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Investment Securities | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
Investment Securities |
Investment Securities |
NOTE 5. Investment Securities Net Investment Income White Mountains’ net investment income is comprised primarily of interest income associated with White Mountains’ fixed maturity investments, dividend income from its equity investments and interest income from its short-term investments. Pre-tax net investment income for 2011, 2010 and 2009 consisted of the following:
|  | Year Ended December 31, |
Millions |  | 2011 |  | 2010 |  | 2009 |
Investment income: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturity investments |  | $ | 166.2 |  | $ | 194.7 |  | $ | 243.3 |
Short-term investments |  | 4.5 |  | 3.0 |  | 5.5 |
Common equity securities |  | 15.4 |  | 10.2 |  | 4.9 |
Convertible fixed maturity investments |  | 5.5 |  | 5.6 |  | 8.0 |
Other long-term investments |  | 4.2 |  | 6.0 |  | 4.2 |
Interest on funds held under reinsurance treaties |  | (.4 | ) | (1.7 | ) | (7.3 | )
Total investment income |  | 195.4 |  | 217.8 |  | 258.6 |
Third-party investment expenses |  | (10.9 | ) | (8.9 | ) | (8.5 | )
Net investment income, pre-tax |  | $ | 184.5 |  | $ | 208.9 |  | $ | 250.1 |
Net Realized and Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses
|  | Year ended December 31, |
Millions |  | 2011 |  | 2010 |  | 2009 |
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax |  | $ | 117.0 |  | $ | 136.4 |  | $ | (69.9 | )
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), pre-tax |  | 5.8 |  | (53.8 | ) | 431.6 |
Net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses), pre-tax |  | 122.8 |  | 82.6 |  | 361.7 |
Income taxes attributable to realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) |  | (30.9 | ) | (22.8 | ) | (124.4 | )
Net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses), after-tax |  | $ | 91.9 |  | $ | 59.8 |  | $ | 237.3 |
Net realized investment gains (losses) Net realized investment gains (losses) for 2011, 2010, and 2009 consisted of the following:
|  | Year Ended December 31, |
Millions |  | 2011 |  | 2010 |  | 2009 |
Fixed maturity investments |  | $ | 49.4 |  | $ | 96.9 |  | $ | (7.4 | )
Short-term investments |  | — |  | — |  | .2 |
Common equity securities |  | 34.6 |  | 6.9 |  | (46.4 | )
Convertible fixed maturity investments |  | (2.2 | ) | 16.7 |  | 15.6 |
Other long-term investments |  | 35.2 |  | 15.9 |  | (31.9 | )
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax |  | 117.0 |  | 136.4 |  | (69.9 | )
Income taxes attributable to realized investment gains and (losses) |  | (37.0 | ) | (42.1 | ) | 14.9 |
Net realized investment gains (losses), after-tax |  | $ | 80.0 |  | $ | 94.3 |  | $ | (55.0 | )
White Mountains recognized gross realized investment gains of $191.6 million, $205.0 million and $157.3 million and gross realized investment losses of $74.6 million, $68.6 million and $227.2 million on sales of investment securities during 2011, 2010, and 2009. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, White Mountains reported $34.6 million and $22.3 million in accounts payable on unsettled investment purchases and $4.7 million and $39.5 million in accounts receivable on unsettled investment sales. Net unrealized investment gains (losses) The following table summarizes changes in the carrying value of investments measured at fair value:
|  | Year Ended December 31, 2011 |
Millions |  | Net unrealized gains (losses) |  | Net foreign currency gains (losses) |  | Total changes in fair value reflected in earnings |
Fixed maturities |  | $ | 7.6 |  | $ | 68.9 |  | $ | 76.5 |
Short-term investments |  | — |  | (1.1 | ) | (1.1 | )
Common equity securities |  | (40.6 | ) | (1.8 | ) | (42.4 | )
Convertible fixed maturity investments |  | (11.5 | ) | — |  | (11.5 | )
Other long-term investments |  | (19.1 | ) | 3.4 |  | (15.7 | )
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), pre-tax |  | (63.6 | ) | 69.4 |  | 5.8 |
Income taxes attributable to unrealized investment gains (losses) |  | 24.0 |  | (17.9 | ) | 6.1 |
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), after-tax |  | $ | (39.6 | ) | $ | 51.5 |  | $ | 11.9 |
|  | Year Ended December 31, 2010 |
Millions |  | Net unrealized gains (losses) |  | Net foreign currency gains (losses) |  | Total changes in fair value reflected in earnings |
Fixed maturities |  | $ | (67.4 | ) | $ | (53.8 | ) | $ | (121.2 | )
Short-term investments |  | — |  | .2 |  | .2 |
Common equity securities |  | 72.4 |  | (9.6 | ) | 62.8 |
Convertible fixed maturity investments |  | (5.4 | ) | — |  | (5.4 | )
Other long-term investments |  | 17.6 |  | (7.8 | ) | 9.8 |
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), pre-tax |  | 17.2 |  | (71.0 | ) | (53.8 | )
Income taxes attributable to unrealized investment gains (losses) |  | .5 |  | 18.8 |  | 19.3 |
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), after-tax |  | $ | 17.7 |  | $ | (52.2 | ) | $ | (34.5 | )
|  | Year Ended December 31, 2009 |
Millions |  | Net unrealized gains (losses) |  | Net foreign currency gains (losses) |  | Total changes in fair value reflected in earnings |
Fixed maturities |  | $ | 333.9 |  | $ | (53.6 | ) | $ | 280.3 |
Short-term investments |  | (.3 | ) | 1.6 |  | 1.3 |
Common equity securities |  | 57.9 |  | (9.9 | ) | 48.0 |
Convertible fixed maturity investments |  | 39.8 |  | — |  | 39.8 |
Other long-term investments |  | 67.2 |  | (5.0 | ) | 62.2 |
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), pre-tax |  | 498.5 |  | (66.9 | ) | 431.6 |
Income taxes attributable to unrealized investment gains (losses) |  | (154.3 | ) | 15.0 |  | (139.3 | )
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), after-tax |  | $ | 344.2 |  | $ | (51.9 | ) | $ | 292.3 |
The following table summarizes the amount of total gains (losses) included in earnings attributable to unrealized investment gains (losses) for Level 3 investments for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009.
|  | Year Ended December 31, |
Millions |  | 2011 |  | 2010 |  | 2009 |
Fixed maturities |  | $ | (12.2 | ) | $ | 10.2 |  | $ | 47.3 |
Common equity securities |  | (16.6 | ) | (19.2 | ) | 14.7 |
Convertible fixed maturities |  | — |  | — |  | .1 |
Other long-term investments |  | (16.8 | ) | 39.0 |  | 65.0 |
Total unrealized investment gains (losses), pre-tax - Level 3 investments |  | $ | (45.6 | ) | $ | 30.0 |  | $ | 127.1 |
The components of White Mountains’ net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses), after-tax, as recorded on the statements of operations and comprehensive income (losses) were as follows:
|  | Year Ended December 31, |
Millions |  | 2011 |  | 2010 |  | 2009 |
Net change in pre-tax unrealized gains (losses) on investments in unconsolidated affiliates |  | $ | (63.6 | ) | $ | 72.7 |  | $ | 192.7 |
Income taxes |  | 5.1 |  | .8 |  | (.3 | )
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments in unconsolidated affiliates, after tax |  | (58.5 | ) | 73.5 |  | 192.4 |
Net unrealized foreign currency gains (losses) on investments |  | (90.1 | ) | 102.9 |  | 185.1 |
Total investments gains (losses) through accumulated other comprehensive income |  | (148.6 | ) | 176.4 |  | 377.5 |
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses), after-tax |  | 11.9 |  | (34.5 | ) | 292.3 |
Net realized investment gains (losses), after-tax |  | 80.0 |  | 94.3 |  | (55.0 | )
Total investment gains (losses) recorded during the period, after-tax |  | $ | (56.7 | ) | $ | 236.2 |  | $ | 614.8 |
Investment Holdings The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized investment gains and losses, net foreign currency gains and losses, and carrying values of White Mountains’ fixed maturity investments as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, were as follows:
|  | December 31, 2011 |
Millions |  | Cost or amortized cost |  | Gross unrealized gains |  | Gross unrealized losses |  | Net foreign currency gains(losses) |  | Carrying value |
US Government and agency obligations |  | $ | 299.4 |  | $ | 5.3 |  | $ | (.1 | ) | $ | .4 |  | $ | 305.0 |
Debt securities issued by industrial corporations |  | 2,072.1 |  | 73.7 |  | (7.8 | ) | (2.9 | ) | 2,135.1 |
Municipal obligations |  | 2.7 |  | — |  | — |  | — |  | 2.7 |
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities |  | 3,190.5 |  | 25.9 |  | (3.9 | ) | 10.4 |  | 3,222.9 |
Foreign government, agency and provincial obligations |  | 581.2 |  | 11.0 |  | (.1 | ) | (2.9 | ) | 589.2 |
Preferred stocks |  | 82.3 |  | 3.2 |  | (6.7 | ) | — |  | 78.8 |
Total fixed maturity investments including assets held for sale |  | $ | 6,228.2 |  | $ | 119.1 |  | $ | (18.6 | ) | $ | 5.0 |  | $ | 6,333.7 |
Fixed maturity investments reclassified to assets held for sale related to AutoOne |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (111.8 | )
Total fixed maturity investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 6,221.9 |
|  | December 31, 2010 |
Millions |  | Cost or amortized cost |  | Gross unrealized gains |  | Gross unrealized losses |  | Net foreign currency gains (losses) |  | Carrying value |
US Government and agency obligations |  | $ | 385.9 |  | $ | 13.6 |  | $ | (.8 | ) | $ | — |  | $ | 398.7 |
Debt securities issued by industrial corporations |  | 2,149.2 |  | 87.9 |  | (21.1 | ) | (37.9 | ) | 2,178.1 |
Municipal obligations |  | 3.3 |  | .1 |  | (.1 | ) | — |  | 3.3 |
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities |  | 2,082.0 |  | 18.2 |  | (15.6 | ) | (12.9 | ) | 2,071.7 |
Foreign government, agency and provincial obligations |  | 1,053.6 |  | 7.7 |  | (6.6 | ) | (8.3 | ) | 1,046.4 |
Preferred stocks |  | 81.9 |  | 6.1 |  | — |  | (.1 | ) | 87.9 |
Total fixed maturity investments |  | $ | 5,755.9 |  | $ | 133.6 |  | $ | (44.2 | ) | $ | (59.2 | ) | $ | 5,786.1 |
The cost or amortized cost and carrying value of White Mountains’ fixed maturity investments and convertible fixed maturity investments, at December 31, 2011 is presented below by contractual maturity. Actual maturities could differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay certain obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
|  | December 31, 2011 |
Millions |  | Cost or amortized cost |  | Carrying value |
Due in one year or less |  | $ | 669.6 |  | $ | 681.0 |
Due after one year through five years |  | 1,809.1 |  | 1,857.5 |
Due after five years through ten years |  | 563.1 |  | 582.8 |
Due after ten years |  | 52.8 |  | 54.5 |
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities |  | 3,190.5 |  | 3,222.9 |
Preferred stocks |  | 82.3 |  | 78.8 |
Total |  | $ | 6,367.4 |  | $ | 6,477.5 |
The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized investment gains and losses, net foreign currency gains and losses, and carrying values of White Mountains’ common equity securities, convertible fixed maturities and other long-term investments as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, were as follows:
|  | December 31, 2011 |
Millions |  | Cost or amortized cost |  | Gross unrealized gains |  | Gross unrealized losses |  | Net foreign currency gains (losses) |  | Carrying value |
Common equity securities |  | $ | 691.7 |  | $ | 72.0 |  | $ | (8.7 | ) | $ | — |  | $ | 755.0 |
Convertible fixed maturities |  | $ | 139.2 |  | $ | 6.2 |  | $ | (1.6 | ) | $ | — |  | $ | 143.8 |
Other long-term investments |  | $ | 274.4 |  | $ | 55.5 |  | $ | (25.2 | ) | $ | (3.4 | ) | $ | 301.3 |
|  | December 31, 2010 |
Millions |  | Cost or amortized cost |  | Gross unrealized gains |  | Gross unrealized losses |  | Net foreign currency gains (losses) |  | Carrying value |
Common equity securities |  | $ | 561.2 |  | $ | 105.5 |  | $ | (1.5 | ) | $ | 1.8 |  | $ | 667.0 |
Convertible fixed maturities |  | $ | 126.9 |  | $ | 16.2 |  | $ | (.1 | ) | $ | — |  | $ | 143.0 |
Other long-term investments |  | $ | 329.5 |  | $ | 62.4 |  | $ | (13.0 | ) | $ | (6.8 | ) | $ | 372.1 |
Sales and maturities of investments, excluding short-term investments, totaled $5,044.5 million, $4,492.6 million and $3,748.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009. There were no non-cash exchanges or involuntary sales of investment securities during 2011, 2010, and 2009. Investments Held on Deposit or as Collateral As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, investments of $100.2 million and $314.1 million, respectively, were held in trusts required to be maintained in relation to various reinsurance agreements. White Mountains’ consolidated insurance and reinsurance operations are required to maintain deposits with certain insurance regulatory agencies in order to maintain their insurance licenses. The fair value of such deposits which are included within total investments totaled $313.4 million and $352.6 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. Fair value measurements at December 31, 2011 White Mountains’ invested assets measured at fair value include fixed maturity securities, common and preferred equity securities, convertible fixed maturity securities and other long-term investments which primarily consist of hedge funds and private equity funds. Fair value measurements reflect management’s best estimate of the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements fall into a hierarchy with three levels based on the nature of the inputs. Fair value measurements based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets are at the top of the hierarchy (“Level 1”), followed by fair value measurements based on observable inputs that do not meet the criteria for Level 1, including quoted prices in inactive markets and quoted prices in active markets for similar, but not identical instruments (“Level 2”). Measurements based on unobservable inputs, including a reporting entity’s estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use are at the bottom of the hierarchy (“Level 3”). White Mountains uses quoted market prices or other observable inputs to estimate fair value for the vast majority of its investment portfolio. Investments valued using Level 1 inputs include fixed maturities, primarily U.S. Treasury securities, publicly-traded common equities and short-term investments, which include U.S. Treasury Bills. Investments valued using Level 2 inputs consist of fixed maturities, including corporate debt, state and other government debt, convertible fixed maturity securities and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Fair value estimates for investments classified as Level 3 measurements include investments in hedge funds, private equity funds and certain investments in fixed maturities and common equity securities. Fair value measurements for securities for which observable inputs are unavailable are estimated using industry standard pricing models and observable inputs such as benchmark interest rates, matrix pricing, market comparables, broker quotes, issuer spreads, bids, offers, credit ratings, prepayment speeds and other relevant inputs. In circumstances where quoted prices or observable inputs are adjusted to reflect management’s best estimate of fair value, such fair value measurements are considered a lower level measurement in the fair value hierarchy. White Mountains employs a number of procedures to assess the reasonableness of the fair value measurements for its other long-term investments, including obtaining and reviewing each hedge fund’s and private equity fund’s audited annual financial statements and periodically discussing each fund’s pricing with the fund manager. However, since the fund managers do not provide sufficient information to evaluate the pricing inputs and methods for each underlying investment, the inputs are considered to be unobservable. Accordingly, the fair values of White Mountains’ investments in hedge funds and private equity funds have been classified as Level 3 measurements. The fair value of White Mountains’ investments in hedge funds and private equity funds has been determined using net asset value. In addition to the investments described above, White Mountains has $68.1 million and $77.8 million of investment-related liabilities recorded at fair value and included in other liabilities as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. These liabilities relate to securities that have been sold short by limited partnerships in which White Mountains has investments and is required to consolidate under GAAP. All of the liabilities included have a Level 1 designation. Fair Value Measurements by Level The following tables summarize White Mountains’ fair value measurements for investments at December 31, 2011 and 2010, by level. The fair value measurements for derivative assets associated with White Mountains’ variable annuity business are presented in Note 8.
|  | December 31, 2011 |
Millions |  | Fair value |  | Level 1 Inputs |  | Level 2 Inputs |  | Level 3 Inputs |
Fixed maturities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
US Government and agency obligations |  | $ | 305.0 |  | $ | 296.2 |  | $ | 8.8 |  | $ | — |
Debt securities issued by corporations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consumer |  | 790.7 |  | — |  | 790.7 |  | — |
Industrial |  | 359.4 |  | — |  | 359.4 |  | — |
Financials |  | 239.6 |  | 3.8 |  | 235.8 |  | — |
Communications |  | 225.8 |  | — |  | 225.8 |  | — |
Basic materials |  | 195.7 |  | — |  | 195.7 |  | — |
Utilities |  | 140.1 |  | — |  | 140.1 |  | — |
Energy |  | 155.8 |  | — |  | 155.8 |  | — |
Technology |  | 24.5 |  | — |  | 24.5 |  | — |
Diversified |  | 3.5 |  | — |  | 3.5 |  | — |
Total debt securities issued by corporations: |  | 2,135.1 |  | 3.8 |  | 2,131.3 |  | — |
Municipal obligations |  | 2.7 |  | — |  | 2.7 |  | — |
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities |  | 3,222.9 |  | — |  | 3,207.8 |  | 15.1 |
Foreign government, agency and provincial obligations |  | 589.2 |  | 65.7 |  | 523.5 |  | — |
Preferred stocks |  | 78.8 |  | — |  | 15.0 |  | 63.8 |
Total fixed maturities(1) |  | 6,333.7 |  | 365.7 |  | 5,889.1 |  | 78.9 |
Short-term investments |  | 846.0 |  | 846.0 |  | — |  | — |
Common equity securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financials |  | 219.2 |  | 185.8 |  | 1.5 |  | 31.9 |
Consumer |  | 188.8 |  | 188.5 |  | .3 |  | — |
Basic materials |  | 121.0 |  | 119.9 |  | 1.1 |  | — |
Energy |  | 72.6 |  | 72.6 |  | — |  | — |
Utilities |  | 42.0 |  | 41.8 |  | .2 |  | — |
Technology |  | 25.8 |  | 25.8 |  | — |  | — |
Other |  | 85.6 |  | 33.0 |  | 52.2 |  | .4 |
Total common equity securities |  | 755.0 |  | 667.4 |  | 55.3 |  | 32.3 |
Convertible fixed maturity investments |  | 143.8 |  | — |  | 143.8 |  | — |
Other long-term investments(2) |  | 268.3 |  | — |  | — |  | 268.3 |
Total investments |  | $ | 8,346.8 |  | $ | 1,879.1 |  | $ | 6,088.2 |  | $ | 379.5 |
(1) Carrying value includes $111.8 that is classified as assets held for sale relating to AutoOne discontinued operations. (2) Excludes carrying value of $33.0 associated with other long-term investments accounted for using the equity method.
|  | December 31, 2010 |
Millions |  | Fair value |  | Level 1 Inputs |  | Level 2 Inputs |  | Level 3 Inputs |
Fixed maturities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
US Government and agency obligations |  | $ | 398.7 |  | $ | 388.9 |  | $ | 9.8 |  | $ | — |
Debt securities issued by corporations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consumer |  | 769.0 |  | — |  | 769.0 |  | — |
Industrial |  | 511.3 |  | — |  | 511.3 |  | — |
Financials |  | 265.8 |  | 6.3 |  | 259.5 |  | — |
Communications |  | 226.3 |  | — |  | 226.3 |  | — |
Basic materials |  | 125.3 |  | — |  | 125.3 |  | — |
Utilities |  | 106.7 |  | — |  | 106.7 |  | — |
Energy |  | 151.5 |  | — |  | 151.5 |  | — |
Technology |  | 22.1 |  | — |  | 22.1 |  | — |
Total debt securities issued by corporations: |  | 2,178.0 |  | 6.3 |  | 2,171.7 |  | — |
Municipal obligations |  | 3.3 |  | — |  | 3.3 |  |  |
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities |  | 2,071.7 |  | — |  | 2,014.7 |  | 57.0 |
Foreign government, agency and provincial obligations |  | 1,046.5 |  | 82.6 |  | 963.9 |  | — |
Preferred stocks |  | 87.9 |  | — |  | 16.5 |  | 71.4 |
Total fixed maturities |  | 5,786.1 |  | 477.8 |  | 5,179.9 |  | 128.4 |
Short-term investments |  | 975.3 |  | 878.7 |  | 96.6 |  | — |
Common equity securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financials |  | 221.6 |  | 152.6 |  | 1.2 |  | 67.8 |
Consumer |  | 123.3 |  | 122.5 |  | .8 |  | — |
Basic materials |  | 98.8 |  | 97.1 |  | 1.7 |  | — |
Energy |  | 60.2 |  | 60.2 |  | — |  | — |
Utilities |  | 47.6 |  | 44.6 |  | — |  | 3.0 |
Technology |  | 31.8 |  | 30.4 |  | 1.4 |  | — |
Other |  | 83.7 |  | 30.5 |  | 52.8 |  | .4 |
Total common equity securities |  | 667.0 |  | 537.9 |  | 57.9 |  | 71.2 |
Convertible fixed maturity investments |  | 143.0 |  | — |  | 143.0 |  | — |
Other long-term investments(1) |  | 330.2 |  | — |  | — |  | 330.2 |
Total investments |  | $ | 7,901.6 |  | $ | 1,894.4 |  | $ | 5,477.4 |  | $ | 529.8 |
(1) Excludes carrying value of $41.9 associated with other long-term investments accounted for using the equity method. Debt securities issued by corporations The following table summarizes the ratings of the corporate debt securities held in White Mountains’ investment portfolio as of December 31, 2011 and 2010:
Millions |  | December 31, 2011 |  | December 31, 2010 |
AAA |  | $ | — |  | $ | — |
AA |  | 206.8 |  | 210.0 |
A |  | 802.8 |  | 833.7 |
BBB |  | 1,110.8 |  | 1,109.1 |
BB |  | 6.2 |  | 24.5 |
Other |  | 8.5 |  | .7 |
Debt securities issued by corporations |  | $ | 2,135.1 |  | $ | 2,178.0 |
Mortgage-backed, Asset-backed Securities White Mountains purchases commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities with the goal of maximizing risk adjusted returns in the context of a diversified portfolio. White Mountains’ non-agency commercial mortgage-backed portfolio (“CMBS”) is generally short tenor and structurally senior, with more than 20 points of subordination on average for fixed rate CMBS and more than 45 points of subordination on average for floating rate CMBS as of December 31, 2011. In general, subordination represents the percentage principal loss on the underlying collateral that would be absorbed by other securities lower in the capital structure before the more senior security incurs a loss. White Mountains believes these levels of protection will mitigate the risk of loss tied to the refinancing challenges facing the commercial real estate market. As of December 31, 2011, on average less than 2% of the underlying loans were reported as non-performing for all non-agency CMBS held by White Mountains. White Mountains is not an originator of residential mortgage loans and did not hold any residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) categorized as sub-prime as of December 31, 2011. White Mountains’ investments in hedge funds and private equities contain negligible amounts of sub-prime mortgage-backed securities at December 31, 2011. White Mountains considers sub-prime mortgage-backed securities as those that have underlying loan pools that exhibit weak credit characteristics, or those that are issued from dedicated sub-prime shelves or dedicated second-lien shelf registrations (i.e., White Mountains considers investments backed primarily by second-liens to be sub-prime risks regardless of credit scores or other metrics). White Mountains categorizes mortgage-backed securities as “non-prime” (also called “Alt A” or “A-”) if they are backed by collateral that has overall credit quality between prime and sub-prime based on White Mountains’ review of the characteristics of their underlying mortgage loan pools, such as credit scores and financial ratios. White Mountains’ non-agency residential mortgage-backed portfolio is generally of moderate average life and structurally senior. White Mountains does not own any collateralized debt obligations, including residential mortgage-backed collateralized debt obligations.
|  | December 31, 2011 |  | December 31, 2010 |
Millions |  | Fair Value |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Fair Value |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |
Mortgage-backed securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Agency: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
GNMA |  | $ | 1,365.8 |  | $ | 1,365.8 |  | $ | — |  | $ | 1,143.6 |  | $ | 1,102.7 |  | $ | 40.9 |
FNMA |  | 712.6 |  | 712.6 |  | — |  | 234.9 |  | 234.9 |  | — |
FHLMC |  | 35.9 |  | 35.9 |  | — |  | 39.1 |  | 39.1 |  | — |
Total Agency(1) |  | 2,114.3 |  | 2,114.3 |  | — |  | 1,417.6 |  | 1,376.7 |  | 40.9 |
Non-agency: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Residential |  | 83.1 |  | 68.0 |  | 15.1 |  | 90.6 |  | 74.5 |  | 16.1 |
Commercial |  | 276.7 |  | 276.7 |  | — |  | 87.0 |  | 87.0 |  | — |
Total Non-agency |  | 359.8 |  | 344.7 |  | 15.1 |  | 177.6 |  | 161.5 |  | 16.1 |
Total mortgage-backed securities |  | 2,474.1 |  | 2,459.0 |  | 15.1 |  | 1,595.2 |  | 1,538.2 |  | 57.0 |
Other asset-backed securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Credit card receivables |  | 380.6 |  | 380.6 |  | — |  | 248.3 |  | 248.3 |  | — |
Vehicle receivables |  | 345.6 |  | 345.6 |  | — |  | 228.1 |  | 228.1 |  | — |
Other |  | 22.6 |  | 22.6 |  | — |  | .1 |  | .1 |  | — |
Total other asset-backed securities |  | 748.8 |  | 748.8 |  | — |  | 476.5 |  | 476.5 |  | — |
Total mortgage and asset-backed securities |  | $ | 3,222.9 |  | $ | 3,207.8 |  | $ | 15.1 |  | $ | 2,071.7 |  | $ | 2,014.7 |  | $ | 57.0 |
(1) Represents publicly traded mortgage-backed securities which carry the full faith and credit guaranty of the U.S. government (i.e., GNMA) or are guaranteed by a government sponsored entity (i.e., FNMA, FHLMC). Non-agency Mortgage-backed Securities The security issuance years of White Mountains’ investments in non-agency RMBS and non-agency CMBS securities as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:
|  |  |  | Security Issuance Year |
Millions |  | Fair Value |  | 2003 |  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2009 |  | 2010 |  | 2011 |
Non-agency RMBS |  | $ | 83.1 |  | $ | 3.3 |  | $ | 23.0 |  | $ | 26.4 |  | $ | — |  | $ | 10.5 |  | $ | 19.9 |
Non-agency CMBS |  | 276.7 |  | — |  | — |  | 17.4 |  | 11.2 |  | 2.3 |  | 245.8 |
Total |  | $ | 359.8 |  | $ | 3.3 |  | $ | 23.0 |  | $ | 43.8 |  | $ | 11.2 |  | $ | 12.8 |  | $ | 265.7 |
Non-agency Residential Mortgage-backed Securities The classification of the underlying collateral quality and the tranche levels of White Mountains’ non-agency RMBS securities are as follows as of December 31, 2011:
Millions |  | Fair Value |  | Super Senior (1) |  | Senior (2) |  | Subordinate(3) |
Prime |  | $ | 67.2 |  | $ | 20.5 |  | $ | 46.7 |  | $ | — |
Non-prime |  | 15.9 |  | 15.2 |  | .7 |  | — |
Sub-prime |  | — |  | — |  | — |  | — |
Total |  | $ | 83.1 |  | $ | 35.7 |  | $ | 47.4 |  | $ | — |
(1) At issuance, Super Senior were rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s, Aaa by Moody’s, or AAA by Fitch and were senior to other AAA or Aaa bonds. (2) At issuance, Senior were rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s or Aaa by Moody’s and were senior to non-AAA or non-Aaa bonds. (3) At issuance, Subordinate were not rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s or Aaa by Moody’s and were junior to AAA or Aaa bonds. Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities The amount of fixed and floating rate securities and their tranche levels of White Mountains’ non-agency CMBS securities are as follows as of December 31, 2011:
Millions |  | Fair Value |  | Super Senior (1) |  | Senior(2) |  | Subordinate(3) |
Fixed rate CMBS |  | $ | 249.3 |  | $ | 46.7 |  | $ | 202.6 |  | $ | — |
Floating rate CMBS |  | 27.4 |  | 17.4 |  | 10.0 |  | — |
Total |  | $ | 276.7 |  | $ | 64.1 |  | $ | 212.6 |  | $ | — |
(1) At issuance, Super Senior were rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s or Aaa by Moody’s and were senior to other AAA or Aaa bonds. (2) At issuance, Senior were rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s or Aaa by Moody’s and were senior to non-AAA or non-Aaa bonds. (3) At issuance, Subordinate were not rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s or Aaa by Moody’s and were junior to AAA or Aaa bonds. Other long-term investments White Mountains holds investments in hedge funds and private equity funds, which are included in other long-term investments. The fair value of these investments has been estimated using the net asset value of the funds. At December 31, 2011, White Mountains held investments in 16 hedge funds and 32 private equity funds. The decrease in fair value of hedge funds and private equity funds is due to net redemptions during the period. The largest investment in a single fund was $27.4 million and $49.2 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010. The following table summarizes investments in hedge funds and private equity interests by investment objective and sector at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
|  | December 31, 2011 |  | December 31, 2010 |
Millions |  | Fair Value |  | Unfunded Commitments |  | Fair Value |  | Unfunded Commitments |
Hedge funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long/short equity |  | $ | 48.8 |  | $ | — |  | $ | 50.4 |  | $ | — |
Long/short credit & distressed |  | 32.3 |  | — |  | 34.1 |  | — |
Long diversified strategies |  | 16.9 |  | — |  | 25.2 |  | — |
Long/short equity REIT |  | 14.5 |  | — |  | 24.0 |  | — |
Long/short equity activist |  | 12.3 |  | — |  | 16.9 |  | — |
Long bank loan |  | .5 |  | — |  | 5.1 |  | — |
Total hedge funds |  | 125.3 |  | — |  | 155.7 |  | — |
Private equity funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Energy infrastructure & services |  | 28.0 |  | 9.9 |  | 24.2 |  | 10.8 |
Distressed residential real estate |  | 27.4 |  | — |  | 49.2 |  | — |
Multi-sector |  | 26.9 |  | 8.2 |  | 26.0 |  | 10.6 |
Private equity secondaries |  | 11.3 |  | 4.0 |  | 10.4 |  | 4.4 |
Real estate |  | 9.5 |  | 3.3 |  | 9.1 |  | 4.6 |
International multi-sector, Europe |  | 7.8 |  | 4.7 |  | 10.5 |  | 5.3 |
Manufacturing/Industrial |  | 6.2 |  | — |  | 17.9 |  | — |
International multi-sector, Asia |  | 3.6 |  | 2.6 |  | 4.9 |  | 2.7 |
Insurance |  | 3.5 |  | 41.3 |  | 3.9 |  | 41.3 |
Venture capital |  | 2.4 |  | .5 |  | 2.2 |  | 1.0 |
Healthcare |  | 2.3 |  | 7.0 |  | 1.5 |  | 8.0 |
Total private equity funds |  | 128.9 |  | 81.5 |  | 159.8 |  | 88.7 |
Total hedge and private equity funds included in other long-term investments |  | $ | 254.2 |  | $ | 81.5 |  | $ | 315.5 |  | $ | 88.7 |
At December 31, 2011, other long-term investments also include $21.8 million of an investment in a tax advantaged federal affordable housing development fund. White Mountains has unfunded commitments to this fund of $10.1 million at December 31, 2011. Redemption of investments in certain hedge funds is subject to restrictions including lock-up periods where no redemptions or withdrawals are allowed, restrictions on redemption frequency and advance notice periods for redemptions. Amounts requested for redemptions remain subject to market fluctuations until the redemption effective date, which generally falls at the end of the defined redemption period. The following summarizes the December 31, 2011 fair value of hedge funds subject to restrictions on redemption frequency and advance notice period requirements for investments in active hedge funds:
|  | Notice Period |
Millions Redemption frequency |  | 30-59 days notice |  | 60-89 days notice |  | 90-119 days notice |  | 120+ days notice |  | Total |
Monthly |  | $ | — |  | $ | — |  | $ | — |  | $ | 6.5 |  | $ | 6.5 |
Quarterly |  | 27.5 |  | 27.0 |  | 20.1 |  | — |  | 74.6 |
Semi-annual |  | — |  | 5.1 |  | — |  | 14.5 |  | 19.6 |
Annual |  | 16.9 |  | — |  | 7.2 |  | .5 |  | 24.6 |
Total |  | $ | 44.4 |  | $ | 32.1 |  | $ | 27.3 |  | $ | 21.5 |  | $ | 125.3 |
Certain of the hedge fund investments in which White Mountains is invested are no longer active and are in process of disposing of their underlying investments. Distributions from such funds are remitted to investors as the fund’s underlying investments are liquidated. At December 31, 2011, distributions of $3.3 million were outstanding from these investments. The actual amount of the final distribution remittances remain subject to market fluctuations. The date at which such remittances will be received is not determinable at December 31, 2011. White Mountains has also submitted redemption requests for certain of its investments in active hedge funds. At December 31, 2011 redemptions of $2.2 million are outstanding. The date at which such remittances will be received is not determinable at December 31, 2011. Redemptions are recorded as receivables when approved by the hedge funds and when no longer subject to market fluctuations. Investments in private equity funds are generally subject to a “lock-up” period during which investors may not request a redemption. Distributions prior to the expected termination date of the fund may be limited to dividends or proceeds arising from the liquidation of the fund’s underlying investments. In addition, certain private equity funds provide an option to extend the lock-up period at either the sole discretion of the fund manager or upon agreement between the fund and the investors. At December 31, 2011, investments in private equity funds were subject to lock-up periods as follows:
Millions |  | 1-3 years |  | 3 – 5 years |  | 5 – 10 years |  | >10 years |  | Total |
Private Equity Funds — expected lock-up period remaining |  | $ | 42.9 |  | $ | — |  | $ | 79.8 |  | $ | 6.2 |  | $ | 128.9 |
Rollforward of Fair Value Measurements by Level White Mountains uses quoted market prices where available as the inputs to estimate fair value for its investments in active markets. Such measurements are considered to be either Level 1 or Level 2 measurements, depending on whether the quoted market price inputs are for identical securities (Level 1) or similar securities (Level 2). Level 3 measurements for fixed maturities, common equity securities, convertible fixed maturities and other long-term investments at December 31, 2011 are comprised of securities for which the estimated fair value has not been determined based upon quoted market price inputs for identical or similar securities. The following table summarizes the changes in White Mountains’ fair value measurements by level for the year ended December 31, 2011:
|  |  |  |  |  | Level 3 Investments |  |  |
Millions |  | Level 1 Investments |  | Level 2 Investments |  | Fixed Maturities |  | Common equity securities |  | Convertible fixed maturities |  | Other long-term investments |  | Total |
Balance at January 1, 2011 |  | $ | 1,894.4 |  | $ | 5,477.4 |  | $ | 128.4 |  | $ | 71.2 |  | $ | — |  | $ | 330.2 | (1) | $ | 7,901.6 | (1)
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) (1) (2) |  | (1.4 | ) | 113.2 |  | (8.1 | ) | (4.7 | ) | — |  | 19.5 |  | 118.5 |
Foreign currency gains (losses) through OCI and other revenue |  | 4.6 |  | (76.1 | ) | (4.4 | ) | 1.6 |  | — |  | (5.0 | ) | (79.3 | )
Amortization/Accretion |  | 2.3 |  | (54.2 | ) | .3 |  | — |  | — |  | — |  | (51.6 | )
Purchases |  | 10,653.6 |  | 8,905.6 |  | 213.7 |  | 19.7 |  | — |  | 58.4 |  | 19,851.0 |
Sales |  | (10,674.4 | ) | (8,528.7 | ) | — |  | (55.5 | ) | — |  | (134.8 | ) | (19,393.4 | )
Transfers in |  | — |  | 269.2 |  | 18.2 |  | — |  | — |  | — |  | 287.4 |
Transfers out |  | — |  | (18.2 | ) | (269.2 | ) | — |  | — |  | — |  | (287.4 | )
Balance at December 31, 2011 |  | $ | 1,879.1 |  | $ | 6,088.2 | (2) | $ | 78.9 |  | $ | 32.3 |  | $ | — |  | $ | 268.3 | (1) | $ | 8,346.8 | (1)
(1) Excludes carrying value of $41.9 and $33.0 at January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 associated with other long-term investments accounted for using the equity method. (2) Carrying value includes $111.8 that is classified as assets held for sale relating to AutoOne discontinued operations. Fair Value Measurements — transfers between levels Transfers between levels are recorded using the fair value measurement as of the end of the quarterly period in which the event or change in circumstance giving rise to the transfer occurred. During 2011, 10 securities which had been classified as Level 3 measurements at January 1, 2011 were recategorized as Level 2 measurements because quoted market prices for similar securities that were considered reliable and could be validated against an alternative source were available at December 31, 2011. These measurements comprise “Transfers out” of Level 3 and “Transfers in” to Level 2 of $269.2 million in fixed maturities for the period ended December 31, 2011. Two securities that were classified as Level 2 investments at January 1, 2011 were priced with unobservable inputs during the current period and represent the “Transfers in” of $18.2 million in Level 3 investments. The fair value of these securities were estimated using industry standard pricing models, in which management selected inputs using its best judgment. These securities are considered to be Level 3 because the measurements are not directly observable. At December 31, 2011, the estimated fair value for these securities determined using the industry standard pricing models was $1.6 million less than the estimated fair value based upon quoted prices provided by a third party.

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- Definition Tabular disclosure of investments in certain debt and equity securities (and certain other trading assets) which include all debt and equity securities (other than those equity securities accounted for under the equity or cost methods of accounting) with readily determinable fair values. Other trading assets include assets that are carried on the balance sheet at fair value and held for trading purposes. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise that is in the form of a security. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities (and other trading assets). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27405-111563 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6379141&loc=d3e15032-111544 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Equity Security -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6511694 -Topic 320 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27161-111563 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Debt Security -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6509901 -Topic 320 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 3, 19, 20, 21, 22, 137 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27232-111563 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27357-111563 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 320 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62557-112803 Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27290-111563 + Details
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