Unassociated Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark one)
þ        QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010.
 
¨       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
 
For the transition period from _____________________ to _____________________.
Commission file number 0-4604
 
CINCINNATI FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Ohio
 
31-0746871
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
6200 S. Gilmore Road, Fairfield, Ohio
 
45014-5141
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (513) 870-2000
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
þ Yes o No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
þ Yes o No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
þ Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):
 
o Yes þ No
 
As of October 25, 2010, there were 162,736,024 shares of common stock outstanding.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
 

 
 
CINCINNATI FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Part I – Financial Information
3
   
Item 1.
Financial Statements (unaudited)
3
     
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
3
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
4
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
5
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
6
   
Notes To Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
7
   
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
19
     
Safe Harbor Statement
19
   
Introduction
21
   
Results of Operations
28
   
Liquidity and Capital Resources
41
   
Other Matters
43
   
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
45
     
Fixed-Maturity Investments
45
   
Equity Investments
47
   
Short-Term Investments
47
   
Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses
47
   
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
50
     
Part II – Other Information
50
   
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
50
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
50
     
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
50
     
Item 3.
Defaults upon Senior Securities
51
     
Item 4.
(Removed and Reserved)
51
     
Item 5.
Other Information
51
     
Item 6.
Exhibits
51

Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
2

 
 
Part I – Financial Information
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements (unaudited)
 
Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
   
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(In millions except per share data)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
ASSETS
           
Investments
           
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2010—$7,718; 2009—$7,514)
  $ 8,466     $ 7,855  
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2010—$2,177; 2009—$2,016)
    2,757       2,701  
Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost; 2010—$0; 2009—$6)
    -       6  
Other invested assets
    82       81  
Total investments
    11,305       10,643  
Cash and cash equivalents
    445       557  
Investment income receivable
    114       118  
Finance receivable
    71       75  
Premiums receivable
    1,035       995  
Reinsurance receivable
    554       675  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
    17       15  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    469       481  
Land, building and equipment, net, for company use (accumulated depreciation: 2010—$358; 2009—$335)
    236       251  
Other assets
    176       45  
Separate accounts
    648       585  
Total assets
  $ 15,070     $ 14,440  
                 
LIABILITIES
               
Insurance reserves
               
Loss and loss expense reserves
  $ 4,225     $ 4,142  
Life policy reserves
    1,968       1,783  
Unearned premiums
    1,573       1,509  
Other liabilities
    560       670  
Deferred income tax
    247       152  
Note payable
    49       49  
Long-term debt
    790       790  
Separate accounts
    648       585  
Total liabilities
    10,060       9,680  
                 
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 10)
           
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Common stock, par value—$2 per share; (authorized: 2010 and 2009—500 million shares; issued: 2010—196 million shares, 2009—196 million shares)
    393       393  
Paid-in capital
    1,087       1,081  
Retained earnings
    3,919       3,862  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    814       624  
Treasury stock at cost (2010—33 million shares and 2009—34 million shares)
    (1,203 )     (1,200 )
Total shareholders' equity
    5,010       4,760  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 15,070     $ 14,440  
Accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
3

 
 
Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
 
    
 
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions except per share data)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
REVENUES
                       
Earned premiums
  $ 784     $ 766     $ 2,299     $ 2,301  
Investment income, net of expenses
    128       127       388       370  
Other income
    4       4       9       9  
Realized investment gains (losses), net
                               
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
    (1 )     (11 )     (3 )     (54 )
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to Other comprehensive income
    -       -       -       -  
Other realized investment gains (losses), net
    156       121       143       144  
Total realized investment gains (losses), net
    155       110       140       90  
Total revenues
    1,071       1,007       2,836       2,770  
                                 
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
                               
Insurance losses and policyholder benefits
    575       498       1,686       1,737  
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
    258       247       772       750  
Other operating expenses
    4       4       11       14  
Interest expense
    13       14       40       42  
Total benefits and expenses
    850       763       2,509       2,543  
                                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    221       244       327       227  
                                 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
                               
Current
    59       59       84       6  
Deferred
    6       14       (8 )     34  
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes
    65       73       76       40  
                                 
NET INCOME
  $ 156     $ 171     $ 251     $ 187  
                                 
PER COMMON SHARE
                               
Net income—basic
  $ 0.95     $ 1.05     $ 1.54     $ 1.15  
Net income—diluted
    0.95       1.05       1.53       1.15  
Accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
4

 
 
Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
 
   
                         
Accumulated
         
Total
 
  
 
Common Stock
               
Other
         
Share-
 
   
Outstanding
         
Paid-In
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Treasury
   
holders'
 
(In millions)
 
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Stock
   
Equity
 
                                           
Balance December 31, 2008
    162     $ 393     $ 1,069     $ 3,579     $ 347     $ (1,206 )   $ 4,182  
                                                         
Net income
    -       -       -       187       -       -       187  
Other comprehensive income, net
    -       -       -       -       434       -       434  
Total comprehensive income
                                                    621  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for other-than-temporary impairments as of April 1, 2009, net of tax
    -       -       -       106       (106 )     -       -  
Dividends declared
    -       -       -       (191 )     -       -       (191 )
Stock options exercised
    -       -       -       -       -       1       1  
Stock-based compensation
    -       -       8       -       -       -       8  
Other
    -       -       1       -       -       4       5  
Balance September 30, 2009
    162     $ 393     $ 1,078     $ 3,681     $ 675     $ (1,201 )   $ 4,626  
                                                         
Balance December 31, 2009
    162     $ 393     $ 1,081     $ 3,862     $ 624     $ (1,200 )   $ 4,760  
                                                         
Net income
    -       -       -       251       -       -       251  
Other comprehensive income, net
    -       -       -       -       190       -       190  
Total comprehensive income
                                                    441  
Dividends declared
    -       -       -       (194 )     -       -       (194 )
Stock options exercised
    1       -       (2 )     -       -       3       1  
Stock-based compensation
    -       -       9       -       -       -       9  
Purchases
    -       -       -       -       -       (10 )     (10 )
Other
    -       -       (1 )     -       -       4       3  
Balance September 30, 2010
    163     $ 393     $ 1,087     $ 3,919     $ 814     $ (1,203 )   $ 5,010  
Accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
5

 
 
Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
  
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
Net income
  $ 251     $ 187  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items
    30       21  
Realized gains on investments
    (140 )     (90 )
Stock-based compensation
    9       8  
Interest credited to contract holders
    33       30  
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
    (8 )     34  
Changes in:
               
Investment income receivable
    4       (11 )
Premiums and reinsurance receivable
    81       65  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    (19 )     (16 )
Other assets
    (2 )     (4 )
Loss and loss expense reserves
    83       109  
Life policy reserves
    86       80  
Unearned premiums
    64       13  
Other liabilities
    (27 )     (13 )
Current income tax receivable/payable
    (28 )     (51 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    417       362  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Sale of fixed maturities
    136       128  
Call or maturity of fixed maturities
    757       577  
Sale of equity securities
    128       905  
Collection of finance receivables
    21       22  
Purchase of fixed maturities
    (1,145 )     (1,769 )
Purchase of equity securities
    (276 )     (656 )
Change in short-term investments, net
    7       72  
Investment in buildings and equipment, net
    (14 )     (31 )
Investment in finance receivables
    (17 )     (25 )
Change in other invested assets, net
    1       (7 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (402 )     (784 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Payment of cash dividends to shareholders
    (189 )     (186 )
Purchase of treasury shares
    (10 )     -  
Contract holders' funds deposited
    130       102  
Contract holders' funds withdrawn
    (53 )     (49 )
Excess tax benefits on share-based compensation
    1       -  
Other
    (6 )     (6 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (127 )     (139 )
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (112 )     (561 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    557       1,009  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 445     $ 448  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Interest paid
  $ 27     $ 28  
Income taxes paid
    113       57  
Non-cash activities:
               
Conversion of securities
  $ 5     $ 12  
Equipment acquired under capital lease obligations
    -       15  
Accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
6

 
 
Notes To Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
 
NOTE 1 — Accounting Policies
 
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cincinnati Financial Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, each of which are wholly owned, and are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Our actual results could differ from those estimates. The December 31, 2009, condensed consolidated balance sheet amounts are derived from the audited financial statements but do not include all disclosures required by GAAP.
 
We have changed our presentation of earned premiums in our condensed consolidated statements of income, effective the first quarter of 2010. We have summarized property casualty and life earned premiums to a single caption, “Earned premiums.” See Note 7, Reinsurance, Page 15, for further detail on property casualty and life earned premiums. We have changed our presentation of long-term debt in our condensed consolidated balance sheet, effective the second quarter of 2010. We have summarized the long-term debt to a single caption, “Long-term debt.” See Note 3, Fair Value Measurements, Page 10, for further detail on interest rates, year of issue and maturity of our long-term debt.
 
Our September 30, 2010, condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. Certain financial information that is included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP is not required for interim reporting and has been condensed or omitted. We believe that we have made all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, that are necessary for fair presentation. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods do not necessarily indicate results to be expected for the full year.
 
With the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 320, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, in the second quarter of 2009, we recognized a cumulative effect adjustment of $106 million, net of tax, to reclassify the non-credit component of previously recognized impairments by increasing retained earnings and reducing accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). ASC 320 does not allow retrospective application of the new other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) model. Our condensed consolidated statements of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, are not measured on the same basis as prior period amounts and, accordingly, these amounts are not comparable.
 
Adopted Accounting Updates
 
ASU 2010-08, Technical Corrections to Various Topics
 
In February 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2010-08, Technical Corrections to Various Topics. ASU 2010-08 does not change any of the fundamentals of U.S. GAAP, but it does explain certain clarifications made to the guidance on embedded derivatives and hedging. We have adopted ASU 2010-08, effective for the first reporting period after issuance and for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2009. It did not have a material impact on our company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
 
ASU 2010-09, Subsequent Events
 
In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-09, Subsequent Events. ASU 2010-09 removes the requirement for Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filers to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated in both issued and revised financial statements. We have adopted ASU 2010-09, effective for the first reporting period after issuance. It did not have a material impact on our company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
 
Pending Accounting Updates
 
ASU 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures
 
In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. ASU 2010-06 applies to all entities that are required to make disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. ASU 2010-06 requires separate disclosures of the activity in the Level 3 category related to any purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis. The effective date of the disclosures regarding Level 3 category purchases, sales, issuances and settlements is for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The portion of ASU 2010-06 that we have not yet adopted will not have a material impact on our company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
7

 
 
ASU 2010-15, How Investments Held through Separate Accounts Affect an Insurer’s Consolidation Analysis of Those Investments
 
In April 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-15, How Investments Held through Separate Accounts Affect an Insurer’s Consolidation Analysis of Those Investments. ASU 2010-15 applies to all insurance entities that have separate accounts that meet the definition and requirements set in the Accounting Standards Codification Manual.
 
ASU 2010-15 clarifies that an insurance entity should not consider any separate account interests held for the benefit of contract holders in an investment to be the insurer’s interests. The insurance entity should not combine those interests with its general account interest in the same investment when assessing the investment for consolidation. The insurance entity may combine those interests when the separate account interests are held for the benefit of a related-party policyholder as defined in the Variable Interest Subsections of Consolidation topic in the Codification Manual.
 
The effective date of the amendments in this update is for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. The amendments in this update do not modify the disclosures currently required by GAAP and are not expected to have a material impact on our company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
 
ASU 2010-20, Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses
 
In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-20, Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses. ASU 2010-20 will improve transparency in financial reporting for companies that hold financing receivables, which include loans, lease receivables and other long-term receivables. The additional disclosures required by ASU 2010-20 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The ASU has not yet been adopted and is not expected to have a material impact on our company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
 
ASU 2010-26, Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts
 
In October 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-26, Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts. ASU 2010-26 modifies the definitions of the type of costs incurred by insurance entities that can be capitalized in the successful acquisition of new and renewal contracts.  ASU 2010-26 requires incremental direct costs of successful contract acquisition as well as certain costs related to underwriting, policy issuance and processing, medical and inspection and sales force contract selling for successful contract acquisition to be capitalized. These incremental direct costs and other costs are those that are essential to the contract transaction and would not have been incurred had the contract transaction not occurred. The effective date of ASU 2010-26 is for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The ASU has not yet been adopted and we are currently evaluating the impact this ASU will have  on our company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
 
NOTE 2 – Investments
 
Fixed maturities (bonds and redeemable preferred stocks), equity securities (common and non-redeemable preferred stocks) and short-term investments have been classified as available for sale and are stated at fair values at September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009. Realized gains and losses on investments are recognized in earnings on a specific identification basis.
 
The change in unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, described in the following table, is included in other comprehensive income and shareholders’ equity.
 
   
 
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Change in unrealized investment gains and losses and other summary:
                       
Fixed maturities
  $ 198     $ 407     $ 407     $ 787  
Equity securities
    85       165       (105 )     (121 )
Adjustment to deferred acquisition costs and life policy reserves
    (11 )     (14 )     (18 )     (24 )
Pension obligations
    -       -       1       1  
Other
    2       14       7       26  
Income taxes on above
    (96 )     (201 )     (102 )     (235 )
Total
  $ 178     $ 371     $ 190     $ 434  
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
8

 
 
The following table analyzes cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value for our investments, along with the amount of cumulative non-credit OTTI losses transferred to AOCI in accordance with ASC 320-10-65, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, for securities that also had a credit impairment:
 
   
 
Cost or
                   
   
amortized
   
Gross unrealized
   
Fair
   
OTTI in
 
(In millions)
 
cost
   
gains
   
losses
   
value
   
AOCI
 
At September 30, 2010
                             
Fixed maturities:
                             
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
  $ 2,998     $ 219     $ -     $ 3,217     $ -  
Convertibles and bonds with warrants attached
    69       -       -       69       -  
United States government
    4       1       -       5       -  
Government-sponsored enterprises
    123       1       -       124       -  
Foreign government
    3       -       -       3       -  
Corporate bonds
    4,521       530       3       5,048       -  
Subtotal
    7,718       751       3       8,466       -  
Equity securities:
                                       
Common equities
    2,102       591       37       2,656          
Preferred equities
    75       27       1       101          
Subtotal
    2,177       618       38       2,757    
NA
 
Total
  $ 9,895     $ 1,369     $ 41     $ 11,223          
                                         
At December 31, 2009
                                       
Fixed maturities:
                                       
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
  $ 3,007     $ 128     $ 6     $ 3,129     $ -  
Convertibles and bonds with warrants attached
    91       -       -       91       -  
United States government
    4       -       -       4       -  
Government-sponsored enterprises
    354       -       7       347       -  
Foreign government
    3       -       -       3       -  
Short-term investments
    6       -       -       6       -  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    37       -       6       31       -  
Corporate bonds
    4,018       268       36       4,250       -  
Total
  $ 7,520     $ 396     $ 55     $ 7,861     $ -  
Equity securities
  $ 2,016     $ 714     $ 29     $ 2,701    
NA
 
 
The unrealized investment gains at September 30, 2010, were largely due to a net gain position in our fixed income portfolio of $748 million and a net gain position in our common stock portfolio of $554 million. The two primary contributors to the net gain position were Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) and Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) common stock, which had a combined net gain position of $210 million. At September 30, 2010, we had $69 million fair value of hybrid securities included in fixed maturities that follow ASC 815-15-25, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments. The hybrid securities are carried at fair value, and the changes in fair value are included in realized investment gains and losses.
 
The table below provides fair values and unrealized losses by investment category and by the duration of the securities’ continuous unrealized loss position:
 
   
 
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or more
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
(In millions)
 
value
   
losses
   
value
   
losses
   
value
   
losses
 
At September 30, 2010
                                   
Fixed maturities:
                                   
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
  $ 6     $ -     $ 10     $ -     $ 16     $ -  
Government-sponsored enterprises
    15       -       -       -       15       -  
Corporate bonds
    25       -       83       3       108       3  
Subtotal
    46       -       93       3       139       3  
Equity securities:
                                               
Common equities
    449       37       44       -       493       37  
Preferred equities
    -       -       23       1       23       1  
Subtotal
    449       37       67       1       516       38  
Total
  $ 495     $ 37     $ 160     $ 4     $ 655     $ 41  
                                                 
At December 31, 2009
                                               
Fixed maturities:
                                               
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
  $ 196     $ 4     $ 29     $ 2     $ 225     $ 6  
Government-sponsored enterprises
    347       7       -       -       347       7  
Short-term investments
    1       -       -       -       1       -  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    -       -       27       6       27       6  
Corporate bonds
    397       19       309       17       706       36  
Total
    941       30       365       25       1,306       55  
Equity securities
    65       3       415       26       480       29  
Total
  $ 1,006     $ 33     $ 780     $ 51     $ 1,786     $ 84  
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
9

 
 
Net realized gains were $140 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared with net realized gains of $90 million for the same period in 2009. For the quarter, the net realized gains were $155 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, and $110 million for the same period in 2009. The net realized gains for the three months ended September 30, 2010, were largely due to the sale of Verisk Analytics Inc. (NYSE: VRSK) common stock, contributing $128 million during the third quarter of 2010.
 
Other-than-temporary Impairment Charges
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, there were no credit losses on fixed-maturity securities for which a portion of OTTI has been recognized in other comprehensive income. The following table provides the amount of OTTI charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010:
 
  
 
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Fixed maturities
  $ 1     $ 11     $ 3     $ 54  
Equity securities
    -       -       33       59  
Total
  $ 1     $ 11     $ 36     $ 113  
 
During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, we impaired five fixed-maturity securities for a total of $1 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we impaired nine fixed-maturity securities for a total of $3 million and six equity securities for a total of $33 million. At September 30, 2010, 28 fixed-maturity investments with a total unrealized loss of $3 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more, but none were trading below 70 percent of book value. At September 30, 2010, four equity securities with a total unrealized loss of $1 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more, but none were trading below 70 percent of book value.
 
At December 31, 2009, 121 fixed-maturity investments with a total unrealized loss of $25 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more. Of that total, eight fixed maturity investments were trading below 70 percent of book value with a total unrealized loss of $2 million. At December 31, 2009, ten equity investments with a total unrealized loss of $26 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more but none were trading below 70 percent of book value.
 
NOTE 3 –Fair Value Measurements
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
In accordance with fair value measurements and disclosures, we categorized our financial instruments, based on the priority of the observable and market-based data for valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices with readily available independent data in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable market inputs (Level 3). When various inputs for measurement fall within different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the lowest observable input that has a significant impact on fair value measurement is used. Our valuation techniques have not changed from those used at December 31, 2009, and ultimately management determines fair value.
 
Financial instruments are categorized based upon the following characteristics or inputs to the valuation techniques:
 
·
Level 1 – Financial assets and liabilities for which inputs are observable and are obtained from reliable quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. This is the most reliable fair value measurement and includes, for example, active exchange-traded equity securities.
 
·
Level 2 – Financial assets and liabilities for which values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which values are based on similar assets and liabilities that are actively traded. This also includes pricing models for which the inputs are corroborated by market data.
 
·
Level 3 – Financial assets and liabilities for which values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Level 3 inputs include the following:
 
 
o
Quotes from brokers or other external sources that are not considered binding;
 
 
o
Quotes from brokers or other external sources where it cannot be determined that market participants would in fact transact for the asset or liability at the quoted price; or
 
 
o
Quotes from brokers or other external sources where the inputs are not deemed observable.
 
We conduct a thorough review of fair value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis. Reclassification of certain financial instruments may occur when input observability changes. As noted below in the Level 3 disclosure table, reclassifications are reported as transfers in or out of the Level 3 category as of the beginning of the quarter in which the reclassification occurred.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
10

 
 
The following tables illustrate the fair value hierarchy for those assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009. We do not have any material liabilities carried at fair value. There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.
 
Fair Value Disclosures for Assets
 
  
 
Asset fair value measurements at September 30, 2010 using:
 
(In millions)
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant other
observable inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
unobservable
inputs 
(Level 3)
   
Total
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
                       
Corporate securities
  $ -     $ 5,096     $ 21     $ 5,117  
Foreign government
    -       3       -       3  
U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies
    5       124       -       129  
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
    -       3,213       4       3,217  
Subtotal
    5       8,436       25       8,466  
Common equities, available for sale
    2,656       -       -       2,656  
Preferred equities, available for sale
    -       96       5       101  
Taxable fixed maturities separate accounts
    -       610       2       612  
Top Hat Savings Plan
    8       -       -       8  
Total
  $ 2,669     $ 9,142     $ 32     $ 11,843  

  
 
Asset fair value measurements at December 31, 2009 using:
 
(In millions)
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant other
observable inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
   
Total
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
                       
Corporate securities
  $ -     $ 4,314     $ 27     $ 4,341  
Foreign government
    -       3       -       3  
U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies
    4       347       -       351  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    -       31       -       31  
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
    -       3,125       4       3,129  
Taxable fixed maturities separate accounts
    -       555       -       555  
Subtotal
    4       8,375       31       8,410  
Common equities, available for sale
    2,474       134       -       2,608  
Preferred equities, available for sale
    -       88       5       93  
Short-term investments
    -       6       -       6  
Top Hat Savings Plan
    7       -       -       7  
Total
  $ 2,485     $ 8,603     $ 36     $ 11,124  
 
Each financial instrument that was deemed to have significant unobservable inputs when determining valuation is identified in the tables below by security type with a summary of changes in fair value for periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. As of September 30, 2010, total Level 3 assets continue to be less than 1 percent of financial assets measured at fair value. At September 30, 2010, total fair value of assets priced with broker quotes and other non-observable market inputs for the fair value measurements and disclosures was $32 million.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
11

 
 
The following table provides the change in Level 3 assets for the three months ended September 30, 2010. One Level 3 corporate fixed-maturity security matured resulting in a $4 million decrease. There were no other significant changes to Level 3 assets during this period.
 
  
 
Asset fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
 
(In millions)
 
Corporate
fixed
maturities
   
Taxable fixed
maturities-
separate accounts
   
States,
municipalities
and political
subdivisions
fixed maturities
   
Common
equities
   
Preferred
equities
   
Total
 
Beginning balance, June 30, 2010
  $ 23     $ -     $ 4     $ -     $ 5     $ 32  
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
                                               
Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Included in other comprehensive income
    1       -       -       -       -       1  
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements
    (4 )     2       -       -       -       (2 )
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
    1       -       -       -       -       1  
Ending balance, September 30, 2010
  $ 21     $ 2     $ 4     $ -     $ 5     $ 32  

  
 
Asset fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
 
(In millions)
 
Taxable
fixed
maturities
   
Taxable fixed
maturities-
separate accounts
   
Tax-exempt
fixed maturities
   
Common
equities
   
Preferred
equities
   
Total
 
Beginning balance, June 30, 2009
  $ 20     $ -     $ 5     $ 64     $ 8     $ 97  
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
                                               
Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Included in other comprehensive income
    1       -       -       (2 )     -       (1 )
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements
    5       -       -       -       (4 )     1  
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
    (2 )     -       -       -       -       (2 )
Ending balance, September 30, 2009
  $ 24     $ -     $ 5     $ 62     $ 4     $ 95  
 
The following table provides the change in Level 3 assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. One Level 3 corporate fixed-maturity security was purchased for $5 million and two corporate fixed-maturity securities matured for $7 million, resulting in a $2 million decrease to purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements. As a result of the change in use of observable or unobservable inputs throughout the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Level 3 corporate fixed-maturity securities decreased $5 million as two securities totaling $9 million transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 and two securities totaling $4 million transferred from Level 2 to Level 3. There were no other significant changes to Level 3 assets during this period.
 
  
 
Asset fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
 
(In millions)
 
Corporate
fixed
maturities
   
Taxable fixed
maturities-
separate accounts
   
States,
municipalities
and political
subdivisions
fixed maturities
   
Common
equities
   
Preferred
equities
   
Total
 
Beginning balance, December 31, 2009
  $ 27     $ -     $ 4     $ -     $ 5     $ 36  
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
                                               
Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Included in other comprehensive income
    1       -       -       -       -       1  
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements
    (2 )     2       -       -       -       -  
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
    (5 )     -       -       -       -       (5 )
Ending balance, September 30, 2010
  $ 21     $ 2     $ 4     $ -     $ 5     $ 32  
 
  
 
Asset fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
 
(In millions)
 
Taxable
fixed
maturities
   
Taxable fixed
maturities-
separate accounts
   
Tax-exempt
fixed maturities
   
Common
equities
   
Preferred
equities
   
Total
 
Beginning balance, December 31, 2008
  $ 50     $ 6     $ 5     $ 64     $ 22     $ 147  
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
                                               
Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)
    -       -       -       -       (3 )     (3 )
Included in other comprehensive income
    (1 )     -       -       (2 )     4       1  
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements
    5       -       -       -       (4 )     1  
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
    (30 )     (6 )     -       -       (15 )     (51 )
Ending balance, September 30, 2009
  $ 24     $ -     $ 5     $ 62     $ 4     $ 95  

Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
12

 
 
Fair Value Disclosure for Senior Debt and Life Insurance Assets and Liabilities
 
The disclosures below are not affected by the fair value hierarchy but are presented to provide timely information about the effects of current market conditions on financial instruments that are not reported at fair value in our financial statements.
 
This table summarizes the book value and principal amounts of our long-term debt:
 
(In millions)
         
Book value
   
Principal amount
 
           
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
Interest rate
 
Year of issue
     
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                                 
  6.900 %
1998
 
Senior debentures, due 2028
  $ 28     $ 28     $ 28     $ 28  
  6.920 %
2005
 
Senior debentures, due 2028
    391       391       391       391  
  6.125 %
2004
 
Senior notes, due 2034
    371       371       374       374  
         
Total
  $ 790     $ 790     $ 793     $ 793  
 
The fair value of our senior debt approximated $830 million at September 30, 2010, compared with $740 million at year-end 2009. Fair value was determined under the fair value measurements and disclosures accounting rules based on market pricing of these or similar debt instruments that are actively trading. Fair value can vary with macro-economic concerns. Regardless of the fluctuations in fair value, the outstanding principal amount of our long-term debt is $793 million. None of the long-term debt is encumbered by rating triggers. Also, we have one note payable with outstanding principal amount of $49 million, which approximates fair value.
 
The fair value of life policy loans outstanding principal and interest approximated $45 million, compared with book value of $39 million reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2010.
 
Life reserves and liabilities for deferred annuities and other investment contracts were $886 million and $736 million at September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, respectively. Fair value for these deferred annuities and investment contracts was $873 million and $737 million at September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, respectively. Fair values of liabilities associated with certain investment contracts are calculated based upon internally developed models because active, observable markets do not exist for those items. To determine the fair value, we make the following significant assumptions: (1) the discount rates used to calculate the present value of expected payments are the risk-free spot rates plus an A3 rated bond spread for financial issuers at September 30, 2010, to account for non-performance risk; (2) the rate of interest credited to policyholders is the portfolio net earned interest rate less a spread for expenses and profit; and (3) additional lapses occur when the credited interest rate is exceeded by an assumed competitor credited rate, which is a function of the risk-free rate of the economic scenario being modeled.
 
NOTE 4 – Deferred Acquisition Costs
 
The expenses associated with issuing insurance policies – primarily commissions, premium taxes and underwriting costs – are deferred and amortized over the terms of the policies. We update our acquisition cost assumptions periodically to reflect actual experience, and we evaluate our deferred acquisition costs for recoverability. The table below shows the deferred policy acquisition costs and asset reconciliation, including the amortized deferred policy acquisition costs.
 
  
 
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, beginning of period
  $ 485     $ 500     $ 481     $ 509  
Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs
    168       168       510       492  
Amortized deferred policy acquisition costs
    (167 )     (160 )     (492 )     (475 )
Amortized shadow deferred policy acquisition costs
    (17 )     (23 )     (30 )     (41 )
Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, end of period
  $ 469     $ 485     $ 469     $ 485  
 
There were no premium deficiencies recorded in the reported condensed consolidated statements of income, as the sum of the anticipated loss and loss adjustment expenses, policyholder dividends, maintenance expenses and underwriting expenses did not exceed the related unearned premiums and anticipated investment income.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
13

 
 
NOTE 5 – Property Casualty Loss And Loss Expenses
 
This table summarizes activity for our consolidated property casualty loss and loss expense reserves:
 
  
 
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Gross loss and loss expense reserves, beginning of period
  $ 4,131     $ 4,187     $ 4,096     $ 4,040  
Less reinsurance receivable
    311       501       435       542  
Net loss and loss expense reserves, beginning of period
    3,820       3,686       3,661       3,498  
Net incurred loss and loss expenses related to:
                               
Current accident year
    592       550       1,731       1,736  
Prior accident years
    (61 )     (91 )     (174 )     (113 )
Total incurred
    531       459       1,557       1,623  
Net paid loss and loss expenses related to:
                               
Current accident year
    308       271       641       659  
Prior accident years
    196       201       730       789  
Total paid
    504       472       1,371       1,448  
                                 
Net loss and loss expense reserves, end of period
    3,847       3,673       3,847       3,673  
Plus reinsurance receivable
    319       478       319       478  
Gross loss and loss expense reserves, end of period
  $ 4,166     $ 4,151     $ 4,166     $ 4,151  
 
We use actuarial methods, models and judgment to estimate, as of a financial statement date, the property casualty loss and loss expense reserves required to pay for and settle all outstanding insured claims, including incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims, as of that date. The actuarial estimate is subject to review and adjustment by an inter-departmental committee that includes actuarial management and is familiar with relevant company and industry business, claims and underwriting trends, as well as general economic and legal trends, that could affect future loss and loss expense payments.
 
Because of changes in estimates of insured events in prior years, we decreased the provision for prior accident years’ loss and loss expenses by $61 million and $91 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and $174 million and $113 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. A primary cause of the decrease was a reduction in actual exposures, relative to expectations when prior years reserves were initially set, especially for the workers’ compensation and umbrella lines of business. The reserve for loss and loss expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheets also includes $59 million at September 30, 2010, and $46 million at September 30, 2009, for certain life and health loss and loss expense reserves.
 
NOTE 6 – Life Policy Reserves
 
We establish the reserves for traditional life insurance policies based on expected expenses, mortality, morbidity, withdrawal rates and investment yields, including a provision for uncertainty. Once these assumptions are established, they generally are maintained throughout the lives of the contracts. We use both our own experience and industry experience, adjusted for historical trends, in arriving at our assumptions for expected mortality, morbidity and withdrawal rates as well as for expected expenses. We base our assumptions for expected investment income on our own experience adjusted for current economic conditions.
 
We establish reserves for the company’s universal life, deferred annuity and investment contracts equal to the cumulative account balances, which include premium deposits plus credited interest less charges and withdrawals. Some of our universal life policies contain no-lapse guarantee provisions. For these policies, we establish a reserve in addition to the account balance, based on expected no-lapse guarantee benefits and expected policy assessments.
 
  
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Ordinary/traditional life
  $ 619     $ 579  
Universal life
    446       450  
Deferred annuities
    685       539  
Investment contracts
    201       197  
Other
    17       18  
Total
  $ 1,968     $ 1,783  

Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
14

 
 
NOTE 7 – Reinsurance
 
Our condensed consolidated statements of income include earned consolidated property casualty insurance premiums on assumed and ceded business:
 
  
 
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Direct earned premiums
  $ 782     $ 773     $ 2,295     $ 2,317  
Assumed earned premiums
    3       3       8       10  
Ceded earned premiums
    (42 )     (43 )     (124 )     (129 )
Net earned premiums
  $ 743     $ 733     $ 2,179     $ 2,198  
 
Our condensed consolidated statements of income include incurred consolidated property casualty insurance loss and loss expenses on assumed and ceded business:
 
  
 
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Direct incurred loss and loss expenses
  $ 549     $ 486     $ 1,526     $ 1,671  
Assumed incurred loss and loss expenses
    3       1       8       8  
Ceded incurred loss and loss expenses
    (21 )     (29 )     23       (60 )
Net incurred loss and loss expenses
  $ 531     $ 458     $ 1,557     $ 1,619  
 
Largely because of a $33 million reduction in second quarter ceded reserves, total ceded incurred loss and loss expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, increased net incurred loss and loss expenses by $23 million. This reserve reduction occurred in our USAIG pool, as discussed in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Risk Factors, Page 27. Direct reserves were correspondingly reduced by $33 million, so there was no effect on net incurred loss and loss adjustment expenses. Also, a reduction of $7 million in ceded IBNR reserves in the first quarter 2010 is included in the $23 million ceded incurred loss and loss expenses.
 
Our condensed consolidated statements of income include earned life insurance premiums on ceded business:
 
  
 
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Direct earned premiums
  $ 53     $ 45     $ 157     $ 139  
Ceded earned premiums
    (12 )     (12 )     (37 )     (36 )
Net earned premiums
  $ 41     $ 33     $ 120     $ 103  
 
Our condensed consolidated statements of income include life insurance contract holders’ benefits incurred on ceded business:
 
  
 
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Direct contract holders' benefits incurred
  $ 59     $ 48     $ 173     $ 147  
Ceded contract holders' benefits incurred
    (15 )     (8 )     (44 )     (29 )
Net incurred loss and loss expenses
  $ 44     $ 40     $ 129     $ 118  
 
NOTE 8 – Employee Retirement Benefits
 
The following summarizes the components of net periodic costs for our qualified and supplemental pension plans:
 
  
 
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Service cost
  $ 2     $ 3     $ 7     $ 7  
Interest cost
    3       3       10       9  
Expected return on plan assets
    (3 )     (3 )     (10 )     (9 )
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service cost
    1       0       2       1  
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 3     $ 3     $ 9     $ 8  
 
See our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 13, Employee Retirement Benefits, Page 109 for information on our retirement benefits. We made matching contributions of $2 million to our 401(k) savings plan during the third quarter of 2010 and 2009 and contributions of $6 million for the first nine months of 2010 and 2009.
 
We contributed $25 million to our qualified pension plan during the third quarter of 2010. We do not anticipate further contributions during the remainder of 2010.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
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NOTE 9 – Stock-Based Associate Compensation Plans
 
We currently have four equity compensation plans that permit us to grant various types of equity awards. We currently grant incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, service-based restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units under our shareholder-approved plans. We also have a Holiday Stock Plan that permits annual awards of one share of common stock to each full-time associate for each full calendar year of service up to a maximum of 10 shares. One of our equity compensation plans permits us to grant stock to our outside directors as a component of their annual compensation. For additional information about our equity compensation plans, see our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 17, Stock-Based Associate Compensation Plans, Page 113.
 
A total of 17 million shares are authorized to be granted under the shareholder-approved plans. At September 30, 2010, six million shares were available for future issuance under the plans.
 
Our pretax and after-tax stock-based compensation costs are summarized below:
 
  
 
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Stock-based compensation cost
  $ 3     $ 3     $ 9     $ 8  
Income tax benefit
    1       1       3       2  
Stock-based compensation cost after tax
  $ 2     $ 2     $ 6     $ 6  
 
Stock-Based Awards
 
During the first quarter of 2010, we granted 31,310 shares of common stock to our directors for 2009 board service fees. Stock-based awards were granted to associates during the first quarter of 2010 and are summarized in the tables below. No stock-based awards were granted to associates or directors during the second and third quarters of 2010.
 
As of September 30, 2010, $14 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years.
 
Here is a summary of option information:
 
(Shares in thousands)
 
Shares
   
Weighted-
average
exercise
price
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2010
    9,875     $ 36.67  
Granted
    902       26.60  
Exercised
    (6 )     26.75  
Forfeited
    (958 )     28.35  
Outstanding at September 30, 2010
    9,813       36.56  
 
Here is a summary of restricted stock unit information:
 
(Shares in thousands)
 
Service-based
nonvested shares
   
Weighted-
average grant-
date fair value
   
Performance-based
nonvested shares
   
Weighted-
average grant-
date fair value
 
Nonvested at January 1, 2010
    597     $ 31.60       121     $ 29.75  
Granted
    290       22.27       52       22.41  
Exercised
    (155 )     40.56       0       0.00  
Forfeited
    (9 )     25.96       0       0.00  
Cancelled
    0       0.00       (24 )     40.74  
Nonvested at September 30, 2010
    723       26.00       149       25.38  
 
NOTE 10 – Commitments And Contingent Liabilities
 
In the ordinary course of conducting business, the company and its subsidiaries are named as defendants in various legal proceedings. Most of these proceedings are claims litigation involving the company’s insurance subsidiaries in which the company is either defending or providing indemnity for third-party claims brought against insureds who are litigating first-party coverage claims. The company accounts for such activity through the establishment of unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. We believe that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such ordinary-course claims litigation, after consideration of provisions made for potential losses and costs of defense, is immaterial to our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
The company and its subsidiaries also are occasionally involved in other legal actions, some of which assert claims for substantial amounts. These actions include, among others, putative class actions seeking certification of a state or national class. Such putative class actions have alleged, for example, improper reimbursement of medical providers paid under workers’ compensation insurance policies, erroneous coding of municipal tax locations and excessive premium charges for uninsured motorist coverage. The company’s
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
16

 
 
insurance subsidiaries also are occasionally parties to individual actions in which extra-contractual damages, punitive damages or penalties are sought, such as claims alleging bad faith in the handling of insurance claims.
 
On a quarterly basis, we review the outstanding lawsuits seeking such recourse. Under current accounting guidance, we establish accruals for lawsuits when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and we can reasonably estimate its potential exposure. The company accounts for such probable and estimable lawsuits, if any, through the establishment of legal expense reserves. Based on our quarterly review, we believe that our accruals for probable and estimable lawsuits are reasonable and that the amounts accrued do not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. However, if any one or more of these cases results in a judgment against us or settlement for an amount that is significantly greater than the amount accrued, the resulting liability could have a material effect on the company’s consolidated results of operations or cash flows.
 
NOTE 11 – Income Taxes
 
As of December 31, 2009, we had no liability for unrecognized tax benefits. Details about our liability for unrecognized tax benefits are found in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 11, Income Taxes, Pages 108 and 109.
 
We anticipate that the Internal Revenue Service will conclude its audit of tax years 2007 and 2008 within the next three months and that we will reach agreement settling all issues presented. As a result, there is no liability for unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2010.
 
NOTE 12 – Segment Information
 
We operate primarily in two industries, property casualty insurance and life insurance. We regularly review four different reporting segments to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance:
 
·
Commercial lines property casualty insurance
 
·
Personal lines property casualty insurance
 
·
Life insurance
 
·
Investments
 
We report as Other the non-investment operations of the parent company and its non-insurer subsidiaries, CFC Investment Company and CSU Producer Resources Inc. We also report as Other the results of The Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company, as well as other income of our standard market property casualty insurance subsidiary. Also included in 2009 results for this segment are the operations of a former subsidiary, CinFin Capital Management. See our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 18, Segment Information, Page 115 for a description of revenue, income or loss before income taxes and identifiable assets for each of the four segments.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
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Segment information is summarized in the following table:
 
  
 
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Revenues:
                       
Commercial lines insurance
                       
Commercial casualty
  $ 182     $ 180     $ 518     $ 546  
Commercial property
    123       122       365       362  
Commercial auto
    96       99       287       296  
Workers' compensation
    77       82       230       253  
Specialty packages
    38       37       112       110  
Surety and executive risk
    22       27       71       77  
Machinery and equipment
    9       8       25       23  
Total commercial lines insurance
    547       555       1,608       1,667  
                                 
Personal lines insurance
                               
Personal auto
    86       80       250       239  
Homeowner
    72       68       214       207  
Other personal lines
    24       22       71       67  
Total personal lines insurance
    182       170       535       513  
                                 
Life insurance
    41       33       121       104  
Investment operations
    283       237       528       460  
Other
    18       12       44       26  
Total
  $ 1,071     $ 1,007     $ 2,836     $ 2,770  
                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes:
                               
Insurance underwriting results:
                               
Commercial lines insurance
  $ (19 )   $ 42     $ (39 )   $ (31 )
Personal lines insurance
    (6 )     (4 )     (52 )     (96 )
Life insurance
    (1 )     1       1       2  
Investment operations
    262       220       468       410  
Other
    (15 )     (15 )     (51 )     (58 )
Total
  $ 221     $ 244     $ 327     $ 227  

Identifiable assets:
 
   September 30,   
   
   December 31,   
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Property casualty insurance
  $ 1,963     $ 2,202  
Life insurance
    1,238       1,176  
Investment operations
    11,468       10,684  
Other
    401       378  
Total
  $ 15,070     $ 14,440  

Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
18

 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following discussion highlights significant factors influencing the consolidated results of operations and financial position of Cincinnati Financial Corporation (CFC). It should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Unless otherwise noted, the industry data is prepared by A.M. Best Co., a leading insurance industry statistical, analytical and financial strength rating organization. Information from A.M. Best is presented on a statutory basis. When we provide our results on a comparable statutory basis, we label it as such; all other company data is presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
 
We present per share data on a diluted basis unless otherwise noted, adjusting those amounts for all stock splits and dividends. Dollar amounts are rounded to millions; calculations of percent changes are based on dollar amounts rounded to the nearest million. Certain percentage changes are identified as not meaningful (nm).
 
Safe Harbor Statement
 
This is our “Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our business is subject to certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements in this report. Some of those risks and uncertainties are discussed in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1A, Risk Factors, Page 23. Although we often review or update our forward-looking statements when events warrant, we caution our readers that we undertake no obligation to do so.
 
Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to:
 
·
Unusually high levels of catastrophe losses due to risk concentrations, changes in weather patterns, environmental events, terrorism incidents or other causes
 
·
Increased frequency and/or severity of claims
 
·
Inadequate estimates or assumptions used for critical accounting estimates
 
·
Recession or other economic conditions resulting in lower demand for insurance products or increased payment delinquencies
 
·
Delays in adoption and implementation of underwriting and pricing methods that could increase our pricing accuracy, underwriting profit and competitiveness
 
·
Inability to defer policy acquisition costs for any business segment if pricing and loss trends would lead management to conclude that segment could not achieve sustainable profitability
 
·
Declines in overall stock market values negatively affecting the company’s equity portfolio and book value
 
·
Events, such as the credit crisis, followed by prolonged periods of economic instability or recession, that lead to:
 
 
o
Significant or prolonged decline in the value of a particular security or group of securities and impairment of the asset(s)
 
 
o
Significant decline in investment income due to reduced or eliminated dividend payouts from a particular security or group of securities
 
 
o
Significant rise in losses from surety and director and officer policies written for financial institutions
 
·
Prolonged low interest rate environment or other factors that limit the company’s ability to generate growth in investment income or interest rate fluctuations that result in declining values of fixed-maturity investments, including declines in accounts in which we hold bank-owned life insurance contract assets
 
·
Increased competition that could result in a significant reduction in the company’s premium volume
 
·
Changing consumer insurance-buying habits and consolidation of independent insurance agencies that could alter our competitive advantages
 
·
Inability to obtain adequate reinsurance on acceptable terms, amount of reinsurance purchased, financial strength of reinsurers and the potential for non-payment or delay in payment by reinsurers
 
·
Events or conditions that could weaken or harm the company’s relationships with its independent agencies and hamper opportunities to add new agencies, resulting in limitations on the company’s opportunities for growth, such as:
 
 
o
Downgrades of the company’s financial strength ratings
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
19

 
 
 
o
Concerns that doing business with the company is too difficult
 
 
o
Perceptions that the company’s level of service, particularly claims service, is no longer a distinguishing characteristic in the marketplace
 
 
o
Delays or inadequacies in the development, implementation, performance and benefits of technology projects and enhancements
 
·
Actions of insurance departments, state attorneys general or other regulatory agencies, including a change to a federal system of regulation from a state-based system, that:
 
 
o
Restrict our ability to exit or reduce writings of unprofitable coverages or lines of business
 
 
o
Place the insurance industry under greater regulatory scrutiny or result in new statutes, rules and regulations
 
 
o
Increase our expenses
 
 
o
Add assessments for guaranty funds, other insurance related assessments or mandatory reinsurance arrangements; or that impair our ability to recover such assessments through future surcharges or other rate changes
 
 
o
Limit our ability to set fair, adequate and reasonable rates
 
 
o
Place us at a disadvantage in the marketplace
 
 
o
Restrict our ability to execute our business model, including the way we compensate agents
 
·
Adverse outcomes from litigation or administrative proceedings
 
·
Events or actions, including unauthorized intentional circumvention of controls, that reduce the company’s future ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
·
Unforeseen departure of certain executive officers or other key employees due to retirement, health or other causes that could interrupt progress toward important strategic goals or diminish the effectiveness of certain longstanding relationships with insurance agents and others
 
·
Events, such as an epidemic, natural catastrophe or terrorism, that could hamper our ability to assemble our workforce at our headquarters location
 
·
Difficulties with technology or data security breaches could negatively affect our ability to conduct business and our relationships with agents, policyholders and others
 
Further, the company’s insurance businesses are subject to the effects of changing social, economic and regulatory environments. Public and regulatory initiatives have included efforts to adversely influence and restrict premium rates, restrict the ability to cancel policies, impose underwriting standards and expand overall regulation. The company also is subject to public and regulatory initiatives that can affect the market value for its common stock, such as measures affecting corporate financial reporting and governance. The ultimate changes and eventual effects, if any, of these initiatives are uncertain.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
20

 
 
Introduction
 
Corporate Financial Highlights
 
Income Statement and Per Share Data
 
  
 
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in millions except share data)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
Income statement data
                                   
Earned premiums
  $ 784     $ 766       2     $ 2,299     $ 2,301       0  
Investment income, net of expenses
    128       127       1       388       370       5  
Realized investment gains and losses, pretax
    155       110       41       140       90       56  
Total revenues
    1,071       1,007       6       2,836       2,770       2  
Net income
    156       171       (9 )     251       187       34  
Per share data (diluted)
                                               
Net income
    0.95       1.05       (10 )     1.53       1.15       33  
Cash dividends declared
    0.40       0.395       1       1.19       1.175       1  
                                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding
    163,175,682       162,901,396       0       163,251,628       162,794,767       0  
 
Revenues were higher for the third quarter of 2010 compared with the third quarter of 2009, driven by growth in earned premiums and realized investment gains. Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, increased compared with the same period of 2009 as higher investment revenues offset slightly lower earned premiums. Revenue trends and investment revenues are discussed further in the respective sections of Results of Operations, Page 28.
 
Realized investment gains and losses are recognized on the sales of investments or as otherwise required by GAAP. We have substantial discretion in the timing of investment sales, and that timing generally is independent of the insurance underwriting process. GAAP also requires us to recognize in income the gains or losses from certain changes in fair values of securities even though we continue to hold the securities.
 
Net income for the third quarter of 2010 compared with the 2009 third quarter decreased primarily due to weaker property casualty underwriting results that declined $42 million after taxes. On an after-tax basis, investment income increased $1 million and realized investment gains increased $25 million. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, net income improved compared with the same period of 2009. The primary components of the improvement, on an after-tax basis, included a $32 million increase in realized investment gains, a $25 million improvement in property casualty underwriting results, and a $10 million increase in investment income. Property casualty underwriting performance and investment results are discussed below in Results of Operations, beginning on Page 28. As discussed in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Factors Influencing Our Future Performance, Page 35, there are several reasons that our performance during 2010 may be below our long-term targets. In that annual report, as part of Results of Operations, we also discussed the full-year 2010 outlook for each reporting segment.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we repurchased 0.4 million shares of our common stock at a cost of $10 million, with an average price paid per share of $26.49. We had no repurchases during the third quarter of 2010.
 
The board of directors is committed to rewarding shareholders directly through cash dividends and through share repurchase authorizations. Through 2009, the company had increased the indicated annual cash dividend rate for 49 consecutive years, a record we believe was matched by only 10 other publicly traded companies. In August 2010 the board of directors increased the fourth quarter dividend to 40 cents per share, and the payment of that dividend in mid-October resulted in our 50th consecutive year of increasing cash dividends. Our board regularly evaluates relevant factors in dividend-related decisions, and the increase declared in August 2010 reflected confidence in our strong capital, liquidity and initiatives to improve earnings performance.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
21

 
 
Balance Sheet Data and Performance Measures
 
  
 
At September 30,
   
At December 31,
 
(Dollars in millions except share data)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Balance sheet data
           
Invested assets
  $ 11,305     $ 10,643  
Total assets
    15,070       14,440  
Short-term debt
    49       49  
Long-term debt
    790       790  
Shareholders' equity
    5,010       4,760  
Book value per share
    30.80       29.25  
Debt-to-total-capital ratio
    14.3 %     15.0 %

   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Performance measure
                       
Value creation ratio
   
7.1%
     
13.1%
     
9.4%
     
15.0%
 
 
Invested assets increased 6 percent and total assets increased 4 percent compared with year-end 2009, largely due to purchases of additional securities and growth in unrealized investment gains. Shareholders’ equity rose to over $5 billion and book value per share increased 5 percent. Our debt-to-total-capital ratio (capital is the sum of debt plus shareholders’ equity) improved compared with the December 31, 2009, level. The value creation ratio, defined below, was lower for the first nine months of 2010 compared with 2009, primarily due to less growth in unrealized investment gains for the 2010 period. The $1.55 increase in book value per share during the first nine months of 2010 added 5.3 percentage points to the value creation ratio while dividends declared at $1.19 per share during the first nine months of 2010 contributed 4.1 points.
 
Progress Toward Long-Term Value Creation
 
Through The Cincinnati Insurance Company, Cincinnati Financial Corporation is one of the 25 largest property casualty insurers in the nation, based on 2009 written premium volume for approximately 2,000 U.S. stock and mutual insurer groups. We market our insurance products through a select group of independent insurance agencies as discussed in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Our Business and Our Strategy, Page 1. In October 2010, we announced the appointment of our first agent in Connecticut, our 38th state of operation.
 
We maintain a long-term perspective that guides us in addressing immediate challenges or opportunities while focusing on the major decisions that best position our company for success through all market cycles. We believe that this forward-looking view has consistently benefited our policyholders, agents, shareholders and associates.
 
To measure our long-term progress, we have defined a value creation metric that we believe captures the contribution of our insurance operations, the success of our investment strategy and the importance we place on paying cash dividends to shareholders. This measure, our value creation ratio or VCR, is made up of two primary components: (1) our rate of growth in book value per share plus (2) the ratio of dividends declared per share to beginning book value per share. For the period 2010 through 2014, an annual value creation ratio averaging 12 percent to 15 percent is our primary performance target. Management believes this non-GAAP measure is a useful supplement to GAAP information. With heightened economic and market uncertainty since 2008, we believe this ratio is an appropriate way to measure our long-term progress in creating shareholder value.
 
When looking at our longer-term objectives, we see three performance drivers:
 
·
Premium growth — We believe over any five-year period our agency relationships and initiatives can lead to a property casualty written premium growth rate that exceeds the industry average. The compound annual growth rate of our net written premiums was negative 0.6 percent over the five-year period 2005 through 2009, compared with negative 1.0 percent estimated growth rate for the property casualty insurance industry.
 
For the first nine months of 2010, our total property casualty net written premiums increased less than 1 percent overall with our largest segment, commercial lines, decreasing approximately 3 percent. A.M. Best forecasts a decline in net written premiums of approximately 2 percent for the U.S. property casualty industry for the year 2010, with the industry’s commercial lines segment declining nearly 6 percent. A.M. Best also expects a sluggish economic recovery and forecasts that premium rates will be flat to slightly down throughout 2010. Given the ongoing weak pricing in the insurance marketplace, we continue to exercise discipline for risk selection and pricing. Our selective underwriting approach and the continued weakness in the broader economy somewhat offset progress on growth initiatives discussed below in Highlights of Our Strategies and Supporting Initiatives, Page 23.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
22

 
 
The effects of targeted growth initiatives from recent years continue to mature over time, as measured by growth in property casualty net written premiums. In the first nine months of 2010, targeted growth highlights included $21 million of standard commercial lines business from three new states – Texas, Colorado and Wyoming – where we began operating in 2008 or 2009, and $15 million from all states in total for our excess and surplus lines operation, which also began in 2008.
 
·
Combined ratio — We believe our underwriting philosophy and initiatives can generate a GAAP combined ratio over any five-year period that is consistently below 100 percent. Our GAAP combined ratio averaged 95.6 percent over the five-year period 2005 through 2009. It was below 100 percent in each year during the period except 2008 and 2009, which averaged 102.5 percent including average catastrophe losses that were 2.5 percentage points higher than the average for the 10 years prior to 2008. Our statutory combined ratio averaged 95.4 percent over the five-year period 2005 through 2009 compared with an estimated 98.8 percent for the property casualty industry.
 
For the first nine months of 2010, our GAAP combined ratio was 104.7 percent and our statutory combined ratio was 104.4 percent, both including 7.2 percentage points of current accident year catastrophe losses offset by 7.9 percentage points of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years. A.M. Best forecasts the industry’s full-year 2010 statutory combined ratio at 101.7 percent, including 4.0 percentage points of catastrophe losses and a favorable impact of 2.3 percentage points from prior accident year reserve releases. For the commercial lines industry segment, A.M. Best forecasts a full-year 2010 statutory combined ratio at 103.7 percent, including 2.7 percentage points of catastrophe losses and a favorable impact of 2.1 percentage points from prior accident year reserve releases.
 
·
Investment contribution — We believe our investment philosophy and initiatives can drive investment income growth and lead to a total return on our equity investment portfolio over a five-year period that exceeds the five-year return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. The compound annual return for our equity portfolio over the five-year period 2005 through 2009 was negative 5.8 percent compared with positive 0.4 percent for the Index. Our equity portfolio underperformed the market for the five-year period primarily because of the 2008 decline in the market value of our previously large equity holdings in the financial services sector.
 
Investment income, on a before-tax basis, grew at a compound annual rate of 0.3 percent over the five-year period 2005 through 2009. It grew in each year except 2008 and 2009, when we experienced a dramatic reduction in dividend payouts by financial services companies held in our equity portfolio, a risk we addressed aggressively during 2008, completing that effort in early 2009.
 
For the first nine months of 2010, pretax investment income was $388 million, up 5 percent from $370 million for the same period in 2009. The increase reflected higher interest income from a significantly increased allocation to fixed maturity securities during 2009. The current investment portfolio mix provides a balance of income stability and growth with capital appreciation potential.
 
Highlights of Our Strategies and Supporting Initiatives
 
Management has worked to identify the strategies that can lead to long-term success, with concurrence by the board of directors. Our strategies are intended to position us to compete successfully in the markets we have targeted while appropriately managing risk. We believe successful implementation of the initiatives that support these strategies will help us to better serve our agent customers, to reduce volatility in our financial results and to weather difficult economic, market or industry pricing cycles:
 
·
Manage capital effectively – Continued focus on capital-related initiatives is intended to manage our capital and provide financial flexibility so that we can successfully grow our insurance business while also building capital for the long-term benefit of shareholders. A strong capital position provides the capacity to support premium growth and provides the liquidity to pay claims while sustaining our investment in the people and infrastructure needed to implement our other strategic initiatives.
 
·
Improve insurance profitability – Implementation of profit-focused initiatives is intended to improve pricing capabilities for our property casualty business and improve our overall efficiency. Improved pricing helps us manage profit margins and greater efficiency helps control costs, together improving overall profitability. These initiatives also seek to help the agencies that represent us to grow profitably by supporting their effectiveness and efficiency in serving clients and managing expenses.
 
·
Drive premium growth – Implementation of premium growth-oriented initiatives is intended to expand our geographic footprint and diversify our premium sources to obtain profitable growth without significant additional infrastructure expense. Diversified growth also may reduce earnings volatility related to regional differences for risks of weather-related catastrophes or potential negative changes in economic, judicial or regulatory environments.
 
We discuss initiatives supporting each of these three strategies below, along with metrics we use to assess our progress.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
23

 
 
Manage Capital Effectively
 
Our primary capital management initiatives are:
 
·
Maintain a diversified investment portfolio by reviewing and applying diversification parameters and tolerances – We discuss our portfolio strategies in greater depth in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Investment Segment, Page 18.
 
 
o
Fixed-maturity portfolio that is diversified and exceeds total insurance reserves – At September 30, 2010, no corporate exposure accounted for more than 0.8 percent of our fixed-maturity portfolio and no municipal exposure accounted for more than 0.3 percent. The $8.466 billion portfolio had an average rating of A2/A. The risk of potential decline of capital due to lower bond values during periods of increasing interest rates is managed in part through a generally laddered maturity schedule for this portfolio, as approximately half of our bonds mature during the period 2010 through 2017. The portfolio fair value exceeded total insurance reserve liability by approximately 37 percent. In addition, we have assets in the form of receivables from reinsurers, most with A.M. Best insurer financial strength ratings of A or better. These assets directly relate to insurance reserves, offsetting nearly 9 percent of that liability.
 
 
o
Equity portfolio that we diversify by minimizing concentrations in single stocks or industries – At September 30, 2010, no single security accounted for more than 6 percent of our portfolio of publicly traded common stocks, and no single sector accounted for more than 17 percent. Because of the strength of our fixed-maturity portfolio, we have the opportunity to invest for potential capital appreciation by purchasing equity securities.
 
 
o
Parent company liquidity that increases our flexibility through all periods to maintain our cash dividend and to continue to invest in and expand our insurance operations – At September 30, 2010, we held $1.122 billion of our cash and invested assets at the parent company level, of which $722 million, or 64.3 percent, was invested in common stocks, and $92 million, or 8.2 percent, was cash or cash equivalents.
 
·
Develop a comprehensive, enterprise-level catastrophe management program – Weather-related catastrophe losses for our property casualty business can significantly affect capital and cause earnings volatility. We continue to work on a comprehensive program with the objective of identifying overall tolerances for catastrophe risk as well as regional guidelines that align with our underwriting and reinsurance efforts. An important element of this initiative is maintaining reinsurance coverage from highly rated reinsurers to mitigate underwriting risk and to support our ability to hold investments until maturity. See our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, 2010 Reinsurance Programs, Page 79, for additional details on our reinsurance.
 
·
Minimize reliance on debt as a source of capital, maintaining the ratio of debt-to-total-capital below 20 percent – At September 30, 2010, this ratio at 14.3 percent was well below the target limit as capital remained strong while debt levels were essentially unchanged from year-end 2009. Our long-term debt consists of three non-convertible, non-callable debentures, two due in 2028 and one in 2034.
 
·
Identify tolerances for other operational risks and calibrate management decisions accordingly – Among the areas of focus in 2010 were implications of health care reform legislation and related income tax effects. Because our employee benefit plans do not include subsidies related to retiree prescription drug coverage, we have no corresponding tax effect due to the legislation. We also continued work on managing exposure to operational risks related to our company’s disaster recovery and business continuity. Our enterprise risk management efforts also include evaluating emerging risks such as potential changes in regulation at both the state and federal levels and the potential effects of increased inflation on assets and liabilities.
 
We measure the overall success of our strategy to effectively manage capital primarily by growing investment income and by achieving a total return on our equity investment portfolio that exceeds the return of the S&P 500 Index over any five-year period. We also monitor other measures. One of the most significant is our ratio of property casualty net written premiums to statutory surplus, which was 0.8-to-1 for the 12 months ended September 30, 2010, unchanged from 0.8-to-1 at year-end 2009. This ratio is a common measure of operating leverage used in the property casualty industry, with lower ratios indicating more capacity for a company’s premium growth. A.M. Best estimated the industry ratio was 0.8-to-1 at year-end 2009 and as of June 30, 2010.
 
Another means of verifying our capital management strategy is our financial strength ratings. Our parent company’s senior debt is rated by four independent ratings firms. In addition, these firms award insurer financial strength ratings to our property casualty and life companies based on their quantitative and qualitative analyses. These ratings primarily assess an insurer’s ability to meet financial obligations to policyholders and do not necessarily address all of the matters that may be important to investors. Ratings may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the rating agency, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
24

 
 
As of October 26, 2010, our insurer financial strength ratings were:
 
Insurer Financial Strength Ratings
Rating
Agency
 
Standard Market Property
Casualty Insurance Subsidiary
 
Life Insurance
Subsidiary
 
Excess and Surplus
Insurance 
Subsidiary
 
Date of Most Recent
Affirmation or Action
       
Rating
Tier
     
Rating
Tier
     
Rating
Tier
   
A. M. Best Co.
 
A+
Superior
 2 of 16
 
A
Excellent
 3 of 16
 
A
Excellent
 3 of 16
 
Stable outlook (2/18/10)
Fitch Ratings
 
A+
Strong
 5 of 21
 
A+
Strong
 5 of 21
 
-
-
-
 
Stable outlook (9/2/10)
Moody's Investors Service
 
A1
Good
 5 of 21
 
-
-
-
 
-
-
-
 
Stable outlook (9/25/08)
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services
 
A
Strong
 6 of 21
 
A
Strong
 6 of 21
 
-
-
-
 
Stable outlook (7/19/10)
 
·
All of our insurance subsidiaries continue to be highly rated.
 
On September 2, 2010, Fitch Ratings affirmed our ratings that it had assigned in August 2009, continuing its stable outlook. Fitch noted that ratings strengths include conservative capitalization, moderate holding company leverage, ample liquidity and competitive advantages from our distribution system. Fitch said the ratings recognize our steps taken to rebalance our common stock portfolio to reduce capital and earnings volatility. Fitch noted ratings concerns principally related to challenges from competitive market conditions and exposure to regional natural catastrophes and weather-related losses.
 
On July 19, 2010, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services lowered the insurer financial strength ratings to A (Strong) from A+ (Strong) on our standard market property casualty companies and our life insurance subsidiary, raising its outlook to stable. S&P said its actions reflected the recent decline in our earnings and deterioration of underwriting performance from historical levels. Standard & Poor’s noted our very strong capitalization and strong competitive position, supported by a very loyal and productive agency force and low-cost infrastructure. S&P also cited our improved enterprise risk management, including a more conservative and risk-averse investment portfolio, which supports capital stabilization.
 
On February 18, 2010, A.M. Best affirmed our ratings that it had assigned in December 2008, continuing its stable outlook. A.M. Best cited our superior risk-adjusted capitalization, strong five-year average operating performance, historically redundant reserves and successful distribution within our targeted regional markets. A.M. Best noted that common stock leverage was approximately 50 percent of statutory surplus at year-end 2009, a concern offset by our conservative underwriting and reserving philosophies, with loss reserves more than fully covered by a highly rated, diversified bond portfolio.
 
No other ratings agency actions to our insurer financial strength ratings have occurred in 2010.
 
Improve Insurance Profitability
 
The main initiatives to improve our insurance profitability include:
 
·
Improve underwriting expertise – While most of our lines of business have maintained underwriting profitability, we continue to work on improving our capabilities in risk selection and pricing. For the lines of business that are underperforming or that involve larger or more complex risks, we take a comprehensive approach – with collaborative expertise among a team of associates from underwriting, claims, loss control, marketing, actuarial services and premium audit – focusing efforts toward restoring those lines’ underwriting profitability. Progress during 2010 and future plans for key initiatives are summarized below.
 
 
Improve pricing capabilities in each line of business – We began to use predictive modeling tools that align individual insurance policy pricing to risk attributes prior to 2010 for our homeowner and workers’ compensation lines of business and expect to improve loss ratios over time. Predictive modeling tools developed during 2010 were used in determining personal auto rate changes effective beginning October 2010 for selected states and similar pricing precision is being developed for additional states. We continue to develop predictive models as a pricing tool for all major lines of commercial insurance, with commercial auto targeted for initial use in late 2010. Other initiatives in progress include preparing regulatory filings for multiple price tiers supporting predictive modeling and closer monitoring with measurements for commercial lines discretionary rate credits applied based on risk quality.
 
 
o
Improving our business data to support accurate underwriting, pricing and decisions – Over the next several years, we plan to deploy a full data management program, including a data warehouse for our property casualty and life insurance operations that will provide enhanced granularity of pricing data. This is a phased, long-term project that is currently in progress. In the interim, new data mining and reporting tools are being implemented for use with existing databases.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
25

 
 
·
Improve expense management to make the best use of our resources – We continue to invest in technology and workflow improvements to help improve efficiency and grow our business, as insurance market conditions improve, without proportional increases in expenses. Efficiency gains currently being realized allowed us recently to reallocate associates, focusing resources on more strategic activities and initiatives. During the first nine months of 2010, our overall associate count decreased approximately 2 percent from the year-end 2009 level, largely in data entry functions related to initial benefits from our investment in new or enhanced policy administration systems.
 
·
Develop and deploy technology – Technology continues to be key for improving efficiencies and streamlining processes for our agencies, allowing us to win an increasing share of their most profitable business. Our technology initiatives seek to make it easier for agents to do business with us while enhancing our tradition of local decision-making by our agents and our field representatives who live and work in their communities. Ongoing technology development contributes to improved profitability by enhancing internal efficiency and organization of business data used for underwriting and pricing. Progress during 2010 and future plans for major technology initiatives are highlighted below.
 
 
o
Commercial lines policy administration system – In the fourth quarter of 2009, we deployed a new system called e-CLAS® CPP for commercial package and auto coverages to all of our appointed agencies in 11 states. During the first nine months of 2010, the system was deployed in 14 additional states. In total those first 25 states produce approximately 90 percent of our total commercial premium volume. We plan to deploy the system to as many as five additional states during the remainder of 2010. The new system includes real-time quoting and policy issuance, direct bill capabilities with several payment plans, and interface capabilities to transfer selected policy data from agency management systems. The response from agency staff has been positive, and we believe the new system will further improve our position among the go-to carriers for our agencies, having a positive impact over the long term on growth of profitable commercial lines business.
 
 
o
Personal lines policy administration system – In early 2010, we deployed a new version of our Diamond system to all agencies that produce our personal lines business. In addition to handling additional data that supports enhanced pricing sophistication, this Web-based system supports agency efficiency through pre-filling of selected policy data and easy-to-use screens. We continue to focus on making it easier for our agents to transact business with us, which we believe will significantly benefit our objective of writing their highest quality accounts with superior profit potential. During the first nine months of 2010, agents continued to generate solid growth for our personal lines segment as new business written premiums increased 22 percent.
 
We measure the overall success of our strategy to improve insurance profitability primarily through our GAAP combined ratio, which we believe can be consistently below 100 percent over any five-year period.
 
In addition, we expect these initiatives to contribute to our rank as the No. 1 or No. 2 insurance company based on premium volume in agencies that have represented us for at least five years. We earned that rank in approximately 75 percent of these agencies, based on 2009 premiums. We are working to increase the percentage of agencies where our premium share ranks us as No. 1 or No. 2.
 
Drive Premium Growth
 
Key initiatives to drive premium growth include:
 
·
Appoint new agencies – For 2010, we set an initial target of 65 new appointments of independent agencies writing an aggregate $1 billion in property casualty premiums annually with all insurance companies they represent. During the first nine months of 2010, we appointed 71 new agencies, and we now expect that new appointments will total approximately 80 for full-year 2010. The 71 new agencies write an aggregate of nearly $1.2 billion in property casualty premiums annually with various companies for an average of approximately $16 million per agency. The smallest of the new agencies writes less than $1 million for all represented companies and the largest writes nearly $140 million. Since 2004, more than 25 larger agencies that each write over $50 million for all represented companies have been appointed to represent The Cincinnati Insurance Companies. As of September 30, 2010, a total of 1,227 agency relationships market our standard market insurance products from 1,524 reporting locations.
 
We seek to build close, long-term relationships with each agency we appoint and carefully evaluate the marketing reach of each prospective appointment to ensure the territory can support both current and new agencies. Our 114 field marketing territories are staffed by marketing representatives averaging 19 years of industry experience and nine years as a Cincinnati Insurance field marketing representative. The team of field associates in each of their territories works together with headquarters support associates to form our agent-centered business model, providing local expertise, helping us better understand the accounts we underwrite and creating market advantages for our agents.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
26

 
 
Expansion into new states provides opportunities to replicate and leverage our highly successful agent-centered business model through the appointment of additional agencies. As of October 2010, our agents were actively marketing Cincinnati Insurance policies in 38 states, and we continue to study the regulatory and competitive environment in other states. We targeted entry during 2010 into two new states: Connecticut and Oregon. Our first Connecticut agency appointment was announced in October, and we expect to appoint the first Oregon agency later in 2010.
 
·
Earn a larger share of business with currently appointed agents – We continue to execute on growth initiatives begun in prior years, with a focus on the key components of agent satisfaction. Important initiatives are summarized below.
 
 
o
New products and services – In early 2010 we launched a Target Markets department intended to focus on new commercial product development and support, including identification and promotional support for promising classes of business. Associates with subject matter expertise in specific industry segments are dedicated full time to those segments, engaging in research and monitoring changes in the marketplace. We released a new target markets product during the third quarter of 2010, the Manufacturers’ Package Program. During the second quarter of 2010 we released the Educational Institutions Program. Programs targeting two additional industry segments, Home Health Care and Utility Services, are expected to be implemented by late 2010. The target markets initiative is expected to enable our agents to capture a greater share of the business in their communities and to place that business with Cincinnati Insurance. We also continue to add field associates where we can enhance service to our agents to increase their market advantages and support new business growth. Additions include loss control field representatives, personal lines field marketing representatives and field specialists in surety bonds or premium auditing.
 
 
o
New states – Reaching our desired market share within an independent agency requires several years as relationships mature. We generally are able to earn a 10 percent share of an agency’s business within 10 years of its appointment. We also help our agents grow their business by attracting more clients in their communities through our unique style of service. In New Mexico and eastern Washington, states entered in 2007, we appointed 13 agencies through 2009, earning an almost 5 percent share of their total agency annual premium volume as of the end of 2009. In Texas, entered in late 2008, our share of business is increasing as net written premiums for the first nine months of 2010 rose to $22 million compared with $7 million for the same period of 2009.
 
 
o
Excess and surplus lines insurance – To better serve our agents and grow profitably over time, we entered this market in 2008. We offer a variety of coverages in 37 of the 38 states where agents market our standard market coverages. Our agents write about $2.5 billion annually of excess and surplus lines business with various carriers, and we plan to earn a profitable share by bringing Cincinnati-style service to agents and policyholders. During the second quarter of 2010, new products were introduced for errors and omissions coverage targeting manufacturing and staffing businesses. An important aspect of our excess and surplus lines growth initiative is to carefully manage policy terms and conditions and limit our exposure to any single risk to $1 million through reinsurance. During the first nine months of 2010, net written premiums were $43 million compared with $29 million for the same period of 2009, an increase of 50 percent.
 
 
o
Personal lines – As we refine pricing and improve ease of use for our agents, we are benefitting from continued premium growth. Enhancement of our tiered rating during 2009 helped to further improve our rate and credit structures to attract and retain business for our agents’ more quality-conscious clientele, with pricing that targets long-term underwriting profitability. During the first nine months of 2010, net written premiums increased 8 percent while new business premiums increased 22 percent. In seven states where we began writing personal lines business or significantly expanded our product offerings and automation capabilities in 2008 or 2009, net written premiums increased over 70 percent to a total of $30 million for the first nine months of 2010. During the first nine months of 2010, 33 more of those agencies that formerly marketed only our commercial lines products were activated to offer our personal lines products, with 79 percent of our agents now marketing our personal lines products in the 29 states where we make them available.
 
We measure the overall success of this strategy to drive premium growth primarily through changes in net written premiums, which we believe can grow faster than the industry average over any five-year period. For the first nine months of 2010, our property casualty net written premiums increased slightly, at less than 1 percent, compared with a full-year 2010 estimated 2 percent decline for the industry.
 
Despite near-term challenges in insurance and financial markets that are reflected in year-to-date 2010 financial performance, we have made significant progress on our initiatives and remain confident that our strategy can deliver long-term value for shareholders.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
27

 
 
Results of Operations
 
The consolidated results of operations reflect the operating results of each of our four segments along with the parent company and other activities reported as “Other.” The four segments are:
 
·
Commercial lines property casualty insurance
 
·
Personal lines property casualty insurance
 
·
Life insurance
 
·
Investments
 
We report as Other the non-investment operations of the parent company and its non-insurer subsidiaries, CFC Investment Company and CSU Producer Resources Inc. We also report as Other the results of The Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company, as well as other income of our standard market property casualty insurance subsidiary. See Item 1, Note 12, Segment Information, Page 17, for discussion of the calculations of segment data. Results of operations for each of the four segments are discussed below.
 
Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Results of Operations
 
Consolidated property casualty insurance results include premiums and expenses for our standard market insurance (commercial lines and personal lines segments) as well as our surplus lines operations.
 
  
 
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
Earned premiums
  $ 743     $ 733       1     $ 2,179     $ 2,198       (1 )
                                                 
Loss and loss expenses from:
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
    561       542       3       1,575       1,553       1  
Current accident year catastrophe losses
    31       8       271       158       183       (14 )
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
    (57 )     (89 )     36       (157 )     (107 )     (46 )
Prior accident years catastrophe losses
    (3 )     (2 )     (64 )     (16 )     (6 )     (163 )
Total loss and loss expenses
    532       459       16       1,560       1,623       (4 )
Underwriting expenses
    240       238       1       722       716       1  
Underwriting (loss) profit
  $ (29 )   $ 36    
nm
    $ (103 )   $ (141 )     27  
                                                 
                   
Pt. Change
                   
Pt. Change
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
    75.5 %     73.9 %     1.6       72.3 %     70.6 %     1.7  
Current accident year catastrophe losses
    4.3       1.2       3.1       7.2       8.4       (1.2 )
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
    (7.7 )     (12.1 )     4.4       (7.2 )     (4.9 )     (2.3 )
Prior accident years catastrophe losses
    (0.5 )     (0.3 )     (0.2 )     (0.7 )     (0.3 )     (0.4 )
Total loss and loss expenses
    71.6       62.7       8.9       71.6       73.8       (2.2 )
Underwriting expenses
    32.3       32.4       (0.1 )     33.1       32.6       0.5  
Combined ratio
    103.9 %     95.1 %     8.8       104.7 %     106.4 %     (1.7 )
                                                 
Combined ratio:
    103.9 %     95.1 %     8.8       104.7 %     106.4 %     (1.7 )
Contribution from catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development
    (3.9 )     (11.2 )     7.3       (0.7 )     3.2       (3.9 )
Combined ratio before catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development
    107.8 %     106.3 %     1.5       105.4 %     103.2 %     2.2  
 
Our consolidated property casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting loss of $29 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared with an underwriting profit of $36 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, our property casualty insurance operations experienced an underwriting loss of $103 million compared with an underwriting loss of $141 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The primary causes for last year’s third-quarter underwriting profit changing to an underwriting loss included a lower level of favorable reserve development on prior accident years and higher weather-related catastrophe losses. The main drivers of improvement in the 2010 year-to-date underwriting result included a higher level of favorable reserve development on prior accident years and lower weather-related catastrophe losses. More details of property casualty insurance results are discussed below, including discussion of our commercial lines and personal lines segments.
 
We measure and analyze property casualty underwriting results primarily by the combined ratio and its component ratios. The combined ratio is the percentage of incurred losses plus all expenses per each earned premium dollar — the lower the ratio, the better the performance. An underwriting profit results when the combined ratio is below 100 percent. A combined ratio above 100 percent indicates that an insurance company’s losses and expenses exceeded premiums.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
28

 
 
The combined ratio can be affected significantly by catastrophe losses and other large losses as discussed in detail below. The combined ratio can also be affected by updated estimates of loss and loss expense reserves established for claims that occurred in prior periods, referred to as prior accident years. Development on prior accident year reserves, including reserves for catastrophe losses, improved the combined ratio by 7.9 percentage points in the first nine months of 2010 compared with 5.2 percentage points in the same period of 2009. The higher amount of favorable development for the first nine months of 2010 compared with 2009 was driven by a reversal of last year’s development trend for the workers’ compensation line of business as discussed in Commercial Lines Results of Operations on Page 30.
 
The underwriting expense ratio was essentially flat for the third quarter and increased for the first nine months of 2010 compared with the same periods of 2009. The nine-month increase was primarily due to first-quarter 2010 provisions for matters involving prior years and related to Note 10, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities, Page 16.
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
Agency renewal written premiums
  $ 677     $ 669       1     $ 2,044     $ 2,030       1  
Agency new business written premiums
    109       107       2       307       311       (1 )
Other written premiums
    (50 )     (46 )     (9 )     (110 )     (110 )     0  
Net written premiums
    736       730       1       2,241       2,231       0  
Unearned premium change
    7       3       133       (62 )     (33 )     (88 )
Earned premiums
  $ 743     $ 733       1     $ 2,179     $ 2,198       (1 )
 
The trends in net written premiums and earned premiums summarized in the table above reflect ongoing strong competition in our markets plus economic recession impacts on insured exposures, partially offset by the effects of the premium growth strategies we discussed in Highlights of Our Strategies and Supporting Initiatives, Page 23. The main drivers of trends for 2010 are discussed by segment on Pages 30 and 34.
 
Consolidated property casualty agency new business written increased $2 million for the third quarter of 2010 while decreasing $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared with the same periods of 2009. For the quarter and nine-month periods, new business premiums grew for our personal lines segment and for our excess and surplus lines operation while declining for our commercial lines segment. We continued to experience new business growth related to initiatives for geographic or product line expansion into new and underserved areas. Agents appointed during 2009 or 2010 produced an increase in standard lines new business of $22 million for the first nine months of 2010 compared with 2009. As we appoint new agencies who choose to move accounts to us, we report these accounts as new business. While this business was new to us, in many cases it was not new to the agent. We believe these seasoned accounts tend to be priced more accurately than business that is less familiar to our agent due to it being recently obtained from a competing agent.
 
Catastrophe losses contributed 3.8 and 6.5 percentage points to the combined ratio in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared with 0.9 and 8.1 percentage points in the same periods of 2009.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
29

 
 
The following table shows catastrophe losses incurred, net of reinsurance, as well as the effect of loss development on prior period catastrophe events. We individually list catastrophe events for which our incurred losses reach or exceed $5 million.
 
(In millions, net of reinsurance)
     
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
           
Commercial
   
Personal
         
Commercial
   
Personal
       
Dates
 
Cause of loss
 
Region
 
lines
   
lines
   
Total
   
lines
   
lines
   
Total
 
2010
                                           
Jan. 7-12
 
Freezing, wind
 
South, Midwest
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 4     $ 1     $ 5  
Feb. 9-11
 
Ice, snow, wind
 
East, Midwest
    (1 )     (1 )     (2 )     4       1       5  
Apr. 4-6
 
Flood, hail, tornado, wind
 
South, Midwest
    -       -       -       5       6       11  
Apr. 30 - May 3
 
Flood, hail, tornado, wind
 
South
    (5 )     -       (5 )     23       6       29  
May 7-8
 
Hail, tornado, wind
 
East, Midwest
    -       3       3       2       13       15  
May 12-16
 
Flood, hail, tornado, wind
 
South, Midwest
    3       -       3       6       2       8  
Jun. 4-6
 
Flood, hail, tornado, wind
 
Midwest
    (1 )     -       (1 )     2       3       5  
Jun. 17-20
 
Flood, hail, tornado, wind
 
Midwest, West
    1       (1 )     -       6       4       10  
Jun. 21-24
 
Flood, hail, tornado, wind
 
Midwest
    (1 )     (2 )     (3 )     3       3       6  
Jun. 25-28
 
Flood, hail, tornado, wind
 
Midwest
    3       1       4       4       5       9  
Jun. 30 - Jul. 1
 
Hail, wind
 
West
    9       3       12       12       4       16  
Jul. 20-23
 
Flood, hail, tornado, wind
 
Midwest
    5       4       9       5       4       9  
All other 2010 catastrophes
        6       5       11       19       11       30  
Development on 2009 and prior catastrophes
        (2 )     (1 )     (3 )     (12 )     (4 )     (16 )
Calendar year incurred total
      $ 17     $ 11     $ 28     $ 83     $ 59     $ 142  
                                                         
2009
                                                       
Jan. 26-28
 
Flood, freezing, ice, snow
 
South, Midwest
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 5     $ 15     $ 20  
Feb. 10-13
 
Flood, hail, wind
 
East, South, Midwest
    (1 )     1       -       14       24       38  
Feb. 18-19
 
Wind, hail
 
South
    -       -       -       1       8       9  
Apr. 9-11
 
Flood, hail, wind
 
South, Midwest
    (2 )     2       -       12       16       28  
May 7-9
 
Flood, hail, wind
 
South, Midwest
    -       (1 )     (1 )     12       16       28  
Jun. 2-6
 
Flood, hail, wind
 
South, Midwest
    (2 )     2       -       4       6       10  
Jun. 10-18
 
Flood, hail, wind
 
South, Midwest
    (6 )     (2 )     (8 )     14       7       21  
Sep. 18-22
 
Flood, hail, wind
 
South
    1       4       5       1       4       5  
All other 2009 catastrophes
        6       6       12       11       13       24  
Development on 2008 and prior catastrophes
        (3 )     1       (2 )     (10 )     4       (6 )
Calendar year incurred total
      $ (7 )   $ 13     $ 6     $ 64     $ 113     $ 177  
 
Commercial Lines Insurance Results of Operations
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
                                     
Earned premiums
  $ 547     $ 555       (1 )   $ 1,608     $ 1,667       (4 )
                                                 
Loss and loss expenses from:
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
    420       407       3       1,177       1,173       0  
Current accident year catastrophe losses
    19       (4 )  
nm
      95       74       29  
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
    (50 )     (71 )     30       (142 )     (78 )     (83 )
Prior accident years catastrophe losses
    (2 )     (3 )     45       (12 )     (10 )     (22 )
Total loss and loss expenses
    387       329       18       1,118       1,159       (4 )
Underwriting expenses
    179       184       (3 )     529       539       (2 )
Underwriting (loss) profit
  $ (19 )   $ 42    
nm
    $ (39 )   $ (31 )     (26 )
                                                 
 
                 
Pt. Change
                   
Pt. Change
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
    76.6 %     73.3 %     3.3       73.1 %     70.4 %     2.7  
Current accident year catastrophe losses
    3.5       (0.6 )     4.1       5.9       4.4       1.5  
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
    (9.1 )     (12.8 )     3.7       (8.8 )     (4.6 )     (4.2 )
Prior accident years catastrophe losses
    (0.3 )     (0.6 )     0.3       (0.7 )     (0.6 )     (0.1 )
Total loss and loss expenses
    70.7       59.3       11.4       69.5       69.6       (0.1 )
Underwriting expenses
    32.7       33.1       (0.4 )     32.9       32.3       0.6  
Combined ratio
    103.4 %     92.4 %     11.0       102.4 %     101.9 %     0.5  
                                                 
Combined ratio:
    103.4 %     92.4 %     11.0       102.4 %     101.9 %     0.5  
Contribution from catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development
    (5.9 )     (14.0 )     8.1       (3.6 )     (0.8 )     (2.8 )
Combined ratio before catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development
    109.3 %     106.4 %     2.9       106.0 %     102.7 %     3.3  
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
30

 
 
Overview
 
Performance highlights for the commercial lines segment include:
 
·
Premiums – Commercial lines earned premiums and net written premiums declined during the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, reflecting lower insured exposure levels from the weak economy, lower pricing and continued strong competition that caused us to decline opportunities to write new or renewal business we considered underpriced. The premiums table below analyzes the components of earned premiums.
 
Both new business and renewal premium volume reflected a weak economy in many geographic regions, resulting in lower levels of insured exposures. Economic impacts were relatively greater on our contractor-related business, which primarily affects certain lines of business, as discussed in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Commercial Lines Insurance Results of Operations, Page 49. These lower exposures are reflected by the more significant decrease in written premiums during the first nine months of 2010 for our commercial casualty and workers’ compensation business relative to most other commercial lines of business as shown in the Commercial Lines of Business Analysis below. Premiums for these two lines include the result of policy audits that adjust initial premium amounts based on differences between estimated and actual sales or payroll related to a specific policy. Audits caused $9 million of the $59 million commercial lines earned premium decline in the first nine months of 2010.
 
Lower pricing contributed to the decrease in renewal written premiums for the first nine months of 2010. We work with our agents to retain accounts with manageable risk characteristics that support the lower average prices prevailing in the marketplace. Our agents, assisted by our field associates who handle underwriting, claims, loss control or premium audit responsibilities, provide us with insights on local market conditions. We use such insights in making decisions intended to adequately price business to achieve target profit margins. We measure average changes in commercial lines renewal pricing as the rate of change in renewal premium for the new policy period compared with the premium for the expiring policy period, assuming no change in the level of insured exposures or policy coverage between those periods for respective policies. Our commercial lines policies averaged an estimated price decline in the low-single-digit range during the third quarter of 2010, with the rate of decline trending unfavorably compared with the average for the first half of 2010. For full-year 2009 this measure averaged a decline in the low-single-digit range. More significant declines sometimes occur, particularly for larger accounts.
 
New business written premiums for commercial lines also decreased during the first nine months of 2010, an indication of strong competition and our intention to avoid writing business we considered underpriced. Our three newest states for our commercial lines operation – Texas, Colorado and Wyoming – generated an increase in new business of $13 million for the first nine months of 2010 compared with the same period of 2009, while other states in total decreased by $31 million or 14 percent. New business policies with annual premiums of $100,000 or more declined over 25 percent for the first nine months of 2010 compared with the same period of 2009, reflecting significant price competition for larger accounts.
 
Commercial Lines Insurance Premiums
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
Agency renewal written premiums
  $ 479     $ 489       (2 )   $ 1,504     $ 1,535       (2 )
Agency new business written premiums
    74       76       (3 )     213       231       (8 )
Other written premiums
    (42 )     (37 )     (14 )     (86 )     (88 )     2  
Net written premiums
    511       528       (3 )     1,631       1,678       (3 )
Unearned premium change
    36       27       33       (23 )     (11 )     (109 )
Earned premiums
  $ 547     $ 555       (1 )   $ 1,608     $ 1,667       (4 )
 
·
Combined ratio – The commercial lines combined ratio for the third quarter of 2010 deteriorated compared with the 2009 third quarter. Higher weather-related catastrophe losses and a lower level of favorable reserve development on prior accident years accounted for most of the third-quarter increase. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the commercial lines combined ratio increased slightly, driven primarily by a higher ratio for current accident year loss and loss expenses before catastrophe losses, a reflection of price declines discussed above combined with normal loss cost inflation. The ratio for current accident year loss and loss expenses before catastrophe losses of 73.1 percent for the first nine months of 2010 increased slightly compared with the 72.5 percent accident year 2009 ratio measured as of December 31, 2009.
 
Catastrophe losses accounted for 3.2 percentage points and 5.2 percentage points of the combined ratio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared with the most recent 10-year annual average for the commercial lines segment of 2.7 percentage points. The relatively high catastrophe loss ratio for the first nine months of 2010 was the primary reason for the underwriting loss during that period.
 
The net effect of reserve development on prior accident years during the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 was favorable for commercial lines overall at $52 million and $154 million compared with favorable development of $74 million and $88 million for the same periods in 2009.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
31

 
 
The workers’ compensation portion of commercial lines’ overall favorable development was $12 million and $31 million compared with favorable development of $4 million for the third quarter of 2009 and unfavorable development of $45 million for the 2009 nine-month period. For the first nine months of 2010, approximately two-thirds of the $154 million commercial lines favorable reserve development on prior accident years occurred in the commercial casualty line of business for accident years 2008 and 2009. The favorable reserve development recognized for commercial casualty is due mainly to better than anticipated development on known claims. Reserve estimates are inherently uncertain as described in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves, Page 38.
 
Our loss and loss expense ratio for workers’ compensation remained high at 97.8 percent for the first nine months of 2010, contributing to the underwriting loss. As discussed on Page 25, predictive modeling for workers’ compensation is expected to improve pricing accuracy, therefore improving profitability and the related ratios over time. In addition to using the predictive model in underwriting new business and renewal accounts, we are making greater use of workers’ compensation underwriting specialists who have extensive experience in underwriting workers’ compensation exposures. Other actions taken to improve results for the workers’ compensation line include assigning additional staff to specialize in workers’ compensation claims, increasing the use of loss control risk evaluation services and promoting the timely reporting of claims. Direct reporting of workers’ compensation claims, implemented in early 2010, provides detailed information for prompt assignment of claims expertise appropriate for each case. As a result, we have seen significantly more claims reported on the same day an injury occurs. More specialized claims handling and earlier reporting should enable our claims representatives to more effectively manage and contain the costs of claims that have already occurred, as well as future claims. Loss control services are intended to help prevent worker-related accidents or lessen the severity of injuries when accidents occur.
 
The underwriting expense ratio for the third quarter declined slightly while it increased by 0.6 percentage points for the first nine months of 2010 compared with the same periods of 2009. The nine-month increase was primarily due to lower earned premiums.
 
Underwriting results and related measures for the combined ratio are summarized in the first table of Commercial Lines Insurance Results of Operations. The tables and discussion below provide additional details for certain primary drivers of underwriting results.
 
Commercial Lines Insurance Losses by Size
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
New losses greater than $4,000,000
  $ 17     $ 13       30     $ 34     $ 43       (21 )
New losses $1,000,000-$4,000,000
    28       33       (17 )     82       96       (15 )
New losses $250,000-$1,000,000
    37       44       (15 )     117       129       (10 )
Case reserve development above $250,000
    62       49       27       123       163       (24 )
Total large losses incurred
    144       139       4       356       431       (17 )
Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
    151       124       20       471       449       5  
Catastrophe losses
    17       (7 )     352       84       64       31  
Total losses incurred
  $ 312     $ 256       21     $ 911     $ 944       (3 )
                                                 
  
                 
Pt. Change
                   
Pt. Change
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
                                               
New losses greater than $4,000,000
    3.1 %     2.4 %     0.7       2.1 %     2.6 %     (0.5 )
New losses $1,000,000-$4,000,000
    5.1       6.1       (1.0 )     5.1       5.8       (0.7 )
New losses $250,000-$1,000,000
    6.7       7.8       (1.1 )     7.3       7.8       (0.5 )
Case reserve development above $250,000
    11.4       8.8       2.6       7.7       9.8       (2.1 )
Total large loss ratio
    26.3       25.1       1.2       22.2       26.0       (3.8 )
Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
    27.6       22.3       5.3       29.3       26.9       2.4  
Catastrophe losses
    3.2       (1.2 )     4.4       5.2       3.8       1.4  
Total loss ratio
    57.1 %     46.2 %     10.9       56.7 %     56.7 %     0.0  
 
We continue to monitor new losses and case reserve increases greater than $250,000 for trends in factors such as initial reserve levels, loss cost inflation and settlement expenses. Our analysis continues to indicate no unexpected concentration of these large losses and case reserve increases by risk category, geographic region, policy inception, agency or field marketing territory. In the third quarter of 2010, the ratio for total large losses including case reserve increases was 1.2 percentage points higher compared with last year’s third quarter, primarily due to a higher number of claims and incurred losses for our workers’ compensation line of business. Lower large losses for liability coverages accounted for most of the 3.8 percentage-point reduction in the large loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared with the same period a year ago. We believe results for the three-month and nine-month periods largely reflected normal fluctuations in loss patterns and normal variability in large case reserves for claims above $250,000.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
32

 
 
Commercial Lines of Business Analysis
 
Approximately 95 percent of our commercial lines premiums relate to accounts with coverages from more than one of our business lines. As a result, we believe that the commercial lines segment is best measured and evaluated on a segment basis. However, we provide line of business data to summarize premium and loss trends separately for each line.
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
Commercial casualty:
                                   
Written premiums
  $ 161     $ 168       (4 )   $ 520     $ 548       (5 )
Earned premiums
    182       180       1       518       546       (5 )
Loss and loss expenses incurred
    104       81       27       282       281       0  
Loss and loss expense ratio
    56.5 %     45.0 %             54.4 %     51.5 %        
Contribution from catastrophe losses
    0.0       0.0               0.0       0.0          
Contribution from prior period reserve development
    (18.5 )     (28.8 )             (18.9 )     (19.9 )        
Commercial property:
                                               
Written premiums
  $ 122     $ 124       (1 )   $ 375     $ 370       2  
Earned premiums
    123       122       1       365       362       1  
Loss and loss expenses incurred
    87       52       67       282       241       17  
Loss and loss expense ratio
    70.8 %     42.8 %             77.3 %     66.6 %        
Contribution from catastrophe losses
    9.0       0.6               18.0       10.4          
Contribution from prior period reserve development
    0.0       (10.1 )             (2.4 )     (2.8 )        
Commercial auto:
                                               
Written premiums
  $ 91     $ 92       (2 )   $ 293     $ 296       (1 )
Earned premiums
    96       99       (2 )     287       296       (3 )
Loss and loss expenses incurred
    59       67       (12 )     187       187       0  
Loss and loss expense ratio
    61.3 %     67.9 %             65.1 %     63.4 %        
Contribution from catastrophe losses
    (0.5 )     (0.8 )             0.9       0.8          
Contribution from prior period reserve development
    (5.3 )     (8.9 )             (4.4 )     (4.3 )        
Workers' compensation:
                                               
Written premiums
  $ 68     $ 69       (2 )   $ 235     $ 252       (7 )
Earned premiums
    77       82       (5 )     230       253       (9 )
Loss and loss expenses incurred
    86       90       (4 )     225       302       (25 )
Loss and loss expense ratio
    112.2 %     110.2 %             97.8 %     119.5 %        
Contribution from catastrophe losses
    0.0       0.0               0.0       0.0          
Contribution from prior period reserve development
    (15.3 )     (4.5 )             (13.5 )     18.0          
Specialty packages:
                                               
Written premiums
  $ 37     $ 38       (2 )   $ 112     $ 110       2  
Earned premiums
    38       37       1       112       110       2  
Loss and loss expenses incurred
    33       13       168       98       89       11  
Loss and loss expense ratio
    89.1 %     33.5 %             87.9 %     81.0 %        
Contribution from catastrophe losses
    18.7       (18.2 )             13.4       21.5          
Contribution from prior period reserve development
    9.4       (7.1 )             5.3       (2.8 )        
Surety and executive risk:
                                               
Written premiums
  $ 23     $ 28       (19 )   $ 70     $ 78       (10 )
Earned premiums
    22       27       (17 )     71       77       (7 )
Loss and loss expenses incurred
    17       23       (28 )     38       48       (20 )
Loss and loss expense ratio
    73.9 %     85.6 %             53.2 %     61.7 %        
Contribution from catastrophe losses
    0.0       0.0               0.0       0.0          
Contribution from prior period reserve development
    (17.3 )     21.1               (10.2 )     0.6          
Machinery and equipment:
                                               
Written premiums
  $ 9     $ 9       7     $ 26     $ 24       7  
Earned premiums
    9       8       7       25       23       6  
Loss and loss expenses incurred
    1       3       (67 )     6       11       (45 )
Loss and loss expense ratio
    11.9 %     38.4 %             23.4 %     45.6 %        
Contribution from catastrophe losses
    (1.7 )     (0.1 )             (0.3 )     1.8          
Contribution from prior period reserve development
    (6.8 )     (7.6 )             (7.3 )     3.0          
 
As discussed above, the loss and loss expense ratio component of the combined ratio is an important measure of underwriting profit and performance. Catastrophe losses are volatile and can distort short-term profitability trends, particularly for certain lines of business. Development of loss and loss expense reserves on prior accident years can also distort trends in measures of profitability for recently written business. To illustrate these effects, we separate their impact on the ratios shown in the table above. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the commercial line of business with the most significant profitability challenge is workers’ compensation. As discussed above, our actions to improve pricing and reduce loss costs for workers’ compensation are expected to benefit future profitability trends.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
33

 
 
Personal Lines Insurance Results of Operations
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
                                     
Earned premiums
  $ 182     $ 170       7     $ 535     $ 513       4  
                                                 
Loss and loss expenses from:
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
    128       130       (2 )     364       366       (1 )
Current accident year catastrophe losses
    12       12       0       63       109       (42 )
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
    (7 )     (18 )     61       (16 )     (29 )     45  
Prior accident years catastrophe losses
    (1 )     1    
nm
      (4 )     4    
nm
 
Total loss and loss expenses
    132       125       6       407       450       (10 )
Underwriting expenses
    56       49       14       180       159       13  
Underwriting loss
  $ (6 )   $ (4 )     (50 )   $ (52 )   $ (96 )     46  
                                                 
 
                 
Pt. Change
                   
Pt. Change
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
                                               
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
    70.0 %     76.1 %     (6.1 )     68.1 %     71.3 %     (3.2 )
Current accident year catastrophe losses
    6.9       7.3       (0.4 )     11.6       21.2       (9.6 )
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
    (3.7 )     (10.7 )     7.0       (3.1 )     (5.8 )     2.7  
Prior accident years catastrophe losses
    (0.9 )     0.6       (1.5 )     (0.6 )     0.8       (1.4 )
Total loss and loss expenses
    72.3       73.3       (1.0 )     76.0       87.5       (11.5 )
Underwriting expenses
    31.1       29.0       2.1       33.8       31.2       2.6  
Combined ratio
    103.4 %     102.3 %     1.1       109.8 %     118.7 %     (8.9 )
                                                 
Combined ratio:
    103.4 %     102.3 %     1.1       109.8 %     118.7 %     (8.9 )
Contribution from catastrophe losses and prior years  reserve development
    2.3       (2.8 )     5.1       7.9       16.2       (8.3 )
Combined ratio before catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development
    101.1 %     105.1 %     (4.0 )     101.9 %     102.5 %     (0.6 )
 
Overview
 
Performance highlights for the personal lines segment include:
 
·
Premiums – Personal lines earned premiums and net written premiums increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, due to higher renewal and new business premiums that reflected improved pricing.
 
Agency renewal written premiums increased 7 percent in the third quarter and 6 percent in the first nine months of 2010 because of rate increases, strong policy retention rates and premium growth initiatives. Pricing changes during 2009 included an expansion of pricing points and pricing sophistication, incorporating insurance scores and credits for policies on above-average quality risks. Various rate changes were implemented beginning in October 2009, including increases for the homeowner line of business averaging approximately 6 percent, with some individual policy rate increases in the double-digit range. Similar rate changes, with a slightly higher average rate increase, are expected to be implemented beginning in the fourth quarter of 2010 for states representing the majority of our personal lines business. Rate changes for our personal auto line of business that are being implemented during the fourth quarter of 2010 reflect enhanced pricing precision enabled by the deployment of predictive models. Predictive modeling tools influenced policy pricing and various rate changes during 2008 through 2010 for our homeowner line of business.
 
We continue to earn a larger share of business in newer states for our personal lines operation where we already had a well-established position for commercial lines. In seven states where we began writing personal lines business or significantly expanded our product offerings and automation capabilities in 2008 or 2009, personal lines net written premiums grew $13 million for the first nine months of 2010 over the same period of 2009, while other states in total increased by $30 million or 6 percent.
 
Personal lines new business written premiums continued a strong growth trend, increasing at rates of 19 percent and 22 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. We continue to believe we are successful in attracting more of our agents’ preferred business as the average quality of our book of business has improved as measured by the mix of business by insurance score. Significant new business growth occurred in states where we have operated for decades as well as the seven states where we significantly expanded our personal lines product offerings and automation capabilities beginning in 2008. Some of what we report as new business came from accounts that were not new to our agents. We believe their seasoned accounts tend to be priced more accurately than business that is less familiar to our agents.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
34

 
 
We continue to implement strategies discussed in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Our Business and Our Strategy, Page 9, to enhance our response to marketplace changes and help achieve our long-term objectives for personal lines growth and profitability. These strategies include expansion during recent years into four western states with historical industry catastrophe loss ratios that are significantly better than our historical ratios for states where we operated prior to that expansion.
 
Personal Lines Insurance Premiums
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
Agency renewal written premiums
  $ 189     $ 177       7     $ 519     $ 490       6  
Agency new business written premiums
    25       21       19       67       55       22  
Other written premiums
    (6 )     (8 )     25       (19 )     (21 )     10  
Net written premiums
    208       190       9       567       524       8  
Unearned premium change
    (26 )     (20 )     (30 )     (32 )     (11 )     (191 )
Earned premiums
  $ 182     $ 170       7     $ 535     $ 513       4  
 
·
Combined ratio – The personal lines combined ratio increased 1.1 percentage points for the third quarter of 2010 compared with the same period of 2009, reflecting a lower level of favorable reserve development on prior accident years. The ratio decreased 8.9 percentage points for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, primarily due to lower weather-related catastrophe losses. The 68.1 percent ratio for current accident year loss and loss expenses before catastrophe losses for the first nine months of 2010 improved 2.8 percentage points compared with the 70.9 percent accident year 2009 ratio measured as of December 31, 2009. Pricing changes and lower large losses were the primary drivers of the improvement. New losses greater than $250,000, shown in the table below, had a ratio effect of 7.9 percentage points for the first nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared with 10.1 percentage points for full-year 2009, accounting for 2.1 percentage points of the improvement.
 
In addition to the rate increases discussed above, we continue to refine our pricing to better match premiums to the risk of loss on individual policies. We also continue to increase our pricing sophistication by incorporating insurance scores and other attributes of risk that characterize the insured exposure. The results of improved pricing per risk and broad-based rate increases are expected to improve the combined ratio over the next several quarters. In addition, greater geographic diversification is expected over time to reduce the volatility of homeowner loss ratios attributable to weather-related catastrophe losses.
 
Catastrophe losses accounted for 6.0 percentage points and 11.0 percentage points of the combined ratio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared with the most recent 10-year annual average for the personal lines segment of 8.5 percentage points. The relatively high catastrophe loss ratio for the first nine months of 2010 contributed to the underwriting loss during that period.
 
Personal lines reserve development on prior accident years continued to trend favorably during the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, although at a slower rate than during the same periods of 2009. Most of the favorable reserve development on prior accident years recognized during 2010 occurred in the other personal line of business, mainly due to umbrella liability coverages, which continued to benefit from a moderation in paid loss cost inflation. Reserve estimates are inherently uncertain as described in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Obligations and Reserves, Page 71.
 
The underwriting expense ratio for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 increased compared with the same periods of 2009. The third-quarter increase was primarily due to higher technology related costs. The nine-month increase was primarily due to first-quarter 2010 provisions for matters involving prior years and related to Note 10, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities, Page 16.

Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
35

 
 
Personal Lines Insurance Losses by Size
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
New losses greater than $4,000,000
  $ -     $ 5       (100 )   $ -     $ 5       (100 )
New losses $1,000,000-$4,000,000
    5       10       (46 )     15       15       9  
New losses $250,000-$1,000,000
    7       12       (39 )     27       34       (23 )
Case reserve development above $250,000
    4       2       55       8       14       (43 )
Total large losses incurred
    16       29       (44 )     50       68       (26 )
Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
    88       65       44       250       215       16  
Catastrophe losses
    11       13       (37 )     59       113       (48 )
Total losses incurred
  $ 115     $ 107       7     $ 359     $ 396       (9 )
                                                 
 
                 
Pt. Change
                   
Pt. Change
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
                                               
New losses greater than $4,000,000
    0.0 %     2.9 %     (2.9 )     0.0 %     1.0 %     (1.0 )
New losses $1,000,000-$4,000,000
    2.8       5.7       (2.9 )     2.9       2.8       0.1  
New losses $250,000-$1,000,000
    4.0       7.0       (3.0 )     5.0       6.7       (1.7 )
Case reserve development above $250,000
    2.0       1.3       0.7       1.5       2.7       (1.2 )
Total large losses incurred
    8.8       16.9       (8.1 )     9.4       13.2       (3.8 )
Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
    48.4       38.3       10.1       46.6       41.9       4.7  
Catastrophe losses
    6.0       7.9       (1.9 )     11.0       22.0       (11.0 )
Total loss ratio
    63.2 %     63.1 %     0.1       67.0 %     77.1 %     (10.1 )
 
We continue to monitor new losses and case reserve increases greater than $250,000 for trends in factors such as initial reserve levels, loss cost inflation and settlement expenses. Our analysis continues to indicate no unexpected concentration of these large losses and case reserve increases by risk category, geographic region, policy inception, agency or field marketing territory. In the third quarter of 2010, the ratio for these losses and case reserve increases improved 8.1 percentage points compared with last year’s third quarter, while the nine-month result improved 3.8 percentage points from the same period a year ago. The lower ratio for both 2010 periods was primarily due to a lower number of claims and incurred losses for both our personal auto and homeowner lines of business. We believe results for the three-month and nine-month periods largely reflected normal fluctuations in loss patterns and normal variability in large case reserves for claims above $250,000.
 
Personal Lines of Business Analysis
 
We prefer to write personal lines coverages on an account basis that includes both auto and homeowner coverages as well as coverages from the other personal business line. As a result, we believe that the personal lines segment is best measured and evaluated on a segment basis. However, we provide the line of business data to summarize premium and loss trends separately for each line.
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
Personal auto:
                                   
Written premiums
  $ 98     $ 90       9     $ 268     $ 246       9  
Earned premiums
    86       80       7       250       239       5  
Loss and loss expenses incurred
    59       52       12       167       163       2  
Loss and loss expense ratio
    68.1 %     64.9 %             66.7 %     68.1 %        
Contribution from catastrophe losses
    0.1       0.6               1.3       1.4          
Contribution from prior period reserve development
    (0.4 )     (3.9 )             (2.1 )     (0.9 )        
Homeowner:
                                               
Written premiums
  $ 83     $ 75       10     $ 224     $ 208       8  
Earned premiums
    72       68       7       214       207       3  
Loss and loss expenses incurred
    61       65       (6 )     203       261       (22 )
Loss and loss expense ratio
    84.5 %     96.4 %             94.9 %     126.0 %        
Contribution from catastrophe losses
    13.4       18.0               24.5       49.4          
Contribution from prior period reserve development
    (3.0 )     (4.3 )             (0.7 )     2.4          
Other personal:
                                               
Written premiums
  $ 27     $ 25       8     $ 75     $ 70       7  
Earned premiums
    24       22       7       71       67       6  
Loss and loss expenses incurred
    12       8       59       37       26       44  
Loss and loss expense ratio
    50.3 %     33.8 %             51.6 %     38.0 %        
Contribution from catastrophe losses
    4.3       3.4               4.2       11.0          
Contribution from prior period reserve development
    (24.5 )     (49.1 )             (18.2 )     (42.6 )        
 
As discussed above, the loss and loss expense ratio component of the combined ratio is an important measure of underwriting profit and performance. Catastrophe losses are volatile and can distort short-term profitability trends, particularly for certain lines of business. Development of loss and loss expense reserves on prior accident years can also distort trends in measures of profitability for recently written business. To illustrate these effects, we separate their impact on the ratios shown in the table above. For the nine months
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
36

 
 
ended September 30, 2010, the personal line of business with the most significant profitability challenge was homeowner. As discussed above, we continue actions to improve pricing per risk and overall rates, which are expected to improve future profitability. In addition we anticipate that the long-term future average for the catastrophe loss ratio would improve due to gradual geographic diversification into states less prone to catastrophe losses.
 
Life Insurance Results of Operations
 
Life Insurance Results
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
Earned premiums
  $ 41     $ 33       24     $ 120     $ 103       17  
Separate account investment management fees
    -       -    
nm
      1       1       0  
Total revenues
    41       33       24       121       104       16  
Contract holders' benefits incurred
    44       40       10       129       118       9  
Investment interest credited to contract holders
    (21 )     (17 )     (24 )     (60 )     (50 )     (20 )
Operating expenses incurred
    19       9       111       51       34       50  
Total benefits and expenses
    42       32       31       120       102       18  
Life insurance segment profit (loss)
  $ (1 )   $ 1    
nm
    $ 1     $ 2       (50 )
 
Overview
 
Performance highlights for the life insurance segment include:
 
·
Revenues – Revenues were higher for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, driven by an earned premium increase largely due to growth from term life insurance products and universal life insurance products.
 
Gross in-force life insurance policy face amounts increased to $73.134 billion at September 30, 2010, from $69.815 billion at year-end 2009.
 
Fixed annuity deposits received for three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, were $37 million and $153 million compared with $70 million and $113 million for the same periods of 2009. Fixed annuity deposits have a minimal impact to earned premiums because deposits received are initially recorded as liabilities with a portion representing profit subsequently earned over time. We do not write variable or equity indexed annuities.
 
Life Insurance Premiums
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
Term life insurance
  $ 25     $ 22       14     $ 72     $ 63       14  
Universal life insurance
    10       5       100       29       20       45  
Other life insurance, annuity, and disability income products
    6       6       0       19       20       (5 )
Net earned premiums
  $ 41     $ 33       24     $ 120     $ 103       17  
 
·
Profitability – Our life insurance segment typically reports a small profit or loss on a GAAP basis because most of its investment income is included in our investment segment results. We include only investment income credited to contract holders (interest assumed in life insurance policy reserve calculations) in our life insurance segment results. Profit of $1 million for our life insurance segment in the first nine months of 2010 compared unfavorably with a $2 million profit for the first nine months of 2009 primarily due to the unlocking of actuarial assumptions for our universal life contracts.
 
Although we exclude most of our life insurance company investment income from our life insurance segment results, we recognize that assets under management, capital appreciation and investment income are integral to evaluation of the success of the life insurance segment because of the long duration of life products. On a basis that includes investment income and realized gains or losses from life insurance related invested assets, the life insurance company reported a net profit of $8 million and $24 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared with a net profit of $8 million and $5 million for the same periods of 2009. The life insurance company portfolio had after-tax realized investment gains of $1 million in the third quarter of 2010 and after-tax realized investment losses of less than $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared with after-tax realized investment gains of $1 million and after-tax realized investment losses of $21 million for the same periods of 2009.
 
Life segment benefits and expenses consist principally of contract holders’ (policyholders’) benefits incurred related to traditional life and interest-sensitive products and operating expenses incurred, net of deferred acquisition costs. Total benefits rose in the first nine months of 2010 due to increased levels of policy reserves associated with growth in earned life insurance premiums. Net death claims remained
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
37

 
 
within our range of pricing expectations. Operating expenses increased principally because of the level of commission and underwriting expenses associated with new term life insurance and fixed annuity policies. The unlocking of actuarial assumptions for our universal life contracts resulted in accelerated amortization of deferred acquisition costs balances, which also contributed to higher expenses.
 
Investments Results of Operations
 
Overview
 
The investment segment contributes investment income and realized gains and losses to results of operations. Investments traditionally are our primary source of pretax and after-tax profits.
 
Investment Income
 
Pretax investment income increased 1 percent and 5 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. For the third quarter of 2010, interest and dividends were generally flat compared with the third quarter of 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, dividend income was essentially flat compared with the same period of 2009 while interest income increased, reflecting a significantly increased allocation to fixed maturity securities during 2009.  In our 2009 Form 10-K, Item 1, Investments Segment, Page 18 and Item 7, Investments Outlook, Page 67, we discussed our portfolio strategies. We discuss risks related to our investment income and our fixed-maturity and equity investment portfolios in Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, Page 45.
 
We continue to position our portfolio with consideration to both the challenges presented by the current low interest rate environment and the risks presented by potential future inflation. As bonds in our generally laddered portfolio mature over the near term, we will be challenged to replace their current yield and continue our trend of improving investment income. While our bond portfolio more than covers our insurance reserve liabilities, we believe our diversified common stock portfolio of mainly blue chip, dividend-paying companies represents one of our best investment opportunities for the long term.
 
Investment Results
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
Total investment income, net of expenses, pre-tax
  $ 128     $ 127       1     $ 388     $ 370       5  
Investment interest credited to contract holders
    (21 )     (17 )     (24 )     (60 )     (50 )     (20 )
Realized investment gains and losses summary:
                                               
Realized investment gains and losses, net
    151       106       42       170       180       (6 )
Change in fair value of securities with embedded derivatives
    5       15       (67 )     6       23       (74 )
Other-than-temporary impairment charges
    (1 )     (11 )     91       (36 )     (113 )     68  
Total realized investment gains and losses, net
    155       110       41       140       90       56  
Investment operations income
  $ 262     $ 220       19     $ 468     $ 410       14  

 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
Investment income:
                                   
Interest
  $ 104     $ 104       0     $ 318     $ 296       7  
Dividends
    25       24       4       73       74       (1 )
Other
    1       1       0       3       6       (50 )
Investment expenses
    (2 )     (2 )     0       (6 )     (6 )     0  
Total investment income, net of expenses, pre-tax
    128       127       1       388       370       5  
Income taxes
    (31 )     (31 )     0       (95 )     (87 )     (9 )
Total investment income, net of expenses, after-tax
  $ 97     $ 96       1     $ 293     $ 283       4  
                                                 
Effective tax rate
    24.3 %     24.0 %             24.4 %     23.5 %        
                                                 
Average invested assets
  $ 11,554     $ 10,419             $ 11,475     $ 10,388          
                                                 
Average yield pre-tax
    4.4 %     4.9 %             4.5 %     4.7 %        
Average yield after-tax
    3.4 %     3.7 %             3.4 %     3.6 %        
 
Net Realized Gains and Losses
 
We reported net realized investment gains of $155 million and $140 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, as net gains from investment sales and bond calls offset other-than-temporary impairment charges. During the third quarter of 2010, Verisk Analytics Inc. (Verisk) executed a secondary offering that allowed us to convert and sell into the market the remainder of our previously restricted Class B shares. This netted a $128 million pre-tax gain that was the primary driver of both third-quarter and nine-month net realized gains and losses. Since Verisk did not pay a dividend, selling our holding was consistent with our equity investing approach of generally investing in common stocks of companies with strong
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
38

 
 
indications of paying and growing their dividends. We reported net realized investment gains of $110 million and $90 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, as net gains from investment sales and bond calls and the change in fair value of securities with embedded derivatives were partially offset by other-than-temporary impairment charges.
 
Investment gains or losses are recognized upon the sales of investments or as otherwise required under GAAP. The timing of realized gains or losses from sales can have a material effect on results in any quarter. However, such gains or losses usually have little, if any, effect on total shareholders’ equity because most equity and fixed-maturity investments are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gain or loss included as a component of other comprehensive income. Accounting requirements for other-than-temporary impairment charges for the fixed-maturity portfolio are disclosed in Item 1, Note 2, Investments on Page 8.
 
The total net realized investment gains for the first nine months of 2010 include:
 
·
$169 million in gains from the sale of various common stock holdings, including $128 million from the sale of Verisk.
 
·
$3 million in net gains from fixed-maturity sales and calls.
 
·
$6 million in gains from changes in fair value of securities with embedded derivatives.
 
·
$36 million in other-than-temporary impairment charges to write down holdings of equities and fixed maturities.
 
The $3 million in net gains included a $1 million gain in short-term investments due to the final receipt from the Reserve Primary Fund that exceeded the impaired basis. The net losses also included $12 million in losses due to sales of all of the remaining holdings of collateralized mortgage obligations, which occurred during the first quarter of 2010.
 
Of the 2,635 securities in the portfolio, none were trading below 70 percent of book value at September 30, 2010. Our asset impairment committee regularly monitors the portfolio. We believe that if the improving liquidity in the markets were to reverse, or the economic recovery were to significantly stall, we could experience declines in portfolio values and possible additional other-than-temporary-impairment charges.
 
The table below provides additional detail for other-than-temporary impairment charges.
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Fixed maturities
                       
Financial
  $ -     $ 2     $ -     $ 23  
Services cyclical
    -       3       -       14  
Real estate
    -       4       1       11  
Consumer cyclical
    -       2       -       4  
Other
    1       -       2       2  
Total fixed maturities
    1       11       3       54  
                                 
Common equities
                               
Health
    -       -       21       6  
Industrial
    -       -       -       26  
Consumer discretionary
    -       -       -       10  
Material
    -       -       -       7  
Information technology
    -       -       12       -  
Total common equities
    -       -       33       49  
                                 
Preferred equities
                               
Financial
    -       -       -       10  
Total preferred equities
    -       -       -       10  
                                 
Total
  $ 1     $ 11     $ 36     $ 113  
 
Other
 
We report as Other the non-investment operations of the parent company and its non-insurer subsidiaries, CFC Investment Company and CSU Producer Resources Inc. We also report as Other the results of The Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company, as well as other income of our standard market property casualty insurance subsidiary.
 
Losses before income taxes for Other were largely driven by interest expense from debt of the parent company. Loss and loss expenses and underwriting expenses for Other are from our excess and surplus lines operation and, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, were partially offset by excess and surplus lines earned premiums.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
39

 
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2010
   
2009
         
2010
   
2009
   
Change %
 
Interest and fees on loans and leases
  $ 3     $ 2       50     $ 6     $ 5       20  
Earned premiums
    13       8       63       35       18       94  
Other revenues
    2       2       0       3       3       0  
Total revenues
    18       12       50       44       26       69  
Interest expense
    13       14       (7 )     40       42       (5 )
Losses and loss expenses
    14       6       133       36       14       157  
Underwriting expenses
    4       4       0       12       17       (29 )
Operating expenses
    2       3       (33 )     7       11       (36 )
Total expenses
    33       27       22       95       84       13  
Pre-tax loss
  $ (15 )   $ (15 )     0     $ (51 )   $ (58 )     12  
 
Taxes
 
We had $65 million and $76 million of income tax expense in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared with $73 million and $40 million for the same periods of 2009. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, was 29.4 percent and 23.2 percent compared with 29.9 percent and 17.5 percent for the same periods last year.
 
The change in our effective tax rate was primarily due to changes in pretax income from underwriting results, changes in investment income and the amount of realized investment gains and losses. Modest changes to tax-exempt interest and the dividend received deduction in the current year compared with the prior year also contributed to the change.
 
Historically, we have pursued a strategy of investing some portion of cash flow in tax-advantaged fixed-maturity and equity securities to minimize our overall tax liability and maximize after-tax earnings. See Tax-Exempt Fixed Maturities, Page 46 for further discussion on municipal bond purchases in our fixed-maturity investment portfolio. For our insurance subsidiaries, approximately 85 percent of income from tax-advantaged fixed-maturity investments is exempt from federal tax. Our non-insurance companies own no tax-advantaged fixed-maturity investments. For our insurance subsidiaries, the dividend received deduction, after the dividend proration of the 1986 Tax Reform Act, exempts approximately 60 percent of dividends from qualified equities from federal tax. For our non-insurance subsidiaries, the dividend received deduction exempts 70 percent of dividends from qualified equities. Details about our effective tax rate are found in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 11, Income Taxes, Page 108.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
40

 
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
At September 30, 2010, shareholders’ equity was $5.010 billion compared with $4.760 billion at December 31, 2009. Total debt was $839 million at September 30, 2010 and at December 31, 2009. At September 30, 2010, cash and cash equivalents totaled $445 million compared with $557 million at December 31, 2009.
 
Sources of Liquidity
 
Subsidiary Dividends
 
Our lead insurance subsidiary declared dividends of $170 million to the parent company during the first nine months of 2010 compared with none for the first nine months of 2009. For the full-year 2009, subsidiary dividends declared totaled $50 million. State of Ohio regulatory requirements restrict the dividends our insurance subsidiary can pay. During 2010, total dividends that our insurance subsidiary could pay to our parent company without regulatory approval are approximately $365 million.
 
Investing Activities
 
Investment income is a source of liquidity for both the parent company and its insurance subsidiary. We continue to focus on portfolio strategies to balance near-term income generation and long-term book value growth.
 
Parent company obligations can be funded with income on investments held at the parent company level or through realized gains on that portfolio, although we prefer to follow an investment philosophy seeking to compound cash flows over the long term. These sources of capital can help minimize subsidiary dividends to the parent company, protecting insurance subsidiary capital.
 
See our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Investment Segment, Page 18, for a discussion of our historic investment strategy, portfolio allocation and quality.
 
Insurance Underwriting
 
Our property casualty and life insurance underwriting operations provide liquidity because we generally receive premiums before paying losses under the policies purchased with those premiums. After satisfying our cash requirements, we use excess cash flows for investment, increasing future investment income.
 
Historically, cash receipts from property casualty and life insurance premiums, along with investment income, have been more than sufficient to pay claims, operating expenses and dividends to the parent company. While first-year life insurance expenses normally exceed first-year premiums, subsequent premiums are used to generate investment income until the time the policy benefits are paid.
 
The table below shows a summary of cash flow for property casualty insurance (direct method):
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Premiums collected
  $ 755     $ 760     $ 2,200     $ 2,244  
Loss and loss expenses paid
    (505 )     (473 )     (1,372 )     (1,448 )
Commissions and other underwriting expenses paid
    (232 )     (225 )     (743 )     (740 )
Insurance subsidiary cash flow from underwriting
    18       62       85       56  
Investment income received
    97       93       272       244  
Insurance operating cash flow
  $ 115     $ 155     $ 357     $ 300  
 
Collected premiums for property casualty insurance are down $44 million for the first nine months of 2010, but the decline was offset by a $76 million decrease in loss and loss expenses paid, largely due to lower catastrophe paid losses.
 
Our life insurance subsidiary underwriting cash flow was $132 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, up $1 million from underwriting cash flow reported in the first nine months of 2009.
 
We discuss our future obligations for claims payments and for underwriting expenses in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Contractual Obligations, Page 71, and Other Commitments, also on Page 71.
 
Capital Resources
 
At September 30, 2010, our debt-to-total-capital ratio improved to 14.3 percent, with $790 million in long-term debt and $49 million in borrowing on our revolving short-term lines of credit. There was no change in the amount of the $49 million short-term debt during the first nine months of 2010 or all of 2009. Based on our present capital requirements, we do not anticipate a material increase in debt levels during 2010. As a result, we expect changes in our debt-to-total-capital ratio to continue to be largely a function of the contribution of unrealized investment gains or losses to shareholders’ equity.
 
We provide details of our three long-term notes in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 8, Senior Debt, Page 106. None of the notes are encumbered by rating triggers.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
41

 
 
On July 19, 2010, Standard & Poor’s lowered its counterparty credit rating on Cincinnati Financial Corporation to BBB from BBB+. No other ratings agency changes to our debt ratings have occurred in 2010. Our debt ratings are discussed in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Additional Sources of Liquidity, Page 69.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We do not use any special-purpose financing vehicles or have any undisclosed off-balance sheet arrangements (as that term is defined in applicable SEC rules) that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on the company’s financial condition, results of operation, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources. Similarly, the company holds no fair-value contracts for which a lack of marketplace quotations would necessitate the use of fair-value techniques.
 
Uses of Liquidity
 
Our parent company and insurance subsidiary have contractual obligations and other commitments. In addition, one of our primary uses of cash is to enhance shareholder return.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
In our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Contractual Obligations, Page 71, we estimated our future contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009. There have been no material changes to our estimates of future contractual obligations.
 
Other Commitments
 
In addition to our contractual obligations, we have other property casualty operational commitments.
 
·
Commissions – Commissions paid were $437 million in the first nine months of 2010. Commission payments generally track with written premiums.
 
·
Other underwriting expenses – Many of our underwriting expenses are not contractual obligations, but reflect the ongoing expenses of our business. Non-commission underwriting expenses paid were $306 million in the first nine months of 2010.
 
·
In addition to contractual obligations for hardware and software, we anticipate capitalizing approximately $8 million in spending for key technology initiatives in 2010. Capitalized development costs related to key technology initiatives were $7 million in the first nine months of 2010. These activities are conducted at our discretion, and we have no material contractual obligations for activities planned as part of these projects.
 
We contributed $25 million to our qualified pension plan during the third quarter of 2010. We do not anticipate further contributions during the remainder of 2010.
 
Investing Activities
 
After fulfilling operating requirements, we invest cash flows from underwriting, investment and other corporate activities in fixed-maturity and equity securities on an ongoing basis to help achieve our portfolio objectives. See Progress Toward Long-Term Value Creation, Page 22, for a discussion of current refinements to our investment strategies that reflect our risk management activities. We discuss certain portfolio attributes in Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, Page 45.
 
Uses of Capital
 
Uses of cash to enhance shareholder return include dividends to shareholders. In February and May 2010, the board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 39.5 cents per share.  In August 2010, a regular quarterly cash dividend was declared at 40 cents per share for an indicated annual rate of $1.60 per share. During the first nine months of 2010, we used $189 million to pay cash dividends to shareholders and $10 million to repurchase 0.4 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $26.49. The repurchase was intended to offset the issuance of shares through equity compensation plans, primarily due to vesting of service-based restricted stock units of equity awards granted in the past. The details of 2010 repurchase activity and repurchase authorizations are described in Part II, Item 2, Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds, Page 50.
 
Property Casualty Insurance Reserves
 
For the business lines in the commercial and personal lines insurance segments, the following tables show the breakout of gross reserves among case, IBNR and loss expense reserves, net of salvage and subrogation reserves. Reserving practices are discussed in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves, Page 38.
 
The rise in total gross reserves was primarily due to higher case reserves for our commercial property line of business. Catastrophe and non-catastrophe weather losses accounted for most of the increase.

Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
42

 
 
Commercial Lines Insurance Segment Gross Reserves
 
   
Loss reserves
   
Loss
   
Total
       
   
Case
   
IBNR
   
expense
   
gross
   
Percent
 
(In millions)
 
reserves
   
reserves
   
reserves
   
reserves
   
of total
 
At September 30, 2010
                             
Commercial casualty
  $ 1,012     $ 299     $ 529     $ 1,840       48.9 %
Commercial property
    130       13       33       176       4.7  
Commercial auto
    272       46       63       381       10.1  
Workers' compensation
    475       465       146       1,086       28.9  
Specialty packages
    89       3       11       103       2.7  
Surety and executive risk
    116       (1 )     55       170       4.5  
Machinery and equipment
    2       3       1       6       0.2  
Total
  $ 2,096     $ 828     $ 838     $ 3,762       100.0 %
At December 31, 2009
                                       
Commercial casualty
  $ 1,044     $ 309     $ 540     $ 1,893       50.8 %
Commercial property
    84       15       31       130       3.5  
Commercial auto
    266       47       65       378       10.1  
Workers' compensation
    452       458       143       1,053       28.3  
Specialty packages
    68       5       10       83       2.2  
Surety and executive risk
    128       (2 )     55       181       4.9  
Machinery and equipment
    2       3       1       6       0.2  
Total
  $ 2,044     $ 835     $ 845     $ 3,724       100.0 %
 
Personal Lines Insurance Segment Gross Reserves
 
   
Loss reserves
   
Loss
   
Total
       
   
Case
   
IBNR
   
expense
   
gross
   
Percent
 
(In millions)
 
reserves
   
reserves
   
reserves
   
reserves
   
of total
 
At September 30, 2010
                             
Personal auto
  $ 125     $ 0     $ 28     $ 153       43.2 %
Homeowner
    69       24       17       110       31.0  
Other personal
    39       44       9       92       25.8  
Total
  $ 233     $ 68     $ 54     $ 355       100.0 %
At December 31, 2009
                                       
Personal auto
  $ 130     $ (4 )   $ 28     $ 154       44.2 %
Homeowner
    56       26       17       99       28.4  
Other personal
    45       42       9       96       27.4  
Total
  $ 231     $ 64     $ 54     $ 349       100.0 %
 
Life Insurance Reserves
 
Gross life policy reserves were $1.968 billion at September 30, 2010, compared with $1.783 billion at year-end 2009, reflecting continued growth in fixed annuities and life insurance policies in force. We discuss our life insurance reserving practices in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Life Insurance Policy Reserves, Page 42.
 
Other Matters
 
Significant Accounting Policies
 
Our significant accounting policies are discussed in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 1, Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies, Page 94, and updated in Item 1, Note 1, Accounting Policies, beginning on Page 7.
 
In conjunction with those discussions, in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, management reviewed the estimates and assumptions used to develop reported amounts related to the most significant policies. Management discussed the development and selection of those accounting estimates with the audit committee of the board of directors.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
43

 
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Valuation of Financial Instruments
 
Valuation of financial instruments, primarily securities held in our investment portfolio, is a critical component of our interim financial statement preparation. Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, ASC 820-10, defines fair value as the exit price or the amount that would be 1) received to sell an asset or 2) paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between marketplace participants at the measurement date. When determining an exit price, we must, whenever possible, rely upon observable market data.
 
The fair value measurement and disclosure exit price notion requires our valuation also to consider what a marketplace participant would pay to buy an asset or receive to assume a liability. Therefore, while we can consider pricing data from outside services, we ultimately determine whether the data or inputs used by these outside services are observable or unobservable.
 
In accordance with ASC 820-10, we have categorized our financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the financial instruments fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.
 
Financial assets and liabilities recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as described in Item 1, Note 3, Fair Value Measurements, Page 10.
 
Level 1 and Level 2 Valuation Techniques
 
Over 99 percent of the $11.223 billion of securities in our investment portfolio measured at fair value are classified as Level 1 or Level 2. Financial assets that fall within Level 1 and Level 2 are priced according to observable data from identical or similar securities that have traded in the marketplace. Also within Level 2 are securities that are valued by outside services or brokers where we have evaluated the pricing methodology and determined that the inputs are observable.
 
Level 3 Valuation Techniques
 
Financial assets that fall within the Level 3 hierarchy are valued based upon unobservable market inputs, normally because they are not actively traded on a public market. Level 3 corporate fixed-maturity securities include certain private placements, small issues, general corporate bonds and medium-term notes. Level 3 state, municipal and political subdivisions fixed-maturity securities include various thinly traded municipal bonds. Level 3 preferred equities include private and thinly traded preferred securities.
 
Pricing for each Level 3 security is based upon inputs that are market driven, including third-party reviews provided to the issuer or broker quotes. However, we placed in the Level 3 hierarchy those securities for which we were unable to obtain the pricing methodology or we could not consider the price provided as binding. Pricing for securities classified as Level 3 could not be corroborated by similar securities priced using observable inputs.
 
Management ultimately determined the pricing for each Level 3 security that we considered to be the best exit price valuation. As of September 30, 2010, total Level 3 assets were less than 1 percent of our investment portfolio measured at fair value. Broker quotes are obtained for thinly traded securities that subsequently fall within the Level 3 hierarchy. We have generally obtained two non-binding quotes from brokers and, after evaluating, our investment professionals typically selected the more conservative price for fair value.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
44

 
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Our greatest exposure to market risk is through our investment portfolio. Market risk is the potential for a decrease in securities value resulting from broad yet uncontrollable forces such as: inflation, economic growth or recession, interest rates, world political conditions or other widespread unpredictable events. It is comprised of many individual risks that, when combined, create a macroeconomic impact.
 
Our view of potential risks and our sensitivity to such risks is discussed in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7a, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, Page 82.
 
The fair value of our investment portfolio was $11.223 billion at September 30, 2010, compared with $10.562 billion at year-end 2009.
 
   
At September 30, 2010
   
At December 31, 2009
 
(In millions)
 
Book value
   
% of BV
   
Fair value
   
% of FV
   
Book value
   
% of BV
   
Fair value
   
% of FV
 
Taxable fixed maturities
  $ 4,938       49.9 %   $ 5,480       48.8 %   $ 4,644       48.6 %   $ 4,863       46.0 %
Tax-exempt fixed maturities
    2,780       28.1       2,986       26.6       2,870       30.1       2,992       28.3  
Common equities
    2,102       21.2       2,656       23.7       1,941       20.4       2,608       24.7  
Preferred equities
    75       0.8       101       0.9       75       0.8       93       0.9  
Short-term investments
    -       0.0       -       0.0       6       0.1       6       0.1  
Total
  $ 9,895       100.0 %   $ 11,223       100.0 %   $ 9,536       100.0 %   $ 10,562       100.0 %
 
Our consolidated investment portfolio contains $32 million of assets for which values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require management judgment (Level 3 assets). We generally obtain at least two outside valuations for these assets and generally use the more conservative calculation. These investments include private placements, small issues and various thinly traded securities.
 
At September 30, 2010, total Level 3 assets were less than 1 percent of investment portfolio assets measured at fair value. See Item 1, Note 3, Fair Value Measurements, Page 10, for additional discussion of our valuation techniques.
 
In addition to our investment portfolio, the total investments amount reported in our condensed consolidated balance sheets includes Other invested assets. Other invested assets included $39 million of life policy loans and liens, $27 million of venture capital fund investments and $16 million of other assets as of September 30, 2010.
 
Fixed-Maturity Investments
 
By maintaining a well-diversified fixed-maturity portfolio, we attempt to reduce overall risk. We invest new money in the bond market on a continuous basis, targeting what we believe to be optimal risk-adjusted after-tax yields. Risk, in this context, includes interest rate, call, reinvestment rate, credit and liquidity risk. We do not make a concerted effort to alter duration on a portfolio basis in response to anticipated movements in interest rates. By continuously investing in the bond market, we build a broad, diversified portfolio that we believe mitigates the impact of adverse economic factors.
 
In the first nine months of 2010, both the corporate and municipal bond markets performed to levels that exceeded their historical averages, leading to an increase in fair value of our bond portfolio. At September 30, 2010, our bond portfolio was at 109.7 percent of its book value compared with 104.5 percent at December 31, 2009.
 
Credit ratings as of September 30, 2010, compared with December 31, 2009, for the fixed-maturity and short-term portfolios were:
 
   
At September 30, 2010
   
At December 31, 2009
 
   
Fair
   
Percent
   
Fair
   
Percent
 
(In millions)
 
value
   
to total
   
value
   
to total
 
Moody's Ratings and Standard & Poor's Ratings combined
 
Aaa, Aa, A, AAA, AA, A
  $ 5,304       62.7 %   $ 4,967       63.2 %
Baa, BBB
    2,633       31.1       2,302       29.3  
Ba, BB
    250       3.0       279       3.5  
B, B
    44       0.5       44       0.6  
Caa, CCC
    19       0.2       29       0.4  
Ca, CC
    -       0.0       3       0.0  
Non-rated
    216       2.5       237       3.0  
Total
  $ 8,466       100.0 %   $ 7,861       100.0 %
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
45

 
 
Attributes of the fixed-maturity portfolio include:
 
   
At September 30,
   
At December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Weighted average yield-to-book value
    5.5  %        5.9 %   
Weighted average maturity
 
6.8  yrs
   
7.5 yrs
 
Effective duration
 
5.0  yrs
   
5.3 yrs
 
 
We discuss maturities of our fixed-maturity portfolio in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 2, Investments, Page 100.
 
Taxable Fixed Maturities
 
At September 30, 2010, our $5.480 billion taxable fixed-maturity portfolio included:
 
·
$124 million in U.S. agency paper that is rated Aaa/AAA by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, respectively.
 
·
$4.775 billion in investment-grade corporate bonds that have Moody's ratings at or above Baa3 or a Standard & Poor's rating at or above BBB-.
 
·
$279 million in high-yield corporate bonds that have Moody's ratings below Baa3 and a Standard & Poor's rating below BBB-.
 
·
$231 million in taxable municipal bonds that have average ratings of Aa3/AA by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, respectively.
 
·
$71 million in convertible bonds and redeemable preferred stocks.
 
Our strategy typically is to buy and hold fixed-maturity investments to maturity, but we monitor credit profiles and fair value movements when determining holding periods for individual securities.
 
The largest non-financial sectors in our investment-grade corporate bond portfolio, based on fair value at September 30, 2010, are energy and utilities, representing 10.6 percent and 9.9 percent, respectively, compared with 11.9 percent and 10.4 percent at year-end 2009. The financial-related sectors of banks, brokerage, finance and investment and insurance companies represented 28.0 percent of fair value of our investment-grade corporate bond portfolio at September 30, 2010, compared with 25.3 percent at year-end 2009. We believe our weighting in financial-related sectors is below the average for the corporate bond market as a whole.
 
Tax-Exempt Fixed Maturities
 
At September 30, 2010, we had $2.986 billion of tax-exempt fixed-maturity securities with an average rating of Aa2/AA+ by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, respectively. We traditionally have purchased municipal bonds focusing on general obligation and essential services issues, such as water, waste disposal and others. While no single municipal issuer accounted for more than 0.7 percent of the tax-exempt municipal bond portfolio at September 30, 2010, there are higher concentrations within individual states. Holdings in our two most concentrated states, Texas and Indiana, together accounted for 30.7 percent of the municipal bond portfolio at September 30, 2010, compared with 31.9 percent at year-end 2009.
 
Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis
 
Because of our strong surplus, long-term investment horizon and ability to hold most fixed-maturity investments until maturity, we believe the company is adequately positioned if interest rates were to rise. Although the fair values of our existing holdings may suffer, a higher rate environment would provide the opportunity to invest cash flow in higher yielding securities, while reducing the likelihood of untimely redemptions of currently callable securities. While higher interest rates would be expected to continue to increase the number of fixed-maturity holdings trading below 100 percent of book value, we believe lower fixed-maturity security values due solely to interest rate changes would not signal a decline in credit quality. We continue to explore ways to reduce exposure to risks related to a rise in interest rates.
 
Our dynamic financial planning model uses analytical tools to assess market risks. As part of this model, the effective duration of the fixed-maturity portfolio is continually monitored by our investment department to evaluate the theoretical impact of interest rate movements.
 
The table below summarizes the effect of hypothetical changes in interest rates on the fixed-maturity portfolio:
 
   
Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points (bps)
 
(In millions)
 
-200 bps
   
-100 bps
   
0 bps
   
100 bps
   
200 bps
 
At September 30, 2010
  $ 9,344     $ 8,898     $ 8,466     $ 8,041     $ 7,635  
                                         
At December 31, 2009
  $ 8,705     $ 8,279     $ 7,855     $ 7,428     $ 7,024  
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
46

 
 
The effective duration of the fixed-maturity portfolio as of September 30, 2010, was 5.0 years compared with 5.3 years at year-end 2009. A 100 basis point movement in interest rates would result in an approximately 5.0 percent change in the fair value of the fixed-maturity portfolio. Generally speaking, the higher a bond is rated, the more directly correlated movements in its fair value are to changes in the general level of interest rates, exclusive of call features. The fair values of average- to lower-rated corporate bonds are additionally influenced by the expansion or contraction of credit spreads.
 
In our dynamic financial planning model, the selected interest rate change of 100 to 200 basis points represents our view of a shift in rates that is quite possible over a one-year period. The rates modeled should not be considered a prediction of future events as interest rates may be much more volatile in the future. The analysis is not intended to provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in rates on our results or financial condition, nor does it take into account any actions that we might take to reduce exposure to such risks.
 
Equity Investments
 
Our common stock investments generally are securities of companies with strong indications of paying and growing their dividends. Other criteria we evaluate include increasing sales and earnings, proven management and a favorable outlook. We believe our equity investment style is an appropriate long-term strategy. While our long-term financial position would be affected by prolonged changes in the market valuation of our investments, we believe our strong surplus position and cash flow provide a cushion against short-term fluctuations in valuation. Continued payment of cash dividends by the issuers of the common equities we hold can provide a floor to their valuation. A $100 million unrealized change in the value of the common stocks owned at period end would cause a change of $65 million, or approximately 40 cents per share, in our shareholders’ equity.
 
At September 30, 2010, two holdings had a fair value equal to or greater than 5 percent of our publicly-traded common stock portfolio, similar to year-end 2009. Procter & Gamble is our largest single common stock investment, comprising 5.3 percent of the publicly traded common stock portfolio and 1.3 percent of the investment portfolio. The second common stock with a fair value greater than 5 percent of our publicly-traded common stock portfolio is Pepsico Inc. (NYSE:PEP), comprising 5.0 percent of the publicly traded common stock portfolio and 1.2 percent of the investment portfolio.
 
Common Stock Portfolio Industry Sector Distribution
 
   
Percent of Publicly Traded Common Stock Portfolio
 
   
At September 30, 2010
   
At December 31, 2009
 
   
Cincinnati
Financial
   
S&P 500 Industry
Weightings
   
Cincinnati
Financial
   
S&P 500 Industry
Weightings
 
Sector:
                       
Consumer staples
    16.5 %     11.3 %     15.5 %     11.4 %
Healthcare
    15.4       11.7       18.0       12.6  
Financial
    12.3       15.6       10.2       14.4  
Energy
    12.3       10.9       11.0       11.5  
Information technology
    11.8       18.8       11.0       19.8  
Industrials
    10.4       10.8       9.2       10.2  
Consumer discretionary
    7.9       10.4       9.6       9.6  
Materials
    5.1       3.6       5.1       3.6  
Utilities
    4.8       3.7       6.7       3.7  
Telecomm services
    3.5       3.2       3.7       3.2  
Total
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
 
Short-Term Investments
 
At September 30, 2010, we had no short-term investments compared with $6 million at year-end 2009. Our short-term investments consisted primarily of commercial paper, demand notes or bonds purchased within one year of maturity.
 
Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses
 
At September 30, 2010, unrealized investment gains before taxes for the consolidated investment portfolio totaled $1.369 billion and unrealized investment losses amounted to $41 million.
 
The unrealized investment gains at September 30, 2010, were due to a pre-tax net gain position in our fixed-maturity portfolio of $748 million and a net gain position in our equity portfolio of $580 million. The net gain position in our fixed-maturity portfolio has grown since year-end 2007 due largely to a declining interest rate environment in recent years. The net gain position for our current fixed-maturity holdings will naturally decline over time as individual securities mature. In addition, changes in interest rates can cause rapid,
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
47

 
 
significant changes in fair values of fixed-maturity securities and the net gain position, as discussed on pages 45 to 47. The two primary contributors to our equity portfolio net gain position were Procter & Gamble and ExxonMobil common stocks, which had a combined net gain position of $210 million.
 
Unrealized Investment Losses
 
We expect the number of securities trading below book value to fluctuate as interest rates rise or fall and credit spreads expand or contract due to prevailing economic conditions. Further, book values for some securities are revised through impairment charges recognized in prior periods. At September 30, 2010, 53 of the 2,635 securities we owned were trading below book value compared with 355 of the 2,505 securities we owned at year-end 2009. The 53 holdings trading below book value at September 30, 2010, represented 5.8 percent of fair value of our investment portfolio and $41 million in unrealized losses.
 
·
50 of these holdings were trading between 90 percent and 100 percent of book value at September 30, 2010. Eleven of these are equity securities that may be subject to other-than-temporary impairment should they not recover by the recovery dates we determined. The remaining 39 securities primarily consists of fixed-maturity securities whose current valuation is largely the result of interest rate factors. The fair value of these 50 securities was $545 million, and they accounted for $25 million in unrealized losses.
 
·
Three of these holdings were trading between 70 percent and 90 percent of book value at September 30, 2010. Two of these securities are equity securities that may be subject to other-than-temporary impairment should they not recover by the recovery date we determined. The remaining one is a fixed-maturity security that we believe will continue to pay interest and ultimately principal upon maturity. The fair value of these three securities was $110 million, and they accounted for $16 million in unrealized losses.
 
·
None of these holdings were trading below 70 percent of book value at September 30, 2010.
 
The table below reviews fair values and unrealized losses by investment category and by the overall duration of the securities’ continuous unrealized loss position.
 
  
 
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or more
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
(In millions)
 
value
   
losses
   
value
   
losses
   
value
   
losses
 
At September 30, 2010
 
Fixed maturities:
 
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
  $ 6     $ -     $ 10     $ -     $ 16     $ -  
Government-sponsored enterprises
    15       -       -       -       15       -  
Corporate bonds
    25       -       83       3       108       3  
Total
    46       -       93       3       139       3  
Equity securities
    449       37       67       1       516       38  
Total
  $ 495     $ 37     $ 160     $ 4     $ 655     $ 41  
                                                 
At December 31, 2009
 
Fixed maturities:
 
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
  $ 196     $ 4     $ 29     $ 2     $ 225     $ 6  
Government-sponsored enterprises
    347       7       -       -       347       7  
Short-term investments
    1       -       -       -       1       -  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    -       -       27       6       27       6  
Corporate bonds
    397       19       309       17       706       36  
Total
    941       30       365       25       1,306       55  
Equity securities
    65       3       415       26       480       29  
Total
  $ 1,006     $ 33     $ 780     $ 51     $ 1,786     $ 84  
 
At September 30, 2010, 28 fixed-maturity securities with a total unrealized loss of $3 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more. Of that total, no fixed-maturity securities were trading under 70 percent of book value; one fixed-maturity security with a fair value of $6 million was trading from 70 percent to less than 90 percent of book value and accounted for $1 million in unrealized losses; and 27 fixed-maturity securities with a fair value of $87 million were trading from 90 percent to less than 100 percent of book value and accounted for $2 million in unrealized losses.
 
At September 30, 2010, four equity securities with a total unrealized loss of $1 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more. Of that total, none were trading under 70 percent of book value; no equity securities were trading from 70 percent to less than 90 percent of book value; and four equity securities with a fair value of $67 million were trading from 90 percent to less than 100 percent of book value and accounted for $1 million in unrealized losses.
 
As of September 30, 2010, applying our invested asset impairment policy, we determined that the $4 million in unrealized losses described above were not other-than-temporarily impaired.
 
During the third quarter of 2010, five securities were written down through impairment charges for a total of 15 during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Other-than-temporarily impairments resulted in pretax, non-cash charges of $1 million and $36 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010. During the same periods of 2009, we impaired securities resulting in $11 million and $113 million other-than-temporary impairment charges.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
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During 2009, we impaired 50 securities. At December 31, 2009, 121 fixed-maturity investments with a total unrealized loss of $25 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more. Of that total, eight fixed-maturity investments were trading below 70 percent of book value with a total unrealized loss of $2 million. Ten equity investments with a total unrealized loss of $26 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more as of December 31, 2009. Of that total, no equity investments were trading below 70 percent of book value.
 
The following table summarizes the investment portfolio by severity of decline:
 
                     
Gross
   
Gross
 
   
Number
   
Book
   
Fair
   
unrealized
   
investment
 
(In millions)
 
of issues
   
value
   
value
   
gain/loss
   
income
 
At September 30, 2010
                             
Taxable fixed maturities:
                             
Fair value below 70% of book value
    -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Fair value at 70% to less than 100% of book value
    31       127       124       (3 )     5  
Fair value at 100% and above book value
    1,244       4,811       5,356       545       207  
Securities sold in current year
                                    16  
Total
    1,275       4,938       5,480       542       228  
                                         
Tax-exempt fixed maturities:
                                       
Fair value below 70% of book value
    -       -       -       -       -  
Fair value at 70% to less than 100% of book value
    9       15       15       -       -  
Fair value at 100% and above book value
    1,259       2,765       2,971       206       90  
Securities sold in current year
                                    2  
Total
    1,268       2,780       2,986       206       92  
                                         
Common equities:
                                       
Fair value below 70% of book value
    -       -       -       -       -  
Fair value at 70% to less than 100% of book value
    10       530       493       (37 )     15  
Fair value at 100% and above book value
    58       1,572       2,163       591       50  
Securities sold in current year
                                    1  
Total
    68       2,102       2,656       554       66  
                                         
Preferred equities:
                                       
Fair value below 70% of book value
    -       -       -       -       -  
Fair value at 70% to less than 100% of book value
    3       24       23       (1 )     1  
Fair value at 100% and above book value
    21       51       78       27       4  
Securities sold in current year
                                    -  
Total
    24       75       101       26       5  
                                         
Short-term investments:
                                       
Fair value below 70% of book value
    -       -       -       -       -  
Fair value at 70% to less than 100% of book value
    -       -       -       -       -  
Fair value at 100% and above book value
    -       -       -       -       -  
Securities sold in current year
                                    -  
Total
    -       -       -       -       -  
                                         
Portfolio summary:
                                       
Fair value below 70% of book value
    -       -       -       -       -  
Fair value at 70% to less than 100% of book value
    53       696       655       (41 )     21  
Fair value at 100% and above book value
    2,582       9,199       10,568       1,369       351  
Securities sold in current year
    -       -       -       -       19  
Total
    2,635     $ 9,895     $ 11,223     $ 1,328     $ 391  
                                         
At December 31, 2009
                                       
Portfolio summary:
                                       
Fair value below 70% of book value
    9     $ 8     $ 5     $ (3 )   $ 1  
Fair value at 70% to less than 100% of book value
    346       1,862       1,781       (81 )     79  
Fair value at 100% and above book value
    2,150       7,666       8,776       1,110       391  
Securities sold in current year
    -       -       -       -       31  
Total
    2,505     $ 9,536     $ 10,562     $ 1,026     $ 502  
 
See our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Critical Accounting Estimates, Asset Impairment, Page 42.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
49

 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures – The company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)).
 
Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. The company’s management, with the participation of the company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2010. Based upon that evaluation, the company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the design and operation of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures provided reasonable assurance that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure:
 
·
that information required to be disclosed in the company’s reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and
 
·
that such information is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting – During the three months ended September 30, 2010, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Part II – Other Information
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
Neither the company nor any of our subsidiaries is involved in any litigation believed to be material other than ordinary, routine litigation incidental to the nature of its business.
 
Item 1A. 
Risk Factors
 
Our risk factors have not changed materially since they were described in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 26, 2010.
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
We did not sell any of our shares that were not registered under the Securities Act during the first nine months of 2010. The board of directors has authorized share repurchases since 1996. We discuss the board authorization in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Liquidity and Capital Resources, Parent Company Liquidity, Page 68. The board gives management discretion to purchase shares at reasonable prices in light of circumstances at the time of purchase, subject to SEC regulations. In the first nine months of 2010, we repurchased a total of 377,748 shares.
 
Period
 
Total number
of shares
purchased
   
Average
 price paid
 per share
   
Total number of shares
purchased as part of
publicly announced
plans or programs
   
Maximum number of
shares that may yet
be purchased under
the plans or programs
 
July 1-31, 2010
    0     $ 0.00       0       8,666,349  
August 1-31, 2010
    0       0.00       0       8,666,349  
September 1-30, 2010
    0       0.00       0       8,666,349  
Totals
    0       0.00       0          
 
On October 24, 2007, the board of directors expanded the existing repurchase authorization to approximately 13 million shares. The prior repurchase program for 10 million shares was announced in 2005, replacing a program that had been in effect since 1999. No repurchase program has expired during the period covered by the above table. Neither the 2005 nor 1999 program had an expiration date, but no further repurchases will occur under the 1999 program.
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
50

 
 
Item 3.
Defaults upon Senior Securities
 
We have not defaulted on any interest or principal payment, and no arrearage in the payment of dividends has occurred.
 
Item 4.
(Removed and Reserved)
 
Item 5.
Other Information
 
None.
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.
 
Exhibit Description
3.1A
 
Amended Articles of Incorporation of Cincinnati Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to the company’s 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 23, 2000) (File No. 000-04604)
3.1B
 
Amendment to Article Fourth of Amended Articles of Incorporation of Cincinnati Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) filed with the company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 15, 2005)
3.1C
 
Amendment to Article Sixth of Amended Articles of Incorporation of Cincinnati Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(c) filed with the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010)
3.2
 
Regulations of Cincinnati Financial Corporation, as amended through May 1, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010)
10.1
 
Letter Agreement by and among Cincinnati Financial Corporation, CFC Investment Company and PNC Bank, National Association, dated August 27, 2010 renewing $75 Million committed line of credit (incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 10.1 filed with the company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 27, 2010).
11
 
Statement re: Computation of per share earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2010,  contained in Exhibit 11 of this report
31A
 
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 – Chief Executive Officer
31B
 
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 – Chief Financial Officer
32
 
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002

Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
51

 
 
Signature
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
CINCINNATI FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Date: October 27, 2010
 
/S/ Eric N. Mathews
Eric N. Mathews, CPCU, AIAF
Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
Cincinnati Financial Third-Quarter 2010 10-Q
 
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