•  Submitted by 11/06/09 , Click: , Source: insurance news net

    Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd (NYSE: AWH) today reported net income of $200.6 million, or $3.83 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2009 compared to a net loss of $46.4 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2008. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $445.6 million, or $8.62 per diluted share, compared to net income of $163.8 million, or $3.22 diluted share, for the first nine months of 2008.

    The company reported operating income of $155.4 million, or $2.97 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2009 compared to operating income of $102.8 million, or $2.03 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2008. Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $405.8 million, or $7.85 per diluted share, compared to operating income of $313.9 million, or $6.17 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2008.

    President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Carmilani commented, "We are very excited to report record operating results in the third quarter 2009 as we continue to effectively manage through the sluggish market environment. The company's net operating income was $155 million, which is the best quarterly result in our company's history. This equates to a very impressive 22.2% annualized operating return on shareholders' equity for the quarter. Given these continued excellent results, we are also announcing that our Board has increased the quarterly dividend by 11%, to $0.20 per share, beginning with our fourth quarter dividend."

    Mr. Carmilani continued, "As we expand our footprint in the specialty insurance market, our sustained excellent results reflect favorably on the strategic decisions we have made in recent years in both our underwriting operations and with our investment portfolio. The results of these decisions have ultimately been reflected through growth in our shareholders' equity, which is now almost $3.1 billion, up over 27% from the beginning of the year."

    Allied World Reports Record Operating Results in Third Quarter 2009; 27.4% Increase in Total Book Value Year to Date; 11% Dividend Increase Announced

    Underwriting Results

    Gross premiums written were $401.8 million in the third quarter of 2009, a 38.1% increase compared to $291.0 million in the third quarter of 2008. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, gross premiums written totaled $1,374.2 million, a 21.1% increase compared to $1,134.6 million in the first nine months of 2008. Net premiums written were $321.0 million in the third quarter of 2009, a 37.2% increase compared to $233.9 million in the third quarter of 2008. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net premiums written totaled $1,087.4 million, a 23.5% increase compared to $880.7 million in the first nine months of 2008. These increases were primarily due to the inclusion of the Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc. ("Darwin") business and increased direct insurance and assumed reinsurance writings by our other U.S. offices.

    Net premiums earned in the third quarter of 2009 were $328.8 million, a 20.9% increase compared to $272.0 million in the third quarter of 2008. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net premiums earned totaled $986.4 million, a 21.2% increase from net premiums earned of $813.9 million in the first nine months of 2008. These increases were primarily due to the expansion of our U.S. based insurance operations.

    The combined ratio was 70.4% in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 90.2% in the third quarter of 2008. The loss and loss expense ratio was 41.5% in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 64.7% in the third quarter of 2008. During the third quarter of 2009, the company recorded net favorable reserve development on prior loss years of $73.5 million, a benefit of 22.4 percentage points to the company's loss and loss expense ratio for the quarter. This compares to the third quarter of 2008, where the company recorded net favorable reserve development on prior loss years of $96.9 million, a benefit of 35.6 percentage points to the company's loss and loss expense ratio for that quarter. Absent prior year reserve adjustments, the loss and loss expense ratio related to the third quarter of 2009 was 63.9% compared to 100.3% for the third quarter of 2008. During the three months ended September 30, 2008, the company experienced higher loss activity, which included losses incurred from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the combined ratio was 76.3% compared to 87.1% in the first nine months of 2008. For the first nine months of 2009, the company recorded net favorable reserve development on prior loss years of $170.3 million, a benefit of 17.3 percentage points to the company's loss and loss expense ratio. For the first nine months of 2008, the company recorded net favorable reserve development on prior loss years of $189.8 million, a benefit of 23.3 percentage points to the company's loss and loss expense ratio.

    The company's expense ratio was 28.9% for the third quarter of 2009 compared to 25.5% for the third quarter of 2008. The expense ratio was 29.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 26.0% in the first nine months of 2008. As part of our ongoing strategic initiatives, the company has significantly expanded its existing U.S. operations. Our overall staff count increased to 628 as of September 30, 2009 from 351 as of September 30, 2008, primarily driven by the additional staff of Darwin. As a result of the increased staff count, salary and employee welfare costs increased by $15.6 million and $44.0 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2008.

    Investment Results

    Net investment income in the third quarter of 2009 was $73.0 million, a decrease of 5.0% from the $76.9 million of net investment income in the third quarter of 2008. The decrease was primarily due to lower fixed income amortization on securities for which we had previously recognized other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") adjustments. The cumulative adjustment made in the second quarter 2009 effectively eliminated OTTI previously taken by increasing the book value of our fixed maturity investments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net investment income was $227.4 million, an increase of 0.5% over the $226.2 million of net investment income in the first nine months of 2008.

    The company recorded net realized investment gains of $46.9 million and $88.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively. As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, net accumulated unrealized gains were $185.0 million and $105.6 million, respectively. The change in net unrealized investment gains from December 31, 2008 to September 30, 2009 was due to unrealized gains in our fixed-maturity portfolio of $216.3 million primarily resulting from the narrowing of credit spreads across all fixed income classes partially offset by the cumulative effect adjustment of $136.8 million related to the company adopting accounting changes for investments in the second quarter of 2009.

    Shareholders' Equity

    As of September 30, 2009, our shareholders' equity was $3.1 billion, a 12.3% increase in the current quarter and a 27.4% increase compared to shareholders' equity of $2.4 billion as of December 31, 2008. The increase was primarily the result of net income earned and net unrealized gains on investments recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

    The company's annualized net income return on average shareholders' equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was 28.7% and 22.8%, respectively. The company's annualized operating return on average shareholders' equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was 22.2% and 20.8%, respectively.

    As of September 30, 2009, diluted book value per share was $57.20, an increase of 24.2% compared to $46.05 as of December 31, 2008.

    Increased Quarterly Dividend

    Allied World announced today that its Board of Directors has declared an increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.20 per common share, an 11% increase. The dividend will be payable on December 10, 2009 to shareholders of record on November 24, 2009.

    Investment Supplement

    Allied World will be providing additional information on its investment portfolio as of September 30, 2009. This information will be available at the "Investor Relations" section of the company's website at www.awac.com.

    Financial Supplement

    A financial supplement relating to the third quarter of 2009 will be available at the "Investor Relations" section of the company's website at www.awac.com.

    Conference Call

    Allied World will host a conference call on Friday, November 6, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss the third quarter 2009 financial results. The public may access a live webcast of the conference call at the "Investor Relations" section of the company's website at www.awac.com. In addition, the conference call can be accessed by dialing +1-800-510-9836 (U.S. and Canada callers) or +1-617-614-3670 (international callers) and entering the passcode 92163598 approximately ten minutes prior to the call.

    Following the conclusion of the presentation, a replay of the call will be available through Friday, November 20, 2009 by dialing +1-888-286-8010 (U.S. and Canada callers) or +1-617-801-6888 (international callers) and entering the passcode 71145005. In addition, the webcast will remain available online through Friday, November 20, 2009 at www.awac.com.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    In presenting the company's results, management has included and discussed in this press release certain non generally accepted accounting principles ("non-GAAP") financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G as promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures, which may be defined differently by other companies, better explain the company's results of operations in a manner that allows for a more complete understanding of the underlying trends in the company's business. However, these measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").

    "Operating income" is an internal performance measure used by the company in the management of its operations and represents after-tax operational results excluding, as applicable, net realized investment gains or losses, net impairment charges recognized in earnings and foreign exchange gain or loss. The company excludes net realized investment gains or losses, net impairment charges recognized in earnings and net foreign exchange gain or loss from its calculation of operating income because the amount of these gains or losses is heavily influenced by, and fluctuates in part according to, the availability of market opportunities. The company believes these amounts are largely independent of its business and underwriting process and including them may distort the analysis of trends in its insurance and reinsurance operations. In addition to presenting net income determined in accordance with GAAP, the company believes that showing operating income enables investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of its financial information to more easily analyze the company's results of operations in a manner similar to how management analyzes the company's underlying business performance. Operating income should not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP net income.

    The company has included "diluted book value per share" because it takes into account the effect of dilutive securities; therefore, the company believes it is a better measure of calculating shareholder returns than book value per share.

    "Annualized net income return on average shareholders' equity" ("ROAE") is calculated using average shareholders' equity, excluding the average after tax unrealized gains or losses on investments. Unrealized gains (losses) on investments are primarily the result of interest rate and risk premium movements and the resultant impact on fixed income securities. Such gains (losses) are not related to management actions or operational performance, nor are they likely to be realized. Therefore, the company believes that excluding these unrealized gains (losses) provides a more consistent and useful measurement of operating performance, which supplements GAAP information. In calculating ROAE, the net income (loss) available to shareholders for the period is multiplied by the number of such periods in a calendar year in order to arrive at annualized net income (loss) available to shareholders. The company presents ROAE as a measure that is commonly recognized as a standard of performance by investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of its financial information.

    "Annualized operating return on average shareholders' equity" is calculated using operating income (as defined above and annualized in the manner described for net income (loss) available to shareholders under ROAE above), and average shareholders' equity, excluding the average after tax unrealized gains (losses) on investments. Unrealized gains (losses) are excluded from equity for the reasons outlined in the annualized net income return on average shareholders' equity explanation above.

    Reconciliations of these financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in the attached tables.

    About Allied World Assurance Company

    Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd, through its subsidiaries, is a global provider of innovative property, casualty and specialty insurance and reinsurance solutions, offering superior client service through offices in Bermuda, the United States, Europe and Hong Kong. Our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. For further information on Allied World, please visit our website at www.awac.com.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    Any forward-looking statements made in this press release reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements. For example, our forward-looking statements could be affected by the ability to recognize the benefits of the Darwin acquisition; pricing and policy term trends; increased competition; the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war; greater frequency or severity of unpredictable catastrophic events; investigations of market practices and related settlement terms; negative rating agency actions; the adequacy of our loss reserves; the company or its subsidiaries becoming subject to significant income taxes in the United States or elsewhere; changes in regulations or tax laws; changes in the availability, cost or quality of reinsurance or retrocessional coverage; adverse general economic conditions including those related to the ongoing financial crisis; and judicial, legislative, political and other governmental developments, as well as management's response to these factors, and other factors identified in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or revise any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD
        UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
        (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and per
        share amounts)
    
                                        Quarter Ended        Nine Months Ended
                                        September 30,           September 30,
                                      2009        2008        2009        2008
    
        Revenues:
          Gross premiums written     $401,837    $290,981  $1,374,216  $1,134,638
          Premiums ceded             (80,881)    (57,078)   (286,785)   (253,913)
    
          Net premiums written        320,956     233,903   1,087,431     880,725
          Change in unearned
           premiums                     7,815      38,070   (101,020)    (66,804)
          Net premiums earned         328,771     271,973     986,411     813,921
    
          Net investment income        73,032      76,916     227,423     226,192
          Net realized investment
           gain/(loss)                 46,861    (76,849)      88,556    (40,500)
          Net impairment charges
           recognized in earnings     (1,953)    (75,027)    (49,390)   (112,304)
          Other income                    298         -         1,133         -
                 Total revenue        447,009     197,013   1,254,133     887,309
        Expenses:
          Net losses and loss
           expenses                   136,441     176,010     462,657     497,591
          Acquisition costs            36,630      28,615     110,721      81,720
          General and
           administrative expenses     58,586      40,794     179,575     130,445
          Interest expense              9,523       9,515      29,492      28,538
          Foreign exchange gain         (273)     (2,728)       (660)     (2,651)
                Total expenses        240,907     252,206     781,785     735,643
        Income before income taxes    206,102    (55,193)     472,348     151,666
          Income tax
           expense/(recovery)           5,548     (8,826)      26,716    (12,117)
        NET INCOME (LOSS)            $200,554   $(46,367)    $445,632    $163,783
    
        PER SHARE DATA:
          Basic earnings (loss)
           per share                    $4.05     $(0.95)       $9.01       $3.37
          Diluted earnings (loss)
           per share                    $3.83     $(0.95)       $8.62       $3.22
    
          Weighted average common
           shares outstanding      49,574,266  49,007,389  49,449,809  48,547,839
          Weighted average common
           shares and common share
           equivalents outstanding 52,345,913  49,007,389  51,676,006  50,869,098
    
          Dividends declared per
           share                        $0.18       $0.18       $0.54       $0.54
    
    ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD
        UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
        (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and per
        share amounts)
    
                                                       As of            As of
                                                   September 30,     December 31,
        ASSETS:                                         2009             2008
        Fixed maturity investments available
         for sale, at fair value (amortized
         cost: 2009: $5,464,105; 2008:
         $5,872,031)                                $5,673,793        $6,032,029
        Fixed maturity investments trading,
         at fair value                               1,372,287               -
        Other invested assets trading, at
         fair value                                    162,125            69,902
        Other invested assets available for
         sale, at fair value
         (cost: 2009: nil; 2008: $89,229)                  -              55,199
    
        Total investments                            7,208,205         6,157,130
        Cash and cash equivalents                      345,954           706,267
        Securities lending collateral                      -             171,026
        Insurance balances receivable                  407,617           347,941
        Prepaid reinsurance                            198,136           192,582
        Reinsurance recoverable                        913,964           888,314
        Accrued investment income                       56,319            50,671
        Deferred acquisition costs                     102,976            86,181
        Goodwill                                       268,532           268,532
        Intangible assets                               68,215            71,410
        Net balances on purchases and sales
         of investments                                    -              12,371
        Net deferred tax assets                         20,984            22,452
        Other assets                                    50,355            47,603
                              Total assets          $9,641,257        $9,022,480
    
        LIABILITIES:
        Reserve for losses and loss expenses        $4,749,602        $4,576,828
        Unearned premiums                            1,036,933           930,358
        Reinsurance balances payable                    99,315            95,129
        Securities lending payable                         -             177,010
        Net balances on purchases and sales
         of investments                                110,040               -
        Syndicated loan                                    -             243,750
        Senior notes                                   498,888           498,796
        Accounts payable and accrued
         liabilities                                    67,585            83,747
                         Total liabilities          $6,562,363        $6,605,618
    
        SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
        Common shares, par value $0.03 per share:
         issued and outstanding 2009:
         49,602,354; 2008: 49,036,159 shares            $1,488            $1,471
        Additional paid-in capital                   1,341,661         1,314,785
        Retained earnings                            1,550,702           994,974
        Accumulated other comprehensive
         income, net of tax                            185,043           105,632
                Total shareholders' equity          $3,078,894        $2,416,862
    
                     Total liabilities and
                      shareholders' equity          $9,641,257        $9,022,480
    
    ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD
        UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT DATA
        (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except for ratio
        information)
    
    
        Quarter Ended                    U.S.    International
         September 30, 2009            Insurance  Insurance   Reinsurance  Total
    
        Gross premiums written          $169,629   $107,768   $124,440   401,837
        Net premiums written             126,600     69,939    124,417   320,956
        Net premiums earned              111,558     97,705    119,508   328,771
        Other income                         298        -          -         298
        Net losses and loss expenses     (42,071)   (28,301)   (66,069) (136,441)
        Acquisition costs                (14,354)      (516)   (21,760)  (36,630)
        General and administrative
         expenses                        (26,994)   (19,866)   (11,726)  (58,586)
        Underwriting income               28,437     49,022     19,953    97,412
        Net investment income                                             73,032
        Net realized investment gains                                     46,861
        Net impairment charges
         recognized in earnings                                           (1,953)
        Interest expense                                                  (9,523)
        Foreign exchange gain                                                273
        Income before income taxes                                      $206,102
    
        GAAP Ratios:
        Loss and loss expense ratio        37.7%      29.0%      55.3%      41.5%
        Acquisition cost ratio             12.9%       0.5%      18.2%      11.1%
        General and administrative
         expense ratio                     24.2%      20.3%       9.8%      17.8%
        Combined ratio                     74.8%      49.8%      83.3%      70.4%
    
    
        Quarter Ended                    U.S.    International
         September 30, 2008            Insurance  Insurance   Reinsurance  Total
    
        Gross premiums written           $64,828   $132,612    $93,541  $290,981
        Net premiums written              45,674     95,943     92,286   233,903
        Net premiums earned               32,034    116,377    123,562   271,973
        Net losses and loss expenses     (29,728)   (88,328)   (57,954)  176,010)
        Acquisition costs                 (2,852)    (1,794)   (23,969)  (28,615)
        General and administrative
         expenses                        (10,609)   (18,483)   (11,702)  (40,794)
        Underwriting (loss) income       (11,155)     7,772     29,937    26,554
        Net investment income                                             76,916
        Net realized investment losses                                   (76,849)
        Net impairment charges recognized
         in earnings                                                     (75,027)
        Interest expense                                                  (9,515)
        Foreign exchange gain                                              2,728
        Loss before income taxes                                        $(55,193)
    
        GAAP Ratios:
        Loss and loss expense ratio        92.8%      75.9%      46.9%      64.7%
        Acquisition cost ratio              8.9%       1.5%      19.4%      10.5%
        General and administrative
         expense ratio                     33.1%      15.9%       9.5%      15.0%
        Combined ratio                    134.8%      93.3%      75.8%      90.2%
    
    ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD
        UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT DATA
        (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except for ratio
        information)
    
        Nine Months Ended                U.S.    International
         September 30, 2009           Insurance    Insurance Reinsurance  Total
    
        Gross premiums written         $505,710   $425,672   $442,834 $1,374,216
        Net premiums written            369,912    275,066    442,453  1,087,431
        Net premiums earned             327,850    320,706    337,855    986,411
        Other income                      1,133        -          -        1,133
        Net losses and loss expenses   (143,090)  (141,595)  (177,972)  (462,657)
        Acquisition costs               (42,308)    (3,243)   (65,170)  (110,721)
        General and administrative
         expenses                       (86,518)   (58,599)   (34,458)  (179,575)
        Underwriting income              57,067    117,269     60,255    234,591
        Net investment income                                            227,423
        Net realized investment gains                                     88,556
        Net impairment charges
         recognized in earnings                                          (49,390)
        Interest expense                                                 (29,492)
        Foreign exchange gain                                                660
        Income before income taxes                                      $472,348
    
        GAAP Ratios:
        Loss and loss expense ratio        43.6%      44.2%      52.7%      46.9%
        Acquisition cost ratio             12.9%       1.0%      19.3%      11.2%
        General and administrative
         expense ratio                     26.4%      18.3%      10.2%      18.2%
        Combined ratio                     82.9%      63.5%      82.2%      76.3%
    
    
        Nine Months Ended                 U.S.    International
         September 30, 2008             Insurance  Insurance Reinsurance   Total
    
        Gross premiums written         $166,314   $548,433   $419,891 $1,134,638
        Net premiums written            104,437    358,036    418,252    880,725
        Net premiums earned              93,758    357,116    363,047    813,921
        Net losses and loss expenses    (68,791)  (241,484)  (187,316)  (497,591)
        Acquisition costs                (8,469)    (2,249)   (71,002)   (81,720)
        General and administrative
         expenses                       (39,452)   (59,091)   (31,902)  (130,445)
        Underwriting (loss) income      (22,954)    54,292     72,827    104,165
        Net investment income                                            226,192
        Net realized investment
         losses                                                          (40,500)
        Net impairment charges
         recognized in earnings                                         (112,304)
        Interest expense                                                 (28,538)
        Foreign exchange gain                                              2,651
        Income before income taxes                                      $151,666
    
        GAAP Ratios:
        Loss and loss expense ratio        73.4%      67.6%      51.6%      61.1%
        Acquisition cost ratio              9.0%       0.6%      19.6%      10.0%
        General and administrative
         expense ratio                     42.1%      16.5%       8.8%      16.0%
        Combined ratio                    124.5%      84.7%      80.0%      87.1%
    
    ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD
        UNAUDITED OPERATING INCOME RECONCILIATION
        (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and per
        share amounts)
    
                                        Quarter Ended          Nine Months Ended
                                         September 30,           September 30,
                                       2009        2008        2009        2008
    
        Net income/(loss)         $200,554   $(46,367)      $445,632    $163,783
          Net realized
           investment
           (gains)/losses          (46,861)    76,849        (88,556)     40,500
          Net impairment charges
           recognized in
           earnings                  1,953     75,027         49,390     112,304
          Foreign exchange gain       (273)    (2,728)          (660)     (2,651)
        Operating income          $155,373   $102,781       $405,806    $313,936
    
        Weighted average common
         shares outstanding:
        Basic                   49,574,266  49,007,389    49,449,809  48,547,839
        Diluted                 52,345,913  50,669,262 *  51,676,006  50,869,098
    
        Basic per share data:
        Net income / (loss)          $4.05     $(0.95)         $9.01       $3.37
          Net realized
           investment
           (gains)/losses            (0.95)      1.57          (1.79)       0.83
          Net impairment charges
           recognized in
           earnings                   0.04       1.53           1.00        2.32
          Foreign exchange gain      (0.01)     (0.06)         (0.01)      (0.05)
        Operating income             $3.13      $2.09          $8.21       $6.47
    
        Diluted per share data
        Net income / (loss)          $3.83     $(0.92)*        $8.62       $3.22
          Net realized
           investment
           (gains)/losses            (0.89)      1.52          (1.72)       0.80
          Net impairment charges
           recognized in
           earnings                   0.04       1.48           0.96        2.20
          Foreign exchange gain      (0.01)     (0.05)         (0.01)      (0.05)
        Operating income             $2.97      $2.03          $7.85       $6.17
    
          * For the net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2008,
          because operating income is positive, we are using the fully diluted
          weighted average common shares outstanding.
    
    ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD
        UNAUDITED  DILUTED BOOK VALUE PER SHARE RECONCILIATION
        (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and per
        share amounts)
    
                                                  As of       As of       As of
                                                 Sept 30,   December 31, Sept 30,
                                                   2009        2008        2008
        Price per share at period end             $47.93      $40.60      $35.52
    
        Total shareholders' equity             3,078,894   2,416,862   2,272,828
    
        Basic common shares outstanding       49,602,354  49,036,159  49,022,495
    
        Add: unvested restricted share units     925,437     971,907     905,621
    
        Add: Performance based equity awards   1,329,661   1,345,903   1,345,903
    
        Add: dilutive options/warrants
         outstanding                           6,951,447   6,371,151   6,865,351
          Weighted average exercise price per
           share                                   34.34       33.38       30.79
        Deduct: options bought back via
         treasury method                      (4,980,125) (5,237,965) (5,951,910)
    
        Common shares and common share
        equivalents outstanding               53,828,774  52,487,155  52,187,460
    
        Basic book value per common share         $62.07      $49.29      $46.36
        Diluted book value per common share       $57.20      $46.05      $43.55
    
    ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD
        UNAUDITED ANNUALIZED RETURN ON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY RECONCILIATION
        (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except for percentage
        information)
    
                                       Quarter Ended         Nine Months Ended
                                        September 30,           September 30,
                                      2009        2008        2009        2008
    
        Opening shareholders'
         equity                   $2,741,427  $2,378,046  $2,416,862  $2,239,842
        Deduct: accumulated other
         comprehensive income        (48,669)    (39,048)   (105,632)   (136,214)
        Adjusted opening
         shareholders' equity      2,692,758   2,338,998   2,311,230   2,103,628
    
        Closing shareholders'
         equity                   $3,078,894  $2,272,828  $3,078,894  $2,272,828
        Deduct: accumulated other
         comprehensive
         (income)/loss              (185,043)     19,775    (185,043)     19,775
        Adjusted closing
         shareholders' equity      2,893,851   2,292,603   2,893,851   2,292,603
    
        Average shareholders'
         equity                   $2,793,305  $2,315,801  $2,602,541  $2,198,116
    
        Net income/(loss)
         available to shareholders  $200,554    $(46,367)   $445,632    $163,783
        Annualized net
         income/(loss) available
         to shareholders             802,216    (185,468)    594,176     218,377
    
        Annualized return on
         average shareholders'
         equity - net
         income/(loss) available
         to shareholders                28.7%       (8.0%)      22.8%        9.9%
    
        Operating income available
         to shareholders            $155,373    $102,781    $405,806    $313,936
        Annualized operating
         income available to
         shareholders                621,492     411,124     541,075     418,581
    
        Annualized return on
         average shareholders'
         equity - operating income
         available to shareholders      22.2%       17.8%       20.8%       19.0%
    
    Media: Faye Cook, Vice President, Marketing & Communications,
    +1-441-278-5406, faye.cook@awac.com, or Investors: Keith J. Lennox, Investor
    Relations Officer, +1-646-794-0750, keith.lennox@awac.com, both of Allied World
    Assurance Company Holdings
    
    Please aware of self to obey the Internet related policy laws and strictly forbid to release porn, violence.
    Appraisal:
    Expression:
    • HOT
    • Latest
    • Last Post
    • Rand