XML 24 R11.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.10.0.1
Derivative Financial Instruments
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
General Discussion of Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]  
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The primary risk managed by using derivative instruments is equity price risk. Equity contracts (options sold) on various equity securities are intended to manage the price risk associated with forecasted purchases or sales of such securities.

The Company also enters into derivative contracts to enhance returns on its investment portfolio.
On February 13, 2014, Fannette Funding LLC (“FFL”), a special purpose investment vehicle formed by and consolidated into the Company, entered into a total return swap agreement with Citibank. Under the agreement, FFL receives the income equivalent on underlying obligations due to Citibank and pays to Citibank interest on the outstanding notional amount of the underlying obligations. The total return swap is secured by approximately $31 million of U.S. Treasuries as collateral, which are included in short-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company paid interest, which was equal to LIBOR plus 128 basis points prior to the renewal of the agreement in January 2018 and LIBOR plus 120 basis points subsequent to the January 2018 renewal through July 2018, on approximately $112 million and $108 million of underlying obligations as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The agreement had an initial term of one year, subject to periodic renewal. In July 2018, the agreement was renewed through January 24, 2020, and the interest rate was changed to LIBOR plus 105 basis points.

On August 9, 2013, Animas Funding LLC (“AFL”), a special purpose investment vehicle formed and consolidated by the Company, entered into a three-year total return swap agreement with Citibank, which was renewed for an additional one-year term through February 17, 2018. The total portfolio of underlying obligations was liquidated during June 2017, and the total return swap agreement between AFL and Citibank was terminated on July 7, 2017. Under the agreement, AFL received the income equivalent on underlying obligations due to Citibank and paid to Citibank interest on the outstanding notional amount of the underlying obligations. The total return swap was secured by approximately $40 million of U.S. Treasuries as collateral, which were included in short-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company paid interest, which was equal to LIBOR plus 135 basis points prior to the amendment of the agreement in January 2017 and LIBOR plus 128 basis points subsequent to the amendment until June 2017, on approximately $152 million of underlying obligations as of December 31, 2016.


The following tables present the location and amounts of derivative fair values in the consolidated balance sheets and derivative gains or losses in the consolidated statements of operations:
 
Derivative Fair Values
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
(Amount in thousands)
Options sold - Other liabilities
$
589

 
$
123

Total return swap - Other liabilities
961

 
1,200

Total derivatives
$
1,550

 
$
1,323


 
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Total return swap - Net realized investment (losses) gains
$
393

 
$
118

 
$
674

 
$
(2,535
)
Options sold - Net realized investment (losses) gains
2,141

 
557

 
7,872

 
1,857

Total
$
2,534

 
$
675

 
$
8,546

 
$
(678
)

Most options sold consist of covered calls. The Company writes covered calls on underlying equity positions held as an enhanced income strategy that is permitted for the Company’s insurance subsidiaries under statutory regulations. The Company manages the risk associated with covered calls through strict capital limitations and asset diversification throughout various industries. See Note 5. Fair Value Measurements for additional disclosures regarding options sold.