10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2015

Chubb Ltd Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2015

Filed November 4, 2015For Securities:CB

Summary

Chubb Ltd. (formerly ACE Limited) reported its third-quarter 2015 financial results, highlighting a net income of $528 million, a decrease from $785 million in the prior year period. This decline was primarily attributed to significant net realized losses of $397 million, largely driven by market movements impacting investment and variable annuity reinsurance portfolios, alongside unfavorable foreign currency impacts. Total revenues saw a decrease of 6.3%, though on a constant-dollar basis, net premiums written and earned showed increases of 5.5% and 5.2% respectively, indicating underlying organic growth. The company continued its strategic acquisitions, notably the Fireman's Fund personal lines business, and made significant progress towards its major acquisition of Chubb Corporation, expected to close in Q1 2016, financing a portion of this transaction with a $5.3 billion senior notes issuance. The combined ratio for P&C operations remained strong at 85.9%, indicating profitable underwriting, and the expense ratio improved. The company also noted a benefit from the Fireman's Fund acquisition related to purchase accounting for unearned premiums. Despite the near-term pressure on net income from market volatility and integration costs, the company's operational performance, particularly in key segments like North American P&C and Overseas General, demonstrated resilience and growth on a constant-dollar basis. Investors should monitor the progress and integration of the Chubb acquisition, as well as the impact of ongoing market conditions on investment income and realized gains/losses.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$4.87B
Net Income$528.00M
EPS (Basic)$1.63
EPS (Diluted)$1.62
Shares Outstanding (Basic)324.21M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)327.17M

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income for the quarter was $528 million, down from $785 million in the prior year, largely due to $397 million in net realized losses.
  • 2Total revenues decreased by 6.3% to $4.87 billion, but constant-dollar net premiums written increased by 5.5% and earned premiums by 5.2%, indicating underlying growth.
  • 3The P&C combined ratio remained healthy at 85.9%, with an improved expense ratio of 27.1%, reflecting strong underwriting performance.
  • 4The company made significant progress on its planned acquisition of Chubb Corporation, with shareholder approvals obtained and $5.3 billion in senior notes issued to finance the transaction.
  • 5The acquisition of Fireman's Fund's high net worth personal lines business was completed in April 2015, contributing to premium growth in the North American P&C segment.
  • 6Shareholders' equity declined due to unfavorable foreign currency movements and realized/unrealized investment losses, impacting the company's net worth for the period.
  • 7Operating cash flow was $808 million for the quarter, demonstrating solid cash generation from core operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver for the decrease in net income was a significant increase in net realized losses of $397 million compared to $120 million in the prior year. These losses were largely due to adverse market movements impacting the company's investment and variable annuity reinsurance portfolios, as well as unfavorable foreign currency movements.

The company has made significant progress towards the acquisition of Chubb, with shareholder approvals secured and an expected closing in the first quarter of 2016. To finance the transaction, Chubb issued $5.3 billion in senior notes in October 2015. The total purchase price, based on ACE's stock price at the end of the quarter, was approximately $28.8 billion. Integration expenses related to this acquisition were $9 million in the quarter.

Net investment income decreased slightly by 3.1% to $549 million for the quarter, primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency movements and lower call activity in the corporate bond portfolio. The company's investment portfolio is primarily composed of investment-grade fixed-income securities managed by external professionals. While the portfolio is diversified, it is subject to market risks, as evidenced by the realized and unrealized losses impacting net income.

The acquisition of Fireman's Fund's high net worth personal lines business in April 2015 contributed to premium growth in the North American P&C segment. Specifically, it added $109 million in premiums for the quarter and $487 million for the nine months. The acquisition also provided a benefit related to purchase accounting for unearned premiums, which positively impacted underwriting income, though this was partially offset by amortization of intangible assets.