Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

[X]

   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
   THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015

OR

 

[   ]

   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
   OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period From                      to                      

Commission File Number 1-6541

LOEWS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   13-2646102

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

667 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10065-8087

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(212) 521-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

NOT APPLICABLE

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes          X        

 

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 (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

Yes         X        

 

No                   

 

Not Applicable                   

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 Large accelerated filer   X       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         X        

 

Class     Outstanding at April 24, 2015
Common stock, $0.01 par value     371,377,009 shares

 

 

 


Table of Contents

INDEX

 

 

Page

No.

 

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014

  3   

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income
Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

  4   

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income
Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

  5   

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Equity
Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

  6   

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

  7   

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

  8   

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  36   

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

  60   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

  60   

Part II. Other Information

  61   

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

  61   

Item 1A. Risk Factors

  61   

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

  61   

Item 6. Exhibits

  62   

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

  March 31,
2015
    December 31,    
2014
   
(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)    

Assets:

   

Investments:

   

Fixed maturities, amortized cost of $36,997 and $37,469

  $ 40,708     $ 40,885  

Equity securities, cost of $672 and $733

    644       728  

Limited partnership investments

    3,749       3,674  

Other invested assets, primarily mortgage loans

    732       731  

Short term investments

    6,359       6,014  
   

Total investments

    52,192       52,032  

Cash

    271       364  

Receivables

    8,157       7,770  

Property, plant and equipment

    15,376       15,611  

Goodwill

    371       374  

Other assets

    1,640       1,616  

Deferred acquisition costs of insurance subsidiaries

    616       600  
   

Total assets

  $ 78,623     $ 78,367  
   
   

Liabilities and Equity:

   

Insurance reserves:

   

Claim and claim adjustment expense

  $ 23,248     $ 23,271  

Future policy benefits

    9,747       9,490  

Unearned premiums

    3,710       3,592  

Policyholders’ funds

      27  
   

Total insurance reserves

    36,705       36,380  

Payable to brokers

    926       673  

Short term debt

    687       335  

Long term debt

    9,863       10,333  

Deferred income taxes

    930       893  

Other liabilities

    4,882       5,103  
   

Total liabilities

    53,993       53,717  
   

Commitments and contingent liabilities

   

Preferred stock, $0.10 par value:

   

Authorized – 100,000,000 shares

   

Common stock, $0.01 par value:

   

Authorized – 1,800,000,000 shares

   

Issued – 373,194,344 and 372,934,540 shares

    4       4  

Additional paid-in capital

    3,477       3,481  

Retained earnings

    15,600       15,515  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    298       280  
   
    19,379       19,280  

Less treasury stock, at cost (1,771,900 shares)

    (71 )  
   

Total shareholders’ equity

    19,308       19,280  

Noncontrolling interests

    5,322       5,370  
   

Total equity

    24,630       24,650  
   

Total liabilities and equity

  $       78,623     $       78,367  
   
   

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

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Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2015 2014  
 
(In millions, except per share data)      

Revenues:

   

Insurance premiums

  $ 1,687     $ 1,806  

Net investment income

    588       577  

Investment gains (losses):

   

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

    (12 )     (2 )

Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss)

   
 

  Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

    (12 )     (2 )

  Other net investment gains

    22       44  
 

Total investment gains

    10       42  

Contract drilling revenues

    600       685  

Other revenues

    593       578  
 

  Total

    3,478       3,688  
 

Expenses:

   

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits

    1,339       1,446  

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

    303       329  

Contract drilling expenses

    351       370  

Other operating expenses (Note 4)

    1,249       907  

Interest

    131       122  
 

  Total

    3,373       3,174  
 

Income before income tax

    105       514  

Income tax expense

    (56 )     (103 )
 

Income from continuing operations

    49       411  

Discontinued operations, net

      (227 )
 

Net income

    49       184  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

    60       (125 )
 

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

  $ 109     $ 59  
 
 

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation:

   

Income from continuing operations

  $ 109     $ 265  

Discontinued operations, net

      (206 )
 

Net income

  $ 109     $ 59  
 
 

Basic and diluted net income per share:

   

Income from continuing operations

  $ 0.29     $ 0.68  

Discontinued operations, net

      (0.53 )
 

Net income

  $ 0.29     $ 0.15  
 
 

Dividends per share

  $     0.0625     $     0.0625  
 
 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

   

Shares of common stock

    372.83       387.34  

Dilutive potential shares of common stock

    0.36       0.73  
 

Total weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution

    373.19       388.07  
 
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

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Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2015 2014  
 
(In millions)      

Net income

  $ 49     $ 184  
 

Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax

   

Changes in:

   

Net unrealized gains on investments with other-than-temporary impairments

    (1 )     12  

Net other unrealized gains on investments

    110             237  
 

  Total unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments

    109       249  

Discontinued operations

      5  

Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges

    3       3  

Pension liability

    4       (1 )

Foreign currency

    (96 )     (6 )
 

Other comprehensive income

    20       250  
 

Comprehensive income

    69       434  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

    57       (151 )
 

Total comprehensive income attributable to Loews Corporation

  $       126     $ 283  
 
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

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Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

      Loews Corporation Shareholders        
                  Accumulated   Common        
              Additional           Other   Stock        
           Common        Paid-in       Retained         Comprehensive     Held in       Noncontrolling        
  Total   Stock   Capital   Earnings   Income       Treasury       Interests    
 
(In millions)                              

Balance, January 1, 2014

$ 24,906    $ 4    $ 3,607    $ 15,508    $ 339          $ -    $       5,448   

Net income

  184      59      125   

Other comprehensive income

  250      224            26   

Dividends paid

  (130   (24   (106

Purchases of subsidiary stock from noncontrolling interests

  (82   (8   (74

Purchases of Loews treasury stock

  (24   (24

Issuance of Loews common stock

  5      5   

Stock-based compensation

  9      9   

Other

  (1   (2   1   
 

Balance, March 31, 2014

$ 25,117    $       4    $ 3,604    $ 15,541    $ 563          $       (24 $ 5,429   
 
 

Balance, January 1, 2015

$       24,650    $ 4    $       3,481    $       15,515    $       280          $ -    $ 5,370   

Net income

  49      109      (60

Other comprehensive income

  20      17            3   

Dividends paid

  (105   (23   (82

Issuance of equity securities by subsidiary

  109      (2   1            110   

Purchases of subsidiary stock from noncontrolling interests

  (26   3      (29

Purchases of Loews treasury stock

  (71   (71

Issuance of Loews common stock

  7      7   

Stock-based compensation

  5      5   

Other

  (8   (17   (1   10   
 

Balance, March 31, 2015

$ 24,630    $ 4    $ 3,477    $ 15,600    $ 298          $ (71 $ 5,322   
 
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

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Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2015 2014  
 
(In millions)    

Operating Activities:

 

Net income

  $ 49     $ 184  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities, net

    510       746  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:

 

Receivables

    (153 )     38  

Deferred acquisition costs

    (13 )     (21 )

Insurance reserves

    304       85  

Other assets

    (57 )     (90 )

Other liabilities

    (227 )     (294 )

Trading securities

    (371 )     (225 )
 

Net cash flow operating activities

    42       423  
 

Investing Activities:

 

Purchases of fixed maturities

    (1,919 )     (2,072 )

Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities

          1,144             1,550  

Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities

    1,144       851  

Purchases of equity securities

    (5 )     (5 )

Proceeds from sales of equity securities

    2       11  

Purchases of limited partnership investments

    (34 )     (73 )

Proceeds from sales of limited partnership investments

    20       68  

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

    (453 )     (758 )

Dispositions

    5       11  

Change in short term investments

    197       (222 )

Other, net

    (7 )     2  
 

Net cash flow investing activities

    94       (637 )
 

Financing Activities:

 

Dividends paid

    (23 )     (24 )

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests

    (82 )     (106 )

Purchases of subsidiary stock from noncontrolling interests

    (24 )     (86 )

Purchases of Loews treasury stock

    (67 )     (18 )

Issuance of Loews common stock

    7       5  

Proceeds from sale of subsidiary stock

    84    

Principal payments on debt

    (759 )     (240 )

Issuance of debt

    636       701  

Other, net

    5       1  
 

Net cash flow financing activities

    (223 )     233  
 

Effect of foreign exchange rate on cash

    (6 )     1  
 

Transfer of cash to assets of discontinued operations

      (14 )
 

Net change in cash

    (93 )     6  

Cash, beginning of period

    364       295  
 

Cash, end of period

  $ 271     $ 301  
 
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

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Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation

Loews Corporation is a holding company. Its subsidiaries are engaged in the following lines of business: commercial property and casualty insurance (CNA Financial Corporation (“CNA”), a 90% owned subsidiary); the operation of offshore oil and gas drilling rigs (Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (“Diamond Offshore”), a 53% owned subsidiary); transportation and storage of natural gas and natural gas liquids and gathering and processing of natural gas (Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (“Boardwalk Pipeline”), a 51% owned subsidiary); and the operation of a chain of hotels (Loews Hotels Holding Corporation (“Loews Hotels”), a wholly owned subsidiary). Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Company,” “Loews” and “Registrant” as used herein mean Loews Corporation excluding its subsidiaries and the term “Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation” as used herein means Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation shareholders.

Loews segments are CNA Financial, including Specialty, Commercial, International and Other Non-Core; Diamond Offshore; Boardwalk Pipeline; Loews Hotels; and Corporate and other. See Note 10 for additional information on segments.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the results of operations, comprehensive income and changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Net income for the first quarter of each of the years is not necessarily indicative of net income for that entire year.

Reference is made to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K which should be read in conjunction with these Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

The Company presents basic and diluted net income per share on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income. Basic net income per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. Stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) of 3.5 million and 1.9 million shares were not included in the diluted weighted average shares amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 due to the exercise price being greater than the average stock price.

On August 1, 2014, CNA completed the sale of Continental Assurance Company (“CAC”), its former life insurance subsidiary and on September 30, 2014, the Company sold HighMount Exploration & Production LLC (“HighMount”), its natural gas and oil exploration and production subsidiary. The results of these sold businesses are reflected as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income as further discussed in Note 13.

Updated accounting guidance not yet adopted – In May of 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The core principle of the new accounting guidance is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new accounting guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized and requires enhanced disclosures about revenue. This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods, and can be adopted either retrospectively or as a cumulative effect adjustment at the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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2. Investments

Net investment income is as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2015   2014    
 
(In millions)          

Fixed maturity securities

$ 443    $ 452   

Short term investments

  3      1   

Limited partnership investments

  160      87   

Equity securities

  3      2   

Income (loss) from trading portfolio (a)

  (15   40   

Other

  8      8   
 

Total investment income

  602      590   

Investment expenses

  (14   (13
 

Net investment income

$           588    $           577   
 
 

(a)   Includes net unrealized gains (losses) related to changes in fair value on trading securities still held of $(14) and $13 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Investment gains (losses) are as follows:

Three Months Ended March 31 2015   2014    
 
(In millions)          

Fixed maturity securities

$ 12    $ 38   

Equity securities

  5   

Derivative instruments

  (1

Short term investments and other

  (1   (1
 

Investment gains (a)

$           10    $           42   
 
 

(a)   Includes gross realized gains of $34 and $58 and gross realized losses of $22 and $15 on available-for-sale securities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

The components of net other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses recognized in earnings by asset type are as follows:

Three Months Ended March 31 2015   2014    
 
(In millions)          

Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:

  Corporate and other bonds

$ 5    $ 1   

  States, municipalities and political subdivisions

  5   

  Asset-backed residential mortgage-backed

  1      1   
 

Total fixed maturities available-for-sale

  11      2   
 

Equity securities available-for-sale:

  Common stock

  1   
 

Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings

$           12    $           2   
 
 

 

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The amortized cost and fair values of securities are as follows:

 

  Cost or   Gross   Gross       Unrealized  
  Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized   Estimated   OTTI Losses  
March 31, 2015 Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value   (Gains)  
   
(In millions)                    

Fixed maturity securities:

Corporate and other bonds

$ 16,737        $ 1,867        $ 45        $ 18,559       

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

  11,407          1,536          9          12,934       

Asset-backed:

Residential mortgage-backed

  4,998          241          13          5,226        $ (51)       

Commercial mortgage-backed

  2,151          114          5          2,260          (3)       

Other asset-backed

  1,109          15          1          1,123       
   

Total asset-backed

  8,258          370          19          8,609          (54)       

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government- sponsored enterprises

  24          6          30       

Foreign government

  390          19          409       

Redeemable preferred stock

  39          3          42       
   

Fixed maturities available- for-sale

  36,855          3,801          73          40,583          (54)       

Fixed maturities trading

  142          17          125       
   

Total fixed maturities

  36,997          3,801          90          40,708          (54)       
   

Equity securities:

Common stock

  41          9          50       

Preferred stock

  172          7          4          175       
   

Equity securities available-for-sale

  213          16          4          225          -       

Equity securities trading

  459          74          114          419       
   

Total equity securities

  672          90          118          644                   -       
   

Total

$ 37,669        $ 3,891        $ 208        $ 41,352        $ (54)       
   
   
December 31, 2014                    
   

Fixed maturity securities:

Corporate and other bonds

$ 17,226        $ 1,721        $ 61        $ 18,886       

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

  11,285          1,463          8          12,740       

Asset-backed:

Residential mortgage-backed

  5,028          218          13          5,233        $ (53)       

Commercial mortgage-backed

  2,056          93          5          2,144          (2)       

Other asset-backed

  1,234          11          10          1,235       
   

Total asset-backed

  8,318          322          28          8,612          (55)       

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government- sponsored enterprises

  26          5          31       

Foreign government

  438          16          454       

Redeemable preferred stock

  39          3          42       
   

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

  37,332          3,530          97          40,765          (55)       

Fixed maturities trading

  137          17          120       
   

Total fixed maturities

  37,469          3,530          114          40,885          (55)       
   

Equity securities:

Common stock

  38          9          47       

Preferred stock

  172          5          2          175       
   

Equity securities available-for-sale

  210          14          2          222          -        

Equity securities trading

  523          96          113          506       
   

Total equity securities

  733          110          115          728          -        
   

Total

$     38,202        $     3,640        $     229        $     41,613        $ (55)       
   
   

 

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The net unrealized gains on investments included in the tables above are recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). When presented in AOCI, these amounts are net of tax and noncontrolling interests and any required Shadow Adjustments. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the net unrealized gains on investments included in AOCI were net of Shadow Adjustments of $1.2 billion. To the extent that unrealized gains on fixed income securities supporting certain products within CNA’s Life & Group Non-Core business would result in a premium deficiency if realized, a related decrease in Deferred acquisition costs, and/or increase in Insurance reserves are recorded, net of tax and noncontrolling interests, as a reduction of net unrealized gains through Other comprehensive income (“Shadow Adjustments”).

The available-for-sale securities in a gross unrealized loss position are as follows:

 

  Less than 12 Months  
  12 Months or Longer Total
    

 

 

 
    Gross   Gross   Gross
  Estimated Unrealized Estimated Unrealized Estimated Unrealized
March 31, 2015 Fair Value Losses Fair Value Losses Fair Value Losses
   
(In millions)            

Fixed maturity securities:

           

Corporate and other bonds

  $ 854         $ 33         $ 139         $ 12         $ 993         $ 45      

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

    479           6           100               3           579           9      

Asset-backed:

           

Residential mortgage-backed

    318           5           148           8           466           13      

Commercial mortgage-backed

    175           3           62           2           237           5      

Other asset-backed

    187           1           5             192           1      
   

Total asset-backed

    680           9           215           10           895           19      

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government- sponsored enterprises

    3                 3        

Foreign government

    13             1             14        
   

Total fixed maturity securities

    2,029           48           455           25           2,484           73      

Preferred stock

    15           4               15           4      
   

Total

  $ 2,044         $ 52         $     455         $ 25         $     2,499         $     77      
   
   
December 31, 2014            
   

Fixed maturity securities:

           

Corporate and other bonds

  $ 1,330         $ 46         $ 277         $ 15         $ 1,607         $ 61      

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

    335           5           127           3           462           8      

Asset-backed:

           

Residential mortgage-backed

    293           5           189           8           482           13      

Commercial mortgage-backed

    264           2           99           3           363           5      

Other asset-backed

    607           10           7             614           10      
   

Total asset-backed

    1,164           17           295           11           1,459           28      

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government- sponsored enterprises

    3             4             7        

Foreign government

    3             3             6        

Redeemable preferred stock

    3                 3        
   

Total fixed maturity securities

    2,838           68           706           29           3,544           97      

Preferred stock

    17           2           1             18           2      
   

Total

  $   2,855         $       70         $ 707         $ 29         $     3,562         $ 99      
   
   

 

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Based on current facts and circumstances, the Company believes the unrealized losses presented in the table above are not indicative of the ultimate collectibility of the current amortized cost of the securities, but rather are primarily attributable to changes in interest rates and credit spreads, market illiquidity and other factors. The Company has no current intent to sell securities with unrealized losses, nor is it more likely than not that it will be required to sell prior to recovery of amortized cost; accordingly, the Company has determined that there are no additional OTTI losses to be recorded as of March 31, 2015.

The following table presents the activity related to the pretax credit loss component reflected in Retained earnings on fixed maturity securities still held as of March 31, 2015 and 2014 for which a portion of an OTTI loss was recognized in Other comprehensive income.

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2015   2014  
   
(In millions)        

Beginning balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities

$ 62    $ 74        

Reductions for securities sold during the period

  (1   (2)       

Reductions for securities the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell

  (3)       
   

Ending balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities

$           61    $           69        
   
   

Contractual Maturity

The following table presents available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by contractual maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single date are allocated based on weighted average life.

 

  March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014  
   
  Cost or   Estimated   Cost or   Estimated  
  Amortized   Fair   Amortized   Fair  
  Cost   Value   Cost   Value  
   
(In millions)                

Due in one year or less

$ 2,011        $ 2,043        $ 2,479        $ 2,511       

Due after one year through five years

  8,776          9,354          9,070          9,621       

Due after five years through ten years

  12,401          13,108          12,055          12,584       

Due after ten years

  13,667          16,078          13,728          16,049       
   

Total

$     36,855        $     40,583        $     37,332        $     40,765       
   
   

 

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Derivative Financial Instruments

A summary of the aggregate contractual or notional amounts and gross estimated fair values related to derivative financial instruments follows. The contractual or notional amounts for derivatives are used to calculate the exchange of contractual payments under the agreements and may not be representative of the potential for gain or loss on these instruments. Gross estimated fair values of derivative positions are currently presented in Equity securities, Receivables and Payable to brokers on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

 

  March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014  
   
  Contractual/           Contractual/          
  Notional       Estimated Fair Value       Notional       Estimated Fair Value      
  Amount   Asset   (Liability)   Amount   Asset   (Liability)  
   
(In millions)                        

With hedge designation:

Foreign exchange:

Currency forwards – short

    $ 34      $ (3 $ 70    $         (5)     

Without hedge designation:

Equity markets:

Options – purchased

      2,306      $         21      544    $         24   

              – written

  1,493                (13           292      (21)     

Equity swaps and warrants – long

  10        2      10      2   

Futures – short

  399        3      130      2   

Foreign exchange:

Currency forwards – long

  134        1      109      (3)     

                                – short

  99        2      88      2   

Currency options – long

  179        25      151      7   

                              – short

  218        (5

Embedded derivative on funds withheld liability

  184        (5   184      (3)     

Investment Commitments

As of March 31, 2015, the Company had committed approximately $338 million to future capital calls from various third party limited partnership investments in exchange for an ownership interest in the related partnerships.

The Company invests in various privately placed debt securities, including bank loans, as part of its overall investment strategy and has committed to additional future purchases, sales and funding. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had commitments to purchase or fund additional amounts of $82 million and sell $71 million under the terms of such securities.

3. Fair Value

Fair value is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The following fair value hierarchy is used in selecting inputs, with the highest priority given to Level 1, as these are the most transparent or reliable:

 

   

Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

 

   

Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.

 

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Level 3 – Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are not observable.

Prices may fall within Level 1, 2 or 3 depending upon the methodologies and inputs used to estimate fair value for each specific security. In general, the Company seeks to price securities using third party pricing services. Securities not priced by pricing services are submitted to independent brokers for valuation and, if those are not available, internally developed pricing models are used to value assets using methodologies and inputs the Company believes market participants would use to value the assets. Prices obtained from third-party pricing services or brokers are not adjusted by the Company.

The Company performs control procedures over information obtained from pricing services and brokers to ensure prices received represent a reasonable estimate of fair value and to confirm representations regarding whether inputs are observable or unobservable. Procedures include (i) the review of pricing service or broker pricing methodologies, (ii) back-testing, where past fair value estimates are compared to actual transactions executed in the market on similar dates, (iii) exception reporting, where changes in price, period-over-period, are reviewed and challenged with the pricing service or broker based on exception criteria, (iv) detailed analysis, where the Company performs an independent analysis of the inputs and assumptions used to price individual securities and (v) pricing validation, where prices received are compared to prices independently estimated by the Company.

The fair values of CNA’s life settlement contracts are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. Equity options purchased are included in Equity securities, and all other derivative assets are included in Receivables. Derivative liabilities are included in Payable to brokers. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are presented in the following tables:

 

March 31, 2015 Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total  
   
(In millions)                

Fixed maturity securities:

Corporate and other bonds

$ 29    $ 18,344    $ 186    $ 18,559        

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

  12,848      86      12,934        

Asset-backed:

Residential mortgage-backed

  4,994      232      5,226        

Commercial mortgage-backed

  2,196      64      2,260        

Other asset-backed

  570      553      1,123        
   

Total asset-backed

  7,760      849      8,609        

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises

  29      1      30        

Foreign government

  37      372      409        

Redeemable preferred stock

  30      12      42        
   

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

  125      39,337      1,121      40,583        

Fixed maturities trading

  36      89      125        
   

Total fixed maturities

$ 125    $   39,373    $   1,210    $   40,708        
   
   

Equity securities available-for-sale

$ 149    $ 63    $ 13    $ 225        

Equity securities trading

  418      1      419        
   

Total equity securities

$ 567    $ 63    $ 14    $ 644        
   
   

Short term investments

$     5,595    $ 678    $ 6,273        

Other invested assets

  103      41      144        

Receivables

  3      28      31        

Life settlement contracts

$ 79      79        

Payable to brokers

  (365   (8   (373)       

 

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December 31, 2014 Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total  
   
(In millions)                

Fixed maturity securities:

Corporate and other bonds

$ 32    $ 18,692    $ 162    $ 18,886        

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

  12,646      94      12,740        

Asset-backed:

Residential mortgage-backed

  5,044      189      5,233        

Commercial mortgage-backed

  2,061      83      2,144        

Other asset-backed

  580      655      1,235        
   

Total asset-backed

  7,685      927      8,612        

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises

  28      3      31        

Foreign government

  41      413      454        

Redeemable preferred stock

  30      12      42        
   

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

  131      39,451      1,183      40,765        

Fixed maturities trading

  30      90      120        
   

Total fixed maturities

$ 131    $   39,481    $   1,273    $   40,885        
   
   

Equity securities available-for-sale

$ 145    $ 61    $ 16    $ 222        

Equity securities trading

  505      1      506        
   

Total equity securities

$ 650    $ 61    $ 17    $ 728        
   
   

Short term investments

$     4,989    $ 963    $ 5,952        

Other invested assets

  102      41      143        

Receivables

  2      7      9        

Life settlement contracts

$ 82      82        

Payable to brokers

  (546   (6   (552)       

 

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The following tables present reconciliations for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

                                                                    Unrealized  
                                                                    Gains  
                                                                    (Losses)  
                                                                    Recognized in  
            Net Realized Gains                                                Net Income  
            (Losses) and Net Change                                                on Level  
            in Unrealized Gains                                                3 Assets and  
            (Losses)                           Transfers      Transfers             Liabilities  
     Balance,      Included in      Included in                           into      out of      Balance,      Held at  
2015    January 1      Net Income      OCI      Purchases      Sales      Settlements      Level 3      Level 3      March 31      March 31  

 

 
(In millions)                                                                      

Fixed maturity securities:

                             

Corporate and other bonds

   $ 162           $ 1              $ 12           $ (12)           $ (14)           $     37              $ 186          

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     94             1                      (9)                   86          

Asset-backed:

                             

Residential mortgage-backed

     189             1                72                (10)              $ (20)             232          

Commercial mortgage- backed

     83             1           $ 1              6                (1)                (26)             64          

Other asset-backed

     655             1             9              35             (144)             (3)                   553          

 

 

Total asset-backed

     927             3             10              113             (144)             (14)             -             (46)             849               $ -       

 

 

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

     1,183             5             10              125             (156)             (37)             37             (46)             1,121          

Fixed maturities trading

     90                      (1)                      89          

 

 

Total fixed maturities

   $     1,273           $     5           $     10            $     125           $     (157)           $     (37)           $ 37           $     (46)           $     1,210               $ -       

 

 

 

 

Equity securities available-for-sale

   $ 16              $ (3)                          $ 13          

Equity securities trading

     1                                  1          

 

 

Total equity securities

   $ 17           $ -           $ (3)           $ -           $ -           $ -           $ -           $ -           $ 14               $ -       

 

 

 

 

Life settlement contracts

   $ 82           $ 13                    $ (16)                 $ 79               $     1       

 

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                                                                    Unrealized  
                                                                    Gains  
                                                                    (Losses)  
                                                                    Recognized in  
            Net Realized Gains                                                Net Income  
            (Losses) and Net Change                                                on Level  
            in Unrealized Gains                                                3 Assets and  
            (Losses)                           Transfers      Transfers             Liabilities  
     Balance,      Included in      Included in                           into      out of      Balance,      Held at  
2014    January 1      Net Income      OCI      Purchases      Sales      Settlements      Level 3      Level 3      March 31      March 31  

 

 

(In millions)

                             

Fixed maturity securities:

                             

Corporate and other bonds

   $ 204            $ 1            $ 1            $ 5            $ (4)           $ (5)           $ 3            $ (16)           $ 189           

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     71                 1                       14                 86           

Asset-backed:

                             

Residential mortgage-backed

     331              1              15              25                 (21)             21              (13)             359           

Commercial mortgage-backed

     151              1              (1)                   (1)                (24)             126           

Other asset-backed

     446              1                 148              (83)             (72)                (1)             439           

 

 

Total asset-backed

     928              3              14              173              (83)             (94)             21              (38)             924           

 

 

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

     1,203              4              16              178              (87)             (99)             38              (54)             1,199           

Fixed maturities trading

     80              5                                85            $ 5        

 

 

Total fixed maturities

   $     1,283            $ 9            $ 16            $     178            $     (87)           $     (99)           $     38            $     (54)           $     1,284            $ 5        

 

 

 

 

Equity securities available-for-sale

   $ 11            $ 3            $ (4)              $ (8)                    $ 2           

Equity securities trading

     8                  (1)              $ 1              (6)                      2            $     (1)       

 

 

Total equity securities

   $ 19            $ 2            $     (4)           $ 1            $ (14)           $ -            $ -            $ -            $ 4            $ (1)       

 

 

 

 

Life settlement contracts

   $ 88            $ 10                     $ (11)                 $ 87            $ 1        

Separate account business

     1                              $ (1)             -           

Derivative financial instruments, net

     (3)             (1)           $ (1)           $ (2)           $ 1              1                    (5)             2        

Net realized and unrealized gains and losses are reported in Net income as follows:

 

Major Category of Assets and Liabilities

   Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income Line Items
 

Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale

   Investment gains (losses)

Fixed maturity securities, trading

   Net investment income

Equity securities available-for-sale

   Investment gains (losses)

Equity securities, trading

   Net investment income

Other invested assets

   Investment gains (losses) and Net investment income

Derivative financial instruments held in a trading portfolio

   Net investment income

Derivative financial instruments, other

   Investment gains (losses) and Other revenues

Life settlement contracts

   Other revenues

 

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Securities may be transferred in or out of levels within the fair value hierarchy based on the availability of observable market information and quoted prices used to determine the fair value of the security. The availability of observable market information and quoted prices varies based on market conditions and trading volume. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 there were $23 million of transfers from Level 2 to Level 1 and $1 million of transfers from Level 1 to Level 2. The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers between levels at the beginning of quarterly reporting periods.

Valuation Methodologies and Inputs

The following section describes the valuation methodologies and relevant inputs used to measure different financial instruments at fair value, including an indication of the level in the fair value hierarchy in which the instruments are generally classified.

Fixed Maturity Securities

Level 1 securities include exchange traded bonds, highly liquid U.S. and foreign government bonds and redeemable preferred stock, valued using quoted market prices. Level 2 securities include most other fixed maturity securities as the significant inputs are observable in the marketplace. All classes of Level 2 fixed maturity securities are valued using methodologies that model information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets, as well as discounted cash flow methodologies. Common inputs for all classes of fixed maturity securities include prices from recently executed transactions of similar securities, marketplace quotes, benchmark yields, spreads off benchmark yields, interest rates and U.S. Treasury or swap curves. Specifically for asset-backed securities, key inputs include prepayment and default projections based on past performance of the underlying collateral and current market data. Fixed maturity securities are generally assigned to Level 3 in cases where broker/dealer quotes are significant inputs to the valuation and there is a lack of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the marketplace. Level 3 securities also include private placement debt securities whose fair value is determined using internal models with inputs that are not market observable.

Equity Securities

Level 1 equity securities include publicly traded securities valued using quoted market prices. Level 2 securities are primarily non-redeemable preferred stocks and common stocks valued using pricing for similar securities, recently executed transactions, broker/dealer quotes and other pricing models utilizing market observable inputs. Level 3 securities are priced using internal models with inputs that are not market observable.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Exchange traded derivatives are valued using quoted market prices and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 2 derivatives primarily include currency forwards valued using observable market forward rates. Over-the-counter derivatives, principally interest rate swaps, total return swaps, commodity swaps, equity warrants and options, are valued using inputs including broker/dealer quotes and are classified within Level 2 or Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy, depending on the amount of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the marketplace.

Short Term Investments

Securities that are actively traded or have quoted prices are classified as Level 1. These securities include money market funds and treasury bills. Level 2 primarily includes commercial paper, for which all inputs are market observable. Fixed maturity securities purchased within one year of maturity are classified consistent with fixed maturity securities discussed above. Short term investments as presented in the tables above differ from the amounts presented in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets because certain short term investments, such as time deposits, are not measured at fair value.

 

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Other Invested Assets

Level 1 securities include exchange traded open-end funds valued using quoted market prices. Level 2 securities include overseas deposits which can be redeemed at net asset value in 90 days or less.

Life Settlement Contracts

The fair values of life settlement contracts are determined as the present value of the anticipated death benefits less anticipated premium payments based on contract terms that are distinct for each insured, as well as CNA’s own assumptions for mortality, premium expense, and the rate of return that a buyer would require on the contracts, as no comparable market pricing data is available.

Significant Unobservable Inputs

The following tables present quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs utilized by the Company in the fair value measurements of Level 3 assets. Valuations for assets and liabilities not presented in the table below are primarily based on broker/dealer quotes for which there is a lack of transparency as to inputs used to develop the valuations. The quantitative detail of unobservable inputs from these broker quotes is neither provided nor reasonably available to the Company.

 

          Range  
      Valuation Unobservable (Weighted  
March 31, 2015 Fair Value   Techniques Inputs Average)  
  (In millions)          

Fixed maturity securities

$ 102      Discounted cash flow Credit spread   2% – 13% (3%)   

Equity securities

  13      Market approach Private offering price   $10 – $4,400 per share   
  ($682 per share)   

Life settlement contracts

  79      Discounted cash flow Discount rate risk premium   9%   
Mortality assumption   55% – 1,676% (164%)   

December 31, 2014

               

Fixed maturity securities

$ 101      Discounted cash flow Credit spread   2% – 13% (3%)   

Equity securities

  16      Market approach Private offering price   $12 – $4,391 per share   
  ($600 per share)   

Life settlement contracts

  82      Discounted cash flow Discount rate risk premium   9%   
Mortality assumption   55% – 1,676% (163%)   

For fixed maturity securities, an increase to the credit spread assumptions would result in a lower fair value measurement. For equity securities, an increase in the private offering price would result in a higher fair value measurement. For life settlement contracts, an increase in the discount rate risk premium or decrease in the mortality assumption would result in a lower fair value measurement.

 

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Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value

The carrying amount, estimated fair value and the level of the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities which are not measured at fair value on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets are presented in the following tables. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of short term debt and long term debt exclude capital lease obligations. The carrying amounts reported on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets for cash and short term investments not carried at fair value and certain other assets and liabilities approximate fair value due to the short term nature of these items.

 

  Carrying   Estimated Fair Value  
March 31, 2015 Amount   Level 1 Level 2   Level 3   Total  
(In millions)                  

Assets:

Other invested assets, primarily mortgage loans

$ 586    $ 612    $ 612       

Liabilities:

Short term debt

  685    $ 670      35      705       

Long term debt

  9,850      9,813      470      10,283       

December 31, 2014

                         

Assets:

Other invested assets, primarily mortgage loans

$ 588    $ 608    $ 608       

Liabilities:

Short term debt

  334    $ 255      84      339       

Long term debt

  10,320      10,299      420      10,719       

The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of these financial assets and liabilities.

The fair values of mortgage loans, included in Other invested assets, were based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the current interest rate for similar financial instruments, adjusted for specific loan risk.

Fair value of debt was based on observable market prices when available. When observable market prices were not available, the fair value of debt was based on observable market prices of comparable instruments adjusted for differences between the observed instruments and the instruments being valued or is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

4. Property, Plant and Equipment

Diamond Offshore

Asset Impairment

In the first quarter of 2015, as a result of the continued deterioration of the market fundamentals in the oil and gas industry, including the dramatic decline in oil prices, significant cutbacks in customer capital spending plans, contract cancellations by customers and increased regulatory requirements, Diamond Offshore evaluated all of its mid-water semisubmersible rigs, as well as one drillship, for impairment.

Diamond Offshore utilizes an undiscounted probability-weighted cash flow analysis in testing an asset for potential impairment. A matrix of assumptions is developed for each rig under evaluation using multiple

 

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utilization/dayrate scenarios, to each of which Diamond Offshore assigns a probability of occurrence. Diamond Offshore arrives at a projected probability weighted cash flow for each rig based on the respective matrix and compares such amount to the carrying value of the asset to assess recoverability.

The underlying assumptions and assigned probabilities of occurrence for utilization and dayrate scenarios are developed using a methodology that examines historical data for each rig, which considers the rig’s age, rated water depth and other attributes and then assesses its future marketability in light of the current and projected market environment at the time of assessment. Other assumptions, such as operating, maintenance and inspection costs, are estimated using historical data adjusted for known developments and future events that are anticipated by management at the time of the assessment.

Based on this evaluation, Diamond Offshore determined that seven mid-water semisubmersibles as well as an older drillship were impaired and an impairment loss was recognized aggregating $359 million ($158 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Of the impaired rigs, five rigs are currently cold stacked, including three semisubmersible rigs that Diamond Offshore expects to retire and scrap. The remaining three impaired rigs are currently under contract and are expected to be cold stacked or scrapped at the end of their respective contracts.

The fair value of the five cold stacked rigs was determined utilizing a market approach, which utilized the most recent contracted sales price for another of Diamond Offshore’s previously impaired mid-water semisubmersible rigs, which Diamond Offshore expects to scrap in the second quarter of 2015. The fair value of Diamond Offshore’s three rigs currently under contract was determined using an income approach, which utilized significant unobservable inputs, including assumptions related to estimated dayrate revenue, rig utilization and anticipated costs for the remainder of the current contract, as well as estimated proceeds that may be received on disposition of each rig, representative of a Level 3 fair value measurement. The aggregate fair value of the impaired rigs was $14 million as of March 31, 2015 and is included in Property, plant and equipment on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

Loews Hotels

In 2015, Loews Hotels paid a total of approximately $330 million to acquire a hotel in February of 2015 and a hotel in April of 2015, funded with capital contributions from the Company.

5. Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

CNA’s property and casualty insurance claim and claim adjustment expense reserves represent the estimated amounts necessary to resolve all outstanding claims, including claims that are incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) as of the reporting date. CNA’s reserve projections are based primarily on detailed analysis of the facts in each case, CNA’s experience with similar cases and various historical development patterns. Consideration is given to such historical patterns as field reserving trends and claims settlement practices, loss payments, pending levels of unpaid claims and product mix, as well as court decisions, economic conditions including inflation and public attitudes. All of these factors can affect the estimation of claim and claim adjustment expense reserves.

Establishing claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, including claim and claim adjustment expense reserves for catastrophic events that have occurred, is an estimation process. Many factors can ultimately affect the final settlement of a claim and, therefore, the necessary reserve. Changes in the law, results of litigation, medical costs, the cost of repair materials and labor rates can all affect ultimate claim costs. In addition, time can be a critical part of reserving determinations since the longer the span between the incidence of a loss and the payment or settlement of the claim, the more variable the ultimate settlement amount can be. Accordingly, short-tail claims, such as property damage claims, tend to be more reasonably estimable than long-tail claims, such as workers’ compensation, general liability and professional liability claims. Adjustments to prior year reserve estimates, if necessary, are reflected in the results of operations in the period that the need for such adjustments is determined. There can be no assurance that CNA’s ultimate cost for insurance losses will not exceed current estimates.

 

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Catastrophes are an inherent risk of the property and casualty insurance business and have contributed to material period-to-period fluctuations in CNA’s results of operations and/or equity. CNA reported catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, of $29 million and $74 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Catastrophe losses in 2015 related primarily to U.S. weather-related events.

The fourth quarter of 2014 asbestos and environmental pollution (“A&EP”) reserve review was not completed because additional information and analysis on inuring third-party reinsurance recoveries were needed to finalize the review. The review and analysis of this information continues, and CNA expects to complete the review in the second quarter of 2015. Given the significance of the information and analysis needed to finalize the remaining elements of the review, management is not able to estimate the impact, if any, of this uncertainty on the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

Net Prior Year Development

The following tables and discussion present net prior year development recorded for Specialty, Commercial and International segments.

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Specialty   Commercial   International       Total      
   
(In millions)                

Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development

$ 2      $ (5)        $ (4 $ (7)       

Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development

  (6   (1)                  16      9        
   

Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development

$ (4   $ (6)        $ 12    $ 2        
   
   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

                       

Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development

$ (3   $ 18         $         10    $ 25        

Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development

  (6   (18)          (7   (31)       
   

Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development

$ (9   $ -        $ 3    $ (6)       
   
   

Specialty

The following table and discussion provide further detail of the net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development (“development”) recorded for the Specialty segment:

 

Three Months Ended March 31       2015               2014        
   
(In millions)        

Medical professional liability

$ 14   

Other professional liability and management liability

  (3 $ (6)       

Surety

  1      1        

Other

  (10   2        
   

Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development

$ 2    $ (3)       
   
   

 

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2015

Overall, unfavorable development for medical professional liability was primarily related to increased frequency in the Aging Services book for accident years 2013 and 2014, partially offset by better than expected severity in accident years 2010 and prior.

Favorable development for other coverages was primarily due to better than expected frequency in property coverages provided to Specialty customers in accident year 2014.

2014

Favorable development for other professional liability and management liability was related to better than expected loss emergence in accident years 2004 and prior.

Commercial

The following table and discussion provide further detail of the development recorded for the Commercial segment:

 

Three Months Ended March 31       2015               2014        
   
(In millions)        

Commercial auto

$ 20        

General liability

$ 4   

Workers’ compensation

  (1   11        

Property and other

  (8   (13)       
   

Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development

$ (5 $ 18        
   
   

2015

Favorable development for property and other was due to lower than expected loss emergence from 2014 catastrophe events.

2014

Unfavorable development for commercial auto was primarily related to higher than expected frequency in accident years 2012 and 2013 and higher than expected loss emergence in accident years 2010 and 2011.

Unfavorable development for workers’ compensation was primarily due to the recognition of losses related to favorable premium development in accident year 2013.

Favorable development for property and other was primarily due to better than expected loss emergence in catastrophe losses in accident year 2013.

 

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International

The following table and discussion provide further detail of the development recorded for the International segment:

 

Three Months Ended March 31       2015               2014        
   
(In millions)        

Medical professional liability

$ 1        

Other professional liability

  (1)       

Liability

$ (5   (2)       

Property & marine

  (6   8        

Other

  7      (6)       

Commutations

  10        
   

Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development

$ (4 $ 10        
   
   

2014

Reinsurance commutations in the first quarter of 2014 reduced ceded losses from prior years. Overall the commutations increased net operating income because of the release of the related allowance for doubtful accounts on reinsurance receivables.

6. Income Taxes

The consolidated effective income tax rate includes the impact of asset impairment losses recognized in foreign jurisdictions with lower tax rates. Excluding the impact of the $359 million asset impairment loss which is a discrete income tax item, the effective income tax rate was 23% and 20% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The change in the effective tax rate is attributable to the change in the relative components of earnings, excluding this discrete item, generated in tax jurisdictions with lower tax rates.

7. Debt

Boardwalk Pipeline

In February of 2015, Boardwalk Pipeline repaid at maturity the entire $275 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.1% senior notes.

In March of 2015, Boardwalk Pipeline completed a public offering of an additional $250 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.0% senior notes due December 15, 2024. Boardwalk Pipeline originally issued $350 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.0% senior notes due December 15, 2024 in November of 2014. Boardwalk Pipeline intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to retire a portion of the outstanding $250 million aggregate principal amount of 4.6% notes due June 1, 2015.

 

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8. Shareholders’ Equity

Accumulated other comprehensive income

The tables below display the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015:

 

                          Total  
                          Accumulated  
  OTTI   Unrealized               Foreign   Other  
  Gains   Gains (Losses)   Discontinued   Cash Flow   Pension   Currency   Comprehensive  
  (Losses)   on Investments   Operations   Hedges   Liability   Translation   Income (Loss)  
   
(In millions)                            

Balance, January 1, 2014

$ 23         $ 622             $ (3)          $ (4)        $ (432)        $ 133             $ 339            

Transfer to net assets held for sale

  (5)          (15)              20             -            

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, after tax of $(6), $(141), $(1), $(1), $0 and $0

  12           264               2             2           (6)              274            

Reclassification of (gains) losses from accumulated other comprehensive income, after tax of $0, $14, $(3), $0, $(1) and $0

  (27)              3             1           (1)          (24)           
   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  12           237               5             3           (1)          (6)              250            

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  (1)          (24)              (1)            (1)          1           (26)           
   

Balance, March 31, 2014

$ 29         $ 820             $ 21           $ (2)        $ (432)        $ 127             $ 563            
   
   

Balance, January 1, 2015

$     32         $ 846             $ -           $ (6)        $ (641)        $ 49             $ 280            

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, after tax of $0, $(62), $0, $1, $0 and $0

  (1)          119               (2)          (96)              20            

Reclassification of (gains) losses from accumulated other comprehensive income, after tax of $0, $0, $0, $(2), $(3) and $0

  (9)              5           4           -            
   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  (1)          110               -             3           4           (96)              20            

Issuance of equity securities by subsidiary

  1           1            

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  (12)              9               (3)           
   

Balance, March 31, 2015

$     31         $ 944             $ -           $ (3)        $     (636)        $     (38)            $ 298            
   
   

Amounts reclassified from AOCI shown above are reported in Net income as follows:

 

Major Category of AOCI

Affected Line Item

 

OTTI gains (losses)

Investment gains (losses)

Unrealized gains (losses) on investments

Investment gains (losses)

Unrealized gains (losses) and cash flow hedges related to discontinued operations

Discontinued operations, net

Cash flow hedges

Other revenues and Contract drilling expenses

Pension liability

Other operating expenses

 

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Subsidiary Equity Transactions

Loews purchased 0.9 million shares of Diamond Offshore common stock at an aggregate cost of $24 million during the first three months of 2015. The Company’s percentage ownership interest in Diamond Offshore increased as a result of these transactions, from 52.5% to 53.1%. The Company’s carrying value exceeded the purchase price of the shares, resulting in an increase to Additional paid-in capital (“APIC”) of $3 million.

In March of 2015, Boardwalk Pipeline sold 6.7 million common units under an equity distribution agreement with certain broker-dealers and received net proceeds of $109 million, including a $2 million contribution from the Company to maintain its 2% general partner interest. The Company’s percentage ownership interest in Boardwalk Pipeline declined as a result of this transaction, from 53% to 51%. The Company’s carrying value exceeded the issuance price of the common units, resulting in a decrease to APIC of $2 million and an increase to AOCI of $1 million.

Treasury Stock

The Company repurchased 1.8 million and 0.5 million shares of Loews common stock at aggregate costs of $71 million and $24 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

9. Benefit Plans

Pension Plans - The Company has several non-contributory defined benefit plans for eligible employees. Benefits for certain plans are determined annually based on a specified percentage of annual earnings (based on the participant’s age or years of service) and a specified interest rate (which is established annually for all participants) applied to accrued balances. The benefits for another plan which covers salaried employees are based on formulas which include, among others, years of service and average pay. The Company’s funding policy is to make contributions in accordance with applicable governmental regulatory requirements.

Other Postretirement Benefit Plans - The Company has several postretirement benefit plans covering eligible employees and retirees. Participants generally become eligible after reaching age 55 with required years of service. Actual requirements for coverage vary by plan. Benefits for retirees who were covered by bargaining units vary by each unit and contract. Benefits for certain retirees are in the form of a Company health care account.

Benefits for retirees reaching age 65 are generally integrated with Medicare. Other retirees, based on plan provisions, must use Medicare as their primary coverage, with the Company reimbursing a portion of the unpaid amount; or are reimbursed for the Medicare Part B premium or have no Company coverage. The benefits provided by the Company are basically health and, for certain retirees, life insurance type benefits.

The Company funds certain of these benefit plans, and accrues postretirement benefits during the active service of those employees who would become eligible for such benefits when they retire.

The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:

 

      Other  
  Pension Benefits   Postretirement Benefits  
Three Months Ended March 31 2015   2014   2015   2014  
   
(In millions)                

Service cost

$ 4         $ 5      

Interest cost

  32           37       $ 1       $ 1            

Expected return on plan assets

       (48)               (53)             (1)        (1)           

Amortization of unrecognized net loss

  11           7      

Amortization of unrecognized prior service benefit

  (2)        (6)           
   

Net periodic benefit cost

$ (1)        $ (4)      $ (2)      $ (6)           
   
   

 

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10. Business Segments

The Company’s reportable segments are primarily based on its individual operating subsidiaries. Each of the principal operating subsidiaries is headed by a chief executive officer who is responsible for the operation of its business and has the duties and authority commensurate with that position. Investment gains (losses) and the related income taxes, excluding those of CNA, are included in the Corporate and other segment.

CNA’s results are reported in four business segments: Specialty, Commercial, International and Other Non-Core. Specialty provides a broad array of professional, financial and specialty property and casualty products and services, through a network of independent agents, brokers and managing general underwriters. Commercial includes property and casualty coverages sold to small businesses and middle market entities and organizations primarily through an independent agency distribution system. Commercial also includes commercial insurance and risk management products sold to large corporations primarily through insurance brokers. International provides management and professional liability coverages as well as a broad range of other property and casualty insurance products and services abroad through a network of brokers, independent agencies and managing general underwriters, as well as the Lloyd’s marketplace. Other Non-Core primarily includes the results of CNA’s individual and group long term care businesses that are in run-off and also includes corporate expenses, including interest on corporate debt, and the results of certain property and casualty business in run-off, including CNA Re and A&EP.

Diamond Offshore owns and operates offshore drilling rigs that are chartered on a contract basis for fixed terms by companies engaged in exploration and production of hydrocarbons. Offshore rigs are mobile units that can be relocated based on market demand. Diamond Offshore’s fleet consists of 35 drilling rigs, excluding three rigs that Diamond Offshore plans to retire and scrap and including two newbuild rigs which are under construction. On March 31, 2015, Diamond Offshore’s drilling rigs were located offshore eight countries in addition to the United States.

Boardwalk Pipeline is engaged in the interstate transportation and storage of natural gas and NGLs and gathering and processing of natural gas. This segment consists of interstate natural gas pipeline systems originating in the Gulf Coast region, Oklahoma and Arkansas, and extending north and east through the midwestern states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, natural gas storage facilities in four states and NGL pipelines and storage facilities in Louisiana, with approximately 14,625 miles of pipeline.

Loews Hotels operates a chain of 23 hotels, 22 of which are in the United States and one of which is in Canada.

The Corporate and other segment consists primarily of corporate investment income, corporate interest expense and other unallocated expenses.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. In addition, CNA does not maintain a distinct investment portfolio for every insurance segment, and accordingly, allocation of assets to each segment is not performed. Therefore, a significant portion of net investment income and investment gains (losses) are allocated based on each segment’s carried insurance reserves, as adjusted.

 

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The following tables set forth the Company’s consolidated revenues and income (loss) by business segment:

 

Three Months Ended March 31       2015               2014        
   
(In millions)        

Revenues (a):

CNA Financial:

Property and Casualty:

Specialty

$ 917    $ 915        

Commercial

  895      946        

International

  206      259        

Other Non-Core

  334      343        
   

Total CNA Financial

  2,352      2,463        

Diamond Offshore

  627      710        

Boardwalk Pipeline

  330      357        

Loews Hotels

  139      105        

Corporate and other

  30      53        
   

Total

$ 3,478    $ 3,688        
   
   

Income (loss) before income tax and noncontrolling interests (a):

CNA Financial:

Property and Casualty:

Specialty

$ 207    $ 203        

Commercial

  186      119        

International

  13      27        

Other Non-Core

  (92   (48)       
   

Total CNA Financial

  314      301        

Diamond Offshore

  (287   168        

Boardwalk Pipeline (b)

  77      23        

Loews Hotels

  10      5        

Corporate and other

  (9   17        
   

Total

$ 105    $ 514        
   
   

Net income (loss) (a):

CNA Financial:

Property and Casualty:

Specialty

$ 123    $ 123        

Commercial

  110      73        

International

  9      15        

Other Non-Core

  (32   (11)       
   

Total CNA Financial

  210      200        

Diamond Offshore

  (126   69        

Boardwalk Pipeline (b)

  25      (18)       

Loews Hotels

  5      3        

Corporate and other

  (5   11        
   

Income from continuing operations

  109      265        

Discontinued operations, net

  (206)       
   

Total

$ 109    $ 59        
   
   

 

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(a)

Investment gains (losses) included in Revenues, Income (loss) before income tax and noncontrolling interests and Net income (loss) are as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2015         2014        
   

Revenues and Income (loss) before income tax and noncontrolling interests:

CNA Financial:

Property and Casualty:

Specialty

$ 4    $ 11        

Commercial

  4      10        

International

  1      3        

Other Non-Core

  1      18        
   

Total

$         10    $ 42        
   
   

Net income (loss):

CNA Financial:

Property and Casualty:

Specialty

$ 2    $ 7        

Commercial

  3      7        

International

  1   

Other Non-Core

  2      10        
   

Total

$ 8    $ 24        
   
   

 

(b)

As discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, a charge of $94 million ($55 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) was recorded in the first quarter of 2014 related to the Bluegrass Project.

11. Legal Proceedings

The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The outcome of this litigation will not, in the opinion of management, materially affect the Company’s results of operations or equity.

12. Commitments and Contingencies

CNA Financial

In the course of selling business entities and assets to third parties, CNA agreed to guarantee the performance of certain obligations of a previously owned subsidiary and to indemnify purchasers for losses arising out of breaches of representation and warranties with respect to the business entities or assets being sold, including, in certain cases, losses arising from undisclosed liabilities or certain named litigation. Such guarantee and indemnification agreements in effect for sales of business entities, assets and third party loans may include provisions that survive indefinitely. As of March 31, 2015, the aggregate amount related to quantifiable guarantees was $375 million and the aggregate amount related to indemnification agreements was $324 million. Should CNA be required to make payments under the guarantee, it would have the right to seek reimbursement in certain cases from an affiliate of a previously owned subsidiary.

In addition, CNA has agreed to provide indemnification to third party purchasers for certain losses associated with sold business entities or assets that are not limited by a contractual monetary amount. As of March 31, 2015, CNA had outstanding unlimited indemnifications in connection with the sales of certain of its business entities or assets that included tax liabilities arising prior to a purchaser’s ownership of an entity or asset, defects in title at the time of sale, employee claims arising prior to closing and in some cases losses arising from certain litigation and undisclosed liabilities. Certain provisions of the indemnification agreements survive indefinitely while others survive until the applicable statutes of limitation expire, or until the agreed upon contract terms expire.

In the normal course of business, CNA also provided guarantees, if the primary obligor fails to perform, to holders of structured settlement annuities provided by a previously owned subsidiary, which are estimated to mature through 2120. The potential amount of future payments CNA could be required to pay under these guarantees was approximately $2.0 billion as of March 31, 2015. CNA does not believe a payable is likely under these guarantees, as CNA is the beneficiary of a trust that must be maintained at a level that approximates the discounted reserves for these annuities.

 

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Diamond Offshore

Diamond Offshore is financially obligated under a contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries, Co. Ltd. (“Hyundai”) for the construction of a dynamically positioned, harsh environment semisubmersible drilling rig, with expected delivery in the first quarter of 2016. The total cost of the rig including shipyard costs, capital spares, commissioning, project management and shipyard supervision is estimated to be $764 million. The remaining contractual payment of $440 million is due upon delivery of the rig.

Diamond Offshore expects to take delivery of an ultra-deepwater drillship in the second quarter of 2015 and will pay the remaining contractual payment to Hyundai of approximately $395 million at that time.

In July of 2014, Diamond Offshore was notified by Petróleo Brasileiro S.A., (“Petrobras”) that it is challenging assessments by Brazilian tax authorities of withholding taxes associated with the provision of drilling rigs for its operations in Brazil during the years 2008 and 2009. If Petrobras is ultimately assessed such withholding taxes, it will seek reimbursement from Diamond Offshore for the portion allocable to its drilling rigs. Diamond Offshore disputes any basis for Petrobras to obtain such reimbursement and has notified Petrobras of its position and intends to pursue all legal remedies available to defend any reimbursement claims against it vigorously. Diamond Offshore is currently unable to estimate the range of loss, if any, that it would incur if Petrobras is ultimately assessed such taxes and if it is determined that Petrobras is entitled to obtain reimbursement from Diamond Offshore. However, if Diamond Offshore’s position is not sustained, the amount of such reimbursement could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and the Company’s results of operations and cash flows.

13. Discontinued Operations

The Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income include discontinued operations of HighMount as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31       2014        
   
(In millions)    

Revenues:

Other revenue, primarily operating

$ 55        
   

Total

  55        
   

Expenses:

Other operating expenses

Impairment of natural gas and oil properties

  29        

Operating

  55        

Interest

  2        
   

Total

  86        
   

Loss before income tax

  (31)       

Income tax benefit

  11        
   

Loss from discontinued operations

$     (20)       
   
   

The Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income include discontinued operations of the CAC business as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31       2014        
   
(In millions)    

Revenues:

Net investment income

$ 41        

Investment gains

  1        
   

Total

  42        
   

Expenses:

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits

  31        

Other operating expenses

  1        
   

Total

  32        
   

Income before income tax

  10        

Income tax expense

  (3)       
   

Results of discontinued operations, net of income tax

  7        

Loss on sale, net of tax benefit of $41

  (214)       

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  21        
   

Loss from discontinued operations

$     (186)       
   
   

 

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14. Consolidating Financial Information

The following schedules present the Company’s consolidating balance sheet information at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and consolidating statements of income information for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. These schedules present the individual subsidiaries of the Company and their contribution to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. Amounts presented will not necessarily be the same as those in the individual financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries due to adjustments for purchase accounting, income taxes and noncontrolling interests. In addition, many of the Company’s subsidiaries use a classified balance sheet which also leads to differences in amounts reported for certain line items.

The Corporate and other column primarily reflects the parent company’s investment in its subsidiaries, invested cash portfolio and corporate long term debt. The elimination adjustments are for intercompany assets and liabilities, interest and dividends, the parent company’s investment in capital stocks of subsidiaries, and various reclasses of debit or credit balances to the amounts in consolidation. Purchase accounting adjustments have been pushed down to the appropriate subsidiary.

 

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Loews Corporation

Consolidating Balance Sheet Information

 

  CNA   Diamond   Boardwalk   Loews   Corporate          
March 31, 2015 Financial   Offshore   Pipeline   Hotels   and Other   Eliminations   Total  

 

 
(In millions)                            

Assets:

Investments

$ 45,932        $ 191        $ 48    $ 6,021        $ 52,192       

Cash

  201          7        $ 30          6      27          271       

Receivables

  7,404          469          158          42      116        $ (32)          8,157       

Property, plant and equipment

  284          6,578          7,626          838      50          15,376       

Deferred income taxes

  86          2      186          (274)          -       

Goodwill

  114          20          237          371       

Investments in capital stocks of subsidiaries

  15,702          (15,702)          -       

Other assets

  808          266          305          240      10          11           1,640       

Deferred acquisition costs of insurance subsidiaries

  616          616       

 

 

Total assets

$ 55,445        $ 7,531        $ 8,356        $ 1,176    $ 22,112        $ (15,997)        $ 78,623       

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity:

Insurance reserves

$ 36,705        $ 36,705       

Payable to brokers

  257        $ 3        $ 666          926       

Short term debt

  1          250        $ 36      400          687       

Long term debt

  2,563          1,981        $ 3,568          471      1,280          9,863       

Deferred income taxes

  9          397          751          36    $ (263)          930       

Other liabilities

  3,503          697          385          22      307          (32)          4,882       

 

 

Total liabilities

  43,038          3,328          4,704          565      2,653          (295)          53,993       

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

  11,125          2,245          1,572          609      19,459          (15,702)          19,308       

Noncontrolling interests

  1,282          1,958          2,080          2      5,322       

 

 

Total equity

  12,407          4,203          3,652          611      19,459          (15,702)          24,630       

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

$   55,445        $     7,531        $     8,356        $     1,176    $     22,112        $     (15,997)        $     78,623       

 

 

 

 

 

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Loews Corporation

Consolidating Balance Sheet Information

 

  CNA   Diamond   Boardwalk   Loews   Corporate          
December 31, 2014 Financial   Offshore   Pipeline   Hotels   and Other   Eliminations   Total  

 

 
(In millions)                            

Assets:

Investments

$ 46,262    $ 234    $ 75    $ 5,461    $ 52,032       

Cash

  190      16    $ 8      9      141      364       

Receivables

  7,097      490      128      29      82    $ (56)          7,770       

Property, plant and equipment

  280      6,949      7,649      671      62      15,611       

Deferred income taxes

  222      2      374      (598)          -       

Goodwill

  117      20      237      374       

Investments in capital stocks of subsidiaries

  15,974      (15,974)          -       

Other assets

  778      307      304      206      7      14           1,616       

Deferred acquisition costs of insurance subsidiaries

  600      600       

 

 

Total assets

$ 55,546    $ 8,016    $ 8,326    $ 992    $ 22,101    $   (16,614)        $ 78,367       

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity:

Insurance reserves

$ 36,380    $ 36,380       

Payable to brokers

  117    $ 5    $ 551      673       

Short term debt

  250    $ 85      335       

Long term debt

  2,561      1,981    $ 3,690      421      1,680      10,333       

Deferred income taxes

  11      514      732      36    $ (400)          893       

Other liabilities

  3,713      792      400      17      421      (240)          5,103       

 

 

Total liabilities

  42,782      3,542      4,822      559      2,652      (640)          53,717       

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

  11,457      2,359      1,558      431      19,449      (15,974)          19,280       

Noncontrolling interests

  1,307      2,115      1,946      2      5,370       

 

 

Total equity

  12,764      4,474      3,504      433      19,449      (15,974)          24,650       

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

$   55,546    $     8,016    $     8,326    $     992    $   22,101    $ (16,614)        $   78,367       

 

 

 

 

 

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Loews Corporation

Consolidating Statement of Income Information

 

  CNA   Diamond   Boardwalk   Loews   Corporate          
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Financial   Offshore   Pipeline   Hotels   and Other   Eliminations   Total  
   
(In millions)                            

Revenues:

Insurance premiums

$       1,687       $         1,687        

Net investment income

  558       $ 1       $ 29         588        

Intercompany interest and dividends

          567       $         (567)          -        

Investment gains

  10         10        

Contract drilling revenues

  600         600        

Other revenues

  97         26       $ 330       $         139         1         593        
   

Total

  2,352         627         330         139         597         (567)          3,478        
   

Expenses:

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits

  1,339         1,339        

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

  303         303        

Contract drilling expenses

  351         351        

Other operating expenses

  357         539         208         124         21         1,249        

Interest

  39         24         45         5         18         131        
   

Total

  2,038         914         253         129         39         -           3,373        
   

Income (loss) before income tax

  314         (287)        77         10         558         (567)          105        

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (80)        41         (16)        (5)        4         (56)       
   

Net income (loss)

  234         (246)        61         5         562         (567)          49        

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  (24)        120                 (36)        60        
   

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

$ 210       $       (126)      $ 25       $ 5       $ 562       $ (567)        $ 109        
   
   

 

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Loews Corporation

Consolidating Statement of Income Information

 

  CNA   Diamond   Boardwalk   Loews   Corporate          
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Financial   Offshore   Pipeline   Hotels   and Other   Eliminations   Total  
   
(In millions)                            

Revenues:

Insurance premiums

$     1,806       $ 1,806        

Net investment income

  526       $ 51         577        

Intercompany interest and dividends

  377       $ (377)        -        

Investment gains

  42         42        

Contract drilling revenues

$ 685         685        

Other revenues

  89         25       $ 357       $ 105         2         578        
   

Total

  2,463         710         357         105         430         (377)        3,688        
   

Expenses:

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits

  1,446         1,446        

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

  329         329        

Contract drilling expenses

  370         370        

Other operating expenses

  343         154         293         99         18         907        

Interest

  44         18         41         1         18         122        
   

Total

  2,162         542         334             100         36         -         3,174        
   

Income (loss) before income tax

  301         168         23         5         394         (377)        514        

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (79)        (27)        11         (2)        (6)        (103)       
   

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  222         141         34         3         388         (377)        411        

Discontinued operations, net

  (207)        (20)        (227)       
   

Net income (loss)

  15         141         34         3         368         (377)        184        

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  (1)            (72)        (52)            (125)       
   

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

$ 14       $ 69       $     (18)      $ 3       $     368       $     (377)      $ 59        
   
   

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

    Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Report, Risk Factors included in Part II, Item 1A of this Report, and the Consolidated Financial Statements, Risk Factors, and MD&A included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. This MD&A is comprised of the following sections:

 

  Page
  No.

Overview

36

Consolidated Financial Results

36

Discontinued Operations

37

Parent Company Structure

37

Critical Accounting Estimates

37

Results of Operations by Business Segment

38

CNA Financial

38

Diamond Offshore

41

Boardwalk Pipeline

46

Loews Hotels

49

Corporate and Other

49

Discontinued Operations

50

Liquidity and Capital Resources

50

CNA Financial

50

Diamond Offshore

51

Boardwalk Pipeline

52

Loews Hotels

53

Corporate and Other

53

Investments

53

Accounting Standards Update

57

Forward-Looking Statements

57

OVERVIEW

    We are a holding company. Our subsidiaries are engaged in the following lines of business:

 

   

commercial property and casualty insurance (CNA Financial Corporation (“CNA”), a 90% owned subsidiary);

 

   

operation of offshore oil and gas drilling rigs (Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (“Diamond Offshore”), a 53% owned subsidiary);

 

   

transportation and storage of natural gas and natural gas liquids and gathering and processing of natural gas (Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (“Boardwalk Pipeline”), a 51% owned subsidiary); and

 

   

operation of a chain of hotels (Loews Hotels Holding Corporation (“Loews Hotels”), a wholly owned subsidiary).

    See below for a discussion of discontinued operations.

    Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Report to “Loews Corporation,” “the Company,” “Parent Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms refer to the business of Loews Corporation excluding its subsidiaries.

Consolidated Financial Results

    Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $109 million, or $0.29 per share, compared to $59 million, or $0.15 per share, in the prior year period. Net income in 2014 included a loss from discontinued operations of $206 million reflecting the disposition of both HighMount Exploration & Production, LLC (“HighMount”) and CNA’s annuity and pension deposit business.

 

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    Income from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $109 million, or $0.29 per share, compared to $265 million, or $0.68 per share, in the 2014 first quarter. Excluding asset impairment charges of $158 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) in 2015 at Diamond Offshore and $55 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) in 2014 at Boardwalk Pipeline, income from continuing operations, as adjusted, in 2015 was $267 million as compared to $320 million in the prior year period.

    Income from continuing operations decreased primarily due to lower earnings at Diamond Offshore and less favorable performance of the parent company trading portfolio.

    CNA’s earnings increased primarily due to higher investment income driven by limited partnerships and improved current accident year underwriting results including lower catastrophe losses, partially offset by lower realized investment gains.

    Diamond Offshore’s earnings decreased primarily due to a $158 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) asset impairment charge related to the carrying value of eight drilling rigs as well as lower rig utilization and increased depreciation expense.

    Boardwalk Pipeline’s earnings increase stemmed from the impact in 2014 of a $55 million charge (after tax and noncontrolling interests) related to the write-off of all capitalized costs associated with the Bluegrass project. Absent this charge, earnings decreased primarily due to the unusually cold and sustained winter of 2014 as compared to the relatively normal 2015 winter season and lower natural gas storage revenues.

    Loews Hotels’ earnings increased primarily due to improved performance of recently acquired properties and higher equity income from joint venture properties.

    Discontinued operations in 2014 included an impairment charge related to the sale of CNA’s annuity and pension deposit business and a ceiling test impairment charge at HighMount.

    Book value per share increased to $51.98 at March 31, 2015 from $51.70 at December 31, 2014 and $50.89 at March 31, 2014. Book value per share excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) increased to $51.18 at March 31, 2015 from $50.95 at December 31, 2014 and $49.43 at March 31, 2014.

Discontinued Operations

    On August 1, 2014, CNA completed the sale of Continental Assurance Company (“CAC”), its former life insurance subsidiary and on September 30, 2014, the Company sold HighMount, its natural gas and oil exploration and production subsidiary. The results of these sold businesses are reported as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income.

Parent Company Structure

    We are a holding company and derive substantially all of our cash flow from our subsidiaries. We rely upon our invested cash balances and distributions from our subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our obligations and to declare and pay any dividends to our shareholders. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends is subject to, among other things, the availability of sufficient earnings and funds in such subsidiaries, applicable state laws, including in the case of the insurance subsidiaries of CNA, laws and rules governing the payment of dividends by regulated insurance companies and compliance with covenants in their respective loan agreements. Claims of creditors of our subsidiaries will generally have priority as to the assets of such subsidiaries over our claims and those of our creditors and shareholders.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

    The preparation of the consolidated condensed financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the related notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

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    The consolidated condensed financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis. We continually evaluate the accounting policies and estimates used to prepare the consolidated condensed financial statements. In general, our estimates are based on historical experience, evaluation of current trends, information from third party professionals and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the known facts and circumstances.

    We consider the accounting policies discussed below to be critical to an understanding of our consolidated condensed financial statements as their application places the most significant demands on our judgment. Due to the inherent uncertainties involved with these types of judgments, actual results could differ significantly from estimates, which may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or equity.

 

   

Insurance Reserves

   

Reinsurance and Other Receivables

   

Valuation of Investments and Impairment of Securities

   

Long Term Care Policies

   

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Obligations

   

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

   

Goodwill

   

Income Taxes

    Due to the inherent uncertainties involved with these types of judgments, actual results could differ significantly from estimates, which may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or equity. See the Critical Accounting Estimates section and the Results of Operations by Business Segment – CNA Financial – Reserves – Estimates and Uncertainties section of our MD&A included under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for further information.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

    Unless the context otherwise requires, references to net operating income (loss), net realized investment results and net income (loss) reflect amounts attributable to Loews Corporation shareholders.

CNA Financial

    The following table summarizes the results of operations for CNA for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 as presented in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Report:

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2015   2014    

 

(In millions)          

Revenues:

Insurance premiums

$     1,687    $     1,806   

Net investment income

  558      526   

Investment gains

  10      42   

Other revenues

  97      89   

 

Total

  2,352      2,463   

 

Expenses:

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits

  1,339      1,446   

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

  303      329   

Other operating expenses

  357      343   

Interest

  39      44   

 

Total

  2,038      2,162   

 

Income before income tax

  314      301   

Income tax expense

  (80   (79

 

Income from continuing operations

  234      222   

Discontinued operations, net

  (207

 

Net income

  234      15   

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  (24   (1

 

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

$ 210    $ 14   

 

 

 

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    Income from continuing operations increased $12 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the same period in 2014, primarily due to improved current accident year underwriting results, including lower catastrophe losses, and higher limited partnership income, partially offset by lower investment gains and a decline in the results of the long term care business. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net realized investment results and net investment income.

CNA Property and Casualty Insurance Operations

    CNA’s property and casualty insurance operations consist of professional, financial, specialty property and casualty products and services and commercial insurance and risk management products.

    In the evaluation of the results of the property and casualty businesses, CNA utilizes the loss ratio, the expense ratio, the dividend ratio and the combined ratio. These ratios are calculated using GAAP financial results. The loss ratio is the percentage of net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses to net earned premiums. The expense ratio is the percentage of insurance underwriting and acquisition expenses, including the amortization of deferred acquisition costs, to net earned premiums. The dividend ratio is the ratio of policyholders’ dividends incurred to net earned premiums. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss, expense and dividend ratios.

    The following tables summarize the results of CNA’s property and casualty operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Specialty   Commercial   International   Total      

 

 
(In millions, except %)                

Net written premiums

$ 698         $ 759         $ 212         $     1,669          

Net earned premiums

  680           678           191           1,549          

Net investment income

  155           204           14           373          

Net operating income

  121           107           8           236          

Net realized investment gains

  2           3           1           6          

Net income

  123           110           9           242          

Ratios:

Loss and loss adjustment expense

  63.1%       66.9%       60.7%       64.5%      

Expense

  31.3           36.0           37.6           34.1          

Dividend

  0.2           0.4           0.3          

 

 

Combined

  94.6%       103.3%       98.3%       98.9%      

 

 

 

 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014                

 

 

Net written premiums

$ 713        $ 807        $ 247        $     1,767          

Net earned premiums

  692          735          241          1,668          

Net investment income

  144          191          15          350          

Net operating income

  116          66          15          197          

Net realized investment gains

  7          7          14          

Net income

  123          73          15          211          

Ratios:

Loss and loss adjustment expense

  63.9%      77.1%      54.2%      68.3%      

Expense

  30.0         33.9         39.3         33.1         

Dividend

  0.2         0.3         0.2         

 

 

Combined

  94.1%      111.3%      93.5%      101.6%      

 

 

 

 

    Net written premiums decreased $98 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the same period in 2014. This decrease was primarily driven by underwriting actions taken in certain business classes and a lower level of new business, reflecting competitive market conditions in Commercial, the unfavorable effect of foreign currency exchange rates, unfavorable premium development at Hardy and the 2014 termination of an underwriter in Canada, for International and lower retention in Specialty. Net earned premiums decreased $119 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the same period in 2014, consistent with the trend in net written premiums.

 

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    Specialty’s average rate increased 2% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with an increase of 4% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, for the policies that renewed in each period. Retention of 84% and 86% was achieved in each period. Commercial’s average rate increased 3% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with an increase of 6% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, for the policies that renewed in each period. Retention of 76% and 74% was achieved in each period. International’s average rate decreased 1% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with no change for the three months ended March 31, 2014, for the policies that renewed in each period. Retention of 76% and 82% was achieved in each period.

    Net operating income increased $39 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the same period in 2014. The increase in net operating income was primarily due to improved underwriting results in Commercial, partially offset by the lower level of net earned premiums in International. Reinsurance commutations at International during the three months ended March 31, 2014 reduced ceded losses from prior years and resulted in a release of the related allowance for doubtful accounts on reinsurance receivables. Catastrophe losses were $17 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to catastrophe losses of $43 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the same period in 2014.

    Unfavorable net prior year development of $2 million as compared with favorable net prior year development of $6 million was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Further information on net prior year development is included in Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1.

    Specialty’s combined ratio increased 0.5 points for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the same period in 2014. The loss ratio improved 0.8 points due to an improved current accident year loss ratio, partially offset by less favorable net prior year development. The expense ratio increased 1.3 points for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the same period in 2014, primarily driven by increased underwriting expenses.

    Commercial’s combined ratio improved 8.0 points for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the same period in 2014. The loss ratio improved 10.2 points, primarily due to an improved current accident year loss ratio, including lower catastrophe losses. The expense ratio increased 2.1 points for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the same period in 2014, primarily due to the unfavorable effect of lower net earned premiums.

    International’s combined ratio increased 4.8 points for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the same period in 2014. The loss ratio increased 6.5 points, due to the unfavorable effect of net prior year development and a higher current accident year loss ratio. The prior year period benefited from the favorable impact of commutations. The expense ratio improved 1.7 points due to decreased expenses, partially offset by the unfavorable effect of lower net earned premiums.

Other Non-Core Operations

    Other Non-Core primarily includes the results of CNA’s individual and group long term care businesses, which are in run-off and also includes certain CNA corporate expenses, including interest on corporate debt and the results of certain property and casualty business in run-off, including CNA Re and asbestos and environmental pollution (“A&EP”). CNA’s group long term care business, while considered non-core, currently continues to accept new employees in existing groups.

 

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    The following tables summarize the results of CNA’s Other Non-Core operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

  Life & Group       Other    
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Non-Core   Other   Non-Core    

 

(In millions)              

Net earned premiums

  $ 138         $         138   

Net investment income

  179         $     6      185   

Net operating loss

  (15)          (19   (34

Net realized investment gains

  2           2   

Net loss from continuing operations

  (13)          (19   (32
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014                        

 

Net earned premiums

  $ 139         $ 139   

Net investment income

  171         $ 5      176   

Net operating loss

  (2)          (19   (21

Net realized investment gains

  9           1      10   

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

  7           (18   (11

Net loss from continuing operations increased $21 million for the three months ended March  31, 2015 as compared with the same period in 2014, driven by unfavorable morbidity in CNA’s long term care business.

Diamond Offshore

Market Overview

    Diamond Offshore provides contract drilling services to the energy industry around the world with a fleet of 35 offshore drilling rigs, excluding three rigs that Diamond Offshore plans to retire and scrap. Due to further deterioration in the market for offshore drilling rigs, Diamond Offshore has initiated a plan to scrap three mid-water semisubmersible rigs, the Ocean Saratoga, Ocean Worker and Ocean Yorktown, all of which are currently cold stacked. Diamond Offshore’s results for the first quarter of 2015 include a $359 million impairment charge related to the three retired rigs, two cold stacked mid-water semisubmersibles, the Ocean General and Ocean Nomad, and three additional rigs, the mid-water semisubmersibles the Ocean Ambassador and Ocean Lexington and the drillship the Ocean Clipper, which are planned to be cold stacked or scrapped after completion of their current contract terms.

    Diamond Offshore expects to take delivery of its fourth ultra-deepwater drillship, the Ocean BlackLion, in the second quarter of 2015. The drillship is then expected to mobilize to the Canary Islands to prepare for the commencement of its engagement in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (“GOM”) later this year. The harsh environment, ultra-deepwater semisubmersible, the Ocean GreatWhite, is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2016. The service-life-extension project for the Ocean Confidence continues and the rig is expected to be available for drilling service in the near future.

    Current oil prices are well below the high levels reached in the summer of 2014 and remain volatile and unpredictable. As market fundamentals in the oil and gas industry remain depressed, independent and national oil companies, as well as exploration and production companies, have continued to scale back their already reduced 2015 capital spending plans. Thus far in 2015, rig tenders have been infrequent and the few that have occurred have generally been for short term or well-to-well work. Competition for a limited number of drilling jobs continues to be intense, with numerous offshore drillers vying for the same opportunities, including some contractors bidding multiple rigs on the same bid, and in some cases bidding rigs of both high and lower specifications on the same bid. Operators are continuing to attempt to sublet previously contracted rigs for which capital spending programs have been delayed or canceled. In addition, newbuild floaters continue to enter the market, many of which are not contracted, adding to the oversupply of rigs. With the shortage of work and an oversupply of rigs available for work, price competition remains intense, and some industry analysts are predicting further weakening in dayrates across the floater markets.

    In addition, as a result of the depressed market conditions and continued pessimistic outlook for the near term, certain of Diamond Offshore’s customers, as well as those of their competitors, have attempted to renegotiate or terminate existing drilling contracts. Such renegotiations could include requests to lower the contract dayrate, lowering of a dayrate in exchange for additional contract term, shortening the term on one contracted rig in

 

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exchange for additional term on another rig, early termination of a contract in exchange for a lump sum margin payout and many other possibilities. In addition to the potential for renegotiations, some of Diamond Offshore’s drilling contracts permit the customer to terminate the contract early after specified notice periods or permit the customer to terminate the contract early in the event of excessive downtime, sometimes resulting in no payment to Diamond Offshore or sometimes resulting in a contractually specified termination amount, which often does not fully compensate Diamond Offshore for the loss of the contract. During depressed market conditions, certain customers may be motivated to utilize such contract clauses to seek to renegotiate or terminate a drilling contract or claim that Diamond Offshore has breached provisions of its drilling contracts in order to avoid their obligations under circumstances where Diamond Offshore believes they are in compliance with the contracts. The early termination of a contract may result in a rig being idle for an extended period of time, which could adversely affect Diamond Offshore’s business. When a customer terminates a contract prior to the contract’s scheduled expiration, Diamond Offshore’s contract backlog is adversely impacted.

    On February 20, 2015, a representative of PEMEX – Exploración y Producción (“PEMEX”), verbally informed Diamond Offshore of PEMEX’s intention to exercise its contractual right to terminate its drilling contracts on the Ocean Ambassador, the Ocean Nugget and the Ocean Summit, and to cancel its drilling contract on the Ocean Lexington, which contract is currently scheduled to commence in September of 2015. On May 4, 2015, Diamond Offshore received written notices of termination for the Ocean Nugget and the Ocean Summit. Diamond Offshore continues to engage in discussions with PEMEX regarding the four rigs.

    In addition, Petróleo Brasileiro S.A., (“Petrobras”), notified Diamond Offshore in the first quarter of 2015 that it has a right to terminate the drilling contract on the Ocean Baroness and has verbally informed Diamond Offshore that it does not intend to continue to use the rig. To date, Diamond Offshore has not received written notification of termination from Petrobras.

    Current depressed market conditions in the offshore drilling industry have materially impacted Diamond Offshore’s results of operations and cash flows in the first quarter of 2015. Diamond Offshore currently expects that these adverse market conditions will continue for the foreseeable future. The continuation of these conditions could result in more rigs being without contracts and/or cold stacked or scrapped and could further materially and adversely affect Diamond Offshore’s business. When Diamond Offshore cold stacks a rig, they evaluate the rig for impairment.

    As of April 20, 2015, eight of Diamond Offshore’s rigs were not subject to a drilling contract with a customer, including seven rigs that have been cold stacked or are in the process of being cold stacked.

    Globally, the ultra-deepwater and deepwater floater markets continue to be depressed. The continuing oversupply of rigs, combined with diminished demand, has resulted in further declines in dayrates and the stacking, and in some cases scrapping, of rigs in all asset classes, and industry analysts expect offshore drillers to continue to scrap older, lower specification rigs.

    Newbuild rig deliveries and established rigs coming off contract continue to fuel an oversupply of floaters in both the ultra-deepwater and deepwater markets. Based on industry data, there are approximately 53 competitive, or non-owner-operated, newbuild floaters on order. Based on industry reports, nine of the 20 newbuilds scheduled for delivery in 2015, as well as 15 of the 20 newbuilds scheduled for delivery in 2016, are not contracted for future work. Eleven of the 12 newbuilds scheduled for delivery in 2017, as well as the one newbuild on order for delivery in 2018, are also not contracted. In addition, industry reports indicate that Petrobras, Diamond Offshore’s largest single customer based on 2014 annual consolidated revenues, currently has 17 rigs under construction with two scheduled for delivery in 2015. Industry reports also indicate that only 13 to 17 of the estimated 29 originally planned Petrobras rigs will ultimately be built. The influx of newbuilds into the market, combined with established rigs coming off contract during 2015, is expected to contribute to further weakening of the ultra-deepwater and deepwater floater markets.

    Conditions in the mid-water market have varied by region, but have generally been adversely impacted by lower demand, the waterfall effect of declining dayrates in the ultra-deepwater and deepwater markets, the challenges experienced by lower specification rigs in this segment as a result of growing regulatory demands and more complex customer specifications, and the intensified competition resulting from the migration of some deepwater and ultra-deepwater rigs to compete against mid-water rigs. As higher specification rigs take the place of lower specification rigs, lower specification rigs may continue to be cold stacked or ultimately scrapped.

 

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Impact of changes in tax laws or their interpretation

Diamond Offshore operates through various subsidiaries in a number of countries throughout the world. As a result, it is subject to highly complex tax laws, treaties and regulations in the jurisdictions in which it operates, which may change and are subject to interpretation. Changes in laws, treaties and regulations and the interpretation of such laws, treaties and regulations may put Diamond Offshore at risk for future tax assessments and liabilities which could be substantial and could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and our results of operations and cash flows. Refer to Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1 for additional information.

Contract Drilling Backlog

The following table reflects Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog as of April 20, 2015 and February 9, 2015 (the date reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014). Contract drilling backlog as presented below includes only firm commitments (typically represented by signed contracts, except as indicated in the footnotes to the tables below) and is calculated by multiplying the contracted operating dayrate by the firm contract period and adding one-half of any potential rig performance bonuses. Diamond Offshore’s calculation also assumes full utilization of its drilling equipment for the contract period (excluding scheduled shipyard and survey days); however, the amount of actual revenue earned and the actual periods during which revenues are earned will be different than the amounts and periods shown in the tables below due to various factors. Utilization rates, which generally approach 92% - 98% during contracted periods, can be adversely impacted by downtime due to various operating factors including, but not limited to, weather conditions and unscheduled repairs and maintenance. Contract drilling backlog excludes revenues for mobilization, demobilization, contract preparation and customer reimbursables. No revenue is generally earned during periods of downtime for regulatory surveys. Changes in Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog between periods are generally a function of the performance of work on term contracts, as well as the extension or modification of existing term contracts and the execution of additional contracts.

 

  April 20,    
2015      
  February 9,      
2015          
 

 

 

(In millions)

Floaters:

Ultra-Deepwater (a) (b)

$ 5,167        $ 5,390           

Deepwater (c)

  617          748           

Mid-Water (d)

  438          611           

 

 

Total Floaters

  6,222          6,749           

Jack-ups (e)

  49          91           

 

 

Total

$     6,271        $     6,840           

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

As of April 20, 2015, ultra-deepwater floaters includes (i) $1.2 billion attributable to contracted operations offshore Brazil for the years 2015 to 2018; (ii) $584 million attributable to future work for the Ocean BlackLion for the years 2015 to 2019, which is under construction; and (iii) $641 million for the years 2016 to 2019 attributable to future work for the semisubmersible Ocean GreatWhite, which is under construction.

(b)

As of April 20, 2015, ultra-deepwater floaters excludes $384 million attributable to the Ocean Baroness contracted to Petrobras. See discussion above.

(c)

As of April 20, 2015, deepwater floaters includes $163 million attributable to contracted operations offshore Brazil for the years 2015 to 2016.

(d)

As of April 20, 2015, mid-water floaters excludes $209 million attributable to the Ocean Ambassador and the Ocean Lexington. See discussion above.

(e)

As of April 20, 2015, jack-ups excludes $49 million attributable to the Ocean Nugget and the Ocean Summit. See discussion above.

 

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The following table reflects the amount of Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog by year as of April 20, 2015:

 

Year Ended December 31 Total   2015 (a)   2016   2017   2018 - 2020    

 

 

(In millions)

Floaters:

Ultra-Deepwater (b) (c)

$ 5,167      $ 1,173      $ 1,106    $ 1,199      $ 1,689       

Deepwater (d)

  617        361        208      48   

Mid-Water (e)

  438        171        147      120   

 

 

Total Floaters

  6,222        1,705        1,461      1,367      1,689       

Jack-ups (f)

  49        41        8   

 

 

Total

$   6,271      $   1,746      $   1,469    $   1,367      $ 1,689       

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Represents a nine month period beginning April 1, 2015.

(b)

As of April 20, 2015, ultra-deepwater floaters includes (i) $348 million, $333 million, $332 million and $158 million for the years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, attributable to contracted operations offshore Brazil; (ii) $12 million, $146 million and $146 million for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 and $280 million in the aggregate for the years 2018 to 2019, attributable to future work for the Ocean BlackLion, which is under construction; and (iii) $90 million for the year 2016, $214 million for the year 2017 and $337 million in the aggregate for the years 2018 to 2019 attributable to future work for the Ocean GreatWhite, which is under construction.

(c)

As of April 20, 2015, ultra-deepwater floaters excludes $52 million, $114 million, $113 million and $105 million for the years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 attributable to the Ocean Baroness contracted to Petrobras. See discussion above.

(d)

As of April 20, 2015, deepwater floaters includes $101 million and $62 million for the years 2015 and 2016, attributable to contracted operations offshore Brazil.

(e)

As of April 20, 2015, mid-water floaters excludes $70 million, $67 million, $58 million and $14 million for the years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 attributable to the Ocean Ambassador and the Ocean Lexington. See discussion above.

(f)

As of April 20, 2015, jack-ups excludes $27 million and $22 million for the years 2015 and 2016 attributable to the Ocean Nugget and the Ocean Summit. See discussion above.

The following table reflects the percentage of rig days committed by year as of April 20, 2015. The percentage of rig days committed is calculated as the ratio of total days committed under contracts, as well as scheduled shipyard, survey and mobilization days for all rigs in Diamond Offshore’s fleet, to total available days (number of rigs multiplied by the number of days in a particular year). Total available days have been calculated based on the expected final commissioning dates for both rigs under construction.

 

Year Ended December 31 2015 (a) (b) (c)   2016 (b) (c)   2017 (c)   2018–2020 (c)    

Floaters:

Ultra-Deepwater

  89%            59%          54%      25%         

Deepwater

  56%            21%          5%   

Mid-Water

  22%            10%          8%   

Total Floaters

  57%            33%          27%      11%         

Jack-ups

  24%            3%       

 

(a)

Represents a nine month period beginning April 1, 2015.

(b)

As of April 20, 2015, includes approximately 575 and 294 currently known, scheduled shipyard days for rig commissioning, contract preparation, surveys and extended maintenance projects, as well as rig mobilization days for the remainder of 2015 and for the year 2016.

(c)

Excludes previously reported rig days attributable to the Ocean Baroness contracted to Petrobras and the Ocean Ambassador, the Ocean Nugget, the Ocean Summit and the Ocean Lexington contracted to PEMEX. See discussion above.

 

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Dayrate and Utilization Statistics

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2015       2014      

 

 

Revenue earning days (a)

Floaters:

Ultra-Deepwater

  506      513     

Deepwater

  285      343     

Mid-Water

  663      1,029     

Jack-ups

  358      501     

Utilization (b)

Floaters:

Ultra-Deepwater

  51%      66%     

Deepwater

  45%      64%     

Mid-Water

  49%      64%     

Jack-ups

  66%      79%     

Average daily revenue (c)

Floaters:

Ultra-Deepwater

$     496,800    $     401,200     

Deepwater

  486,500      427,000     

Mid-Water

  265,900      277,900     

Jack-ups

  92,400      93,800     

 

(a)

A revenue earning day is defined as a 24-hour period during which a rig earns a dayrate after commencement of operations and excludes mobilization, demobilization and contract preparation days.

(b)

Utilization is calculated as the ratio of total revenue earning days divided by the total calendar days in the period for all rigs in Diamond Offshore’s fleet (including cold stacked rigs, but excluding rigs under construction). As of March 31, 2015, Diamond Offshore’s cold stacked rigs included one deepwater semisubmersible, seven mid-water semisubmersibles and two jack-up rigs.

(c)

Average daily revenue is defined as total contract drilling revenue per revenue earning day including mobilization, demobilization and contract preparation revenue.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Diamond Offshore for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 as presented in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Report:

 

Three Months Ended March 31     2015           2014      

 

 

(In millions)

Revenues:

Contract drilling revenues

$       600    $       685       

Net investment income

  1   

Other revenues

  26      25       

 

 

Total

  627      710       

 

 

Expenses:

Contract drilling expenses

  351      370       

Other operating expenses

Impairment of assets

  359   

Other expenses

  180      154       

Interest

  24      18       

 

 

Total

  914      542       

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax

  (287   168       

Income tax (expense) benefit

  41      (27)      

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  120      (72)      

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

$ (126 $ 69       

 

 

 

 

 

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Contract drilling revenue decreased $85 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the 2014 period, and contract drilling expense decreased $19 million during the same period. Contract drilling revenue decreased primarily due a fleet-wide decrease in revenue earning days, partially offset by higher average daily revenue earned by both ultra-deepwater and deepwater fleets, including the effect of higher amortized mobilization and contract preparation fees. The decrease in contract drilling expense is primarily due to lower costs for labor and personnel, partially offset by higher mobilization costs and a net increase in other rig operating costs and overhead costs.

Revenue generated by ultra-deepwater floaters increased $46 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the 2014 period primarily as a result of higher average daily revenue of $48 million. Average daily revenue increased primarily due to revenue associated with incremental operations for the Ocean BlackHawk in the GOM and the Ocean Endeavor in Romania, a contract extension for the Ocean Rover at a higher dayrate than previously earned and a dayrate adjustment for the Ocean Courage, combined with incremental amortization of $8 million in mobilization and contract preparation fees. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in revenue earned by the Ocean Confidence due to downtime associated with a life-extension project and operational issues for the Ocean Baroness.

Revenue generated by deepwater floaters decreased $8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the 2014 period primarily due to a decrease in utilization of $25 million, partially offset by higher average daily revenue earned of $17 million. The reduction in revenue earning days was the result of incremental downtime for the mobilization of rigs and unplanned downtime associated with the warm stacking of rigs between contracts, partially offset by additional revenue earning days for the Ocean Apex, which was placed into service in late 2014. The higher average daily revenue earned during the first quarter of 2015 includes $5 million of mobilization fee revenue earned by the Ocean Apex.

Revenue generated by mid-water floaters decreased $110 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the 2014 period primarily due to a decrease in utilization of $102 million and lower average daily revenue earned of $8 million. The decrease in revenue earning days is due to incremental downtime associated with cold stacked and retired rigs, partially offset by additional revenue earning days, primarily for the Ocean Patriot, which resumed operations in the fourth quarter of 2014 after completion of an enhancement project and the Ocean Quest, which operated in Vietnam during the first quarter of 2015, compared to the prior year quarter when the rig was stacked. There were also fewer incremental downtime days in the current period for mobilization, contract preparation activities and unplanned repairs.

Revenue generated by jack-up rigs decreased $13 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the same period in 2014 primarily due to the cold stacking of the Ocean Titan and the Ocean King in the second half of 2014.

Net results decreased $195 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the 2014 period primarily reflecting the impact of a $158 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) asset impairment charge related to the carrying value of eight drilling rigs as well as lower rig utilization and increased depreciation expense.

Diamond Offshore’s effective tax rate decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the 2014 period primarily due to differences in the mix of Diamond Offshore’s domestic and international pretax earnings and losses, including asset impairments taken in various jurisdictions in 2015. The 2014 period also included the settlement of a dispute in Egypt for the years 2006 through 2008 for $6 million, resulting in a net reduction to income tax expense of $17 million.

Boardwalk Pipeline

Market Overview

Boardwalk Pipeline derives revenues primarily from the transportation and storage of natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) and gathering and processing of natural gas for third parties. Transportation services consist of firm natural gas transportation, where the customer pays a capacity reservation charge to reserve pipeline capacity at receipt and delivery points along pipeline systems, plus a commodity and fuel charge on the volume of natural gas actually transported, and interruptible natural gas transportation, where the customer pays to transport gas only when capacity is available and used. Boardwalk Pipeline offers firm natural gas storage services in which the customer reserves and pays for a specific amount of storage capacity, including injection and withdrawal rights, and interruptible storage and parking and lending (“PAL”) services where the customer receives and pays for capacity only when it is available and used. Boardwalk Pipeline also transports and stores NGLs. Boardwalk Pipeline’s NGL

 

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contracts are generally fee-based and are dependent on actual volumes transported or stored, although in some cases minimum volume requirements apply. Boardwalk Pipeline’s NGL storage rates are market-based and contracts are typically fixed price arrangements with escalation clauses. Boardwalk Pipeline is not in the business of buying and selling natural gas and NGLs other than for system management purposes, but changes in the level of natural gas and NGLs prices may impact the volumes of natural gas or NGLs transported and stored on its pipeline systems. Boardwalk Pipeline’s operating costs and expenses typically do not vary significantly based upon the amount of products transported, with the exception of fuel consumed at its compressor stations.

Transportation rates that Boardwalk Pipeline is able to charge customers are heavily influenced by longer term trends in, for example, the amount and geographical location of natural gas production and demand for gas by end-users such as power plants, petrochemical facilities and liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) export facilities. Changes in certain longer term trends such as the development of gas production from the Marcellus and Utica production areas located in the northeastern U.S. and changes to related pipeline infrastructure have caused basis differentials corresponding to traditional flow patterns on Boardwalk Pipeline’s natural gas pipeline systems (generally south to north and west to east) to narrow significantly, reducing the transportation rates and adversely impacting other contract terms that Boardwalk Pipeline can negotiate with its customers for available transportation capacity and for contracts due for renewal for Boardwalk Pipeline’s transportation services. These conditions have had and Boardwalk Pipeline expects will continue to have a material adverse affect on Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues, earnings and distributable cash flows. Demand to transport gas from north to south has increased, driven by increases in gas production from primarily the Marcellus and Utica production areas and growing demand for natural gas primarily in the Gulf Coast area from new and planned power plants, petrochemical facilities and LNG export facilities. This new flow pattern is resulting in growth projects for Boardwalk Pipeline that require significant capital expenditures, among other things, to make parts of Boardwalk Pipeline’s system bi-directional, and in many instances, will utilize existing pipeline capacity that has been turned back to Boardwalk Pipeline by customers that have not renewed expiring contracts.

In response to changes in the natural gas industry, Boardwalk Pipeline is currently engaged in $1.6 billion of growth projects. These projects have lengthy planning and construction periods and as a result, will not contribute to Boardwalk Pipeline’s earnings and cash flows until they are placed into service over the next several years. In some instances the projects remain subject to regulatory approval to commence construction, and these projects are subject to the risk that they may not be completed, may be impacted by significant cost overruns or may be materially changed prior to completion as a result of future developments or circumstances that Boardwalk Pipeline cannot predict at this time. One of the more significant growth projects is the Coastal Bend Header project which will consist of an approximately 65-mile pipeline supply header to serve a planned liquefaction terminal in Freeport, Texas, as well as expansion and modifications to existing Gulf South pipeline facilities that will provide access to additional supply sources. In 2014, Boardwalk Pipeline executed precedent agreements with foundation shippers to transport approximately 1.4 Bcf of natural gas per day. This project, which is subject to approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”), is expected to be placed into service in 2018 at a total cost of $720 million, of which less than $5 million has been spent to date. In addition, Boardwalk Pipeline has customer agreements in place for a number of other growth projects.

As disclosed in the Results of Operations by Business Segment – Boardwalk Pipeline of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, a substantial portion of Boardwalk Pipeline’s transportation capacity is contracted for under firm transportation agreements. However, each year a portion of Boardwalk Pipeline’s firm transportation agreements expire and need to be renewed or replaced. Boardwalk Pipeline has generally seen the renewal of expiring transportation contracts at lower rates and for shorter terms than in the past which has materially adversely impacted transportation revenues. Capacity not renewed and available for sale on a short term basis has been and continues to be sold at rates reflective of basis spreads, which generally have been lower than historical rates, under short term firm or interruptible contracts, or in some cases not sold at all. Rates for short term and interruptible transportation services are influenced by the factors discussed above but can be more heavily affected by shorter term conditions such as current and forecasted weather. For example, the unusually cold winter weather in the first quarter of 2014 favorably impacted Boardwalk Pipeline’s short term firm and interruptible transportation services. The weather in the first quarter of 2015 was comparably warmer and the demand for short term firm and interruptible transportation services was not as strong.

The value of Boardwalk Pipeline’s storage and PAL services (comprised of parking gas for customers and/or lending gas to customers) is affected by natural gas price differentials between time periods, such as winter to summer (time period price spreads), price volatility of natural gas and other factors. Boardwalk Pipeline has seen the value of its storage and PAL services adversely impacted by some of the market factors discussed above which have contributed to a narrowing of time period price spreads, which in turn has reduced the rates Boardwalk Pipeline can charge and the capacity it can sell under storage and PAL services. Boardwalk Pipeline’s storage and parking services have greater value when the natural gas futures market is in contango (a positive time period price spread

 

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meaning that current price quotes for delivery of natural gas further in the future are higher than in the nearer term), while Boardwalk Pipeline’s lending service has greater value when the futures market is backwardated (a negative time period price spread, meaning that current price quotes for delivery of natural gas in the nearer term are higher than further in the future).

During the first half of 2014, the futures market was significantly backwardated, partly reflecting the harsh weather conditions in late 2013 and early 2014 and Boardwalk Pipeline earned revenues from lending gas to customers under PAL services. Since then, the futures market has reverted to a contango market, although time period price spreads remain relatively narrow. Storage market fundamentals can be volatile in a relatively short period of time. Based on the current narrowing of time period price spreads and fewer market participants due to a decrease in the number of marketers taking storage positions, Boardwalk Pipeline is continuing to experience weakened demand for its storage and PAL services.

Acquisition of the Evangeline Pipeline System

In October of 2014, Boardwalk Pipeline acquired Boardwalk Petrochemical, formerly known as Chevron Petrochemical Pipeline, LLC, which owns and operates the Evangeline ethylene pipeline system (“Evangeline”). Shortly after the acquisition, a leak was discovered on the pipeline and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) issued a Corrective Action Order. The pipeline has been out of service in order to complete testing and remediation activities. Boardwalk Pipeline expects that the pipeline will be returned to service by the end of the second quarter of 2015, upon completion of all remediation activities and approval by PHMSA. The remediation is expected to cost approximately $24 million, of which $14 million has been incurred through March 31, 2015.

Gulf South Rate Case

In October of 2014, Boardwalk Pipeline’s Gulf South subsidiary filed a rate case with the FERC pursuant to Section 4 of the Natural Gas Act of 1938 (Docket No. RP15-65), requesting, among other things, a reconfiguration of the transportation rate zones on its system and, in general, an increase in its tariff rates. On May 1, 2015, Gulf South moved the filed tariff rates into effect, subject to refund. Settlement discussions are ongoing with the FERC and Gulf South’s customers; however, the ultimate outcome and impact of the rate case on Boardwalk Pipeline’s earnings and cash flows for 2015 and beyond cannot be predicted at this time.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Boardwalk Pipeline for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 as presented in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1 of this Report:

 

Three Months Ended March 31     2015           2014      
(In millions)        

Revenues:

Other revenue, primarily operating

$       330         $       357       

Total

  330           357       

Expenses:

Operating

  208           293       

Interest

  45           41       

Total

  253           334       

Income before income tax

  77           23       

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (16)          11       

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  (36)          (52)      

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

$ 25         $ (18)      

 

 

 

 

Total revenues decreased $27 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the 2014 period. This decrease is primarily due to lower transportation and PAL revenues of $11 million, generally due to the comparably warmer winter weather experienced in Boardwalk Pipeline’s market areas and the effects of the market and contract renewal conditions, partially offset by revenues from growth projects which were recently placed into service. Storage revenues were lower by $9 million primarily as a result of the effects of unfavorable market conditions on time period price spreads.

 

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Operating expenses decreased $85 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the 2014 period. This decrease is primarily due to a $94 million prior year charge to write off all capitalized costs associated with the Bluegrass project, partially offset by a $12 million increase in depreciation expense due to a higher depreciable asset base and a $4 million increase in general and administrative costs primarily due to employee related costs. Interest expense increased $4 million due to higher average debt balances as compared to the 2014 period and lower capitalized interest related to capital projects.

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased $43 million as compared with the 2014 period, primarily reflecting the prior year Bluegrass charge of $55 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) partially offset by the lower revenues discussed above.

Loews Hotels

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Loews Hotels for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 as presented in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Report:

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2015             2014      

 

 

(In millions)

Revenues:

Operating revenue

$       120               $       85       

Revenues related to reimbursable expenses

  19                 20       

 

 

Total

  139                 105       

 

 

Expenses:

Operating

  112                 77       

Reimbursable expenses

  19                 20       

Depreciation

  11                 8       

Equity income from joint ventures

  (18)                (6)      

Interest

  5                 1       

 

 

Total

  129                 100       

 

 

Income before income tax

  10                 5       

Income tax expense

  (5)                (2)      

 

 

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

$ 5               $ 3       

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues increased $35 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the 2014 period primarily due to the acquisition of one hotel during the first three months of 2015 and three hotels during the last six months of 2014.

Operating expenses increased $35 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the 2014 period primarily due to the acquisition of four hotels.

Equity income from joint venture properties increased $12 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the 2014 period, primarily due to both improved performance of the three existing Universal Orlando properties as well as a full quarter in 2015 of the Cabana Bay Beach Resort operations as compared to a partial opening in March of 2014.

Interest expense increased $4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the 2014 period primarily due to the refinancing of a $125 million mortgage loan for a new $300 million mortgage loan in the third quarter of 2014 and incremental interest expense from property-level debt incurred to fund acquisitions.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other operations consist primarily of investment income at the Parent Company, corporate interest expenses and other corporate administrative costs. Investment income includes earnings on cash and short term investments held at the Parent Company level to meet current and future liquidity needs, as well as results of limited partnership investments and the trading portfolio.

 

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The following table summarizes the results of operations for Corporate and Other for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 as presented in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Report:

 

Three Months Ended March 31     2015           2014      

 

 

(In millions)

Revenues:

Net investment income

$       29          $       51       

Other revenues

  1            2       

 

 

Total

  30            53       

 

 

Expenses:

Operating

  21            18       

Interest

  18            18       

 

 

Total

  39            36       

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax

  (9)           17       

Income tax (expense) benefit

  4            (6)      

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

$ (5)         $ 11       

 

 

 

 

Net investment income decreased by $22 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the 2014 period, primarily due to lower performance of equity based investments and fixed income investments in the trading portfolio, partially offset by improved results from limited partnership investments.

Net results decreased $16 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the 2014 period primarily due to the change in revenues discussed above.

Discontinued Operations

Losses from discontinued operations (after tax and noncontrolling interests) were $206 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and included a ceiling test impairment charge of $19 million from HighMount, an impairment charge of $193 million recorded in connection with the sale of the CAC business and income from CAC operations of $7 million.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

CNA Financial

CNA’s primary operating cash flow sources are premiums and investment income from its insurance subsidiaries. CNA’s primary operating cash flow uses are payments for claims, policy benefits and operating expenses including interest expense on corporate debt. Additionally, cash may be paid or received for income taxes.

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, net cash provided by operating activities was $94 million as compared with $168 million for the same period in 2014. Cash provided by operating activities reflected decreased receipts relating to returns on limited partnerships, partially offset by lower net claim payments. Additionally, cash receipts and cash payments resulting from purchases and sales of trading securities are reported as cash flows related to operating activities.

Cash flows from investing activities include the purchase and disposition of available-for-sale financial instruments and may include the purchase and sale of businesses, land, buildings, equipment and other assets not generally held for resale.

Net cash provided by investing activities was $526 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as compared with net cash used of $354 million for the same period in 2014. The cash flow from investing activities is affected by various factors such as the anticipated payment of claims, financing activity, asset/liability management and individual security buy and sell decisions made in the normal course of portfolio management.

Cash flows from financing activities may include proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities, outflows for shareholder dividends or repayment of debt and outlays to reacquire equity instruments. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, net cash used by financing activities was $603 million as compared with net cash provided of $210 million for the same period in 2014. Cash used by financing activities reflected an increased special shareholder dividend as compared to the same period in 2014. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2014, CNA issued $550 million of senior notes.

 

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CNA believes that its present cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities are sufficient to fund its current and expected working capital and debt obligation needs and CNA does not expect this to change in the near term. There are currently no amounts outstanding under CNA’s $250 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility and no borrowings outstanding through CNA’s membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

A quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share and a special dividend of $2.00 per share of CNA’s common stock were declared and paid in the first quarter of 2015. On May 1, 2015, CNA’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, payable June 3, 2015 to shareholders of record on May 18, 2015. The declaration and payment of future dividends is at the discretion of CNA’s Board of Directors and will depend on many factors, including CNA’s earnings, financial condition, business needs and regulatory constraints.

Diamond Offshore

Cash and investments totaled $198 million at March 31, 2015, compared to $250 million at December 31, 2014. During the first three months of 2015, Diamond Offshore paid regular cash dividends totaling $17 million. On May 1, 2015, Diamond Offshore declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share.

Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased $142 million compared to the 2014 period, primarily due to a decrease in cash receipts from contract drilling services of $129 million and an increase in cash payments for contract drilling expenses, including mobilization and contract preparation costs of $20 million, partially offset by lower cash income taxes paid of $6 million, net of refunds.

Diamond Offshore is currently obligated under separate agreements in connection with two ongoing rig construction projects. The Ocean BlackLion, an ultra-deepwater drillship, is expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2015, at which time the final installment of $395 million is due. The estimated total project cost, including shipyard costs, capital spares, commissioning, project management and shipyard supervision, is $655 million, of which $213 million has been spent as of March 31, 2015.

The construction of the ultra-deepwater floater, the Ocean GreatWhite, continues with delivery expected in the first quarter of 2016. The estimated total project cost, including shipyard costs, capital spares, commissioning, project management and shipyard supervision, is $764 million, of which $202 million has been spent as of March 31, 2015.

For 2015, Diamond Offshore has budgeted approximately $920 million for capital expenditures of which approximately $630 million is expected to be spent on current rig construction projects. During the first three months of 2015, Diamond Offshore incurred $69 million in project-related expenses, including accrued expenditures. Diamond Offshore’s 2015 capital spending program also includes an estimated $290 million for ongoing capital maintenance and replacement programs of which $80 million has been incurred as of March 31, 2015.

Depending on market and other conditions, Diamond Offshore may purchase shares of its outstanding common stock in the open market or otherwise. Diamond Offshore did not purchase any shares of its outstanding common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2015. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, Diamond Offshore purchased 1.9 million shares of its outstanding common stock at an aggregate cost of $86 million.

Diamond Offshore has a $1.5 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility, to be used for general corporate purposes, which matures in 2019. Diamond Offshore also has the option to increase the revolving commitments under the credit agreement by up to an additional $500 million from time to time, upon receipt of additional commitments from new or existing lenders, and to request up to two additional one-year extensions of the maturity date. The entire amount of the facility is available, subject to its terms, for revolving loans. As of March 31, 2015, there were no loans or letters of credit outstanding under the credit agreement.

In April of 2015, Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) revised its outlook on Diamond Offshore from negative to stable and lowered its corporate credit and unsecured debt ratings from A- to BBB+. Diamond Offshore’s current credit rating is A3 for Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”). In February of 2015, Moody’s and S&P assigned short term credit ratings of Prime-2 and A2 to Diamond Offshore’s commercial paper program. Market conditions and other factors, many of which are outside of Diamond Offshore’s control, could cause its credit ratings to be lowered. A downgrade in Diamond Offshore’s credit ratings could impact its cost of issuing additional debt and the amount of additional debt that it could issue, a series of downgrades or a substantial downgrade could restrict Diamond Offshore’s access to capital markets and its ability to raise additional debt or rollover existing maturities. As a consequence, Diamond Offshore may not be able to issue additional debt in amounts and/or with terms that it

 

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considers to be reasonable. One or more of these occurrences could limit Diamond Offshore’s ability to pursue other business opportunities.

Certain of Diamond Offshore’s international rigs are owned and operated, directly or indirectly, by its wholly owned subsidiary, Diamond Offshore International Limited (“DOIL”), and as a result of Diamond Offshore’s intention to indefinitely reinvest the earnings of DOIL to finance its foreign activities, Diamond Offshore does not expect such earnings to be available for distribution to its stockholders or to finance its domestic activities. To the extent available, Diamond Offshore expects to utilize the operating cash flows generated by and cash reserves of DOIL, and the operating cash flows available to and cash reserves of Diamond Offshore to meet each entity’s respective working capital requirements and capital commitments. However, in light of the significant cash requirements of Diamond Offshore’s capital expansion program in the remainder of 2015 and in 2016, Diamond Offshore may also make use of its credit facility or commercial paper program to finance its capital expenditures and working capital requirements. In addition, Diamond Offshore will make periodic assessments of its capital spending programs based on industry conditions and will make adjustments if required. Diamond Offshore, may, from time to time, issue debt or equity securities, or a combination thereof, to finance capital expenditures, the acquisition of assets and businesses or for general corporate purposes. Diamond Offshore’s ability to access the capital markets by issuing debt or equity securities will be dependent on its results of operations, current financial condition, current credit ratings, current market conditions and other factors beyond its control.

Boardwalk Pipeline

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, cash amounted to $30 million and $8 million. Funds from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 amounted to $147 million, compared to $136 million for the 2014 period. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, Boardwalk Pipeline’s capital expenditures were $62 million and $66 million. Boardwalk Pipeline expects total capital expenditures to be approximately $570 million in 2015, primarily related to growth projects and increased pipeline system maintenance expenditures.

In February of 2015, Boardwalk Pipeline repaid at maturity the entire $275 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.1% senior notes.

In March of 2015, Boardwalk Pipeline completed a public offering of an additional $250 million in aggregate principal amount of its 5.0% senior notes due December 15, 2024. Boardwalk Pipeline originally issued $350 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.0% senior notes due December 15, 2024, in November of 2014. Boardwalk Pipeline intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to retire a portion of the outstanding $250 million aggregate principal amount of 4.6% notes due June 1, 2015.

In the first quarter of 2015, Boardwalk Pipeline sold 6.7 million common units under an equity distribution agreement between Boardwalk Pipeline and certain broker-dealers, which resulted in net proceeds of $109 million, including a $2 million contribution from us to maintain our 2% general partner interest. In April of 2015, Boardwalk Pipeline sold an additional 0.4 million common units and received net proceeds of $6 million.

Boardwalk Pipeline’s revolving credit facility, which matures in April of 2017, has aggregate lending commitments of $1.0 billion. As of May 1, 2015, Boardwalk Pipeline had no outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility resulting in an available borrowing capacity of $1.0 billion and is in compliance with all covenant requirements under the credit facility.

Boardwalk Pipeline anticipates that for 2015 its existing capital resources, including the revolving credit facility, cash flows from operating activities, the sale and issuance of common units under its equity distribution agreement and the subordinated loan agreement with a subsidiary of the Company to provide $300 million of financing will be adequate to fund its operations, including its planned capital expenditures. The subordinated loan agreement provides for a draw period through December 31, 2015 and matures in July of 2024, subject to certain mandatory pre-payment requirements. Boardwalk Pipeline may seek to access the capital markets to fund some or all capital expenditures for future growth projects or acquisitions, or to repay or refinance all or a portion of its indebtedness, a significant amount of which matures in the next four years. Boardwalk Pipeline currently has no outstanding borrowings under the subordinated loan agreement, however, it does expect to borrow under the agreement prior to the borrowing expiration date of December 31, 2015.

 

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Loews Hotels

Cash and investments totaled $54 million at March 31, 2015, as compared to $84 million at December 31, 2014. In 2015, Loews Hotels paid approximately $330 million to acquire two hotel properties, funded with capital contributions from us. Funds for future capital expenditures, including acquisitions of new properties, renovations and working capital requirements are expected to be provided from operations, newly incurred debt, existing cash balances and advances or capital contributions from us.

Corporate and Other

Parent Company cash and investments, net of receivables and payables at March 31, 2015 totaled $5.5 billion, as compared to $5.1 billion at December 31, 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we received $567 million in dividends from our subsidiaries, including a special dividend from CNA of $485 million. Cash outflows included, among other corporate overhead costs, the payment of $67 million to fund treasury stock purchases, $24 million to purchase shares of Diamond Offshore, $23 million of cash dividends to our shareholders and net cash contributions of approximately $170 million to our subsidiaries.

As of March 31, 2015, there were 371,422,444 shares of Loews common stock outstanding. Depending on market and other conditions, we may purchase our shares and shares of our subsidiaries outstanding common stock in the open market or otherwise. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we purchased 1.8 million shares of Loews common stock and 0.9 million shares of Diamond Offshore.

In April of 2015, Fitch Ratings, Inc. downgraded our unsecured debt rating from A+ to A and the outlook remains stable. Our current unsecured debt ratings are A2 for Moody’s and A+ for S&P with a stable outlook for both. We have an effective Registration Statement on Form S-3 registering the future sale of an unlimited amount of our debt and equity securities. From time to time, we consider issuance of Parent Company indebtedness under this registration statement.

We continue to pursue conservative financial strategies while seeking opportunities for responsible growth. These include the expansion of existing businesses, full or partial acquisitions and dispositions, and opportunities for efficiencies and economies of scale.

INVESTMENTS

Investment activities of non-insurance subsidiaries primarily include investments in fixed income securities, including short term investments. The Parent Company portfolio also includes equity securities, including short sales and derivative instruments, and investments in limited partnerships. These types of investments generally present greater volatility, less liquidity and greater risk than fixed income investments and are included within Results of Operations – Corporate and Other.

We enter into short sales and invest in certain derivative instruments that are used for asset and liability management activities, income enhancements to our portfolio management strategy and to benefit from anticipated future movements in the underlying markets. If such movements do not occur as anticipated, then significant losses may occur. Monitoring procedures include senior management review of daily detailed reports of existing positions and valuation fluctuations to ensure that open positions are consistent with our portfolio strategy.

Credit exposure associated with non-performance by the counterparties to derivative instruments is generally limited to the uncollateralized change in fair value of the derivative instruments recognized in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. We mitigate the risk of non-performance by monitoring the creditworthiness of counterparties and diversifying derivatives to multiple counterparties. We occasionally require collateral from our derivative investment counterparties depending on the amount of the exposure and the credit rating of the counterparty.

 

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Insurance

CNA maintains a large portfolio of fixed maturity and equity securities, including large amounts of corporate and government issued debt securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities and investments in limited partnerships which pursue a variety of long and short investment strategies across a broad array of asset classes. CNA’s investment portfolio supports its obligation to pay future insurance claims and provides investment returns which are an important part of CNA’s overall profitability.

Net Investment Income

The significant components of CNA’s Net investment income are presented in the following table:

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2015   2014    

 

(In millions)          

Fixed maturity securities:

Taxable

$         342    $         352   

Tax-exempt

  101      100   

 

Total fixed maturity securities

  443      452   

Limited partnership investments

  114      73   

Other, net of investment expense

  1      1   

 

Net investment income before tax

$ 558    $ 526   

 

 

Net investment income after tax and noncontrolling interests

$ 354    $ 333   

 

 

Effective income yield for the fixed maturity securities portfolio, before tax

  4.8   4.9

Effective income yield for the fixed maturity securities portfolio, after tax

  3.4   3.5

Net investment income after tax and noncontrolling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased $21 million as compared with the same period in 2014. The increase was driven by limited partnerships, which returned 3.9% as compared with 2.7% in the prior year period.

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

The components of CNA’s Net realized investment gains (losses) are presented in the following table:

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2015   2014    

 

(In millions)          

Realized investment gains (losses):

Fixed maturity securities:

Corporate and other bonds

$         13    $         14   

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

  (4   23   

Asset-backed

  3      1   

 

Total fixed maturity securities

  12      38   

Equity securities

  5   

Derivative securities

  (1

Short term investments and other

  (1   (1

 

Total realized investment gains

  10      42   

Income tax expense

  (1   (15

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  (1   (3

 

Net realized investment gains attributable to Loews Corporation

$ 8    $ 24   

 

 

Net realized investment gains decreased $16 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily driven by lower net realized investment gains on sales of securities and higher OTTI losses recognized in earnings. Further information on CNA’s realized gains and losses, including OTTI losses, is set forth in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1.

 

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Portfolio Quality

CNA’s fixed maturity portfolio consists primarily of high quality bonds, 92.6% and 92.8% of which were rated as investment grade (rated BBB- or higher) as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The classification between investment grade and non-investment grade is based on a ratings methodology that takes into account ratings from S&P and Moody’s in that order of preference. If a security is not rated by these rating agencies, CNA formulates an internal rating. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, approximately 98% and 99% of the fixed maturity portfolio was rated by S&P or Moody’s, or was issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, Government agencies or Government-sponsored enterprises.

The following table presents the ratings of CNA’s fixed maturity portfolio at fair value:

 

  March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014  

 

 
(In millions of dollars)                

U.S. Government, Government agencies and Government-sponsored enterprises

$ 3,829      9.4 $ 3,882      9.5%      

AAA

  2,762      6.8      2,850      7.0         

AA and A

  19,732      48.6      19,998      49.1         

BBB

  11,277      27.8      11,093      27.2         

Non-investment grade

  3,005      7.4      2,945      7.2         

 

 

Total

$   40,605      100.0 $   40,768      100.0%      

 

 

    Non-investment grade fixed maturity securities, as presented in the table below, include securities rated below BBB- by bond rating agencies and other unrated securities that, according to CNA’s analysis, are below investment grade. Non-investment grade securities generally involve a greater degree of risk than investment grade securities. The amortized cost of CNA’s non-investment grade fixed maturity securities was $2.9 billion and $2.8 billion at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The following table presents the ratings of these securities at fair value:

      
  March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014  

 

 

(In millions of dollars)

BB

$     1,337      44.5 $     1,264      42.9%      

B

  833      27.7      847      28.8         

CCC-C

  613      20.4      616      20.9         

D

  222      7.4      218      7.4         

 

 

Total

$     3,005            100.0 $     2,945            100.0%      

 

 

The following table presents available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in a gross unrealized loss position by ratings distribution:

 

March 31, 2015 Estimated
Fair Value
  %   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  %  

 

 

(In millions of dollars)

U.S. Government, Government agencies and Government-sponsored enterprises

$ 42      1.6%    $ 2      2.7%   

AAA

  230      9.3          7      9.9       

AA

  483      19.6          8      11.3       

A

  433      17.5          6      8.5       

BBB

  724      29.3          20      28.2       

Non-investment grade

  558      22.7          28      39.4       

 

 

Total

$     2,470      100.0%    $         71      100.0%   

 

 

 

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The following table presents the maturity profile for these available-for-sale fixed maturity securities. Securities not due to mature on a single date are allocated based on weighted average life:

 

March 31, 2015 Estimated
Fair Value
  %   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  %  

 

 

(In millions of dollars)

Due in one year or less

$ 88      3.5%    $ 4      5.6%   

Due after one year through five years

  515      20.9          18      25.4       

Due after five years through ten years

  1,059      42.9          26      36.6       

Due after ten years

  808      32.7          23      32.4       

 

 

Total

$     2,470      100.0%    $         71      100.0%   

 

 

Duration

A primary objective in the management of the investment portfolio is to optimize return relative to corresponding liabilities and respective liquidity needs. CNA’s views on the current interest rate environment, tax regulations, asset class valuations, specific security issuer and broader industry segment conditions and the domestic and global economic conditions, are some of the factors that enter into an investment decision. CNA also continually monitors exposure to issuers of securities held and broader industry sector exposures and may from time to time adjust such exposures based on its views of a specific issuer or industry sector.

A further consideration in the management of the investment portfolio is the characteristics of the corresponding liabilities and the ability to align the duration of the portfolio to those liabilities and to meet future liquidity needs, minimize interest rate risk and maintain a level of income sufficient to support the underlying insurance liabilities. For portfolios where future liability cash flows are determinable and typically long term in nature, CNA segregates investments for asset/liability management purposes. The segregated investments support the long term care and structured settlement liabilities in the Life & Group Non-Core business.

The effective durations of fixed maturity securities and short term investments are presented in the following table. Amounts presented are net of accounts payable and receivable amounts for securities purchased and sold, but not yet settled.

 

  March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014  
  Fair Value   Effective
Duration
(Years)
  Fair Value   Effective
Duration
(Years)
 

 

 

(In millions of dollars)

Investments supporting Life & Group Non-Core

 $ 14,928      10.3        $ 14,668      10.5       

Other interest sensitive investments

  27,126      4.1          27,748      4.0       

 

 

Total

 $     42,054      6.3        $     42,416      6.3       

 

 

The investment portfolio is periodically analyzed for changes in duration and related price change risk. Additionally, CNA periodically reviews the sensitivity of the portfolio to the level of foreign exchange rates and other factors that contribute to market price changes. A summary of these risks and specific analysis on changes is included in the Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

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Short Term Investments

The carrying values of the components of CNA’s Short term investments are presented in the following table:

 

  March 31,
2015
  December 31,
2014
 

 

 

(In millions)

Short term investments:

  Commercial paper

 $ 665       $ 922     

  U.S. Treasury securities

  529        466     

  Money market funds

  171        206     

  Other

  141        112     

 

 

Total short term investments

 $     1,506       $     1,706     

 

 

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATE

For a discussion of accounting standards updates that have been adopted or will be adopted in the future, please read Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Investors are cautioned that certain statements contained in this Report as well as some statements in periodic press releases and some oral statements made by our officials and our subsidiaries during presentations about us, are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. In addition, any statement concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible actions taken by us or our subsidiaries, which may be provided by management are also forward-looking statements as defined by the Act.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. These risks and uncertainties include, among others:

Risks and uncertainties primarily affecting us and our insurance subsidiaries

 

   

the risks and uncertainties associated with CNA’s insurance reserves, as outlined under “Results of Operations by Business Segment – CNA Financial – Reserves – Estimates and Uncertainties” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, including the sufficiency of the reserves and the possibility for future increases, which would be reflected in the results of operations in the period that the need for such adjustment is determined;

 

   

the risk that the other parties to the transaction in which, subject to certain limitations, CNA ceded its legacy A&EP liabilities will not fully perform their obligations to CNA, the uncertainty in estimating loss reserves for A&EP liabilities and the possible continued exposure of CNA to liabilities for A&EP claims that are not covered under the terms of the transaction;

 

   

the performance of reinsurance companies under reinsurance contracts with CNA;

 

   

the impact of competitive products, policies and pricing and the competitive environment in which CNA operates, including changes in CNA’s book of business;

 

   

product and policy availability and demand and market responses, including the level of ability to obtain rate increases and decline or non-renew underpriced accounts, to achieve premium targets and profitability and to realize growth and retention estimates;

 

   

general economic and business conditions, including recessionary conditions that may decrease the size and number of CNA’s insurance customers and create additional losses to CNA’s lines of business, especially

 

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those that provide management and professional liability insurance, as well as surety bonds, to businesses engaged in real estate, financial services and professional services, and inflationary pressures on medical care costs, construction costs and other economic sectors that increase the severity of claims;

 

   

conditions in the capital and credit markets, including continuing uncertainty and instability in these markets, as well as the overall economy, and their impact on the returns, types, liquidity and valuation of CNA’s investments;

 

   

conditions in the capital and credit markets that may limit CNA’s ability to raise significant amounts of capital on favorable terms;

 

   

the possibility of changes in CNA’s ratings by ratings agencies, including the inability to access certain markets or distribution channels, and the required collateralization of future payment obligations as a result of such changes, and changes in rating agency policies and practices;

 

   

regulatory limitations, impositions and restrictions upon CNA, including with respect to CNA’s ability to increase premium rates, and the effects of assessments and other surcharges for guaranty funds and second-injury funds, other mandatory pooling arrangements and future assessments levied on insurance companies;

 

   

regulatory limitations and restrictions, including limitations upon CNA’s ability to receive dividends from its insurance subsidiaries imposed by regulatory authorities, including regulatory capital adequacy standards;

 

   

weather and other natural physical events, including the severity and frequency of storms, hail, snowfall and other winter conditions, natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as climate change, including effects on global weather patterns, greenhouse gases, sea, land and air temperatures, sea levels, rain, hail and snow;

 

   

regulatory requirements imposed by coastal state regulators in the wake of hurricanes or other natural disasters, including limitations on the ability to exit markets or to non-renew, cancel or change terms and conditions in policies, as well as mandatory assessments to fund any shortfalls arising from the inability of quasi-governmental insurers to pay claims;

 

   

man-made disasters, including the possible occurrence of terrorist attacks, the unpredictability of the nature, targets, severity or frequency of such events and the effect of the absence or insufficiency of applicable terrorism legislation on coverages; and

 

   

the occurrence of epidemics.

Risks and uncertainties primarily affecting us and our energy subsidiaries

 

   

the impact of changes in worldwide demand for oil and natural gas and oil and gas price fluctuations on E&P activity, including the reduced demand for offshore drilling services;

 

   

timing and cost of completion of rig upgrades, construction projects and other capital projects, including delivery dates and drilling contracts;

 

   

changes in foreign and domestic oil and gas exploration, development and production activity;

 

   

risks of international operations, compliance with foreign laws and taxation policies and seizure, expropriation, nationalization, deprivation, malicious damage or other loss of possession or use of equipment and assets;

 

   

government policies regarding exploration and development of oil and gas reserves;

 

   

market conditions in the offshore oil and gas drilling industry, including utilization levels and dayrates;

 

   

timing and duration of required regulatory inspections for offshore oil and gas drilling rigs;

 

   

the worldwide political and military environment, including for example, in oil-producing regions and locations where Diamond Offshore’s offshore drilling rigs are operating or are under construction;

 

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the risk of physical damage to rigs and equipment caused by named windstorms in the GOM;

 

   

the availability, cost limits and adequacy of insurance and indemnification;

 

   

the impact of new pipelines, new gas supply sources and commodity price changes on competition and basis spreads on Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems, which may impact its ability to maintain or replace expiring gas transportation and storage contracts, to contract and physically make its pipeline systems bi-directional, and to sell short term capacity on its pipelines;

 

   

the costs of maintaining and ensuring the integrity and reliability of Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems; the need to remove pipeline and other assets from service as a result of such activities, and the timing and financial impacts of returning any such assets, including the Evangeline pipeline, to service;

 

   

the impact of current and future environmental laws and regulations and exposure to environmental liabilities including matters related to global climate change;

 

   

regulatory issues affecting natural gas transmission, including ratemaking and other proceedings particularly affecting Boardwalk Pipeline’s gas transmission subsidiaries; and

 

   

the timing, cost, scope and financial performance of Boardwalk Pipeline’s recent, current and future acquisitions and growth projects, including the expansion into new product lines and geographical areas, especially in light of the recently depressed price levels of oil and natural gas prices which can influence the associated production of these commodities.

Risks and uncertainties affecting us and our subsidiaries generally

 

   

general economic and business conditions;

 

   

risks of war, military operations, other armed hostilities, terrorist acts or embargoes;

 

   

potential changes in accounting requirements by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or regulatory agencies for any of our subsidiaries’ industries which may cause us or our subsidiaries to revise their financial accounting and/or disclosures in the future, and which may change the way analysts measure our and our subsidiaries’ business or financial performance;

 

   

the impact of regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations, judicial rulings and jury verdicts;

 

   

the results of financing efforts; by us and our subsidiaries, including any additional investments by us in our subsidiaries and the ability of us and our subsidiaries to access bank and capital markets to refinance indebtedness and fund capital needs;

 

   

the ability of customers and suppliers to meet their obligations to us and our subsidiaries;

 

   

the successful negotiation, consummation and completion of potential acquisitions and divestitures, projects and agreements, including obtaining necessary regulatory and customer approvals, and the timing cost, scope and financial performance of any such transactions, projects and agreements;

 

   

the successful integration, transition and management of acquired businesses;

 

   

the outcome of pending or future litigation, including any tobacco-related suits to which we are or may become a party;

 

   

possible casualty losses;

 

   

the availability of indemnification by Lorillard and its subsidiaries for any tobacco-related liabilities that we may incur as a result of tobacco-related lawsuits or otherwise, as provided in the Separation Agreement; and

 

   

potential future asset impairments.

 

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Developments in any of these or other areas of risk and uncertainty, which are more fully described elsewhere in this Report and our other filings with the SEC, could cause our results to differ materially from results that have been or may be anticipated or projected. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Report and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update these statements to reflect any change in our expectations or beliefs or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

There were no material changes in our market risk components for the three months ended March 31, 2015. See the Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk included in Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2014 for further information. Additional information related to portfolio duration and market conditions is discussed in the Investments section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in Part I, Item 2.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

The Company maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including this report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. These disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management on a timely basis to allow decisions regarding required disclosure.

The Company’s principal executive officer (“CEO”) and principal financial officer (“CFO”) undertook an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. The CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2015.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) identified in connection with the foregoing evaluation that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 that have materially affected or that are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 includes a detailed discussion of certain material risk factors facing our company. No updates or additions have been made to such risk factors as of March 31, 2015.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Items 2 (a) and (b) are inapplicable.

(c) STOCK REPURCHASES

 

Period

(a) Total number

of shares

purchased

(b) Average

price paid per

share

(c) Total number of
shares purchased as

part of publicly
announced plans or
programs

(d) Maximum number of shares
(or approximate dollar value)

of shares that may yet be
purchased under the plans or
programs (in millions)

January 1, 2015 -

January 31, 2015

N/A N/A N/A N/A

February 1, 2015 -

February 28, 2015

N/A N/A N/A N/A

March 1, 2015 -

March 31, 2015

1,771,900 $40.31 N/A N/A

 

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Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Description of Exhibit Exhibit
Number
 

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a)

  31.1*   

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a)

  31.2*   

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

  32.1*   

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

  32.2*   

XBRL Instance Document

  101.INS *   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

  101.SCH *   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

  101.CAL *   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

  101.DEF *   

XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase

  101.LAB *   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

  101.PRE *   

*Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

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, hereunto duly authorized.

 

LOEWS CORPORATION

(Registrant)
Dated: May 5, 2015 By:

/s/ David B. Edelson

DAVID B. EDELSON
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Duly authorized officer
and principal financial
officer)

 

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