AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP INC (AFG)
SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > Insurance Carriers > SIC 6331 Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1042046. Latest filing source: 0001042046-26-000010.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read AFG's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read AFG's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 8,174,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-25 |
| Net income | 842,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-25 |
| Assets | 32,642,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-25 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-25. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001042046.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 6,498,000,000 | 6,865,000,000 | 7,150,000,000 | 6,213,000,000 | 5,769,000,000 | 6,552,000,000 | 7,040,000,000 | 7,827,000,000 | 8,324,000,000 | 8,174,000,000 |
| Net income | 649,000,000 | 475,000,000 | 530,000,000 | 897,000,000 | 732,000,000 | 1,995,000,000 | 898,000,000 | 852,000,000 | 887,000,000 | 842,000,000 |
| Operating income | 787,000,000 | 724,000,000 | 639,000,000 | 634,000,000 | 339,000,000 | 1,335,000,000 | 1,123,000,000 | 1,073,000,000 | 1,124,000,000 | 1,073,000,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 7.33 | 5.28 | 5.85 | 9.85 | 8.20 | 23.30 | 10.53 | 10.05 | 10.57 | 10.08 |
| Operating cash flow | 1,150,000,000 | 1,804,000,000 | 2,083,000,000 | 2,456,000,000 | 2,183,000,000 | 1,714,000,000 | 1,153,000,000 | 1,970,000,000 | 1,152,000,000 | 1,533,000,000 |
| Dividends paid | 185,000,000 | 417,000,000 | 394,000,000 | 444,000,000 | 334,000,000 | 2,374,000,000 | 1,213,000,000 | 684,000,000 | 788,000,000 | 606,000,000 |
| Share buybacks | 133,000,000 | 0.00 | 6,000,000 | 0.00 | 313,000,000 | 319,000,000 | 11,000,000 | 213,000,000 | 0.00 | 99,000,000 |
| Assets | 55,072,000,000 | 60,658,000,000 | 63,456,000,000 | 70,130,000,000 | 73,710,000,000 | 28,931,000,000 | 28,831,000,000 | 29,787,000,000 | 30,836,000,000 | 32,642,000,000 |
| Liabilities | 50,153,000,000 | 55,324,000,000 | 58,484,000,000 | 63,861,000,000 | 66,921,000,000 | 23,919,000,000 | 24,779,000,000 | 25,529,000,000 | 26,370,000,000 | 27,822,000,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | 4,916,000,000 | 5,330,000,000 | 4,970,000,000 | 6,269,000,000 | 6,789,000,000 | 5,012,000,000 | 4,052,000,000 | 4,258,000,000 | 4,466,000,000 | 4,820,000,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 2,107,000,000 | 2,338,000,000 | 1,515,000,000 | 2,314,000,000 | 1,665,000,000 | 2,131,000,000 | 872,000,000 | 1,225,000,000 | 1,406,000,000 | 1,727,000,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 9.99% | 6.92% | 7.41% | 14.44% | 12.69% | 30.45% | 12.76% | 10.89% | 10.66% | 10.30% |
| Operating margin | 12.11% | 10.55% | 8.94% | 10.20% | 5.88% | 20.38% | 15.95% | 13.71% | 13.50% | 13.13% |
| Return on equity | 13.20% | 8.91% | 10.66% | 14.31% | 10.78% | 39.80% | 22.16% | 20.01% | 19.86% | 17.47% |
| Return on assets | 1.18% | 0.78% | 0.84% | 1.28% | 0.99% | 6.90% | 3.11% | 2.86% | 2.88% | 2.58% |
| Liabilities / equity | 10.20 | 10.38 | 11.77 | 10.19 | 9.86 | 4.77 | 6.12 | 6.00 | 5.90 | 5.77 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001042046-26-000010; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001042046-26-000010; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001042046-26-000010; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001042046-26-000010; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001042046-26-000010; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001042046-26-000010; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001042046-26-000010; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001042046-26-000010; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001042046-26-000010; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001042046-26-000010; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001042046-26-000010; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-07. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001042046.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 1.96 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 1.93 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 2.49 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 1,840,000,000 | 200,000,000 | 2.34 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 2,164,000,000 | 177,000,000 | 2.09 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 2,083,000,000 | 263,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 1,906,000,000 | 242,000,000 | 2.89 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 1,900,000,000 | 209,000,000 | 2.49 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 2,369,000,000 | 181,000,000 | 2.16 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 2,149,000,000 | 255,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 1,856,000,000 | 154,000,000 | 1.84 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 1,924,000,000 | 174,000,000 | 2.07 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 2,331,000,000 | 215,000,000 | 2.58 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 2,063,000,000 | 299,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 1,854,000,000 | 191,000,000 | 2.29 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001042046-26-000014; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001042046-26-000014; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001042046-26-000014; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001042046-26-000014.
ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
| INDEX TO MD&A | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page | Page | |||
| Forward-Looking Statements | 29 | Managed Investment Entities | 37 | |
| Overview | 30 | Results of Operations | 39 | |
| Critical Accounting Policies | 30 | General | 39 | |
| Liquidity and Capital Resources | 31 | Segmented Statement of Earnings | 40 | |
| Ratios | 31 | Property and Casualty Insurance | 41 | |
| Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows | 31 | Holding Company, Other and Unallocated | 49 | |
| Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity | 32 | Recent Accounting Standards | 50 | |
| Investments | 33 | |||
| Uncertainties | 36 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “projects”, “estimates”, “intends”, “plans”, “seeks”, “could”, “may”, “should”, “will” or the negative version of those words or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to: expectations concerning market and other conditions and their effect on future premiums, revenues, earnings, investment activities and the amount and timing of share repurchases and special dividends; recoverability of asset values; expected losses and the adequacy of reserves for asbestos, environmental pollution and mass tort claims; rate changes; and improved loss experience.
Actual results and/or financial condition could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons including but not limited to the following and the risks and uncertainties AFG describes in the “Risk Factors” section of its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by its other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including:
•whether or not the sale of Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina closes and AFG’s net gain as a result of the sale;
•changes in financial, political and economic conditions, including changes in interest and inflation rates and impacts from tariffs or other trade actions, currency fluctuations and extended economic recessions or expansions in the U.S. and/or abroad;
•performance of securities markets;
•new legislation or declines in credit quality or credit ratings that could have a material impact on the valuation of securities in AFG’s investment portfolio;
•the availability of capital;
•changes in insurance law or regulation, including changes in statutory accounting rules, including modifications to capital requirements;
•changes in the legal environment affecting AFG or its customers;
•tax law and accounting changes;
•levels of natural catastrophes and severe weather, terrorist activities (including any nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological events), incidents of war or losses resulting from pandemics, civil unrest and other major losses;
•disruption caused by cyber-attacks or other technology breaches or failures by AFG or its business partners and service providers, which could negatively impact AFG’s business or reputation and/or expose AFG to litigation;
•development of insurance loss reserves and establishment of other reserves, particularly with respect to amounts associated with asbestos and environmental claims;
•availability of reinsurance and ability of reinsurers to pay their obligations;
•competitive pressures;
•the ability to obtain adequate rates and policy terms;
•changes in AFG’s credit ratings or the financial strength ratings assigned by major ratings agencies to AFG’s operating subsidiaries; and
•the impact of the conditions in the international financial markets and the global economy relating to AFG’s international operations.
29
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date of this report. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of Management’s Discussion and Analysis is to provide a discussion and analysis of the financial statements and other statistical data that management believes will enhance the understanding of AFG’s financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. The tables and narrative that follow are presented in a manner that is consistent with the information that AFG’s management uses to make operational decisions and allocate capital resources. They are provided to demonstrate the nature of the transactions and events that could impact AFG’s financial results. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements beginning on page 2.
OVERVIEW
Financial Condition
AFG is organized as a holding company with almost all of its operations being conducted by subsidiaries. AFG, however, has continuing cash needs for administrative expenses, the payment of principal and interest on borrowings, shareholder dividends and taxes. Therefore, certain analyses are most meaningfully presented on a parent only basis while others are best done on a total enterprise basis. In addition, because its businesses are financial in nature, AFG does not prepare its consolidated financial statements using a current-noncurrent format. Consequently, certain traditional ratios and financial analysis tests are not meaningful.
Results of Operations
Through the operations of its subsidiaries, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses.
AFG reported net earnings of $191 million ($2.29 per share, diluted) for the first three months of 2026 compared to $154 million ($1.84 per share, diluted) for the first three months of 2025, reflecting higher underwriting profit.
Outlook
Management expects overall premium growth and strong underwriting results in the current property and casualty insurance market. In addition, management anticipates improved returns on alternative investments, relative to the returns earned in 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, will have a positive impact on net investment income beginning in the second half of 2026.
AFG’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are impacted by the economic, legal and regulatory environment. Economic inflation, social inflation and other economic conditions may impact premium levels, loss cost trends and investment returns.
Management believes that AFG’s strong financial position and current liquidity and capital at its subsidiaries will give AFG the flexibility to continue to effectively address and respond to anticipated and unanticipated challenges. AFG’s insurance subsidiaries continue to have capital at or in excess of the levels required by ratings agencies in order to maintain their current ratings, and the parent company does not have any debt maturities until 2030.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Significant accounting policies are summarized in Note A — “Accounting Policies” to the financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts reported in the financial statements. As more information becomes known, these estimates and assumptions change and, thus, impact amounts reported in the future. The areas where management believes the degree of judgment required to determine amounts recorded in the financial statements is most significant are as follows:
•the valuation of investments, including the determination of impairment allowances,
•the establishment of insurance reserves, especially asbestos and environmental-related reserves,
•the recoverability of reinsurance, and
•the establishment of asbestos and environmental liabilities of former railroad and manufacturing operations.
30
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
For a discussion of these policies, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Critical Accounting Policies” in AFG’s 2025 Form 10-K.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Ratios
AFG’s debt to total capital ratio on a consolidated basis is shown below (dollars in millions):
| December 31, | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||
| Principal amount of long-term debt | $ | 1,848 | $ | 1,848 | $ | 1,498 | ||||||
| Total capital | 6,653 | 6,718 | 6,204 | |||||||||
| Ratio of debt to total capital: | ||||||||||||
| Including subordinated debt | 27.8 | % | 27.5 | % | 24.1 | % | ||||||
| Excluding subordinated debt | 17.6 | % | 17.5 | % | 13.3 | % |
The ratio of debt to total capital is a non-GAAP measure that management believes is useful for investors, analysts and ratings agencies to evaluate AFG’s financial strength and liquidity and to provide insight into how AFG finances its operations. The ratio is calculated by dividing the principal amount of AFG’s long-term debt by its total capital, which includes long-term debt and shareholders’ equity (excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax). In addition, maintaining a ratio of debt, excluding subordinated debt and debt secured by real estate (if any), to total capital of 35% or lower is a financial covenant in AFG’s bank credit facility.
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows
AFG’s principal sources of cash include insurance premiums, income from its investment portfolio and proceeds from the maturities, redemptions and sales of investments. Insurance premiums in excess of acquisition expenses and operating costs are invested until they are needed to meet policyholder obligations or made available to the parent company through dividends to cover debt obligations and corporate expenses, and to provide returns to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as detailed in AFG’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows are shown below (in millions):
| Three months ended March 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 474 | $ | 342 | ||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (613) | 23 | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (235) | (495) | ||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (374) | $ | (130) |
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations typically produce positive net operating cash flows as premiums collected and investment income exceed policy acquisition costs, claims payments and operating expenses. AFG’s net cash provided by operating activities is impacted by the level and timing of premiums, claim and expense payments and recoveries from reinsurers. Cash flows provided by operating activities also include the activity of AFG’s managed investment entities (collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”)) other than those activities included in investing or financing activities. The changes in the assets and liabilities of the managed investment entities included in operating activities increased cash flows from operating activities by $162 million during the first three months of 2026 and $42 million in the first three months of 2025, accounting for a $120 million increase in cash flows from operating activities in the 2026 period compared to the 2025 period. As discussed in Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements, AFG has no right to use the CLO assets and no obligation to pay the CLO liabilities and such assets and li
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
| INDEX TO MD&A | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page | Page | |||
| Objective | 31 | Results of Operations | 48 | |
| Overview | 31 | General | 48 | |
| Critical Accounting Policies | 32 | Results of Operations — Fourth Quarter | 50 | |
| Liquidity and Capital Resources | 32 | Segmented Statement of Earnings | 50 | |
| Ratios | 32 | Property and Casualty Insurance | 51 | |
| Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows | 32 | Holding Company, Other and Unallocated | 59 | |
| Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity | 34 | Results of Operations — Full Year | 62 | |
| Condensed Parent Only Cash Flows | 35 | Segmented Statement of Earnings | 62 | |
| Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | 35 | Property and Casualty Insurance | 64 | |
| Investments | 36 | Holding Company, Other and Unallocated | 74 | |
| Uncertainties | 39 | Recent Accounting Standards | 77 | |
| Managed Investment Entities | 45 |
OBJECTIVE
The objective of Management’s Discussion and Analysis is to provide a discussion and analysis of the financial statements and other statistical data that management believes will enhance the understanding of AFG’s financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. The tables and narrative that follow are presented in a manner that is consistent with the information that AFG’s management uses to make operational decisions and allocate capital resources. They are provided to demonstrate the nature of the transactions and events that could impact AFG’s financial results. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements beginning on page F-1.
OVERVIEW
Financial Condition
AFG is organized as a holding company with almost all of its operations being conducted by subsidiaries. AFG, however, has continuing cash needs for administrative expenses, the payment of principal and interest on borrowings, shareholder dividends and taxes. Therefore, certain analyses are most meaningfully presented on a parent only basis while others are best done on a total enterprise basis. In addition, because its businesses are financial in nature, AFG does not prepare its consolidated financial statements using a current-noncurrent format. Consequently, certain traditional ratios and financial analysis tests are not meaningful.
Results of Operations
Through the operations of its subsidiaries, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses.
AFG reported net earnings of $299 million ($3.58 per share, diluted) for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $255 million ($3.03 per share, diluted) for the fourth quarter of 2024, reflecting higher underwriting profit, partially offset by lower net investment income from AFG’s alternative investment portfolio.
Full year 2025 net earnings were $842 million ($10.08 per share, diluted) compared to $887 million ($10.57 per share, diluted) in 2024. Higher underwriting profit and the favorable impact of higher yields and average balances on net investment income from fixed income investments were more than offset by lower net investment income from alternative investments.
Outlook
Management expects overall premium growth and strong underwriting results in the current property and casualty insurance market. In addition, management anticipates improved returns on alternative investments relative to the 2.5% earned in 2025 will have a positive impact on net investment income beginning in the second half of 2026.
31
Table of Contents
AFG’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are impacted by the economic, legal and regulatory environment. Economic inflation, social inflation and other economic conditions may impact premium levels, loss cost trends and investment returns. For a more comprehensive list of risks, see “Item 1A — Risk Factors.”
Management believes that AFG’s strong financial position and current liquidity and capital at its subsidiaries will give AFG the flexibility to continue to effectively address and respond to anticipated and unanticipated challenges. AFG’s insurance subsidiaries continue to have capital at or in excess of the levels required by ratings agencies in order to maintain their current ratings, and the parent company does not have any debt maturities until 2030.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Significant accounting policies are summarized in Note A — “Accounting Policies” to the financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts reported in the financial statements. As more information becomes known, these estimates and assumptions change and, thus, impact amounts reported in the future. The areas where management believes the degree of judgment required to determine amounts recorded in the financial statements is most significant are as follows:
•the valuation of investments, including the determination of impairment allowances,
•the establishment of insurance reserves, especially asbestos and environmental-related reserves,
•the recoverability of reinsurance, and
•the establishment of asbestos and environmental liabilities of former railroad and manufacturing operations.
See “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Uncertainties” for a discussion of insurance reserves, recoverables from reinsurers and contingencies related to APU Consolidated’s former operations and “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Investments” for a discussion of the allowance for credit losses (impairments) on investments.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Ratios
AFG’s debt to total capital ratio on a consolidated basis is shown below (dollars in millions). Management intends to maintain the ratio of debt to capital at or below 30% and intends to maintain the capital of its significant insurance subsidiaries at or above levels currently indicated by rating agencies as appropriate for the current ratings.
| December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Principal amount of long-term debt | $ | 1,848 | $ | 1,498 | ||||
| Total capital | 6,718 | 6,204 | ||||||
| Ratio of debt to total capital: | ||||||||
| Including subordinated debt | 27.5 | % | 24.1 | % | ||||
| Excluding subordinated debt | 17.5 | % | 13.3 | % |
The ratio of debt to total capital is a non-GAAP measure that management believes is useful for investors, analysts and ratings agencies to evaluate AFG’s financial strength and liquidity and to provide insight into how AFG finances its operations. The ratio is calculated by dividing the principal amount of AFG’s long-term debt by its total capital, which includes long-term debt and shareholders’ equity (excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax). In addition, maintaining a ratio of debt, excluding subordinated debt and debt secured by real estate (if any), to total capital of 35% or lower is a financial covenant in AFG’s bank credit facility.
The NAIC’s model law for risk-based capital (“RBC”) applies to property and casualty companies. RBC formulas determine the amount of capital that an insurance company needs so that it has an acceptable expectation of not becoming financially impaired. At December 31, 2025, the capital ratios of all AFG insurance companies exceeded the RBC requirements.
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows
AFG’s principal sources of cash include insurance premiums, income from its investment portfolio and proceeds from the maturities, redemptions and sales of investments. Insurance premiums in excess of acquisition expenses and operating costs are invested until they are needed to meet policyholder obligations or made available to the parent company through
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dividends to cover debt obligations and corporate expenses, and to provide returns to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as detailed in AFG’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows are shown below (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,533 | $ | 1,152 | $ | 1,970 | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (835) | 95 | 414 | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (377) | (1,066) | (2,031) | |||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 321 | $ | 181 | $ | 353 |
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations typically produce positive net operating cash flows as premiums collected and investment income exceed policy acquisition costs, claims payments and operating expenses. AFG’s net cash provided by operating activities is impacted by the level and timing of premiums, claim and expense payments and recoveries from reinsurers. Cash flows provided by operating activities also include the activity of AFG’s managed investment entities (collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”)) other than those activities included in investing or financing activities. The changes in the assets and liabilities of the managed investment entities included in operating activities increased cash flows from operating activities by $70 million in 2025, reduced cash flows from operating activities by $80 million in 2024 and increased cash flows from operating activities by $305 million in 2023, resulting in a $150 million increase in cash flows from operating activities in 2025 compared to 2024 and a $385 million decrease in cash flows from operating activities in 2024 compared to 2023. As discussed in Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements, AFG has no right to use the CLO assets and no obligation to pay the CLO liabilities and such assets and liabilities are shown separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Excluding the impact of the managed investment entities, net cash provided by operating activities was $1.46 billion, $1.23 billion and $1.67 billion in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities AFG’s investing activities consist primarily of the investment of funds provided by its property and casualty businesses. Investing activities also include the purchase and disposal of managed investment entity investments, which are presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Net investment activity in the managed investment entities was a $10 million use of cash in 2025 compared to a $377 million source of cash in 2024, resulting in a $387 million decrease in net cash provided by investing activities in 2025 compared to 2024. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note G — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements. Excluding the activity of the managed investment entities, investing activities resulted in uses of cash of $825 million in 2025 and $282 million in 2024, an increase of $543 million reflecting the investment of cash in fixed maturity investments.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $95 million in 2024 compared to $414 million in 2023, a decrease of $319 million. Net investment activity in the managed investment entities was a $377 million source of cash in 2024 compared to $762 million in 2023, resulting in a $385 million decrease in net cash provided by investing activities in 2024 compared to 2023. Investing activities for 2024 include the fourth quarter acquisitions of an insurance agency and a consulting business for $9 million in cash. Investing activities for 2023 include the July 2023 acquisition of Crop Risk Services (“CRS”) for $234 million in cash. Excluding these acquisitions and the activity of the managed investment entities, investing activities resulted in uses of cash of $273 million in 2024 and $114 million in 2023.
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities AFG’s financing activities consist primarily of issuances and retirements of long-term debt, issuances and repurchases of Common Stock and dividend payments. Net cash used in financing activities was $377 million in 2025 compared to $1.07 billion in 2024, a decrease of $689 million. The net proceeds from AFG’s issuance of $350 million in 5.00% Senior Notes in September 2025 was a $344 million source of cash in 2025. AFG paid cash dividends totaling $606 million in 2025 compared to $788 million in 2024, resulting in a $182 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2025 compared to 2024. In 2025, AFG repurchased $99 million of its Common Stock compared to no repurchases in 2024. Financing activities also include issuances and retirements of managed investment entity liabilities, which are nonrecourse to AFG and presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Retirements of managed investment entity liabilities exceeded issuances by $28 million in 2025 compared to $295 million in 2024, resulting in a $267 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2025 compared to 2024. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note G — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements.
Net cash used in financing activities was $1.07 billion in 2024 compared to $2.03 billion in 2023, a decrease of $965 million. AFG paid cash dividends totaling $788 million in 2024 compared to $684 million in 2023, resulting in a $104 million increase in net cash used in financing activities in 2024 compared to 2023. There were no debt retirements in
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2024 compared to $21 million in debt retirements in 2023. In 2024, AFG did not repurchase any of its Common Stock compared to repurchases of $213 million in 2023. Retirements of managed investment entity liabilities exceeded issuances by $295 million in 2024 compared to $1.13 billion in 2023, resulting in an $833 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2024 compared to 2023.
Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity
Parent Holding Company Liquidity Management believes AFG has sufficient resources to meet its liquidity requirements. If funds generated from operations, including dividends, tax payments and borrowings from subsidiaries, are insufficient to meet fixed charges in any period, AFG would be required to utilize parent company cash and investments or to generate cash through borrowings, sales of other assets, or similar transactions.
AFG’s operations continue to generate significant excess capital for future returns of capital to shareholders in the form of regular and special cash dividends and through opportunistic share repurchases or to be deployed into its property and casualty businesses as management identifies the potential for profitable organic growth, and opportunities to expand through acquisitions of established businesses or start-ups that meet target return thresholds.
In September 2025, AFG issued $350 million in 5.00% Senior Notes due in September 2035. The net proceeds of this offering were used for general corporate purposes.
During 2025, AFG repurchased 799,398 shares of its Common Stock for $99 million and paid special cash dividends totaling $334 million ($2.00 per share in both March and November). On February 3, 2026, AFG declared a special cash dividend of $1.50 per share, payable on February 25, 2026. The aggregate amount of this special dividend will be approximately $125 million.
During 2024, AFG paid special cash dividends totaling $545 million ($2.50 per share in February and $4.00 per share in November).
During 2023, AFG repurchased 1,872,544 shares of its Common Stock for $213 million and paid special cash dividends totaling $466 million ($4.00 per share in February and $1.50 per share in November).
AFG may, at any time and from time to time, seek to retire or purchase its outstanding debt through cash purchases or exchanges for equity or debt, in open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will be upon such terms and at such prices as management may determine, and will depend on prevailing market conditions, AFG’s liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. During 2023, AFG repurchased $23 million principal amount of its senior notes for $21 million cash.
All debentures and notes issued by AFG are rated investment grade by two nationally recognized rating agencies. AFG maintains a shelf registration statement under which it can offer additional equity or debt securities. The shelf registration provides AFG with flexibility to access the capital markets from time to time as market and other conditions permit.
At December 31, 2025, AFG (parent) held approximately $529 million in cash and investments. Management believes that AFG’s cash balances are held at stable banking institutions, although the amounts of many of these deposits are in excess of federally insured balances. AFG can borrow up to $450 million under its revolving credit facility, which expires in June 2028. Amounts borrowed under this agreement bear interest at rates ranging from 1.00% to 1.75% (based on AFG’s credit rating, currently 1.25%) over a SOFR-based floating rate. There were no borrowings under AFG’s credit facility, or under any other parent company short-term borrowing arrangements, during 2025 or 2024.
Under a tax allocation agreement with AFG, all 80% (or more) owned U.S. subsidiaries generally pay taxes to (or recover taxes from) AFG based on each subsidiary’s contribution to amounts due under AFG’s consolidated tax return.
Subsidiary Liquidity The liquidity requirements of AFG’s insurance subsidiaries relate primarily to the policyholder claims and underwriting expenses and payments of dividends and taxes to AFG. Historically, cash flows from premiums and investment income have generally provided more than sufficient funds to meet these requirements. Funds received in excess of cash requirements are generally invested in marketable securities. In addition, the insurance subsidiaries generally hold a significant amount of highly liquid, short duration investments.
For statutory accounting purposes, equity securities of non-affiliates are generally carried at fair value. At December 31, 2025, AFG’s insurance companies owned equity securities with a fair value of $785 million. Decreases in market prices could adversely affect the insurance group’s capital, potentially impacting the amount of dividends available or
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necessitating a capital contribution. Conversely, increases in market prices could have a favorable impact on the group’s dividend-paying capability.
Property and casualty reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses were $15.09 billion at December 31, 2025 and include case reserves and claims incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). The ultimate amount to be paid to settle reserves is an estimate, subject to significant uncertainty. Actual payments to settle claims cannot be determined until a settlement is reached with the claimant. Final claim settlements may vary significantly from estimated amounts. See “Uncertainties — Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves” below. The timing of future payments for the next twelve months and beyond could vary materially from historical payment patterns due to, among other things, changes in claim reporting and payment patterns and large unanticipated settlements.
AFG believes its insurance subsidiaries maintain sufficient liquidity to pay claims and underwriting expenses. In addition, these subsidiaries have sufficient capital to meet commitments in the event of unforeseen reserve deficiencies, inadequate premium rates or reinsurer insolvencies. Management believes that the capital levels in AFG’s insurance subsidiaries are adequate to maintain its business and rating agency ratings. Nonetheless, changes in statutory accounting rules, changes in rating agency measures, significant declines in the fair value of the insurance subsidiaries’ investment portfolios or significant ratings downgrades on these investments, could create a need for additional capital.
Condensed Parent Only Cash Flows
AFG’s parent holding company only condensed cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities are shown below (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 582 | $ | 712 | $ | 719 | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (182) | 72 | 225 | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (348) | (769) | (901) | |||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 52 | $ | 15 | $ | 43 |
Parent Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Parent holding company cash flows from operating activities consist primarily of dividends and tax payments received from AFG’s insurance subsidiaries, reduced by tax payments to the IRS and holding company interest and other expenses. Parent holding company net cash provided by operating activities was $582 million in 2025 compared to $712 million in 2024 and $719 million in 2023. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities in 2025 compared to 2024 and 2023 was due primarily to lower cash dividends received from subsidiaries.
Parent Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Parent holding company investing activities consist of capital contributions to and returns of capital from subsidiaries and parent company investment activity. Parent holding company net cash used in investing activities was $182 million in 2025 compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $72 million in 2024 and $225 million in 2023. The $254 million increase in net cash used in investing activities reflects the investment of cash in fixed maturity securities and lower maturities and redemptions of investments in 2025 compared to 2024. The $153 million decrease in net cash provided by investing activities in 2024 compared to 2023 was due primarily to lower balances of invested assets.
Parent Net Cash Used in Financing Activities Parent company financing activities consist primarily of the issuance and retirement of long-term debt, repurchases of AFG Common Stock and dividends to shareholders. Significant long-term debt and Common Stock transactions are discussed above under “Parent Holding Company Liquidity.” Parent holding company net cash used in financing activities was $348 million in 2025 compared to $769 million in 2024 and $901 million in 2023. The $421 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2025 compared to 2024 reflects $344 million in net proceeds from AFG’s issuance of $350 million in 5.00% Senior Notes in September 2025 and lower dividends paid to shareholders (due primarily to special dividends of $4.00 per share in 2025 compared to special dividends of $6.50 per share in 2024), partially offset by $99 million in repurchases of Common Stock in 2025 compared to no repurchases in 2024. The $132 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2024 compared to 2023 reflects no repurchases of Common Stock in 2024 compared to repurchases of Common Stock of $213 million in 2023, partially offset by higher dividends paid to shareholders (due primarily to special dividends of $6.50 per share in 2024 compared to special dividends of $5.50 per share in 2023).
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
See Note O — “Additional Information — Financial Instruments — Unfunded Commitments” to the financial statements.
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Investments
AFG attempts to optimize investment income while building the value of its portfolio, placing emphasis upon total long-term performance.
AFG’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2025, contained $11.05 billion in fixed maturity securities classified as available for sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and $91 million in fixed maturities classified as trading with holding gains and losses included in net investment income. In addition, AFG’s investment portfolio includes $567 million in equity securities carried at fair value with holding gains and losses included in realized gains (losses) on securities and $218 million in equity securities carried at fair value with holding gains and losses included in net investment income. AFG’s investment portfolio also includes $2.42 billion in investments accounted for using the equity method (limited partnerships and similar investments). Under the equity method, AFG records its share of the earnings or losses of the investee based on when it is reported by the investee in its financial statements rather than in the period in which the investee declares a dividend. AFG’s share of the earnings or losses from equity method investments is included in net investment income and is generally recorded on a quarter lag due to the timing of the receipt of the investee’s financial statements.
Unrealized gains and losses on AFG’s fixed maturity securities are included in shareholders’ equity after adjustments for deferred income taxes.
Fixed income investment funds are generally invested in securities with intermediate-term maturities with an objective of optimizing total return while allowing flexibility to react to changes in market conditions. At December 31, 2025, the average life of AFG’s fixed maturities was about 4.4 years.
Fair values for AFG’s portfolio are determined by AFG’s internal investment professionals using data from nationally recognized pricing services, non-binding broker quotes and other market information. Fair values of equity securities are determined by published closing prices when available. For AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio, approximately 90% was priced using pricing services at December 31, 2025 and 3% was priced using non-binding broker quotes. The remaining 7% was priced internally using a variety of inputs including credit spreads, trade information, prices of comparable securities, estimates of cash flow and other security specific features. When prices obtained for the same security vary, AFG’s internal investment professionals select the price they believe is most indicative of an exit price. For additional information on determination of fair value, see Note D — “Fair Value Measurements” to the financial statements.
The pricing services use a variety of observable inputs to estimate fair value of fixed maturities that do not trade on a daily basis. Based upon information provided by the pricing services, these inputs include, but are not limited to, recent reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids or offers, reference data, and measures of volatility. Included in the pricing of structured securities are estimates of the rate of future prepayments and defaults of principal over the remaining life of the underlying collateral. Due to the lack of transparency in the process that brokers use to develop prices, valuations that are based on brokers’ prices are classified as Level 3 in the GAAP hierarchy unless the price can be corroborated, for example, by comparison to similar securities priced using observable inputs.
Valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by AFG’s internal investment professionals who are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price. To validate the appropriateness of the prices obtained, these investment managers consider widely published indices (as benchmarks), recent trades, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and the credit quality of the specific issuers. In addition, AFG communicates directly with pricing services regarding the methods and assumptions used in pricing, including verifying, on a test basis, the inputs used by the services to value specific securities.
In general, the fair value of AFG’s fixed maturity investments is inversely correlated to changes in interest rates. The following table demonstrates the sensitivity of such fair values to reasonably likely changes in interest rates by illustrating the estimated effect on AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio that an immediate increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate yield curve would have had at December 31, 2025 (dollars in millions). Effects of increases or decreases from the 100 basis points illustrated would be approximately proportional.
| Fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | 11,143 |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage impact on fair value of 100 bps increase in interest rates | (3.0 | %) |
| Pretax impact on fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | (334) |
Approximately 96% of the fixed maturities held by AFG at December 31, 2025, were rated “investment grade” (credit rating of AAA to BBB) by nationally recognized rating agencies, 2% were rated “non-investment grade” and 2% were not
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rated. Investment grade securities generally bear lower yields and lower degrees of risk than those that are unrated and non-investment grade. Management believes that the high-quality investment portfolio should generate a stable and predictable investment return.
AFG has approximately $80 million of direct exposure to office commercial real estate through property ownership, mortgages or equity method investments. AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio includes securities (the majority of which are AAA-rated) with a carrying value of approximately $280 million that have minimal exposure to office commercial real estate.
Summarized information for the unrealized gains and losses recorded in AFG’s Balance Sheet at December 31, 2025, is shown in the following table (dollars in millions). There were $484 million of available for sale fixed maturity securities with no unrealized gains or losses at December 31, 2025.
| Securities With Unrealized Gains | Securities With Unrealized Losses | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available for Sale Fixed Maturities | ||||||
| Fair value of securities | $ | 6,526 | $ | 4,042 | ||
| Amortized cost of securities, net of allowance for expected credit losses | $ | 6,361 | $ | 4,235 | ||
| Gross unrealized gain (loss) | $ | 165 | $ | (193) | ||
| Fair value as % of amortized cost | 103 | % | 95 | % | ||
| Number of security positions | 1,102 | 858 | ||||
| Number individually exceeding $2 million gain or loss | 2 | 22 | ||||
| Concentration of gains (losses) by type or industry (exceeding 5% of unrealized): | ||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | $ | 43 | $ | (103) | ||
| Other asset-backed securities | 29 | (38) | ||||
| Banking | 18 | (5) | ||||
| Asset managers | 13 | (4) | ||||
| States and municipalities | 8 | (26) | ||||
| Percentage rated investment grade | 97 | % | 96 | % |
The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of AFG’s available for sale fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2025, based on their fair values. Securities with sinking funds are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers.
| Securities With Unrealized Gains | Securities With Unrealized Losses | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maturity | |||||
| One year or less | 3 | % | 10 | % | |
| After one year through five years | 22 | % | 18 | % | |
| After five years through ten years | 18 | % | 7 | % | |
| After ten years | 1 | % | 4 | % | |
| 44 | % | 39 | % | ||
| CLOs and other asset-backed securities (average life of approximately 3.5 years) | 32 | % | 34 | % | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities (average life of approximately 6 years) | 24 | % | 27 | % | |
| 100 | % | 100 | % |
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The table below (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities by dollar amount:
| Aggregate Fair Value | Aggregate Unrealized Gain (Loss) | Fair Value as % of Cost | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Maturities at December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||
| Securities with unrealized gains: | ||||||||||
| Exceeding $500,000 (68 securities) | $ | 924 | $ | 61 | 107 | % | ||||
| $500,000 or less (1,034 securities) | 5,602 | 104 | 102 | % | ||||||
| $ | 6,526 | $ | 165 | 103 | % | |||||
| Securities with unrealized losses: | ||||||||||
| Exceeding $500,000 (85 securities) | $ | 1,090 | $ | (133) | 89 | % | ||||
| $500,000 or less (773 securities) | 2,952 | (60) | 98 | % | ||||||
| $ | 4,042 | $ | (193) | 95 | % |
The following table (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized losses for all securities with unrealized losses by issuer quality and the length of time those securities have been in an unrealized loss position:
| Aggregate Fair Value | Aggregate Unrealized Loss | Fair Value as % of Cost | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Securities with Unrealized Losses at December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||
| Investment grade fixed maturities with losses for: | ||||||||||
| Less than one year (100 securities) | $ | 851 | $ | (5) | 99 | % | ||||
| One year or longer (633 securities) | 3,013 | (180) | 94 | % | ||||||
| $ | 3,864 | $ | (185) | 95 | % | |||||
| Non-investment grade fixed maturities with losses for: | ||||||||||
| Less than one year (34 securities) | $ | 58 | $ | (2) | 97 | % | ||||
| One year or longer (91 securities) | 120 | (6) | 95 | % | ||||||
| $ | 178 | $ | (8) | 96 | % |
To evaluate fixed maturities for expected credit losses (impairment), management considers the following:
(a)whether the unrealized loss is credit-driven or a result of changes in market interest rates,
(b)the extent to which fair value is less than cost basis,
(c)cash flow projections received from independent sources,
(d)historical operating, balance sheet and cash flow data contained in issuer SEC filings and news releases,
(e)near-term prospects for improvement in the issuer and/or its industry,
(f)third-party research and communications with industry specialists,
(g)financial models and forecasts,
(h)the continuity of interest payments, maintenance of investment grade ratings and hybrid nature of certain investments,
(i)discussions with issuer management, and
(j)ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery in fair value.
Based on its analysis of the factors listed above, management believes AFG will recover its cost basis (net of any allowance) in the fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses and that AFG has the ability to hold the securities until they recover in value and had no intent to sell them at December 31, 2025. Although AFG has the ability to continue holding its fixed maturity investments with unrealized losses, its intent to hold them may change due to deterioration in the issuers’ creditworthiness, decisions to lessen exposure to a particular issuer or industry, asset/liability management decisions, market movements, changes in views about appropriate asset allocation or the desire to offset taxable realized gains. Should AFG’s ability or intent change regarding a particular security, a charge for impairment would likely be required. While it is not possible to accurately predict if or when a specific security will become impaired, increases in the allowance for credit losses could be material to results of operations in future periods. Significant declines in the fair value of AFG’s investment portfolio could have a significant adverse effect on AFG’s liquidity. For information on AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities, see “Results of Operations — Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities.”
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Uncertainties
As more fully explained in the following paragraphs, management believes that the areas posing the greatest risk of material loss are the adequacy of its insurance reserves and contingencies arising out of its former railroad and manufacturing operations.
Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves Estimating the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) is inherently judgmental and is influenced by factors that are subject to significant variation. Determining the liability is a complex process incorporating input from many areas of the Company including actuarial, underwriting, pricing, claims and operations management.
The estimates of liabilities for unpaid claims and for expenses of investigation and adjustment of unpaid claims are based upon: (i) the accumulation of case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting periods on direct business written (“case reserves”); (ii) estimates received from ceding reinsurers and insurance pools and associations; (iii) estimates of claims incurred but not reported (including possible development on known claims); (iv) estimates (based on experience) of expense for investigating and adjusting claims; and (v) the current state of law and coverage litigation.
The process used to determine the total reserve for liabilities involves estimating the ultimate incurred losses and LAE, adjusted for amounts already paid on the claims. The IBNR reserve is derived by estimating the ultimate unpaid reserve liability and subtracting case reserves for loss and LAE. See Note N — “Insurance — Insurance Reserves” to the financial statements for a discussion of the factors considered and actuarial methods used in determining management’s best estimate of the ultimate liability for unpaid losses and LAE.
The following table shows (in millions) the breakdown of AFG’s property and casualty insurance reserves between case reserves, IBNR reserves and LAE reserves (estimated amounts required to adjust, record and settle claims, other than the claim payments themselves) at December 31, 2025 and gross written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2025.
| Gross Loss Reserves | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case | IBNR | LAE | Total Reserves | Gross Written Premiums | ||||||||||||||
| Statutory Line of Business | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other liability — occurrence | $ | 1,096 | $ | 4,166 | $ | 848 | $ | 6,110 | $ | 1,941 | ||||||||
| Workers’ compensation | 1,050 | 1,140 | 364 | 2,554 | 1,394 | |||||||||||||
| Other liability — claims made | 345 | 699 | 484 | 1,528 | 856 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial auto/truck liability/medical | 599 | 808 | 194 | 1,601 | 933 | |||||||||||||
| Special property (fire, allied lines, inland marine, earthquake) | 447 | 525 | 42 | 1,014 | 3,062 | |||||||||||||
| Products liability — occurrence | 120 | 312 | 202 | 634 | 240 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial multi-peril | 205 | 149 | 85 | 439 | 398 | |||||||||||||
| Other lines | 292 | 648 | 212 | 1,152 | 1,796 | |||||||||||||
| Total Statutory | 4,154 | 8,447 | 2,431 | 15,032 | 10,620 | |||||||||||||
| Adjustments for GAAP: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign subsidiaries | 35 | 26 | — | 61 | 92 | |||||||||||||
| Deferred gains on retroactive reinsurance | — | 4 | — | 4 | — | |||||||||||||
| Loss reserve discounting | (4) | — | — | (4) | — | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | 1 | 1 | (18) | |||||||||||||
| Total Adjustments for GAAP | 31 | 30 | 1 | 62 | 74 | |||||||||||||
| Total GAAP Reserves and Premiums | $ | 4,185 | $ | 8,477 | $ | 2,432 | $ | 15,094 | $ | 10,694 |
While current factors and reasonably likely changes in variable factors are considered in estimating the liability for unpaid losses and LAE, there is no method or system that can eliminate the risk of actual ultimate results differing from such estimates.
Following is a discussion of certain critical variables affecting the estimation of loss reserves of the more significant long-tail lines of business (asbestos and environmental liabilities are separately discussed below). Many other variables may also impact ultimate claim costs.
An important assumption underlying reserve estimates is that the cost trends implicitly built into development patterns will continue into the future. However, future results could vary due to an unexpected change in the underlying cost trends. This unexpected change could arise from a variety of sources including a general increase in economic inflation, social inflation, new medical technologies, or other factors such as those listed below in connection with AFG’s largest lines of
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business. It is not possible to isolate and measure the potential impact of just one of these variables, and future cost trends could be partially impacted by several such variables. However, it is reasonable to address the sensitivity of the reserves to potential impact from changes in these variables by measuring the effect of a possible overall 1% change in future cost trends that may be caused by one or more variables. Utilizing the effect of a 1% change in overall cost trends enables changes greater than 1% to be estimated by extrapolation. Each additional 1% change in the cost trend would increase the effect on net earnings by an amount slightly (about 5%) greater than the effect of the previous 1%. For example, if a 1% change in cost trends in a line of business would change net earnings by $20 million, a 2% change would change net earnings by approximately $41 million.
The estimated cumulative adverse impact that a 1% change in cost trends in AFG’s more significant long-tail lines of property and casualty business (exceeding 5% of total reserves) would have on net earnings is shown below (in millions).
| Effect of 1% Change in Cost Trends | ||
|---|---|---|
| Line of business | ||
| Other liability — occurrence | $ | 94 |
| Workers’ compensation | 68 | |
| Other liability — claims made | 32 | |
| Commercial auto/truck liability/medical | 21 |
The judgments and uncertainties surrounding management’s reserve estimation process and the potential for reasonably possible variability in management’s most recent reserve estimates may also be viewed by looking at how recent historical estimates of reserves have developed. The following table shows (dollars in millions) what the impact on AFG’s net earnings would be on the more significant lines of business if the December 31, 2025, reserves (net of reinsurance) were to develop at the same rate as the average development of the most recent five years.
| 5-yr. Average Development (a)(b) | Net Reserves (b) December 31, 2025 | Effect on Net Earnings (a)(b) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other liability — occurrence | 5.0 | % | $ | 2,672 | $ | 133 | |||
| Workers’ compensation | (5.2 | %) | 2,064 | (108) | |||||
| Other liability — claims made | (2.0 | %) | 1,068 | (21) | |||||
| Commercial auto/truck liability/medical | 2.3 | % | 1,017 | 23 |
(a)Adverse (favorable), net of tax effect.
(b)Excludes asbestos and environmental liabilities.
The following discussion describes key assumptions and important variables that affect the estimate of the reserve for loss and LAE of the more significant lines of business and explains what caused them to change from assumptions used in the preceding period.
Other Liability — Occurrence
This long-tail line of business consists of coverages protecting the insured against legal liability resulting from negligence, carelessness, or a failure to act causing property damage or personal injury to others. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for other liability — occurrence include:
•Litigious climate
•Unpredictability of judicial decisions regarding coverage issues
•Magnitude of jury awards
•Outside counsel costs
•Timing of claims reporting
AFG recorded adverse prior year reserve development of $175 million in 2025, $210 million in 2024 and $96 million in 2023 related to its other liability — occurrence coverage due primarily to continued claim severity increases in excess and umbrella liability coverages.
While management applies the actuarial methods discussed in Note N — “Insurance — Insurance Reserves” to the financial statements, more judgment is involved in arriving at the final reserve to be held. For recent accident years, more weight is given to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method.
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Workers’ Compensation
This long-tail line of business provides coverage to employees who may be injured in the course of employment. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for workers’ compensation include:
•Legislative actions and regulatory and legal interpretations
•Future medical cost inflation
•Economic conditions
•Frequency of reopening claims previously closed
•Advances in medical equipment and processes
•Pace and intensity of employee rehabilitation
•Changes in the use of pharmaceutical drugs
•Changes in mortality trends for permanently injured workers
Approximately 21% and 25% of AFG’s workers’ compensation reserves at December 31, 2025 relate to policies written in Florida and California, respectively.
AFG recorded favorable prior year reserve development of $108 million in 2025, $128 million in 2024 and $116 million in 2023, related to its workers’ compensation coverage due to lower than anticipated medical severity.
Other Liability — Claims Made
This long-tail line of business includes coverage for directors’ and officers’ liability, errors and omissions, cyber, and mergers and acquisitions liability. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for other liability — claims made include:
•Economic conditions
•Variability of stock prices or company valuations
•New or expanded theories of liability
•Trends in jury awards
•Changes in the propensity to settle a claim
•Changes in the legal climate requiring higher levels of spending for the insured’s defense
AFG recorded favorable prior year reserve development of $18 million in 2025, adverse prior year reserve development of $9 million in 2024 and $47 million of favorable prior year reserve development in 2023, related to its other liability — claims made coverage. AFG has generally experienced lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in its executive and professional liability businesses. However, during 2024, an increase in claim severity for one specific book of business more than offset the favorable experience in other products.
Commercial Auto/Truck Liability/Medical
This line of business is a mix of coverage protecting the insured against legal liability for property damage or personal injury to others arising from the operation of commercial motor vehicles. The property damage liability exposure is usually short-tail with relatively prompt reporting and settlement of claims. The bodily injury and medical payments exposures are longer-tailed; although the claim reporting is relatively prompt, the final settlement can take longer to achieve. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for commercial auto/truck liability/medical are similar to other liability — occurrence and include:
•Magnitude of jury awards
•Unpredictability of judicial decisions regarding coverage issues
•Litigious climate and trends
•Change in frequency of severe accidents
•Health care costs and utilization of medical services by injured parties
AFG recorded favorable prior year reserve development of $1 million in 2025 for this line of business. In 2024 and 2023, AFG recorded adverse prior year reserve development of $36 million and $29 million, respectively, for this line of business due to higher than anticipated claim severity.
Recoverables from Reinsurers and Availability of Reinsurance AFG is subject to credit risk with respect to its reinsurers, as reinsurance contracts do not relieve AFG of its liability to policyholders. To mitigate this risk, substantially all reinsurance is ceded to companies rated “A” or better by S&P or is secured by “funds withheld” or other collateral.
The availability and cost of reinsurance are subject to prevailing market conditions, which are beyond AFG’s control and may affect AFG’s level of business and profitability. Although the cost of certain reinsurance programs may increase,
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management believes that AFG will be able to maintain adequate reinsurance coverage at acceptable rates without a material adverse effect on AFG’s results of operations. AFG’s gross and net combined ratios are shown in the table below.
See Item 1 — Business — “Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Reinsurance” for more information on AFG’s reinsurance programs. For additional information on the effect of reinsurance on AFG’s historical results of operations see Note N — “Insurance — Reinsurance” to the financial statements.
The following table illustrates the effect that purchasing property and casualty reinsurance has had on AFG’s combined ratio over the last three years.
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before reinsurance (gross) | 93.1 | % | 98.2 | % | 92.8 | % | ||
| Effect of reinsurance | (2.1 | %) | (7.0 | %) | (2.4 | %) | ||
| Actual (net of reinsurance) | 91.0 | % | 91.2 | % | 90.4 | % |
Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves Asbestos and environmental reserves of the property and casualty group consisted of the following (in millions):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Asbestos | $ | 197 | $ | 197 | ||
| Environmental | 150 | 162 | ||||
| A&E reserves, net of reinsurance recoverable | 347 | 359 | ||||
| Reinsurance recoverable, net of allowance | 113 | 135 | ||||
| Gross A&E reserves | $ | 460 | $ | 494 |
Asbestos reserves include claims asserting alleged injuries and damages from exposure to asbestos. Environmental reserves include claims relating to polluted sites.
Asbestos claims against manufacturers, distributors or installers of asbestos products were presented under the products liability section of their policies, which typically had aggregate limits that capped an insurer’s liability. In addition, asbestos claims are being presented as “non-products” claims, such as those by installers of asbestos products and by property owners or operators who allegedly had asbestos on their property, under the premises or operations section of their policies. Unlike products exposures, these non-products exposures typically had no aggregate limits, creating greater exposure for insurers. Further, in an effort to seek additional insurance coverage, some insureds with installation activities who have substantially eroded their products coverage are presenting new asbestos claims as non-products operations claims or attempting to reclassify previously settled products claims as non-products claims to restore a portion of previously exhausted products aggregate limits.
Approximately one-half of AFG’s net asbestos reserves relate to policies written directly by AFG subsidiaries. Claims from these policies generally are product-oriented claims with only a limited amount of non-products exposures and are dominated by small to mid-sized commercial entities that are mostly regional policyholders with few national target defendants. The remainder is assumed reinsurance business that includes exposures from 1954 to 1983. The asbestos and environmental assumed claims are ceded by various insurance companies under reinsurance treaties. A majority of the individual assumed claims have exposures of less than $100,000 to AFG. Asbestos losses assumed include some of the industry known manufacturers, distributors and installers. Pollution losses include industry known insured names and sites.
Establishing reserves for A&E claims relating to policies and participations in reinsurance treaties and former operations is subject to uncertainties that are significantly greater than those presented by other types of claims. For this group of claims, traditional actuarial techniques that rely on historical loss development trends cannot be used and a range of reasonably possible losses cannot be estimated. Case reserves and expense reserves are established by the claims department as specific policies are identified. In addition to the case reserves established for known claims, management establishes additional reserves for claims not yet known or reported and for possible development on known claims. These additional reserves are management’s best estimate based on periodic comprehensive studies and internal reviews adjusted for payments and identifiable changes, supplemented by management’s review of industry information about such claims, with due consideration to individual claim situations.
Management believes that estimating the ultimate liability for asbestos claims presents a unique and difficult challenge to the insurance industry due to, among other things, difficulty in predicting the number of future claims, inconsistent court
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decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, unresolved issues such as whether coverage exists, novel theories of coverage, how claims are to be allocated among triggered policies and implicated years, whether claimants who exhibit no signs of illness will be successful in pursuing their claims and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage. Environmental claims likewise present challenges in prediction, due to uncertainty regarding the interpretation of insurance policies, complexities regarding multi-party involvements at sites, evolving cleanup standards and protracted time periods required to assess the level of cleanup required at contaminated sites.
While management believes that AFG’s reserves for A&E claims are a reasonable estimate of ultimate liability for such claims, actual results may vary materially from the amounts currently recorded due to the factors listed above. A 1% variation in loss cost trends, caused by any of the factors previously described, would change net earnings by approximately $26 million.
The following factors could impact AFG’s A&E reserves and payments:
•There is interest at the state level to attempt to legislatively address asbestos liabilities and the manner in which asbestos claims are resolved. These developments are fluid and could result in piecemeal state-by-state solutions.
•The manner by which bankruptcy courts are addressing asbestos liabilities is in flux.
•AFG’s insureds may make claims alleging significant non-products exposures.
AFG tracks its A&E claims by policyholder. The following table shows, by type of claim, the number of policyholders that did not receive any payments in the calendar year separate from policyholders that did receive a payment. Policyholder counts represent policies written by AFG subsidiaries and do not include assumed reinsurance.
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of policyholders with no indemnity payments: | |||||||
| Asbestos | 81 | 77 | 98 | ||||
| Environmental | 96 | 99 | 84 | ||||
| 177 | 176 | 182 | |||||
| Number of policyholders with indemnity payments: | |||||||
| Asbestos | 47 | 51 | 46 | ||||
| Environmental | 16 | 15 | 21 | ||||
| 63 | 66 | 67 | |||||
| Total | 240 | 242 | 249 |
Amounts paid (net of reinsurance recoveries) for asbestos and environmental claims, including LAE, were as follows (in millions):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos | $ | 11 | $ | 6 | $ | 13 | ||||
| Environmental | — | 5 | 2 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 11 | $ | 11 | $ | 15 |
The survival ratio is a measure often used by industry analysts to compare A&E reserves’ strength among companies. This ratio is typically calculated by dividing reserves for A&E exposures by the three-year average of paid losses, and therefore measures the number of years that it would take to pay off current reserves based on recent average payments. Because this ratio can be significantly impacted by a number of factors such as loss payout variability, caution should be exercised in attempting to determine reserve adequacy based simply on the survival ratio. At December 31, 2025, the property and casualty insurance segment’s three-year survival ratios compare favorably with industry survival ratios published by A.M. Best (as of December 31, 2024, and adjusted for several large portfolio transfers) as detailed in the following table:
| Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves Three-Year Survival Ratio (Times Paid Losses) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos | Environmental | Total A&E | |||||
| AFG (12/31/2025) | 20.0 | 56.3 | 27.7 | ||||
| Industry (12/31/2024) | 8.3 | 7.8 | 8.2 |
During the third quarter of 2025, AFG completed an in-depth internal review of its asbestos and environmental exposures relating to the run-off operations of its property and casualty insurance segment. AFG annually conducts a comprehensive
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review of its asbestos and environmental reserves. In connection with its annual reviews, AFG engages with outside counsel and, as appropriate, engineering and consulting firms and specialty actuarial firms.
During the 2025 internal review, no new trends were identified and recent claims activity was generally consistent with AFG’s expectations resulting from its in-depth internal reviews in the prior four years, and the most recent external study in 2020. As a result, and consistent with the internal review in the third quarter of 2024, the 2025 review resulted in no net change to AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment’s asbestos and environmental reserves.
Contingencies related to Subsidiaries’ Former Operations The A&E reviews and external study discussed above also encompassed reserves for various environmental and occupational injury and disease claims and other contingencies arising out of the railroad operations disposed of by APU Consolidated’s predecessor and certain manufacturing operations disposed of by APU Consolidated and its subsidiaries and by Great American Financial Resources, Inc. AFG recorded pretax special non-core A&E charges of $25 million in 2025, $14 million in 2024 and $15 million in 2023 to increase liabilities for those operations as a result of the internal reviews. Liabilities for claims and contingencies arising from these former railroad and manufacturing operations totaled $109 million at December 31, 2025. For a discussion of the uncertainties in determining the ultimate liability, see Note M — “Contingencies” to the financial statements.
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MANAGED INVESTMENT ENTITIES
Accounting standards require AFG to consolidate its investments in collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) entities that it manages and owns an interest in (in the form of debt). See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note G — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements. The effect of consolidating these entities is shown in the tables below (in millions). The “Before CLO Consolidation” columns include AFG’s investment and earnings in the CLOs on an unconsolidated basis.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
| Before CLO Consolidation | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and investments | $ | 17,325 | $ | — | $ | (143) | (*) | $ | 17,182 | |||||||
| Assets of managed investment entities | — | 4,050 | — | 4,050 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 11,410 | — | — | (*) | 11,410 | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 28,735 | $ | 4,050 | $ | (143) | $ | 32,642 | ||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums | $ | 18,830 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 18,830 | ||||||||
| Liabilities of managed investment entities | — | 4,050 | (143) | (*) | 3,907 | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt and other liabilities | 5,085 | — | — | 5,085 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 23,915 | 4,050 | (143) | 27,822 | ||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock and Capital surplus | 1,513 | — | — | 1,513 | ||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | 3,357 | — | — | 3,357 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (50) | — | — | (50) | ||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 4,820 | — | — | 4,820 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 28,735 | $ | 4,050 | $ | (143) | $ | 32,642 | ||||||||
| December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and investments | $ | 16,026 | $ | — | $ | (174) | (*) | $ | 15,852 | |||||||
| Assets of managed investment entities | — | 4,140 | — | 4,140 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 10,845 | — | (1) | (*) | 10,844 | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 26,871 | $ | 4,140 | $ | (175) | $ | 30,836 | ||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums | $ | 17,763 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 17,763 | ||||||||
| Liabilities of managed investment entities | — | 4,091 | (126) | (*) | 3,965 | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt and other liabilities | 4,642 | — | — | 4,642 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 22,405 | 4,091 | (126) | 26,370 | ||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock and Capital surplus | 1,495 | 49 | (49) | 1,495 | ||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | 3,211 | — | — | 3,211 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (240) | — | — | (240) | ||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 4,466 | 49 | (49) | 4,466 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 26,871 | $ | 4,140 | $ | (175) | $ | 30,836 |
(*)Elimination of the fair value of AFG’s investment in CLOs and related accrued interest.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
| Before CLO Consolidation (a) | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three months ended December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 1,806 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,806 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 178 | — | 5 | (b) | 183 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | (7) | — | — | (7) | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 69 | — | 69 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 1 | (20) | (b) | (19) | |||||||||||
| Other income | 34 | — | (3) | (c) | 31 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 2,011 | 70 | (18) | 2,063 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 1,527 | — | — | 1,527 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 69 | (17) | (b)(c) | 52 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 105 | — | — | 105 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,632 | 69 | (17) | 1,684 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 379 | 1 | (1) | 379 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 80 | — | — | 80 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 299 | $ | 1 | $ | (1) | $ | 299 | ||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 1,850 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,850 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 202 | — | (8) | (b) | 194 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | (10) | — | — | (10) | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 84 | — | 84 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 3 | (4) | (b) | (1) | |||||||||||
| Other income | 36 | — | (4) | (c) | 32 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 2,078 | 87 | (16) | 2,149 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 1,661 | — | — | 1,661 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 87 | (16) | (b)(c) | 71 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 97 | — | — | 97 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,758 | 87 | (16) | 1,829 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 320 | — | — | 320 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 65 | — | — | 65 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 255 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 255 |
(a)Includes a loss of $5 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 and income of $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments and $3 million and $4 million of income in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 2024, respectively, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $14 million and $12 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 2024, respectively, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS - CONTINUED
| Before CLO Consol. (a) | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 7,046 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 7,046 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 750 | — | (5) | (b) | 745 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities | 10 | — | — | 10 | ||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | 1 | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 283 | — | 283 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 9 | (35) | (b) | (26) | |||||||||||
| Other income | 126 | — | (11) | (c) | 115 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,933 | 292 | (51) | 8,174 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 6,447 | — | — | 6,447 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 288 | (47) | (b)(c) | 241 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 413 | — | — | 413 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 6,860 | 288 | (47) | 7,101 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 1,073 | 4 | (4) | 1,073 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 231 | — | — | 231 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 842 | $ | 4 | $ | (4) | $ | 842 | ||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 7,036 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 7,036 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 813 | — | (33) | (b) | 780 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 380 | — | 380 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 12 | (8) | (b) | 4 | |||||||||||
| Other income | 137 | — | (13) | (c) | 124 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,986 | 392 | (54) | 8,324 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 6,467 | — | — | 6,467 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 388 | (50) | (b)(c) | 338 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 395 | — | — | 395 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 6,862 | 388 | (50) | 7,200 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 1,124 | 4 | (4) | 1,124 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 237 | — | — | 237 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 887 | $ | 4 | $ | (4) | $ | 887 |
(a)Includes income of $5 million in 2025 and $33 million in 2024, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments and $11 million and $13 million of income in 2025 and 2024, respectively, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $36 million and $37 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS - CONTINUED
| Before CLO Consol. (a) | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 6,531 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,531 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 769 | — | (27) | (b) | 742 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities | (36) | — | — | (36) | ||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | (4) | — | — | (4) | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 421 | — | 421 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 29 | (2) | (b) | 27 | |||||||||||
| Other income | 162 | — | (16) | (c) | 146 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,422 | 450 | (45) | 7,827 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 5,968 | — | — | 5,968 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 450 | (45) | (b)(c) | 405 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 381 | — | — | 381 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 6,349 | 450 | (45) | 6,754 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 1,073 | — | — | 1,073 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 221 | — | — | 221 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 852 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 852 |
(a)Includes income of $27 million representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments and $16 million in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $29 million in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General
AFG’s net earnings, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. Core net operating earnings excludes realized gains (losses) on securities because such gains and losses are influenced significantly by financial markets, interest rates and the timing of sales. In addition, special charges related to coverage that AFG no longer writes, such as asbestos and environmental exposures, are excluded from core earnings.
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The following table (in millions, except per share amounts) identifies non-core items and reconciles net earnings to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure. AFG believes core net operating earnings is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends and for management to evaluate financial performance against historical results because it believes this provides a more comparable measure of its continuing business.
| Three months ended December 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Components of net earnings: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core operating earnings before income taxes | $ | 386 | $ | 330 | $ | 1,087 | $ | 1,138 | $ | 1,127 | ||||||||
| Pretax non-core items: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | (7) | (10) | 10 | — | (36) | |||||||||||||
| Realized gain (loss) on subsidiaries | — | — | 1 | — | (4) | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | (25) | (14) | (15) | |||||||||||||
| Gain on retirement of debt | — | — | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 379 | 320 | 1,073 | 1,124 | 1,073 | |||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core operating earnings | 81 | 68 | 227 | 236 | 232 | |||||||||||||
| Non-core items: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | (1) | (3) | 2 | — | (8) | |||||||||||||
| Realized gain (loss) on subsidiaries | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | (5) | (3) | (3) | |||||||||||||
| Gain on retirement of debt | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Other (*) | — | — | 7 | 4 | — | |||||||||||||
| Total provision for income taxes | 80 | 65 | 231 | 237 | 221 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 299 | $ | 255 | $ | 842 | $ | 887 | $ | 852 | ||||||||
| Net earnings: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core net operating earnings | $ | 305 | $ | 262 | $ | 860 | $ | 902 | $ | 895 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | (6) | (7) | 8 | — | (28) | |||||||||||||
| Realized gain (loss) on subsidiaries | — | — | 1 | — | (4) | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | (20) | (11) | (12) | |||||||||||||
| Gain on retirement of debt | — | — | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||
| Other (*) | — | — | (7) | (4) | — | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 299 | $ | 255 | $ | 842 | $ | 887 | $ | 852 | ||||||||
| Diluted per share amounts: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core net operating earnings | $ | 3.65 | $ | 3.12 | $ | 10.29 | $ | 10.75 | $ | 10.56 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | (0.07) | (0.09) | 0.11 | — | (0.33) | |||||||||||||
| Realized gain (loss) on subsidiaries | — | — | 0.01 | — | (0.04) | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | (0.24) | (0.13) | (0.15) | |||||||||||||
| Gain on retirement of debt | — | — | — | — | 0.01 | |||||||||||||
| Other (*) | — | — | (0.09) | (0.05) | — | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 3.58 | $ | 3.03 | $ | 10.08 | $ | 10.57 | $ | 10.05 |
(*)Adjustments to income tax expense related to sales of subsidiaries in prior years.
Net earnings were $299 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $255 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 reflecting higher core net operating earnings. Core net operating earnings for the fourth quarter of 2025 increased $43 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 reflecting higher underwriting profit, partially offset by lower net investment income from AFG’s alternative investment portfolio (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs). Net realized losses on securities in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 2024 include $2 million and $1 million of after-tax losses, respectively, resulting from the change in fair value of equity securities that were still held at the balance sheet date.
Net earnings were $842 million for the full-year of 2025 compared to $887 million in 2024 reflecting lower core net operating earnings. Core net operating earnings for 2025 decreased $42 million compared to 2024 reflecting lower net investment income from AFG’s alternative investment portfolio, partially offset by higher underwriting profit and higher investment income outside of alternative investments. Net realized gains on securities in 2025 of $8 million and 2024 of
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less than $1 million include after-tax gains of $15 million and $19 million, respectively, resulting from the change in fair value of equity securities that were still held at the balance sheet date.
Net earnings were $887 million for the full-year of 2024 compared to $852 million in 2023 reflecting the impact of net realized losses on securities in 2023 and higher core net operating earnings. Core net operating earnings for 2024 increased $7 million compared to 2023. Higher investment income outside of alternative investments was partially offset by lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio and lower underwriting profit. Net realized gains on securities of less than $1 million in 2024 and net realized losses on securities of $28 million in 2023 include $19 million of after-tax gains and $2 million of after-tax losses, respectively, resulting from the change in fair value of equity securities that were still held at the balance sheet date.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025 AND 2024
Segmented Statement of Earnings
AFG reports its operations as two segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”) and (ii) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
AFG’s net earnings, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 1,806 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,806 | $ | — | $ | 1,806 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 171 | 5 | 7 | 183 | — | 183 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | (7) | (7) | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 69 | — | 69 | — | 69 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (19) | — | (19) | — | (19) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 3 | (3) | 31 | 31 | — | 31 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,980 | 52 | 38 | 2,070 | (7) | 2,063 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 1,061 | — | — | 1,061 | — | 1,061 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 461 | — | 5 | 466 | — | 466 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 23 | 23 | — | 23 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 52 | — | 52 | — | 52 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 18 | — | 64 | 82 | — | 82 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,540 | 52 | 92 | 1,684 | — | 1,684 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 440 | — | (54) | 386 | (7) | 379 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 92 | — | (11) | 81 | (1) | 80 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 348 | — | (43) | 305 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | (6) | (6) | 6 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 348 | $ | — | $ | (49) | $ | 299 | $ | — | $ | 299 |
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| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 1,850 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,850 | $ | — | $ | 1,850 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 195 | (8) | 7 | 194 | — | 194 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | (10) | (10) | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 84 | — | 84 | — | 84 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (1) | — | (1) | — | (1) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 2 | (4) | 34 | 32 | — | 32 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 2,047 | 71 | 41 | 2,159 | (10) | 2,149 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 1,181 | — | — | 1,181 | — | 1,181 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 467 | — | 13 | 480 | — | 480 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 19 | 19 | — | 19 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 71 | — | 71 | — | 71 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 21 | — | 57 | 78 | — | 78 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,669 | 71 | 89 | 1,829 | — | 1,829 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 378 | — | (48) | 330 | (10) | 320 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 81 | — | (13) | 68 | (3) | 65 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 297 | — | (35) | 262 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | (7) | (7) | 7 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 297 | $ | — | $ | (42) | $ | 255 | $ | — | $ | 255 |
(*)See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax impacts of these reconciling items.
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
Performance measures such as underwriting profit or loss and related combined ratios are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company’s performance. Underwriting profitability is measured by the combined ratio, which is a sum of the ratios of losses and loss adjustment expenses, and commissions and other underwriting expenses to premiums. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. The combined ratio does not reflect net investment income, other income, other expenses or federal income taxes.
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $440 million in pretax earnings in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $378 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $62 million (16%). The increase in pretax earnings reflects higher underwriting profit, partially offset by lower investment income from AFG’s alternative investment portfolio (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs).
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The following table details AFG’s earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty insurance operations for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | % Change | ||||||||
| Gross written premiums | $ | 2,085 | $ | 2,043 | 2 | % | ||||
| Reinsurance premiums ceded | (641) | (583) | 10 | % | ||||||
| Net written premiums | 1,444 | 1,460 | (1 | %) | ||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | 362 | 390 | (7 | %) | ||||||
| Net earned premiums | 1,806 | 1,850 | (2 | %) | ||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses | 1,061 | 1,181 | (10 | %) | ||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 461 | 467 | (1 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting gain | 284 | 202 | 41 | % | ||||||
| Net investment income | 171 | 195 | (12 | %) | ||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | (15) | (19) | (21 | %) | ||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | $ | 440 | $ | 378 | 16 | % | ||||
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| Combined Ratios: | 2025 | 2024 | Change | |||||||
| Specialty lines | ||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 58.6 | % | 63.7 | % | (5.1 | %) | ||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 25.5 | % | 25.3 | % | 0.2 | % | ||||
| Combined ratio | 84.1 | % | 89.0 | % | (4.9 | %) | ||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 58.8 | % | 63.8 | % | (5.0 | %) | ||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 25.5 | % | 25.3 | % | 0.2 | % | ||||
| Combined ratio | 84.3 | % | 89.1 | % | (4.8 | %) |
AFG’s statutory combined ratio has been better than the U.S. industry average for 38 of the most recent 40 years. Management believes that AFG’s insurance operations have performed better than the industry as a result of its specialty niche focus, product line diversification, stringent underwriting discipline and alignment of compensation incentives.
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty property and casualty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.
Historically, AFG reported the results of its internal reinsurance facility (that assumes business from several of AFG’s Specialty property and casualty businesses) in an Other Specialty sub-segment. Beginning in 2025, the internal reinsurance results are included within the same sub-segments as the ceding businesses to align with senior management’s evolving view of the program. The overall results for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations are not impacted by this change. Information from prior periods has been recast for consistent presentation.
To understand the overall profitability of particular lines, the timing of claims payments and the related impact of investment income must be considered. Certain “short-tail” lines of business (primarily property coverages) generally have quick loss payouts, which reduce the time funds are held, thereby limiting investment income earned thereon. In contrast, “long-tail” lines of business (primarily liability coverages and workers’ compensation) generally have payouts that are either structured over many years or take many years to settle, thereby significantly increasing investment income earned on related premiums received.
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Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $2.09 billion for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $2.04 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $42 million (2%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| GWP | % | GWP | % | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 612 | 29 | % | $ | 585 | 29 | % | 5 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 1,153 | 55 | % | 1,126 | 55 | % | 2 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 320 | 16 | % | 332 | 16 | % | (4 | %) | ||||||||
| $ | 2,085 | 100 | % | $ | 2,043 | 100 | % | 2 | % |
Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 31% of gross written premiums for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to 29% of gross written premiums for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 2 percentage points. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Change in % of GWP | ||||||||||||||
| Ceded | % of GWP | Ceded | % of GWP | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | (214) | 35 | % | $ | (177) | 30 | % | 5 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | (357) | 31 | % | (353) | 31 | % | — | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | (70) | 22 | % | (53) | 16 | % | 6 | % | ||||||||
| $ | (641) | 31 | % | $ | (583) | 29 | % | 2 | % |
Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.44 billion for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $1.46 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of $16 million (1%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| NWP | % | NWP | % | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 398 | 28 | % | $ | 408 | 28 | % | (2 | %) | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 796 | 55 | % | 773 | 53 | % | 3 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 250 | 17 | % | 279 | 19 | % | (10 | %) | ||||||||
| $ | 1,444 | 100 | % | $ | 1,460 | 100 | % | (1 | %) |
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.81 billion for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $1.85 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of $44 million (2%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| NEP | % | NEP | % | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 735 | 41 | % | $ | 765 | 41 | % | (4 | %) | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 812 | 45 | % | 805 | 44 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 259 | 14 | % | 280 | 15 | % | (8 | %) | ||||||||
| $ | 1,806 | 100 | % | $ | 1,850 | 100 | % | (2 | %) |
Gross written premiums for the fourth quarter of 2025 increased $42 million (2%) compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 driven primarily by new business opportunities, a good renewal rate environment and increased exposures. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 4% in the fourth quarter of 2025. Excluding the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal pricing increased approximately 5%.
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Property and transportation Gross written premiums increased $27 million (5%) in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. This increase was due primarily to growth in crop products that are heavily ceded, and to a lesser extent, growth in a transportation alternative risk transfer program with higher premium cessions. Average renewal rates increased approximately 6% for this group in the fourth quarter of 2025. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 5 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, reflecting higher cessions in the crop and aviation businesses and growth in certain programs in the transportation businesses which cede a higher percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment.
Specialty casualty Gross written premiums increased $27 million (2%) in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. The primary drivers of growth included new business opportunities and favorable renewal pricing in the targeted markets businesses, new business opportunities in the mergers and acquisitions liability business, growth in the workers’ compensation businesses and new premiums from a start-up business. This growth was tempered by lower year-over-year premiums in the executive liability and excess and surplus businesses. Average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 5% in the fourth quarter of 2025. Excluding workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 6%. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums for the fourth quarter of 2025 were comparable to the fourth quarter of 2024.
Specialty financial Gross written premiums decreased $12 million (4%) in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. Higher premiums in AFG’s European operations were more than offset by lower premiums in the financial institutions business. Average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 1% in the fourth quarter of 2025. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 6 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, reflecting higher cessions of catastrophe exposed business in the financial institutions business.
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Combined Ratio
Performance measures such as the combined ratio are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company’s performance. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) and underwriting expense ratios. These ratios are calculated by dividing each of the respective expenses by net earned premiums. The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of the combined ratio and underwriting profit for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment:
| Three months ended December 31, | Three months ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Change | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 56.8 | % | 69.5 | % | (12.7 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 13.8 | % | 20.0 | % | (6.2 | %) | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 70.6 | % | 89.5 | % | (18.9 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 216 | $ | 81 | ||||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 68.7 | % | 67.2 | % | 1.5 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 28.0 | % | 24.2 | % | 3.8 | % | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 96.7 | % | 91.4 | % | 5.3 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 27 | $ | 69 | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 32.0 | % | 38.1 | % | (6.1 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 51.0 | % | 42.6 | % | 8.4 | % | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 83.0 | % | 80.7 | % | 2.3 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 44 | $ | 54 | ||||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 58.6 | % | 63.7 | % | (5.1 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 25.5 | % | 25.3 | % | 0.2 | % | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 84.1 | % | 89.0 | % | (4.9 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 287 | $ | 204 | ||||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 58.8 | % | 63.8 | % | (5.0 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 25.5 | % | 25.3 | % | 0.2 | % | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 84.3 | % | 89.1 | % | (4.8 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 284 | $ | 202 |
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $287 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $204 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $83 million (41%). Higher underwriting profit in the Property and transportation sub-segment was partially offset by lower year-over-year underwriting profit in the Specialty casualty and Specialty financial sub-segments. Overall catastrophe losses were $4 million (0.2 points on the combined ratio) in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $21 million (1.1 points), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $216 million for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $81 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $135 million (167%), reflecting higher underwriting profitability in the crop insurance operations resulting from record yields for corn and soybeans and favorable commodity pricing trends throughout the growing season. Catastrophe losses for this group were a favorable impact of less than $1 million (0.1 points on the combined ratio) in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to catastrophe losses of $10 million (1.3 points), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $27 million for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $69 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of $42 million (61%). Higher year-over-year underwriting profit in certain excess and surplus businesses and the executive liability business were more than offset by lower underwriting results in several social inflation exposed businesses and the workers’ compensation and general liability businesses. Catastrophe losses for this group had favorable impacts of $3 million (0.3 points on the combined ratio) in the fourth
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quarter of 2025 and $6 million (0.7 points) in the fourth quarter of 2024. Catastrophe losses in the fourth quarter of 2024 include the favorable impact from lower than previously estimated losses from Hurricane Helene.
Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $44 million for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $54 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of $10 million (19%). Higher underwriting profit in the fidelity business was more than offset by lower underwriting profit in the financial institutions business. Catastrophe losses were $7 million (2.5 points on the combined ratio) in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $17 million (6.2 points) in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Aggregate Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment include adverse prior year reserve development of $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 and $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 58.8% for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to 63.8% for the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of 5.0 percentage points. The components of AFG’s property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Ratio | Change in Ratio | ||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 437 | $ | 524 | 59.6 | % | 68.5 | % | (8.9 | %) | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (20) | (2) | (2.7 | %) | (0.3 | %) | (2.4 | %) | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | — | 9 | (0.1 | %) | 1.3 | % | (1.4 | %) | ||||||||
| Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 417 | $ | 531 | 56.8 | % | 69.5 | % | (12.7 | %) | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 562 | $ | 503 | 69.1 | % | 62.5 | % | 6.6 | % | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (1) | 44 | (0.1 | %) | 5.4 | % | (5.5 | %) | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | (3) | (6) | (0.3 | %) | (0.7 | %) | 0.4 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 558 | $ | 541 | 68.7 | % | 67.2 | % | 1.5 | % | ||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 85 | $ | 98 | 32.5 | % | 34.9 | % | (2.4 | %) | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (9) | (8) | (3.0 | %) | (3.0 | %) | — | % | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 7 | 17 | 2.5 | % | 6.2 | % | (3.7 | %) | ||||||||
| Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 83 | $ | 107 | 32.0 | % | 38.1 | % | (6.1 | %) | ||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 1,084 | $ | 1,125 | 60.0 | % | 60.8 | % | (0.8 | %) | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (30) | 34 | (1.6 | %) | 1.8 | % | (3.4 | %) | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 4 | 20 | 0.2 | % | 1.1 | % | (0.9 | %) | ||||||||
| Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,058 | $ | 1,179 | 58.6 | % | 63.7 | % | (5.1 | %) | ||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 1,084 | $ | 1,125 | 60.0 | % | 60.8 | % | (0.8 | %) | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (27) | 36 | (1.5 | %) | 1.9 | % | (3.4 | %) | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 4 | 20 | 0.3 | % | 1.1 | % | (0.8 | %) | ||||||||
| Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,061 | $ | 1,181 | 58.8 | % | 63.8 | % | (5.0 | %) |
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Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 60.0% for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to 60.8% in the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of 0.8 percentage points.
Property and transportation The 8.9 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses, reflects very strong earnings in the crop business, partially offset by higher claim severity in certain transportation businesses.
Specialty casualty The 6.6 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses, reflects higher than anticipated claim severity in the excess and surplus, social services and California workers’ compensation businesses.
Specialty financial The 2.4 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses, reflects improved claim severity in the surety and fidelity businesses.
Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $30 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to net adverse reserve development related to prior accident years of $34 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, a change of $64 million (188%).
Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $20 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 reflects lower than anticipated losses in the crop business and lower than anticipated claim severity in the commercial auto, property and inland marine and ocean marine businesses. Net favorable reserve development of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 reflects lower than anticipated losses in the crop business and lower than expected claim severity in the property and inland marine business, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the commercial auto business.
Specialty casualty Net favorable reserve development of $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 reflects lower than expected claim severity in the workers’ compensation, executive liability and social inflation exposed businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the excess and surplus, excess liability and public sector businesses. Net adverse reserve development of $44 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 reflects higher than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the umbrella and excess liability businesses and higher than expected claim severity in the social services and general liability businesses, partially offset by lower than expected claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses.
Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $9 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the trade credit and surety businesses and lower than anticipated claim frequency in the financial institutions business. Net favorable reserve development of $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the financial institutions business and lower than expected claim severity in the fidelity business.
Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes net adverse reserve development of $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 and $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
Catastrophe losses
AFG generally seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophes (whether resulting from climate change or otherwise) through individual risk selection, including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures, and the purchase of reinsurance. Based on data available at December 31, 2025, management estimates that AFG’s exposure to a catastrophic earthquake or windstorm that industry models indicate should statistically occur once in every 500 years is less than 3% of AFG’s Shareholders’ Equity.
Catastrophe losses of $4 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 resulted primarily from storms in multiple regions of the United States. Catastrophe losses of $20 million (before $1 million in net reinstatement premiums) in the fourth quarter of 2024 resulted primarily from Hurricane Milton.
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Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $461 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $467 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of $6 million (1%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio, calculated as commissions and other underwriting expenses divided by net premiums earned, was 25.5% for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to 25.3% for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 0.2 percentage points. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Change in % of NEP | ||||||||||||||
| U/W Exp | % of NEP | U/W Exp | % of NEP | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 102 | 13.8 | % | $ | 153 | 20.0 | % | (6.2 | %) | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 227 | 28.0 | % | 195 | 24.2 | % | 3.8 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 132 | 51.0 | % | 119 | 42.6 | % | 8.4 | % | ||||||||
| $ | 461 | 25.5 | % | $ | 467 | 25.3 | % | 0.2 | % |
Property and transportation Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 6.2 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. The improvement reflects higher ceding commissions from reinsurers resulting from very strong crop insurance results, partially offset by higher costs for software and other expenses associated with certain initiatives in IT security, customer experience and data analytics.
Specialty casualty Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 3.8 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 reflecting an increase in average commission rates in certain excess and surplus businesses resulting from changes in reinsurance treaties, higher costs for software and other expenses associated with certain initiatives in IT security, customer experience and data analytics and changes in the mix of business.
Specialty financial Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 8.4 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 reflecting higher profit-based commissions to agents in the financial institutions business and higher costs for software and other expenses associated with certain initiatives in IT security, customer experience and data analytics.
Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $171 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $195 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of $24 million (12%). The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | % | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Change | Change | |||||||||||
| Net investment income: | ||||||||||||||
| Net investment income, excluding alternative investments | $ | 165 | $ | 162 | $ | 3 | 2 | % | ||||||
| Alternative investments | 6 | 33 | (27) | (82 | %) | |||||||||
| Total net investment income | $ | 171 | $ | 195 | $ | (24) | (12 | %) | ||||||
| Average invested assets (at amortized cost) | $ | 16,520 | $ | 15,718 | $ | 802 | 5 | % | ||||||
| Yield on fixed maturities (before investment expenses) | 5.11 | % | 5.09 | % | 0.02 | % | ||||||||
| Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets) | 4.14 | % | 4.96 | % | (0.82 | %) |
The decrease in the property and casualty insurance segment’s net investment income for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 reflects the impact of lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs), partially offset by higher balances of invested assets and higher returns on fixed income investments. The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 4.14% for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to 4.96% for the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of 0.82 percentage points. The annualized return
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earned on alternative investments was 0.9% in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to 4.9% in the comparable prior year period.
Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was a net expense of $15 million for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $19 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, an improvement of $4 million (21%). The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations (in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Other income | $ | 3 | $ | 2 | ||
| Other expenses: | ||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | 5 | 6 | ||||
| Interest expense on funds withheld | 11 | 12 | ||||
| Other | 2 | 3 | ||||
| Total other expenses | 18 | 21 | ||||
| Other income and expenses, net | $ | (15) | $ | (19) |
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $54 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $48 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $6 million (13%).
The following table details AFG’s loss before income taxes from operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | % Change | ||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 7 | $ | 7 | — | % | ||||
| Other income — P&C fees | 27 | 28 | (4 | %) | ||||||
| Other income | 4 | 6 | (33 | %) | ||||||
| Total revenues | 38 | 41 | (7 | %) | ||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||
| P&C — loss adjustment and underwriting expenses | 5 | 13 | (62 | %) | ||||||
| Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees | 22 | 15 | 47 | % | ||||||
| Other expenses | 42 | 42 | — | % | ||||||
| Costs and expenses, excluding interest charges on borrowed money | 69 | 70 | (1 | %) | ||||||
| Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses and interest charges on borrowed money | (31) | (29) | 7 | % | ||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | 23 | 19 | 21 | % | ||||||
| Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | $ | (54) | $ | (48) | 13 | % |
Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $7 million in both the fourth quarter of 2025 and 2024.
Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, a workers’ compensation insurance subsidiary, collects fees from a small group of unaffiliated insurers for providing underwriting, policy administration and claims services. In addition, certain of AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In the fourth quarter of 2025, AFG collected $27 million in fees for these services compared to $28 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Management views this fee income, net of the $22 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 and $15 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. The expenses related to providing such services are embedded in property and casualty underwriting expenses. Consistent with internal management reporting, these fees and the
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related expenses are netted and recorded as a reduction of commissions and other underwriting expenses in AFG’s segmented results.
Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $3 million and $4 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the fourth quarter of 2024, respectively, in management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG’s consolidated managed investment entities). The management fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidate MIEs column under “Results of Operations — Segmented Statement of Earnings.” Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $1 million and $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the fourth quarter of 2024, respectively.
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $42 million in both the fourth quarter of 2025 and 2024.
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded interest expense of $23 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $19 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $4 million (21%) reflecting the issuance of $350 million principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes in September 2025.
Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities were net losses of $7 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $10 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of $3 million (30%). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Realized gains (losses) before impairment allowances: | ||||||
| Disposals | $ | 2 | $ | — | ||
| Change in the fair value of equity securities | (1) | 3 | ||||
| Change in the fair value of derivatives | — | (3) | ||||
| 1 | — | |||||
| Change in allowance for impairments on securities | (8) | (10) | ||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | $ | (7) | $ | (10) |
The $3 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the fourth quarter of 2024 includes gains of $4 million on investments in technology companies.
The $8 million change in allowance for impairments on securities in the fourth quarter of 2025 relates primarily to allowances on fixed maturities related to commercial real estate funds.
The $10 million change in allowance for impairments on securities in the fourth quarter of 2024 relates primarily to an allowance taken on fixed maturities from a single issuer in the retail sector.
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Consolidated Income Taxes
AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes was $80 million for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $65 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $15 million (23%). The following is a reconciliation of income taxes at the statutory rate to the provision for income taxes as shown in the segmented statement of earnings (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Amount | % of EBT | Amount | % of EBT | ||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes (“EBT”) | $ | 379 | $ | 320 | |||||||||
| Income taxes at statutory rate | $ | 79 | 21 | % | $ | 67 | 21 | % | |||||
| Effect of: | |||||||||||||
| State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect | 1 | — | % | 3 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Cross-border tax laws | 1 | — | % | — | — | % | |||||||
| Impact of nontaxable or nondeductible items: | |||||||||||||
| Tax preference investments | (1) | — | % | (2) | (1 | %) | |||||||
| Other | — | — | % | (3) | (1 | %) | |||||||
| Provision for income taxes | $ | 80 | 21 | % | $ | 65 | 20 | % |
See Note L — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025, 2024 AND 2023
Segmented Statement of Earnings
AFG reports its operations as two segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”) and (ii) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
AFG’s net earnings, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 7,046 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 7,046 | $ | — | $ | 7,046 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 725 | (5) | 25 | 745 | — | 745 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities | — | — | — | — | 10 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 283 | — | 283 | — | 283 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (26) | — | (26) | — | (26) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 12 | (11) | 114 | 115 | — | 115 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,783 | 241 | 139 | 8,163 | 11 | 8,174 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 4,388 | — | — | 4,388 | — | 4,388 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 2,029 | — | 30 | 2,059 | — | 2,059 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 80 | 80 | — | 80 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 241 | — | 241 | — | 241 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 79 | — | 229 | 308 | 25 | 333 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 6,496 | 241 | 339 | 7,076 | 25 | 7,101 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 1,287 | — | (200) | 1,087 | (14) | 1,073 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 264 | — | (37) | 227 | 4 | 231 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 1,023 | — | (163) | 860 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | 8 | 8 | (8) | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gain on subsidiaries, net of tax | 1 | — | — | 1 | (1) | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Special A&E charge, net of tax | — | — | (20) | (20) | 20 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | (7) | (7) | 7 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 1,024 | $ | — | $ | (182) | $ | 842 | $ | — | $ | 842 |
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| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 7,036 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 7,036 | $ | — | $ | 7,036 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 784 | (33) | 29 | 780 | — | 780 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 380 | — | 380 | — | 380 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 4 | — | 4 | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 8 | (13) | 129 | 124 | — | 124 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,828 | 338 | 158 | 8,324 | — | 8,324 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 4,455 | — | 5 | 4,460 | — | 4,460 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,961 | — | 46 | 2,007 | — | 2,007 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 76 | 76 | — | 76 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 338 | — | 338 | — | 338 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 84 | — | 221 | 305 | 14 | 319 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 6,500 | 338 | 348 | 7,186 | 14 | 7,200 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 1,328 | — | (190) | 1,138 | (14) | 1,124 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 279 | — | (43) | 236 | 1 | 237 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 1,049 | — | (147) | 902 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Special A&E charge, net of tax | — | — | (11) | (11) | 11 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Other | (4) | — | — | (4) | 4 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 1,045 | $ | — | $ | (158) | $ | 887 | $ | — | $ | 887 |
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| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 6,531 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,531 | $ | — | $ | 6,531 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 729 | (27) | 40 | 742 | — | 742 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities | — | — | — | — | (36) | (36) | ||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiary | — | — | — | — | (4) | (4) | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 421 | — | 421 | — | 421 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 27 | — | 27 | — | 27 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 16 | (16) | 146 | 146 | — | 146 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,276 | 405 | 186 | 7,867 | (40) | 7,827 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 4,017 | — | 16 | 4,033 | — | 4,033 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,883 | — | 52 | 1,935 | — | 1,935 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 76 | 76 | — | 76 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 405 | — | 405 | — | 405 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 72 | — | 219 | 291 | 14 | 305 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 5,972 | 405 | 363 | 6,740 | 14 | 6,754 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 1,304 | — | (177) | 1,127 | (54) | 1,073 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 265 | — | (33) | 232 | (11) | 221 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 1,039 | — | (144) | 895 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | (28) | (28) | 28 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized loss on subsidiary | (4) | — | — | (4) | 4 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Special A&E charge, net of tax | — | — | (12) | (12) | 12 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain on retirement of debt, net of tax | — | — | 1 | 1 | (1) | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 1,035 | $ | — | $ | (183) | $ | 852 | $ | — | $ | 852 |
(*)See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax impacts of these reconciling items.
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $1.29 billion in GAAP pretax earnings in 2025 compared to $1.33 billion in 2024, a decrease of $40 million (3%). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were $1.29 billion in 2025 compared to $1.33 billion in 2024, a decrease of $41 million (3%). The decrease in GAAP and core pretax earnings in 2025 compared to 2024 reflects lower net investment income from AFG’s alternative investment portfolio (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs), partially offset by higher underwriting profit and higher investment income outside of alternative investments.
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $1.33 billion in GAAP pretax earnings in 2024 compared to $1.30 billion in 2023, an increase of $28 million (2%). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were $1.33 billion in 2024 compared to $1.30 billion in 2023, an increase of $24 million (2%). The increase in GAAP and core pretax earnings in 2024 compared to 2023 reflects higher investment income outside of alternative investments, partially offset by lower investment income from AFG’s alternative investment portfolio and lower underwriting profit.
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The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty insurance operations for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 - 2024 | 2024 - 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Gross written premiums | $ | 10,694 | $ | 10,533 | $ | 9,656 | 2 | % | 9 | % | |||||||
| Reinsurance premiums ceded | (3,584) | (3,394) | (2,964) | 6 | % | 15 | % | ||||||||||
| Net written premiums | 7,110 | 7,139 | 6,692 | — | % | 7 | % | ||||||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | (64) | (103) | (161) | (38 | %) | (36 | %) | ||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | 7,046 | 7,036 | 6,531 | — | % | 8 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses | 4,388 | 4,455 | 4,017 | (2 | %) | 11 | % | ||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 2,029 | 1,961 | 1,883 | 3 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting gain | 629 | 620 | 631 | 1 | % | (2 | %) | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 725 | 784 | 729 | (8 | %) | 8 | % | ||||||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | (67) | (76) | (56) | (12 | %) | 36 | % | ||||||||||
| Core earnings before income taxes | 1,287 | 1,328 | 1,304 | (3 | %) | 2 | % | ||||||||||
| Realized gain (loss) on subsidiaries | 1 | — | (4) | — | % | (100 | %) | ||||||||||
| GAAP earnings before income taxes | $ | 1,288 | $ | 1,328 | $ | 1,300 | (3 | %) | 2 | % | |||||||
| Year ended December 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| Combined Ratios: | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 - 2024 | 2024 - 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Specialty lines | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 62.2 | % | 63.3 | % | 61.5 | % | (1.1 | %) | 1.8 | % | |||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 28.8 | % | 27.9 | % | 28.8 | % | 0.9 | % | (0.9 | %) | |||||||
| Combined ratio | 91.0 | % | 91.2 | % | 90.3 | % | (0.2 | %) | 0.9 | % | |||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 62.2 | % | 63.3 | % | 61.6 | % | (1.1 | %) | 1.7 | % | |||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 28.8 | % | 27.9 | % | 28.8 | % | 0.9 | % | (0.9 | %) | |||||||
| Combined ratio | 91.0 | % | 91.2 | % | 90.4 | % | (0.2 | %) | 0.8 | % |
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty property and casualty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.
Historically, AFG reported the results of its internal reinsurance facility (that assumes business from several of AFG’s Specialty property and casualty businesses) in an Other Specialty sub-segment. Beginning in 2025, the internal reinsurance results are included within the same sub-segments as the ceding businesses to align with senior management’s evolving view of the program. The overall results for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations are not impacted by this change. Information from prior periods has been recast for consistent presentation.
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $10.69 billion in 2025 compared to $10.53 billion in 2024, an increase of $161 million (2%). GWP increased $877 million (9%) in 2024 compared to 2023. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 - 2024 | 2024 - 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| GWP | % | GWP | % | GWP | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 4,731 | 44 | % | $ | 4,735 | 45 | % | $ | 4,146 | 43 | % | — | % | 14 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 4,620 | 43 | % | 4,543 | 43 | % | 4,368 | 45 | % | 2 | % | 4 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 1,343 | 13 | % | 1,255 | 12 | % | 1,142 | 12 | % | 7 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||||||
| $ | 10,694 | 100 | % | $ | 10,533 | 100 | % | $ | 9,656 | 100 | % | 2 | % | 9 | % |
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Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 34% of gross written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2025, 32% for year ended December 31, 2024 and 31% December 31, 2023, an increase of 2 percentage points for 2025 compared to 2024 and an increase of 1 percentage point for 2024 compared to 2023. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | Change in % of GWP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 - 2024 | 2024 - 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded | % of GWP | Ceded | % of GWP | Ceded | % of GWP | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | (1,960) | 41 | % | $ | (1,889) | 40 | % | $ | (1,560) | 38 | % | 1 | % | 2 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | (1,373) | 30 | % | (1,297) | 29 | % | (1,199) | 27 | % | 1 | % | 2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | (251) | 19 | % | (208) | 17 | % | (205) | 18 | % | 2 | % | (1 | %) | |||||||||||||
| $ | (3,584) | 34 | % | $ | (3,394) | 32 | % | $ | (2,964) | 31 | % | 2 | % | 1 | % |
Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $7.11 billion in 2025 compared to $7.14 billion in 2024, a decrease of $29 million. NWP increased $447 million (7%) in 2024 compared to 2023. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 - 2024 | 2024 - 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NWP | % | NWP | % | NWP | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 2,771 | 39 | % | $ | 2,846 | 40 | % | $ | 2,586 | 39 | % | (3 | %) | 10 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 3,247 | 46 | % | 3,246 | 45 | % | 3,169 | 47 | % | — | % | 2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 1,092 | 15 | % | 1,047 | 15 | % | 937 | 14 | % | 4 | % | 12 | % | |||||||||||||
| $ | 7,110 | 100 | % | $ | 7,139 | 100 | % | $ | 6,692 | 100 | % | — | % | 7 | % |
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $7.05 billion in 2025 compared to $7.04 billion in 2024, an increase of $10 million. NEP increased $505 million (8%) in 2024 compared to 2023. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 - 2024 | 2024 - 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NEP | % | NEP | % | NEP | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 2,746 | 39 | % | $ | 2,826 | 40 | % | $ | 2,550 | 39 | % | (3 | %) | 11 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 3,215 | 46 | % | 3,176 | 45 | % | 3,112 | 48 | % | 1 | % | 2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 1,085 | 15 | % | 1,034 | 15 | % | 869 | 13 | % | 5 | % | 19 | % | |||||||||||||
| $ | 7,046 | 100 | % | $ | 7,036 | 100 | % | $ | 6,531 | 100 | % | — | % | 8 | % |
Gross written premiums increased $161 million (2%) in 2025 compared to 2024. The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations continue to achieve year-over-year premium growth as a result of new business opportunities, a good renewal rate environment and increased exposures. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 5% in 2025. Excluding the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal pricing increased approximately 6%.
The $877 million (9%) increase in gross written premiums in 2024 compared to 2023 reflects growth in each of the Specialty property and casualty sub-segments as a result of additional crop premiums from the CRS acquisition in the Property and transportation sub-segment and new business opportunities, increased exposures and a good renewal rate environment. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 7% in 2024. Excluding the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal pricing increased approximately 8%.
Property and transportation Gross written premiums decreased $4 million in 2025 compared to 2024. This decrease was primarily the result of the impact of lower commodity prices on crop insurance premiums, partially offset by growth in the transportation businesses as a result of increased exposures, new business opportunities and a favorable rate environment. Average renewal rates increased approximately 7% for this group in 2025. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 1 percentage point in 2025 compared to 2024, reflecting growth in certain programs in the transportation businesses which cede a higher percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment and higher cessions in the crop and aviation businesses.
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Gross written premiums increased $589 million (14%) in 2024 compared to 2023. Year-over-year premium growth resulted from additional crop premium associated with the CRS acquisition as well as new business opportunities, a favorable rate environment and increased exposures in the commercial auto businesses. The year-over-year premium growth was tempered by the impact of lower year-over-year commodity pricing on winter wheat premiums, coupled with elevated pricing competition and the non-renewal of certain under-performing accounts in the transportation businesses. Excluding crop premium, gross and net written premiums in this group grew by 5% and 4%, respectively. Average renewal rates increased approximately 8% for this group in 2024. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 2 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023, reflecting the impact of higher cessions in the crop business and growth in certain programs in the transportation businesses which cede a larger percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment.
Specialty casualty Gross written premiums increased $77 million (2%) in 2025 compared to 2024. The higher-year-over-year premiums resulted primarily from the mergers and acquisitions liability business and growth across several of the targeted markets businesses resulting from new business opportunities, higher rates and strong policy retention and growth in the workers’ compensation businesses. These items were partially offset by lower premiums in the excess and surplus businesses and lower premiums due to a challenging market in the directors’ and officers’ liability business as well as the continued non-renewal of certain housing and daycare accounts in the social services businesses. Average renewal rates increased approximately 6% for this group in 2025. Excluding workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 8% in 2025. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 1 percentage point in 2025 compared to 2024, reflecting higher cessions and higher reinsurance costs in the excess liability business and growth in the public sector and mergers and acquisitions liability businesses, both of which cede a larger percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
Gross written premiums increased $175 million (4%) in 2024 compared to 2023. The higher year-over-year premiums resulted primarily from growth in the excess and surplus, excess liability and certain targeted markets businesses as a result of rate increases, new business opportunities and strong policy retention. The mergers and acquisitions liability business also benefited from an increase in mergers and acquisition activity. This growth was tempered by lower year-over-year workers’ compensation premiums. Average renewal rates increased approximately 6% for this group in 2024. Excluding overall rate decreases in the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 9% in 2024. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 2 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023, reflecting the impact of higher premiums in the excess and surplus and mergers and acquisitions liability businesses, which cede a larger percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment and higher cessions in the public sector business, partially offset by lower cessions in certain more heavily reinsured products in the social services business.
Specialty financial Gross written premiums increased $88 million (7%) in 2025 compared to 2024 due primarily to growth in the financial institutions business and AFG’s European operations. Average renewal rates decreased approximately 1% for this group in 2025. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 2 percentage points in 2025 compared to 2024, reflecting higher cessions of catastrophe exposed business in the financial institutions business, partially offset by the impact of lower reinstatement premiums paid to reinsurers in the fidelity and surety businesses.
Gross written premiums increased $113 million (10%) in 2024 compared to 2023. Year-over-year growth in the financial institutions business was partially offset by a decision to pause writing of new intellectual property-related coverage. Average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 6% in 2024. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 1 percentage point in 2024 compared to 2023, reflecting lower gross written premiums in the innovative markets business, which cedes a larger percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Specialty financial sub-segment, partially offset by the impact of higher reinstatement premiums paid to reinsurers in the fidelity and surety businesses.
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Combined Ratio
The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of the combined ratio and underwriting profit for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment for 2025, 2024 and 2023:
| Year ended December 31, | Change | Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 - 2024 | 2024 - 2023 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 67.1 | % | 69.8 | % | 69.5 | % | (2.7 | %) | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 20.7 | % | 22.6 | % | 23.6 | % | (1.9 | %) | (1.0 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 87.8 | % | 92.4 | % | 93.1 | % | (4.6 | %) | (0.7 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 335 | $ | 214 | $ | 174 | ||||||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 66.9 | % | 64.4 | % | 61.5 | % | 2.5 | % | 2.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 29.1 | % | 26.8 | % | 27.3 | % | 2.3 | % | (0.5 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 96.0 | % | 91.2 | % | 88.8 | % | 4.8 | % | 2.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 129 | $ | 279 | $ | 348 | ||||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 35.9 | % | 41.8 | % | 37.8 | % | (5.9 | %) | 4.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 48.5 | % | 45.4 | % | 49.4 | % | 3.1 | % | (4.0 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 84.4 | % | 87.2 | % | 87.2 | % | (2.8 | %) | — | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 170 | $ | 133 | $ | 111 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 62.2 | % | 63.3 | % | 61.5 | % | (1.1 | %) | 1.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 28.8 | % | 27.9 | % | 28.8 | % | 0.9 | % | (0.9 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 91.0 | % | 91.2 | % | 90.3 | % | (0.2 | %) | 0.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 634 | $ | 626 | $ | 633 | ||||||||||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 62.2 | % | 63.3 | % | 61.6 | % | (1.1 | %) | 1.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 28.8 | % | 27.9 | % | 28.8 | % | 0.9 | % | (0.9 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 91.0 | % | 91.2 | % | 90.4 | % | (0.2 | %) | 0.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 629 | $ | 620 | $ | 631 |
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $634 million in 2025 compared to $626 million in 2024, an increase of $8 million (1%). Higher underwriting profit in the Property and transportation and Specialty financial sub-segments was partially offset by lower underwriting profit in the Specialty casualty sub-segment. Overall catastrophe losses were $137 million (2.0 points on the combined ratio) for 2025 compared to catastrophe losses of $182 million (2.6 points), including $2 million in net reinstatement premiums, for 2024.
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $626 million in 2024 compared to $633 million in 2023, a decrease of $7 million (1%). Higher underwriting profit in the Property and transportation and Specialty financial sub-segments was more than offset by lower underwriting profit in the Specialty casualty sub-segment. Overall catastrophe losses were $182 million (2.6 points on the combined ratio), including $2 million in net reinstatement premiums, for 2024 compared to catastrophe losses of $165 million (2.5 points), including $3 million in net reinstatement premiums, for 2023.
Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $335 million in 2025 compared to $214 million in 2024, an increase of $121 million (57%) reflecting higher underwriting profitability in the crop insurance operations which benefitted from record yields for corn and soybeans and favorable commodity pricing trends throughout the growing season, partially offset by lower year-over-year underwriting profit in the property and inland marine business and transportation businesses. Catastrophe losses were $26 million (1.0 points on the combined ratio) in 2025 compared to catastrophe losses of $66 million (2.3 points), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2024.
Underwriting profit for this group was $214 million in 2024 compared to $174 million in 2023, an increase of $40 million (23%). Higher year-over-year underwriting profit in the property and inland marine and crop insurance operations was
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partially offset by lower underwriting profitability in the transportation businesses. Catastrophe losses were $66 million (2.3 points on the combined ratio), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2024 compared to catastrophe losses of $56 million (2.1 points), including $2 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2023.
Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $129 million in 2025 compared to $279 million in 2024, a decrease of $150 million (54%), reflecting lower underwriting profit in the directors’ and officers’ liability, excess and surplus, mergers and acquisitions liability and workers’ compensation businesses. Catastrophe losses were $39 million (1.3 points on the combined ratio) in 2025 compared to catastrophe losses of $35 million (1.0 point), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2024.
Underwriting profit for this group was $279 million in 2024 compared to $348 million in 2023, a decrease of $69 million (20%). Higher year-over-year underwriting profit in the targeted markets businesses was more than offset by lower levels of favorable prior year reserve development in the executive liability business and social inflation driven adverse development in the umbrella and excess business. Catastrophe losses were $35 million (1.0 point on the combined ratio), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2024 compared to catastrophe losses of $59 million (1.9 points), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2023.
Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $170 million in 2025 compared to $133 million in 2024, an increase of $37 million (28%). This year-over-year increase reflects higher underwriting profit in the surety, fidelity and financial institutions businesses. Catastrophe losses were $72 million (6.6 points on the combined ratio) in 2025 compared to catastrophe losses of $81 million (7.9 points) in 2024.
Underwriting profit for this group was $133 million in 2024 compared to $111 million in 2023, an increase of $22 million (20%). This year-over-year increase reflects higher underwriting profit in the financial institutions business, partially offset by lower profitability resulting from the pause in writing of intellectual property-related coverage. Catastrophe losses were $81 million (7.9 points on the combined ratio) in 2024 compared to catastrophe losses of $50 million (5.7 points) in 2023.
Aggregate Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment include adverse prior year reserve development of $5 million in 2025, $6 million in 2024 and $2 million in 2023, related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
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Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 62.2%, 63.3% and 61.6% in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The components of AFG’s property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Ratio | Change in Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 - 2024 | 2024 - 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 1,880 | $ | 2,003 | $ | 1,801 | 68.4 | % | 70.9 | % | 70.6 | % | (2.5 | %) | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (63) | (96) | (82) | (2.3 | %) | (3.4 | %) | (3.2 | %) | 1.1 | % | (0.2 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 26 | 65 | 54 | 1.0 | % | 2.3 | % | 2.1 | % | (1.3 | %) | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,843 | $ | 1,972 | $ | 1,773 | 67.1 | % | 69.8 | % | 69.5 | % | (2.7 | %) | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 2,092 | $ | 1,974 | $ | 1,967 | 65.0 | % | 62.2 | % | 63.2 | % | 2.8 | % | (1.0 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | 20 | 37 | (111) | 0.6 | % | 1.2 | % | (3.6 | %) | (0.6 | %) | 4.8 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 39 | 34 | 58 | 1.3 | % | 1.0 | % | 1.9 | % | 0.3 | % | (0.9 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 2,151 | $ | 2,045 | $ | 1,914 | 66.9 | % | 64.4 | % | 61.5 | % | 2.5 | % | 2.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 360 | $ | 362 | $ | 311 | 33.2 | % | 35.0 | % | 35.8 | % | (1.8 | %) | (0.8 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (43) | (11) | (33) | (3.9 | %) | (1.1 | %) | (3.7 | %) | (2.8 | %) | 2.6 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 72 | 81 | 50 | 6.6 | % | 7.9 | % | 5.7 | % | (1.3 | %) | 2.2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 389 | $ | 432 | $ | 328 | 35.9 | % | 41.8 | % | 37.8 | % | (5.9 | %) | 4.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 4,332 | $ | 4,339 | $ | 4,079 | 61.4 | % | 61.7 | % | 62.4 | % | (0.3 | %) | (0.7 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (86) | (70) | (226) | (1.2 | %) | (1.0 | %) | (3.4 | %) | (0.2 | %) | 2.4 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 137 | 180 | 162 | 2.0 | % | 2.6 | % | 2.5 | % | (0.6 | %) | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 4,383 | $ | 4,449 | $ | 4,015 | 62.2 | % | 63.3 | % | 61.5 | % | (1.1 | %) | 1.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 4,332 | $ | 4,339 | $ | 4,079 | 61.5 | % | 61.7 | % | 62.4 | % | (0.2 | %) | (0.7 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (81) | (64) | (224) | (1.1 | %) | (0.9 | %) | (3.4 | %) | (0.2 | %) | 2.5 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 137 | 180 | 162 | 1.8 | % | 2.5 | % | 2.6 | % | (0.7 | %) | (0.1 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 4,388 | $ | 4,455 | $ | 4,017 | 62.2 | % | 63.3 | % | 61.6 | % | (1.1 | %) | 1.7 | % |
Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 61.4% in 2025, 61.7% in 2024 and 62.4% in 2023.
Property and transportation The 2.5 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses in 2025 compared to 2024, reflects very strong earnings in the crop business and growth and improved results in the property and inland marine business, which has a lower loss and LAE ratio than some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment, partially offset by higher claim severity in the aviation business.
The 0.3 percentage point increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses in 2024 compared to 2023, reflects growth in the crop business, which has a higher loss and LAE ratio than some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment and higher reported claim severity in the commercial auto business, partially offset by the impact of improved profitability in the property and inland marine business.
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Specialty casualty The 2.8 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses in 2025 compared to 2024, reflects higher than anticipated claim severity in the excess and surplus and social services businesses.
The 1.0 percentage point decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses in 2024 compared to 2023, reflects improved results in the workers’ compensation and targeted markets businesses, partially offset by higher claim severity in the excess and surplus business.
Specialty financial The 1.8 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses in 2025 compared to 2024, reflects improved results in the surety and fidelity businesses and growth in the financial institutions business, which has a lower loss and LAE ratio than some of the other businesses in the Specialty financial sub-segment, partially offset by growth in AFG’s European operations, which has a higher loss and LAE ratio than some of the other businesses in the Specialty financial sub-segment.
The 0.8 percentage point decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses in 2024 compared to 2023, reflects growth in the financial institutions business, which has a lower loss and LAE ratio than some of the other businesses in the Specialty financial sub-segment, partially offset by higher reported losses and lower premiums in the fidelity and surety businesses.
Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $86 million in 2025, $70 million in 2024 and $226 million in 2023, an increase of $16 million (23%) in 2025 compared to 2024 and a decrease of $156 million (69%) in 2024 compared to 2023.
Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $63 million in 2025 reflects lower than anticipated losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim severity in the aviation and ocean marine businesses and lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the property and inland marine business.
Net favorable reserve development of $96 million in 2024 reflects lower than anticipated losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim severity in the property and inland marine and aviation businesses and lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the ocean marine business.
Net favorable reserve development of $82 million in 2023 reflects lower than anticipated losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim frequency and severity across the transportation businesses and lower than anticipated claim frequency in the property and inland marine and ocean marine businesses and in the Singapore operations.
Specialty casualty Net adverse reserve development of $20 million in 2025 reflects higher than expected claim severity in the excess and surplus, social services, excess liability, public sector and general liability businesses, partially offset by lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation and executive liability businesses.
Net adverse reserve development of $37 million in 2024 reflects higher than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the umbrella and excess liability and social services businesses and higher than expected claim severity in the public sector and general liability businesses, partially offset by lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the executive liability business.
Net favorable reserve development of $111 million in 2023 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses, lower than expected claim frequency in the executive liability and environmental businesses and favorable reserve development related to COVID-19 losses across several businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the public sector business and higher than expected claim frequency and severity in the excess liability and general liability businesses.
Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $43 million in 2025 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the financial institutions business and lower than expected claim severity in the surety, fidelity and trade credit businesses.
Net favorable reserve development of $11 million in 2024 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the financial institutions and fidelity businesses and lower than expected claim frequency in the trade credit business, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the innovative markets and surety businesses.
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Net favorable reserve development of $33 million in 2023 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the trade credit, financial institutions and surety businesses and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the fidelity business.
Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes net adverse prior year reserve development of $5 million in 2025, $6 million in 2024 and $2 million in 2023 related to business outside the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
Catastrophe losses
AFG generally seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophes (whether resulting from climate change or otherwise) through individual risk selection, including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures, and the purchase of reinsurance. AFG recorded net catastrophe losses of $137 million in 2025 primarily from California wildfires and storms in multiple regions of the United States.
Catastrophe losses of $180 million in 2024 (before $2 million in net reinstatement premiums) resulted primarily from winter and convective storms in multiple regions of the United States in the first and second quarters, Hurricane Helene in the third quarter and Hurricane Milton in the fourth quarter.
Catastrophe losses of $162 million in 2023 (before $3 million in net reinstatement premiums) resulted primarily from February and March storms across much of the United States in the first quarter and storms in multiple regions of the United States in the second, third and fourth quarters.
Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $2.03 billion in 2025 compared to $1.96 billion in 2024, an increase of $68 million (3%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio was 28.8% in 2025 compared to 27.9% in 2024, an increase of 0.9 percentage points.
AFG’s property and casualty U/W Exp were $1.96 billion in 2024 compared to $1.88 billion in 2023, an increase of $78 million (4%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio was 27.9% in 2024 compared to 28.8% in 2023, a decrease of 0.9 percentage points.
Detail of AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | Change in % of NEP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 - 2024 | 2024 - 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| U/W Exp | % of NEP | U/W Exp | % of NEP | U/W Exp | % of NEP | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 568 | 20.7 | % | $ | 640 | 22.6 | % | $ | 603 | 23.6 | % | (1.9 | %) | (1.0 | %) | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 935 | 29.1 | % | 852 | 26.8 | % | 850 | 27.3 | % | 2.3 | % | (0.5 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 526 | 48.5 | % | 469 | 45.4 | % | 430 | 49.5 | % | 3.1 | % | (4.1 | %) | |||||||||||||
| $ | 2,029 | 28.8 | % | $ | 1,961 | 27.9 | % | $ | 1,883 | 28.8 | % | 0.9 | % | (0.9 | %) |
Property and transportation Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 1.9 percentage points in 2025 compared to 2024 reflecting higher ceding commissions from reinsurers resulting from very strong crop insurance results, partially offset by higher costs for software and other expenses associated with certain initiatives in IT security, customer experience and data analytics.
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 1.0 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023 reflecting the impact on the ratio of higher earned premiums, including in the crop business which has a lower commissions and other underwriting expense ratio compared to some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment and lower average commission rates in the transportation businesses due to a change in the mix of business.
Specialty casualty Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 2.3 percentage points in 2025 compared to 2024 reflecting an increase in average commission rates in certain excess and surplus businesses resulting from changes in reinsurance treaties, higher costs for software and other expenses associated with certain initiatives in IT security, customer experience and data analytics and changes in the mix of business.
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Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 0.5 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023 reflecting a change in the mix of business towards products with lower commission rates, partially offset by lower ceding commissions received in the workers’ compensation businesses.
Specialty financial Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 3.1 percentage points in 2025 compared to 2024 reflecting higher profit-based commissions to agents in the financial institutions business and higher costs for software and other expenses associated with certain initiatives in IT security, customer experience and data analytics, partially offset by a change in the mix of business towards products with lower commission rates.
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 4.1 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023 due primarily to the impact on the ratio of higher earned premiums in the financial institutions business and a change in the mix of business towards products with lower commission rates.
Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $725 million in 2025 compared to $784 million in 2024, a decrease of $59 million (8%). Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $784 million in 2024 compared to $729 million in 2023, an increase of $55 million (8%). The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | 2025 - 2024 | 2024 - 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % Change | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income, excluding alternative investments | $ | 656 | $ | 626 | $ | 566 | $ | 30 | 5 | % | $ | 60 | 11 | % | |||||||||||
| Alternative investments | 69 | 158 | 163 | (89) | (56 | %) | (5) | (3 | %) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total net investment income | $ | 725 | $ | 784 | $ | 729 | $ | (59) | (8 | %) | $ | 55 | 8 | % | |||||||||||
| Average invested assets (at amortized cost) | $ | 16,144 | $ | 15,479 | $ | 14,753 | $ | 665 | 4 | % | $ | 726 | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| Yield on fixed maturities (before investment expenses) | 5.13 | % | 5.02 | % | 4.67 | % | 0.11 | % | 0.35 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets) | 4.49 | % | 5.06 | % | 4.94 | % | (0.57 | %) | 0.12 | % |
The decrease in the property and casualty insurance segment’s net investment income in 2025 compared to 2024 reflects the impact of lower returns on AFG’s alternative investments portfolio (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs), partially offset by higher balances of invested assets and higher returns on fixed income investments. The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 4.49% in 2025 compared to 5.06% in 2024, a decrease of 0.57 percentage points. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 2.5% in 2025 compared to 6.1% in 2024.
The increase in net investment income in 2024 compared to 2023 reflects the impact of higher balances of invested assets and higher returns on fixed maturity investments, partially offset by lower returns on AFG’s alternative investments portfolio. The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments was 5.06% in 2024 compared to 4.94% in 2023, an increase of 0.12 percentage points. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 6.1% in 2024 compared to 7.0% in 2023.
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Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was a net expense of $67 million in 2025, $76 million in 2024 and $56 million in 2023, an improvement of $9 million (12%) in 2025 compared to 2024 and an increase of $20 million (36%) in 2024 compared to 2023. The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Other income | $ | 12 | $ | 8 | $ | 16 | ||||
| Other expenses: | ||||||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | 20 | 20 | 15 | |||||||
| Interest expense on funds withheld | 45 | 50 | 41 | |||||||
| Acquisition expenses related to CRS | — | — | 3 | |||||||
| Other (*) | 14 | 14 | 13 | |||||||
| Total other expenses | 79 | 84 | 72 | |||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | $ | (67) | $ | (76) | $ | (56) |
(*)Includes $7 million in 2025 and $9 million of expenses in 2024 and 2023 related to certain technology initiatives.
The increase in other income in 2025 compared to 2024 and the decrease in other income in 2024 compared to 2023 reflects death benefits received on a company-owned life insurance policy in 2025 and 2023. The $5 million (10%) decrease in interest expense on funds withheld in 2025 compared to 2024 reflects the impact of lower balances and lower interest rates paid on funds withheld.
The higher amortization of intangibles in 2024 compared to 2023 reflects the acquisition of CRS in July 2023. The $9 million (22%) increase in interest expense on funds withheld in 2024 compared to 2023 reflects the impact of higher balances and higher interest rates paid on funds withheld.
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $225 million in 2025 compared to $204 million in 2024, an increase of $21 million (10%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $200 million in 2025 compared to $190 million in 2024, an increase of $10 million (5%).
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $204 million in 2024 compared to $191 million in 2023, an increase of $13 million (7%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $190 million in 2024 compared to $177 million in 2023, an increase of $13 million (7%).
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The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core loss before income taxes from operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment in 2025, 2024 and 2023 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 - 2024 | 2024 - 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 25 | $ | 29 | $ | 40 | (14 | %) | (28 | %) | |||||||
| Other income — P&C fees | 98 | 111 | 125 | (12 | %) | (11 | %) | ||||||||||
| Other income | 16 | 18 | 21 | (11 | %) | (14 | %) | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | 139 | 158 | 186 | (12 | %) | (15 | %) | ||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| P&C — loss adjustment and underwriting expenses | 30 | 51 | 68 | (41 | %) | (25 | %) | ||||||||||
| Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees | 68 | 60 | 57 | 13 | % | 5 | % | ||||||||||
| Other expenses (*) | 161 | 161 | 162 | — | % | (1 | %) | ||||||||||
| Costs and expenses, excluding interest charges on borrowed money | 259 | 272 | 287 | (5 | %) | (5 | %) | ||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses and interest charges on borrowed money | (120) | (114) | (101) | 5 | % | 13 | % | ||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | 80 | 76 | 76 | 5 | % | — | % | ||||||||||
| Core loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | (200) | (190) | (177) | 5 | % | 7 | % | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core special A&E charge | (25) | (14) | (15) | 79 | % | (7 | %) | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core gain on retirement of debt | — | — | 1 | — | % | (100 | %) | ||||||||||
| GAAP loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | $ | (225) | $ | (204) | $ | (191) | 10 | % | 7 | % |
(*)Excludes pretax non-core special A&E charges of $25 million, $14 million and $15 million in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and a pretax non-core gain on retirement of debt of $1 million in 2023.
Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $25 million, $29 million and $40 million in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The $4 million (14%) decrease in 2025 compared to 2024 reflects lower income on fixed maturity investments. The $11 million (28%) decrease in 2024 compared to 2023 reflects the impact of lower average investment balances.
Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, a workers’ compensation insurance subsidiary, collects fees from a small group of unaffiliated insurers for providing underwriting, policy administration and claims services. In addition, certain of AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In 2025, AFG collected $98 million in fees for these services compared to $100 million in 2024 and $91 million in 2023. Management views this fee income, net of the $68 million in 2025, $60 million in 2024 and $57 million in 2023, in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. In addition, AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses earned $11 million in 2024 and $34 million in 2023 in fees as compensation for providing services related to the administration of crop insurance business generated by CRS for its former owner prior to the acquisition date. The expenses related to providing such services are embedded in property and casualty underwriting expenses. Consistent with internal management reporting, these fees and the related expenses are netted and recorded as a reduction of commissions and other underwriting expenses in AFG’s segmented results.
Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $11 million in 2025, $13 million in 2024 and $16 million in 2023, in management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG’s consolidated managed investment entities). The management fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidate MIEs column under “Results of Operations — Segmented Statement of Earnings.” Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $5 million in 2025, 2024 and 2023.
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
Excluding the non-core special A&E charges discussed below, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $161 million in both 2025 and 2024.
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Excluding the non-core special A&E charges and the non-core gain on retirement of debt discussed below, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $161 million in 2024 compared to $162 million in 2023, a decrease of $1 million (1%).
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded interest expense of $80 million in 2025 and $76 million in both 2024 and 2023. The $4 million (5%) increase in interest expense in 2025 compared to 2024 and 2023 reflects the issuance of $350 million principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes in September 2025.
Holding Company and Other — Special A&E Charges
As a result of the in-depth internal reviews of A&E exposures discussed under “Uncertainties — Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves,” AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded pretax non-core special charges of $25 million in 2025, $14 million in 2024 and $15 million in 2023 to increase liabilities related to the A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations. The charges in all periods reflect changes in the scope and costs of investigation and an increase in estimated remediation costs at a limited number of sites. AFG has also increased its reserve for asbestos and toxic substance exposures arising out of these operations. Total charges recorded to increase liabilities for A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations (included in other expenses) were $35 million in 2025, $24 million in 2024, and $22 million in 2023.
Holding Company and Other — Gain on Retirement of Debt
During 2023, AFG repurchased $23 million principal amount of its senior notes, which resulted in a $2 million pretax non-core gain and recorded a $1 million pretax non-core loss related to the write-off of debt issue costs associated with its previous revolving credit facility, which was replaced in June 2023.
Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities were net gains of $10 million in 2025 compared to less than $1 million in 2024, an increase of $10 million. AFG’s consolidated realized gains (losses) on securities were net gains of less than $1 million in 2024 compared to net losses of $36 million in 2023, a change of $36 million. Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) before impairment allowances: | ||||||||||
| Disposals | $ | (7) | $ | (4) | $ | (33) | ||||
| Change in the fair value of equity securities | 31 | 32 | 10 | |||||||
| Change in the fair value of derivatives | 2 | (1) | (2) | |||||||
| 26 | 27 | (25) | ||||||||
| Change in allowance for impairments on securities | (16) | (27) | (11) | |||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | $ | 10 | $ | — | $ | (36) |
The $33 million net realized loss from disposals in 2023 includes losses of $15 million from the sale of investments in banks and $5 million from the sale of municipal bonds.
The $31 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in 2025 includes gains of $16 million on investments in banks and financing companies and $14 million on investments in media companies, partially offset by losses of $7 million on investments in healthcare companies.
The $32 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in 2024 includes gains of $21 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $8 million on investments in natural gas companies and $5 million on investments in technology companies, partially offset by losses of $6 million on investments in energy companies.
The $10 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in 2023 includes gains of $8 million on investments in retail companies, $7 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $5 million on investments in capital goods companies and $4 million on investments in natural gas companies, partially offset by losses of $8 million on investments in media companies and $6 million on investments in energy companies.
The $16 million change in allowance for impairments on securities in 2025 reflects $7 million in new allowances on fixed
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maturities related to commercial real estate funds and additional $7 million of changes in allowances for various securities and mortgage loans that were previously impaired.
The $27 million change in allowance for impairments on securities in 2024 relates primarily to allowances taken on corporate bonds from a single issuer in the financial sector and fixed maturities from a single issuer in the retail sector.
Realized Gain (Loss) on Subsidiaries
During the third quarter of 2025, AFG recorded a $3 million pretax realized gain resulting from the remeasurement of its existing investment in Radion to fair value (see Note B — “Acquisitions of Businesses” to the financial statements) and a $2 million pretax realized loss on the write-off of certain intangible assets (see Note H — “Goodwill and Other Intangibles” to the financial statements).
In the second quarter of 2024, AFG recorded $4 million in net tax expense related to a pending IRS settlement regarding the sale of a subsidiary in a prior year.
In the third quarter of 2023, AFG recorded a realized loss on subsidiary of $4 million, consisting of a $26 million goodwill impairment charge, partially offset by a $22 million reduction in the fair value of a contingent consideration liability, both related to AFG’s investment in Verikai. See Note D — “Fair Value Measurements” and Note H — “Goodwill and Other Intangibles” to the financial statements.
Consolidated Income Taxes
AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes was $231 million in 2025 compared to $237 million in 2024, a decrease of $6 million (3%). AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes was $237 million in 2024 compared to $221 million in 2023, an increase of $16 million (7%). See Note L — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate.
RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See Note L — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for accounting guidance adopted on January 1, 2025, which expanded income tax disclosures by requiring (i) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation presented in both dollar and percentage terms; (ii) the disaggregation of income taxes paid (net of refunds received), income (loss) before income taxes and income taxes by jurisdiction (federal, state and foreign taxes); and (iii) further disaggregation of income taxes paid by any individual jurisdiction equal to or exceeding five percent of total income taxes paid.
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS TO BE ADOPTED
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03 (“ASU 2024-03”), Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. ASU 2024-03 requires additional information and disaggregation of specified expense categories in the notes to financial statements. ASU 2024-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted and applied either prospectively or retrospectively. As of December 31, 2025, AFG has not adopted ASU 2024-03. Management is evaluating the impact of the standard to AFG’s income statement expense disclosures. Since ASU 2024-03 only requires additional disclosures, the adoption of this guidance will not have an impact on AFG’s results of operations or financial condition.
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MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001042046-25-000011.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
| INDEX TO MD&A | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page | Page | |||
| Objective | 30 | Results of Operations | 47 | |
| Overview | 30 | General | 47 | |
| Critical Accounting Policies | 31 | Results of Operations — Fourth Quarter | 49 | |
| Liquidity and Capital Resources | 31 | Segmented Statement of Earnings | 49 | |
| Ratios | 31 | Property and Casualty Insurance | 50 | |
| Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows | 32 | Holding Company, Other and Unallocated | 59 | |
| Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity | 33 | Results of Operations — Full Year | 62 | |
| Condensed Parent Only Cash Flows | 34 | Segmented Statement of Earnings | 62 | |
| Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | 35 | Property and Casualty Insurance | 64 | |
| Investments | 35 | Holding Company, Other and Unallocated | 74 | |
| Uncertainties | 38 | Recent Accounting Standards | 77 | |
| Managed Investment Entities | 44 |
OBJECTIVE
The objective of Management’s Discussion and Analysis is to provide a discussion and analysis of the financial statements and other statistical data that management believes will enhance the understanding of AFG’s financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. The tables and narrative that follow are presented in a manner that is consistent with the information that AFG’s management uses to make operational decisions and allocate capital resources. They are provided to demonstrate the nature of the transactions and events that could impact AFG’s financial results. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements beginning on page F-1.
OVERVIEW
Financial Condition
AFG is organized as a holding company with almost all of its operations being conducted by subsidiaries. AFG, however, has continuing cash needs for administrative expenses, the payment of principal and interest on borrowings, shareholder dividends, and taxes. Therefore, certain analyses are most meaningfully presented on a parent only basis while others are best done on a total enterprise basis. In addition, because its businesses are financial in nature, AFG does not prepare its consolidated financial statements using a current-noncurrent format. Consequently, certain traditional ratios and financial analysis tests are not meaningful.
Results of Operations
Through the operations of its subsidiaries, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses.
AFG reported net earnings of $255 million ($3.03 per share, diluted) for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $263 million ($3.13 per share, diluted) in the fourth quarter of 2023. Higher net investment income was more than offset by net realized losses on securities in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to net realized gains on securities in the fourth quarter of 2023 and lower underwriting profit.
Full year 2024 net earnings were $887 million ($10.57 per share, diluted) compared to $852 million ($10.05 per share, diluted) in 2023. The year-over-year increase was due primarily to the impact on net investment income of higher yields on fixed maturity investments coupled with the impact of net realized losses on securities in 2023. These items were partially offset by lower net investment income from AFG’s alternative investment portfolio and lower underwriting profit.
Outlook
Management expects continued premium growth and strong underwriting results in the ongoing generally favorable property and casualty insurance market. In addition, management anticipates the deployment of cash during the elevated
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interest rate environment (since early 2022) will continue to have a positive impact on investment income on fixed maturity investments in 2025.
AFG’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are impacted by the economic, legal and regulatory environment. Economic inflation, social inflation and other economic conditions may impact premium levels, loss cost trends and investment returns. For a more comprehensive list of risks, see “Item 1A — Risk Factors.”
Management believes that AFG’s strong financial position and current liquidity and capital at its subsidiaries will give AFG the flexibility to continue to effectively address and respond to anticipated and unanticipated challenges. AFG’s insurance subsidiaries continue to have capital at or in excess of the levels required by ratings agencies in order to maintain their current ratings, and the parent company does not have any near-term debt maturities.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Significant accounting policies are summarized in Note A — “Accounting Policies” to the financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts reported in the financial statements. As more information becomes known, these estimates and assumptions change and, thus, impact amounts reported in the future. The areas where management believes the degree of judgment required to determine amounts recorded in the financial statements is most significant are as follows:
•the valuation of investments, including the determination of impairment allowances,
•the establishment of insurance reserves, especially asbestos and environmental-related reserves,
•the recoverability of reinsurance, and
•the establishment of asbestos and environmental liabilities of former railroad and manufacturing operations.
See “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Uncertainties” for a discussion of insurance reserves, recoverables from reinsurers and contingencies related to APU Consolidated’s former operations and “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Investments” for a discussion of the allowance for credit losses (impairments) on investments.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Ratios
AFG’s debt to total capital ratio on a consolidated basis is shown below (dollars in millions). Management intends to maintain the ratio of debt to capital at or below 30% and intends to maintain the capital of its significant insurance subsidiaries at or above levels currently indicated by rating agencies as appropriate for the current ratings.
| December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Principal amount of long-term debt | $ | 1,498 | $ | 1,498 | ||||
| Total capital | 6,204 | 6,075 | ||||||
| Ratio of debt to total capital: | ||||||||
| Including subordinated debt | 24.1 | % | 24.7 | % | ||||
| Excluding subordinated debt | 13.3 | % | 13.5 | % |
The ratio of debt to total capital is a non-GAAP measure that management believes is useful for investors, analysts and ratings agencies to evaluate AFG’s financial strength and liquidity and to provide insight into how AFG finances its operations. The ratio is calculated by dividing the principal amount of AFG’s long-term debt by its total capital, which includes long-term debt and shareholders’ equity (excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax). In addition, maintaining a ratio of debt, excluding subordinated debt and debt secured by real estate (if any), to total capital of 35% or lower is a financial covenant in AFG’s bank credit facility.
The NAIC’s model law for risk-based capital (“RBC”) applies to property and casualty companies. RBC formulas determine the amount of capital that an insurance company needs so that it has an acceptable expectation of not becoming financially impaired. At December 31, 2024, the capital ratios of all AFG insurance companies exceeded the RBC requirements.
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Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows
AFG’s principal sources of cash include insurance premiums, income from its investment portfolio and proceeds from the maturities, redemptions and sales of investments. Insurance premiums in excess of acquisition expenses and operating costs are invested until they are needed to meet policyholder obligations or made available to the parent company through dividends to cover debt obligations and corporate expenses, and to provide returns to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as detailed in AFG’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows are shown below (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,152 | $ | 1,970 | $ | 1,153 | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 95 | 414 | (1,051) | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (1,066) | (2,031) | (1,361) | |||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 181 | $ | 353 | $ | (1,259) |
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations typically produce positive net operating cash flows as premiums collected and investment income exceed policy acquisition costs, claims payments and operating expenses. AFG’s net cash provided by operating activities is impacted by the level and timing of property and casualty premiums, claim and expense payments and recoveries from reinsurers. Cash flows provided by operating activities also include the activity of AFG’s managed investment entities (collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”)) other than those activities included in investing or financing activities. The changes in the assets and liabilities of the managed investment entities included in operating activities reduced cash flows from operating activities by $80 million in 2024, increased cash flows from operating activities by $305 million in 2023 and reduced cash flows from operating activities by $183 million in 2022, resulting in a $385 million decrease in cash flows from operating activities in 2024 compared to 2023 and a $488 million increase in cash flows from operating activities in 2023 compared to 2022. As discussed in Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements, AFG has no right to use the CLO assets and no obligation to pay the CLO liabilities and such assets and liabilities are shown separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Excluding the impact of the managed investment entities, net cash provided by operating activities was $1.23 billion, $1.67 billion and $1.34 billion in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities AFG’s investing activities consist primarily of the investment of funds provided by its property and casualty businesses. Investing activities also include the purchase and disposal of managed investment entity investments, which are presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Net investment activity in the managed investment entities was a $377 million source of cash in 2024 compared to $762 million in 2023, resulting in a $385 million decrease in net cash provided by investing activities in 2024 compared to 2023. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note G — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements. Investing activities for 2024 include the fourth quarter acquisitions of an insurance agency and a consulting business for $9 million in cash. Investing activities for 2023 include the July 2023 acquisition of Crop Risk Services (“CRS”) for $234 million in cash. Excluding these acquisitions and the activity of the managed investment entities, investing activities resulted in uses of cash of $273 million in 2024 and $114 million in 2023.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $414 million in 2023 compared to net cash used by investing activities of $1.05 billion in 2022, an increase in cash provided by investing activities of $1.47 billion. Net investment activity in the managed investment entities was a $762 million source of cash in 2023 compared to a $180 million use of cash in 2022, resulting in a $942 million increase in net cash provided by investing activities in 2023 compared to 2022. Excluding the acquisition of CRS in 2023 and the activity of the managed investment entities, investing activities resulted in uses of cash of $114 million in 2023 and $871 million in 2022, reflecting the opportunistic investment of cash on hand in the property and casualty operations during the rising interest rate environment in 2022.
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities AFG’s financing activities consist primarily of issuances and retirements of long-term debt, issuances and repurchases of common stock and dividend payments. Net cash used in financing activities was $1.07 billion in 2024 compared to $2.03 billion in 2023, a decrease of $965 million. AFG paid cash dividends totaling $788 million in 2024 compared to $684 million in 2023, resulting in a $104 million increase in net cash used in financing activities in 2024 compared to 2023. There were no debt retirements in 2024 compared to $21 million in debt retirements in 2023. In 2024, AFG did not repurchase any of its Common Stock compared to repurchases of $213 million in 2023. Financing activities also include issuances and retirements of managed investment entity liabilities, which are nonrecourse to AFG and presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Retirements of managed investment entity liabilities exceeded issuances by $295 million in 2024 compared to $1.13 billion in 2023, resulting in an $833 million
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decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2024 compared to 2023. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note G — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements.
Net cash used in financing activities was $2.03 billion in 2023 compared to $1.36 billion in 2022, an increase of $670 million. Debt retirements were a $21 million use of cash in 2023 compared to $477 million in 2022, a decrease of $456 million. In 2023, AFG repurchased $213 million of its Common Stock compared to $11 million in 2022, resulting in a $202 million increase in net cash used in financing activities in 2023 compared to 2022. AFG paid cash dividends totaling $684 million in 2023 compared to $1.21 billion in 2022, resulting in a $529 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2023 compared to 2022. Retirements of managed investment entity liabilities exceeded issuances by $1.13 billion in 2023 compared to issuances exceeding retirements by $324 million in 2022, resulting in a $1.45 billion increase in net cash used in financing activities in 2023 compared to 2022.
Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity
Parent Holding Company Liquidity Management believes AFG has sufficient resources to meet its liquidity requirements. If funds generated from operations, including dividends, tax payments and borrowings from subsidiaries, are insufficient to meet fixed charges in any period, AFG would be required to utilize parent company cash and investments or to generate cash through borrowings, sales of other assets, or similar transactions.
AFG’s operations continue to generate significant excess capital for future returns of capital to shareholders in the form of regular and special cash dividends and through opportunistic share repurchases or to be deployed into its property and casualty businesses as management identifies the potential for profitable organic growth, and opportunities to expand through acquisitions of established businesses or start-ups that meet target return thresholds.
During 2024, AFG paid special cash dividends totaling $545 million ($2.50 per share in February and $4.00 per share in November).
During 2023, AFG repurchased 1,872,544 shares of its Common Stock for $213 million and paid special cash dividends totaling $466 million ($4.00 per share in February and $1.50 per share in November).
AFG may, at any time and from time to time, seek to retire or purchase its outstanding debt through cash purchases or exchanges for equity or debt, in open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will be upon such terms and at such prices as management may determine, and will depend on prevailing market conditions, AFG’s liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. During 2023, AFG repurchased $23 million principal amount of its senior notes for $21 million cash.
During 2022, AFG repurchased 89,368 shares of its Common Stock for $11 million and paid special cash dividends totaling $1.02 billion ($2.00 per share in March, $8.00 per share in May and $2.00 per share in November). In 2022, AFG repurchased $472 million principal amount of its senior notes for $477 million cash.
All debentures and notes issued by AFG are rated investment grade by two nationally recognized rating agencies. AFG maintains a shelf registration statement under which it can offer additional equity or debt securities. The shelf registration provides AFG with flexibility to access the capital markets from time to time as market and other conditions permit.
At December 31, 2024, AFG (parent) held approximately $389 million in cash and investments. Management believes that AFG’s cash balances are held at stable banking institutions, although the amounts of many of these deposits are in excess of federally insured balances. AFG can borrow up to $450 million under its revolving credit facility, which expires in June 2028. Amounts borrowed under this agreement bear interest at rates ranging from 1.00% to 1.75% (based on AFG’s credit rating, currently 1.25%) over a SOFR-based floating rate. There were no borrowings under AFG’s credit facility, or under any other parent company short-term borrowing arrangements, during 2024 or 2023.
Under a tax allocation agreement with AFG, all 80% (or more) owned U.S. subsidiaries generally pay taxes to (or recover taxes from) AFG based on each subsidiary’s contribution to amounts due under AFG’s consolidated tax return.
Subsidiary Liquidity The liquidity requirements of AFG’s insurance subsidiaries relate primarily to the policyholder claims and underwriting expenses and payments of dividends and taxes to AFG. Historically, cash flows from premiums and investment income have generally provided more than sufficient funds to meet these requirements. Funds received in excess of cash requirements are generally invested in marketable securities. In addition, the insurance subsidiaries generally hold a significant amount of highly liquid, short duration investments.
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For statutory accounting purposes, equity securities of non-affiliates are generally carried at fair value. At December 31, 2024, AFG’s insurance companies owned equity securities with a fair value of $751 million. Decreases in market prices could adversely affect the insurance group’s capital, potentially impacting the amount of dividends available or necessitating a capital contribution. Conversely, increases in market prices could have a favorable impact on the group’s dividend-paying capability.
Property and casualty reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses were $14.18 billion at December 31, 2024 and include case reserves and claims incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). The ultimate amount to be paid to settle reserves is an estimate, subject to significant uncertainty. Actual payments to settle claims cannot be determined until a settlement is reached with the claimant. Final claim settlements may vary significantly from estimated amounts. See “Uncertainties — Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves” below. The timing of future payments for the next twelve months and beyond could vary materially from historical payment patterns due to, among other things, changes in claim reporting and payment patterns and large unanticipated settlements.
AFG believes its insurance subsidiaries maintain sufficient liquidity to pay claims and underwriting expenses. In addition, these subsidiaries have sufficient capital to meet commitments in the event of unforeseen reserve deficiencies, inadequate premium rates or reinsurer insolvencies. Management believes that the capital levels in AFG’s insurance subsidiaries are adequate to maintain its business and rating agency ratings. Nonetheless, changes in statutory accounting rules, changes in rating agency measures, significant declines in the fair value of the insurance subsidiaries’ investment portfolios or significant ratings downgrades on these investments, could create a need for additional capital.
Condensed Parent Only Cash Flows
AFG’s parent holding company only condensed cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities are shown below (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 712 | $ | 719 | $ | 327 | ||||
| Net cash provided by investing activities | 72 | 225 | 992 | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (769) | (901) | (1,683) | |||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 15 | $ | 43 | $ | (364) |
Parent Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Parent holding company cash flows from operating activities consist primarily of dividends and tax payments received from AFG’s insurance subsidiaries, reduced by tax payments to the IRS and holding company interest and other expenses. Parent holding company net cash provided by operating activities was $712 million in 2024 compared to $719 million in 2023 and $327 million in 2022. The $7 million decrease in net cash provided by operating activities in 2024 as compared to 2023 and the $392 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities in 2023 as compared to 2022 were due primarily to higher cash dividends received from subsidiaries in 2023 compared to the other periods.
Parent Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities Parent holding company investing activities consist of capital contributions to and returns of capital from subsidiaries and parent company investment activity. Parent holding company net cash provided by investing activities was $72 million in 2024, $225 million in 2023 and $992 million in 2022. The $153 million decrease in net cash provided by investing activities in 2024 as compared to 2023 was due primarily to lower balances of invested assets. The $767 million decrease in net cash provided by investing activities in 2023 as compared to 2022 was due to the increase in capital contributions to subsidiaries to fund the purchase of CRS in July 2023 and lower balances of invested assets.
Parent Net Cash Used in Financing Activities Parent company financing activities consist primarily of the issuance and retirement of long-term debt, repurchases of AFG Common Stock, dividends to shareholders, and, to a lesser extent, proceeds from employee stock option exercises. Significant long-term debt and common stock transactions are discussed above under “Parent Holding Company Liquidity.” Parent holding company net cash used in financing activities was $769 million in 2024 compared to $901 million in 2023 and $1.68 billion in 2022. The $132 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2024 as compared to 2023 reflects no repurchases of common stock in 2024 compared to repurchases of common stock of $213 million in 2023, partially offset by higher dividends paid to shareholders (due primarily to special dividends of $6.50 per share in 2024 compared to special dividends of $5.50 per share in 2023). The $782 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2023 as compared to 2022 reflects lower dividends paid to shareholders (due primarily to special dividends of $5.50 per share in 2023 compared to special dividends of $12.00 per share in 2022) and lower net retirements of long-term debt in 2023 compared to 2022.
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
See Note O — “Additional Information — Financial Instruments — Unfunded Commitments” to the financial statements.
Investments
AFG attempts to optimize investment income while building the value of its portfolio, placing emphasis upon total long-term performance.
AFG’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2024, contained $10.40 billion in fixed maturity securities classified as available for sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and $76 million in fixed maturities classified as trading with holding gains and losses included in net investment income. In addition, AFG’s investment portfolio includes $522 million in equity securities carried at fair value with holding gains and losses included in realized gains (losses) on securities and $229 million in equity securities carried at fair value with holding gains and losses included in net investment income. AFG’s investment portfolio also includes $2.28 billion in investments accounted for using the equity method (limited partnerships and similar investments). Under the equity method, AFG records its share of the earnings or losses of the investee based on when it is reported by the investee in its financial statements rather than in the period in which the investee declares a dividend. AFG’s share of the earnings or losses from equity method investments is included in net investment income and is generally recorded on a quarter lag due to the timing of the receipt of the investee’s financial statements.
Unrealized gains and losses on AFG’s fixed maturity securities are included in shareholders’ equity after adjustments for deferred income taxes.
Fixed income investment funds are generally invested in securities with intermediate-term maturities with an objective of optimizing total return while allowing flexibility to react to changes in market conditions. At December 31, 2024, the average life of AFG’s fixed maturities was about 4.2 years.
Fair values for AFG’s portfolio are determined by AFG’s internal investment professionals using data from nationally recognized pricing services, non-binding broker quotes and other market information. Fair values of equity securities are determined by published closing prices when available. For AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio, approximately 88% was priced using pricing services at December 31, 2024 and 4% was priced using non-binding broker quotes. When prices obtained for the same security vary, AFG’s internal investment professionals select the price they believe is most indicative of an exit price. For additional information on determination of fair value, see Note D — “Fair Value Measurements” to the financial statements.
The pricing services use a variety of observable inputs to estimate fair value of fixed maturities that do not trade on a daily basis. Based upon information provided by the pricing services, these inputs include, but are not limited to, recent reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids or offers, reference data, and measures of volatility. Included in the pricing of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) are estimates of the rate of future prepayments and defaults of principal over the remaining life of the underlying collateral. Due to the lack of transparency in the process that brokers use to develop prices, valuations that are based on brokers’ prices are classified as Level 3 in the GAAP hierarchy unless the price can be corroborated, for example, by comparison to similar securities priced using observable inputs.
Valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by AFG’s internal investment professionals who are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price. To validate the appropriateness of the prices obtained, these investment managers consider widely published indices (as benchmarks), recent trades, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and the credit quality of the specific issuers. In addition, AFG communicates directly with pricing services regarding the methods and assumptions used in pricing, including verifying, on a test basis, the inputs used by the services to value specific securities.
In general, the fair value of AFG’s fixed maturity investments is inversely correlated to changes in interest rates. The following table demonstrates the sensitivity of such fair values to reasonably likely changes in interest rates by illustrating the estimated effect on AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio that an immediate increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate yield curve would have had at December 31, 2024 (dollars in millions). Effects of increases or decreases from the 100 basis points illustrated would be approximately proportional.
| Fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | 10,474 |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage impact on fair value of 100 bps increase in interest rates | (3.0 | %) |
| Pretax impact on fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | (314) |
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Approximately 94% of the fixed maturities held by AFG at December 31, 2024, were rated “investment grade” (credit rating of AAA to BBB) by nationally recognized rating agencies, 3% were rated “non-investment grade” and 3% were not rated. Investment grade securities generally bear lower yields and lower degrees of risk than those that are unrated and non-investment grade. Management believes that the high-quality investment portfolio should generate a stable and predictable investment return.
AFG has approximately $75 million of direct exposure to office commercial real estate through property ownership, mortgages or equity method investments. AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio includes securities (the majority of which are AAA-rated) with a carrying value of approximately $450 million that have minimal exposure to office commercial real estate.
Summarized information for the unrealized gains and losses recorded in AFG’s Balance Sheet at December 31, 2024, is shown in the following table (dollars in millions). Approximately $345 million of available for sale fixed maturity securities had no unrealized gains or losses at December 31, 2024.
| Securities With Unrealized Gains | Securities With Unrealized Losses | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available for Sale Fixed Maturities | ||||||
| Fair value of securities | $ | 4,119 | $ | 5,934 | ||
| Amortized cost of securities, net of allowance for expected credit losses | $ | 4,021 | $ | 6,287 | ||
| Gross unrealized gain (loss) | $ | 98 | $ | (353) | ||
| Fair value as % of amortized cost | 102 | % | 94 | % | ||
| Number of security positions | 750 | 1,340 | ||||
| Number individually exceeding $2 million gain or loss | 1 | 35 | ||||
| Concentration of gains (losses) by type or industry (exceeding 5% of unrealized): | ||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | $ | 22 | $ | (154) | ||
| Other asset-backed securities | 19 | (69) | ||||
| Banking | 10 | (13) | ||||
| Collateralized loan obligations | 10 | (12) | ||||
| Asset managers | 8 | (15) | ||||
| States and municipalities | 3 | (49) | ||||
| Percentage rated investment grade | 94 | % | 97 | % |
The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of AFG’s available for sale fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2024, based on their fair values. Securities with sinking funds are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers.
| Securities With Unrealized Gains | Securities With Unrealized Losses | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maturity | |||||
| One year or less | 1 | % | 7 | % | |
| After one year through five years | 26 | % | 25 | % | |
| After five years through ten years | 15 | % | 11 | % | |
| After ten years | 1 | % | 3 | % | |
| 43 | % | 46 | % | ||
| Collateralized loan obligations and other asset-backed securities (average life of approximately 3 years) | 42 | % | 30 | % | |
| Mortgage-backed securities (average life of approximately 6 years) | 15 | % | 24 | % | |
| 100 | % | 100 | % |
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The table below (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities by dollar amount:
| Aggregate Fair Value | Aggregate Unrealized Gain (Loss) | Fair Value as % of Cost | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Maturities at December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Securities with unrealized gains: | ||||||||||
| Exceeding $500,000 (32 securities) | $ | 520 | $ | 29 | 106 | % | ||||
| $500,000 or less (718 securities) | 3,599 | 69 | 102 | % | ||||||
| $ | 4,119 | $ | 98 | 102 | % | |||||
| Securities with unrealized losses: | ||||||||||
| Exceeding $500,000 (158 securities) | $ | 1,857 | $ | (236) | 89 | % | ||||
| $500,000 or less (1,182 securities) | 4,077 | (117) | 97 | % | ||||||
| $ | 5,934 | $ | (353) | 94 | % |
The following table (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized losses for all securities with unrealized losses by issuer quality and the length of time those securities have been in an unrealized loss position:
| Aggregate Fair Value | Aggregate Unrealized Loss | Fair Value as % of Cost | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Securities with Unrealized Losses at December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Investment grade fixed maturities with losses for: | ||||||||||
| Less than one year (311 securities) | $ | 1,732 | $ | (22) | 99 | % | ||||
| One year or longer (861 securities) | 4,014 | (317) | 93 | % | ||||||
| $ | 5,746 | $ | (339) | 94 | % | |||||
| Non-investment grade fixed maturities with losses for: | ||||||||||
| Less than one year (39 securities) | $ | 46 | $ | (3) | 94 | % | ||||
| One year or longer (129 securities) | 142 | (11) | 93 | % | ||||||
| $ | 188 | $ | (14) | 93 | % |
To evaluate fixed maturities for expected credit losses (impairment), management considers the following:
(a)whether the unrealized loss is credit-driven or a result of changes in market interest rates,
(b)the extent to which fair value is less than cost basis,
(c)cash flow projections received from independent sources,
(d)historical operating, balance sheet and cash flow data contained in issuer SEC filings and news releases,
(e)near-term prospects for improvement in the issuer and/or its industry,
(f)third-party research and communications with industry specialists,
(g)financial models and forecasts,
(h)the continuity of interest payments, maintenance of investment grade ratings and hybrid nature of certain investments,
(i)discussions with issuer management, and
(j)ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery in fair value.
Based on its analysis of the factors listed above, management believes AFG will recover its cost basis (net of any allowance) in the fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses and that AFG has the ability to hold the securities until they recover in value and had no intent to sell them at December 31, 2024. Although AFG has the ability to continue holding its fixed maturity investments with unrealized losses, its intent to hold them may change due to deterioration in the issuers’ creditworthiness, decisions to lessen exposure to a particular issuer or industry, asset/liability management decisions, market movements, changes in views about appropriate asset allocation or the desire to offset taxable realized gains. Should AFG’s ability or intent change regarding a particular security, a charge for impairment would likely be required. While it is not possible to accurately predict if or when a specific security will become impaired, increases in the allowance for credit losses could be material to results of operations in future periods. Significant declines in the fair value of AFG’s investment portfolio could have a significant adverse effect on AFG’s liquidity. For information on AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities, see “Results of Operations — Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities.”
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Uncertainties
As more fully explained in the following paragraphs, management believes that the areas posing the greatest risk of material loss are the adequacy of its insurance reserves and contingencies arising out of its former railroad and manufacturing operations.
Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves Estimating the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) is inherently judgmental and is influenced by factors that are subject to significant variation. Determining the liability is a complex process incorporating input from many areas of the Company including actuarial, underwriting, pricing, claims and operations management.
The estimates of liabilities for unpaid claims and for expenses of investigation and adjustment of unpaid claims are based upon: (i) the accumulation of case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting periods on direct business written (“case reserves”); (ii) estimates received from ceding reinsurers and insurance pools and associations; (iii) estimates of claims incurred but not reported (including possible development on known claims); (iv) estimates (based on experience) of expense for investigating and adjusting claims; and (v) the current state of law and coverage litigation.
The process used to determine the total reserve for liabilities involves estimating the ultimate incurred losses and LAE, adjusted for amounts already paid on the claims. The IBNR reserve is derived by estimating the ultimate unpaid reserve liability and subtracting case reserves for loss and LAE. See Note N — “Insurance — Insurance Reserves” to the financial statements for a discussion of the factors considered and actuarial methods used in determining management’s best estimate of the ultimate liability for unpaid losses and LAE.
The following table shows (in millions) the breakdown of AFG’s property and casualty insurance reserves between case reserves, IBNR reserves and LAE reserves (estimated amounts required to adjust, record and settle claims, other than the claim payments themselves) at December 31, 2024 and gross written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2024.
| Gross Loss Reserves | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case | IBNR | LAE | Total Reserves | Gross Written Premiums | ||||||||||||||
| Statutory Line of Business | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other liability — occurrence | $ | 986 | $ | 3,839 | $ | 795 | $ | 5,620 | $ | 1,828 | ||||||||
| Workers’ compensation | 986 | 1,117 | 347 | 2,450 | 1,359 | |||||||||||||
| Other liability — claims made | 315 | 721 | 444 | 1,480 | 806 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial auto/truck liability/medical | 445 | 628 | 154 | 1,227 | 777 | |||||||||||||
| Special property (fire, allied lines, inland marine, earthquake) | 714 | 235 | 35 | 984 | 2,990 | |||||||||||||
| Products liability — occurrence | 107 | 283 | 180 | 570 | 239 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial multi-peril | 201 | 134 | 86 | 421 | 470 | |||||||||||||
| Other lines | 340 | 511 | 169 | 1,020 | 1,703 | |||||||||||||
| Total Statutory | 4,094 | 7,468 | 2,210 | 13,772 | 10,172 | |||||||||||||
| Adjustments for GAAP: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign operations | 184 | 173 | 46 | 403 | 370 | |||||||||||||
| Deferred gains on retroactive reinsurance | — | 9 | — | 9 | — | |||||||||||||
| Loss reserve discounting | (5) | — | — | (5) | — | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | — | (9) | |||||||||||||
| Total Adjustments for GAAP | 179 | 182 | 46 | 407 | 361 | |||||||||||||
| Total GAAP Reserves and Premiums | $ | 4,273 | $ | 7,650 | $ | 2,256 | $ | 14,179 | $ | 10,533 |
While current factors and reasonably likely changes in variable factors are considered in estimating the liability for unpaid losses and LAE, there is no method or system that can eliminate the risk of actual ultimate results differing from such estimates.
Following is a discussion of certain critical variables affecting the estimation of loss reserves of the more significant long-tail lines of business (asbestos and environmental liabilities are separately discussed below). Many other variables may also impact ultimate claim costs.
An important assumption underlying reserve estimates is that the cost trends implicitly built into development patterns will continue into the future. However, future results could vary due to an unexpected change in the underlying cost trends. This unexpected change could arise from a variety of sources including a general increase in economic inflation, social inflation, new medical technologies, or other factors such as those listed below in connection with AFG’s largest lines of
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business. It is not possible to isolate and measure the potential impact of just one of these variables, and future cost trends could be partially impacted by several such variables. However, it is reasonable to address the sensitivity of the reserves to potential impact from changes in these variables by measuring the effect of a possible overall 1% change in future cost trends that may be caused by one or more variables. Utilizing the effect of a 1% change in overall cost trends enables changes greater than 1% to be estimated by extrapolation. Each additional 1% change in the cost trend would increase the effect on net earnings by an amount slightly (about 5%) greater than the effect of the previous 1%. For example, if a 1% change in cost trends in a line of business would change net earnings by $20 million, a 2% change would change net earnings by approximately $41 million.
The estimated cumulative adverse impact that a 1% change in cost trends in AFG’s more significant long-tail lines of property and casualty business (exceeding 5% of total reserves) would have on net earnings is shown below (in millions).
| Effect of 1% Change in Cost Trends | ||
|---|---|---|
| Line of business | ||
| Other liability — occurrence | $ | 78 |
| Workers’ compensation | 69 | |
| Other liability — claims made | 30 | |
| Commercial auto/truck liability/medical | 18 |
The judgments and uncertainties surrounding management’s reserve estimation process and the potential for reasonably possible variability in management’s most recent reserve estimates may also be viewed by looking at how recent historical estimates of reserves have developed. The following table shows (dollars in millions) what the impact on AFG’s net earnings would be on the more significant lines of business if the December 31, 2024, reserves (net of reinsurance) were to develop at the same rate as the average development of the most recent five years.
| 5-yr. Average Development (a)(b) | Net Reserves (b) December 31, 2024 | Effect on Net Earnings (a)(b) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other liability — occurrence | 4.8 | % | $ | 2,382 | $ | 115 | |||
| Workers’ compensation | (5.7 | %) | 2,080 | (118) | |||||
| Other liability — claims made | (2.2 | %) | 1,024 | (23) | |||||
| Commercial auto/truck liability/medical | 2.2 | % | 892 | 20 |
(a)Adverse (favorable), net of tax effect.
(b)Excludes asbestos and environmental liabilities.
The following discussion describes key assumptions and important variables that affect the estimate of the reserve for loss and LAE of the more significant lines of business and explains what caused them to change from assumptions used in the preceding period.
Other Liability — Occurrence
This long-tail line of business consists of coverages protecting the insured against legal liability resulting from negligence, carelessness, or a failure to act causing property damage or personal injury to others. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for other liability — occurrence include:
•Litigious climate
•Unpredictability of judicial decisions regarding coverage issues
•Magnitude of jury awards
•Outside counsel costs
•Timing of claims reporting
AFG recorded adverse prior year reserve development of $210 million in 2024, $96 million in 2023 and $109 million in 2022 related to its other liability — occurrence coverage due primarily to continued claim severity increases in excess and umbrella liability coverages.
While management applies the actuarial methods discussed in Note N — “Insurance — Insurance Reserves” to the financial statements, more judgment is involved in arriving at the final reserve to be held. For recent accident years, more weight is given to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method.
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Workers’ Compensation
This long-tail line of business provides coverage to employees who may be injured in the course of employment. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for workers’ compensation include:
•Legislative actions and regulatory and legal interpretations
•Future medical cost inflation
•Economic conditions
•Frequency of reopening claims previously closed
•Advances in medical equipment and processes
•Pace and intensity of employee rehabilitation
•Changes in the use of pharmaceutical drugs
•Changes in mortality trends for permanently injured workers
Approximately 23% and 24% of AFG’s workers’ compensation reserves at December 31, 2024 relate to policies written in Florida and California, respectively.
AFG recorded favorable prior year reserve development of $128 million in 2024, $116 million in 2023 and $189 million in 2022, related to its workers’ compensation coverage due to lower than anticipated medical severity.
Other Liability — Claims Made
This long-tail line of business consists mostly of directors’ and officers’ liability (“D&O”). Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for other liability — claims made include:
•Litigious climate
•Economic conditions
•Variability of stock prices
•Magnitude of jury awards
The general state of the economy and the variability of the stock price of the insured can affect the frequency and severity of shareholder class action suits and other situations that trigger coverage under D&O policies. For example, from 2008 to 2010, economic conditions led to higher frequency of claims, particularly in the D&O policies for small account and not-for-profit organizations. After peaking in 2010, claim frequency decreased and stabilized to near pre-2008 levels until dropping sharply during the pandemic-related shutdowns. Post-pandemic, frequency has increased slightly but has not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.
AFG recorded favorable prior year reserve development of $15 million in 2024, $33 million in 2023 and $24 million in 2022 on its D&O business as claim frequency and severity were less than expected across several prior accident years.
Commercial Auto/Truck Liability/Medical
This line of business is a mix of coverage protecting the insured against legal liability for property damage or personal injury to others arising from the operation of commercial motor vehicles. The property damage liability exposure is usually short-tail with relatively prompt reporting and settlement of claims. The bodily injury and medical payments exposures are longer-tailed; although the claim reporting is relatively prompt, the final settlement can take longer to achieve. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for commercial auto/truck liability/medical are similar to other liability — occurrence and include:
•Magnitude of jury awards
•Unpredictability of judicial decisions regarding coverage issues
•Litigious climate and trends
•Change in frequency of severe accidents
•Health care costs and utilization of medical services by injured parties
AFG recorded adverse prior year reserve development of $36 million in 2024, $29 million in 2023 and $32 million in 2022 for this line of business due to higher than anticipated claim severity.
Recoverables from Reinsurers and Availability of Reinsurance AFG is subject to credit risk with respect to its reinsurers, as reinsurance contracts do not relieve AFG of its liability to policyholders. To mitigate this risk, substantially all reinsurance is ceded to companies rated “A” or better by S&P or is secured by “funds withheld” or other collateral.
The availability and cost of reinsurance are subject to prevailing market conditions, which are beyond AFG’s control and which may affect AFG’s level of business and profitability. Although the cost of certain reinsurance programs may
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increase, management believes that AFG will be able to maintain adequate reinsurance coverage at acceptable rates without a material adverse effect on AFG’s results of operations. AFG’s gross and net combined ratios are shown in the table below.
See Item 1 — Business — “Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Reinsurance” for more information on AFG’s reinsurance programs. For additional information on the effect of reinsurance on AFG’s historical results of operations see Note N — “Insurance — Reinsurance” to the financial statements.
The following table illustrates the effect that purchasing property and casualty reinsurance has had on AFG’s combined ratio over the last three years.
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before reinsurance (gross) | 98.2 | % | 92.8 | % | 90.9 | % | ||
| Effect of reinsurance | (7.0 | %) | (2.4 | %) | (3.6 | %) | ||
| Actual (net of reinsurance) | 91.2 | % | 90.4 | % | 87.3 | % |
Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves Asbestos and environmental reserves of the property and casualty group consisted of the following (in millions):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Asbestos | $ | 197 | $ | 202 | ||
| Environmental | 162 | 168 | ||||
| A&E reserves, net of reinsurance recoverable | 359 | 370 | ||||
| Reinsurance recoverable, net of allowance | 135 | 128 | ||||
| Gross A&E reserves | $ | 494 | $ | 498 |
Asbestos reserves include claims asserting alleged injuries and damages from exposure to asbestos. Environmental reserves include claims relating to polluted sites.
Asbestos claims against manufacturers, distributors or installers of asbestos products were presented under the products liability section of their policies, which typically had aggregate limits that capped an insurer’s liability. In addition, asbestos claims are being presented as “non-products” claims, such as those by installers of asbestos products and by property owners or operators who allegedly had asbestos on their property, under the premises or operations section of their policies. Unlike products exposures, these non-products exposures typically had no aggregate limits, creating greater exposure for insurers. Further, in an effort to seek additional insurance coverage, some insureds with installation activities who have substantially eroded their products coverage are presenting new asbestos claims as non-products operations claims or attempting to reclassify previously settled products claims as non-products claims to restore a portion of previously exhausted products aggregate limits.
Approximately 48% of AFG’s net asbestos reserves relate to policies written directly by AFG subsidiaries. Claims from these policies generally are product-oriented claims with only a limited amount of non-products exposures and are dominated by small to mid-sized commercial entities that are mostly regional policyholders with few national target defendants. The remainder is assumed reinsurance business that includes exposures from 1954 to 1983. The asbestos and environmental assumed claims are ceded by various insurance companies under reinsurance treaties. A majority of the individual assumed claims have exposures of less than $100,000 to AFG. Asbestos losses assumed include some of the industry known manufacturers, distributors and installers. Pollution losses include industry known insured names and sites.
Establishing reserves for A&E claims relating to policies and participations in reinsurance treaties and former operations is subject to uncertainties that are significantly greater than those presented by other types of claims. For this group of claims, traditional actuarial techniques that rely on historical loss development trends cannot be used and a range of reasonably possible losses cannot be estimated. Case reserves and expense reserves are established by the claims department as specific policies are identified. In addition to the case reserves established for known claims, management establishes additional reserves for claims not yet known or reported and for possible development on known claims. These additional reserves are management’s best estimate based on periodic comprehensive studies and internal reviews adjusted for payments and identifiable changes, supplemented by management’s review of industry information about such claims, with due consideration to individual claim situations.
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Management believes that estimating the ultimate liability for asbestos claims presents a unique and difficult challenge to the insurance industry due to, among other things, difficulty in predicting the number of future claims, inconsistent court decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, unresolved issues such as whether coverage exists, novel theories of coverage, how claims are to be allocated among triggered policies and implicated years, whether claimants who exhibit no signs of illness will be successful in pursuing their claims and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage. Environmental claims likewise present challenges in prediction, due to uncertainty regarding the interpretation of insurance policies, complexities regarding multi-party involvements at sites, evolving cleanup standards and protracted time periods required to assess the level of cleanup required at contaminated sites.
While management believes that AFG’s reserves for A&E claims are a reasonable estimate of ultimate liability for such claims, actual results may vary materially from the amounts currently recorded due to the factors listed above. A 1% variation in loss cost trends, caused by any of the factors previously described, would change net earnings by approximately $28 million.
The following factors could impact AFG’s A&E reserves and payments:
•There is interest at the state level to attempt to legislatively address asbestos liabilities and the manner in which asbestos claims are resolved. These developments are fluid and could result in piecemeal state-by-state solutions.
•The manner by which bankruptcy courts are addressing asbestos liabilities is in flux.
•AFG’s insureds may make claims alleging significant non-products exposures.
AFG tracks its A&E claims by policyholder. The following table shows, by type of claim, the number of policyholders that did not receive any payments in the calendar year separate from policyholders that did receive a payment. Policyholder counts represent policies written by AFG subsidiaries and do not include assumed reinsurance.
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of policyholders with no indemnity payments: | |||||||
| Asbestos | 85 | 107 | 103 | ||||
| Environmental | 159 | 137 | 129 | ||||
| 244 | 244 | 232 | |||||
| Number of policyholders with indemnity payments: | |||||||
| Asbestos | 51 | 47 | 45 | ||||
| Environmental | 18 | 23 | 25 | ||||
| 69 | 70 | 70 | |||||
| Total | 313 | 314 | 302 |
Amounts paid (net of reinsurance recoveries) for asbestos and environmental claims, including LAE, were as follows (in millions):
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos | $ | 6 | $ | 13 | $ | 12 | ||||
| Environmental | 5 | 2 | 11 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 11 | $ | 15 | $ | 23 |
The survival ratio is a measure often used by industry analysts to compare A&E reserves’ strength among companies. This ratio is typically calculated by dividing reserves for A&E exposures by the three-year average of paid losses, and therefore measures the number of years that it would take to pay off current reserves based on recent average payments. Because this ratio can be significantly impacted by a number of factors such as loss payout variability, caution should be exercised in attempting to determine reserve adequacy based simply on the survival ratio. At December 31, 2024, the property and casualty insurance segment’s three-year survival ratios compare favorably with industry survival ratios published by A.M. Best (as of December 31, 2023, and adjusted for several large portfolio transfers) as detailed in the following table:
| Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves Three-Year Survival Ratio (Times Paid Losses) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos | Environmental | Total A&E | |||||
| AFG (12/31/2024) | 19.4 | 26.2 | 22.0 | ||||
| Industry (12/31/2023) | 8.7 | 7.5 | 8.4 |
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During the third quarter of 2024, AFG completed an in-depth internal review of its asbestos and environmental exposures relating to the run-off operations of its property and casualty insurance segment. AFG annually conducts a comprehensive review of its asbestos and environmental reserves. In connection with these reviews, AFG engages with outside counsel and, as appropriate, engineering and consulting firms and specialty actuarial firms.
During the 2024 internal review, no new trends were identified and recent claims activity was generally consistent with AFG’s expectations resulting from its in-depth internal reviews in the prior three years, and the most recent external study in 2020. As a result, and consistent with the internal review in the third quarter of 2023, the 2024 review resulted in no net change to AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment’s asbestos and environmental reserves.
Contingencies related to Subsidiaries’ Former Operations The A&E reviews and external study discussed above also encompassed reserves for various environmental and occupational injury and disease claims and other contingencies arising out of the railroad operations disposed of by APU Consolidated’s predecessor and certain manufacturing operations disposed of by APU Consolidated and its subsidiaries and by Great American Financial Resources, Inc. AFG recorded pretax special non-core A&E charges of $14 million in 2024 and $15 million in 2023 to increase liabilities for those operations as a result of the internal reviews. Liabilities for claims and contingencies arising from these former railroad and manufacturing operations totaled $91 million at December 31, 2024. For a discussion of the uncertainties in determining the ultimate liability, see Note M — “Contingencies” to the financial statements.
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MANAGED INVESTMENT ENTITIES
Accounting standards require AFG to consolidate its investments in collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) entities that it manages and owns an interest in (in the form of debt). See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note G — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements. The effect of consolidating these entities is shown in the tables below (in millions). The “Before CLO Consolidation” columns include AFG’s investment and earnings in the CLOs on an unconsolidated basis.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
| Before CLO Consolidation | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and investments | $ | 16,026 | $ | — | $ | (174) | (*) | $ | 15,852 | |||||||
| Assets of managed investment entities | — | 4,140 | — | 4,140 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 10,845 | — | (1) | (*) | 10,844 | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 26,871 | $ | 4,140 | $ | (175) | $ | 30,836 | ||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums | $ | 17,763 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 17,763 | ||||||||
| Liabilities of managed investment entities | — | 4,091 | (126) | (*) | 3,965 | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt and other liabilities | 4,642 | — | — | 4,642 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 22,405 | 4,091 | (126) | 26,370 | ||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock and Capital surplus | 1,495 | 49 | (49) | 1,495 | ||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | 3,211 | — | — | 3,211 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (240) | — | — | (240) | ||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 4,466 | 49 | (49) | 4,466 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 26,871 | $ | 4,140 | $ | (175) | $ | 30,836 | ||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and investments | $ | 15,438 | $ | — | $ | (175) | (*) | $ | 15,263 | |||||||
| Assets of managed investment entities | — | 4,484 | — | 4,484 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 10,042 | — | (2) | (*) | 10,040 | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 25,480 | $ | 4,484 | $ | (177) | $ | 29,787 | ||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums | $ | 16,538 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 16,538 | ||||||||
| Liabilities of managed investment entities | — | 4,446 | (139) | (*) | 4,307 | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt and other liabilities | 4,684 | — | — | 4,684 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 21,222 | 4,446 | (139) | 25,529 | ||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock and Capital surplus | 1,456 | 38 | (38) | 1,456 | ||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | 3,121 | — | — | 3,121 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (319) | — | — | (319) | ||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 4,258 | 38 | (38) | 4,258 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 25,480 | $ | 4,484 | $ | (177) | $ | 29,787 |
(*)Elimination of the fair value of AFG’s investment in CLOs and related accrued interest.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
| Before CLO Consolidation (a) | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three months ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 1,850 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,850 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 202 | — | (8) | (b) | 194 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | (10) | — | — | (10) | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 84 | — | 84 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 3 | (4) | (b) | (1) | |||||||||||
| Other income | 36 | — | (4) | (c) | 32 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 2,078 | 87 | (16) | 2,149 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 1,661 | — | — | 1,661 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 87 | (16) | (b)(c) | 71 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 97 | — | — | 97 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,758 | 87 | (16) | 1,829 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 320 | — | — | 320 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 65 | — | — | 65 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 255 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 255 | ||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 1,732 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,732 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 168 | — | (9) | (b) | 159 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 31 | — | — | 31 | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 100 | — | 100 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 17 | (2) | (b) | 15 | |||||||||||
| Other income | 50 | — | (4) | (c) | 46 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,981 | 117 | (15) | 2,083 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 1,549 | — | — | 1,549 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 117 | (15) | (b)(c) | 102 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 97 | — | — | 97 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,646 | 117 | (15) | 1,748 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 335 | — | — | 335 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 72 | — | — | 72 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 263 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 263 |
(a)Includes income of $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments and $4 million of income in both the fourth quarter of 2024 and 2023, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $12 million and $11 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS - CONTINUED
| Before CLO Consol. (a) | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 7,036 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 7,036 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 813 | — | (33) | (b) | 780 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 380 | — | 380 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 12 | (8) | (b) | 4 | |||||||||||
| Other income | 137 | — | (13) | (c) | 124 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,986 | 392 | (54) | 8,324 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 6,467 | — | — | 6,467 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 388 | (50) | (b)(c) | 338 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 395 | — | — | 395 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 6,862 | 388 | (50) | 7,200 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 1,124 | 4 | (4) | 1,124 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 237 | — | — | 237 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 887 | $ | 4 | $ | (4) | $ | 887 | ||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 6,531 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,531 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 769 | — | (27) | (b) | 742 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities | (36) | — | — | (36) | ||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | (4) | — | — | (4) | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 421 | — | 421 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 29 | (2) | (b) | 27 | |||||||||||
| Other income | 162 | — | (16) | (c) | 146 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,422 | 450 | (45) | 7,827 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 5,968 | — | — | 5,968 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 450 | (45) | (b)(c) | 405 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 381 | — | — | 381 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 6,349 | 450 | (45) | 6,754 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 1,073 | — | — | 1,073 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 221 | — | — | 221 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 852 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 852 |
(a)Includes income of $33 million in 2024 and $27 million in 2023, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments and $13 million and $16 million of income in 2024 and 2023, respectively, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $37 million and $29 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS - CONTINUED
| Before CLO Consol. (a) | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 6,085 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,085 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 707 | — | 10 | (b) | 717 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | (116) | — | — | (116) | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 268 | — | 268 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (2) | (29) | (b) | (31) | |||||||||||
| Other income | 134 | — | (17) | (c) | 117 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 6,810 | 266 | (36) | 7,040 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 5,347 | — | — | 5,347 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 265 | (35) | (b)(c) | 230 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 340 | — | — | 340 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 5,687 | 265 | (35) | 5,917 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 1,123 | 1 | (1) | 1,123 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 225 | — | — | 225 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 898 | $ | 1 | $ | (1) | $ | 898 |
(a)Includes a loss of $10 million representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments and $17 million of income in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $18 million in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General
AFG’s net earnings, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. Core net operating earnings excludes realized gains (losses) on securities because such gains and losses are influenced significantly by financial markets, interest rates and the timing of sales. In addition, special charges related to coverage that AFG no longer writes, such as asbestos and environmental exposures, are excluded from core earnings.
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The following table (in millions, except per share amounts) identifies non-core items and reconciles net earnings to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure. AFG believes core net operating earnings is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends and for management to evaluate financial performance against historical results because it believes this provides a more comparable measure of its continuing business.
| Three months ended December 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Components of net earnings: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core operating earnings before income taxes | $ | 330 | $ | 304 | $ | 1,138 | $ | 1,127 | $ | 1,248 | ||||||||
| Pretax non-core items: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | (10) | 31 | — | (36) | (116) | |||||||||||||
| Realized loss on subsidiary | — | — | — | (4) | — | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | (14) | (15) | — | |||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | — | — | — | 1 | (9) | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 320 | 335 | 1,124 | 1,073 | 1,123 | |||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core operating earnings | 68 | 66 | 236 | 232 | 255 | |||||||||||||
| Non-core items: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | (3) | 6 | — | (8) | (24) | |||||||||||||
| Realized loss on subsidiary | — | — | 4 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | (3) | (3) | — | |||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | — | — | — | — | (2) | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | — | (4) | |||||||||||||
| Total provision for income taxes | 65 | 72 | 237 | 221 | 225 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 255 | $ | 263 | $ | 887 | $ | 852 | $ | 898 | ||||||||
| Net earnings: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core net operating earnings | $ | 262 | $ | 238 | $ | 902 | $ | 895 | $ | 993 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | (7) | 25 | — | (28) | (92) | |||||||||||||
| Realized loss on subsidiary | — | — | (4) | (4) | — | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | (11) | (12) | — | |||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | — | — | — | 1 | (7) | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | — | 4 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 255 | $ | 263 | $ | 887 | $ | 852 | $ | 898 | ||||||||
| Diluted per share amounts: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core net operating earnings | $ | 3.12 | $ | 2.84 | $ | 10.75 | $ | 10.56 | $ | 11.63 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | (0.09) | 0.29 | — | (0.33) | (1.06) | |||||||||||||
| Realized loss on subsidiary | — | — | (0.05) | (0.04) | — | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | (0.13) | (0.15) | — | |||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | — | — | — | 0.01 | (0.09) | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | — | 0.05 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 3.03 | $ | 3.13 | $ | 10.57 | $ | 10.05 | $ | 10.53 |
Net earnings were $255 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $263 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 reflecting net realized losses on securities in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to net realized gains on securities in the fourth quarter of 2023, partially offset by higher core net operating earnings. Core net operating earnings for the fourth quarter of 2024 increased $24 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 reflecting higher net investment income, including improved returns on alternative investments, partially offset by lower underwriting profit. Net realized losses on securities of $7 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and net realized gains on securities of $25 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 include $1 million of after-tax losses and $22 million of after-tax gains, respectively, from the change in fair value of equity securities that were still held at the balance sheet date.
Net earnings were $887 million for the full-year of 2024 compared to $852 million in 2023 reflecting the impact of net realized losses on securities in 2023 and higher core net operating earnings. Core net operating earnings for 2024 increased $7 million compared to 2023. Higher investment income outside of alternative investments was partially offset by lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio and lower underwriting profit. Net realized gains on securities of less than $1 million in 2024 and net realized losses on securities of $28 million in 2023 include $19 million of after-tax
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gains and $2 million of after-tax losses, respectively, from the change in fair value of equity securities that were still held at the balance sheet date.
Net earnings were $852 million for the full-year of 2023 compared to $898 million in 2022 reflecting lower core net operating earnings and a special A&E charge recorded in the third quarter of 2023, partially offset by lower net realized losses on securities in 2023 compared to 2022. Core net operating earnings for 2023 decreased $98 million compared to 2022 reflecting lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio when compared to the strong performance of this portfolio in 2022 and lower underwriting profit, partially offset by higher investment income outside of alternative investments. Net realized losses on securities of $28 million in 2023 and $92 million in 2022 include $2 million and $75 million, respectively, of after-tax losses from the change in fair value of equity securities that were still held at the balance sheet date.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023
Segmented Statement of Earnings
AFG reports its operations as two segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”) and (ii) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
AFG’s net earnings, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 1,850 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,850 | $ | — | $ | 1,850 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 195 | (8) | 7 | 194 | — | 194 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | (10) | (10) | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 84 | — | 84 | — | 84 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (1) | — | (1) | — | (1) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 2 | (4) | 34 | 32 | — | 32 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 2,047 | 71 | 41 | 2,159 | (10) | 2,149 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 1,181 | — | — | 1,181 | — | 1,181 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 467 | — | 13 | 480 | — | 480 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 19 | 19 | — | 19 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 71 | — | 71 | — | 71 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 21 | — | 57 | 78 | — | 78 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,669 | 71 | 89 | 1,829 | — | 1,829 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 378 | — | (48) | 330 | (10) | 320 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 81 | — | (13) | 68 | (3) | 65 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 297 | — | (35) | 262 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | (7) | (7) | 7 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 297 | $ | — | $ | (42) | $ | 255 | $ | — | $ | 255 |
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| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 1,732 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,732 | $ | — | $ | 1,732 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 161 | (9) | 7 | 159 | — | 159 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | 31 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 100 | — | 100 | — | 100 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 15 | — | 15 | — | 15 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 3 | (4) | 47 | 46 | — | 46 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,896 | 102 | 54 | 2,052 | 31 | 2,083 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 1,053 | — | 16 | 1,069 | — | 1,069 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 468 | — | 12 | 480 | — | 480 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 19 | 19 | — | 19 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 102 | — | 102 | — | 102 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 18 | — | 60 | 78 | — | 78 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,539 | 102 | 107 | 1,748 | — | 1,748 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 357 | — | (53) | 304 | 31 | 335 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 74 | — | (8) | 66 | 6 | 72 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 283 | — | (45) | 238 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | 25 | 25 | (25) | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 283 | $ | — | $ | (20) | $ | 263 | $ | — | $ | 263 |
(*)See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax impacts of these reconciling items.
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
Performance measures such as underwriting profit or loss and related combined ratios are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company’s performance. Underwriting profitability is measured by the combined ratio, which is a sum of the ratios of losses and loss adjustment expenses, and commissions and other underwriting expenses to premiums. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. The combined ratio does not reflect net investment income, other income, other expenses or federal income taxes.
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $378 million in pretax earnings in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $357 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of $21 million (6%) as a result of higher net investment income which was partially offset by lower underwriting profit.
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The following table details AFG’s earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty insurance operations for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | ||||||||
| Gross written premiums | $ | 2,043 | $ | 1,992 | 3 | % | ||||
| Reinsurance premiums ceded | (583) | (547) | 7 | % | ||||||
| Net written premiums | 1,460 | 1,445 | 1 | % | ||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | 390 | 287 | 36 | % | ||||||
| Net earned premiums | 1,850 | 1,732 | 7 | % | ||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses | 1,181 | 1,053 | 12 | % | ||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 467 | 468 | — | % | ||||||
| Underwriting gain | 202 | 211 | (4 | %) | ||||||
| Net investment income | 195 | 161 | 21 | % | ||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | (19) | (15) | 27 | % | ||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | $ | 378 | $ | 357 | 6 | % | ||||
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| Combined Ratios: | 2024 | 2023 | Change | |||||||
| Specialty lines | ||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 63.7 | % | 60.7 | % | 3.0 | % | ||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 25.3 | % | 27.0 | % | (1.7 | %) | ||||
| Combined ratio | 89.0 | % | 87.7 | % | 1.3 | % | ||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 63.8 | % | 60.8 | % | 3.0 | % | ||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 25.3 | % | 27.0 | % | (1.7 | %) | ||||
| Combined ratio | 89.1 | % | 87.8 | % | 1.3 | % |
AFG’s statutory combined ratio has been better than the U.S. industry average for 37 of the most recent 39 years. Management believes that AFG’s insurance operations have performed better than the industry as a result of its specialty niche focus, product line diversification, stringent underwriting discipline and alignment of compensation incentives.
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty property and casualty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.
To understand the overall profitability of particular lines, the timing of claims payments and the related impact of investment income must be considered. Certain “short-tail” lines of business (primarily property coverages) generally have quick loss payouts, which reduce the time funds are held, thereby limiting investment income earned thereon. In contrast, “long-tail” lines of business (primarily liability coverages and workers’ compensation) generally have payouts that are either structured over many years or take many years to settle, thereby significantly increasing investment income earned on related premiums received.
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $2.04 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $1.99 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of $51 million (3%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| GWP | % | GWP | % | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 585 | 29 | % | $ | 623 | 31 | % | (6 | %) | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 1,126 | 55 | % | 1,069 | 54 | % | 5 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 332 | 16 | % | 300 | 15 | % | 11 | % | ||||||||
| $ | 2,043 | 100 | % | $ | 1,992 | 100 | % | 3 | % |
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Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 29% of gross written premiums for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 27% of gross written premiums for the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of 2 percentage points. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Change in % of GWP | ||||||||||||||
| Ceded | % of GWP | Ceded | % of GWP | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | (186) | 32 | % | $ | (197) | 32 | % | — | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | (401) | 36 | % | (369) | 35 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | (53) | 16 | % | (50) | 17 | % | (1 | %) | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 57 | 69 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | (583) | 29 | % | $ | (547) | 27 | % | 2 | % |
Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.46 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $1.45 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of $15 million (1%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| NWP | % | NWP | % | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 399 | 27 | % | $ | 426 | 30 | % | (6 | %) | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 725 | 50 | % | 700 | 48 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 279 | 19 | % | 250 | 17 | % | 12 | % | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 57 | 4 | % | 69 | 5 | % | (17 | %) | ||||||||
| $ | 1,460 | 100 | % | $ | 1,445 | 100 | % | 1 | % |
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.85 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $1.73 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of $118 million (7%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| NEP | % | NEP | % | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 756 | 41 | % | $ | 682 | 39 | % | 11 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 754 | 41 | % | 737 | 43 | % | 2 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 279 | 15 | % | 244 | 14 | % | 14 | % | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 61 | 3 | % | 69 | 4 | % | (12 | %) | ||||||||
| $ | 1,850 | 100 | % | $ | 1,732 | 100 | % | 7 | % |
Gross written premiums for the fourth quarter of 2024 increased $51 million (3%) compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 driven primarily by new business opportunities, a good renewal rate environment and increased exposures. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 7% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Excluding overall rate decreases in the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates increased approximately 8%.
Property and transportation Gross written premiums decreased $38 million (6%) in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. This decrease was due primarily to the impact of lower year-over-year commodity pricing on winter wheat premiums, coupled with elevated pricing competition and the non-renewal of certain under-performing accounts in the transportation businesses. Average renewal rates increased 7% for this group in the fourth quarter of 2024. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums were comparable in the fourth quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2023 reflecting higher cessions in the crop business offset by the impact of lower cessions in certain transportation businesses.
Specialty casualty Gross written premiums increased $57 million (5%) in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. The primary drivers of growth were new business opportunities and favorable renewal pricing in
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several of the targeted markets businesses and in the excess and surplus business. The mergers and acquisitions liability business also benefited from an increase in mergers and acquisition activity. This growth was tempered by lower year-over-year workers’ compensation premiums. Average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 8% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Excluding rate decreases in the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 11%. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 1 percentage point for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 reflecting higher premiums in the excess and surplus and mergers and acquisitions liability businesses, which cede a larger percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment as well as higher cessions in the public sector business, partially offset by lower cessions in certain more heavily reinsured products in the social services business.
Specialty financial Gross written premiums increased $32 million (11%) in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 due primarily to growth in the financial institutions business. Average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 3% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 1 percentage point in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 reflecting the impact of lower gross written premiums in the innovative markets business, which cedes a larger percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Specialty financial sub-segment.
Other specialty The amounts shown as reinsurance premiums ceded represent business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Reinsurance premiums assumed decreased $12 million (17%) in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 reflecting a decrease in premiums retained, primarily from businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
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Combined Ratio
Performance measures such as the combined ratio are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company’s performance. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) and underwriting expense ratios. These ratios are calculated by dividing each of the respective expenses by net earned premiums. The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of the combined ratio for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment:
| Three months ended December 31, | Three months ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Change | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 69.3 | % | 69.0 | % | 0.3 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 19.9 | % | 21.3 | % | (1.4 | %) | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 89.2 | % | 90.3 | % | (1.1 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 82 | $ | 67 | ||||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 65.6 | % | 59.6 | % | 6.0 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 23.4 | % | 25.0 | % | (1.6 | %) | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 89.0 | % | 84.6 | % | 4.4 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 82 | $ | 114 | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 38.1 | % | 34.8 | % | 3.3 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 42.6 | % | 46.5 | % | (3.9 | %) | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 80.7 | % | 81.3 | % | (0.6 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 54 | $ | 45 | ||||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 63.7 | % | 60.7 | % | 3.0 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 25.3 | % | 27.0 | % | (1.7 | %) | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 89.0 | % | 87.7 | % | 1.3 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 204 | $ | 212 | ||||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 63.8 | % | 60.8 | % | 3.0 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 25.3 | % | 27.0 | % | (1.7 | %) | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 89.1 | % | 87.8 | % | 1.3 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 202 | $ | 211 |
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $204 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $212 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of $8 million (4%). Higher underwriting profit in the Property and transportation and Specialty financial sub-segments was more than offset by lower year-over-year underwriting profit in the Specialty casualty sub-segment, which was impacted by net adverse prior year reserve development in certain social inflation exposed businesses. Overall catastrophe losses were $21 million (1.1 points on the combined ratio), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to catastrophe losses of $25 million (1.4 points), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $82 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $67 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of $15 million (22%), reflecting higher year-over-year underwriting profitability in the crop insurance operations. Catastrophe losses for this group were $10 million (1.3 points on the combined ratio), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to catastrophe losses of $5 million (0.6 points), including $2 million in net reinstatement premiums in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $82 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $114 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of $32 million (28%). Higher year-over-year underwriting profit in the targeted markets businesses was more than offset by lower underwriting profit in the excess liability, workers’ compensation and executive liability businesses. Catastrophe losses, including the impact of lower than previously estimated losses from Hurricane Helene, had a favorable impact of $5 million (0.8 points on the combined ratio) compared
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to catastrophe losses of $8 million (1.1 points), including a $1 million favorable impact from lower than previously estimated net reinstatement premiums in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $54 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $45 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of $9 million (20%). This year-over-year increase reflects higher underwriting profit in the financial institutions business. Catastrophe losses were $17 million (6.2 points on the combined ratio) in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $4 million (2.0 points) in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Other specialty This group reported an underwriting loss of $14 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2023, reflecting losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments. Favorable changes in estimated losses from Hurricane Helene resulted in a favorable impact of $1 million from catastrophe losses in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to catastrophe losses of $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Aggregate Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment include adverse prior year reserve development of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
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Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 63.8% for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 60.8% for the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of 3.0 percentage points. The components of AFG’s property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Ratio | Change in Ratio | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 517 | $ | 479 | 68.5 | % | 70.2 | % | (1.7 | %) | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (3) | (12) | (0.5 | %) | (1.8 | %) | 1.3 | % | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 9 | 3 | 1.3 | % | 0.6 | % | 0.7 | % | ||||||||
| Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 523 | $ | 470 | 69.3 | % | 69.0 | % | 0.3 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 464 | $ | 466 | 61.6 | % | 63.5 | % | (1.9 | %) | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | 36 | (37) | 4.8 | % | (5.0 | %) | 9.8 | % | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | (5) | 9 | (0.8 | %) | 1.1 | % | (1.9 | %) | ||||||||
| Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 495 | $ | 438 | 65.6 | % | 59.6 | % | 6.0 | % | ||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 97 | $ | 89 | 34.8 | % | 36.2 | % | (1.4 | %) | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (8) | (8) | (2.9 | %) | (3.4 | %) | 0.5 | % | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 17 | 4 | 6.2 | % | 2.0 | % | 4.2 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 106 | $ | 85 | 38.1 | % | 34.8 | % | 3.3 | % | ||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 1,125 | $ | 1,085 | 60.8 | % | 62.6 | % | (1.8 | %) | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | 34 | (57) | 1.8 | % | (3.3 | %) | 5.1 | % | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 20 | 24 | 1.1 | % | 1.4 | % | (0.3 | %) | ||||||||
| Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,179 | $ | 1,052 | 63.7 | % | 60.7 | % | 3.0 | % | ||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 1,125 | $ | 1,085 | 60.8 | % | 62.6 | % | (1.8 | %) | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | 36 | (56) | 1.9 | % | (3.2 | %) | 5.1 | % | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 20 | 24 | 1.1 | % | 1.4 | % | (0.3 | %) | ||||||||
| Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,181 | $ | 1,053 | 63.8 | % | 60.8 | % | 3.0 | % |
Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 60.8% for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 62.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of 1.8 percentage points.
Property and transportation The 1.7 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses, reflects improved profitability in the crop, ocean marine and property and inland marine businesses, partially offset by higher claim severity in the commercial auto business.
Specialty casualty The 1.9 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses, reflects growth in certain programs in the social services business that have a lower loss and LAE ratio than some of the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment and improved results in the workers’
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compensation businesses, partially offset by higher claim severity in the excess and surplus business and the impact of pressure on rates in the executive liability business.
Specialty financial The 1.4 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses, reflects growth in the financial institutions business, which has a lower loss and LAE ratio than some of the other businesses in the Specialty financial sub-segment.
Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net adverse reserve development related to prior accident years of $34 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $57 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, a change of $91 million (160%).
Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 reflects lower than anticipated losses in the crop business and lower than expected claim severity in the aviation business, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the commercial auto business. Net favorable reserve development of $12 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 reflects lower than anticipated losses in the crop business and lower than expected claim frequency in the ocean marine and property and inland marine businesses.
Specialty casualty Net adverse reserve development of $36 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 reflects higher than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the umbrella and excess liability businesses and higher than expected claim severity in the social services and general liability businesses, partially offset by lower than expected claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses. Net favorable reserve development of $37 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the excess and surplus business and higher than expected claim frequency and severity in the excess liability and general liability businesses.
Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the financial institutions business and lower than expected claim severity in the fidelity business. Net favorable reserve development of $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the fidelity business and lower than expected claim frequency in the financial institutions and trade credit businesses.
Other specialty In addition to the development discussed above, total Specialty prior year reserve development includes net adverse reserve development of $9 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and less than $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program. The net adverse reserve development in 2024 is primarily related to social inflation exposed business assumed from the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes net adverse reserve development of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
Catastrophe losses
AFG generally seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophes (whether resulting from climate change or otherwise) through individual risk selection, including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures, and the purchase of reinsurance. Based on data available at December 31, 2024 (including the expected placement of a catastrophe bond structure or additional other reinsurance protection in the second quarter of 2025), AFG’s exposure to a catastrophic earthquake or windstorm that industry models indicate should statistically occur once in every 100, 250 or 500 years as a percentage of AFG’s Shareholders’ Equity is shown below:
| Approximate impact of modeled loss on AFG’s Shareholders’ Equity | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry Model | Excluding the expected placement of a catastrophe bond | Including the expected placement of a catastrophe bond | |||
| 100-year event | 3% | 2% | |||
| 250-year event | 6% | 2% | |||
| 500-year event | 8% | 3% |
Catastrophe losses of $20 million (before $1 million in net reinstatement premiums) in the fourth quarter of 2024 resulted primarily from Hurricane Milton. Catastrophe losses of $24 million (before $1 million in net reinstatement premiums) in the fourth quarter of 2023 resulted primarily from storms in multiple regions of the United States.
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Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $467 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $468 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of $1 million. AFG’s underwriting expense ratio, calculated as commissions and other underwriting expenses divided by net premiums earned, was 25.3% for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 27.0% for the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of 1.7 percentage points. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Change in % of NEP | ||||||||||||||
| U/W Exp | % of NEP | U/W Exp | % of NEP | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 151 | 19.9 | % | $ | 145 | 21.3 | % | (1.4 | %) | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 177 | 23.4 | % | 185 | 25.0 | % | (1.6 | %) | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 119 | 42.6 | % | 114 | 46.5 | % | (3.9 | %) | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 20 | 35.2 | % | 24 | 36.1 | % | (0.9 | %) | ||||||||
| $ | 467 | 25.3 | % | $ | 468 | 27.0 | % | (1.7 | %) |
Property and transportation Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 1.4 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. The decrease reflects the impact on the ratio of higher earned premiums, including in the crop business which has a lower commissions and other underwriting expense ratio than some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment, and lower average commission rates in the transportation businesses due to a change in the mix of business.
Specialty casualty Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 1.6 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 reflecting a change in the mix of business towards products with lower commission rates.
Specialty financial Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 3.9 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 reflecting the impact on the ratio of higher earned premiums in the financial institutions business and a change in the mix of business towards products with lower commission rates.
Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $195 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $161 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of $34 million (21%). The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | % | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Change | Change | |||||||||||
| Net investment income: | ||||||||||||||
| Net investment income, excluding alternative investments | $ | 162 | $ | 156 | $ | 6 | 4 | % | ||||||
| Alternative investments | 33 | 5 | 28 | 560 | % | |||||||||
| Total net investment income | $ | 195 | $ | 161 | $ | 34 | 21 | % | ||||||
| Average invested assets (at amortized cost) | $ | 15,718 | $ | 15,227 | $ | 491 | 3 | % | ||||||
| Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets) | 4.96 | % | 4.23 | % | 0.73 | % | ||||||||
| Tax equivalent yield (*) | 5.03 | % | 4.31 | % | 0.72 | % |
(*)Adjusts the yield on equity securities and tax-exempt bonds to the fully taxable equivalent yield.
The increase in the property and casualty insurance segment’s net investment income for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 reflects the impact of higher balances of invested assets, higher returns on fixed maturity investments and higher returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs). The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 4.96% for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 4.23% for the
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fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of 0.73 percentage points. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 4.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 0.8% in the comparable prior year period.
Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was a net expense of $19 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $15 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of $4 million (27%). The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations (in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Other income | $ | 2 | $ | 3 | ||
| Other expenses: | ||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | 6 | 4 | ||||
| Interest expense on funds withheld | 12 | 12 | ||||
| Other | 3 | 2 | ||||
| Total other expenses | 21 | 18 | ||||
| Other income and expenses, net | $ | (19) | $ | (15) |
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $48 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $53 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of $5 million (9%).
The following table details AFG’s loss before income taxes from operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | ||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 7 | $ | 7 | — | % | ||||
| Other income — P&C fees | 28 | 42 | (33 | %) | ||||||
| Other income | 6 | 5 | 20 | % | ||||||
| Total revenues | 41 | 54 | (24 | %) | ||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance — loss adjustment and underwriting expenses | 13 | 28 | (54 | %) | ||||||
| Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees | 15 | 14 | 7 | % | ||||||
| Other expenses | 42 | 46 | (9 | %) | ||||||
| Costs and expenses, excluding interest charges on borrowed money | 70 | 88 | (20 | %) | ||||||
| Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses and interest charges on borrowed money | (29) | (34) | (15 | %) | ||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | 19 | 19 | — | % | ||||||
| Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | $ | (48) | $ | (53) | (9 | %) |
Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $7 million in both the fourth quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2023.
Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, a workers’ compensation insurance subsidiary, collects fees from a small group of unaffiliated insurers for providing underwriting, policy administration and claims services. In addition, certain of AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In the fourth quarter of 2024, AFG collected $28 million in fees for these services compared to $23 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Management views this fee income, net of the $15 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $14 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. In addition, AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses earned $19 million in fees during the fourth quarter of 2023 as compensation for providing services related to the
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administration of crop insurance business generated by CRS for its former owner prior to AFG’s acquisition of CRS. The expenses related to providing such services are embedded in underwriting expenses. Consistent with internal management reporting, these fees and the related expenses are netted and recorded as a reduction of loss adjustment and other underwriting expenses in AFG’s segmented results.
Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $4 million in both the fourth quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2023, in management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG’s consolidated managed investment entities). The management fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidate MIEs column under “Results of Operations — Segmented Statement of Earnings.” Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $2 million and $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2023, respectively.
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $42 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $46 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of $4 million (9%). This decrease is due primarily to lower aircraft related expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded interest expense of $19 million in both the fourth quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2023.
Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities were net losses of $10 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to net gains of $31 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, a change of $41 million (132%). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Realized gains (losses) before impairment allowances: | ||||||
| Disposals | $ | — | $ | (2) | ||
| Change in the fair value of equity securities | 3 | 33 | ||||
| Change in the fair value of derivatives | (3) | 2 | ||||
| — | 33 | |||||
| Change in allowance for impairments on securities | (10) | (2) | ||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | $ | (10) | $ | 31 |
The $3 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the fourth quarter of 2024 includes gains of $4 million on investments in technology companies. The $33 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the fourth quarter of 2023 includes gains of $15 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $6 million on investments in retail companies, $5 million on investments in healthcare companies and $5 million on investments in media companies.
The $10 million change in allowance for impairments on securities in the fourth quarter of 2024 relates primarily to an allowance taken on fixed maturities from a single issuer in the retail sector.
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Consolidated Income Taxes
AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes was $65 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $72 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of $7 million (10%). The following is a reconciliation of income taxes at the statutory rate to the provision for income taxes as shown in the segmented statement of earnings (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Amount | % of EBT | Amount | % of EBT | ||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes (“EBT”) | $ | 320 | $ | 335 | |||||||||
| Income taxes at statutory rate | $ | 67 | 21 | % | $ | 70 | 21 | % | |||||
| Effect of: | |||||||||||||
| Tax exempt interest | (2) | (1 | %) | (1) | — | % | |||||||
| Employee stock ownership plan dividend paid deduction | (2) | (1 | %) | (2) | (1 | %) | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation | (1) | — | % | — | — | % | |||||||
| Change in valuation allowance | (1) | — | % | — | — | % | |||||||
| Dividend received deduction | — | — | % | (1) | — | % | |||||||
| Nondeductible expenses | 1 | — | % | 3 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Foreign operations | 1 | — | % | — | — | % | |||||||
| Other | 2 | 1 | % | 3 | — | % | |||||||
| Provision for income taxes | $ | 65 | 20 | % | $ | 72 | 21 | % |
See Note L — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024, 2023 AND 2022
Segmented Statement of Earnings
AFG reports its operations as two segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”) and (ii) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
AFG’s net earnings, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 7,036 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 7,036 | $ | — | $ | 7,036 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 784 | (33) | 29 | 780 | — | 780 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 380 | — | 380 | — | 380 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 4 | — | 4 | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 8 | (13) | 129 | 124 | — | 124 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,828 | 338 | 158 | 8,324 | — | 8,324 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 4,455 | — | 5 | 4,460 | — | 4,460 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,961 | — | 46 | 2,007 | — | 2,007 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 76 | 76 | — | 76 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 338 | — | 338 | — | 338 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 84 | — | 221 | 305 | 14 | 319 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 6,500 | 338 | 348 | 7,186 | 14 | 7,200 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 1,328 | — | (190) | 1,138 | (14) | 1,124 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 279 | — | (43) | 236 | 1 | 237 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 1,049 | — | (147) | 902 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized loss on subsidiary | (4) | — | — | (4) | 4 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Special A&E charge, net of tax | — | — | (11) | (11) | 11 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 1,045 | $ | — | $ | (158) | $ | 887 | $ | — | $ | 887 |
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| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 6,531 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,531 | $ | — | $ | 6,531 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 729 | (27) | 40 | 742 | — | 742 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities | — | — | — | — | (36) | (36) | ||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiary | — | — | — | — | (4) | (4) | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 421 | — | 421 | — | 421 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 27 | — | 27 | — | 27 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 16 | (16) | 146 | 146 | — | 146 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,276 | 405 | 186 | 7,867 | (40) | 7,827 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 4,017 | — | 16 | 4,033 | — | 4,033 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,883 | — | 52 | 1,935 | — | 1,935 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 76 | 76 | — | 76 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 405 | — | 405 | — | 405 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 72 | — | 219 | 291 | 14 | 305 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 5,972 | 405 | 363 | 6,740 | 14 | 6,754 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 1,304 | — | (177) | 1,127 | (54) | 1,073 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 265 | — | (33) | 232 | (11) | 221 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 1,039 | — | (144) | 895 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | (28) | (28) | 28 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized loss on subsidiary | (4) | — | — | (4) | 4 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Special A&E charge, net of tax | — | — | (12) | (12) | 12 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain on retirement of debt, net of tax | — | — | 1 | 1 | (1) | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 1,035 | $ | — | $ | (183) | $ | 852 | $ | — | $ | 852 |
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| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 6,085 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,085 | $ | — | $ | 6,085 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 683 | 10 | 24 | 717 | — | 717 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | (116) | (116) | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 268 | — | 268 | — | 268 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (31) | — | (31) | — | (31) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 12 | (17) | 122 | 117 | — | 117 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 6,780 | 230 | 146 | 7,156 | (116) | 7,040 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 3,629 | — | — | 3,629 | — | 3,629 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,680 | — | 38 | 1,718 | — | 1,718 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 85 | 85 | — | 85 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 230 | — | 230 | — | 230 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 52 | — | 194 | 246 | 9 | 255 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 5,361 | 230 | 317 | 5,908 | 9 | 5,917 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 1,419 | — | (171) | 1,248 | (125) | 1,123 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 295 | — | (40) | 255 | (30) | 225 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 1,124 | — | (131) | 993 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | (92) | (92) | 92 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss on retirement of debt, net of tax | — | — | (7) | (7) | 7 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Other, net of tax | — | — | 4 | 4 | (4) | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 1,124 | $ | — | $ | (226) | $ | 898 | $ | — | $ | 898 |
(*)See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax and noncontrolling interest impacts of these reconciling items.
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $1.33 billion in GAAP pretax earnings in 2024 compared to $1.30 billion in 2023, an increase of $28 million (2%). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were $1.33 billion in 2024 compared to $1.30 billion in 2023, an increase of $24 million (2%). The increase in GAAP and core pretax earnings in 2024 compared to 2023 reflects higher investment income outside of alternative investments, partially offset by lower investment income from AFG’s alternative investment portfolio (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs) and lower underwriting profit.
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $1.30 billion in GAAP pretax earnings in 2023 compared to $1.42 billion in 2022, a decrease of $119 million (8%). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were $1.30 billion in 2023 compared to $1.42 billion in 2022, a decrease of $115 million (8%). The decrease in GAAP and core pretax earnings reflects lower underwriting profit and lower investment income from alternative investments, partially offset by higher investment income outside of alternative investments in 2023 compared to 2022.
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The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty insurance operations for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 - 2023 | 2023 - 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Gross written premiums | $ | 10,533 | $ | 9,656 | $ | 9,057 | 9 | % | 7 | % | |||||||
| Reinsurance premiums ceded | (3,394) | (2,964) | (2,851) | 15 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||
| Net written premiums | 7,139 | 6,692 | 6,206 | 7 | % | 8 | % | ||||||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | (103) | (161) | (121) | (36 | %) | 33 | % | ||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | 7,036 | 6,531 | 6,085 | 8 | % | 7 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses | 4,455 | 4,017 | 3,629 | 11 | % | 11 | % | ||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,961 | 1,883 | 1,680 | 4 | % | 12 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting gain | 620 | 631 | 776 | (2 | %) | (19 | %) | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 784 | 729 | 683 | 8 | % | 7 | % | ||||||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | (76) | (56) | (40) | 36 | % | 40 | % | ||||||||||
| Core earnings before income taxes | 1,328 | 1,304 | 1,419 | 2 | % | (8 | %) | ||||||||||
| Realized loss on subsidiary | — | (4) | — | (100 | %) | — | % | ||||||||||
| GAAP earnings before income taxes | $ | 1,328 | $ | 1,300 | $ | 1,419 | 2 | % | (8 | %) | |||||||
| Year ended December 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| Combined Ratios: | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 - 2023 | 2023 - 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Specialty lines | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 63.3 | % | 61.5 | % | 59.6 | % | 1.8 | % | 1.9 | % | |||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 27.9 | % | 28.8 | % | 27.6 | % | (0.9 | %) | 1.2 | % | |||||||
| Combined ratio | 91.2 | % | 90.3 | % | 87.2 | % | 0.9 | % | 3.1 | % | |||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 63.3 | % | 61.6 | % | 59.7 | % | 1.7 | % | 1.9 | % | |||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 27.9 | % | 28.8 | % | 27.6 | % | (0.9 | %) | 1.2 | % | |||||||
| Combined ratio | 91.2 | % | 90.4 | % | 87.3 | % | 0.8 | % | 3.1 | % |
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty property and casualty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $10.53 billion in 2024 compared to $9.66 billion in 2023, an increase of $877 million (9%). GWP increased $599 million (7%) in 2023 compared to 2022. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 - 2023 | 2023 - 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| GWP | % | GWP | % | GWP | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 4,735 | 45 | % | $ | 4,146 | 43 | % | $ | 4,060 | 45 | % | 14 | % | 2 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 4,543 | 43 | % | 4,368 | 45 | % | 4,115 | 45 | % | 4 | % | 6 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 1,255 | 12 | % | 1,142 | 12 | % | 882 | 10 | % | 10 | % | 29 | % | |||||||||||||
| $ | 10,533 | 100 | % | $ | 9,656 | 100 | % | $ | 9,057 | 100 | % | 9 | % | 7 | % |
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Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 32% of gross written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 31% for both years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, an increase of 1 percentage point for 2024 compared to 2023 and 2022. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | Change in % of GWP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 - 2023 | 2023 - 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded | % of GWP | Ceded | % of GWP | Ceded | % of GWP | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | (1,924) | 41 | % | $ | (1,595) | 38 | % | $ | (1,545) | 38 | % | 3 | % | — | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | (1,500) | 33 | % | (1,424) | 33 | % | (1,387) | 34 | % | — | % | (1 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | (210) | 17 | % | (207) | 18 | % | (171) | 19 | % | (1 | %) | (1 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 240 | 262 | 252 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | (3,394) | 32 | % | $ | (2,964) | 31 | % | $ | (2,851) | 31 | % | 1 | % | — | % |
Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $7.14 billion in 2024 compared to $6.69 billion in 2023, an increase of $447 million (7%). NWP increased $486 million (8%) in 2023 compared to 2022. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 - 2023 | 2023 - 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NWP | % | NWP | % | NWP | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 2,811 | 39 | % | $ | 2,551 | 38 | % | $ | 2,515 | 41 | % | 10 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 3,043 | 43 | % | 2,944 | 44 | % | 2,728 | 44 | % | 3 | % | 8 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 1,045 | 15 | % | 935 | 14 | % | 711 | 11 | % | 12 | % | 32 | % | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 240 | 3 | % | 262 | 4 | % | 252 | 4 | % | (8 | %) | 4 | % | |||||||||||||
| $ | 7,139 | 100 | % | $ | 6,692 | 100 | % | $ | 6,206 | 100 | % | 7 | % | 8 | % |
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $7.04 billion in 2024 compared to $6.53 billion in 2023, an increase of $505 million (8%). NEP increased $446 million (7%) in 2023 compared to 2022. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 - 2023 | 2023 - 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NEP | % | NEP | % | NEP | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 2,793 | 40 | % | $ | 2,519 | 39 | % | $ | 2,487 | 41 | % | 11 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 2,967 | 42 | % | 2,886 | 44 | % | 2,659 | 44 | % | 3 | % | 9 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 1,032 | 15 | % | 867 | 13 | % | 698 | 11 | % | 19 | % | 24 | % | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 244 | 3 | % | 259 | 4 | % | 241 | 4 | % | (6 | %) | 7 | % | |||||||||||||
| $ | 7,036 | 100 | % | $ | 6,531 | 100 | % | $ | 6,085 | 100 | % | 8 | % | 7 | % |
The $877 million (9%) increase in gross written premiums in 2024 compared to 2023 reflects growth in each of the Specialty property and casualty sub-segments as a result of additional crop premiums from the CRS acquisition in the Property and transportation sub-segment and new business opportunities, increased exposures and a good renewal rate environment. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 7% in 2024. Excluding the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal pricing increased approximately 8%.
The $599 million (7%) increase in gross written premiums in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects growth in each of the Specialty property and casualty sub-segments as a result of a combination of new business opportunities, increased exposures and a good renewal rate environment. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 5% in 2023. Excluding the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal pricing increased approximately 6%.
Property and transportation Gross written premiums increased $589 million (14%) in 2024 compared to 2023. Year-over-year premium growth resulted from additional crop premium associated with the CRS acquisition as well as new business opportunities, a favorable rate environment and increased exposures in the commercial auto businesses. This year-over-year premium growth was tempered by the impact of lower year-over-year commodity pricing on winter wheat premiums, coupled with elevated pricing competition and the non-renewal of certain under-performing accounts in the
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transportation businesses. Excluding crop premium, gross and net written premiums in this group grew by 5% and 4%, respectively. Average renewal rates increased approximately 8% for this group in 2024. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 3 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023 reflecting the impact of higher cessions in the crop business and growth in certain programs in the transportation businesses that cede a larger percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment.
Gross written premiums increased $86 million (2%) in 2023 compared to 2022 reflecting the impact of increased rates, retentions and exposures in the transportation and ocean marine businesses and slightly higher crop premium related to the CRS acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2023. These items were partially offset by the impact of 2023 spring commodity futures pricing and related volatility on premiums in the crop business. Average renewal rates increased approximately 6% for this group in 2023. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums were comparable in 2023 and 2022 reflecting growth in alternative risk transfer products in the transportation businesses, offset by the impact of lower cessions in the crop business. Both of these businesses cede a larger percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment.
Specialty casualty Gross written premiums increased $175 million (4%) in 2024 compared to 2023. The higher-year-over-year premiums resulted primarily from growth in the excess and surplus, excess liability and certain targeted markets businesses as a result of rate increases, new business opportunities and strong policy retention. The mergers and acquisitions liability business also benefited from an increase in mergers and acquisition activity. This growth was tempered by lower year-over-year workers’ compensation premiums. Average renewal rates increased approximately 6% for this group in 2024. Excluding overall rate decreases in the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 9% in 2024. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums were comparable in 2024 and 2023 reflecting lower cessions in certain more heavily reinsured products in the social services business, offset by the impact of higher premiums in the excess and surplus and mergers and acquisitions liability businesses, which cede a larger percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment and higher cessions in the public sector business.
Gross written premiums increased $253 million (6%) in 2023 compared to 2022 due primarily to increased exposures from payroll growth and new business in the workers’ compensation businesses, new business opportunities, strong policy retention and rate increases in several of the targeted markets businesses and increased exposures and higher renewal rates in the excess and surplus and excess liability businesses. This growth was partially offset by lower premiums in the mergers and acquisitions liability and executive liability businesses. Average renewal rates increased approximately 4% for this group in 2023. Excluding overall rate decreases in the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 6% in 2023. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 1 percentage point in 2023 compared to 2022 reflecting higher premiums in the workers’ compensation businesses (which cede a lower percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment) and lower cessions in the environmental and mergers and acquisitions liability businesses and at ABA Insurance Services.
Specialty financial Gross written premiums increased $113 million (10%) in 2024 compared to 2023. Year-over-year growth in the financial institutions business was partially offset by a decision to pause writing of new intellectual property-related coverage. Average renewal rates increased approximately 6% for this group in 2024. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 1 percentage point in 2024 compared to 2023 reflecting lower gross written premiums in the innovative markets business, which cedes a larger percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Specialty financial sub-segment, partially offset by the impact of higher reinstatement premiums paid to reinsurers in the fidelity and surety businesses.
Gross written premiums increased $260 million (29%) in 2023 compared to 2022 due primarily to growth in the financial institutions business. Average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 5% in 2023. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 1 percentage point in 2023 compared to 2022 reflecting the impact of reinstatement premiums paid to reinsurers in 2022 related to Hurricane Ian.
Other specialty The amounts shown as reinsurance premiums ceded represent business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Reinsurance premiums assumed decreased $22 million (8%) in 2024 compared to 2023 and increased $10 million (4%) in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting changes in premiums retained, primarily from businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
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Combined Ratio
The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of the combined ratio for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment for 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| Year ended December 31, | Change | Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 - 2023 | 2023 - 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 69.9 | % | 69.2 | % | 69.8 | % | 0.7 | % | (0.6 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 22.5 | % | 23.6 | % | 21.9 | % | (1.1 | %) | 1.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 92.4 | % | 92.8 | % | 91.7 | % | (0.4 | %) | 1.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 211 | $ | 184 | $ | 208 | ||||||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 62.4 | % | 60.3 | % | 54.7 | % | 2.1 | % | 5.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 26.1 | % | 26.7 | % | 26.5 | % | (0.6 | %) | 0.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 88.5 | % | 87.0 | % | 81.2 | % | 1.5 | % | 5.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 340 | $ | 375 | $ | 500 | ||||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 41.6 | % | 37.8 | % | 34.1 | % | 3.8 | % | 3.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 45.5 | % | 49.5 | % | 49.6 | % | (4.0 | %) | (0.1 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 87.1 | % | 87.3 | % | 83.7 | % | (0.2 | %) | 3.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 134 | $ | 110 | $ | 114 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 63.3 | % | 61.5 | % | 59.6 | % | 1.8 | % | 1.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 27.9 | % | 28.8 | % | 27.6 | % | (0.9 | %) | 1.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 91.2 | % | 90.3 | % | 87.2 | % | 0.9 | % | 3.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 626 | $ | 633 | $ | 780 | ||||||||||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 63.3 | % | 61.6 | % | 59.7 | % | 1.7 | % | 1.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 27.9 | % | 28.8 | % | 27.6 | % | (0.9 | %) | 1.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 91.2 | % | 90.4 | % | 87.3 | % | 0.8 | % | 3.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 620 | $ | 631 | $ | 776 |
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $626 million in 2024 compared to $633 million in 2023, a decrease of $7 million (1%). Higher underwriting profit in the Property and transportation and Specialty financial sub-segments was more than offset by lower underwriting profit in the Specialty casualty sub-segment and higher losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program. Overall catastrophe losses were $182 million (2.6 points on the combined ratio), including $2 million in net reinstatement premiums, for 2024 compared to catastrophe losses of $165 million (2.5 points), including $3 million in net reinstatement premiums, for 2023.
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $633 million in 2023 compared to $780 million in 2022, a decrease of $147 million (19%). This decrease reflects lower underwriting profit in each of the Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Overall catastrophe losses were $165 million (2.5 points on the combined ratio), including $3 million in net reinstatement premiums, for 2023 compared to catastrophe losses of $93 million (1.5 points), including $5 million in net reinstatement premiums, for 2022.
Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $211 million in 2024 compared to $184 million in 2023, an increase of $27 million (15%). Higher year-over-year underwriting profit in the property and inland marine and crop insurance operations was partially offset by lower underwriting profitability in the transportation businesses. Catastrophe losses were $65 million (2.3 points on the combined ratio), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2024 compared to catastrophe losses of $53 million (2.0 points), including $2 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2023.
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Underwriting profit for this group was $184 million in 2023 compared to $208 million in 2022, a decrease of $24 million (12%). Below average underwriting profitability in the crop insurance operations was partially offset by higher year-over-year underwriting profit in the property and inland marine business. Catastrophe losses were $53 million (2.0 points on the combined ratio), including $2 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2023 compared to catastrophe losses of $45 million (1.9 points), including $3 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2022.
Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $340 million in 2024 compared to $375 million in 2023, a decrease of $35 million (9%). Higher year-over-year underwriting profit in the targeted markets businesses was more than offset by lower levels of favorable prior year reserve development in the executive liability business and social inflation driven adverse development in the umbrella and excess business. Catastrophe losses were $32 million (1.1 points on the combined ratio), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2024 compared to catastrophe losses of $36 million (1.2 points), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2023.
Underwriting profit for this group was $375 million in 2023 compared to $500 million in 2022, a decrease of $125 million (25%). The lower year-over-year underwriting profit was due primarily to lower favorable prior year reserve development in the workers’ compensation businesses and adverse reserve development in the public sector and excess and surplus businesses, partially offset by higher favorable prior year reserve development in the executive liability business. Catastrophe losses were $36 million (1.2 points on the combined ratio), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2023 compared to catastrophe losses of $11 million (0.5 points) in 2022.
Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $134 million in 2024 compared to $110 million in 2023, an increase of $24 million (22%). This year-over-year increase reflects higher underwriting profit in the financial institutions business, partially offset by lower profitability resulting from the pause in writing of intellectual property-related coverage. Catastrophe losses were $81 million (7.8 points on the combined ratio) in 2024 compared to catastrophe losses of $49 million (5.7 points) in 2023.
Underwriting profit for this group was $110 million in 2023 compared to $114 million in 2022, a decrease of $4 million (4%). This decrease reflects higher year-over-year catastrophe losses in the financial institutions business and lower underwriting profit in the surety business. Catastrophe losses were $49 million (5.7 points on the combined ratio) in 2023 compared to catastrophe losses of $36 million (4.9 points), including $3 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2022.
Other specialty This group reported an underwriting loss of $59 million in 2024 compared to $36 million in 2023, an increase of $23 million (64%), reflecting higher losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments. Catastrophe losses were $4 million in 2024 compared to $27 million in 2023.
This group reported an underwriting loss of $36 million in 2023 compared to $42 million in 2022, a decrease of $6 million (14%), reflecting lower losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments. The underwriting loss in 2022 relates primarily to losses from social inflation exposed operations in the Specialty casualty sub-segment. Catastrophe losses were $27 million in 2023 compared to $1 million in 2022.
Aggregate Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment include adverse prior year reserve development of $6 million in 2024, $2 million in 2023 and $4 million in 2022, related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
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Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 63.3%, 61.6% and 59.7% in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The components of AFG’s property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Ratio | Change in Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 - 2023 | 2023 - 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 1,982 | $ | 1,774 | $ | 1,785 | 71.0 | % | 70.5 | % | 71.6 | % | 0.5 | % | (1.1 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (94) | (84) | (92) | (3.4 | %) | (3.3 | %) | (3.7 | %) | (0.1 | %) | 0.4 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 64 | 51 | 42 | 2.3 | % | 2.0 | % | 1.9 | % | 0.3 | % | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,952 | $ | 1,741 | $ | 1,735 | 69.9 | % | 69.2 | % | 69.8 | % | 0.7 | % | (0.6 | %) | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 1,832 | $ | 1,814 | $ | 1,632 | 61.7 | % | 62.9 | % | 61.4 | % | (1.2 | %) | 1.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (10) | (110) | (190) | (0.4 | %) | (3.8 | %) | (7.2 | %) | 3.4 | % | 3.4 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 31 | 35 | 11 | 1.1 | % | 1.2 | % | 0.5 | % | (0.1 | %) | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,853 | $ | 1,739 | $ | 1,453 | 62.4 | % | 60.3 | % | 54.7 | % | 2.1 | % | 5.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 359 | $ | 311 | $ | 252 | 34.9 | % | 35.8 | % | 36.0 | % | (0.9 | %) | (0.2 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (11) | (32) | (47) | (1.1 | %) | (3.7 | %) | (6.8 | %) | 2.6 | % | 3.1 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 81 | 49 | 33 | 7.8 | % | 5.7 | % | 4.9 | % | 2.1 | % | 0.8 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 429 | $ | 328 | $ | 238 | 41.6 | % | 37.8 | % | 34.1 | % | 3.8 | % | 3.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 4,339 | $ | 4,079 | $ | 3,826 | 61.7 | % | 62.4 | % | 62.8 | % | (0.7 | %) | (0.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (70) | (226) | (289) | (1.0 | %) | (3.4 | %) | (4.7 | %) | 2.4 | % | 1.3 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 180 | 162 | 88 | 2.6 | % | 2.5 | % | 1.5 | % | 0.1 | % | 1.0 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 4,449 | $ | 4,015 | $ | 3,625 | 63.3 | % | 61.5 | % | 59.6 | % | 1.8 | % | 1.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 4,339 | $ | 4,079 | $ | 3,826 | 61.7 | % | 62.4 | % | 62.8 | % | (0.7 | %) | (0.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (64) | (224) | (285) | (0.9 | %) | (3.4 | %) | (4.7 | %) | 2.5 | % | 1.3 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 180 | 162 | 88 | 2.5 | % | 2.6 | % | 1.6 | % | (0.1 | %) | 1.0 | % | |||||||||||||
| Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 4,455 | $ | 4,017 | $ | 3,629 | 63.3 | % | 61.6 | % | 59.7 | % | 1.7 | % | 1.9 | % |
Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 61.7% in 2024, 62.4% in 2023 and 62.8% in 2022.
Property and transportation The 0.5 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses in 2024 compared to 2023 reflects growth in the crop business, which has a higher loss and LAE ratio than some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment and higher reported claim severity in the commercial auto business, partially offset by the impact of improved profitability in the property and inland marine business.
The 1.1 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses in 2023 compared to 2022 is due primarily to the impact of elevated large loss activity in the property and inland marine business in 2022 and improved results in certain transportation businesses, partially offset by lower profit in the crop business.
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Specialty casualty The 1.2 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses in 2024 compared to 2023 reflects improved results in the workers’ compensation and targeted markets businesses, partially offset by higher claim severity in the excess and surplus business.
The 1.5 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects anticipated medical cost inflation and the impact of pressure on rates in the workers’ compensation businesses and higher claim severity in certain liability coverages.
Specialty financial The 0.9 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses in 2024 compared to 2023 reflects growth in the financial institutions business, which has a lower loss and LAE ratio than some of the other businesses in the Specialty financial sub-segment, partially offset by higher reported losses and lower premiums in the fidelity and surety businesses.
The 0.2 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects lower claim frequency and growth in the financial institutions business, which has a lower loss and LAE ratio than some of the other businesses in the Specialty financial sub-segment, partially offset by higher claim severity in the innovative markets business.
Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $70 million in 2024 compared to $226 million in 2023 and $289 million in 2022, a decrease of $156 million (69%) and $63 million (22%), respectively.
Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $94 million in 2024 reflects lower than anticipated losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim severity in the property and inland marine and aviation businesses and lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the ocean marine business.
Net favorable reserve development of $84 million in 2023 reflects lower than anticipated losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim frequency and severity across the transportation businesses and lower than anticipated claim frequency in the property and inland marine and ocean marine businesses and in the Singapore operations.
Net favorable reserve development of $92 million in 2022 reflects lower than anticipated losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim frequency in the trucking and ocean marine businesses and in the Singapore operations, lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the aviation business and lower than anticipated claim severity in the property and inland marine business.
Specialty casualty Net favorable reserve development of $10 million in 2024 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the executive liability business, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the umbrella and excess liability and social services businesses and higher than expected claim severity in the public sector and general liability businesses.
Net favorable reserve development of $110 million in 2023 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses, lower than expected claim frequency in the executive liability and environmental businesses and favorable reserve development related to COVID-19 losses across several businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the public sector business and higher than expected claim frequency and severity in the excess liability and general liability businesses.
Net favorable reserve development of $190 million in 2022 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses and lower than expected claim frequency in the executive liability and excess and surplus businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the general liability, umbrella and excess liability, and certain targeted markets businesses.
Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $11 million in 2024 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the financial institutions and fidelity businesses and lower than expected claim frequency in the trade credit business, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the innovative markets and surety businesses.
Net favorable reserve development of $32 million in 2023 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the trade credit, financial institutions and surety businesses and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the fidelity business.
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Net favorable reserve development of $47 million in 2022 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety, trade credit and financial institutions businesses.
Other specialty In addition to the development discussed above, total Specialty prior year reserve development includes net adverse reserve development of $45 million, less than $1 million and $40 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, primarily associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program. The net adverse reserve development reflects $50 million, $4 million and $44 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, of net adverse development associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program, primarily related to social inflation exposed business assumed from the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes net adverse reserve development of $6 million in 2024, $2 million in 2023 and $4 million in 2022 related to business outside the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
Catastrophe losses
AFG generally seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophes (whether resulting from climate change or otherwise) through individual risk selection, including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures, and the purchase of reinsurance. AFG recorded net catastrophe losses of $180 million in 2024 (before $2 million in net reinstatement premiums) primarily from winter and convective storms in multiple regions of the United States in the first and second quarters, Hurricane Helene in the third quarter and Hurricane Milton in the fourth quarter.
Catastrophe losses of $162 million in 2023 (before $3 million in net reinstatement premiums) resulted primarily from February and March storms across much of the United States in the first quarter and storms in multiple regions of the United States in the second, third and fourth quarters.
Catastrophe losses of $88 million in 2022 (before $5 million in net reinstatement premiums) resulted primarily from winter storms in multiple regions of the United States in the first quarter, storms in multiple regions of the United States in the second quarter, Hurricane Ian in the third quarter and Winter Storm Elliott in the fourth quarter.
Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $1.96 billion in 2024 compared to $1.88 billion in 2023, an increase of $78 million (4%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio was 27.9% in 2024 compared to 28.8% in 2023, a decrease of 0.9 percentage points.
AFG’s property and casualty U/W Exp were $1.88 billion in 2023 compared to $1.68 billion in 2022, an increase of $203 million (12%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio was 28.8% in 2023 compared to 27.6% in 2022, an increase of 1.2 percentage points.
Detail of AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | Change in % of NEP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 - 2023 | 2023 - 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| U/W Exp | % of NEP | U/W Exp | % of NEP | U/W Exp | % of NEP | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 630 | 22.5 | % | $ | 594 | 23.6 | % | $ | 544 | 21.9 | % | (1.1 | %) | 1.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 774 | 26.1 | % | 772 | 26.7 | % | 706 | 26.5 | % | (0.6 | %) | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 469 | 45.5 | % | 429 | 49.5 | % | 346 | 49.6 | % | (4.0 | %) | (0.1 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 88 | 36.1 | % | 88 | 33.9 | % | 84 | 34.7 | % | 2.2 | % | (0.8 | %) | |||||||||||||
| $ | 1,961 | 27.9 | % | $ | 1,883 | 28.8 | % | $ | 1,680 | 27.6 | % | (0.9 | %) | 1.2 | % |
Property and transportation Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 1.1 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023 reflecting the impact on the ratio of higher earned premiums, including in the crop business which has a lower commissions and other underwriting expense ratio compared to some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment and lower average commission rates in the transportation businesses due to a change in the mix of business.
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Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 1.7 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022 reflecting the impact of lower profit-based ceding commissions related to below average profitability in the crop operations, the impact on the ratio of lower earned premiums in the crop operations (which has a lower commissions and other underwriting expense ratio compared to some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment) and higher expenses related to certain technology initiatives.
Specialty casualty Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 0.6 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023 reflecting a change in the mix of business towards products with lower commission rates, partially offset by lower ceding commissions received in the workers’ compensation businesses.
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 0.2 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022 reflecting higher expenses related to certain technology initiatives, partially offset by the impact on the ratio of growth in earned premiums in the workers’ compensation businesses.
Specialty financial Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 4.0 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023 due primarily to the impact on the ratio of higher earned premiums in the financial institutions business and a change in the mix of business towards products with lower commission rates.
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 0.1 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022 reflecting the impact on the ratio of growth in earned premiums in the financial institutions and innovative markets businesses, partially offset by higher expenses related to certain technology initiatives and the impact of lower profit-based commissions to agents and lower reinstatement premiums recorded in 2022 as a result of losses from Hurricane Ian.
Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $784 million in 2024 compared to $729 million in 2023, an increase of $55 million (8%). Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $729 million in 2023 compared to $683 million in 2022, an increase of $46 million (7%). The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | 2024 - 2023 | 2023 - 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | Change | % Change | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income, excluding alternative investments | $ | 626 | $ | 566 | $ | 418 | $ | 60 | 11 | % | $ | 148 | 35 | % | |||||||||||
| Alternative investments | 158 | 163 | 265 | (5) | (3 | %) | (102) | (38 | %) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total net investment income | $ | 784 | $ | 729 | $ | 683 | $ | 55 | 8 | % | $ | 46 | 7 | % | |||||||||||
| Average invested assets (at amortized cost) | $ | 15,479 | $ | 14,753 | $ | 14,048 | $ | 726 | 5 | % | $ | 705 | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets) | 5.06 | % | 4.94 | % | 4.86 | % | 0.12 | % | 0.08 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Tax equivalent yield (*) | 5.13 | % | 5.01 | % | 4.96 | % | 0.12 | % | 0.05 | % |
(*)Adjusts the yield on equity securities and tax-exempt bonds to the fully taxable equivalent yield.
The increase in the property and casualty insurance segment’s net investment income in 2024 compared to 2023 reflects the impact of higher balances of invested assets and higher returns on fixed maturity investments, partially offset by lower returns on AFG’s alternative investments portfolio (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs). The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 5.06% in 2024 compared to 4.94% in 2023, an increase of 0.12 percentage points. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 6.1% in 2024 compared to 7.0% in 2023.
The increase in net investment income in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects the impact of higher yields on fixed maturity investments and higher balances of invested assets, partially offset by lower returns on AFG’s alternative investments portfolio as compared to the very strong performance of this portfolio in the prior year period. The property and casualty
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insurance segment’s overall yield on investments was 4.94% in 2023 compared to 4.86% in 2022, an increase of 0.08 percentage points. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 7.0% in 2023 compared to 13.2% in 2022.
Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was a net expense of $76 million in 2024, $56 million in 2023 and $40 million in 2022, an increase of $20 million (36%) in 2024 compared to 2023 and an increase of $16 million (40%) in 2023 compared to 2022. The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Other income: | ||||||||||
| Income related to the sale of real estate | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1 | ||||
| Other | 8 | 16 | 11 | |||||||
| Total other income | 8 | 16 | 12 | |||||||
| Other expenses: | ||||||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | 20 | 15 | 11 | |||||||
| Interest expense on funds withheld | 50 | 41 | 29 | |||||||
| Acquisition expenses related to CRS | — | 3 | — | |||||||
| Other (*) | 14 | 13 | 12 | |||||||
| Total other expenses | 84 | 72 | 52 | |||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | $ | (76) | $ | (56) | $ | (40) |
(*)Includes $9 million of expenses in 2024, 2023 and 2022 related to certain technology initiatives.
The decrease in other income in 2024 compared to 2023 is due primarily to death benefits received in 2023 from company-owned life insurance policies. The higher amortization of intangibles in 2024 compared to 2023 and 2023 compared to 2022 reflects the acquisition of CRS in July 2023. The $9 million (22%) increase in interest expense on funds withheld in 2024 compared to 2023 and the $12 million (41%) increase in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects the impact of higher balances and higher interest rates paid on funds withheld.
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $204 million in 2024 compared to $191 million in 2023, an increase of $13 million (7%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $190 million in 2024 compared to $177 million in 2023, an increase of $13 million (7%).
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $191 million in 2023 compared to $180 million in 2022, an increase of $11 million (6%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $177 million in 2023 compared to $171 million in 2022, an increase of $6 million (4%).
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The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core loss before income taxes from operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment in 2024, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 - 2023 | 2023 - 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 29 | $ | 40 | $ | 24 | (28 | %) | 67 | % | |||||||
| Other income — P&C fees | 111 | 125 | 89 | (11 | %) | 40 | % | ||||||||||
| Other income | 18 | 21 | 33 | (14 | %) | (36 | %) | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | 158 | 186 | 146 | (15 | %) | 27 | % | ||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance — loss adjustment and underwriting expenses | 51 | 68 | 38 | (25 | %) | 79 | % | ||||||||||
| Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees | 60 | 57 | 51 | 5 | % | 12 | % | ||||||||||
| Other expenses (*) | 161 | 162 | 143 | (1 | %) | 13 | % | ||||||||||
| Costs and expenses, excluding interest charges on borrowed money | 272 | 287 | 232 | (5 | %) | 24 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses and interest charges on borrowed money | (114) | (101) | (86) | 13 | % | 17 | % | ||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | 76 | 76 | 85 | — | % | (11 | %) | ||||||||||
| Core loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | (190) | (177) | (171) | 7 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core special A&E charge | (14) | (15) | — | (7 | %) | — | % | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core gain (loss) on retirement of debt | — | 1 | (9) | (100 | %) | (111 | %) | ||||||||||
| GAAP loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | $ | (204) | $ | (191) | $ | (180) | 7 | % | 6 | % |
(*)Excludes pretax non-core special A&E charges of $14 million and $15 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively, a pretax non-core gain on retirement of debt of $1 million in 2023 and a pretax non-core loss on retirement of debt of $9 million in 2022.
Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $29 million, $40 million and $24 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The $11 million (28%) decrease in 2024 compared to 2023 reflects the impact of lower average investment balances. The $16 million (67%) increase in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects the impact of a small portfolio of securities held at the holding company that were carried at fair value through net investment income. These securities, all of which were sold in 2022, declined in value by $7 million in 2022. Excluding the change in fair value of these equity securities, net investment income outside of AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment increased $9 million in 2023 compared to 2022 reflecting the impact of higher interest rates on cash and fixed maturity investments, partially offset by lower average investment balances.
Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, a workers’ compensation insurance subsidiary, collects fees from a small group of unaffiliated insurers for providing underwriting, policy administration and claims services. In addition, certain of AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In 2024, AFG collected $100 million in fees for these services compared to $91 million in 2023 and $82 million in 2022. Management views this fee income, net of the $60 million in 2024, $57 million in 2023 and $51 million in 2022, in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. In addition, AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses earned $11 million in 2024 and $34 million in 2023 in fees as compensation for providing services related to the administration of crop insurance business generated by CRS for its former owner prior to AFG’s acquisition of CRS and $7 million in 2022 in fees from AFG’s disposed annuity operations as compensation for certain services provided under a transition services agreement. The expenses related to providing such services are embedded in underwriting expenses. Consistent with internal management reporting, these fees and the related expenses are netted and recorded as a reduction of loss adjustment and other underwriting expenses in AFG’s segmented results.
Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $13 million in 2024, $16 million in 2023 and $17 million in 2022, in management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG’s consolidated managed investment entities). The management fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidated MIEs column under “Results of
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Operations — Segmented Statement of Earnings.” Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $5 million in both 2024 and 2023 and $16 million in 2022. The decrease in 2024 and 2023 compared to 2022 is due primarily to income from the sale of real estate in 2022.
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
Excluding the non-core special A&E charges and the non-core gain on retirement of debt discussed below, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $161 million in 2024 compared to $162 million in 2023, a decrease of $1 million (1%).
Excluding the non-core special A&E charge and the non-core gain (loss) on retirement of debt discussed below, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $162 million in 2023 compared to $143 million in 2022, an increase of $19 million (13%) reflecting the favorable impact of poor stock market performance in 2022 on expenses related to deferred compensation obligations to employees that are tied to stock market performance. To mitigate the impact of fair value changes related to the equity components of these obligations, AFG entered into a total return swap in the second half of 2022.
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded interest expense of $76 million in both 2024 and 2023 and $85 million in 2022. The $9 million (11%) decrease in interest expense in 2024 and 2023 compared to 2022 is due primarily to the retirement of AFG’s $425 million principal amount of 3.50% Senior Notes during the first six months of 2022.
Holding Company and Other — Special A&E Charges
As a result of the in-depth internal reviews of A&E exposures discussed under “Uncertainties — Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves,” AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded pretax non-core special charges of $14 million in 2024, $15 million in 2023 and a minor charge in 2022 (included in AFG’s core operating earnings) to increase liabilities related to the A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations. The 2024 and 2023 charges reflect changes in the scope and costs of investigation and an increase in estimated remediation costs at a limited number of sites. AFG has also increased its reserve for asbestos and toxic substance exposures arising out of these operations. Total charges recorded to increase liabilities for A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations (included in other expenses) were $24 million in 2024, $22 million in 2023, and $17 million in 2022.
Holding Company and Other — Gain (Loss) on Retirement of Debt
During 2023, AFG repurchased $23 million principal amount of its senior notes, which resulted in a $2 million pretax non-core gain and recorded a $1 million pretax non-core loss related to the write-off of debt issue costs associated with its previous revolving credit facility, which was replaced in June 2023. During 2022, AFG retired $472 million principal amount of its senior notes, which resulted in a $9 million pretax non-core loss.
Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities were net gains of less than $1 million in 2024 compared to net losses of $36 million in 2023, a change of $36 million (100%). AFG’s consolidated realized gains (losses) on securities were net losses of $36 million in 2023 compared to $116 million in 2022, a decrease of $80 million (69%). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) before impairment allowances: | ||||||||||
| Disposals | $ | (4) | $ | (33) | $ | (15) | ||||
| Change in the fair value of equity securities | 32 | 10 | (96) | |||||||
| Change in the fair value of derivatives | (1) | (2) | (12) | |||||||
| Other | — | — | 10 | |||||||
| 27 | (25) | (113) | ||||||||
| Change in allowance for impairments on securities | (27) | (11) | (3) | |||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | $ | — | $ | (36) | $ | (116) |
The $33 million net realized loss from disposals in 2023 includes losses of $15 million from the sale of investments in banks and $5 million from the sale of municipal bonds.
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The $32 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in 2024 includes gains of $21 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $8 million on investments in natural gas companies and $5 million on investments in technology companies, partially offset by losses of $6 million on investments in energy companies.
The $10 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in 2023 includes gains of $8 million on investments in retail companies, $7 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $5 million on investments in capital goods companies and $4 million on investments in natural gas companies, partially offset by losses of $8 million on investments in media companies and $6 million on investments in energy companies.
The $96 million net realized loss from the change in the fair value of equity securities in 2022 includes losses of $51 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $21 million on investments in media companies, $14 million on investments in healthcare companies, $7 million on investments in technology companies and $3 million on investments in retail companies, partially offset by gains of $17 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies.
The $27 million change in allowance for impairments on securities in 2024 relates primarily to allowances taken on corporate bonds from a single issuer in the financial sector and fixed maturities from a single issuer in the retail sector.
Realized Loss on Subsidiaries
In the second quarter of 2024, AFG recorded $4 million in net tax expense related to a pending IRS settlement regarding the sale of a subsidiary in a prior year.
In the third quarter of 2023, AFG recorded a realized loss on subsidiary of $4 million, consisting of a $26 million goodwill impairment charge, partially offset by a $22 million reduction in the fair value of a contingent consideration liability, both related to AFG’s investment in Verikai. See Note D — “Fair Value Measurements” and Note H — “Goodwill and Other Intangibles” to the financial statements.
Consolidated Income Taxes
AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes was $237 million in 2024 compared to $221 million in 2023, an increase of $16 million (7%). AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes was $221 million in 2023 compared to $225 million in 2022, a decrease of $4 million (2%). See Note L — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate.
RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See Note C — “Segments of Operations” to the financial statements for accounting guidance adopted in the fourth quarter of 2024, which requires enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and a description of the composition of other segment expenses by business segment. The title and position of the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources is also required to be disclosed.
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS TO BE ADOPTED
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09 (“ASU 2023-09”), Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 is intended to improve income tax disclosures by requiring (i) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation presented in both dollar and percentage terms; (ii) the disaggregation of income taxes paid (net of refunds received), income (loss) before income taxes and income taxes by jurisdiction (federal, state and foreign taxes); and (iii) further disaggregation of income taxes paid by any individual jurisdiction equal to or exceeding five percent of total income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted, and is required to be applied prospectively with the option of retrospective application. As of December 31, 2024, AFG has not adopted ASU 2023-09. Management is evaluating the impact of the standard to AFG’s income tax disclosures. Since ASU 2023-09 only requires additional disclosure, the adoption of this guidance will not have an impact on AFG’s results of operations or financial condition.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03 (“ASU 2024-03”), Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. ASU 2024-03 requires additional information and disaggregation of specified expense categories in the notes to financial statements. ASU 2024-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted and applied either prospectively or
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retrospectively. As of December 31, 2024, AFG has not adopted ASU 2024-03. Management is evaluating the impact of the standard to AFG’s income statement expense disclosures. Since ASU 2024-03 only requires additional disclosures, the adoption of this guidance will not have an impact on AFG’s results of operations or financial condition.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001042046-24-000009.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
| INDEX TO MD&A | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page | Page | |||
| Objective | 31 | Results of Operations — Fourth Quarter | 52 | |
| Overview | 31 | Segmented Statement of Earnings | 52 | |
| Critical Accounting Policies | 32 | Property and Casualty Insurance | 53 | |
| Liquidity and Capital Resources | 32 | Holding Company, Other and Unallocated | 61 | |
| Ratios | 32 | |||
| Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows | 33 | Results of Operations — Full Year | 64 | |
| Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity | 34 | Segmented Statement of Earnings | 64 | |
| Condensed Parent Only Cash Flows | 35 | Property and Casualty Insurance | 66 | |
| Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | 36 | Holding Company, Other and Unallocated | 77 | |
| Investments | 36 | Real Estate Entities Acquired from the Annuity Operations | ||
| Uncertainties | 39 | 80 | ||
| Managed Investment Entities | 45 | Discontinued Annuity Operations | 81 | |
| Results of Operations | 49 | Recent Accounting Standards | 81 | |
| General | 49 |
OBJECTIVE
The objective of Management’s Discussion and Analysis is to provide a discussion and analysis of the financial statements and other statistical data that management believes will enhance the understanding of AFG’s financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. The tables and narrative that follow are presented in a manner that is consistent with the information that AFG’s management uses to make operational decisions and allocate capital resources. They are provided to demonstrate the nature of the transactions and events that could impact AFG’s financial results. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements beginning on page F-1.
OVERVIEW
Financial Condition
AFG is organized as a holding company with almost all of its operations being conducted by subsidiaries. AFG, however, has continuing cash needs for administrative expenses, the payment of principal and interest on borrowings, shareholder dividends, and taxes. Therefore, certain analyses are most meaningfully presented on a parent only basis while others are best done on a total enterprise basis. In addition, because its businesses are financial in nature, AFG does not prepare its consolidated financial statements using a current-noncurrent format. Consequently, certain traditional ratios and financial analysis tests are not meaningful.
Results of Operations
Through the operations of its subsidiaries, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses. AFG’s former annuity operations are reported as discontinued operations.
AFG reported net earnings of $263 million ($3.13 per share, diluted) for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $276 million ($3.24 per share, diluted) in the fourth quarter of 2022. The year-over-year decrease was due primarily to lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs).
Full year 2023 net earnings were $852 million ($10.05 per share, diluted) compared to $898 million ($10.53 per share, diluted) in 2022. The year-over-year decrease was due primarily to lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio when compared to the strong performance of this portfolio in the prior year period and lower property and casualty underwriting profit. These items were partially offset by the impact of higher yields on fixed maturity investments, higher balances of invested assets and lower net realized losses on securities.
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Sale of the Annuity Business
In May 2021, AFG sold its annuity business, including Great American Life Insurance Company and its two insurance subsidiaries, Annuity Investors Life Insurance Company and Manhattan National Life Insurance Company to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”). Total proceeds from the sale were $3.57 billion and AFG realized an after-tax gain on the sale of $656 million.
Outlook
AFG’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are impacted by the economic, legal and regulatory environment. Economic inflation, social inflation, supply chain disruption, labor shortages, banking system instability and other economic conditions may impact premium levels, loss cost trends and investment returns. Management believes that AFG’s strong financial position and current liquidity and capital at its subsidiaries will give AFG the flexibility to continue to effectively address and respond to the ongoing uncertainties presented by the macro-economic environment and the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. AFG’s insurance subsidiaries continue to have capital at or in excess of the levels required by ratings agencies in order to maintain their current ratings, and the parent company does not have any near-term debt maturities.
Management expects continued premium growth and strong underwriting results in the ongoing favorable property and casualty insurance market. In addition, the deployment of cash during the elevated interest rate environment (since early 2022) will continue to have a positive impact on investment income on fixed maturity investments in 2024.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Significant accounting policies are summarized in Note A — “Accounting Policies” to the financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts reported in the financial statements. As more information becomes known, these estimates and assumptions change and, thus, impact amounts reported in the future. The areas where management believes the degree of judgment required to determine amounts recorded in the financial statements is most significant are as follows:
•the valuation of investments, including the determination of impairment allowances,
•the establishment of insurance reserves, especially asbestos and environmental-related reserves,
•the recoverability of reinsurance, and
•the establishment of asbestos and environmental liabilities of former railroad and manufacturing operations.
See “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Uncertainties” for a discussion of insurance reserves, recoverables from reinsurers and contingencies related to American Premier’s former operations and “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Investments” for a discussion of the allowance for credit losses (impairments) on investments.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Ratios
AFG’s debt to total capital ratio on a consolidated basis is shown below (dollars in millions). Management intends to maintain the ratio of debt to capital at or below 30% and intends to maintain the capital of its significant insurance subsidiaries at or above levels currently indicated by rating agencies as appropriate for the current ratings.
| December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Principal amount of long-term debt | $ | 1,498 | $ | 1,521 | ||||
| Total capital | 6,060 | 6,099 | ||||||
| Ratio of debt to total capital: | ||||||||
| Including subordinated debt | 24.7 | % | 24.9 | % | ||||
| Excluding subordinated debt | 13.6 | % | 13.9 | % |
The ratio of debt to total capital is a non-GAAP measure that management believes is useful for investors, analysts and ratings agencies to evaluate AFG’s financial strength and liquidity and to provide insight into how AFG finances its operations. In addition, maintaining a ratio of debt, excluding subordinated debt and debt secured by real estate (if any), to total capital of 35% or lower is a financial covenant in AFG’s bank credit facility. The ratio is calculated by dividing the principal amount of AFG’s long-term debt by its total capital, which includes long-term debt and shareholders’ equity (excluding unrealized gains (losses) related to fixed maturity investments).
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The NAIC’s model law for risk-based capital (“RBC”) applies to property and casualty companies. RBC formulas determine the amount of capital that an insurance company needs so that it has an acceptable expectation of not becoming financially impaired. At December 31, 2023, the capital ratios of all AFG insurance companies exceeded the RBC requirements.
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows
AFG’s principal sources of cash include insurance premiums, income from its investment portfolio and proceeds from the maturities, redemptions and sales of investments. Insurance premiums in excess of acquisition expenses and operating costs are invested until they are needed to meet policyholder obligations or made available to the parent company through dividends to cover debt obligations and corporate expenses, and to provide returns to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as detailed in AFG’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows are shown below (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,970 | $ | 1,153 | $ | 1,714 | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 414 | (1,051) | (436) | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (2,031) | (1,361) | (1,957) | |||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 353 | $ | (1,259) | $ | (679) |
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations typically produce positive net operating cash flows as premiums collected and investment income exceed policy acquisition costs, claims payments and operating expenses. AFG’s net cash provided by operating activities is impacted by the level and timing of property and casualty premiums, claim and expense payments and recoveries from reinsurers. AFG’s discontinued annuity operations, which were sold in May 2021, typically produced positive net operating cash flows as investment income exceeded acquisition costs and operating expenses. Interest credited on annuity policyholder funds is a non-cash increase in AFG’s annuity benefits accumulated liability and annuity premiums, benefits and withdrawals are considered financing activities due to the deposit-type nature of annuities. Cash flows provided by operating activities also include the activity of AFG’s managed investment entities (collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”)) other than those activities included in investing or financing activities. The changes in the assets and liabilities of the managed investment entities included in operating activities increased cash flows from operating activities by $305 million in 2023 and reduced cash flows from operating activities by $183 million in 2022 and $144 million in 2021, resulting in a $488 million increase in cash flows from operating activities in 2023 compared to 2022 and a $39 million decrease in cash flows from operating activities in 2022 compared to 2021. As discussed in Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements, AFG has no right to use the CLO assets and no obligation to pay the CLO liabilities and such assets and liabilities are shown separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Excluding the impact of the managed investment entities, net cash provided by operating activities was $1.67 billion, $1.34 billion and $1.86 billion in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities AFG’s investing activities consist primarily of the investment of funds provided by its property and casualty businesses and, prior to the May 2021 sale, its discontinued annuity operations. Investing activities also include the purchase and disposal of managed investment entity investments, which are presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Net investment activity in the managed investment entities was a $762 million source of cash in 2023 compared to a $180 million use of cash in 2022, resulting in a $942 million increase in net cash provided by investing activities in 2023 compared to 2022. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note H — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements. Investing activities for 2023 include the July 2023 acquisition of Crop Risk Services (“CRS”) for $234 million in cash. Excluding the acquisition of CRS and the activity of the managed investment entities, investing activities were a $114 million use of cash in 2023 compared to $871 million in 2022, reflecting the opportunistic investment of cash on hand in the property and casualty operations during the rising interest rate environment in 2022.
Net cash used in investing activities was $1.05 billion in 2022 compared to $436 million in 2021, an increase of $615 million. Cash proceeds from the sale of the annuity operations in excess of cash and cash equivalents held in the annuity subsidiaries that were sold was a $1.51 billion source of cash provided by investing activities in 2021. Investing activities for 2021 also include the December 2021 acquisition of Verikai for $120 million in cash. Net investment activity in the managed investment entities was a $180 million use of cash in 2022 compared to $43 million in 2021, resulting in a $137 million increase in net cash used in investing activities in 2022 compared to 2021. Excluding the impact of the May 2021 sale of the annuity business ($1.51 billion source of cash), the acquisition of Verikai and the activity of the managed
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investment entities, net cash used in investing activities was $871 million in 2022 compared to $1.78 billion in 2021, a decrease of $912 million as the opportunistic investment of cash on hand in the property and casualty operations during the rising interest rate environment in 2022 was more than offset by the absence of investing activities from the disposed annuity operations.
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities AFG’s financing activities consist primarily of issuances and retirements of long-term debt, issuances and repurchases of common stock, dividend payments and, prior to the sale of the annuity business, transactions with annuity policyholders. Net cash used in financing activities was $2.03 billion in 2023 compared to $1.36 billion in 2022, an increase of $670 million. AFG paid cash dividends totaling $684 million in 2023 compared to $1.21 billion in 2022, resulting in a $529 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2023 compared to 2022. Debt retirements were a $21 million use of cash in 2023 compared to $477 million in 2022, a decrease of $456 million. In 2023, AFG repurchased $213 million of its Common Stock compared to $11 million in 2022, resulting in a $202 million increase in net cash used in financing activities in 2023 compared to 2022. Financing activities also include issuances and retirements of managed investment entity liabilities, which are nonrecourse to AFG and presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Retirements of managed investment entity liabilities exceeded issuances by $1.13 billion in 2023 compared to issuances exceeding retirements by $324 million in 2022, resulting in a $1.45 billion increase in net cash used in financing activities in 2023 compared to 2022. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note H — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements.
Net cash used in financing activities was $1.36 billion in 2022 compared to $1.96 billion in 2021, a decrease in net cash used in financing activities of $596 million. Debt retirements were a $477 million use of cash in 2022 compared to no debt retirements in 2021. In 2022, AFG repurchased $11 million of its Common Stock compared to $319 million in 2021, resulting in a $308 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2022 compared to 2021. AFG paid cash dividends totaling $1.21 billion in 2022 compared to $2.37 billion in 2021, resulting in a net $1.16 billion decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2022 compared to 2021. Net annuity receipts exceeded annuity surrenders, benefits, withdrawals and transfers by $477 million in 2021 through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale, resulting in a $477 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2022 compared to 2021. Issuances of managed investment entity liabilities exceeded retirements by $324 million in 2022 compared to $193 million in 2021, resulting in a $131 million increase in net cash provided by financing activities in 2022 compared to 2021.
Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity
Parent Holding Company Liquidity Management believes AFG has sufficient resources to meet its liquidity requirements. If funds generated from operations, including dividends, tax payments and borrowings from subsidiaries, are insufficient to meet fixed charges in any period, AFG would be required to utilize parent company cash and investments or to generate cash through borrowings, sales of other assets, or similar transactions.
AFG’s capital and liquidity was significantly enhanced as a result of the 2021 sale of its annuity business to MassMutual for proceeds of $3.57 billion. By the end of the second quarter of 2022, AFG had deployed the proceeds from this sale primarily through special cash dividends, share repurchases, debt retirements and the purchase of Verikai. AFG’s ongoing operations continue to generate significant excess capital for future returns of capital to shareholders in the form of regular and special cash dividends and through opportunistic share repurchases or to be deployed into its property and casualty businesses as management identifies the potential for profitable organic growth, and opportunities to expand through acquisitions of established businesses or start-ups that meet target return thresholds.
During 2023, AFG repurchased 1,872,544 shares of its Common Stock for $213 million and paid special cash dividends totaling $466 million ($4.00 per share in February and $1.50 per share in November). In addition, on February 6, 2024, AFG declared a special cash dividend of $2.50 per share (aggregate of approximately $210 million) payable on February 28, 2024.
AFG may, at any time and from time to time, seek to retire or purchase its outstanding debt through cash purchases or exchanges for equity or debt, in open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will be upon such terms and at such prices as management may determine, and will depend on prevailing market conditions, AFG’s liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. During 2023, AFG repurchased $23 million principal amount of its senior notes for $21 million cash.
During 2022, AFG repurchased 89,368 shares of its Common Stock for $11 million and paid special cash dividends totaling $1.02 billion ($2.00 per share in March, $8.00 per share in May and $2.00 per share in November). In 2022, AFG repurchased $472 million principal amount of its senior notes for $477 million cash.
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During 2021, AFG repurchased 2,777,684 shares of its Common Stock for $319 million and paid special cash dividends totaling $2.21 billion ($14.00 per share in June, $2.00 per share in August, $4.00 per share in October, $4.00 per share in November and $2.00 per share in December).
In December 2021, AFG acquired Verikai, Inc., a machine learning and artificial intelligence company that utilizes a predictive risk tool to assess insurance risk, for $120 million using cash on hand at the parent.
All debentures and notes issued by AFG are rated investment grade by two nationally recognized rating agencies. AFG maintains a shelf registration statement under which it can offer additional equity or debt securities. The shelf registration provides AFG with flexibility to access the capital markets from time to time as market and other conditions permit.
At December 31, 2023, AFG (parent) held approximately $485 million in cash and investments. Management believes that AFG’s cash balances are held at stable banking institutions, although the amounts of many of these deposits are in excess of federally insured balances. In June 2023, AFG replaced its existing credit facility with a new five-year, $450 million revolving credit facility, which expires in June 2028. Amounts borrowed under this agreement bear interest at rates ranging from 1.00% to 1.75% (based on AFG’s credit rating, currently 1.25%) over a SOFR-based floating rate. There were no borrowings under AFG’s credit facilities, or under any other parent company short-term borrowing arrangements, during 2023 or 2022.
Under a tax allocation agreement with AFG, all 80% (or more) owned U.S. subsidiaries generally pay taxes to (or recover taxes from) AFG based on each subsidiary’s contribution to amounts due under AFG’s consolidated tax return.
Subsidiary Liquidity The liquidity requirements of AFG’s insurance subsidiaries relate primarily to the policyholder claims and underwriting expenses and payments of dividends and taxes to AFG. Historically, cash flows from premiums and investment income have generally provided more than sufficient funds to meet these requirements. Funds received in excess of cash requirements are generally invested in marketable securities. In addition, the insurance subsidiaries generally hold a significant amount of highly liquid, short duration investments.
For statutory accounting purposes, equity securities of non-affiliates are generally carried at fair value. At December 31, 2023, AFG’s insurance companies owned publicly traded equity securities with a fair value of $1.02 billion. Decreases in market prices could adversely affect the insurance group’s capital, potentially impacting the amount of dividends available or necessitating a capital contribution. Conversely, increases in market prices could have a favorable impact on the group’s dividend-paying capability.
Property and casualty reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses were $13.09 billion at December 31, 2023 and include case reserves and claims incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). The ultimate amount to be paid to settle reserves is an estimate, subject to significant uncertainty. Actual payments to settle claims cannot be determined until a settlement is reached with the claimant. Final claim settlements may vary significantly from estimated amounts. See “Uncertainties — Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves” below. The timing of future payments for the next twelve months and beyond could vary materially from historical payment patterns due to, among other things, changes in claim reporting and payment patterns and large unanticipated settlements.
AFG believes its insurance subsidiaries maintain sufficient liquidity to pay claims and underwriting expenses. In addition, these subsidiaries have sufficient capital to meet commitments in the event of unforeseen events such as reserve deficiencies, inadequate premium rates or reinsurer insolvencies. Even in the current uncertain economic environment, management believes that the capital levels in AFG’s insurance subsidiaries are adequate to maintain its business and rating agency ratings. Nonetheless, changes in statutory accounting rules, significant declines in the fair value of the insurance subsidiaries’ investment portfolios or significant ratings downgrades on these investments, could create a need for additional capital.
Condensed Parent Only Cash Flows
AFG’s parent holding company only condensed cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities are shown below (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 719 | $ | 327 | $ | 833 | ||||
| Net cash provided by investing activities | 225 | 992 | 2,167 | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (901) | (1,683) | (2,626) | |||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 43 | $ | (364) | $ | 374 |
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Parent Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Parent holding company cash flows from operating activities consist primarily of dividends and tax payments received from AFG’s insurance subsidiaries, reduced by tax payments to the IRS and holding company interest and other expenses. Parent holding company net cash provided by operating activities was $719 million in 2023 compared to $327 million in 2022 and $833 million in 2021. The $392 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities in 2023 as compared to 2022 and the $506 million decrease in net cash provided by operating activities in 2022 as compared to 2021 were due primarily to higher cash dividends received from subsidiaries in 2023 and 2021.
Parent Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities Parent holding company investing activities consist of capital contributions to and returns of capital from subsidiaries and parent company investment activity. Parent holding company net cash provided by investing activities was $225 million in 2023, $992 million in 2022 and $2.17 billion in 2021. The $225 million in net cash provided by investing activities in 2023 is lower than the $992 million in net cash provided by investing activities in 2022 due to the increase in capital contributions to subsidiaries to fund the purchase of CRS in July 2023 and lower balances of invested assets. The $992 million in net cash provided by investing activities in 2022 is substantially lower than the $2.17 billion in net cash provided by investing activities in 2021 due to proceeds of $3.57 billion related to the May 2021 sale of the annuity business partially offset by net purchases of fixed maturity investments of $1.19 billion in 2021 and the $120 million purchase of Verikai in December 2021.
Parent Net Cash Used in Financing Activities Parent company financing activities consist primarily of the issuance and retirement of long-term debt, repurchases of AFG Common Stock, dividends to shareholders, and, to a lesser extent, proceeds from employee stock option exercises. Significant long-term debt and common stock transactions are discussed above under “Parent Holding Company Liquidity.” Parent holding company net cash used in financing activities was $901 million in 2023 compared to $1.68 billion in 2022 and $2.63 billion in 2021. The $782 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2023 as compared to 2022 reflects lower dividends paid to shareholders (due primarily to special dividends of $5.50 per share in 2023 compared to special dividends of $12.00 per share in 2022) and lower net retirements of long-term debt in 2023 compared to 2022. The $943 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2022 as compared to 2021 reflects lower dividends paid to shareholders (due primarily to special dividends of $12.00 per share in 2022 compared to special dividends of $26.00 per share in 2021), partially offset by the impact of net retirements of long-term debt in 2022.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
See Note P — “Additional Information — Financial Instruments — Unfunded Commitments” to the financial statements.
Investments
AFG attempts to optimize investment income while building the value of its portfolio, placing emphasis upon total long-term performance.
AFG’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2023, contained $10.38 billion in fixed maturity securities classified as available for sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and $57 million in fixed maturities classified as trading with holding gains and losses included in net investment income. In addition, AFG’s investment portfolio includes $571 million in equity securities carried at fair value with holding gains and losses included in realized gains (losses) on securities and $447 million in equity securities carried at fair value with holding gains and losses included in net investment income.
Unrealized gains and losses on AFG’s fixed maturity securities are included in shareholders’ equity after adjustments for deferred income taxes.
Fixed income investment funds are generally invested in securities with intermediate-term maturities with an objective of optimizing total return while allowing flexibility to react to changes in market conditions. At December 31, 2023, the average life of AFG’s fixed maturities was about 4.3 years.
Fair values for AFG’s portfolio are determined by AFG’s internal investment professionals using data from nationally recognized pricing services, non-binding broker quotes and other market information. Fair values of equity securities are generally based on published closing prices. For AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio, approximately 89% was priced using pricing services at December 31, 2023 and 5% was priced using non-binding broker quotes. When prices obtained for the same security vary, AFG’s internal investment professionals select the price they believe is most indicative of an exit price.
The pricing services use a variety of observable inputs to estimate fair value of fixed maturities that do not trade on a daily basis. Based upon information provided by the pricing services, these inputs include, but are not limited to, recent reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids or offers, reference data, and measures of volatility. Included in
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the pricing of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) are estimates of the rate of future prepayments and defaults of principal over the remaining life of the underlying collateral. Due to the lack of transparency in the process that brokers use to develop prices, valuations that are based on brokers’ prices are classified as Level 3 in the GAAP hierarchy unless the price can be corroborated, for example, by comparison to similar securities priced using observable inputs.
Valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by AFG’s internal investment professionals who are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price. To validate the appropriateness of the prices obtained, these investment managers consider widely published indices (as benchmarks), recent trades, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and the credit quality of the specific issuers. In addition, AFG communicates directly with pricing services regarding the methods and assumptions used in pricing, including verifying, on a test basis, the inputs used by the services to value specific securities.
In general, the fair value of AFG’s fixed maturity investments is inversely correlated to changes in interest rates. The following table demonstrates the sensitivity of such fair values to reasonably likely changes in interest rates by illustrating the estimated effect on AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio that an immediate increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate yield curve would have had at December 31, 2023 (dollars in millions). Effects of increases or decreases from the 100 basis points illustrated would be approximately proportional.
| Fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | 10,434 |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage impact on fair value of 100 bps increase in interest rates | (3.0 | %) |
| Pretax impact on fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | (313) |
Approximately 94% of the fixed maturities held by AFG at December 31, 2023, were rated “investment grade” (credit rating of AAA to BBB) by nationally recognized rating agencies, 3% were rated “non-investment grade” and 3% were not rated. Investment grade securities generally bear lower yields and lower degrees of risk than those that are unrated and non-investment grade. Management believes that the high-quality investment portfolio should generate a stable and predictable investment return.
Municipal bonds represented approximately 9% of AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio at December 31, 2023. AFG’s municipal bond portfolio is high quality, with over 99% of the securities rated investment grade at that date. The portfolio is well diversified across the states of issuance and individual issuers. At December 31, 2023, approximately 94% of the municipal bond portfolio was held in revenue bonds, with the remaining 6% held in general obligation bonds.
AFG has less than $100 million of direct exposure to office commercial real estate through property ownership, mortgages or equity method investments. AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio includes securities (the majority of which are AAA-rated) with a carrying value of approximately $600 million that have minimal exposure to office commercial real estate.
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Summarized information for the unrealized gains and losses recorded in AFG’s Balance Sheet at December 31, 2023, is shown in the following table (dollars in millions). Approximately $252 million of available for sale fixed maturity securities had no unrealized gains or losses at December 31, 2023.
| Securities With Unrealized Gains | Securities With Unrealized Losses | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available for Sale Fixed Maturities | ||||||
| Fair value of securities | $ | 3,698 | $ | 6,427 | ||
| Amortized cost of securities, net of allowance for expected credit losses | $ | 3,591 | $ | 6,897 | ||
| Gross unrealized gain (loss) | $ | 107 | $ | (470) | ||
| Fair value as % of amortized cost | 103 | % | 93 | % | ||
| Number of security positions | 704 | 1,433 | ||||
| Number individually exceeding $2 million gain or loss | 2 | 49 | ||||
| Concentration of gains (losses) by type or industry (exceeding 5% of unrealized): | ||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | $ | 26 | $ | (156) | ||
| Banking | 12 | (23) | ||||
| Other asset-backed securities | 10 | (120) | ||||
| Collateralized loan obligations | 9 | (28) | ||||
| States and municipalities | 8 | (38) | ||||
| Asset managers | 4 | (28) | ||||
| Percentage rated investment grade | 96 | % | 95 | % |
The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of AFG’s available for sale fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2023, based on their fair values. Securities with sinking funds are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers.
| Securities With Unrealized Gains | Securities With Unrealized Losses | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maturity | |||||
| One year or less | 3 | % | 6 | % | |
| After one year through five years | 22 | % | 27 | % | |
| After five years through ten years | 21 | % | 6 | % | |
| After ten years | 4 | % | 2 | % | |
| 50 | % | 41 | % | ||
| Collateralized loan obligations and other asset-backed securities (average life of approximately 3 years) | 37 | % | 41 | % | |
| Mortgage-backed securities (average life of approximately 6.5 years) | 13 | % | 18 | % | |
| 100 | % | 100 | % |
The table below (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities by dollar amount:
| Aggregate Fair Value | Aggregate Unrealized Gain (Loss) | Fair Value as % of Cost | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Maturities at December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Securities with unrealized gains: | ||||||||||
| Exceeding $500,000 (43 securities) | $ | 567 | $ | 35 | 107 | % | ||||
| $500,000 or less (661 securities) | 3,131 | 72 | 102 | % | ||||||
| $ | 3,698 | $ | 107 | 103 | % | |||||
| Securities with unrealized losses: | ||||||||||
| Exceeding $500,000 (239 securities) | $ | 2,755 | $ | (343) | 89 | % | ||||
| $500,000 or less (1,194 securities) | 3,672 | (127) | 97 | % | ||||||
| $ | 6,427 | $ | (470) | 93 | % |
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The following table (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized losses for all securities with unrealized losses by issuer quality and the length of time those securities have been in an unrealized loss position:
| Aggregate Fair Value | Aggregate Unrealized Loss | Fair Value as % of Cost | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Securities with Unrealized Losses at December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Investment grade fixed maturities with losses for: | ||||||||||
| Less than one year (80 securities) | $ | 390 | $ | (4) | 99 | % | ||||
| One year or longer (1,132 securities) | 5,695 | (437) | 93 | % | ||||||
| $ | 6,085 | $ | (441) | 93 | % | |||||
| Non-investment grade fixed maturities with losses for: | ||||||||||
| Less than one year (39 securities) | $ | 38 | $ | (3) | 93 | % | ||||
| One year or longer (182 securities) | 304 | (26) | 92 | % | ||||||
| $ | 342 | $ | (29) | 92 | % |
To evaluate fixed maturities for expected credit losses (impairment), management considers the following:
a)whether the unrealized loss is credit-driven or a result of changes in market interest rates,
b)the extent to which fair value is less than cost basis,
c)cash flow projections received from independent sources,
d)historical operating, balance sheet and cash flow data contained in issuer SEC filings and news releases,
e)near-term prospects for improvement in the issuer and/or its industry,
f)third-party research and communications with industry specialists,
g)financial models and forecasts,
h)the continuity of interest payments, maintenance of investment grade ratings and hybrid nature of certain investments,
i)discussions with issuer management, and
j)ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery in fair value.
Based on its analysis of the factors listed above, management believes AFG will recover its cost basis (net of any allowance) in the fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses and that AFG has the ability to hold the securities until they recover in value and had no intent to sell them at December 31, 2023. Although AFG has the ability to continue holding its fixed maturity investments with unrealized losses, its intent to hold them may change due to deterioration in the issuers’ creditworthiness, decisions to lessen exposure to a particular issuer or industry, asset/liability management decisions, market movements, changes in views about appropriate asset allocation or the desire to offset taxable realized gains. Should AFG’s ability or intent change regarding a particular security, a charge for impairment would likely be required. While it is not possible to accurately predict if or when a specific security will become impaired, increases in the allowance for credit losses could be material to results of operations in future periods. Significant declines in the fair value of AFG’s investment portfolio could have a significant adverse effect on AFG’s liquidity. For information on AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities, see “Results of Operations — Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities.”
Uncertainties
As more fully explained in the following paragraphs, management believes that the areas posing the greatest risk of material loss are the adequacy of its insurance reserves and contingencies arising out of its former railroad and manufacturing operations.
Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves Estimating the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) is inherently judgmental and is influenced by factors that are subject to significant variation. Determining the liability is a complex process incorporating input from many areas of the Company including actuarial, underwriting, pricing, claims and operations management.
The estimates of liabilities for unpaid claims and for expenses of investigation and adjustment of unpaid claims are based upon: (i) the accumulation of case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting periods on direct business written (“case reserves”); (ii) estimates received from ceding reinsurers and insurance pools and associations; (iii) estimates of claims incurred but not reported (including possible development on known claims); (iv) estimates (based on experience) of expense for investigating and adjusting claims; and (v) the current state of law and coverage litigation.
The process used to determine the total reserve for liabilities involves estimating the ultimate incurred losses and LAE, adjusted for amounts already paid on the claims. The IBNR reserve is derived by estimating the ultimate unpaid reserve
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liability and subtracting case reserves for loss and LAE. See Note O — “Insurance — Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves” to the financial statements for a discussion of the factors considered and actuarial methods used in determining management’s best estimate of the ultimate liability for unpaid losses and LAE.
The following table shows (in millions) the breakdown of AFG’s property and casualty insurance reserves between case reserves, IBNR reserves and LAE reserves (estimated amounts required to adjust, record and settle claims, other than the claim payments themselves) at December 31, 2023 and gross written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2023.
| Gross Loss Reserves | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case | IBNR | LAE | Total Reserves | Gross Written Premiums | ||||||||||||||
| Statutory Line of Business | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other liability — occurrence | $ | 1,008 | $ | 3,043 | $ | 754 | $ | 4,805 | $ | 1,704 | ||||||||
| Workers’ compensation | 960 | 1,170 | 361 | 2,491 | 1,373 | |||||||||||||
| Other liability — claims made | 303 | 625 | 432 | 1,360 | 783 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial auto/truck liability/medical | 441 | 519 | 140 | 1,100 | 675 | |||||||||||||
| Special property (fire, allied lines, inland marine, earthquake) | 743 | 222 | 31 | 996 | 2,477 | |||||||||||||
| Products liability — occurrence | 106 | 261 | 172 | 539 | 224 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial multi-peril | 186 | 158 | 89 | 433 | 461 | |||||||||||||
| Other lines | 292 | 486 | 128 | 906 | 1,627 | |||||||||||||
| Total Statutory | 4,039 | 6,484 | 2,107 | 12,630 | 9,324 | |||||||||||||
| Adjustments for GAAP: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign operations | 230 | 175 | 44 | 449 | 346 | |||||||||||||
| Deferred gains on retroactive reinsurance | — | 13 | — | 13 | — | |||||||||||||
| Loss reserve discounting | (5) | — | — | (5) | — | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | — | (14) | |||||||||||||
| Total Adjustments for GAAP | 225 | 188 | 44 | 457 | 332 | |||||||||||||
| Total GAAP Reserves and Premiums | $ | 4,264 | $ | 6,672 | $ | 2,151 | $ | 13,087 | $ | 9,656 |
While current factors and reasonably likely changes in variable factors are considered in estimating the liability for unpaid losses and LAE, there is no method or system that can eliminate the risk of actual ultimate results differing from such estimates.
Following is a discussion of certain critical variables affecting the estimation of loss reserves of the more significant long-tail lines of business (asbestos and environmental liabilities are separately discussed below). Many other variables may also impact ultimate claim costs.
An important assumption underlying reserve estimates is that the cost trends implicitly built into development patterns will continue into the future. However, future results could vary due to an unexpected change in the underlying cost trends. This unexpected change could arise from a variety of sources including a general increase in economic inflation, social inflation, new medical technologies, or other factors such as those listed below in connection with AFG’s largest lines of business. It is not possible to isolate and measure the potential impact of just one of these variables, and future cost trends could be partially impacted by several such variables. However, it is reasonable to address the sensitivity of the reserves to potential impact from changes in these variables by measuring the effect of a possible overall 1% change in future cost trends that may be caused by one or more variables. Utilizing the effect of a 1% change in overall cost trends enables changes greater than 1% to be estimated by extrapolation. Each additional 1% change in the cost trend would increase the effect on net earnings by an amount slightly (about 5%) greater than the effect of the previous 1%. For example, if a 1% change in cost trends in a line of business would change net earnings by $20 million, a 2% change would change net earnings by approximately $41 million.
The estimated cumulative adverse impact that a 1% change in cost trends in AFG’s more significant long-tail lines of property and casualty business (exceeding 5% of total reserves) would have on net earnings is shown below (in millions).
| Line of business | Effect of 1% Change in Cost Trends | |
|---|---|---|
| Other liability — occurrence | $ | 70 |
| Workers’ compensation | 66 | |
| Other liability — claims made | 25 | |
| Commercial auto/truck liability/medical | 17 |
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The judgments and uncertainties surrounding management’s reserve estimation process and the potential for reasonably possible variability in management’s most recent reserve estimates may also be viewed by looking at how recent historical estimates of reserves have developed. The following table shows (dollars in millions) what the impact on AFG’s net earnings would be on the more significant lines of business if the December 31, 2023, reserves (net of reinsurance) were to develop at the same rate as the average development of the most recent five years.
| 5-yr. Average Development (a)(b) | Net Reserves (b) December 31, 2023 | Effect on Net Earnings (a)(b) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other liability — occurrence | 4.7 | % | $ | 2,149 | $ | 102 | |||
| Workers’ compensation | (5.9 | %) | 2,127 | (126) | |||||
| Other liability — claims made | (3.1 | %) | 958 | (30) | |||||
| Commercial auto/truck liability/medical | 1.0 | % | 795 | 8 |
(a)Adverse (favorable), net of tax effect.
(b)Excludes asbestos and environmental liabilities.
The following discussion describes key assumptions and important variables that affect the estimate of the reserve for loss and LAE of the more significant lines of business and explains what caused them to change from assumptions used in the preceding period.
Other Liability — Occurrence
This long-tail line of business consists of coverages protecting the insured against legal liability resulting from negligence, carelessness, or a failure to act causing property damage or personal injury to others. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for other liability — occurrence include:
•Litigious climate
•Unpredictability of judicial decisions regarding coverage issues
•Magnitude of jury awards
•Outside counsel costs
•Timing of claims reporting
AFG recorded adverse prior year reserve development of $96 million in 2023, $109 million in 2022 and $39 million in 2021 related to its other liability — occurrence coverage due primarily to continued claim severity increases in excess and umbrella liability coverages.
While management applies the actuarial methods discussed in Note O — “Insurance — Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves” to the financial statements, more judgment is involved in arriving at the final reserve to be held. For recent accident years, more weight is given to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method.
Workers’ Compensation
This long-tail line of business provides coverage to employees who may be injured in the course of employment. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for workers’ compensation include:
•Legislative actions and regulatory and legal interpretations
•Future medical cost inflation
•Economic conditions
•Frequency of reopening claims previously closed
•Advances in medical equipment and processes
•Pace and intensity of employee rehabilitation
•Changes in the use of pharmaceutical drugs
•Changes in mortality trends for permanently injured workers
Approximately 26% and 25% of AFG’s workers’ compensation reserves at December 31, 2023 relate to policies written in Florida and California, respectively.
AFG recorded favorable prior year reserve development of $116 million in 2023, $189 million in 2022 and $169 million in 2021, related to its workers’ compensation coverage due to lower than anticipated medical severity.
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Other Liability — Claims Made
This long-tail line of business consists mostly of directors’ and officers’ liability (“D&O”). Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for other liability — claims made include:
•Litigious climate
•Economic conditions
•Variability of stock prices
•Magnitude of jury awards
The general state of the economy and the variability of the stock price of the insured can affect the frequency and severity of shareholder class action suits and other situations that trigger coverage under D&O policies. For example, from 2008 to 2010, economic conditions led to higher frequency of claims, particularly in the D&O policies for small account and not-for-profit organizations. After peaking in 2010, claim frequency decreased and stabilized to near pre-2008 levels until dropping sharply during the pandemic-related shutdowns. Post-pandemic, frequency has increased slightly but has not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.
AFG recorded favorable prior year reserve development of $33 million in 2023, $24 million in 2022 and $2 million in 2021 on its D&O business as claim frequency and severity were less than expected across several prior accident years.
Commercial Auto/Truck Liability/Medical
This line of business is a mix of coverage protecting the insured against legal liability for property damage or personal injury to others arising from the operation of commercial motor vehicles. The property damage liability exposure is usually short-tail with relatively prompt reporting and settlement of claims. The bodily injury and medical payments exposures are longer-tailed; although the claim reporting is relatively prompt, the final settlement can take longer to achieve. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for commercial auto/truck liability/medical are similar to other liability — occurrence and include:
•Magnitude of jury awards
•Unpredictability of judicial decisions regarding coverage issues
•Litigious climate and trends
•Change in frequency of severe accidents
•Health care costs and utilization of medical services by injured parties
AFG recorded adverse prior year reserve development of $29 million in 2023, $32 million in 2022 and $7 million in 2021 for this line of business due to higher than anticipated severity.
Recoverables from Reinsurers and Availability of Reinsurance AFG is subject to credit risk with respect to its reinsurers, as reinsurance contracts do not relieve AFG of its liability to policyholders. To mitigate this risk, substantially all reinsurance is ceded to companies rated “A” or better by S&P or is secured by “funds withheld” or other collateral.
The availability and cost of reinsurance are subject to prevailing market conditions, which are beyond AFG’s control and which may affect AFG’s level of business and profitability. Although the cost of certain reinsurance programs may increase, management believes that AFG will be able to maintain adequate reinsurance coverage at acceptable rates without a material adverse effect on AFG’s results of operations. AFG’s gross and net combined ratios are shown in the table below.
See Item 1 — Business — “Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Reinsurance” for more information on AFG’s reinsurance programs. For additional information on the effect of reinsurance on AFG’s historical results of operations see Note O — “Insurance — Reinsurance” to the financial statements.
The following table illustrates the effect that purchasing property and casualty reinsurance has had on AFG’s combined ratio over the last three years.
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before reinsurance (gross) | 92.8 | % | 90.9 | % | 87.4 | % | ||
| Effect of reinsurance | (2.4 | %) | (3.6 | %) | (0.9 | %) | ||
| Actual (net of reinsurance) | 90.4 | % | 87.3 | % | 86.5 | % |
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Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves Asbestos and environmental reserves of the property and casualty group consisted of the following (in millions):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Asbestos | $ | 202 | $ | 220 | ||
| Environmental | 168 | 165 | ||||
| A&E reserves, net of reinsurance recoverable | 370 | 385 | ||||
| Reinsurance recoverable, net of allowance | 128 | 140 | ||||
| Gross A&E reserves | $ | 498 | $ | 525 |
Asbestos reserves include claims asserting alleged injuries and damages from exposure to asbestos. Environmental reserves include claims relating to polluted sites.
Asbestos claims against manufacturers, distributors or installers of asbestos products were presented under the products liability section of their policies, which typically had aggregate limits that capped an insurer’s liability. In addition, asbestos claims are being presented as “non-products” claims, such as those by installers of asbestos products and by property owners or operators who allegedly had asbestos on their property, under the premises or operations section of their policies. Unlike products exposures, these non-products exposures typically had no aggregate limits, creating greater exposure for insurers. Further, in an effort to seek additional insurance coverage, some insureds with installation activities who have substantially eroded their products coverage are presenting new asbestos claims as non-products operations claims or attempting to reclassify previously settled products claims as non-products claims to restore a portion of previously exhausted products aggregate limits.
Approximately 47% of AFG’s net asbestos reserves relate to policies written directly by AFG subsidiaries. Claims from these policies generally are product-oriented claims with only a limited amount of non-products exposures and are dominated by small to mid-sized commercial entities that are mostly regional policyholders with few national target defendants. The remainder is assumed reinsurance business that includes exposures from 1954 to 1983. The asbestos and environmental assumed claims are ceded by various insurance companies under reinsurance treaties. A majority of the individual assumed claims have exposures of less than $100,000 to AFG. Asbestos losses assumed include some of the industry known manufacturers, distributors and installers. Pollution losses include industry known insured names and sites.
Establishing reserves for A&E claims relating to policies and participations in reinsurance treaties and former operations is subject to uncertainties that are significantly greater than those presented by other types of claims. For this group of claims, traditional actuarial techniques that rely on historical loss development trends cannot be used and a range of reasonably possible losses cannot be estimated. Case reserves and expense reserves are established by the claims department as specific policies are identified. In addition to the case reserves established for known claims, management establishes additional reserves for claims not yet known or reported and for possible development on known claims. These additional reserves are management’s best estimate based on periodic comprehensive studies and internal reviews adjusted for payments and identifiable changes, supplemented by management’s review of industry information about such claims, with due consideration to individual claim situations.
Management believes that estimating the ultimate liability for asbestos claims presents a unique and difficult challenge to the insurance industry due to, among other things, inconsistent court decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, novel theories of coverage, and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage. Environmental claims likewise present challenges in prediction, due to uncertainty regarding the interpretation of insurance policies, complexities regarding multi-party involvements at sites, evolving cleanup standards and protracted time periods required to assess the level of cleanup required at contaminated sites.
The following factors could impact AFG’s A&E reserves and payments:
•There is interest at the state level to attempt to legislatively address asbestos liabilities and the manner in which asbestos claims are resolved. These developments are fluid and could result in piecemeal state-by-state solutions.
•The manner by which bankruptcy courts are addressing asbestos liabilities is in flux.
•AFG’s insureds may make claims alleging significant non-products exposures.
While management believes that AFG’s reserves for A&E claims are a reasonable estimate of ultimate liability for such claims, actual results may vary materially from the amounts currently recorded due to the difficulty in predicting the number of future claims, the impact of bankruptcy filings and unresolved issues such as whether coverage exists, whether
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policies are subject to aggregate limits on coverage, how claims are to be allocated among triggered policies and implicated years and whether claimants who exhibit no signs of illness will be successful in pursuing their claims. A 1% variation in loss cost trends, caused by any of the factors previously described, would change net earnings by approximately $30 million.
AFG tracks its A&E claims by policyholder. The following table shows, by type of claim, the number of policyholders that did not receive any payments in the calendar year separate from policyholders that did receive a payment. Policyholder counts represent policies written by AFG subsidiaries and do not include assumed reinsurance.
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of policyholders with no indemnity payments: | |||||||
| Asbestos | 107 | 103 | 100 | ||||
| Environmental | 137 | 129 | 131 | ||||
| 244 | 232 | 231 | |||||
| Number of policyholders with indemnity payments: | |||||||
| Asbestos | 47 | 45 | 45 | ||||
| Environmental | 23 | 25 | 20 | ||||
| 70 | 70 | 65 | |||||
| Total | 314 | 302 | 296 |
Amounts paid (net of reinsurance recoveries) for asbestos and environmental claims, including LAE, were as follows (in millions):
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos | $ | 13 | $ | 12 | $ | 8 | ||||
| Environmental | 2 | 11 | 6 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 15 | $ | 23 | $ | 14 |
The survival ratio is a measure often used by industry analysts to compare A&E reserves’ strength among companies. This ratio is typically calculated by dividing reserves for A&E exposures by the three-year average of paid losses, and therefore measures the number of years that it would take to pay off current reserves based on recent average payments. Because this ratio can be significantly impacted by a number of factors such as loss payout variability, caution should be exercised in attempting to determine reserve adequacy based simply on the survival ratio. At December 31, 2023, the property and casualty insurance segment’s three-year survival ratios compare favorably with industry survival ratios published by A.M. Best (as of December 31, 2022, and adjusted for several large portfolio transfers) as detailed in the following table:
| Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves Three-Year Survival Ratio (Times Paid Losses) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos | Environmental | Total A&E | |||||
| AFG (12/31/2023) | 18.7 | 24.9 | 21.1 | ||||
| Industry (12/31/2022) | 8.4 | 5.6 | 7.5 |
During the third quarter of 2023, AFG completed an in-depth internal review of its asbestos and environmental exposures relating to the run-off operations of its property and casualty insurance segment. In addition to its ongoing internal monitoring of asbestos and environmental exposures, AFG has historically conducted periodic comprehensive external studies of its asbestos and environmental reserves with the aid of specialty actuarial, engineering and consulting firms and outside counsel, with an in-depth internal review during all other years.
During the 2023 internal review, no new trends were identified and recent claims activity was generally consistent with AFG’s expectations resulting from its in-depth internal reviews in 2022 and 2021 and most recent external study in 2020. As a result, the 2023 review resulted in no net change to AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment’s asbestos and environmental reserves.
Over the past few years, the focus of AFG’s asbestos claims litigation has shifted to smaller companies and companies with ancillary exposures. AFG’s insureds with these exposures have been the driver of the property and casualty segment’s asbestos reserve increases in recent years. AFG is seeing modestly increasing estimates for indemnity and defense compared to prior studies on certain specific open claims. AFG has updated its view of legal defense costs on open environmental claims as well as a number of claims and sites where the estimated investigation and remediation costs have increased.
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Contingencies related to Subsidiaries’ Former Operations The A&E reviews and external study discussed above also encompassed reserves for various environmental and occupational injury and disease claims and other contingencies arising out of the railroad operations disposed of by American Premier’s predecessor and certain manufacturing operations disposed of by American Premier and its subsidiaries and by Great American Financial Resources, Inc. AFG recorded a $15 million pretax non-core special charge to increase liabilities for those operations as a result of the 2023 internal review. Liabilities for claims and contingencies arising from these former railroad and manufacturing operations totaled $101 million at December 31, 2023. For a discussion of the uncertainties in determining the ultimate liability, see Note N — “Contingencies” to the financial statements.
MANAGED INVESTMENT ENTITIES
Accounting standards require AFG to consolidate its investments in collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) entities that it manages and owns an interest in (in the form of debt). See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note H — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements. The effect of consolidating these entities is shown in the tables below (in millions). The “Before CLO Consolidation” columns include AFG’s investment and earnings in the CLOs on an unconsolidated basis.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
| Before CLO Consolidation | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and investments | $ | 15,438 | $ | — | $ | (175) | (*) | $ | 15,263 | |||||||
| Assets of managed investment entities | — | 4,484 | — | 4,484 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 10,042 | — | (2) | (*) | 10,040 | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 25,480 | $ | 4,484 | $ | (177) | $ | 29,787 | ||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums | $ | 16,538 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 16,538 | ||||||||
| Liabilities of managed investment entities | — | 4,446 | (139) | (*) | 4,307 | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt and other liabilities | 4,684 | — | — | 4,684 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 21,222 | 4,446 | (139) | 25,529 | ||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock and Capital surplus | 1,456 | 38 | (38) | 1,456 | ||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | 3,121 | — | — | 3,121 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (319) | — | — | (319) | ||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 4,258 | 38 | (38) | 4,258 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 25,480 | $ | 4,484 | $ | (177) | $ | 29,787 | ||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and investments | $ | 14,627 | $ | — | $ | (115) | (*) | $ | 14,512 | |||||||
| Assets of managed investment entities | — | 5,447 | — | 5,447 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 8,872 | — | — | (*) | 8,872 | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 23,499 | $ | 5,447 | $ | (115) | $ | 28,831 | ||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums | $ | 15,220 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 15,220 | ||||||||
| Liabilities of managed investment entities | — | 5,444 | (112) | (*) | 5,332 | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt and other liabilities | 4,227 | — | — | 4,227 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 19,447 | 5,444 | (112) | 24,779 | ||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock and Capital surplus | 1,453 | 3 | (3) | 1,453 | ||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | 3,142 | — | — | 3,142 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (543) | — | — | (543) | ||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 4,052 | 3 | (3) | 4,052 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 23,499 | $ | 5,447 | $ | (115) | $ | 28,831 |
(*)Elimination of the fair value of AFG’s investment in CLOs and related accrued interest.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
| Before CLO Consolidation (a) | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three months ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,732 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,732 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 168 | — | (9) | (b) | 159 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 31 | — | — | 31 | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 100 | — | 100 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 17 | (2) | (b) | 15 | |||||||||||
| Other income | 50 | — | (4) | (c) | 46 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,981 | 117 | (15) | 2,083 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 1,549 | — | — | 1,549 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 117 | (15) | (b)(c) | 102 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 97 | — | — | 97 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,646 | 117 | (15) | 1,748 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 335 | — | — | 335 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 72 | — | — | 72 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 263 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 263 | ||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,623 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,623 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 168 | — | — | (b) | 168 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 27 | — | — | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 93 | — | 93 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (1) | (5) | (b) | (6) | |||||||||||
| Other income | 29 | — | (5) | (c) | 24 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,847 | 92 | (10) | 1,929 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 1,413 | — | — | 1,413 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 92 | (10) | (b)(c) | 82 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 88 | — | — | 88 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,501 | 92 | (10) | 1,583 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 346 | — | — | 346 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 70 | — | — | 70 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 276 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 276 |
(a)Includes income of $9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and less than $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments and $4 million and $5 million of income in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $11 million and $5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS - CONTINUED
| Before CLO Consol. (a) | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 6,531 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,531 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 769 | — | (27) | (b) | 742 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities | (36) | — | — | (36) | ||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | (4) | — | — | (4) | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 421 | — | 421 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 29 | (2) | (b) | 27 | |||||||||||
| Other income | 162 | — | (16) | (c) | 146 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,422 | 450 | (45) | 7,827 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 5,968 | — | — | 5,968 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 450 | (45) | (b)(c) | 405 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 381 | — | — | 381 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 6,349 | 450 | (45) | 6,754 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 1,073 | — | — | 1,073 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 221 | — | — | 221 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 852 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 852 | ||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 6,085 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,085 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 707 | — | 10 | (b) | 717 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | (116) | — | — | (116) | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 268 | — | 268 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (2) | (29) | (b) | (31) | |||||||||||
| Other income | 134 | — | (17) | (c) | 117 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 6,810 | 266 | (36) | 7,040 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 5,347 | — | — | 5,347 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 265 | (35) | (b)(c) | 230 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 340 | — | — | 340 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 5,687 | 265 | (35) | 5,917 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 1,123 | 1 | (1) | 1,123 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 225 | — | — | 225 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 898 | $ | 1 | $ | (1) | $ | 898 |
(a)Includes income of $27 million in 2023 and a loss of $10 million in 2022, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments and $16 million and $17 million of income in 2023 and 2022, respectively, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $29 million and $18 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS - CONTINUED
| Before CLO Consol. (a) | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 5,404 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,404 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 750 | — | (20) | (b) | 730 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities | 110 | — | — | 110 | ||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | 4 | — | — | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 181 | — | 181 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 3 | 7 | (b) | 10 | |||||||||||
| Other income | 129 | — | (16) | (c) | 113 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 6,397 | 184 | (29) | 6,552 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 4,704 | — | — | 4,704 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 183 | (28) | (b)(c) | 155 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 358 | — | — | 358 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 5,062 | 183 | (28) | 5,217 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 1,335 | 1 | (1) | 1,335 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 254 | — | — | 254 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations | 1,081 | 1 | (1) | 1,081 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from discontinued operations | 914 | — | — | 914 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 1,995 | $ | 1 | $ | (1) | $ | 1,995 |
(a)Includes income of $20 million representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments and $16 million of income in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $12 million in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General
AFG’s net earnings, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. In addition to discontinued operations, core net operating earnings excludes realized gains (losses) on securities because such gains and losses are influenced significantly by financial markets, interest rates and the timing of sales. In addition, special charges related to coverage that AFG no longer writes, such as asbestos and environmental exposures, are excluded from core earnings.
In May 2021, AFG sold its Annuity business to MassMutual. Through the effective date of the sale, the results of its annuity segment and run-off life and long-term care operations are reported as discontinued operations.
AFG recorded $914 million in non-core net earnings from the discontinued annuity operations in 2021, which includes a $656 million after-tax gain on the sale. See “Discontinued Annuity Operations” below for details of the impact of the discontinued annuity operations on AFG’s net earnings for 2021.
In December 2020, AFG sold GAI Holding Bermuda and its subsidiaries, the legal entities that owned AFG’s Lloyd’s Managing Agency, Neon Underwriting Ltd., thereby exiting the Lloyd’s of London Insurance market. In 2021, AFG recognized a non-core after-tax gain of $3 million related to contingent consideration received from the sale of Neon.
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The following table (in millions, except per share amounts) identifies non-core items and reconciles net earnings to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure. AFG believes core net operating earnings is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends and for management to evaluate financial performance against historical results because it believes this provides a more comparable measure of its continuing business.
| Three months ended December 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Components of net earnings: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core operating earnings before income taxes | $ | 304 | $ | 318 | $ | 1,127 | $ | 1,248 | $ | 1,232 | ||||||||
| Pretax non-core items: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 31 | 27 | (36) | (116) | 110 | |||||||||||||
| Realized gain (loss) on subsidiaries | — | — | (4) | — | 4 | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | (15) | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | — | 1 | 1 | (9) | — | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | — | (11) | |||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 335 | 346 | 1,073 | 1,123 | 1,335 | |||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core operating earnings | 66 | 63 | 232 | 255 | 239 | |||||||||||||
| Non-core items: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 6 | 6 | (8) | (24) | 23 | |||||||||||||
| Realized gain (loss) on subsidiaries | — | — | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | (3) | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | — | 1 | — | (2) | — | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | (4) | (9) | |||||||||||||
| Total provision for income taxes | 72 | 70 | 221 | 225 | 254 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations | 263 | 276 | 852 | 898 | 1,081 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings from discontinued operations | — | — | — | — | 914 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 263 | $ | 276 | $ | 852 | $ | 898 | $ | 1,995 | ||||||||
| Net earnings: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core net operating earnings | $ | 238 | $ | 255 | $ | 895 | $ | 993 | $ | 993 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 25 | 21 | (28) | (92) | 87 | |||||||||||||
| Realized gain (loss) on subsidiaries | — | — | (4) | — | 3 | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | (12) | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | — | — | 1 | (7) | — | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | 4 | (2) | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations | 263 | 276 | 852 | 898 | 1,081 | |||||||||||||
| Discontinued annuity operations | — | — | — | — | 914 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 263 | $ | 276 | $ | 852 | $ | 898 | $ | 1,995 | ||||||||
| Diluted per share amounts: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core net operating earnings | $ | 2.84 | $ | 2.99 | $ | 10.56 | $ | 11.63 | $ | 11.59 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 0.29 | 0.25 | (0.33) | (1.06) | 1.01 | |||||||||||||
| Realized gain (loss) on subsidiaries | — | — | (0.04) | — | 0.04 | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | (0.15) | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | — | — | 0.01 | (0.09) | — | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | 0.05 | (0.02) | |||||||||||||
| Diluted per share amounts, continuing operations | 3.13 | 3.24 | 10.05 | 10.53 | 12.62 | |||||||||||||
| Discontinued annuity operations | — | — | — | — | 10.68 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 3.13 | $ | 3.24 | $ | 10.05 | $ | 10.53 | $ | 23.30 |
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Net earnings were $263 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $276 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 reflecting lower core net operating earnings partially offset by higher net realized gains on securities in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. Core net operating earnings for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased $17 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 due primarily to lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 and lower underwriting profit, partially offset by higher investment income outside of alternative investments. Net realized gains on securities of $25 million and $21 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively, resulted primarily from the change in fair value of equity securities that were still held at the balance sheet date.
Net earnings were $852 million for the full-year of 2023 compared to $898 million in 2022 reflecting lower core net operating earnings and a special A&E charge recorded in the third quarter of 2023, partially offset by lower net realized losses on securities in 2023 compared to 2022. Core net operating earnings for 2023 decreased $98 million compared to 2022 reflecting lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio when compared to the strong performance of this portfolio in 2022 and lower underwriting profit, partially offset by higher investment income outside of alternative investments. Net realized losses on securities of $28 million in 2023 and $92 million in 2022 include $2 million and $75 million, respectively, of after-tax losses from the change in fair value of equity securities that were still held at the balance sheet date.
Net earnings were $898 million for the full-year of 2022 compared to $2.00 billion in 2021 reflecting net earnings from the discontinued annuity operations in 2021 and net realized losses on securities in 2022 compared to net realized gains on securities in 2021. The discontinued annuity operations includes an after-tax gain on the sale of the annuity subsidiaries of $656 million in 2021. Core net operating earnings were comparable in 2022 and 2021 as higher underwriting profit and higher investment income outside of alternative investments were offset by lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio compared to the very strong performance of this portfolio in 2021. Realized gains (losses) on securities in 2022 and 2021 resulted primarily from the change in fair value of equity securities that were still held at the balance sheet date.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022
Segmented Statement of Earnings
Subsequent to the sale of its annuity operations, AFG reports its operations as two segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”) and (ii) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
AFG’s net earnings, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,732 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,732 | $ | — | $ | 1,732 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 161 | (9) | 7 | 159 | — | 159 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | 31 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 100 | — | 100 | — | 100 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 15 | — | 15 | — | 15 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 3 | (4) | 47 | 46 | — | 46 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,896 | 102 | 54 | 2,052 | 31 | 2,083 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 1,053 | — | 16 | 1,069 | — | 1,069 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 468 | — | 12 | 480 | — | 480 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 19 | 19 | — | 19 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 102 | — | 102 | — | 102 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 18 | — | 60 | 78 | — | 78 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,539 | 102 | 107 | 1,748 | — | 1,748 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 357 | — | (53) | 304 | 31 | 335 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 74 | — | (8) | 66 | 6 | 72 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 283 | — | (45) | 238 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | 25 | 25 | (25) | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 283 | $ | — | $ | (20) | $ | 263 | $ | — | $ | 263 |
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| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,623 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,623 | $ | — | $ | 1,623 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 159 | — | 9 | 168 | — | 168 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | 27 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 93 | — | 93 | — | 93 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (6) | — | (6) | — | (6) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | — | (5) | 29 | 24 | — | 24 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,782 | 82 | 38 | 1,902 | 27 | 1,929 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 986 | — | — | 986 | — | 986 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 419 | — | 8 | 427 | — | 427 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 20 | 20 | — | 20 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 82 | — | 82 | — | 82 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 14 | — | 55 | 69 | (1) | 68 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,419 | 82 | 83 | 1,584 | (1) | 1,583 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 363 | — | (45) | 318 | 28 | 346 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 73 | — | (10) | 63 | 7 | 70 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 290 | — | (35) | 255 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | 21 | 21 | (21) | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 290 | $ | — | $ | (14) | $ | 276 | $ | — | $ | 276 |
(*)See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax impacts of these reconciling items.
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
Performance measures such as underwriting profit or loss and related combined ratios are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company’s performance. Underwriting profitability is measured by the combined ratio, which is a sum of the ratios of losses and loss adjustment expenses, and commissions and other underwriting expenses to premiums. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. The combined ratio does not reflect net investment income, other income, other expenses or federal income taxes.
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $357 million in pretax earnings in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $363 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, a decrease of $6 million (2%). Lower underwriting profits in the Specialty casualty and Property and transportation sub-segments and lower investment income from alternative investments were partially offset by higher underwriting profit in the Specialty financial sub-segment and higher net investment income outside of alternative investments.
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The following table details AFG’s earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty insurance operations for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | % Change | ||||||||
| Gross written premiums | $ | 1,992 | $ | 1,845 | 8 | % | ||||
| Reinsurance premiums ceded | (547) | (507) | 8 | % | ||||||
| Net written premiums | 1,445 | 1,338 | 8 | % | ||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | 287 | 285 | 1 | % | ||||||
| Net earned premiums | 1,732 | 1,623 | 7 | % | ||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses | 1,053 | 986 | 7 | % | ||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 468 | 419 | 12 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting gain | 211 | 218 | (3 | %) | ||||||
| Net investment income | 161 | 159 | 1 | % | ||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | (15) | (14) | 7 | % | ||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | $ | 357 | $ | 363 | (2 | %) | ||||
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| Combined Ratios: | 2023 | 2022 | Change | |||||||
| Specialty lines | ||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 60.7 | % | 60.8 | % | (0.1 | %) | ||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 27.0 | % | 25.8 | % | 1.2 | % | ||||
| Combined ratio | 87.7 | % | 86.6 | % | 1.1 | % | ||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 60.8 | % | 60.7 | % | 0.1 | % | ||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 27.0 | % | 25.8 | % | 1.2 | % | ||||
| Combined ratio | 87.8 | % | 86.5 | % | 1.3 | % |
Starting in 1986, AFG’s statutory combined ratio has been better than the U.S. industry average for 36 of the 38 years. Management believes that AFG’s insurance operations have performed better than the industry as a result of its specialty niche focus, product line diversification, stringent underwriting discipline and alignment of compensation incentives.
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty property and casualty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.
To understand the overall profitability of particular lines, the timing of claims payments and the related impact of investment income must be considered. Certain “short-tail” lines of business (primarily property coverages) generally have quick loss payouts, which reduce the time funds are held, thereby limiting investment income earned thereon. In contrast, “long-tail” lines of business (primarily liability coverages and workers’ compensation) generally have payouts that are either structured over many years or take many years to settle, thereby significantly increasing investment income earned on related premiums received.
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.99 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $1.85 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of $147 million (8%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| GWP | % | GWP | % | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 623 | 31 | % | $ | 601 | 32 | % | 4 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 1,069 | 54 | % | 1,007 | 55 | % | 6 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 300 | 15 | % | 237 | 13 | % | 27 | % | ||||||||
| $ | 1,992 | 100 | % | $ | 1,845 | 100 | % | 8 | % |
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Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 27% of gross written premiums for both the fourth quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2022. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Change in % of GWP | ||||||||||||||
| Ceded | % of GWP | Ceded | % of GWP | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | (197) | 32 | % | $ | (178) | 30 | % | 2 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | (369) | 35 | % | (352) | 35 | % | — | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | (50) | 17 | % | (38) | 16 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 69 | 61 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | (547) | 27 | % | $ | (507) | 27 | % | — | % |
Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.45 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $1.34 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of $107 million (8%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| NWP | % | NWP | % | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 426 | 30 | % | $ | 423 | 32 | % | 1 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 700 | 48 | % | 655 | 49 | % | 7 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 250 | 17 | % | 199 | 15 | % | 26 | % | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 69 | 5 | % | 61 | 4 | % | 13 | % | ||||||||
| $ | 1,445 | 100 | % | $ | 1,338 | 100 | % | 8 | % |
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.73 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $1.62 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of $109 million (7%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| NEP | % | NEP | % | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 682 | 39 | % | $ | 682 | 42 | % | — | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 737 | 43 | % | 686 | 42 | % | 7 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 244 | 14 | % | 193 | 12 | % | 26 | % | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 69 | 4 | % | 62 | 4 | % | 11 | % | ||||||||
| $ | 1,732 | 100 | % | $ | 1,623 | 100 | % | 7 | % |
Gross written premiums for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased $147 million (8%) compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 reflecting a combination of new business opportunities, increased exposures and a good renewal rate environment. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 6% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Excluding overall rate decreases in the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates increased approximately 7%.
Property and transportation Gross written premiums increased $22 million (4%) in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. This increase was due primarily to slightly higher crop premium related to the CRS acquisition, which was partially offset by the timing of renewals in several of the transportation businesses. Average renewal rates increased 7% for this group in the fourth quarter of 2023. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 2 percentage points for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 reflecting growth in alternative risk transfer products in the transportation businesses and higher premiums in the crop operations, both of which cede a higher percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment.
Specialty casualty Gross written premiums increased $62 million (6%) in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. New business opportunities and increased exposures in the excess and surplus operations and
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increased exposures from payroll growth in the workers’ compensation businesses led to higher year-over-year premiums, with nearly all of the businesses in this group reporting growth in the quarter. This growth was partially offset by lower premiums in the executive liability business. Average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 4% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Excluding rate decreases in the workers’ compensation business, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 7%. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums were comparable in the fourth quarters of 2023 and 2022.
Specialty financial Gross written premiums increased $63 million (27%) in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 due primarily to growth in the financial institutions business. Average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 9% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 1 percentage point in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 reflecting the favorable impact of lower than previously estimated reinstatement premiums related to Hurricane Ian recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Other specialty The amounts shown as reinsurance premiums ceded represent business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Reinsurance premiums assumed increased $8 million (13%) in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 reflecting an increase in premiums retained, primarily from businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
Combined Ratio
Performance measures such as the combined ratio are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company’s performance. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) and underwriting expense ratios. These ratios are calculated by dividing each of the respective expenses by net earned premiums. The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of the combined ratio for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment:
| Three months ended December 31, | Three months ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Change | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 69.0 | % | 71.8 | % | (2.8 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 21.3 | % | 18.2 | % | 3.1 | % | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 90.3 | % | 90.0 | % | 0.3 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 67 | $ | 68 | ||||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 59.6 | % | 55.4 | % | 4.2 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 25.0 | % | 25.9 | % | (0.9 | %) | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 84.6 | % | 81.3 | % | 3.3 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 114 | $ | 128 | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 34.8 | % | 33.8 | % | 1.0 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 46.5 | % | 49.3 | % | (2.8 | %) | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 81.3 | % | 83.1 | % | (1.8 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 45 | $ | 33 | ||||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 60.7 | % | 60.8 | % | (0.1 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 27.0 | % | 25.8 | % | 1.2 | % | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 87.7 | % | 86.6 | % | 1.1 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 212 | $ | 217 | ||||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 60.8 | % | 60.7 | % | 0.1 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 27.0 | % | 25.8 | % | 1.2 | % | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 87.8 | % | 86.5 | % | 1.3 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 211 | $ | 218 |
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The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $212 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $217 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, a decrease of $5 million (2%). Higher underwriting profit in the Specialty financial sub-segment was more than offset by lower underwriting profits in the Specialty casualty and Property and transportation sub-segments. Overall catastrophe losses were $25 million (1.4 points on the combined ratio), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to catastrophe losses of $11 million (0.9 points), including a $13 million favorable impact in the fourth quarter of 2022 from lower than previously estimated reinstatement premiums related to Hurricane Ian.
Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $67 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $68 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, a decrease of $1 million (1%). Below average underwriting profitability in the crop insurance operations was largely offset by higher year-over-year underwriting profits in the property and inland marine and the non-crop agricultural businesses. Catastrophe losses for this group were $5 million (0.6 points on the combined ratio), including $2 million in net reinstatement premiums in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to catastrophe losses of $7 million (1.0 points), including a $1 million favorable impact from lower than previously estimated net reinstatement premiums in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $114 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $128 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, a decrease of $14 million (11%). Higher year-over-year underwriting profits in the workers’ compensation and executive liability businesses were more than offset by lower underwriting profit in the excess and surplus business. Catastrophe losses were $8 million (1.1 points on the combined ratio), including a $1 million favorable impact from lower than previously estimated net reinstatement premiums in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to catastrophe losses of $7 million (1.1 points), including a $1 million favorable impact from net reinstatement premiums in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $45 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $33 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of $12 million (36%). This increase reflects higher year-over-year underwriting profit in the financial institutions business. Catastrophe losses were $4 million (2.0 points on the combined ratio) in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to a favorable impact of $3 million (1.9 points), including a $10 million favorable impact from the change in estimated reinstatement premiums related to Hurricane Ian in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Other specialty This group reported an underwriting loss of $14 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $12 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of $2 million (17%), reflecting higher losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. This group reported catastrophe losses of $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to less than $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Aggregate Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment include adverse prior year reserve development of $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and net favorable prior year reserve development of $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
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Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 60.8% for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 60.7% for the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of 0.1 percentage points. The components of AFG’s property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Ratio | Change in Ratio | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 479 | $ | 494 | 70.2 | % | 72.6 | % | (2.4 | %) | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (12) | (13) | (1.8 | %) | (1.8 | %) | — | % | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 3 | 8 | 0.6 | % | 1.0 | % | (0.4 | %) | ||||||||
| Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 470 | $ | 489 | 69.0 | % | 71.8 | % | (2.8 | %) | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 466 | $ | 423 | 63.5 | % | 61.6 | % | 1.9 | % | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (37) | (50) | (5.0 | %) | (7.3 | %) | 2.3 | % | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 9 | 8 | 1.1 | % | 1.1 | % | — | % | ||||||||
| Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 438 | $ | 381 | 59.6 | % | 55.4 | % | 4.2 | % | ||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 89 | $ | 67 | 36.2 | % | 36.0 | % | 0.2 | % | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (8) | (8) | (3.4 | %) | (4.1 | %) | 0.7 | % | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 4 | 7 | 2.0 | % | 1.9 | % | 0.1 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 85 | $ | 66 | 34.8 | % | 33.8 | % | 1.0 | % | ||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 1,085 | $ | 1,021 | 62.6 | % | 63.5 | % | (0.9 | %) | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (57) | (58) | (3.3 | %) | (3.6 | %) | 0.3 | % | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 24 | 24 | 1.4 | % | 0.9 | % | 0.5 | % | ||||||||
| Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,052 | $ | 987 | 60.7 | % | 60.8 | % | (0.1 | %) | ||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding catastrophe losses | $ | 1,085 | $ | 1,021 | 62.6 | % | 63.5 | % | (0.9 | %) | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (56) | (59) | (3.2 | %) | (3.6 | %) | 0.4 | % | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 24 | 24 | 1.4 | % | 0.8 | % | 0.6 | % | ||||||||
| Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,053 | $ | 986 | 60.8 | % | 60.7 | % | 0.1 | % |
Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 62.6% for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 63.5% in the fourth quarter of 2022, a decrease of 0.9 percentage points.
Property and transportation The 2.4 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses, is due primarily to the impact of lower claim severity in the property and inland marine and certain transportation businesses, partially offset by lower profitability in the crop business.
Specialty casualty The 1.9 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses, reflects anticipated medical cost inflation and the impact of pressure on rates in the workers’ compensation businesses and higher claim severity in certain liability coverages, partially offset by lower claim frequency in the executive liability business.
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Specialty financial The 0.2 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses, reflects an increase in claim severity in the innovative markets business, partially offset by lower claim frequency and growth in the financial institutions business, which has a lower loss and LAE ratio than some of the other businesses in the Specialty financial sub-segment.
Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $57 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $58 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, a decrease of $1 million (2%).
Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $12 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 reflects lower than anticipated losses in the crop business and lower than expected claim frequency in the ocean marine and property and inland marine businesses. Net favorable reserve development of $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 reflects lower than expected claim severity in the ocean marine, aviation and property and inland marine businesses and lower than anticipated claim frequency in the trucking business.
Specialty casualty Net favorable reserve development of $37 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the excess and surplus business and higher than expected claim frequency and severity in the excess liability and general liability businesses. Net favorable reserve development of $50 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the workers’ compensation and excess and surplus businesses and lower than expected claim frequency in the executive liability business.
Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the fidelity business and lower than expected claim frequency in the financial institutions and trade credit businesses. Net favorable reserve development of $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the trade credit and financial institutions businesses.
Other specialty In addition to the development discussed above, total Specialty prior year reserve development includes net adverse reserve development of less than $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The fourth quarter of 2022 reflects net adverse reserve development associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program (primarily from social inflation exposed casualty businesses) and, to a lesser extent, both periods reflect the amortization of the deferred gain on the retroactive reinsurance transaction entered into in connection with the sale of a business in 1998.
Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes net adverse reserve development of $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and net favorable reserve development of $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
Catastrophe losses
AFG generally seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophes (whether resulting from climate change or otherwise) through individual risk selection, including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures, and the purchase of reinsurance. Based on data available at December 31, 2023, AFG’s exposure to a catastrophic earthquake or windstorm that industry models indicate should statistically occur once in every 100, 250 or 500 years as a percentage of AFG’s Shareholders’ Equity is shown below:
| Industry Model | Approximate impact of modeled loss on AFG’s Shareholders’ Equity | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 100-year event | 2% | ||
| 250-year event | 2% | ||
| 500-year event | 2% |
Catastrophe losses of $24 million (before net reinstatement premiums) in the fourth quarter of 2023 resulted primarily from storms in multiple regions of the United States. Catastrophe losses of $24 million (before net reinstatement premiums) in the fourth quarter of 2022 resulted primarily from Winter Storm Elliott.
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Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $468 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $419 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of $49 million (12%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio, calculated as commissions and other underwriting expenses divided by net premiums earned, was 27.0% for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 25.8% for the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of 1.2 percentage points. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Change in % of NEP | ||||||||||||||
| U/W Exp | % of NEP | U/W Exp | % of NEP | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 145 | 21.3 | % | $ | 125 | 18.2 | % | 3.1 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 185 | 25.0 | % | 177 | 25.9 | % | (0.9 | %) | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 114 | 46.5 | % | 94 | 49.3 | % | (2.8 | %) | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 24 | 36.1 | % | 23 | 34.8 | % | 1.3 | % | ||||||||
| $ | 468 | 27.0 | % | $ | 419 | 25.8 | % | 1.2 | % |
Property and transportation Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 3.1 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 reflecting the impact of lower profit-based ceding commissions related to below average profitability in the crop operations, the impact on the ratio of lower earned premiums in the crop operations (which has a lower commissions and other underwriting expense ratio than some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment) and higher expenses related to certain technology initiatives.
Specialty casualty Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 0.9 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 reflecting the impact on the ratio of growth in earned premiums in the workers’ compensation businesses, partially offset by higher expenses related to certain technology initiatives.
Specialty financial Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 2.8 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 reflecting the impact on the ratio of growth in earned premiums in the financial institutions, surety and innovative markets businesses and lower contingent commissions paid to agents in the innovative markets business, partially offset by the impact of an increase in net earned premiums in the fourth quarter of 2022 due to lower than previously estimated reinstatement premiums related to Hurricane Ian and higher expenses related to certain technology initiatives.
Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $161 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $159 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of $2 million (1%). The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | % | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Change | Change | |||||||||||
| Net investment income: | ||||||||||||||
| Net investment income, excluding alternative investments | $ | 156 | $ | 131 | $ | 25 | 19 | % | ||||||
| Alternative investments | 5 | 28 | (23) | (82 | %) | |||||||||
| Total net investment income | $ | 161 | $ | 159 | $ | 2 | 1 | % | ||||||
| Average invested assets (at amortized cost) | $ | 15,227 | $ | 14,304 | $ | 923 | 6 | % | ||||||
| Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets) | 4.23 | % | 4.45 | % | (0.22 | %) | ||||||||
| Tax equivalent yield (*) | 4.31 | % | 4.53 | % | (0.22 | %) |
(*)Adjusts the yield on equity securities and tax-exempt bonds to the fully taxable equivalent yield.
The increase in the property and casualty insurance segment’s net investment income for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 reflects the impact of higher yields on fixed maturity investments and higher balances of invested assets, partially offset by lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio (partnerships and
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similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs). The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 4.23% for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 4.45% for the fourth quarter of 2022, a decrease of 0.22 percentage points reflecting lower returns on alternative investments, partially offset by higher yields on fixed maturity investments. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 0.8% in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 5.3% in the prior year period.
Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was a net expense of $15 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $14 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of $1 million (7%). The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations (in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Other income: | ||||||
| Income related to the sale of real estate | $ | — | $ | — | ||
| Other | 3 | — | ||||
| Total other income | 3 | — | ||||
| Other expenses: | ||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | 4 | 4 | ||||
| Interest expense on funds withheld | 12 | 8 | ||||
| Other | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Total other expenses | 18 | 14 | ||||
| Other income and expenses, net | $ | (15) | $ | (14) |
The $4 million (50%) increase in interest expense on funds withheld in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects the impact of higher interest rates.
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $53 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $44 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of $9 million (20%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $53 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $45 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of $8 million (18%).
The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core loss before income taxes from operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | % Change | ||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 7 | $ | 9 | (22 | %) | ||||
| Other income — P&C fees | 42 | 22 | 91 | % | ||||||
| Other income | 5 | 7 | (29 | %) | ||||||
| Total revenues | 54 | 38 | 42 | % | ||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance — loss adjustment and underwriting expenses | 28 | 8 | 250 | % | ||||||
| Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees | 14 | 14 | — | % | ||||||
| Other expenses (*) | 46 | 41 | 12 | % | ||||||
| Costs and expenses, excluding interest charges on borrowed money | 88 | 63 | 40 | % | ||||||
| Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses and interest charges on borrowed money | (34) | (25) | 36 | % | ||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | 19 | 20 | (5 | %) | ||||||
| Core loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | (53) | (45) | 18 | % | ||||||
| Pretax non-core gain on retirement of debt | — | 1 | (100 | %) | ||||||
| GAAP loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | $ | (53) | $ | (44) | 20 | % |
(*)Excludes a pretax non-core gain on retirement of debt of $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.
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Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $9 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, a decrease of $2 million (22%), reflecting the impact of lower average investment balances, partially offset by the impact of higher interest rates on cash and fixed maturity investments.
Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, a workers’ compensation insurance subsidiary, collects fees from a small group of unaffiliated insurers for providing underwriting, policy administration and claims services. In addition, certain of AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In the fourth quarter of 2023, AFG collected $23 million in fees for these services compared to $22 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Management views this fee income, net of the $14 million in both the fourth quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2022 in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. In addition, AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses earned $19 million in fees as compensation for providing services during the fourth quarter of 2023 related to the administration of crop insurance business generated by CRS for its former owner prior to the acquisition date and collected less than $1 million in fees from AFG’s disposed annuity operations during the fourth quarter of 2022 as compensation for certain services provided under a transition services agreement. The expenses related to providing such services are embedded in property and casualty underwriting expenses. Consistent with internal management reporting, these fees and the related expenses are netted and recorded as a reduction of loss adjustment and other underwriting expenses in AFG’s segmented results.
Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $5 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, in management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG’s consolidated managed investment entities). The management fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidate MIEs column under “Results of Operations — Segmented Statement of Earnings.” Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $1 million and $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2022, respectively.
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
Excluding the non-core gain on retirement of debt discussed below, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $46 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $41 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of $5 million (12%). This increase is due primarily to the impact of higher holding company expenses related to deferred compensation obligations to employees that are tied to stock market performance and higher aircraft related expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022.
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded interest expense of $19 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $20 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, a decrease of $1 million (5%).
Holding Company and Other — Gain on Retirement of Debt
During the fourth quarter of 2022, AFG retired $38 million principal amount of its senior notes, which resulted in a $1 million pretax gain.
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Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities were net gains of $31 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $27 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of $4 million (15%). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Realized gains (losses) before impairment allowances: | ||||||
| Disposals | $ | (2) | $ | (6) | ||
| Change in the fair value of equity securities | 33 | 26 | ||||
| Change in the fair value of derivatives | 2 | (1) | ||||
| Other | — | 10 | ||||
| 33 | 29 | |||||
| Change in allowance for impairments on securities | (2) | (2) | ||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | $ | 31 | $ | 27 |
The $33 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the fourth quarter of 2023 includes gains of $15 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $6 million on investments in retail companies, $5 million on investments in healthcare companies and $5 million on investments in media companies. The $26 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the fourth quarter of 2022 includes gains of $7 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $7 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies and $7 million on investments in retail companies, partially offset by losses of $7 million on investments in media companies.
Consolidated Income Taxes
AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes was $72 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $70 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of $2 million (3%). The following is a reconciliation of income taxes at the statutory rate to the provision for income taxes as shown in the segmented statement of earnings (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Amount | % of EBT | Amount | % of EBT | ||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes (“EBT”) | $ | 335 | $ | 346 | |||||||||
| Income taxes at statutory rate | $ | 70 | 21 | % | $ | 73 | 21 | % | |||||
| Effect of: | |||||||||||||
| Change in valuation allowance | — | — | % | (10) | (3 | %) | |||||||
| Employee stock ownership plan dividend paid deduction | (2) | (1 | %) | (1) | — | % | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | % | (1) | — | % | |||||||
| Tax exempt interest | (1) | — | % | (1) | — | % | |||||||
| Dividend received deduction | (1) | — | % | (1) | — | % | |||||||
| Nondeductible expenses | 3 | 1 | % | 3 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Foreign operations | — | — | % | 1 | — | % | |||||||
| Other | 3 | — | % | 7 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Provision for income taxes | $ | 72 | 21 | % | $ | 70 | 20 | % |
See Note M — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
Segmented Statement of Earnings
Subsequent to the sale of its annuity operations, AFG reports its continuing operations as two segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”) and (ii) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
AFG’s net earnings, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 6,531 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,531 | $ | — | $ | 6,531 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 729 | (27) | 40 | 742 | — | 742 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities | — | — | — | — | (36) | (36) | ||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiary | — | — | — | — | (4) | (4) | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 421 | — | 421 | — | 421 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 27 | — | 27 | — | 27 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 16 | (16) | 146 | 146 | — | 146 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,276 | 405 | 186 | 7,867 | (40) | 7,827 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 4,017 | — | 16 | 4,033 | — | 4,033 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,883 | — | 52 | 1,935 | — | 1,935 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 76 | 76 | — | 76 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 405 | — | 405 | — | 405 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 72 | — | 219 | 291 | 14 | 305 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 5,972 | 405 | 363 | 6,740 | 14 | 6,754 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 1,304 | — | (177) | 1,127 | (54) | 1,073 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 265 | — | (33) | 232 | (11) | 221 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 1,039 | — | (144) | 895 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | (28) | (28) | 28 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized loss on subsidiary | (4) | — | — | (4) | 4 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Special A&E charge, net of tax | — | — | (12) | (12) | 12 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain on retirement of debt, net of tax | — | — | 1 | 1 | (1) | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 1,035 | $ | — | $ | (183) | $ | 852 | $ | — | $ | 852 |
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| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 6,085 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,085 | $ | — | $ | 6,085 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 683 | 10 | 24 | 717 | — | 717 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | (116) | (116) | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 268 | — | 268 | — | 268 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (31) | — | (31) | — | (31) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 12 | (17) | 122 | 117 | — | 117 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 6,780 | 230 | 146 | 7,156 | (116) | 7,040 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 3,629 | — | — | 3,629 | — | 3,629 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,680 | — | 38 | 1,718 | — | 1,718 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 85 | 85 | — | 85 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 230 | — | 230 | — | 230 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 52 | — | 194 | 246 | 9 | 255 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 5,361 | 230 | 317 | 5,908 | 9 | 5,917 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 1,419 | — | (171) | 1,248 | (125) | 1,123 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 295 | — | (40) | 255 | (30) | 225 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 1,124 | — | (131) | 993 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | (92) | (92) | 92 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss on retirement of debt, net of tax | — | — | (7) | (7) | 7 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Other, net of tax | — | — | 4 | 4 | (4) | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 1,124 | $ | — | $ | (226) | $ | 898 | $ | — | $ | 898 |
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| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Annuity | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 5,404 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,404 | $ | — | $ | 5,404 | ||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 663 | 51 | (20) | 36 | 730 | — | 730 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities | — | — | — | — | — | 110 | 110 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | — | 181 | — | 181 | — | 181 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | — | 10 | — | 10 | — | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 27 | — | (16) | 102 | 113 | — | 113 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 6,094 | 51 | 155 | 138 | 6,438 | 114 | 6,552 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 3,157 | — | — | — | 3,157 | — | 3,157 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,514 | — | — | 33 | 1,547 | — | 1,547 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | — | 94 | 94 | — | 94 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | — | 155 | — | 155 | — | 155 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 33 | 1 | — | 219 | 253 | 11 | 264 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 4,704 | 1 | 155 | 346 | 5,206 | 11 | 5,217 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 1,390 | 50 | — | (208) | 1,232 | 103 | 1,335 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 279 | 11 | — | (51) | 239 | 15 | 254 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 1,111 | 39 | — | (157) | 993 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | — | 87 | 87 | (87) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Discontinued operations, net of tax | — | 914 | — | — | 914 | — | 914 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gain on subsidiaries, net of tax | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | (3) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net of tax | — | — | — | (2) | (2) | 2 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 1,114 | $ | 953 | $ | — | $ | (72) | $ | 1,995 | $ | — | $ | 1,995 |
(*)See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax and noncontrolling interest impacts of these reconciling items.
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $1.30 billion in GAAP pretax earnings in 2023 compared to $1.42 billion in 2022, a decrease of $119 million (8%). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were $1.30 billion in 2023 compared to $1.42 billion in 2022, a decrease of $115 million (8%). The decrease in GAAP and core pretax earnings reflects lower underwriting profit and lower investment income from AFG’s alternative investment portfolio (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs), partially offset by higher investment income outside of alternative investments in 2023 compared to 2022.
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $1.42 billion in GAAP pretax earnings in 2022 compared to $1.39 billion in 2021, an increase of $25 million (2%). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were $1.42 billion in 2022 compared to $1.39 billion in 2021, an increase of $29 million (2%). The increase in GAAP and core pretax earnings reflects higher underwriting profit and higher investment income outside of alternative investments, partially offset by lower investment income from AFG’s alternative investment portfolio and higher other net expenses in 2022 compared to 2021.
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The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty insurance operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 - 2022 | 2022 - 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Gross written premiums | $ | 9,656 | $ | 9,057 | $ | 7,946 | 7 | % | 14 | % | |||||||
| Reinsurance premiums ceded | (2,964) | (2,851) | (2,373) | 4 | % | 20 | % | ||||||||||
| Net written premiums | 6,692 | 6,206 | 5,573 | 8 | % | 11 | % | ||||||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | (161) | (121) | (169) | 33 | % | (28 | %) | ||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | 6,531 | 6,085 | 5,404 | 7 | % | 13 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses | 4,017 | 3,629 | 3,157 | 11 | % | 15 | % | ||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,883 | 1,680 | 1,514 | 12 | % | 11 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting gain | 631 | 776 | 733 | (19 | %) | 6 | % | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 729 | 683 | 663 | 7 | % | 3 | % | ||||||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | (56) | (40) | (6) | 40 | % | 567 | % | ||||||||||
| Core earnings before income taxes | 1,304 | 1,419 | 1,390 | (8 | %) | 2 | % | ||||||||||
| Realized gain (loss) on subsidiaries | (4) | — | 4 | — | % | (100 | %) | ||||||||||
| GAAP earnings before income taxes | $ | 1,300 | $ | 1,419 | $ | 1,394 | (8 | %) | 2 | % | |||||||
| Year ended December 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| Combined Ratios: | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 - 2022 | 2022 - 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Specialty lines | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 61.5 | % | 59.6 | % | 58.4 | % | 1.9 | % | 1.2 | % | |||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 28.8 | % | 27.6 | % | 28.0 | % | 1.2 | % | (0.4 | %) | |||||||
| Combined ratio | 90.3 | % | 87.2 | % | 86.4 | % | 3.1 | % | 0.8 | % | |||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 61.6 | % | 59.7 | % | 58.5 | % | 1.9 | % | 1.2 | % | |||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 28.8 | % | 27.6 | % | 28.0 | % | 1.2 | % | (0.4 | %) | |||||||
| Combined ratio | 90.4 | % | 87.3 | % | 86.5 | % | 3.1 | % | 0.8 | % |
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty property and casualty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $9.66 billion in 2023 compared to $9.06 billion in 2022, an increase of $599 million (7%). GWP increased $1.11 billion (14%) in 2022 compared to 2021. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 - 2022 | 2022 - 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| GWP | % | GWP | % | GWP | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 4,146 | 43 | % | $ | 4,060 | 45 | % | $ | 3,263 | 41 | % | 2 | % | 24 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 4,368 | 45 | % | 4,115 | 45 | % | 3,890 | 49 | % | 6 | % | 6 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 1,142 | 12 | % | 882 | 10 | % | 793 | 10 | % | 29 | % | 11 | % | |||||||||||||
| $ | 9,656 | 100 | % | $ | 9,057 | 100 | % | $ | 7,946 | 100 | % | 7 | % | 14 | % |
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Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 31% of gross written premiums for both the year ended December 31, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022 and 30% for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of 1 percentage point for 2023 and 2022 compared to 2021. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | Change in % of GWP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 - 2022 | 2022 - 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded | % of GWP | Ceded | % of GWP | Ceded | % of GWP | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | (1,595) | 38 | % | $ | (1,545) | 38 | % | $ | (1,106) | 34 | % | — | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | (1,424) | 33 | % | (1,387) | 34 | % | (1,350) | 35 | % | (1 | %) | (1 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | (207) | 18 | % | (171) | 19 | % | (135) | 17 | % | (1 | %) | 2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 262 | 252 | 218 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | (2,964) | 31 | % | $ | (2,851) | 31 | % | $ | (2,373) | 30 | % | — | % | 1 | % |
Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $6.69 billion in 2023 compared to $6.21 billion in 2022, an increase of $486 million (8%). NWP increased $633 million (11%) in 2022 compared to 2021. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 - 2022 | 2022 - 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NWP | % | NWP | % | NWP | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 2,551 | 38 | % | $ | 2,515 | 41 | % | $ | 2,157 | 39 | % | 1 | % | 17 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 2,944 | 44 | % | 2,728 | 44 | % | 2,540 | 45 | % | 8 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 935 | 14 | % | 711 | 11 | % | 658 | 12 | % | 32 | % | 8 | % | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 262 | 4 | % | 252 | 4 | % | 218 | 4 | % | 4 | % | 16 | % | |||||||||||||
| $ | 6,692 | 100 | % | $ | 6,206 | 100 | % | $ | 5,573 | 100 | % | 8 | % | 11 | % |
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $6.53 billion in 2023 compared to $6.09 billion in 2022, an increase of $446 million (7%). NEP increased $681 million (13%) in 2022 compared to 2021. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 - 2022 | 2022 - 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NEP | % | NEP | % | NEP | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 2,519 | 39 | % | $ | 2,487 | 41 | % | $ | 2,144 | 40 | % | 1 | % | 16 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 2,886 | 44 | % | 2,659 | 44 | % | 2,408 | 44 | % | 9 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 867 | 13 | % | 698 | 11 | % | 642 | 12 | % | 24 | % | 9 | % | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 259 | 4 | % | 241 | 4 | % | 210 | 4 | % | 7 | % | 15 | % | |||||||||||||
| $ | 6,531 | 100 | % | $ | 6,085 | 100 | % | $ | 5,404 | 100 | % | 7 | % | 13 | % |
The $599 million (7%) increase in gross written premiums in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects growth in each of the Specialty property and casualty sub-segments as a result of a combination of new business opportunities, increased exposures and a good renewal rate environment. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 5% in 2023. Excluding the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal pricing increased approximately 6%.
The $1.11 billion (14%) increase in gross written premiums in 2022 compared to 2021 reflects growth in the crop insurance business. Excluding crop, gross and net written premiums increased 8% and 9%, respectively, in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting increased exposures, new business opportunities and renewal rate increases. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 5% in 2022. Excluding the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal pricing increased approximately 6%.
Property and transportation Gross written premiums increased $86 million (2%) in 2023 compared to 2022 reflecting the impact of increased rates, retentions and exposures in the transportation and ocean marine businesses and slightly higher crop premium related to the CRS acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2023. These items were partially offset by the impact of 2023 spring commodity futures pricing and related volatility on premiums in the crop business. Average renewal rates increased approximately 6% for this group in 2023. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross
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written premiums were comparable in 2023 and 2022 reflecting growth in alternative risk transfer products in the transportation businesses, offset by the impact of lower premiums in the crop business. Both of these businesses cede a larger percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment.
Gross written premiums increased $797 million (24%) in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting the impact of higher commodity futures prices on the crop insurance business. Excluding crop, gross and net written premiums grew 11% and 10%, respectively, reflecting new business opportunities, increased exposures and rate increases. Average renewal rates increased approximately 6% for this group in 2022. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 4 percentage points in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting growth in crop insurance products with higher cessions and higher cessions in the ocean marine business.
Specialty casualty Gross written premiums increased $253 million (6%) in 2023 compared to 2022 due primarily to increased exposures from payroll growth and new business in the workers’ compensation businesses, new business opportunities, strong policy retention and rate increases in several of the targeted markets businesses and increased exposures and higher renewal rates in the excess and surplus and excess liability businesses. This growth was partially offset by lower premiums in the mergers and acquisitions liability and executive liability businesses. Average renewal rates increased approximately 4% for this group in 2023. Excluding overall rate decreases in the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 6% in 2023. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 1 percentage point in 2023 compared to 2022 reflecting higher premiums in the workers’ compensation businesses (which cede a lower percentage of premiums than some of the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment) and lower cessions in the environmental and mergers and acquisitions liability businesses and at ABA Insurance Services.
Gross written premiums increased $225 million (6%) in 2022 compared to 2021 due primarily to increased exposures in the excess and surplus businesses, rate increases and new business opportunities in the targeted markets businesses and increased exposures resulting from payroll growth and new business in the workers’ compensation businesses. This premium growth was partially offset by lower year-over-year premiums in the mergers and acquisitions liability business. Average renewal rates increased approximately 5% for this group in 2022. Excluding overall rate decreases in the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 7% in 2022. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 1 percentage point in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting lower cessions in the excess and surplus and excess liability businesses and lower gross written premiums in the mergers and acquisitions liability business, which cedes a larger percentage of premiums than the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
Specialty financial Gross written premiums increased $260 million (29%) in 2023 compared to 2022 due primarily to growth in the financial institutions business. Average renewal rates increased approximately 5% for this group in 2023. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 1 percentage point in 2023 compared to 2022 reflecting the impact of reinstatement premiums paid to reinsurers in 2022 related to Hurricane Ian.
Gross written premiums increased $89 million (11%) in 2022 compared to 2021 due primarily to higher premiums in the financial institutions business related to lender-placed mortgage protection insurance, rate increases and new business opportunities in the fidelity business and new business opportunities in the innovative markets and commercial equipment leasing businesses. Average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 5% in 2022. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 2 percentage points in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting the impact of reinstatement premiums related to Hurricane Ian and higher cessions in the innovative markets business.
Other specialty The amounts shown as reinsurance premiums ceded represent business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Reinsurance premiums assumed increased $10 million (4%) in 2023 compared to 2022, and $34 million (16%) in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting an increase in premiums retained, primarily from businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
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Combined Ratio
The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of the combined ratio for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment for 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| Year ended December 31, | Change | Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 - 2022 | 2022 - 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 69.2 | % | 69.8 | % | 65.1 | % | (0.6 | %) | 4.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 23.6 | % | 21.9 | % | 22.0 | % | 1.7 | % | (0.1 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 92.8 | % | 91.7 | % | 87.1 | % | 1.1 | % | 4.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 184 | $ | 208 | $ | 279 | ||||||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 60.3 | % | 54.7 | % | 58.1 | % | 5.6 | % | (3.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 26.7 | % | 26.5 | % | 26.2 | % | 0.2 | % | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 87.0 | % | 81.2 | % | 84.3 | % | 5.8 | % | (3.1 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 375 | $ | 500 | $ | 377 | ||||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 37.8 | % | 34.1 | % | 33.2 | % | 3.7 | % | 0.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 49.5 | % | 49.6 | % | 51.9 | % | (0.1 | %) | (2.3 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 87.3 | % | 83.7 | % | 85.1 | % | 3.6 | % | (1.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 110 | $ | 114 | $ | 96 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 61.5 | % | 59.6 | % | 58.4 | % | 1.9 | % | 1.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 28.8 | % | 27.6 | % | 28.0 | % | 1.2 | % | (0.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 90.3 | % | 87.2 | % | 86.4 | % | 3.1 | % | 0.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 633 | $ | 780 | $ | 737 | ||||||||||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 61.6 | % | 59.7 | % | 58.5 | % | 1.9 | % | 1.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 28.8 | % | 27.6 | % | 28.0 | % | 1.2 | % | (0.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 90.4 | % | 87.3 | % | 86.5 | % | 3.1 | % | 0.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 631 | $ | 776 | $ | 733 |
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $633 million in 2023 compared to $780 million in 2022, a decrease of $147 million (19%). This decrease reflects lower underwriting profit in each of the Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Overall catastrophe losses were $165 million (2.5 points on the combined ratio), including $3 million in net reinstatement premiums, for 2023 compared to catastrophe losses of $93 million (1.5 points), including $5 million in net reinstatement premiums, for 2022.
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $780 million in 2022 compared to $737 million in 2021, an increase of $43 million (6%), reflecting higher underwriting profits in the Specialty casualty and Specialty financial sub-segments, partially offset by lower underwriting profit in the Property and transportation sub-segment. Underwriting results for the Specialty property and casualty insurance operations include $16 million in COVID-19 related losses (0.3 points on the combined ratio) in 2021. Overall catastrophe losses were $93 million (1.5 points on the combined ratio), including $5 million in net reinstatement premiums, for 2022 compared to catastrophe losses of $98 million (1.7 points), including $12 million in net reinstatement premiums, for 2021.
Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $184 million in 2023 compared to $208 million in 2022, a decrease of $24 million (12%). Below average underwriting profitability in the crop insurance operations was partially offset by higher year-over-year underwriting profit in the property and inland marine business. Catastrophe losses were $53 million (2.0 points on the combined ratio), including $2 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2023 compared to catastrophe losses of $45 million (1.9 points), including $3 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2022.
Underwriting profit for this group was $208 million in 2022 compared to $279 million in 2021, a decrease of $71 million (25%), reflecting lower year-over-year profitability in the crop operations compared to the very strong results in 2021 and
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lower underwriting profit in the transportation businesses, primarily the result of lower favorable prior year reserve development. Catastrophe losses were $45 million (1.9 points on the combined ratio), including $3 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2022 compared to catastrophe losses of $58 million (2.7 points), including $9 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2021.
Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $375 million in 2023 compared to $500 million in 2022, a decrease of $125 million (25%). The lower year-over-year underwriting profit was due primarily to lower favorable prior year reserve development in the workers’ compensation businesses and adverse reserve development in the public sector and excess and surplus businesses, partially offset by higher favorable prior year reserve development in the executive liability business. Catastrophe losses were $36 million (1.2 points on the combined ratio), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2023 compared to catastrophe losses of $11 million (0.5 points) in 2022.
Underwriting profit for this group was $500 million in 2022 compared to $377 million in 2021, an increase of $123 million (33%). This increase reflects higher year-over-year underwriting profits in the workers’ compensation, excess and surplus, executive liability and mergers and acquisitions liability businesses. COVID-19 related losses were $9 million (0.4 points on the combined ratio) in 2021. Catastrophe losses were $11 million (0.5 points on the combined ratio) in 2022 compared to catastrophe losses of $10 million (0.4 points), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2021.
Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $110 million in 2023 compared to $114 million in 2022, a decrease of $4 million (4%). This decrease reflects higher year-over-year catastrophe losses in the financial institutions business and lower underwriting profit in the surety business. Catastrophe losses were $49 million (5.7 points on the combined ratio) in 2023 compared to catastrophe losses of $36 million (4.9 points), including $3 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2022.
Underwriting profit for this group was $114 million in 2022 compared to $96 million in 2021, an increase of $18 million (19%) due primarily to higher year-over-year underwriting profits in the trade credit and financial institutions businesses. COVID-19 related losses were $7 million (1.1 points on the combined ratio) in 2021. Catastrophe losses were $36 million (4.9 points on the combined ratio), including $3 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2022 compared to catastrophe losses of $28 million (4.1 points), including $2 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2021.
Other specialty This group reported an underwriting loss of $36 million in 2023 compared to $42 million in 2022, a decrease of $6 million (14%), reflecting lower losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments. The underwriting loss in 2022 relates primarily to losses from social inflation exposed operations in the Specialty casualty sub-segment. Catastrophe losses were $27 million in 2023 compared to $1 million in 2022.
This group reported an underwriting loss of $42 million in 2022 compared to $15 million in 2021, an increase of $27 million (180%). This increase reflects higher losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments (primarily losses from social inflation exposed operations in the Specialty casualty sub-segment) in 2022 compared to 2021.
Aggregate Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment include adverse prior year reserve development of $2 million in 2023 and $4 million in both 2022 and 2021, related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
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Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 61.6%, 59.7% and 58.5% in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The components of AFG’s property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Ratio | Change in Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 - 2022 | 2022 - 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 1,774 | $ | 1,785 | $ | 1,448 | 70.5 | % | 71.6 | % | 67.2 | % | (1.1 | %) | 4.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (84) | (92) | (103) | (3.3 | %) | (3.7 | %) | (4.8 | %) | 0.4 | % | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | — | — | — | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 51 | 42 | 49 | 2.0 | % | 1.9 | % | 2.7 | % | 0.1 | % | (0.8 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,741 | $ | 1,735 | $ | 1,394 | 69.2 | % | 69.8 | % | 65.1 | % | (0.6 | %) | 4.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 1,814 | $ | 1,632 | $ | 1,521 | 62.9 | % | 61.4 | % | 63.1 | % | 1.5 | % | (1.7 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (110) | (190) | (140) | (3.8 | %) | (7.2 | %) | (5.8 | %) | 3.4 | % | (1.4 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | — | 9 | — | % | — | % | 0.4 | % | — | % | (0.4 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 35 | 11 | 9 | 1.2 | % | 0.5 | % | 0.4 | % | 0.7 | % | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,739 | $ | 1,453 | $ | 1,399 | 60.3 | % | 54.7 | % | 58.1 | % | 5.6 | % | (3.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 311 | $ | 252 | $ | 231 | 35.8 | % | 36.0 | % | 36.0 | % | (0.2 | %) | — | % | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (32) | (47) | (51) | (3.7 | %) | (6.8 | %) | (8.0 | %) | 3.1 | % | 1.2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | — | 7 | — | % | — | % | 1.1 | % | — | % | (1.1 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 49 | 33 | 26 | 5.7 | % | 4.9 | % | 4.1 | % | 0.8 | % | 0.8 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 328 | $ | 238 | $ | 213 | 37.8 | % | 34.1 | % | 33.2 | % | 3.7 | % | 0.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 4,079 | $ | 3,826 | $ | 3,334 | 62.4 | % | 62.8 | % | 61.6 | % | (0.4 | %) | 1.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (226) | (289) | (283) | (3.4 | %) | (4.7 | %) | (5.2 | %) | 1.3 | % | 0.5 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | — | 16 | — | % | — | % | 0.3 | % | — | % | (0.3 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 162 | 88 | 86 | 2.5 | % | 1.5 | % | 1.7 | % | 1.0 | % | (0.2 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 4,015 | $ | 3,625 | $ | 3,153 | 61.5 | % | 59.6 | % | 58.4 | % | 1.9 | % | 1.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 4,079 | $ | 3,826 | $ | 3,334 | 62.4 | % | 62.8 | % | 61.6 | % | (0.4 | %) | 1.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (224) | (285) | (279) | (3.4 | %) | (4.7 | %) | (5.2 | %) | 1.3 | % | 0.5 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | — | 16 | — | % | — | % | 0.3 | % | — | % | (0.3 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 162 | 88 | 86 | 2.6 | % | 1.6 | % | 1.8 | % | 1.0 | % | (0.2 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 4,017 | $ | 3,629 | $ | 3,157 | 61.6 | % | 59.7 | % | 58.5 | % | 1.9 | % | 1.2 | % |
Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 62.4% in 2023, 62.8% in 2022 and 61.6% in 2021.
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Property and transportation The 1.1 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2023 compared to 2022 is due primarily to the impact of elevated large loss activity in the property and inland marine business in 2022 and improved results in certain transportation businesses, partially offset by lower profit in the crop business.
The 4.4 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2022 compared to 2021 is due primarily to lower profitability in the crop insurance business compared to the very strong results recorded in 2021. Excluding crop, the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses was comparable in 2022 and 2021.
Specialty casualty The 1.5 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects anticipated medical cost inflation and the impact of pressure on rates in the workers’ compensation businesses and higher claim severity in certain liability coverages.
The 1.7 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2022 compared to 2021 reflects favorable trends in workers’ compensation and the impact of higher rates in the executive liability, excess and surplus and excess liability businesses.
Specialty financial The 0.2 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects lower claim frequency and growth in the financial institutions business, which has a lower loss and LAE ratio than some of the other businesses in the Specialty financial sub-segment, partially offset by higher claim severity in the innovative markets business.
The loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2022 is unchanged compared to the 2021 period.
Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $226 million in 2023 compared to $289 million in 2022 and $283 million in 2021, a decrease of $63 million (22%) and an increase of $6 million (2%), respectively.
Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $84 million in 2023 reflects lower than anticipated losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim frequency and severity across the transportation businesses and lower than anticipated claim frequency in the property and inland marine and ocean marine businesses and in the Singapore operations.
Net favorable reserve development of $92 million in 2022 reflects lower than anticipated losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim frequency in the trucking and ocean marine businesses and in the Singapore operations, lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the aviation business and lower than anticipated claim severity in the property and inland marine business.
Net favorable reserve development of $103 million in 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the transportation businesses, lower than expected losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim severity in the ocean marine business and lower than expected claim frequency in the aviation business.
Specialty casualty Net favorable reserve development of $110 million in 2023 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses, lower than expected claim frequency in the executive liability and environmental businesses and favorable reserve development related to COVID-19 losses across several businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the public sector business and higher than expected claim frequency and severity in the excess liability and general liability businesses.
Net favorable reserve development of $190 million in 2022 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses and lower than expected claim frequency in the executive liability and excess and surplus businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the general liability, umbrella and excess liability, and certain targeted markets businesses.
Net favorable reserve development of $140 million in 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the general liability and targeted markets businesses.
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Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $32 million in 2023 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the trade credit, financial institutions and surety businesses and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the fidelity business.
Net favorable reserve development of $47 million in 2022 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety, trade credit and financial institutions businesses.
Net favorable reserve development of $51 million in 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety and trade credit businesses and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the financial institutions business.
Other specialty In addition to the development discussed above, total Specialty prior year reserve development includes net adverse reserve development of less than $1 million, $40 million and $11 million in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The net adverse reserve development reflects $4 million, $44 million and $16 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, of net adverse development associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program. The net adverse reserve development in 2022 and 2021 relates primarily to social inflation exposed business assumed from the Specialty casualty sub-segment. This adverse reserve development is partially offset by the amortization of the deferred gains on the retroactive reinsurance transactions entered into in connection with the sale of businesses in 1998 and 2001.
Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes net adverse reserve development of $2 million in 2023 and $4 million in both 2022 and 2021 related to business outside the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
Covid-19 related losses
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations released prior accident year COVID-19 reserves of $20 million in 2023 based on improved loss experience across several businesses. In 2022, AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations released $19 million of prior accident year COVID-19 reserves based on improved loss experience in the trade credit and workers’ compensation businesses. In 2021, AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded $16 million in reserve charges related to COVID-19 primarily related to the workers’ compensation and trade credit businesses, and recorded favorable development of approximately $19 million of accident year 2020 reserves primarily based on loss experience in the trade credit and executive liability businesses. Given the uncertainties surrounding the ultimate number and scope of claims relating to the pandemic, approximately 28% of the $55 million in cumulative COVID-19 related losses are held as incurred but not reported reserves at December 31, 2023.
Catastrophe losses
AFG generally seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophes (whether resulting from climate change or otherwise) through individual risk selection, including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures, and the purchase of reinsurance. AFG recorded net catastrophe losses of $162 million in 2023 (before $3 million in net reinstatement premiums) primarily from February and March storms across much of the United States in the first quarter and storms in multiple regions of the United States in the second, third and fourth quarters.
Catastrophe losses of $88 million in 2022 (before $5 million in net reinstatement premiums) resulted primarily from winter storms in multiple regions of the United States in the first quarter, storms in multiple regions of the United States in the second quarter, Hurricane Ian in the third quarter and Winter Storm Elliott in the fourth quarter.
Catastrophe losses of $86 million in 2021 (before $12 million in net reinstatement premiums) resulted primarily from winter storms in Texas in the first quarter; storms in multiple regions of the United States in the second, third and fourth quarters; Hurricane Ida in the third quarter and Kentucky tornadoes and Colorado fires in the fourth quarter.
Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $1.88 billion in 2023 compared to $1.68 billion in 2022, an increase of $203 million (12%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio was 28.8% in 2023 compared to 27.6% in 2022, an increase of 1.2 percentage points.
AFG’s property and casualty U/W Exp were $1.68 billion in 2022 compared to $1.51 billion in 2021, an increase of $166 million (11%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio was 27.6% in 2022 compared to 28.0% in 2021, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points.
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Detail of AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | Change in % of NEP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 - 2022 | 2022 - 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| U/W Exp | % of NEP | U/W Exp | % of NEP | U/W Exp | % of NEP | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 594 | 23.6 | % | $ | 544 | 21.9 | % | $ | 471 | 22.0 | % | 1.7 | % | (0.1 | %) | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 772 | 26.7 | % | 706 | 26.5 | % | 632 | 26.2 | % | 0.2 | % | 0.3 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 429 | 49.5 | % | 346 | 49.6 | % | 333 | 51.9 | % | (0.1 | %) | (2.3 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 88 | 33.9 | % | 84 | 34.7 | % | 78 | 37.2 | % | (0.8 | %) | (2.5 | %) | |||||||||||||
| $ | 1,883 | 28.8 | % | $ | 1,680 | 27.6 | % | $ | 1,514 | 28.0 | % | 1.2 | % | (0.4 | %) |
Property and transportation Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 1.7 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022 reflecting the impact of lower profit-based ceding commissions related to below average profitability in the crop operations, the impact on the ratio of lower earned premiums in the crop operations (which has a lower commissions and other underwriting expense ratio compared to some of the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment) and higher expenses related to certain technology initiatives.
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums were comparable in 2022 and 2021.
Specialty casualty Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 0.2 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022 reflecting higher expenses related to certain technology initiatives, partially offset by the impact on the ratio of growth in earned premiums in the workers’ compensation businesses.
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 0.3 percentage points in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting higher underwriting expenses in the workers’ compensation businesses.
Specialty financial Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 0.1 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022 reflecting the impact on the ratio of growth in earned premiums in the financial institutions and innovative markets businesses, partially offset by higher expenses related to certain technology initiatives and the impact of lower profit-based commissions to agents and lower reinstatement premiums recorded in 2022 as a result of losses from Hurricane Ian.
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 2.3 percentage points in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting lower profit-based commissions to agents in 2022 compared to 2021, and lower underwriting expenses in the international operations.
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Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $729 million in 2023 compared to $683 million in 2022, an increase of $46 million (7%). Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $683 million in 2022 compared to $663 million in 2021, an increase of $20 million (3%). The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | 2023 - 2022 | 2022 - 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income, excluding alternative investments | $ | 566 | $ | 418 | $ | 323 | $ | 148 | 35 | % | $ | 95 | 29 | % | |||||||||||
| Alternative investments | 163 | 265 | 340 | (102) | (38 | %) | (75) | (22 | %) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total net investment income | $ | 729 | $ | 683 | $ | 663 | $ | 46 | 7 | % | $ | 20 | 3 | % | |||||||||||
| Average invested assets (at amortized cost) | $ | 14,753 | $ | 14,048 | $ | 12,944 | $ | 705 | 5 | % | $ | 1,104 | 9 | % | |||||||||||
| Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets) | 4.94 | % | 4.86 | % | 5.12 | % | 0.08 | % | (0.26 | %) | |||||||||||||||
| Tax equivalent yield (*) | 5.01 | % | 4.96 | % | 5.25 | % | 0.05 | % | (0.29 | %) |
(*)Adjusts the yield on equity securities and tax-exempt bonds to the fully taxable equivalent yield.
The increase in the property and casualty insurance segment’s net investment income in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects the impact of higher yields on fixed maturity investments and higher balances of invested assets, partially offset by lower returns on AFG’s alternative investments portfolio (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs) as compared to the very strong performance of this portfolio in the prior year period. The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 4.94% in 2023 compared to 4.86% in 2022, an increase of 0.08 percentage points reflecting higher yields on fixed maturity investments, partially offset by lower returns on alternative investments. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 7.0% in 2023 compared to 13.2% in 2022.
The increase in net investment income in 2022 compared to 2021 reflects higher average investments and higher yields on fixed maturities, partially offset by lower returns on AFG’s alternative investments as compared to the very strong performance of alternative investments in the prior year. The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments was 4.86% in 2022 compared to 5.12% in 2021, a decrease of 0.26 percentage points as higher yields on fixed maturity investments were more than offset by lower returns on alternative investments. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 13.2% in 2022 compared to 25.3% in 2021.
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Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was a net expense of $56 million in 2023, $40 million in 2022 and $6 million in 2021, an increase of $16 million (40%) in 2023 compared to 2022 and an increase of $34 million (567%) in 2022 compared to 2021. The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| Other income: | ||||||||||
| Income related to the sale of real estate | $ | — | $ | 1 | $ | 10 | ||||
| Other | 16 | 11 | 17 | |||||||
| Total other income | 16 | 12 | 27 | |||||||
| Other expenses: | ||||||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | 15 | 11 | 6 | |||||||
| Interest expense on funds withheld | 41 | 29 | 25 | |||||||
| Acquisition expenses related to CRS | 3 | — | — | |||||||
| Other (*) | 13 | 12 | 2 | |||||||
| Total other expenses | 72 | 52 | 33 | |||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | $ | (56) | $ | (40) | $ | (6) |
(*)Includes $9 million of expenses in both 2023 and 2022 related to certain technology initiatives.
The higher amortization of intangibles in 2023 compared to 2022 and 2022 compared to 2021 reflects the acquisition of CRS in July 2023 and the acquisition of Verikai in December 2021, respectively. The $12 million (41%) increase in interest expense on funds withheld in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects the impact of higher interest rates.
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $191 million in 2023 compared to $180 million in 2022, an increase of $11 million (6%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $177 million in 2023 compared to $171 million in 2022, an increase of $6 million (4%).
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $180 million in 2022 compared to $219 million in 2021, a decrease of $39 million (18%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $171 million in 2022 compared to $208 million in 2021, a decrease of $37 million (18%).
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The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core loss from continuing operations before income taxes from operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment in 2023, 2022 and 2021 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 - 2022 | 2022 - 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 40 | $ | 24 | $ | 36 | 67 | % | (33 | %) | |||||||
| Other income — P&C fees | 125 | 89 | 80 | 40 | % | 11 | % | ||||||||||
| Other income | 21 | 33 | 22 | (36 | %) | 50 | % | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | 186 | 146 | 138 | 27 | % | 6 | % | ||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance — loss adjustment and underwriting expenses | 68 | 38 | 33 | 79 | % | 15 | % | ||||||||||
| Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees | 57 | 51 | 47 | 12 | % | 9 | % | ||||||||||
| Other expenses (*) | 162 | 143 | 172 | 13 | % | (17 | %) | ||||||||||
| Costs and expenses, excluding interest charges on borrowed money | 287 | 232 | 252 | 24 | % | (8 | %) | ||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses and interest charges on borrowed money | (101) | (86) | (114) | 17 | % | (25 | %) | ||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | 76 | 85 | 94 | (11 | %) | (10 | %) | ||||||||||
| Core loss from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | (177) | (171) | (208) | 4 | % | (18 | %) | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core special A&E charge | (15) | — | — | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core gain (loss) on retirement of debt | 1 | (9) | — | (111 | %) | — | % | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core loss on pension settlement | — | — | (11) | — | % | (100 | %) | ||||||||||
| GAAP loss from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | $ | (191) | $ | (180) | $ | (219) | 6 | % | (18 | %) |
(*)Excludes a pretax non-core special A&E charge of $15 million and a pretax non-core gain on retirement of debt of $1 million in 2023, a pretax non-core loss on retirement of debt of $9 million in 2022 and a pretax non-core loss of $11 million related to the settlement of pension liabilities of a small former manufacturing operation in 2021.
Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $40 million, $24 million and $36 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The $16 million (67%) increase in 2023 compared to 2022 and the $12 million (33%) decrease in 2022 compared to 2021 reflect the impact of a small portfolio of securities held at the holding company that were carried at fair value through net investment income. These securities, all of which were sold in 2022, declined in value by $7 million in 2022 and increased in value by $14 million in 2021. Excluding the change in fair value of these equity securities, net investment income outside of AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment increased $9 million in 2023 compared to 2022 reflecting the impact of higher interest rates on cash and fixed maturity investments, partially offset by lower average investment balances and increased $9 million in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting an increase in average investments, income from directly owned real estate investments acquired from the annuity subsidiaries in conjunction with the sale of the annuity business in May 2021 and the impact of higher interest rates.
Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, a workers’ compensation insurance subsidiary, collects fees from a small group of unaffiliated insurers for providing underwriting, policy administration and claims services. In addition, certain of AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In 2023, AFG collected $91 million in fees for these services compared to $82 million in 2022 and $73 million in 2021. Management views this fee income, net of the $57 million in 2023, $51 million in 2022 and $47 million in 2021, in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. In addition, AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses earned $34 million in fees as compensation for providing services during the second half of 2023 related to the administration of crop insurance business generated by CRS for its former owner prior to the acquisition date and $7 million in fees from AFG’s disposed annuity operations in both 2022 and 2021 as compensation for certain services provided under a transition services agreement. The expenses related to providing such services are embedded in property and casualty underwriting expenses. Consistent with internal management reporting, these fees and the related expenses are netted and recorded as a reduction of loss adjustment and other underwriting expenses in AFG’s segmented results.
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Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $16 million in 2023, $17 million in 2022 and $16 million in 2021, in management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG’s consolidated managed investment entities). The management fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidated MIEs column under “Results of Operations — Segmented Statement of Earnings.” Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $5 million in 2023, $16 million in 2022 and $6 million in 2021. The decrease in 2023 compared to 2022 and the increase in 2022 compared to 2021 is due primarily to income from the sale of real estate in 2022.
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
Excluding the non-core special A&E charge and the non-core gain (loss) on retirement of debt discussed below, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $162 million in 2023 compared to $143 million in 2022, an increase of $19 million (13%) reflecting the favorable impact of poor stock market performance in 2022 on expenses related to deferred compensation obligations to employees that are tied to stock market performance. To mitigate the impact of fair value changes related to the equity components of these obligations, AFG entered into a total return swap in the second half of 2022.
Excluding the non-core loss on retirement of debt and the non-core loss on pension settlement discussed below, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $143 million in 2022 compared to $172 million in 2021, a decrease of $29 million (17%). This decrease reflects lower holding company expenses related to deferred compensation obligations to employees that are tied to stock market performance, partially offset by higher charges (included in AFG’s core operating earnings) to increase the liabilities related to the A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations.
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded interest expense of $76 million in 2023, $85 million in 2022 and $94 million in 2021. The $9 million (11%) decrease in interest expense in 2023 compared to 2022 and the $9 million (10%) decrease in interest expense in 2022 compared to 2021 is due primarily to the retirement of AFG’s $425 million principal amount of 3.50% Senior Notes during the first six months of 2022.
Holding Company and Other — Special A&E Charge
As a result of the in-depth internal reviews of A&E exposures discussed under “Uncertainties — Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves,” AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded a pretax non-core special charge of $15 million in 2023 and minor charges in 2022 and 2021 (included in AFG’s core operating earnings) to increase liabilities related to the A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations. The 2023 charge reflects changes in the scope and costs of investigation and an increase in estimated remediation costs at a limited number of sites. AFG has also increased its reserve for asbestos and toxic substance exposures arising out of these operations. Total charges recorded to increase liabilities for A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations (included in other expenses) were $22 million in 2023, $17 million in 2022 and $9 million in 2021.
Holding Company and Other — Gain (Loss) on Retirement of Debt
During the first six months of 2023, AFG repurchased $23 million principal amount of its senior notes, which resulted in a $2 million pretax non-core gain and recorded a $1 million pretax non-core loss related to the write-off of debt issue costs associated with its previous revolving credit facility, which was replaced in June 2023. During 2022, AFG retired $472 million principal amount of its senior notes, which resulted in a $9 million pretax non-core loss.
Holding Company and Other — Loss on Pension Settlement
In the second quarter of 2021, AFG settled pension liabilities related to a small former manufacturing operation resulting in a pretax non-core loss of $11 million.
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Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities were net losses of $36 million in 2023 compared to $116 million in 2022, a decrease of $80 million (69%). AFG’s consolidated realized gains (losses) on securities were net losses of $116 million in 2022 compared to net gains of $110 million in 2021, a change of $226 million (205%). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) before impairment allowances: | ||||||||||
| Disposals | $ | (33) | $ | (15) | $ | 5 | ||||
| Change in the fair value of equity securities | 10 | (96) | 110 | |||||||
| Change in the fair value of derivatives | (2) | (12) | (6) | |||||||
| Other | — | 10 | — | |||||||
| (25) | (113) | 109 | ||||||||
| Change in allowance for impairments on securities | (11) | (3) | 1 | |||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | $ | (36) | $ | (116) | $ | 110 |
The $33 million net realized loss from disposals in 2023 includes losses of $15 million from the sale of investments in banks and $5 million from the sale of municipal bonds.
The $10 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in 2023 includes gains of $8 million on investments in retail companies, $7 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $5 million on investments in capital goods companies and $4 million on investments in natural gas companies, partially offset by losses of $8 million on investments in media companies and $6 million on investments in energy companies.
The $96 million net realized loss from the change in the fair value of equity securities in 2022 includes losses of $51 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $21 million on investments in media companies, $14 million on investments in healthcare companies, $7 million on investments in technology companies and $3 million on investments in retail companies, partially offset by gains of $17 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies.
The $110 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in 2021 includes gains of $29 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies, $18 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $17 million on investments in media companies, $14 million on investments in healthcare companies and $9 million on investments in capital goods companies.
Realized Gain (Loss) on Subsidiaries
In the third quarter of 2023, AFG recorded a realized loss on subsidiary of $4 million, consisting of a $26 million goodwill impairment charge, partially offset by a $22 million reduction in the fair value of a contingent consideration liability, both related to AFG’s investment in Verikai. See Note E — “Fair Value Measurements” and Note I — “Goodwill and Other Intangibles” to the financial statements.
In 2021, AFG recognized a pretax gain on sale of subsidiary of $4 million related to contingent consideration received on the sale of Neon.
Consolidated Income Taxes on Continuing Operations
AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes on continuing operations was $221 million in 2023 compared to $225 million in 2022, a decrease of $4 million (2%). AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes on continuing operations was $225 million in 2022 compared to $254 million in 2021, a decrease of $29 million (11%). See Note M — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate.
Real Estate Entities Acquired from the Annuity Operations
The results of AFG’s disposed annuity businesses are reported as discontinued operations. Prior to the completion of the sale, AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations acquired certain real estate-related partnerships and AFG parent acquired certain directly owned real estate from those operations. GAAP pretax earnings from continuing operations includes the earnings from these entities through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale and certain other expenses that were retained from the annuity operations. The retained real estate entities contributed $51 million in GAAP pretax earnings through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale.
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Discontinued Annuity Operations
AFG’s discontinued annuity operations, which were sold on May 31, 2021, contributed $324 million in GAAP pretax earnings (excluding the gain on the sale of the annuity operations) in 2021.
The following table details AFG’s earnings before and after income taxes and the gain on the sale from its discontinued annuity operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2021 (*) | ||
| Pretax annuity earnings historically reported as core operating earnings: | ||
| Pretax annuity earnings before items below | $ | 106 |
| Earnings on partnerships and similar investments | 139 | |
| Total pretax annuity earnings historically reported as core operating earnings | 245 | |
| Pretax amounts previously reported outside of annuity core earnings: | ||
| Impact of reinsurance, derivatives related to fixed indexed annuities (“FIAs”) and other impacts of changes in the stock market and interest rates on FIAs over or under option costs | (33) | |
| Realized gains on securities | 112 | |
| Total pretax amounts previously reported outside of annuity core earnings | 79 | |
| GAAP pretax earnings from discontinued annuity operations, excluding the gain on the sale of the discontinued annuity operations | 324 | |
| Provision for income taxes | 66 | |
| GAAP net earnings from discontinued annuity operations, excluding the sale of the discontinued annuity operations | 258 | |
| Gain on sale of discontinued annuity operations, net of tax | 656 | |
| GAAP net earnings from discontinued annuity operations | $ | 914 |
(*)Results through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale.
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS TO BE ADOPTED
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-07 (“ASU 2023-07”), Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU 2023-07 will require enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and a description of the composition of other segment expenses by business segment. ASU 2023-07 also requires disclosure of the title and position of the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted, and are to be applied on a retrospective basis. As of December 31, 2023, AFG has not adopted ASU 2023-07. Management is evaluating the impact of the standard to the segment reporting disclosures. Since ASU 2023-07 only requires additional disclosure, the adoption of this guidance will not have an impact on AFG’s results of operations or financial condition.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09 (“ASU 2023-09”), Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 is intended to improve income tax disclosures by requiring (i) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation presented in both dollar and percentage terms; (ii) the disaggregation of income taxes paid (net of refunds received), income (loss) before income taxes and income taxes by jurisdiction (federal, state and foreign taxes); and (iii) further disaggregation of income taxes paid by any individual jurisdiction equal to or exceeding five percent of total income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted, and is required to be applied prospectively with the option of retrospective application. As of December 31, 2023, AFG has not adopted ASU 2023-09. Management is evaluating the impact of the standard to the income tax disclosures. Since ASU 2023-09 only requires additional disclosure, the adoption of this guidance will not have an impact on AFG’s results of operations or financial condition.
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FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001042046-23-000009.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
| INDEX TO MD&A | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page | Page | |||
| Objective | 28 | Results of Operations — Fourth Quarter | 50 | |
| Overview | 28 | Segmented Statement of Earnings | 50 | |
| Critical Accounting Policies | 29 | Property and Casualty Insurance | 51 | |
| Liquidity and Capital Resources | 29 | Holding Company, Other and Unallocated | 59 | |
| Ratios | 29 | |||
| Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows | 30 | Results of Operations — Full Year | 62 | |
| Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity | 31 | Segmented Statement of Earnings | 62 | |
| Condensed Parent Only Cash Flows | 33 | Property and Casualty Insurance | 64 | |
| Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | 33 | Holding Company, Other and Unallocated | 76 | |
| Investments | 33 | Real Estate Entities Acquired from the Annuity Operations | ||
| Uncertainties | 36 | 80 | ||
| Managed Investment Entities | 42 | Discontinued Annuity Operations | 80 | |
| Results of Operations | 47 | Recent Accounting Standards | 81 | |
| General | 47 |
OBJECTIVE
The objective of Management’s Discussion and Analysis is to provide a discussion and analysis of the financial statements and other statistical data that management believes will enhance the understanding of AFG’s financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. The tables and narrative that follow are presented in a manner that is consistent with the information that AFG’s management uses to make operational decisions and allocate capital resources. They are provided to demonstrate the nature of the transactions and events that could impact AFG’s financial results. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements beginning on page F-1.
OVERVIEW
Financial Condition
AFG is organized as a holding company with almost all of its operations being conducted by subsidiaries. AFG, however, has continuing cash needs for administrative expenses, the payment of principal and interest on borrowings, shareholder dividends, and taxes. Therefore, certain analyses are most meaningfully presented on a parent only basis while others are best done on a total enterprise basis. In addition, because its businesses are financial in nature, AFG does not prepare its consolidated financial statements using a current-noncurrent format. Consequently, certain traditional ratios and financial analysis tests are not meaningful.
At December 31, 2022, AFG (parent) held approximately $879 million in cash and investments and had $500 million available under a bank line of credit, which expires in December 2025.
Results of Operations
Through the operations of its subsidiaries, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses. AFG’s former annuity operations are reported as discontinued operations.
AFG reported net earnings from continuing operations attributable to shareholders of $276 million ($3.24 per share, diluted) for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $355 million ($4.18 per share, diluted) in the fourth quarter of 2021. The year-over-year decrease was due primarily to lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio as compared to the very strong performance of this portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2021 and lower underwriting profit in the crop operations. These items were partially offset by higher investment income other than from alternative investments.
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Full year 2022 net earnings from continuing operations attributable to shareholders were $898 million ($10.53 per share, diluted) compared to $1.08 billion ($12.62 per share, diluted) in 2021. Higher underwriting profit and higher investment income outside of alternative investments were more than offset by net realized losses on securities in 2022 compared to net realized gains on securities in 2021 and lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio compared to the very strong performance of this portfolio in 2021.
Sale of the Annuity Business
In May 2021, AFG sold its annuity business, including Great American Life Insurance Company and its two insurance subsidiaries, Annuity Investors Life Insurance Company and Manhattan National Life Insurance Company to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”). Total proceeds from the sale were $3.57 billion and AFG realized an after-tax gain on the sale of $656 million in the first six months of 2021.
Outlook
AFG’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are impacted by the economic, legal and regulatory environment. Inflation, supply chain disruption, labor shortages and other economic conditions may impact premium levels, loss cost trends and investment returns. Management believes that AFG’s strong financial position and current liquidity and capital at its subsidiaries will give AFG the flexibility to continue to effectively address and respond to the ongoing uncertainties presented by the macro-economic environment, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFG’s insurance subsidiaries continue to have capital at or in excess of the levels required by ratings agencies in order to maintain their current ratings, and the parent company does not have any near-term debt maturities.
Management expects continued premium growth and strong underwriting results in the ongoing favorable property and casualty insurance market. In addition, the deployment of cash in the rising interest rate environment during 2022 will continue to have a positive impact on investment income on fixed maturity investments in 2023.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Significant accounting policies are summarized in Note A — “Accounting Policies” to the financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts reported in the financial statements. As more information becomes known, these estimates and assumptions change and, thus, impact amounts reported in the future. The areas where management believes the degree of judgment required to determine amounts recorded in the financial statements is most significant are as follows:
•the valuation of investments, including the determination of impairment allowances,
•the establishment of insurance reserves, especially asbestos and environmental-related reserves,
•the recoverability of reinsurance, and
•the establishment of asbestos and environmental liabilities of former railroad and manufacturing operations.
See “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Uncertainties” for a discussion of insurance reserves, recoverables from reinsurers and contingencies related to American Premier’s former operations and “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Investments” for a discussion of the allowance for credit losses (impairments) on investments.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Ratios
AFG’s debt to total capital ratio on a consolidated basis is shown below (dollars in millions). Management intends to maintain the ratio of debt to capital at or below 30% and intends to maintain the capital of its significant insurance subsidiaries at or above levels currently indicated by rating agencies as appropriate for the current ratings.
| December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Principal amount of long-term debt | $ | 1,521 | $ | 1,993 | ||||
| Total capital | 6,099 | 6,869 | ||||||
| Ratio of debt to total capital: | ||||||||
| Including subordinated debt | 24.9 | % | 29.0 | % | ||||
| Excluding subordinated debt | 13.9 | % | 19.2 | % |
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The ratio of debt to total capital is a non-GAAP measure that management believes is useful for investors, analysts and ratings agencies to evaluate AFG’s financial strength and liquidity and to provide insight into how AFG finances its operations. In addition, maintaining a ratio of debt, excluding subordinated debt and debt secured by real estate (if any), to total capital of 35% or lower is a financial covenant in AFG’s bank credit facility. The ratio is calculated by dividing the principal amount of AFG’s long-term debt by its total capital, which includes long-term debt and shareholders’ equity (excluding unrealized gains (losses) related to fixed maturity investments).
The NAIC’s model law for risk-based capital (“RBC”) applies to property and casualty companies. RBC formulas determine the amount of capital that an insurance company needs so that it has an acceptable expectation of not becoming financially impaired. At December 31, 2022, the capital ratios of all AFG insurance companies exceeded the RBC requirements.
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows
AFG’s principal sources of cash include insurance premiums, income from its investment portfolio and proceeds from the maturities, redemptions and sales of investments. Insurance premiums in excess of acquisition expenses and operating costs are invested until they are needed to meet policyholder obligations or made available to the parent company through dividends to cover debt obligations and corporate expenses, and to provide returns to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as detailed in AFG’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows are shown below (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,153 | $ | 1,714 | $ | 2,183 | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,051) | (436) | (1,564) | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (1,361) | (1,957) | (123) | |||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (1,259) | $ | (679) | $ | 496 |
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations typically produce positive net operating cash flows as premiums collected and investment income exceed policy acquisition costs, claims payments and operating expenses. AFG’s net cash provided by operating activities is impacted by the level and timing of property and casualty premiums, claim and expense payments and recoveries from reinsurers. AFG’s discontinued annuity operations, which were sold in May 2021, typically produced positive net operating cash flows as investment income exceeded acquisition costs and operating expenses. Interest credited on annuity policyholder funds is a non-cash increase in AFG’s annuity benefits accumulated liability and annuity premiums, benefits and withdrawals are considered financing activities due to the deposit-type nature of annuities. Cash flows provided by operating activities also include the activity of AFG’s managed investment entities (collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”)) other than those activities included in investing or financing activities. The changes in the assets and liabilities of the managed investment entities included in operating activities reduced cash flows from operating activities by $183 million in 2022 and $144 million in 2021 and increased cash flows from operating activities by $25 million in 2020, resulting in a $39 million decrease in cash flows from operating activities in 2022 compared to 2021 and a $169 million decrease in cash flows from operating activities in 2021 compared to 2020. As discussed in Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements, AFG has no right to use the CLO assets and no obligation to pay the CLO liabilities and such assets and liabilities are shown separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Excluding the impact of the managed investment entities, net cash provided by operating activities was $1.34 billion, $1.86 billion and $2.16 billion in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, reflecting the absence of operating cash flows from the disposed annuity operations.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities AFG’s investing activities consist primarily of the investment of funds provided by its property and casualty businesses and, prior to the May 2021 sale, its discontinued annuity operations. Cash proceeds from the sale of the annuity operations in excess of cash and cash equivalents held in the annuity subsidiaries that were sold was a $1.51 billion source of cash provided by investing activities in 2021. Investing activities also include the purchase and disposal of managed investment entity investments, which are presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Net investment activity in the managed investment entities was a $180 million use of cash in 2022 compared to a $43 million use of cash in 2021, resulting in a $137 million increase in net cash used in investing activities in 2022 compared to 2021. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note H — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements. Excluding the impact of the sale of the annuity operations and the activity of the managed investment entities, net cash used in investing activities was $871 million in 2022 compared to $1.90 billion in 2021, a decrease of $1.03 billion as the opportunistic investment of cash on hand in the property and casualty operations during the rising interest rate environment in 2022 was more than offset by the absence of investing activities from the disposed annuity operations.
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Net cash used in investing activities was $436 million in 2021 compared to $1.56 billion in 2020, a decrease of $1.13 billion. Excluding the impact of the May 2021 sale of the annuity business ($1.51 billion source of cash), net cash used in investing activities was $1.95 billion in 2021 compared to $1.56 billion in 2020, an increase of $383 million. As discussed below (under net cash used in financing activities), AFG’s discontinued annuity operations had net cash flows from annuity policyholders of $477 million in 2021 through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale compared to $351 million in 2020. In addition to the investment of funds provided by the insurance operations, AFG Parent increased its net purchases of fixed maturities by $1.19 billion in 2021 compared to 2020 due primarily to proceeds received from the sale of the annuity business as well as dividends received from subsidiaries. Investing activities also include the December 2021 acquisition of Verikai for $120 million in cash and the purchase and disposal of managed investment entity investments, which are presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. See Note C — “Acquisitions and Sale of Businesses” and Note H — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements. Net investment activity in the managed investment entities was a $43 million use of cash in 2021 compared to $281 million in 2020, accounting for a $238 million decrease in net cash used in investing activities in 2021 compared to 2020.
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities AFG’s financing activities consist primarily of issuances and retirements of long-term debt, issuances and repurchases of common stock, dividend payments and, prior to the sale of the annuity business, transactions with annuity policyholders. Net cash used in financing activities was $1.36 billion in 2022 compared to $1.96 billion in 2021, a decrease in net cash used in financing activities of $596 million. Debt retirements were a $477 million use of cash in 2022 compared to no debt retirements in 2021. In 2022, AFG repurchased $11 million of its Common Stock compared to $319 million in 2021, resulting in a $308 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2022 compared to 2021. AFG paid cash dividends totaling $1.21 billion in 2022 compared to $2.37 billion in 2021, resulting in a net $1.16 billion decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2022 compared to 2021. Net annuity receipts exceeded annuity surrenders, benefits, withdrawals and transfers by $477 million in 2021 through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale, resulting in a $477 million decrease in net cash used by financing activities in 2022 compared to 2021. Financing activities also include issuances and retirements of managed investment entity liabilities, which are nonrecourse to AFG and presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Issuances of managed investment entity liabilities exceeded retirements by $324 million in 2022 compared to $193 million in 2021, resulting in a $131 million increase in net cash provided by financing activities in 2022 compared to 2021. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note H — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements.
Net cash used in financing activities was $1.96 billion in 2021 compared to $123 million in 2020, an increase of $1.83 billion. Net annuity receipts exceeded annuity surrenders, benefits, withdrawals and transfers by $477 million in 2021 through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale compared to $351 million in 2020, resulting in a $126 million increase in net cash provided by financing activities in 2021 compared to 2020. In 2020, GALIC transferred $554 million of cash as part of a reinsurance agreement to cede in force traditional fixed and indexed annuities. In 2020, AFG issued $300 million of 5.25% Senior Notes due in 2030, $150 million of 5.625% Subordinated Debentures due in 2060 and $200 million of 4.50% Subordinated Debentures due in 2060. The net proceeds of these offerings contributed $634 million to net cash provided by financing activities in 2020. The November 2020 redemption of AFG’s 6% Subordinated Debentures due in 2055 was a $150 million use of cash in 2020. In addition to its regular quarterly cash dividends, AFG paid special cash dividends of $26.00 per share in 2021 and $2.00 per share 2020, which resulted in total cash dividends of $2.37 billion in 2021 compared to $334 million in 2020. Issuances of managed investment entity liabilities exceeded retirements by $193 million in 2021 compared to $221 million in 2020, resulting in a $28 million decrease in net cash provided by financing activities in 2021 compared to 2020.
Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity
Parent Holding Company Liquidity Management believes AFG has sufficient resources to meet its liquidity requirements. If funds generated from operations, including dividends, tax payments and borrowings from subsidiaries, are insufficient to meet fixed charges in any period, AFG would be required to utilize parent company cash and investments or to generate cash through borrowings, sales of other assets, or similar transactions.
AFG’s capital and liquidity was significantly enhanced as a result of the 2021 sale of its annuity business to MassMutual for proceeds of $3.57 billion. By the end of the second quarter of 2022, AFG had deployed the proceeds from this sale primarily through special cash dividends, share repurchases, debt retirements and the purchase of Verikai. AFG’s ongoing operations continue to generate significant excess capital for future returns of capital to shareholders in the form of regular and special cash dividends and through opportunistic share repurchases or to be deployed into its property and casualty businesses as management identifies the potential for profitable organic growth, and opportunities to expand through acquisitions and start-ups that meet target return thresholds.
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During 2022, AFG repurchased 89,368 shares of its Common Stock for $11 million and paid special cash dividends totaling $1.02 billion ($2.00 per share in March, $8.00 per share in May and $2.00 per share in November). In addition, on February 1, 2023, AFG declared a special cash dividend of $4.00 per share (aggregate of approximately $340 million) payable on February 28, 2023.
AFG may, at any time and from time to time, seek to retire or purchase its outstanding debt through cash purchases or exchanges for equity or debt, in open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will be upon such terms and at such prices as management may determine, and will depend on prevailing market conditions, AFG’s liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. During 2022, AFG repurchased $472 million principal amount of its senior notes for $477 million cash.
During 2021, AFG repurchased 2,777,684 shares of its Common Stock for $319 million and paid special cash dividends of $26.00 per share of AFG Common Stock ($14.00 per share in June, $2.00 per share in August, $4.00 per share in October, $4.00 per share in November and $2.00 per share in December) totaling $2.21 billion.
In December 2021, AFG acquired Verikai, Inc., a machine learning and artificial intelligence company that utilizes a predictive risk tool to assess insurance risk, for $120 million using cash on hand at the parent.
In 2020, AFG repurchased 4,531,394 shares of its Common Stock for $313 million and paid a special cash dividend of $2.00 per share of AFG Common Stock in December totaling $173 million.
In 2020, AFG issued $300 million of 5.25% Senior Notes due in April 2030, $150 million of 5.625% Subordinated Debentures due in June 2060 and $200 million of 4.50% Subordinated Debentures due in September 2060 to increase liquidity and provide flexibility at the parent holding company in its response to the uncertainties of the economic environment. The net proceeds from the offerings were used for general corporate purposes, which included repurchases of outstanding common shares and the November 2020 redemption of AFG’s $150 million outstanding principal amount of 6% Subordinated Debentures due in November 2055 at par value.
All debentures and notes issued by AFG are rated investment grade by two nationally recognized rating agencies. Under a currently effective shelf registration statement, AFG can offer additional equity or debt securities. The shelf registration provides AFG with flexibility to access the capital markets from time to time as market and other conditions permit.
AFG can borrow up to $500 million under its revolving credit facility, which expires in December 2025. Amounts borrowed under this agreement bear interest at rates ranging from 1.00% to 1.875% (currently 1.375%) over LIBOR based on AFG’s credit rating. The credit facility also includes provisions relating to the replacement of LIBOR with different floating rates in the event of the discontinuance of LIBOR. There were no borrowings under this agreement, or under any other parent company short-term borrowing arrangements, during 2022 or 2021.
Under a tax allocation agreement with AFG, all 80% (or more) owned U.S. subsidiaries generally pay taxes to (or recover taxes from) AFG based on each subsidiary’s contribution to amounts due under AFG’s consolidated tax return.
Subsidiary Liquidity The liquidity requirements of AFG’s insurance subsidiaries relate primarily to the policyholder claims and underwriting expenses and payments of dividends and taxes to AFG. Historically, cash flows from premiums and investment income have generally provided more than sufficient funds to meet these requirements. Funds received in excess of cash requirements are generally invested in marketable securities. In addition, the insurance subsidiaries generally hold a significant amount of highly liquid, short duration investments.
For statutory accounting purposes, equity securities of non-affiliates are generally carried at fair value. At December 31, 2022, AFG’s insurance companies owned publicly traded equity securities with a fair value of $1.01 billion. Decreases in market prices could adversely affect the insurance group’s capital, potentially impacting the amount of dividends available or necessitating a capital contribution. Conversely, increases in market prices could have a favorable impact on the group’s dividend-paying capability.
Property and casualty reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses were $11.97 billion at December 31, 2022 and include case reserves and claims incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). The ultimate amount to be paid to settle reserves is an estimate, subject to significant uncertainty. Actual payments to settle claims cannot be determined until a settlement is reached with the claimant. Final claim settlements may vary significantly from estimated amounts. See “Uncertainties — Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves” below. The timing of future payments for the next twelve months and beyond could vary materially from historical payment patterns due to, among other things, changes in claim reporting and payment patterns and large unanticipated settlements.
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AFG believes its insurance subsidiaries maintain sufficient liquidity to pay claims and underwriting expenses. In addition, these subsidiaries have sufficient capital to meet commitments in the event of unforeseen events such as reserve deficiencies, inadequate premium rates or reinsurer insolvencies. Even in the current uncertain economic environment, management believes that the capital levels in AFG’s insurance subsidiaries are adequate to maintain its business and rating agency ratings. Nonetheless, changes in statutory accounting rules, significant declines in the fair value of the insurance subsidiaries’ investment portfolios or significant ratings downgrades on these investments, could create a need for additional capital.
Condensed Parent Only Cash Flows
AFG’s parent holding company only condensed cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities are shown below (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 327 | $ | 833 | $ | 483 | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 992 | 2,167 | (294) | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (1,683) | (2,626) | (140) | |||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (364) | $ | 374 | $ | 49 |
Parent Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Parent holding company cash flows from operating activities consist primarily of dividends and tax payments received from AFG’s insurance subsidiaries, reduced by tax payments to the IRS and holding company interest and other expenses. Parent holding company net cash provided by operating activities was $327 million in 2022 compared to $833 million in 2021 and $483 million in 2020. The $506 million decrease in net cash provided by operating activities in 2022 as compared to 2021 and the $350 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities in 2021 as compared to 2020 were due primarily to higher cash dividends received from subsidiaries in 2021.
Parent Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Parent holding company investing activities consist of capital contributions to and returns of capital from subsidiaries and parent company investment activity. Parent holding company net cash provided by investing activities was $992 million in 2022 and $2.17 billion in 2021 compared to net cash used in investing activities of $294 million in 2020. The $992 million in net cash provided by investing activities in 2022 is substantially lower than the $2.17 billion in net cash provided by investing activities in 2021 due to proceeds of $3.57 billion related to the May 2021 sale of the annuity business partially offset by the $120 million purchase of Verikai in December 2021. The $2.17 billion in net cash provided by investing activities in 2021 is substantially higher than the $294 million in net cash used in investing activities in 2020 due to proceeds of $3.57 billion related to the May 2021 sale of the annuity business, partially offset by the net purchase of fixed maturity investments of $1.19 billion in 2021 and the $120 million purchase of Verikai in December 2021.
Parent Net Cash Used in Financing Activities Parent company financing activities consist primarily of the issuance and retirement of long-term debt, repurchases of AFG Common Stock, dividends to shareholders, and, to a lesser extent, proceeds from employee stock option exercises. Significant long-term debt and common stock transactions are discussed above under “Parent Holding Company Liquidity.” Parent holding company net cash used in financing activities was $1.68 billion in 2022 compared to $2.63 billion in 2021 and $140 million in 2020. The $943 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2022 as compared to 2021 reflects lower dividends paid to shareholders (due primarily to special dividends of $12.00 per share in 2022 compared to special dividends of $26.00 per share in 2021) partially offset by the impact of net retirements of long-term debt in 2022. The $2.49 billion increase in net cash used in financing activities in 2021 as compared to 2020 reflects higher dividends paid to shareholders (due primarily to special dividends of $26.00 per share in 2021 compared to special dividends of $2.00 per share in 2020) and the impact of net issuances of long-term debt in 2020.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
See Note P — “Additional Information — Financial Instruments — Unfunded Commitments” to the financial statements.
Investments
AFG attempts to optimize investment income while building the value of its portfolio, placing emphasis upon total long-term performance.
AFG’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2022, contained $10.10 billion in fixed maturity securities classified as available for sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive
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income and $32 million in fixed maturities classified as trading with holding gains and losses included in net investment income. In addition, AFG’s investment portfolio includes $672 million in equity securities carried at fair value with holding gains and losses included in realized gains (losses) on securities and $338 million in equity securities carried at fair value with holding gains and losses included in net investment income.
Unrealized gains and losses on AFG’s fixed maturity securities are included in shareholders’ equity after adjustments for deferred income taxes.
Fixed income investment funds are generally invested in securities with intermediate-term maturities with an objective of optimizing total return while allowing flexibility to react to changes in market conditions. At December 31, 2022, the average life of AFG’s fixed maturities was about 4.2 years.
Fair values for AFG’s portfolio are determined by AFG’s internal investment professionals using data from nationally recognized pricing services, non-binding broker quotes and other market information. Fair values of equity securities are generally based on published closing prices. For AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio, approximately 87% was priced using pricing services at December 31, 2022 and 7% was priced using non-binding broker quotes. When prices obtained for the same security vary, AFG’s internal investment professionals select the price they believe is most indicative of an exit price.
The pricing services use a variety of observable inputs to estimate fair value of fixed maturities that do not trade on a daily basis. Based upon information provided by the pricing services, these inputs include, but are not limited to, recent reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids or offers, reference data, and measures of volatility. Included in the pricing of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) are estimates of the rate of future prepayments and defaults of principal over the remaining life of the underlying collateral. Due to the lack of transparency in the process that brokers use to develop prices, valuations that are based on brokers’ prices are classified as Level 3 in the GAAP hierarchy unless the price can be corroborated, for example, by comparison to similar securities priced using observable inputs.
Valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by AFG’s internal investment professionals who are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price. To validate the appropriateness of the prices obtained, these investment managers consider widely published indices (as benchmarks), recent trades, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and the credit quality of the specific issuers. In addition, AFG communicates directly with pricing services regarding the methods and assumptions used in pricing, including verifying, on a test basis, the inputs used by the services to value specific securities.
In general, the fair value of AFG’s fixed maturity investments is inversely correlated to changes in interest rates. The following table demonstrates the sensitivity of such fair values to reasonably likely changes in interest rates by illustrating the estimated effect on AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio that an immediate increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate yield curve would have had at December 31, 2022 (dollars in millions). Effects of increases or decreases from the 100 basis points illustrated would be approximately proportional.
| Fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | 10,127 |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage impact on fair value of 100 bps increase in interest rates | (3.0 | %) |
| Pretax impact on fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | (304) |
Approximately 92% of the fixed maturities held by AFG at December 31, 2022, were rated “investment grade” (credit rating of AAA to BBB) by nationally recognized rating agencies, 4% were rated “non-investment grade” and 4% were not rated. Investment grade securities generally bear lower yields and lower degrees of risk than those that are unrated and non-investment grade. Management believes that the high-quality investment portfolio should generate a stable and predictable investment return.
Municipal bonds represented approximately 12% of AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio at December 31, 2022. AFG’s municipal bond portfolio is high quality, with over 99% of the securities rated investment grade at that date. The portfolio is well diversified across the states of issuance and individual issuers. At December 31, 2022, approximately 93% of the municipal bond portfolio was held in revenue bonds, with the remaining 7% held in general obligation bonds.
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Summarized information for the unrealized gains and losses recorded in AFG’s Balance Sheet at December 31, 2022, is shown in the following table (dollars in millions). Approximately $296 million of available for sale fixed maturity securities had no unrealized gains or losses at December 31, 2022.
| Securities With Unrealized Gains | Securities With Unrealized Losses | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available for Sale Fixed Maturities | ||||||
| Fair value of securities | $ | 915 | $ | 8,884 | ||
| Amortized cost of securities, net of allowance for expected credit losses | $ | 876 | $ | 9,553 | ||
| Gross unrealized gain (loss) | $ | 39 | $ | (669) | ||
| Fair value as % of amortized cost | 104 | % | 93 | % | ||
| Number of security positions | 335 | 1,841 | ||||
| Number individually exceeding $2 million gain or loss | 1 | 64 | ||||
| Concentration of gains (losses) by type or industry (exceeding 5% of unrealized): | ||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | $ | 23 | $ | (183) | ||
| Banking | 5 | (18) | ||||
| States and municipalities | 3 | (51) | ||||
| Other asset-backed securities | 1 | (184) | ||||
| Collateralized loan obligations | 1 | (67) | ||||
| Asset managers | 1 | (47) | ||||
| Percentage rated investment grade | 82 | % | 95 | % |
The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of AFG’s available for sale fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2022, based on their fair values. Securities with sinking funds are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers.
| Securities With Unrealized Gains | Securities With Unrealized Losses | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maturity | |||||
| One year or less | 9 | % | 3 | % | |
| After one year through five years | 22 | % | 26 | % | |
| After five years through ten years | 22 | % | 8 | % | |
| After ten years | 9 | % | 2 | % | |
| 62 | % | 39 | % | ||
| Collateralized loan obligations and other asset-backed securities (average life of approximately 3.5 years) | 20 | % | 44 | % | |
| Mortgage-backed securities (average life of approximately 6 years) | 18 | % | 17 | % | |
| 100 | % | 100 | % |
The table below (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities by dollar amount:
| Aggregate Fair Value | Aggregate Unrealized Gain (Loss) | Fair Value as % of Cost | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Maturities at December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
| Securities with unrealized gains: | ||||||||||
| Exceeding $500,000 (16 securities) | $ | 122 | $ | 15 | 114 | % | ||||
| $500,000 or less (319 securities) | 793 | 24 | 103 | % | ||||||
| $ | 915 | $ | 39 | 104 | % | |||||
| Securities with unrealized losses: | ||||||||||
| Exceeding $500,000 (355 securities) | $ | 4,130 | $ | (497) | 89 | % | ||||
| $500,000 or less (1,486 securities) | 4,754 | (172) | 97 | % | ||||||
| $ | 8,884 | $ | (669) | 93 | % |
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The following table (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized losses for all securities with unrealized losses by issuer quality and the length of time those securities have been in an unrealized loss position:
| Aggregate Fair Value | Aggregate Unrealized Loss | Fair Value as % of Cost | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Securities with Unrealized Losses at December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
| Investment grade fixed maturities with losses for: | ||||||||||
| Less than one year (1,244 securities) | $ | 6,203 | $ | (405) | 94 | % | ||||
| One year or longer (308 securities) | 2,232 | (227) | 91 | % | ||||||
| $ | 8,435 | $ | (632) | 93 | % | |||||
| Non-investment grade fixed maturities with losses for: | ||||||||||
| Less than one year (202 securities) | $ | 337 | $ | (20) | 94 | % | ||||
| One year or longer (87 securities) | 112 | (17) | 87 | % | ||||||
| $ | 449 | $ | (37) | 92 | % |
To evaluate fixed maturities for expected credit losses (impairment), management considers the following:
a)whether the unrealized loss is credit-driven or a result of changes in market interest rates,
b)the extent to which fair value is less than cost basis,
c)cash flow projections received from independent sources,
d)historical operating, balance sheet and cash flow data contained in issuer SEC filings and news releases,
e)near-term prospects for improvement in the issuer and/or its industry,
f)third-party research and communications with industry specialists,
g)financial models and forecasts,
h)the continuity of interest payments, maintenance of investment grade ratings and hybrid nature of certain investments,
i)discussions with issuer management, and
j)ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery in fair value.
Based on its analysis of the factors listed above, management believes AFG will recover its cost basis (net of any allowance) in the fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses and that AFG has the ability to hold the securities until they recover in value and had no intent to sell them at December 31, 2022. Although AFG has the ability to continue holding its fixed maturity investments with unrealized losses, its intent to hold them may change due to deterioration in the issuers’ creditworthiness, decisions to lessen exposure to a particular issuer or industry, asset/liability management decisions, market movements, changes in views about appropriate asset allocation or the desire to offset taxable realized gains. Should AFG’s ability or intent change regarding a particular security, a charge for impairment would likely be required. While it is not possible to accurately predict if or when a specific security will become impaired, increases in the allowance for credit losses could be material to results of operations in future periods. Significant declines in the fair value of AFG’s investment portfolio could have a significant adverse effect on AFG’s liquidity. For information on AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities, see “Results of Operations — Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities.”
Uncertainties
As more fully explained in the following paragraphs, management believes that the areas posing the greatest risk of material loss are the adequacy of its insurance reserves and contingencies arising out of its former railroad and manufacturing operations.
Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves Estimating the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) is inherently judgmental and is influenced by factors that are subject to significant variation. Determining the liability is a complex process incorporating input from many areas of the Company including actuarial, underwriting, pricing, claims and operations management.
The estimates of liabilities for unpaid claims and for expenses of investigation and adjustment of unpaid claims are based upon: (i) the accumulation of case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting periods on direct business written (“case reserves”); (ii) estimates received from ceding reinsurers and insurance pools and associations; (iii) estimates of claims incurred but not reported (including possible development on known claims); (iv) estimates (based on experience) of expense for investigating and adjusting claims; and (v) the current state of law and coverage litigation.
The process used to determine the total reserve for liabilities involves estimating the ultimate incurred losses and LAE, adjusted for amounts already paid on the claims. The IBNR reserve is derived by estimating the ultimate unpaid reserve
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liability and subtracting case reserves for loss and LAE. See Note O — “Insurance — Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves” to the financial statements for a discussion of the factors considered and actuarial methods used in determining management’s best estimate of the ultimate liability for unpaid losses and LAE.
The following table shows (in millions) the breakdown of AFG’s property and casualty insurance reserves between case reserves, IBNR reserves and LAE reserves (estimated amounts required to adjust, record and settle claims, other than the claim payments themselves) at December 31, 2022 and gross written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2022.
| Gross Loss Reserves | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case | IBNR | LAE | Total Reserves | Gross Written Premiums | ||||||||||||||
| Statutory Line of Business | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other liability — occurrence | $ | 980 | $ | 2,787 | $ | 720 | $ | 4,487 | $ | 1,589 | ||||||||
| Workers’ compensation | 923 | 1,200 | 344 | 2,467 | 1,239 | |||||||||||||
| Other liability — claims made | 235 | 620 | 386 | 1,241 | 829 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial auto/truck liability/medical | 385 | 400 | 150 | 935 | 623 | |||||||||||||
| Special property (fire, allied lines, inland marine, earthquake) | 463 | 253 | 32 | 748 | 2,391 | |||||||||||||
| Products liability — occurrence | 102 | 253 | 158 | 513 | 219 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial multi-peril | 158 | 146 | 84 | 388 | 407 | |||||||||||||
| Other lines | 259 | 440 | 112 | 811 | 1,458 | |||||||||||||
| Total Statutory | 3,505 | 6,099 | 1,986 | 11,590 | 8,755 | |||||||||||||
| Adjustments for GAAP: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign operations | 149 | 183 | 42 | 374 | 305 | |||||||||||||
| Deferred gains on retroactive reinsurance | — | 15 | — | 15 | — | |||||||||||||
| Loss reserve discounting | (5) | — | — | (5) | — | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | — | (3) | |||||||||||||
| Total Adjustments for GAAP | 144 | 198 | 42 | 384 | 302 | |||||||||||||
| Total GAAP Reserves and Premiums | $ | 3,649 | $ | 6,297 | $ | 2,028 | $ | 11,974 | $ | 9,057 |
While current factors and reasonably likely changes in variable factors are considered in estimating the liability for unpaid losses and LAE, there is no method or system that can eliminate the risk of actual ultimate results differing from such estimates.
Following is a discussion of certain critical variables affecting the estimation of loss reserves of the more significant long-tail lines of business (asbestos and environmental liabilities are separately discussed below). Many other variables may also impact ultimate claim costs.
An important assumption underlying reserve estimates is that the cost trends implicitly built into development patterns will continue into the future. However, future results could vary due to an unexpected change in the underlying cost trends. This unexpected change could arise from a variety of sources including a general increase in economic inflation, inflation from social programs, new medical technologies, or other factors such as those listed below in connection with AFG’s largest lines of business. It is not possible to isolate and measure the potential impact of just one of these variables, and future cost trends could be partially impacted by several such variables. However, it is reasonable to address the sensitivity of the reserves to potential impact from changes in these variables by measuring the effect of a possible overall 1% change in future cost trends that may be caused by one or more variables. Utilizing the effect of a 1% change in overall cost trends enables changes greater than 1% to be estimated by extrapolation. Each additional 1% change in the cost trend would increase the effect on net earnings by an amount slightly (about 5%) greater than the effect of the previous 1%. For example, if a 1% change in cost trends in a line of business would change net earnings by $20 million, a 2% change would change net earnings by approximately $41 million.
The estimated cumulative adverse impact that a 1% change in cost trends in AFG’s more significant long-tail lines of property and casualty business (exceeding 5% of total reserves) would have on net earnings is shown below (in millions).
| Line of business | Effect of 1% Change in Cost Trends | |
|---|---|---|
| Other liability — occurrence | $ | 62 |
| Workers’ compensation | 65 | |
| Other liability — claims made | 22 | |
| Commercial auto/truck liability/medical | 15 |
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The judgments and uncertainties surrounding management’s reserve estimation process and the potential for reasonably possible variability in management’s most recent reserve estimates may also be viewed by looking at how recent historical estimates of reserves have developed. The following table shows (dollars in millions) what the impact on AFG’s net earnings would be on the more significant lines of business if the December 31, 2022, reserves (net of reinsurance) developed at the same rate as the average development of the most recent five years.
| 5-yr. Average Development (a)(b) | Net Reserves (b) December 31, 2022 | Effect on Net Earnings (a)(b) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other liability — occurrence | 4.8 | % | $ | 2,005 | $ | 96 | |||
| Workers’ compensation | (5.9 | %) | 2,107 | (124) | |||||
| Other liability — claims made | (2.7 | %) | 890 | (24) | |||||
| Commercial auto/truck liability/medical | (0.5 | %) | 706 | (4) |
(a)Adverse (favorable), net of tax effect.
(b)Excludes asbestos and environmental liabilities.
The following discussion describes key assumptions and important variables that affect the estimate of the reserve for loss and LAE of the more significant lines of business and explains what caused them to change from assumptions used in the preceding period.
Other Liability — Occurrence
This long-tail line of business consists of coverages protecting the insured against legal liability resulting from negligence, carelessness, or a failure to act causing property damage or personal injury to others. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for other liability — occurrence include:
•Litigious climate
•Unpredictability of judicial decisions regarding coverage issues
•Magnitude of jury awards
•Outside counsel costs
•Timing of claims reporting
AFG recorded adverse prior year reserve development of $109 million in 2022, $39 million in 2021 and $99 million in 2020 related to its other liability — occurrence coverage due primarily to continued claim severity increases in excess and umbrella liability coverages.
While management applies the actuarial methods discussed in Note O — “Insurance — Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves” to the financial statements, more judgment is involved in arriving at the final reserve to be held. For recent accident years, more weight is given to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method.
Workers’ Compensation
This long-tail line of business provides coverage to employees who may be injured in the course of employment. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for workers’ compensation include:
•Legislative actions and regulatory and legal interpretations
•Future medical cost inflation
•Economic conditions
•Frequency of reopening claims previously closed
•Advances in medical equipment and processes
•Pace and intensity of employee rehabilitation
•Changes in the use of pharmaceutical drugs
•Changes in mortality trends for permanently injured workers
Approximately 27% and 24% of AFG’s workers’ compensation reserves at December 31, 2022 relate to policies written in Florida and California, respectively.
AFG recorded favorable prior year reserve development of $189 million and $169 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to its workers’ compensation coverage due to lower than anticipated medical severity. AFG recorded favorable prior year reserve development of $178 million in 2020 due to lower than anticipated medical claim severity and improving claim closure rates, particularly in the southeastern United States and California.
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Other Liability — Claims Made
This long-tail line of business consists mostly of directors’ and officers’ liability (“D&O”). Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for other liability — claims made include:
•Litigious climate
•Economic conditions
•Variability of stock prices
•Magnitude of jury awards
The general state of the economy and the variability of the stock price of the insured can affect the frequency and severity of shareholder class action suits and other situations that trigger coverage under D&O policies. For example, from 2008 to 2010, economic conditions led to higher frequency of claims, particularly in the D&O policies for small account and not-for-profit organizations. Since then, claim frequency has decreased from its peak in 2010 and has stabilized to near pre-2008 levels.
AFG recorded favorable prior year reserve development of $24 million in 2022, $2 million in 2021 and $8 million in 2020 on its D&O business as claim frequency and severity were less than expected across several prior accident years.
Commercial Auto/Truck Liability/Medical
This line of business is a mix of coverage protecting the insured against legal liability for property damage or personal injury to others arising from the operation of commercial motor vehicles. The property damage liability exposure is usually short-tail with relatively prompt reporting and settlement of claims. The bodily injury and medical payments exposures are longer-tailed; although the claim reporting is relatively prompt, the final settlement can take longer to achieve. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for commercial auto/truck liability/medical are similar to other liability — occurrence and include:
•Magnitude of jury awards
•Unpredictability of judicial decisions regarding coverage issues
•Litigious climate and trends
•Change in frequency of severe accidents
•Health care costs and utilization of medical services by injured parties
AFG recorded adverse prior year reserve development of $32 million and $7 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, for this line of business due to higher than anticipated severity. Favorable prior year reserve development of $16 million was recorded in 2020. Although severity trends were elevated at that time, they were generally lower than initially projected for prior years.
Recoverables from Reinsurers and Availability of Reinsurance AFG is subject to credit risk with respect to its reinsurers, as reinsurance contracts do not relieve AFG of its liability to policyholders. To mitigate this risk, substantially all reinsurance is ceded to companies rated “A” or better by S&P or is secured by “funds withheld” or other collateral.
The availability and cost of reinsurance are subject to prevailing market conditions, which are beyond AFG’s control and which may affect AFG’s level of business and profitability. Although the cost of certain reinsurance programs may increase, management believes that AFG will be able to maintain adequate reinsurance coverage at acceptable rates without a material adverse effect on AFG’s results of operations. AFG’s gross and net combined ratios are shown in the table below.
See Item 1 — Business — “Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Reinsurance” for more information on AFG’s reinsurance programs. For additional information on the effect of reinsurance on AFG’s historical results of operations see Note O — “Insurance — Reinsurance” to the financial statements.
The following table illustrates the effect that purchasing property and casualty reinsurance has had on AFG’s combined ratio over the last three years.
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before reinsurance (gross) | 90.9 | % | 87.4 | % | 97.1 | % | ||
| Effect of reinsurance | (3.6 | %) | (0.9 | %) | (1.6 | %) | ||
| Actual (net of reinsurance) | 87.3 | % | 86.5 | % | 95.5 | % |
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Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves Asbestos and environmental reserves of the property and casualty group consisted of the following (in millions):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| Asbestos | $ | 220 | $ | 232 | ||
| Environmental | 165 | 176 | ||||
| A&E reserves, net of reinsurance recoverable | 385 | 408 | ||||
| Reinsurance recoverable, net of allowance | 140 | 147 | ||||
| Gross A&E reserves | $ | 525 | $ | 555 |
Asbestos reserves include claims asserting alleged injuries and damages from exposure to asbestos. Environmental reserves include claims relating to polluted sites.
Asbestos claims against manufacturers, distributors or installers of asbestos products were presented under the products liability section of their policies, which typically had aggregate limits that capped an insurer’s liability. In addition, asbestos claims are being presented as “non-products” claims, such as those by installers of asbestos products and by property owners or operators who allegedly had asbestos on their property, under the premises or operations section of their policies. Unlike products exposures, these non-products exposures typically had no aggregate limits, creating greater exposure for insurers. Further, in an effort to seek additional insurance coverage, some insureds with installation activities who have substantially eroded their products coverage are presenting new asbestos claims as non-products operations claims or attempting to reclassify previously settled products claims as non-products claims to restore a portion of previously exhausted products aggregate limits.
Approximately 39% of AFG’s net asbestos reserves relate to policies written directly by AFG subsidiaries. Claims from these policies generally are product-oriented claims with only a limited amount of non-products exposures and are dominated by small to mid-sized commercial entities that are mostly regional policyholders with few national target defendants. The remainder is assumed reinsurance business that includes exposures from 1954 to 1983. The asbestos and environmental assumed claims are ceded by various insurance companies under reinsurance treaties. A majority of the individual assumed claims have exposures of less than $100,000 to AFG. Asbestos losses assumed include some of the industry known manufacturers, distributors and installers. Pollution losses include industry known insured names and sites.
Establishing reserves for A&E claims relating to policies and participations in reinsurance treaties and former operations is subject to uncertainties that are significantly greater than those presented by other types of claims. For this group of claims, traditional actuarial techniques that rely on historical loss development trends cannot be used and a range of reasonably possible losses cannot be estimated. Case reserves and expense reserves are established by the claims department as specific policies are identified. In addition to the case reserves established for known claims, management establishes additional reserves for claims not yet known or reported and for possible development on known claims. These additional reserves are management’s best estimate based on periodic comprehensive studies and internal reviews adjusted for payments and identifiable changes, supplemented by management’s review of industry information about such claims, with due consideration to individual claim situations.
Management believes that estimating the ultimate liability for asbestos claims presents a unique and difficult challenge to the insurance industry due to, among other things, inconsistent court decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, novel theories of coverage, and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage. Environmental claims likewise present challenges in prediction, due to uncertainty regarding the interpretation of insurance policies, complexities regarding multi-party involvements at sites, evolving cleanup standards and protracted time periods required to assess the level of cleanup required at contaminated sites.
The following factors could impact AFG’s A&E reserves and payments:
•There is interest at the state level to attempt to legislatively address asbestos liabilities and the manner in which asbestos claims are resolved. These developments are fluid and could result in piecemeal state-by-state solutions.
•The manner by which bankruptcy courts are addressing asbestos liabilities is in flux.
•AFG’s insureds may make claims alleging significant non-products exposures.
While management believes that AFG’s reserves for A&E claims are a reasonable estimate of ultimate liability for such claims, actual results may vary materially from the amounts currently recorded due to the difficulty in predicting the number of future claims, the impact of bankruptcy filings and unresolved issues such as whether coverage exists, whether
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policies are subject to aggregate limits on coverage, how claims are to be allocated among triggered policies and implicated years and whether claimants who exhibit no signs of illness will be successful in pursuing their claims. A 1% variation in loss cost trends, caused by any of the factors previously described, would change net earnings by approximately $32 million.
AFG tracks its A&E claims by policyholder. The following table shows, by type of claim, the number of policyholders that did not receive any payments in the calendar year separate from policyholders that did receive a payment. Policyholder counts represent policies written by AFG subsidiaries and do not include assumed reinsurance.
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of policyholders with no indemnity payments: | |||||||
| Asbestos | 103 | 100 | 97 | ||||
| Environmental | 129 | 131 | 116 | ||||
| 232 | 231 | 213 | |||||
| Number of policyholders with indemnity payments: | |||||||
| Asbestos | 45 | 45 | 48 | ||||
| Environmental | 25 | 20 | 22 | ||||
| 70 | 65 | 70 | |||||
| Total | 302 | 296 | 283 |
Amounts paid (net of reinsurance recoveries) for asbestos and environmental claims, including LAE, were as follows (in millions):
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos | $ | 12 | $ | 8 | $ | 8 | ||||
| Environmental | 11 | 6 | — | |||||||
| Total | $ | 23 | $ | 14 | $ | 8 |
The survival ratio is a measure often used by industry analysts to compare A&E reserves’ strength among companies. This ratio is typically calculated by dividing reserves for A&E exposures by the three-year average of paid losses, and therefore measures the number of years that it would take to pay off current reserves based on recent average payments. Because this ratio can be significantly impacted by a number of factors such as loss payout variability, caution should be exercised in attempting to determine reserve adequacy based simply on the survival ratio. At December 31, 2022, the property and casualty insurance segment’s three-year survival ratios compare favorably with industry survival ratios published by A.M. Best (as of December 31, 2021, and adjusted for several large portfolio transfers) as detailed in the following table:
| Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three-Year Survival Ratio (Times Paid Losses) | |||||||
| Asbestos | Environmental | Total A&E | |||||
| AFG (12/31/2022) | 24.3 | 27.7 | 25.6 | ||||
| Industry (12/31/2021) | 8.5 | 5.7 | 7.7 |
During the third quarter of 2022, AFG completed an in-depth internal review of its asbestos and environmental exposures relating to the run-off operations of its property and casualty insurance segment and its exposures related to former railroad and manufacturing operations and sites. In addition to its ongoing internal monitoring of asbestos and environmental exposures, AFG has periodically conducted comprehensive external studies of its asbestos and environmental reserves with the aid of specialty actuarial, engineering and consulting firms and outside counsel, with an in-depth internal review during the intervening years. AFG is continuing to evaluate the frequency of future external studies.
During the 2022 and 2021 internal reviews, no new trends were identified and recent claims activity was generally consistent with AFG’s expectations resulting from AFG’s most recent external study in 2020. As a result, both the 2022 and 2021 reviews resulted in no net change to AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment’s asbestos and environmental reserves.
A comprehensive external study of AFG’s A&E reserves was completed in the third quarter of 2020. As a result of the 2020 external study, AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment recorded a $47 million pretax special charge to increase its asbestos reserves by $26 million (net of reinsurance) and its environmental reserves by $21 million (net of reinsurance).
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Over the past few years, the focus of AFG’s asbestos claims litigation has shifted to smaller companies and companies with ancillary exposures. AFG’s insureds with these exposures have been the driver of the property and casualty segment’s asbestos reserve increases in recent years. AFG is seeing modestly increasing estimates for indemnity and defense compared to prior studies on certain specific open claims. The increase in property and casualty environmental reserves in 2020 was primarily associated with updated estimates of site investigation and remedial costs with respect to existing sites and its estimate of future, but as yet unreported, claims. AFG has updated its view of legal defense costs on open environmental claims as well as a number of claims and sites where the estimated investigation and remediation costs have increased.
Contingencies related to Subsidiaries’ Former Operations The A&E study and reviews discussed above encompassed reserves for various environmental and occupational injury and disease claims and other contingencies arising out of the railroad operations disposed of by American Premier’s predecessor and certain manufacturing operations disposed of by American Premier and its subsidiaries and by Great American Financial Resources, Inc. AFG recorded minor charges to increase liabilities for those operations as a result of the 2022 and 2021 internal reviews and a pretax special charge of $21 million as a result of the 2020 comprehensive external study. For a discussion of the charges recorded for those operations, see “Results of Operations — Holding Company, Other and Unallocated.” Liabilities for claims and contingencies arising from these former railroad and manufacturing operations totaled $96 million at December 31, 2022. For a discussion of the uncertainties in determining the ultimate liability, see Note N — “Contingencies” to the financial statements.
MANAGED INVESTMENT ENTITIES
Accounting standards require AFG to consolidate its investments in collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) entities that it manages and owns an interest in (in the form of debt). See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note H — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements. The effect of consolidating these entities is shown in the tables below (in millions). The “Before CLO Consolidation” columns include AFG’s investment and earnings in the CLOs on an unconsolidated basis.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
| Before CLO Consolidation | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and investments | $ | 14,627 | $ | — | $ | (115) | (*) | $ | 14,512 | |||||||
| Assets of managed investment entities | — | 5,447 | — | 5,447 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 8,872 | — | — | (*) | 8,872 | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 23,499 | $ | 5,447 | $ | (115) | $ | 28,831 | ||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums | $ | 15,220 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 15,220 | ||||||||
| Liabilities of managed investment entities | — | 5,444 | (112) | (*) | 5,332 | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt and other liabilities | 4,227 | — | — | 4,227 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 19,447 | 5,444 | (112) | 24,779 | ||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock and Capital surplus | 1,453 | 3 | (3) | 1,453 | ||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | 3,142 | — | — | 3,142 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (543) | — | — | (543) | ||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 4,052 | 3 | (3) | 4,052 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 23,499 | $ | 5,447 | $ | (115) | $ | 28,831 | ||||||||
| December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and investments | $ | 15,821 | $ | — | $ | (76) | (*) | $ | 15,745 | |||||||
| Assets of managed investment entities | — | 5,296 | — | 5,296 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 7,890 | — | — | (*) | 7,890 | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 23,711 | $ | 5,296 | $ | (76) | $ | 28,931 | ||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums | $ | 14,115 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 14,115 | ||||||||
| Liabilities of managed investment entities | — | 5,296 | (76) | (*) | 5,220 | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt and other liabilities | 4,584 | — | — | 4,584 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 18,699 | 5,296 | (76) | 23,919 | ||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock and Capital surplus | 1,415 | — | — | 1,415 | ||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | 3,478 | — | — | 3,478 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | 119 | — | — | 119 | ||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 5,012 | — | — | 5,012 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 23,711 | $ | 5,296 | $ | (76) | $ | 28,931 |
(*)Elimination of the fair value of AFG’s investment in CLOs and related accrued interest.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
| Before CLO Consolidation (a) | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three months ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,623 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,623 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 168 | — | — | (b) | 168 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 27 | — | — | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 93 | — | 93 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (1) | (5) | (b) | (6) | |||||||||||
| Other income | 29 | — | (5) | (c) | 24 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,847 | 92 | (10) | 1,929 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 1,413 | — | — | 1,413 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 92 | (10) | (b)(c) | 82 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 88 | — | — | 88 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,501 | 92 | (10) | 1,583 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 346 | — | — | 346 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 70 | — | — | 70 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 276 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 276 | ||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,452 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,452 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 212 | — | (3) | (b) | 209 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 7 | — | — | 7 | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 46 | — | 46 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 2 | (1) | (b) | 1 | |||||||||||
| Other income | 47 | — | (4) | (c) | 43 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,718 | 48 | (8) | 1,758 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 1,182 | — | — | 1,182 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 47 | (7) | (b)(c) | 40 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 91 | — | — | 91 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,273 | 47 | (7) | 1,313 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 445 | 1 | (1) | 445 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 90 | — | — | 90 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 355 | $ | 1 | $ | (1) | $ | 355 |
(a)Includes income of less than $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments and $5 million and $4 million of income in the fourth quarter of 2022 and 2021, respectively, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $5 million and $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and 2021, respectively, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS - CONTINUED
| Before CLO Consol. (a) | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 6,085 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,085 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 707 | — | 10 | (b) | 717 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | (116) | — | — | (116) | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 268 | — | 268 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (2) | (29) | (b) | (31) | |||||||||||
| Other income | 134 | — | (17) | (c) | 117 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 6,810 | 266 | (36) | 7,040 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 5,347 | — | — | 5,347 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 265 | (35) | (b)(c) | 230 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 340 | — | — | 340 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 5,687 | 265 | (35) | 5,917 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 1,123 | 1 | (1) | 1,123 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 225 | — | — | 225 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 898 | 1 | (1) | 898 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from discontinued operations | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 898 | $ | 1 | $ | (1) | $ | 898 | ||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 5,404 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,404 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 750 | — | (20) | (b) | 730 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities | 110 | — | — | 110 | ||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | 4 | — | — | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 181 | — | 181 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 3 | 7 | (b) | 10 | |||||||||||
| Other income | 129 | — | (16) | (c) | 113 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 6,397 | 184 | (29) | 6,552 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 4,704 | — | — | 4,704 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 183 | (28) | (b)(c) | 155 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 358 | — | — | 358 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 5,062 | 183 | (28) | 5,217 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 1,335 | 1 | (1) | 1,335 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 254 | — | — | 254 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 1,081 | 1 | (1) | 1,081 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from discontinued operations | 914 | — | — | 914 | ||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 1,995 | $ | 1 | $ | (1) | $ | 1,995 |
(a)Includes a loss of $10 million in 2022 and income of $20 million in 2021, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments and $17 million and $16 million of income in 2022 and 2021, respectively, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $18 million and $12 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS - CONTINUED
| Before CLO Consol. (a) | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 5,099 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,099 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 460 | — | 1 | (b) | 461 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities | (75) | — | — | (75) | ||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | 23 | — | — | 23 | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 201 | — | 201 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (11) | (9) | (b) | (20) | |||||||||||
| Other income | 95 | — | (15) | (c) | 80 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 5,602 | 190 | (23) | 5,769 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 4,896 | — | — | 4,896 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 190 | (23) | (b)(c) | 167 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 367 | — | — | 367 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 5,263 | 190 | (23) | 5,430 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 339 | — | — | 339 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 25 | — | — | 25 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 314 | — | — | 314 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from discontinued operations | 407 | — | — | 407 | ||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | (11) | — | — | (11) | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 732 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 732 |
(a)Includes a loss of $1 million representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments and $15 million of income in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $8 million in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General
AFG’s net earnings attributable to shareholders, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. In addition to discontinued operations, core net operating earnings excludes realized gains (losses) on securities because such gains and losses are influenced significantly by financial markets, interest rates and the timing of sales. In addition, special charges related to coverage that AFG no longer writes, such as asbestos and environmental exposures, are excluded from core earnings.
In January 2021, AFG entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Annuity business to MassMutual. Beginning with the first quarter of 2021 and through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale, the results of its annuity segment and the run-off life and long-term care operations are reported as discontinued operations, which included adjusting prior period results to reflect these operations as discontinued.
AFG recorded $914 million in non-core net earnings from the discontinued annuity operations in 2021, which includes a $656 million after-tax gain on the sale, compared to $407 million in 2020. See “Discontinued Annuity Operations” below for details of the impact of the discontinued annuity operations on AFG’s net earnings attributable to shareholders for 2021 and 2020.
In December 2019, AFG initiated actions to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, which included placing its Lloyd’s subsidiaries including its Lloyd’s Managing Agency, Neon Underwriting Ltd., into run-off. Neon and its predecessor, Marketform, had failed to achieve AFG’s profitability objectives since AFG’s purchase of Marketform in 2008. Consistent with the treatment of other items that are not indicative of AFG’s ongoing operations (both favorable and unfavorable), beginning with the first quarter of 2020, AFG’s core net operating earnings for its property and casualty insurance segment excludes the run-off operations of Neon (“Neon exited lines”). In December 2020, AFG sold GAI Holding Bermuda and its subsidiaries, comprising the legal entities that own Neon, to RiverStone Holdings Limited.
AFG recorded $111 million in non-core losses related to the runoff of the Neon business in 2020, which included a $23 million gain on the sale of the business. In conjunction with the sale, AFG recognized a tax benefit of $72 million, resulting in a net $39 million non-core after-tax loss from the Neon exited lines in 2020. In 2021, AFG recognized a non-core after-tax gain of $3 million related to contingent consideration received from the sale of Neon.
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The following table (in millions, except per share amounts) identifies non-core items and reconciles net earnings attributable to shareholders to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure. AFG believes core net operating earnings is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends and for management to evaluate financial performance against historical results because it believes this provides a more comparable measure of its continuing business.
| Three months ended December 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Components of net earnings attributable to shareholders: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core operating earnings before income taxes | $ | 318 | $ | 438 | $ | 1,248 | $ | 1,232 | $ | 609 | ||||||||
| Pretax non-core items: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 27 | 7 | (116) | 110 | (75) | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | — | — | (68) | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines (*) | — | — | — | 4 | (122) | |||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | 1 | — | (9) | — | (5) | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | (11) | — | |||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 346 | 445 | 1,123 | 1,335 | 339 | |||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core operating earnings | 63 | 87 | 255 | 239 | 128 | |||||||||||||
| Non-core items: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 6 | 3 | (24) | 23 | (16) | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | — | — | (14) | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines (*) | — | — | — | 1 | (72) | |||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | 1 | — | (2) | — | (1) | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | (4) | (9) | — | |||||||||||||
| Total provision for income taxes | 70 | 90 | 225 | 254 | 25 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 276 | 355 | 898 | 1,081 | 314 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings from discontinued operations | — | — | — | 914 | 407 | |||||||||||||
| Less net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests related to the Neon exited lines (*) | — | — | — | — | (11) | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 276 | $ | 355 | $ | 898 | $ | 1,995 | $ | 732 | ||||||||
| Net earnings: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core net operating earnings | $ | 255 | $ | 351 | $ | 993 | $ | 993 | $ | 481 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 21 | 4 | (92) | 87 | (59) | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | — | — | (54) | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines (*) | — | — | — | 3 | (39) | |||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | — | — | (7) | — | (4) | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | 4 | (2) | — | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations | 276 | 355 | 898 | 1,081 | 325 | |||||||||||||
| Discontinued annuity operations | — | — | — | 914 | 407 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 276 | $ | 355 | $ | 898 | $ | 1,995 | $ | 732 | ||||||||
| Diluted per share amounts: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core net operating earnings | $ | 2.99 | $ | 4.12 | $ | 11.63 | $ | 11.59 | $ | 5.40 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 0.25 | 0.06 | (1.06) | 1.01 | (0.67) | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | — | — | (0.61) | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines (*) | — | — | — | 0.04 | (0.45) | |||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on retirement of debt | — | — | (0.09) | — | (0.04) | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | 0.05 | (0.02) | — | |||||||||||||
| Diluted per share amounts, continuing operations | 3.24 | 4.18 | 10.53 | 12.62 | 3.63 | |||||||||||||
| Discontinued annuity operations | — | — | — | 10.68 | 4.57 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 3.24 | $ | 4.18 | $ | 10.53 | $ | 23.30 | $ | 8.20 |
(*)As discussed above, the Neon run-off operations are considered property and casualty insurance non-core earnings (losses). In 2021, AFG recognized a non-core after-tax gain of $3 million related to contingent consideration received on the sale of Neon.
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AFG reported net earnings attributable to shareholders of $276 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $355 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 reflecting lower core net operating earnings partially offset by higher net realized gains on securities in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. Core net operating earnings for the fourth quarter of 2022 decreased $96 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 reflecting lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio as compared to the very strong performance of this portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2021 and lower underwriting profit in the crop operations. These items were partially offset by higher investment income outside of alternative investments compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.
Net earnings attributable to shareholders were $898 million for the full-year of 2022 compared to $2.00 billion in 2021 reflecting net earnings from the discontinued annuity operations in 2021 and net realized losses on securities in 2022 compared to net realized gains on securities in 2021. The discontinued annuity operations includes an after-tax gain on the sale of the annuity subsidiaries of $656 million in 2021. Core net operating earnings were comparable in 2022 and 2021 as higher underwriting profit and higher investment income outside of alternative investments were offset by lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio compared to the very strong performance of this portfolio in 2021. Realized gains (losses) on securities in 2022 and 2021 resulted primarily from the change in fair value of equity securities that were still held at the balance sheet date.
Net earnings attributable to shareholders were $2.00 billion for the full-year of 2021 compared to $732 million in 2020 reflecting higher core net operating earnings, net realized gains on securities in 2021 compared to net realized losses in 2020, the impact of special A&E charges and non-core losses from the Neon exited lines in 2020 and higher net earnings from the discontinued annuity operations in 2021 (through the sale date) compared to 2020. The discontinued annuity operations includes an after-tax gain from the sale of the annuity subsidiaries of $656 million in 2021. Core net operating earnings increased $512 million in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting higher underwriting profit, higher net investment income and income from the sale of real estate in the fourth quarter of 2021, partially offset by higher interest charges on borrowed money and higher holding company expenses.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Segmented Statement of Earnings
Subsequent to the sale of its annuity operations, AFG reports its operations as two segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”) and (ii) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
AFG’s net earnings, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,623 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,623 | $ | — | $ | 1,623 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 159 | — | 9 | 168 | — | 168 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | 27 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 93 | — | 93 | — | 93 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (6) | — | (6) | — | (6) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | — | (5) | 29 | 24 | — | 24 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,782 | 82 | 38 | 1,902 | 27 | 1,929 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 986 | — | — | 986 | — | 986 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 419 | — | 8 | 427 | — | 427 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 20 | 20 | — | 20 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 82 | — | 82 | — | 82 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 14 | — | 55 | 69 | (1) | 68 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,419 | 82 | 83 | 1,584 | (1) | 1,583 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 363 | — | (45) | 318 | 28 | 346 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 73 | — | (10) | 63 | 7 | 70 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 290 | — | (35) | 255 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | 21 | 21 | (21) | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 290 | $ | — | $ | (14) | $ | 276 | $ | — | $ | 276 |
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| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,452 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,452 | $ | — | $ | 1,452 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 196 | (3) | 16 | 209 | — | 209 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 46 | — | 46 | — | 46 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 18 | (4) | 29 | 43 | — | 43 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,666 | 40 | 45 | 1,751 | 7 | 1,758 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 822 | — | — | 822 | — | 822 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 351 | — | 9 | 360 | — | 360 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 23 | 23 | — | 23 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 40 | — | 40 | — | 40 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 8 | — | 60 | 68 | — | 68 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,181 | 40 | 92 | 1,313 | — | 1,313 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 485 | — | (47) | 438 | 7 | 445 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 102 | — | (15) | 87 | 3 | 90 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 383 | — | (32) | 351 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) (*): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | 4 | 4 | (4) | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings | $ | 383 | $ | — | $ | (28) | $ | 355 | $ | — | $ | 355 |
(*)See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax impacts of these reconciling items.
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
Performance measures such as underwriting profit or loss and related combined ratios are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company’s performance. Underwriting profitability is measured by the combined ratio, which is a sum of the ratios of losses and loss adjustment expenses, and commissions and other underwriting expenses to premiums. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. The combined ratio does not reflect net investment income, other income, other expenses or federal income taxes.
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $363 million in pretax earnings in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $485 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of $122 million (25%). The decrease in pretax earnings reflects lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio as compared to the very strong performance of this portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2021 and lower underwriting profit in the crop operations. These items were partially offset by higher investment income outside of alternative investments compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.
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The following table details AFG’s earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty insurance operations for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | % Change | ||||||||
| Gross written premiums | $ | 1,845 | $ | 1,737 | 6 | % | ||||
| Reinsurance premiums ceded | (507) | (467) | 9 | % | ||||||
| Net written premiums | 1,338 | 1,270 | 5 | % | ||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | 285 | 182 | 57 | % | ||||||
| Net earned premiums | 1,623 | 1,452 | 12 | % | ||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses | 986 | 822 | 20 | % | ||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 419 | 351 | 19 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting gain | 218 | 279 | (22 | %) | ||||||
| Net investment income | 159 | 196 | (19 | %) | ||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | (14) | 10 | (240 | %) | ||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | $ | 363 | $ | 485 | (25 | %) | ||||
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| Combined Ratios: | 2022 | 2021 | Change | |||||||
| Specialty lines | ||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 60.8 | % | 56.5 | % | 4.3 | % | ||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 25.8 | % | 24.2 | % | 1.6 | % | ||||
| Combined ratio | 86.6 | % | 80.7 | % | 5.9 | % | ||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 60.7 | % | 56.6 | % | 4.1 | % | ||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 25.8 | % | 24.2 | % | 1.6 | % | ||||
| Combined ratio | 86.5 | % | 80.8 | % | 5.7 | % |
Starting in 1986, AFG’s statutory combined ratio has been better than the U.S. industry average for 35 of the 37 years. Management believes that AFG’s insurance operations have performed better than the industry as a result of its specialty niche focus, product line diversification, stringent underwriting discipline and alignment of compensation incentives.
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty property and casualty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.
To understand the overall profitability of particular lines, the timing of claims payments and the related impact of investment income must be considered. Certain “short-tail” lines of business (primarily property coverages) generally have quick loss payouts, which reduce the time funds are held, thereby limiting investment income earned thereon. In contrast, “long-tail” lines of business (primarily liability coverages and workers’ compensation) generally have payouts that are either structured over many years or take many years to settle, thereby significantly increasing investment income earned on related premiums received.
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.85 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $1.74 billion for the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of $108 million (6%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| GWP | % | GWP | % | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 601 | 32 | % | $ | 558 | 32 | % | 8 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 1,007 | 55 | % | 968 | 56 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 237 | 13 | % | 211 | 12 | % | 12 | % | ||||||||
| $ | 1,845 | 100 | % | $ | 1,737 | 100 | % | 6 | % |
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Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 27% of gross written premiums for both the fourth quarter of 2022 and the fourth quarter of 2021. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Change in | ||||||||||||||
| Ceded | % of GWP | Ceded | % of GWP | % of GWP | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | (178) | 30 | % | $ | (141) | 25 | % | 5 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | (352) | 35 | % | (340) | 35 | % | — | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | (38) | 16 | % | (38) | 18 | % | (2 | %) | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 61 | 52 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | (507) | 27 | % | $ | (467) | 27 | % | — | % |
Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.34 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $1.27 billion for the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of $68 million (5%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| NWP | % | NWP | % | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 423 | 32 | % | $ | 417 | 33 | % | 1 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 655 | 49 | % | 628 | 49 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 199 | 15 | % | 173 | 14 | % | 15 | % | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 61 | 4 | % | 52 | 4 | % | 17 | % | ||||||||
| $ | 1,338 | 100 | % | $ | 1,270 | 100 | % | 5 | % |
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.62 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $1.45 billion for the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of $171 million (12%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| NEP | % | NEP | % | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 682 | 42 | % | $ | 597 | 41 | % | 14 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 686 | 42 | % | 636 | 44 | % | 8 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 193 | 12 | % | 165 | 11 | % | 17 | % | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 62 | 4 | % | 54 | 4 | % | 15 | % | ||||||||
| $ | 1,623 | 100 | % | $ | 1,452 | 100 | % | 12 | % |
Gross written premiums for the fourth quarter of 2022 increased $108 million (6%) compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 reflecting new business opportunities, increased exposures and renewal rate increases. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 5% in the fourth quarter of 2022. Excluding overall rate decreases in the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates increased approximately 6%.
Property and transportation Gross written premiums increased $43 million (8%) in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. This increase was due primarily to higher winter wheat commodity prices and new opportunities in the crop business. Average renewal rates increased 7% for this group in the fourth quarter of 2022. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 5 percentage points for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 reflecting growth in crop insurance products with higher cessions.
Specialty casualty Gross written premiums increased $39 million (4%) in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. New accounts and strong account retention in the social services business, increased exposures from payroll growth and new business in the workers’ compensation businesses, and additional opportunities in the excess and surplus operations contributed to the higher year-over-year premiums. This growth was partially offset by lower premiums in the mergers and acquisitions liability and executive liability businesses. Average renewal rates for this
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group increased approximately 4% in the fourth quarter of 2022. Excluding rate decreases in the workers’ compensation business, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 6%. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums were comparable in the fourth quarter of 2022 and the fourth quarter of 2021.
Specialty financial Gross written premiums increased $26 million (12%) in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 due primarily to the growth in the financial institutions and commercial equipment leasing businesses. Average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 4% in the fourth quarter of 2022. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 2 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 reflecting lower than previously estimated reinstatement premiums related to Hurricane Ian, partially offset by higher cessions in the innovative markets business.
Other specialty The amounts shown as reinsurance premiums ceded represent business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Reinsurance premiums assumed increased $9 million (17%) in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 reflecting an increase in premiums retained, primarily from businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
Combined Ratio
Performance measures such as the combined ratio are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company’s performance. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) and underwriting expense ratios. These ratios are calculated by dividing each of the respective expenses by net earned premiums. The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of the combined ratio for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment:
| Three months ended December 31, | Three months ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Change | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 71.8 | % | 66.0 | % | 5.8 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 18.2 | % | 14.5 | % | 3.7 | % | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 90.0 | % | 80.5 | % | 9.5 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 68 | $ | 116 | ||||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 55.4 | % | 53.5 | % | 1.9 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 25.9 | % | 24.5 | % | 1.4 | % | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 81.3 | % | 78.0 | % | 3.3 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 128 | $ | 140 | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 33.8 | % | 31.7 | % | 2.1 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 49.3 | % | 53.8 | % | (4.5 | %) | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 83.1 | % | 85.5 | % | (2.4 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 33 | $ | 24 | ||||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 60.8 | % | 56.5 | % | 4.3 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 25.8 | % | 24.2 | % | 1.6 | % | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 86.6 | % | 80.7 | % | 5.9 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 217 | $ | 281 | ||||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 60.7 | % | 56.6 | % | 4.1 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 25.8 | % | 24.2 | % | 1.6 | % | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 86.5 | % | 80.8 | % | 5.7 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 218 | $ | 279 |
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $217 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $281 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of $64 million (23%). Higher underwriting profit in the Specialty financial sub-segment was more than offset by lower underwriting profit in the Property
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and transportation and Specialty casualty sub-segments. Overall catastrophe losses were $11 million (0.9 points on the combined ratio), including a $13 million favorable impact from lower than previously estimated reinstatement premiums related to Hurricane Ian, in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to catastrophe losses of $25 million (1.8 points) in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $68 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $116 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of $48 million (41%). The lower underwriting profit was primarily the result of average underwriting profitability in the crop operations when compared to the exceptionally strong crop results reported in the 2021 period. Catastrophe losses for this group were $7 million (1.0 points on the combined ratio), including a $1 million favorable impact from net reinstatement premiums, in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $15 million (2.5 points) in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $128 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $140 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of $12 million (9%). Higher year-over-year underwriting profit in the excess and surplus and excess liability businesses were more than offset by lower underwriting profitability in the workers’ compensation businesses. Catastrophe losses were $7 million (1.1 points on the combined ratio), including a $1 million favorable impact from net reinstatement premiums, in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to catastrophe losses of $3 million (0.5 points) in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $33 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $24 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of $9 million (38%). This increase reflects the favorable impact on underwriting profit from lower than previously estimated reinstatement premiums related to Hurricane Ian. Catastrophe losses were a favorable impact of $3 million (1.9 points on the combined ratio) including a $10 million favorable impact from the change in estimated reinstatement premiums in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $6 million (3.7 points) in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Other specialty This group reported an underwriting loss of $12 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to an underwriting profit of $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, a change of $13 million (1,300%), reflecting higher losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments (primarily losses from social inflation exposed operations in the Specialty casualty sub-segment) in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.
Aggregate Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment include net favorable prior year reserve development of $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and net adverse prior year reserve development of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
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Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 60.7% for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to 56.6% for the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of 4.1 percentage points. The components of AFG’s property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Ratio | Change in | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | Ratio | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 494 | $ | 381 | 72.6 | % | 63.9 | % | 8.7 | % | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (13) | (2) | (1.8 | %) | (0.4 | %) | (1.4 | %) | ||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | — | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 8 | 15 | 1.0 | % | 2.5 | % | (1.5 | %) | ||||||||
| Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 489 | $ | 394 | 71.8 | % | 66.0 | % | 5.8 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 423 | $ | 391 | 61.6 | % | 61.3 | % | 0.3 | % | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (50) | (55) | (7.3 | %) | (8.5 | %) | 1.2 | % | ||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | 1 | — | % | 0.2 | % | (0.2 | %) | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 8 | 3 | 1.1 | % | 0.5 | % | 0.6 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 381 | $ | 340 | 55.4 | % | 53.5 | % | 1.9 | % | ||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 67 | $ | 58 | 36.0 | % | 35.5 | % | 0.5 | % | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (8) | (13) | (4.1 | %) | (8.2 | %) | 4.1 | % | ||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | 1 | — | % | 0.7 | % | (0.7 | %) | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 7 | 6 | 1.9 | % | 3.7 | % | (1.8 | %) | ||||||||
| Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 66 | $ | 52 | 33.8 | % | 31.7 | % | 2.1 | % | ||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 1,021 | $ | 866 | 63.5 | % | 59.5 | % | 4.0 | % | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (58) | (73) | (3.6 | %) | (5.0 | %) | 1.4 | % | ||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | 2 | — | % | 0.2 | % | (0.2 | %) | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 24 | 25 | 0.9 | % | 1.8 | % | (0.9 | %) | ||||||||
| Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 987 | $ | 820 | 60.8 | % | 56.5 | % | 4.3 | % | ||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 1,021 | $ | 866 | 63.5 | % | 59.5 | % | 4.0 | % | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (59) | (71) | (3.6 | %) | (4.9 | %) | 1.3 | % | ||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | 2 | — | % | 0.2 | % | (0.2 | %) | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 24 | 25 | 0.8 | % | 1.8 | % | (1.0 | %) | ||||||||
| Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 986 | $ | 822 | 60.7 | % | 56.6 | % | 4.1 | % |
Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 63.5% for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to 59.5% in the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of 4.0 percentage points.
Property and transportation The 8.7 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses is due primarily to lower profitability in the crop insurance business
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compared to the very strong results recorded in the 2021 quarter. Excluding crop, the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses was comparable to the fourth quarter of 2021.
Specialty casualty The 0.3 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects higher reported losses in the social services business, partially offset by improved results in the general liability business.
Specialty financial The 0.5 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects higher reported losses in lender-placed mortgage protection insurance in the financial institutions business.
Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $58 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $73 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of $15 million (21%).
Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 reflects lower than expected claim severity in the ocean marine, aviation and property and inland marine businesses and lower than anticipated claim frequency in the trucking business. Net favorable reserve development of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 reflects lower than expected claim frequency in the aviation business and lower than anticipated claim severity in the ocean marine business, partially offset by higher than expected claim severity in the property and inland marine business.
Specialty casualty Net favorable reserve development of $50 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the workers’ compensation and excess and surplus businesses and lower than expected claim frequency in the executive liability business. Net favorable reserve development of $55 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses.
Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the trade credit and financial institutions businesses. Net favorable reserve development of $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety and trade credit businesses.
Other specialty In addition to the development discussed above, total Specialty prior year reserve development includes net adverse reserve development of $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and net favorable reserve development of $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. The fourth quarter of 2022 reflects net adverse reserve development associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program (primarily from social inflation exposed casualty businesses) and, to a lesser extent, both periods reflect the amortization of deferred gains on the retroactive reinsurance transactions entered into in connection with the sale of businesses in 1998 and 2001.
Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes net favorable reserve development of $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and net adverse reserve development of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 related to business outside the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
Catastrophe losses
AFG generally seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophes (whether resulting from climate change or otherwise) through individual risk selection, including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures, and the purchase of reinsurance. Based on data available at December 31, 2022 and considering the reinsurance coverage in place for 2023, AFG’s exposure to a catastrophic earthquake or windstorm that industry models indicate should statistically occur once in every 100, 250 or 500 years as a percentage of AFG’s Shareholders’ Equity is shown below:
| Approximate impact of modeled loss | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry Model | on AFG’s Shareholders’ Equity | ||
| 100-year event | 2% | ||
| 250-year event | 2% | ||
| 500-year event | 2% |
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Catastrophe losses of $24 million (before net reinstatement premiums) in the fourth quarter of 2022 resulted primarily from Winter Storm Elliott. Catastrophe losses of $25 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 resulted primarily from storms in multiple regions of the United States, Kentucky tornadoes and Colorado fires.
Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $419 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $351 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of $68 million (19%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio, calculated as commissions and other underwriting expenses divided by net premiums earned, was 25.8% for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to 24.2% for the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of 1.6 percentage points. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Change in | ||||||||||||||
| U/W Exp | % of NEP | U/W Exp | % of NEP | % of NEP | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 125 | 18.2 | % | $ | 87 | 14.5 | % | 3.7 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 177 | 25.9 | % | 156 | 24.5 | % | 1.4 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 94 | 49.3 | % | 89 | 53.8 | % | (4.5 | %) | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 23 | 34.8 | % | 19 | 36.3 | % | (1.5 | %) | ||||||||
| $ | 419 | 25.8 | % | $ | 351 | 24.2 | % | 1.6 | % |
Property and transportation Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 3.7 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 reflecting lower profitability-based ceding commissions received from reinsurers in the crop business.
Specialty casualty Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 1.4 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 reflecting higher underwriting expenses in the workers’ compensation business.
Specialty financial Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 4.5 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 reflecting the increase in net earned premiums in the fourth quarter of 2022 due to lower than previously estimated reinstatement premiums from Hurricane Ian and lower underwriting expenses in the international operations.
Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $159 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $196 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of $37 million (19%). The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | % | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Change | Change | |||||||||||
| Net investment income: | ||||||||||||||
| Net investment income, excluding alternative investments | $ | 131 | $ | 80 | $ | 51 | 64 | % | ||||||
| Alternative investments | 28 | 116 | (88) | (76 | %) | |||||||||
| Total net investment income | $ | 159 | $ | 196 | $ | (37) | (19 | %) | ||||||
| Average invested assets (at amortized cost) | $ | 14,304 | $ | 13,552 | $ | 752 | 6 | % | ||||||
| Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets) | 4.45 | % | 5.79 | % | (1.34 | %) | ||||||||
| Tax equivalent yield (*) | 4.53 | % | 5.92 | % | (1.39 | %) |
(*)Adjusts the yield on equity securities and tax-exempt bonds to the fully taxable equivalent yield.
The decrease in the property and casualty insurance segment’s net investment income for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 reflects lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs) as compared to the very strong performance of this portfolio in the prior year period, partially offset by the impact of higher yields on fixed maturity investments and growth in the property and casualty insurance segment. The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment
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income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 4.45% for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to 5.79% for the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of 1.34 percentage points as higher yields on fixed maturity investments were more than offset by lower returns on alternative investments. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 5.3% in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to 26.3% in the prior year period.
Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was a net expense of $14 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to net income of $10 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, a change of $24 million (240%). The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations (in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| Other income: | ||||||
| Income related to the sale of real estate | $ | — | $ | 12 | ||
| Other | — | 6 | ||||
| Total other income | — | 18 | ||||
| Other expenses: | ||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | 4 | 1 | ||||
| Interest expense on funds withheld | 8 | 6 | ||||
| Other | 2 | 1 | ||||
| Total other expenses | 14 | 8 | ||||
| Other income and expenses, net | $ | (14) | $ | 10 |
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $44 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $47 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of $3 million (6%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $45 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $47 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of $2 million (4%).
The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core loss before income taxes from operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | % Change | ||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 9 | $ | 16 | (44 | %) | ||||
| Other income — P&C fees | 22 | 22 | — | % | ||||||
| Other income | 7 | 7 | — | % | ||||||
| Total revenues | 38 | 45 | (16 | %) | ||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance — loss adjustment and underwriting expenses | 8 | 9 | (11 | %) | ||||||
| Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees | 14 | 13 | 8 | % | ||||||
| Other expenses (*) | 41 | 47 | (13 | %) | ||||||
| Costs and expenses, excluding interest charges on borrowed money | 63 | 69 | (9 | %) | ||||||
| Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses and interest charges on borrowed money | (25) | (24) | 4 | % | ||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | 20 | 23 | (13 | %) | ||||||
| Core loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | (45) | (47) | (4 | %) | ||||||
| Pretax non-core gain on retirement of debt | 1 | — | — | % | ||||||
| GAAP loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | $ | (44) | $ | (47) | (6 | %) |
(*)Excludes a pretax non-core gain on retirement of debt of $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.
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Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $9 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $16 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of $7 million (44%), reflecting the impact of the stock market performance on a small portfolio of securities held by the parent company that are carried at fair value through net investment income. These securities increased in value by less than $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to an increase in value of $7 million in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, a workers’ compensation insurance subsidiary, collects fees from a small group of unaffiliated insurers for providing underwriting, policy administration and claims services. In addition, certain of AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In the fourth quarter of 2022, AFG collected $22 million in fees for these services compared to $19 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Management views this fee income, net of the $14 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. In addition, AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collected less than $1 million and $3 million in fees from AFG’s disposed annuity operations during the fourth quarter of 2022 and the fourth quarter of 2021, respectively, as compensation for certain services provided under a transition services agreement. The expenses related to providing such services are embedded in property and casualty underwriting expenses. Consistent with internal management reporting, these fees and the related expenses are netted and recorded as a reduction of commissions and other underwriting expenses in AFG’s segmented results.
Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $5 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and $4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, in management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG’s consolidated managed investment entities). The management fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidate MIEs column under “Results of Operations — Segmented Statement of Earnings.” Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $2 million and $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and the fourth quarter of 2021, respectively.
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
Excluding the non-core gain on retirement of debt discussed below, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $41 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $47 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of $6 million (13%). This decrease is due primarily to the impact of lower holding company expenses related to deferred compensation obligations to employees that are tied to stock market performance in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded interest expense of $20 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $23 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of $3 million (13%) reflecting the retirement of AFG’s $425 million principal amount of 3.50% Senior Notes during the first six months of 2022.
Holding Company and Other — Gain on Retirement of Debt
During the fourth quarter of 2022, AFG retired $38 million principal amount of its senior notes, which resulted in a $1 million pretax gain.
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Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities were net gains of $27 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $7 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of $20 million (286%). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| Realized gains (losses) before impairment allowances: | ||||||
| Disposals | $ | (6) | $ | 3 | ||
| Change in the fair value of equity securities | 26 | 6 | ||||
| Change in the fair value of derivatives | (1) | (2) | ||||
| Other | 10 | — | ||||
| 29 | 7 | |||||
| Change in allowance for impairments on securities | (2) | — | ||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | $ | 27 | $ | 7 |
The $26 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the fourth quarter of 2022 includes gains of $7 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $7 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies and $7 million on investments in retail companies, partially offset by losses of $7 million on investments in media companies. The $6 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the fourth quarter of 2021 includes gains of $12 million on investments in capital goods companies and $2 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies, partially offset by losses of $5 million on investments in healthcare companies, $3 million on investments in media companies and $2 million on investments in banks and financing companies.
Consolidated Income Taxes
AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes was $70 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $90 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of $20 million (22%). The following is a reconciliation of income taxes at the statutory rate to the provision for income taxes as shown in the segmented statement of earnings (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Amount | % of EBT | Amount | % of EBT | ||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes (“EBT”) | $ | 346 | $ | 445 | |||||||||
| Income taxes at statutory rate | $ | 73 | 21 | % | $ | 93 | 21 | % | |||||
| Effect of: | |||||||||||||
| Change in valuation allowance | (10) | (3 | %) | (5) | (1 | %) | |||||||
| Employee stock ownership plan dividend paid deduction | (1) | — | % | (6) | (1 | %) | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation | (1) | — | % | (1) | — | % | |||||||
| Tax exempt interest | (1) | — | % | (2) | — | % | |||||||
| Dividend received deduction | (1) | — | % | (1) | — | % | |||||||
| Nondeductible expenses | 3 | 1 | % | 2 | — | % | |||||||
| Foreign operations | 1 | — | % | — | — | % | |||||||
| Other | 7 | 1 | % | 10 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Provision for income taxes | $ | 70 | 20 | % | $ | 90 | 20 | % |
See Note M — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022, 2021 AND 2020
Segmented Statement of Earnings
Subsequent to the sale of its annuity operations, AFG reports its continuing operations as two segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”) and (ii) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
AFG’s net earnings attributable to shareholders, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings attributable to shareholders to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 6,085 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,085 | $ | — | $ | 6,085 | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 683 | 10 | 24 | 717 | — | 717 | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | (116) | (116) | ||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 268 | — | 268 | — | 268 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (31) | — | (31) | — | (31) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 12 | (17) | 122 | 117 | — | 117 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 6,780 | 230 | 146 | 7,156 | (116) | 7,040 | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 3,629 | — | — | 3,629 | — | 3,629 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,680 | — | 38 | 1,718 | — | 1,718 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | 85 | 85 | — | 85 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | 230 | — | 230 | — | 230 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 52 | — | 194 | 246 | 9 | 255 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 5,361 | 230 | 317 | 5,908 | 9 | 5,917 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 1,419 | — | (171) | 1,248 | (125) | 1,123 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 295 | — | (40) | 255 | (30) | 225 | ||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 1,124 | — | (131) | 993 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders (a): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | (92) | (92) | 92 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss on retirement of debt, net of tax | — | — | (7) | (7) | 7 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Other, net of tax | — | — | 4 | 4 | (4) | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders | $ | 1,124 | $ | — | $ | (226) | $ | 898 | $ | — | $ | 898 |
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| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Annuity | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 5,404 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,404 | $ | — | $ | 5,404 | ||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 663 | 51 | (20) | 36 | 730 | — | 730 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities | — | — | — | — | — | 110 | 110 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | — | 181 | — | 181 | — | 181 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | — | 10 | — | 10 | — | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 27 | — | (16) | 102 | 113 | — | 113 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 6,094 | 51 | 155 | 138 | 6,438 | 114 | 6,552 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 3,157 | — | — | — | 3,157 | — | 3,157 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,514 | — | — | 33 | 1,547 | — | 1,547 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | — | 94 | 94 | — | 94 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | — | 155 | — | 155 | — | 155 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 33 | 1 | — | 219 | 253 | 11 | 264 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 4,704 | 1 | 155 | 346 | 5,206 | 11 | 5,217 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 1,390 | 50 | — | (208) | 1,232 | 103 | 1,335 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 279 | 11 | — | (51) | 239 | 15 | 254 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 1,111 | 39 | — | (157) | 993 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders (a): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | — | 87 | 87 | (87) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Discontinued operations, net of tax | — | 914 | — | — | 914 | — | 914 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines (b) | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | (3) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net of tax | — | — | — | (2) | (2) | 2 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders | $ | 1,114 | $ | 953 | $ | — | $ | (72) | $ | 1,995 | $ | — | $ | 1,995 |
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| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Annuity | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | Neon exited lines (b) | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 4,899 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 4,899 | $ | — | $ | 200 | $ | 5,099 | ||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 404 | 49 | 1 | 12 | 466 | — | (5) | 461 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities | — | — | — | — | — | (75) | — | (75) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | — | 201 | — | 201 | — | — | 201 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | — | (20) | — | (20) | — | — | (20) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 8 | 1 | (15) | 86 | 80 | — | — | 80 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 5,311 | 50 | 167 | 98 | 5,626 | (75) | 218 | 5,769 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 3,006 | — | — | — | 3,006 | 47 | 218 | 3,271 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,487 | — | — | 21 | 1,508 | — | 117 | 1,625 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | — | 88 | 88 | — | — | 88 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | — | 167 | — | 167 | — | — | 167 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 42 | 31 | — | 175 | 248 | 26 | 5 | 279 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 4,535 | 31 | 167 | 284 | 5,017 | 73 | 340 | 5,430 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 776 | 19 | — | (186) | 609 | (148) | (122) | 339 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 164 | 4 | — | (40) | 128 | (31) | (72) | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 612 | 15 | — | (146) | 481 | (117) | (50) | 314 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | (11) | (11) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 612 | 15 | — | (146) | 481 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders (a): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | — | (59) | (59) | 59 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discontinued operations, net of tax | — | 413 | — | (6) | 407 | — | — | 407 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines (b) | (39) | — | — | — | (39) | — | 39 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges, net of tax | (37) | — | — | (17) | (54) | 54 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on retirement of debt, net of tax | — | — | — | (4) | (4) | 4 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders | $ | 536 | $ | 428 | $ | — | $ | (232) | $ | 732 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 732 |
(a)See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax and noncontrolling interest impacts of these reconciling items.
(b)As discussed under “Results of Operations — General,” the Neon run-off operations are considered property and casualty insurance non-core earnings (losses).
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $1.42 billion in GAAP pretax earnings in 2022 compared to $1.39 billion in 2021, an increase of $25 million (2%). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were $1.42 billion in 2022 compared to $1.39 billion in 2021, an increase of $29 million (2%). The increase in GAAP and core pretax earnings reflects higher underwriting profit and higher investment income outside of alternative investments, partially offset by lower returns on AFG’s alternative investment portfolio (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs) and higher other net expenses in 2022 compared to 2021.
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $1.39 billion in GAAP pretax earnings in 2021 compared to $607 million in 2020, an increase of $787 million (130%). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were $1.39 billion in 2021 compared to $776 million in 2020, an increase of $614 million (79%). The increase in GAAP pretax earnings reflects
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higher core pretax earnings and the impact of losses in the Neon exited lines in 2020. The increase in GAAP pretax earnings also reflects the impact of a pretax non-core special A&E charge of $47 million in 2020. The increase in core pretax earnings reflects higher core underwriting profit and significantly higher net investment income in 2021 compared to 2020 and income from the sale of real estate in the fourth quarter of 2021. Improved results from alternative investments were partially offset by lower other net investment income, due primarily to lower interest rates.
The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty insurance operations for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 - 2021 | 2021 - 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Gross written premiums | $ | 9,057 | $ | 7,946 | $ | 6,995 | 14 | % | 14 | % | |||||||
| Reinsurance premiums ceded | (2,851) | (2,373) | (2,003) | 20 | % | 18 | % | ||||||||||
| Net written premiums | 6,206 | 5,573 | 4,992 | 11 | % | 12 | % | ||||||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | (121) | (169) | (93) | (28 | %) | 82 | % | ||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | 6,085 | 5,404 | 4,899 | 13 | % | 10 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses (a) | 3,629 | 3,157 | 3,006 | 15 | % | 5 | % | ||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,680 | 1,514 | 1,487 | 11 | % | 2 | % | ||||||||||
| Core underwriting gain | 776 | 733 | 406 | 6 | % | 81 | % | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 683 | 663 | 404 | 3 | % | 64 | % | ||||||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | (40) | (6) | (34) | 567 | % | (82 | %) | ||||||||||
| Core earnings before income taxes | 1,419 | 1,390 | 776 | 2 | % | 79 | % | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core special A&E charges | — | — | (47) | — | % | (100 | %) | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core Neon exited lines (b) | — | 4 | (122) | (100 | %) | (103 | %) | ||||||||||
| GAAP earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | $ | 1,419 | $ | 1,394 | $ | 607 | 2 | % | 130 | % | |||||||
| (a)Excludes a pretax non-core special A&E charge of $47 million in 2020.(b)In December 2019, AFG initiated actions to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, which included placing its Lloyd’s subsidiaries including its Lloyd’s Managing Agency, Neon Underwriting Ltd. (“Neon”), into run-off. As discussed under “Results of Operations — General,” following the December 2019 decision to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, the results from the Neon exited lines are treated as non-core earnings (losses). Each line item in the table above has been adjusted to remove the impact from the Neon run-off operations in 2020. The following table details the impact of the Neon exited lines to each component of earnings (loss) before income taxes in the property and casualty insurance operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| Excluding Neonexited lines | Neonexited lines | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Gross written premiums | $ | 6,995 | $ | 92 | $ | 7,087 | |||||||||||
| Reinsurance premiums ceded | (2,003) | (71) | (2,074) | ||||||||||||||
| Net written premiums | 4,992 | 21 | 5,013 | ||||||||||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | (93) | 179 | 86 | ||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | 4,899 | 200 | 5,099 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses | 3,006 | 218 | 3,224 | ||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,487 | 117 | 1,604 | ||||||||||||||
| Underwriting gain (loss) | 406 | (135) | 271 | ||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 404 | (5) | 399 | ||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of subsidiaries | — | 23 | 23 | ||||||||||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | (34) | (5) | (39) | ||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | 776 | (122) | 654 | ||||||||||||||
| Pretax non-core special A&E charges | (47) | — | (47) | ||||||||||||||
| GAAP earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | $ | 729 | $ | (122) | $ | 607 |
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| Year ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Ratios: | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 - 2021 | 2021 - 2020 | |||||||||
| Specialty lines | ||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 59.6 | % | 58.4 | % | 60.9 | % | 1.2 | % | (2.5 | %) | ||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 27.6 | % | 28.0 | % | 30.4 | % | (0.4 | %) | (2.4 | %) | ||||
| Combined ratio | 87.2 | % | 86.4 | % | 91.3 | % | 0.8 | % | (4.9 | %) | ||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 59.7 | % | 58.5 | % | 64.1 | % | 1.2 | % | (5.6 | %) | ||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 27.6 | % | 28.0 | % | 31.4 | % | (0.4 | %) | (3.4 | %) | ||||
| Combined ratio | 87.3 | % | 86.5 | % | 95.5 | % | 0.8 | % | (9.0 | %) |
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty property and casualty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $9.06 billion in 2022 compared to $7.95 billion in 2021, an increase of $1.11 billion (14%). GWP increased $859 million (12%) in 2021 compared to 2020. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 - 2021 | 2021 - 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| GWP | % | GWP | % | GWP | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 4,060 | 45 | % | $ | 3,263 | 41 | % | $ | 2,813 | 40 | % | 24 | % | 16 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 4,115 | 45 | % | 3,890 | 49 | % | 3,444 | 49 | % | 6 | % | 13 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 882 | 10 | % | 793 | 10 | % | 738 | 10 | % | 11 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total specialty | 9,057 | 100 | % | 7,946 | 100 | % | 6,995 | 99 | % | 14 | % | 14 | % | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines | — | — | % | — | — | % | 92 | 1 | % | — | % | (100 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Aggregate | $ | 9,057 | 100 | % | $ | 7,946 | 100 | % | $ | 7,087 | 100 | % | 14 | % | 12 | % |
Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 31% of gross written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2022, 30% for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 29% for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of 1 percentage point for 2022 compared to 2021 and 1 percentage point for 2021 compared to 2020. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | Change in % of GWP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 - 2021 | 2021 - 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded | % of GWP | Ceded | % of GWP | Ceded | % of GWP | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | (1,545) | 38 | % | $ | (1,106) | 34 | % | $ | (926) | 33 | % | 4 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | (1,387) | 34 | % | (1,350) | 35 | % | (1,140) | 33 | % | (1 | %) | 2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | (171) | 19 | % | (135) | 17 | % | (134) | 18 | % | 2 | % | (1 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 252 | 218 | 197 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total specialty | (2,851) | 31 | % | (2,373) | 30 | % | (2,003) | 29 | % | 1 | % | 1 | % | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines | — | — | % | — | — | % | (71) | 77 | % | — | % | (77 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Aggregate | $ | (2,851) | 31 | % | $ | (2,373) | 30 | % | $ | (2,074) | 29 | % | 1 | % | 1 | % |
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Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $6.21 billion in 2022 compared to $5.57 billion in 2021, an increase of $633 million (11%). NWP increased $560 million (11%) in 2021 compared to 2020. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 - 2021 | 2021 - 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NWP | % | NWP | % | NWP | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 2,515 | 41 | % | $ | 2,157 | 39 | % | $ | 1,887 | 38 | % | 17 | % | 14 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 2,728 | 44 | % | 2,540 | 45 | % | 2,304 | 46 | % | 7 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 711 | 11 | % | 658 | 12 | % | 604 | 12 | % | 8 | % | 9 | % | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 252 | 4 | % | 218 | 4 | % | 197 | 4 | % | 16 | % | 11 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total specialty | 6,206 | 100 | % | 5,573 | 100 | % | 4,992 | 100 | % | 11 | % | 12 | % | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines | — | — | % | — | — | % | 21 | — | % | — | % | (100 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Aggregate | $ | 6,206 | 100 | % | $ | 5,573 | 100 | % | $ | 5,013 | 100 | % | 11 | % | 11 | % |
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $6.09 billion in 2022 compared to $5.40 billion in 2021, an increase of $681 million (13%). NEP increased $305 million (6%) in 2021 compared to 2020. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 - 2021 | 2021 - 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NEP | % | NEP | % | NEP | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 2,487 | 41 | % | $ | 2,144 | 40 | % | $ | 1,871 | 37 | % | 16 | % | 15 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 2,659 | 44 | % | 2,408 | 44 | % | 2,235 | 44 | % | 10 | % | 8 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 698 | 11 | % | 642 | 12 | % | 613 | 12 | % | 9 | % | 5 | % | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 241 | 4 | % | 210 | 4 | % | 180 | 3 | % | 15 | % | 17 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total specialty | 6,085 | 100 | % | 5,404 | 100 | % | 4,899 | 96 | % | 13 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines | — | — | % | — | — | % | 200 | 4 | % | — | % | (100 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Aggregate | $ | 6,085 | 100 | % | $ | 5,404 | 100 | % | $ | 5,099 | 100 | % | 13 | % | 6 | % |
The $1.11 billion (14%) increase in gross written premiums in 2022 compared to 2021 reflects growth in the crop insurance business. Excluding crop, gross and net written premiums increased 8% and 9%, respectively, compared to 2021 reflecting increased exposures, new business opportunities and renewal rate increases. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 5% in 2022. Excluding the workers’ compensation business, renewal pricing increased approximately 6%.
The $859 million (12%) increase in gross written premiums in 2021 compared to 2020 reflects an increase in each of the Specialty property and casualty sub-segments due primarily to an improving economy, new business opportunities, higher renewal rates and increased exposures. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 9% in 2021. Excluding the workers’ compensation business, renewal pricing increased nearly 12%.
Property and transportation Gross written premiums increased $797 million (24%) in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting the impact of higher commodity futures prices on the crop insurance business. Excluding crop, gross and net written premiums grew 11% and 10%, respectively, reflecting new business opportunities, increased exposures and rate increases. Average renewal rates increased approximately 6% for this group in 2022. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 4 percentage points in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting growth in crop insurance products with higher cessions and higher cessions in the ocean marine business.
Gross written premiums increased $450 million (16%) in 2021 compared to 2020 due primarily to higher premiums in the crop insurance business as a result of higher commodity futures pricing and rate increases, higher premiums in the transportation businesses as a result of new accounts, combined with strong renewals and increased exposures in the alternative risk transfer business. Average renewal rates increased approximately 6% for this group in 2021. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 1 percentage point in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting growth in the crop insurance operations, which cede a larger percentage of premiums than the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment and the impact of reinstatement premiums in 2021 related to winter storms in Texas and a large property loss.
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Specialty casualty Gross written premiums increased $225 million (6%) in 2022 compared to 2021 due primarily to increased exposures in the excess and surplus businesses, rate increases and new business opportunities in the targeted markets businesses and increased exposures resulting from payroll growth and new business in the workers’ compensation businesses. This premium growth was partially offset by lower year-over-year premiums in the mergers and acquisitions liability business. Average renewal rates increased approximately 5% for this group in 2022. Excluding overall rate decreases in the workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 7% in 2022. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 1 percentage point in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting lower cessions in the excess and surplus and excess liability businesses and lower gross written premiums in the mergers and acquisitions liability business, which cedes a larger percentage of premiums than the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
Gross written premiums increased $446 million (13%) in 2021 compared to 2020. Significant renewal rate increases and new business opportunities contributed to higher premiums in the excess and surplus businesses and renewal rate increases, strong account retention and new business opportunities contributed to premium growth in the targeted markets businesses. The mergers and acquisitions liability and executive liability businesses also contributed meaningfully to the year-over-year growth. Average renewal rates increased approximately 11% for this group in 2021. Excluding rate decreases in the workers’ compensation business, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 17% in 2021. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 2 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting growth in the excess and surplus, mergers and acquisitions liability and environmental businesses, which cede a larger percentage of premiums than the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
Specialty financial Gross written premiums increased $89 million (11%) in 2022 compared to 2021 due primarily to higher premiums in the financial institutions business related to lender-placed mortgage protection insurance, rate increases and new business opportunities in the fidelity and crime business and new business opportunities in the innovative markets and commercial equipment leasing businesses. Average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 5% in 2022. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 2 percentage points in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting the impact of reinstatement premiums related to Hurricane Ian and higher cessions in the innovative markets business.
Gross written premiums increased $55 million (7%) in 2021 compared to 2020 due primarily to renewal rate increases and new business opportunities within the lender services and fidelity businesses and the favorable impact of economic recovery in the surety business. Average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 7% in 2021. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 1 percentage point in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting lower cessions in the financial institutions business due to reduced premiums from certain collateral protection insurance that is 100% reinsured.
Other specialty The amounts shown as reinsurance premiums ceded represent business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Reinsurance premiums assumed increased $34 million (16%) in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting an increase in premiums retained, primarily from businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
Reinsurance premiums assumed increased $21 million (11%) in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting an increase in premiums retained, primarily from businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
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Combined Ratio
The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of the combined ratio for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment for 2022, 2021 and 2020:
| Year ended December 31, | Change | Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 - 2021 | 2021 - 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 69.8 | % | 65.1 | % | 64.6 | % | 4.7 | % | 0.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 21.9 | % | 22.0 | % | 25.8 | % | (0.1 | %) | (3.8 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 91.7 | % | 87.1 | % | 90.4 | % | 4.6 | % | (3.3 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 208 | $ | 279 | $ | 181 | ||||||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 54.7 | % | 58.1 | % | 62.5 | % | (3.4 | %) | (4.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 26.5 | % | 26.2 | % | 27.5 | % | 0.3 | % | (1.3 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 81.2 | % | 84.3 | % | 90.0 | % | (3.1 | %) | (5.7 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 500 | $ | 377 | $ | 223 | ||||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 34.1 | % | 33.2 | % | 39.5 | % | 0.9 | % | (6.3 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 49.6 | % | 51.9 | % | 52.3 | % | (2.3 | %) | (0.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 83.7 | % | 85.1 | % | 91.8 | % | (1.4 | %) | (6.7 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 114 | $ | 96 | $ | 50 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 59.6 | % | 58.4 | % | 60.9 | % | 1.2 | % | (2.5 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 27.6 | % | 28.0 | % | 30.4 | % | (0.4 | %) | (2.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 87.2 | % | 86.4 | % | 91.3 | % | 0.8 | % | (4.9 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 780 | $ | 737 | $ | 426 | ||||||||||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 59.7 | % | 58.5 | % | 64.1 | % | 1.2 | % | (5.6 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 27.6 | % | 28.0 | % | 31.4 | % | (0.4 | %) | (3.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 87.3 | % | 86.5 | % | 95.5 | % | 0.8 | % | (9.0 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 776 | $ | 733 | $ | 224 |
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $780 million in 2022 compared to $737 million in 2021, an increase of $43 million (6%), reflecting higher underwriting profit in the Specialty casualty and Specialty financial sub-segments, partially offset by lower underwriting profit in the Property and transportation sub-segment. Underwriting results for the Specialty property and casualty insurance operations include $16 million in COVID-19 related losses (0.3 points on the combined ratio) in 2021. Overall catastrophe losses were $93 million (1.5 points on the combined ratio), including $5 million in net reinstatement premiums, for 2022 compared to catastrophe losses of $98 million (1.7 points), including $12 million in net reinstatement premiums, for 2021.
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $737 million in 2021 compared to $426 million in 2020, an increase of $311 million (73%), reflecting higher underwriting profit in each of the Specialty property and casualty sub-segments. Underwriting results for the Specialty property and casualty insurance operations include $16 million in COVID-19 related losses (0.3 points on the combined ratio) in 2021 compared to $95 million (1.9 points) in 2020. Overall catastrophe losses were $98 million (1.7 points on the combined ratio), including $12 million in net reinstatement premiums, for 2021 compared to catastrophe losses of $93 million (1.9 points), including $2 million in net reinstatement premiums, for 2020.
Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $208 million in 2022 compared to $279 million in 2021, a decrease of $71 million (25%), reflecting lower year-over-year profitability in the crop operations compared to the very strong results in 2021 and lower underwriting profit in the transportation businesses, primarily the result of lower favorable prior year reserve development. Catastrophe losses were $45 million (1.9 points on the combined ratio), including $3 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2022 compared to catastrophe losses of $58 million (2.7 points), including $9 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2021.
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Underwriting profit for this group was $279 million in 2021 compared to $181 million in 2020, an increase of $98 million (54%), reflecting higher underwriting profitability in the crop and ocean marine businesses. COVID-19 related losses for this group were $7 million (0.4 points on the combined ratio) in 2020. Catastrophe losses were $58 million (2.7 points on the combined ratio), including $9 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2021 compared to catastrophe losses of $47 million (2.5 points) in 2020.
Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $500 million in 2022 compared to $377 million in 2021, an increase of $123 million (33%), reflecting higher year-over-year underwriting profit in the workers’ compensation, excess and surplus, executive liability and mergers and acquisitions liability businesses. COVID-19 related losses were $9 million (0.4 points on the combined ratio) in 2021. Catastrophe losses were $11 million (0.5 points on the combined ratio) in 2022 compared to catastrophe losses of $10 million (0.4 points), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2021.
Underwriting profit for this group was $377 million in 2021 compared to $223 million in 2020, an increase of $154 million (69%). This increase reflects higher underwriting profitability in the excess and surplus, excess liability, workers’ compensation, targeted markets and general liability businesses in 2021 compared to 2020. See “Neon exited lines” below for information about AFG’s exit from the Lloyd’s of London insurance market in 2020. COVID-19 related losses were $9 million (0.4 points on the combined ratio) in 2021 compared to $60 million (2.7 points) in 2020, primarily in the workers’ compensation and executive liability businesses. Catastrophe losses were $10 million (0.4 points on the combined ratio), including $1 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2021 compared to catastrophe losses of $16 million (0.6 points), including $2 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2020.
Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $114 million in 2022 compared to $96 million in 2021, an increase of $18 million (19%) due primarily to higher year-over-year underwriting profit in the trade credit and financial institutions businesses. COVID-19 related losses were $7 million (1.1 points) in 2021. Catastrophe losses were $36 million (4.9 points on the combined ratio), including $3 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2022 compared to catastrophe losses of $28 million (4.1 points), including $2 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2021.
Underwriting profit for this group was $96 million in 2021 compared to $50 million in 2020, an increase of $46 million (92%) due primarily to higher year-over-year underwriting profitability in the surety, financial institutions, innovative markets and trade credit businesses. COVID-19 related losses were $7 million (1.1 points on the combined ratio) in 2021 compared to $26 million (4.3 points) in 2020, primarily related to trade credit insurance. Catastrophe losses were $28 million (4.1 points on the combined ratio), including $2 million in net reinstatement premiums, in 2021 compared to $26 million (4.3 points) in 2020.
Other specialty This group reported an underwriting loss of $42 million in 2022 compared to $15 million in 2021, an increase of $27 million (180%). This increase reflects higher losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments (primarily losses from social inflation exposed operations in the Specialty casualty sub-segment) in 2022 compared to 2021.
This group reported an underwriting loss of $15 million in 2021 compared to $28 million in 2020, a decrease of $13 million (46%). This decrease reflects lower losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments in 2021 compared to 2020.
Neon exited lines In December 2019, AFG initiated actions to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, which included placing its Lloyd’s subsidiaries including its Lloyd’s Managing Agency, Neon Underwriting Ltd., into run-off. In December 2020, AFG completed the sale of GAI Holding Bermuda and its subsidiaries, comprising the legal entities that own Neon. AFG recorded $135 million in non-core underwriting losses (including $19 million of net adverse prior year reserve development) related to this business in 2020. These losses were partially offset by a $53 million gain on the sale of Neon recorded in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Consistent with the treatment of other items that are not indicative of AFG’s ongoing operations (both favorable and unfavorable), the $135 million underwriting loss at Neon and partially offsetting gain on sale in the fourth quarter of 2020 are treated as non-core.
Aggregate Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment include asbestos and environmental reserve charges of $47 million in 2020 and an underwriting loss of $135 million at Neon in 2020, due primarily to catastrophe losses, COVID-19 related charges and several large claims. See “Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves,” under “Uncertainties” and “Neon exited lines” above. Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment also include adverse prior year reserve development of $4 million in both 2022 and 2021 and $20 million in 2020, related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
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Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 59.7%, 58.5% and 64.1% in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The components of AFG’s property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Ratio | Change in Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 - 2021 | 2021 - 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 1,785 | $ | 1,448 | $ | 1,261 | 71.6 | % | 67.2 | % | 67.4 | % | 4.4 | % | (0.2 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (92) | (103) | (107) | (3.7 | %) | (4.8 | %) | (5.7 | %) | 1.1 | % | 0.9 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | — | 7 | — | % | — | % | 0.4 | % | — | % | (0.4 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 42 | 49 | 47 | 1.9 | % | 2.7 | % | 2.5 | % | (0.8 | %) | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,735 | $ | 1,394 | $ | 1,208 | 69.8 | % | 65.1 | % | 64.6 | % | 4.7 | % | 0.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 1,632 | $ | 1,521 | $ | 1,419 | 61.4 | % | 63.1 | % | 63.5 | % | (1.7 | %) | (0.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (190) | (140) | (97) | (7.2 | %) | (5.8 | %) | (4.3 | %) | (1.4 | %) | (1.5 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | 9 | 60 | — | % | 0.4 | % | 2.7 | % | (0.4 | %) | (2.3 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 11 | 9 | 14 | 0.5 | % | 0.4 | % | 0.6 | % | 0.1 | % | (0.2 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,453 | $ | 1,399 | $ | 1,396 | 54.7 | % | 58.1 | % | 62.5 | % | (3.4 | %) | (4.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 252 | $ | 231 | $ | 218 | 36.0 | % | 36.0 | % | 35.4 | % | — | % | 0.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (47) | (51) | (28) | (6.8 | %) | (8.0 | %) | (4.5 | %) | 1.2 | % | (3.5 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | 7 | 26 | — | % | 1.1 | % | 4.3 | % | (1.1 | %) | (3.2 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 33 | 26 | 26 | 4.9 | % | 4.1 | % | 4.3 | % | 0.8 | % | (0.2 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 238 | $ | 213 | $ | 242 | 34.1 | % | 33.2 | % | 39.5 | % | 0.9 | % | (6.3 | %) | ||||||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 3,826 | $ | 3,334 | $ | 3,013 | 62.8 | % | 61.6 | % | 61.5 | % | 1.2 | % | 0.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (289) | (283) | (213) | (4.7 | %) | (5.2 | %) | (4.4 | %) | 0.5 | % | (0.8 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | 16 | 95 | — | % | 0.3 | % | 1.9 | % | (0.3 | %) | (1.6 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 88 | 86 | 91 | 1.5 | % | 1.7 | % | 1.9 | % | (0.2 | %) | (0.2 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 3,625 | $ | 3,153 | $ | 2,986 | 59.6 | % | 58.4 | % | 60.9 | % | 1.2 | % | (2.5 | %) | ||||||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 3,826 | $ | 3,334 | $ | 3,155 | 62.8 | % | 61.6 | % | 61.9 | % | 1.2 | % | (0.3 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (285) | (279) | (127) | (4.7 | %) | (5.2 | %) | (2.5 | %) | 0.5 | % | (2.7 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | 16 | 115 | — | % | 0.3 | % | 2.2 | % | (0.3 | %) | (1.9 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses including the impact of net reinstatement premiums | 88 | 86 | 128 | 1.6 | % | 1.8 | % | 2.5 | % | (0.2 | %) | (0.7 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 3,629 | $ | 3,157 | $ | 3,271 | 59.7 | % | 58.5 | % | 64.1 | % | 1.2 | % | (5.6 | %) |
Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 62.8% in 2022, 61.6% in 2021 and 61.5% in 2020.
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Property and transportation The 4.4 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2022 compared to 2021 is due primarily to lower profitability in the crop insurance business compared to the very strong results recorded in the 2021. Excluding crop, the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding catastrophe losses was comparable to 2021.
The 0.2 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2021 compared to 2020 reflects a decrease in the loss and LAE ratio in the crop insurance operations, partially offset by an increase in the loss and LAE ratio in the property and inland marine business.
Specialty casualty The 1.7 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2022 compared to 2021 reflects favorable trends in workers’ compensation and the impact of higher rates in the executive liability, excess and surplus and excess liability businesses.
The 0.4 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2021 compared to 2020 reflects a decrease in the loss and LAE ratios of the excess and surplus businesses, partially offset by an increase in the loss and LAE ratios of the targeted markets businesses.
Specialty financial The loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2022 is unchanged compared to the 2021 period.
The 0.6 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2021 compared to 2020 reflects an increase in the loss and LAE ratio of the financial institutions and trade credit businesses, partially offset by a decrease in the loss and LAE ratio of the fidelity business.
Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $289 million in 2022 compared to $283 million in 2021 and $213 million in 2020, increases of $6 million (2%) and $70 million (33%), respectively.
Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $92 million in 2022 reflects lower than anticipated losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim frequency in the trucking and ocean marine businesses and in the Singapore operations, lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the aviation business and lower than anticipated claim severity in the property and inland marine business.
Net favorable reserve development of $103 million in 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the transportation businesses, lower than expected losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim severity in the ocean marine business and lower than expected claim frequency in the aviation business.
Net favorable reserve development of $107 million in 2020 reflects lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the aviation, transportation and agricultural businesses.
Specialty casualty Net favorable reserve development of $190 million in 2022 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses and lower than expected claim frequency in the executive liability and excess and surplus businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the general liability, umbrella and excess liability and certain targeted markets businesses.
Net favorable reserve development of $140 million in 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the general liability and targeted markets businesses.
Net favorable reserve development of $97 million in 2020 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses and lower than anticipated claim frequency in the executive liability business, partially offset by higher than expected claim frequency and severity in general liability contractor claims and the excess and surplus and excess liability businesses and higher than anticipated claim severity in the targeted markets businesses.
Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $47 million in 2022 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety, trade credit and financial institutions businesses.
Net favorable reserve development of $51 million in 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety and trade credit businesses and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the financial institutions business.
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Net favorable reserve development of $28 million in 2020 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the trade credit business and lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the financial institutions, fidelity and surety businesses.
Other specialty In addition to the development discussed above, total Specialty prior year reserve development includes net adverse reserve development of $40 million, $11 million and $19 million in 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The net adverse reserve development reflects $44 million, $16 million and $24 million in 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively, of net adverse development associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program, primarily related to social inflation exposed business assumed from the Specialty casualty sub-segment. This adverse reserve development is partially offset by the amortization of the deferred gains on the retroactive reinsurance transactions entered into in connection with the sale of businesses in 1998 and 2001.
Asbestos and environmental reserve charges As previously discussed under “Uncertainties — Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves,” AFG has established property and casualty reserves for claims related to environmental exposures and asbestos claims. While there were no charges recorded in the property and casualty insurance business in 2022 or 2021, a charge of $47 million was recorded in 2020 to increase reserves (net of reinsurance recoverable) for A&E exposures of AFG’s property and casualty group (included in loss and loss adjustment expenses).
Neon exited lines AFG recorded net adverse prior year reserve development of $19 million in 2020 related to Neon’s exited lines of business (included in loss and loss adjustment expenses). See “Neon exited lines” above for information about AFG’s exit of the Lloyd’s of London insurance market in 2020.
Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes the special A&E charges and reserve development related to the Neon exited lines mentioned above and net adverse reserve development of $4 million in both 2022 and 2021 and $20 million in 2020 related to business outside the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
Covid-19 related losses
During 2022, AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations released $19 million of prior accident year COVID-19 reserves based on improved loss experience in the trade credit and workers’ compensation businesses. In 2021, AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded $16 million in reserve charges related to COVID-19 primarily related to the workers’ compensation and trade credit businesses, and recorded favorable development of approximately $19 million of accident year 2020 reserves primarily based on loss experience in the trade credit and executive liability businesses. Underwriting results for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations in 2020 include $95 million of reserve charges related to COVID-19. Approximately 70% of AFG’s 2020 COVID-19 related losses were reported in the workers’ compensation, executive liability and trade credit businesses, with the remainder spread across numerous other businesses. Given the uncertainties surrounding the ultimate number and scope of claims relating to the pandemic, approximately 50% of the $74 million in cumulative COVID-19 related losses are held as incurred but not reported reserves at December 31, 2022.
In addition, underwriting results for the Neon exited lines includes $20 million of COVID-19 related losses in 2020.
Catastrophe losses
AFG generally seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophes through individual risk selection, including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures, and the purchase of reinsurance. AFG recorded net catastrophe losses of $88 million in 2022 primarily from winter storms in multiple regions of the United States in the first quarter, storms in multiple regions of the United States in the second quarter, Hurricane Ian in the third quarter and Winter Storm Elliott in the fourth quarter.
Catastrophe losses of $86 million in 2021 resulted primarily from winter storms in Texas in the first quarter; storms in multiple regions of the United States in the second, third and fourth quarters; Hurricane Ida in the third quarter and Kentucky tornadoes and Colorado fires in the fourth quarter.
Catastrophe losses of $128 million in 2020 resulted primarily from storms and tornadoes in multiple regions of the United States in the first quarter; storms and tornadoes in multiple regions of the United States and civil unrest in the second quarter; Hurricanes Hanna, Laura and Sally, Tropical Storm Isaias, storms and tornadoes in multiple regions of the United States and multiple wildfires in west coast states in the third quarter and Hurricanes Laura, Sally, Delta and Zeta and the Nashville explosion in the fourth quarter.
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Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $1.68 billion in 2022 compared to $1.51 billion in 2021, an increase of $166 million (11%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio was 27.6% in 2022 compared to 28.0% in 2021, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points.
AFG’s property and casualty U/W Exp were $1.51 billion in 2021 compared to $1.60 billion in 2020, a decrease of $90 million (6%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio was 28.0% in 2021 compared to 31.4% in 2020, a decrease of 3.4 percentage points.
Detail of AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | Change in % of NEP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 - 2021 | 2021 - 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| U/W Exp | % of NEP | U/W Exp | % of NEP | U/W Exp | % of NEP | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 544 | 21.9 | % | $ | 471 | 22.0 | % | $ | 482 | 25.8 | % | (0.1 | %) | (3.8 | %) | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 706 | 26.5 | % | 632 | 26.2 | % | 616 | 27.5 | % | 0.3 | % | (1.3 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 346 | 49.6 | % | 333 | 51.9 | % | 321 | 52.3 | % | (2.3 | %) | (0.4 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 84 | 34.7 | % | 78 | 37.2 | % | 68 | 38.5 | % | (2.5 | %) | (1.3 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Total Specialty | 1,680 | 27.6 | % | 1,514 | 28.0 | % | 1,487 | 30.4 | % | (0.4 | %) | (2.4 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines | — | — | 117 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Aggregate | $ | 1,680 | 27.6 | % | $ | 1,514 | 28.0 | % | $ | 1,604 | 31.4 | % | (0.4 | %) | (3.4 | %) |
Property and transportation Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums were comparable in 2022 and 2021.
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 3.8 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting higher profitability-based ceding commissions received from reinsurers in the crop business and the impact of higher premiums on the ratio in the property and inland marine business in 2021 compared to 2020.
Specialty casualty Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 0.3 percentage points in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting higher underwriting expenses in the workers’ compensation business.
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 1.3 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting higher ceding commissions received from reinsurers as a result of growth in the excess liability businesses.
Specialty financial Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 2.3 percentage points in 2022 compared to 2021 reflecting lower profit-based commissions to agents in 2022 compared to 2021, and lower underwriting expenses in the international operations.
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 0.4 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting the impact of higher premiums on the ratio in 2021 compared to 2020.
Aggregate Aggregate commissions and other underwriting expenses for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes $117 million of underwriting expenses in the Neon run-off operations in 2020. See “Neon exited lines” above.
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Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $683 million in 2022 compared to $663 million in 2021, an increase of $20 million (3%). Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $663 million in 2021 compared to $404 million (excluding the Neon exited lines) in 2020, an increase of $259 million (64%). The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | 2022 - 2021 | 2021 - 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | Change | % Change | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income, excluding alternative investments | $ | 418 | $ | 323 | $ | 345 | $ | 95 | 29 | % | $ | (22) | (6 | %) | |||||||||||
| Alternative investments | 265 | 340 | 59 | (75) | (22 | %) | 281 | 476 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total net investment income | $ | 683 | $ | 663 | $ | 404 | $ | 20 | 3 | % | $ | 259 | 64 | % | |||||||||||
| Average invested assets (at amortized cost) | $ | 14,048 | $ | 12,944 | $ | 11,760 | $ | 1,104 | 9 | % | $ | 1,184 | 10 | % | |||||||||||
| Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets) | 4.86 | % | 5.12 | % | 3.44 | % | (0.26 | %) | 1.68 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Tax equivalent yield (*) | 4.96 | % | 5.25 | % | 3.56 | % | (0.29 | %) | 1.69 | % |
(*)Adjusts the yield on equity securities and tax-exempt bonds to the fully taxable equivalent yield.
The increase in the property and casualty insurance segment’s net investment income in 2022 compared to 2021 reflects higher average investments and higher yields on fixed maturities, partially offset by lower returns on AFG’s alternative investments (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs) as compared to the very strong performance of alternative investments in the prior year. The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 4.86% in 2022 compared to 5.12% in 2021, a decrease of 0.26 percentage points as higher yields on fixed maturity investments were more than offset by lower returns on alternative investments. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 13.2% in 2022 compared to 25.3% in 2021.
The increase in net investment income in 2021 compared to 2020 reflects significantly higher returns on alternative investments, partially offset by the effect of lower fixed maturity yields, lower short-term interest rates and lower dividend income. The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments was 5.12% in 2021 compared to 3.44% in 2020, an increase of 1.68 percentage points. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 25.3% in 2021 compared to 6.6% in 2020.
In addition to the property and casualty segment’s net investment income from ongoing operations discussed above, the Neon exited lines reported a $5 million loss in 2020 in net investment income, primarily from changes in the fair value of equity securities.
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Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was a net expense of $40 million in 2022, $6 million in 2021 and $34 million in 2020, an increase of $34 million (567%) in 2022 compared to 2021 and a decrease of $28 million (82%) in 2021 compared to 2020. The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| Other income: | ||||||||||
| Income related to the sale of real estate | $ | 1 | $ | 10 | $ | — | ||||
| Other | 11 | 17 | 8 | |||||||
| Total other income | 12 | 27 | 8 | |||||||
| Other expenses: | ||||||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | 11 | 6 | 12 | |||||||
| Interest expense on funds withheld | 29 | 25 | 24 | |||||||
| Other (*) | 12 | 2 | 6 | |||||||
| Total other expenses | 52 | 33 | 42 | |||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | $ | (40) | $ | (6) | $ | (34) |
(*)Includes $9 million of expenses in 2022 related to certain technology initiatives.
In addition to the property and casualty segment’s other income and expenses, net from ongoing operations discussed above, the Neon exited lines incurred a net expense of $5 million in other income and expenses, net during 2020.
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $180 million in 2022 compared to $219 million in 2021, a decrease of $39 million (18%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $171 million in 2022 compared to $208 million in 2021, a decrease of $37 million (18%).
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $219 million in 2021 compared to $212 million in 2020, an increase of $7 million (3%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $208 million in 2021 compared to $186 million in 2020, an increase of $22 million (12%).
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The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core loss from continuing operations before income taxes from operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment in 2022, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 - 2021 | 2021 - 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 24 | $ | 36 | $ | 12 | (33 | %) | 200 | % | |||||||
| Other income — P&C fees | 89 | 80 | 67 | 11 | % | 19 | % | ||||||||||
| Other income | 33 | 22 | 19 | 50 | % | 16 | % | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | 146 | 138 | 98 | 6 | % | 41 | % | ||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance — loss adjustment and underwriting expenses | 38 | 33 | 21 | 15 | % | 57 | % | ||||||||||
| Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees | 51 | 47 | 46 | 9 | % | 2 | % | ||||||||||
| Other expenses (*) | 143 | 172 | 129 | (17 | %) | 33 | % | ||||||||||
| Costs and expenses, excluding interest charges on borrowed money | 232 | 252 | 196 | (8 | %) | 29 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses and interest charges on borrowed money | (86) | (114) | (98) | (25 | %) | 16 | % | ||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | 85 | 94 | 88 | (10 | %) | 7 | % | ||||||||||
| Core loss from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | (171) | (208) | (186) | (18 | %) | 12 | % | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core special A&E charges | — | — | (21) | — | % | (100 | %) | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core loss on retirement of debt | (9) | — | (5) | — | % | (100 | %) | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core loss on pension settlement | — | (11) | — | (100 | %) | — | % | ||||||||||
| GAAP loss from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | $ | (180) | $ | (219) | $ | (212) | (18 | %) | 3 | % |
(*)Excludes pretax non-core losses on retirement of debt of $9 million in 2022 and $5 million in 2020, a pretax non-core loss of $11 million related to the settlement of pension liabilities of a small former manufacturing operation in 2021 and a pretax non-core special A&E charge of $21 million in 2020.
Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $24 million, $36 million and $12 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The $12 million (33%) decrease in 2022 compared to 2021 and the $24 million (200%) increase in 2021 compared to 2020 are due primarily to the impact of the stock market performance on a small portfolio of securities held by the parent company that are carried at fair value through net investment income, all of which were sold in 2022. These securities decreased in value by $7 million in 2022 compared to increasing in value by $14 million in 2021 and $5 million in 2020. Excluding the change in fair value of these equity securities, net investment income outside of AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment increased $9 million in 2022 compared to 2021 and $15 million in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting an increase in average investments, income from directly owned real estate investments acquired from the annuity subsidiaries in conjunction with the sale of the annuity business in May 2021 and, in 2022, the impact of higher interest rates.
Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, a workers’ compensation insurance subsidiary, collects fees from a small group of unaffiliated insurers for providing underwriting, policy administration and claims services. In addition, certain of AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In 2022, AFG collected $82 million in fees for these services compared to $73 million in 2021 and $67 million in 2020. Management views this fee income, net of the $51 million in 2022, $47 million in 2021 and $46 million in 2020, in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. In addition, AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collected $7 million in fees from AFG’s disposed annuity operations in both 2022 and 2021 as compensation for certain services provided under a transition services agreement. The expenses related to providing such services are embedded in property and casualty underwriting expenses. Consistent with internal management reporting, all of these fees and the related expenses are netted and recorded as a reduction of commissions and other underwriting expenses in AFG’s segmented results.
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Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $17 million in 2022, $16 million in 2021 and $15 million in 2020, in management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG’s consolidated managed investment entities). The management fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidated MIEs column under “Results of Operations — Segmented Statement of Earnings.” Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $16 million in 2022, $6 million in 2021 and $4 million in 2020. The increase in 2022 compared to 2021 is due primarily to income from the sale of real estate in 2022.
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
Excluding the non-core loss on retirement of debt and the non-core loss on pension settlement discussed below, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $143 million in 2022 compared to $172 million in 2021, a decrease of $29 million (17%). This decrease reflects lower holding company expenses related to deferred compensation obligations to employees that are tied to stock market performance, partially offset by higher charges to increase the liabilities related to the A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations.
Excluding the non-core special A&E charge, the non-core loss on retirement of debt and the non-core loss on pension settlement discussed below, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $172 million in 2021 compared to $129 million in 2020, an increase of $43 million (33%). This increase reflects higher holding company expenses related to deferred compensation obligations to employees that are tied to stock market performance and higher expenses associated with certain incentive compensation plans that are tied to AFG’s financial performance in 2021 compared to 2020.
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded interest expense of $85 million in 2022, $94 million in 2021 and $88 million in 2020. The $9 million (10%) decrease in interest expense in 2022 compared to 2021 reflects lower average indebtedness and the $6 million (7%) increase in interest expense in 2021 compared to 2020 reflects higher average indebtedness. The following table details the principal amount of AFG’s long-term debt balances as of December 31, 2022, December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (dollars in millions):
| December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| Direct obligations of AFG: | ||||||||||
| 4.50% Senior Notes due June 2047 | $ | 582 | $ | 590 | $ | 590 | ||||
| 3.50% Senior Notes due August 2026 | — | 425 | 425 | |||||||
| 5.25% Senior Notes due April 2030 | 261 | 300 | 300 | |||||||
| 5.125% Subordinated Debentures due December 2059 | 200 | 200 | 200 | |||||||
| 4.50% Subordinated Debentures due September 2060 | 200 | 200 | 200 | |||||||
| 5.625% Subordinated Debentures due June 2060 | 150 | 150 | 150 | |||||||
| 5.875% Subordinated Debentures due March 2059 | 125 | 125 | 125 | |||||||
| Other | 3 | 3 | 3 | |||||||
| Total principal amount of Holding Company Debt | $ | 1,521 | $ | 1,993 | $ | 1,993 | ||||
| Weighted Average Interest Rate | 4.9 | % | 4.6 | % | 4.6 | % |
The decrease in interest expense in 2022 compared to 2021 and the increase in interest expense in 2021 compared to 2020 reflect the following financial transactions completed by AFG between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022:
•Issued $300 million of 5.25% Senior Notes in April 2020
•Issued $150 million of 5.625% Subordinated Debentures in May 2020
•Issued $200 million of 4.50% Subordinated Debentures in September 2020
•Redeemed $150 million of 6% Subordinated Debentures in November 2020
•Redeemed $425 million of 3.50% Senior Notes in the first and second quarters of 2022
•Retired $8 million of 4.50% Senior Notes in the third and fourth quarters of 2022
•Retired $39 million of 5.25% Senior Notes in the third and fourth quarters of 2022
Holding Company and Other — Special A&E Charges
As a result of the in-depth internal reviews and comprehensive external study of A&E exposures discussed under “Uncertainties — Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves,” AFG’s holding companies and other
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operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded minor charges in 2022 and 2021, which are included in AFG’s core operating earnings, compared to a pretax non-core special charge of $21 million in 2020 to increase liabilities related to the A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations. The charge is due to relatively small movements across several sites that reflect changes in the scope and costs of investigation and an increase in estimated ongoing operation and maintenance costs. AFG has also increased its reserve for asbestos and toxic substance exposures arising out of these operations. Total charges recorded to increase liabilities for A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations (included in other expenses) were $17 million in 2022, $9 million in 2021 and $28 million in 2020.
Holding Company and Other — Loss on Retirement of Debt
During 2022, AFG retired $472 million principal amount of its senior notes, which resulted in a $9 million pretax non-core loss. In November 2020, AFG redeemed its $150 million outstanding principal amount of 6% Subordinated Debentures due in 2055 and wrote off unamortized debt issuance costs of $5 million.
Holding Company and Other — Loss on Pension Settlement
In the second quarter of 2021, AFG settled pension liabilities related to a small former manufacturing operation resulting in a pretax non-core loss of $11 million.
Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities were net losses of $116 million in 2022 compared to net gains of $110 million in 2021, a change of $226 million (205%). AFG’s consolidated realized gains (losses) on securities were net gains of $110 million in 2021 compared to net losses of $75 million in 2020, a change of $185 million (247%). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) before impairment allowances: | ||||||||||
| Disposals | $ | (15) | $ | 5 | $ | 8 | ||||
| Change in the fair value of equity securities | (96) | 110 | (69) | |||||||
| Change in the fair value of derivatives | (12) | (6) | (1) | |||||||
| Other | 10 | — | — | |||||||
| (113) | 109 | (62) | ||||||||
| Change in allowance for impairments on securities | (3) | 1 | (13) | |||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | $ | (116) | $ | 110 | $ | (75) |
The $96 million net realized loss from the change in the fair value of equity securities in 2022 includes losses of $51 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $21 million on investments in media companies, $14 million on investments in healthcare companies, $7 million on investments in technology companies and $3 million on investments in retail companies, partially offset by gains of $17 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies.
The $110 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in 2021 includes gains of $29 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies, $18 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $17 million on investments in media companies, $14 million on investments in healthcare companies and $9 million on investments in capital goods companies.
The $69 million net realized loss from the change in the fair value of equity securities in 2020 includes losses of $24 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $31 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies, $14 million on real estate investment trusts, $11 million from investments in media companies and $5 million on investments in insurance companies.
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Realized Gain on Subsidiaries
In 2021, AFG recognized a pretax gain on sale of subsidiary of $4 million related to contingent consideration received on the sale of Neon. See “Results of Operations — General” for the discussion of the December 2019 decision to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market.
In 2020, AFG recorded a $23 million gain on the sale of GAI Holding Bermuda and its subsidiaries, comprising the legal entities that own Neon, to RiverStone Holdings Limited. See Note C — “Acquisitions and Sale of Businesses” to the financial statements.
Consolidated Income Taxes on Continuing Operations
AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes on continuing operations was $225 million in 2022 compared to $254 million in 2021, a decrease of $29 million (11%). AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes on continuing operations was $254 million in 2021 compared to $25 million in 2020, an increase of $229 million (916%). See Note M — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate.
Consolidated Noncontrolling Interests in Continuing Operations
AFG’s consolidated net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests was a net loss of $11 million in 2020 reflecting losses at Neon, which was sold in 2020. See Note C — “Acquisitions and Sale of Businesses” to the financial statements.
Real Estate Entities Acquired from the Annuity Operations
Beginning with the first quarter of 2021, the results of the disposed annuity businesses are reported as discontinued operations, in accordance with GAAP, which included adjusting prior period results to reflect these operations as discontinued. Prior to the completion of the sale, AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations acquired certain real estate-related partnerships and AFG parent acquired certain directly owned real estate from those operations. GAAP pretax earnings from continuing operations includes the earnings from these entities through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale and certain other expenses that will be retained from the annuity operations.
The retained real estate entities contributed $51 million in GAAP pretax earnings through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale compared to $49 million in 2020, an increase of $2 million (4%). This increase reflects higher earnings from the real estate-related partnerships through the sale date compared to 2020.
Discontinued Annuity Operations
AFG’s discontinued annuity operations, which were sold on May 31, 2021, contributed $324 million in GAAP pretax earnings (excluding the gain on the sale of the annuity operations) in 2021 compared to $509 million in 2020, a decrease of $185 million (36%), reflecting the following:
•lower net realized gains on securities through the date of the sale in May 2021 compared to 2020,
•significantly higher earnings from partnerships and similar investments,
•the negative impact from the run-off of higher yielding investments and lower short-term interest rates,
•the positive impact of strong stock market performance in 2021,
•the negative impact of lower than expected interest rates in both 2021 and 2020 on the accounting for fixed indexed annuities (“FIAs”),
•the negative impact of unlocking actuarial assumptions in the third quarter of 2020, and
•the negative impact of the amortization of the deferred loss related to the annuity block reinsurance transaction entered into in the fourth quarter of 2020 and other reinsurance impacts in 2021.
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The following table details AFG’s earnings before and after income taxes and the gain on the sale from its discontinued annuity operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 (*) | 2020 | 2021 - 2020 | ||||||||
| Pretax annuity earnings historically reported as core operating earnings: | ||||||||||
| Pretax annuity earnings before items below | $ | 106 | $ | 325 | (67 | %) | ||||
| Earnings on partnerships and similar investments | 139 | 15 | 827 | % | ||||||
| Total pretax annuity earnings historically reported as core operating earnings | 245 | 340 | (28 | %) | ||||||
| Pretax amounts previously reported outside of annuity core earnings: | ||||||||||
| Unlocking | — | (46) | (100 | %) | ||||||
| Impact of reinsurance, derivatives related to FIAs and other impacts of changes in the stock market and interest rates on FIAs over or under option costs | (33) | (142) | (77 | %) | ||||||
| Realized gains on securities | 112 | 365 | (69 | %) | ||||||
| Run-off life and long-term care | — | (8) | (100 | %) | ||||||
| Total pretax amounts previously reported outside of annuity core earnings | 79 | 169 | (53 | %) | ||||||
| GAAP pretax earnings from discontinued annuity operations, excluding the gain on the sale of the discontinued annuity operations | 324 | 509 | (36 | %) | ||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 66 | 102 | (35 | %) | ||||||
| GAAP net earnings from discontinued annuity operations, excluding the sale of the discontinued annuity operations | 258 | 407 | (37 | %) | ||||||
| Gain on sale of discontinued annuity operations, net of tax | 656 | — | — | % | ||||||
| GAAP net earnings from discontinued annuity operations | $ | 914 | $ | 407 | 125 | % |
(*)Results through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale.
RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” to the financial statements for a discussion of accounting guidance adopted on January 1, 2020, which provides a new credit loss model for determining credit-related impairments for financial instruments measured at amortized cost (mortgage loans, premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverables) and requires an entity to estimate the credit losses expected over the life of an exposure or pool of exposures.
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS TO BE ADOPTED
In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"), as amended in December 2022 by Accounting Standards Update No. 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848 ("ASU 2022-06"). ASU 2020-04 provides guidance to alleviate the burden in accounting for reference rate reform by allowing certain expedients and exceptions in applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions impacted by reference rate reform. The provisions apply only to those transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. Adoption of the provisions of ASU 2020-04 are optional and are effective from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2024, as amended by ASU 2022-06. As of December 31, 2022, AFG has not adopted any expedients or exceptions under ASU 2020-04. Management does not believe that the reference rate reform or the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on AFG’s results of operations or financial condition.
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FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001042046-22-000010.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
| INDEX TO MD&A | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page | Page | |||
| Objective | 29 | Results of Operations — Fourth Quarter | 51 | |
| Overview | 29 | Segmented Statement of Earnings | 51 | |
| Critical Accounting Policies | 30 | Property and Casualty Insurance | 53 | |
| Liquidity and Capital Resources | 31 | Holding Company, Other and Unallocated | 63 | |
| Ratios | 31 | Real Estate Entities Acquired from the Annuity Operations | 65 | |
| Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows | 31 | Discontinued Annuity Operations | 65 | |
| Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity | 33 | |||
| Condensed Parent Only Cash Flows | 34 | Results of Operations — Full Year | 66 | |
| Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | 35 | Segmented Statement of Earnings | 66 | |
| Investments | 35 | Property and Casualty Insurance | 68 | |
| Uncertainties | 38 | Holding Company, Other and Unallocated | 80 | |
| Managed Investment Entities | 44 | Real Estate Entities Acquired from the Annuity Operations | 84 | |
| Results of Operations | 49 | Discontinued Annuity Operations | 84 | |
| General | 49 | Recent Accounting Standards | 85 |
OBJECTIVE
The objective of Management’s Discussion and Analysis is to provide a discussion and analysis of the financial statements and other statistical data that management believes will enhance the understanding of AFG’s financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. The tables and narrative that follow are presented in a manner that is consistent with the information that AFG’s management uses to make operational decisions and allocate capital resources. They are provided to demonstrate the nature of the transactions and events that could impact AFG’s financial results. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements beginning on page F-1.
OVERVIEW
Financial Condition
AFG is organized as a holding company with almost all of its operations being conducted by subsidiaries. AFG, however, has continuing cash needs for administrative expenses, the payment of principal and interest on borrowings, shareholder dividends, and taxes. Therefore, certain analyses are most meaningfully presented on a parent only basis while others are best done on a total enterprise basis. In addition, because its businesses are financial in nature, AFG does not prepare its consolidated financial statements using a current-noncurrent format. Consequently, certain traditional ratios and financial analysis tests are not meaningful.
At December 31, 2021, AFG (parent) held approximately $1.87 billion in cash and securities and had $500 million available under a bank line of credit, which expires in December 2025.
Sale of the Annuity Business
On May 28, 2021, AFG sold its annuity business consisting of Great American Life Insurance Company (“GALIC”) and its two insurance subsidiaries, Annuity Investors Life Insurance Company and Manhattan National Life Insurance Company, as well as a broker-dealer affiliate, Great American Advisors, Inc., and insurance distributor, AAG Insurance Agency, Inc. to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”). Total proceeds from the sale were $3.57 billion and AFG realized an after-tax gain on the sale of $656 million. Beginning with the first quarter of 2021, results of the annuity businesses sold are reported as discontinued operations, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which included adjusting prior period results to reflect these operations as discontinued.
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Results of Operations
Through the operations of its subsidiaries, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses. As discussed above, AFG’s former annuity operations are reported as discontinued operations.
AFG reported net earnings from continuing operations attributable to shareholders of $355 million ($4.18 per share, diluted) for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $265 million ($3.03 per share, diluted) in the fourth quarter of 2020 reflecting higher underwriting profit and higher net investment income in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, income from the sale of real estate in the fourth quarter of 2021 and the impact of the loss on retirement of debt recorded in the fourth quarter of 2020, partially offset by lower net realized gains in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.
Full year 2021 net earnings from continuing operations attributable to shareholders were $1.08 billion ($12.62 per share, diluted) compared to $325 million ($3.63 per share, diluted) in 2020 reflecting higher underwriting profit and higher net investment income in 2021 compared to 2020, net realized gains in 2021 compared to net realized losses in 2020, the impact of special A&E charges recorded in 2020 and income from the sale of real estate in the fourth quarter of 2021, partially offset by higher interest charges on borrowed money and higher holding company expenses.
Outlook
The COVID-19 pandemic began to have a significant impact on global, social and economic activity during the first quarter of 2020. AFG has taken actions under its business continuity plan to minimize risk to the Company’s employees and to prevent any significant disruption to AFG’s business, agents or policyholders.
Management believes that AFG’s strong financial position and current liquidity and capital at its subsidiaries will give AFG the flexibility to continue to effectively address and respond to the ongoing uncertainties presented by the pandemic. AFG’s insurance subsidiaries continue to have capital at or in excess of the levels required by ratings agencies in order to maintain their current ratings, and the parent company does not have any near-term debt maturities.
As a result of the contracted economy, exposures in many of AFG’s property and casualty businesses changed due to workforce reduction, fewer miles driven and reduced revenue. This has and may continue to lead to lower frequency in certain lines while there has and may continue to be COVID-19 related increases in claim frequency in other lines of business.
There is also uncertainty as to potential government decree or legislation that could alter the coverage landscape, such as the imposition of retroactive business interruption insurance. Like most of the insurance industry, AFG’s business interruption coverages require direct physical damage to covered property for business interruption coverage to apply and the vast majority of AFG’s property policies also contain virus exclusions. See Item 1A — “Risk Factors.”
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Significant accounting policies are summarized in Note A — “Accounting Policies” to the financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts reported in the financial statements. As more information becomes known, these estimates and assumptions change and, thus, impact amounts reported in the future. The areas related to AFG’s continuing operations where management believes the degree of judgment required to determine amounts recorded in the financial statements is most significant are as follows:
•the establishment of insurance reserves, especially asbestos and environmental-related reserves,
•the recoverability of reinsurance,
•the establishment of asbestos and environmental liabilities of former railroad and manufacturing operations, and
•the valuation of investments, including the determination of impairment allowances.
See “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Uncertainties” for a discussion of insurance reserves, recoverables from reinsurers and contingencies related to American Premier’s former operations and “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Investments” for a discussion of the allowance for credit losses (impairments) on investments.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Ratios
AFG’s debt to total capital ratio on a consolidated basis is shown below (dollars in millions). Management intends to maintain the ratio of debt to capital at or below 30% and intends to maintain the capital of its significant insurance subsidiaries at or above levels currently indicated by rating agencies as appropriate for the current ratings.
| December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Principal amount of long-term debt | $ | 1,993 | $ | 1,993 | ||||
| Total capital | 6,869 | 7,486 | ||||||
| Ratio of debt to total capital: | ||||||||
| Including subordinated debt | 29.0 | % | 26.6 | % | ||||
| Excluding subordinated debt | 19.2 | % | 17.6 | % |
The ratio of debt to total capital is a non-GAAP measure that management believes is useful for investors, analysts and ratings agencies to evaluate AFG’s financial strength and liquidity and to provide insight into how AFG finances its operations. In addition, maintaining a ratio of debt, excluding subordinated debt and debt secured by real estate (if any), to total capital of 35% or lower is a financial covenant in AFG’s bank credit facility. The ratio is calculated by dividing the principal amount of AFG’s long-term debt by its total capital, which includes long-term debt and shareholders’ equity (excluding unrealized gains (losses) related to fixed maturity investments).
The NAIC’s model law for risk-based capital (“RBC”) applies to property and casualty companies. RBC formulas determine the amount of capital that an insurance company needs so that it has an acceptable expectation of not becoming financially impaired. At December 31, 2021, the capital ratios of all AFG insurance companies exceeded the RBC requirements.
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows
AFG’s principal sources of cash include insurance premiums, income from its investment portfolio and proceeds from the maturities, redemptions and sales of investments. Insurance premiums in excess of acquisition expenses and operating costs are invested until they are needed to meet policyholder obligations or made available to the parent company through dividends to cover debt obligations and corporate expenses, and to provide returns to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as detailed in AFG’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows are shown below (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,714 | $ | 2,183 | $ | 2,456 | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (436) | (1,564) | (3,065) | |||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (1,957) | (123) | 1,408 | |||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (679) | $ | 496 | $ | 799 |
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations typically produce positive net operating cash flows as premiums collected and investment income exceed policy acquisition costs, claims payments and operating expenses. AFG’s net cash provided by operating activities is impacted by the level and timing of property and casualty premiums, claim and expense payments and recoveries from reinsurers. Prior to the May 2021 sale, AFG’s discontinued annuity operations typically produced positive net operating cash flows as investment income exceeded acquisition costs and operating expenses. Interest credited on annuity policyholder funds is a non-cash increase in AFG’s annuity benefits accumulated liability and annuity premiums, benefits and withdrawals are considered financing activities due to the deposit-type nature of annuities. Cash flows provided by operating activities also include the activity of AFG’s managed investment entities (collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”)) other than those activities included in investing or financing activities. The changes in the assets and liabilities of the managed investment entities included in operating activities reduced cash flows from operating activities by $144 million in 2021 and increased cash flows from operating activities by $25 million in 2020 and $23 million in 2019, resulting in a $169 million decrease in cash flows from operating activities in 2021 compared to 2020 and a $2 million increase in cash flows from operating activities in 2020 compared to 2019. As discussed in Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements, AFG has no right to use the CLO assets and no obligation to pay the CLO liabilities and such assets and liabilities are shown separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Excluding the impact of the managed investment entities, net
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cash provided by operating activities was $1.86 billion, $2.16 billion and $2.43 billion in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities AFG’s investing activities consist primarily of the investment of funds provided by its property and casualty businesses and, prior to the May 2021 sale, its discontinued annuity operations. In May 2021, AFG sold its annuity business to MassMutual for cash proceeds of $3.57 billion (including post-closing adjustments). This increase in cash provided by investing activities was partially offset by a decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $2.06 billion representing balances held in the annuity subsidiaries at the sale date. Excluding the impact of the May 2021 sale of the annuity business, net cash used in investing activities was $1.95 billion in 2021 compared to $1.56 billion in 2020, an increase of $383 million. As discussed below (under net cash provided by (used in) financing activities), AFG’s discontinued annuity operations had net cash flows from annuity policyholders of $477 million in 2021 through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale compared to $351 million in 2020. In addition to the investment of funds provided by the insurance operations, AFG Parent increased its net purchases of fixed maturities by $1.19 billion in 2021 compared to 2020 due primarily to proceeds received from the sale of the annuity business as well as dividends received from subsidiaries. Investing activities also include the December 2021 acquisition of Verikai for $120 million in cash and the purchase and disposal of managed investment entity investments, which are presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Net investment activity in the managed investment entities was a $43 million use of cash in 2021 compared to a $281 million use of cash in 2020, accounting for a $238 million decrease in net cash used in investing activities in 2021 compared to 2020. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note G — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements.
Net cash used in investing activities was $1.56 billion in 2020 compared to $3.07 billion in 2019, a decrease of $1.51 billion. As discussed below (under net cash provided by (used in) financing activities), AFG’s discontinued annuity operations had net cash flows from annuity policyholders of $351 million in 2020 and $1.66 billion in 2019. Settlements of equity index call options exceeded purchases by $322 million in 2020 compared to $64 million in 2019, accounting for a $258 million decrease in cash used in investing activities. On December 31, 2020, AFG completed the sale of GAI Holding Bermuda and its subsidiaries, comprising the legal entities that owned Neon. The assets sold included $425 million in cash and cash equivalents, resulting in an increase in cash used in investing activities in 2020. Net investment activity in the managed investment entities was an $281 million use of cash in 2020 compared to an $11 million source of cash in 2019, accounting for a $292 million increase in net cash used in investing activities in 2020 compared to 2019.
Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Financing Activities AFG’s financing activities consist primarily of issuances and retirements of long-term debt, issuances and repurchases of common stock, dividend payments and, prior to the sale of the annuity business, transactions with annuity policyholders. Net cash used in financing activities was $1.96 billion in 2021 compared to $123 million in 2020, an increase in net cash used in financing activities of $1.83 billion. Net annuity receipts exceeded annuity surrenders, benefits, withdrawals and transfers by $477 million in 2021 through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale compared to $351 million in 2020, resulting in a $126 million increase in net cash provided by financing activities in 2021 compared to 2020. In 2020, GALIC transferred $554 million of cash as part of its reinsurance agreement with Commonwealth to cede in force traditional fixed and indexed annuities. In 2020, AFG issued $300 million of 5.25% Senior Notes due in 2030, $150 million of 5.625% Subordinated Debentures due in 2060 and $200 million of 4.50% Subordinated Debentures due in 2060. The net proceeds of these offerings contributed $634 million to net cash provided by financing activities in 2020. The November 2020 redemption of AFG’s 6% Subordinated Debentures due in 2055 was a $150 million use of cash in 2020. In addition to its regular quarterly cash dividends, AFG paid special cash dividends of $26.00 per share in 2021 and $2.00 per share in 2020, which resulted in total cash dividends of $2.37 billion in 2021 compared to $334 million in 2020. Financing activities also include issuances and retirements of managed investment entity liabilities, which are nonrecourse to AFG and presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Issuances of managed investment entity liabilities exceeded retirements by $193 million in 2021 compared to $221 million in 2020, accounting for a $28 million decrease in net cash provided by financing activities in 2021 compared to 2020. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note G — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements.
Net cash used in financing activities was $123 million in 2020 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $1.41 billion in 2019, a decrease in net cash provided by financing activities of $1.53 billion. Net annuity receipts exceeded annuity surrenders, benefits, withdrawals and transfers by $351 million in 2020 compared to $1.66 billion in 2019, resulting in a $1.31 billion decrease in net cash provided by financing activities in 2020 compared to 2019. In 2020, GALIC transferred $554 million of cash as part of its reinsurance agreement with Commonwealth to cede in force traditional fixed and indexed annuities. In 2020, AFG issued $300 million of 5.25% Senior Notes due in 2030, $150 million of 5.625% Subordinated Debentures due in 2060 and $200 million of 4.50% Subordinated Debentures due in 2060. The net proceeds of these offerings contributed $634 million to net cash provided by financing activities in 2020. The November 2020 redemption of AFG’s 6% Subordinated Debentures due in 2055 was a $150 million use of cash in 2020. In 2019, AFG issued $125 million of 5.875% Subordinated Debentures due in 2059 and $200 million of 5.125%
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Subordinated Debentures due in 2059, the net proceeds of which contributed $315 million to net cash provided by financing activities in 2019. The December 2019 redemption of AFG’s 6-1/4% Subordinated Debentures was a $150 million use of cash in 2019. During 2020, AFG repurchased $313 million of its Common Stock compared to no share repurchases in 2019. In addition to its regular quarterly cash dividends, AFG paid special cash dividends of $2.00 per share and $3.30 per share in 2020 and 2019, respectively, which resulted in total cash dividends of $334 million in 2020 compared to $444 million in 2019. Issuances of managed investment entity liabilities exceeded retirements by $221 million in 2020 compared to retirements of managed investment entity liabilities exceeding issuances by $11 million in 2019, accounting for a $232 million increase in net cash provided by financing activities in 2020 compared to 2019.
Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity
Parent Holding Company Liquidity Management believes AFG has sufficient resources to meet its liquidity requirements. If funds generated from operations, including dividends, tax payments and borrowings from subsidiaries, are insufficient to meet fixed charges in any period, AFG would be required to utilize parent company cash and investments or to generate cash through borrowings, sales of other assets, or similar transactions.
As discussed above, AFG sold its annuity business to MassMutual for proceeds of $3.57 billion (including post-closing adjustments). AFG’s capital and liquidity was significantly enhanced as a result of the transaction. During 2021, AFG repurchased 2,777,684 shares of its Common Stock for $319 million and paid special cash dividends of $26.00 per share of AFG Common Stock ($14.00 per share in June, $2.00 per share in August, $4.00 per share in October, $4.00 per share in November and $2.00 per share in December) totaling $2.21 billion. Management will continue to evaluate opportunities for deploying AFG’s significant remaining excess capital, including returning capital to shareholders in the form of regular and special cash dividends and through opportunistic share repurchases. In addition, excess capital will be deployed into AFG’s core businesses as management identifies the potential for healthy, profitable organic growth, and opportunities to expand the Specialty property and casualty niche businesses through acquisitions and start-ups that meet target return thresholds.
In December 2021, AFG acquired Verikai, Inc., a machine learning and artificial intelligence company that utilizes a predictive risk tool for assessing insurance risk, for $120 million using cash on hand at the parent.
In 2020, AFG repurchased 4,531,394 shares of its Common Stock for $313 million and paid a special cash dividend of $2.00 per share of AFG Common Stock in December totaling $173 million.
In 2020, AFG issued $300 million of 5.25% Senior Notes due in April 2030, $150 million of 5.625% Subordinated Debentures due in June 2060 and $200 million of 4.50% Subordinated Debentures due in September 2060 to increase liquidity and provide flexibility at the parent holding company in its response to the uncertainties of the economic environment. The net proceeds from the offerings were used for general corporate purposes, which included repurchases of outstanding common shares and the November 2020 redemption of AFG’s $150 million outstanding principal amount of 6% Subordinated Debentures due in November 2055 at par value.
In 2019, AFG paid special cash dividends of $3.30 per share of AFG Common Stock ($1.50 per share in May and $1.80 per share in November) totaling $297 million.
In December 2019, AFG issued $200 million of 5.125% Subordinated Debentures due in December 2059. A portion of the net proceeds of the offering were used to redeem AFG’s $150 million outstanding principal amount of 6-1/4% Subordinated Debentures due in September 2054, at par value, with the remainder used for general corporate purposes.
In March 2019, AFG issued $125 million of 5.875% Subordinated Debentures due in March 2059. The net proceeds of the offering were used for general corporate purposes.
All debentures and notes issued by AFG are rated investment grade by two nationally recognized rating agencies. Under a currently effective shelf registration statement, AFG can offer additional equity or debt securities. The shelf registration provides AFG with flexibility to access the capital markets from time to time as market and other conditions permit.
AFG can borrow up to $500 million under its revolving credit facility, which expires in December 2025. Amounts borrowed under this agreement bear interest at rates ranging from 1.00% to 1.875% (currently 1.375%) over LIBOR based on AFG’s credit rating. The credit facility also includes provisions relating to the replacement of LIBOR with different floating rates in the event of the discontinuance of LIBOR. There were no borrowings under this agreement, or under any other parent company short-term borrowing arrangements, during 2021 or 2020.
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Under a tax allocation agreement with AFG, all 80% (or more) owned U.S. subsidiaries generally pay taxes to (or recover taxes from) AFG based on each subsidiary’s contribution to amounts due under AFG’s consolidated tax return.
Subsidiary Liquidity The liquidity requirements of AFG’s insurance subsidiaries relate primarily to the policyholder claims and underwriting expenses and payments of dividends and taxes to AFG. Historically, cash flows from premiums and investment income have generally provided more than sufficient funds to meet these requirements. Funds received in excess of cash requirements are generally invested in marketable securities. In addition, the insurance subsidiaries generally hold a significant amount of highly liquid, short duration investments.
For statutory accounting purposes, equity securities of non-affiliates are generally carried at fair value. At December 31, 2021, AFG’s insurance companies owned publicly traded equity securities with a fair value of $956 million. Decreases in market prices could adversely affect the insurance group’s capital, potentially impacting the amount of dividends available or necessitating a capital contribution. Conversely, increases in market prices could have a favorable impact on the group’s dividend-paying capability.
Property and casualty reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses were $11.07 billion at December 31, 2021 and include case reserves and claims incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). The ultimate amount to be paid to settle reserves is an estimate, subject to significant uncertainty. Actual payments to settle claims cannot be determined until a settlement is reached with the claimant. Final claim settlements may vary significantly from estimated amounts. See “Uncertainties — Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves” below. The timing of future payments for the next twelve months and beyond could vary materially from historical payment patterns due to, among other things, changes in claim reporting and payment patterns and large unanticipated settlements.
AFG believes its insurance subsidiaries maintain sufficient liquidity to pay claims and underwriting expenses. In addition, these subsidiaries have sufficient capital to meet commitments in the event of unforeseen events such as reserve deficiencies, inadequate premium rates or reinsurer insolvencies. Even in the current uncertain COVID-19 environment, management believes that the capital levels in AFG’s insurance subsidiaries are adequate to maintain its business and rating agency ratings. Nonetheless, changes in statutory accounting rules, significant declines in the fair value of the insurance subsidiaries’ investment portfolios or significant ratings downgrades on these investments, could create a need for additional capital.
Condensed Parent Only Cash Flows
AFG’s parent holding company only condensed cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities are shown below (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 833 | $ | 483 | $ | 306 | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 2,167 | (294) | (56) | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (2,626) | (140) | (242) | |||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 374 | $ | 49 | $ | 8 |
Parent Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Parent holding company cash flows from operating activities consist primarily of dividends and tax payments received from AFG’s insurance subsidiaries, reduced by tax payments to the IRS and holding company interest and other expenses. Parent holding company net cash provided by operating activities was $833 million in 2021 compared to $483 million in 2020 and $306 million in 2019. The $350 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities in 2021 as compared to 2020 and the $177 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities in 2020 as compared to 2019 were due primarily to higher dividends received from subsidiaries.
Parent Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Parent holding company investing activities consist of capital contributions to and returns of capital from subsidiaries and parent company investment activity. Parent holding company net cash provided by investing activities was $2.17 billion in 2021 compared to net cash used of $294 million in 2020 and $56 million in 2019. The $2.17 billion in net cash provided by investing activities in 2021 is substantially higher than the $294 million in net cash used in investing activities in 2020 due to proceeds of $3.57 billion related to the May 2021 sale of the annuity business, partially offset by the net purchase of fixed maturity investments of $1.19 billion in 2021 and the $120 million purchase of Verikai in December 2021. The $294 million in net cash used in investing activities in 2020 is higher than the $56 million in net cash used in investing activities in 2019 due primarily to higher capital contributions to AFG’s property and casualty subsidiaries in 2020.
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Parent Net Cash Used in Financing Activities Parent company financing activities consist primarily of the issuance and retirement of long-term debt, repurchases of AFG Common Stock, dividends to shareholders, and, to a lesser extent, proceeds from employee stock option exercises. Significant long-term debt and common stock transactions are discussed above under “Parent Holding Company Liquidity.” Parent holding company net cash used in financing activities was $2.63 billion in 2021 compared to $140 million in 2020 and $242 million in 2019. The $2.49 billion increase in net cash used in financing activities in 2021 as compared to 2020 reflects higher dividends paid to shareholders (due primarily to special dividends of $26.00 per share in 2021 compared to special dividends of $2.00 per share in 2020) and the impact of net issuances of long-term debt in 2020. The $102 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2020 as compared to 2019 reflects the higher net issuances of long-term debt in 2020 and lower dividends in 2020 (due primarily to special dividends of $2.00 per share in 2020 compared to special dividends of $3.30 per share in 2019), partially offset by $313 million in repurchases of outstanding common shares in 2020 compared to no repurchases in 2019.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
See Note O — “Additional Information — Financial Instruments — Unfunded Commitments” to the financial statements.
Investments
AFG attempts to optimize investment income while building the value of its portfolio, placing emphasis upon total long-term performance.
AFG’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2021, contained $10.36 billion in fixed maturity securities classified as available for sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income and $28 million in fixed maturities classified as trading with holding gains and losses included in net investment income. In addition, AFG’s investment portfolio includes $715 million in equity securities carried at fair value with holding gains and losses included in realized gains (losses) on securities and $327 million in equity securities carried at fair value with holding gains and losses included in net investment income.
As detailed in Note F — “Investments — Net Unrealized Gain on Fixed Maturity Securities” to the financial statements, unrealized gains and losses on AFG’s fixed maturity securities are included in shareholders’ equity after adjustments for deferred income taxes.
Fixed income investment funds are generally invested in securities with intermediate-term maturities with an objective of optimizing total return while allowing flexibility to react to changes in market conditions. At December 31, 2021, the average life of AFG’s fixed maturities was about 3.5 years.
Fair values for AFG’s portfolio are determined by AFG’s internal investment professionals using data from nationally recognized pricing services, non-binding broker quotes and other market information. Fair values of equity securities are generally based on published closing prices. For AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio, approximately 84% was priced using pricing services at December 31, 2021 and 10% was priced primarily by using non-binding broker quotes. When prices obtained for the same security vary, AFG’s internal investment professionals select the price they believe is most indicative of an exit price.
The pricing services use a variety of observable inputs to estimate fair value of fixed maturities that do not trade on a daily basis. Based upon information provided by the pricing services, these inputs include, but are not limited to, recent reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids or offers, reference data, and measures of volatility. Included in the pricing of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) are estimates of the rate of future prepayments and defaults of principal over the remaining life of the underlying collateral. Due to the lack of transparency in the process that brokers use to develop prices, valuations that are based on brokers’ prices are classified as Level 3 in the GAAP hierarchy unless the price can be corroborated, for example, by comparison to similar securities priced using observable inputs.
Valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by AFG’s internal investment professionals who are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price. To validate the appropriateness of the prices obtained, these investment managers consider widely published indices (as benchmarks), recent trades, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and the credit quality of the specific issuers. In addition, AFG communicates directly with pricing services regarding the methods and assumptions used in pricing, including verifying, on a test basis, the inputs used by the services to value specific securities.
In general, the fair value of AFG’s fixed maturity investments is inversely correlated to changes in interest rates. The following table demonstrates the sensitivity of such fair values to reasonably likely changes in interest rates by illustrating
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the estimated effect on AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio that an immediate increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate yield curve would have at December 31, 2021 (dollars in millions). Effects of increases or decreases from the 100 basis points illustrated would be approximately proportional.
| Fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | 10,385 |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage impact on fair value of 100 bps increase in interest rates | (2.0 | %) |
| Pretax impact on fair value of fixed maturity portfolio | $ | (208) |
Approximately 88% of the fixed maturities held by AFG at December 31, 2021, were rated “investment grade” (credit rating of AAA to BBB) by nationally recognized rating agencies, 3% were rated “non-investment grade” and 9% were not rated. Investment grade securities generally bear lower yields and lower degrees of risk than those that are unrated and non-investment grade. Management believes that the high-quality investment portfolio should generate a stable and predictable investment return.
Municipal bonds represented approximately 18% of AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio at December 31, 2021. AFG’s municipal bond portfolio is high quality, with over 99% of the securities rated investment grade at that date. The portfolio is well diversified across the states of issuance and individual issuers. At December 31, 2021, approximately 90% of the municipal bond portfolio was held in revenue bonds, with the remaining 10% held in general obligation bonds.
Summarized information for the unrealized gains and losses recorded in AFG’s Balance Sheet at December 31, 2021, is shown in the following table (dollars in millions). Approximately $775 million of available for sale fixed maturity securities had no unrealized gains or losses at December 31, 2021.
| Securities With Unrealized Gains | Securities With Unrealized Losses | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available for Sale Fixed Maturities | ||||||
| Fair value of securities | $ | 6,086 | $ | 3,496 | ||
| Amortized cost of securities | $ | 5,885 | $ | 3,524 | ||
| Gross unrealized gain (loss) | $ | 201 | $ | (28) | ||
| Fair value as % of amortized cost | 103 | % | 99 | % | ||
| Number of security positions | 1,545 | 514 | ||||
| Number individually exceeding $2 million gain or loss | 3 | — | ||||
| Concentration of gains (losses) by type or industry (exceeding 5% of unrealized): | ||||||
| States and municipalities | $ | 74 | $ | — | ||
| Mortgage-backed securities | 50 | (3) | ||||
| Other asset-backed securities | 17 | (11) | ||||
| Asset managers | 7 | (2) | ||||
| Technology | 4 | (2) | ||||
| Collateralized loan obligations | 3 | (2) | ||||
| U.S. Government and government agencies | 2 | (2) | ||||
| Foreign government | — | (2) | ||||
| Percentage rated investment grade | 90 | % | 95 | % |
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The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of AFG’s available for sale fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2021, based on their fair values. Securities with sinking funds are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers.
| Securities With Unrealized Gains | Securities With Unrealized Losses | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maturity | |||||
| One year or less | 13 | % | 2 | % | |
| After one year through five years | 31 | % | 17 | % | |
| After five years through ten years | 12 | % | 3 | % | |
| After ten years | 5 | % | 1 | % | |
| 61 | % | 23 | % | ||
| Collateralized loan obligations and other asset-backed securities (average life of approximately 3 years) | 31 | % | 64 | % | |
| Mortgage-backed securities (average life of approximately 3.5 years) | 8 | % | 13 | % | |
| 100 | % | 100 | % |
The table below (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities by dollar amount:
| Aggregate Fair Value | Aggregate Unrealized Gain (Loss) | Fair Value as % of Cost | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Maturities at December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
| Securities with unrealized gains: | ||||||||||
| Exceeding $500,000 (84 securities) | $ | 946 | $ | 75 | 109 | % | ||||
| $500,000 or less (1,461 securities) | 5,140 | 126 | 103 | % | ||||||
| $ | 6,086 | $ | 201 | 103 | % | |||||
| Securities with unrealized losses: | ||||||||||
| Exceeding $500,000 (8 securities) | $ | 188 | $ | (5) | 97 | % | ||||
| $500,000 or less (506 securities) | 3,308 | (23) | 99 | % | ||||||
| $ | 3,496 | $ | (28) | 99 | % |
The following table (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized losses for all securities with unrealized losses by issuer quality and the length of time those securities have been in an unrealized loss position:
| Aggregate Fair Value | Aggregate Unrealized Loss | Fair Value as % of Cost | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Securities with Unrealized Losses at December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
| Investment grade fixed maturities with losses for: | ||||||||||
| Less than one year (336 securities) | $ | 3,133 | $ | (21) | 99 | % | ||||
| One year or longer (53 securities) | 196 | (3) | 98 | % | ||||||
| $ | 3,329 | $ | (24) | 99 | % | |||||
| Non-investment grade fixed maturities with losses for: | ||||||||||
| Less than one year (80 securities) | $ | 137 | $ | (2) | 99 | % | ||||
| One year or longer (45 securities) | 30 | (2) | 94 | % | ||||||
| $ | 167 | $ | (4) | 98 | % |
To evaluate fixed maturities for expected credit losses (impairment), management considers the following:
a)whether the unrealized loss is credit-driven or a result of changes in market interest rates,
b)the extent to which fair value is less than cost basis,
c)cash flow projections received from independent sources,
d)historical operating, balance sheet and cash flow data contained in issuer SEC filings and news releases,
e)near-term prospects for improvement in the issuer and/or its industry,
f)third-party research and communications with industry specialists,
g)financial models and forecasts,
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h)the continuity of interest payments, maintenance of investment grade ratings and hybrid nature of certain investments,
i)discussions with issuer management, and
j)ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery in fair value.
Based on its analysis of the factors listed above, management believes AFG will recover its cost basis (net of any allowance) in the fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses and that AFG has the ability to hold the securities until they recover in value and had no intent to sell them at December 31, 2021. Although AFG has the ability to continue holding its fixed maturity investments with unrealized losses, its intent to hold them may change due to deterioration in the issuers’ creditworthiness, decisions to lessen exposure to a particular issuer or industry, asset/liability management decisions, market movements, changes in views about appropriate asset allocation or the desire to offset taxable realized gains. Should AFG’s ability or intent change regarding a particular security, a charge for impairment would likely be required. While it is not possible to accurately predict if or when a specific security will become impaired, increases in the allowance for credit losses could be material to results of operations in future periods. Significant declines in the fair value of AFG’s investment portfolio could have a significant adverse effect on AFG’s liquidity. For information on AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities, see “Results of Operations — Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities.”
Uncertainties
As more fully explained in the following paragraphs, management believes that the areas posing the greatest risk of material loss are the adequacy of its insurance reserves and contingencies arising out of its former railroad and manufacturing operations.
Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves Estimating the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) is inherently judgmental and is influenced by factors that are subject to significant variation. Determining the liability is a complex process incorporating input from many areas of the Company including actuarial, underwriting, pricing, claims and operations management.
The estimates of liabilities for unpaid claims and for expenses of investigation and adjustment of unpaid claims are based upon: (i) the accumulation of case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting periods on direct business written (“case reserves”); (ii) estimates received from ceding reinsurers and insurance pools and associations; (iii) estimates of claims incurred but not reported (including possible development on known claims); (iv) estimates (based on experience) of expense for investigating and adjusting claims; and (v) the current state of law and coverage litigation.
The process used to determine the total reserve for liabilities involves estimating the ultimate incurred losses and LAE, adjusted for amounts already paid on the claims. The IBNR reserve is derived by estimating the ultimate unpaid reserve liability and subtracting case reserves for loss and LAE. See Note N — “Insurance — Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves” to the financial statements for a discussion of the factors considered and actuarial methods used in determining management’s best estimate of the ultimate liability for unpaid losses and LAE.
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The following table shows (in millions) the breakdown of AFG’s property and casualty insurance reserves between case reserves, IBNR reserves and LAE reserves (estimated amounts required to adjust, record and settle claims, other than the claim payments themselves) at December 31, 2021 and gross written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2021.
| Gross Loss Reserves | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case | IBNR | LAE | Total Reserves | Gross Written Premiums | ||||||||||||||
| Statutory Line of Business | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other liability — occurrence | $ | 770 | $ | 2,645 | $ | 635 | $ | 4,050 | $ | 1,143 | ||||||||
| Workers’ compensation | 948 | 1,277 | 351 | 2,576 | 1,528 | |||||||||||||
| Other liability — claims made | 226 | 515 | 326 | 1,067 | 554 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial auto/truck liability/medical | 375 | 396 | 139 | 910 | 842 | |||||||||||||
| Special property (fire, allied lines, inland marine, earthquake) | 255 | 239 | 28 | 522 | 1,756 | |||||||||||||
| Products liability — occurrence | 89 | 238 | 149 | 476 | 198 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial multi-peril | 151 | 126 | 84 | 361 | 356 | |||||||||||||
| Other lines | 215 | 443 | 103 | 761 | 1,294 | |||||||||||||
| Total Statutory | 3,029 | 5,879 | 1,815 | 10,723 | 7,671 | |||||||||||||
| Adjustments for GAAP: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign operations | 141 | 175 | 34 | 350 | 268 | |||||||||||||
| Deferred gains on retroactive reinsurance | — | 18 | — | 18 | — | |||||||||||||
| Loss reserve discounting | (5) | — | — | (5) | — | |||||||||||||
| Other | (12) | — | — | (12) | 7 | |||||||||||||
| Total Adjustments for GAAP | 124 | 193 | 34 | 351 | 275 | |||||||||||||
| Total GAAP Reserves and Premiums | $ | 3,153 | $ | 6,072 | $ | 1,849 | $ | 11,074 | $ | 7,946 |
While current factors and reasonably likely changes in variable factors are considered in estimating the liability for unpaid losses and LAE, there is no method or system that can eliminate the risk of actual ultimate results differing from such estimates.
Following is a discussion of certain critical variables affecting the estimation of loss reserves of the more significant long-tail lines of business (asbestos and environmental liabilities are separately discussed below). Many other variables may also impact ultimate claim costs.
An important assumption underlying reserve estimates is that the cost trends implicitly built into development patterns will continue into the future. However, future results could vary due to an unexpected change in the underlying cost trends. This unexpected change could arise from a variety of sources including a general increase in economic inflation, inflation from social programs, new medical technologies, or other factors such as those listed below in connection with AFG’s largest lines of business. It is not possible to isolate and measure the potential impact of just one of these variables, and future cost trends could be partially impacted by several such variables. However, it is reasonable to address the sensitivity of the reserves to potential impact from changes in these variables by measuring the effect of a possible overall 1% change in future cost trends that may be caused by one or more variables. Utilizing the effect of a 1% change in overall cost trends enables changes greater than 1% to be estimated by extrapolation. Each additional 1% change in the cost trend would increase the effect on net earnings by an amount slightly (about 5%) greater than the effect of the previous 1%. For example, if a 1% change in cost trends in a line of business would change net earnings by $20 million, a 2% change would change net earnings by approximately $41 million.
The estimated cumulative adverse impact that a 1% change in cost trends in AFG’s more significant lines of property and casualty business (exceeding 5% of total reserves) would have on net earnings is shown below (in millions).
| Line of business | Effect of 1% Change in Cost Trends | |
|---|---|---|
| Other liability — occurrence | $ | 55 |
| Workers’ compensation | 66 | |
| Other liability — claims made | 20 | |
| Commercial auto/truck liability/medical | 13 |
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The judgments and uncertainties surrounding management’s reserve estimation process and the potential for reasonably possible variability in management’s most recent reserve estimates may also be viewed by looking at how recent historical estimates of reserves have developed. The following table shows (dollars in millions) what the impact on AFG’s net earnings would be on the more significant lines of business if the December 31, 2021, reserves (net of reinsurance) developed at the same rate as the average development of the most recent five years.
| 5-yr. Average Development (a)(b) | Net Reserves (b) December 31, 2021 | Effect on Net Earnings (a)(b) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other liability — occurrence | 4.5 | % | $ | 1,808 | $ | 82 | |||
| Workers’ compensation | (5.1 | %) | 2,171 | (110) | |||||
| Other liability — claims made | (1.6 | %) | 795 | (12) | |||||
| Commercial auto/truck liability/medical | (1.6 | %) | 619 | (10) |
(a)Adverse (favorable), net of tax effect.
(b)Excludes asbestos and environmental liabilities.
The following discussion describes key assumptions and important variables that affect the estimate of the reserve for loss and LAE of the more significant lines of business and explains what caused them to change from assumptions used in the preceding period.
Other Liability — Occurrence
This long-tail line of business consists of coverages protecting the insured against legal liability resulting from negligence, carelessness, or a failure to act causing property damage or personal injury to others. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for other liability — occurrence include:
•Litigious climate
•Unpredictability of judicial decisions regarding coverage issues
•Magnitude of jury awards
•Outside counsel costs
•Timing of claims reporting
AFG recorded adverse prior year reserve development of $39 million in 2021, $99 million in 2020 and $143 million in 2019 related to its other liability — occurrence coverage due primarily to continued claim severity increases in excess and umbrella liability coverages.
While management applies the actuarial methods discussed in Note N — “Insurance — Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves” to the financial statements, more judgment is involved in arriving at the final reserve to be held. For recent accident years, more weight is given to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method.
Workers’ Compensation
This long-tail line of business provides coverage to employees who may be injured in the course of employment. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for workers’ compensation include:
•Legislative actions and regulatory and legal interpretations
•Future medical cost inflation
•Economic conditions
•Frequency of reopening claims previously closed
•Advances in medical equipment and processes
•Pace and intensity of employee rehabilitation
•Changes in the use of pharmaceutical drugs
•Changes in mortality trends for permanently injured workers
Approximately 27% and 23% of AFG’s workers’ compensation reserves at December 31, 2021 relate to policies written in Florida and California, respectively.
AFG recorded favorable prior year reserve development of $169 million in 2021 related to its workers’ compensation coverage due to lower than anticipated medical severity. AFG recorded favorable prior year reserve development of $178 million in 2020 due to lower than anticipated medical claim severity and improving claim closure rates, particularly in the southeastern United States and California. AFG recorded favorable prior year reserve development of $180 million in 2019 due to lower than anticipated frequency of lost-time claims and medical severity.
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Other Liability — Claims Made
This long-tail line of business consists mostly of directors’ and officers’ liability (“D&O”). Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for other liability — claims made include:
•Litigious climate
•Economic conditions
•Variability of stock prices
•Magnitude of jury awards
The general state of the economy and the variability of the stock price of the insured can affect the frequency and severity of shareholder class action suits and other situations that trigger coverage under D&O policies. For example, from 2008 to 2010, economic conditions led to higher frequency of claims, particularly in the D&O policies for small account and not-for-profit organizations. Since then, claim frequency has decreased from its peak in 2010 and has stabilized to near pre-2008 levels.
AFG recorded favorable prior year reserve development of $2 million in 2021, $8 million in 2020 and $4 million in 2019 on its D&O business as claim frequency and severity was less than expected across several prior accident years.
Commercial Auto/Truck Liability/Medical
This line of business is a mix of coverage protecting the insured against legal liability for property damage or personal injury to others arising from the operation of commercial motor vehicles. The property damage liability exposure is usually short-tail with relatively quick reporting and settlement of claims. The bodily injury and medical payments exposures are longer-tailed; although the claim reporting is relatively quick, the final settlement can take longer to achieve. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for commercial auto/truck liability/medical are similar to other liability — occurrence and include:
•Magnitude of jury awards
•Unpredictability of judicial decisions regarding coverage issues
•Litigious climate and trends
•Change in frequency of severe accidents
•Health care costs and utilization of medical services by injured parties
AFG recorded adverse prior year reserve development of $7 million in 2021 for this line of business and favorable prior year reserve development of $16 million in 2020 and $15 million in 2019. While AFG recorded adverse development in 2021 and severity trends for this line of business continue to be elevated, the severity has generally been lower than initially projected in recent years.
Recoverables from Reinsurers and Availability of Reinsurance AFG is subject to credit risk with respect to its reinsurers, as reinsurance contracts do not relieve AFG of its liability to policyholders. To mitigate this risk, substantially all reinsurance is ceded to companies rated “A” or better by S&P or is secured by “funds withheld” or other collateral.
The availability and cost of reinsurance are subject to prevailing market conditions, which are beyond AFG’s control and which may affect AFG’s level of business and profitability. Although the cost of certain reinsurance programs may increase, management believes that AFG will be able to maintain adequate reinsurance coverage at acceptable rates without a material adverse effect on AFG’s results of operations. AFG’s gross and net combined ratios are shown in the table below.
See Item 1 — Business — “Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Reinsurance” for more information on AFG’s reinsurance programs. For additional information on the effect of reinsurance on AFG’s historical results of operations see Note N — “Insurance — Reinsurance” to the financial statements.
The following table illustrates the effect that purchasing property and casualty reinsurance has had on AFG’s combined ratio over the last three years.
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before reinsurance (gross) | 87.4 | % | 97.1 | % | 95.6 | % | ||
| Effect of reinsurance | (0.9 | %) | (1.6 | %) | 0.2 | % | ||
| Actual (net of reinsurance) | 86.5 | % | 95.5 | % | 95.8 | % |
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Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves Asbestos and environmental reserves of the property and casualty group consisted of the following (in millions):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Asbestos | $ | 232 | $ | 239 | ||
| Environmental | 176 | 183 | ||||
| A&E reserves, net of reinsurance recoverable | 408 | 422 | ||||
| Reinsurance recoverable, net of allowance | 147 | 150 | ||||
| Gross A&E reserves | $ | 555 | $ | 572 |
Asbestos reserves include claims asserting alleged injuries and damages from exposure to asbestos. Environmental reserves include claims relating to polluted sites.
Asbestos claims against manufacturers, distributors or installers of asbestos products were presented under the products liability section of their policies, which typically had aggregate limits that capped an insurer’s liability. In addition, asbestos claims are being presented as “non-products” claims, such as those by installers of asbestos products and by property owners or operators who allegedly had asbestos on their property, under the premises or operations section of their policies. Unlike products exposures, these non-products exposures typically had no aggregate limits, creating greater exposure for insurers. Further, in an effort to seek additional insurance coverage, some insureds with installation activities who have substantially eroded their products coverage are presenting new asbestos claims as non-products operations claims or attempting to reclassify previously settled products claims as non-products claims to restore a portion of previously exhausted products aggregate limits.
Approximately 42% of AFG’s net asbestos reserves relate to policies written directly by AFG subsidiaries. Claims from these policies generally are product-oriented claims with only a limited amount of non-products exposures and are dominated by small to mid-sized commercial entities that are mostly regional policyholders with few national target defendants. The remainder is assumed reinsurance business that includes exposures from 1954 to 1983. The asbestos and environmental assumed claims are ceded by various insurance companies under reinsurance treaties. A majority of the individual assumed claims have exposures of less than $100,000 to AFG. Asbestos losses assumed include some of the industry known manufacturers, distributors and installers. Pollution losses include industry known insured names and sites.
Establishing reserves for A&E claims relating to policies and participations in reinsurance treaties and former operations is subject to uncertainties that are significantly greater than those presented by other types of claims. For this group of claims, traditional actuarial techniques that rely on historical loss development trends cannot be used and a range of reasonably possible losses cannot be estimated. Case reserves and expense reserves are established by the claims department as specific policies are identified. In addition to the case reserves established for known claims, management establishes additional reserves for claims not yet known or reported and for possible development on known claims. These additional reserves are management’s best estimate based on periodic comprehensive studies and internal reviews adjusted for payments and identifiable changes, supplemented by management’s review of industry information about such claims, with due consideration to individual claim situations.
Management believes that estimating the ultimate liability for asbestos claims presents a unique and difficult challenge to the insurance industry due to, among other things, inconsistent court decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, novel theories of coverage, and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage. Environmental claims likewise present challenges in prediction, due to uncertainty regarding the interpretation of insurance policies, complexities regarding multi-party involvements at sites, evolving cleanup standards and protracted time periods required to assess the level of cleanup required at contaminated sites.
The following factors could impact AFG’s A&E reserves and payments:
•There is interest at the state level to attempt to legislatively address asbestos liabilities and the manner in which asbestos claims are resolved. These developments are fluid and could result in piecemeal state-by-state solutions.
•The manner by which bankruptcy courts are addressing asbestos liabilities is in flux.
•AFG’s insureds may make claims alleging significant non-products exposures.
While management believes that AFG’s reserves for A&E claims are a reasonable estimate of ultimate liability for such claims, actual results may vary materially from the amounts currently recorded due to the difficulty in predicting the number of future claims, the impact of bankruptcy filings and unresolved issues such as whether coverage exists, whether
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policies are subject to aggregate limits on coverage, how claims are to be allocated among triggered policies and implicated years and whether claimants who exhibit no signs of illness will be successful in pursuing their claims. A 1% variation in loss cost trends, caused by any of the factors previously described, would change net earnings by approximately $35 million.
AFG tracks its A&E claims by policyholder. The following table shows, by type of claim, the number of policyholders that did not receive any payments in the calendar year separate from policyholders that did receive a payment. Policyholder counts represent policies written by AFG subsidiaries and do not include assumed reinsurance.
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of policyholders with no indemnity payments: | |||||||
| Asbestos | 100 | 97 | 98 | ||||
| Environmental | 131 | 116 | 113 | ||||
| 231 | 213 | 211 | |||||
| Number of policyholders with indemnity payments: | |||||||
| Asbestos | 45 | 48 | 46 | ||||
| Environmental | 20 | 22 | 17 | ||||
| 65 | 70 | 63 | |||||
| Total | 296 | 283 | 274 |
Amounts paid (net of reinsurance recoveries) for asbestos and environmental claims, including LAE, were as follows (in millions):
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos | $ | 8 | $ | 8 | $ | 17 | ||||
| Environmental | 6 | — | 13 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 14 | $ | 8 | $ | 30 |
The survival ratio is a measure often used by industry analysts to compare A&E reserves’ strength among companies. This ratio is typically calculated by dividing reserves for A&E exposures by the three-year average of paid losses, and therefore measures the number of years that it would take to pay off current reserves based on recent average payments. Because this ratio can be significantly impacted by a number of factors such as loss payout variability, caution should be exercised in attempting to determine reserve adequacy based simply on the survival ratio. At December 31, 2021, the property and casualty insurance segment’s three-year survival ratios compare favorably with industry survival ratios published by A.M. Best (as of December 31, 2020, and adjusted for several large portfolio transfers) as detailed in the following table:
| Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three-Year Survival Ratio (Times Paid Losses) | |||||||
| Asbestos | Environmental | Total A&E | |||||
| AFG (12/31/2021) | 21.9 | 26.2 | 23.6 | ||||
| Industry (12/31/2020) | 8.6 | 6.9 | 8.2 |
During the third quarter of 2021, AFG completed an in-depth internal review of its asbestos and environmental exposures relating to the run-off operations of its property and casualty insurance segment and its exposures related to former railroad and manufacturing operations and sites. In addition to its ongoing internal monitoring of asbestos and environmental exposures, AFG has periodically conducted comprehensive external studies of its asbestos and environmental reserves with the aid of specialty actuarial, engineering and consulting firms and outside counsel, with an in-depth internal review during the intervening years.
During the 2021 internal review, no new trends were identified and recent claims activity was generally consistent with AFG’s expectations resulting from the 2020 external study. As a result, the 2021 review resulted in no net change to AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment’s asbestos and environmental reserves.
A comprehensive external study of AFG’s A&E reserves was completed in the third quarter of 2020. As a result of the 2020 external study, AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment recorded a $47 million pretax special charge to increase its asbestos reserves by $26 million (net of reinsurance) and its environmental reserves by $21 million (net of reinsurance).
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Over the past few years, the focus of AFG’s asbestos claims litigation has shifted to smaller companies and companies with ancillary exposures. AFG’s insureds with these exposures have been the driver of the property and casualty segment’s asbestos reserve increases in recent years. AFG is seeing modestly increasing estimates for indemnity and defense compared to prior studies on certain specific open claims. The increase in property and casualty environmental reserves in 2020 was primarily associated with updated estimates of site investigation and remedial costs with respect to existing sites and its estimate of future, but as yet unreported, claims. AFG has updated its view of legal defense costs on open environmental claims as well as a number of claims and sites where the estimated investigation and remediation costs have increased.
An in-depth internal review of AFG’s A&E reserves was completed in the third quarter of 2019. As a result of the 2019 internal review, AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment recorded an $18 million pretax special charge to increase its asbestos reserves by $3 million (net of reinsurance) and its environmental reserves by $15 million (net of reinsurance). The increase in property and casualty environmental reserves relates to updated estimates of site investigation and remedial costs with respect to existing sites and newly identified sites.
Contingencies related to Subsidiaries’ Former Operations The A&E studies and reviews discussed above encompassed reserves for various environmental and occupational injury and disease claims and other contingencies arising out of the railroad operations disposed of by American Premier’s predecessor and certain manufacturing operations disposed of by American Premier and its subsidiaries and by Great American Financial Resources, Inc. AFG recorded a minor charge to increase liabilities for those operations as a result of the 2021 internal review, a pretax special charge of $21 million as a result of the 2020 comprehensive external study and a pretax special charge of $11 million as a result of the 2019 internal review. For a discussion of the charges recorded for those operations, see “Results of Operations — Holding Company, Other and Unallocated.” Liabilities for claims and contingencies arising from these former railroad and manufacturing operations totaled $95 million at December 31, 2021. For a discussion of the uncertainties in determining the ultimate liability, see Note M — “Contingencies” to the financial statements.
MANAGED INVESTMENT ENTITIES
Accounting standards require AFG to consolidate its investments in collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) entities that it manages and owns an interest in (in the form of debt). See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note G — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements. The effect of consolidating these entities is shown in the tables below (in millions). The “Before CLO Consolidation” columns include AFG’s investment and earnings in the CLOs on an unconsolidated basis.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
| Before CLO Consolidation | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and investments | $ | 15,821 | $ | — | $ | (76) | (*) | $ | 15,745 | |||||||
| Assets of managed investment entities | — | 5,296 | — | 5,296 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 7,890 | — | — | (*) | 7,890 | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 23,711 | $ | 5,296 | $ | (76) | $ | 28,931 | ||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums | $ | 14,115 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 14,115 | ||||||||
| Liabilities of managed investment entities | — | 5,296 | (76) | (*) | 5,220 | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt and other liabilities | 4,584 | — | — | 4,584 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 18,699 | 5,296 | (76) | 23,919 | ||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock and Capital surplus | 1,415 | — | — | 1,415 | ||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | 3,478 | — | — | 3,478 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax | 119 | — | — | 119 | ||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 5,012 | — | — | 5,012 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 23,711 | $ | 5,296 | $ | (76) | $ | 28,931 | ||||||||
| December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and investments | $ | 13,550 | $ | — | $ | (56) | (*) | $ | 13,494 | |||||||
| Assets of managed investment entities | — | 4,971 | — | 4,971 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 7,361 | — | (1) | (*) | 7,360 | |||||||||||
| Assets of discontinued annuity operations | 47,885 | — | — | 47,885 | ||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 68,796 | $ | 4,971 | $ | (57) | $ | 73,710 | ||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums | $ | 13,195 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 13,195 | ||||||||
| Liabilities of managed investment entities | — | 4,971 | (57) | (*) | 4,914 | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt and other liabilities | 4,354 | — | — | 4,354 | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities of discontinued annuity operations | 44,458 | — | — | 44,458 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 62,007 | 4,971 | (57) | 66,921 | ||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock and Capital surplus | 1,367 | — | — | 1,367 | ||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | 4,149 | — | — | 4,149 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax | 1,273 | — | — | 1,273 | ||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 6,789 | — | — | 6,789 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 68,796 | $ | 4,971 | $ | (57) | $ | 73,710 |
(*)Elimination of the fair value of AFG’s investment in CLOs and related accrued interest.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
| Before CLO Consolidation (a) | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three months ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,452 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,452 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 212 | — | (3) | (b) | 209 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 7 | — | — | 7 | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 46 | — | 46 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 2 | (1) | (b) | 1 | |||||||||||
| Other income | 47 | — | (4) | (c) | 43 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,718 | 48 | (8) | 1,758 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 1,182 | — | — | 1,182 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 47 | (7) | (b)(c) | 40 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 91 | — | — | 91 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,273 | 47 | (7) | 1,313 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 445 | 1 | (1) | 445 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 90 | — | — | 90 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 355 | 1 | (1) | 355 | ||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 355 | $ | 1 | $ | (1) | $ | 355 | ||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,325 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,325 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 153 | — | (6) | (b) | 147 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities | 122 | — | — | 122 | ||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | 53 | — | — | 53 | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 47 | — | 47 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (1) | 2 | (b) | 1 | |||||||||||
| Other income | 22 | — | (4) | (c) | 18 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,675 | 46 | (8) | 1,713 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 1,220 | — | — | 1,220 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 46 | (8) | (b)(c) | 38 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 111 | — | — | 111 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,331 | 46 | (8) | 1,369 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 344 | — | — | 344 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 77 | — | — | 77 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 267 | — | — | 267 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from discontinued operations | 427 | — | — | 427 | ||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | 2 | — | — | 2 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 692 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 692 |
(a)Includes income of $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and $6 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments plus $4 million in both the fourth quarter of 2021 and 2020, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $3 million and $4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and 2020, respectively, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS - CONTINUED
| Before CLO Consol. (a) | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 5,404 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,404 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 750 | — | (20) | (b) | 730 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities | 110 | — | — | 110 | ||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | 4 | — | — | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 181 | — | 181 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | 3 | 7 | (b) | 10 | |||||||||||
| Other income | 129 | — | (16) | (c) | 113 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 6,397 | 184 | (29) | 6,552 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 4,704 | — | — | 4,704 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 183 | (28) | (b)(c) | 155 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 358 | — | — | 358 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 5,062 | 183 | (28) | 5,217 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 1,335 | 1 | (1) | 1,335 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 254 | — | — | 254 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 1,081 | 1 | (1) | 1,081 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from discontinued operations | 914 | — | — | 914 | ||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 1,995 | $ | 1 | $ | (1) | $ | 1,995 | ||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 5,099 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,099 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 460 | — | 1 | (b) | 461 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities | (75) | — | — | (75) | ||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | 23 | — | — | 23 | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 201 | — | 201 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (11) | (9) | (b) | (20) | |||||||||||
| Other income | 95 | — | (15) | (c) | 80 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 5,602 | 190 | (23) | 5,769 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 4,896 | — | — | 4,896 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 190 | (23) | (b)(c) | 167 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 367 | — | — | 367 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 5,263 | 190 | (23) | 5,430 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 339 | — | — | 339 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 25 | — | — | 25 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 314 | — | — | 314 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from discontinued operations | 407 | — | — | 407 | ||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | (11) | — | — | (11) | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 732 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 732 |
(a)Includes income of $20 million in 2021 and a loss of $1 million in 2020, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments plus $16 million and $15 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $12 million and $8 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS - CONTINUED
| Before CLO Consol. (a) | Managed Investment Entities | Consol. Entries | Consolidated As Reported | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 5,185 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,185 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 533 | — | (1) | (b) | 532 | |||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 155 | — | — | 155 | ||||||||||||
| Income of managed investment entities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | 269 | — | 269 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | (8) | (6) | (b) | (14) | |||||||||||
| Other income | 101 | — | (15) | (c) | 86 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 5,974 | 261 | (22) | 6,213 | ||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits and expenses | 4,996 | — | — | 4,996 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses of managed investment entities | — | 261 | (22) | (b)(c) | 239 | |||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses | 344 | — | — | 344 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 5,340 | 261 | (22) | 5,579 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 634 | — | — | 634 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 143 | — | — | 143 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 491 | — | — | 491 | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings from discontinued operations | 378 | — | — | 378 | ||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | (28) | — | — | (28) | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 897 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 897 |
(a)Includes income of $1 million representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments plus $15 million in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $7 million in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General
AFG’s net earnings attributable to shareholders, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. In addition to discontinued operations, core net operating earnings excludes realized gains (losses) on securities because such gains and losses are influenced significantly by financial markets, interest rates and the timing of sales. In addition, special charges related to coverage that AFG no longer writes, such as asbestos and environmental exposures, are excluded from core earnings.
In January 2021, AFG entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Annuity business to MassMutual. Beginning with the first quarter of 2021 and through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale, the results of its annuity segment and the run-off life and long-term care operations are reported as discontinued operations, which included adjusting prior period results to reflect these operations as discontinued.
AFG recorded $914 million in non-core net earnings from the discontinued annuity operations in 2021, which includes a $656 million after tax gain on the sale, compared to $407 million and $378 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively. See “Discontinued Annuity Operations” below for details of the impact of the discontinued annuity operations on AFG’s net earnings attributable to shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2020 and years end 2021, 2020 and 2019.
In December 2019, AFG initiated actions to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, which included placing its Lloyd’s subsidiaries including its Lloyd’s Managing Agency, Neon Underwriting Ltd., into run-off. Neon and its predecessor, Marketform, have failed to achieve AFG’s profitability objectives since AFG’s purchase of Marketform in 2008. Consistent with the treatment of other items that are not indicative of AFG’s ongoing operations (both favorable and unfavorable), beginning with the first quarter of 2020, AFG’s core net operating earnings for its property and casualty insurance segment excludes the run-off operations of Neon (“Neon exited lines”). In December 2020, AFG sold GAI Holding Bermuda and its subsidiaries, comprising the legal entities that own Neon, to RiverStone Holdings Limited.
AFG recorded $111 million in non-core losses related to the runoff of the Neon business in 2020, which included a $23 million gain on the sale of the business. In conjunction with the sale, AFG recognized a tax benefit of $72 million, resulting in a net $39 million non-core after-tax loss from the Neon exited lines in 2020. In 2021, AFG recognized a non-core after tax gain of $3 million related to contingent consideration received from the sale of Neon.
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The following table (in millions, except per share amounts) identifies non-core items and reconciles net earnings attributable to shareholders to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure. AFG believes core net operating earnings is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends and for management to evaluate financial performance against historical results because it believes this provides a more comparable measure of its continuing business.
| Three months ended December 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| Components of net earnings attributable to shareholders: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core operating earnings before income taxes | $ | 438 | $ | 227 | $ | 1,232 | $ | 609 | $ | 589 | ||||||||
| Pretax non-core items: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 7 | 122 | 110 | (75) | 155 | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | — | (68) | (29) | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines (*) | — | — | 4 | (122) | (76) | |||||||||||||
| Loss on retirement of debt | — | (5) | — | (5) | (5) | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | (11) | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 445 | 344 | 1,335 | 339 | 634 | |||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core operating earnings | 87 | 52 | 239 | 128 | 117 | |||||||||||||
| Non-core items: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 3 | 25 | 23 | (16) | 33 | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | — | (14) | (6) | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines (*) | — | 1 | 1 | (72) | — | |||||||||||||
| Loss on retirement of debt | — | (1) | — | (1) | (1) | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | (9) | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Total provision for income taxes | 90 | 77 | 254 | 25 | 143 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 355 | 267 | 1,081 | 314 | 491 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings from discontinued operations | — | 427 | 914 | 407 | 378 | |||||||||||||
| Less net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core operating earnings | — | — | — | — | (10) | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines (*) | — | 2 | — | (11) | (18) | |||||||||||||
| Total net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | 2 | — | (11) | (28) | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 355 | $ | 692 | $ | 1,995 | $ | 732 | $ | 897 | ||||||||
| Net earnings: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core net operating earnings | $ | 351 | $ | 175 | $ | 993 | $ | 481 | $ | 482 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 4 | 97 | 87 | (59) | 122 | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | — | (54) | (23) | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines (*) | — | (3) | 3 | (39) | (58) | |||||||||||||
| Loss on retirement of debt | — | (4) | — | (4) | (4) | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | (2) | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations | 355 | 265 | 1,081 | 325 | 519 | |||||||||||||
| Discontinued annuity operations | — | 427 | 914 | 407 | 378 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 355 | $ | 692 | $ | 1,995 | $ | 732 | $ | 897 | ||||||||
| Diluted per share amounts: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Core net operating earnings | $ | 4.12 | $ | 2.01 | $ | 11.59 | $ | 5.40 | $ | 5.29 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | 0.06 | 1.10 | 1.01 | (0.67) | 1.34 | |||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges | — | — | — | (0.61) | (0.25) | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines (*) | — | (0.04) | 0.04 | (0.45) | (0.64) | |||||||||||||
| Loss on retirement of debt | — | (0.04) | — | (0.04) | (0.04) | |||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | (0.02) | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Diluted per share amounts, continuing operations | 4.18 | 3.03 | 12.62 | 3.63 | 5.70 | |||||||||||||
| Discontinued annuity operations | — | 4.90 | 10.68 | 4.57 | 4.15 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to shareholders | $ | 4.18 | $ | 7.93 | $ | 23.30 | $ | 8.20 | $ | 9.85 |
(*)As discussed above, the Neon run-off operations are considered property and casualty insurance non-core earnings (losses). In 2021, AFG recognized a non-core after tax gain of $3 million related to contingent consideration received from the sale of Neon.
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AFG reported net earnings attributable to shareholders of $355 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $692 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 reflecting higher core net operating earnings, the impact of a loss on retirement of debt in the fourth quarter of 2020, lower net realized gains on securities in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 and net earnings from the discontinued annuity operations in the fourth quarter of 2020. Core net operating earnings for the fourth quarter of 2021 increased $176 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 reflecting higher underwriting profit, higher net investment income and income from the sale of real estate in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Net earnings attributable to shareholders were $2.00 billion for the full-year of 2021 compared to $732 million in 2020 reflecting higher core net operating earnings, net realized gains on securities in 2021 compared to net realized losses in 2020, the impact of special A&E charges and non-core losses from the Neon exited lines in 2020 and higher net earnings from the discontinued annuity operations in 2021 (through the sale date) compared to 2020. The discontinued annuity operations includes an after-tax gain from the sale of the annuity subsidiaries of $656 million in 2021. Core net operating earnings increased $512 million in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting higher underwriting profit, higher net investment income and income from the sale of real estate in the fourth quarter of 2021, partially offset by higher interest charges on borrowed money and higher holding company expenses. Realized gains (losses) on securities in 2021 and 2020 resulted primarily from the change in fair value of equity securities that were still held at the balance sheet date.
Net earnings attributable to shareholders decreased $165 million for the full-year of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 due primarily to net realized losses on securities in 2020 compared to net realized gains in 2019 and higher special A&E charges in 2020 compared to 2019, partially offset by higher earnings from the discontinued annuity operations and lower losses from the Neon exited lines in 2020 compared to 2019. Core net operating earnings decreased $1 million in 2020 compared to 2019 reflecting higher interest charges on borrowed money and lower investment income due to lower market interest rates, lower dividend income and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs, partially offset by higher underwriting profit and lower holding company expenses.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — QUARTERS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
Segmented Statement of Earnings
Subsequent to the agreement to sell the Annuity subsidiaries, AFG reports its continuing operations as two segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”) and (ii) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
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AFG’s net earnings attributable to shareholders, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings attributable to shareholders to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Annuity | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,452 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,452 | $ | — | $ | 1,452 | ||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 196 | — | (3) | 16 | 209 | — | 209 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | — | 46 | — | 46 | — | 46 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 18 | — | (4) | 29 | 43 | — | 43 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,666 | — | 40 | 45 | 1,751 | 7 | 1,758 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 822 | — | — | — | 822 | — | 822 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 351 | — | — | 9 | 360 | — | 360 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | — | 23 | 23 | — | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | — | 40 | — | 40 | — | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 8 | — | — | 60 | 68 | — | 68 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,181 | — | 40 | 92 | 1,313 | — | 1,313 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | 485 | — | — | (47) | 438 | 7 | 445 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (credit) for income taxes | 102 | — | — | (15) | 87 | 3 | 90 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 383 | — | — | (32) | 351 | 4 | 355 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 383 | — | — | (32) | 351 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings attributable to shareholders (a): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | (4) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders | $ | 383 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (28) | $ | 355 | $ | — | $ | 355 |
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| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Annuity | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | Neon exited lines (b) | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 1,299 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,299 | $ | — | $ | 26 | $ | 1,325 | ||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 122 | 20 | (6) | 11 | 147 | — | — | 147 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities | — | — | — | — | — | 122 | — | 122 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | — | — | — | — | — | — | 53 | 53 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | — | 47 | — | 47 | — | — | 47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | — | — | (4) | 22 | 18 | — | — | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,421 | 20 | 38 | 33 | 1,512 | 122 | 79 | 1,713 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 778 | — | — | — | 778 | — | 52 | 830 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 358 | — | — | 5 | 363 | — | 27 | 390 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | — | 24 | 24 | — | — | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | — | 38 | — | 38 | — | — | 38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 11 | 11 | — | 60 | 82 | 5 | — | 87 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,147 | 11 | 38 | 89 | 1,285 | 5 | 79 | 1,369 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | 274 | 9 | — | (56) | 227 | 117 | — | 344 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (credit) for income taxes | 58 | 2 | — | (8) | 52 | 24 | 1 | 77 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 216 | 7 | — | (48) | 175 | 93 | (1) | 267 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 216 | 7 | — | (48) | 175 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders (a): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | — | 97 | 97 | (97) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discontinued operations, net of tax | — | 429 | — | (2) | 427 | — | — | 427 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines (b) | (3) | — | — | — | (3) | — | 3 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on retirement of debt, net of tax | — | — | — | (4) | (4) | 4 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders | $ | 213 | $ | 436 | $ | — | $ | 43 | $ | 692 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 692 |
(a)See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax and noncontrolling interest impacts of these reconciling items.
(b)As discussed under “Results of Operations — General,” the Neon run-off operations are considered property and casualty insurance non-core earnings (losses).
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
Performance measures such as underwriting profit or loss and related combined ratios are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company’s performance. Underwriting profitability is measured by the combined ratio, which is a sum of the ratios of losses and loss adjustment expenses, and commissions and other underwriting expenses to premiums. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. The combined ratio does not reflect net investment income, other income, other expenses or federal income taxes.
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $485 million in GAAP and core pretax earnings in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $274 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of $211 million (77%). The increase in GAAP and core pretax earnings reflects higher underwriting profit and significantly higher net investment income in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 and income for the sale of real estate in the fourth quarter of 2021. Improved results from alternative investments (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs) were partially offset by lower other net investment income, due primarily to lower market interest rates.
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The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty insurance operations for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | % Change | ||||||||
| Gross written premiums | $ | 1,737 | $ | 1,707 | 2 | % | ||||
| Reinsurance premiums ceded | (467) | (491) | (5 | %) | ||||||
| Net written premiums | 1,270 | 1,216 | 4 | % | ||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | 182 | 83 | 119 | % | ||||||
| Net earned premiums | 1,452 | 1,299 | 12 | % | ||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses | 822 | 778 | 6 | % | ||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 351 | 358 | (2 | %) | ||||||
| Core underwriting gain | 279 | 163 | 71 | % | ||||||
| Net investment income | 196 | 122 | 61 | % | ||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | 10 | (11) | (191 | %) | ||||||
| Core earnings before income taxes | 485 | 274 | 77 | % | ||||||
| Pretax non-core Neon exited lines (*) | — | — | — | % | ||||||
| GAAP earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | $ | 485 | $ | 274 | 77 | % | ||||
| (*)In December 2019, AFG initiated actions to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, which included placing its Lloyd’s subsidiaries including its Lloyd’s Managing Agency, Neon Underwriting Ltd. (“Neon”), into run-off. As discussed under “Results of Operations — General,” following the December 2019 decision to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, the results from the Neon exited lines are treated as non-core earnings (losses). Each line item in the table above has been adjusted to remove the impact from the Neon run-off operations in 2020. The following table details the impact of the Neon exited lines to each component of earnings (loss) before income taxes in the property and casualty insurance operations for the three months ended December 31, 2020 (in millions): | ||||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Excluding Neonexited lines | Neonexited lines | Total | ||||||||
| Gross written premiums | $ | 1,707 | $ | 14 | $ | 1,721 | ||||
| Reinsurance premiums ceded | (491) | (1) | (492) | |||||||
| Net written premiums | 1,216 | 13 | 1,229 | |||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | 83 | 13 | 96 | |||||||
| Net earned premiums | 1,299 | 26 | 1,325 | |||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses | 778 | 52 | 830 | |||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 358 | 27 | 385 | |||||||
| Underwriting gain (loss) | 163 | (53) | 110 | |||||||
| Net investment income | 122 | — | 122 | |||||||
| Gain on sale of subsidiaries | — | 53 | 53 | |||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | (11) | — | (11) | |||||||
| Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | $ | 274 | $ | — | $ | 274 | ||||
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| Combined Ratios: | 2021 | 2020 | Change | |||||||
| Specialty lines | ||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 56.5 | % | 58.6 | % | (2.1 | %) | ||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 24.2 | % | 27.6 | % | (3.4 | %) | ||||
| Combined ratio | 80.7 | % | 86.2 | % | (5.5 | %) | ||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 56.6 | % | 62.6 | % | (6.0 | %) | ||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 24.2 | % | 29.0 | % | (4.8 | %) | ||||
| Combined ratio | 80.8 | % | 91.6 | % | (10.8 | %) |
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Starting in 1986, AFG’s statutory combined ratio has been better than the U.S. industry average for 34 of the 36 years. Management believes that AFG’s insurance operations have performed better than the industry as a result of its specialty niche focus, product line diversification, stringent underwriting discipline and alignment of compensation incentives.
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty property and casualty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.
To understand the overall profitability of particular lines, the timing of claims payments and the related impact of investment income must be considered. Certain “short-tail” lines of business (primarily property coverages) generally have quick loss payouts, which reduce the time funds are held, thereby limiting investment income earned thereon. In contrast, “long-tail” lines of business (primarily liability coverages and workers’ compensation) generally have payouts that are either structured over many years or take many years to settle, thereby significantly increasing investment income earned on related premiums received.
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.74 billion for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $1.72 billion for the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of $16 million (1%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| GWP | % | GWP | % | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 558 | 32 | % | $ | 647 | 38 | % | (14 | %) | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 968 | 56 | % | 865 | 50 | % | 12 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 211 | 12 | % | 195 | 11 | % | 8 | % | ||||||||
| Total specialty | 1,737 | 100 | % | 1,707 | 99 | % | 2 | % | ||||||||
| Neon exited lines | — | — | % | 14 | 1 | % | (100 | %) | ||||||||
| Aggregate | $ | 1,737 | 100 | % | $ | 1,721 | 100 | % | 1 | % |
Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 27% of gross written premiums for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to 29% of gross written premiums for the fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of 2 percentage points. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Change in | ||||||||||||||
| Ceded | % of GWP | Ceded | % of GWP | % of GWP | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | (141) | 25 | % | $ | (207) | 32 | % | (7 | %) | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | (340) | 35 | % | (300) | 35 | % | — | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | (38) | 18 | % | (32) | 16 | % | 2 | % | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 52 | 48 | ||||||||||||||
| Total specialty | (467) | 27 | % | (491) | 29 | % | (2 | %) | ||||||||
| Neon exited lines | — | — | % | (1) | 7 | % | (7 | %) | ||||||||
| Aggregate | $ | (467) | 27 | % | $ | (492) | 29 | % | (2 | %) |
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Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.27 billion for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $1.23 billion for the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of $41 million (3%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| NWP | % | NWP | % | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 417 | 33 | % | $ | 440 | 36 | % | (5 | %) | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 628 | 49 | % | 565 | 46 | % | 11 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 173 | 14 | % | 163 | 13 | % | 6 | % | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 52 | 4 | % | 48 | 4 | % | 8 | % | ||||||||
| Total specialty | 1,270 | 100 | % | 1,216 | 99 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||
| Neon exited lines | — | — | % | 13 | 1 | % | (100 | %) | ||||||||
| Aggregate | $ | 1,270 | 100 | % | $ | 1,229 | 100 | % | 3 | % |
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.45 billion for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $1.33 billion for the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of $127 million (10%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| NEP | % | NEP | % | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 597 | 41 | % | $ | 521 | 39 | % | 15 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 636 | 44 | % | 572 | 43 | % | 11 | % | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 165 | 11 | % | 158 | 12 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 54 | 4 | % | 48 | 4 | % | 13 | % | ||||||||
| Total specialty | 1,452 | 100 | % | 1,299 | 98 | % | 12 | % | ||||||||
| Neon exited lines | — | — | % | 26 | 2 | % | (100 | %) | ||||||||
| Aggregate | $ | 1,452 | 100 | % | $ | 1,325 | 100 | % | 10 | % |
The $16 million (1%) increase in gross written premiums in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 reflects an increase in the Specialty casualty and Specialty financial sub-segments, partially offset by a decrease in the Property and transportation sub-segment. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 7% in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Property and transportation Gross written premiums decreased $89 million (14%) in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. This decrease was due primarily to the timing of premium in the crop business and the timing of the renewal of a large account in the transportation business. Average renewal rates increased 6% for this group in the fourth quarter of 2021. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 7 percentage points for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 reflecting lower cessions in the crop insurance operations, partially offset by higher cessions in the transportation businesses.
Specialty casualty Gross written premiums increased $103 million (12%) in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. Significant renewal rate increases and increased exposures contributed to higher premiums in the excess liability and excess and surplus businesses. The mergers and acquisitions liability and executive liability businesses also contributed meaningfully to the year-over-year growth. Average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 7% in the fourth quarter of 2021. Excluding rate decreases in the workers’ compensation business, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 11%. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums were comparable in the fourth quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2020.
Specialty financial Gross written premiums increased $16 million (8%) in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 due primarily to the favorable impact of economic recovery in the surety business and strong rate increases and new business opportunities in the fidelity business. Average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 7% in the fourth quarter of 2021. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 2 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 reflecting higher cessions in the innovative markets business.
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Other specialty The amounts shown as reinsurance premiums ceded represent business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Reinsurance premiums assumed increased $4 million (8%) in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 reflecting an increase in premiums retained, primarily from businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
Combined Ratio
Performance measures such as the combined ratio are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company’s performance. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) and underwriting expense ratios. These ratios are calculated by dividing each of the respective expenses by net earned premiums. The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of the combined ratio for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment:
| Three months ended December 31, | Three months ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Change | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 66.0 | % | 63.3 | % | 2.7 | % | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 14.5 | % | 22.5 | % | (8.0 | %) | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 80.5 | % | 85.8 | % | (5.3 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 116 | $ | 74 | ||||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 53.5 | % | 59.0 | % | (5.5 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 24.5 | % | 25.0 | % | (0.5 | %) | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 78.0 | % | 84.0 | % | (6.0 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 140 | $ | 91 | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 31.7 | % | 35.6 | % | (3.9 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 53.8 | % | 51.2 | % | 2.6 | % | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 85.5 | % | 86.8 | % | (1.3 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 24 | $ | 20 | ||||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 56.5 | % | 58.6 | % | (2.1 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 24.2 | % | 27.6 | % | (3.4 | %) | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 80.7 | % | 86.2 | % | (5.5 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 281 | $ | 179 | ||||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 56.6 | % | 62.6 | % | (6.0 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 24.2 | % | 29.0 | % | (4.8 | %) | ||||||
| Combined ratio | 80.8 | % | 91.6 | % | (10.8 | %) | ||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 279 | $ | 110 |
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $281 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $179 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of $102 million (57%). The higher underwriting profit in the fourth quarter of 2021 reflects higher underwriting profits in each of the Specialty property and casualty sub-segments. Overall catastrophe losses were $25 million (1.8 points on the combined ratio) in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to catastrophe losses of $20 million (1.5 points) and related net reinstatement premium recoveries of $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $116 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $74 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of $42 million (57%). Higher underwriting profitability in the crop operations more than offset lower underwriting profits in the transportation businesses. Catastrophe losses for this group were $15 million (2.5 points on the combined ratio) in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $6 million (1.2 points) in the fourth quarter of 2020.
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Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $140 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $91 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of $49 million (54%). This increase reflects higher underwriting profitability in the workers’ compensation, excess liability, excess and surplus, targeted markets and executive liability businesses in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. Catastrophe losses were $3 million (0.6 points on the combined ratio) in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to catastrophe losses of $5 million (0.8 points) and related net reinstatement premium recoveries of $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $24 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $20 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of $4 million (20%). This increase reflects higher underwriting profitability in the trade credit, surety and fidelity businesses. Catastrophe losses were $6 million (3.7 points on the combined ratio) in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $7 million (4.5 points) in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Other specialty This group reported an underwriting profit of $1 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to an underwriting loss of $6 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, a change of $7 million (117%), reflecting lower losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.
Neon exited lines In December 2019, AFG initiated actions to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, which included placing its Lloyd’s subsidiaries including its Lloyd’s Managing Agency, Neon Underwriting Ltd., into run-off. In December 2020, AFG completed the sale of GAI Holding Bermuda and its subsidiaries, comprising the legal entities that own Neon. AFG recorded $53 million in non-core underwriting losses (including $8 million of net adverse prior year reserve development) related to this business in the fourth quarter of 2020. These losses were offset by a $53 million gain on the sale of Neon recorded in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Consistent with the treatment of other items that are not indicative of AFG’s ongoing operations (both favorable and unfavorable), the $53 million underwriting loss at Neon and offsetting gain on sale in the fourth quarter of 2020 are treated as non-core.
Aggregate Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment include an underwriting loss of $53 million at Neon in the fourth quarter of 2020, due primarily to catastrophe losses and several large claims. Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment also include adverse prior year reserve development of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and $16 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
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Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 56.6% for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to 62.6% for fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of 6.0 percentage points. The components of AFG’s property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Ratio | Change in | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Ratio | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 381 | $ | 352 | 63.9 | % | 67.5 | % | (3.6 | %) | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (2) | (29) | (0.4 | %) | (5.6 | %) | 5.2 | % | ||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | — | — | % | 0.2 | % | (0.2 | %) | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses | 15 | 6 | 2.5 | % | 1.2 | % | 1.3 | % | ||||||||
| Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 394 | $ | 329 | 66.0 | % | 63.3 | % | 2.7 | % | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 391 | $ | 336 | 61.3 | % | 59.0 | % | 2.3 | % | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (55) | (6) | (8.6 | %) | (1.1 | %) | (7.5 | %) | ||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | 1 | 2 | 0.2 | % | 0.3 | % | (0.1 | %) | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses | 3 | 5 | 0.6 | % | 0.8 | % | (0.2 | %) | ||||||||
| Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 340 | $ | 337 | 53.5 | % | 59.0 | % | (5.5 | %) | ||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 58 | $ | 58 | 35.5 | % | 36.5 | % | (1.0 | %) | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (13) | (6) | (8.2 | %) | (3.6 | %) | (4.6 | %) | ||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | 1 | (3) | 0.7 | % | (1.8 | %) | 2.5 | % | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses | 6 | 7 | 3.7 | % | 4.5 | % | (0.8 | %) | ||||||||
| Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 52 | $ | 56 | 31.7 | % | 35.6 | % | (3.9 | %) | ||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 866 | $ | 774 | 59.5 | % | 59.5 | % | — | % | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (73) | (32) | (5.0 | %) | (2.4 | %) | (2.6 | %) | ||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | 2 | — | 0.2 | % | — | % | 0.2 | % | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses | 25 | 20 | 1.8 | % | 1.5 | % | 0.3 | % | ||||||||
| Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 820 | $ | 762 | 56.5 | % | 58.6 | % | (2.1 | %) | ||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 866 | $ | 797 | 59.6 | % | 60.1 | % | (0.5 | %) | ||||||
| Prior accident years development | (71) | (8) | (5.0 | %) | (0.6 | %) | (4.4 | %) | ||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | 2 | — | 0.2 | % | — | % | 0.2 | % | ||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses | 25 | 41 | 1.8 | % | 3.1 | % | (1.3 | %) | ||||||||
| Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 822 | $ | 830 | 56.6 | % | 62.6 | % | (6.0 | %) |
Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 59.5% for both the fourth quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2020.
Property and transportation The 3.6 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects a decrease in the loss and LAE ratio in the crop operations.
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Specialty casualty The 2.3 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects an increase in the loss and LAE ratios of the targeted markets and general liability businesses.
Specialty financial The 1.0 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects a decrease in the loss and LAE ratio of the fidelity business, partially offset by an increase in the loss and LAE ratio of the surety, equipment leasing and trade credit businesses.
Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $73 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $32 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of $41 million (128%).
Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 reflects lower than expected claim frequency in the aviation business and lower than anticipated claim severity in the ocean marine business, partially offset by higher than expected claim severity in the property and inland marine business. Net favorable reserve development of $29 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the aviation, transportation and agricultural businesses.
Specialty casualty Net favorable reserve development of $55 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses. Net favorable reserve development of $6 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses, partially offset by higher than expected claim severity in general liability contractor claims and the public sector and excess liability businesses.
Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety and trade credit businesses. Net favorable reserve development of $6 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the fidelity and surety businesses and lower than expected claim severity in the financial institutions business.
Other specialty In addition to the development discussed above, total Specialty prior year reserve development includes net favorable reserve development of $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and net adverse reserve development of $9 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, which includes adverse reserve development of $11 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program. Both periods include the amortization of deferred gains on the retroactive reinsurance transactions entered into in connection with the sale of businesses in 1998 and 2001.
Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment for the fourth quarter of 2021 and 2020 includes net adverse reserve development of $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 related to Neon exited lines discussed above under “Neon exited lines.” Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment also includes net adverse reserve development of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and $16 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 related to business outside the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
Catastrophe losses
AFG generally seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophes through individual risk selection, including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures, and the purchase of reinsurance. Based on data available at December 31, 2021, AFG’s exposure to a catastrophic earthquake or windstorm that industry models indicate should statistically occur once in every 100, 250 or 500 years as a percentage of AFG’s Shareholders’ Equity is shown below:
| Approximate impact of modeled loss | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry Model | on AFG’s Shareholders’ Equity | ||
| 100-year event | 1% | ||
| 250-year event | 1% | ||
| 500-year event | 2% |
AFG maintains comprehensive property catastrophe reinsurance coverage for its property and casualty insurance operations, including a $20 million per occurrence net retention, for losses up to $125 million in the vast majority of circumstances. In certain unlikely events, AFG’s ultimate loss under this coverage could be as high as $39 million for a
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single occurrence. AFG further maintains supplemental fully collateralized reinsurance coverage up to 94% of $325 million for catastrophe losses in excess of $125 million of traditional catastrophe reinsurance through a catastrophe bond.
Catastrophe losses of $25 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 resulted primarily from storms in multiple regions of the United States, Kentucky tornadoes and Colorado fires. Catastrophe losses of $41 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 resulted primarily from Hurricanes Delta, Laura, Sally and Zeta and the Nashville explosion.
Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $351 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $385 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of $34 million (9%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio, calculated as commissions and other underwriting expenses divided by net premiums earned, was 24.2% for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to 29.0% for the fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of 4.8 percentage points. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Change in | ||||||||||||||
| U/W Exp | % of NEP | U/W Exp | % of NEP | % of NEP | ||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 87 | 14.5 | % | $ | 118 | 22.5 | % | (8.0 | %) | ||||||
| Specialty casualty | 156 | 24.5 | % | 144 | 25.0 | % | (0.5 | %) | ||||||||
| Specialty financial | 89 | 53.8 | % | 82 | 51.2 | % | 2.6 | % | ||||||||
| Other specialty | 19 | 36.3 | % | 14 | 36.7 | % | (0.4 | %) | ||||||||
| Total Specialty | 351 | 24.2 | % | 358 | 27.6 | % | (3.4 | %) | ||||||||
| Neon exited lines | — | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Aggregate | $ | 351 | 24.2 | % | $ | 385 | 29.0 | % | (4.8 | %) |
Property and transportation Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 8.0 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 reflecting higher profitability-based ceding commissions received from reinsurers in the crop business and the impact of higher premiums on the ratio in the property and inland marine business.
Specialty casualty Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 0.5 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 reflecting higher ceding commissions received from reinsurers as a result of growth in the excess liability business.
Specialty financial Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 2.6 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 reflecting higher underwriting expenses in the surety and equipment leasing businesses and higher profitability-based ceding commissions paid in the fidelity business.
Aggregate Aggregate commissions and other underwriting expenses for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes $27 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 related to the Neon exited lines. See “Neon exited lines” above for information about AFG’s exit from the Lloyd’s of London insurance market in 2020.
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Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $196 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $122 million (excluding the Neon exited lines) in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of $74 million (61%). The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | % | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Change | Change | |||||||||||
| Net investment income: | ||||||||||||||
| Net investment income excluding alternative investments | $ | 80 | $ | 81 | $ | (1) | (1 | %) | ||||||
| Alternative investments | 116 | 41 | 75 | 183 | % | |||||||||
| Total net investment income | $ | 196 | $ | 122 | $ | 74 | 61 | % | ||||||
| Average invested assets (at amortized cost) | $ | 13,552 | $ | 12,135 | $ | 1,417 | 12 | % | ||||||
| Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets) | 5.79 | % | 4.02 | % | 1.77 | % | ||||||||
| Tax equivalent yield (*) | 5.92 | % | 4.12 | % | 1.80 | % |
(*)Adjusts the yield on equity securities and tax-exempt bonds to the fully taxable equivalent yield.
The property and casualty insurance segment’s increase in net investment income for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 reflects the impact of growth in the property and casualty insurance segment and higher earnings from alternative investments, partially offset by the effect of lower market interest rates. The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 5.79% for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to 4.02% for the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of 1.77 percentage points. The annualized return earned on alternative investments (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs) was 26.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to 17.0% in the prior year period.
In addition to the property and casualty segment’s net investment income from ongoing operations discussed above, the Neon exited lines reported less than $1 million in net investment income in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was net income of $10 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to a net expense of $11 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, a change of $21 million (191%). The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations (in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Other income: | ||||||
| Income from the sale of real estate | $ | 12 | $ | — | ||
| Other | 6 | — | ||||
| Total other income | 18 | — | ||||
| Other expenses: | ||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | 1 | 3 | ||||
| Interest expense on funds withheld | 6 | 6 | ||||
| Other | 1 | 2 | ||||
| Total other expenses | 8 | 11 | ||||
| Other income and expenses, net | $ | 10 | $ | (11) |
In addition to the property and casualty segment’s other income and expenses, net from ongoing operations discussed above, the Neon exited lines incurred a net expense of less than $1 million in other income and expenses, net in the fourth quarter of 2020.
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Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $47 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $61 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of $14 million (23%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $47 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $56 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of $9 million (16%).
The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core loss from continuing operations before income taxes from operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | % Change | ||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 16 | $ | 11 | 45 | % | ||||
| Other income — P&C fees | 22 | 17 | 29 | % | ||||||
| Other income | 7 | 5 | 40 | % | ||||||
| Total revenues | 45 | 33 | 36 | % | ||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance — commissions and other underwriting expenses | 9 | 5 | 80 | % | ||||||
| Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees | 13 | 12 | 8 | % | ||||||
| Other expenses (*) | 47 | 48 | (2 | %) | ||||||
| Costs and expenses, excluding interest charges on borrowed money | 69 | 65 | 6 | % | ||||||
| Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses and interest charges on borrowed money | (24) | (32) | (25 | %) | ||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | 23 | 24 | (4 | %) | ||||||
| Core loss from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | (47) | (56) | (16 | %) | ||||||
| Pretax non-core loss on retirement of debt | — | (5) | (100 | %) | ||||||
| GAAP loss from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | $ | (47) | $ | (61) | (23 | %) |
(*)Excludes a pretax non-core loss on retirement of debt of $5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $16 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $11 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of $5 million (45%), reflecting income in the fourth quarter of 2021 from purchases of fixed maturity investments at the holding company and the impact of the stock market performance on a small portfolio of securities held by the parent company that are carried at fair value through net investment income. These securities increased in value by $7 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $9 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, a workers’ compensation insurance subsidiary, collects fees from a small group of unaffiliated insurers for providing underwriting, policy administration and claims services. In addition, certain of AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In the fourth quarter of 2021, AFG collected $19 million in fees for these services compared to $17 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Management views this fee income, net of the $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and $12 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. In addition, AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collected $3 million in fees from AFG’s disposed annuity operations during the fourth quarter of 2021 as compensation for certain services provided under a transition services agreement. The expenses related to providing such services are embedded in property and casualty underwriting expenses. Consistent with internal management reporting, these fees and the related expenses are netted and recorded as a reduction of commissions and other underwriting expenses in AFG’s segmented results.
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Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $4 million in both the fourth quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2020, in management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG’s consolidated managed investment entities). The management fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidate MIEs column under “Results of Operations — Segmented Statement of Earnings.” Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $3 million and $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2020, respectively.
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
Excluding the non-core loss on retirement of debt discussed below, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $47 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $48 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of $1 million (2%). This decrease is due primarily to the impact of lower holding company expenses related to employee benefit plans that are tied to stock market performance in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, partially offset by higher expenses associated with certain incentive compensation plans that are tied to AFG’s financial performance.
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded interest expense of $23 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $24 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of $1 million (4%). The decrease in interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2021 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 reflects the redemption of $150 million of 6% Subordinated Debentures in November 2020.
Holding Company and Other — Loss on Retirement of Debt
In November 2020, AFG redeemed its $150 million outstanding principal amount of 6% Subordinated Debentures due in 2055 and wrote off unamortized debt issuance costs of $5 million.
Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities were net gains of $7 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $122 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of $115 million (94%). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Realized gains (losses) before impairments: | ||||||
| Disposals | $ | 3 | $ | 2 | ||
| Change in the fair value of equity securities | 6 | 120 | ||||
| Change in the fair value of derivatives | (2) | (1) | ||||
| 7 | 121 | |||||
| Change in allowance for impairments on securities | — | 1 | ||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | $ | 7 | $ | 122 |
The $6 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the fourth quarter of 2021 includes gains of $12 million on investments in capital goods companies and $2 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies, partially offset by losses of $5 million on investments in healthcare companies, $2 million on investments in banks and financing companies and $3 million on investments in media companies. The $120 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the fourth quarter of 2020 includes gains of $28 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $23 million on investments in media companies, $15 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies, $12 million on investments in technology companies, $9 million on investments in retail companies and $5 million on investments in real estate investment trusts.
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Realized Gains (Losses) on Subsidiaries
On September 28, 2020, AFG announced that it had reached a definitive agreement to sell GAI Holding Bermuda and its subsidiaries, comprising the legal entities that own Neon, to RiverStone Holdings Limited. AFG recorded a $30 million loss in the third quarter of 2020 to establish a liability equal to the excess of the net carrying value of the assets and liabilities to be disposed over the estimated net sale proceeds. In the fourth quarter of 2020, the estimated loss was adjusted at the closing date to a gain of $23 million based on the final proceeds and the final net assets disposed, which reflects $53 million of non-core losses in the fourth quarter of 2020 at Neon. See Note C — “Acquisitions and Sale of Businesses” to the financial statements.
Consolidated Income Taxes on Continuing Operations
AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes was $90 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $77 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of $13 million (17%). The following is a reconciliation of income taxes at the statutory rate to the provision for income taxes as shown in the segmented statement of earnings (dollars in millions):
| Three months ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Amount | % of EBT | Amount | % of EBT | ||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes (“EBT”) | $ | 445 | $ | 344 | |||||||||
| Income taxes at statutory rate | $ | 93 | 21 | % | $ | 72 | 21 | % | |||||
| Effect of: | |||||||||||||
| Employee stock ownership plan dividend paid deduction | (6) | (1 | %) | (1) | — | % | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation | (1) | — | % | (1) | — | % | |||||||
| Tax exempt interest | (2) | — | % | (3) | (1 | %) | |||||||
| Change in valuation allowance | (5) | (1 | %) | (148) | (43 | %) | |||||||
| Dividend received deduction | (1) | — | % | — | — | % | |||||||
| Tax benefit related to sale of Neon | — | — | % | 1 | — | % | |||||||
| Nondeductible expenses | 2 | — | % | 1 | — | % | |||||||
| Foreign operations | — | — | % | 152 | 44 | % | |||||||
| Other | 10 | 1 | % | 4 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Provision for income taxes | $ | 90 | 20 | % | $ | 77 | 22 | % |
See Note L — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate.
Consolidated Noncontrolling Interests in Continuing Operations
AFG’s consolidated net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests was net earnings of $2 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 reflecting earnings at Neon, which was sold in December 2020.
Real Estate Entities Acquired from the Annuity Operations
Beginning with the first quarter of 2021, the results of the annuity businesses sold are reported as discontinued operations, in accordance with GAAP, which included adjusting prior period results to reflect these operations as discontinued. Prior to the completion of the sale, AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations acquired approximately $480 million in real estate-related partnerships and AFG parent acquired approximately $100 million of directly owned real estate from those operations. GAAP pretax earnings from continuing operations includes the earnings from these entities through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale and certain other expenses that were retained from the annuity operations.
Discontinued Annuity Operations
AFG’s discontinued annuity operations, which were sold in May 2021, contributed $540 million in GAAP pretax earnings in the fourth quarter of 2020.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021, 2020 AND 2019
Segmented Statement of Earnings
Subsequent to the agreement to sell the Annuity subsidiaries, AFG reports its continuing operations as two segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”) and (ii) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
AFG’s net earnings attributable to shareholders, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings attributable to shareholders to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Annuity | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 5,404 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,404 | $ | — | $ | 5,404 | ||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 663 | 51 | (20) | 36 | 730 | — | 730 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities | — | — | — | — | — | 110 | 110 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | — | 181 | — | 181 | — | 181 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | — | 10 | — | 10 | — | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 27 | — | (16) | 102 | 113 | — | 113 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 6,094 | 51 | 155 | 138 | 6,438 | 114 | 6,552 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 3,157 | — | — | — | 3,157 | — | 3,157 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,514 | — | — | 33 | 1,547 | — | 1,547 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | — | 94 | 94 | — | 94 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | — | 155 | — | 155 | — | 155 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 33 | 1 | — | 219 | 253 | 11 | 264 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 4,704 | 1 | 155 | 346 | 5,206 | 11 | 5,217 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | 1,390 | 50 | — | (208) | 1,232 | 103 | 1,335 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (credit) for income taxes | 279 | 11 | — | (51) | 239 | 15 | 254 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 1,111 | 39 | — | (157) | 993 | 88 | 1,081 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 1,111 | 39 | — | (157) | 993 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders (a): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | — | 87 | 87 | (87) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Discontinued operations, net of tax | — | 914 | — | — | 914 | — | 914 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines (b) | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | (3) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net of tax | — | — | — | (2) | (2) | 2 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders | $ | 1,114 | $ | 953 | $ | — | $ | (72) | $ | 1,995 | $ | — | $ | 1,995 |
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| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Annuity | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | Neon exited lines (b) | GAAP Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 4,899 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 4,899 | $ | — | $ | 200 | $ | 5,099 | ||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 404 | 49 | 1 | 12 | 466 | — | (5) | 461 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities | — | — | — | — | — | (75) | — | (75) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiaries | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | — | 201 | — | 201 | — | — | 201 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | — | (20) | — | (20) | — | — | (20) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 8 | 1 | (15) | 86 | 80 | — | — | 80 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 5,311 | 50 | 167 | 98 | 5,626 | (75) | 218 | 5,769 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 3,006 | — | — | — | 3,006 | 47 | 218 | 3,271 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,487 | — | — | 21 | 1,508 | — | 117 | 1,625 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | — | 88 | 88 | — | — | 88 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | — | 167 | — | 167 | — | — | 167 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 42 | 31 | — | 175 | 248 | 26 | 5 | 279 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 4,535 | 31 | 167 | 284 | 5,017 | 73 | 340 | 5,430 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | 776 | 19 | — | (186) | 609 | (148) | (122) | 339 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (credit) for income taxes | 164 | 4 | — | (40) | 128 | (31) | (72) | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 612 | 15 | — | (146) | 481 | (117) | (50) | 314 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | (11) | (11) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 612 | 15 | — | (146) | 481 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders (a): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | — | (59) | (59) | 59 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discontinued operations, net of tax | — | 413 | — | (6) | 407 | — | — | 407 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines (b) | (39) | — | — | — | (39) | — | 39 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges, net of tax | (37) | — | — | (17) | (54) | 54 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on retirement of debt, net of tax | — | — | — | (4) | (4) | 4 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders | $ | 536 | $ | 428 | $ | — | $ | (232) | $ | 732 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 732 |
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| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&C | Annuity | Consol. MIEs | Holding Co., other and unallocated | Total | Non-core reclass | GAAP Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums | $ | 5,185 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,185 | $ | — | $ | 5,185 | ||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 472 | 37 | (1) | 24 | 532 | — | 532 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | — | — | — | — | — | 155 | 155 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income of MIEs: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | — | — | 269 | — | 269 | — | 269 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities | — | — | (14) | — | (14) | — | (14) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 11 | — | (15) | 90 | 86 | — | 86 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 5,668 | 37 | 239 | 114 | 6,058 | 155 | 6,213 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 3,207 | — | — | — | 3,207 | 64 | 3,271 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,672 | — | — | 23 | 1,695 | 30 | 1,725 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | — | — | — | 68 | 68 | — | 68 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses of MIEs | — | — | 239 | — | 239 | — | 239 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 46 | 16 | — | 198 | 260 | 16 | 276 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 4,925 | 16 | 239 | 289 | 5,469 | 110 | 5,579 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | 743 | 21 | — | (175) | 589 | 45 | 634 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (credit) for income taxes | 150 | 4 | — | (37) | 117 | 26 | 143 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests | 593 | 17 | — | (138) | 472 | 19 | 491 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | (10) | — | — | — | (10) | (18) | (28) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Core Net Operating Earnings | 603 | 17 | — | (138) | 482 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-core earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders (a): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax | — | — | — | 122 | 122 | (122) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Discontinued operations, net of tax | — | 377 | — | 1 | 378 | — | 378 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Special A&E charges, net of tax | (14) | — | — | (9) | (23) | 23 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines charge | (58) | — | — | — | (58) | 58 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on retirement of debt, net of tax | — | — | — | (4) | (4) | 4 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders | $ | 531 | $ | 394 | $ | — | $ | (28) | $ | 897 | $ | — | $ | 897 |
(a)See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax and noncontrolling interest impacts of these reconciling items.
(b)As discussed under “Results of Operations — General,” the Neon run-off operations are considered property and casualty insurance non-core earnings (losses).
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $1.39 billion in GAAP pretax earnings in 2021 compared to $607 million in 2020, an increase of $787 million (130%). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were $1.39 billion in 2021 compared to $776 million in 2020, an increase of $614 million (79%). The increase in GAAP pretax earnings reflects higher core pretax earnings and the impact of losses in the Neon exited lines in 2020. The increase in GAAP pretax earnings also reflects the impact of a pretax non-core special A&E charge of $47 million in 2020. The increase in core pretax earnings reflects higher core underwriting profit and significantly higher net investment income in 2021 compared to 2020 and income from the sale of real estate in the fourth quarter of 2021. Improved results from alternative investments (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs) were partially offset by lower other net investment income, due primarily to lower interest rates.
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $607 million in GAAP pretax earnings in 2020 compared to $649 million in 2019, a decrease of $42 million (6%). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were $776 million in 2020 compared to $743 million in 2019, an increase of $33 million (4%). The decrease in GAAP pretax earnings reflects pretax non-core special A&E charges of $47 million in 2020 compared to $18 million in 2019 and higher non-core losses in
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the Neon exited lines, partially offset by higher core pretax earnings. The increase in core pretax earnings reflects higher core underwriting results, partially offset by lower net investment income in 2020 compared to 2019.
The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty insurance operations for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 - 2020 | 2020 - 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Gross written premiums | $ | 7,946 | $ | 6,995 | $ | 7,299 | 14 | % | (4 | %) | |||||||
| Reinsurance premiums ceded | (2,373) | (2,003) | (1,957) | 18 | % | 2 | % | ||||||||||
| Net written premiums | 5,573 | 4,992 | 5,342 | 12 | % | (7 | %) | ||||||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | (169) | (93) | (157) | 82 | % | (41 | %) | ||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | 5,404 | 4,899 | 5,185 | 10 | % | (6 | %) | ||||||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses (a) | 3,157 | 3,006 | 3,207 | 5 | % | (6 | %) | ||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,514 | 1,487 | 1,672 | 2 | % | (11 | %) | ||||||||||
| Core underwriting gain | 733 | 406 | 306 | 81 | % | 33 | % | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 663 | 404 | 472 | 64 | % | (14 | %) | ||||||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | (6) | (34) | (35) | (82 | %) | (3 | %) | ||||||||||
| Core earnings before income taxes | 1,390 | 776 | 743 | 79 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core special A&E charges | — | (47) | (18) | (100 | %) | 161 | % | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core Neon exited lines (b) | 4 | (122) | (76) | (103 | %) | 61 | % | ||||||||||
| GAAP earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | $ | 1,394 | $ | 607 | $ | 649 | 130 | % | (6 | %) | |||||||
| (a)Excludes pretax non-core special A&E charges of $47 million and $18 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively.(b)In December 2019, AFG initiated actions to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, which included placing its Lloyd’s subsidiaries including its Lloyd’s Managing Agency, Neon Underwriting Ltd. (“Neon”), into run-off. As discussed under “Results of Operations — General,” following the December 2019 decision to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, the results from the Neon exited lines are treated as non-core earnings (losses). Each line item in the table above has been adjusted to remove the impact from the Neon run-off operations in 2020. The following table details the impact of the Neon exited lines to each component of earnings (loss) before income taxes in the property and casualty insurance operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| Excluding Neonexited lines | Neonexited lines | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Gross written premiums | $ | 6,995 | $ | 92 | $ | 7,087 | |||||||||||
| Reinsurance premiums ceded | (2,003) | (71) | (2,074) | ||||||||||||||
| Net written premiums | 4,992 | 21 | 5,013 | ||||||||||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | (93) | 179 | 86 | ||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | 4,899 | 200 | 5,099 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses | 3,006 | 218 | 3,224 | ||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses | 1,487 | 117 | 1,604 | ||||||||||||||
| Underwriting gain (loss) | 406 | (135) | 271 | ||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 404 | (5) | 399 | ||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of subsidiaries | — | 23 | 23 | ||||||||||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | (34) | (5) | (39) | ||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | 776 | (122) | 654 | ||||||||||||||
| Pretax non-core special A&E charges | (47) | — | (47) | ||||||||||||||
| GAAP earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | $ | 729 | $ | (122) | $ | 607 |
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| Year ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Ratios: | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 - 2020 | 2020 - 2019 | |||||||||
| Specialty lines | ||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 58.4 | % | 60.9 | % | 61.5 | % | (2.5 | %) | (0.6 | %) | ||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 28.0 | % | 30.4 | % | 32.2 | % | (2.4 | %) | (1.8 | %) | ||||
| Combined ratio | 86.4 | % | 91.3 | % | 93.7 | % | (4.9 | %) | (2.4 | %) | ||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 58.5 | % | 64.1 | % | 63.0 | % | (5.6 | %) | 1.1 | % | ||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 28.0 | % | 31.4 | % | 32.8 | % | (3.4 | %) | (1.4 | %) | ||||
| Combined ratio | 86.5 | % | 95.5 | % | 95.8 | % | (9.0 | %) | (0.3 | %) |
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty property and casualty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $7.95 billion in 2021 compared to $7.09 billion in 2020, an increase of $859 million (12%). GWP decreased $212 million (3%) in 2020 compared to 2019. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 - 2020 | 2020 - 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| GWP | % | GWP | % | GWP | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 3,263 | 41 | % | $ | 2,813 | 40 | % | $ | 2,759 | 38 | % | 16 | % | 2 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 3,890 | 49 | % | 3,444 | 49 | % | 3,768 | 52 | % | 13 | % | (9 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 793 | 10 | % | 738 | 10 | % | 772 | 10 | % | 7 | % | (4 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Total specialty | 7,946 | 100 | % | 6,995 | 99 | % | 7,299 | 100 | % | 14 | % | (4 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines | — | — | % | 92 | 1 | % | — | — | % | (100 | %) | — | % | |||||||||||||
| Aggregate | $ | 7,946 | 100 | % | $ | 7,087 | 100 | % | $ | 7,299 | 100 | % | 12 | % | (3 | %) |
Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 30% of gross written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2021, 29% for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 27% for the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of 1 percentage point for 2021 compared to 2020 and 2 percentage points for 2020 compared to 2019. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | Change in % of GWP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 - 2020 | 2020 - 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded | % of GWP | Ceded | % of GWP | Ceded | % of GWP | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | (1,106) | 34 | % | $ | (926) | 33 | % | $ | (883) | 32 | % | 1 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | (1,350) | 35 | % | (1,140) | 33 | % | (1,067) | 28 | % | 2 | % | 5 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | (135) | 17 | % | (134) | 18 | % | (155) | 20 | % | (1 | %) | (2 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 218 | 197 | 148 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total specialty | (2,373) | 30 | % | (2,003) | 29 | % | (1,957) | 27 | % | 1 | % | 2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines | — | — | % | (71) | 77 | % | — | — | % | (77 | %) | 77 | % | |||||||||||||
| Aggregate | $ | (2,373) | 30 | % | $ | (2,074) | 29 | % | $ | (1,957) | 27 | % | 1 | % | 2 | % |
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Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $5.57 billion in 2021 compared to $5.01 billion in 2020, an increase of $560 million (11%). NWP decreased $329 million (6%) in 2020 compared to 2019. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 - 2020 | 2020 - 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NWP | % | NWP | % | NWP | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 2,157 | 40 | % | $ | 1,887 | 38 | % | $ | 1,876 | 35 | % | 14 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 2,540 | 46 | % | 2,304 | 46 | % | 2,701 | 51 | % | 10 | % | (15 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 658 | 12 | % | 604 | 12 | % | 617 | 12 | % | 9 | % | (2 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 218 | 4 | % | 197 | 4 | % | 148 | 2 | % | 11 | % | 33 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total specialty | 5,573 | 102 | % | 4,992 | 100 | % | 5,342 | 100 | % | 12 | % | (7 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines | — | — | % | 21 | — | % | — | — | % | (100 | %) | — | % | |||||||||||||
| Aggregate | $ | 5,573 | 100 | % | $ | 5,013 | 100 | % | $ | 5,342 | 100 | % | 11 | % | (6 | %) |
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $5.40 billion in 2021 compared to $5.10 billion in 2020, an increase of $305 million (6%). NEP decreased $86 million (2%) in 2020 compared to 2019. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 - 2020 | 2020 - 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NEP | % | NEP | % | NEP | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 2,144 | 40 | % | $ | 1,871 | 37 | % | $ | 1,828 | 35 | % | 15 | % | 2 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 2,408 | 44 | % | 2,235 | 44 | % | 2,597 | 50 | % | 8 | % | (14 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 642 | 12 | % | 613 | 12 | % | 610 | 12 | % | 5 | % | — | % | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 210 | 4 | % | 180 | 3 | % | 150 | 3 | % | 17 | % | 20 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total specialty | 5,404 | 100 | % | 4,899 | 96 | % | 5,185 | 100 | % | 10 | % | (6 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines | — | — | % | 200 | 4 | % | — | — | % | (100 | %) | — | % | |||||||||||||
| Aggregate | $ | 5,404 | 100 | % | $ | 5,099 | 100 | % | $ | 5,185 | 100 | % | 6 | % | (2 | %) |
The $859 million (12%) increase in gross written premiums in 2021 compared to 2020 reflects an increase in each of the Specialty property and casualty sub-segments due primarily to an improving economy, new business opportunities, higher renewal rates and increased exposures. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 9% in 2021. Excluding the workers’ compensation business, renewal pricing increased nearly 12%.
The $212 million (3%) decrease in gross written premiums in 2020 compared to 2019 reflects a decrease in the Specialty casualty and Specialty financial sub-segments, partially offset by an increase in the Property and transportation sub-segment. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 11% in 2020. Excluding rate decreases in the workers’ compensation business, renewal pricing increased nearly 15%.
Property and transportation Gross written premiums increased $450 million (16%) in 2021 compared to 2020, due primarily to higher premiums in the crop insurance business as a result of higher commodity futures pricing and rate increases, higher premiums in the transportation businesses as a result of new accounts, combined with strong renewals and increased exposures in the alternative risk transfer business. Average renewal rates increased approximately 6% for this group in 2021. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 1 percentage point in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting growth in the crop insurance operations, which cede a larger percentage of premiums than the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment and the impact of reinstatement premiums in 2021 related to winter storms in Texas and a large property loss.
Gross written premiums increased $54 million (2%) in 2020 compared to 2019, due primarily to growth and new business opportunities in the property and inland marine and ocean marine businesses, partially offset by lower premiums in the transportation businesses, primarily from the return of premiums and reduced exposures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and premium reductions in two large national accounts. Average renewal rates increased nearly 6% for this group in 2020. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 1 percentage point in 2020 compared to 2019 reflecting higher cessions in the transportation businesses.
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Specialty casualty Gross written premiums increased $446 million (13%) in 2021 compared to 2020. Significant renewal rate increases and new business opportunities contributed to higher premiums in the excess and surplus businesses and renewal rate increases, strong account retention and new business opportunities contributed to premium growth in the targeted markets businesses. The mergers and acquisitions liability and executive liability businesses also contributed meaningfully to the year-over-year growth. Average renewal rates increased approximately 11% for this group in 2021. Excluding rate decreases in the workers’ compensation business, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 17% in 2021. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 2 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting growth in the excess and surplus, mergers and acquisitions liability and environmental businesses, which cede a larger percentage of premiums than the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
Gross written premiums decreased $324 million (9%) in 2020 compared to 2019 due primarily to the run-off of Neon. Excluding the $567 million in gross written premiums from the Neon exited lines in 2019, gross written premiums increased approximately 8% in 2020 compared to 2019. This increase reflects growth in the excess and surplus, excess liability, targeted markets and directors and officers businesses, primarily the result of renewal rate increases, new business opportunities and higher retentions on renewal business, partially offset by lower premiums in the workers’ compensation businesses due to reduced exposures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with renewal rate decreases. Average renewal rates increased approximately 14% for this group in 2020. Excluding rate decreases in the workers’ compensation business, renewal rates for this group increased nearly 24% in 2020. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 5 percentage points in 2020 compared to 2019 reflecting growth in the excess and surplus and public sector businesses, which cede a larger percentage of premiums than many of the businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment and higher cessions in the professional liability business.
Specialty financial Gross written premiums increased $55 million (7%) in 2021 compared to 2020 due primarily to renewal rate increases and new business opportunities within the lender services and fidelity businesses and the favorable impact of economic recovery in the surety business. Average renewal rates for this group increased approximately 7% in 2021. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 1 percentage point in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting lower cessions in the financial institutions business due to reduced premiums from certain collateral protection insurance that is 100% reinsured.
Gross written premiums decreased $34 million (4%) in 2020 compared to 2019 due primarily to lower premiums from the impact of various state regulations regarding policy cancellations and the placement of forced coverage in the financial institutions business and COVID-related economic impacts on the surety business and heightened risk selection that has reduced new business in the trade credit business, partially offset by higher premiums in the fidelity business. Average renewal rates for this group increased nearly 8% in 2020. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 2 percentage points in 2020 compared to 2019 reflecting lower cessions in the financial institutions business.
Other specialty The amounts shown as reinsurance premiums ceded represent business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Reinsurance premiums assumed increased $21 million (11%) in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting an increase in premiums retained, primarily from businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
Reinsurance premiums assumed increased $49 million (33%) in 2020 compared to 2019 reflecting an increase in premiums retained, primarily from businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.
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Combined Ratio
The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of the combined ratio for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment for 2021, 2020 and 2019:
| Year ended December 31, | Change | Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 - 2020 | 2020 - 2019 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 65.1 | % | 64.6 | % | 71.0 | % | 0.5 | % | (6.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 22.0 | % | 25.8 | % | 24.7 | % | (3.8 | %) | 1.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 87.1 | % | 90.4 | % | 95.7 | % | (3.3 | %) | (5.3 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 279 | $ | 181 | $ | 79 | ||||||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 58.1 | % | 62.5 | % | 61.1 | % | (4.4 | %) | 1.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 26.2 | % | 27.5 | % | 32.2 | % | (1.3 | %) | (4.7 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 84.3 | % | 90.0 | % | 93.3 | % | (5.7 | %) | (3.3 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 377 | $ | 223 | $ | 175 | ||||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 33.2 | % | 39.5 | % | 31.5 | % | (6.3 | %) | 8.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 51.9 | % | 52.3 | % | 53.5 | % | (0.4 | %) | (1.2 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 85.1 | % | 91.8 | % | 85.0 | % | (6.7 | %) | 6.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 96 | $ | 50 | $ | 92 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 58.4 | % | 60.9 | % | 61.5 | % | (2.5 | %) | (0.6 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 28.0 | % | 30.4 | % | 32.2 | % | (2.4 | %) | (1.8 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 86.4 | % | 91.3 | % | 93.7 | % | (4.9 | %) | (2.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 737 | $ | 426 | $ | 325 | ||||||||||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE ratio | 58.5 | % | 64.1 | % | 63.0 | % | (5.6 | %) | 1.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 28.0 | % | 31.4 | % | 32.8 | % | (3.4 | %) | (1.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 86.5 | % | 95.5 | % | 95.8 | % | (9.0 | %) | (0.3 | %) | ||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 733 | $ | 224 | $ | 212 |
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $737 million in 2021 compared to $426 million in 2020, an increase of $311 million (73%). The higher underwriting profit in 2021 reflects higher underwriting profits in each of the Specialty property and casualty sub-segments. Underwriting results for the Specialty property and casualty insurance operations include $16 million in COVID-19 related losses (0.3 points on the combined ratio) in 2021 compared to $95 million (1.9 points) in 2020. Overall catastrophe losses were $86 million (1.6 points on the combined ratio) and related net reinstatement premiums were $12 million for 2021 compared to catastrophe losses of $91 million (1.9 points) and related net reinstatement premiums of $2 million for 2020.
The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $426 million in 2020 compared to $325 million in 2019, an increase of $101 million (31%), reflecting higher underwriting profits in the Property and transportation and Specialty casualty sub-segments, partially offset by lower underwriting profit in the Specialty financial sub-segment. Underwriting results for the Specialty property and casualty insurance operations include $95 million in COVID-19 related losses (1.9 points on the combined ratio) in 2020. Overall catastrophe losses were $91 million (1.9 points on the combined ratio) and related net reinstatement premiums were $2 million for 2020 compared to catastrophe losses of $60 million (1.2 points) and related net reinstatement premiums of $1 million for 2019.
Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $279 million in 2021 compared to $181 million in 2020, an increase of $98 million (54%). This increase reflects higher underwriting profitability in the crop and ocean marine businesses. COVID-19 related losses for this group were $7 million (0.4 points on the combined ratio) in 2020. Catastrophe losses were $49 million (2.3 points on the combined ratio), primarily the result of winter storms in Texas, Hurricane Ida and Kentucky tornadoes, and related net reinstatement premiums were $9 million in 2021 compared to catastrophe losses of $47 million (2.5 points) in 2020.
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Underwriting profit for this group was $181 million in 2020 compared to $79 million in 2019, an increase of $102 million (129%). This increase reflects higher underwriting profitability in the crop operations following record levels of prevented planting claims in 2019 and, to a lesser extent, higher favorable prior year reserve development in the transportation businesses and improved underwriting results in the aviation business and the Singapore branch. COVID-19 related losses for this group were $7 million (0.4 points on the combined ratio) in 2020. Catastrophe losses were $47 million (2.5 points on the combined ratio) in 2020 compared to $32 million (1.8 points) in 2019.
Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $377 million in 2021 compared to $223 million in 2020, an increase of $154 million (69%). This increase reflects higher underwriting profitability in the excess and surplus, excess liability, workers’ compensation, targeted markets and general liability businesses in 2021 compared to 2020. COVID-19 related losses were $9 million (0.4 points on the combined ratio) in 2021 compared to $60 million (2.7 points) in 2020, primarily in the workers’ compensation and executive liability businesses. Catastrophe losses were $9 million (0.4 points on the combined ratio) and related net reinstatement premiums were $1 million in 2021 compared to catastrophe losses of $14 million (0.6 points) and related net reinstatement premiums of $2 million in 2020.
Underwriting profit for this group was $223 million in 2020 compared to $175 million in 2019, an increase of $48 million (27%). This increase reflects higher year-over-year underwriting profitability in the excess and surplus and excess liability businesses and the impact of $36 million of underwriting losses at Neon in 2019, partially offset by lower year-over-year underwriting profits in the targeted markets and workers’ compensation businesses. See “Neon exited lines” under “Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations” for the quarters ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 for information about AFG’s exit from the Lloyd’s of London insurance market in 2020. COVID-19 related losses were $60 million (2.7 points on the combined ratio) in 2020, primarily in the workers’ compensation and executive liability businesses. Catastrophe losses were $14 million (0.6 points on the combined ratio) and related net reinstatement premiums were $2 million in 2020 compared to catastrophe losses of $17 million (0.7 points) and related net reinstatement premiums of $1 million in 2019.
Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $96 million in 2021 compared to $50 million in 2020, an increase of $46 million (92%) due primarily to higher year-over-year underwriting profitability in the surety, financial institutions, innovative markets and trade credit businesses. COVID-19 related losses were $7 million (1.1 points on the combined ratio) in 2021 compared to $26 million (4.3 points) in 2020, primarily related to trade credit insurance. Catastrophe losses were $26 million (4.0 points on the combined ratio) and related net reinstatement premiums were $2 million in 2021 compared to catastrophe losses of $26 million (4.3 points) in 2020.
Underwriting profit for this group was $50 million in 2020 compared to $92 million in 2019, a decrease of $42 million (46%) due primarily to lower underwriting profitability in the trade credit, surety and innovative markets businesses and higher year-over year catastrophe losses in the financial institutions business. COVID-19 related losses were $26 million (4.3 points on the combined ratio) in 2020 primarily related to trade credit insurance. Catastrophe losses were $26 million (4.3 points on the combined ratio) in 2020 compared to $10 million (1.6 points) in 2019.
Other specialty This group reported an underwriting loss of $15 million in 2021 compared to $28 million in 2020, a decrease of $13 million (46%). This decrease reflects lower losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments in 2021 compared to 2020.
This group reported an underwriting loss of $28 million in 2020 compared to $21 million in 2019, an increase of $7 million (33%). This increase reflects higher losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments in 2020 compared to 2019.
Aggregate Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment include asbestos and environmental reserve charges of $47 million in 2020 and $18 million in 2019, an underwriting loss of $135 million at Neon in 2020, due primarily to catastrophe losses, COVID-19 related charges and several large claims, and the $76 million Neon exited lines charge in 2019. See “Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves,” under “Uncertainties” and “Neon exited lines” under “Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations” for the quarters ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment also include adverse prior year reserve development of $4 million in 2021, $20 million in 2020 and $19 million in 2019, related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
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Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 58.5%, 64.1% and 63.0% in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The components of AFG’s property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Ratio | Change in Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 - 2020 | 2020 - 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 1,448 | $ | 1,261 | $ | 1,332 | 67.6 | % | 67.4 | % | 72.8 | % | 0.2 | % | (5.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (103) | (107) | (67) | (4.8 | %) | (5.7 | %) | (3.6 | %) | 0.9 | % | (2.1 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | — | 7 | — | — | % | 0.4 | % | — | % | (0.4 | %) | 0.4 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses | 49 | 47 | 32 | 2.3 | % | 2.5 | % | 1.8 | % | (0.2 | %) | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||||
| Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,394 | $ | 1,208 | $ | 1,297 | 65.1 | % | 64.6 | % | 71.0 | % | 0.5 | % | (6.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 1,521 | $ | 1,419 | $ | 1,657 | 63.2 | % | 63.5 | % | 63.8 | % | (0.3 | %) | (0.3 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (140) | (97) | (88) | (5.9 | %) | (4.3 | %) | (3.4 | %) | (1.6 | %) | (0.9 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | 9 | 60 | — | 0.4 | % | 2.7 | % | — | % | (2.3 | %) | 2.7 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses | 9 | 14 | 17 | 0.4 | % | 0.6 | % | 0.7 | % | (0.2 | %) | (0.1 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 1,399 | $ | 1,396 | $ | 1,586 | 58.1 | % | 62.5 | % | 61.1 | % | (4.4 | %) | 1.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty financial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 231 | $ | 218 | $ | 220 | 36.1 | % | 35.4 | % | 36.2 | % | 0.7 | % | (0.8 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (51) | (28) | (38) | (8.0 | %) | (4.5 | %) | (6.3 | %) | (3.5 | %) | 1.8 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | 7 | 26 | — | 1.1 | % | 4.3 | % | — | % | (3.2 | %) | 4.3 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses | 26 | 26 | 10 | 4.0 | % | 4.3 | % | 1.6 | % | (0.3 | %) | 2.7 | % | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 213 | $ | 242 | $ | 192 | 33.2 | % | 39.5 | % | 31.5 | % | (6.3 | %) | 8.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Total Specialty | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 3,334 | $ | 3,013 | $ | 3,315 | 61.7 | % | 61.5 | % | 64.0 | % | 0.2 | % | (2.5 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (283) | (213) | (187) | (5.2 | %) | (4.4 | %) | (3.7 | %) | (0.8 | %) | (0.7 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | 16 | 95 | — | 0.3 | % | 1.9 | % | — | % | (1.6 | %) | 1.9 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses | 86 | 91 | 60 | 1.6 | % | 1.9 | % | 1.2 | % | (0.3 | %) | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 3,153 | $ | 2,986 | $ | 3,188 | 58.4 | % | 60.9 | % | 61.5 | % | (2.5 | %) | (0.6 | %) | ||||||||||
| Aggregate — including exited lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses | $ | 3,334 | $ | 3,155 | $ | 3,354 | 61.7 | % | 61.9 | % | 64.6 | % | (0.2 | %) | (2.7 | %) | ||||||||||
| Prior accident years development | (279) | (127) | (143) | (5.1 | %) | (2.5 | %) | (2.8 | %) | (2.6 | %) | 0.3 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year COVID-19 related losses | 16 | 115 | — | 0.3 | % | 2.2 | % | — | % | (1.9 | %) | 2.2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Current year catastrophe losses | 86 | 128 | 60 | 1.6 | % | 2.5 | % | 1.2 | % | (0.9 | %) | 1.3 | % | |||||||||||||
| Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio | $ | 3,157 | $ | 3,271 | $ | 3,271 | 58.5 | % | 64.1 | % | 63.0 | % | (5.6 | %) | 1.1 | % |
Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 61.7% in 2021, 61.5% in 2020 and 64.0% in 2019.
Property and transportation The 0.2 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2021 compared to 2020 reflects an increase in the loss and LAE ratio in the property and inland marine business, partially offset by a decrease in the loss and LAE ratio in the crop operations.
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The 5.4 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2020 compared to 2019 reflects a decrease in the loss and LAE ratio in the crop operations due to a high level of prevented planting claims resulting from excess rain in 2019 and, to a lesser extent, lower loss and LAE ratios in the aviation and transportation businesses due primarily to rate increases and lower claim frequency in 2020, and lower loss and LAE ratios in non-crop agricultural businesses and the Singapore branch in 2020 compared to 2019.
Specialty casualty The 0.3 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2021 compared to 2020 reflects a decrease in the loss and LAE ratios of the excess and surplus businesses, partially offset by an increase in the loss and LAE ratios of the targeted markets businesses.
The 0.3 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2020 compared to 2019 reflects a decrease in the loss and LAE ratios of the workers’ compensation, targeted markets, executive liability and excess and surplus businesses, partially offset by the impact of the Neon exited lines in 2019, which has a lower loss and LAE ratio than many of the other businesses in the Specialty casualty group. Excluding the impact of the Neon exited lines, the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses decreased 2.1 percentage points in 2020 compared to 2019.
Specialty financial The 0.7 percentage points increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2021 compared to 2020 reflects an increase in the loss and LAE ratio of the financial institutions and trade credit businesses, partially offset by a decrease in the loss and LAE ratio of the fidelity business.
The 0.8 percentage points decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses in 2020 compared to 2019 reflects a decrease in the loss and LAE ratio of the financial institutions business, partially offset by an increase in the loss and LAE ratio of the fidelity business.
Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $283 million in 2021 compared to $213 million in 2020 and $187 million in 2019, an increase of $70 million (33%) and an increase of $26 million (14%), respectively.
Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $103 million in 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the transportation businesses, lower than expected losses in the crop business, lower than expected claim severity in the ocean marine business and lower than expected claim frequency in the aviation business.
Net favorable reserve development of $107 million in 2020 reflects lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the aviation, transportation and agricultural businesses.
Net favorable reserve development of $67 million in 2019 reflects lower than expected claim frequency and severity at National Interstate and lower than expected losses in the crop business.
Specialty casualty Net favorable reserve development of $140 million in 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the general liability and targeted markets businesses.
Net favorable reserve development of $97 million in 2020 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses and lower than anticipated claim frequency in the executive liability business, partially offset by higher than expected claim frequency and severity in general liability contractor claims and the excess and surplus and excess liability businesses and higher than anticipated claim severity in the targeted markets businesses.
Net favorable reserve development of $88 million in 2019 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the workers’ compensation businesses, partially offset by higher than expected claim severity in the excess and surplus businesses and higher than expected claim frequency in product liability contractor claims.
Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $51 million in 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety and trade credit businesses and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the financial institutions business.
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Net favorable reserve development of $28 million in 2020 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the trade credit business and lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the financial institutions, fidelity and surety businesses.
Net favorable reserve development of $38 million in 2019 reflects lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the surety and financial institutions businesses and lower than anticipated claim severity in the trade credit business.
Other specialty In addition to the reserve development discussed above, total Specialty prior year reserve development includes net adverse reserve development of $11 million, $19 million and $6 million in 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. The net adverse reserve development reflects $16 million, $24 million and $12 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, of adverse development associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program, partially offset by the amortization of the deferred gains on the retroactive reinsurance transactions entered into in connection with the sale of businesses in 1998 and 2001.
Asbestos and environmental reserve charges As previously discussed under “Uncertainties — Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves,” AFG has established property and casualty reserves for claims related to environmental exposures and asbestos claims. While there was no charge recorded in the property and casualty business in 2021, total charges recorded to increase reserves (net of reinsurance recoverable) for A&E exposures of AFG’s property and casualty group (included in loss and loss adjustment expenses) were $47 million in 2020 and $18 million in 2019.
Neon exited lines AFG recorded net adverse prior year reserve development of $19 million in 2020 and $7 million in 2019 related to Neon’s exited lines of business (included in loss and loss adjustment expenses). See “Neon exited lines” under “Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations” for the quarters ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 for information about AFG’s exit of the Lloyd’s of London insurance market in 2020.
Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes the special A&E charges and reserve development related to the Neon exited lines mentioned above and net adverse reserve development of $4 million, $20 million and $19 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to business outside the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.
Covid-19 related losses
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded $16 million in reserve charges related to COVID-19 in 2021 primarily related to the workers’ compensation and trade credit businesses, and recorded favorable development of approximately $19 million of accident year 2020 reserves primarily based on loss experience in the trade credit and executive liability businesses. Underwriting results for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations in 2020 include $95 million of reserve charges related to COVID-19. Approximately 70% of AFG’s 2020 COVID-19 related losses were reported in the workers’ compensation, executive liability and trade credit businesses, with the remainder spread across numerous other businesses. Given the uncertainties surrounding the ultimate number and scope of claims relating to the pandemic, approximately 61% of the $92 million in cumulative COVID-19 related losses are held as incurred but not reported reserves at December 31, 2021.
In addition, underwriting results for the Neon exited lines includes $20 million of COVID-19 related losses in 2020.
Catastrophe losses
AFG generally seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophes through individual risk selection, including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures, and the purchase of reinsurance. AFG recorded net catastrophe losses of $86 million in 2021 primarily from winter storms in Texas in the first quarter; storms in multiple regions of the United States in the second, third and fourth quarters; Hurricane Ida in the third quarter and Kentucky tornadoes and Colorado fires in the fourth quarter.
Catastrophe losses of $128 million in 2020 resulted primarily from storms and tornadoes in multiple regions of the United States in the first quarter; storms and tornadoes in multiple regions of the United States and civil unrest in the second quarter; Hurricanes Hanna, Laura and Sally, Tropical Storm Isaias, storms and tornadoes in multiple regions of the United States and multiple wildfires in west coast states in the third quarter and Hurricanes Laura, Sally, Delta and Zeta and the Nashville explosion in the fourth quarter.
Catastrophe losses of $60 million in 2019 resulted primarily from winter storms in multiple regions of the United States in the first quarter; storms and tornadoes in multiple regions of the United States in the second quarter; Hurricane Dorian and Tropical Storm Imelda in the third quarter and Typhoons Faxai and Hagibis, storms and tornadoes in the south-central United States and the Kincade fire in California in the fourth quarter.
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Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $1.51 billion in 2021 compared to $1.60 billion in 2020, a decrease of $90 million (6%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio was 28.0% in 2021 compared to 31.4% in 2020, a decrease of 3.4 percentage points.
AFG’s property and casualty U/W Exp were $1.60 billion in 2020 compared to $1.70 billion in 2019, a decrease of $98 million (6%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio was 31.4% in 2020 compared to 32.8% in 2019, a decrease of 1.4 percentage points.
Detail of AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | Change in % of NEP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 - 2020 | 2020 - 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| U/W Exp | % of NEP | U/W Exp | % of NEP | U/W Exp | % of NEP | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and transportation | $ | 471 | 22.0 | % | $ | 482 | 25.8 | % | $ | 452 | 24.7 | % | (3.8 | %) | 1.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Specialty casualty | 632 | 26.2 | % | 616 | 27.5 | % | 836 | 32.2 | % | (1.3 | %) | (4.7 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Specialty financial | 333 | 51.9 | % | 321 | 52.3 | % | 326 | 53.5 | % | (0.4 | %) | (1.2 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Other specialty | 78 | 37.2 | % | 68 | 38.5 | % | 58 | 37.9 | % | (1.3 | %) | 0.6 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total Specialty | 1,514 | 28.0 | % | 1,487 | 30.4 | % | 1,672 | 32.2 | % | (2.4 | %) | (1.8 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Neon exited lines | — | 117 | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Aggregate | $ | 1,514 | 28.0 | % | $ | 1,604 | 31.4 | % | $ | 1,702 | 32.8 | % | (3.4 | %) | (1.4 | %) |
Property and transportation Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 3.8 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting higher profitability-based ceding commissions received from reinsurers in the crop business and the impact of higher premiums on the ratio in the property and inland marine business in 2021 compared to 2020.
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased 1.1 percentage points in 2020 compared to 2019 reflecting lower profitability-based ceding commissions received from reinsurers in the crop business.
Specialty casualty Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 1.3 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting higher ceding commissions received from reinsurers as a result of growth in the excess liability businesses.
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 4.7 percentage points in 2020 compared to 2019 due to the runoff of Neon. Neon has a higher expense ratio than many of the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment. Excluding Neon exited lines, the underwriting expense ratio decreased 1.5 percentage points in 2020 compared to 2019 reflecting higher ceding commissions received from reinsurers as a result of growth in the excess liability business.
Specialty financial Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 0.4 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting the impact of higher premiums on the ratio in 2021 compared to 2020.
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 1.2 percentage points in 2020 compared to 2019 reflecting the impact of higher premiums on the ratio in the fidelity and equipment leasing businesses and lower travel expenses.
Aggregate Aggregate commissions and other underwriting expenses for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes $117 million of underwriting expenses in the Neon run-off operations in 2020 and $30 million related to the Neon exited lines charge in 2019 representing contractual employee severance benefits and other incurred exit costs. See “Neon exited lines” under “Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations” for the quarters ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
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Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $663 million in 2021 compared to $404 million (excluding the Neon exited lines) in 2020, an increase of $259 million (64%). Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty operations was $404 million (excluding the Neon exited lines) in 2020 compared to $472 million in 2019, a decrease of $68 million (14%). The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | 2021 - 2020 | 2020 - 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | Change | % Change | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income excluding alternative investments | $ | 323 | $ | 345 | $ | 398 | $ | (22) | (6 | %) | $ | (53) | (13 | %) | |||||||||||
| Alternative investments | 340 | 59 | 74 | 281 | 476 | % | (15) | (20 | %) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total net investment income | $ | 663 | $ | 404 | $ | 472 | $ | 259 | 64 | % | $ | (68) | (14 | %) | |||||||||||
| Average invested assets (at amortized cost) | $ | 12,944 | $ | 11,760 | $ | 11,348 | $ | 1,184 | 10 | % | $ | 412 | 4 | % | |||||||||||
| Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets) | 5.12 | % | 3.44 | % | 4.16 | % | 1.68 | % | (0.72 | %) | |||||||||||||||
| Tax equivalent yield (*) | 5.25 | % | 3.56 | % | 4.32 | % | 1.69 | % | (0.76 | %) |
(*)Adjusts the yield on equity securities and tax-exempt bonds to the fully taxable equivalent yield.
The property and casualty insurance segment’s increase in net investment income in 2021 compared to 2020 reflects significantly higher earnings from alternative investments (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs), partially offset by the effect of lower fixed maturity yields, lower short-term interest rates and lower dividend income. The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 5.12% in 2021 compared to 3.44% in 2020, an increase of 1.68 percentage points. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 25.3% in 2021 compared to 6.6% in 2020.
The decrease in net investment income in 2020 compared to 2019 reflects lower earnings from alternative investments in 2020 as a result of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on financial markets, lower short-term interest rates and lower dividend income, partially offset by growth in the property and casualty insurance segment. The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments was 3.44% in 2020 compared to 4.16% in 2019, a decrease of 0.72 percentage points. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 6.6% in 2020 compared to 10.3% in 2019.
In addition to the property and casualty segment’s net investment income from ongoing operations discussed above, the Neon exited lines reported a $5 million loss in 2020 in net investment income, primarily from changes in the fair value of equity securities.
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Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was a net expense of $6 million in 2021, $34 million in 2020, and $35 million in 2019, a decrease of $28 million (82%) in 2021 compared to 2020 and $1 million (3%) in 2020 compared to 2019. The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||
| Other income: | ||||||||||
| Income from the sale of real estate | $ | 10 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
| Other | 17 | 8 | 11 | |||||||
| Total other income | 27 | 8 | 11 | |||||||
| Other expenses: | ||||||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | 6 | 12 | 11 | |||||||
| Interest expense on funds withheld | 25 | 24 | 24 | |||||||
| Other | 2 | 6 | 11 | |||||||
| Total other expenses | 33 | 42 | 46 | |||||||
| Other income and expenses, net | $ | (6) | $ | (34) | $ | (35) |
In addition to the property and casualty segment’s other income and expenses, net from ongoing operations discussed above, the Neon exited lines incurred a net expense of $5 million in other income and expenses, net during 2020.
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $219 million in 2021 compared to $212 million in 2020, an increase of $7 million (3%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $208 million in 2021 compared to $186 million in 2020, an increase of $22 million (12%).
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $212 million in 2020 compared to $191 million in 2019, an increase of $21 million (11%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $186 million in 2020 compared to $175 million in 2019, an increase of $11 million (6%).
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The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core loss from continuing operations before income taxes from operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment in 2021, 2020 and 2019 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 - 2020 | 2020 - 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 36 | $ | 12 | $ | 24 | 200 | % | (50 | %) | |||||||
| Other income — P&C fees | 80 | 67 | 69 | 19 | % | (3 | %) | ||||||||||
| Other income | 22 | 19 | 21 | 16 | % | (10 | %) | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | 138 | 98 | 114 | 41 | % | (14 | %) | ||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Property and casualty insurance — commissions and other underwriting expenses | 33 | 21 | 23 | 57 | % | (9 | %) | ||||||||||
| Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees | 47 | 46 | 46 | 2 | % | — | % | ||||||||||
| Other expenses (*) | 172 | 129 | 152 | 33 | % | (15 | %) | ||||||||||
| Costs and expenses, excluding interest charges on borrowed money | 252 | 196 | 221 | 29 | % | (11 | %) | ||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses and interest charges on borrowed money | (114) | (98) | (107) | 16 | % | (8 | %) | ||||||||||
| Interest charges on borrowed money | 94 | 88 | 68 | 7 | % | 29 | % | ||||||||||
| Core loss from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | (208) | (186) | (175) | 12 | % | 6 | % | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core special A&E charges | — | (21) | (11) | (100 | %) | 91 | % | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core loss on retirement of debt | — | (5) | (5) | (100 | %) | — | % | ||||||||||
| Pretax non-core loss on pension settlement | (11) | — | — | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||
| GAAP loss from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses | $ | (219) | $ | (212) | $ | (191) | 3 | % | 11 | % |
(*)Excludes a pretax non-core loss of $11 million related to the settlement of pension liabilities of a small former manufacturing operation in 2021, pretax non-core special A&E charges of $21 million and $11 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively, and a pretax non-core loss on retirement of debt of $5 million in both 2020 and 2019.
Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $36 million, $12 million and $24 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The $24 million (200%) increase in 2021 compared to 2020 and the $12 million (50%) decrease in 2020 compared to 2019 are due primarily to the impact of the stock market performance on a small portfolio of securities held by the parent company that are carried at fair value through net investment income. These securities increased in value by $14 million, $5 million and $13 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in net investment income in 2021 also reflects income from directly owned real estate acquired from the annuity group prior to the sale of the annuity business and purchases of fixed maturity investments at the holding company.
Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, a workers’ compensation insurance subsidiary, collects fees from a small group of unaffiliated insurers for providing underwriting, policy administration and claims services. In addition, certain of AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In 2021, AFG collected $73 million in fees for these services compared to $67 million in 2020 and $69 million in 2019. Management views this fee income, net of the $47 million in 2021 and $46 million in 2020 and 2019, in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. In addition, AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collected $7 million in fees from AFG’s disposed annuity operations subsequent to the May 2021 sale as compensation for certain services provided under a transition services agreement. The expenses related to providing such services are embedded in property and casualty underwriting expenses. Consistent with internal management reporting, these fees and the related expenses are netted and recorded as a reduction of commissions and other underwriting expenses in AFG’s segmented results.
Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $16 million in 2021 and $15 million in both 2020 and 2019, in management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG’s consolidated managed investment entities). The management fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidated MIEs column under “Results of Operations —
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Segmented Statement of Earnings.” Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $6 million in 2021, $4 million in 2020 and $6 million in 2019.
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
Excluding the non-core special A&E charges, the non-core loss on retirement of debt and the non-core loss on pension settlement discussed below, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $172 million in 2021 compared to $129 million in 2020, an increase of $43 million (33%). This increase reflects higher holding company expenses related to employee benefit plans that are tied to stock market performance and higher expenses associated with certain incentive compensation plans that are tied to AFG’s financial performance in 2021 compared to 2020.
Excluding the non-core special A&E charges and the non-core loss on retirement of debt discussed below, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $129 million in 2020 compared to $152 million in 2019, a decrease of $23 million (15%). This decrease reflects lower holding company expenses related to employee benefit plans that are tied to stock market performance and lower expenses associated with certain incentive compensation plans in 2020 compared to 2019.
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded interest expense of $94 million in 2021, $88 million in 2020 and $68 million in 2019. The $6 million (7%) increase in interest expense in 2021 compared to 2020 and the $20 million (29%) increase in interest expense in 2020 compared to 2019 reflect higher average indebtedness. The following table details the principal amount of AFG’s long-term debt balances as of December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (dollars in millions):
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct obligations of AFG: | ||||||||||
| 4.50% Senior Notes due June 2047 | $ | 590 | $ | 590 | $ | 590 | ||||
| 3.50% Senior Notes due August 2026 | 425 | 425 | 425 | |||||||
| 5.25% Senior Notes due April 2030 | 300 | 300 | — | |||||||
| 5.125% Subordinated Debentures due December 2059 | 200 | 200 | 200 | |||||||
| 4.50% Subordinated Debentures due September 2060 | 200 | 200 | — | |||||||
| 6% Subordinated Debentures due November 2055 | — | — | 150 | |||||||
| 5.625% Subordinated Debentures due June 2060 | 150 | 150 | — | |||||||
| 5.875% Subordinated Debentures due March 2059 | 125 | 125 | 125 | |||||||
| Other | 3 | 3 | 3 | |||||||
| Total principal amount of Holding Company Debt | $ | 1,993 | $ | 1,993 | $ | 1,493 | ||||
| Weighted Average Interest Rate | 4.6 | % | 4.6 | % | 4.6 | % |
The increase in interest expense in 2021 compared to 2020 and in 2020 compared to 2019 reflect the following financial transactions completed by AFG between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2021:
•Issued $125 million of 5.875% Subordinated Debentures in March 2019
•Issued $200 million of 5.125% Subordinated Debentures in December 2019
•Redeemed $150 million of 6-1/4% Subordinated Debentures in December 2019
•Issued $300 million of 5.25% Senior Notes in April 2020
•Issued $150 million of 5.625% Subordinated Debentures in May 2020
•Issued $200 million of 4.50% Subordinated Debentures in September 2020
•Redeemed $150 million of 6% Subordinated Debentures in November 2020
Holding Company and Other — Special A&E Charges
As a result of the in-depth internal reviews and comprehensive external study of A&E exposures discussed under “Uncertainties — Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves,” AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded a minor charge in 2021, which is included in AFG’s core operating earnings, compared to pretax non-core special charges of $21 million in 2020 and $11 million in 2019 to increase liabilities related to the A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations. The charges are due to relatively small movements across several sites that reflect changes in the scope and costs of investigation and an increase in estimated ongoing operation and maintenance costs. AFG has also increased its reserve for asbestos and toxic substance exposures arising out of these operations. Total charges recorded to increase liabilities
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for A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations (included in other expenses) were $9 million in 2021, $28 million in 2020 and $19 million in 2019.
Holding Company and Other — Loss on Retirement of Debt
In November 2020, AFG redeemed its $150 million outstanding principal amount of 6% Subordinated Debentures due in 2055 and wrote off unamortized debt issuance costs of $5 million. In December 2019, AFG redeemed its $150 million outstanding principal amount of 6-1/4% Subordinated Debentures due in 2054 at par value and wrote off unamortized debt issuance costs of $5 million.
Holding Company and Other — Loss on Pension Settlement
In the second quarter of 2021, AFG settled pension liabilities related to a small former manufacturing operation resulting in a pretax non-core loss of $11 million.
Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities were net gains of $110 million in 2021 compared to net losses of $75 million in 2020, a change of $185 million (247%). AFG’s consolidated realized gains (losses) on securities were net losses of $75 million in 2020 compared to net gains of $155 million in 2019, a change of $230 million (148%). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) before impairments: | ||||||||||
| Disposals | $ | 5 | $ | 8 | $ | 4 | ||||
| Change in the fair value of equity securities | 110 | (69) | 155 | |||||||
| Change in the fair value of derivatives | (6) | (1) | 4 | |||||||
| 109 | (62) | 163 | ||||||||
| Change in allowance and impairments on securities | 1 | (13) | (8) | |||||||
| Realized gains (losses) on securities | $ | 110 | $ | (75) | $ | 155 |
The $110 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in 2021 includes gains of $29 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies, $18 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $17 million on investments in media companies, $14 million on investments in healthcare companies and $9 million on investments in capital goods companies.
The $69 million net realized loss from the change in the fair value of equity securities in 2020 includes losses of $24 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $31 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies, $14 million on real estate investment trusts, $11 million from investments in media companies and $5 million on investments in insurance companies.
The $155 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in 2019 includes gains of $64 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $19 million on investments in media companies, $16 million on investments in technology companies, $14 million on investments in insurance companies, $7 million on investments in healthcare companies and $6 million on investments in real estate investment trusts.
Realized Gains (Losses) on Subsidiaries
In 2021, AFG recognized a pretax gain on sale of subsidiary of $4 million related to contingent consideration received on the sale of Neon. See “Results of Operations — General” for the discussion of the December 2019 decision to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market.
On September 28, 2020, AFG announced that it had reached a definitive agreement to sell GAI Holding Bermuda and its subsidiaries, comprising the legal entities that own Neon, to RiverStone Holdings Limited. AFG recorded a $30 million loss in the third quarter of 2020 to establish a liability equal to the excess of the net carrying value of the assets and liabilities to be disposed over the estimated net sale proceeds. In the fourth quarter of 2020, the estimated loss was adjusted at the closing date to a gain of $23 million based on the final proceeds and the final net assets disposed, which reflects $53 million of non-core losses in the fourth quarter of 2020 at Neon. See Note C — “Acquisitions and Sale of Businesses” to the financial statements.
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Consolidated Income Taxes on Continuing Operations
AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes on continuing operations was $254 million in 2021 compared to $25 million in 2020, an increase of $229 million (916%). AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes on continuing operations was $25 million in 2020 compared to $143 million in 2019, a decrease of $118 million (83%). See Note L — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate.
Consolidated Noncontrolling Interests in Continuing Operations
AFG’s consolidated net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests was a net loss of $11 million in 2020 compared to $28 million in 2019, a decrease of $17 million (61%). Each period reflects losses at Neon, AFG’s United-Kingdom-based Lloyd’s insurer, which was sold in December 2020. See Note C — “Acquisitions and Sale of Businesses” to the financial statements.
Net losses from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests in 2019 includes $18 million related to the $76 million non-core charge for costs associated with AFG’s plans to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market in 2020. See “Neon exited lines” under “Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations” for the quarters ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Real Estate Entities Acquired from the Annuity Operations
Beginning with the first quarter of 2021, the results of the annuity businesses to be sold are reported as discontinued operations, in accordance with GAAP, which included adjusting prior period results to reflect these operations as discontinued. Prior to the completion of the sale, AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations acquired approximately $480 million in real estate-related partnerships and AFG parent acquired approximately $100 million of directly owned real estate from those operations. GAAP pretax earnings from continuing operations includes the earnings from these entities through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale and certain other expenses that will be retained from the annuity operations.
The retained real estate entities contributed $51 million in GAAP pretax earnings through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale compared to $49 million in 2020, an increase of $2 million (4%). This increase reflects higher earnings from the real estate-related partnerships through the sale date compared to 2020.
The retained real estate entities contributed $49 million in GAAP pretax earnings in 2020 compared to $37 million in 2019, an increase of $12 million (32%). This increase reflects higher earnings from the real estate-related partnerships in 2020 compared to 2019.
Discontinued Annuity Operations
AFG’s discontinued annuity operations, which were sold on May 31, 2021, contributed $324 million in GAAP pretax earnings (excluding the gain on the sale of the annuity operations) in 2021 compared to $509 million in 2020, a decrease of $185 million (36%), reflecting the following:
•lower net realized gains on securities through the date of the sale in May 2021 compared to 2020,
•significantly higher earnings from partnerships and similar investments,
•the negative impact from the run-off of higher yielding investments and lower short-term interest rates,
•the positive impact of strong stock market performance in 2021,
•the negative impact of lower than expected interest rates in both 2021 and 2020 on the accounting for fixed indexed annuities (“FIAs”),
•the negative impact of unlocking actuarial assumptions in the third quarter of 2020, and
•the negative impact of the amortization of the deferred loss related to the annuity block reinsurance transaction entered into in the fourth quarter of 2020 and other reinsurance impacts in 2021.
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AFG’s discontinued annuity operations contributed $509 million in GAAP pretax earnings in 2020 compared to $474 million in 2019, an increase of $35 million (7%), reflecting the following:
•higher net realized gains on securities in 2020 compared to 2019,
•lower earnings from partnerships and similar investments,
•the positive impact of strong stock market performance in 2019,
•the negative impact of significantly lower than expected interest rates in both 2020 and 2019 on the accounting for FIAs,
•higher charges from the unlocking of actuarial assumptions in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019, and
•the negative impact of the amortization of the deferred loss related to the annuity block reinsurance transaction entered into in the fourth quarter of 2020.
The following table details AFG’s earnings before and after income taxes and the gain on the sale from its discontinued annuity operations for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (dollars in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 (*) | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 - 2020 | 2020 - 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Pretax annuity earnings historically reported as core operating earnings: | |||||||||||||||||
| Pretax annuity earnings before items below | $ | 106 | $ | 325 | $ | 311 | (67 | %) | 5 | % | |||||||
| Earnings on partnerships and similar investments | 139 | 15 | 77 | 827 | % | (81 | %) | ||||||||||
| Total pretax annuity earnings historically reported as core operating earnings | 245 | 340 | 388 | (28 | %) | (12 | %) | ||||||||||
| Pretax amounts previously reported outside of annuity core earnings: | |||||||||||||||||
| Unlocking | — | (46) | (1) | (100 | %) | 4,500 | % | ||||||||||
| Impact of reinsurance, derivatives related to FIAs and other impacts of changes in the stock market and interest rates on FIAs over or under option costs | (33) | (142) | (46) | (77 | %) | 209 | % | ||||||||||
| Realized gains on securities | 112 | 365 | 132 | (69 | %) | 177 | % | ||||||||||
| Run-off life and long-term care | — | (8) | 1 | (100 | %) | (900 | %) | ||||||||||
| Total pretax amounts previously reported outside of annuity core earnings | 79 | 169 | 86 | (53 | %) | 97 | % | ||||||||||
| GAAP pretax earnings from discontinued annuity operations, excluding the gain on the sale of the discontinued annuity operations | 324 | 509 | 474 | (36 | %) | 7 | % | ||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 66 | 102 | 96 | (35 | %) | 6 | % | ||||||||||
| GAAP net earnings from discontinued annuity operations, excluding the sale of the discontinued annuity operations | 258 | 407 | 378 | (37 | %) | 8 | % | ||||||||||
| Gain on sale of discontinued annuity operations, net of tax | 656 | — | — | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||
| GAAP net earnings from discontinued annuity operations | $ | 914 | $ | 407 | $ | 378 | 125 | % | 8 | % |
(*)Results through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale.
RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” to the financial statements for a discussion of accounting guidance adopted on January 1, 2020, which provides a new credit loss model for determining credit-related impairments for financial instruments measured at amortized cost (mortgage loans, premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverables) and requires an entity to estimate the credit losses expected over the life of an exposure or pool of exposures.
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