GLRE-2013.9.30-10Q



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 
__________________________
FORM 10-Q 
__________________________
(Mark One)
 x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

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 001-33493
____________________________________________________________________________________
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
____________________________________________________________________________________
CAYMAN ISLANDS
N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
 
65 MARKET STREET
SUITE 1207, CAMANA BAY
P.O. BOX 31110
GRAND CAYMAN
CAYMAN ISLANDS
 
 
 
 
KY1-1205
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)

(345) 943-4573
(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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 
Yes x No ¨
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 ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)            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 A Ordinary Shares, $0.10 par value
30,626,115
Class B Ordinary Shares, $0.10 par value
6,254,949
(Class)                      
Outstanding as of October 25, 2013





GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 (unaudited) and December 31, 2012
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited)
 
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk                                                                                                              
Controls and Procedures                                                                                                           
Legal Proceedings                                                                                                          
Risk Factors                                                                                                               
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds                                                      
Defaults Upon Senior Securities                                                                                                               
Other Information                                                                                                               
Exhibits                                                                                                               



 

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share and share amounts)
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(unaudited)
 
(audited)
Assets
 
 
 
Investments
 
 
 
Debt instruments, trading, at fair value
$
12,499

 
$
1,763

Equity securities, trading, at fair value
1,030,207

 
1,042,715

Other investments, at fair value
107,246

 
133,450

Total investments
1,149,952

 
1,177,928

Cash and cash equivalents
83,683

 
21,890

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
1,316,584

 
1,206,837

Financial contracts receivable, at fair value
85,555

 
22,744

Reinsurance balances receivable
195,064

 
173,221

Loss and loss adjustment expenses recoverable
17,996

 
34,451

Deferred acquisition costs, net
62,083

 
59,177

Unearned premiums ceded
3,143

 
3,616

Notes receivable
15,784

 
19,330

Other assets
4,048

 
3,559

Total assets
$
2,933,892

 
$
2,722,753

Liabilities and equity
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
$
1,065,072

 
$
908,368

Financial contracts payable, at fair value
17,962

 
19,637

Due to prime brokers
239,074

 
326,488

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
325,652

 
356,470

Unearned premium reserves
191,310

 
188,185

Reinsurance balances payable
38,922

 
35,292

Funds withheld
9,469

 
17,415

Other liabilities
12,018

 
10,488

Performance compensation payable to related party
33,818

 

Total liabilities
1,933,297

 
1,862,343

Equity
 
 
 
Preferred share capital (par value $0.10; authorized, 50,000,000; none issued)

 

Ordinary share capital (Class A: par value $0.10; authorized, 100,000,000; issued and outstanding, 30,622,458 (2012: 30,447,179): Class B: par value $0.10; authorized, 25,000,000; issued and outstanding, 6,254,949 (2012: 6,254,949))
3,688

 
3,670

Additional paid-in capital
495,610

 
492,469

Retained earnings
467,338

 
325,569

Shareholders’ equity attributable to shareholders
966,636

 
821,708

Non-controlling interest in joint venture
33,959

 
38,702

Total equity
1,000,595

 
860,410

Total liabilities and equity
$
2,933,892

 
$
2,722,753

 
  The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an
integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
 
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share and share amounts)
 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross premiums written
$
148,765

 
$
67,644

 
$
410,927

 
$
303,850

Gross premiums ceded
(2,389
)
 
30,637

 
(925
)
 
24,244

Net premiums written
146,376

 
98,281

 
410,002

 
328,094

Change in net unearned premium reserves
17,515

 
18,276

 
(3,640
)
 
20,065

Net premiums earned
163,891

 
116,557

 
406,362

 
348,159

Net investment income
49,448

 
96,450

 
134,834

 
131,161

Other income (expense), net
(1
)
 
191

 
(100
)
 
(256
)
Total revenues
213,338

 
213,198

 
541,096

 
479,064

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net
94,366

 
126,624

 
238,989

 
277,268

Acquisition costs, net
53,521

 
33,820

 
137,753

 
107,751

General and administrative expenses
7,085

 
4,637

 
16,788

 
13,619

Total expenses
154,972

 
165,081

 
393,530

 
398,638

Income before income tax expense
58,366

 
48,117

 
147,566

 
80,426

Income tax expense
(90
)
 
(645
)
 
(540
)
 
(707
)
Net income including non-controlling interest
58,276

 
47,472

 
147,026

 
79,719

Income attributable to non-controlling interest in joint venture
(1,740
)
 
(1,335
)
 
(5,257
)
 
(4,518
)
Net income
$
56,536

 
$
46,137

 
$
141,769

 
$
75,201

Earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.53

 
$
1.26

 
$
3.85

 
$
2.05

Diluted
$
1.50

 
$
1.23

 
$
3.78

 
$
2.01

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the determination of earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
36,875,716

 
36,678,653

 
36,820,199

 
36,630,136

Diluted
37,645,053

 
37,402,725

 
37,541,623

 
37,360,049

 

 
The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an
integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 


 
 

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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 
Ordinary share capital
 
Additional paid-in capital
 
Retained earnings
 
Shareholders' equity attributable to shareholders
 
Non-controlling
interest in joint venture
 
Total equity
Balance at December 31, 2011
$
3,654

 
$
488,478

 
$
310,971

 
$
803,103

 
$
42,595

 
$
845,698

Issue of Class A ordinary shares, net of forfeitures
14

 

 

 
14

 

 
14

Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures

 
2,784

 

 
2,784

 

 
2,784

Non-controlling interest withdrawal from joint venture, net

 

 

 

 
(34,000
)
 
(34,000
)
Income attributable to non-controlling interest in joint venture

 

 

 

 
4,518

 
4,518

Net income

 

 
75,201

 
75,201

 

 
75,201

Balance at September 30, 2012
$
3,668

 
$
491,262

 
$
386,172

 
$
881,102

 
$
13,113

 
$
894,215

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2012
$
3,670

 
$
492,469

 
$
325,569

 
$
821,708

 
$
38,702

 
$
860,410

Issue of Class A ordinary shares, net of forfeitures
18

 
509

 

 
527

 

 
527

Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures

 
2,632

 

 
2,632

 

 
2,632

Non-controlling interest withdrawal from joint venture, net

 

 

 

 
(10,000
)
 
(10,000
)
Income attributable to non-controlling interest in joint venture

 

 

 

 
5,257

 
5,257

Net income

 

 
141,769

 
141,769

 

 
141,769

Balance at September 30, 2013
$
3,688

 
$
495,610

 
$
467,338

 
$
966,636

 
$
33,959

 
$
1,000,595



The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an
integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 


 

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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
2013
 
2012
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
 
 

 
 
 
Net income
$
141,769

 
$
75,201

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
 
 
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments and financial contracts
(69,660
)
 
(168,321
)
Net realized (gains) losses  on investments and financial contracts
(117,271
)
 
(18,542
)
Foreign exchange (gains) losses on restricted cash and cash equivalents, net
(15,205
)
 
(218
)
Income attributable to non-controlling interest in joint venture
5,257

 
4,518

Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures
2,646

 
2,798

Depreciation expense
222

 
188

Net change in
 
 
 
Reinsurance balances receivable
(21,843
)
 
(43,790
)
Loss and loss adjustment expenses recoverable
16,455

 
(4,248
)
Deferred acquisition costs, net
(2,906
)
 
10,990

Unearned premiums ceded
473

 
21,192

Other assets
(27
)
 
1,751

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
(30,818
)
 
108,116

Unearned premium reserves
3,125

 
(40,682
)
Reinsurance balances payable
3,630

 
4,097

Funds withheld
(7,946
)
 
(19,598
)
Other liabilities
1,530

 
206

Performance compensation payable to related party
33,818

 
31,646

Net cash used in operating activities
(56,751
)
 
(34,696
)
Investing activities
 
 
 
Purchases of investments, trading
(540,222
)
 
(628,887
)
Sales of investments, trading
790,513

 
640,943

Purchases of financial contracts
(57,748
)
 
(43,416
)
Dispositions of financial contracts
67,282

 
17,664

Securities sold, not yet purchased
700,299

 
726,902

Dispositions of securities sold, not yet purchased
(652,999
)
 
(367,478
)
Change in due to prime brokers
(87,414
)
 
36,380

Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents, net
(94,542
)
 
(331,754
)
Change in notes receivable, net
3,546

 
(1,641
)
Non-controlling interest withdrawal from joint venture
(10,000
)
 
(34,000
)
Fixed assets additions
(684
)
 

Net cash provided by investing activities
118,031

 
14,713

Financing activities
 
 
 
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options
513

 

Net cash provided by financing activities
513

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
61,793

 
(19,983
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
21,890

 
42,284

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
$
83,683

 
$
22,301

Supplementary information
 
 
 
Interest paid in cash
$
19,907

 
$
17,765

Interest received in cash
793

 
855

Income tax paid in cash
260

 
206


The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an
integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 

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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
September 30, 2013
 
 
1.   ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. ("GLRE") was incorporated as an exempted company under the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands on July 13, 2004. GLRE’s principal wholly-owned subsidiary, Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. ("Greenlight Re"), provides global specialty property and casualty reinsurance. Greenlight Re has a Class D insurer license issued in accordance with the terms of The Insurance Law, 2010 and underlying regulations thereto (the "Law") and is subject to regulation by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, ("CIMA"), in terms of the Law. Greenlight Re commenced underwriting in April 2006. Effective May 30, 2007, GLRE completed an initial public offering of 11,787,500 Class A ordinary shares at $19.00 per share. Concurrently, 2,631,579 Class B ordinary shares of GLRE were sold at $19.00 per share in a private placement offering. During 2008, Verdant Holding Company, Ltd. ("Verdant"), a wholly owned subsidiary of GLRE, was incorporated in the state of Delaware. During 2010, GLRE established Greenlight Reinsurance Ireland, Ltd. ("GRIL"), a wholly-owned reinsurance subsidiary based in Dublin, Ireland. GRIL is authorized as a non-life reinsurance undertaking in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Reinsurance) Regulations 2006 ("Irish Regulations"). GRIL provides multi-line property and casualty reinsurance capacity to the European broker market and provides GLRE with an additional platform to serve clients located in Europe and North America.  As used herein, the "Company" refers collectively to GLRE and its subsidiaries.

The Class A ordinary shares of GLRE are listed on Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "GLRE".

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012. In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all of the normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations as of the dates and for the periods presented.
The results for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full calendar year.

2.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. 
 
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The Company is required to maintain certain cash in segregated accounts with prime brokers and derivative counterparties. The amount of restricted cash held by prime brokers is primarily used to support the liability created from securities sold, not yet purchased, and for collateralizing the letters of credit issued under certain letter of credit facilities (see Notes 4 and 8). The amount of cash encumbered varies depending on the market value of the securities sold, not yet purchased, and letters of credit issued. In addition, derivative counterparties require cash collateral to support the current value of any amounts that may be due to the counterparty based on the value of the underlying financial instrument. 
 

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Deferred Acquisition Costs
 
Policy acquisition costs, such as commission and brokerage costs, relate directly to, and vary with, the writing of reinsurance contracts. Acquisition costs relating solely to bound contracts are deferred subject to ultimate recoverability and are amortized over the related contract term. The Company evaluates the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs by determining if the sum of future earned premiums and anticipated investment income is greater than the expected future claims and expenses. If a loss is probable on the unexpired portion of policies in force, a premium deficiency loss is recognized. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the deferred acquisition costs were considered fully recoverable and no premium deficiency loss was recorded. 

Acquisition costs also include profit commissions, which are expensed when incurred. Profit commissions are calculated and accrued based on the expected loss experience for contracts and recorded when the current loss estimate indicates that a profit commission is probable under the contract terms. As of September 30, 2013, $10.9 million (December 31, 2012: $9.6 million) of profit commission reserves were included in reinsurance balances payable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, $0.9 million and $2.1 million (2012: $0.9 million and $1.3 million) of net profit commission expenses were included in acquisition costs, respectively, on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
  
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves and Recoverable
 
The Company establishes reserves for contracts based on estimates of the ultimate cost of all losses including losses incurred but not reported ("IBNR"). These estimated ultimate reserves are based on the Company’s own actuarial estimates derived from reports received from ceding companies, industry data and historical experience. These estimates are reviewed by the Company periodically on a contract by contract basis and adjusted as necessary. Since reserves are estimates, the final settlement of losses may vary from the reserves established and any adjustments to the estimates, which may be material, are recorded in the period they are determined.
 
Loss and loss adjustment expenses recoverable include the amounts due from retrocessionaires for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses on retrocession agreements. Ceded losses incurred but not reported are estimated based on the Company’s actuarial estimates. These estimates are reviewed periodically and adjusted when deemed necessary. The Company may not be able to ultimately recover the loss and loss adjustment expense recoverable amounts due to the retrocessionaires’ inability to pay. The Company regularly evaluates the financial condition of its retrocessionaires and records provisions for uncollectible reinsurance expenses recoverable when recovery is no longer probable.
 
Notes Receivable
 
Notes receivable include promissory notes receivable from third party entities. These notes are recorded at cost along with accrued interest, if any, which approximates the fair value. The Company regularly reviews all notes receivable individually for impairment and records provisions for uncollectible and non-performing notes. The Company places notes on non-accrual status when the value of the note is not considered impaired but there is uncertainty as to the collection of interest based on the terms of the note. The Company resumes accrual of interest on a note when none of the principal or interest remains past due or outstanding, and the Company expects to collect the remaining contractual principal and interest. Interest collected on notes that are placed on non-accrual status is treated on a cash-basis and recorded as interest income when collected, provided that the recorded value of the note is deemed to be fully collectible. Where doubt exists as to the collectability of the remaining recorded value of the notes placed on non-accrual status, any payments received are applied to reduce the recorded value of the notes.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the notes receivable earned interest at annual interest rates ranging from 10.0% to 16.0% and had remaining maturity terms ranging from approximately 2 years to 6 years. Interest income earned on notes receivable is included under net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

At September 30, 2013, included in the notes receivable balance was $10.5 million (December 31, 2012: $16.5 million), related to a note placed on non-accrual status based on expectations of the Company’s ability to collect any interest that would accrue up to maturity. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, no interest was received relating to the notes placed on non-accrual status. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $6.0 million and nil, respectively, relating to the accrued interest and principal on the note placed on non-accrual status. There were no impairment charges for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Impairment charges are included under net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.


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At September 30, 2013, included in the notes receivable balance was $0.1 million of accrued interest (December 31, 2012: $2.0 million). Based on management’s assessment, the recorded values of the notes receivable, net of valuation allowance, at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, were expected to be fully collectible and therefore no other provision for uncollectible amounts was deemed necessary at September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

Deposit Assets and Liabilities
 
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, deposit accounting is used in the event that a reinsurance contract does not transfer sufficient risk, or a contract provides retroactive reinsurance. Any losses on such contracts are charged to earnings immediately. Any gains relating to such contracts are deferred and amortized over the estimated remaining settlement period. All such deferred gains are included in reinsurance balances payable in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Amortized gains are recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income as other income. At September 30, 2013, included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets under reinsurance balances receivable and reinsurance balances payable were $2.5 million and $0 of deposit assets and deposit liabilities (December 31, 2012: $5.1 million and $0.7 million), respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, $0.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively, was included in other income (expense), net, relating to losses on deposit accounted contracts (2012: $0.0 million and $0.2 million). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no gains on deposit accounted contracts.
 
Fixed Assets
 
Fixed assets are included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and are recorded at cost when acquired. Fixed assets are comprised of computer software, furniture and fixtures and leasehold improvements and are depreciated, using the straight-line method, over their estimated useful lives, which are five years for both computer software, and furniture and fixtures.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the assets or remaining lease term. 

At September 30, 2013, the cost, accumulated depreciation and net book values of the fixed assets were as follows:

 
Cost
 
Accumulated depreciation
 
 
Net book value
 
($ in thousands)
Computer software
$
200

 
$
(200
)
 
$

Furniture and fixtures
620

 
(309
)
 
311

Leasehold improvements
2,002

 
(637
)
 
1,365

Total
$
2,822

 
$
(1,146
)
 
$
1,676

 
At December 31, 2012, the cost, accumulated depreciation and net book values of the fixed assets were as follows:

 
Cost
 
Accumulated depreciation
 
 
Net book value
 
($ in thousands)
Computer software
$
200

 
$
(200
)
 
$

Furniture and fixtures
451

 
(232
)
 
219

Leasehold improvements
1,487

 
(492
)
 
995

Total
$
2,138

 
$
(924
)
 
$
1,214

 
The Company periodically reviews fixed assets that have finite lives, and that are not held for sale, for impairment by comparing the carrying value of the assets to their estimated future undiscounted cash flows. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no impairments in fixed assets.


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Financial Instruments
 
Investments in Securities and Investments in Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased
 
The Company’s investments in debt instruments and equity securities that are classified as "trading securities" are carried at fair value. The fair values of the listed equity investments are derived based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 inputs). The fair values of listed equities that have restrictions on sale or transfer which expire within one year, are determined by adjusting the observed market price of the equity using a liquidity discount based on observable market inputs. The fair values of debt instruments are derived based on inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as market maker or broker quotes reflecting recent transactions (Level 2 inputs), and are generally derived based on the average of multiple market maker or broker quotes which are considered to be binding. Where quotes are not available, debt instruments are valued using cash flow models using assumptions and estimates that may be subjective and non-observable (Level 3 inputs).

The Company’s "other investments" may include investments in private and unlisted equity securities, limited partnerships, and commodities, which are all carried at fair value. The fair values of commodities are determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1). The Company maximizes the use of observable direct or indirect inputs (Level 2 inputs) when deriving the fair values for "other investments". For limited partnerships and private and unlisted equity securities, where observable inputs are not available, the fair values are derived based on unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs) such as management’s assumptions developed from available information using the services of the investment advisor, including the most recent net asset values obtained from the managers of those underlying investments.

For securities classified as "trading securities" and "other investments", any realized and unrealized gains or losses are determined on the basis of the specific identification method (by reference to cost or amortized cost, as appropriate) and included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Dividend income and expense are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The ex-dividend date is the date as of when the underlying security must have been traded to be eligible for the dividend declared. Interest income and interest expense are recorded on an accrual basis.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
U.S. GAAP requires that an entity recognize all derivatives in the balance sheet at fair value. It also requires that unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value be included in income or comprehensive income, depending on whether the instrument qualifies as a hedge transaction, and if so, the type of hedge transaction. The Company’s derivative financial instrument assets are included in financial contracts receivable. Derivative financial instrument liabilities are generally included in financial contracts payable. The Company's derivatives do not qualify as hedges for financial reporting purposes and are recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis and not offset against any collateral pledged or received. Pursuant to the International Swaps and Derivatives Association ("ISDA") master agreements, securities lending agreements and other derivatives agreements, the Company and its counterparties typically have the ability to net certain payments owed to each other in specified circumstances. In addition, in the event a party to one of the ISDA master agreements, securities lending agreements or other derivatives agreements defaults, or a transaction is otherwise subject to termination, the non-defaulting party generally has the right to set off against payments owed to the defaulting party or collateral held by the non-defaulting party.
 
Financial Contracts

The Company enters into financial contracts with counterparties as part of its investment strategy. Financial contracts which include total return swaps, credit default swaps ("CDS"), futures, options, currency forwards and other derivative instruments are recorded at their fair value with any unrealized gains and losses included in net investment income in the consolidated statements of income. Financial contracts receivable represents derivative contracts whereby, based upon the contract's current fair value, the Company will be entitled to receive payments upon settlement of the contract. Financial contracts payable represents derivative contracts whereby, based upon the contract's current fair value, the Company will be obligated to make payments upon settlement of the contract.
 
Total return swap agreements, included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as financial contracts receivable and financial contracts payable, are derivative financial instruments whereby the Company is either entitled to receive or obligated to pay the product of a notional amount multiplied by the movement in an underlying security, which the Company may not own, over a specified time frame. In addition, the Company may also be obligated to pay or receive other payments

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based on interest rates, dividend payments and receipts, or foreign exchange movements during a specified period. The Company measures its rights or obligations to the counterparty based on the fair value movements of the underlying security together with any other payments due. These contracts are carried at fair value, based on observable inputs (Level 2 inputs) with the resultant unrealized gains and losses reflected in net investment income in the consolidated statements of income. Additionally, any changes in the value of amounts received or paid on swap contracts are reported as a gain or loss in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
 
Financial contracts may also include exchange traded futures or options contracts that are based on the movement of a particular index, equity security, commodity, currency or interest rate. Where such contracts are traded in an active market, the Company’s obligations or rights on these contracts are recorded at fair value based on the observable quoted prices of the same or similar financial contracts in an active market (Level 1) or on broker quotes which reflect market information based on actual transactions (Level 2). Amounts invested in exchange traded options and over the counter ("OTC") options are recorded either as an asset or liability at inception. Subsequent to initial recognition, unexpired exchange traded option contracts are recorded at fair value based on quoted prices in active markets (Level 1). For OTC options or exchange traded options where a quoted price in an active market is not available, fair values are derived based upon observable inputs (Level 2) such as multiple quotes from brokers and market makers, which are considered to be binding.
 
The Company purchases and sells CDS for strategic investment purposes. A CDS is a derivative instrument that provides protection against an investment loss due to specified credit or default events of a reference entity. The seller of a CDS guarantees to pay the buyer a specified amount if the reference entity defaults on its obligations or fails to perform. The buyer of a CDS pays a premium over time to the seller in exchange for obtaining this protection. A CDS trading in an active market is valued at fair value based on broker or market maker quotes for identical instruments in an active market (Level 2) or based on the current credit spreads on identical contracts (Level 2).

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company has no other comprehensive income (loss), other than the net income (loss) disclosed in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Earnings Per Share
 
Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares and participating securities outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of restricted stock units ("RSU") and additional potential common shares issuable when stock options are exercised and are determined using the treasury stock method. The Company treats its unvested restricted stock as participating securities in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires that unvested stock awards which contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid (referred to as "participating securities"), be included in the number of shares outstanding for both basic and diluted earnings per share calculations. In the event of a net loss, all RSUs, stock options outstanding and all participating securities are excluded from the calculation of both basic and diluted loss per share since their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
36,875,716

 
36,678,653

 
36,820,199

 
36,630,136

Effect of dilutive service provider share-based awards
157,281

 
147,659

 
150,039

 
148,518

Effect of dilutive employee and director share-based awards
612,056

 
576,413

 
571,385

 
581,395

Weighted average share outstanding - diluted
37,645,053

 
37,402,725

 
37,541,623

 
37,360,049

Anti-dilutive stock options outstanding
180,000

 
180,000

 
218,197

 
180,000


Taxation
 
Under current Cayman Islands law, no corporate entity, including GLRE and Greenlight Re, is obligated to pay taxes in the Cayman Islands on either income or capital gains. The Company has an undertaking from the Governor-in-Cabinet of the Cayman Islands, pursuant to the provisions of the Tax Concessions Law, as amended, that, in the event that the Cayman Islands enacts any legislation that imposes tax on profits, income, gains or appreciations, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or

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inheritance tax, such tax will not be applicable to GLRE, Greenlight Re nor their respective operations, or to the Class A or Class B ordinary shares or related obligations, until February 1, 2025.
 
Verdant is incorporated in Delaware and therefore is subject to taxes in accordance with the U.S. federal rates and regulations prescribed by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Verdant’s taxable income is generally expected to be taxed at a rate of 35%.

GRIL is incorporated in Ireland and therefore is subject to the Irish corporation tax rate of 12.5% on its trading income, and 25% on its non-trading income, if any.

Any deferred tax asset is evaluated for recovery and a valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized in the future. The Company has not taken any income tax positions that are subject to significant uncertainty or that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on the Company.
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
        
In January 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-01 ("ASU 2013-01"), Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. ASU 2013-01 clarifies the scope of Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-11 ("ASU 2011-11"), Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. ASU 2011-11 originally required enhanced disclosures by requiring improved information about financial instruments and derivative instruments. ASU 2013-01 clarifies that ASU 2011-11 applies to derivatives including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are either offset or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. ASU 2013-01 also clarifies that other types of financial assets and financial liabilities subject to a master netting arrangement are no longer subject to the disclosure requirements of ASU 2011-11. ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 became effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2013 with retrospective disclosure required for all comparative periods presented. The adoption of ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position as it only affected the Company's disclosures.


3.         FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
 
In the normal course of its business, the Company purchases and sells various financial instruments, which include listed and unlisted equities, corporate and sovereign debt, commodities, futures, put and call options, currency forwards, other derivatives and similar instruments sold, not yet purchased.

   Fair Value Hierarchy

The Company’s financial instruments are carried at fair value, and the net unrealized gains or losses are included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
 

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The following table presents the Company’s investments, categorized by the level of the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2013:
 
 
Fair value measurements as of September 30, 2013
 
 
Description
 
Quoted prices in
active markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Assets: 
 
($ in thousands)
Debt instruments
 
$

 
$
4,057

 
$
8,442

 
$
12,499

Listed equity securities
 
1,023,312

 
6,895

 

 
1,030,207

Commodities
 
67,149

 

 

 
67,149

Private and unlisted equity securities
 

 

 
40,097

 
40,097

Financial contracts receivable
 
715

 
84,840

 

 
85,555

 
 
$
1,091,176

 
$
95,792

 
$
48,539

 
$
1,235,507

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Listed equity securities, sold not yet purchased
 
$
(873,594
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(873,594
)
Debt instruments, sold not yet purchased
 

 
(191,478
)
 

 
(191,478
)
Financial contracts payable
 

 
(17,962
)
 

 
(17,962
)
 
 
$
(873,594
)
 
$
(209,440
)
 
$

 
$
(1,083,034
)
 
The following table presents the Company’s investments, categorized by the level of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2012:
 
 
Fair value measurements as of December 31, 2012
 
 
Description
 
Quoted prices in
active markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Assets: 
 
($ in thousands)
Debt instruments
 
$

 
$
1,503

 
$
260

 
$
1,763

Listed equity securities
 
1,040,562

 
2,153

 

 
1,042,715

Commodities
 
94,649

 

 

 
94,649

Private and unlisted equity securities
 

 

 
38,801

 
38,801

Financial contracts receivable
 

 
22,744

 

 
22,744

 
 
$
1,135,211

 
$
26,400

 
$
39,061

 
$
1,200,672

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Listed equity securities, sold not yet purchased
 
$
(679,897
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(679,897
)
Debt instruments, sold not yet purchased
 

 
(228,471
)
 

 
(228,471
)
Financial contracts payable
 

 
(19,637
)
 

 
(19,637
)
 
 
$
(679,897
)
 
$
(248,108
)
 
$

 
$
(928,005
)
 

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The following table presents the reconciliation of the balances for all investments measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013
2013
 
  Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
  Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
 
Debt instruments
 
 Private and unlisted equity securities
 
 Total
 
Debt instruments
 
 Private and unlisted equity securities
 
 Total
 
 
 ($ in thousands)
 
 ($ in thousands)
Beginning balance
 
$
4,838

 
$
43,257

 
$
48,095

 
$
260

 
$
38,801

 
$
39,061

Purchases
 
3,604

 
416

 
4,020

 
8,230

 
31,756

 
39,986

Sales
 

 
(829
)
 
(829
)
 
(28
)
 
(6,934
)
 
(6,962
)
Issuances
 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements

 

 

 

 

 

Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) and amortization included in earnings, net
 

 
2,198

 
2,198

 
(20
)
 
1,055

 
1,035

Transfers into Level 3
 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 
(4,945
)
 
(4,945
)
 

 
(24,581
)
 
(24,581
)
Ending balance
 
$
8,442

 
$
40,097

 
$
48,539

 
$
8,442

 
$
40,097

 
$
48,539


During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013,$4.9 million of securities, at fair value based on the date of transfer, were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2, as these securities began actively trading on a listed exchange during the third quarter of 2013. However due to lock-up restrictions on these securities, they were classified as Level 2 upon transfer until the lock-up period expires. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, $19.6 million of securities at fair value based on the date of transfer, were transferred from Level 3 to Level 1 as these securities began actively trading on a listed exchange and there were no lock-up restrictions on these securities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, $2.4 million of securities at fair value based on the date of transfer, were transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 as the lock-up period restrictions on those securities expired.


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The following table presents the reconciliation of the balances for all investments measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012:

2012
 
  Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
  Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
 
Debt instruments
 
 Private and unlisted equity securities
 
Financial contracts receivable
 
 Total
 
Debt instruments
 
 Private and unlisted equity securities
 
Financial contracts receivable
 
Total
 
 
 ($ in thousands)
 
 ($ in thousands)
Beginning balance
 
$
343

 
$
38,805

 
$
14

 
$
39,162

 
$
465

 
$
31,179

 
$
263

 
$
31,907

Purchases
 

 
365

 

 
365

 

 
7,277

 

 
7,277

Sales
 

 
(300
)
 

 
(300
)
 
(1
)
 
(792
)
 

 
(793
)
Issuances
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) and amortization included in earnings, net
 
(4
)
 
945

 
(14
)
 
927

 
(125
)
 
3,299

 
(263
)
 
2,911

Transfers into Level 3
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 
(3,828
)
 

 
(3,828
)
 

 
(4,976
)
 

 
(4,976
)
Ending balance
 
$
339

 
$
35,987

 
$

 
$
36,326

 
$
339

 
$
35,987

 
$

 
$
36,326




During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, $1.0 million and $30.4 million, respectively, of securities at fair value based on the date of transfer, were transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 as the lock-up period restrictions on those securities expired. Additionally, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, $3.8 million and $5.0 million, respectively, of securities at fair value based on the date of transfer, were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2, as these securities began actively trading on a listed exchange during the second quarter of 2012. However, due to lock-up period restrictions on these securities, a liquidity discount was used in determining their fair value at September 30, 2012, and therefore classified as Level 2.

There were no other transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income were realized gains relating to Level 3 securities of $0.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively (2012: realized gains of $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively). For Level 3 classified securities held as of the reporting date, the change in unrealized gains for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 were $1.2 million and $(1.5) million, respectively (2012: $0.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively).
 

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Investments
 
Debt instruments, trading
 
At September 30, 2013, the following investments were included in debt instruments:
2013
 
Cost/
 amortized
 cost
 
Unrealized
 gains
 
Unrealized
 losses
 
Fair
 value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Corporate debt – U.S.
 
$
10,318

 
$

 
$
(1,876
)
 
$
8,442

Corporate debt – Non U.S.
 
3,761

 
306

 
(10
)
 
4,057

Total debt instruments
 
$
14,079

 
$
306

 
$
(1,886
)
 
$
12,499

 
At December 31, 2012, the following investments were included in debt instruments:
2012
 
Cost/
 amortized
 cost
 
Unrealized
 gains
 
Unrealized
 losses
 
Fair
 value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Corporate debt – U.S.
 
$
2,317

 
$
205

 
$
(1,856
)
 
$
666

Corporate debt – Non U.S.
 
1,179

 

 
(82
)
 
1,097

Total debt instruments
 
$
3,496

 
$
205

 
$
(1,938
)
 
$
1,763


The maturity distribution for debt instruments held at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was as follows:
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
Cost/
 amortized
 cost
 
Fair
 value
 
Cost/
 amortized
 cost
 
Fair
 value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Within one year
 
$
8,202

 
$
8,202

 
$

 
$

From one to five years
 

 

 

 

From five to ten years
 

 

 

 

More than ten years
 
5,877

 
4,297

 
3,496

 
1,763

 
 
$
14,079

 
$
12,499

 
$
3,496

 
$
1,763

 
Investment in Equity Securities, Trading

At September 30, 2013, the following long positions were included in investment securities, trading: 
2013
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
gains
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Equities – listed
 
$
752,732

 
$
271,262

 
$
(24,075
)
 
$
999,919

Exchange traded funds
 
50,253

 

 
(19,965
)
 
30,288

 
 
$
802,985

 
$
271,262

 
$
(44,040
)
 
$
1,030,207



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At December 31, 2012, the following long positions were included in investment securities, trading:
2012
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
gains
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Equities – listed
 
$
875,322

 
$
199,519

 
$
(70,275
)
 
$
1,004,566

Exchange traded funds
 
38,819

 

 
(670
)
 
38,149

 
 
$
914,141

 
$
199,519

 
$
(70,945
)
 
$
1,042,715


Other Investments
 
"Other investments" include commodities and private and unlisted equity securities. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, commodities were comprised of gold bullion. 

At September 30, 2013, the following securities were included in other investments:
2013
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
gains
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Commodities
 
$
54,633

 
$
12,516

 
$

 
$
67,149

Private and unlisted equity securities
 
39,421

 
8,425

 
(7,749
)
 
40,097

 
 
$
94,054

 
$
20,941

 
$
(7,749
)
 
$
107,246


At December 31, 2012, the following securities were included in other investments: 
2012
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
gains
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Commodities
 
$
59,929

 
$
34,719

 
$

 
$
94,648

Private and unlisted equity securities
 
36,672

 
4,914

 
(2,784
)
 
38,802

 
 
$
96,601

 
$
39,633

 
$
(2,784
)
 
$
133,450


As of September 30, 2013, included in private and unlisted equity securities are investments in private equity funds with a fair value of $30.7 million (December 31, 2012: $24.3 million) determined based on unadjusted net asset values reported by the managers of these securities. Some of these values were reported from periods prior to September 30, 2013. The private equity funds have varying lock-up periods and as of September 30, 2013, all of the funds had redemption restrictions, and therefore have been categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had $9.9 million (December 31, 2012: $12.6 million) of unfunded commitments relating to private equity funds whose fair values are determined based on unadjusted net asset values reported by the managers of these securities. These commitments are included in the amounts presented in the schedule of commitments and contingencies in Note 8 of these condensed consolidated financial statements.    

Investments in Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased 

At September 30, 2013, the following securities were included in investments in securities sold, not yet purchased:
2013
 
Proceeds
 
Unrealized gains
 
Unrealized losses
 
 Fair value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Equities – listed
 
$
(811,901
)
 
$
71,159

 
$
(125,362
)
 
$
(866,104
)
Exchange traded funds
 
(6,318
)
 

 
(1,172
)
 
(7,490
)
Corporate debt – U.S.
 
(7,454
)
 
5

 
(239
)
 
(7,688
)
Sovereign debt – Non U.S.
 
(170,376
)
 

 
(13,414
)
 
(183,790
)
 
 
$
(996,049
)
 
$
71,164

 
$
(140,187
)
 
$
(1,065,072
)


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At December 31, 2012, the following securities were included in investments in securities sold, not yet purchased: 
2012
 
Proceeds
 
Unrealized gains
 
Unrealized losses
 
 Fair value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Equities – listed
 
$
(697,278
)
 
$
76,172

 
$
(58,791
)
 
$
(679,897
)
Corporate debt – U.S.
 
(7,353
)
 
26

 
(381
)
 
(7,708
)
Sovereign debt – Non U.S.
 
(207,122
)
 

 
(13,641
)
 
(220,763
)
 
 
$
(911,753
)
 
$
76,198

 
$
(72,813
)
 
$
(908,368
)
 
Financial Contracts
 
As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had entered into total return swaps, CDS, options, futures, forwards and interest rate options contracts with various financial institutions to meet certain investment objectives. Under the terms of each of these financial contracts, the Company is either entitled to receive or is obligated to make payments which are based on the product of a formula contained within each contract that includes the change in the fair value of the underlying or reference security.
 
At September 30, 2013, the fair values of financial contracts outstanding were as follows: 
Financial Contracts
 
Listing
currency
 
Notional amount of
underlying instruments
 
Fair value of net assets
(obligations)
on financial
contracts
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
Financial contracts receivable
 
 
 
 
 
 
Call options
 
USD
 
46,190

 
$
1,372

Forwards
 
JPY
 
107,884

 
172

Futures
 
JPY
 
41,450

 
715

Interest rate options
 
USD
 
1,878,031

 
45

Put options
 
USD
 
222,058

 
13,528

Total return swaps – equities
 
EUR/GBP/HKD/USD
 
204,649

 
68,093

Warrants and rights on listed equities
 
EUR
 
1,630

 
1,630

Total financial contracts receivable, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
$
85,555

Financial contracts payable
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
 
USD
 
273,877

 
(3,682
)
Credit default swaps, purchased – sovereign debt
 
USD
 
251,467

 
$
(4,494
)
Forwards
 
KRW
 
25,858

 
(584
)
Total return swaps – equities
 
EUR/GBP/HKD
 
31,169

 
(9,202
)
Total financial contracts payable, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
$
(17,962
)
 

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At December 31, 2012, the fair values of financial contracts outstanding were as follows: 
Financial Contracts
 
Listing
currency
 
Notional amount of
underlying instruments
 
Fair value of net assets
(obligations)
on financial
contracts
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
Financial contracts receivable
 
 
 
 
 
 
Call options
 
USD
 
90,374

 
$
4,498

Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
 
USD
 
39,665

 
265

Interest rate options
 
USD
 
2,299,933

 
109

Put options
 
USD
 
314,695

 
17,709

Total return swaps – equities
 
GBP/HKD/JPY
 
3,664

 
163

Total financial contracts receivable, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
$
22,744

Financial contracts payable
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
 
USD
 
234,212

 
$
(3,365
)
Credit default swaps, purchased – sovereign debt
 
USD
 
251,467

 
(5,443
)
Put options
 
USD
 
16,071

 
(1,636
)
Total return swaps – equities
 
GBP/HKD
 
76,697

 
(9,193
)
Total financial contracts payable, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
$
(19,637
)
 
As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, included in interest rate options are contracts on U.S. and Japanese interest rates denominated in U.S. dollars. Included in put options (under financial contracts receivable) are options on foreign currencies, primarily the Japanese Yen, the Australian Dollar and the Chinese Yuan, denominated in U.S. dollars.  

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company reported gains and losses on derivatives as follows:
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
Location of gains and losses on derivatives recognized in income
 
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized
in income
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized
in income
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30
Nine months ended September 30
 
 
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
($ in thousands)
Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
$
(589
)
 
$
(2,448
)
 
$
(2,847
)
 
$
(6,448
)
Credit default swaps, purchased – sovereign debt
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
(942
)
 
(849
)
 
(957
)
 
(4,793
)
Currency forwards
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
(1,282
)
 

 
5,780

 

Futures
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
3,628

 
(4,542
)
 
4,677

 
(12,501
)
Interest rate options
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
(97
)
 
(379
)
 
(62
)
 
(1,982
)
Options, warrants, and rights
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
(12,025
)
 
(3,406
)
 
20,681

 
(13,572
)
Total return swaps – equities
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
38,825

 
(1,571
)
 
59,507

 
(4,053
)
Weather derivative swap
 
Other income (expense), net
 

 
(14
)
 

 
(263
)
Total
 
 
 
$
27,518

 
$
(13,209
)
 
$
86,779

 
$
(43,612
)


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The Company generally does not enter into derivatives for risk management or hedging purposes. The volume of derivative activities varies from period to period depending on potential investment opportunities.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company’s volume of derivative activities (based on notional amounts) was as follows:
2013
 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
  Entered
 
Exited
 
  Entered
 
Exited
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Currency forwards
 
$
30,817

 
$

 
$
417,754

 
$
115,884

Futures
 

 
12,778

 
218,519

 
180,027

Interest rate options
 

 
95,400

 

 
376,385

Options
 
232,530

 
272,988

 
765,509

 
814,812

Total return swaps
 
16,606

 
6,736

 
187,862

 
54,846

Total
 
$
279,953

 
$
387,902

 
$
1,589,644

 
$
1,541,954


For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company’s volume of derivative activities (based on notional amounts) was as follows:
2012
 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
  Entered
 
Exited
 
  Entered
 
Exited
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Credit default swaps
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
45,966

Futures
 
259,225

 
393,683

 
1,023,492

 
1,023,239

Options
 
91,011

 
36,851

 
535,218

 
239,554

Total return swaps
 
17,340

 
10,645

 
20,146

 
31,199

Weather derivative swap
 

 
5,000

 

 
5,000

Total
 
$
367,576

 
$
446,179

 
$
1,578,856

 
$
1,344,958


The Company does not offset its derivative instruments and presents all amounts in the condensed consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis. The Company has pledged cash collateral to derivative counterparties to support the current value of amounts due to the counterparties based on the value of the underlying security.

As of September 30, 2013, the gross and net amounts of derivative instruments and the cash collateral applicable to derivative instruments were as follows:

September 30, 2013
 
(i)
 
(ii)
 
(iii) = (i) - (ii)
 
(iv) Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet
 
(v) = (iii) + (iv)
Description
 
Gross amounts of recognized assets (liabilities)
 
Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet
 
Net amounts of assets (liabilities) presented in the balance sheet
 
Cash collateral (received) pledged
 
Net amount of asset (liability)
 
 
($ in thousands)
Financial contracts receivable
 
$
85,555

 
$

 
$
85,555

 
$
(30,251
)
 
$
55,304

Financial contracts payable
 
$
(17,962
)
 
$

 
$
(17,962
)
 
$
34,606

 
$
16,644

Securities sold, not yet purchased
 
$
(1,065,072
)
 
$

 
$
(1,065,072
)
 
$
1,065,072

 
$



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As of December 31, 2012, the gross and net amounts of derivative instruments and the cash collateral applicable to derivative instruments were as follows:

December 31, 2012
 
(i)
 
(ii)
 
(iii) = (i) - (ii)
 
(iv) Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet
 
(v) = (iii) + (iv)
Description
 
Gross amounts of recognized assets (liabilities)
 
Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet
 
Net amounts of assets (liabilities) presented in the balance sheet
 
Cash collateral (received) pledged
 
Net amount of asset (liability)
 
 
($ in thousands)
Financial contracts receivable
 
$
22,744

 
$

 
$
22,744

 
$
(947
)
 
$
21,797

Financial contracts payable
 
$
(19,637
)
 
$

 
$
(19,637
)
 
$
39,268

 
$
19,631

Securities sold, not yet purchased
 
$
(908,368
)
 
$

 
$
(908,368
)
 
$
908,368

 
$



4.        DUE TO PRIME BROKERS
 
As of September 30, 2013, the amount due to prime brokers is comprised of margin-borrowing from prime brokers relating to investments purchased on margin, as well as the margin-borrowing for providing collateral to support some of the Company’s outstanding letters of credit (see Note 8). Under term margin agreements and certain letter of credit facility agreements, the Company pledges certain investment securities to borrow cash from the prime brokers. The borrowed cash is placed in a custodial account in the name of the Company and this custodial account provides collateral for any letters of credit issued. Since there is no legal right of offset, the Company’s liability for the cash borrowed from the prime brokers is included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as due to prime brokers while the cash held in the custodial account is included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as restricted cash and cash equivalents. At September 30, 2013, the amounts due to prime brokers included $235.2 million (December 31, 2012: $252.7 million) of cash borrowed under the term margin agreements to provide collateral for letters of credit facilities and $3.8 million (December 31, 2012: $73.7 million) of borrowing relating to investment purchases.

The Company's original investment guidelines allowed for temporary (30 days) leverage for investment purposes up to 20% of net invested assets, and for an extended time period, up to 5% of net invested assets. During 2013, the Board of Directors granted temporary waivers of the 5% leverage restriction. These waivers allowed for an aggregate of 20% net margin leverage for extended periods which terminated on July 24, 2013.  Effective July 24, 2013, Greenlight Re's investment guidelines were amended to allow up to 15% net margin leverage for extended periods of time and up to 30% net margin leverage for periods of less than 30 days.



5.        RETROCESSION
 
The Company, from time to time, purchases retrocessional coverage for one or more of the following reasons: to manage its overall exposure, to reduce its net liability on individual risks, to obtain additional underwriting capacity and to balance its underwriting portfolio. Additionally, retrocession can be used as a mechanism to share the risks and rewards of business written and therefore can be used as a tool to align the Company's interests with those of its counterparties. The Company currently has coverages that provide for recovery of a portion of loss and loss expenses incurred on certain contracts. Loss and loss adjustment expense recoverable from the retrocessionaires are recorded as assets.

For the three months ended September 30, 2013, loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred of $94.4 million (2012: $126.6 million) reported on the condensed consolidated statements of income are net of loss and loss expenses recovered and recoverable of $0.3 million (2012: negative $5.1 million). For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred of $239.0 million (2012: $277.3 million) reported on the condensed consolidated statements of income are net of loss and loss expenses recovered and recoverable of negative $10.5 million (2012: $10.9 million). The negative loss and loss expenses recovered for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, were due to reversal of loss reserves on retrocession contracts that were novated during the first quarter of 2013.


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Retrocession contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to the insureds. Failure of retrocessionaires to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. At September 30, 2013, $7,500 of loss and loss adjustment expenses were recoverable from a retrocessionaire rated "A+ (Superior)" by A.M. Best. (December 31, 2012: $0.1 million). Additionally, the Company had losses recoverable of $18.0 million (December 31, 2012: $34.3 million) with unrated retrocessionaires. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company retained $4.5 million and $11.4 million, respectively, of cash collateral from unrated retrocessionaires with whom the Company had losses recoverable and held other collateral in the form of guarantees. Additionally, the Company retained funds withheld of $4.9 million and $6.0 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, on other retroceded contracts. The Company regularly evaluates the financial condition of its retrocessionaires to assess the ability of the retrocessionaires to honor their obligations. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, no provision for uncollectible losses recoverable was considered necessary.

 
6.        SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
 
The Company has a stock incentive plan for directors, employees and consultants. Shares authorized for issuance are comprised of 300,000 (2012: 300,000) Class A ordinary shares in relation to share purchase options granted to a service provider and 3,500,000 (2012: 3,500,000) Class A ordinary shares authorized for the Company’s stock incentive plan for eligible directors, employees and consultants. As of September 30, 2013, 250,000 (2012: 250,000) Class A ordinary shares remained available for future issuance relating to share purchase options granted to the service provider, and 962,181 (December 31, 2012: 1,136,504) Class A ordinary shares remained available for future issuance under the Company's stock incentive plan. The stock incentive plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. 
 
Service Provider Share Purchase Options
 
An affiliate of Greenlight Capital, Inc. entered into a consulting agreement (the "Consulting Agreement") with First International Securities Ltd. ("First International") in August 2002. First International received a cash payment of $75,000 for the preparation and delivery of a feasibility study relating to the formation, capitalization, licensing and operation of the Company. Additionally, upon consummation of the initial private offering, First International Capital Holdings Ltd., the successor to First International, received a 10-year share purchase option to purchase 400,000 Class A ordinary shares. These share purchase options were granted on September 20, 2004 and have an exercise price of $10 per share.  The Company previously repurchased 100,000 of the share purchase options. During the year ended December 31, 2011, 50,000 share purchase options were exercised resulting in the issuance of 25,843 Class A ordinary shares. As of September 30, 2013, there were 250,000 share purchase options outstanding (2012: 250,000) with an exercise price of $10 per share option, which will expire in August 2014.

Employee and Director Restricted Shares
 
As part of its stock incentive plan, the Company issues restricted shares for which the fair value is equal to the price of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares on the grant date. Compensation based on the grant date fair market value of the shares is expensed on a straight line basis over the vesting period.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, 111,231 (2012: 110,701) restricted Class A ordinary shares were issued to employees pursuant to the Company’s stock incentive plan. These shares contain certain restrictions relating to, among other things, vesting, forfeiture in the event of termination of employment and transferability. Each of these restricted shares will cliff vest after 3 years from the date of issuance, subject to the grantee’s continued service with the Company. During the vesting period, the holder of the restricted shares retains voting rights and is entitled to any dividends declared by the Company.
  
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company also issued to non-employee directors an aggregate of 36,374 (2012: 35,994) restricted Class A ordinary shares as part of their remuneration for services to the Company. Each of these restricted shares issued to non-employee directors contain similar restrictions to those issued to employees and will vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the share issuance or the Company’s next annual general meeting, subject to the grantee’s continued service with the Company.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, 16,826 (2012: 6,191) restricted shares were forfeited by employees who left the Company prior to the vesting period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, stock compensation expense of $0.2 million (2012: $0.1 million) relating to the forfeited restricted shares was reversed.


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The restricted share award activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was as follows:
 
 
Number of
non-vested
restricted
 shares
 
Weighted
 average
grant date
fair value
Balance at December 31, 2012
 
308,406

 
$
24.93

Granted
 
147,605

 
24.59

Vested
 
(110,194
)
 
25.08

Forfeited
 
(16,826
)
 
24.55

Balance at September 30, 2013
 
328,991

 
$
24.74


 
Employee and Director Stock Options

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, 38,197 Class A ordinary share purchase options were granted to the Company's Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to his employment contract (2012: 45,290). These options vest 25% on the date of the grant, and 25% each on the anniversary thereof in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and expire 10 years after the grant date. The grant date fair value of these options was $13.09 per share (2012: $11.04 per share), based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company’s shares have not been publicly traded for a sufficient length of time to reasonably estimate the expected volatility. Therefore, the Company determined the expected volatility based primarily on the historical volatility of a peer group of companies in the reinsurance industry while also considering the Company’s own historical volatility in determining the expected volatility.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the valuation of its options and has applied the assumptions set forth in the following table.
 
 
2013
 
2012
Risk free rate
 
2.85
%
 
1.50
%
Estimated volatility
 
35
%
 
35
%
Expected term (in years)
 
10

 
10

Dividend yield
 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
Forfeiture rate
 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, 44,500 (2012: nil) stock options were exercised. The intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $0.6 million (2012: nil). For any options exercised, the Company issues new Class A ordinary shares from the shares authorized for issuance as part of the Company’s stock incentive plan.

Employee and director stock option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was as follows: 
 
 
Number of
 options
 
Weighted
 average
 exercise
 price
 
Weighted
 average
 grant date
 fair value
Balance at December 31, 2012
 
1,421,290

 
$
15.36

 
$
6.87

Granted
 
38,197

 
26.44

 
13.09

Exercised
 
(44,500
)
 
11.54

 
5.73

Forfeited
 

 

 

Expired
 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2013
 
1,414,987

 
$
15.78

 
$
7.07



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 Employee Restricted Stock Units

The Company issues restricted stock units ("RSUs") to certain employees as part of the stock incentive plan. The grant date fair value of the RSUs is equal to the price of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares on the grant date. Compensation based on the grant date fair market value of the RSUs is expensed on a straight line basis over the vesting period.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, 5,347 (2012: nil) RSUs were issued to employees pursuant to the Company’s stock incentive plan. These shares contain certain restrictions relating to, among other things, vesting, forfeiture in the event of termination of employment and transferability. Each of these RSUs will cliff vest after 3 years from the date of issuance, subject to the grantee’s continued service with the Company. On the vesting date, the Company converts each RSU into one Class A ordinary share and issues new Class A ordinary shares from the shares authorized for issuance as part of the Company’s stock incentive plan.
 
 
Number of
non-vested
RSUs
 
Weighted
 average
grant date
fair value
Balance at December 31, 2012
 

 
$

Granted
 
5,347

 
24.41

Vested
 

 

Forfeited
 

 

Balance at September 30, 2013
 
5,347

 
$
24.41


For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the general and administrative expenses included stock compensation expense (net of forfeitures) of $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, for the expensing of the fair value of stock options, restricted stocks and RSUs granted to employees and directors. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the stock compensation expense was $2.7 million and $2.8 million, respectively.

7.      RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 
 
Investment Advisory Agreement
 
The Company and its reinsurance subsidiaries are party to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") with DME Advisors under which the Company, its reinsurance subsidiaries and DME Advisors created a joint venture for the purpose of managing certain jointly held assets. DME Advisors is a related party and an affiliate of David Einhorn, Chairman of the Company’s board of directors.  
 
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, performance allocation equal to 20% of the net income of the Company’s share of the account managed by DME Advisors is allocated, subject to a loss carry forward provision, to DME Advisors’ account. The loss carry forward provision allows DME Advisors to earn a reduced performance allocation of 10% on net investment income in any year subsequent to the year in which the investment account incurs a loss, until all the losses are recouped and an additional amount equal to 150% of the aggregate investment loss is earned. DME Advisors is not entitled to earn a performance allocation in a year in which the investment portfolio incurs a loss. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, included in net investment income is performance allocation of $11.9 million and $33.8 million, respectively (2012: $23.8 million and $31.6 million, respectively).
 
Additionally, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, a monthly management fee, equal to 0.125% (1.5% on an annual basis) of the Company’s investment account managed by DME Advisors, is paid to DME Advisors. Included in the net investment income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are management fees of $4.6 million and $13.4 million, respectively (2012: $4.2 million and $12.5 million, respectively). The management fees have been fully paid as of September 30, 2013.
 
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Company has agreed to indemnify DME Advisors for any expense, loss, liability, or damage arising out of any claim asserted or threatened in connection with DME Advisors serving as the Company’s investment advisor. The Company will reimburse DME Advisors for reasonable costs and expenses of investigating and/or defending such claims provided such claims were not caused due to gross negligence, breach of contract or misrepresentation by DME Advisors. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, there were no indemnification payments made by the Company.

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Service Agreement
 
The Company has entered into a service agreement with DME Advisors, pursuant to which DME Advisors provides investor relations services to the Company for compensation of five thousand dollars per month (plus expenses). The agreement is automatically renewed annually until terminated by either the Company or DME Advisors for any reason with 30 days prior written notice to the other party. 
 

8.      COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 
 
Letters of Credit
 
At September 30, 2013, the Company had the following letter of credit facilities, which automatically renew each year unless terminated by either party in accordance with the required notice period:
 
 
Facility
 
Termination Date
 
Notice period required for termination
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Bank of America, N.A.
 
$
200,000

 
July 20, 2014
 
90 days prior to termination date
Butterfield Bank (Cayman) Limited
 
60,000

 
June 30, 2014
 
90 days prior to termination date
Citibank Europe plc
 
400,000

 
October 11, 2014
 
120 days prior to termination date
JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A.
 
100,000

 
January 27, 2015
 
120 days prior to termination date
 
 
$
760,000

 
 
 
 

As of September 30, 2013, an aggregate amount of $377.3 million (December 31, 2012: $416.5 million) in letters of credit were issued under the above facilities. Under the facilities, the Company provides collateral that may consist of equity securities, restricted cash, and cash and cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2013, total equity securities, restricted cash, and cash and cash equivalents with a fair value in the aggregate of $418.7 million (December 31, 2012: $441.7 million) were pledged as security against the letters of credit issued (also see Note 4). Each of the facilities contain customary events of default and restrictive covenants, including but not limited to, limitations on liens on collateral, transactions with affiliates, mergers and sales of assets, as well as solvency and maintenance of certain minimum pledged equity requirements, and restricts issuance of any debt without the consent of the letter of credit provider. Additionally, if an event of default exists, as defined in the letter of credit facilities, Greenlight Re will be prohibited from paying dividends to its parent company. The Company was in compliance with all the covenants of each of these facilities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

  Operating Lease Obligations
 
Greenlight Re has entered into lease agreements for office space in the Cayman Islands. Under the terms of the lease agreements, Greenlight Re is committed to annual rent payments ranging from $0.3 million at inception to $0.5 million at lease termination. The leases expire on June 30, 2018 and Greenlight Re has the option to renew the leases for a further 5 year term. Included in the schedule below are the minimum lease payment obligations relating to these leases as of September 30, 2013.

GRIL has entered into a lease agreement for office space in Dublin, Ireland. Under the terms of this lease agreement, GRIL is committed to average annual rent payments denominated in Euros approximating €0.07 million until May 2016 (net of rent inducements), and adjusted to the prevailing market rates for each of three subsequent five-year terms. GRIL has the option to terminate the lease agreement in 2016 and 2021. Included in the schedule below are the net minimum lease payment obligations relating to this lease as of September 30, 2013.

The total rent expense related to leased office space for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively (2012: $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively). 

Specialist Service Agreement
 
The Company has entered into a service agreement with a specialist service provider for the provision of administration and support in developing and maintaining business relationships, reviewing and recommending programs and managing risks relating to certain specialty lines of business. The specialist service provider does not have any authority to bind the Company to any reinsurance contracts. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has committed to quarterly payments to the

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service provider. If the agreement is terminated, the Company is obligated to make minimum payments for another two years to ensure contracts to which the Company is bound are adequately administered by the specialist service provider. Included in the schedule below are the minimum payment obligations relating to this agreement.
 
Private Equity and Limited Partnerships
 
From time to time, the Company makes investments in private equity vehicles. As part of the Company's participation in such private equity investments, the Company may make funding commitments. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had commitments to invest an additional $9.9 million (December 31, 2012: $20.8 million) in private equity investments. Included in the schedule below are the minimum payment obligations relating to these investments.
 
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies
 
The following is a schedule of future minimum payments required under the above commitments: 
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
($ in thousands)
Operating lease obligations
$
139

 
$
556

 
$
556

 
$
499

 
$
466

 
$
232

 
$
2,448

Specialist service agreement
225

 
700

 
400

 
150

 

 

 
1,475

Private equity and limited partnerships (1)
9,890

 

 

 

 

 

 
9,890

 
$
10,254

 
$
1,256

 
$
956

 
$
649

 
$
466

 
$
232

 
$
13,813


(1) Given the nature of these investments, the Company is unable to determine with any degree of accuracy when these commitments will be called. Therefore, for purposes of the above table, the Company has assumed that all commitments with no fixed payment schedules will be called during the year ended December 31, 2013.
 
Litigation
 
From time to time in the normal course of business, the Company may be involved in formal and informal dispute resolution procedures, which may include arbitration or litigation, the outcomes of which determine the rights and obligations under the Company's reinsurance contracts and other contractual agreements. In some disputes, the Company may seek to enforce its rights under an agreement or to collect funds owing to it. In other matters, the Company may resist attempts by others to collect funds or enforce alleged rights. While the final outcome of legal disputes cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company does not believe that any existing dispute, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or operating results.

 

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9.      SEGMENT REPORTING
 
The Company manages its business on the basis of one operating segment, Property & Casualty Reinsurance.
 
The following tables provide a breakdown of the Company's gross premiums written by line of business and by geographic area of risks insured for the periods indicated:
 
Gross Premiums Written by Line of Business 
 
 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Property
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aviation
 
$

 
%
 
$

 
 %
 
$
96

 
 %
 
$

 
 %
Commercial lines
 
789

 
0.5

 

 

 
10,523

 
2.6

 
11,646

 
3.8

Energy
 

 

 

 

 
1,553

 
0.4

 

 

Motor physical damage
 
21,557

 
14.5

 
12,895

 
19.0

 
48,895

 
11.9

 
48,738

 
16.1

Personal lines (1)
 
34,521

 
23.2

 
(1,453
)
 
(2.1
)
 
108,181

 
26.3

 
51,105

 
16.8

Total Property
 
56,867

 
38.2

 
11,442

 
16.9

 
169,248

 
41.2

 
111,489

 
36.7

Casualty
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General liability (1)
 
1,668

 
1.1

 
5,469

 
8.1

 
(544
)
 
(0.1
)
 
20,393

 
6.7

Marine liability
 

 

 

 

 
603

 
0.1

 
2,240

 
0.7

Motor liability
 
81,474

 
54.8

 
43,216

 
63.9

 
212,174

 
51.6

 
132,693

 
43.7

Professional liability (1)
 
459

 
0.3

 

 

 
1,583

 
0.4

 
(666
)
 
(0.2
)
Total Casualty
 
83,601

 
56.2

 
48,685

 
72.0

 
213,816

 
52.0

 
154,660

 
50.9

Specialty
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial (1)
 
806

 
0.6

 
(3,813
)
 
(5.6
)
 
2,103

 
0.5

 
(508
)
 
(0.2
)
Health
 
7,491

 
5.0

 
9,502

 
14.0

 
29,975

 
7.3

 
28,888

 
9.5

Workers’ compensation (1)
 

 

 
1,828

 
2.7

 
(4,215
)
 
(1.0
)
 
9,321

 
3.1

Total Specialty
 
8,297

 
5.6

 
7,517

 
11.1

 
27,863

 
6.8

 
37,701

 
12.4

 
 
$
148,765

 
100.0
%
 
$
67,644

 
100.0
 %
 
$
410,927

 
100.0
 %
 
$
303,850

 
100.0
 %
(1)  The negative balance represents reversal of premiums due to premium adjustments, termination of contracts or premiums returned upon novation or commutation of contracts.
Gross Premiums Written by Geographic Area of Risks Insured
 
 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
U.S.
 
$
148,249

 
99.7
%
 
$
71,709

 
106.0
 %
 
$
400,594

 
97.5
 %
 
$
293,075

 
96.5
 %
Worldwide (1) (2)
 
379

 
0.2

 
(4,065
)
 
(6.0
)
 
9,814

 
2.4

 
11,113

 
3.6

Caribbean (2)
 

 

 

 

 
(95
)
 

 
328

 
0.1

Europe (2)
 
137

 
0.1

 

 

 
614

 
0.1

 
(666
)
 
(0.2
)
 
 
$
148,765

 
100.0
%
 
$
67,644

 
100.0
 %
 
$
410,927

 
100.0
 %
 
$
303,850

 
100.0
 %
(1)
"Worldwide" is comprised of contracts that reinsure risks in more than one geographic area and do not specifically exclude the U.S.
(2)
The negative balance represents reversal of premiums due to premium adjustments, termination of contracts or premiums returned upon novation or commutation of contracts.
 
 

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Item 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
References to "we," "us," "our," "our company,"  or "the Company" refer to Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. ("GLRE") and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd, ("Greenlight Re"), Greenlight Reinsurance Ireland, Ltd. ("GRIL") and Verdant Holding Company, Ltd. ("Verdant"), unless the context dictates otherwise. References to our "Ordinary Shares" refers collectively to our Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares.

 
The following is a discussion and analysis of our results of operations for three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and financial condition as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, which appear in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
 
Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements
 
Certain statements in Management’s Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"), other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "predict," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. A detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the section entitled "Risk Factors" (refer to Part I, Item 1A) contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward looking statements which speak only to the dates on which they were made.
 
We intend to communicate certain events that we believe may have a material adverse impact on our operations or financial position, including property and casualty catastrophic events and material losses in our investment portfolio, in a timely manner through a public announcement. Other than as required by the Exchange Act, we do not intend to make public announcements regarding reinsurance or investments events that we do not believe, based on management's estimates and current information, will have a material adverse impact on our operations or financial position.

General
 
We are a Cayman Islands headquartered global specialty property and casualty reinsurer with a reinsurance and investment strategy that we believe differentiates us from most of our competitors. Our goal is to build long-term shareholder value by selectively offering customized reinsurance solutions, in markets where capacity and alternatives are limited, which we believe will yield favorable long-term returns on equity.
 
We aim to complement our underwriting results with a non-traditional investment approach in order to achieve higher rates of return over the long term than reinsurance companies that employ more traditional, fixed-income investment strategies. We manage our investment portfolio according to a value-oriented philosophy, in which we take long positions in perceived undervalued securities and short positions in perceived overvalued securities.
 
Because we employ an opportunistic underwriting philosophy, period-to-period comparisons of our underwriting results may not be meaningful. In addition, our historical investment results may not necessarily be indicative of future performance. Due to the nature of our reinsurance and investment strategies, our operating results will likely fluctuate from period to period.



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Segments
 
We manage our business on the basis of one operating segment, property and casualty reinsurance, in accordance with the qualitative and quantitative criteria established by U.S. GAAP. Within the property and casualty reinsurance segment, we analyze our underwriting operations using two categories:

●    frequency business; and 
●    severity business.

Frequency business is generally characterized as contracts containing a potentially large number of small losses emanating from multiple events. Clients generally buy this protection to increase their own underwriting capacity and typically select a reinsurer based upon the reinsurer’s financial strength, service and expertise. We expect the results of frequency business to be less volatile than those of severity business from period to period due to greater predictability. We also expect that over time the profit margins and return on equity of our frequency business will be lower than those of our severity business.
 
Severity business is generally characterized as contracts with the potential for significant losses emanating from one event or multiple events. Clients generally buy this protection to remove volatility from their balance sheets, and accordingly, we expect the results of severity business to be volatile from period to period. However, over the long term, we also expect that our severity business will generate higher profit margins and return on equity than those of our frequency business.

Outlook and Trends

We believe the reinsurance industry in general has been, and for the foreseeable future will remain, over capitalized. Over the past year there has been an influx of new capital for peak zone catastrophe risk from alternative capital market participants such as hedge funds, pension funds and other fixed income bond managers. Additionally, we believe that the slowdown in worldwide economic activity continues to weaken the overall demand for property and casualty insurance and, accordingly, reinsurance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the over capitalization of the reinsurance industry may be countered by the introduction of more stringent capital requirements in the industry (particularly in Europe), the recalibration of catastrophe risk models to reflect recent catastrophic activity and a sustained low interest rate environment. We believe that we are well positioned to compete for frequency business due to our increasing market recognition, the development of strategic relationships and Greenlight Re's "A (Excellent)" rating by A.M. Best.
We believe we are currently in a gradually hardening insurance market, but due to poor economic conditions and industry over capitalization, we do not expect rate increases to significantly exceed loss trends. Meanwhile, the reinsurance industry remains over capitalized and competitive with many sectors continuing to operate at levels that we believe are economically irrational. The over capitalization of the market is not uniform. There are a number of insurers and reinsurers that have suffered and continue to suffer from capacity issues. We continue to assess the possibility of partnering with companies with this profile. If the reinsurance market continues to soften, our strategy is to reduce premium writings rather than accept mispriced risk, and conserve our capital for a more opportune environment. Significant price increases could occur if financial and credit markets experience adverse shocks that result in the loss of capital of insurers and reinsurers, or if there are major catastrophic events, especially in North America. The persistent low interest rate environment has reduced the earnings of many insurance and reinsurance companies and we believe that the continuation of low interest rates, coupled with the reduction of prior years' reserve redundancies, could cause the industry to adopt overall higher pricing.
As of September 30, 2013, our reinsurance portfolio was principally concentrated in four areas: Florida homeowners; U.S. employer health stop loss; catastrophe retrocession and non-standard private passenger automobile. While each of these areas is competitive, we believe we are supporting programs with good risk adjusted returns due in part to improving loss experience or rate increases that are in excess of loss trends. In particular, the Florida homeowners' insurance market continues to experience rate increases coupled with the positive impact of state legislation addressing sinkhole fraud. However, we anticipate the non-catastrophe reinsurance pricing in this market will become more competitive. While we believe the property catastrophe retrocession contracts on which we participate are attractively priced, we have observed significant flexible capital from non-traditional sources being deployed mainly in peak zone catastrophe excess of loss business which is putting downward pressure on rates. U.S. employer health stop loss and non-standard private passenger automobile are stable at what we believe are profitable levels.     
We intend to continue to monitor market conditions to position ourselves to participate in future under-served or capacity-constrained markets as they arise and intend to offer products that we believe will generate favorable returns on equity

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over the long term. Accordingly, our underlying results and product line concentrations in any given period may not be indicative of our future results of operations.
Our investment portfolio was conservatively postured with a net long position of 35.0% as of September 30, 2013. Equity markets in the first nine months of 2013 increased despite lackluster growth in corporate earnings. The increase in stock prices seems driven by a more stable environment and continued monetary policy stimulus. In the face of a more challenging earnings backdrop, and a continuation of emergency policies, we believe the market's rapid advance is creating a potentially unstable condition, which could resolve itself in a number of ways and is difficult to predict. We ended the quarter with a reduced gross exposure, positioning us to ride out future volatility and to take advantage of new opportunities. Given the current investment environment, we anticipate, for the foreseeable future, to continue holding a combination of a significant position in gold, macro positions in the form of options on higher interest rates and foreign exchange rates, short positions in sovereign debt and sovereign credit default swaps.
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported and disclosed amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We believe that the critical accounting policies set forth in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 continue to describe the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements. These accounting policies pertain to premium revenues and risk transfer, valuation of investments, loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, acquisition costs, bonus accruals and share-based payments. If actual events differ significantly from the underlying judgments or estimates used by management in the application of these accounting policies, there could be a material effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Recently issued accounting standards and their impact to the Company have been presented under "Recently Adopted Accounting Standards" in Note 2 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. 

Results of Operations
 
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we reported a net income of $56.5 million, compared to a net income of $46.1 million reported for the same period in 2012. Our net investment income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $49.4 million, compared to a net investment income of $96.5 million reported for the same period in 2012. Our investment portfolio managed by DME Advisors, LP reported a gain of 4.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to a gain of 8.8% for the same period in 2012. The underwriting income before general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $16.0 million, compared to underwriting loss of $43.9 million for the same period in 2012. The increase in underwriting income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was primarily due to a decrease in the composite ratio for the period. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our overall composite ratio (the sum of losses incurred and acquisition costs, as a percentage of premiums earned) was 90.3%, driven by profitable performance in each of our four core areas of concentration, specifically Florida homeowners, non-standard automobile, employer stop loss and catastrophe retro. By comparison, our composite ratio for the third quarter of 2012 was 137.6%, primarily attributable to strengthening of loss reserves relating to commercial automobile business. The general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013 were $7.1 million compared to $4.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The increase was partially due to the non-investment related foreign exchange loss of $2.1 million reported during the third quarter of 2013, compared to $0.7 million for 2012, and partially due to an increase in personnel costs.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we reported net income of $141.8 million, compared to net income of $75.2 million reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Our net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $134.8 million, compared to a net investment income of $131.2 million reported for the same period in 2012. Our investment portfolio managed by DME Advisors, LP reported a gain of 12.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to a gain of 12.1% for the same period in 2012. The underwriting income before general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $29.6 million, compared to underwriting loss of $36.9 million reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The underwriting income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 included a reversal of $9.7 million of loss reserves (net of reinstatement premiums) relating to super-storm Sandy due to revised loss estimates during the first quarter of 2013. Based on updated information received from the insurer during the first quarter of 2013, claims relating to super-storm Sandy were no longer expected to breach into the coverage layer provided by our contract.

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our overall composite ratio was 92.7%, compared to 110.5% during the same period in 2012. General and administrative expenses increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $16.8 million from $13.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, primarily as a result of higher personnel costs, partially offset by a decrease in non-investment related foreign exchange loss of $0.2 million compared to $0.8 million for the same period in 2012.
 
Our primary financial goal is to increase the long-term value in fully diluted adjusted book value per share. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the fully diluted adjusted book value per share increased by $1.50 per share, or 6.2%, to $25.70 per share from $24.20 per share at June 30, 2013. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the basic adjusted book value per share increased by $1.56 per share, or 6.3%, to $26.21 per share from $24.65 per share at June 30, 2013.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the fully diluted adjusted book value per share increased by $3.69 per share, or 16.8%, to $25.70 per share from $22.01 per share at December 31, 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the basic adjusted book value per share increased by $3.82 per share, or 17.1%, to $26.21 per share from $22.39 per share at December 31, 2012.

Basic adjusted book value per share is a non-GAAP measure as it excludes the non-controlling interest in a joint venture from total equity. In addition, fully diluted adjusted book value per share is also a non-GAAP measure and represents basic adjusted book value per share combined with the impact from dilution of all in-the-money stock options and RSUs issued and outstanding as of any period end. We believe that long-term growth in fully diluted adjusted book value per share is the most relevant measure of our financial performance. In addition, fully diluted adjusted book value per share may be of benefit to our investors, shareholders and other interested parties to form a basis of comparison with other companies within the property and casualty reinsurance industry.
 
The following table presents a reconciliation of the non-GAAP basic adjusted and fully diluted adjusted book value per share to the most comparable GAAP measure.
 
September 30, 2013
 
June 30, 2013
 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
September 30, 2012
 
  ($ in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
Basic adjusted and fully diluted adjusted book value per share numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total equity (US GAAP)
$
1,000,595

 
$
941,216

 
$
910,802

 
$
860,410

 
$
894,215

Less: Non-controlling interest in joint venture
(33,959
)
 
(32,218
)
 
(31,326
)
 
(38,702
)
 
(13,113
)
Basic adjusted book value per share numerator
966,636

 
908,998

 
879,476

 
821,708

 
881,102

Add: Proceeds from in-the-money stock options issued and outstanding
18,462

 
18,528

 
18,768

 
18,975

 
19,294

Fully diluted adjusted book value per share numerator
$
985,098

 
$
927,526

 
$
898,244

 
$
840,683

 
$
900,396

Basic adjusted and fully diluted adjusted book value per share denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ordinary shares issued and outstanding for basic adjusted book value per share denominator
36,877,407

 
36,872,110

 
36,822,176

 
36,702,128

 
36,678,653

Add: In-the-money stock options and RSUs issued and outstanding
1,451,408

 
1,457,408

 
1,477,908

 
1,491,290

 
1,514,290

Fully diluted adjusted book value per share denominator
38,328,815

 
38,329,518

 
38,300,084

 
38,193,418

 
38,192,943

Basic adjusted book value per share
$
26.21

 
$
24.65

 
$
23.88

 
$
22.39

 
$
24.02

Fully diluted adjusted book value per share
25.70

 
24.20

 
23.45

 
22.01

 
23.57



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 Gross Premiums Written
 
Details of gross premiums written are provided in the following table: 
 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
146,414

 
98.4
%
 
$
67,644

 
100.0
%
 
$
387,328

 
94.3
%
 
$
284,957

 
93.8
%
Severity
2,351

 
1.6

 

 

 
23,599

 
5.7

 
18,893

 
6.2

Total
$
148,765

 
100.0
%
 
$
67,644

 
100.0
%
 
$
410,927

 
100.0
%
 
$
303,850

 
100.0
%

We expect quarterly reporting of premiums written to be volatile as a result of our opportunistic underwriting philosophy. Additionally, the composition of premiums written between frequency and severity business may vary from year to year depending on the specific market opportunities that we pursue.

For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our frequency gross premiums written increased by $78.8 million, or 116.4%, primarily as a result of $46.9 million increase in our non-standard automobile premiums (motor liability and motor physical damage). The increase in non-standard automobile premiums was a result of our existing ceding insurers experiencing hardening market conditions, with higher underlying insurance rates and premium retention levels which resulted in higher premiums ceded to us. Additionally, on some of these contracts our quota share participation was higher than the comparable period which also contributed to the increase in gross premiums written. We wrote no commercial automobile premiums during the three months ended September 30, 2013. Personal lines contributed $36.0 million of the increase in frequency gross premiums written driven partially by our existing Florida homeowners' insurance business partners and partially as a result of a new contract entered into during 2013. The written premiums relating to personal lines for the comparative third quarter of 2012 were negatively impacted by a novation of a contract which resulted in the reversal of both gross written premiums and ceded premiums during the three months ended September 30, 2012. The increases in frequency gross premiums were partially offset by decreases in the general liability and workers' compensation lines of $3.8 million and $1.8 million, respectively. During 2013, we commuted and exited a multi-line contract which resulted in returned premiums relating to workers' compensation and general liability lines. To a lesser extent, the decrease in general liability premium was due to contracts we canceled during the fourth quarter of 2012.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our frequency gross premiums written increased by $102.4 million, or 35.9%, primarily as a result of a $79.6 million increase in our non-standard automobile premiums (motor liability and motor physical damage) and $57.1 million increase in our personal lines Florida homeowners' business driven by the reasons explained above. The increases were offset by decreases in the general liability and workers' compensation lines of $20.9 million and $13.5 million, respectively, primarily due to the commutation of a multi-line contract and to a lesser extent, the decrease in general liability due to contracts we canceled during the fourth quarter of 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, there were no commercial motor premiums as all commercial motor contracts were canceled during 2012.

For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the increase in severity premiums written of $2.4 million, compared to the same period in 2012, was primarily due to a new multi-line severity contract written during the first quarter of 2013 for which the underlying business incepts at various dates throughout the year. Accordingly, premiums written are recorded based on the period in which the underlying risk incepts.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the increase in severity premiums written of $4.7 million, or 24.9%, compared to the same period in 2012 was primarily due to new severity contracts written during the first quarter of 2013. This increase was partially offset by the reversal of reinstatement premiums written of $3.5 million in conjunction with the reversal of loss reserves relating to super-storm Sandy during the first quarter of 2013. Reinstatement premiums and additional premiums based on contractual terms are recognized as written premiums at the time losses are recorded, and, if required, adjusted in the period that changes in loss estimates are recorded.

Premiums Ceded
 
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, premiums ceded were $2.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively. By comparison, premiums ceded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 were $(30.6) million and $(24.2) million, respectively. The negative premiums ceded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, were primarily due to Florida homeowners' personal lines contracts novated during those periods. During the nine months ended

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September 30, 2013, we novated some of our retroceded contracts and returned the premiums ceded relating to those contracts, which offset the majority of the premiums ceded for three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
 
Net Premiums Written

Details of net premiums written are provided in the following table: 
 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
144,025

 
98.4
%
 
$
98,281

 
100.0
%
 
$
386,403

 
94.2
%
 
$
309,201

 
94.2
%
Severity
2,351

 
1.6

 

 

 
23,599

 
5.8

 
18,893

 
5.8

Total
$
146,376

 
100.0
%
 
$
98,281

 
100.0
%
 
$
410,002

 
100.0
%
 
$
328,094

 
100.0
%

 Net Premiums Earned
 
Net premiums earned reflect the pro-rata inclusion into income of net premiums written over the life of the reinsurance contracts. Details of net premiums earned are provided in the following table: 
 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
156,724

 
95.6
%
 
$
111,886

 
96.0
%
 
$
392,527

 
96.6
%
 
$
333,931

 
95.9
%
Severity
7,167

 
4.4

 
4,671

 
4.0

 
13,835

 
3.4

 
14,228

 
4.1

Total
$
163,891

 
100.0
%
 
$
116,557

 
100.0
%
 
$
406,362

 
100.0
%
 
$
348,159

 
100.0
%

Premiums relating to quota share contracts are earned over the contract period in proportion to the period of protection. Similarly, incoming unearned premiums are earned in proportion to the remaining period of protection.

For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the frequency premiums earned increased by $44.8 million, or 40.1%, primarily as a result of our non-standard automobile contracts (motor liability and motor physical damage), which increased net premiums earned by $51.9 million. The increase was partially offset by a decrease of $4.9 million in commercial motor premiums earned as all commercial motor coverages were canceled during 2012. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our personal lines premiums earned increased by $2.6 million primarily as a result of a new Florida homeowners' contract bound during the second quarter of 2013. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our premiums earned for workers' compensation and general liability lines decreased by $1.8 million and $5.9 million, respectively, primarily due to a multi-line contract commuted during 2013.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the frequency premiums earned increased by $58.6 million, or 17.5%, primarily as a result of our non-standard automobile contracts (motor liability and motor physical damage) which increased net premiums earned by $86.1 million. The increase was partially offset by a decrease of $16.1 million in commercial motor premiums earned as all commercial motor coverages were canceled during 2012 and a multi-line contract that was commuted during 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our personal line's premiums earned increased by $8.9 million primarily as a result of a new Florida homeowners' contract bound during the second quarter of 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our premiums earned for the general liability line decreased by $14.4 million primarily due to contracts we canceled and the multi-line contract which we commuted during 2013. In addition, the financial line's premiums earned decreased by $3.1 million due to the commutation of a surety and trade credit contract during 2012.

Premiums written relating to severity contracts are earned over the contract period in proportion to the period of protection. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, severity net premiums earned increased by $2.5 million, or 53.4%, primarily as a result of new severity contracts entered into during 2013, partially offset by severity contracts which expired at the end of 2012 without being renewed.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, severity net premiums earned decreased by $0.4 million, or 2.8%, compared to the same period in 2012. The decrease was primarily due to the reversal of $2.9 million of reinstatement premiums earned in conjunction with the elimination of loss reserves relating to super-storm Sandy. The new severity contracts contributed

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$9.6 million in earned premiums, which was partially offset by reductions in earned premiums from expired contracts and contracts renewed at lower risk exposure levels.
    
Losses Incurred
 
Losses incurred include losses paid and changes in loss reserves, including reserves for IBNR, net of actual and estimated loss recoverables. Details of net losses incurred are provided in the following table:

 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
93,194

 
98.8
%
 
$
119,902

 
94.7
%
 
$
247,474

 
103.6
 %
 
$
269,792

 
97.3
%
Severity
1,172

 
1.2

 
6,722

 
5.3

 
(8,485
)
 
(3.6
)
 
7,476

 
2.7

Total
$
94,366

 
100.0
%
 
$
126,624

 
100.0
%
 
$
238,989

 
100.0
 %
 
$
277,268

 
100.0
%

We establish reserves for each contract based on estimates of the ultimate cost of all losses, including losses incurred but not reported. These estimated ultimate reserves are based on reports received from ceding companies, industry data and historical experience as well as our own actuarial estimates. Quarterly, we review these estimates on a contract by contract basis and adjust as we deem appropriate based on updated information and our internal actuarial estimates. We expect losses incurred on our severity business to be volatile depending on the frequency and magnitude of catastrophic events from year to year.
For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the total losses incurred on frequency contracts decreased by $26.7 million, or 22.3%, partially due to the elimination of loss reserves on contracts commuted during 2013, and partially a function of the comparative prior year period's losses which included adverse loss development recorded during the third quarter of 2012 relating to commercial motor liability contracts. The decrease was partially offset by the increase in earned premiums for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the total losses incurred on frequency contracts decreased by $22.3 million, or 8.3%, mainly due to the same reasons discussed above, and partially offset by the increase in earned premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
Losses incurred as a percentage of premiums earned (i.e. referred to as the loss ratio) fluctuates based on the mix of business, and the favorable or adverse loss development on our larger contracts. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the loss ratios for our frequency business were 59.5% and 107.2%, respectively. The decrease in loss ratio was primarily attributable to the motor liability and personal lines. Favorable loss development during the three months ended September 30, 2013 relating to commercial automobile contracts contributed to the decrease in loss ratio. By comparison, the loss ratio for the comparative period in 2012 was significantly higher due to the increase in loss reserves recorded during the third quarter of 2012 relating to adverse loss development on commercial motor liability contracts. Personal lines loss ratios were lower during the three months ended September 30, 2013 due to a significant decrease in sinkhole claims on our Florida homeowners' business compared to the same period in 2012. The decrease in loss ratio was partially offset by an increase in general liability and health lines' loss ratios due to adverse loss development experienced in those lines.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the loss ratios for our frequency business were 63.0% and 80.8%, respectively. The decrease in loss ratio was primarily attributable to commercial motor liability business. The loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was positively impacted by the commercial automobile contracts, currently in run-off, which reported favorable loss development, whereas during the comparative period in 2012, adverse loss development on commercial automobile contracts had contributed to a higher loss ratio. Lower loss ratios for personal lines, non-standard automobile business, and health lines also contributed to the decrease in loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. The decrease was partially offset by adverse development on general liability contracts currently in run-off.
For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the overall loss ratios for our severity business were 16.4% and 143.9%, respectively. The decrease in the severity loss ratio was due to no major catastrophe losses occurring during the period, whereas the loss ratio for the third quarter of 2012 included adverse loss development on claims relating to the 2010 New Zealand earthquake. Losses incurred on severity contracts for the current quarter relate primarily to non-catastrophe IBNR reserves recorded on the new severity contracts entered into during 2013.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the loss ratios for our severity business were (61.3)% and 52.5%, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 loss reserves of $15.0 million relating to super-storm Sandy were reversed which resulted in negative losses incurred and a negative loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30,

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2013. The loss from super-storm Sandy was previously reserved at the full limit of the excess of loss contract. However, during the first quarter of 2013, we received additional information from our client that indicated that the losses would not exceed the threshold of the layer of coverage provided under our contract. Excluding the effect of the loss reserve reversal, the severity loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 38.9% compared to 52.5% for the same period in 2012. The 2013 loss ratio included a $4.0 million increase in loss reserves on a casualty clash contract based on updated information from the client indicating higher estimated ground up losses which in turn would increase the losses in the layer covered by us. By comparison the 2012 loss ratio included $9.0 million of loss reserves relating to the 2010 New Zealand earthquake. To a lesser extent, the severity loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 included attritional loss reserves recorded on new severity contracts entered into during 2013.

Losses incurred can be further broken down into losses paid (recovered) and changes in loss and loss adjustment expense reserves as follows:
 
Three months ended September 30
 
 
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
 
 
Gross
 
Ceded
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Ceded
 
Net
 
($ in thousands)
Losses paid (recovered)
$
72,129

 
$
(2,410
)
 
$
69,719

 
$
67,056

 
$
2,175

 
$
69,231

Change in loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
22,507

 
2,140

 
24,647

 
54,488

 
2,905

 
57,393

Total
$
94,636

 
$
(270
)
 
$
94,366

 
$
121,544

 
$
5,080

 
$
126,624


 
Nine months ended September 30
 
 
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
 
 
Gross
 
Ceded
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Ceded
 
Net
 
($ in thousands)
Losses paid (recovered)
$
259,281

 
$
(5,995
)
 
$
253,286

 
$
180,217

 
$
(6,487
)
 
$
173,730

Change in loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
(30,753
)
 
16,456

 
(14,297
)
 
107,988

 
(4,450
)
 
103,538

Total
$
228,528

 
$
10,461

 
$
238,989

 
$
288,205

 
$
(10,937
)
 
$
277,268


For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our net losses incurred on prior period contracts decreased by $4.1 million, which primarily related to the following:

$17.7 million of adverse loss development, net of retrocesssion recoveries, relating to general liability business. Loss reserves were increased on these contracts after a detailed review of existing claims data received from the clients, audits of claim files at the third party claims administrators and actuarial analysis based on all available information;

Elimination of $15.0 million of reserves relating to super-storm Sandy based on additional information received from our client which indicated that the losses would not exceed the threshold of coverage provided under our contract. As a result of the reversal of loss reserves, we also reversed reinstatement premiums of $2.6 million;
  
$4.0 million of adverse loss development on a 2007 casualty clash contract based on updated claims and loss information received from the client. The new information indicated that ground up losses under the contract estimated by the client had increased resulting in additional losses attaching to our layer. As a result of this increase in loss reserves, we recorded reinstatement premiums of $1.2 million;

$4.2 million favorable loss development relating to non-standard automobile business, primarily as a result of final settlement of losses upon commutation of a contract at an amount lower than originally reserved. To a lesser extent the favorable loss development was a result of better than expected loss development noted on other non-standard automobile contracts after a detailed review of existing claims data received from the clients, audits of claim files and actuarial analysis based on all available information. However, because these contracts included sliding scale ceding commission rates, the decrease in loss reserves was offset by a $3.4 million increase in ceding commissions recorded as acquisition costs; and


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$3.9 million of favorable loss development, relating to commercial automobile business due to better than expected loss development on open claims and settling of claims at lower amounts than expected. Loss reserves were decreased on these contracts after a detailed review of existing claims data received from the clients, audits of claim files at the third party claims administrators and actuarial analysis based on all available information.
There were no other significant developments of prior period reserves during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, our net loss reserves on prior period contracts increased by $53.8 million which primarily related to the following:

$18.8 million of adverse loss development on a commercial motor liability contract that had been in run off since 2010. The increase in loss reserves was based on updated loss data received from the third party claims adjuster and the client, as well as our quarterly analysis of the remaining open claims and the reserves required to settle and resolve all remaining claims and any new reported claims;

$21.9 million of adverse loss development, net of retrocesssion recoveries, relating to commercial motor liability exposures in run-off on two multi-line quota share contracts. Since these contracts were less mature than our other commercial motor liability contract, there was more uncertainty as to the ultimate losses to be paid. As a result we recorded loss reserves for the commercial motor portion of these contracts consistent with the loss ratio recorded for the more mature commercial motor contract. Loss reserves were increased on these contracts after extensive review of existing claims data, our previous experience with commercial motor liability business and actuarial analysis based on data received from third party claims handlers and the clients;
$9.0 million of adverse loss development on a 2010 natural peril contract relating to the 2010 New Zealand earthquake. This adverse loss development resulted from revised estimated losses expected on the underlying policies by the ceding insurer, primarily due to complex engineering and structural requirements as well as legislative building-code changes being implemented in New Zealand. The updated loss reserves resulted in a full limit loss of $10.0 million under this contract;
$4.2 million of adverse loss development, net of retrocession recoveries, on prior period Florida homeowners' contracts due to a combination of an increase in attritional losses as well as an increase in sinkhole losses based on updated information received from the ceding insurer during the period as well as a reassessment in connection with our quarterly reserve analysis.

There were no other significant developments of prior period reserves during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Acquisition Costs, Net
 
Acquisition costs represent the amortization of commission and brokerage expenses incurred on contracts written as well as profit commissions and other underwriting expenses which are expensed when incurred. Deferred acquisition costs are limited to the amount of commission and brokerage expenses that are expected to be recovered from future earned premiums and anticipated investment income. Details of acquisition costs are provided in the following table:
 
 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
52,404

 
97.8
%
 
$
33,008

 
97.6
%
 
$
135,407

 
98.2
%
 
$
105,418

 
97.8
%
Severity
1,160

 
2.2

 
812

 
2.4

 
2,472

 
1.8

 
2,333

 
2.2

Total
$
53,564

 
100.0
%
 
$
33,820

 
100.0
%
 
$
137,879

 
100.0
%
 
$
107,751

 
100.0
%

We expect that acquisition costs will be higher for frequency business than for severity business. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the acquisition cost ratios for frequency business were 33.4% and 29.5%, respectively. The higher acquisition costs were primarily related to higher commissions on non-standard automobile contracts that contain a

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sliding-scale commission structure which increases (or decreases) with loss ratio decreases (or increases). Since we commuted a contract at a lower loss ratio, the commissions were adjusted higher accordingly. To a lesser extent, the acquisition cost ratio for the personal line increased due to a new Florida homeowners' contract entered into during 2013, which is recorded at the higher end of the sliding scale commission rate due to a lower loss ratio estimate than our other personal lines contracts. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no other significant changes in the frequency acquisition cost ratio compared to the same period in 2012.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the acquisition cost ratios for frequency business were 34.5% and 31.6%, respectively. The higher acquisition cost ratio was due to higher commissions relating to non-standard automobile and Florida homeowners' contracts explained above. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, there were no other significant changes in the frequency acquisition cost ratio compared to the same period in 2012.
    
For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the acquisition cost ratios for severity business were 16.2% and 17.4%, respectively. The decrease related to a surety contract canceled at the end of 2012 which had a higher commission rate than our other severity contracts, partially offset by acquisition costs on new severity contracts written during 2013.

The acquisition cost ratios for severity business were 17.9% and 16.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the severity acquisition cost ratio appears higher due to the reversal of reinstatement earned premiums of $2.9 million during the period as discussed earlier (see Net Premiums Earned). Excluding the reinstatement premiums, the severity acquisition cost ratio was 15.0%.

Overall, our total acquisition cost ratios were 33.9% and 30.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

General and Administrative Expenses

Details of general and administrative expenses are provided in the following table:
 
 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Internal expenses
$
4,316

 
$
2,922

 
$
14,151

 
$
9,799

Corporate expenses
2,769

 
1,715

 
2,637

 
3,820

General and administrative expenses
$
7,085

 
$
4,637

 
$
16,788

 
$
13,619


For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the increases in internal expenses were primarily related to increased personnel costs due to higher accruals for underwriting related bonuses as well as an increased head-count from the comparative periods.

Corporate expenses include those expenses directly related to being a publicly listed entity and certain non-core operating expenses as well as non-investment related foreign exchange gains and losses. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, corporate expenses included non-investment related foreign exchange losses of $2.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively (2012: $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively).

For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, general and administrative expenses included $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, for the expensing of the fair value of stock options and restricted stock and RSUs granted to employees and directors. General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 include $2.7 million and $2.8 million, respectively, for the expensing of the fair value of stock options and restricted stock granted to employees and directors.




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Net Investment Income (Loss)
 
A summary of our net investment income (loss) is as follows:
 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Realized gains
$
25,292

 
$
24,055

 
$
117,271

 
$
18,542

Change in unrealized gains
50,225

 
106,026

 
69,660

 
168,584

Investment related foreign exchange gains (losses)
(3,692
)
 
(989
)
 
15,205

 
218

Interest, dividend and other income
6,037

 
5,437

 
17,677

 
14,101

Interest, dividend and other expenses
(11,890
)
 
(10,076
)
 
(37,756
)
 
(26,152
)
Investment advisor compensation
(16,524
)
 
(28,003
)
 
(47,223
)
 
(44,132
)
Net investment income (loss)
$
49,448

 
$
96,450

 
$
134,834

 
$
131,161


Investment returns relating to our investment portfolio managed by DME Advisors are calculated monthly and compounded to calculate the quarterly and annual returns. The resulting actual investment income may vary depending on cash flows into or out of the investment account. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, investment income, net of fees and expenses, resulted in a gain of 4.0% on our investments managed by DME Advisors, compared to a gain of 8.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, investment income, net of fees and expenses, resulted in a gain of 12.2% on our investments managed by DME Advisors, compared to a gain of 12.1% reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, included in the above table under interest, dividend and other expenses, was an impairment charge of $6.0 million related to a note receivable that was previously placed on non-accrual status, based on continued uncertainty surrounding the borrower's ability to repay the entire outstanding balance of the note on the maturity date.

We expect our investment income, including realized and unrealized gains (or losses), to fluctuate from period to period. Fluctuations in realized and unrealized gains (or losses) are a function of both the market performance of the securities held in our investment portfolio, and the timing of additions to and dispositions of securities in our investment portfolio. Our investment advisor uses its discretion over when a gain (or loss) is realized on a particular investment. We believe that net investment income, which includes both realized and unrealized gains (or losses), is the best way to assess our investment performance, rather than analyzing the realized gains (or losses) and unrealized gains (or losses) separately.

For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the gross investment return on our investment portfolio managed by DME Advisors (excluding investment advisor performance allocation) was 5.4%, and 10.9%, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the gross investment returns on our investment portfolio managed by DME Advisors (excluding investment advisor performance allocation) were 15.3% and 15.1%. These were comprised of the following:

 
Three months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Long portfolio gains (losses)
14.6
 %
 
13.1
 %
 
28.0
 %
 
19.0
 %
Short portfolio gains (losses)
(7.4
)
 
(0.7
)
 
(12.3
)
 
0.8

Macro gains (losses)
(1.4
)
 
(1.1
)
 
1.0

 
(3.5
)
Other income and expenses
(0.4
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(1.4
)
 
(1.2
)
Gross investment return
5.4
 %
 
10.9
 %
 
15.3
 %
 
15.1
 %

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, included in investment advisor compensation was $4.6 million and $13.4 million, respectively (2012: $4.2 million and $12.5 million, respectively) relating to management fees paid to DME Advisors and $11.9 million and $33.8 million, respectively (2012: $23.8 million and $31.6 million, respectively) relating to performance allocation in accordance with the advisory agreement with DME Advisors.

Our investment advisor, DME Advisors, and its affiliates manage and expect to manage other client accounts besides ours, some of which have investment objectives similar to ours. To comply with Regulation FD, our investment returns are posted

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on our website on a monthly basis. Additionally, our website (www.greenlightre.ky) provides the names of the largest disclosed long positions in our investment portfolio as of the last business day of the month of the relevant posting, as well as information on our long and short exposures. Although DME Advisors discloses all investment positions to us, it may choose not to disclose certain positions to its clients in order to protect its investment strategy. Therefore, we present on our website the largest long positions and exposure information as disclosed by DME Advisors or its affiliates to their other clients.  
       
 Income Taxes
 
We are not obligated to pay taxes in the Cayman Islands on either income or capital gains. We have been granted an exemption by the Governor-In-Cabinet from any income taxes that may be imposed in the Cayman Islands for a period of 20 years, expiring on February 1, 2025.
 
GRIL is incorporated in Ireland and, therefore, is subject to the Irish corporation tax. GRIL is expected to be taxed at a rate of 12.5% on its taxable trading income, and 25% on its non-trading income, if any.
 
Verdant is incorporated in Delaware and, therefore, is subject to taxes in accordance with the U.S. federal rates and regulations prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service. Verdant’s taxable income is expected to be taxed at a rate of 35%.

As of September 30, 2013, a deferred tax asset, resulting solely from the temporary differences in timing of recognition of expenses for tax purposes, of $0.05 million (December 31, 2012: $0.1 million) was included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2013, an accrual for current taxes payable of $0.8 million (December 31, 2012: $0.3 million) was recorded in other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Based on the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and likelihood of generating sufficient taxable income to realize the future tax benefit, management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be fully realized in the future and therefore no valuation allowance has been recorded. The Company has not taken any tax positions that management believes are subject to uncertainty or that are reasonably likely to have a material impact to the Company, GRIL or Verdant.
 
  Ratio Analysis
 
Due to the opportunistic and customized nature of our underwriting operations, we expect to report different loss and expense ratios in both our frequency and severity businesses from period to period.

The following table provides the ratios: 
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
 
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
 
 
Frequency
 
Severity
 
Total
 
Frequency
 
Severity
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio
63.0
%
 
(61.3
)%
 
58.8
%
 
80.8
%
 
52.5
%
 
79.6
%
Acquisition cost ratio
34.5
%
 
17.9
 %
 
33.9
%
 
31.6
%
 
16.4
%
 
30.9
%
Composite ratio
97.5
%
 
(43.4
)%
 
92.7
%
 
112.4
%
 
68.9
%
 
110.5
%
Internal expense ratio
 
 
 
 
3.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
2.8
%
Corporate expense ratio
 
 
 
 
0.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
1.1
%
Combined ratio
 
 
 
 
96.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
114.4
%
                
  The loss ratio is calculated by dividing loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred by net premiums earned. We expect that the loss ratio will be volatile for our severity business and may exceed that of our frequency business in certain periods. Given that we opportunistically underwrite a concentrated portfolio across several lines of business that have varying expected loss ratios, we can expect there to be significant annual variations in the loss ratios reported from our frequency business. In addition, the loss ratios for both frequency and severity business can vary depending on the mix of the lines of business written. 

The acquisition cost ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned. We expect that this ratio will generally be higher for our frequency business than for our severity business.
 
The composite ratio is the ratio of underwriting losses incurred, loss adjustment expenses and acquisition costs, excluding general and administrative expenses, to net premiums earned. Similar to the loss ratio, we expect that this ratio will be more volatile for our severity business depending on loss activity in any particular period.

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The internal expense ratio is the ratio of general and administrative expenses, excluding any corporate expenses, to net premiums earned.

The corporate expense ratio is the ratio of corporate expenses to net premiums earned. Corporate expenses include expenses relating to GLRE being a publicly listed entity and certain non-core operating expenses as well as non-investment related foreign exchange gains or losses.
 
The combined ratio is the sum of the composite ratio, the internal expense ratio and the corporate expense ratio. The combined ratio measures the total profitability of our underwriting operations and does not take net investment income or loss into account. Given the nature of our opportunistic underwriting strategy, we expect that our combined ratio may also be volatile from period to period.

Financial Condition
 
Investments, Financial Contracts Receivable, Financial Contracts Payable and Due to Prime Brokers
 
Our long investments and financial contracts receivable reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2013, were $1,235.5 million, compared to $1,200.7 million as of December 31, 2012, an increase of $34.8 million, or 2.9%, primarily as a result of increase in financial contracts receivable (see below). The increase was partially offset by the disposal of a portion of our long equities and, to a lesser extent, the decrease in commodities during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The decrease in commodities was due to a decline in the price of gold combined with the disposal of a portion of our physical gold holdings. As of September 30, 2013, our exposure to long investments increased to 106.0%, compared to 102.5% as of December 31, 2012, while our exposure to short investments increased to 71.0%, compared to 64.0% as of December 31, 2012. This exposure analysis is conducted on a delta-adjusted basis and does not include gold, CDS, sovereign debt, cash, foreign currency positions, interest rate options and other macro positions.
 
Financial contracts receivable as of September 30, 2013 increased by $62.8 million, or 276.2%, compared to December 31, 2012, primarily due to total return equity swaps entered into during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Financial contracts payable decreased by $1.7 million, or 8.5%, primarily due to put options disposed during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

From time to time, we incur indebtedness to our prime brokers to implement our investment strategy in accordance with our investment guidelines. As of September 30, 2013, we had borrowed $3.8 million (December 31, 2012: $73.7 million) from our prime brokers in order to purchase investment securities. In accordance with our investment guidelines, DME Advisors is allowed to use up to 15% net margin leverage for extended periods of time and up to 30% net margin leverage for periods of less than 30 days.

The amounts borrowed from prime brokers for investing decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as we disposed of some long equity securities and a portion of our physical gold holdings. Additionally, as of September 30, 2013, we had borrowed $235.2 million (December 31, 2012: $252.7 million) under term margin agreements from prime brokers to provide collateral for some of our letters of credit outstanding whereby we pledge certain investment securities to borrow cash from the prime brokers. The decrease in collateral pledged for letters of credit was due to a reinsurance contract commuted during the second quarter of 2013.
 
Our investment portfolio, including any derivatives, is valued at fair value and any unrealized gains or losses are reflected in net investment income (loss) in the condensed consolidated statements of income. As of September 30, 201384.7% (December 31, 2012: 85.3%) of our investment portfolio (excluding restricted and unrestricted cash and cash equivalents) was comprised of investments valued based on quoted prices in actively traded markets (Level 1), 13.2% (December 31, 2012: 12.9%) was comprised of securities valued based on observable inputs other than quoted prices (Level 2) and 2.1% (December 31, 2012: 1.8%) was comprised of securities valued based on non-observable inputs (Level 3).
 
In determining whether a market for a financial instrument is active or inactive, we obtain information from DME Advisors, based on feedback they receive from executing brokers, market makers, analysts and traders to assess the level of market activity and available liquidity for any given financial instrument. Where a financial instrument is valued based on broker quotes, DME Advisors requests multiple quotes. The ultimate value is based on an average of the quotes obtained. Broker quoted prices are generally not adjusted in determining the ultimate values and are obtained with the expectation of the quotes being binding. As of September 30, 2013, $216.5 million (December 31, 2012: $258.5 million) of our investments (longs, shorts and derivatives) were valued based on broker quotes, of which $213.8 million (December 31, 2012: $254.9

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million) were based on broker quotes that utilized observable market information and classified as Level 2 fair value measurements, and $2.7 million (December 31, 2012: $3.6 million) were based on broker quotes that utilized non-observable inputs and classified as Level 3 fair value measurements.
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, $4.9 million, of securities were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 classification because these securities began actively trading on a listed exchange during the third quarter of 2013. However due to lock-up restrictions on these securities, they were classified as Level 2 upon transfer until the lock up period expires. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, $19.6 million of securities were transferred from Level 3 to Level 1 classification as these securities began actively trading on a listed exchange without any restrictions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, $2.4 million of securities at fair value based on the date of transfer, were transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 as the lock-up periods on certain securities expired and a discount factor was no longer applied in determining the fair value of the securities. A detailed reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented in Note 3 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. No other transfers into or out of Level 3 took place during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements during the three months ended September 30, 2012 are disclosed in Note 3 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
Non-observable inputs used by our investment advisor include discounted cash flow models for valuing certain corporate debt instruments. In addition, other non-observable inputs include the use of investment manager statements and management estimates based on third party appraisals of underlying assets for valuing private equity investments. 

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents; Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased
 
As of September 30, 2013, our securities sold, not yet purchased increased by $156.7 million, or 17.3%, to $1,065.1 million from $908.4 million at December 31, 2012, as we increased the number and size of short equity positions. Our short exposure increased from 64% to 71% primarily due to the addition of new short positions during the period. Unlike long investments, short sales theoretically involve unlimited loss potential since there is no limit as to how high the market price of a security may rise. While it is not possible to list all of the reasons why a loss on a short sale may occur, a loss on short sale may be caused by one or more of the following factors:
Fluctuations in the share price due to an overall positive investment market;
Sudden unexpected changes in the underlying business model of the issuer;
Changes in laws and regulations relating to short sales;
Press releases and earnings guidance issued by the issuer;
A merger or acquisition of the issuer at a price in excess of the current share price;
The shares of the issuer becoming difficult to borrow;
A short squeeze.

Given the various scenarios under which a loss may occur on a short sale, it is not possible to quantify the risk and uncertainty of loss relating to short sales. However, our investment advisor typically performs a detailed analysis prior to entering into a short sale. Thereafter, the investment is routinely monitored by our investment advisor. Our investment guidelines limit any single investment from constituting more than 20% of the portfolio (10% for GRIL's portfolio) at any given time, hence limiting the potential adverse impact on our results of operations and financial position.

As of September 30, 2013, the restricted cash included $1,065.1 million relating to collateral for securities sold, not yet purchased, compared to $910.0 million as of December 31, 2012. Overall our restricted cash increased by $109.8 million, or 9.1%, from $1,206.8 million to $1,316.6 million, primarily as a result of needing more collateral to support the overall increase in securities sold, not yet purchased. The cash collateral held by derivative counterparties decreased by $27.8 million to $16.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as a result of an increase in fair values of equity swaps which in turn resulted in a reduction in the amount of collateral required by the counterparties.


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Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves
 
Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses were comprised of the following table: 
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Case
Reserves
 
IBNR
 
Total
 
Case
Reserves
 
IBNR
 
Total
 
($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
120,731

 
$
164,685

 
$
285,416

 
$
124,927

 
$
182,536

 
$
307,463

Severity
15,728

 
24,508

 
40,236

 
15,747

 
33,260

 
49,007

Total
$
136,459

 
$
189,193

 
$
325,652

 
$
140,674

 
$
215,796

 
$
356,470

 
The frequency loss reserves decreased by $22.0 million, or 7.2%, principally due to the reversal of loss reserves on contracts novated and commuted during 2013, partially offset by the increase in loss reserves relating to the general liability contracts in run-off due to adverse loss development. The decrease in severity loss reserves was principally due to the reversal of loss reserves relating to super-storm Sandy, partially offset by attritional loss reserves relating to the new severity contracts entered into during 2013. For most of our contracts written as of September 30, 2013, our risk exposure is limited by defined limits of liability. Once the loss limit for a contract has been reached, we have no further exposure to additional losses from that contract. However, certain contracts, particularly quota share contracts that relate to first dollar exposure, may not contain aggregate limits.
 
Our severity business includes contracts that contain or may contain natural peril loss exposure. As of October 1, 2013, our maximum aggregate loss exposure to any series of natural peril events was $149.8 million. For purposes of the preceding sentence, aggregate loss exposure is net of any retrocession and is equal to the difference between the aggregate limits available in the contracts that contain natural peril exposure minus reinstatement premiums, if any, for the same contracts. We categorize peak zones as: United States, Europe, Japan and the rest of the world. The following table provides single event loss exposure and aggregate loss exposure information for the peak zones of our natural peril coverage as of the date of this filing: 

Zone
 
Single Event Loss
 
Aggregate Loss
 
 
($ in thousands)
United States (1)
 
$
110,774

 
$
149,784

Europe
 
36,950

 
36,950

Japan
 
36,950

 
36,950

Rest of the world
 
74,470

 
74,470

Maximum Aggregate
 
110,774

 
149,784

(1) Includes the Caribbean
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and Loss Expenses Recoverable

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, loss and loss expenses recoverable decreased by $16.5 million, or 47.8%, principally resulting from the novation of certain retrocession contracts during the period.

 Shareholders’ Equity
 
Total equity reported on the balance sheet, which includes non-controlling interest, increased by $140.2 million to $1,000.6 million as of September 30, 2013, compared to $860.4 million as of December 31, 2012. Retained earnings increased due to net income of $141.8 million reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, while the non-controlling interest decreased by $4.7 million primarily due to withdrawal of funds by DME Advisors from the joint venture during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increase in additional paid-in capital of $3.1 million related to stock based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.



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Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
General
 
Greenlight Capital Re is organized as a holding company with no operations of its own. As a holding company, Greenlight Capital Re has minimal continuing cash needs, most of which are related to the payment of administrative expenses. All of our underwriting operations are conducted through our wholly-owned reinsurance subsidiaries, Greenlight Re and GRIL, which underwrite risks associated with our property and casualty reinsurance programs. There are restrictions on each of Greenlight Re’s and GRIL’s ability to pay dividends which are described in more detail below. It is our current policy to retain earnings to support the growth of our business. We currently do not expect to pay dividends on our ordinary shares.

As of September 30, 2013, Greenlight Re was rated "A (Excellent)" with a stable outlook by A.M. Best, while GRIL was rated "A- (Excellent)" with a stable outlook. The ratings reflect A.M. Best’s opinion of our reinsurance subsidiaries’ financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet obligations and it is not an evaluation directed toward the protection of investors or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold our Class A ordinary shares. If an independent rating agency downgrades our ratings below "A- (Excellent)" or withdraws our rating, we could be severely limited or prevented from writing any new reinsurance contracts, which would significantly and negatively affect our business. Insurer financial strength ratings are based upon factors relevant to policyholders and are not directed toward the protection of investors. Our A.M. Best ratings may be revised or revoked at the sole discretion of the rating agency. 


Sources and Uses of Funds
 
Our sources of funds consist primarily of premium receipts (net of brokerage and ceding commissions), investment income (net of advisory compensation and investment expenses), including realized gains, and other income. We use cash from our operations to pay losses and loss adjustment expenses, profit commissions and general and administrative expenses. Substantially all of our funds, including shareholders’ capital, net of funds required for cash liquidity purposes, are invested by DME Advisors in accordance with our investment guidelines. As of September 30, 2013, approximately 88% of our long investments were comprised of publicly-traded equity securities and gold bullion which can be readily liquidated to meet current and future liabilities. As of September 30, 2013, the majority of our investments were valued based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1). Given our value-oriented long and short investment strategy, if markets are distressed we would expect the liability of the short portfolio to decline. Any reduction in the liability would cause our need for restricted cash to decrease and thereby free up cash to be used for any purpose. Additionally, since the majority of our invested assets are liquid, even in distressed markets, we believe securities can be sold or covered to generate cash to pay claims. Since we classify our investments as "trading," we book all gains and losses (including unrealized gains and losses) on all our investments (including derivatives) as net investment income in our condensed consolidated statements of income for each reporting period.    
   
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the net cash used in operating activities was $56.8 million and $34.7 million, respectively. Included in the net cash used in operating activities were investment related expenses (such as investment advisor compensation, and net interest and dividend expenses) of $67.3 million and $56.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Subtracting the investment related expenses from the net cash used in our operating activities results in net cash primarily provided by our underwriting activities which was $10.6 million and $21.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in cash from underwriting activities was primarily a result of approximately $37.1 million paid during second quarter of 2013 for commuting a reinsurance contract, and was partially offset by increase in premiums collected net of acquisition costs and claim payment. Generally, in a given period if the premiums collected are sufficient to cover claim payments, we would generate cash from our underwriting activities. Due to the inherent nature of our underwriting portfolio, claims are often paid several months or even years after the premiums are collected. The cash generated from underwriting activities, however, may be volatile from period to period depending on the underwriting opportunities available.

We generated $118.0 million from investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, mainly from the net sale of investments, partially offset by decrease in funds borrowed from prime brokers as we reduced our margin leverage. There were no significant cash flows related to financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
   
As of September 30, 2013, we believe we have sufficient cash flow from operations to meet our foreseeable liquidity requirements. We expect that our operational needs for liquidity will be met by cash, funds generated from underwriting activities and investment income, including realized gains. As of September 30, 2013, we had no plans to issue debt and expect

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to fund our operations for the next twelve months from operating cash flow. However, we cannot provide assurances that in the future we will not incur indebtedness to implement our business strategy, pay claims or make acquisitions.
 
Although GLRE is not subject to any significant legal prohibitions on the payment of dividends, Greenlight Re and GRIL are each subject to regulatory minimum capital requirements and regulatory constraints that affect their ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, any dividend payment would have to be approved by the relevant regulatory authorities prior to payment. As of September 30, 2013, Greenlight Re and GRIL both exceeded the regulatory minimum capital requirements.  
  

Letters of Credit
 
As of September 30, 2013, neither Greenlight Re nor GRIL was licensed or admitted as a reinsurer in any jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands and the European Economic Area, respectively. Because many jurisdictions do not permit domestic insurance companies to take credit on their statutory financial statements for loss recoveries or ceded unearned premium unless appropriate measures are in place from reinsurance obtained from unlicensed or non-admitted insurers, we anticipate that all of our U.S. clients and some of our non-U.S. clients will require us to provide collateral through funds withheld, trust arrangements, letters of credit or a combination thereof.

As of September 30, 2013, we had four letter of credit facilities with an aggregate capacity of $760.0 million (December 31, 2012: $760.0 million) with various financial institutions. See Note 8 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for details on each of these facilities. As of September 30, 2013, an aggregate amount of $377.3 million (December 31, 2012: $416.5 million) in letters of credit was issued under these facilities. Under these facilities, we provide collateral that may consist of equity securities or cash and cash equivalents. At September 30, 2013, total equity securities and cash and cash equivalents with a fair value in the aggregate of $418.7 million (December 31, 2012: $441.7 million) were pledged as security against the letters of credit issued. The decrease in letters of credit issued and the corresponding decrease in collateral pledged as security was a result of commutation of a contract during the second quarter of 2013.

Each of the facilities contain customary events of default and restrictive covenants, including but not limited to, limitations on liens on collateral, transactions with affiliates, mergers and sales of assets, as well as solvency and maintenance of certain minimum pledged equity requirements, and restricts issuance of any debt without the consent of the letter of credit provider. Additionally, if an event of default exists, as defined in the letter of credit facilities, Greenlight Re would be prohibited from paying dividends to its parent company. The Company was in compliance with all the covenants of each of these facilities as of September 30, 2013.

  
Capital
 
Our capital structure currently consists entirely of equity issued in two separate classes of ordinary shares. We expect that the existing capital base and internally generated funds will be sufficient to implement our business strategy for the foreseeable future. Consequently, we do not presently anticipate that we will incur any material indebtedness in the ordinary course of our business other than temporary borrowing directly related to the management of our investment portfolio. However, in order to provide us with flexibility and timely access to public capital markets should we require additional capital for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate purposes, we have filed a Form S-3 registration statement, which expires in June 2015 unless renewed. We did not make any significant commitments for capital expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

On August 5, 2008, our board of directors adopted a share repurchase plan authorizing the Company to repurchase up to 2.0 million Class A ordinary shares. From time to time, the repurchase plan has been modified at the election of our Board of Directors. On April 30, 2013, our Board of Directors amended the share repurchase plan to extend the duration of the repurchase plan to June 30, 2014 and reinstated the authorization for the Company to purchase up to 2.0 million Class A ordinary shares or securities convertible into Class A ordinary shares in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The Company is not required to repurchase any of the Class A ordinary shares and the repurchase plan may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice. No Class A ordinary shares were repurchased by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

On April 28, 2010, our shareholders approved an amendment to our stock incentive plan to increase the number of Class A ordinary shares available for issuance from 2.0 million to 3.5 million. As of September 30, 2013, there were 962,181 Class A ordinary shares available for future issuance. 

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Contractual Obligations and Commitments
 
The following table shows our aggregate contractual obligations as of September 30, 2013 by time period remaining: 
 
Less than
 1 year
 
1-3 years
 
3-5 years
 
More than
 5 years
 
Total
 
  ($ in thousands)
Operating lease obligations (1)
$
556

 
$
1,078

 
$
814

 
$

 
$
2,448

Specialist service agreement
800

 
675

 

 

 
1,475

Private equity and limited partnerships (2)
9,890

 

 

 

 
9,890

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves (3)
157,880

 
77,831

 
84,239

 
5,702

 
325,652

 
$
169,126

 
$
79,584

 
$
85,053

 
$
5,702

 
$
339,465

(1)    Reflects our contractual obligations pursuant to the lease agreements as described below. 
 
(2)    As of September 30, 2013, we had made total commitments of $38.2 million in private investments of which we had invested $28.3 million, and our remaining commitments to these investments total $9.9 million. Given the nature of the private equity investments, we are unable to determine with any degree of accuracy as to when the commitments will be called. As such, for the purposes of the above table, we have assumed that all commitments with no fixed payment schedule will be made within one year. Under our investment guidelines, in effect as of the date hereof, no more than 10% of the assets in the investment portfolio may be held in private equity securities without specific approval from the Board of Directors. 
 
(3)    Due to the nature of our reinsurance operations, the amount and timing of the cash flows associated with our reinsurance contractual liabilities will fluctuate, perhaps materially, and, therefore, are highly uncertain.


As of September 30, 2013, $1,065.1 million of securities sold, not yet purchased, were secured by $1,065.1 million of restricted cash held by prime brokers to cover obligations relating to securities sold, not yet purchased. These amounts are not included in the contractual obligations table above because there is no maturity date for securities sold, not yet purchased, and their maturities are not set by any contract and as such their due dates cannot be estimated.
 
Greenlight Re has entered into lease agreements for office space in the Cayman Islands. The leases expire on June 30, 2018 and Greenlight Re has the option to renew the leases for a further 5 year term. Under the terms of the lease agreements, Greenlight Re is committed to annual rent payments ranging from $0.3 million at inception to $0.5 million at expiry. The minimum lease payment obligations are included in the above table under operating lease obligations and in Note 8 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
GRIL has entered into a lease agreement for office space in Dublin, Ireland. Under the terms of this lease agreement, GRIL is committed to average annual rent payments denominated in Euros approximating €0.07 million until May 2016 (net of rent inducements), and adjusted to the prevailing market rates for each of the three subsequent five-year terms. GRIL has the option to terminate the lease agreement in 2016 and 2021. The minimum lease payment obligations are included in the above table under operating lease obligations and in Note 8 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
We have entered into a service agreement with a specialist service provider for the provision of administration and support in developing and maintaining business relationships, reviewing and recommending programs and managing risks relating to certain specialty lines of business. The specialist service provider does not have any authority to bind the Company to any reinsurance contracts. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has committed to quarterly payments to the specialist service provider. If the agreement is terminated, the Company is obligated to make minimum payments for another two years to ensure any contracts to which the Company is bound are adequately administered by the specialist service provider. The minimum payments are included in the above table under specialist service agreement and in Note 8 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
On January 1, 2008, we entered into an Advisory Agreement wherein the Company and DME Advisors agreed to create a joint venture for the purposes of managing certain jointly-held assets. The Advisory Agreement was amended effective August 31, 2010 to include GRIL as a participant to the agreement. The original term of the Advisory Agreement was August 31, 2010 through December 31, 2013, which automatically renewed for another three years through December 31, 2016. The agreement renews for further three-year terms unless, 90 days prior to the end of the then current term, either DME Advisors

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terminates the agreement or any participant notifies DME Advisors of its desire to withdraw from the agreement. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, we pay a monthly management fee of 0.125% on our share of the assets managed by DME Advisors and performance allocation of 20% on the net investment income of the Company’s share of assets managed by DME Advisors subject to a loss carry forward provision. The loss carry forward provision allows DME Advisors to earn reduced performance allocation of 10% on net investment income in any year subsequent to the year in which the investment account incurs a loss, until all the losses are recouped and an additional amount equal to 150% of the aggregate loss is earned. DME Advisors is not entitled to earn performance allocation in a year in which the investment portfolio incurs a loss. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, $33.8 million of performance allocation was calculated at the 20% rate and included in net investment income.
 
In February 2007, we entered into a service agreement with DME Advisors pursuant to which DME Advisors will provide investor relations services to us for compensation of $5,000 per month plus expenses. The service agreement had an initial term of one year, and continues for sequential one-year periods until terminated by us or DME Advisors. Either party may terminate the service agreement for any reason with 30 days prior written notice to the other party.


Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements
 
We have no obligations, assets or liabilities, other than those derivatives in our investment portfolio that are disclosed in the condensed consolidated financial statements, which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. 

Item 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
We believe we are principally exposed to the following types of market risk:
 
•    equity price risk;

•    foreign currency risk;

•    interest rate risk;

•    credit risk; and

•    political risk.
 
Equity Price Risk

As of September 30, 2013, our investment portfolio consisted of long and short equity securities, along with certain equity-based derivative instruments, the carrying values of which are primarily based on quoted market prices. Generally, market prices of common equity securities are subject to fluctuation, which could cause the amount to be realized upon the closing of the position to differ significantly from their current reported value. This risk is partly mitigated by the presence of both long and short equity securities. As of September 30, 2013, a 10% decline in the price of each of these listed equity securities and equity-based derivative instruments would result in a $40.9 million, or 3.1%, decline in the fair value of our total investment portfolio.
 
Computations of the prospective effects of hypothetical equity price changes are based on numerous assumptions, including the maintenance of the existing level and composition of investment securities and should not be relied on as indicative of future results.
 
Foreign Currency Risk

Certain of our reinsurance contracts provide that ultimate losses may be payable or calculated in foreign currencies depending on the country of original loss. Foreign currency exchange rate risk exists to the extent that there is an increase in the exchange rate of the foreign currency in which losses are ultimately owed. As of September 30, 2013, we had loss reserves reported in foreign currencies of £15.4 million. As of September 30, 2013, a 10% decrease in the U.S. dollar against the GBP (all else being constant) would result in additional estimated loss reserves of $2.5 million and a corresponding foreign

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exchange loss. Alternatively, a 10% increase in the U.S dollar against the GBP, would result in a reduction of $2.5 million in our recorded loss reserves and a corresponding foreign exchange gain.
 
While we do not seek to specifically match our liabilities under reinsurance policies that are payable in foreign currencies with investments denominated in such currencies, we continually monitor our exposure to potential foreign currency losses and would consider the use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts in an effort to mitigate against adverse foreign currency movements.
 
We are also exposed to foreign currency risk through cash, forwards, options and investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign currency exchange rate risk is the potential for adverse changes in the U.S. dollar value of investments (long and short), speculative foreign currency options and cash positions due to a change in the exchange rate of the foreign currency in which cash and financial instruments are denominated. As of September 30, 2013, some of our currency exposure resulting from foreign denominated securities (longs and shorts) was reduced by offsetting cash balances denominated in the corresponding foreign currencies. 

The following table summarizes the net impact that a 10% increase and decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar against select foreign currencies would have on the value of our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2013
 
  10% increase in U.S. dollar
 
10% decrease in U.S. dollar
Foreign Currency
Change in
fair value
 
Change in fair value as % of investment portfolio
 
Change in
fair value
 
Change in fair value as % of investment portfolio
 
  ($ in thousands)
Australian Dollar
$
7,004

 
0.6
 %
 
$
(3,634
)
 
(0.3
)%
Brazilian Real
2,334

 
0.2

 
(2,334
)
 
(0.2
)
British Pound
(3,104
)
 
(0.2
)
 
3,104

 
0.2

Chinese Yuan
28,779

 
2.2

 
(2,421
)
 
(0.2
)
Euro
5,997

 
0.4

 
(5,997
)
 
(0.4
)
Japanese Yen
24,934

 
1.9

 
(14,174
)
 
(1.1
)
Other
366

 

 
(366
)
 

Total 
$
66,310

 
5.1
 %
 
$
(25,822
)
 
(2.0
)%
 
Computations of the prospective effects of hypothetical currency price changes are based on numerous assumptions, including the maintenance of the existing level and composition of investment securities denominated in foreign currencies and related foreign currency instruments, and should not be relied on as indicative of future results.
 
Interest Rate Risk

Our investment portfolio includes interest rate sensitive securities, such as corporate and sovereign debt instruments, CDS, interest rate options and futures. The primary market risk exposure for any debt instrument is interest rate risk. As interest rates rise, the market value of our long fixed-income portfolio falls, and the opposite is also true as interest rates fall. Additionally, some of our derivative investments may also be credit sensitive and their value may indirectly fluctuate with changes in interest rates. 


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The following table summarizes the impact that a 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would have on the value of our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2013:
 
100 basis point increase
in interest rates
 
100 basis point decrease
in interest rates
 
Change in
fair value
 
Change in fair value as % of investment portfolio
 
Change in
fair value
 
Change in fair value as % of investment portfolio
 
  ($ in thousands)
Debt instruments
$
13,282

 
1.02
 %
 
$
(14,526
)
 
(1.12
)%
Credit default swaps
(87
)
 
(0.01
)
 
87

 
0.01

Interest rate options
444

 
0.03

 
(28
)
 

Net exposure to interest rate risk
$
13,639

 
1.04
 %
 
$
(14,467
)
 
(1.11
)%
 
For the purposes of the above table, the hypothetical impact of changes in interest rates on debt instruments, CDS, interest rate options and futures was determined based on the interest rates applicable to each instrument individually. We periodically monitor our net exposure to interest rate risk and generally do not expect changes in interest rates to have a materially adverse impact on our operations.
 
Credit Risk

We are exposed to credit risk primarily from the possibility that counterparties may default on their obligations to us. The amount of the maximum exposure to credit risk is indicated by the carrying value of our financial assets including notes receivable. Our notes receivable are due from parties whom we consider our strategic partners and we evaluate their financial condition and monitor our exposure to them on a regular basis. We are also exposed to credit risk from our business partners and clients relating to balances receivable under the reinsurance contracts, including premiums receivable, losses recoverable and commission adjustments recoverable. We monitor the collectability of these balances on a regular basis.

In addition, the securities, commodities, and cash in our investment portfolio are held with several prime brokers, subjecting us to the related credit risk from the possibility that one or more of them may default on their obligations to us. We closely and regularly monitor our concentration of credit risk with each prime broker and if necessary, transfer cash or securities between prime brokers to diversify and mitigate our credit risk. Other than our investment in derivative contracts and corporate debt, if any, and the fact that our investments and majority of cash balances are held by prime brokers on our behalf, we have no other significant concentrations of credit risk. 

Political Risk

We are exposed to political risk to the extent that we underwrite business from entities located in foreign markets and to the extent that DME Advisors, on our behalf and subject to our investment guidelines, trade securities that are listed on various U.S. and foreign exchanges and markets. The governments in any of these jurisdictions could impose restrictions, regulations or other measures, which may have a material adverse impact on our underwriting operations and investment strategy. We currently do not write political risk coverage on our insurance contracts; however, changes in government laws and regulations may impact our underwriting operations. 

 

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Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Exchange Act, the Company has evaluated, with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in such rules) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all frauds. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.
 
Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based, in part, upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.  

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company continues to review its disclosure controls and procedures, including its internal controls over financial reporting, and may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that the Company’s systems evolve with its business.


  
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
From time to time, in the normal course of business, we may be involved in formal and informal dispute resolution procedures, which may include arbitration or litigation, the outcomes of which determine our rights and obligations under our reinsurance contracts and other contractual agreements. In some disputes, we may seek to enforce our rights under an agreement or to collect funds owing to us. In other matters, we may resist attempts by others to collect funds or enforce alleged rights. While the final outcome of legal disputes cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that any of our existing contractual disputes, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
 
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
 
Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in this report are any of the risks described in Item 1A "Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the SEC. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial

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condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results of operations.
 
As of September 30, 2013, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A "Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the SEC. We may disclose changes to such factors or disclose additional factors from time to time in our future filings with the SEC.
 
Item 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS 
 
On August 5, 2008, our board of directors adopted a share repurchase plan authorizing the Company to repurchase Class A ordinary shares. From time to time, the repurchase plan has been modified at the election of our Board of Directors. On April 30, 2013, our Board of Directors amended the share repurchase plan to extend the duration of the repurchase plan to June 30, 2014 and reinstated the authorization for the Company to purchase up to 2.0 million Class A ordinary shares or securities convertible into Class A ordinary shares in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. As of September 30, 2013, 2.0 million Class A ordinary shares remained authorized for repurchase under the plan. The Company is not required to make any repurchase of Class A ordinary shares and the repurchase plan may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice. No Class A ordinary shares were repurchased by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
 
Item 3.    DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES 
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable
 
Item 5.    OTHER INFORMATION
 
None.
 
Item 6.    EXHIBITS

10.1
Amendment to Exhibit A-1, effective July 24, 2013, of the Amended and Restated Agreement, effective as of August 31, 2010, between Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance Ireland, Ltd., and DME Advisors, LP., (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Form 10-Q filed on July 29, 2013)
12.1
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Share Dividends
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer filed hereunder pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer filed hereunder pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer filed hereunder pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (*)
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer filed hereunder pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (*)
101
The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity; (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
*
Furnished 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, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
By:
/s/ BARTON HEDGES                    
 
 
 
Barton Hedges
Director & Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
 
 
 
October 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ TIM COURTIS                           
 
 
 
Tim Courtis
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
 
 
 
October 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 

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