QBE Syndicate 2999 Annual Report and Accounts 2009

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Notes to the financial statements continued For the year ended 31 December 2009 10 Financial risk continued i) Market risk Currency risk The syndicate is exposed to foreign currency risk in respect of its foreign currency exposures and forward foreign exchange derivatives are used to protect the currency positions. The risk management process covering forward foreign exchange derivatives involves close senior management scrutiny, including regular board and other management reporting. All forward foreign exchange derivatives are subject to delegated authority levels provided to management, and levels of exposure are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The table below shows the impact on profit/(loss) and equity of changes in the value of the syndicate’s financial instruments as a result of movements in foreign exchange rates. 2009 2008 Movement in Profit/(loss) Equity Profit/(loss) Equity variable % £000 £000 £000 £000 US dollar +10 (16,485) (16,485) (8,415) (8,415) –10 20,148 20,148 10,284 10,284 Canadian dollar +10 (1,591) (1,591) (701) (701) –10 1,944 1,944 856 856 Euro +10 (1,659) (1,659) 105 105 –10 2,027 2,027 (128) (128) The syndicate manages its exposure to foreign currencies based on the balance sheet by currency which also includes insurance assets and liabilities. Interest rate risk The syndicate is exposed to interest rate risk arising on interest bearing assets. Assets with floating interest rates expose the syndicate to cash flow interest rate risk. Fixed interest rate assets expose the syndicate to fair value interest rate risk. The syndicate’s strategy is to invest in high quality, liquid fixed interest securities and cash and to actively manage duration. The investment portfolios are actively managed to achieve a balance between cash flow interest rate risk and fair value interest rate risk bearing in mind the need to meet the liquidity requirements of the business. The syndicate’s exposure to interest rate risk and the effective weighted average interest rates for each significant class of interest bearing financial assets and liabilities is as follows: Fixed interest rate maturing in Floating One year One to Two to interest rate or less two years three years Total 2009 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Interest bearing assets 969,383 302,562 59,884 64,263 1,396,092 Financial liabilities – – – – – Net interest bearing financial assets 969,383 302,562 59,884 64,263 1,396,092 Fixed interest rate maturing in Floating One year One to Two to interest rate or less two years three years Total 2008 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Interest bearing assets 429,960 1,042,048 2,466 19,813 1,494,287 Financial liabilities – – – – – Net interest bearing financial assets 429,960 1,042,048 2,466 19,813 1,494,287 36 QBE Syndicate 2999 Annual report 2009
10 Financial risk continued i) Market risk continued Interest rate risk continued The syndicate’s sensitivity to movements in interest rates in relation to the value of fixed interest securities is shown in the table below. 2009 2008 Movement in Profit/(loss) Equity Profit/(loss) Equity variable % £000 £000 £000 £000 Interest rate movement – fixed interest securities +1.5 (7,754) (7,754) (13,234) (13,234) –1.5 7,754 7,754 13,234 13,234 Price risk Price risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices (other than those arising from interest rate or currency risk), whether those changes are caused by factors specific to the individual financial instrument or its issuer, or factors affecting all similar financial instruments traded on the market. The syndicate holds no equity investments and so has a low exposure to price risk. ii) Credit risk Credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial instrument will cause financial loss to the other party by failing to discharge an obligation. Credit risk exposures are calculated regularly and compared with authorised credit limits before further transactions are undertaken with counterparties. 100% (2008 99.6%) of total fixed interest and cash investments are with counterparties having a Moody’s rating of Aa or better. The syndicate does not expect any investment counterparties to fail to meet their obligations given their strong credit ratings. The syndicate only uses derivatives in highly liquid markets. The reinsurers’ share of claims outstanding is also exposed to credit risk. 92.6% (2008 94.9%) of the balance is with reinsurers with an S&P rating of “A-” or greater. The following table provides information regarding the carrying value of the syndicate’s financial assets, excluding amounts in respect of insurance contracts. All amounts are neither past due nor impaired at the balance sheet date. 2009 2008 £000 £000 Cash 21,794 10,136 Interest bearing investments 1,374,724 1,484,151 Other receivables 5,370 16,456 1,401,888 1,460,743 37 QBE Syndicate 2999 Annual report 2009
Page 1 and 2: QBE Syndicate 2999 Annual report 20
Page 3 and 4: QBE Syndicate 2999 highlights QBE S
Page 5 and 6: Major events in 2009 • Growth ach
Page 7 and 8: 3. Empowers through a collaborative
Page 9 and 10: Business of the syndicate QBE Syndi
Page 11 and 12: QBE Marine and Energy Syndicate 103
Page 13 and 14: QBE Property Syndicate 2000 Busines
Page 15 and 16: Report of the directors of the mana
Page 17 and 18: During 2009 we installed a new Head
Page 19 and 20: Investment performance The total in
Page 21 and 22: Statement of managing agent’s res
Page 23 and 24: Risk management The syndicate’s a
Page 25 and 26: Profit and loss account: technical
Page 27 and 28: Balance sheet As at 31 December 200
Page 29 and 30: Statement of cash flows For the yea
Page 31 and 32: 1 Accounting policies continued b)
Page 33 and 34: 1 Accounting policies continued g)
Page 35 and 36: 4 Claims outstanding During the yea
Page 37: 9 Other financial investments conti
Page 41 and 42: 12 Overseas deposits These are lodg
Page 43 and 44: 17 Related parties The managing age
Page 45 and 46: Net investment income Gross investm
Page 47 and 48: Designed and produced by 85FOUR www

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