10-KPeriod: FY2002

TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2002

Filed March 20, 2003For Securities:TRV

Summary

The St. Paul Companies, Inc. reported a net income of $218 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, a significant turnaround from a net loss of $1,088 million in 2001. This recovery was driven by strong performance in its ongoing property-liability insurance businesses, which saw a 22% increase in written premium volume, and continued record results from its asset management subsidiary, Nuveen Investments. Despite a notable $472 million pretax charge related to the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation settlement in 2002, the company demonstrated improved underwriting results. Key strategic actions during the year included the transfer of its ongoing reinsurance operations to Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd., and a public offering of common shares and equity units that raised substantial capital. The company has also refined its segment reporting structure, focusing on four ongoing property-liability underwriting segments and three runoff segments. Investors should note the company's ongoing efforts to manage long-tail liabilities and its exposure to market risks, while also observing the growth in its asset management arm.

Key Highlights

  • 1Achieved net income of $218 million in 2002, a substantial improvement from a net loss of $1,088 million in 2001.
  • 2Property-liability insurance segment saw a 22% growth in written premium volume for ongoing operations.
  • 3Nuveen Investments, the asset management subsidiary, reported record results driven by strong product sales and acquisitions.
  • 4Completed the transfer of ongoing reinsurance operations to Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.
  • 5Raised approximately $842 million in gross proceeds from public offerings of common stock and equity units to bolster capital.
  • 6Recorded a significant pretax charge of $472 million for the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation settlement.
  • 7Revised segment reporting structure for property-liability operations into four ongoing and three runoff segments.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary drivers for the profit improvement were strong underwriting results in the company's ongoing property-liability business segments, which benefited from price increases and new business growth. Additionally, the asset management subsidiary, Nuveen Investments, achieved record results. These positive trends helped offset a substantial charge related to the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation settlement.

In 2002, The St. Paul completed the transfer of its ongoing reinsurance operations to Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and conducted public offerings of common stock and equity units, which provided significant capital. The company also refined its business segment reporting structure to better reflect its ongoing and runoff operations.

The company entered into a significant settlement agreement for the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation, resulting in a $472 million pretax charge in 2002. The filing also references detailed discussions on environmental and asbestos claims within its 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders, indicating ongoing management and disclosure of these exposures.

Nuveen Investments is The St. Paul's majority-owned asset management subsidiary. It achieved another year of record results in 2002, driven by strong product sales and strategic acquisitions. Its core businesses involve asset management and the development and distribution of investment products for affluent and institutional clients.