 |
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders | $ | 109 |  |  | $ | 63 |  |  | $ | 264 |  |  | $ | 223 |
Earnings Attributable to Shareholders per Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | 1.25 |  |  | $ | 0.72 |  |  | $ | 3.04 |  |  | $ | 2.54 |
Diluted | $ | 1.23 |  |  | $ | 0.71 |  |  | $ | 2.98 |  |  | $ | 2.49 |
Average number of Common Shares: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | 86.9 |  |  | 87.5 |  |  | 86.8 |  |  | 87.6 |
Diluted | 88.5 |  |  | 89.3 |  |  | 88.4 |  |  | 89.4 |
Cash dividends per Common Share | $ | 0.28 |  |  | $ | 0.25 |  |  | $ | 0.84 |  |  | $ | 0.75 |
________________________________________ |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(*) Consists of the following: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Realized gains before impairments | $ | 18 |  |  | $ | 19 |  |  | $ | 75 |  |  | $ | 71 |
Losses on securities with impairment | (16 | ) |  | (35 | ) |  | (106 | ) |  | (69 | )
Non-credit portion recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  | — |
Impairment charges recognized in earnings | (16 | ) |  | (35 | ) |  | (107 | ) |  | (69 | )
Total realized gains (losses) on securities | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | (16 | ) |  | $ | (32 | ) |  | $ | 2 |

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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,
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests | $ | 113 |  |  | $ | 66 |  |  | $ | 280 |  |  | $ | 240 |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period | 89 |  |  | (110 | ) |  | 427 |  |  | (255 | )
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net earnings | (1 | ) |  | 10 |  |  | 20 |  |  | (3 | )
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities | 88 |  |  | (100 | ) |  | 447 |  |  | (258 | )
Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | 4 |  |  | 2 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (3 | ) |  | (7 | ) |  | 4 |  |  | (15 | )
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | 1 |  |  | 1 |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | 85 |  |  | (104 | ) |  | 456 |  |  | (270 | )
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | 198 |  |  | (38 | ) |  | 736 |  |  | (30 | )
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 5 |  |  | 1 |  |  | 23 |  |  | 13 |
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to shareholders | $ | 193 |  |  | $ | (39 | ) |  | $ | 713 |  |  | $ | (43 | )

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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 Earnings |  | Accumulated Other Comp. |  |  |  | Noncon- trolling |  | Total
Shares |  |  | Surplus |  | Approp. |  | Unapprop. |  | Income |  | Total |  | Interests |  | Equity
Balance at December 31, 2015 | 87,474,452 |  |  |  | $ | 1,301 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2,987 |  |  | $ | 304 |  |  | $ | 4,592 |  |  | $ | 178 |  |  | $ | 4,770 |
Net earnings | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 264 |  |  | — |  |  | 264 |  |  | 16 |  |  | 280 |
Other comprehensive income | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 449 |  |  | 449 |  |  | 7 |  |  | 456 |
Dividends on Common Stock | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (73 | ) |  | — |  |  | (73 | ) |  | — |  |  | (73 | )
Shares issued: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Exercise of stock options | 753,095 |  |  |  | 26 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 26 |  |  | — |  |  | 26 |
Restricted stock awards | 318,940 |  |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Other benefit plans | 82,087 |  |  |  | 6 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 6 |  |  | — |  |  | 6 |
Dividend reinvestment plan | 10,930 |  |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |
Stock-based compensation: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Expense | — |  |  |  | 15 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 15 |  |  | — |  |  | 15 |
Excess tax benefits | — |  |  |  | 7 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 7 |  |  | — |  |  | 7 |
Shares acquired and retired | (1,796,009 | ) |  |  | (27 | ) |  | — |  |  | (97 | ) |  | — |  |  | (124 | ) |  | — |  |  | (124 | )
Shares exchanged — benefit plans | (28,059 | ) |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (2 | ) |  | — |  |  | (2 | ) |  | — |  |  | (2 | )
Forfeitures of restricted stock | (2,785 | ) |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Other | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (4 | ) |  | (4 | )
Balance at September 30, 2016 | 86,812,651 |  |  |  | $ | 1,329 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,079 |  |  | $ | 753 |  |  | $ | 5,161 |  |  | $ | 197 |  |  | $ | 5,358 |
Balance at December 31, 2014 | 87,708,793 |  |  |  | $ | 1,240 |  |  | $ | (2 | ) |  | $ | 2,914 |  |  | $ | 727 |  |  | $ | 4,879 |  |  | $ | 175 |  |  | $ | 5,054 |
Cumulative effect of accounting change | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | — |  |  | 2 |
Net earnings | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 223 |  |  | — |  |  | 223 |  |  | 17 |  |  | 240 |
Other comprehensive loss | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (266 | ) |  | (266 | ) |  | (4 | ) |  | (270 | )
Dividends on Common Stock | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (66 | ) |  | — |  |  | (66 | ) |  | — |  |  | (66 | )
Shares issued: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Exercise of stock options | 1,157,288 |  |  |  | 37 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 37 |  |  | — |  |  | 37 |
Restricted stock awards | 171,130 |  |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Other benefit plans | 97,817 |  |  |  | 6 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 6 |  |  | — |  |  | 6 |
Dividend reinvestment plan | 10,359 |  |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |
Stock-based compensation: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Expense | — |  |  |  | 14 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 14 |  |  | — |  |  | 14 |
Excess tax benefits | — |  |  |  | 9 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 9 |  |  | — |  |  | 9 |
Shares acquired and retired | (1,767,240 | ) |  |  | (25 | ) |  | — |  |  | (88 | ) |  | — |  |  | (113 | ) |  | — |  |  | (113 | )
Shares exchanged — benefit plans | (33,795 | ) |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (2 | ) |  | — |  |  | (2 | ) |  | — |  |  | (2 | )
Forfeitures of restricted stock | (17,180 | ) |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Other | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (6 | ) |  | (6 | )
Balance at September 30, 2015 | 87,327,172 |  |  |  | $ | 1,282 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2,981 |  |  | $ | 461 |  |  | $ | 4,724 |  |  | $ | 182 |  |  | $ | 4,906 |

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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,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Operating Activities: |  |  |
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests | $ | 280 |  |  | $ | 240 |
Adjustments: |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 91 |  |  | 118 |
Annuity benefits | 640 |  |  | 543 |
Realized (gains) losses on investing activities | (6 | ) |  | 90 |
Net (purchases) sales of trading securities | 73 |  |  | (9 | )
Deferred annuity and life policy acquisition costs | (172 | ) |  | (164 | )
Change in: |  |  |
Reinsurance and other receivables | (972 | ) |  | (468 | )
Other assets | (257 | ) |  | 68 |
Insurance claims and reserves | 796 |  |  | 491 |
Payable to reinsurers | 244 |  |  | 79 |
Other liabilities | 230 |  |  | (45 | )
Managed investment entities’ assets/liabilities | (235 | ) |  | (53 | )
Other operating activities, net | (39 | ) |  | 17 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 673 |  |  | 907 |
Investing Activities: |  |  |
Purchases of: |  |  |
Fixed maturities | (5,604 | ) |  | (5,395 | )
Equity securities | (143 | ) |  | (449 | )
Mortgage loans | (310 | ) |  | (105 | )
Real estate, property and equipment | (37 | ) |  | (65 | )
Proceeds from: |  |  |
Maturities and redemptions of fixed maturities | 3,111 |  |  | 2,426 |
Repayments of mortgage loans | 197 |  |  | 231 |
Sales of fixed maturities | 496 |  |  | 235 |
Sales of equity securities | 193 |  |  | 193 |
Sales of real estate, property and equipment | 45 |  |  | 96 |
Managed investment entities: |  |  |
Purchases of investments | (1,405 | ) |  | (1,167 | )
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments | 1,381 |  |  | 685 |
Other investing activities, net | (370 | ) |  | (100 | )
Net cash used in investing activities | (2,446 | ) |  | (3,415 | )
Financing Activities: |  |  |
Annuity receipts | 3,474 |  |  | 3,333 |
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals | (1,726 | ) |  | (1,487 | )
Net transfers from variable annuity assets | 29 |  |  | 32 |
Additional long-term borrowings | 302 |  |  | — |
Reductions of long-term debt | — |  |  | (182 | )
Issuances of managed investment entities’ liabilities | 1,028 |  |  | 693 |
Retirements of managed investment entities’ liabilities | (747 | ) |  | (192 | )
Issuances of Common Stock | 34 |  |  | 47 |
Repurchases of Common Stock | (124 | ) |  | (113 | )
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock | (72 | ) |  | (65 | )
Other financing activities, net | (6 | ) |  | (7 | )
Net cash provided by financing activities | 2,192 |  |  | 2,059 |
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents | 419 |  |  | (449 | )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 1,220 |  |  | 1,343 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 1,639 |  |  | $ | 894 |

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INDEX TO NOTES
A. | Accounting Policies |  | H. | Managed Investment Entities |
B. | Acquisition and Sale of Businesses |  | I. | Goodwill and Other Intangibles |
C. | Segments of Operations |  | J. | Long-Term Debt |
D. | Fair Value Measurements |  | K. | Shareholders’ Equity |
E. | Investments |  | L. | Income Taxes |
F. | Derivatives |  | M. | Contingencies |
G. | Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs |  |  |  |

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, 2016, and prior to the filing of this Form 10-Q, have been evaluated for potential recognition or disclosure herein.
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Changes in circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimates.
Fair Value Measurements 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 significant nonrecurring fair value measurements in the first nine months of 2016.
Investments Fixed maturity and equity 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 and equity 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 and policy loans are carried primarily at the aggregate unpaid balance.
In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-01, which, among other things, will require all equity securities currently classified as “available for sale” to be reported at fair value, with holding gains and losses recognized in net income, instead of AOCI. AFG will be required to adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2018.
Premiums and discounts on fixed maturity securities are amortized using the 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.
Gains or losses on securities are determined on the specific identification basis. When a decline in the value of a specific investment is considered to be other-than-temporary at the balance sheet date, a provision for impairment is charged to earnings (included in realized gains (losses) on securities) and the cost basis of that investment is reduced. If management can assert that it does not intend to sell an impaired fixed maturity security and it is not more likely than not that it will have to sell the security
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
before recovery of its amortized cost basis, then the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into two components: (i) the amount 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 of an other-than-temporary impairment 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 impairment charge. Both components are shown in the statement of earnings. 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 charge to earnings is recorded to reduce the amortized cost of that security to fair value.
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. Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting under GAAP consist primarily of (i) components of certain fixed maturity securities (primarily interest-only MBS) and (ii) the equity-based component of certain annuity products (included in annuity benefits accumulated) and related call options (included in other investments) designed to be consistent with the characteristics of the liabilities and used to mitigate the risk embedded in those annuity products.
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 and ineffectiveness will be measured on a retrospective and prospective basis.
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. Any hedge ineffectiveness is immediately recorded in current period 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 included in AFG’s portfolio of fixed maturity securities.
For derivatives that are designated and qualify as highly effective fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative, along with changes in the fair value of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, are recognized in current period earnings. AFG has entered into an interest rate swap that qualifies as a highly effective fair value hedge to mitigate the interest rate risk associated with fixed-rate long-term debt by economically converting certain fixed-rate debt obligations to floating-rate obligations. Since the terms of the swap match the terms of the hedged debt, changes in the fair value of the swap are offset by changes in the fair value of the hedged debt attributable to changes in interest rates. Accordingly, the net impact on AFG’s current period earnings is that the interest expense associated with the hedged debt is effectively recorded at the floating rate.
Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of cost of subsidiaries over AFG’s equity in their underlying net assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an impairment test at least annually. 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’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries report 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 applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. Payable to reinsurers includes ceded premiums due to reinsurers, as well as ceded premiums retained by AFG’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries under contracts to fund ceded losses as they become due. AFG’s insurance subsidiaries also assume reinsurance from other companies. Earnings on reinsurance assumed is recognized based on information received from ceding companies.
An AFG subsidiary cedes life insurance policies to a third party on a funds withheld basis whereby the subsidiary retains the assets (securities) associated with the reinsurance contract. Interest is credited to the reinsurer based on the actual investment performance of the retained assets. This reinsurance contract is considered to contain an embedded derivative (that must be adjusted to fair value) because the yield on the payable is based on a specific block of the ceding company’s assets, rather than the overall creditworthiness of the ceding company. AFG determined that changes in the fair value of the underlying portfolio of fixed maturity securities is an appropriate measure of the value of the embedded derivative. The securities related to this contract are classified as “trading.” The adjustment to fair value on the embedded derivative offsets the investment income recorded on the adjustment to fair value of the related trading portfolio.
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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 also includes capitalized costs associated with sales inducements offered to fixed annuity policyholders such as enhanced interest rates and premium and persistency bonuses.
For the property and casualty companies, DPAC is limited based upon recoverability without any consideration for anticipated investment income and is charged against income ratably over the terms of the related policies. A premium deficiency is recognized if the sum of expected claims costs, claims adjustment expenses 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.
DPAC related to annuities is deferred to the extent deemed recoverable and amortized, with interest, in relation to the present value of actual and expected gross profits on the policies. Expected gross profits consist principally of estimated future investment margin (estimated future net investment income less interest credited on policyholder funds) and surrender, mortality, and other life and annuity policy charges, less death, annuitization and guaranteed withdrawal benefits in excess of account balances and estimated future policy administration expenses. To the extent that realized gains and losses result in adjustments to the amortization of DPAC related to annuities, such adjustments are reflected as components of realized gains (losses) on securities.
DPAC related to traditional life and health insurance is amortized over the expected premium paying period of the related policies, in proportion to the ratio of annual premium revenues to total anticipated premium revenues. See “Life, Accident and Health Reserves” below for details on the impact of loss recognition on the accounting for traditional life and health insurance contracts.
DPAC includes the present value of future profits on business in force of annuity and life, accident and health insurance companies acquired (“PVFP”). PVFP represents the portion of the costs to acquire companies that is allocated to the value of the right to receive future cash flows from insurance contracts existing at the date of acquisition. PVFP is amortized with interest in relation to expected gross profits of the acquired policies for annuities and universal life products and in relation to the premium paying period for traditional life and health insurance products.
DPAC and certain other balance sheet amounts related to annuity, long-term care and life businesses are also adjusted, net of tax, for the change in expense that would have been recorded if the unrealized gains (losses) from securities had actually been realized. These adjustments are included in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, a component of AOCI in AFG’s Balance Sheet.
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 H — “Managed Investment Entities”). AFG has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of the 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.
On January 1, 2016, AFG adopted ASU 2015-02, which amended certain consolidation accounting guidance, including the VIE guidance that applies to collateralized financing entities such as CLOs. The new guidance affects how fee arrangements with CLO asset managers impact the determination of the primary beneficiary of those entities. Due to the significance of AFG’s investments in the CLOs that it manages, the new guidance did not impact the consolidation of AFG’s currently outstanding CLOs. The new guidance also impacted the consolidation analysis that applies to limited partnerships and similar entities, but did not result in a change to the accounting for AFG’s existing investments in those entities.
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
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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.
Effective January 1, 2015, AFG adopted (on a modified retrospective basis) ASU 2014-13, which addresses the diversity in practice regarding the accounting for assets and liabilities of a consolidated collateralized financing entity (such as a CLO) when an election has been made to account for that entity’s assets and liabilities at fair value. 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. Under the new guidance, AFG elected to 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 continue to be measured by the change in the fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs and management fees earned.
Prior to the adoption of ASU 2014-13, measuring both the CLO assets and CLO liabilities at separately determined fair values resulted in a difference between the carrying value of the CLO assets and the carrying value of the CLO liabilities that was not attributable to AFG’s ownership interest in the CLOs. This difference was recorded as “appropriated retained earnings — managed investment entities” in AFG’s Balance Sheet. In accordance with the guidance adopted in 2015, the amount reported as “appropriated retained earnings — managed investment entities” at December 31, 2014 was reclassified to “liabilities of managed investment entities” on January 1, 2015 as the cumulative effect of an accounting change.
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.
Annuity Benefits Accumulated Annuity receipts and benefit payments are recorded as increases or decreases in annuity benefits accumulated rather than as revenue and expense. Increases in this liability for interest credited are charged to expense and decreases for policy charges are credited to other income.
For certain products, annuity benefits accumulated also includes reserves for accrued persistency and premium bonuses, guaranteed withdrawals and excess benefits expected to be paid on future deaths and annuitizations (“EDAR”). The liabilities for EDAR and guaranteed withdrawals are accrued for and modified using assumptions consistent with those used in determining DPAC and DPAC amortization, except that amounts are determined in relation to the present value of total expected assessments. Total expected assessments consist principally of estimated future investment margin, surrender, mortality, and other life and annuity policy charges, and unearned revenues once they are recognized as income.
Annuity benefits accumulated also includes amounts advanced from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati.
Unearned Revenue Certain upfront policy charges on annuities are deferred as unearned revenue (included in other liabilities) and recognized in net earnings (included in other income) using the same assumptions and estimated gross profits used to amortize DPAC.
Life, Accident and Health Reserves Liabilities for future policy benefits under traditional life, accident and health policies are computed using the net level premium method. Computations are based on the original projections of investment yields, mortality, morbidity and surrenders and include provisions for unfavorable deviations unless a loss recognition event (premium deficiency) occurs. Claim reserves and liabilities established for accident and health claims are modified as necessary to reflect actual experience and developing trends.
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For long-duration contracts (such as traditional life and long-term care policies), loss recognition occurs when, based on current expectations as of the measurement date, existing contract liabilities plus the present value of future premiums (including reasonably expected rate increases) are not expected to cover the present value of future claims payments and related settlement and maintenance costs (excluding overhead) as well as unamortized acquisition costs. If a block of business is determined to be in loss recognition, a charge is recorded in earnings in an amount equal to the excess of the present value of expected future claims costs and unamortized acquisition costs over existing reserves plus the present value of expected future premiums (with no provision for adverse deviation). The charge is recorded first to reduce unamortized acquisition costs and then as an additional reserve (if unamortized acquisition costs have been reduced to zero).
In addition, reserves for traditional life and long-term care policies are subject to adjustment for loss recognition charges that would have been recorded if the unrealized gains from securities had actually been realized. This adjustment is included in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, a component of AOCI in AFG’s Balance Sheet.
Debt Issuance Costs Debt issuance costs related to AFG’s outstanding debt are amortized over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method. Effective January 1, 2016, AFG adopted (on a retrospective basis) ASU 2015-03, which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction in the carrying value of long-term debt (consistent with the treatment of debt discounts) with the periodic amortization of such costs included in interest expense. Debt issuance costs related to AFG’s revolving credit facilities will continue to be included in other assets in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Prior to AFG’s adoption of ASU 2015-03, AFG reported unamortized debt issuance costs as a deferred charge asset (included in other assets) in AFG’s Balance Sheet and the periodic amortization was included in other expenses in AFG’s Statement of Earnings. The updated guidance did not affect the overall recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs. Accordingly, the guidance did not have an overall impact on AFG’s Shareholders’ Equity or results of operations.
Variable Annuity Assets and Liabilities Separate accounts related to variable annuities represent the fair value of deposits invested in underlying investment funds on which AFG earns a fee. Investment funds are selected and may be changed only by the policyholder, who retains all investment risk.
AFG’s variable annuity contracts contain a guaranteed minimum death benefit (“GMDB”) to be paid if the policyholder dies before the annuity payout period commences. In periods of declining equity markets, the GMDB may exceed the value of the policyholder’s account. A GMDB liability is established for future excess death benefits using assumptions together with a range of reasonably possible scenarios for investment fund performance that are consistent with DPAC capitalization and amortization assumptions.
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. For traditional life, accident and health products, premiums are recognized as revenue when legally collectible from policyholders. For interest-sensitive life and universal life products, premiums are recorded in a policyholder account, which is reflected as a liability. Revenue is recognized as amounts are assessed against the policyholder account for mortality coverage and contract expenses.
Noncontrolling Interests For balance sheet purposes, noncontrolling interests represents the interests of shareholders other than AFG in consolidated entities. In the statement of earnings, net earnings and losses attributable to noncontrolling interests represents such shareholders’ interest in the earnings and losses of those entities.
Income Taxes Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is established to reduce total deferred tax assets to an amount that will more likely than not be realized.
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 uses the Black-Scholes pricing model to measure the fair value of employee stock options.
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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 2016 and 2015 — 1.6 million and 1.8 million; first nine months of 2016 and 2015 — 1.6 million and 1.8 million, respectively.
AFG’s weighted average diluted shares outstanding excludes the following anti-dilutive potential common shares related to stock compensation plans: third quarter of 2016 and 2015 — 0.2 million and 0.9 million; first nine months of 2016 and 2015 — 0.6 million and 1.2 million, respectively. Adjustments to net earnings attributable to shareholders in the calculation of diluted earnings per share were nominal in the 2016 and 2015 periods.
Statement of Cash Flows For cash flow purposes, “investing activities” are defined as making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments and property and equipment. “Financing activities” include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on their investments, borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed. Annuity receipts, surrenders, benefits and withdrawals are also reflected as financing activities. All other activities are considered “operating.” Short-term investments having original maturities of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents for purposes of the financial statements.
B. Acquisition and Sale of Businesses
Proposed Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interest in National Interstate Corporation On July 25, 2016, AFG announced that it reached an agreement with the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of National Interstate Corporation (“NATL”) to acquire all shares of NATL that it does not currently own. NATL is currently a 51%-owned subsidiary of AFG’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Great American Insurance Company (“GAI”). Shareholders of NATL, other than GAI, will receive $32.00 per share in cash in the transaction. In addition, NATL will pay a one-time special dividend to its shareholders of $0.50 per NATL share in cash immediately prior to the closing of the merger. The transaction remains subject to the approval of shareholders holding a majority of the shares of NATL not owned by AFG or its affiliates. On November 10, 2016, a special meeting will be held for NATL shareholders to vote on the proposed transaction. GAI has entered into a voting agreement with certain shareholders of NATL under which the shareholders agreed, among other things, to vote all common shares of NATL owned by such shareholders, totaling approximately 10% of the outstanding NATL common shares (and representing approximately 20% of the shares not owned by GAI), in favor of the transaction. Based on a $32.00 per share purchase price plus $0.50 special dividend, the purchase price to acquire the NATL shares not currently owned by GAI will be approximately $320 million. Because NATL is already a consolidated subsidiary of AFG, the acquisition will be accounted for as an equity transaction with the excess of the consideration paid over the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest acquired recorded as a direct reduction in AFG’s Capital Surplus (approximately $140 million based on balances as of September 30, 2016). In addition, the proposed transaction will allow NATL and its subsidiaries to become members of the AFG consolidated tax group, which will result in a tax benefit of approximately $66 million to AFG at the time the transaction is consummated, which is expected to be during the fourth quarter of 2016.
Sale of Long-term Care Business On December 24, 2015, AFG completed the sale of substantially all of its run-off long-term care insurance business (which was included in the run-off long-term care and life segment) to HC2 Holdings, Inc. (“HC2”) for an initial payment of $7 million in cash and HC2 securities with a fair value of $11 million (subject to post-closing adjustments). AFG may also receive up to $13 million of additional proceeds from HC2 in the future contingent upon the release of certain statutory-basis liabilities of the legal entities sold by AFG. In connection with obtaining regulatory approval for the transaction, AFG agreed to provide up to an aggregate of $35 million of capital support for the insurance companies, on an as-needed basis to maintain specified surplus levels, subject to immediate reimbursement by HC2 through a five-year capital maintenance agreement. The legal entities involved in the transaction, United Teacher Associates Insurance Company (“UTA”) and Continental General Insurance Company (“CGIC”), contained substantially all of AFG’s long-term care insurance reserves (96% as measured by net statutory reserves as of November 30, 2015), as well as smaller blocks of annuity and life insurance
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business. Following the sale of these subsidiaries, AFG has only a small block of long-term care insurance (1,600 policies) with approximately $38 million of reserves at September 30, 2016. AFG had ceased new sales of long-term care insurance in January 2010, but continued to service and accept renewal premiums on its outstanding policies, which are guaranteed renewable.
In addition to the $18 million in cash and securities received at closing and the $13 million of potential additional proceeds in the future from the release of statutory liabilities, AFG received a total of $97 million in tax benefits related to the sale. AFG received these tax benefits in the first nine months of 2016 through reduced estimated tax payments and a tax refund resulting from the carryback of the tax-basis capital loss. The receivables for these tax benefits were reflected in AFG’s financial statements at December 31, 2015.
Based on the status of ongoing negotiations at the end of the first quarter of 2015, management determined that the potential sale of the run-off long-term care insurance business met the GAAP “held for sale” criteria as of March 31, 2015. Accordingly, AFG recorded a $162 million pretax loss ($105 million loss after tax) in the first quarter of 2015 to establish a liability equal to the excess of the net carrying value of the assets and liabilities to be disposed over the estimated net sale proceeds. At the closing date, the loss was adjusted to $166 million ($108 million loss after tax) based on the actual proceeds received and the final carrying value of the net assets disposed. In the second quarter of 2016, AFG received additional proceeds based on the final closing balance sheet and adjusted certain accrued expense estimates associated with the sale, resulting in a $2 million pretax gain. At March 31, 2015 and at the sale date, the carrying value of the assets and liabilities disposed represented approximately 4% of both AFG’s assets and liabilities.
Revenues, costs and expenses, and earnings before income taxes for the subsidiaries sold were (in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, 2015 |  | Nine months ended September 30, 2015
Life, accident and health net earned premiums: |  |  |
Long-term care | $ | 19 |  |  | $ | 56 |
Life operations | 3 |  |  | 8 |
Net investment income | 19 |  |  | 56 |
Realized gains (losses) on securities and other income | (4 | ) |  | (6 | )
Total revenues | 37 |  |  | 114 |
Annuity benefits | 2 |  |  | 6 |
Life, accident and health benefits: |  |  |
Long-term care | 21 |  |  | 67 |
Life operations | 3 |  |  | 8 |
Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses | 3 |  |  | 9 |
Other expenses | 4 |  |  | 13 |
Total costs and expenses | 33 |  |  | 103 |
Earnings before income taxes | $ | 4 |  |  | $ | 11 |

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C. Segments of Operations
AFG manages its business as four segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance, (ii) Annuity, (iii) Run-off long-term care and life and (iv) Other, which includes holding company costs and the 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, trucks and recreational vehicles, inland and ocean marine, agricultural-related products and other property coverages, (ii) Specialty casualty, which includes primarily excess and surplus, general liability, executive liability, professional liability, umbrella and excess liability, specialty coverage 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 leasing and financing institutions (including collateral and lender-placed mortgage property insurance), surety and fidelity 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 annuity business markets traditional fixed and fixed-indexed annuities in the retail, financial institutions and education markets. AFG’s reportable segments and their components were determined based primarily upon similar economic characteristics, products and services.
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The following tables (in millions) show AFG’s revenues and earnings before income taxes by segment and sub-segment.

| Three months ended September 30, |  | Nine months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and casualty insurance: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Premiums earned: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Specialty |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and transportation | $ | 493 |  |  | $ | 517 |  |  | $ | 1,197 |  |  | $ | 1,157 |
Specialty casualty | 497 |  |  | 503 |  |  | 1,496 |  |  | 1,496 |
Specialty financial | 145 |  |  | 131 |  |  | 416 |  |  | 380 |
Other specialty | 24 |  |  | 22 |  |  | 75 |  |  | 71 |
Total premiums earned | 1,159 |  |  | 1,173 |  |  | 3,184 |  |  | 3,104 |
Net investment income | 93 |  |  | 83 |  |  | 265 |  |  | 245 |
Other income (a) | 3 |  |  | 2 |  |  | 46 |  |  | 61 |
Total property and casualty insurance | 1,255 |  |  | 1,258 |  |  | 3,495 |  |  | 3,410 |
Annuity: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net investment income | 351 |  |  | 317 |  |  | 1,010 |  |  | 915 |
Other income | 26 |  |  | 24 |  |  | 76 |  |  | 75 |
Total annuity | 377 |  |  | 341 |  |  | 1,086 |  |  | 990 |
Run-off long-term care and life (b) | 13 |  |  | 50 |  |  | 37 |  |  | 145 |
Other | 58 |  |  | 49 |  |  | 173 |  |  | 137 |
Total revenues before realized gains (losses) | 1,703 |  |  | 1,698 |  |  | 4,791 |  |  | 4,682 |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | 2 |  |  | (16 | ) |  | (32 | ) |  | 2 |
Realized gains (losses) on subsidiaries | — |  |  | 5 |  |  | 2 |  |  | (157 | )
Total revenues | $ | 1,705 |  |  | $ | 1,687 |  |  | $ | 4,761 |  |  | $ | 4,527 |

Earnings Before Income Taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and casualty insurance: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Underwriting: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Specialty |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and transportation | $ | 44 |  |  | $ | 20 |  |  | $ | 91 |  |  | $ | 14 |
Specialty casualty | 13 |  |  | 31 |  |  | 65 |  |  | 96 |
Specialty financial | 19 |  |  | 26 |  |  | 64 |  |  | 72 |
Other specialty | 2 |  |  | 7 |  |  | 7 |  |  | 13 |
Other lines (c) | (36 | ) |  | (69 | ) |  | (101 | ) |  | (70 | )
Total underwriting | 42 |  |  | 15 |  |  | 126 |  |  | 125 |
Investment and other income, net (a) | 79 |  |  | 75 |  |  | 269 |  |  | 272 |
Total property and casualty insurance | 121 |  |  | 90 |  |  | 395 |  |  | 397 |
Annuity | 107 |  |  | 67 |  |  | 236 |  |  | 230 |
Run-off long-term care and life (b) | 1 |  |  | 6 |  |  | — |  |  | 14 |
Other (d) | (53 | ) |  | (53 | ) |  | (131 | ) |  | (131 | )
Total earnings before realized gains (losses) and income taxes | 176 |  |  | 110 |  |  | 500 |  |  | 510 |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | 2 |  |  | (16 | ) |  | (32 | ) |  | 2 |
Realized gains (losses) on subsidiaries | — |  |  | 5 |  |  | 2 |  |  | (157 | )
Total earnings before income taxes | $ | 178 |  |  | $ | 99 |  |  | $ | 470 |  |  | $ | 355 |

(a) | Includes pretax income of $32 million (before noncontrolling interest) from the sale of an apartment property in the second quarter of 2016 and $51 million (before noncontrolling interest) from the sale of the Le Pavillon Hotel in the second quarter of 2015.

(b) | AFG sold substantially all of its run-off long-term care insurance business in December 2015.

(c) | Includes a special charge of $65 million related to the exit of certain lines of business within AFG’s Lloyd’s-based insurer, Neon, in the second quarter of 2016 and special charges of $36 million and $67 million in the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively, to increase asbestos and environmental (“A&E”) reserves.

(d) | Includes holding company interest and expenses, including a $4 million loss on retirement of debt in the third quarter of 2015, and special charges of $5 million and $12 million in the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively, to increase A&E reserves related to AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations.

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D. 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 and 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 separate account assets, corporate and municipal fixed maturity securities, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) 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 in the circumstances. AFG’s Level 3 is comprised of financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on non-binding broker quotes or internally developed using significant inputs not based on, or corroborated by, observable market information, and prior to 2015 certain liabilities of the CLOs.
Under new guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015, discussed in Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities,” AFG has elected to 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 separately measured fair values. Following the adoption of the new guidance, 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 25 analysts 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 service regarding the methods and assumptions used in pricing, including verifying, on a test basis, the inputs used by the service to value specific securities.
In December 2015, AFG completed the sale of substantially all of its run-off long-term care insurance business. Based on the status of ongoing negotiations at the end of the first quarter of 2015, management determined that the potential sale of the run-off long-term care insurance business met GAAP “held for sale” criteria as of March 31, 2015. Accordingly, AFG recorded a loss in the first quarter of 2015 to write down the net carrying value of the assets and liabilities to be disposed to the estimated net sale proceeds of $14 million (estimated fair value less costs to sell). The estimate of fair value used to determine that loss was derived using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
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, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Available for sale (“AFS”) fixed maturities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. Government and government agencies | $ | 133 |  |  | $ | 191 |  |  | $ | 8 |  |  | $ | 332 |
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | — |  |  | 6,956 |  |  | 91 |  |  | 7,047 |
Foreign government | — |  |  | 141 |  |  | — |  |  | 141 |
Residential MBS | — |  |  | 3,597 |  |  | 219 |  |  | 3,816 |
Commercial MBS | — |  |  | 1,815 |  |  | 34 |  |  | 1,849 |
Asset-backed securities (“ABS”) | — |  |  | 5,422 |  |  | 467 |  |  | 5,889 |
Corporate and other | 35 |  |  | 15,576 |  |  | 709 |  |  | 16,320 |
Total AFS fixed maturities | 168 |  |  | 33,698 |  |  | 1,528 |  |  | 35,394 |
Trading fixed maturities | 12 |  |  | 336 |  |  | — |  |  | 348 |
Equity securities — AFS and trading | 1,373 |  |  | 101 |  |  | 165 |  |  | 1,639 |
Assets of managed investment entities (“MIE”) | 328 |  |  | 3,960 |  |  | 24 |  |  | 4,312 |
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts) (*) | — |  |  | 606 |  |  | — |  |  | 606 |
Other investments — equity index call options | — |  |  | 447 |  |  | — |  |  | 447 |
Other assets — derivatives | — |  |  | 14 |  |  | — |  |  | 14 |
Total assets accounted for at fair value | $ | 1,881 |  |  | $ | 39,162 |  |  | $ | 1,717 |  |  | $ | 42,760 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Liabilities of managed investment entities | $ | 310 |  |  | $ | 3,734 |  |  | $ | 23 |  |  | $ | 4,067 |
Derivatives in annuity benefits accumulated | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,688 |  |  | 1,688 |
Derivatives in long-term debt | — |  |  | (6 | ) |  | — |  |  | (6 | )
Other liabilities — derivatives | — |  |  | 13 |  |  | — |  |  | 13 |
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value | $ | 310 |  |  | $ | 3,741 |  |  | $ | 1,711 |  |  | $ | 5,762 |
December 31, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Available for sale fixed maturities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. Government and government agencies | $ | 100 |  |  | $ | 192 |  |  | $ | 15 |  |  | $ | 307 |
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | — |  |  | 6,767 |  |  | 89 |  |  | 6,856 |
Foreign government | — |  |  | 154 |  |  | — |  |  | 154 |
Residential MBS | — |  |  | 3,305 |  |  | 224 |  |  | 3,529 |
Commercial MBS | — |  |  | 2,148 |  |  | 39 |  |  | 2,187 |
Asset-backed securities | — |  |  | 4,464 |  |  | 470 |  |  | 4,934 |
Corporate and other | 50 |  |  | 13,634 |  |  | 633 |  |  | 14,317 |
Total AFS fixed maturities | 150 |  |  | 30,664 |  |  | 1,470 |  |  | 32,284 |
Trading fixed maturities | 13 |  |  | 241 |  |  | — |  |  | 254 |
Equity securities — AFS and trading | 1,362 |  |  | 217 |  |  | 140 |  |  | 1,719 |
Assets of managed investment entities | 309 |  |  | 3,712 |  |  | 26 |  |  | 4,047 |
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts) (*) | — |  |  | 608 |  |  | — |  |  | 608 |
Other investments — equity index call options | — |  |  | 241 |  |  | — |  |  | 241 |
Other assets — derivatives | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | — |  |  | 2 |
Total assets accounted for at fair value | $ | 1,834 |  |  | $ | 35,685 |  |  | $ | 1,636 |  |  | $ | 39,155 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Liabilities of managed investment entities | $ | 289 |  |  | $ | 3,468 |  |  | $ | 24 |  |  | $ | 3,781 |
Derivatives in annuity benefits accumulated | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,369 |  |  | 1,369 |
Derivatives in long-term debt | — |  |  | (2 | ) |  | — |  |  | (2 | )
Other liabilities — derivatives | — |  |  | 8 |  |  | — |  |  | 8 |
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value | $ | 289 |  |  | $ | 3,474 |  |  | $ | 1,393 |  |  | $ | 5,156 |

(*) | Variable annuity liabilities equal the fair value of variable annuity assets.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for all periods presented were a result of increases or decreases in observable trade activity.
During the third quarter of 2016, there was one common stock with a fair value of less than $1 million that transferred from Level 1 to Level 2. During the first nine months of 2016, there were six perpetual preferred stocks with a fair value of $35 million that transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 and five perpetual preferred stocks and one common stock with aggregate fair values of $12 million and less than $1 million, respectively, that transferred from Level 1 to Level 2. During the third quarter of 2015, there was one common stock with a fair value of less than $1 million transferred from Level 2 to Level 1. During the first nine months of 2015, there were seven common stocks, four perpetual preferred stocks and one mandatory redeemable preferred stock with aggregate fair values of $80 million, $19 million and $10 million, respectively, transferred from Level 2 to Level 1. During the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, seven perpetual preferred stocks with a fair value of $31 million were transferred from Level 1 to Level 2.
Approximately 4% of the total assets carried at fair value on September 30, 2016, were Level 3 assets. Approximately 76% ($1.31 billion) of the 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. Since internally developed Level 3 asset fair values represent less than 10% of AFG’s shareholders’ equity, any justifiable changes in unobservable inputs used to determine internally developed fair values would not have a material impact on AFG’s financial position.
The only significant Level 3 assets or liabilities carried at fair value in the financial statements that were not measured using broker quotes are the derivatives embedded in AFG’s fixed-indexed annuity liabilities, which are measured using a discounted cash flow approach and had a fair value of $1.69 billion at September 30, 2016. The following table presents information about the unobservable inputs used by management in determining fair value of these embedded derivatives. See Note F — “Derivatives.”

| Unobservable Input |  | Range |
| Adjustment for insurance subsidiary’s credit risk |  | 0.4% – 2.9% over the risk free rate |
| Risk margin for uncertainty in cash flows |  | 0.58% reduction in the discount rate |
| Surrenders |  | 3% – 21% of indexed account value |
| Partial surrenders |  | 2% – 10% of indexed account value |
| Annuitizations |  | 0.25% – 1% of indexed account value |
| Deaths |  | 1.5% – 4.0% of indexed account value |
| Budgeted option costs |  | 1.75% – 3.5% of indexed account value |

The range of adjustments for insurance subsidiary’s credit risk reflects credit spread variations across the yield curve. The range of projected surrender rates reflects the specific surrender charges and other features of AFG’s individual fixed-indexed annuity products with an expected range of 5% to 10% in the majority of future calendar years (3% to 21% over all periods). Increasing the budgeted option cost or risk margin for uncertainty in cash flows assumptions in the table above would increase the fair value of the fixed-indexed annuity embedded derivatives, while increasing any of the other unobservable inputs in the table above would decrease the fair value of the embedded derivatives.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Changes in balances of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value during the third quarter and first nine months of 2016 and 2015 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, 2016 |  | Net income |  | Other comprehensive income (loss) |  | Purchases and issuances |  | Sales and settlements |  | Transfer into Level 3 |  | Transfer out of Level 3 |  | Balance at September 30, 2016
AFS fixed maturities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. government agency | $ | 8 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 8 |
State and municipal | 91 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 91 |
Residential MBS | 231 |  |  | (2 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (8 | ) |  | — |  |  | (2 | ) |  | 219 |
Commercial MBS | 36 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (2 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 34 |
Asset-backed securities | 478 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | (5 | ) |  | — |  |  | (9 | ) |  | 467 |
Corporate and other | 689 |  |  | — |  |  | (3 | ) |  | 37 |  |  | (14 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 709 |
Total AFS fixed maturities | 1,533 |  |  | (3 | ) |  | 2 |  |  | 37 |  |  | (30 | ) |  | — |  |  | (11 | ) |  | 1,528 |
Equity securities | 166 |  |  | 5 |  |  | 5 |  |  | 10 |  |  | (21 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 165 |
Assets of MIE | 26 |  |  | (2 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 24 |
Total Level 3 assets | $ | 1,725 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 7 |  |  | $ | 47 |  |  | $ | (51 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (11 | ) |  | $ | 1,717 |
Embedded derivatives | $ | (1,557 | ) |  | $ | (109 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (53 | ) |  | $ | 31 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (1,688 | )
Total Level 3 liabilities (*) | $ | (1,557 | ) |  | $ | (109 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (53 | ) |  | $ | 31 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (1,688 | )

|  |  | Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at June 30, 2015 |  | Net income |  | Other comprehensive income (loss) |  | Purchases and issuances |  | Sales and settlements |  | Transfer into Level 3 |  | Transfer out of Level 3 |  | Balance at September 30, 2015
AFS fixed maturities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. government agency | $ | 15 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 15 |
State and municipal | 84 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | 9 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 93 |
Residential MBS | 296 |  |  | (3 | ) |  | (1 | ) |  | — |  |  | (8 | ) |  | 10 |  |  | — |  |  | 294 |
Commercial MBS | 48 |  |  | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 45 |
Asset-backed securities | 332 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 110 |  |  | (3 | ) |  | 20 |  |  | (10 | ) |  | 449 |
Corporate and other | 597 |  |  | — |  |  | 7 |  |  | 24 |  |  | (13 | ) |  | 31 |  |  | — |  |  | 646 |
Total AFS fixed maturities | 1,372 |  |  | (3 | ) |  | 6 |  |  | 143 |  |  | (26 | ) |  | 61 |  |  | (11 | ) |  | 1,542 |
Equity securities | 118 |  |  | — |  |  | (2 | ) |  | 7 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 123 |
Assets of MIE | 29 |  |  | (3 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 26 |
Total Level 3 assets | $ | 1,519 |  |  | $ | (6 | ) |  | $ | 4 |  |  | $ | 150 |  |  | $ | (26 | ) |  | $ | 61 |  |  | $ | (11 | ) |  | $ | 1,691 |
Embedded derivatives | $ | (1,258 | ) |  | $ | 130 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (88 | ) |  | $ | 18 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (1,198 | )
Total Level 3 liabilities (*) | $ | (1,258 | ) |  | $ | 130 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (88 | ) |  | $ | 18 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (1,198 | )

(*) | As discussed previously, these tables exclude the portion of MIE liabilities allocated to Level 3, which are derived from the fair value of the MIE assets.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED

|  |  | Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at December 31, 2015 |  | Net income |  | Other comprehensive income (loss) |  | Purchases and issuances |  | Sales and settlements |  | Transfer into Level 3 |  | Transfer out of Level 3 |  | Balance at September 30, 2016
AFS fixed maturities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. government agency | $ | 15 |  |  | $ | (8 | ) |  | $ | 1 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 8 |
State and municipal | 89 |  |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | (2 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 91 |
Residential MBS | 224 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | (21 | ) |  | 33 |  |  | (18 | ) |  | 219 |
Commercial MBS | 39 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (4 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 34 |
Asset-backed securities | 470 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 1 |  |  | 15 |  |  | (24 | ) |  | 41 |  |  | (35 | ) |  | 467 |
Corporate and other | 633 |  |  | — |  |  | 24 |  |  | 131 |  |  | (89 | ) |  | 15 |  |  | (5 | ) |  | 709 |
Total AFS fixed maturities | 1,470 |  |  | (10 | ) |  | 31 |  |  | 146 |  |  | (140 | ) |  | 89 |  |  | (58 | ) |  | 1,528 |
Equity securities | 140 |  |  | (12 | ) |  | 21 |  |  | 22 |  |  | (21 | ) |  | 15 |  |  | — |  |  | 165 |
Assets of MIE | 26 |  |  | (6 | ) |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 24 |
Total Level 3 assets | $ | 1,636 |  |  | $ | (28 | ) |  | $ | 52 |  |  | $ | 172 |  |  | $ | (161 | ) |  | $ | 104 |  |  | $ | (58 | ) |  | $ | 1,717 |
Embedded derivatives | $ | (1,369 | ) |  | $ | (188 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (207 | ) |  | $ | 76 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (1,688 | )
Total Level 3 liabilities (a) | $ | (1,369 | ) |  | $ | (188 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (207 | ) |  | $ | 76 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (1,688 | )

|  |  |  |  | Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at December 31, 2014 |  | Impact of accounting change (b) |  | Net income |  | Other comprehensive income (loss) |  | Purchases and issuances |  | Sales and settlements |  | Transfer into Level 3 |  | Transfer out of Level 3 |  | Balance at September 30, 2015
AFS fixed maturities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. government agency | $ | 15 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 15 |
State and municipal | 100 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 34 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | — |  |  | (39 | ) |  | 93 |
Residential MBS | 300 |  |  | — |  |  | (5 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (24 | ) |  | 67 |  |  | (44 | ) |  | 294 |
Commercial MBS | 44 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 4 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 45 |
Asset-backed securities | 226 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 230 |  |  | (51 | ) |  | 53 |  |  | (10 | ) |  | 449 |
Corporate and other | 546 |  |  | — |  |  | (3 | ) |  | (4 | ) |  | 103 |  |  | (37 | ) |  | 41 |  |  | — |  |  | 646 |
Total AFS fixed maturities | 1,231 |  |  | — |  |  | (7 | ) |  | (6 | ) |  | 367 |  |  | (114 | ) |  | 165 |  |  | (94 | ) |  | 1,542 |
Equity securities | 93 |  |  | — |  |  | (4 | ) |  | (1 | ) |  | 52 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (17 | ) |  | 123 |
Assets of MIE | 31 |  |  | — |  |  | (9 | ) |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 26 |
Total Level 3 assets | $ | 1,355 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (20 | ) |  | $ | (7 | ) |  | $ | 423 |  |  | $ | (114 | ) |  | $ | 165 |  |  | $ | (111 | ) |  | $ | 1,691 |
Liabilities of MIE | $ | (2,701 | ) |  | $ | 2,701 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Embedded derivatives | (1,160 | ) |  | — |  |  | 99 |  |  | — |  |  | (183 | ) |  | 46 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,198 | )
Total Level 3 liabilities (a) | $ | (3,861 | ) |  | $ | 2,701 |  |  | $ | 99 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (183 | ) |  | $ | 46 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (1,198 | )

(a) | As discussed previously, these tables exclude the portion of MIE liabilities allocated to Level 3, which are derived from the fair value of the MIE assets.

(b) | The impact of implementing new guidance adopted in 2015, as discussed above and in Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities.”

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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, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financial assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,639 |  |  | $ | 1,639 |  |  | $ | 1,639 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Mortgage loans | 1,180 |  |  | 1,193 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,193 |
Policy loans | 194 |  |  | 194 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 194 |
Total financial assets not accounted for at fair value | $ | 3,013 |  |  | $ | 3,026 |  |  | $ | 1,639 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,387 |
Financial liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Annuity benefits accumulated (*) | $ | 29,018 |  |  | $ | 29,020 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 29,020 |
Long-term debt | 1,306 |  |  | 1,438 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,417 |  |  | 21 |
Total financial liabilities not accounted for at fair value | $ | 30,324 |  |  | $ | 30,458 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,417 |  |  | $ | 29,041 |
December 31, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financial assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,220 |  |  | $ | 1,220 |  |  | $ | 1,220 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Mortgage loans | 1,067 |  |  | 1,074 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,074 |
Policy loans | 201 |  |  | 201 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 201 |
Total financial assets not accounted for at fair value | $ | 2,488 |  |  | $ | 2,495 |  |  | $ | 1,220 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,275 |
Financial liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Annuity benefits accumulated (*) | $ | 26,422 |  |  | $ | 25,488 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 25,488 |
Long-term debt | 1,000 |  |  | 1,120 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,105 |  |  | 15 |
Total financial liabilities not accounted for at fair value | $ | 27,422 |  |  | $ | 26,608 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,105 |  |  | $ | 25,503 |

(*) | Excludes $204 million and $200 million of life contingent annuities in the payout phase at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value. Fair values for mortgage loans are estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings. The fair value of policy loans is estimated to approximate carrying value; policy loans have no defined maturity dates and are inseparable from insurance contracts. The fair value of annuity benefits was estimated based on expected cash flows discounted using forward interest rates adjusted for the Company’s credit risk and includes the impact of maintenance expenses and capital costs. Fair values of long-term debt are based primarily on quoted market prices.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
E. Investments
Available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, consisted of the following (in millions):

| September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2015
Amortized Cost |  | Gross Unrealized |  | Net Unrealized |  | Fair Value |  | Amortized Cost |  | Gross Unrealized |  | Net Unrealized |  | Fair Value
Gains |  | Losses |  | Gains |  | Losses
Fixed maturities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. Government and government agencies | $ | 328 |  |  | $ | 6 |  |  | $ | (2 | ) |  | $ | 4 |  |  | $ | 332 |  |  | $ | 305 |  |  | $ | 5 |  |  | $ | (3 | ) |  | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | 307 |
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 6,597 |  |  | 455 |  |  | (5 | ) |  | 450 |  |  | 7,047 |  |  | 6,642 |  |  | 249 |  |  | (35 | ) |  | 214 |  |  | 6,856 |
Foreign government | 134 |  |  | 7 |  |  | — |  |  | 7 |  |  | 141 |  |  | 147 |  |  | 7 |  |  | — |  |  | 7 |  |  | 154 |
Residential MBS | 3,530 |  |  | 300 |  |  | (14 | ) |  | 286 |  |  | 3,816 |  |  | 3,236 |  |  | 308 |  |  | (15 | ) |  | 293 |  |  | 3,529 |
Commercial MBS | 1,764 |  |  | 85 |  |  | — |  |  | 85 |  |  | 1,849 |  |  | 2,111 |  |  | 77 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 76 |  |  | 2,187 |
Asset-backed securities | 5,844 |  |  | 70 |  |  | (25 | ) |  | 45 |  |  | 5,889 |  |  | 4,961 |  |  | 25 |  |  | (52 | ) |  | (27 | ) |  | 4,934 |
Corporate and other | 15,389 |  |  | 962 |  |  | (31 | ) |  | 931 |  |  | 16,320 |  |  | 14,163 |  |  | 422 |  |  | (268 | ) |  | 154 |  |  | 14,317 |
Total fixed maturities | $ | 33,586 |  |  | $ | 1,885 |  |  | $ | (77 | ) |  | $ | 1,808 |  |  | $ | 35,394 |  |  | $ | 31,565 |  |  | $ | 1,093 |  |  | $ | (374 | ) |  | $ | 719 |  |  | $ | 32,284 |
Equity Securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stocks | $ | 939 |  |  | $ | 157 |  |  | $ | (27 | ) |  | $ | 130 |  |  | $ | 1,069 |  |  | $ | 1,051 |  |  | $ | 146 |  |  | $ | (79 | ) |  | $ | 67 |  |  | $ | 1,118 |
Perpetual preferred stocks | 453 |  |  | 34 |  |  | (3 | ) |  | 31 |  |  | 484 |  |  | 418 |  |  | 23 |  |  | (6 | ) |  | 17 |  |  | 435 |
Total equity securities | $ | 1,392 |  |  | $ | 191 |  |  | $ | (30 | ) |  | $ | 161 |  |  | $ | 1,553 |  |  | $ | 1,469 |  |  | $ | 169 |  |  | $ | (85 | ) |  | $ | 84 |  |  | $ | 1,553 |

The non-credit related portion of other-than-temporary impairment charges is included in other comprehensive income. Cumulative non-credit charges taken for securities still owned at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, were $192 million and $205 million. Gross unrealized gains on such securities at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were $131 million and $134 million, respectively. Gross unrealized losses on such securities at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were $5 million and $6 million, respectively. These amounts represent the non-credit other-than-temporary impairment charges recorded in AOCI adjusted for subsequent changes in fair values and nearly all relate to residential MBS.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
The following tables show gross unrealized losses (dollars in millions) on fixed maturities and equity securities by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

| 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, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. Government and government agencies | $ | — |  |  | $ | 51 |  |  | 100 | % |  | $ | (2 | ) |  | $ | 8 |  |  | 80 | %
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | (2 | ) |  | 191 |  |  | 99 | % |  | (3 | ) |  | 50 |  |  | 94 | %
Residential MBS | (7 | ) |  | 490 |  |  | 99 | % |  | (7 | ) |  | 158 |  |  | 96 | %
Commercial MBS | — |  |  | 23 |  |  | 100 | % |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | 100 | %
Asset-backed securities | (13 | ) |  | 924 |  |  | 99 | % |  | (12 | ) |  | 535 |  |  | 98 | %
Corporate and other | (8 | ) |  | 470 |  |  | 98 | % |  | (23 | ) |  | 336 |  |  | 94 | %
Total fixed maturities | $ | (30 | ) |  | $ | 2,149 |  |  | 99 | % |  | $ | (47 | ) |  | $ | 1,091 |  |  | 96 | %
Equity securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stocks | $ | (27 | ) |  | $ | 233 |  |  | 90 | % |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | — | %
Perpetual preferred stocks | (2 | ) |  | 89 |  |  | 98 | % |  | (1 | ) |  | 6 |  |  | 86 | %
Total equity securities | $ | (29 | ) |  | $ | 322 |  |  | 92 | % |  | $ | (1 | ) |  | $ | 6 |  |  | 86 | %
December 31, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. Government and government agencies | $ | (1 | ) |  | $ | 112 |  |  | 99 | % |  | $ | (2 | ) |  | $ | 15 |  |  | 88 | %
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | (33 | ) |  | 1,419 |  |  | 98 | % |  | (2 | ) |  | 50 |  |  | 96 | %
Residential MBS | (7 | ) |  | 438 |  |  | 98 | % |  | (8 | ) |  | 201 |  |  | 96 | %
Commercial MBS | — |  |  | 95 |  |  | 100 | % |  | (1 | ) |  | 28 |  |  | 97 | %
Asset-backed securities | (42 | ) |  | 2,706 |  |  | 98 | % |  | (10 | ) |  | 455 |  |  | 98 | %
Corporate and other | (229 | ) |  | 4,661 |  |  | 95 | % |  | (39 | ) |  | 165 |  |  | 81 | %
Total fixed maturities | $ | (312 | ) |  | $ | 9,431 |  |  | 97 | % |  | $ | (62 | ) |  | $ | 914 |  |  | 94 | %
Equity securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stocks | $ | (79 | ) |  | $ | 509 |  |  | 87 | % |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | — | %
Perpetual preferred stocks | (3 | ) |  | 91 |  |  | 97 | % |  | (3 | ) |  | 22 |  |  | 88 | %
Total equity securities | $ | (82 | ) |  | $ | 600 |  |  | 88 | % |  | $ | (3 | ) |  | $ | 22 |  |  | 88 | %

At September 30, 2016, the gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities of $77 million relate to approximately 475 securities. Investment grade securities (as determined by nationally recognized rating agencies) represented approximately 49% of the gross unrealized loss and 74% of the fair value.
AFG analyzes its MBS securities for other-than-temporary 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. In the first nine months of 2016, AFG recorded $2 million in other-than-temporary impairment charges related to its residential MBS.
In the first nine months of 2016, AFG recorded approximately $34 million in other-than-temporary impairment charges related to corporate bonds and other fixed maturities.
AFG recorded $79 million in other-than-temporary impairment charges on common stocks in the first nine months of 2016. At September 30, 2016, the gross unrealized losses on common stocks of $27 million relate to 32 securities, none of which has been in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
AFG recorded $4 million in other-than-temporary impairment charges on preferred stocks in the first nine months of 2016. At September 30, 2016, the gross unrealized losses on preferred stocks of $3 million relate to 14 securities. All of the preferred stocks that have been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more (1 security), have investment grade ratings.
Management believes AFG will recover its cost basis 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, 2016.
A progression of the credit portion of other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities for which the non-credit portion of an impairment has been recognized in other comprehensive income is shown below (in millions):

| 2016 |  | 2015
Balance at June 30 | $ | 157 |  |  | $ | 166 |
Additional credit impairments on: |  |  |
Previously impaired securities | — |  |  | — |
Securities without prior impairments | — |  |  | 2 |
Reductions due to sales or redemptions | (2 | ) |  | (2 | )
Balance at September 30 | $ | 155 |  |  | $ | 166 |
Balance at January 1 | $ | 160 |  |  | $ | 170 |
Additional credit impairments on: |  |  |
Previously impaired securities | 2 |  |  | 1 |
Securities without prior impairments | — |  |  | 2 |
Reductions due to sales or redemptions | (7 | ) |  | (7 | )
Balance at September 30 | $ | 155 |  |  | $ | 166 |

The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of available for sale fixed maturities as of September 30, 2016 (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 |  | Amount |  | %
Maturity |  |  |  |  |
One year or less | $ | 1,036 |  |  | $ | 1,053 |  |  | 3 | %
After one year through five years | 5,686 |  |  | 6,047 |  |  | 17 | %
After five years through ten years | 11,767 |  |  | 12,467 |  |  | 35 | %
After ten years | 3,959 |  |  | 4,273 |  |  | 12 | %
| 22,448 |  |  | 23,840 |  |  | 67 | %
ABS (average life of approximately 5 years) | 5,844 |  |  | 5,889 |  |  | 17 | %
MBS (average life of approximately 4 years) | 5,294 |  |  | 5,665 |  |  | 16 | %
Total | $ | 33,586 |  |  | $ | 35,394 |  |  | 100 | %

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, 2016 or December 31, 2015.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Net Unrealized Gain on Marketable Securities In addition to adjusting equity securities and fixed maturity securities classified as “available for sale” to fair value, GAAP requires that deferred policy acquisition costs and certain other balance sheet amounts related to annuity, long-term care and life businesses be adjusted to the extent that unrealized gains and losses from securities would result in adjustments to those balances had the unrealized gains or losses actually been realized. The following table shows (in millions) the components of the net unrealized gain on securities that is included in AOCI in AFG’s Balance Sheet.

| Pretax |  | Deferred Tax and Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests |  | Net
September 30, 2016 |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized gain on: |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturities — annuity segment (*) | $ | 1,420 |  |  | $ | (497 | ) |  | $ | 923 |
Fixed maturities — all other | 388 |  |  | (145 | ) |  | 243 |
Total fixed maturities | 1,808 |  |  | (642 | ) |  | 1,166 |
Equity securities | 161 |  |  | (58 | ) |  | 103 |
Total investments | 1,969 |  |  | (700 | ) |  | 1,269 |
Deferred policy acquisition costs — annuity segment | (614 | ) |  | 215 |  |  | (399 | )
Annuity benefits accumulated | (179 | ) |  | 63 |  |  | (116 | )
Life, accident and health reserves | (1 | ) |  | — |  |  | (1 | )
Unearned revenue | 30 |  |  | (11 | ) |  | 19 |
Total net unrealized gain on marketable securities | $ | 1,205 |  |  | $ | (433 | ) |  | $ | 772 |
December 31, 2015 |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized gain on: |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturities — annuity segment (*) | $ | 523 |  |  | $ | (183 | ) |  | $ | 340 |
Fixed maturities — all other | 196 |  |  | (72 | ) |  | 124 |
Total fixed maturities | 719 |  |  | (255 | ) |  | 464 |
Equity securities | 84 |  |  | (30 | ) |  | 54 |
Total investments | 803 |  |  | (285 | ) |  | 518 |
Deferred policy acquisition costs — annuity segment | (233 | ) |  | 82 |  |  | (151 | )
Annuity benefits accumulated | (64 | ) |  | 22 |  |  | (42 | )
Unearned revenue | 11 |  |  | (4 | ) |  | 7 |
Total net unrealized gain on marketable securities | $ | 517 |  |  | $ | (185 | ) |  | $ | 332 |

(*) | Unrealized gains on fixed maturity investments supporting AFG’s annuity benefits accumulated.

Net Investment Income The following table shows (in millions) investment income earned and investment expenses incurred.

| Three months ended September 30, |  | Nine months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Investment income: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturities | $ | 378 |  |  | $ | 370 |  |  | $ | 1,126 |  |  | $ | 1,082 |
Equity securities | 20 |  |  | 20 |  |  | 59 |  |  | 54 |
Equity in earnings of partnerships and similar investments | 16 |  |  | 18 |  |  | 31 |  |  | 26 |
Other | 23 |  |  | 22 |  |  | 64 |  |  | 69 |
Gross investment income | 437 |  |  | 430 |  |  | 1,280 |  |  | 1,231 |
Investment expenses | (4 | ) |  | (5 | ) |  | (13 | ) |  | (14 | )
Net investment income | $ | 433 |  |  | $ | 425 |  |  | $ | 1,267 |  |  | $ | 1,217 |

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to fixed maturity and equity security investments are summarized as follows (in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, 2016 |  | Three months ended September 30, 2015
| Realized gains (losses) |  |  |  | Realized gains (losses) |  |
| Before Impairments |  | Impairments |  | Total |  | Change in Unrealized |  | Before Impairments |  | Impairments |  | Total |  | Change in Unrealized
Fixed maturities | $ | 5 |  |  | $ | (2 | ) |  | $ | 3 |  |  | $ | 52 |  |  | $ | 7 |  |  | $ | (17 | ) |  | $ | (10 | ) |  | $ | (9 | )
Equity securities | 14 |  |  | (16 | ) |  | (2 | ) |  | 89 |  |  | 13 |  |  | (23 | ) |  | (10 | ) |  | (135 | )
Mortgage loans and other investments | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Other (*) | (1 | ) |  | 2 |  |  | 1 |  |  | (5 | ) |  | (1 | ) |  | 5 |  |  | 4 |  |  | (11 | )
Total pretax | 18 |  |  | (16 | ) |  | 2 |  |  | 136 |  |  | 19 |  |  | (35 | ) |  | (16 | ) |  | (155 | )
Tax effects | (7 | ) |  | 5 |  |  | (2 | ) |  | (48 | ) |  | (7 | ) |  | 13 |  |  | 6 |  |  | 55 |
Noncontrolling interests | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | 1 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | (1 | ) |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 2 |
Net of tax and noncontrolling interests | $ | 11 |  |  | $ | (10 | ) |  | $ | 1 |  |  | $ | 87 |  |  | $ | 11 |  |  | $ | (21 | ) |  | $ | (10 | ) |  | $ | (98 | )
| Nine months ended September 30, 2016 |  | Nine months ended September 30, 2015
| Realized gains (losses) |  |  |  | Realized gains (losses) |  |
| Before Impairments |  | Impairments |  | Total |  | Change in Unrealized |  | Before Impairments |  | Impairments |  | Total |  | Change in Unrealized
Fixed maturities | $ | 36 |  |  | $ | (37 | ) |  | $ | (1 | ) |  | $ | 1,089 |  |  | $ | 17 |  |  | $ | (32 | ) |  | $ | (15 | ) |  | $ | (414 | )
Equity securities | 46 |  |  | (83 | ) |  | (37 | ) |  | 77 |  |  | 59 |  |  | (48 | ) |  | 11 |  |  | (150 | )
Mortgage loans and other investments | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (2 | ) |  | — |  |  | (2 | ) |  | — |
Other (*) | (7 | ) |  | 13 |  |  | 6 |  |  | (478 | ) |  | (3 | ) |  | 11 |  |  | 8 |  |  | 166 |
Total pretax | 75 |  |  | (107 | ) |  | (32 | ) |  | 688 |  |  | 71 |  |  | (69 | ) |  | 2 |  |  | (398 | )
Tax effects | (27 | ) |  | 38 |  |  | 11 |  |  | (241 | ) |  | (25 | ) |  | 25 |  |  | — |  |  | 140 |
Noncontrolling interests | (1 | ) |  | 3 |  |  | 2 |  |  | (7 | ) |  | (1 | ) |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 4 |
Net of tax and noncontrolling interests | $ | 47 |  |  | $ | (66 | ) |  | $ | (19 | ) |  | $ | 440 |  |  | $ | 45 |  |  | $ | (43 | ) |  | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | (254 | )

(*) | Primarily adjustments to deferred policy acquisition costs and reserves related to annuities and long-term care business.

Gross realized gains and losses (excluding impairment write-downs and mark-to-market of derivatives) on available for sale fixed maturity and equity security investment transactions included in the statement of cash flows consisted of the following (in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30,
2016 |  | 2015
Fixed maturities: |  |  |
Gross gains | $ | 44 |  |  | $ | 24 |
Gross losses | (8 | ) |  | — |
Equity securities: |  |  |
Gross gains | 49 |  |  | 59 |
Gross losses | (3 | ) |  | — |

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
F. Derivatives
As discussed under “Derivatives” in Note A — “Accounting Policies” to the financial statements, AFG uses derivatives in certain areas of its operations.
Derivatives That Do Not Qualify for Hedge Accounting The following derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting under GAAP are included in AFG’s Balance Sheet at fair value (in millions):

|  |  |  | September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2015
Derivative |  | Balance Sheet Line |  | Asset |  | Liability |  | Asset |  | Liability
MBS with embedded derivatives |  | Fixed maturities |  | $ | 120 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 130 |  |  | $ | — |
Public company warrants |  | Equity securities |  | 3 |  |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | — |
Fixed-indexed annuities (embedded derivative) |  | Annuity benefits accumulated |  | — |  |  | 1,688 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,369 |
Equity index call options |  | Other investments |  | 447 |  |  | — |  |  | 241 |  |  | — |
Reinsurance contracts (embedded derivative) |  | Other liabilities |  | — |  |  | 13 |  |  | — |  |  | 7 |
|  |  |  | $ | 570 |  |  | $ | 1,701 |  |  | $ | 375 |  |  | $ | 1,376 |

The MBS with embedded derivatives consist primarily of interest-only MBS with interest rates that float inversely with short-term rates. AFG records the entire change in the fair value of these securities in earnings. These investments are part of AFG’s overall investment strategy and represent a small component of AFG’s overall investment portfolio.
Warrants to purchase shares of publicly traded companies, which represent a small component of AFG’s overall investment portfolio, are considered to be derivatives that are required to be carried at fair value through earnings.
AFG’s fixed-indexed annuities provide policyholders with a crediting rate tied, in part, to the performance of an existing stock market index. AFG attempts to mitigate the risk in the index-based component of these products through the purchase of call options on the appropriate index. AFG receives collateral from its counterparties to support its purchased call option assets. This collateral ($300 million at September 30, 2016 and $211 million at December 31, 2015) is included in other assets in AFG’s Balance Sheet with an offsetting liability to return the collateral, which is included in other liabilities. AFG’s strategy is designed so that the change in the fair value of the call option assets will generally offset the economic change in the liabilities from the index participation. Both the index-based component of the annuities and the related call options are considered derivatives. Fluctuations in interest rates and the stock market, among other factors, can cause volatility in the periodic measurement of fair value of the embedded derivative that management believes can be inconsistent with the long-term economics of these products.
As discussed under “Reinsurance” in Note A to the financial statements, certain reinsurance contracts are considered to contain embedded derivatives.
The following table summarizes the gain (loss) included in AFG’s Statement of Earnings for changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting for the third quarter and first nine months of 2016 and 2015 (in millions):

|  |  |  | Three months ended September 30, |  | Nine months ended September 30,
Derivative |  | Statement of Earnings Line |  | 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
MBS with embedded derivatives |  | Realized gains on securities |  | $ | (4 | ) |  | $ | (4 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (7 | )
Public company warrants |  | Realized gains on securities |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Fixed-indexed annuities (embedded derivative) |  | Annuity benefits |  | (109 | ) |  | 130 |  |  | (188 | ) |  | 99 |
Equity index call options |  | Annuity benefits |  | 105 |  |  | (167 | ) |  | 81 |  |  | (144 | )
Reinsurance contracts (embedded derivative) |  | Net investment income |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | (6 | ) |  | 4 |
|  |  |  | $ | (7 | ) |  | $ | (40 | ) |  | $ | (113 | ) |  | $ | (48 | )

Derivatives Designated and Qualifying as Cash Flow Hedges As of September 30, 2016, AFG has entered into four 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
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
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 LIBOR.
Under the terms of the swaps, AFG receives fixed-rate interest payments in exchange for variable interest payments based on short-term LIBOR. The notional amounts of the interest rate swaps amortize down over each swap’s respective life (the swaps expire between August 2019 and June 2030) in anticipation of the expected decline in AFG’s portfolio of fixed maturity securities with floating interest rates based on short-term LIBOR. The total outstanding notional amount of AFG’s interest rate swaps increased to $677 million at September 30, 2016 compared to $614 million at December 31, 2015, reflecting a $163 million notional amount swap entered into in the first quarter of 2016, partially offset by the scheduled amortization discussed above. The fair value of the effective portion of the interest rate swaps in an asset position and included in other assets was $14 million at September 30, 2016 and $2 million at December 31, 2015. The fair value of the effective portion of the interest rate swaps in a liability position and included in other liabilities was zero at September 30, 2016 and less than $1 million at December 31, 2015. The net unrealized gain or loss on cash flow hedges is included in AOCI, net of DPAC and tax. Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net investment income were $2 million in both of the third quarters of 2016 and 2015 and $5 million and $4 million in the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively. There was no ineffectiveness recorded in net earnings during these periods.
Derivative Designated and Qualifying as a Fair Value Hedge In June 2015, AFG entered into an interest rate swap to mitigate the interest rate risk associated with its fixed-rate 9-7/8% Senior Notes due June 2019 by effectively converting the interest rate on those notes to a floating rate of three-month LIBOR plus 8.099% (8.9493% at September 30, 2016). Since the terms of the interest rate swap match the terms of the hedged debt, changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap are offset by changes in the fair value of the hedged debt attributable to changes in interest rates. The fair value of the interest rate swap (asset of $6 million and $2 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively) and the offsetting adjustment to the carrying value of the 9-7/8% Senior Notes are both included in long-term debt on AFG’s Balance Sheet. Accordingly, the net impact on AFG’s current period earnings is that the interest expense associated with the hedged debt is effectively recorded at the floating rate. The net reduction in interest expense from the swap was $1 million in the third quarter of 2016, $3 million in the first nine months of 2016 and $1 million in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2015.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
G. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
A progression of deferred policy acquisition costs is presented below (in millions):

| P&C |  |  | Annuity and Run-off Long-term Care and Life |  |  |
| Deferred |  |  | Deferred |  | Sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Consolidated
| Costs |  |  | Costs |  | Inducements |  | PVFP |  | Subtotal |  | Unrealized |  | Total |  |  | Total
Balance at June 30, 2016 | $ | 234 |  |  |  | $ | 1,089 |  |  | $ | 116 |  |  | $ | 51 |  |  | $ | 1,256 |  |  | $ | (609 | ) |  | $ | 647 |  |  |  | $ | 881 |
Additions | 132 |  |  |  | 48 |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 49 |  |  | — |  |  | 49 |  |  |  | 181 |
Amortization: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Periodic amortization | (134 | ) |  |  | (42 | ) |  | (6 | ) |  | (3 | ) |  | (51 | ) |  | — |  |  | (51 | ) |  |  | (185 | )
Included in realized gains | — |  |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | 1 |
Foreign currency translation | (1 | ) |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  | (1 | )
Change in unrealized | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (10 | ) |  | (10 | ) |  |  | (10 | )
Balance at September 30, 2016 | $ | 231 |  |  |  | $ | 1,096 |  |  | $ | 111 |  |  | $ | 48 |  |  | $ | 1,255 |  |  | $ | (619 | ) |  | $ | 636 |  |  |  | $ | 867 |
Balance at June 30, 2015 | $ | 223 |  |  |  | $ | 934 |  |  | $ | 123 |  |  | $ | 68 |  |  | $ | 1,125 |  |  | $ | (383 | ) |  | $ | 742 |  |  |  | $ | 965 |
Additions | 138 |  |  |  | 74 |  |  | 3 |  |  | — |  |  | 77 |  |  | — |  |  | 77 |  |  |  | 215 |
Amortization: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Periodic amortization | (132 | ) |  |  | (36 | ) |  | (6 | ) |  | (3 | ) |  | (45 | ) |  | — |  |  | (45 | ) |  |  | (177 | )
Included in realized gains | — |  |  |  | 3 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 3 |  |  | — |  |  | 3 |  |  |  | 3 |
Foreign currency translation | (2 | ) |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  | (2 | )
Change in unrealized | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (11 | ) |  | (11 | ) |  |  | (11 | )
Balance at September 30, 2015 | $ | 227 |  |  |  | $ | 975 |  |  | $ | 120 |  |  | $ | 65 |  |  | $ | 1,160 |  |  | $ | (394 | ) |  | $ | 766 |  |  |  | $ | 993 |
Balance at December 31, 2015 | $ | 226 |  |  |  | $ | 1,018 |  |  | $ | 119 |  |  | $ | 55 |  |  | $ | 1,192 |  |  | $ | (234 | ) |  | $ | 958 |  |  |  | $ | 1,184 |
Additions | 403 |  |  |  | 172 |  |  | 8 |  |  | — |  |  | 180 |  |  | — |  |  | 180 |  |  |  | 583 |
Amortization: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Periodic amortization | (396 | ) |  |  | (99 | ) |  | (17 | ) |  | (7 | ) |  | (123 | ) |  | — |  |  | (123 | ) |  |  | (519 | )
Included in realized gains | — |  |  |  | 5 |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 6 |  |  | — |  |  | 6 |  |  |  | 6 |
Foreign currency translation | (2 | ) |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  | (2 | )
Change in unrealized | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (385 | ) |  | (385 | ) |  |  | (385 | )
Balance at September 30, 2016 | $ | 231 |  |  |  | $ | 1,096 |  |  | $ | 111 |  |  | $ | 48 |  |  | $ | 1,255 |  |  | $ | (619 | ) |  | $ | 636 |  |  |  | $ | 867 |
Balance at December 31, 2014 | $ | 221 |  |  |  | $ | 925 |  |  | $ | 132 |  |  | $ | 74 |  |  | $ | 1,131 |  |  | $ | (531 | ) |  | $ | 600 |  |  |  | $ | 821 |
Additions | 396 |  |  |  | 164 |  |  | 7 |  |  | — |  |  | 171 |  |  | — |  |  | 171 |  |  |  | 567 |
Amortization: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Periodic amortization | (388 | ) |  |  | (120 | ) |  | (20 | ) |  | (9 | ) |  | (149 | ) |  | — |  |  | (149 | ) |  |  | (537 | )
Included in realized gains | — |  |  |  | 6 |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 7 |  |  | — |  |  | 7 |  |  |  | 7 |
Foreign currency translation | (2 | ) |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  | (2 | )
Change in unrealized | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 137 |  |  | 137 |  |  |  | 137 |
Balance at September 30, 2015 | $ | 227 |  |  |  | $ | 975 |  |  | $ | 120 |  |  | $ | 65 |  |  | $ | 1,160 |  |  | $ | (394 | ) |  | $ | 766 |  |  |  | $ | 993 |

The present value of future profits (“PVFP”) amounts in the table above are net of $132 million and $125 million of accumulated amortization at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
H. Managed Investment Entities
AFG is the investment manager and its subsidiaries have investments ranging from 15.0% to 60.7% of the most subordinate debt tranche of fourteen collateralized loan obligation entities or “CLOs,” which are considered variable interest entities. AFG’s subsidiaries also own portions of the senior debt tranches of certain of these CLOs. Upon formation between 2004 and 2016, 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 particular 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 its CLOs is limited to its investment in the CLOs, which had an aggregate fair value of $245 million (including $126 million invested in the most subordinate tranches) at September 30, 2016, and $266 million at December 31, 2015. At September 30, 2016, AFG had $40 million of additional subordinate CLO-related exposure to a temporary warehousing facility that was established in connection with the formation of a new CLO. The warehousing facility terminated with no loss to AFG when the new CLO was issued on November 3, 2016.
In May 2016, AFG formed a new CLO, which issued $406 million face amount of liabilities (including $36 million face amount purchased by subsidiaries of AFG). During the first nine months of 2016, AFG subsidiaries also purchased $19 million face amount of senior debt and subordinate tranches of existing CLOs for $15 million. In May 2015, AFG formed a new CLO, which issued $511 million face amount of liabilities (including $45 million face amount purchased by subsidiaries of AFG). During the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, AFG subsidiaries received $69 million and $1 million, respectively, in sale and redemption proceeds from its CLO investments.
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 shareholders of AFG as measured by the change in the fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities,” for a discussion of accounting guidance adopted on January 1, 2015 that impacts the measurement of the fair value of CLO liabilities. Selected financial information related to the CLOs is shown below (in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, |  | Nine months ended September 30,
2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Gains (losses) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities (a): |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets | $ | 60 |  |  | $ | (53 | ) |  | $ | 107 |  |  | $ | (27 | )
Liabilities | (49 | ) |  | 42 |  |  | (98 | ) |  | 11 |
Management fees paid to AFG | 4 |  |  | 4 |  |  | 12 |  |  | 11 |
CLO earnings (losses) attributable to AFG shareholders (b) | 17 |  |  | (3 | ) |  | 29 |  |  | 5 |

(a) | Included in revenues in AFG’s Statement of Earnings.

(b) | Included in earnings before income taxes in AFG’s Statement of Earnings.

The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the CLOs’ fixed maturity investments exceeded the fair value of the investments by $93 million and $214 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the CLOs’ debt exceeded its carrying value by $159 million and $205 million at those dates. The CLO assets include $1 million in loans at both September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, for which the CLOs are not accruing interest because the loans are in default (aggregate unpaid principal balance of $10 million at both those dates).
I. Goodwill and Other Intangibles
There were no changes in the goodwill balance of $199 million during the first nine months of 2016. Included in other assets in AFG’s Balance Sheet is $36 million at September 30, 2016 and $41 million at December 31, 2015 in amortizable intangible assets related to property and casualty insurance acquisitions. These amounts are net of accumulated amortization of $23 million and $18 million, respectively. Amortization of intangibles was $2 million in both the third quarters of 2016 and 2015 and $6 million in both the first nine months of 2016 and 2015.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
J. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following (in millions):

| September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2015
| Principal |  | Discount and Issue Costs |  | Carrying Value |  | Principal |  | Discount and Issue Costs |  | Carrying Value
Direct Senior Obligations of AFG: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
9-7/8% Senior Notes due June 2019 | $ | 350 |  |  | $ | (1 | ) |  | $ | 349 |  |  | $ | 350 |  |  | $ | (1 | ) |  | $ | 349 |
3-1/2% Senior Notes due August 2026 | 300 |  |  | (4 | ) |  | 296 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
6-3/8% Senior Notes due June 2042 | 230 |  |  | (7 | ) |  | 223 |  |  | 230 |  |  | (7 | ) |  | 223 |
5-3/4% Senior Notes due August 2042 | 125 |  |  | (4 | ) |  | 121 |  |  | 125 |  |  | (4 | ) |  | 121 |
Other | 3 |  |  | — |  |  | 3 |  |  | 3 |  |  | — |  |  | 3 |
| 1,008 |  |  | (16 | ) |  | 992 |  |  | 708 |  |  | (12 | ) |  | 696 |
Direct Subordinated Obligations of AFG: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
6-1/4% Subordinated Debentures due September 2054 | 150 |  |  | (5 | ) |  | 145 |  |  | 150 |  |  | (5 | ) |  | 145 |
6% Subordinated Debentures due November 2055 | 150 |  |  | (5 | ) |  | 145 |  |  | 150 |  |  | (5 | ) |  | 145 |
| 300 |  |  | (10 | ) |  | 290 |  |  | 300 |  |  | (10 | ) |  | 290 |
Subsidiaries: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
National Interstate bank credit facility | 18 |  |  | — |  |  | 18 |  |  | 12 |  |  | — |  |  | 12 |
| $ | 1,326 |  |  | $ | (26 | ) |  | $ | 1,300 |  |  | $ | 1,020 |  |  | $ | (22 | ) |  | $ | 998 |

To achieve a desired balance between fixed and variable rate debt, AFG entered into an interest rate swap in June 2015, which effectively converts its 9-7/8% Senior Notes to a floating rate of three-month LIBOR plus 8.099% (8.9493% at September 30, 2016 and 8.6110% at December 31, 2015). The fair value of the interest rate swap (asset of $6 million and $2 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively) and the offsetting adjustment to the carrying value of the notes are both included in the carrying value of the 9-7/8% Senior Notes in the table above.
Scheduled principal payments on debt for the balance of 2016, the subsequent five years and thereafter were as follows:
2016 — $18 million; 2017 — none; 2018 — none; 2019 — $350 million; 2020 — none; 2021 — none and thereafter — $958 million.
As shown below (principal amount, in millions), the majority of AFG’s long-term debt is unsecured obligations of the holding company and its subsidiaries:

| September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2015
Senior unsecured obligations | $ | 1,026 |  |  | $ | 720 |
Subordinated unsecured obligations | 300 |  |  | 300 |
| $ | 1,326 |  |  | $ | 1,020 |

In August 2016, AFG issued $300 million in 3-1/2% Senior Notes due in 2026 at a price of 99.608%. The net proceeds of the offering will be used to fund a portion of the proposed acquisition of all shares of National Interstate Corporation common stock that are not currently owned by AFG (discussed in Note B — “Acquisition and Sale of Businesses”).
In June 2016, AFG replaced its existing credit facility with a new five-year, $500 million revolving credit facility which expires in June 2021. 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, 2016 or AFG’s previous credit facility at December 31, 2015.
National Interstate can borrow up to $100 million under its unsecured credit agreement, which expires in November 2017. At September 30, 2016, there was $18 million outstanding under this agreement, including $6 million borrowed in September 2016. If the National Interstate merger (discussed in Note B — “Acquisition and Sale of Businesses”) is consummated
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
following the November 10, 2016 NATL shareholders’ meeting, the entire amount outstanding under this agreement will be repaid and the credit agreement will be terminated. This expected repayment is reflected in the scheduled principal payments information presented above.
K. 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, 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, which consists primarily of changes in net unrealized gains or losses on available for sale securities.
The progression of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income follows (in millions):

|  |  | Other Comprehensive Income |  |
| AOCI Beginning Balance |  | Pretax |  | Tax |  | Net of tax |  | Attributable to noncontrolling interests |  | Attributable to shareholders |  | AOCI Ending Balance
Quarter ended September 30, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period |  |  | $ | 138 |  |  | $ | (49 | ) |  | $ | 89 |  |  | $ | (1 | ) |  | $ | 88 |  |  |  |
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net earnings (a) |  |  | (2 | ) |  | 1 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  |  |
Total net unrealized gains on securities (b) | $ | 685 |  |  | 136 |  |  | (48 | ) |  | 88 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 87 |  |  | $ | 772 |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges | 5 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 5 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (15 | ) |  | (2 | ) |  | (1 | ) |  | (3 | ) |  | — |  |  | (3 | ) |  | (18 | )
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments | (6 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (6 | )
Total | $ | 669 |  |  | $ | 133 |  |  | $ | (48 | ) |  | $ | 85 |  |  | $ | (1 | ) |  | $ | 84 |  |  | $ | 753 |
Quarter ended September 30, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized holding losses on securities arising during the period |  |  | $ | (171 | ) |  | $ | 61 |  |  | $ | (110 | ) |  | $ | 3 |  |  | $ | (107 | ) |  |
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net earnings (a) |  |  | 16 |  |  | (6 | ) |  | 10 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 9 |  |  |
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities | $ | 587 |  |  | (155 | ) |  | 55 |  |  | (100 | ) |  | 2 |  |  | (98 | ) |  | $ | 489 |
Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges | — |  |  | 3 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 2 |  |  | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | 2 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (16 | ) |  | (5 | ) |  | (2 | ) |  | (7 | ) |  | — |  |  | (7 | ) |  | (23 | )
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments | (8 | ) |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | (7 | )
Total | $ | 563 |  |  | $ | (156 | ) |  | $ | 52 |  |  | $ | (104 | ) |  | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | (102 | ) |  | $ | 461 |

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED

|  |  | Other Comprehensive Income |  |
| AOCI Beginning Balance |  | Pretax |  | Tax |  | Net of tax |  | Attributable to noncontrolling interests |  | Attributable to shareholders |  | AOCI Ending Balance
Nine months ended September 30, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period |  |  | $ | 656 |  |  | $ | (229 | ) |  | $ | 427 |  |  | $ | (6 | ) |  | $ | 421 |  |  |  |
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net earnings (a) |  |  | 32 |  |  | (12 | ) |  | 20 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 19 |  |  |  |
Total net unrealized gains on securities (b) | $ | 332 |  |  | 688 |  |  | (241 | ) |  | 447 |  |  | (7 | ) |  | 440 |  |  | $ | 772 |
Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges | 1 |  |  | 6 |  |  | (2 | ) |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | 5 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (22 | ) |  | 2 |  |  | 2 |  |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | (18 | )
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments | (7 | ) |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | (6 | )
Total | $ | 304 |  |  | $ | 697 |  |  | $ | (241 | ) |  | $ | 456 |  |  | $ | (7 | ) |  | $ | 449 |  |  | $ | 753 |
Nine months ended September 30, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized holding losses on securities arising during the period |  |  | $ | (394 | ) |  | $ | 139 |  |  | $ | (255 | ) |  | $ | 5 |  |  | $ | (250 | ) |  |
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net earnings (a) |  |  | (4 | ) |  | 1 |  |  | (3 | ) |  | (1 | ) |  | (4 | ) |  |
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities | $ | 743 |  |  | (398 | ) |  | 140 |  |  | (258 | ) |  | 4 |  |  | (254 | ) |  | $ | 489 |
Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges | — |  |  | 3 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 2 |  |  | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | 2 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (8 | ) |  | (11 | ) |  | (4 | ) |  | (15 | ) |  | — |  |  | (15 | ) |  | (23 | )
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments | (8 | ) |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | (7 | )
Total | $ | 727 |  |  | $ | (405 | ) |  | $ | 135 |  |  | $ | (270 | ) |  | $ | 4 |  |  | $ | (266 | ) |  | $ | 461 |

(a) | The reclassification adjustment out of net unrealized gains 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 |
| Attributable to noncontrolling interests |  | Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests |

(b) | Includes net unrealized gains of $51 million at September 30, 2016 compared to $48 million at June 30, 2016 and $51 million at December 31, 2015 related to securities for which only the credit portion of an other-than-temporary impairment has been recorded in earnings.

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 2016, AFG issued 318,940 shares of restricted Common Stock (average fair value of $67.00 per share) under the Stock Incentive Plan. In addition, AFG issued 40,336 shares of Common Stock (fair value of $71.05 per share) in the first quarter of 2016 under the Equity Bonus Plan. AFG did not grant any stock options in the first nine months of 2016.
Total compensation expense related to stock incentive plans of AFG and its subsidiaries was $7 million and $5 million in the third quarters of 2016 and 2015 and $21 million and $18 million in the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
L. Income Taxes
The following is a reconciliation of income taxes at the statutory rate of 35% 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,
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
| Amount |  | % of EBT |  | Amount |  | % of EBT |  | Amount |  | % of EBT |  | Amount |  | % of EBT
Earnings before income taxes (“EBT”) | $ | 178 |  |  |  |  | $ | 99 |  |  |  |  | $ | 470 |  |  |  |  | $ | 355 |  |  |
Income taxes at statutory rate | $ | 63 |  |  | 35 | % |  | $ | 34 |  |  | 35 | % |  | $ | 165 |  |  | 35 | % |  | $ | 124 |  |  | 35 | %
Effect of: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Tax exempt interest | (5 | ) |  | (3 | %) |  | (6 | ) |  | (6 | %) |  | (18 | ) |  | (4 | %) |  | (20 | ) |  | (6 | %)
Change in valuation allowance | 7 |  |  | 4 | % |  | 8 |  |  | 8 | % |  | 40 |  |  | 9 | % |  | 8 |  |  | 2 | %
Subsidiaries not in AFG’s tax return | 2 |  |  | 1 | % |  | — |  |  | — | % |  | 4 |  |  | 1 | % |  | 2 |  |  | 1 | %
Other | (2 | ) |  | — | % |  | (3 | ) |  | (4 | %) |  | (1 | ) |  | (1 | %) |  | 1 |  |  | — | %
Provision for income taxes as shown in the statement of earnings | $ | 65 |  |  | 37 | % |  | $ | 33 |  |  | 33 | % |  | $ | 190 |  |  | 40 | % |  | $ | 115 |  |  | 32 | %

Excluding the $65 million charge related to the exit of certain lines of business within Neon, AFG’s Lloyd’s-based insurer, AFG’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was 36%. AFG maintains a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax benefits associated with losses related to Neon.
During the first nine months of 2016, there were no material changes to AFG’s liability for uncertain tax positions.
M. Contingencies
There have been no significant changes to the matters discussed and referred to in Note M — “Contingencies” of AFG’s 2015 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 former subsidiary railroad and manufacturing operations, as well as contingencies related to the sale of substantially all of AFG’s run-off long-term care insurance business.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
ITEM 2
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

INDEX TO MD&A
| Page |  |  | Page
Forward-Looking Statements | 35 |  | Results of Operations — Third Quarter | 50
Overview | 36 |  | Segmented Statement of Earnings | 50
Critical Accounting Policies | 36 |  | Property and Casualty Insurance | 51
Liquidity and Capital Resources | 37 |  | Annuity | 60
Ratios | 37 |  | Run-off Long-Term Care and Life | 66
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows | 37 |  | Holding Company, Other and Unallocated | 67
Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity | 38 |  | Results of Operations — First Nine Months | 70
Investments | 40 |  | Segmented Statement of Earnings | 70
Uncertainties | 44 |  | Property and Casualty Insurance | 71
Managed Investment Entities | 44 |  | Annuity | 80
Results of Operations | 48 |  | Run-off Long-Term Care and Life | 86
General | 48 |  | Holding Company, Other and Unallocated | 87
|  |  | Recent and Pending Accounting Standards | 89

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;

• | the possibility that the proposal to acquire all shares of National Interstate Corporation that are not currently owned by AFG’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Great American Insurance Company is not consummated;

• | regulatory actions (including changes in statutory accounting rules);

• | 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 civil unrest and other major losses;

• | development of insurance loss reserves and establishment of other reserves, particularly with respect to amounts associated with asbestos and environmental claims;

• | availability of reinsurance and ability of reinsurers to pay their obligations;

• | trends in persistency and mortality;

• | 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; and

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued

• | the impact of the conditions in the international financial markets and the global economy (including those associated with the United Kingdom’s expected withdrawal from the European Union, or “Brexit”) relating to AFG’s international operations.

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.
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 most of its businesses are financial in nature, AFG does not prepare its consolidated financial statements using a current-noncurrent format. Consequently, certain traditional ratios and financial analysis tests are not meaningful.
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 and in the sale of fixed and fixed-indexed annuities in the retail, financial institutions and education markets.
Net earnings attributable to AFG’s shareholders for the third quarter and first nine months of 2016 were $109 million ($1.23 per share, diluted) and $264 million ($2.98 per share, diluted), respectively, compared to $63 million ($0.71 per share, diluted) and $223 million ($2.49 per share, diluted) reported in the same periods of 2015, reflecting:

• | higher underwriting profit and net investment income in the property and casualty insurance segment,

• | higher earnings in the annuity segment,

• | realized gains on securities in the third quarter of 2016 and realized losses in the first nine months of 2016 compared to realized losses on securities in the third quarter of 2015 and realized gains on securities in the first nine months of 2015,

• | the second quarter 2016 gain on the sale of an apartment property, which was less than the second quarter 2015 gain on the sale of Le Pavillon Hotel, and

• | the first quarter 2015 estimated loss on the sale of substantially all of AFG’s run-off long-term care insurance business, which was completed in December 2015.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“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 recoverability of deferred acquisition costs,

• | the establishment of asbestos and environmental reserves of former railroad and manufacturing operations, and

• | the valuation of investments, including the determination of other-than-temporary impairments.

For a discussion of these policies, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Critical Accounting Policies” in AFG’s 2015 Form 10-K.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Ratios AFG’s debt to total capital ratio on a consolidated basis is shown below (dollars in millions):

|  | September 30, 2016 |  | December 31,
2015 |  | 2014
Principal amount of long-term debt |  | $ | 1,326 |  |  | $ | 1,020 |  |  | $ | 1,061 |
Total capital |  | 6,015 |  |  | 5,512 |  |  | 5,513 |
Ratio of debt to total capital: |  |  |  |  |  |
Including subordinated debt and debt secured by real estate |  | 22.0 | % |  | 18.5 | % |  | 19.2 | %
Excluding subordinated debt and debt secured by real estate |  | 17.1 | % |  | 13.1 | % |  | 15.6 | %

The ratio of debt to total capital is a non-GAAP measure that management believes is useful for investors, analysts and independent 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, 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, noncontrolling interests and shareholders’ equity (excluding unrealized gains (losses) related to fixed maturity investments and appropriated retained earnings related to managed investment entities).
AFG’s ratio of earnings to fixed charges, including annuity benefits as a fixed charge, was 1.63 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 1.66 for the year ended December 31, 2015. Excluding annuity benefits, this ratio was 7.07 and 6.58, respectively. Although the ratio excluding annuity benefits is not required or encouraged to be disclosed under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, it is presented because interest credited to annuity policyholder accounts is not always considered a borrowing cost for an insurance company.
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,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 673 |  |  | $ | 907 |
Net cash used in investing activities | (2,446 | ) |  | (3,415 | )
Net cash provided by financing activities | 2,192 |  |  | 2,059 |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 419 |  |  | $ | (449 | )

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 property and casualty premiums, claim and expense payments and recoveries from reinsurers. AFG’s annuity operations typically produce positive net operating cash flows as investment income exceeds 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. Net cash provided by operating activities was $673 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $907 million in the first nine months of 2015, a decrease of $234 million.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities AFG’s investing activities consist primarily of the investment of funds provided by its property and casualty and annuity products. Net cash used in investing activities was $2.45 billion for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $3.42 billion in the first nine months of 2015, a decrease of $969 million. The $101 million decrease in net cash flows from annuity policyholders in the first nine months of 2016 as compared to the 2015 period (discussed below under net cash provided by financing activities) decreased the amount of cash available for investment in the first nine months of
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
2016 compared to the same 2015 period. In addition to the investment of funds provided by the insurance operations, investing activities also include the purchase and disposal of managed investment entity investments (collateralized loan obligations), which are presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Net investment activity in the managed investment entities was a $24 million use of cash in the first nine months of 2016 compared to a $482 million use of cash in the 2015 period, accounting for a $458 million decrease in net cash used in investing activities in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same 2015 period. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note H — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements.
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities AFG’s financing activities consist primarily of transactions with annuity policyholders, issuances and retirements of long-term debt, repurchases of common stock and dividend payments. Net cash provided by financing activities was $2.19 billion for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $2.06 billion in the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $133 million. Annuity receipts exceeded annuity surrenders, benefits, withdrawals and transfers by $1.78 billion in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $1.88 billion in the first nine months of 2015, resulting in a $101 million decrease in net cash provided by financing activities in the 2016 period compared to the 2015 period. In August 2016, AFG issued $300 million of 3-1/2% Senior Notes due 2026, the net proceeds of which contributed $296 million to net cash provided by financing activities in the first nine months of 2016. Redemptions of long-term debt was a $182 million use of cash in the first nine months of 2015. During the first nine months of 2016, AFG repurchased $124 million of its Common Stock compared to $113 million repurchased in the first nine months of 2015, which accounted for an $11 million decrease in net cash provided by financing activities in the 2016 period compared to the 2015 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 $281 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $501 million in the first nine months of 2015, accounting for a $220 million decrease in net cash provided by financing activities in the 2016 period compared to the 2015 period. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note H — “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 marketable securities or to generate cash through borrowings, sales of other assets, or similar transactions.
In June 2016, AFG replaced its bank credit facility with a five-year, $500 million revolving credit line. 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. There were no borrowings under this agreement, or under any other parent company short-term borrowing arrangements, during 2015 or the first nine months of 2016.
On July 25, 2016, AFG announced that it had reached an agreement with the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of National Interstate Corporation (“NATL”) to acquire all shares of NATL that it does not currently own. NATL is a 51%-owned property and casualty insurance subsidiary of AFG’s wholly-owned property and casualty insurance subsidiary, Great American Insurance Company (“GAI”). Shareholders of NATL, other than GAI, will receive $32.00 per share in cash in the transaction. In addition, NATL will pay a one-time special dividend to its shareholders of $0.50 per NATL share in cash immediately prior to the closing of the merger. The transaction remains subject to the approval of shareholders holding a majority of the shares of NATL not owned by AFG or its affiliates at a special meeting of NATL shareholders to be held on November 10, 2016. Based on the $32.00 per share purchase price plus $0.50 special dividend, the purchase price to acquire the NATL shares not currently owned by GAI will be approximately $320 million.
In August 2016, AFG issued $300 million of 3-1/2% Senior Notes due 2026. AFG intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund a portion of the proposed acquisition of all of the shares of NATL that it does not currently own, which is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2016.
During the first nine months of 2016, AFG repurchased 1.8 million shares of its Common Stock for $124 million. In November 2016, AFG declared a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share of AFG Common Stock (approximately $87 million). This special cash dividend is in addition to AFG’s regular quarterly cash dividend. During 2015, AFG repurchased 2.0 million shares of its Common Stock for $126 million.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Under a tax allocation agreement with AFG, its 80%-owned U.S. subsidiaries generally pay taxes to (or recover taxes from) AFG based on each subsidiary’s contribution to amounts due under AFG’s consolidated tax return.
Subsidiary Liquidity Great American Life Insurance Company (“GALIC”), a wholly-owned annuity subsidiary, is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (“FHLB”). The FHLB makes advances and provides other banking services to member institutions, which provides the annuity operations with a substantial additional source of liquidity. These advances further the FHLB’s mission of improving access to housing by increasing liquidity in the residential mortgage-backed securities market. At September 30, 2016, GALIC had $935 million in outstanding advances from the FHLB (included in annuity benefits accumulated), bearing interest at rates ranging from 0.02% to 0.49% over LIBOR (average rate of 0.94% at September 30, 2016). While these advances must be repaid between 2016 and 2021 ($200 million in 2016, $285 million in 2018, $300 million in 2020 and $150 million in 2021), GALIC has the option to prepay all or a portion of the advances. GALIC has invested the proceeds from the advances in fixed maturity securities with similar expected lives as the advances for the purpose of earning a spread over the interest payments due to the FHLB. At September 30, 2016, GALIC estimated that it had additional borrowing capacity of approximately $500 million from the FHLB.
NATL can borrow up to $100 million under its unsecured credit agreement, which expires in November 2017. There was $18 million borrowed under this agreement at September 30, 2016, including $6 million borrowed in September 2016. Amounts borrowed under the NATL credit agreement will be repaid and this credit agreement will be terminated immediately prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction under which AFG would acquire all of the NATL shares that it does not currently own, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016.
The liquidity requirements of AFG’s insurance subsidiaries relate primarily to the liabilities associated with their products as well as operating costs and expenses, payments of dividends and taxes to AFG and contributions of capital to their subsidiaries. Historically, cash flows from premiums and investment income have generally provided more than sufficient funds to meet these requirements. Funds received in excess of cash requirements are generally invested in additional marketable securities. In addition, the insurance subsidiaries generally hold a significant amount of highly liquid, short-term investments.
The excess cash flow of AFG’s property and casualty group allows it to extend the duration of its investment portfolio somewhat beyond that of its claim reserves.
In the annuity business, where profitability is largely dependent on earning a spread between invested assets and annuity liabilities, the duration of investments is generally maintained close to that of liabilities. In a rising interest rate environment, significant protection from withdrawals exists in the form of temporary and permanent surrender charges on AFG’s annuity products. With declining rates, AFG receives some protection (from spread compression) due to the ability to lower crediting rates, subject to contractually guaranteed minimum interest rates (“GMIRs”). AFG began selling policies with GMIRs below 2% in 2003; almost all new business since late 2010 has been issued with a 1% GMIR. At September 30, 2016, AFG could reduce the average crediting rate on approximately $22 billion of traditional fixed and fixed-indexed deferred annuities without guaranteed withdrawal benefits by approximately 76 basis points (on a weighted average basis). Annuity policies are subject to GMIRs at policy issuance. The table below shows the breakdown of annuity reserves by GMIR. The current interest crediting rates on substantially all of AFG’s annuities with a GMIR of 3% or higher are at their minimum.

|  |  |  |  | % of Reserves |
|  |  |  |  | at September 30, |
| GMIR |  |  |  | 2016 |  | 2015 |
| 1 — 1.99% |  |  |  | 71% |  | 64% |
| 2 — 2.99% |  |  |  | 6% |  | 8% |
| 3 — 3.99% |  |  |  | 12% |  | 15% |
| 4.00% and above |  |  |  | 11% |  | 13% |
| Annuity benefits accumulated (in millions) |  | $29,222 |  | $26,026 |

At the beginning of 2016, AFG’s cost of funds (interest credited plus the cost of options) for newly-issued traditional fixed and fixed-indexed annuities was 2.50% (after adjusting for the timing of option purchases, and the cost of upfront bonuses and certain policy features). As a result of the decline in market investment yields during the second quarter of 2016, AFG took several actions that reduced the weekly cost of funds on new business to 2.16% as of October 17, 2016. In addition to lowering the cost of funds, AFG also reduced certain commission rates and rider benefits for contracts issued during 2016. The year-to-
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
date 2016 weighted average cost of funds for newly issued traditional fixed and fixed-indexed annuities through October 17, 2016 was 2.26%.
AFG believes its insurance subsidiaries maintain sufficient liquidity to pay claims and benefits and operating 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. 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 AFG’s investment portfolio at September 30, 2016, contained $35.39 billion in fixed maturity securities and $1.55 billion in equity securities classified as available for sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in a separate component of shareholders’ equity on an after-tax basis. In addition, $348 million in fixed maturities and $86 million in equity securities were classified as trading with changes in unrealized holding gains or losses included in net investment income.
Fair values for AFG’s portfolio are determined by AFG’s internal investment professionals using data from nationally recognized pricing services as well as non-binding broker quotes. Fair values of equity securities are generally based on published closing prices. For mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), which comprise approximately 16% of AFG’s fixed maturities, prices for each security are generally obtained from both pricing services and broker quotes. For the remainder of AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio, approximately 79% are priced using pricing services and the balance is priced primarily by 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 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 and accumulated other comprehensive income that an immediate increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate yield curve would have at September 30, 2016 (dollars in millions). Effects of increases or decreases from the 100 basis points illustrated would be approximately proportional.

Fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | 35,742 |
Percentage impact on fair value of 100 bps increase in interest rates | (5.0 | %)
Pretax impact on fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | (1,787 | )
Offsetting adjustments to deferred policy acquisition costs and other balance sheet amounts | 700 |
Estimated pretax impact on accumulated other comprehensive income | (1,087 | )
Deferred income tax | 381 |
Noncontrolling interests | 12 |
Estimated after-tax impact on accumulated other comprehensive income | $ | (694 | )

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Approximately 89% of the fixed maturities held by AFG at September 30, 2016, were rated “investment grade” (credit rating of AAA to BBB) by nationally recognized rating agencies. Investment grade securities generally bear lower yields and lower degrees of risk than those that are unrated and non-investment grade. Management believes that the high quality investment portfolio should generate a stable and predictable investment return.
MBS are subject to significant prepayment risk due to the fact that, in periods of declining interest rates, mortgages may be repaid more rapidly than scheduled as borrowers refinance higher rate mortgages to take advantage of lower rates. Although interest rates have been low in recent years, tighter lending standards have resulted in fewer buyers being able to refinance the mortgages underlying much of AFG’s non-agency residential MBS portfolio.
Summarized information for AFG’s MBS (including those classified as trading) at September 30, 2016, is shown in the table below (dollars in millions). Agency-backed securities are those issued by a U.S. government-backed agency; Alt-A mortgages are those with risk profiles between prime and subprime. The average life of the residential and commercial MBS are each approximately 4 years.

|  | Amortized Cost |  | Fair Value |  | Fair Value as % of Cost |  | Unrealized Gain (Loss) |  | % Rated Investment Grade
Collateral type |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Residential: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Agency-backed |  | $ | 236 |  |  | $ | 240 |  |  | 102 | % |  | $ | 4 |  |  | 100 | %
Non-agency prime |  | 1,475 |  |  | 1,637 |  |  | 111 | % |  | 162 |  |  | 30 | %
Alt-A |  | 1,148 |  |  | 1,226 |  |  | 107 | % |  | 78 |  |  | 12 | %
Subprime |  | 675 |  |  | 717 |  |  | 106 | % |  | 42 |  |  | 23 | %
Commercial |  | 1,763 |  |  | 1,848 |  |  | 105 | % |  | 85 |  |  | 96 | %
|  | $ | 5,297 |  |  | $ | 5,668 |  |  | 107 | % |  | $ | 371 |  |  | 50 | %

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) assigns creditworthiness designations on a scale of 1 to 6 with 1 being the highest quality and 6 being the lowest quality. The NAIC retains third-party investment management firms to assist in the determination of appropriate NAIC designations for mortgage-backed securities based not only on the probability of loss (which is the primary basis of ratings by the major ratings firms), but also on the severity of loss and statutory carrying value. At September 30, 2016, 96% (based on statutory carrying value of $5.22 billion) of AFG’s MBS securities had a NAIC designation of 1.
Municipal bonds represented approximately 20% of AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio at September 30, 2016. AFG’s municipal bond portfolio is high quality, with 98% 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, 2016, approximately 75% of the municipal bond portfolio was held in revenue bonds, with the remaining 25% held in general obligation bonds. General obligation securities of California, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Puerto Rico collectively represented approximately 1% of this portfolio.
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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, 2016, is shown in the following table (dollars in millions). Approximately $375 million of available for sale fixed maturity securities and $57 million of available for sale equity securities had no unrealized gains or losses at September 30, 2016.

| Securities With Unrealized Gains |  | Securities With Unrealized Losses
Available for Sale Fixed Maturities |  |  |
Fair value of securities | $ | 31,779 |  |  | $ | 3,240 |
Amortized cost of securities | $ | 29,894 |  |  | $ | 3,317 |
Gross unrealized gain (loss) | $ | 1,885 |  |  | $ | (77 | )
Fair value as % of amortized cost | 106 | % |  | 98 | %
Number of security positions | 4,678 |  |  | 477 |
Number individually exceeding $2 million gain or loss | 131 |  |  | 4 |
Concentration of gains (losses) by type or industry (exceeding 5% of unrealized): |  |  |
States and municipalities | $ | 455 |  |  | $ | (5 | )
Mortgage-backed securities | 385 |  |  | (14 | )
Manufacturing | 202 |  |  | (5 | )
Banks, savings and credit institutions | 194 |  |  | (4 | )
Gas and electric services | 97 |  |  | (2 | )
Asset-backed securities | 70 |  |  | (25 | )
Oil and gas extraction | 31 |  |  | (11 | )
Percentage rated investment grade | 90 | % |  | 74 | %
Available for Sale Equity Securities |  |  |
Fair value of securities | $ | 1,168 |  |  | $ | 328 |
Cost of securities | $ | 977 |  |  | $ | 358 |
Gross unrealized gain (loss) | $ | 191 |  |  | $ | (30 | )
Fair value as % of cost | 120 | % |  | 92 | %
Number of security positions | 189 |  |  | 46 |
Number individually exceeding $2 million gain or loss | 24 |  |  | 5 |

The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of AFG’s available for sale fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2016, 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 | 3 | % |  | 1 | %
After one year through five years | 18 | % |  | 9 | %
After five years through ten years | 37 | % |  | 19 | %
After ten years | 13 | % |  | 5 | %
| 71 | % |  | 34 | %
Asset-backed securities (average life of approximately 5 years) | 14 | % |  | 45 | %
Mortgage-backed securities (average life of approximately 4 years) | 15 | % |  | 21 | %
| 100 | % |  | 100 | %

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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 Basis
Fixed Maturities at September 30, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities with unrealized gains: |  |  |  |  |  |
Exceeding $500,000 (1,183 securities) |  | $ | 15,580 |  |  | $ | 1,343 |  |  | 109 | %
$500,000 or less (3,495 securities) |  | 16,199 |  |  | 542 |  |  | 103 | %
|  | $ | 31,779 |  |  | $ | 1,885 |  |  | 106 | %
Securities with unrealized losses: |  |  |  |  |  |
Exceeding $500,000 (33 securities) |  | $ | 500 |  |  | $ | (39 | ) |  | 93 | %
$500,000 or less (444 securities) |  | 2,740 |  |  | (38 | ) |  | 99 | %
|  | $ | 3,240 |  |  | $ | (77 | ) |  | 98 | %

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 Basis
Securities with Unrealized Losses at September 30, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment grade fixed maturities with losses for: |  |  |  |  |  |
Less than one year (208 securities) |  | $ | 1,644 |  |  | $ | (20 | ) |  | 99 | %
One year or longer (111 securities) |  | 757 |  |  | (17 | ) |  | 98 | %
|  | $ | 2,401 |  |  | $ | (37 | ) |  | 98 | %
Non-investment grade fixed maturities with losses for: |  |  |  |  |  |
Less than one year (82 securities) |  | $ | 505 |  |  | $ | (10 | ) |  | 98 | %
One year or longer (76 securities) |  | 334 |  |  | (30 | ) |  | 92 | %
|  | $ | 839 |  |  | $ | (40 | ) |  | 95 | %
Common stocks with losses for: |  |  |  |  |  |
Less than one year (32 securities) |  | $ | 233 |  |  | $ | (27 | ) |  | 90 | %
One year or longer (none) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — | %
|  | $ | 233 |  |  | $ | (27 | ) |  | 90 | %
Perpetual preferred stocks with losses for: |  |  |  |  |  |
Less than one year (13 securities) |  | $ | 89 |  |  | $ | (2 | ) |  | 98 | %
One year or longer (1 security) |  | 6 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 86 | %
|  | $ | 95 |  |  | $ | (3 | ) |  | 97 | %

When a decline in the value of a specific investment is considered to be other-than-temporary, a provision for impairment is charged to earnings (accounted for as a realized loss) and the cost basis of that investment is reduced by the amount of the charge. 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 2015 Form 10-K under Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Investments.”
Based on its analysis, management believes AFG will recover its cost basis 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, 2016. Although AFG has the ability to continue holding its investments with unrealized losses, its intent to hold them may change due to deterioration in the issuers’ creditworthiness, decisions to lessen exposure to a particular issuer or industry, asset/liability management decisions, market movements, changes in views about appropriate asset allocation or the desire to offset taxable realized gains. Should AFG’s ability or intent change with regard to a particular security, a charge for impairment would likely be required. While it is not possible to accurately predict if or when a specific security will become impaired, charges for other-than-temporary impairment could be material to results of operations in future periods. Significant declines in the fair value of
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
AFG’s investment portfolio could have a significant adverse effect on AFG’s liquidity. For information on AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities, including charges for other-than-temporary impairment, see “Results of Operations — Consolidated 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 Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Uncertainties” in AFG’s 2015 Form 10-K.
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 H — “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.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

| Before CLO Consolidation |  | Managed Investment Entities |  | Consol. Entries |  |  |  | Consolidated As Reported
September 30, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and investments | $ | 42,049 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (244 | ) |  | (a) |  | $ | 41,805 |
Assets of managed investment entities | — |  |  | 4,312 |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 4,312 |
Other assets | 8,729 |  |  | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  | (a) |  | 8,728 |
Total assets | $ | 50,778 |  |  | $ | 4,312 |  |  | $ | (245 | ) |  |  |  | $ | 54,845 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums | $ | 10,989 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  |  | $ | 10,989 |
Annuity, life, accident and health benefits and reserves | 29,922 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 29,922 |
Liabilities of managed investment entities | — |  |  | 4,297 |  |  | (230 | ) |  | (a) |  | 4,067 |
Long-term debt and other liabilities | 4,509 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 4,509 |
Total liabilities | 45,420 |  |  | 4,297 |  |  | (230 | ) |  |  |  | 49,487 |
Shareholders’ equity: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common Stock and Capital surplus | 1,329 |  |  | 15 |  |  | (15 | ) |  |  |  | 1,329 |
Retained earnings | 3,079 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 3,079 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax | 753 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 753 |
Total shareholders’ equity | 5,161 |  |  | 15 |  |  | (15 | ) |  |  |  | 5,161 |
Noncontrolling interests | 197 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 197 |
Total equity | 5,358 |  |  | 15 |  |  | (15 | ) |  |  |  | 5,358 |
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 50,778 |  |  | $ | 4,312 |  |  | $ | (245 | ) |  |  |  | $ | 54,845 |
December 31, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and investments | $ | 38,001 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (265 | ) |  | (a) |  | $ | 37,736 |
Assets of managed investment entities | — |  |  | 4,047 |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 4,047 |
Other assets | 8,055 |  |  | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  | (a) |  | 8,054 |
Total assets | $ | 46,056 |  |  | $ | 4,047 |  |  | $ | (266 | ) |  |  |  | $ | 49,837 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums | $ | 10,187 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  |  | $ | 10,187 |
Annuity, life, accident and health benefits and reserves | 27,327 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 27,327 |
Liabilities of managed investment entities | — |  |  | 4,027 |  |  | (246 | ) |  | (a) |  | 3,781 |
Long-term debt and other liabilities | 3,772 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 3,772 |
Total liabilities | 41,286 |  |  | 4,027 |  |  | (246 | ) |  |  |  | 45,067 |
Shareholders’ equity: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common Stock and Capital surplus | 1,301 |  |  | 20 |  |  | (20 | ) |  |  |  | 1,301 |
Retained earnings | 2,987 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 2,987 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax | 304 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 304 |
Total shareholders’ equity | 4,592 |  |  | 20 |  |  | (20 | ) |  |  |  | 4,592 |
Noncontrolling interests | 178 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 178 |
Total equity | 4,770 |  |  | 20 |  |  | (20 | ) |  |  |  | 4,770 |
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 46,056 |  |  | $ | 4,047 |  |  | $ | (266 | ) |  |  |  | $ | 49,837 |

(a) | Elimination of the fair value of AFG’s investment in CLOs and related accrued interest.

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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 Consolidation (a) |  | Managed Investment Entities |  | Consol. Entries |  |  |  | Consolidated As Reported
Three months ended September 30, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,165 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  |  | $ | 1,165 |
Net investment income | 450 |  |  | — |  |  | (17 | ) |  | (b) |  | 433 |
Realized gains on securities | 2 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 2 |
Income (loss) of managed investment entities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment income | — |  |  | 48 |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 48 |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — |  |  | — |  |  | 11 |  |  | (b) |  | 11 |
Other income | 50 |  |  | — |  |  | (4 | ) |  | (c) |  | 46 |
Total revenues | 1,667 |  |  | 48 |  |  | (10 | ) |  |  |  | 1,705 |
Costs and Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Insurance benefits and expenses | 1,372 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 1,372 |
Expenses of managed investment entities | — |  |  | 48 |  |  | (10 | ) |  | (b)(c) |  | 38 |
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 117 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 117 |
Total costs and expenses | 1,489 |  |  | 48 |  |  | (10 | ) |  |  |  | 1,527 |
Earnings before income taxes | 178 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 178 |
Provision for income taxes | 65 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 65 |
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests | 113 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 113 |
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 4 |
Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 109 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  |  | $ | 109 |
Three months ended September 30, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,201 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  |  | $ | 1,201 |
Net investment income | 422 |  |  | — |  |  | 3 |  |  | (b) |  | 425 |
Realized gains (losses) on: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities | (16 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | (16 | )
Subsidiaries | 5 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 5 |
Income (loss) of managed investment entities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment income | — |  |  | 40 |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 40 |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  | (10 | ) |  | (b) |  | (11 | )
Other income | 47 |  |  | — |  |  | (4 | ) |  | (c) |  | 43 |
Total revenues | 1,659 |  |  | 39 |  |  | (11 | ) |  |  |  | 1,687 |
Costs and Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Insurance benefits and expenses | 1,449 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 1,449 |
Expenses of managed investment entities | — |  |  | 39 |  |  | (11 | ) |  | (b)(c) |  | 28 |
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 111 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 111 |
Total costs and expenses | 1,560 |  |  | 39 |  |  | (11 | ) |  |  |  | 1,588 |
Earnings before income taxes | 99 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 99 |
Provision for income taxes | 33 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 33 |
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests | 66 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 66 |
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | 3 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 3 |
Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 63 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  |  | $ | 63 |

(a) | Includes $17 million and ($3 million) in the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments plus $4 million in both the third quarter of 2016 and 2015 in CLO management fees earned.

(b) | Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $6 million and $7 million in the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.

(c) | Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.

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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 Consolidation (a) |  | Managed Investment Entities |  | Consol. Entries |  |  |  | Consolidated As Reported
Nine months ended September 30, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Insurance net earned premiums | $ | 3,202 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  |  | $ | 3,202 |
Net investment income | 1,296 |  |  | — |  |  | (29 | ) |  | (b) |  | 1,267 |
Realized gains (losses) on: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities | (32 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | (32 | )
Subsidiaries | 2 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 2 |
Income (loss) of managed investment entities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment income | — |  |  | 141 |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 141 |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | 7 |  |  | (b) |  | 9 |
Other income | 184 |  |  | — |  |  | (12 | ) |  | (c) |  | 172 |
Total revenues | 4,652 |  |  | 143 |  |  | (34 | ) |  |  |  | 4,761 |
Costs and Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Insurance benefits and expenses | 3,868 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 3,868 |
Expenses of managed investment entities | — |  |  | 142 |  |  | (33 | ) |  | (b)(c) |  | 109 |
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 314 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 314 |
Total costs and expenses | 4,182 |  |  | 142 |  |  | (33 | ) |  |  |  | 4,291 |
Earnings before income taxes | 470 |  |  | 1 |  |  | (1 | ) |  |  |  | 470 |
Provision for income taxes | 190 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 190 |
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests | 280 |  |  | 1 |  |  | (1 | ) |  |  |  | 280 |
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | 16 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 16 |
Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 264 |  |  | $ | 1 |  |  | $ | (1 | ) |  |  |  | $ | 264 |
Nine months ended September 30, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Insurance net earned premiums | $ | 3,184 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  |  | $ | 3,184 |
Net investment income | 1,222 |  |  | — |  |  | (5 | ) |  | (b) |  | 1,217 |
Realized gains (losses) on: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities | 2 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 2 |
Subsidiaries | (157 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | (157 | )
Income (loss) of managed investment entities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment income | — |  |  | 112 |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 112 |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | (18 | ) |  | (b) |  | (16 | )
Other income | 196 |  |  | — |  |  | (11 | ) |  | (c) |  | 185 |
Total revenues | 4,447 |  |  | 114 |  |  | (34 | ) |  |  |  | 4,527 |
Costs and Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Insurance benefits and expenses | 3,784 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 3,784 |
Expenses of managed investment entities | — |  |  | 112 |  |  | (32 | ) |  | (b)(c) |  | 80 |
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 308 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 308 |
Total costs and expenses | 4,092 |  |  | 112 |  |  | (32 | ) |  |  |  | 4,172 |
Earnings before income taxes | 355 |  |  | 2 |  |  | (2 | ) |  |  |  | 355 |
Provision for income taxes | 115 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 115 |
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests | 240 |  |  | 2 |  |  | (2 | ) |  |  |  | 240 |
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | 17 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | 17 |
Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 223 |  |  | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | (2 | ) |  |  |  | $ | 223 |

(a) | Includes $29 million and $5 million in the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments plus $12 million and $11 million in the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively, in CLO management fees earned.

(b) | Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $21 million in both the first nine months of 2016 and 2015 in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.

(c) | Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.

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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 attributable to shareholders, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. For example, 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. Similarly, significant gains and losses from the sale of real estate are excluded from core earnings as they are influenced by the timing of sales and realized gains (losses) on subsidiaries are excluded because such gains and losses are largely the result of the changing business strategy and market opportunities. In addition, special charges related to coverage that AFG no longer writes, such as the Neon exited lines and for asbestos and environmental exposures are excluded from core earnings. The following table (in millions, except per share amounts) identifies non-core items and reconciles net earnings attributable to shareholders 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,
2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Components of net earnings attributable to shareholders: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Core operating earnings before income taxes | $ | 217 |  |  | $ | 193 |  |  | $ | 574 |  |  | $ | 542 |
Pretax non-core items: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | 2 |  |  | (16 | ) |  | (32 | ) |  | 2 |
Realized gain (loss) on subsidiaries: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term care business | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | (162 | )
Other | — |  |  | 5 |  |  | — |  |  | 5 |
Gain on sale of apartment property and hotel | — |  |  | — |  |  | 32 |  |  | 51 |
Special A&E charges | (41 | ) |  | (79 | ) |  | (41 | ) |  | (79 | )
Neon exited lines charge | — |  |  | — |  |  | (65 | ) |  | — |
Loss on retirement of debt | — |  |  | (4 | ) |  | — |  |  | (4 | )
Earnings before income taxes | 178 |  |  | 99 |  |  | 470 |  |  | 355 |
Provision (credit) for income taxes: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Core operating earnings | 79 |  |  | 66 |  |  | 202 |  |  | 180 |
Non-core items | (14 | ) |  | (33 | ) |  | (12 | ) |  | (65 | )
Total provision (credit) for income taxes | 65 |  |  | 33 |  |  | 190 |  |  | 115 |
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests | 113 |  |  | 66 |  |  | 280 |  |  | 240 |
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Core operating earnings | 4 |  |  | 4 |  |  | 14 |  |  | 12 |
Non-core items | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 2 |  |  | 5 |
Total net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | 4 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 16 |  |  | 17 |
Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 109 |  |  | $ | 63 |  |  | $ | 264 |  |  | $ | 223 |
Net earnings: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Core net operating earnings | $ | 134 |  |  | $ | 123 |  |  | $ | 358 |  |  | $ | 350 |
Non-core items | (25 | ) |  | (60 | ) |  | (94 | ) |  | (127 | )
Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 109 |  |  | $ | 63 |  |  | $ | 264 |  |  | $ | 223 |
Diluted per share amounts: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Core net operating earnings | $ | 1.51 |  |  | $ | 1.38 |  |  | $ | 4.04 |  |  | $ | 3.92 |
Realized gains (losses) on securities | 0.02 |  |  | (0.10 | ) |  | (0.21 | ) |  | 0.03 |
Realized gain (loss) on subsidiaries: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term care business | — |  |  | — |  |  | 0.01 |  |  | (1.18 | )
Other | — |  |  | 0.04 |  |  | — |  |  | 0.04 |
Gain on sale of apartment property and hotel | — |  |  | — |  |  | 0.17 |  |  | 0.29 |
Special A&E charges | (0.30 | ) |  | (0.58 | ) |  | (0.30 | ) |  | (0.58 | )
Neon exited lines charge | — |  |  | — |  |  | (0.73 | ) |  | — |
Loss on retirement of debt | — |  |  | (0.03 | ) |  | — |  |  | (0.03 | )
Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 1.23 |  |  | $ | 0.71 |  |  | $ | 2.98 |  |  | $ | 2.49 |

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Net earnings attributable to shareholders increased $46 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 due primarily to lower special A&E charges recorded in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015, net realized gains in the 2016 period compared to net realized losses in the 2015 period and higher core net operating earnings. Core net operating earnings increased $11 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 reflecting higher operating earnings in the annuity segment, partially offset by lower profitability in the run-off long-term care and life segment and higher holding company expenses.
Net earnings attributable to shareholders increased $41 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 due primarily to the estimated loss on the sale of the subsidiaries containing substantially all of AFG’s run-off long-term care insurance business that was recorded in the first quarter of 2015, lower special A&E charges recorded in the 2016 period compared to the 2015 period and higher core net operating earnings, partially offset by a charge related to the exit of certain lines of business within Neon, net realized losses on securities in the 2016 period compared to net realized gains on securities in the 2015 period and lower gains on the sale of real estate in the 2016 period compared to the 2015 period. Core net operating earnings increased $8 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 reflecting higher underwriting profit and net investment income in the ongoing property and casualty insurance operations, partially offset by lower profitability in the run-off long-term care and life segment.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 AND 2015
Segmented Statement of Earnings AFG reports its business as four segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”), (ii) Annuity, (iii) Run-off long-term care and life and (iv) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
AFG’s net earnings attributable to shareholders, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the quarters ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings attributable to shareholders 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 |  | Annuity |  | Run-off long-term care and life |  | Consol. MIEs |  | Holding Co., other and unallocated |  | Total |  | Non-core reclass |  | GAAP Total
Quarter ended September 30, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,159 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,159 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,159 |
Life, accident and health net earned premiums | — |  |  | — |  |  | 6 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 6 |  |  | — |  |  | 6 |
Net investment income | 93 |  |  | 351 |  |  | 5 |  |  | (17 | ) |  | 1 |  |  | 433 |  |  | — |  |  | 433 |
Realized gains on securities | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | 2 |
Income (loss) of MIEs: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment income | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 48 |  |  | — |  |  | 48 |  |  | — |  |  | 48 |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 11 |  |  | — |  |  | 11 |  |  | — |  |  | 11 |
Other income | 3 |  |  | 26 |  |  | 2 |  |  | (4 | ) |  | 19 |  |  | 46 |  |  | — |  |  | 46 |
Total revenues | 1,255 |  |  | 377 |  |  | 13 |  |  | 38 |  |  | 20 |  |  | 1,703 |  |  | 2 |  |  | 1,705 |
Costs and Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and casualty insurance: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 729 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 729 |  |  | 36 |  |  | 765 |
Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 352 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | 356 |  |  | — |  |  | 356 |
Annuity benefits | — |  |  | 189 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 189 |  |  | — |  |  | 189 |
Life, accident and health benefits | — |  |  | — |  |  | 8 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 8 |  |  | — |  |  | 8 |
Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses | — |  |  | 53 |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 54 |  |  | — |  |  | 54 |
Interest charges on borrowed money | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 19 |  |  | 19 |  |  | — |  |  | 19 |
Expenses of MIEs | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 38 |  |  | — |  |  | 38 |  |  | — |  |  | 38 |
Other expenses | 17 |  |  | 28 |  |  | 3 |  |  | — |  |  | 45 |  |  | 93 |  |  | 5 |  |  | 98 |
Total costs and expenses | 1,098 |  |  | 270 |  |  | 12 |  |  | 38 |  |  | 68 |  |  | 1,486 |  |  | 41 |  |  | 1,527 |
Earnings before income taxes | 157 |  |  | 107 |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | (48 | ) |  | 217 |  |  | (39 | ) |  | 178 |
Provision for income taxes | 59 |  |  | 38 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (18 | ) |  | 79 |  |  | (14 | ) |  | 65 |
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests | 98 |  |  | 69 |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | (30 | ) |  | 138 |  |  | (25 | ) |  | 113 |
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | 4 |
Core Net Operating Earnings | 94 |  |  | 69 |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | (30 | ) |  | 134 |  |  |  |  |
Non-core earnings attributable to shareholders (a): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Realized gains on securities, net of tax and noncontrolling interests | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | 1 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | — |
Special A&E charges, net of tax | (23 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (3 | ) |  | (26 | ) |  | 26 |  |  | — |
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders | $ | 71 |  |  | $ | 69 |  |  | $ | 1 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (32 | ) |  | $ | 109 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 109 |

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued

|  | Other |  |  |  |  |  |
| P&C |  | Annuity |  | Run-off long-term care and life |  | Consol. MIEs |  | Holding Co., other and unallocated |  | Total |  | Non-core reclass |  | GAAP Total
Quarter ended September 30, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,173 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,173 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,173 |
Life, accident and health net earned premiums | — |  |  | — |  |  | 28 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 28 |  |  | — |  |  | 28 |
Net investment income | 83 |  |  | 317 |  |  | 20 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 2 |  |  | 425 |  |  | — |  |  | 425 |
Realized gains (losses) on: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (16 | ) |  | (16 | )
Subsidiaries | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 5 |  |  | 5 |
Income (loss) of MIEs: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment income | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 40 |  |  | — |  |  | 40 |  |  | — |  |  | 40 |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (11 | ) |  | — |  |  | (11 | ) |  | — |  |  | (11 | )
Other income | 2 |  |  | 24 |  |  | 2 |  |  | (4 | ) |  | 19 |  |  | 43 |  |  | — |  |  | 43 |
Total revenues | 1,258 |  |  | 341 |  |  | 50 |  |  | 28 |  |  | 21 |  |  | 1,698 |  |  | (11 | ) |  | 1,687 |
Costs and Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and casualty insurance: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 758 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 758 |  |  | 67 |  |  | 825 |
Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 333 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 3 |  |  | 336 |  |  | — |  |  | 336 |
Annuity benefits | — |  |  | 208 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 208 |  |  | — |  |  | 208 |
Life, accident and health benefits | — |  |  | — |  |  | 31 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 31 |  |  | — |  |  | 31 |
Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses | — |  |  | 44 |  |  | 5 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 49 |  |  | — |  |  | 49 |
Interest charges on borrowed money | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 18 |  |  | 18 |  |  | — |  |  | 18 |
Expenses of MIEs | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 28 |  |  | — |  |  | 28 |  |  | — |  |  | 28 |
Other expenses | 10 |  |  | 22 |  |  | 8 |  |  | — |  |  | 37 |  |  | 77 |  |  | 16 |  |  | 93 |
Total costs and expenses | 1,101 |  |  | 274 |  |  | 44 |  |  | 28 |  |  | 58 |  |  | 1,505 |  |  | 83 |  |  | 1,588 |
Earnings before income taxes | 157 |  |  | 67 |  |  | 6 |  |  | — |  |  | (37 | ) |  | 193 |  |  | (94 | ) |  | 99 |
Provision for income taxes | 54 |  |  | 22 |  |  | 2 |  |  | — |  |  | (12 | ) |  | 66 |  |  | (33 | ) |  | 33 |
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests | 103 |  |  | 45 |  |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | (25 | ) |  | 127 |  |  | (61 | ) |  | 66 |
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 3 |
Core Net Operating Earnings | 99 |  |  | 45 |  |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | (25 | ) |  | 123 |  |  |  |  |
Non-core earnings attributable to shareholders (a): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Realized losses on securities, net of tax and noncontrolling interests | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (10 | ) |  | (10 | ) |  | 10 |  |  | — |
Realized gain on subsidiary, net of tax | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | 4 |  |  | (4 | ) |  | — |
Special A&E charges, net of tax | (44 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (8 | ) |  | (52 | ) |  | 52 |  |  | — |
Loss on retirement of debt, net of tax | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (2 | ) |  | (2 | ) |  | 2 |  |  | — |
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders | $ | 55 |  |  | $ | 45 |  |  | $ | 4 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (41 | ) |  | $ | 63 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 63 |

(a) | See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax and noncontrolling interest 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.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $121 million in GAAP pretax earnings in the third quarter of 2016 compared to $90 million in the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $31 million (34%). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were $157 million in both the third quarter of 2016 and 2015. The increase in GAAP pretax earnings reflects lower special A&E charges in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015. GAAP and core pretax earnings include improved underwriting results in the Property and transportation group and higher net investment income, offset by lower underwriting profit in the Specialty casualty and Specialty financial groups and higher net other expenses.
The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty insurance operations for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Gross written premiums | $ | 1,899 |  |  | $ | 1,962 |  |  | (3 | %)
Reinsurance premiums ceded | (631 | ) |  | (643 | ) |  | (2 | %)
Net written premiums | 1,268 |  |  | 1,319 |  |  | (4 | %)
Change in unearned premiums | (109 | ) |  | (146 | ) |  | (25 | %)
Net earned premiums | 1,159 |  |  | 1,173 |  |  | (1 | %)
Loss and loss adjustment expenses (*) | 729 |  |  | 758 |  |  | (4 | %)
Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 352 |  |  | 333 |  |  | 6 | %
Core underwriting gain | 78 |  |  | 82 |  |  | (5 | %)
Net investment income | 93 |  |  | 83 |  |  | 12 | %
Other income and expenses, net | (14 | ) |  | (8 | ) |  | 75 | %
Core earnings before income taxes | 157 |  |  | 157 |  |  | — | %
Pretax non-core special A&E charges | (36 | ) |  | (67 | ) |  | (46 | %)
GAAP earnings before income taxes | $ | 121 |  |  | $ | 90 |  |  | 34 | %
(*) Excludes pretax non-core special A&E charges of $36 million and $67 million in the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Combined Ratios: |  |  |  |  |
Specialty lines |  |  |  |  | Change
Loss and LAE ratio | 62.9 | % |  | 64.5 | % |  | (1.6 | %)
Underwriting expense ratio | 30.3 | % |  | 28.4 | % |  | 1.9 | %
Combined ratio | 93.2 | % |  | 92.9 | % |  | 0.3 | %
Aggregate — including exited lines |  |  |  |  |
Loss and LAE ratio | 66.0 | % |  | 70.3 | % |  | (4.3 | %)
Underwriting expense ratio | 30.3 | % |  | 28.4 | % |  | 1.9 | %
Combined ratio | 96.3 | % |  | 98.7 | % |  | (2.4 | %)

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.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.90 billion for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $1.96 billion for the third quarter of 2015, a decrease of $63 million (3%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  |
| GWP |  | % |  | GWP |  | % |  | % Change
Property and transportation | $ | 991 |  |  | 52 | % |  | $ | 1,064 |  |  | 54 | % |  | (7 | %)
Specialty casualty | 722 |  |  | 38 | % |  | 734 |  |  | 37 | % |  | (2 | %)
Specialty financial | 186 |  |  | 10 | % |  | 164 |  |  | 9 | % |  | 13 | %
| $ | 1,899 |  |  | 100 | % |  | $ | 1,962 |  |  | 100 | % |  | (3 | %)

Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 33% of gross written premiums for both the third quarter of 2016 and 2015. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | Change in
| Ceded |  | % of GWP |  | Ceded |  | % of GWP |  | % of GWP
Property and transportation | $ | (406 | ) |  | 41 | % |  | $ | (456 | ) |  | 43 | % |  | (2 | %)
Specialty casualty | (218 | ) |  | 30 | % |  | (189 | ) |  | 26 | % |  | 4 | %
Specialty financial | (37 | ) |  | 20 | % |  | (27 | ) |  | 16 | % |  | 4 | %
Other specialty | 30 |  |  |  |  | 29 |  |  |  |  |
| $ | (631 | ) |  | 33 | % |  | $ | (643 | ) |  | 33 | % |  | — | %

Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.27 billion for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $1.32 billion for the third quarter of 2015, a decrease of $51 million (4%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  |
| NWP |  | % |  | NWP |  | % |  | % Change
Property and transportation | $ | 585 |  |  | 46 | % |  | $ | 608 |  |  | 46 | % |  | (4 | %)
Specialty casualty | 504 |  |  | 40 | % |  | 545 |  |  | 41 | % |  | (8 | %)
Specialty financial | 149 |  |  | 12 | % |  | 137 |  |  | 10 | % |  | 9 | %
Other specialty | 30 |  |  | 2 | % |  | 29 |  |  | 3 | % |  | 3 | %
| $ | 1,268 |  |  | 100 | % |  | $ | 1,319 |  |  | 100 | % |  | (4 | %)

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.16 billion for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $1.17 billion for the third quarter of 2015, a decrease of $14 million (1%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  |
| NEP |  | % |  | NEP |  | % |  | % Change
Property and transportation | $ | 493 |  |  | 43 | % |  | $ | 517 |  |  | 44 | % |  | (5 | %)
Specialty casualty | 497 |  |  | 43 | % |  | 503 |  |  | 43 | % |  | (1 | %)
Specialty financial | 145 |  |  | 12 | % |  | 131 |  |  | 11 | % |  | 11 | %
Other specialty | 24 |  |  | 2 | % |  | 22 |  |  | 2 | % |  | 9 | %
| $ | 1,159 |  |  | 100 | % |  | $ | 1,173 |  |  | 100 | % |  | (1 | %)

The $63 million (3%) decrease in gross written premiums for the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015 reflects a decrease in the Property and transportation and Specialty casualty sub-segments, partially offset by growth in the Specialty financial sub-segment. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 1% in the third quarter of 2016.
Property and transportation Gross written premiums decreased $73 million (7%) in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015. This decrease was due primarily to lower year-over-year gross premiums in the crop businesses, primarily the result of lower spring commodity pricing and timing differences in the recording of crop premiums. Excluding crop, gross written premiums were comparable to the prior year period. Average renewal rates increased approximately 4% for this group in the third quarter of 2016, including a 6% increase in National Interstate’s renewal rates. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 2 percentage points for the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015, reflecting lower cessions in the crop business.
Specialty casualty Gross written premiums decreased $12 million (2%) in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015. Higher gross written premiums in the workers’ compensation businesses were more than offset by Neon’s exit of certain lines of business and implementation of more stringent underwriting standards at Neon. Average renewal rates decreased approximately 1% for this group in the third quarter of 2016, including a decrease of approximately 4% in the workers’ compensation businesses. Excluding the workers’ compensation business, average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 1% during the quarter. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 4 percentage points for the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015, reflecting a change in the mix of business and the timing of reinsurance agreements at Neon.
Specialty financial Gross written premiums increased $22 million (13%) in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015 due primarily to growth in the financial institutions business. Average renewal rates for this group were flat in the third quarter of 2016. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 4 percentage points for the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015, reflecting higher cessions in the financial institutions 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.
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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 for AFG’s property and casualty segment:

| Three months ended September 30, |  |  |  | Three months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | Change |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Property and transportation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and LAE ratio | 68.8 | % |  | 75.7 | % |  | (6.9 | %) |  |  |  |
Underwriting expense ratio | 22.3 | % |  | 20.5 | % |  | 1.8 | % |  |  |  |
Combined ratio | 91.1 | % |  | 96.2 | % |  | (5.1 | %) |  |  |  |
Underwriting profit |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 44 |  |  | $ | 20 |
Specialty casualty |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and LAE ratio | 66.5 | % |  | 64.2 | % |  | 2.3 | % |  |  |  |
Underwriting expense ratio | 30.9 | % |  | 29.6 | % |  | 1.3 | % |  |  |  |
Combined ratio | 97.4 | % |  | 93.8 | % |  | 3.6 | % |  |  |  |
Underwriting profit |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 13 |  |  | $ | 31 |
Specialty financial |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and LAE ratio | 31.6 | % |  | 27.7 | % |  | 3.9 | % |  |  |  |
Underwriting expense ratio | 54.8 | % |  | 52.9 | % |  | 1.9 | % |  |  |  |
Combined ratio | 86.4 | % |  | 80.6 | % |  | 5.8 | % |  |  |  |
Underwriting profit |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 19 |  |  | $ | 26 |
Total Specialty |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and LAE ratio | 62.9 | % |  | 64.5 | % |  | (1.6 | %) |  |  |  |
Underwriting expense ratio | 30.3 | % |  | 28.4 | % |  | 1.9 | % |  |  |  |
Combined ratio | 93.2 | % |  | 92.9 | % |  | 0.3 | % |  |  |  |
Underwriting profit |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 78 |  |  | $ | 84 |
Aggregate — including exited lines |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and LAE ratio | 66.0 | % |  | 70.3 | % |  | (4.3 | %) |  |  |  |
Underwriting expense ratio | 30.3 | % |  | 28.4 | % |  | 1.9 | % |  |  |  |
Combined ratio | 96.3 | % |  | 98.7 | % |  | (2.4 | %) |  |  |  |
Underwriting profit |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 42 |  |  | $ | 15 |

The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $78 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared to $84 million in the third quarter of 2015, a decrease of $6 million (7%). The lower underwriting profit in the third quarter of 2016 reflects lower underwriting profits in the Specialty casualty and Specialty financial sub-segments, partially offset by improved underwriting results in the Property and transportation sub-segment.
Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $44 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $20 million in the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $24 million (120%). Higher underwriting profits in the crop, transportation and property and inland marine businesses contributed to these improved results.
Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $13 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $31 million in the third quarter of 2015, a decrease of $18 million (58%). Higher underwriting profitability in the workers’ compensation businesses, due primarily to higher favorable prior year reserve development, was more than offset by higher adverse prior year reserve development in the excess and surplus lines businesses, lower underwriting profitability in the targeted markets businesses and continued underwriting losses at Neon.
Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $19 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $26 million in the third quarter of 2015, a decrease of $7 million (27%) reflecting lower underwriting profit in the financial institutions business, primarily the result of August storms and flooding in Louisiana.
Other specialty Underwriting profit for this group was $2 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $7 million in the third quarter of 2015, a decrease of $5 million (71%). The decrease is due primarily to lower favorable prior year loss
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
development in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments.
Aggregate As discussed below in more detail under “Net prior year reserve development,” AFG recorded special charges to increase property and casualty A&E reserves by $36 million in the third quarter of 2016 and $67 million in the third quarter of 2015.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 66.0% for the third quarter of 2016 compared to 70.3% for the third quarter of 2015, a decrease of 4.3 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
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015 |  | Ratio
Property and transportation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 337 |  |  | $ | 386 |  |  | 68.4 | % |  | 74.6 | % |  | (6.2 | %)
Prior accident years development | (5 | ) |  | (2 | ) |  | (1.2 | %) |  | (0.4 | %) |  | (0.8 | %)
Current year catastrophe losses | 7 |  |  | 7 |  |  | 1.6 | % |  | 1.5 | % |  | 0.1 | %
Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 339 |  |  | $ | 391 |  |  | 68.8 | % |  | 75.7 | % |  | (6.9 | %)
Specialty casualty |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 330 |  |  | $ | 319 |  |  | 66.5 | % |  | 63.3 | % |  | 3.2 | %
Prior accident years development | (2 | ) |  | 3 |  |  | (0.3 | %) |  | 0.6 | % |  | (0.9 | %)
Current year catastrophe losses | 2 |  |  | 1 |  |  | 0.3 | % |  | 0.3 | % |  | — | %
Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 330 |  |  | $ | 323 |  |  | 66.5 | % |  | 64.2 | % |  | 2.3 | %
Specialty financial |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 46 |  |  | $ | 43 |  |  | 32.2 | % |  | 32.9 | % |  | (0.7 | %)
Prior accident years development | (6 | ) |  | (8 | ) |  | (3.9 | %) |  | (5.8 | %) |  | 1.9 | %
Current year catastrophe losses | 5 |  |  | 1 |  |  | 3.3 | % |  | 0.6 | % |  | 2.7 | %
Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 45 |  |  | $ | 36 |  |  | 31.6 | % |  | 27.7 | % |  | 3.9 | %
Total Specialty |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 729 |  |  | $ | 760 |  |  | 62.8 | % |  | 64.8 | % |  | (2.0 | %)
Prior accident years development | (14 | ) |  | (14 | ) |  | (1.1 | %) |  | (1.2 | %) |  | 0.1 | %
Current year catastrophe losses | 14 |  |  | 10 |  |  | 1.2 | % |  | 0.9 | % |  | 0.3 | %
Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 729 |  |  | $ | 756 |  |  | 62.9 | % |  | 64.5 | % |  | (1.6 | %)
Aggregate — including exited lines |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 729 |  |  | $ | 760 |  |  | 62.8 | % |  | 64.8 | % |  | (2.0 | %)
Prior accident years development | 22 |  |  | 55 |  |  | 2.0 | % |  | 4.6 | % |  | (2.6 | %)
Current year catastrophe losses | 14 |  |  | 10 |  |  | 1.2 | % |  | 0.9 | % |  | 0.3 | %
Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 765 |  |  | $ | 825 |  |  | 66.0 | % |  | 70.3 | % |  | (4.3 | %)

Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 62.8% for the third quarter of 2016 compared to 64.8% for the third quarter of 2015, a decrease of 2.0%.
Property and transportation The 6.2 percentage point decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses reflects a decrease in the loss and LAE ratios of the crop and transportation businesses in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Specialty casualty The 3.2 percentage point increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses reflects an increase in the loss and LAE ratios of the targeted markets, general liability and executive liability businesses and at Neon.
Specialty financial The loss and LAE ratios for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses are comparable between periods.
Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $14 million in both the third quarter of 2016 and 2015.
Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $5 million in the third quarter of 2016 reflects lower than expected claim severity in the trucking business. Net favorable reserve development of $2 million in the third quarter of 2015 reflects lower than expected claim severity in the property and inland marine business, agricultural operations and a run-off book of homebuilders business, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim frequency in the ocean marine business and higher than expected claim frequency and severity in the trucking business.
Specialty casualty Net favorable reserve development of $2 million in the third quarter of 2016 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity and frequency in the workers’ compensation businesses and lower than anticipated claim severity in directors and officers liability insurance, partially offset by higher than anticipated severity in New York contractor claims, adverse reserve development at Neon and higher than anticipated claim severity in general liability insurance. Net adverse reserve development of $3 million in the third quarter of 2015 includes adverse reserve development at Neon and higher than anticipated claim severity and frequency in contractor claims, partially offset by lower than anticipated claim severity in workers’ compensation business, lower than expected claim severity in directors and officers liability insurance and lower than anticipated claim severity and frequency in excess liability insurance.
Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $6 million in the third quarter of 2016 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the fidelity and crime business and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the surety business. Net favorable reserve development of $8 million in the third quarter of 2015 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the fidelity business, lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the surety business and lower than expected claim frequency in products for financial institutions, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the trade credit business.
Other specialty In addition to the development discussed above, total Specialty prior year reserve development includes net favorable reserve development of $1 million in the third quarter of 2016 and $7 million in the third quarter of 2015 reflecting amortization of the deferred gain on the retroactive insurance transaction entered into in connection with the sale of businesses in 1998 and 2001 and reserve development associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program.
Special asbestos and environmental reserve charges During the third quarter of 2016, 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. 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, generally every two years, with an in-depth internal review during the intervening years.
As a result of the 2016 internal review, AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment recorded a $36 million pretax special charge to increase its asbestos reserves by $5 million (net of reinsurance) and its environmental reserves by $31 million (net of reinsurance). Over the past few years, the focus of AFG’s asbestos claims litigation has shifted to smaller companies and companies with ancillary exposures. AFG’s insureds with these exposures have been the driver of the property and casualty segment’s asbestos reserve increases in recent years. AFG is seeing modestly increasing estimates for indemnity and defense compared to prior studies. Overall, the rate of new asbestos cases received is down modestly. The increase in property and casualty environmental reserves was primarily associated with updated estimates of site investigation costs with respect to existing sites and newly identified sites. AFG is seeing increased legal defense costs in environmental claims generally, as well as a number of claims and sites where the estimated investigation and remediation costs have increased. As in past years, there were no new or emerging broad industry trends that were identified in the review.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
At September 30, 2016, the property and casualty insurance segment’s insurance reserves include A&E reserves of $340 million, net of reinsurance recoverables. At September 30, 2016, the property and casualty insurance segment’s three-year survival ratios, excluding amounts associated with the settlements of two large asbestos claims compare favorably with industry survival ratios published by S&P Global Market Intelligence (as of December 31, 2015) as detailed in the following table:

| Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves
| Three-Year Survival Ratio (% Times Paid Losses)
| Asbestos |  | Environmental |  | Total A&E
AFG | 12.4 |  |  | 9.2 |  |  | 10.8 |
Industry | 7.5 |  |  | 6.3 |  |  | 7.3 |

In addition, the 2016 internal review encompassed reserves for asbestos and environmental exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations. For a discussion of the $5 million pretax special charge recorded for those operations, see “Results of Operations — Holding Company, Other and Unallocated.”
A comprehensive external study of AFG’s A&E reserves was completed in the third quarter of 2015 with the aid of specialty actuarial, engineering and consulting firms and outside counsel. As a result of the study, AFG recorded a $79 million pretax special charge to increase its property and casualty segment’s A&E reserves by $67 million and the reserves of its former railroad and manufacturing operations by $12 million. 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 2015 Form 10-K.
Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty segment includes the special A&E charges discussed above and adverse reserve development of $2 million in the third quarter of 2015 related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
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, 2015, AFG’s exposure to a catastrophic earthquake or windstorm that industry models indicate could occur once in every 500 years (a “500-year event”) is expected to be less than 3.5% of AFG’s shareholders’ equity. Catastrophe losses of $14 million in the third quarter of 2016 resulted primarily from flooding in Louisiana and multiple storms in the southern United States. Catastrophe losses of $10 million in the third quarter of 2015 resulted primarily from multiple storms in the midwestern and central United States. The net impact of catastrophe losses from Hurricane Matthew, which made landfall in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2016, is expected to be $10 million to $15 million pretax for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations.
Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $352 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared to $333 million for the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $19 million (6%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio, calculated as commissions and other underwriting expenses divided by net premiums earned, was 30.3% for the third quarter of 2016 compared to 28.4% for the third quarter of 2015, an increase of 1.9 percentage points. Detail 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, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | Change in
| U/W Exp |  | % of NEP |  | U/W Exp |  | % of NEP |  | % of NEP
Property and transportation | $ | 110 |  |  | 22.3 | % |  | $ | 106 |  |  | 20.5 | % |  | 1.8 | %
Specialty casualty | 154 |  |  | 30.9 | % |  | 149 |  |  | 29.6 | % |  | 1.3 | %
Specialty financial | 81 |  |  | 54.8 | % |  | 69 |  |  | 52.9 | % |  | 1.9 | %
Other specialty | 7 |  |  | 36.3 | % |  | 9 |  |  | 37.9 | % |  | (1.6 | %)
| $ | 352 |  |  | 30.3 | % |  | $ | 333 |  |  | 28.4 | % |  | 1.9 | %

AFG’s overall expense ratio increased 1.9% in the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the third quarter of 2015.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Property and transportation Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 1.8 percentage points in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015 reflecting the impact of lower crop premiums on the ratio.
Specialty casualty Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 1.3 percentage points in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015 reflecting the impact of lower premiums at Neon on the ratio.
Specialty financial Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 1.9 percentage points in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015 reflecting higher profitability-based commissions paid to agents and brokers, partially offset by an increase in ceding commissions received from reinsurers.
Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty operations was $93 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared to $83 million in the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $10 million (12%). In recent years, yields available in the financial markets on fixed maturity securities have generally declined, placing downward pressure on AFG’s investment portfolio yield. The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty operations are provided below (dollars in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, |  |  |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | Change |  | % Change
Net investment income | $ | 93 |  |  | $ | 83 |  |  | $ | 10 |  |  | 12 | %
Average invested assets (at amortized cost) | $ | 9,647 |  |  | $ | 8,984 |  |  | $ | 663 |  |  | 7 | %
Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets) | 3.86 | % |  | 3.70 | % |  | 0.16 | % |  |  |
Tax equivalent yield (*) | 4.34 | % |  | 4.28 | % |  | 0.06 | % |  |

(*) Adjusts the yield on equity securities and tax-exempt bonds to the fully taxable equivalent yield.
The increase in average invested assets and net investment income in the property and casualty segment for the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the third quarter of 2015 is due primarily to growth in the property and casualty segment. The property and casualty segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 3.86% for the third quarter of 2016 compared to 3.70% for the third quarter of 2015, an increase of 0.16 percentage points, reflecting higher income from certain investments that are required to be carried at fair value through earnings, partially offset by lower yields available in the financial markets.
Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty operations was a net expense of $14 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $8 million in the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $6 million (75%). The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty operations (in millions):

| Three months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Other income | $ | 3 |  |  | $ | 2 |
Other expenses |  |  |
Amortization of intangibles | 2 |  |  | 2 |
NATL merger expenses | 2 |  |  | — |
Other | 13 |  |  | 8 |
Total other expenses | 17 |  |  | 10 |
Interest expense | — |  |  | — |
Other income and expenses, net | $ | (14 | ) |  | $ | (8 | )

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Annuity Segment — Results of Operations
AFG’s annuity operations contributed $107 million in pretax earnings in the third quarter of 2016 compared to $67 million in the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $40 million (60%). AFG’s annuity segment results for the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the third quarter of 2015 reflect higher investment income from certain investments that are required to be carried at fair value through earnings and an 11% increase in average annuity investments (at amortized cost). In addition, the annuity segment’s earnings in the third quarter of 2016 benefitted from the impact of a moderately higher stock market on the fair value accounting for fixed-indexed annuities (“FIAs”) compared to the negative impact of a significant drop in the stock market in the third quarter of 2015. These improved results were partially offset by the impact of lower investment yields due to the run-off of higher yielding investments.
The following table details AFG’s earnings before income taxes from its annuity operations for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |
Net investment income | $ | 351 |  |  | $ | 317 |  |  | 11 | %
Other income: |  |  |  |  |
Guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees | 14 |  |  | 11 |  |  | 27 | %
Policy charges and other miscellaneous income | 12 |  |  | 13 |  |  | (8 | %)
Total revenues | 377 |  |  | 341 |  |  | 11 | %
Costs and Expenses: |  |  |  |  |
Annuity benefits (*) | 189 |  |  | 208 |  |  | (9 | %)
Acquisition expenses | 53 |  |  | 44 |  |  | 20 | %
Other expenses | 28 |  |  | 22 |  |  | 27 | %
Total costs and expenses | 270 |  |  | 274 |  |  | (1 | %)
Earnings before income taxes | $ | 107 |  |  | $ | 67 |  |  | 60 | %

Detail of annuity earnings before income taxes (dollars in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Earnings before income taxes — before the impact of derivatives related to FIAs | $ | 106 |  |  | $ | 89 |  |  | 19 | %
Impact of derivatives related to FIAs | 1 |  |  | (22 | ) |  | (105 | %)
Earnings before income taxes | $ | 107 |  |  | $ | 67 |  |  | 60 | %

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued

(*) | Annuity benefits consisted of the following (dollars in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Interest credited — fixed | $ | 145 |  |  | $ | 135 |  |  | 7 | %
Interest credited — fixed component of variable annuities | 1 |  |  | 2 |  |  | (50 | %)
Other annuity benefits: |  |  |  |  |
Change in expected death and annuitization reserve | 5 |  |  | 5 |  |  | — | %
Amortization of sales inducements | 6 |  |  | 6 |  |  | — | %
Change in guaranteed withdrawal benefit reserve | 18 |  |  | 20 |  |  | (10 | %)
Change in other benefit reserves | 10 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 233 | %
Total other annuity benefits | 39 |  |  | 34 |  |  | 15 | %
Total before impact of derivatives related to FIAs | 185 |  |  | 171 |  |  | 8 | %
Derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities: |  |  |  |  |
Embedded derivative mark-to-market | 109 |  |  | (130 | ) |  | (184 | %)
Equity option mark-to-market | (105 | ) |  | 167 |  |  | (163 | %)
Impact of derivatives related to FIAs | 4 |  |  | 37 |  |  | (89 | %)
Total annuity benefits | $ | 189 |  |  | $ | 208 |  |  | (9 | %)

The profitability of a fixed annuity business is largely dependent on the ability of a company to earn income on the assets supporting the business in excess of the amounts credited to policyholder accounts plus expenses incurred (earning a “spread”). Performance measures such as net interest spread and net spread earned are often presented by annuity businesses to help users of their financial statements better understand the company’s performance.
Net Spread on Fixed Annuities (excludes variable annuity earnings)
The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of these spreads for AFG’s fixed annuity operations (including fixed-indexed annuities):

| Three months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Average fixed annuity investments (at amortized cost) | $ | 28,548 |  |  | $ | 25,642 |  |  | 11 | %
Average fixed annuity benefits accumulated | 28,538 |  |  | 25,316 |  |  | 13 | %
As % of fixed annuity benefits accumulated (except as noted): |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net investment income (as % of fixed annuity investments) | 4.88 | % |  | 4.92 | % |  |
Interest credited — fixed | (2.03 | %) |  | (2.12 | %) |  |
Net interest spread | 2.85 | % |  | 2.80 | % |  |
Policy charges and other miscellaneous income | 0.14 | % |  | 0.16 | % |  |
Other annuity benefit expenses, net of guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees | (0.36 | %) |  | (0.36 | %) |  |
Acquisition expenses | (0.72 | %) |  | (0.65 | %) |  |
Other expenses | (0.39 | %) |  | (0.34 | %) |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities | (0.05 | %) |  | (0.59 | %) |  |
Net spread earned on fixed annuities | 1.47 | % |  | 1.02 | % |  |

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The table below illustrates the impact of fair value accounting for derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities on the annuity segment’s net spread earned on fixed annuities:

| Three months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Net spread earned on fixed annuities — before impact of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities | 1.46 | % |  | 1.37 | %
Impact of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities (*) | 0.01 | % |  | (0.35 | %)
Net spread earned on fixed annuities | 1.47 | % |  | 1.02 | %

(*) | Change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities offset by an estimate of the related acceleration/deceleration of amortization of deferred sales inducements and deferred policy acquisition costs.

Annuity Net Investment Income
Net investment income for the third quarter of 2016 was $351 million compared to $317 million for the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $34 million (11%). This increase reflects primarily the growth in AFG’s annuity business and higher income from certain investments that are required to be carried at fair value through earnings, partially offset by the impact of lower investment yields. The overall yield earned on investments in AFG’s annuity operations, calculated as net investment income divided by average investment balances (at amortized cost), decreased by 0.04 percentage points to 4.88% from 4.92% in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015. This decline in net investment yield reflects (i) the investment of new premium dollars at lower yields as compared to the existing investment portfolio and (ii) the impact of the reinvestment of proceeds from maturity and redemption of higher yielding investments at the lower yields available in the financial markets, partially offset by the higher income from certain investments that are required to be carried at fair value through earnings.
Annuity Interest Credited — Fixed
Interest credited — fixed for the third quarter of 2016 was $145 million compared to $135 million for the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $10 million (7%). The impact of growth in the annuity business was partially offset by lower interest crediting rates on new premiums as compared to the crediting rates on policyholder funds surrendered or withdrawn. The average interest rate credited to policyholders, calculated as interest credited divided by average fixed annuity benefits accumulated, decreased 0.09 percentage points to 2.03% from 2.12% in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015.
Annuity Net Interest Spread
AFG’s net interest spread increased 0.05 percentage points to 2.85% from 2.80% in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 due primarily to the impact of lower crediting rates and higher income from certain investments that are required to be carried at fair value through earnings, partially offset by lower in-force investment yields. In addition, features included in current annuity product offerings allow AFG to achieve its desired profitability at a lower net interest spread than historical product offerings. As a result of these two items, AFG expects its net interest spread to narrow in the future.
Annuity Policy Charges and Other Miscellaneous Income
Annuity policy charges and other miscellaneous income, which consist primarily of surrender charges, amortization of deferred upfront policy charges (unearned revenue) and income from sales of real estate, were $12 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $13 million for the third quarter of 2015, a decrease of $1 million (8%). As a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated, annuity policy charges and other miscellaneous income decreased 0.02 percentage points to 0.14% from 0.16% in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Other Annuity Benefits, Net of Guaranteed Withdrawal Benefit Fees
Other annuity benefits, net of guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees, for the third quarter of 2016 were $25 million compared to $23 million for the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $2 million (9%). As a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated, these net expenses were 0.36 percentage points in both the third quarter of 2016 and 2015. In addition to interest credited to policyholders’ accounts and the change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities, annuity benefits expense also includes the following expenses (in millions, net of guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees):

| Three months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Change in expected death and annuitization reserve | $ | 5 |  |  | $ | 5 |
Amortization of sales inducements | 6 |  |  | 6 |
Change in guaranteed withdrawal benefit reserve | 18 |  |  | 20 |
Change in other benefit reserves | 10 |  |  | 3 |
Other annuity benefits | 39 |  |  | 34 |
Offset guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees | (14 | ) |  | (11 | )
Other annuity benefits, net | $ | 25 |  |  | $ | 23 |

As discussed under “Annuity Benefits Accumulated” in Note A — “Accounting Policies”, guaranteed withdrawal benefit reserves are accrued for and modified using assumptions similar to those used in establishing and amortizing deferred policy acquisition costs. The guaranteed withdrawal benefit reserve related to FIAs can be inversely impacted by the calculated FIA embedded derivative reserve as the value to policyholders of the guaranteed withdrawal benefits decreases when the benefit of stock market participation increases.
Annuity Acquisition Expenses
AFG’s amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DPAC”) and commission expenses as a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated was 0.72% for the third quarter of 2016 compared to 0.65% for the third quarter 2015 and has generally ranged between 0.75% and 0.85%. Variances from the general range relate primarily to the impact of (i) material changes in interest rates or the stock market on AFG’s fixed-indexed annuity business, and (ii) differences in actual experience from actuarially projected estimates and assumptions. For example, the negative impact of the significant stock market decrease during the third quarter of 2015 on the fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities (discussed below) resulted in a partially offsetting deceleration in the amortization of DPAC.
The table below illustrates the estimated impact of fair value accounting for derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities on annuity acquisition expenses as a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated:

| Three months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Before the impact of changes in the fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities on the amortization of DPAC | 0.78 | % |  | 0.88 | %
Impact of changes in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities on amortization of DPAC (*) | (0.06 | %) |  | (0.23 | %)
Annuity acquisition expenses as a % of fixed annuity benefits accumulated | 0.72 | % |  | 0.65 | %

(*) | An estimate of the acceleration/deceleration in the amortization of deferred sales inducement and deferred policy acquisition costs resulting from fair value accounting for derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities.

Annuity Other Expenses
Annuity other expenses were $28 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $22 million for the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $6 million (27%). Annuity other expenses represent primarily general and administrative expenses, as well as selling and issuance expenses that are not deferred. The increase in annuity other expenses reflects primarily growth in the business and an increase in the number of sales personnel focused on new initiatives and increased market share within existing financial institutions in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015. As a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated, these expenses increased 0.05 percentage points to 0.39% from 0.34% for the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the third quarter of 2015.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Change in Fair Value of Derivatives Related to Fixed-Indexed Annuities
AFG’s fixed-indexed annuities provide policyholders with a crediting rate tied, in part, to the performance of an existing stock market index. AFG attempts to mitigate the risk in the index-based component of these products through the purchase of call options on the appropriate index. AFG’s strategy is designed so that the change in the fair value of the call option assets will generally offset the economic change in the liabilities from the index participation. Both the index-based component of the annuities and the related call options are considered derivatives that must be adjusted for changes in fair value through earnings each period. The fair values of these derivatives are impacted by actual and expected stock market performance and interest rates as well as other factors. For a list of other factors impacting the fair value of the index-based component of AFG’s annuity benefits accumulated, see Note D — “Fair Value Measurements” to the financial statements. The net change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities increased annuity benefits by $4 million and $37 million in the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively. While slightly lower than anticipated interest rates had a negative impact on the fair value of these derivatives in both periods, a moderate increase in the stock market had a favorable impact on the fair value of these derivatives in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the negative impact on fair value that a significant drop in the stock market had in the third quarter of 2015. As a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated, this net expense decreased 0.54 percentage points to 0.05% in the third quarter of 2016 from 0.59% in the third quarter of 2015.
Fluctuations in interest rates and the stock market, among other factors, can cause volatility in the periodic measurement of fair value of the embedded derivative that management believes can be inconsistent with the long-term economics of these products. The table below illustrates the impact of fair value accounting for derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities on the annuity segment’s earnings before income taxes (dollars in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Earnings before income taxes — before change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities | $ | 106 |  |  | $ | 89 |  |  | 19 | %
Change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities | (4 | ) |  | (37 | ) |  | (89 | %)
Related impact on amortization of DPAC (*) | 5 |  |  | 15 |  |  | (67 | %)
Earnings before income taxes | $ | 107 |  |  | $ | 67 |  |  | 60 | %

(*) | An estimate of the related acceleration/deceleration of amortization of deferred sales inducements and deferred policy acquisition costs.

As illustrated in the table above, the change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities, including the related impact on amortization of DPAC, increased the annuity segment’s earnings before income taxes by $1 million in the third quarter of 2016 and decreased the annuity segment’s earnings before income taxes by $22 million in the third quarter of 2015.
Annuity Net Spread Earned on Fixed Annuities
AFG’s net spread earned on fixed annuities increased 0.45 percentage points to 1.47% from 1.02% in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 due primarily to the net impact of changes in the fair value of derivatives and related DPAC amortization offset discussed above and the 0.05 percentage points increase in AFG’s net interest spread.
Annuity Benefits Accumulated
Annuity premiums received and benefit payments are recorded as increases or decreases in annuity benefits accumulated rather than as revenue and expense. Increases in this liability for interest credited and other benefits are charged to expense and decreases for surrender and other policy charges are credited to other income.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
For certain products, annuity benefits accumulated also includes reserves for accrued persistency and premium bonuses, excess benefits expected to be paid on future deaths and annuitizations (“EDAR”) and guaranteed withdrawal benefits. Annuity benefits accumulated also includes amounts advanced from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. The following table is a progression of AFG’s annuity benefits accumulated liability for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):

| Three months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Beginning fixed annuity reserves | $ | 28,222 |  |  | $ | 24,906 |
Fixed annuity premiums (receipts) | 932 |  |  | 1,311 |
Federal Home Loan Bank advances | — |  |  | — |
Surrenders, benefits and other withdrawals | (586 | ) |  | (526 | )
Interest and other annuity benefit expenses: |  |  |
Interest credited | 145 |  |  | 135 |
Embedded derivative mark-to-market | 109 |  |  | (130 | )
Change in other benefit reserves | 31 |  |  | 29 |
Ending fixed annuity reserves | $ | 28,853 |  |  | $ | 25,725 |
Reconciliation to annuity benefits accumulated per balance sheet: |  |  |
Ending fixed annuity reserves (from above) | $ | 28,853 |  |  | $ | 25,725 |
Impact of unrealized investment gains | 180 |  |  | 113 |
Fixed component of variable annuities | 189 |  |  | 188 |
Annuity benefits accumulated per balance sheet | $ | 29,222 |  |  | $ | 26,026 |

Statutory Annuity Premiums
AFG’s annuity operations generated statutory premiums of $941 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared to $1.32 billion in the third quarter of 2015, a decrease of $380 million (29%). The following table summarizes AFG’s annuity sales (dollars in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, |  |
2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Financial institutions single premium annuities — indexed | $ | 435 |  |  | $ | 554 |  |  | (21 | %)
Financial institutions single premium annuities — fixed | 97 |  |  | 71 |  |  | 37 | %
Retail single premium annuities — indexed | 340 |  |  | 617 |  |  | (45 | %)
Retail single premium annuities — fixed | 18 |  |  | 22 |  |  | (18 | %)
Education market — fixed and indexed annuities | 42 |  |  | 47 |  |  | (11 | %)
Total fixed annuity premiums | 932 |  |  | 1,311 |  |  | (29 | %)
Variable annuities | 9 |  |  | 10 |  |  | (10 | %)
Total annuity premiums | $ | 941 |  |  | $ | 1,321 |  |  | (29 | %)

Management believes the 29% decrease in annuity premiums in the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the third quarter of 2015 is the result of AFG reducing crediting rates on its annuities several times during the first nine months of 2016 in reaction to a significant decline in medium and long-term market interest rates in order to maintain appropriate returns on new business.
AFG continues to make product and process changes needed to comply with the Department of Labor (“DOL”) fiduciary rule adopted earlier this year. AFG’s goal is to minimize disruption resulting from the implementation of the rule in April 2017. AFG is proceeding under the premise that the DOL rule will not be impacted by the pending industry litigation. Most of AFG’s largest independent marketing organizations are making adjustments to their operations to provide a long-term solution to their need to have a Financial Institution sign the Best Interest agreement, and a number of these entities have made application to the DOL to serve as a Financial Institution. AFG believes the biggest impact of the new rule will be on insurance-only licensed agents whose sales represented less than 10% of AFG’s third quarter premiums. While AFG continues to believe the adjustments required of AFG and AFG’s distribution partners to comply with the DOL rule will have a negative impact on annuity premiums next year, management does not believe the new rule will have a material impact on AFG’s results of operations or financial position.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Annuity Earnings before Income Taxes Reconciliation
The following table reconciles the net spread earned on AFG’s fixed annuities to overall annuity pretax earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):

| Three months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Earnings on fixed annuity benefits accumulated | $ | 105 |  |  | $ | 65 |
Earnings on investments in excess of fixed annuity benefits accumulated (*) | — |  |  | 4 |
Variable annuity earnings (loss) | 2 |  |  | (2 | )
Earnings before income taxes | $ | 107 |  |  | $ | 67 |

(*) | Net investment income (as a % of investments) of 4.88% and 4.92% for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, multiplied by the difference between average fixed annuity investments (at amortized cost) and average fixed annuity benefits accumulated in each period.

Run-off Long-Term Care and Life Segment — Results of Operations The following table details AFG’s earnings before income taxes from its run-off long-term care and life operations for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |
Net earned premiums: |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term care | $ | — |  |  | $ | 19 |  |  | (100 | %)
Life operations | 6 |  |  | 9 |  |  | (33 | %)
Net investment income | 5 |  |  | 20 |  |  | (75 | %)
Other income | 2 |  |  | 2 |  |  | — | %
Total revenues | 13 |  |  | 50 |  |  | (74 | %)
Costs and Expenses: |  |  |  |  |
Life, accident and health benefits: |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term care | 2 |  |  | 21 |  |  | (90 | %)
Life operations | 6 |  |  | 10 |  |  | (40 | %)
Acquisition expenses | 1 |  |  | 5 |  |  | (80 | %)
Other expenses | 3 |  |  | 8 |  |  | (63 | %)
Total costs and expenses | 12 |  |  | 44 |  |  | (73 | %)
Earnings before income taxes | $ | 1 |  |  | $ | 6 |  |  | (83 | %)

The decrease in long-term care net earned premiums and benefit expense in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015 is due to the sale of subsidiaries containing substantially all of AFG’s run-off long-term care insurance business in December of 2015.
Substantially all of the core earnings before income taxes in AFG’s run-off long-term care and life segment in the third quarter of 2015 represent earnings from AFG’s long-term care business and reflect the impact of rate increases and lower persistency, as well as strong net investment income.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its insurance operations (excluding realized gains) totaled $53 million for both the third quarter of 2016 and 2015. AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its insurance operations (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $48 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $37 million for the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $11 million (30%).
The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core loss before income taxes from operations outside of its insurance operations for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |
Net investment income | $ | 1 |  |  | $ | 2 |  |  | (50 | %)
Other income — P&C fees | 14 |  |  | 13 |  |  | 8 | %
Other income | 5 |  |  | 6 |  |  | (17 | %)
Total revenues | 20 |  |  | 21 |  |  | (5 | %)
Costs and Expenses: |  |  |  |  |
Property and casualty insurance — commissions and other underwriting expenses | 4 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 33 | %
Interest charges on borrowed money | 19 |  |  | 18 |  |  | 6 | %
Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees | 10 |  |  | 10 |  |  | — | %
Other expenses (*) | 35 |  |  | 27 |  |  | 30 | %
Total costs and expenses | 68 |  |  | 58 |  |  | 17 | %
Core loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | (48 | ) |  | (37 | ) |  | 30 | %
Pretax non-core special A&E charges | (5 | ) |  | (12 | ) |  | (58 | %)
Pretax non-core loss on retirement of debt | — |  |  | (4 | ) |  | (100 | %)
GAAP loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains | $ | (53 | ) |  | $ | (53 | ) |  | — | %

(*) | Excludes pretax non-core special A&E charges of $5 million and $12 million for the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively, and a pretax non-core loss on retirement of debt of $4 million in the third quarter of 2015.

Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its insurance operations of $1 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared to $2 million in the third quarter of 2015. The parent company holds a small portfolio of securities that are classified as “trading” and carried at fair value through net investment income. These trading securities decreased slightly in value in the third quarter of 2016 compared to an increase in value of approximately $1 million in the third quarter of 2015.
Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, the workers’ compensation insurance business that AFG acquired in April 2014, 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 businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In the third quarter of 2016, AFG collected $14 million in fees for these services compared to $13 million in the third quarter of 2015. Management views this fee income, net of the $10 million in both the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. Consistent with internal management reporting, 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 2016 and 2015, 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.”
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its insurance operations recorded interest expense of $19 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared to $18 million in the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $1 million (6%). This increase reflects higher average indebtedness, partially offset by lower average interest rates on outstanding debt. The following table details the principal amount of AFG’s long-term debt balances as of September 30, 2016 compared to July 1, 2015 (dollars in millions):

| September 30, 2016 |  | July 1, 2015
Direct obligations of AFG: |  |  |
9-7/8% Senior Notes due June 2019 | $ | 350 |  |  | $ | 350 |
3-1/2% Senior Notes due August 2026 | 300 |  |  | — |
6-3/8% Senior Notes due June 2042 | 230 |  |  | 230 |
5-3/4% Senior Notes due August 2042 | 125 |  |  | 125 |
7% Senior Notes due September 2050 | — |  |  | 132 |
6-1/4% Subordinated Debentures due September 2054 | 150 |  |  | 150 |
6% Subordinated Debentures due November 2055 | 150 |  |  | — |
Other | 3 |  |  | 3 |
Total principal amount of Holding Company Debt | $ | 1,308 |  |  | $ | 990 |
Weighted Average Interest Rate | 6.5 | % |  | 7.6 | %

The increase in average indebtedness for the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the third quarter of 2015 reflects the following financing transactions completed by AFG between July 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016:

• | Issued $300 million of 3-1/2% Senior Notes on August 22, 2016.

• | Issued $150 million of 6% Subordinated Debentures on November 17, 2015.

• | Redeemed $132 million of 7% Senior Notes at par value on September 30, 2015.

Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
Excluding the non-core special A&E charges and the non-core loss on retirement of debt discussed below, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its insurance operations recorded other expenses of $35 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared to $27 million in the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $8 million (30%). This increase reflects a $5 million donation to the University of Cincinnati College of Business in the third quarter of 2016 and the impact of higher holding company expenses related to employee benefit plans that are tied to stock market performance in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015.
Holding Company and Other — Special A&E Charges
As a result of the 2016 internal review and the 2015 comprehensive external study of A&E exposures discussed under “Special asbestos and environmental reserve charges” under “Results of Operations — Property and Casualty Insurance,” AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its insurance operations recorded pretax special charges of $5 million in the third quarter of 2016 and $12 million in the third quarter of 2015 to increase liabilities related to the A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations. The $5 million charge in 2016 is due to relatively small movements across several sites that primarily reflect changes in the scope and costs of investigation. The $12 million charge in 2015 relates to slightly higher estimated costs at sites where remediation is underway, coupled with higher estimated clean-up costs at a limited number of sites.
Holding Company and Other — Loss on Retirement of Debt
AFG wrote off unamortized debt issuance costs of $4 million related to the redemption of its $132 million outstanding 7% Senior Notes due 2050 at par value on September 30, 2015.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Consolidated Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities AFG’s consolidated realized gains (losses) on securities, which are not allocated to segments, were gains of $2 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared to losses of $16 million in the third quarter of 2015, an improvement of $18 million (113%). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):

| Three months ended September 30,
2016 |  | 2015
Realized gains (losses) before impairments: |  |  |
Disposals | $ | 22 |  |  | $ | 24 |
Change in the fair value of derivatives | (3 | ) |  | (4 | )
Adjustments to annuity deferred policy acquisition costs and related items | (1 | ) |  | (1 | )
| 18 |  |  | 19 |
Impairment charges: |  |  |
Securities | (18 | ) |  | (40 | )
Adjustments to annuity deferred policy acquisition costs and related items | 2 |  |  | 5 |
| (16 | ) |  | (35 | )
Realized gains (losses) on securities | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | (16 | )

AFG’s impairment charges on securities for the third quarter of 2016 consist of $16 million on equity securities and $2 million on fixed maturities compared to $23 million on equity securities and $17 million on fixed maturities in the third quarter of 2015. Approximately $11 million in impairment charges in the third quarter of 2016 are related to financial institutions and $6 million relates to a company in the forest products industry. Approximately $17 million of the charges recorded in the third quarter of 2015 are attributable to energy related investments, $7 million are on real estate related investments and $7 million are on investments in metal mining companies.
Consolidated Realized Gains (Losses) on Subsidiaries The $5 million pretax realized gain on subsidiaries in the third quarter of 2015 represents an adjustment to the previously recognized loss on a small property and casualty subsidiary sold several years ago.
Consolidated Income Taxes AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes was $65 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $33 million for the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $32 million (97%). See Note L — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate.
Consolidated Noncontrolling Interests AFG’s consolidated net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests was $4 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $3 million for the third quarter of 2015. The following table details net earnings in consolidated subsidiaries attributable to holders other than AFG (dollars in millions):

| Three months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
National Interstate | $ | 4 |  |  | $ | 2 |  |  | 100 | %
Other | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | (100 | %)
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | $ | 4 |  |  | $ | 3 |  |  | 33 | %

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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, 2016 AND 2015
Segmented Statement of Earnings AFG reports its business as four segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”), (ii) Annuity, (iii) Run-off long-term care and life and (iv) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
AFG’s net earnings attributable to shareholders, 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, 2016 and 2015 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings attributable to shareholders 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 |  | Annuity |  | Run-off long-term care and life |  | Consol. MIEs |  | Holding Co., other and unallocated |  | Total |  | Non-core reclass |  | GAAP Total
Nine months ended September 30, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 3,184 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,184 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,184 |
Life, accident and health net earned premiums | — |  |  | — |  |  | 18 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 18 |  |  | — |  |  | 18 |
Net investment income | 265 |  |  | 1,010 |  |  | 15 |  |  | (29 | ) |  | 6 |  |  | 1,267 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,267 |
Realized gains (losses) on: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (32 | ) |  | (32 | )
Subsidiaries | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | 2 |
Income (loss) of MIEs: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment income | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 141 |  |  | — |  |  | 141 |  |  | — |  |  | 141 |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 9 |  |  | — |  |  | 9 |  |  | — |  |  | 9 |
Other income | 14 |  |  | 76 |  |  | 4 |  |  | (12 | ) |  | 58 |  |  | 140 |  |  | 32 |  |  | 172 |
Total revenues | 3,463 |  |  | 1,086 |  |  | 37 |  |  | 109 |  |  | 64 |  |  | 4,759 |  |  | 2 |  |  | 4,761 |
Costs and Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and casualty insurance: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 1,940 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,940 |  |  | 93 |  |  | 2,033 |
Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,017 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 13 |  |  | 1,030 |  |  | 8 |  |  | 1,038 |
Annuity benefits | — |  |  | 640 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 640 |  |  | — |  |  | 640 |
Life, accident and health benefits | — |  |  | — |  |  | 26 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 26 |  |  | — |  |  | 26 |
Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses | — |  |  | 127 |  |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 131 |  |  | — |  |  | 131 |
Interest charges on borrowed money | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 56 |  |  | 56 |  |  | — |  |  | 56 |
Expenses of MIEs | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 109 |  |  | — |  |  | 109 |  |  | — |  |  | 109 |
Other expenses | 42 |  |  | 83 |  |  | 7 |  |  | — |  |  | 121 |  |  | 253 |  |  | 5 |  |  | 258 |
Total costs and expenses | 2,999 |  |  | 850 |  |  | 37 |  |  | 109 |  |  | 190 |  |  | 4,185 |  |  | 106 |  |  | 4,291 |
Earnings before income taxes | 464 |  |  | 236 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (126 | ) |  | 574 |  |  | (104 | ) |  | 470 |
Provision for income taxes | 164 |  |  | 83 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (45 | ) |  | 202 |  |  | (12 | ) |  | 190 |
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests | 300 |  |  | 153 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (81 | ) |  | 372 |  |  | (92 | ) |  | 280 |
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | 14 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 14 |  |  | 2 |  |  | 16 |
Core Net Operating Earnings | 286 |  |  | 153 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (81 | ) |  | 358 |  |  |  |  |
Non-core earnings attributable to shareholders (a): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Realized losses on securities, net of tax and noncontrolling interests | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (19 | ) |  | (19 | ) |  | 19 |  |  | — |
Realized gain on subsidiaries, net of tax | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | — |
Gain on sale of apartment property, net of tax and noncontrolling interests | 15 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 15 |  |  | (15 | ) |  | — |
Special A&E charges, net of tax | (23 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (3 | ) |  | (26 | ) |  | 26 |  |  | — |
Neon exited lines charge | (65 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (65 | ) |  | 65 |  |  | — |
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders | $ | 213 |  |  | $ | 153 |  |  | $ | 1 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (103 | ) |  | $ | 264 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 264 |

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued

|  |  |  |  |  |  | Other |  |  |  |  |  |
| P&C |  | Annuity |  | Run-off long-term care and life |  | Consol. MIEs |  | Holding Co., other and unallocated |  | Total |  | Non-core reclass |  | GAAP Total
Nine months ended September 30, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 3,104 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,104 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,104 |
Life, accident and health net earned premiums | — |  |  | — |  |  | 80 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 80 |  |  | — |  |  | 80 |
Net investment income | 245 |  |  | 915 |  |  | 61 |  |  | (5 | ) |  | 1 |  |  | 1,217 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,217 |
Realized gains (losses) on: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | 2 |
Subsidiaries | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (157 | ) |  | (157 | )
Income (loss) of MIEs: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment income | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 112 |  |  | — |  |  | 112 |  |  | — |  |  | 112 |
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (16 | ) |  | — |  |  | (16 | ) |  | — |  |  | (16 | )
Other income | 10 |  |  | 75 |  |  | 4 |  |  | (11 | ) |  | 56 |  |  | 134 |  |  | 51 |  |  | 185 |
Total revenues | 3,359 |  |  | 990 |  |  | 145 |  |  | 80 |  |  | 57 |  |  | 4,631 |  |  | (104 | ) |  | 4,527 |
Costs and Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and casualty insurance: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 1,935 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,935 |  |  | 67 |  |  | 2,002 |
Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 977 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 10 |  |  | 987 |  |  | — |  |  | 987 |
Annuity benefits | — |  |  | 543 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 543 |  |  | — |  |  | 543 |
Life, accident and health benefits | — |  |  | — |  |  | 96 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 96 |  |  | — |  |  | 96 |
Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses | — |  |  | 143 |  |  | 13 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 156 |  |  | — |  |  | 156 |
Interest charges on borrowed money | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 57 |  |  | 58 |  |  | — |  |  | 58 |
Expenses of MIEs | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 80 |  |  | — |  |  | 80 |  |  | — |  |  | 80 |
Other expenses | 33 |  |  | 74 |  |  | 22 |  |  | — |  |  | 105 |  |  | 234 |  |  | 16 |  |  | 250 |
Total costs and expenses | 2,946 |  |  | 760 |  |  | 131 |  |  | 80 |  |  | 172 |  |  | 4,089 |  |  | 83 |  |  | 4,172 |
Earnings before income taxes | 413 |  |  | 230 |  |  | 14 |  |  | — |  |  | (115 | ) |  | 542 |  |  | (187 | ) |  | 355 |
Provision for income taxes | 135 |  |  | 79 |  |  | 5 |  |  | — |  |  | (39 | ) |  | 180 |  |  | (65 | ) |  | 115 |
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests | 278 |  |  | 151 |  |  | 9 |  |  | — |  |  | (76 | ) |  | 362 |  |  | (122 | ) |  | 240 |
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | 10 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | 12 |  |  | 5 |  |  | 17 |
Core Net Operating Earnings | 268 |  |  | 151 |  |  | 9 |  |  | — |  |  | (78 | ) |  | 350 |  |  |  |  |
Non-core earnings attributable to shareholders (a): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Realized gains on securities, net of tax and noncontrolling interests | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | 2 |  |  | (2 | ) |  | — |
Realized gain (loss) on subsidiaries, net of tax | — |  |  | — |  |  | (105 | ) |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | (101 | ) |  | 101 |  |  | — |
Gain on sale of Le Pavillon Hotel, net of tax and non-controlling interests | 26 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 26 |  |  | (26 | ) |  | — |
Special A&E charges, net of tax | (44 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (8 | ) |  | (52 | ) |  | 52 |  |  | — |
Loss on retirement of debt, net of tax | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (2 | ) |  | (2 | ) |  | 2 |  |  | — |
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders | $ | 250 |  |  | $ | 151 |  |  | $ | (96 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (82 | ) |  | $ | 223 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 223 |

(a) | See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax and noncontrolling interest impacts of these reconciling items.

Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $395 million in GAAP pretax earnings in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $397 million in the first nine months of 2015, a decrease of $2 million (1%). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were $464 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $413 million in the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $51 million (12%). The decrease in GAAP pretax earnings reflects a pretax non-core charge of $65 million in the second quarter of 2016 related to the exit of certain lines of business within Neon, a $32 million pretax non-core gain on the sale of an apartment property in the second
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
quarter of 2016 compared to a $51 million pretax non-core gain on the sale of Le Pavillon Hotel in the second quarter of 2015 and special A&E charges of $36 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $67 million in the comparable 2015 period. GAAP and core pretax earnings reflect improved underwriting results in the Property and transportation group and higher net investment income, partially offset by lower underwriting profit in the Specialty casualty and Specialty financial groups.
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, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Gross written premiums | $ | 4,540 |  |  | $ | 4,476 |  |  | 1 | %
Reinsurance premiums ceded | (1,237 | ) |  | (1,205 | ) |  | 3 | %
Net written premiums | 3,303 |  |  | 3,271 |  |  | 1 | %
Change in unearned premiums | (119 | ) |  | (167 | ) |  | (29 | %)
Net earned premiums | 3,184 |  |  | 3,104 |  |  | 3 | %
Loss and loss adjustment expenses (a) | 1,940 |  |  | 1,935 |  |  | — | %
Commissions and other underwriting expenses (b) | 1,017 |  |  | 977 |  |  | 4 | %
Core underwriting gain | 227 |  |  | 192 |  |  | 18 | %
Net investment income | 265 |  |  | 245 |  |  | 8 | %
Other income and expenses, net (c) | (28 | ) |  | (24 | ) |  | 17 | %
Core earnings before income taxes | 464 |  |  | 413 |  |  | 12 | %
Pretax non-core special A&E charges | (36 | ) |  | (67 | ) |  | (46 | %)
Pretax non-core Neon exited lines charge | (65 | ) |  | — |  |  | — | %
Pretax non-core gain on sale of apartment property and hotel | 32 |  |  | 51 |  |  | (37 | %)
GAAP earnings before income taxes | $ | 395 |  |  | $ | 397 |  |  | (1 | %)
(a) Excludes pretax non-core special A&E charges of $36 million and $67 million in the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively, and a non-core charge of $57 million related to the exit of certain lines of business within Neon in the second quarter of 2016.
(b) Excludes a non-core charge of $8 million related to the exit of certain lines of business within Neon in the second quarter of 2016.
(c) Excludes pretax non-core gains of $32 million on the sale of an apartment property in the second quarter of 2016 and$51 million on the sale of Le Pavillon Hotel in the second quarter of 2015.
Combined Ratios: |  |  |  |  |
Specialty lines |  |  |  |  | Change
Loss and LAE ratio | 61.0 | % |  | 62.2 | % |  | (1.2 | %)
Underwriting expense ratio | 31.9 | % |  | 31.5 | % |  | 0.4 | %
Combined ratio | 92.9 | % |  | 93.7 | % |  | (0.8 | %)
Aggregate — including exited lines |  |  |  |  |
Loss and LAE ratio | 63.8 | % |  | 64.5 | % |  | (0.7 | %)
Underwriting expense ratio | 32.2 | % |  | 31.5 | % |  | 0.7 | %
Combined ratio | 96.0 | % |  | 96.0 | % |  | — | %

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.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $4.54 billion for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $4.48 billion for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $64 million (1%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  |
| GWP |  | % |  | GWP |  | % |  | % Change
Property and transportation | $ | 1,927 |  |  | 43 | % |  | $ | 1,940 |  |  | 43 | % |  | (1 | %)
Specialty casualty | 2,108 |  |  | 46 | % |  | 2,078 |  |  | 46 | % |  | 1 | %
Specialty financial | 505 |  |  | 11 | % |  | 458 |  |  | 11 | % |  | 10 | %
| $ | 4,540 |  |  | 100 | % |  | $ | 4,476 |  |  | 100 | % |  | 1 | %

Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 27% of gross written premiums for both of the first nine months of 2016 and 2015. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | Change in
| Ceded |  | % of GWP |  | Ceded |  | % of GWP |  | % of GWP
Property and transportation | $ | (649 | ) |  | 34 | % |  | $ | (682 | ) |  | 35 | % |  | (1 | %)
Specialty casualty | (582 | ) |  | 28 | % |  | (529 | ) |  | 25 | % |  | 3 | %
Specialty financial | (87 | ) |  | 17 | % |  | (70 | ) |  | 15 | % |  | 2 | %
Other specialty | 81 |  |  |  |  | 76 |  |  |  |  |
| $ | (1,237 | ) |  | 27 | % |  | $ | (1,205 | ) |  | 27 | % |  | — | %

Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $3.30 billion for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $3.27 billion for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $32 million (1%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  |
| NWP |  | % |  | NWP |  | % |  | % Change
Property and transportation | $ | 1,278 |  |  | 39 | % |  | $ | 1,258 |  |  | 38 | % |  | 2 | %
Specialty casualty | 1,526 |  |  | 46 | % |  | 1,549 |  |  | 47 | % |  | (1 | %)
Specialty financial | 418 |  |  | 13 | % |  | 388 |  |  | 12 | % |  | 8 | %
Other specialty | 81 |  |  | 2 | % |  | 76 |  |  | 3 | % |  | 7 | %
| $ | 3,303 |  |  | 100 | % |  | $ | 3,271 |  |  | 100 | % |  | 1 | %

Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $3.18 billion for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $3.10 billion for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $80 million (3%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  |
| NEP |  | % |  | NEP |  | % |  | % Change
Property and transportation | $ | 1,197 |  |  | 38 | % |  | $ | 1,157 |  |  | 37 | % |  | 3 | %
Specialty casualty | 1,496 |  |  | 47 | % |  | 1,496 |  |  | 48 | % |  | — | %
Specialty financial | 416 |  |  | 13 | % |  | 380 |  |  | 12 | % |  | 9 | %
Other specialty | 75 |  |  | 2 | % |  | 71 |  |  | 3 | % |  | 6 | %
| $ | 3,184 |  |  | 100 | % |  | $ | 3,104 |  |  | 100 | % |  | 3 | %

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The $64 million (1%) increase in gross written premiums for the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015 reflects growth in the Specialty casualty and Specialty financial sub-segments. Overall average renewal rates were flat in the first nine months of 2016.
Property and transportation Gross written premiums decreased $13 million (1%) in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. This decrease was the result of lower year-over-year premiums in the crop business, primarily the result of lower spring commodity pricing, partially offset by growth in the transportation businesses and new gross written premiums from the Singapore branch, which opened for business in June 2015. Excluding crop, gross written premiums increased 4% over the comparable prior year period. Average renewal rates increased approximately 3% for this group in the first nine months of 2016, including a 5% increase in National Interstate’s renewal rates. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 1 percentage point for the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015, reflecting lower cessions in the crop business.
Specialty casualty Gross written premiums increased $30 million (1%) in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015. Higher premiums in the excess and surplus, targeted markets and workers’ compensation businesses were partially offset by lower premiums in the general liability businesses and by Neon’s exit of certain lines of business and implementation of more stringent underwriting standards at Neon. Lower premiums in the general liability business were primarily the result of competitive market conditions, re-underwriting efforts within the Florida homebuilders market and the slowdown within the energy sector. Average renewal rates decreased approximately 1% for this group in the first nine months of 2016, including a decrease of approximately 4% in the workers’ compensation businesses. Excluding the workers’ compensation business, average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 1% during the first nine months of 2016. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 3 percentage points for the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015, reflecting the cession of Neon’s UK medical malpractice business and a change in the mix of business at Neon.
Specialty financial Gross written premiums increased $47 million (10%) in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015 due primarily to growth in the financial institutions and surety businesses. Average renewal rates for this group were flat in the first nine months of 2016. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 2 percentage points for the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015, reflecting higher cessions in the financial institutions business, partially offset by a decline in auto dealer business, which is heavily reinsured.
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.
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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 for AFG’s property and casualty segment:

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |  |  | Nine months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | Change |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Property and transportation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and LAE ratio | 66.4 | % |  | 72.7 | % |  | (6.3 | %) |  |  |  |
Underwriting expense ratio | 26.0 | % |  | 26.0 | % |  | — | % |  |  |  |
Combined ratio | 92.4 | % |  | 98.7 | % |  | (6.3 | %) |  |  |  |
Underwriting profit |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 91 |  |  | $ | 14 |
Specialty casualty |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and LAE ratio | 65.0 | % |  | 63.5 | % |  | 1.5 | % |  |  |  |
Underwriting expense ratio | 30.7 | % |  | 30.1 | % |  | 0.6 | % |  |  |  |
Combined ratio | 95.7 | % |  | 93.6 | % |  | 2.1 | % |  |  |  |
Underwriting profit |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 65 |  |  | $ | 96 |
Specialty financial |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and LAE ratio | 31.8 | % |  | 28.5 | % |  | 3.3 | % |  |  |  |
Underwriting expense ratio | 52.7 | % |  | 52.5 | % |  | 0.2 | % |  |  |  |
Combined ratio | 84.5 | % |  | 81.0 | % |  | 3.5 | % |  |  |  |
Underwriting profit |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 64 |  |  | $ | 72 |
Total Specialty |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and LAE ratio | 61.0 | % |  | 62.2 | % |  | (1.2 | %) |  |  |  |
Underwriting expense ratio | 31.9 | % |  | 31.5 | % |  | 0.4 | % |  |  |  |
Combined ratio | 92.9 | % |  | 93.7 | % |  | (0.8 | %) |  |  |  |
Underwriting profit |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 227 |  |  | $ | 195 |
Aggregate — including exited lines |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss and LAE ratio | 63.8 | % |  | 64.5 | % |  | (0.7 | %) |  |  |  |
Underwriting expense ratio | 32.2 | % |  | 31.5 | % |  | 0.7 | % |  |  |  |
Combined ratio | 96.0 | % |  | 96.0 | % |  | — | % |  |  |  |
Underwriting profit |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 126 |  |  | $ | 125 |

The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $227 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $195 million in the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $32 million (16%). The higher underwriting profit in the first nine months of 2016 reflects higher underwriting profit in the Property and transportation sub-segment, partially offset by lower underwriting profit in the Specialty casualty and Specialty financial sub-segments.
Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $91 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $14 million for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $77 million (550%). This improvement reflects higher underwriting profit in the transportation businesses, due primarily to favorable prior year reserve development, and higher profitability in the crop insurance and property and inland marine businesses.
Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $65 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $96 million for the first nine months of 2015, a decrease of $31 million (32%). Higher underwriting profitability in the workers’ compensation and executive liability businesses, due primarily to higher favorable prior year reserve development, and improved results in the general liability business were more than offset by adverse prior year reserve development in the excess and surplus and targeted markets businesses and current accident year trade credit losses in Neon’s political risk and trade credit business.
Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $64 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $72 million for the first nine months of 2015, a decrease of $8 million (11%). Higher underwriting profit in the fidelity and crime business, primarily the result of higher favorable prior year reserve development, was more than offset by adverse prior year reserve development in the financial institutions business and lower underwriting profit in the trade credit businesses, resulting primarily from lower favorable prior year reserve development.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Other specialty Underwriting profit for this group was $7 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $13 million in the first nine months of 2015, a decrease of $6 million (46%). The decrease is due primarily to lower favorable prior year loss development in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments.
Aggregate See “Net prior year reserve development” under “Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations” for the quarters ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 for a discussion of the $36 million and $67 million pretax non-core special A&E charges recorded in the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively. As discussed below in more detail under “Net prior year reserve development,” AFG recorded a $65 million non-core charge in the second quarter of 2016 related to the exit of certain lines of business within Neon, AFG’s Lloyd’s-based insurer.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 63.8% for the first nine months of 2016 compared to 64.5% for the first nine months of 2015, a decrease of 0.7 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
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015 |  | Ratio
Property and transportation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 804 |  |  | $ | 817 |  |  | 67.1 | % |  | 70.6 | % |  | (3.5 | %)
Prior accident years development | (34 | ) |  | 7 |  |  | (2.8 | %) |  | 0.5 | % |  | (3.3 | %)
Current year catastrophe losses | 25 |  |  | 18 |  |  | 2.1 | % |  | 1.6 | % |  | 0.5 | %
Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 795 |  |  | $ | 842 |  |  | 66.4 | % |  | 72.7 | % |  | (6.3 | %)
Specialty casualty |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 982 |  |  | $ | 951 |  |  | 65.7 | % |  | 63.5 | % |  | 2.2 | %
Prior accident years development | (16 | ) |  | (4 | ) |  | (1.1 | %) |  | (0.2 | %) |  | (0.9 | %)
Current year catastrophe losses | 6 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 0.4 | % |  | 0.2 | % |  | 0.2 | %
Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 972 |  |  | $ | 950 |  |  | 65.0 | % |  | 63.5 | % |  | 1.5 | %
Specialty financial |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 140 |  |  | $ | 129 |  |  | 33.6 | % |  | 33.9 | % |  | (0.3 | %)
Prior accident years development | (17 | ) |  | (25 | ) |  | (4.0 | %) |  | (6.5 | %) |  | 2.5 | %
Current year catastrophe losses | 9 |  |  | 4 |  |  | 2.2 | % |  | 1.1 | % |  | 1.1 | %
Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 132 |  |  | $ | 108 |  |  | 31.8 | % |  | 28.5 | % |  | 3.3 | %
Total Specialty |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 1,968 |  |  | $ | 1,938 |  |  | 61.8 | % |  | 62.4 | % |  | (0.6 | %)
Prior accident years development | (71 | ) |  | (32 | ) |  | (2.1 | %) |  | (1.0 | %) |  | (1.1 | %)
Current year catastrophe losses | 43 |  |  | 26 |  |  | 1.3 | % |  | 0.8 | % |  | 0.5 | %
Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,940 |  |  | $ | 1,932 |  |  | 61.0 | % |  | 62.2 | % |  | (1.2 | %)
Aggregate — including exited lines |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 1,968 |  |  | $ | 1,938 |  |  | 61.8 | % |  | 62.4 | % |  | (0.6 | %)
Prior accident years development | 22 |  |  | 38 |  |  | 0.7 | % |  | 1.3 | % |  | (0.6 | %)
Current year catastrophe losses | 43 |  |  | 26 |  |  | 1.3 | % |  | 0.8 | % |  | 0.5 | %
Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 2,033 |  |  | $ | 2,002 |  |  | 63.8 | % |  | 64.5 | % |  | (0.7 | %)

Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 61.8% for the first nine months of 2016 compared to 62.4% for the first nine months of 2015, a decrease of 0.6%.
Property and transportation The 3.5 percentage point decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses reflects a decrease in the loss and LAE ratio of the property and inland marine and transportation businesses, as well as the crop operations.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Specialty casualty The 2.2 percentage point increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses reflects an increase in current accident year trade credit losses in Neon’s political risk and trade credit business and an increase in the loss and LAE ratio of the targeted markets, general liability and executive liability businesses.
Specialty financial The loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses is comparable between periods.
Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $71 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $32 million in the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $39 million (122%).
Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $34 million in the first nine months of 2016 reflects lower than expected losses in the crop operations and lower than expected claim severity in the property and inland marine and trucking businesses. Net adverse reserve development of $7 million in the first nine months of 2015 reflects higher than expected claim severity and frequency in the transportation businesses and higher than anticipated claim frequency in the ocean marine business, partially offset by lower than expected claim severity in the property and inland marine business, agricultural operations and a run-off book of homebuilders business.
Specialty casualty Net favorable reserve development of $16 million in the first nine months of 2016 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in workers’ compensation business and directors and officers liability insurance and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in excess liability business, partially offset by adverse reserve development at Neon, higher than anticipated severity in New York contractor claims and higher than anticipated claim severity in general liability insurance. Net favorable reserve development of $4 million in the first nine months of 2015 includes lower than anticipated claim severity in workers’ compensation business, lower than anticipated claim severity and frequency in excess liability insurance and lower than expected claim severity in directors and officers liability insurance, partially offset by higher than anticipated severity and frequency in contractor claims and adverse reserve development at Neon.
Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $17 million in the first nine months of 2016 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the fidelity and crime business and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the surety business, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim frequency in the financial institutions business. Net favorable reserve development of $25 million in the first nine months of 2015 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the trade credit business, surety business and products for financial institutions and lower than expected claim severity in the fidelity business.
Other specialty In addition to the development discussed above, total Specialty prior year reserve development includes net favorable reserve development of $4 million in the first nine months of 2016 and $10 million in the first nine months of 2015, reflecting amortization of the deferred gain on the retroactive insurance transaction entered into in connection with the sale of businesses in 1998 and 2001 and reserve development associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program.
Special asbestos and environmental reserve charges See “Net prior year reserve development” under “Results of Operations — Property and Casualty Insurance” for the quarters ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 for a discussion of the $36 million and $67 million special A&E charges recorded in the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Neon exited lines charge During the second quarter of 2016, AFG’s specialist Lloyd’s market insurer completed a strategic review of its business under a new leadership team and re-launched as Neon Underwriting Ltd. As part of its strategic review, Neon sold and/or exited certain historical lines of business including its UK and international medical malpractice and general liability classes. As a result of Neon’s claims review of its exited lines of business, AFG recorded a charge of approximately $65 million including $57 million to increase loss reserves primarily related to its medical malpractice and general liability lines. Consistent with the treatment of other items that are not indicative of AFG’s ongoing operations (both favorable and unfavorable), this charge is being treated as non-core because it resulted from a special strategic review of lines of business that Neon no longer writes.
Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty segment includes the special A&E charges and Neon exited lines charge mentioned above and adverse reserve development of $3 million in the first nine months of 2015 related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
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, 2015, AFG’s exposure to a catastrophic earthquake or windstorm that industry models indicate could occur once in every 500 years (a “500-year event”) is expected to be less than 3.5% of AFG’s shareholders’ equity. Catastrophe losses of $43 million in the first nine months of 2016 resulted primarily from winter storms in the first quarter of 2016, April storms in Texas in the second quarter of 2016 and flooding in Louisiana and multiple storms in the southern United States in the third quarter of 2016. Catastrophe losses of $26 million in the first nine months of 2015 resulted primarily from winter storms in the first quarter of 2015 and multiple storms in the midwestern and central United States in the second and third quarters of 2015.
Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $1.03 billion in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $977 million for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $48 million (5%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio was 32.2% for the first nine months of 2016 compared to 31.5% for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of 0.7 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, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | Change in
| U/W Exp |  | % of NEP |  | U/W Exp |  | % of NEP |  | % of NEP
Property and transportation | $ | 311 |  |  | 26.0 | % |  | $ | 301 |  |  | 26.0 | % |  | — | %
Specialty casualty | 459 |  |  | 30.7 | % |  | 450 |  |  | 30.1 | % |  | 0.6 | %
Specialty financial | 220 |  |  | 52.7 | % |  | 200 |  |  | 52.5 | % |  | 0.2 | %
Other specialty | 27 |  |  | 36.9 | % |  | 26 |  |  | 36.1 | % |  | 0.8 | %
Total Specialty | 1,017 |  |  | 31.9 | % |  | 977 |  |  | 31.5 | % |  | 0.4 | %
Neon exited lines charge | 8 |  |  |  |  | — |  |  |  |  |  |
Total Aggregate | $ | 1,025 |  |  | 32.2 | % |  | $ | 977 |  |  | 31.5 | % |  | 0.7 | %

AFG’s overall expense ratio increased 0.7% in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015.
Property and transportation Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums were comparable in the first nine months of 2016 and the first nine months of 2015.
Specialty casualty Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 0.6 percentage points in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015 due primarily to the impact of lower premiums at Neon on the ratio, partially offset by the impact of a charge in the second quarter of 2015 to write off certain previously capitalized project costs.
Specialty financial Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums were comparable in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015.
Aggregate Aggregate commissions and other underwriting expenses for AFG’s property and casualty segment includes $8 million of restructuring charges recorded as part of the $65 million non-core charge related to the exit of certain lines of business within Neon, AFG’s Lloyd’s-based insurer recorded in the second quarter of 2016. See “Net prior year reserve development” under “Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations” for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty operations was $265 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $245 million in the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $20 million (8%). In recent years, yields available in the financial markets on fixed maturity securities have generally declined, placing downward pressure on AFG’s investment portfolio yield. The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty operations are provided below (dollars in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |  |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | Change |  | % Change
Net investment income | $ | 265 |  |  | $ | 245 |  |  | $ | 20 |  |  | 8 | %
Average invested assets (at amortized cost) | $ | 9,507 |  |  | $ | 8,880 |  |  | $ | 627 |  |  | 7 | %
Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets) | 3.72 | % |  | 3.68 | % |  | 0.04 | % |  |  |
Tax equivalent yield (*) | 4.22 | % |  | 4.25 | % |  | (0.03 | %) |  |  |

(*) | Adjusts the yield on equity securities and tax-exempt bonds to the fully taxable equivalent yield.

The increase in average invested assets and net investment income in the property and casualty segment for the first nine months of 2016 as compared to the first nine months of 2015 is due primarily to growth in the property and casualty segment. The property and casualty segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 3.72% for the first nine months of 2016 compared to 3.68% for the first nine months of 2015, reflecting the impact of higher income from certain investments that are required to be carried at fair value through earnings and higher equity in the earnings of limited partnerships and similar investments, partially offset by lower yields available in the financial markets.
Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
GAAP other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty operations was net income of $4 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $27 million for the first nine months of 2015. Core other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty operations was a net expense of $28 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $24 million for the first nine months of 2015. The table below details the items included in GAAP and core other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty operations (in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Other income |  |  |
Income from the sale of real estate (*) | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3 |
Other | 14 |  |  | 7 |
Total other income | 14 |  |  | 10 |
Other expenses |  |  |
Amortization of intangibles | 6 |  |  | 6 |
NATL merger expenses | 5 |  |  | — |
Other | 31 |  |  | 27 |
Total other expense | 42 |  |  | 33 |
Interest expense | — |  |  | 1 |
Core other income and expenses, net | (28 | ) |  | (24 | )
Pretax non-core gain on sale of apartment property and hotel | 32 |  |  | 51 |
GAAP other income and expenses, net | $ | 4 |  |  | $ | 27 |

(*) | Excludes pretax non-core gains of $32 million on the sale of an apartment property in the second quarter of 2016 and $51 million on the sale of Le Pavillon Hotel in the second quarter of 2015.

Other income for AFG’s property and casualty operations includes a $4 million death benefit on a life insurance policy received in the second quarter of 2016.
Interest expense for AFG’s property and casualty operations includes interest charges on long-term debt within the property and casualty operations.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Annuity Segment — Results of Operations
AFG’s annuity operations contributed $236 million in pretax earnings in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $230 million in the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $6 million (3%). The increase in AFG’s annuity segment results for the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015 reflects higher investment income from certain investments that are required to be carried at fair value through earnings and a 13% increase in average annuity investments (at amortized cost), partially offset by lower investment yields due to the run-off of higher yielding investments. Included in these results is the change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities (“FIAs”), which had a negative impact of $56 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $28 million for the 2015 period. For the first nine months of 2016, the negative impact of a significant drop in interest rates on fair value accounting for FIAs was partially offset by the positive impact of an increase in the stock market. For the 2015 period, fair value accounting for FIAs was negatively impacted by a significant decrease in the stock market and a slightly lower than expected increase in interest rates.
The following table details AFG’s earnings before income taxes from its annuity operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions).

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |
Net investment income | $ | 1,010 |  |  | $ | 915 |  |  | 10 | %
Other income: |  |  |  |  |
Guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees | 39 |  |  | 31 |  |  | 26 | %
Policy charges and other miscellaneous income | 37 |  |  | 44 |  |  | (16 | %)
Total revenues | 1,086 |  |  | 990 |  |  | 10 | %
Costs and Expenses: |  |  |  |  |
Annuity benefits (*) | 640 |  |  | 543 |  |  | 18 | %
Acquisition expenses | 127 |  |  | 143 |  |  | (11 | %)
Other expenses | 83 |  |  | 74 |  |  | 12 | %
Total costs and expenses | 850 |  |  | 760 |  |  | 12 | %
Earnings before income taxes | $ | 236 |  |  | $ | 230 |  |  | 3 | %

Detail of annuity earnings before income taxes (dollars in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Earnings before income taxes — before the impact of derivatives related to FIAs | $ | 292 |  |  | $ | 258 |  |  | 13 | %
Impact of derivatives related to FIAs | (56 | ) |  | (28 | ) |  | 100 | %
Earnings before income taxes | $ | 236 |  |  | $ | 230 |  |  | 3 | %

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued

(*) | Annuity benefits consisted of the following (dollars in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Interest credited — fixed | $ | 426 |  |  | $ | 394 |  |  | 8 | %
Interest credited — fixed component of variable annuities | 4 |  |  | 5 |  |  | (20 | %)
Other annuity benefits: |  |  |  |  |
Change in expected death and annuitization reserve | 14 |  |  | 14 |  |  | — | %
Amortization of sales inducements | 17 |  |  | 20 |  |  | (15 | %)
Change in guaranteed withdrawal benefit reserve | 49 |  |  | 48 |  |  | 2 | %
Change in other benefit reserves | 23 |  |  | 17 |  |  | 35 | %
Total other annuity benefits | 103 |  |  | 99 |  |  | 4 | %
Total before impact of derivatives related to FIAs | 533 |  |  | 498 |  |  | 7 | %
Derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities: |  |  |  |  |
Embedded derivative mark-to-market | 188 |  |  | (99 | ) |  | (290 | %)
Equity option mark-to-market | (81 | ) |  | 144 |  |  | (156 | %)
Impact of derivatives related to FIAs | 107 |  |  | 45 |  |  | 138 | %
Total annuity benefits | $ | 640 |  |  | $ | 543 |  |  | 18 | %

Net Spread on Fixed Annuities (excludes variable annuity earnings)
The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of the spreads for AFG’s fixed annuity operations (including fixed-indexed annuities):

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Average fixed annuity investments (at amortized cost) | $ | 27,899 |  |  | $ | 24,765 |  |  | 13 | %
Average fixed annuity benefits accumulated | 27,778 |  |  | 24,514 |  |  | 13 | %
As % of fixed annuity benefits accumulated (except as noted): |  |  |  |  |
Net investment income (as % of fixed annuity investments) | 4.79 | % |  | 4.89 | % |  |
Interest credited — fixed | (2.04 | %) |  | (2.14 | %) |  |
Net interest spread | 2.75 | % |  | 2.75 | % |  |
Policy charges and other miscellaneous income | 0.14 | % |  | 0.19 | % |  |
Other annuity benefit expenses, net of guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees | (0.31 | %) |  | (0.36 | %) |  |
Acquisition expenses | (0.58 | %) |  | (0.74 | %) |  |
Other expenses | (0.39 | %) |  | (0.38 | %) |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities | (0.51 | %) |  | (0.25 | %) |  |
Net spread earned on fixed annuities | 1.10 | % |  | 1.21 | % |  |

The table below illustrates the impact of fair value accounting for derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities on the annuity segment’s net spread earned on fixed annuities:

| Nine months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Net spread earned on fixed annuities — before impact of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities | 1.37 | % |  | 1.36 | %
Impact of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities (*) | (0.27 | %) |  | (0.15 | %)
Net spread earned on fixed annuities | 1.10 | % |  | 1.21 | %

(*) | Change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities offset by an estimate of the related deceleration of amortization of deferred sales inducements and deferred policy acquisition costs.

Annuity Net Investment Income
Net investment income for the first nine months of 2016 was $1.01 billion compared to $915 million for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $95 million (10%). This increase reflects primarily the growth in AFG’s annuity business, partially offset by the impact of lower in-force investment yields. The overall yield earned on investments in AFG’s annuity operations,
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
calculated as net investment income divided by average investment balances (at amortized cost), declined by 0.10 percentage points to 4.79% from 4.89% for the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015. This decline in net investment yield reflects (i) the investment of new premium dollars at lower yields as compared to the existing investment portfolio and (ii) the impact of the reinvestment of proceeds from maturity and redemption of higher yielding investments at the lower yields available in the financial markets, partially offset by higher investment income from certain investments that are required to be carried at fair value through earnings.
Annuity Interest Credited — Fixed
Interest credited — fixed for the first nine months of 2016 was $426 million compared to $394 million for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $32 million (8%). The impact of growth in the annuity business was partially offset by lower interest crediting rates on new premiums as compared to the crediting rates on policyholder funds surrendered or withdrawn. The average interest rate credited to policyholders, calculated as interest credited divided by average fixed annuity benefits accumulated, decreased 0.10 percentage points to 2.04% from 2.14% in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015.
Annuity Net Interest Spread
AFG’s net interest spread was 2.75 percentage points in both the first nine months of 2016 and 2015 as the impact of lower in-force investment yields was offset by lower crediting rates and higher income from certain investments that are required to be carried at fair value through earnings. In addition, features included in current annuity product offerings allow AFG to achieve its desired profitability at a lower net interest spread than historical product offerings. As a result of these two items, AFG expects its net interest spread to narrow in the future.
Annuity Policy Charges and Other Miscellaneous Income
Annuity policy charges and other miscellaneous income, which consist primarily of surrender charges, amortization of deferred upfront policy charges (unearned revenue) and income from sales of real estate, were $37 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $44 million for the first nine months of 2015, a decrease of $7 million (16%). Other miscellaneous income includes $3 million in income from the sale of real estate in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $6 million in the first nine months of 2015. As a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated, annuity policy charges and other miscellaneous income decreased 0.05 percentage points to 0.14% from 0.19% in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015.
Other Annuity Benefits, Net of Guaranteed Withdrawal Benefit Fees
Other annuity benefits, net of guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees, for the first nine months of 2016 were $64 million compared to $68 million for the first nine months of 2015, a decrease of $4 million (6%). As a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated, these net expenses decreased 0.05 percentage points to 0.31% from 0.36% in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015. In addition to interest credited to policyholders’ accounts and the change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities, annuity benefits expense also includes the following expenses (in millions, net of guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees):

| Nine months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Change in expected death and annuitization reserve | $ | 14 |  |  | $ | 14 |
Amortization of sales inducements | 17 |  |  | 20 |
Change in guaranteed withdrawal benefit reserve | 49 |  |  | 48 |
Change in other benefit reserves | 23 |  |  | 17 |
Other annuity benefits | 103 |  |  | 99 |
Offset guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees | (39 | ) |  | (31 | )
Other annuity benefits, net | $ | 64 |  |  | $ | 68 |

As discussed under “Annuity Benefits Accumulated” in Note A — “Accounting Policies”, guaranteed withdrawal benefit reserves are accrued for and modified using assumptions similar to those used in establishing and amortizing deferred policy acquisition costs. The guaranteed withdrawal benefit reserve related to FIAs is inversely impacted by the calculated FIA embedded derivative reserve as the value to policyholders of the guaranteed withdrawal benefits decreases when the benefit of stock market participation increases.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Annuity Acquisition Expenses
AFG’s amortization of DPAC and commission expenses as a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated was 0.58% for the first nine months of 2016 compared to 0.74% for the first nine months of 2015 and has generally ranged between 0.75% and 0.85%. Variances from the general range relate primarily to the impact of (i) material changes in interest rates or the stock market on AFG’s fixed-indexed annuity business, and (ii) differences in actual experience from actuarially projected estimates and assumptions. For example, the negative impact of significantly lower than anticipated interest rates during the first nine months of 2016 and the significant stock market decrease in the first nine months of 2015 on the fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities (discussed below) resulted in a partially offsetting deceleration in the amortization of DPAC.
The table below illustrates the estimated impact of fair value accounting for derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities on annuity acquisition expenses as a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated:

| Nine months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Before the impact of changes in the fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities on the amortization of DPAC | 0.81 | % |  | 0.83 | %
Impact of changes in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities on amortization of DPAC (*) | (0.23 | %) |  | (0.09 | %)
Annuity acquisition expenses as a % of fixed annuity benefits accumulated | 0.58 | % |  | 0.74 | %

(*) | An estimate of the deceleration in the amortization of deferred sales inducement and deferred policy acquisition costs resulting from fair value accounting for derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities.

Annuity Other Expenses
Annuity other expenses for the first nine months of 2016 were $83 million compared to $74 million for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $9 million (12%). Annuity other expenses represent primarily general and administrative expenses, as well as selling and issuance expenses that are not deferred. The increase in annuity other expenses primarily reflects growth in the business as well as an increase in the number of sales personnel focused on new initiatives and increased market share within existing financial institutions, partially offset by higher expenses related to professional services and employee compensation plans in the 2015 period. As a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated, these expenses increased 0.01 percentage points to 0.39% from 0.38% for the first nine months of 2016 as compared to the first nine months of 2015.
Change in Fair Value of Derivatives Related to Fixed-Indexed Annuities
AFG’s fixed-indexed annuities provide policyholders with a crediting rate tied, in part, to the performance of an existing stock market index. AFG attempts to mitigate the risk in the index-based component of these products through the purchase of call options on the appropriate index. AFG’s strategy is designed so that the change in the fair value of the call option assets will generally offset the economic change in the liabilities from the index participation. Both the index-based component of the annuities and the related call options are considered derivatives that must be adjusted for changes in fair value through earnings each period. The fair values of these derivatives are impacted by actual and expected stock market performance and interest rates as well as other factors. For a list of other factors impacting the fair value of the index-based component of AFG’s annuity benefits accumulated, see Note D — “Fair Value Measurements” to the financial statements. The net change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities increased annuity benefits by $107 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $45 million in the first nine months of 2015. The increase in the first nine months of 2016 is due primarily to significantly lower than expected interest rates, partially offset by the impact of an increase in the stock market. The increase in the first nine months of 2015 reflects the negative impact of the significant decline in the stock market and lower than anticipated interest rates on these derivatives. As a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated, this net expense increased 0.26 percentage points to 0.51% from 0.25% for the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Fluctuations in interest rates and the stock market, among other factors, can cause volatility in the periodic measurement of fair value of the embedded derivative that management believes can be inconsistent with the long-term economics of these products. The table below illustrates the impact of fair value accounting for derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities on the annuity segment’s earnings before income taxes (dollars in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Earnings before income taxes — before change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities | $ | 292 |  |  | $ | 258 |  |  | 13 | %
Change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities | (107 | ) |  | (45 | ) |  | 138 | %
Related impact on amortization of DPAC (*) | 51 |  |  | 17 |  |  | 200 | %
Earnings before income taxes | $ | 236 |  |  | $ | 230 |  |  | 3 | %

(*) | An estimate of the related deceleration of amortization of deferred sales inducements and deferred policy acquisition costs.

As illustrated in the table above, the change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities, including the related impact on amortization of DPAC decreased the annuity segment’s earnings before income taxes by $56 million in the first nine months of 2016 and $28 million in the first nine months of 2015.
Annuity Net Spread Earned on Fixed Annuities
AFG’s net spread earned on fixed annuities decreased 0.11 percentage points to 1.10% from 1.21% in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 due primarily to the net impact of changes in the fair value of derivatives and related DPAC amortization offset discussed above.
Annuity Benefits Accumulated
Annuity premiums received and benefit payments are recorded as increases or decreases in annuity benefits accumulated rather than as revenue and expense. Increases in this liability for interest credited and other benefits are charged to expense and decreases for surrender and other policy charges are credited to other income.
For certain products, annuity benefits accumulated also includes reserves for accrued persistency and premium bonuses, excess benefits expected to be paid on future deaths and annuitizations (“EDAR”) and guaranteed withdrawal benefits. Annuity benefits accumulated also includes amounts advanced from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. The following table is a progression of AFG’s annuity benefits accumulated liability for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Beginning fixed annuity reserves | $ | 26,371 |  |  | $ | 23,462 |
Fixed annuity premiums (receipts) | 3,295 |  |  | 3,001 |
Federal Home Loan Bank advances | 150 |  |  | 300 |
Surrenders, benefits and other withdrawals | (1,665 | ) |  | (1,417 | )
Interest and other annuity benefit expenses: |  |  |
Interest credited | 426 |  |  | 394 |
Embedded derivative mark-to-market | 188 |  |  | (99 | )
Change in other benefit reserves | 88 |  |  | 84 |
Ending fixed annuity reserves | $ | 28,853 |  |  | $ | 25,725 |
Reconciliation to annuity benefits accumulated per balance sheet: |  |  |
Ending fixed annuity reserves (from above) | $ | 28,853 |  |  | $ | 25,725 |
Impact of unrealized investment gains | 180 |  |  | 113 |
Fixed component of variable annuities | 189 |  |  | 188 |
Annuity benefits accumulated per balance sheet | $ | 29,222 |  |  | $ | 26,026 |

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Statutory Annuity Premiums
AFG’s annuity operations generated statutory premiums of $3.32 billion in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $3.03 billion in the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $291 million (10%). The following table summarizes AFG’s annuity sales (dollars in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |
2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Financial institutions single premium annuities — indexed | $ | 1,476 |  |  | $ | 1,279 |  |  | 15 | %
Financial institutions single premium annuities — fixed | 316 |  |  | 157 |  |  | 101 | %
Retail single premium annuities — indexed | 1,299 |  |  | 1,370 |  |  | (5 | %)
Retail single premium annuities — fixed | 60 |  |  | 52 |  |  | 15 | %
Education market — fixed and indexed annuities | 144 |  |  | 143 |  |  | 1 | %
Total fixed annuity premiums | 3,295 |  |  | 3,001 |  |  | 10 | %
Variable annuities | 29 |  |  | 32 |  |  | (9 | %)
Total annuity premiums | $ | 3,324 |  |  | $ | 3,033 |  |  | 10 | %

Management believes the 10% increase in annuity premiums in the first nine months of 2016 as compared to the first nine months of 2015 is consistent with overall growth in the annuity industry, as sales of traditional fixed and fixed-indexed annuities have increased while sales of variable annuities have decreased. In addition, the increase reflects new products, additional staffing, and increased market share within existing financial institutions. This growth slowed in the third quarter of 2016 as a result of AFG’s reduction in crediting rates on its annuities in the first nine months of 2016 due to the decline in market interest rates; these crediting rate reductions were made to maintain appropriate returns on new business.
Annuity Earnings before Income Taxes Reconciliation
The following table reconciles the net spread earned on AFG’s fixed annuities to overall annuity pretax earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015
Earnings on fixed annuity benefits accumulated | $ | 230 |  |  | $ | 222 |
Earnings on investments in excess of fixed annuity benefits accumulated (*) | 4 |  |  | 9 |
Variable annuity earnings (loss) | 2 |  |  | (1 | )
Earnings before income taxes | $ | 236 |  |  | $ | 230 |

(*) | Net investment income (as a % of investments) of 4.79% and 4.89% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, multiplied by the difference between average fixed annuity investments (at amortized cost) and average fixed annuity benefits accumulated in each period.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Run-off Long-Term Care and Life Segment — Results of Operations AFG’s run-off long-term care and life segment reported GAAP pretax earnings of $2 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to a loss of $148 million for the first nine months of 2015. Results for the 2015 period include a $162 million estimated pretax non-core realized loss on the sale of subsidiaries containing substantially all of AFG’s run-off long-term care insurance business, which closed in the fourth quarter of 2015. See Note B — “Acquisition and Sale of Businesses” to the financial statements. The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core earnings (loss) before income taxes from its run-off long-term care and life operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |
Net earned premiums: |  |  |  |  |
Long-term care | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | 56 |  |  | (96 | %)
Life operations | 16 |  |  | 24 |  |  | (33 | %)
Net investment income | 15 |  |  | 61 |  |  | (75 | %)
Other income | 4 |  |  | 4 |  |  | — | %
Total revenues | 37 |  |  | 145 |  |  | (74 | %)
Costs and Expenses: |  |  |  |  |
Life, accident and health benefits: |  |  |  |  |
Long-term care | 5 |  |  | 67 |  |  | (93 | %)
Life operations | 21 |  |  | 29 |  |  | (28 | %)
Acquisition expenses | 4 |  |  | 13 |  |  | (69 | %)
Other expenses | 7 |  |  | 22 |  |  | (68 | %)
Total costs and expenses | 37 |  |  | 131 |  |  | (72 | %)
Core earnings (loss) before income taxes | — |  |  | 14 |  |  | (100 | %)
Pretax non-core realized gain (loss) on subsidiaries | 2 |  |  | (162 | ) |  | (101 | %)
GAAP earnings (loss) before income taxes | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | (148 | ) |  | (101 | %)

The decrease in long-term care net earned premiums and benefit expense in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015 is due to the sale of subsidiaries containing substantially all of AFG’s run-off long-term care insurance business in December of 2015.
Substantially all of the core earnings before income taxes in AFG’s run-off long-term care and life segment in the first nine months of 2015 represent earnings from AFG’s long-term care business and reflect the impact of improved claims experience, rate increases and lower persistency, as well as strong investment income.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its insurance operations (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $131 million for both the first nine months of 2016 and 2015. AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its insurance operations (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $126 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $115 million for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $11 million (10%).
The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core loss before income taxes from operations outside of its insurance operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |
Net investment income | $ | 6 |  |  | $ | 1 |  |  | 500 | %
Other income — P&C fees | 43 |  |  | 38 |  |  | 13 | %
Other income | 15 |  |  | 18 |  |  | (17 | %)
Total revenues | 64 |  |  | 57 |  |  | 12 | %
Costs and Expenses: |  |  |  |  |
Property and casualty insurance — commissions and other underwriting expenses | 13 |  |  | 10 |  |  | 30 | %
Interest charges on borrowed money | 56 |  |  | 57 |  |  | (2 | %)
Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees | 30 |  |  | 28 |  |  | 7 | %
Other expenses (*) | 91 |  |  | 77 |  |  | 18 | %
Total costs and expenses | 190 |  |  | 172 |  |  | 10 | %
Core loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | (126 | ) |  | (115 | ) |  | 10 | %
Pretax non-core special A&E charges | (5 | ) |  | (12 | ) |  | (58 | %)
Pretax non-core loss on retirement of debt | — |  |  | (4 | ) |  | (100 | %)
GAAP loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | $ | (131 | ) |  | $ | (131 | ) |  | — | %

(*) | Excludes pretax non-core special A&E charges of $5 million and $12 million in the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively, and a pretax non-core loss on retirement of debt of $4 million in the third quarter of 2015. See “Results of Operations — Holding Company, Other and Unallocated” for the quarters ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 for a discussion of these non-core charges.

Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its insurance operations of $6 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $1 million in the first nine months of 2015. The parent company holds a small portfolio of securities that are classified as “trading” and carried at fair value through net investment income. These trading securities increased in value by approximately $3 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to a slight decrease in value in the first nine months of 2015.
Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, the workers’ compensation insurance business that AFG acquired in April 2014, 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 businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In the first nine months of 2016, AFG collected $43 million in fees for these services compared to $38 million in the first nine months of 2015. Management views this fee income, net of the $30 million in the first nine months of 2016 and $28 million in the first nine months of 2015, in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. Consistent with internal management reporting, 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 $12 million and $11 million in the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively, 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
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
income outside of its insurance operations of $3 million in the first nine months of 2016 and $7 million in the first nine months of 2015.
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its insurance operations recorded interest expense of $56 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $57 million in the first nine months of 2015, a decrease of $1 million (2%). The impact of higher average indebtedness during the first nine months of 2016 as compared to the first nine months of 2015 was more than offset by a lower weighted average interest rate and the favorable impact of the interest rate swap on the 9-7/8% Senior Notes due June 2019 that was entered into in June 2015.
The increase in average indebtedness for the first nine months of 2016 as compared to the first nine months of 2015 reflects the following financing transactions completed by AFG between January 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016:

• | Issued $300 million of 3-1/2% Senior Notes on August 22, 2016.

• | Issued $150 million of 6% Subordinated Debentures on November 17, 2015.

• | Redeemed $132 million of 7% Senior Notes at par value on September 30, 2015.

Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
Excluding the non-core special A&E charges and the non-core loss on retirement of debt, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its insurance operations recorded other expenses of $91 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $77 million in the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $14 million (18%). This increase reflects higher holding company expenses related to employee benefit plans that are tied to stock market performance and a $5 million donation to the University of Cincinnati College of Business in the third quarter of 2016.
Holding Company and Other — Special A&E Charges
See “Holding Company and Other — Special A&E Charges” under “Results of Operations — Holding Company, Other and Unallocated” for the quarters ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 for a discussion of the $5 million and $12 million in non-core special A&E charges recorded in the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Holding Company and Other — Loss on Retirement of Debt
See “Holding Company and Other — Loss on Retirement of Debt” under “Results of Operations — Holding Company, Other and Unallocated” for the quarters ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 for a discussion of the $4 million loss on retirement of debt recorded in the third quarter of 2015.
Consolidated Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities AFG’s consolidated realized gains (losses) on securities, which are not allocated to segments, were losses of $32 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to gains of $2 million in the first nine months of 2015, a decrease of $34 million (1,700%). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30,
2016 |  | 2015
Realized gains (losses) before impairments: |  |  |
Disposals | $ | 82 |  |  | $ | 81 |
Change in the fair value of derivatives | — |  |  | (7 | )
Adjustments to annuity deferred policy acquisition costs and related items | (7 | ) |  | (3 | )
| 75 |  |  | 71 |
Impairment charges: |  |  |
Securities | (120 | ) |  | (80 | )
Adjustments to annuity deferred policy acquisition costs and related items | 13 |  |  | 11 |
| (107 | ) |  | (69 | )
Realized gains (losses) on securities | $ | (32 | ) |  | $ | 2 |

AFG’s impairment charges on securities for the first nine months of 2016 consist of $83 million on equity securities and $37 million on fixed maturities compared to $48 million on equity securities and $32 million on fixed maturities in the first nine months of 2015. Approximately $68 million in impairment charges in the first nine months of 2016 are related to financial institutions and $19 million are on energy related investments. Approximately $30 million of the charges recorded in the first nine months of 2015 are on energy related investments, $13 million are on real estate related investments and $7 million on investments in metal mining companies.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Consolidated Realized Gain (Loss) on Subsidiaries In the first quarter of 2015, AFG recorded an estimated pretax loss of $162 million on the sale of subsidiaries containing substantially all of AFG’s run-off long-term care insurance business. In the second quarter of 2016, AFG received additional proceeds based on the final closing balance sheet and adjusted certain accrued expense estimates associated with the sale, resulting in a $2 million favorable adjustment to the loss recorded in 2015. See Note B — “Acquisition and Sale of Businesses” to the financial statements. In addition, AFG recorded a $5 million pretax realized gain in the third quarter of 2015 representing an adjustment to the previously recognized loss on a small property and casualty subsidiary sold several years ago.
Consolidated Income Taxes AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes was $190 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $115 million for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $75 million (65%). See Note L — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate.
Consolidated Noncontrolling Interests AFG’s consolidated net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests was $16 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $17 million for the first nine months of 2015. The following table details net earnings in consolidated subsidiaries attributable to holders other than AFG (dollars in millions):

| Nine months ended September 30, |  |
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | % Change
National Interstate | $ | 12 |  |  | $ | 9 |  |  | 33 | %
Other | 4 |  |  | 8 |  |  | (50 | %)
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | $ | 16 |  |  | $ | 17 |  |  | (6 | %)

Other noncontrolling interests includes $4 million related to the gain on the sale of an apartment property in the second quarter of 2016 and $6 million related to the gain on the sale of Le Pavillon Hotel in the second quarter of 2015. Both properties were owned by an 80%-owned subsidiary of GAI.
RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements for a discussion of accounting guidance adopted on January 1, 2016, which impacts the consolidation of collateralized financing entities such as CLOs, as well as limited partnerships and similar investments.
See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Debt Issuance Costs” to the financial statements for a discussion of accounting guidance adopted on January 1, 2016, which impacted the presentation of debt issuance costs.
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS TO BE ADOPTED
In May 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-09, Financial Services – Insurance: Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts, which requires additional disclosures about the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (including accident year information). AFG will be required to adopt the updated guidance for annual reporting beginning in 2016 and interim reporting beginning with the first quarter of 2017. Because the new guidance does not affect the existing recognition or measurement guidance, the adoption will have no effect on AFG’s financial condition or results of operations.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities which, among other things, requires equity investments that are not accounted for under the equity method of accounting to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, clarifies that the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available for sale securities should be evaluated with other deferred tax assets and modifies disclosure requirements for financial instruments. AFG will be required to adopt the updated guidance effective January 1, 2018 (early adoption is not permitted). Although recording changes in the fair value of investments in equity securities in net income will result in more volatility in AFG’s Statement of Earnings, it is not expected to have a material effect on the carrying value of AFG’s investments or on overall shareholders’ equity as AFG’s investments in equity securities are currently carried at fair value through accumulated other comprehensive income.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires entities that lease assets for terms longer than one year to recognize the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases on the balance sheet based on
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
the present value of cash flows. Qualitative and quantitative disclosures of the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases will also be required. Although the guidance allows for early adoption, AFG expects to adopt the updated guidance effective January 1, 2019 (when it is required). The guidance will require that the earliest comparative period presented to include the measurement and recognition of existing leases with an adjustment to shareholders’ equity as if the updated guidance had always been applied. Although the guidance will result in higher assets and higher liabilities from the recognition of assets and liabilities related to operating leases, it does not change the manner in which lease expense is recognized in the statement of earnings. Although management is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, AFG does not expect it to have a material effect on its results of operations or financial position.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. AFG will be required to adopt the updated guidance effective January 1, 2017 (early adoption is permitted). Management does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its results of operations or financial position.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments which provides a new credit loss model for determining credit-related impairments for financial instruments measured at amortized cost (e.g. mortgage loans or reinsurance recoverables) and requires an entity to estimate the 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. The expected credit losses, and subsequent increases or decreases in such losses, will be recorded immediately through realized gains (losses) 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. The updated guidance also amends the current other-than-temporary impairment model for available for sale debt securities by requiring the recognition of impairments relating to credit losses through an allowance account and limits the amount of credit loss to the difference between a security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value. Subsequent increases or decreases in expected credit losses will be recorded immediately in the income statement through realized gains (losses). AFG will be required to adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2020. AFG cannot estimate the impact that the updated guidance will have on its results of operations, financial position or liquidity until the updated guidance is adopted.
ITEM 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
As of September 30, 2016, there were no material changes to the information provided in Item 7A — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk of AFG’s 2015 Form 10-K.
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 2016 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. There has been no change in AFG’s business processes and procedures during the third fiscal quarter of 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, AFG’s internal control over financial reporting.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1
Legal Proceedings
On October 7, 2016, a purported shareholder of National Interstate Corporation (“NATL”) filed an action, relating to the proposed merger in which Great American Insurance Company (“GAI”) would acquire the remaining shares of NATL that it does not already own, on behalf of a putative class of NATL’s shareholders in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, captioned Solak v. National Interstate, et al., Case No. 5:16-cv-02470-SL. The Solak action names as defendants NATL, the members of NATL’s board of directors, AFG, GAI and GAIC Alloy, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAI formed to effect the merger transaction, alleging class and derivative claims under Sections 13(e), 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and for breaches of fiduciary duties by the members of NATL’s board of directors and by GAI as an alleged controlling shareholder. The complaint contains both direct class action claims as well as indirect shareholder derivative claims. AFG believes that the allegations in this action are without merit.
ITEM 1A
Risk Factors
Other than the risk factor discussed below, there have been no material changes with regard to the risk factors previously disclosed in AFG’s 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Recent developments relating to the United Kingdom’s referendum vote in favor of leaving the European Union could adversely affect AFG’s London-based property and casualty insurance operations.
The United Kingdom (“UK”) held a referendum on June 23, 2016 in which a majority of voters voted for the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (“Brexit”). As a result of this vote, the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (“EU”) and relationship between the UK and EU going forward will have to be negotiated, including the terms of trade between the UK and the EU. The ultimate impact of Brexit is uncertain and will depend on any agreements that the UK makes to retain access to EU markets. Brexit could also lead to legal uncertainty and potentially divergent national laws and regulations as the UK determines which EU laws to replace or replicate. These or other adverse consequences from Brexit could adversely affect the operations and business opportunities of Neon, AFG’s London-based Lloyd’s syndicate.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
ITEM 2
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities AFG repurchased shares of its Common Stock during the first nine months of 2016 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 (a)
First Six Months | 1,438,142 |  |  | $ | 67.90 |  |  | 1,438,142 |  |  | 4,606,672 |
Third Quarter: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
July | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 4,606,672 |
August | 222,000 |  |  | 73.70 |  |  | 222,000 |  |  | 4,384,672 |
September | 135,867 |  |  | 74.43 |  |  | 135,867 |  |  | 4,248,805 |
Total | 1,796,009 |  |  | $ | 69.11 |  |  | 1,796,009 |  |  |

(a) | Represents the remaining shares that may be repurchased under the Plan authorized by AFG’s Board of Directors in December 2014 and February 2016.

In addition, AFG acquired 28,044 shares of its Common Stock (at an average of $66.96 per share) in the first six months of 2016 and 15 shares (at $73.77 per share) in July 2016 in connection with its stock incentive plans.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
ITEM 6
Exhibits

Number |  | Exhibit Description |  |
2 |  | Agreement and Plan of Merger dated July 25, 2016 by and among Great American Insurance Company and National Interstate Corporation, filed as Exhibit 2.1 to AFG’s Form 8-K on July 25, 2016. |  | (*)
12 |  | Computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges. |  |
31(a) |  | Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |  |
31(b) |  | Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |  |
31(c) |  | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |  |
32 |  | Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |  |
101 |  | The following financial information from American Financial Group’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): |  |
|  | (i) Consolidated Balance Sheet |  |
|  | (ii) Consolidated Statement of Earnings |  |
|  | (iii) Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income |  |
|  | (iv) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity |  |
|  | (v) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows |  |
|  | (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |  |
(*) Incorporated herein by reference. |  |

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.

| American Financial Group, Inc.
November 4, 2016 | By: |  | /s/ Joseph E. (Jeff) Consolino
|  |  | Joseph E. (Jeff) Consolino
|  |  | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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