10-Q
Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
 
 
 
Form 10-Q
 
     
(Mark One)    
þ
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008.
or
o
  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.)
     
  802 WEST BAY ROAD
THE GRAND PAVILION
PO BOX 31110
GRAND CAYMAN
CAYMAN ISLANDS
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  KY1-1205
(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 þ     No o
 
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 o
  Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer þ   Smaller reporting company o
                     (Do not check if a 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 o     No þ
 
     
Class A Ordinary Shares, $.10 par value
  30,010,636
(Class)
  (Outstanding as of August 6, 2008)
 


 

 
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
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 EX-3.1: AMENDED AND RESTATED MEMORANDUM
 EX-31.1: CERTIFICATION
 EX-31.2: CERTIFICATION
 EX-32.1: CERTIFICATION
 EX-32.2: CERTIFICATION


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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share and share amounts)
 
                 
    June 30,
       
    2008
    December 31,
 
    (Unaudited)     2007  
 
Assets
Investments in securities
               
Debt securities, trading, at fair value
  $ 6,328     $ 1,520  
Equity investments, trading, at fair value
    588,604       570,440  
Other investments, at fair value
    11,013       18,576  
                 
Total investments in securities
    605,945       590,536  
Cash and cash equivalents
    97,523       64,192  
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
    441,747       371,607  
Financial contracts receivable, at fair value
    4,620       222  
Reinsurance balances receivable
    69,654       43,856  
Loss and loss adjustment expense recoverables
    7,680       6,721  
Deferred acquisition costs
    15,251       7,302  
Unearned premiums ceded
    15,595       8,744  
Other assets
    2,006       965  
                 
Total assets
  $ 1,260,021     $ 1,094,145  
                 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities
               
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
  $ 409,218     $ 332,706  
Financial contracts payable, at fair value
    1,643       17,746  
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
    57,367       42,377  
Unearned premium reserves
    95,289       59,298  
Reinsurance balances payable
    33,172       19,140  
Funds withheld
    9,180       7,542  
Other liabilities
    4,983       2,869  
Performance compensation payable to related party
    6,145       6,885  
Minority interest in joint venture
    7,270        
                 
Total liabilities
    624,267       488,563  
                 
Shareholders’ 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 30,010,636, (2007: 29,847,787); Class B: par value $0.10; authorized, 25,000,000; issued and outstanding, 6,254,949 (2007: 6,254,949))
    3,627       3,610  
Additional paid-in capital
    478,228       476,861  
Retained earnings
    153,899       125,111  
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    635,754       605,582  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,260,021     $ 1,094,145  
                 
 
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 six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share and share amounts)
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Revenues
                               
Gross premiums written
  $ 25,360     $ 65,445     $ 96,126     $ 103,509  
Gross premiums ceded
    (5,615 )     (14,534 )     (14,887 )     (28,277 )
                                 
Net premiums written
    19,745       50,911       81,239       75,232  
Change in net unearned premium reserves
    4,937       (25,939 )     (29,065 )     (29,339 )
                                 
Net premiums earned
    24,682       24,972       52,174       45,893  
Net investment income
    31,025       19,924       25,263       5,543  
                                 
Total revenues
    55,707       44,896       77,437       51,436  
                                 
Expenses
                               
Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net
    9,337       11,138       21,461       20,126  
Acquisition costs
    9,228       9,515       19,157       17,227  
General and administrative expenses
    3,210       2,926       7,670       5,905  
                                 
Total expenses
    21,775       23,579       48,288       43,258  
                                 
Net income before minority interest
    33,932       21,317       29,149       8,178  
Minority interest in income of joint venture
    (394 )           (361 )      
                                 
Net income
  $ 33,538     $ 21,317     $ 28,788     $ 8,178  
                                 
Earnings per share
                               
Basic
  $ 0.93     $ 0.78     $ 0.80     $ 0.33  
Diluted
    0.92       0.76       0.79       0.33  
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the determination of
                               
Basic
    35,981,386       27,472,993       35,981,349       24,515,973  
Diluted
    36,652,441       27,980,421       36,644,456       24,895,878  
 
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 six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share and share amounts)
 
                 
    Six Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended June 30,
    Ended June 30,
 
    2008     2007  
 
Ordinary share capital
               
Balance — beginning of period
  $ 3,610     $ 2,156  
Issue of Class A ordinary share capital
    17       1,191  
Issue of Class B ordinary share capital
          263  
                 
Balance — end of period
  $ 3,627     $ 3,610  
                 
Additional paid-in capital
               
Balance — beginning of period
  $ 476,861     $ 219,972  
Issue of Class A ordinary share capital
    9       207,094  
Issue of Class B ordinary share capital
          49,737  
IPO expenses
          (2,629 )
Stock options and awards expense
    1,358       1,512  
                 
Balance — end of period
  $ 478,228     $ 475,686  
                 
Retained earnings
               
Balance — beginning of period
  $ 125,111     $ 90,039  
Net income
    28,788       8,178  
                 
Balance — end of period
  $ 153,899     $ 98,217  
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
  $ 635,754     $ 577,513  
                 
 
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 six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share and share amounts)
 
                 
    Six Months
    Six Months
 
    Ended June 30,
    Ended June 30,
 
    2008     2007  
 
Cash provided by (used in)
               
Operating activities
               
Net income
  $ 28,788     $ 8,178  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
               
Net change in unrealized losses (gains) on securities and financial contracts
    40,177       (5,091 )
Net realized gains on securities and financial contracts
    (86,679 )     (14,185 )
Foreign exchange loss on restricted cash and cash equivalents
    14,437       70  
Minority interest in income of joint venture
    361        
Stock options and awards expense
    1,375       1,512  
Depreciation
    20       20  
Purchases of securities
          (391,404 )
Sales of securities
          264,472  
Change in
               
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
          (148,620 )
Financial contracts receivable, at fair value
          (1,151 )
Reinsurance balances receivable
    (25,798 )     (41,435 )
Loss and loss adjustment expense recoverables
    (959 )     (5,269 )
Deferred acquisition costs
    (7,949 )     1,007  
Unearned premiums ceded
    (6,851 )     (20,854 )
Other assets
    (1,061 )     (2,013 )
Financial contracts payable, at fair value
          18,939  
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
    14,990       23,651  
Unearned premium reserves
    35,991       50,212  
Reinsurance balances payable
    14,032       18,285  
Funds withheld
    1,638       2,753  
Other liabilities
    2,114       1,020  
Performance compensation payable to related party
    (740 )     (13,275 )
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    23,886       (253,178 )
                 
Investing activities
               
Purchases of securities and financial contracts
    (575,339 )      
Sales of securities and financial contracts
    662,443        
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
    (84,577 )      
Minority interest in joint venture
    6,909        
                 
Net cash provided by investing activities
    9,436        
                 
Financing activities
               
Net proceeds from share issue
          255,656  
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options
    9        
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    9       255,656  
                 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    33,331       2,478  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
    64,192       82,704  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
  $ 97,523     $ 85,182  
                 
Supplementary information
               
Interest paid in cash
  $ 6,909     $ 153  
Interest received in cash
    6,906       1,328  
 
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)
June 30, 2008 and 2007
 
1.   GENERAL
 
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 wholly owned subsidiary, Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”), provides global specialty property and casualty reinsurance. The Subsidiary has an unrestricted Class “B” insurance license under Section 4(2) of the Cayman Islands Insurance Law. The Subsidiary commenced underwriting in April 2006. In August 2004, GLRE raised gross proceeds of $212.2 million from private placements of Class A and Class B ordinary shares. In May 2007, GLRE raised proceeds of $208.3 million, net of underwriting fees, in an initial public offering of Class A ordinary shares as well as an additional $50.0 million from a private placement of Class B ordinary shares.
 
The Class A ordinary shares of GLRE are listed on Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “GLRE.”
 
As used herein, the “Company” refers collectively to GLRE and the Subsidiary.
 
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, 2007. In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all 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 six months ended June 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year.
 
2.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of GLRE and the consolidated financial statements of the Subsidiary. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated on consolidation. These condensed consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of the joint venture created between the Company and DME Advisors, LP (“DME”) effective January 1, 2008. Please refer to Note 6 for more details relating to the joint venture. DME’s share of interest in the joint venture is recorded as a minority interest.
 
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 cash in segregated accounts with prime brokers and swap counterparties. The amount of restricted cash held by prime brokers is used to support the liability created from securities sold, not yet purchased, as well as net cash from foreign currency transactions. Cash held for the benefit of swap counterparties is used to collateralize the current value of any amounts that may be due to the counterparty under the swap contract.


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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves and Recoverables
 
The Company establishes reserves for contracts 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, historical experience as well as the Company’s own actuarial estimates. These estimates are reviewed periodically and adjusted when deemed necessary. Since reserves are based on 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 expense recoverables include the amounts due from retrocessionaires for paid and 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 recoverable when recovery becomes unlikely.
 
Financial Instruments
 
Investments in Securities and Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased
 
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS’) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which establishes a framework for measuring fair value by creating a hierarchy of fair value measurements based on inputs used in deriving fair values and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 had no material impact to the Company’s results of operations or financial condition as there were no material changes in the valuation techniques used by the Company to measure fair value. The Company’s investments in debt and equity securities that are classified as “trading securities” are carried at fair value. The fair values of the listed equity and debt investments are derived based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 inputs). The fair values of private debt securities are derived based on inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly (Level 2 inputs), or on inputs that are unobservable (Level 3 inputs).
 
The Company’s “Other Investments” may include investments in private equities, limited partnerships, futures, exchange traded options and over-the-counter options (“OTC”), which are all carried at fair value. 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 equities, 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. Amounts invested in exchange traded and OTC call and put options are recorded as an asset or liability at inception. Subsequent to initial recognition unexpired exchange traded option contracts are recorded at fair market value based on quoted prices in active markets (Level 1 inputs). 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 inputs) such as market maker quotes.
 
For securities classified as “trading securities,” and “Other Investments,” any realized and unrealized gains or losses are determined on the basis of specific identification method (by reference to cost and amortized cost, as appropriate) and included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
 
Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized into net investment income over the life of the security. 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.


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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Investments in Swap Agreements
 
Total return swap agreements, included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as financial contracts receivable and financial contracts payable, are derivative financial instruments entered into 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 does not own, over a specified time frame. In addition, the Company may also be obligated to pay or receive other payments based on either interest rate, 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 market value movements of the underlying security together with any other payments due. These contracts are carried at fair value, derived based on observable inputs (Level 2 inputs) with the resultant unrealized gains and losses reflected in net investment income in the condensed 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.
 
Earnings Per Share
 
Basic earnings per share are based on weighted average ordinary shares outstanding during the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and exclude dilutive effects of stock options and unvested stock awards. Diluted earnings per share assumes the exercise of all dilutive stock options and stock awards using the treasury stock method.
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
    35,981,386       27,472,993       35,981,349       24,515,973  
Effect of dilutive service provider stock options
    172,087       183,930       173,347       159,698  
Effect of dilutive employee and director options and stock awards
    498,968       323,498       489,760       220,207  
                                 
      36,652,441       27,980,421       36,644,456       24,895,878  
                                 
Anti-dilutive stock options outstanding
    50,000             50,000       233,000  
                                 
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
 
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements but applies whenever other standards require or permit assets or liabilities to be measured by fair value. The Company adopted SFAS No. 157 for its financial assets and financial liabilities effective January 1, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
In February 2008, the FASB approved the issuance of FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 157-2. FSP FAS 157-2 defers the effective date of SFAS No. 157 until January 1, 2009 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities except those items recognized or disclosed at fair value on an annual or more frequently recurring basis.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. For items for which the fair value option has been elected, unrealized gains and losses are to be reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value option is irrevocable unless a new election date occurs, may be applied instrument by instrument, with a few exceptions, and applies only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. SFAS No. 159 provides an opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by


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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting. The Company adopted SFAS No. 159 effective January 1, 2008. As a result, the unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s investments in private equities and limited partnerships, are now included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income, as opposed to other comprehensive income. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements except for the change in presentation of cash flows relating to investments in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows as described below.
 
Additionally, SFAS No. 159 amends SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” such that cash flows relating to “trading securities” must be classified in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows based on the nature and purpose for which the securities were acquired. Prior to adopting SFAS No. 159, the Company classified cash flows relating to investments as operating activities. The Company has determined that activities that generate investment income or loss should be classified under investing activities to reflect the underlying nature and purpose of the Company’s investing strategies. Therefore, upon adoption of SFAS No. 159, the Company has classified cash flows relating to investments in securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and financial contracts receivable and payable, as investing activities. Prior period comparatives have not been reclassified.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised), “Business Combinations.” SFAS No. 141 (Revised) is effective for acquisitions during the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and early adoption is prohibited. This statement establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. The statement also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. Management is reviewing this guidance; however, the effect of the statement’s implementation will depend upon the extent and magnitude of acquisitions, if any, after December 31, 2008.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51.” SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and early adoption is prohibited. This statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Management is reviewing this guidance; however, the effect of the statement’s implementation is not expected to be material to the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. This statement changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how an entity accounts for the derivatives and hedged items, and how derivatives and hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, performance and cash flows. Management is reviewing this guidance; however, the effect of the statement’s implementation is not expected to be material to the Company’s derivative disclosures.
 
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” SFAS No. 162 is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). SFAS No. 162 directs the GAAP hierarchy to the Company, not the independent auditors, as the entity is responsible for selecting accounting principles for financial statements that are presented in conformity with GAAP. SFAS No. 162 is effective 60 days


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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
following the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to remove the GAAP hierarchy from the auditing standards. Management does not expect SFAS No. 162 to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 163, “Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60.” SFAS No. 163 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and all interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier application is not permitted except for disclosures about the risk-management activities of the insurance enterprise which is effective for the first interim period beginning after the issuance of SFAS No. 163. This statement requires an insurance enterprise to recognize a claim liability prior to an insured event when there is evidence that credit deterioration has occurred in an insured financial obligation. This statement also clarifies how FASB Statement No. 60 applies to financial guarantee insurance contracts, including the recognition and measurement to be used to account for premium revenue and claim liabilities. Finally, this statement requires expanded disclosures about financial guarantee contracts focusing on the insurance enterprise’s risk-management activities in evaluating credit deterioration in its insured financial obligations. Management is reviewing this statement; however, the effect of the statement’s implementation is not expected to be material to the Company’s results of operations or financial position. Also as of June 30, 2008, the Company had no financial guarantee contracts that required expanded disclosures under this statement.
 
3.   FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 and SFAS No. 159. As a result, all of the Company’s “trading securities” continue to be carried at fair value, and the net unrealized gains or losses continue to be included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income. For private equity securities, the unrealized gains and losses, if any, which would have been previously recorded in other comprehensive income, are included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income in order to apply a consistent treatment for the Company’s entire investment portfolio. The change in treatment resulted in no cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The fair values of the private equity securities, existing at the date the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, remained unchanged from the carrying values of those securities immediately prior to electing the fair value option.
 
The following table presents the Company’s investments, categorized by the level of the fair value hierarchy as of June 30, 2008:
 
                                 
    Fair Value Measurements as of June 30, 2008  
                Significant
       
                Other
    Significant
 
          Quoted Prices in
    Observable
    Unobservable
 
    Total as of
    Active Markets
    Inputs
    Inputs
 
Description
  June 30, 2008     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Listed equity securities
  $ 588,604     $ 588,604     $     $  
Debt securities
    6,328             3,261       3,067  
Private equity securities
    7,963             1,700       6,263  
Options
    3,050       1,215       1,835        
Financial contracts receivable/payable, net
    2,977             2,977        
                                 
    $ 608,922     $ 589,819     $ 9,773     $ 9,330  
                                 
Listed equity securities, sold not yet purchased
  $ (409,218 )   $ (409,218 )   $     $  
                                 
    $ (409,218 )   $ (409,218 )   $     $  
                                 


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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The following table presents the reconciliation of the balances for all investments measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
 
                                                 
    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2008     Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  
          Private
                Private
       
    Debt
    Equity
          Debt
    Equity
       
    Securities     Securities     Total     Securities     Securities     Total  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 865     $ 10,943     $ 11,808     $ 865     $ 8,115     $ 8,980  
Purchases, sales, issuance, and settlements
    2,204       804       3,008       2,204       3,565       5,769  
Total gains or losses (realized & unrealized) included in earnings
    (2 )     (279 )     (281 )     (2 )     (212 )     (214 )
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
          (5,205 )     (5,205 )           (5,205 )     (5,205 )
                                                 
Ending balance
  $ 3,067     $ 6,263     $ 9,330     $ 3,067     $ 6,263     $ 9,330  
                                                 
 
Transfers from Level 3 represent the fair value of private equity securities of an entity that were transferred to Level 1 when the entity’s shares were publicly listed during the second quarter of fiscal 2008, resulting in fair value being based on the quoted price in an active market.
 
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, change in unrealized losses of $0.3 million and $0.2 million respectively, on securities still held at the reporting date, and valued using unobservable inputs, are included as net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income. There were no realized gains or losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, relating to securities valued using unobservable inputs.
 
Other Investments
 
“Other Investments” include options as well as private equities for which quoted prices in active markets are not readily available. Options are derivative financial instruments that give the buyer, in exchange for a premium payment, the right, but not the obligation, to either purchase from (call option) or sell to (put option) the writer, a specified underlying security at a specified price on or before a specified date. The Company enters into option contracts to meet certain investment objectives. For exchange traded option contracts, the exchange acts as the counterparty to specific transactions and therefore bears the risk of delivery to and from counterparties of specific positions. For OTC options the dealer acts as the counterparty and therefore the Company is exposed to credit risk to the extent the dealer is unable to meet its obligations. As of June 30, 2008, the Company did not hold any OTC options.
 
As of June 30, 2008, the following securities were included in “Other Investments”:
 
                                 
          Unrealized
    Unrealized
    Fair Market
 
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Private equity securities
  $ 9,565     $     $ (1,602 )   $ 7,963  
Put options
    2,477       594       (21 )     3,050  
                                 
    $ 12,042     $ 594     $ (1,623 )   $ 11,013  
                                 


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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
As of December 31, 2007, the following securities were included in “Other Investments”:
 
                                 
          Unrealized
    Unrealized
    Fair Market
 
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Private equity securities
  $ 10,932     $ 150     $ (247 )   $ 10,835  
Call options
    1,943       776       (1,409 )     1,310  
Put options
    2,821       3,266       (1,182 )     4,905  
Futures
          1,526             1,526  
                                 
    $ 15,696     $ 5,718     $ (2,838 )   $ 18,576  
                                 
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2007, other-than-temporary impairment losses on private equities of $0.3 million were reported and included in net realized gains on securities within net investment income, in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
 
4.   RETROCESSION
 
The Company utilizes retrocession agreements to reduce the risk of loss on business assumed. At June 30, 2008, the Company had in place coverages that provide for recovery of a portion of loss and loss expenses incurred on certain contracts. Loss and loss adjustment expense recoverables from the retrocessionaires are recorded as assets. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred are net of loss and loss expenses recovered and recoverable of $5.4 million (2007: $5.9 million). Retrocession contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. Failure of retrocessionaires to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. The Company regularly evaluates the financial condition of its retrocessionaires. At June 30, 2008, the Company had loss and loss adjustment expense recoverables of $0 (2007: $1.3 million) with a retrocessionaire rated “A (excellent)” by A.M. Best Company. In addition, included in the reinsurance balances receivable on the balance sheet as of June 30, 2008 were $1.5 million (2007: $1.3 million) in losses reimbursable from a retrocessionaire rated “A (excellent)” by A.M. Best Company. Additionally, at June 30, 2008, the Company had loss and loss adjustment expense recoverables of $7.7 million (2007: $5.4 million) with two unrated retrocessionaires. At June 30, 2008, the Company retained funds and other collateral from the unrated retrocessionaires for amounts in excess of the loss recoverable asset, and the Company has recorded no provision for uncollectible losses recoverable.
 
5.   SHARE CAPITAL
 
On January 10, 2007, 1,426,630 Class B ordinary shares were transferred from Greenlight Capital Investors, LLC (“GCI”) to its underlying owners and automatically converted into an equal number of Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis, upon transfer. The remaining Class B ordinary shares were transferred from GCI to David Einhorn, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors and a principal shareholder of the Company, and remained as Class B ordinary shares.
 
On May 30, 2007, the Company completed the sale of 11,787,500 Class A ordinary shares at $19.00 per share in an initial public offering. Included in the 11,787,500 shares sold were 1,537,500 shares purchased by the underwriters to cover over-allotments. Concurrently, 2,631,579 Class B ordinary shares were sold at $19.00 per share as part of a private placement. The net proceeds to the Company of the initial public offering and private placement were approximately $255.7 million after the deduction of underwriting fees and other offering expenses.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2008, 141,465 (2007: 108,160) restricted shares of 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 vest on March 24, 2011, subject to the grantee’s continued service with the Company.


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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2008, 660 stock options were exercised which had a weighted average exercise price of $13.85. 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. The intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2008, was $6,067. During the six months ended June 30, 2007, no stock options were exercised.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company also issued to certain directors 20,724 (2007: 13,264) restricted shares of Class A ordinary shares as part of the directors’ remuneration. Each of these restricted shares issued to the directors contain similar restrictions to those issued to employees and these shares 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.
 
The following table is a summary of voting ordinary shares issued and outstanding:
 
                                 
    June 30, 2008     June 30, 2007  
    Class A     Class B     Class A     Class B  
 
Balance — beginning of period
    29,847,787       6,254,949       16,507,228       5,050,000  
Issue of ordinary shares
    162,849             11,913,929       2,631,579  
Transfer from Class B to Class A
                1,426,630       (1,426,630 )
                                 
Balance — end of period
    30,010,636       6,254,949       29,847,787       6,254,949  
                                 
 
6.   RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
Investment Advisory Agreement
 
The Company was party to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Investment Agreement”) with DME until December 31, 2007. DME is a related party and an affiliate of David Einhorn, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and the beneficial owner of all of the issued and outstanding Class B ordinary shares. Effective January 1, 2008, the Company terminated the Investment Agreement and entered into an agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) wherein the Company and DME agreed to create a joint venture for the purposes of managing certain jointly held assets. Pursuant to this agreement, there were no changes to the monthly management fee or performance compensation contained in the Investment Agreement.
 
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, performance compensation equal to 20% of the net income of the Company’s share of the account managed by DME is allocated, subject to a loss carry forward provision, to DME’s account. Included in net investment income for both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008 is a performance compensation expense of $6.1 million (2007: $1.3 million). At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, $6.1 million and $6.9 million, respectively, remained payable.
 
Additionally, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, a monthly management fee equal to 0.125% (1.5% on an annual basis) of the Company’s share of the account managed by DME is paid to DME. Included in the net investment income for the three months ended June 30, 2008 are management fees of $2.7 million (2007: $1.7 million). Included in net investment income for the six months ended June 30, 2008, are management fees of $5.1 million (2007: $3.0 million). The management fees were fully paid as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007.
 
Service Agreement
 
In February 2007, the Company entered into a service agreement with DME, pursuant to which DME will provide investor relations services to the Company for compensation of $5,000 per month (plus expenses). The agreement had an initial term of one year, and continues for sequential one year periods until terminated by the Company or DME. Either party may terminate the agreement for any reason with 30 days prior written notice to the other party.


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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
7.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Letters of Credit
 
At June 30, 2008, the Company had one letter of credit agreement for a total facility of $400 million of which the Company had issued $116.8 million (December 31, 2007: $76.5 million) letters of credit. In addition, a $25.0 million letter of credit agreement with another bank was terminated on June 6, 2008; although, letters of credit of $23.9 million issued under the agreement prior to June 6, 2008, remain outstanding until their respective expiration dates. At June 30, 2008, total investments and cash equivalents with a fair market value of $225.1 million (December 31, 2007: $148.9 million) have been pledged as security against the letters of credit issued. Each of the credit facilities requires that the Company comply with covenants, including restrictions on the Company’s ability to place a lien or charge on the pledged assets, and restricts issuance of any debt without the consent of the letter of credit provider. The Company was in compliance with all the covenants of each of its letter of credit facilities as of June 30, 2008.
 
Operating Lease
 
Effective September 1, 2005, the Company entered into a five-year non-cancelable lease agreement to rent office space. The total rent expense charged for the six months ended June 30, 2008, was $46,589 (2007: $44,370).
 
Specialist Service Agreement
 
Effective September 1, 2007, the Company entered into a service agreement with a specialist whereby the specialist service provider provides administration and support in developing and maintaining relationships, reviewing and recommending programs and managing risks on certain specialty lines of business. The 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 service provider. If the agreement is terminated after two years, the Company is obligated to make minimum payments for another two years, as presented in the table below, to ensure any bound contracts are adequately run-off by the service provider.
 
Private Equity
 
Periodically, 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 June 30, 2008, the Company had commitments to invest an additional $26.9 million in private equities.
 
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies
 
As of June 30, 2008, the following is a schedule of future minimum payments required under the above commitments for the next five years:
 
                                                 
    2008     2009     2010     2011     2012     Total  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Operating lease obligations
  $ 48     $ 99     $ 69     $     $     $ 216  
Specialist service agreement
    326       576       400       150             1,452  
Private equity and limited partnerships(1)
    26,913                               26,913  
                                                 
    $ 27,287     $ 675     $ 469     $ 150     $     $ 28,581  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Given the nature of these investments, the Company is unable to determine with any degree of accuracy when the remaining commitments will be called. Therefore, for purposes of the above table, the Company has assumed that all commitments will be paid within one year.


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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
Litigation
 
In the normal course of business, the Company may become involved in various claims, litigation and legal proceedings. As of June 30, 2008, the Company was not a party to any litigation or arbitration proceedings.
 
8.   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 June 30, 2008     Three Months Ended June 30, 2007     Six Months Ended June 30, 2008     Six Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    ($ in millions)  
 
Property
                                                               
Commercial lines
  $ 1.6       6.3 %   $ 5.3       8.1 %   $ 6.1       6.3 %   $ 10.0       9.6 %
Personal lines
    (4.2 )     (16.5 )     15.8       24.2       (4.1 )     (4.3 )     30.8       29.8  
Casualty
                                                               
General liability
    8.7       34.2       16.5       25.2       10.3       10.7       17.0       16.4  
Motor liability
    12.1       47.6                   36.9       38.4              
Professional liability
    2.2       8.7       27.3       41.7       2.2       2.3       27.3       26.4  
Specialty
                                                               
Health
    2.5       9.8       0.5       0.8       28.5       29.7       14.8       14.3  
Medical malpractice
    (0.9 )     (3.5 )                 6.9       7.2       3.6       3.5  
Workers’ compensation
    3.4       13.4                   9.3       9.7              
                                                                 
    $ 25.4       100.0 %   $ 65.4       100.0 %   $ 96.1       100.0 %   $ 103.5       100.0 %
                                                                 
 
Gross Premiums Written by Geographic Area of Risks Insured
 
                                                                 
          Three Months Ended June 30,
             
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2008     2007     Six Months Ended June 30, 2008     Six Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    ($ in millions)  
 
USA
  $ 21.6       85.0 %   $ 33.6       51.3 %   $ 86.2       89.7 %   $ 66.6       64.3 %
Worldwide(1)
    3.0       11.8       29.2       44.6       9.1       9.5       34.2       33.0  
Europe
                2.1       3.3                   2.1       2.1  
Caribbean
    0.8       3.2       0.5       0.8       0.8       0.8       0.6       0.6  
                                                                 
    $ 25.4       100.0 %   $ 65.4       100.0 %   $ 96.1       100.0 %   $ 103.5       100.0 %
                                                                 
 
 
(1) “Worldwide” risk comprise individual policies that insure risks on a worldwide basis.
 
9.   SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
On July 9, 2008, the Company entered into a lease agreement for new office space in the Cayman Islands. Under the terms of the lease agreement, the Company is committed to annual rent payments ranging from $253,539


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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
to $311,821 for ten years starting from the earlier of December 1, 2008 or when the premises are occupied. The Company also has the option to renew the lease for a further five year term.
 
In addition, on August 5, 2008, the Board adopted a share repurchase plan. Under the share repurchase plan, the Board authorized the Company to purchase up to two million of its Class A ordinary shares from time to time. Class A ordinary shares may be purchased in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The timing of such repurchases and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, market conditions and applicable regulatory and corporate requirements. The share repurchase plan, which expires on June 30, 2011, does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice. As of the date of this filing, no Class A ordinary shares had been repurchased pursuant to the share repurchase plan.


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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,” “Greenlight Re,” or “the Company” refer to Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., 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 the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and financial condition as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
 
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. 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, 2007. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly 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 the Company’s 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we do not intend to make public announcements regarding reinsurance or investment events that we do not believe, based on management’s estimates and current information, will have a material adverse impact to the Company’s operations or financial position.
 
General
 
We are a Cayman Islands-based specialty property and casualty reinsurer with a reinsurance and investment strategy that we believe differentiates us from 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 provide 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 have a limited operating history, and 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. In addition, 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 SFAS 131, “Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” Within the property and casualty reinsurance segment, we analyze our underwriting operations using two categories:
 
  •  frequency business; and
 
  •  severity business.
 
Frequency business is characterized by contracts containing a potentially large number of smaller 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 and expertise. We expect the results of frequency business to be less volatile than those of severity business from period to period due to its greater predictability. We also expect that over time the profit margins and return on equity for our frequency business will be lower than those of our severity business.
 
Severity business is typically characterized by 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
 
Due to our increasing market recognition and a stronger capital base, we continue to expect to see an increase in frequency business written in 2008 compared to 2007 and continued diversification of business by client, line of business, broker and geography. In the second quarter of 2008, our premium estimates on certain contracts were lower than initially expected mainly due to our clients writing less exposures in a softening pricing environment. This has caused second quarter premium to decline.
 
At the same time, we believe there is an excess of capacity in the property and casualty reinsurance business as a whole, mainly due to two consecutive years of low natural catastrophe losses. In the absence of a market changing event in 2008, we believe that this excess capacity will exert downward pricing pressure on a number of the products we sell or wish to sell in the near term. We intend to maintain our underwriting standards and discipline in the face of such potential market conditions.
 
Although current general market conditions in the reinsurance business may not be favorable, we continue to believe that specific sectors within the reinsurance marketplace may provide attractive opportunities. In particular, we continue to anticipate that we will see attractive opportunities during the remainder of 2008 in certain casualty and property lines, including some property catastrophe coverages, motor liability, health and medical malpractice risks, for reasons set forth in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
 
We intend to continue monitoring market conditions to be positioned to participate in future underserved or capacity-constrained markets as they arise and intend to offer products that we believe will generate favorable returns on equity over the long term. Accordingly, our underwriting results and product line concentrations in any given period may not be indicative of our future results of operations. Currently, we believe that market disruptions in some segments of the health markets have created some short-term opportunities, even as we are facing unfavorable general market conditions. In addition, we continue to develop business relating to the Cayman Islands’ captive market, which we believe can generate above average risk adjusted returns.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our consolidated financials statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect 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, 2007, continue to


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describe the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. These accounting policies pertain to revenue recognition, loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and investment valuation. Effective January 1, 2008, as a result of adopting SFAS No. 157 and SFAS No. 159 we record unrealized gains and losses, if any, on private investments in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income. There was no material impact to our results of operations or financial condition as a result of this change. We did not make any material changes to our valuation techniques or models during the period.
 
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.
 
Results of Operations
 
For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008, and 2007
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2008, our net income increased by $12.2 million as compared to the same period in 2007 mainly due to $11.1 million higher investment income compared to the same period in 2007. The investment portfolio reported a net investment income of $31.0 million, a return of 4.5%, for the second quarter of 2008 as compared to net investment income of $19.9 million, a return of 6.8%, for the second quarter of 2007. The higher investment income reported in 2008 is primarily due to an increase in invested assets resulting from the net proceeds of our initial public offering in May 2007. Additionally, underwriting income increased to $6.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, from $4.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The increase in underwriting income for the three months ended June 30, 2008, was primarily due to lower loss and loss adjustment expenses, net of loss recoveries.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, our net income increased by $20.6 million as compared to the same period in 2007 mainly due to $19.7 million higher investment income compared to the same period in 2007. The investment portfolio reported a net investment income of $25.3 million, a return of 3.6%, for the first half of 2008 as compared to a net investment income of $5.5 million, a return of 2.3%, for the first half of 2007. Additionally, our underwriting income accounted for approximately $3.0 million of the increase, while higher general and administrative expenses offset a portion of the increases in our underwriting and investment results.
 
One of our primary financial goals is to increase the long-term value in fully diluted book value per share. For the three months ended June 30, 2008, fully diluted book value increased by $0.89 per share, or 5.4%, to $17.29 from $16.40 at March 31, 2008. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, fully diluted book value increased by $0.72 per share, or 4.3%, to $17.29 from $16.57 at December 31, 2007.
 
Premiums Written
 
Details of gross premiums written are provided below:
 
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Frequency
  $ 20,801       82.0 %   $ 30,943       47.3 %   $ 77,646       80.8 %   $ 63,801       61.6 %
Severity
    4,559       18.0       34,502       52.7       18,480       19.2       39,708       38.4  
                                                                 
Total
  $ 25,360       100.0 %   $ 65,445       100.0 %   $ 96,126       100.0 %   $ 103,509       100.0 %
                                                                 
 
We expect quarterly reporting of premiums written to be volatile as our underwriting portfolio continues to develop and due to our strategy to insure a concentrated portfolio of significant risks. Additionally, the composition of premiums written between frequency and severity business will vary from quarter to quarter depending on the specific market opportunities that we pursue. The volatility in premiums is reflected in the premiums written for both frequency and severity business when comparing the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 to the same periods in 2007. The main contributing factor for the lower severity premiums written for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 is premiums on a multi-year professional liability severity contract written in the second quarter of 2007 which were recognized as written at inception in accordance with our accounting policy


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for premium recognition. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, approximately $44.1 million, or 45.9%, of the gross premiums written were attributed to new contracts entered into during the first half of 2008. A more detailed analysis of gross premiums written by line of business can be found in Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
We entered into retrocessional contracts amounting to $5.6 million of ceded premiums for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $14.5 million of ceded premiums for same period in 2007. This decrease is attributed mainly to the following two factors.
 
  •  A frequency contract was renewed during the three month period ended June 30, 2008 which had $5.9 million lower ceded premiums than the original contract entered into during the three months ended June 30, 2007. The lower ceded premiums on this contract were due to a combination of us retaining additional risk compared to the original contract, and due to lower estimated subject premiums on the assumed contract.
 
  •  Premium adjustments were recorded on two frequency contracts during the three month period ended June 30, 2008 which accounted for approximately $3.0 million of the decrease.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, our premiums ceded decreased by $13.4 million, or 47.4%, mainly due to the following factors.
 
  •  A frequency contract was renewed at lower estimated subject premiums.
 
  •  A frequency contract was restructured on renewal wherein we retained certain additional risks previously ceded to a third party.
 
  •  Premium adjustments were recorded on two frequency contracts during the six month period ended June 30, 2008.
 
Details of net premiums written are provided below:
 
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June, 30  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Frequency
  $ 15,186       76.9 %   $ 16,409       32.2 %   $ 62,758       77.3 %   $ 35,524       47.2 %
Severity
    4,559       23.1       34,502       67.8       18,481       22.7       39,708       52.8  
                                                                 
Total
  $ 19,745       100.0 %   $ 50,911       100.0 %   $ 81,239       100.0 %   $ 75,232       100.0 %
                                                                 
 
Our severity business includes contracts that contain or may contain natural peril loss exposure. As of August 1, 2008, our maximum aggregate loss exposure to any series of natural peril events was $69.5 million. For purposes of the preceding sentence, aggregate loss exposure is equal to the difference between the aggregate limits available in the contracts that contain natural peril exposure and reinstatement premiums 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:
 
                 
    Single Event
    Aggregate
 
Zone
  Loss     Loss  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
USA(1)
  $ 51,750     $ 69,500  
Europe
    43,750       51,500  
Japan
    43,750       51,500  
Rest of the world
    23,750       31,500  
Maximum Aggregate
    51,750       69,500  
 
 
(1) Includes the Caribbean


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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 below:
 
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Frequency
  $ 15,341       62.2 %   $ 20,476       82.0 %   $ 33,295       63.8 %   $ 36,417       79.4 %
Severity
    9,341       37.8       4,496       18.0       18,879       36.2       9,476       20.6  
                                                                 
Total
  $ 24,682       100.0 %   $ 24,972       100.0 %   $ 52,174       100.0 %   $ 45,893       100.0 %
                                                                 
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2008, the earned premiums on the frequency business decreased $5.1 million compared to the same period in 2007. The decrease was mainly due to revised estimates of frequency premiums from certain 2008 contracts, and due to premiums returned on a 2007 personal lines contract. This decrease was offset by a $4.8 million increase in the severity business earned premiums for the same periods. The increase in severity earned premiums relates to the full three months of earned premiums for the three months ended June 30, 2008, on the multi-year professional liability contract written towards the end of the second quarter of 2007.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the total earned premiums increased $6.3 million, or 13.7%. The increase in net premiums earned is attributable principally to increased net premiums written and earned from the developing underwriting portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding 2007 period. The increase in severity earned premiums relate to the full six months of earned premiums for the first half of fiscal 2008 on the multi-year excess of loss contract written towards the end of the second quarter of 2007.
 
Losses Incurred
 
Losses incurred include losses paid and changes in loss reserves, including reserves for losses incurred but not reported, or IBNR, net of actual and estimated loss recoverables. Details of losses incurred are provided below:
 
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Frequency
  $ 6,102       65.3 %   $ 10,594       95.1 %   $ 14,098       65.7 %   $ 19,165       95.2 %
Severity
    3,235       34.7       544       4.9       7,363       34.3       961       4.8  
                                                                 
Total
  $ 9,337       100.0 %   $ 11,138       100.0 %   $ 21,461       100.0 %   $ 20,126       100.0 %
                                                                 
 
The loss ratios for our frequency business were 42.3% and 52.6% for the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 respectively. The lower loss ratio for frequency business for 2008 primarily reflects favorable loss development compared to the corresponding 2007 period.
 
We expect losses incurred on our severity business to be volatile from period to period. The loss ratios for our severity business were 39.0% and 10.1% for the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 respectively. The increase in the loss ratio for severity business during the six month period ended June 30, 2008 is primarily due to the different composition of the severity underwriting portfolio and partially due to losses developing on a non natural peril severity contract. During the corresponding 2007 period, a majority of the severity underwriting portfolio related to natural peril and professional liability risks, while for the current six month period ended June 30, 2008, the severity contracts are diversified between medical malpractice and professional and general liability as well as natural peril risks.
 
During the six month period ended June 30, 2008, the aggregate development of prior period reinsurance reserves for frequency and severity businesses combined was not significant.


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Losses incurred in the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were comprised of losses paid and changes in loss reserves as follows:
 
                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2008     Three Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    Gross     Ceded     Net     Gross     Ceded     Net  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Losses paid
  $ 6,456     $ (2,584 )   $ 3,872     $ 2,394     $ (651 )   $ 1,743  
Increase (decrease) in reserves
    5,229       236       5,465       11,911       (2,516 )     9,395  
                                                 
Total
  $ 11,685     $ (2,348 )   $ 9,337     $ 14,305     $ (3,167 )   $ 11,138  
                                                 
 
                                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,
    Six Months Ended June 30,
 
    2008     2007  
    Gross     Ceded     Net     Gross     Ceded     Net  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Losses paid
  $ 11,840     $ (4,409 )   $ 7,431     $ 2,394     $ (651 )   $ 1,743  
Increase (decrease) in reserves
    14,988       (958 )     14,030       23,652       (5,269 )     18,383  
                                                 
Total
  $ 26,828     $ (5,367 )   $ 21,461     $ 26,046     $ (5,920 )   $ 20,126  
                                                 
 
Acquisition Costs
 
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 below:
 
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Frequency
  $ 8,145       88.3 %   $ 8,715       91.6 %   $ 16,538       86.3 %   $ 15,187       88.2 %
Severity
    1,083       11.7       800       8.4       2,619       13.7       2,040       11.8  
                                                                 
Total
  $ 9,228       100.0 %   $ 9,515       100.0 %   $ 19,157       100.0 %   $ 17,227       100.0 %
                                                                 
 
For the six month period ended June 30, 2008, the acquisition cost ratio for frequency business was 49.7% compared to 41.7% for the corresponding 2007 period. The increase was primarily the result of higher profit commissions accrued on a frequency contract due to favorable underwriting results. The acquisition cost ratio for severity business was 13.9% for the six month period ended June 30, 2008 compared to 21.5% for the corresponding 2007 period. The decrease in severity acquisition cost ratio is a result of (a) profit commissions paid during the first half of fiscal 2007 on a contract which was not renewed for the following year, (b) the non-renewal in 2008 of certain natural peril catastrophe severity contracts which had higher acquisition cost ratios, and (c) the earning of premiums on certain multi-year professional liability contracts, incepted in the later part of the second quarter of 2007, which have no acquisition costs associated with them. We expect that acquisition costs will be higher for frequency business than for severity business. Overall the total acquisition cost ratio decreased to 36.7% for the six month period ended June 30, 2008 from 37.5% for the corresponding 2007 period.
 
General and Administrative Expenses
 
For the three month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 our general and administrative expenses were $3.2 million and $2.9 million, respectively. The increase primarily relates to salaries and benefits paid for additional staff hired subsequent to the second quarter of fiscal 2007.
 
For the six month period ended June 30, 2008 the general and administrative expenses increased $1.8 million, or 29.9% compared to same period in 2007. The increase primarily relates to higher employee bonuses approved by the Board of Directors during the first quarter of 2008, relating to the 2007 fiscal year.


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For the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, the general and administrative expenses include $1.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for the expensing of the fair value of stock options and restricted stock granted to employees and directors.
 
Net Investment Income
 
A summary of our net investment income is as follows:
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Realized gains and change in unrealized gains, net
  $ 36,727     $ 17,462     $ 32,065     $ 1,418  
Interest, dividend and other income
    8,168       6,962       12,941       11,251  
Interest, dividend and other expenses
    (5,099 )     (1,505 )     (8,501 )     (2,868 )
Investment advisor compensation
    (8,771 )     (2,995 )     (11,242 )     (4,258 )
                                 
Net investment income
  $ 31,025     $ 19,924     $ 25,263     $ 5,543  
                                 
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2008, investment income, net of all fees and expenses, resulted in a return of 4.5% on our investment portfolio. This compares to a 6.8% investment return reported for the corresponding 2007 period. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the return on investment, net of all fees and expenses, was 3.6% compared to 2.3% for the first half of 2007.
 
Our investment advisor 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 on our website on a monthly basis. Additionally, we also provide on our website the names of the largest disclosed long positions in our investment portfolio as of the last trading day of each month.
 
Taxes
 
We are not obligated to pay any taxes in the Cayman Islands on either income or capital gains. We have been granted an exemption by the Governor In Cabinet from any taxes that may be imposed in the Cayman Islands for a period of 20 years, expiring on February 1, 2025.
 
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 for the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:
 
                                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2008     Six Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    Frequency     Severity     Total     Frequency     Severity     Total  
 
Loss ratio
    42.3 %     39.0 %     41.1 %     52.6 %     10.1 %     43.9 %
Acquisition cost ratio
    49.7 %     13.9 %     36.7 %     41.7 %     21.5 %     37.5 %
                                                 
Composite ratio
    92.0 %     52.9 %     77.8 %     94.3 %     31.6 %     81.4 %
Internal expense ratio
                    14.7 %                     12.9 %
                                                 
Combined ratio
                    92.5 %                     94.3 %
                                                 
 
The loss ratio is calculated by dividing loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred by net premiums earned. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, our frequency and severity businesses reported a loss ratio of 42.3%, and 39.0% respectively. A more diverse mix of lines of business in our severity business combined with losses developing on a severity contract, contributed to the higher loss ratio for our severity business during the six months ended June 30, 2008 than in the corresponding 2007 period. We expect that our loss ratio will be volatile for our severity business and may exceed that of our frequency business in certain periods.


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The acquisition cost ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned. This ratio demonstrates the higher acquisition costs incurred 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.
 
The internal expense ratio is the ratio of all general and administrative expenses to net premiums earned. We expect our internal expense ratio to decrease as we continue to expand our underwriting operations. However, the higher internal expense ratio reported for the six month period ended June 30, 2008 was mainly due to higher general and administrative expenses as a result of additional bonus expensed during the period relating to the 2007 underwriting year and also reflects the cost of additional staff hired subsequent to the second quarter of 2007. During the six month period ended June 30, 2008, our net earned premiums increased 13.7% while our general and administrative expenses increased 29.9% compared to the corresponding 2007 period, resulting in a higher internal expense ratio.
 
The combined ratio is the sum of the composite ratio and the internal expense ratio. It measures the total profitability of our underwriting operations. This ratio does not take net investment income into account. The reported combined ratio for the six month period ended June 30, 2008 was 92.5% compared to 94.3% for the same period in 2007. Given the nature of our opportunistic underwriting strategy, we expect that our combined ratio may be volatile from period to period.
 
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves
 
We establish reserves for contracts based on estimates of the ultimate cost of all losses including IBNR as well as allocated and unallocated loss expenses. These estimated ultimate reserves are based on reports received from ceding companies, historical experience and actuarial estimates. These estimates are reviewed quarterly on a contract by contract basis and adjusted when appropriate. Since reserves are based on estimates, the setting of appropriate reserves is an inherently uncertain process. Our estimates are based upon actuarial and statistical projections and on our assessment of currently available data, predictions of future developments and estimates of future trends and other factors. The final settlement of losses may vary, perhaps materially, from the reserves initially established and any adjustments to the estimates are recorded in the period in which they are determined. Under U.S. GAAP, we are not permitted to establish loss reserves, which include case reserves and IBNR, until the occurrence of an event which may give rise to a claim. As a result, only loss reserves applicable to losses incurred up to the reporting date are established, with no allowance for the establishment of loss reserves to account for expected future losses.
 
For natural peril risk exposed business, once an event has occurred that may give rise to a claim, we establish loss reserves based on loss payments and case reserves reported by our clients. We then add to these case reserves our estimates for IBNR. To establish our IBNR loss estimates, in addition to the loss information and estimates communicated by ceding companies, we use industry information, knowledge of the business written and management’s judgment.
 
Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were comprised of the following:
 
                                                 
    June 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
    Case
                Case
             
    Reserves     IBNR     Total     Reserves     IBNR     Total  
    ($ In thousands)  
 
Frequency
  $ 1,055     $ 42,759     $ 43,814     $ 1,712     $ 34,477     $ 36,189  
Severity
          13,553       13,553             6,188       6,188  
                                                 
Total
  $ 1,055     $ 56,312     $ 57,367     $ 1,712     $ 40,665     $ 42,377  
                                                 
 
The overall increase in loss reserves is almost entirely a function of the additional exposure written during the six months ended June 30, 2008, changes in loss reserves relating to the development of losses on certain severity contracts, and favorable loss development on certain frequency contracts mostly offsetting the increase in reserves.


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For substantially all of the contracts written as of June 30, 2008, our risk exposure is limited by the fact that the contracts have 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 which relate to first dollar exposure, may not contain aggregate limits.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
General
 
We are organized as a holding company with no operations of our own. As a holding company, we have minimal continuing cash needs, and most of such needs are principally related to the payment of administrative expenses. All of our operations are conducted through our sole reinsurance subsidiary, Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., which underwrites risks associated with our property and casualty reinsurance programs. There are restrictions on Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd.’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 June 30, 2008, the financial strength of our reinsurance subsidiary was rated “A-(Excellent)” by A.M. Best Company. This rating reflects the A.M. Best Company’s opinion of our 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.
 
Sources and Uses of Funds
 
Our sources of funds primarily consist of premium receipts (net of brokerage and ceding commissions) and investment income (net of advisory compensation and investment expenses), including realized gains. 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 our investment advisor in accordance with our investment guidelines. As of June 30, 2008, our investment portfolio was primarily comprised of publicly-traded securities which can be liquidated to meet current and future liabilities. We believe that we have the flexibility to liquidate our long securities to generate sufficient liquidity. Similarly, we can generate liquidity from our short portfolio by covering securities and by freeing up restricted cash no longer required for collateral.
 
For the six month period ended June 30, 2008 we had a positive cash flow of $33.3 million. We generated $23.9 million in cash from operating activities primarily relating to net premiums collected and retained from underwriting operations. As of June 30, 2008, we believe we had sufficient projected cash flow from operations to meet our liquidity requirements. We expect that our operational needs for liquidity will be met by cash, funds generated from underwriting activities or investment income. We have no current plans to issue equity or debt and expect to fund our operations for the foreseeable future from operating cash flow. However, we cannot provide assurances that in the future we will not issue equity or incur indebtedness to implement our business strategy, pay claims or make acquisitions.
 
We may also use available cash to repurchase our Class A ordinary shares from time to time. Currently the Board has authorized management to repurchase up to two million Class A ordinary shares from time to time.
 
Although Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. is not subject to any significant legal prohibitions on the payment of dividends, Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. is subject to Cayman Islands regulatory constraints that affect its ability to pay dividends to Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. and include a minimum net worth requirement. Currently, the statutory minimum net worth requirement for Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. is $120,000. In addition to Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. being restricted from paying a dividend if such a dividend would cause its net worth to drop to less than the required minimum, any dividend payment would have to be approved by the appropriate Cayman Islands regulatory authority prior to payment.


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Letters of Credit
 
Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. is not licensed or admitted as a reinsurer in any jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands. Because many jurisdictions do not permit domestic insurance companies to take credit on their statutory financial statements unless appropriate measures are in place for 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.
 
Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. has a letter of credit facility as of June 30, 2008 of $400.0 million with Citibank, N.A. with a termination date of October 11, 2009. The termination date is automatically extended for an additional year unless written notice of cancellation is delivered to the other party at least 120 days prior to the termination date.
 
An additional $25.0 million letter of credit facility with UniCredit Bank Cayman Islands Ltd. (formerly Bank Austria Cayman Islands Ltd.) was terminated on June 6, 2008. Any letters of credit issued prior to the termination under this facility remain in effect until their respective expiry dates.
 
As of June 30, 2008, letters of credit totaling $140.7 million were outstanding under the above letters of credit facilities. Under these letter of credit facilities, we are required to provide collateral that may consist of equity securities. As of June 30, 2008, we had pledged $225.1 million of equity securities and cash equivalents as collateral for the above letter of credit facilities. The letter of credit facility agreements contain various covenants that, in part, restrict Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd.’s ability to place a lien or charge on the pledged assets, to effect transactions with affiliates, to enter into a merger or sell certain assets and further restrict Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd.’s ability to issue any debt without the consent of the letter of credit providers. Additionally, if an event of default exists, as defined in the credit agreements, Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. will be prohibited from paying dividends. For the six month period ended June 30, 2008, the Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under each of the letter of credit facility agreements. In addition to the credit facilities described above, the Company is in the process of evaluating additional facilities.
 
Capital
 
As of June 30, 2008, total shareholders’ equity was $635.8 million compared to $605.6 million at December 31, 2007. This increase in total shareholders’ equity is principally due to the net income of $28.8 million reported during the six month period ended June 30, 2008.
 
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. Consequently, we do not presently anticipate that we will incur any material indebtedness in the ordinary course of our business. However, we cannot provide assurances that in the future we will not be required to raise additional equity or incur indebtedness to implement our business strategy, pay claims or make acquisitions. We did not make any significant capital expenditures during the period from inception to June 30, 2008.
 
On August 5, 2008, the Board adopted a share repurchase plan authorizing the Company to repurchase up to two million Class A ordinary shares. Management may from time to time repurchase these shares to optimize the Company’s capital structure. Shares may be purchased in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The timing of such repurchases and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, market conditions and applicable regulatory and corporate requirements. The plan, which expires on June 30, 2011, does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice. The Company has not repurchased any shares under its share repurchase plan as of the date of this filing.


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Contractual Obligations and Commitments
 
The following table shows our aggregate contractual obligations by time period remaining to due date as of June 30, 2008:
 
                                         
          Less Than
                More Than
 
    Total     1 Year     1-3 Years     3-5 Years     5 Years  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Operating lease obligations
  $ 216     $ 97     $ 119     $     $  
Specialist service agreement
    1,452       652       800              
Private equity investments(1)
    26,913       26,913                    
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves(2)
    57,367       28,682       15,437       4,948       8,300  
                                         
    $ 85,948     $ 56,344     $ 16,356     $ 4,948     $ 8,300  
                                         
 
 
(1) As of June 30, 2008, we had made commitments to invest a total of $31.6 million in private investments. As of June 30, 2008, we had invested $4.7 million of this amount, and our remaining commitments to these vehicles were $26.9 million. Given the nature of these investments, we are unable to determine with any degree of accuracy when the remaining commitment will be called. Therefore, for purposes of the above table, we have assumed that all commitments 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.
 
(2) The amount and timing of the cash flows associated with our reinsurance contractual liabilities will fluctuate, perhaps materially, and, therefore, are highly uncertain.
 
On September 1, 2005, we entered into a five-year lease agreement for office premises in the Cayman Islands. The lease repayment schedule is provided above and in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
As discussed in Note 9 of the financial statements, on July 9, 2008, we signed a ten year lease agreement for new office space in the Cayman Islands with the option to renew for an additional five year term. The lease term is effective July 1, 2008, and the rental payments commence from the earlier of December 1, 2008 or when we occupy the premises. We currently do not anticipate occupying the premises prior to December 1, 2008. Under the terms of the lease agreement, our minimum annual rent payments will be $253,539 for the first three years, increasing by 3% thereafter each year to reach $311,821 by the tenth year.
 
Effective September 1, 2007, we entered into a service agreement with a specialist service provider whereby the specialist service provider provides administration and support in developing and maintaining relationships, reviewing and recommending programs and managing risks on 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 after two years, the Company is obligated to make minimum payments for another two years to ensure any bound contracts are adequately run-off by the specialist service provider.
 
As described above, we had one letter of credit facility as of June 30, 2008. This $400.0 million facility can be terminated by either party with effect from any October 11, the anniversary date, by providing written notification to the other party at least 120 days before the anniversary date. The earliest possible termination date of this agreement is October 11, 2009.
 
On January 1, 2008, we entered into an agreement wherein the Company and DME agreed to create a joint venture for the purposes of managing certain jointly held assets. The term of the agreement is January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2010, with automatic three-year renewals unless either we or DME terminate the agreement by giving 90 days notice prior to the end of the three year term. Pursuant to this agreement, we pay a monthly management fee of 0.125% on our share of the assets managed by DME and performance compensation of 20% on the net income of our share of assets managed by DME subject to a loss carryforward provision.


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In February 2007, we entered into a service agreement with DME pursuant to which DME will provide investor relations services to us for compensation of $5,000 per month (plus expenses). The agreement had an initial term of one year, and will continue for sequential one year periods until terminated by us or DME. Either party may terminate the 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 five types of market risk:
 
  •  equity price risk;
 
  •  foreign currency risk;
 
  •  interest rate risk;
 
  •  credit risk; and
 
  •  effects of inflation.
 
EQUITY PRICE RISK.  As of June 30, 2008, our investment portfolio consisted primarily 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 the current reported value. This risk is partly mitigated by the presence of both long and short equity securities. As of June 30, 2008, a 10% decline in the price of each of these listed equity securities and equity-based derivative instruments would result in a $21.4 million, or 3.0%, decline in the fair value of the 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 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 June 30, 2008, we have no known losses payable in foreign currencies.
 
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 will consider the use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts in an effort to hedge against adverse foreign currency movements.
 
Through investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, we are exposed to foreign currency risk. Foreign currency exchange rate risk is the potential for loss in the U.S. dollar value of investments due to a decline in the exchange rate of the foreign currency in which the investments are denominated. As of June 30, 2008, our gross exposure to foreign denominated securities was approximately $209.0 million. However, as of June 30, 2008, the majority of our currency exposure resulting from these foreign denominated securities was hedged, leading to a net exposure to foreign currencies of $24.6 million. As of June 30, 2008, a 10% decrease in the value of the


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United States dollar against select foreign currencies would result in a $2.5 million, or 0.3%, decline in the value of the investment portfolio. A summary of our total net exposure to foreign currencies as of June 30, 2008 is as follows:
 
         
    US$ Equivalent
 
Original Currency
  Fair Value  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
European Union euro
  $ (32,506 )
British pounds
    (20,969 )
South Korean won
    7,165  
Hong Kong dollar
    8,569  
Japanese yen
    9,124  
Other
    3,974  
         
    $ (24,643 )
         
 
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 in securities denominated in foreign currencies and related hedges, and should not be relied on as indicative of future results.
 
INTEREST RATE RISK.  Our investment portfolio has historically held a very small portion of fixed-income securities, which we classify as “trading securities” but may in the future include significant exposure to corporate debt securities, including debt securities of distressed companies. The primary market risk exposure for any fixed-income security is interest rate risk. As interest rates rise, the market value of our fixed-income portfolio falls, and the converse is also true. Additionally, some of our equity investments may also be credit sensitive and their value may fluctuate with changes in interest rates.
 
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. In addition, we hold the securities of our investment portfolio with several prime brokers and have credit risk from the possibility that one or more of them may default on their obligations to us. Other than our investment in derivative contracts and corporate debt, if any, and the fact that our investments are held by prime brokers on our behalf, we have no significant concentrations of credit risk.
 
EFFECTS OF INFLATION.  We do not believe that inflation has had or will have a material effect on our combined results of operations, except insofar as inflation may affect interest rates and the values of the assets in our investment portfolio.
 
Item 4T.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered under this quarterly report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiary required to be disclosed in our reports filed with or submitted to the SEC, under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, is made known to such officers by others within these entities, particularly during the period this quarterly report was prepared, in order to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the six months ended June 30, 2008, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Under the rules of the SEC as currently in effect, compliance with the internal control reporting requirements mandated by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is delayed for newly public companies, such as Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. We plan to be in full compliance with these internal control reporting requirements by the required compliance dates in order to provide the required certifications for our December 31, 2008 regulatory filings.


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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings
 
We are not party to any pending or threatened material litigation and are not currently aware of any pending or threatened litigation. We may become involved in various claims and legal proceedings in the normal course of business, as a reinsurer or insurer.
 
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, 2007, 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 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 August 6, 2008, 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, 2007, as filed with the SEC, except 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
 
None.
 
Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
None.
 
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.  The Company held its 2008 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on July 10, 2008. Pursuant to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Articles of Association, each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote per share and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to ten votes per share; provided, however, that the total voting power of the issued and outstanding Class B ordinary shares shall not exceed 9.5% of the total voting power of all issued and outstanding ordinary shares. Since, on the record date of the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the total voting power of the issued and outstanding Class B ordinary shares exceeded 9.5% of the total voting power, the voting power of the Class B ordinary shares was reduced with the excess being allocated to the Class A ordinary shares in accordance with Article 53 of the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Articles of Association.
 
The following tables summarize the voting results after adjustment of voting power. For more information on the following proposals, see the Company’s definitive proxy statement dated June 6, 2008.
 
(1) The following persons were elected Directors of Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. by shareholders to serve for the term expiring at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in 2009.
 
                                                 
Director
  Class A For     Class A Against     Class A Abstain     Class B For     Class B Against     Class B Abstain  
 
Alan Brooks
    62,919,747       75,688       4,706       8,793,149       0       0  
David Einhorn
    62,919,747       75,688       4,706       8,793,149       0       0  
Leonard Goldberg
    62,919,747       75,688       4,706       8,793,149       0       0  
Ian Isaacs
    62,919,747       75,688       4,706       8,793,149       0       0  
Frank Lackner
    62,919,747       75,688       4,706       8,793,149       0       0  
Bryan Murphy
    62,919,747       75,688       4,706       8,793,149       0       0  
Joseph Platt
    62,919,747       75,688       4,706       8,793,149       0       0  


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(2) The following persons were elected Directors of Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. by shareholders to serve for the term expiring at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in 2009
 
                                                 
Director
  Class A For     Class A Against     Class A Abstain     Class B For     Class B Against     Class B Abstain  
 
Alan Brooks
    62,899,583       77,360       23,198       8,793,149       0       0  
David Einhorn
    62,899,583       77,360       23,198       8,793,149       0       0  
Leonard Goldberg
    62,899,583       77,360       23,198       8,793,149       0       0  
Ian Isaacs
    62,899,583       77,360       23,198       8,793,149       0       0  
Frank Lackner
    62,899,583       77,360       23,198       8,793,149       0       0  
Bryan Murphy
    62,899,583       77,360       23,198       8,793,149       0       0  
Joseph Platt
    62,899,583       77,360       23,198       8,793,149       0       0  
 
(3) The shareholders approved the amendment to Article 11 of Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd.’s Third Amended and Restated Articles of Association by Special Resolution.
 
                 
    Class A     Class B  
 
For
    53,628,006       8,793,149  
Against
    7,960,427       0  
Abstain
    1,411,708       0  
 
(4) The shareholders ratified the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP to serve as the independent auditors of Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. for 2008.
 
                 
    Class A     Class B  
 
For
    62,902,754       8,793,149  
Against
    82,159       0  
Abstain
    15,229       0  
 
(5) The shareholders ratified the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP to serve as the independent auditors of Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. for 2008.
 
                 
    Class A     Class B  
 
For
    62,886,338       8,793,149  
Against
    98,574       0  
Abstain
    15,229       0  
 
Item 5.   Other Information
 
None.


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Item 6.   Exhibits
 
         
  3 .1   Third Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, as revised by special resolution on July 10, 2008
  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


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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)
 
/s/  Leonard Goldberg
Name:     Leonard Goldberg
  Title:  Chief Executive Officer
Date: August 6, 2008
 
/s/  Tim Courtis
Name:     Tim Courtis
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date: August 6, 2008