10-Q 1 mtg-033116x10q.htm 10-Q 10-Q

 

FORM 10-Q
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended
March 31, 2016
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from ______ to ______
 
Commission file number 1-10816
MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
WISCONSIN
 
39-1486475
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
250 E. KILBOURN AVENUE
 
53202
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
 
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
(414) 347-6480
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
YES x
NO o

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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
YES x
NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company  o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES o
NO x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

CLASS OF STOCK
 
PAR VALUE
 
DATE
 
NUMBER OF SHARES
Common stock
 
$1.00
 
April 29, 2016
 
340,636,237
 



Forward Looking and Other Statements

All statements in this report that address events, developments or results that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future are “forward looking statements.” Forward looking statements consist of statements that relate to matters other than historical fact. In most cases, forward looking statements may be identified by words such as “believe,” “anticipate” or “expect,” or words of similar import. The risk factors referred to in “Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors – Location of Risk Factors” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations below, may cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by forward looking statements that we may make. We are not undertaking any obligation to update any forward looking statements or other statements we may make in this document even though these statements may be affected by events or circumstances occurring after the forward looking statements or other statements were made. Therefore no reader of this document should rely on these statements being current as of any time other than the time at which this document was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2016
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




3 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Investment Portfolio (notes 7 and 8):
 
 
 
 
Securities, available-for-sale, at fair value:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities (amortized cost, 2016 - $4,506,178; 2015 - $4,684,148)
 
$
4,557,914

 
$
4,657,561

Equity securities
 
6,289

 
5,645

Total investment portfolio
 
4,564,203

 
4,663,206

Cash and cash equivalents
 
249,898

 
181,120

Accrued investment income
 
39,019

 
40,224

Reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves (note 4)
 
41,119

 
44,487

Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
 
3,855

 
3,319

Premiums receivable
 
47,185

 
48,469

Home office and equipment, net
 
31,047

 
30,095

Deferred insurance policy acquisition costs
 
15,946

 
15,241

Deferred income taxes, net (note 11)
 
702,400

 
762,080

Other assets
 
78,731

 
80,102

Total assets
 
$
5,773,403

 
$
5,868,343

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Loss reserves (note 12)
 
$
1,753,389

 
$
1,893,402

Unearned premiums
 
289,879

 
279,973

Federal Home Loan Bank advance (note 3)
 
155,000

 

Convertible senior notes (note 3)
 
685,624

 
822,301

Convertible junior subordinated debentures (note 3)
 
256,872

 
389,522

Other liabilities
 
289,240

 
247,005

Total liabilities
 
3,430,004

 
3,632,203

Contingencies (note 5)
 


 


Shareholders’ equity (note 13):
 
 
 
 
Common stock (one dollar par value, shares authorized 1,000,000; shares issued 2016 - 341,076; 2015 - 340,097; shares outstanding 2016 - 340,636; 2015 - 339,657)
 
341,076

 
340,097

Paid-in capital
 
1,657,783

 
1,670,238

Treasury stock at cost (shares - 440)
 
(3,362
)
 
(3,362
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (note 9)
 
(11,336
)
 
(60,880
)
Retained earnings
 
359,238

 
290,047

Total shareholders’ equity
 
2,343,399

 
2,236,140

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
5,773,403

 
$
5,868,343

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 4


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Premiums written:
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
265,291

 
$
265,412

Assumed
 
208

 
338

Ceded (note 4)
 
(34,218
)
 
(31,294
)
Net premiums written
 
231,281

 
234,456

Increase in unearned premiums, net
 
(9,940
)
 
(17,168
)
Net premiums earned
 
221,341

 
217,288

Investment income, net of expenses
 
27,809

 
24,120

Net realized investment gains (losses):
 


 


Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
 

 

Portion of losses recognized in comprehensive income, before taxes
 

 

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
 

 

Other realized investment gains
 
3,056

 
26,327

Net realized investment gains
 
3,056

 
26,327

Other revenue
 
6,373

 
2,480

Total revenues
 
258,579

 
270,215

 
 
 
 
 
Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
Losses incurred, net (note 12)
 
85,012

 
81,785

Change in premium deficiency reserve
 

 
(6,418
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
1,961

 
1,757

Other underwriting and operating expenses, net
 
39,777

 
39,268

Interest expense
 
14,701

 
17,362

Loss on debt extinguishment (note 3)
 
13,440

 

Total losses and expenses
 
154,891

 
133,754

 
 
 
 
 
Income before tax
 
103,688

 
136,461

Provision for income taxes (note 11)
 
34,497

 
3,385

 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
69,191

 
$
133,076

 
 
 
 
 
Income per share (note 6)
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.20

 
$
0.39

Diluted
 
$
0.17

 
$
0.32

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (note 6)
 
340,144

 
339,107

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (note 6)
 
431,365

 
468,121


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


5 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Net income
 
$
69,191

 
$
133,076

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (note 9):
 
 
 
 
Change in unrealized investment gains and losses (note 7)
 
50,827

 
19,563

Benefit plan adjustments
 
(308
)
 
(700
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
(975
)
 
(2,014
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
49,544

 
16,849

Comprehensive income
 
$
118,735

 
$
149,925


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 6


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Common stock
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
340,097

 
$
340,047

Net common stock issued under share-based compensation plans
 
979

 
32

Balance, end of period
 
341,076

 
340,079

 
 
 
 
 
Paid-in capital
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
1,670,238

 
1,663,592

Net common stock issued under share-based compensation plans
 
(5,949
)
 
38

Reissuance of treasury stock, net
 

 
(7,251
)
Tax benefit from share-based compensation
 
115

 
2,568

Equity compensation
 
3,129

 
3,264

Reacquisition of convertible junior subordinated debentures-equity component
 
(9,750
)
 

Balance, end of period
 
1,657,783

 
1,662,211

 
 
 
 
 
Treasury stock
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
(3,362
)
 
(32,937
)
Reissuance of treasury stock, net
 

 
29,575

Balance, end of period
 
(3,362
)
 
(3,362
)
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
(60,880
)
 
(81,341
)
Other comprehensive income
 
49,544

 
16,849

Balance, end of period
 
(11,336
)
 
(64,492
)
 
 
 
 
 
Retained earnings (deficit)
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
290,047

 
(852,458
)
Net income
 
69,191

 
133,076

Reissuance of treasury stock, net
 

 
(29,494
)
Balance, end of period
 
359,238

 
(748,876
)
 
 
 
 
 
Total shareholders’ equity
 
$
2,343,399

 
$
1,185,560


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


7 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
69,191

 
$
133,076

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
14,109

 
11,311

Deferred tax expense (benefit)
 
33,270

 
(11
)
Realized investment gains, net
 
(3,056
)
 
(26,327
)
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation
 
(115
)
 
(2,568
)
Payment of original issue discount-convertible junior subordinated debentures
 
(41,540
)
 

Change in certain assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accrued investment income
 
1,205

 
(1,596
)
Prepaid insurance premium
 
34

 
(2,496
)
Reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves
 
3,368

 
2,426

Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
 
(536
)
 
458

Premium receivable
 
1,284

 
(1,812
)
Deferred insurance policy acquisition costs
 
(705
)
 
(1,011
)
Profit commission receivable
 
760

 
(23,474
)
Loss reserves
 
(140,013
)
 
(152,183
)
Premium deficiency reserve
 

 
(6,418
)
Unearned premiums
 
9,906

 
19,639

Return premium accrual
 
(4,850
)
 
3,300

Income taxes payable - current
 
289

 
287

Other
 
869

 
14,691

Net cash used in operating activities
 
(56,530
)
 
(32,708
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Purchases of investments:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities
 
(288,273
)
 
(940,867
)
Equity securities
 
(3,109
)
 
(18
)
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities
 
315,927

 
795,968

Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturities
 
139,863

 
192,463

Proceeds from sale of equity securities
 
2,525

 

Net increase in payable for securities
 
44,289

 
699

Net decrease in restricted cash
 

 
17,212

Additions to property and equipment
 
(1,916
)
 
(576
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
 
209,306

 
64,881

 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
 
155,000

 

Purchase of convertible senior notes
 
(138,253
)
 

Purchase of convertible junior subordinated debentures-liability component
 
(91,110
)
 

Purchase of convertible junior subordinated debentures-equity component
 
(9,750
)
 

Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation
 
115

 
2,568

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(83,998
)
 
2,568

 
 
 
 
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
68,778

 
34,741

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
181,120

 
197,882

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
249,898

 
$
232,623

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 8


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)

Note 1 – Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

MGIC Investment Corporation is a holding company which, through Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation (“MGIC”) is principally engaged in the mortgage insurance business.  We provide mortgage insurance to lenders throughout the United States and to government sponsored entities to protect against loss from defaults on low down payment residential mortgage loans.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of MGIC Investment Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting and do not include all of the other information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2015 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. As used below, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to MGIC Investment Corporation’s consolidated operations or to MGIC Investment Corporation, as the context requires.

In the opinion of management the accompanying financial statements include all adjustments, consisting primarily of normal recurring accruals, necessary to fairly state our consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated. The consolidated results of operations for the interim period may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made in the accompanying financial statements to 2015 amounts to conform to 2016 presentation. See Note 2 - “New Accounting Pronouncements” for a discussion of our adoption of accounting guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs in the first quarter of 2016, with retrospective application to prior periods.

Subsequent events

We have considered subsequent events through the date of this filing.

 
Note 2 – New Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted Accounting Standards

Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued updated guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs. The new standard requires the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of a deferred charge, consistent with the treatment of debt discounts. The updated guidance was effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance as of March 31, 2016 has been applied retrospectively to prior periods. See Note 3 - “Debt” for the reclassification made to our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on our statements of operations or retained earnings.

Accounting for Share-Based Compensation When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period

In June 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance to resolve diversity in practice concerning employee shared-based compensation that contains performance targets that could be achieved after the requisite service period. No explicit guidance on how to account for these types of performance share-based compensation awards existed prior to this update. The updated guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that can be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the periods for which service has been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost for which requisite service has not yet been rendered is recognized prospectively over the remaining service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. The updated guidance was effective for reporting periods after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance as of March 31, 2016, with application to awards granted during the first quarter of 2016, is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.



9 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


Prospective Accounting Standards

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Compensation Accounting

In March 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance that simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based compensation including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification of related amounts within the statement of cash flows. The updated guidance requires that, prospectively, all tax effects related to share-based compensation be made through the statement of operations at the time of settlement as opposed to excess tax benefits being recognized in paid-in capital under the current guidance. The updated guidance also removes the requirement to delay recognition of a tax benefit until it reduces current taxes payable. This change is required to be applied on a modified retrospective basis, with a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings. Additionally, all tax related cash flows resulting from share-based compensation are to be reported as operating activities on the statement of cash flows, a change from the existing requirement to present tax benefits as an inflow from financing activities and an outflow from operating activities. Finally, for tax withholding purposes, entities will be allowed to withhold an amount of shares up to the employee’s maximum individual tax rate (as opposed to the minimum statutory tax rate) in the relevant jurisdiction without resulting in liability classification of the award. The change in withholding requirements will be applied on a modified retrospective approach. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. We are currently evaluating the impacts the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In January 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance to address the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of certain financial instruments. The updated guidance requires equity investments, except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, that have a readily determinable fair value to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values may be remeasured at fair value either upon the occurrence of an observable price change or upon identification of an impairment. A qualitative assessment for impairment is required for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The updated guidance also eliminates the requirement to disclose the method and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods and will require recognition of a cumulative effect adjustment at adoption. We do not currently expect the adoption
 
of this guidance to impact our consolidated financial position or liquidity.

Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts

In May 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance requiring expanded disclosures for insurance entities that issue short-duration contracts. The expanded disclosures are designed to provide additional insight into an insurance entity’s ability to underwrite and anticipate costs associated with claims. The disclosures include information about incurred and paid claims development, on a net of reinsurance basis, for the number of years claims incurred typically remain outstanding, not to exceed ten years. Each period presented in the disclosure about claims development that precedes the current reporting periods is considered supplementary information. The expanded disclosures also include more transparent information about significant changes in methodologies and assumptions used to estimate claims, and the timing, frequency, and severity of claims. The disclosures required by this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2015, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 31, 2016, and is to be applied retrospectively. We are evaluating the applicability and impact, if any, of the new disclosure requirements.

Note 3 – Debt

2016 debt transactions
During the first quarter of 2016, market conditions allowed us to complete a series of transactions that repositioned the maturity profile of our debt and lowered our interest expense. These transactions, including the amounts and accounting impacts, are discussed below.

5% Convertible Senior Notes
During the first quarter of 2016, we purchased $138.3 million in par value of our 5% Convertible Senior Notes (the “5% Notes”) due in 2017 at a purchase price of $143.4 million, plus accrued interest using funds held at our holding company. The excess of the purchase price over par value is reflected as a loss on debt extinguishment and outstanding debt issuance costs on the purchased debt were recognized as interest expense on our consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The purchases of the 5% Notes reduced our potentially dilutive shares by approximately 10.3 million shares.




MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 10


9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures
In February 2016, MGIC purchased $132.7 million of par value of our 9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures (the “9% Debentures”) due in 2063 at a purchase price of $150.7 million, plus accrued interest. The 9% Debentures include a conversion feature that allows us, at our option, to make a cash payment to converting holders in lieu of issuing shares of common stock upon conversion of the 9% Debentures. The accounting standards applicable to extinguishment of debt with a cash conversion feature require the consideration paid to be allocated between the extinguishment of the liability component and reacquisition of the equity component. The purchase of the 9% Debentures resulted in an $8.3 million loss on debt extinguishment on the consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016, which represents the difference between the fair value and the carrying value of the liability component on the purchase date. In addition, our shareholders’ equity was separately reduced by $9.8 million related to the reacquisition of the equity component. For GAAP accounting purposes, the 9% Debentures owned by MGIC are considered retired and are eliminated in our consolidated financial statements and the underlying common stock equivalents, approximately 9.8 million shares, are not included in the computation of diluted shares.

 
Federal Home Loan Bank Advance
In February 2016, MGIC borrowed $155.0 million in the form of a fixed rate advance from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) (the “Advance”) to provide funds used to purchase the 9% Debentures. Interest on the Advance is payable monthly at an annual rate, fixed for the term of the Advance, of 1.91%. The principal of the Advance matures on February 10, 2023. MGIC may prepay the Advance at any time. Such prepayment would be below par if interest rates have risen after the Advance was originated, or above par if interest rates have declined. The Advance is secured by eligible collateral whose market value must be maintained at 102% of the principal balance of the Advance. MGIC provided eligible collateral from its investment portfolio.

Accounting standard update
As of March 31, 2016 we adopted the accounting update related to the presentation of debt issuance costs in the financial statements. The change in accounting guidance has been applied retrospectively to prior periods. As a result, a reclassification of approximately $11.2 million of debt issuance costs was made on our December 31, 2015 balance sheet, resulting in a reduction to other assets and a reduction to long-term debt; there was no impact on our consolidated statement of operations or retained earnings.


The impact of the reclassification of debt issuance costs on our outstanding debt obligations as of December 31, 2015 is as follows.
 
 
December 31, 2015
(In millions)
 
As previously reported
 
Adjustment
 
As Adjusted
Convertible Senior Notes, interest at 5% per annum, due May 2017
 
$
333.5

 
$
(2.0
)
 
$
331.5

Convertible Senior Notes, interest at 2% per annum, due April 2020
 
500.0

 
(9.2
)
 
490.8

Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures, interest at 9% per annum, due April 2063
 
389.5

 

 
389.5

Total long-term debt
 
$
1,223.0

 
$
(11.2
)
 
$
1,211.8


The carrying amount of our debt obligations as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (as adjusted) was as follows.
(In millions)
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
FHLB Advance, interest at 1.91% per annum, due February 2023
 
$
155.0

 
$

Convertible Senior Notes, interest at 5% per annum, due May 2017 (1)
 
194.3

 
331.5

Convertible Senior Notes, interest at 2% per annum, due April 2020 (2) (3)
 
491.3

 
490.8

Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures, interest at 9% per annum, due April 2063 (4)
 
256.9

 
389.5

Total long-term debt
 
$
1,097.5

 
$
1,211.8

(1) 
Convertible at any time prior to maturity at the holder’s option, at an initial conversion rate, which is subject to adjustment, of 74.4186 shares per $1,000 principal amount, representing an initial conversion price of approximately $13.44 per share.




11 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


(2) 
Prior to January 1, 2020, the 2% Convertible Senior Notes are convertible only upon satisfaction of one or more conditions. One such condition is that during any calendar quarter commencing after March 31, 2014, the last reported sale price of our common stock for each of at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter be greater than or equal to 130% of the applicable conversion price on each applicable trading day. The 2% Notes are convertible at an initial conversion rate, which is subject to adjustment, of 143.8332 shares per $1,000 principal amount, representing an initial conversion price of approximately $6.95 per share. 130% of such conversion price is $9.03. On or after January 1, 2020, holders may convert their notes irrespective of satisfaction of the conditions.


(3) 
Prior to April 10, 2017, the notes will not be redeemable. On any business day on or after April 10, 2017 we may redeem for cash all or part of the notes, at our option, at a redemption rate equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if the closing sale price of our common stock exceeds 130% of the then prevailing conversion price of the notes for each of at least 20 of the 30 consecutive trading days preceding notice of the redemption.


(4) 
Convertible at any time prior to maturity at the holder’s option, at an initial conversion rate, which is subject to adjustment, of 74.0741 shares per $1,000 principal amount, representing an initial conversion price of approximately $13.50 per share. If a holder elects to convert their debentures, deferred interest owed on the debentures being converted is also converted into shares of our common stock. The conversion rate for any deferred interest is based on the average price that our shares traded at during a 5-day period immediately prior to the election to convert. In lieu of issuing shares of common stock upon conversion of the debentures, we may, at our option, make a cash payment to converting holders for all or some of the shares of our common stock otherwise issuable upon conversion.

The Convertible Senior Notes and Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures are obligations of our holding company, MGIC Investment Corporation, and not of its subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2016, we had approximately $265 million in cash and investments at our holding company. The net unrealized gains on our holding company investment portfolio were approximately $0.1 million as of March 31, 2016. The modified duration of the holding company investment portfolio, excluding cash and cash equivalents, was 2.4 years at March 31, 2016.
Interest payments on our debt obligations appear below.
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In millions)
 
2016
 
2015
FHLB Advance, interest at 1.91% per annum, due February 2023
 
$
0.2

 
$

Convertible Senior Notes, interest at 5% per annum, due May 2017
 
1.8

 

Convertible Senior Notes, interest at 2% per annum, due April 2020
 

 

Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures, interest at 9% per annum, due April 2063
 
4.3

 

Total interest payments
 
$
6.3

 
$




MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 12


Note 4 – Reinsurance

The effect of all reinsurance agreements on premiums earned and losses incurred is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Premiums earned:
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
255,387

 
$
245,748

Assumed
 
208

 
338

Ceded
 
(34,254
)
 
(28,798
)
Net premiums earned
 
$
221,341

 
$
217,288

 
 
 
 
 
Losses incurred:
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
92,432

 
$
88,036

Assumed
 
101

 
568

Ceded
 
(7,521
)
 
(6,819
)
Net losses incurred
 
$
85,012

 
$
81,785


Quota share reinsurance
Effective July 1, 2015, we entered into a quota share reinsurance agreement (“2015 QSR Transaction”) and commuted our prior 2013 quota share reinsurance agreement (“2013 QSR Transaction”). The group of unaffiliated reinsurers are the same under our 2015 QSR Transaction as our prior 2013 QSR Transaction and each has an insurer financial strength rating of A- or better by Standard and Poor’s Rating Services, A.M. Best or both. The 2015 QSR Transaction provides coverage on policies that were in the 2013 QSR Transaction; additional qualifying in force policies as of the agreement effective date which either had no history of defaults, or where a single default had been cured for twelve or more months at the agreement effective date; and all qualifying new insurance written through December 31, 2016. The agreement cedes losses incurred and premiums on or after the effective date through December 31, 2024, at which time the agreement expires.

The 2015 QSR Transaction increased the amount of our insurance in force covered by reinsurance and will result in an increase in the amount of premiums and losses ceded. A higher level of losses ceded will reduce our profit commission and in turn will reduce our premium yield. Early termination of the agreement can be elected by us effective December 31, 2018 for a fee, or under specified scenarios for no fee upon prior written notice, including if we will receive less than 90% of the full credit amount under the private mortgage insurer eligibility requirements (“PMIERs”) of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (collectively, the “GSEs”) for the risk ceded in any required calculation period. The structure of the 2015 QSR Transaction is a 30% quota share for all policies covered, with a 20% ceding commission as well as a profit commission. Generally, under the 2015 QSR Transaction, we will receive a profit commission provided that the loss ratio on the loans covered under the agreement remains below 60%.

 
A summary of our quota share reinsurance agreements, excluding captive agreements, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 appears as follows.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
2013 QSR Transaction
 
 
 
 
Ceded premiums written, net of profit commission
 
n/a

 
$
27,136

Ceded premiums earned, net of profit commission
 
n/a

 
24,613

Ceded losses incurred
 
n/a

 
4,873

Ceding commissions (2)
 
n/a

 
10,122

Profit commission
 
n/a

 
23,474

 
 
 
 
 
2015 QSR Transaction (Effective July 1, 2015)
 
Ceded premiums written, net of profit commission (1)
 
$
31,666

 
n/a

Ceded premiums earned, net of profit commission (1)
 
31,666

 
n/a

Ceded losses incurred
 
8,513

 
n/a

Ceding commissions (2)
 
11,576

 
n/a

Profit commission
 
26,215

 
n/a

(1) 
Effective July 1, 2015 premiums are ceded on an earned and received basis as defined in our 2015 QSR Transaction.
(2) 
Ceding commissions are reported within Other underwriting and operating expenses, net on the consolidated statements of operations.

Under the terms of the 2015 QSR Transaction, reinsurance premiums, ceding commission and profit commission are settled net on a quarterly basis. The reinsurance premium due after deducting the related ceding commission and profit commission is reported within “Other liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets.

The reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves related to our 2015 QSR Transaction was $18 million as of March 31, 2016 and $11 million as of December 31, 2015. The reinsurance recoverable balance is secured by funds on deposit from the reinsurers which are based on the funding requirements of PMIERs that address ceded risk.

Captive reinsurance
In the past, MGIC also obtained captive reinsurance. In a captive reinsurance arrangement, the reinsurer is affiliated with the lender for whom MGIC provides mortgage insurance. As part of our settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) in 2013 and with the Minnesota Department of Commerce (the “MN Department”) in 2015, discussed in Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies,” MGIC has agreed to not enter



13 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


into any new captive reinsurance agreement or reinsure any new loans under any existing captive reinsurance agreement for a period of ten years subsequent to the respective settlements. In accordance with the CFPB settlement, all of our active captive arrangements were placed into run-off. In addition, the GSEs will not approve any future reinsurance or risk sharing transaction with a mortgage enterprise or an affiliate of a mortgage enterprise.

Captive agreements were generally written on an annual book of business and each captive reinsurer is required to maintain a separate trust account to support its combined reinsured risk on all annual books. MGIC is the sole beneficiary of the trusts, and the trust accounts are made up of capital deposits by the captive reinsurers, premium deposits by MGIC, and investment income earned. The reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves related to captive agreements was $23 million as of March 31, 2016 which was supported by $123 million of trust assets, while as of December 31, 2015, the reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves related to captive agreements was $34 million, which was supported by $137 million of trust assets.

Note 5 – Litigation and Contingencies

Before paying a claim, we review the loan and servicing files to determine the appropriateness of the claim amount. All of our insurance policies provide that we can reduce or deny a claim if the servicer did not comply with its obligations under our insurance policy. We call such reduction of claims “curtailments.” In 2015 and the first quarter of 2016, curtailments reduced our average claim paid by approximately 6.7% and 5.1%, respectively. After we pay a claim, servicers and insureds sometimes object to our curtailments and other adjustments.

When reviewing the loan file associated with a claim, we may determine that we have the right to rescind coverage on the loan. (In our SEC reports, we refer to insurance rescissions and denials of claims collectively as “rescissions” and variations of that term.) In recent quarters, approximately 5% of claims received in a quarter have been resolved by rescissions, down from the peak of approximately 28% in the first half of 2009. Our loss reserving methodology incorporates our estimates of future rescissions, curtailments, and reversals of rescissions and curtailments. A variance between ultimate actual rescission, curtailment and reversal rates and our estimates, as a result of the outcome of litigation, settlements or other factors, could materially affect our losses.

If the insured disputes our right to curtail claims or rescind coverage, we generally engage in discussions in an attempt to settle the dispute. If we are unable to reach a settlement, the outcome of a dispute ultimately would be determined by legal proceedings.

Until a liability associated with a settlement agreement or litigation becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated, we consider our claim payment or rescission resolved for financial reporting purposes even though discussions and legal proceedings may have been initiated and are ongoing. Under ASC
 
450-20, an estimated loss from such discussions and proceedings is accrued for only if we determine that the loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. The estimated impact that we have recorded is our best estimate of our loss from these matters. If we are not able to implement settlements we consider probable, we intend to defend MGIC vigorously against any related legal proceedings.

In addition to the probable settlements for which we have recorded a loss, we are involved in other discussions and/or proceedings with insureds with respect to our claims paying practices. Although it is reasonably possible that when these matters are resolved we will not prevail in all cases, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate or range of estimates of the potential liability. We estimate the maximum exposure associated with matters where a loss is reasonably possible to be approximately $193 million, although we believe we will ultimately resolve these matters for significantly less than this amount.

This estimate includes the maximum exposure for losses that we have determined are probable in excess of the provision we have recorded for such losses. The estimates of our maximum exposure referred to above do not include interest or consequential or exemplary damages.

Mortgage insurers, including MGIC, have been involved in litigation alleging violations of the anti-referral fee provisions of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, which is commonly known as RESPA, and the notice provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which is commonly known as FCRA. MGIC’s settlement of class action litigation against it under RESPA became final in 2003. MGIC settled the named plaintiffs’ claims in litigation against it under FCRA in 2004, following denial of class certification. Beginning in 2011, MGIC, together with various mortgage lenders and other mortgage insurers, was named as a defendant in twelve lawsuits, alleged to be class actions, filed in various U.S. District Courts. The complaints in all of the cases alleged various causes of action related to the captive mortgage reinsurance arrangements of the mortgage lenders, including that the lenders’ captive reinsurers received excessive premiums in relation to the risk assumed by those captives, thereby violating RESPA. As of 2015, MGIC had been dismissed from all twelve cases. There can be no assurance that we will not be subject to further litigation under RESPA (or FCRA) or that the outcome of any such litigation would not have a material adverse effect on us.

In 2013, we entered into a settlement with the CFPB that resolved a federal investigation of MGIC’s participation in captive reinsurance arrangements without the CFPB or a court making any findings of wrongdoing. As part of the settlement, MGIC agreed that it would not enter into any new captive reinsurance agreement or reinsure any new loans under any existing captive reinsurance agreement for a period of ten years. MGIC had voluntarily suspended most of its captive arrangements in 2008 in response to market conditions and GSE requests. In connection with the settlement, MGIC paid a civil penalty of $2.65 million



MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 14


and the court issued an injunction prohibiting MGIC from violating any provisions of RESPA.

In 2015, MGIC executed a Consent Order with the MN Department that resolved that department’s investigation of captive reinsurance matters without making any findings of wrongdoing. The Consent Order provided, among other things, that MGIC is prohibited from entering into any new captive reinsurance agreement or reinsuring any new loans under any existing captive reinsurance agreement for a period of ten years.

Various regulators, including the CFPB, state insurance commissioners and state attorneys general may bring other actions seeking various forms of relief in connection with alleged violations of RESPA. The insurance law provisions of many states prohibit paying for the referral of insurance business and provide various mechanisms to enforce this prohibition. While we believe our practices are in conformity with applicable laws and regulations, it is not possible to predict the eventual scope, duration or outcome of any such reviews or investigations nor is it possible to predict their effect on us or the mortgage insurance industry.

Through a non-insurance subsidiary, we utilize our underwriting skills to provide an outsourced underwriting service to our customers known as contract underwriting. As part of the contract underwriting activities, that subsidiary is responsible for the quality of the underwriting decisions in accordance with the terms of the contract underwriting agreements with customers. That subsidiary may be required to provide certain remedies to its customers if certain standards relating to the quality of our underwriting work are not met, and we have an established reserve for such future obligations. Claims for remedies may be made a number of years after the underwriting work was performed. Beginning in the second half of 2009, our subsidiary experienced an increase in claims for contract underwriting remedies, which continued throughout 2012. The underwriting remedy expense for 2015 was approximately $1 million, but may increase in the future.
 
In addition to the matters described above, we are involved in other legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. In our opinion, based on the facts known at this time, the ultimate resolution of these ordinary course legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

See Note 11 – “Income Taxes” for a description of federal income tax contingencies.

Note 6 – Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS includes the components of basic EPS and also gives effect to dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the reporting period. We calculate diluted EPS using the treasury stock method for unvested restricted stock, and the if-converted method for convertible debt instruments. For unvested restricted stock, assumed proceeds under the treasury stock method would include unamortized compensation expense and windfall tax benefits or shortfalls. The determination of potentially issuable shares from our convertible debt instruments does not consider satisfaction of the conversion requirements and the shares are included in the determination of diluted EPS as of the beginning of the period, if dilutive. In addition, interest expense, net of tax, related to dilutive convertible debt instruments is added back to earnings in calculating diluted EPS.



15 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016



The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators used to calculate basic and diluted EPS and also indicates the number of antidilutive securities.
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2016
 
2015
Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
69,191

 
$
133,076

Weighted average common shares outstanding
 
340,144

 
339,107

Basic income per share
 
$
0.20

 
$
0.39

 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
69,191

 
$
133,076

Interest expense, net of tax (1):
 
 
 
 
2% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020
 
1,982

 
3,049

5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017
 
2,678

 
4,692

9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2063
 

 
8,765

Diluted income available to common shareholders
 
$
73,851

 
$
149,582

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares - basic
 
340,144

 
339,107

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
Unvested restricted stock units
 
1,679

 
2,569

2% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020
 
71,917

 
71,917

5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017
 
17,625

 
25,674

9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2063
 

 
28,854

Weighted average shares - diluted
 
431,365

 
468,121

Diluted income per share
 
$
0.17

 
$
0.32

 
 
 
 
 
Antidilutive securities (in millions)
 
23.3

 

(1) 
Due to the valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets, the three months ended March 31, 2015 were not tax effected. The three months ended March 31, 2016 have been tax effected at a rate of 35%.



MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 16


Note 7 – Investments


The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of the investment portfolio at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are shown below.
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses (1)
 
Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
147,189

 
$
2,474

 
$
(1,135
)
 
$
148,528

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
 
1,854,959

 
60,677

 
(2,506
)
 
1,913,130

Corporate debt securities
 
1,856,376

 
16,315

 
(18,484
)
 
1,854,207

Asset-backed securities
 
110,241

 
176

 
(89
)
 
110,328

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
255,344

 
452

 
(5,155
)
 
250,641

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
220,719

 
1,678

 
(1,701
)
 
220,696

Collateralized loan obligations
 
61,350

 
25

 
(991
)
 
60,384

Total debt securities
 
4,506,178

 
81,797

 
(30,061
)
 
4,557,914

Equity securities
 
6,209

 
87

 
(7
)
 
6,289

Total investment portfolio
 
$
4,512,387

 
$
81,884

 
$
(30,068
)
 
$
4,564,203



December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses (1)
 
Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
160,393

 
$
2,133

 
$
(1,942
)
 
$
160,584

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
 
1,766,407

 
33,410

 
(7,290
)
 
1,792,527

Corporate debt securities
 
2,046,697

 
2,836

 
(44,770
)
 
2,004,763

Asset-backed securities
 
116,764

 
56

 
(203
)
 
116,617

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
265,879

 
161

 
(8,392
)
 
257,648

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
237,304

 
162

 
(3,975
)
 
233,491

Collateralized loan obligations
 
61,345

 
3

 
(1,148
)
 
60,200

Debt securities issued by foreign sovereign governments
 
29,359

 
2,474

 
(102
)
 
31,731

Total debt securities
 
4,684,148

 
41,235

 
(67,822
)
 
4,657,561

Equity securities
 
5,625

 
38

 
(18
)
 
5,645

Total investment portfolio
 
$
4,689,773

 
$
41,273

 
$
(67,840
)
 
$
4,663,206

(1) 
At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there were no other-than-temporary impairment losses recorded in other comprehensive income.

During the first quarter of 2016, we substantially liquidated our Australian entities and repatriated most assets, including proceeds from the monetization of our Australian investment portfolio. As of March 31, 2016 we held no investments in foreign sovereign governments.

As discussed in Note 3 - “Debt” we are required to maintain collateral of at least 102% of the outstanding principal balance of the Advance. As of March 31, 2016 we pledged eligible collateral with a total fair value of $164.6 million.


17 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016



The amortized cost and fair values of debt securities at March 31, 2016, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Because most asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities and collateralized loan obligations provide for periodic payments throughout their lives, they are listed below in separate categories.
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Due in one year or less
 
$
310,484

 
$
311,202

Due after one year through five years
 
1,265,465

 
1,278,045

Due after five years through ten years
 
1,120,853

 
1,122,243

Due after ten years
 
1,161,722

 
1,204,375

 
 
$
3,858,524

 
$
3,915,865

 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed securities
 
110,241

 
110,328

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
255,344

 
250,641

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
220,719

 
220,696

Collateralized loan obligations
 
61,350

 
60,384

Total as of March 31, 2016
 
$
4,506,178

 
$
4,557,914

At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the investment portfolio had gross unrealized losses of $30.1 million and $67.8 million, respectively.  For those securities in an unrealized loss position, the length of time the securities were in such a position, as measured by their month-end fair values, is as follows:
March 31, 2016
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Greater
 
Total
(In thousands)
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and  agencies
 
$
26,586

 
$
(1,094
)
 
$
2,998

 
$
(41
)
 
$
29,584

 
$
(1,135
)
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
 
105,443

 
(763
)
 
60,616

 
(1,743
)
 
166,059

 
(2,506
)
Corporate debt securities
 
350,566

 
(7,932
)
 
348,277

 
(10,552
)
 
698,843

 
(18,484
)
Asset-backed securities
 
29,107

 
(42
)
 
11,019

 
(47
)
 
40,126

 
(89
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
14,548

 
(103
)
 
204,585

 
(5,052
)
 
219,133

 
(5,155
)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
60,778

 
(925
)
 
56,126

 
(776
)
 
116,904

 
(1,701
)
Collateralized loan obligations
 

 

 
51,907

 
(991
)
 
51,907

 
(991
)
Equity securities
 
91

 

 
209

 
(7
)
 
300

 
(7
)
Total
 
$
587,119

 
$
(10,859
)
 
$
735,737

 
$
(19,209
)
 
$
1,322,856

 
$
(30,068
)




MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 18


December 31, 2015
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Greater
 
Total
(In thousands)
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
 Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
 Losses
 
 
(In thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
60,548

 
$
(1,467
)
 
$
1,923

 
$
(475
)
 
$
62,471

 
$
(1,942
)
Obligations of U.S. states and political   subdivisions
 
417,615

 
(6,404
)
 
37,014

 
(886
)
 
454,629

 
(7,290
)
Corporate debt securities
 
1,470,628

 
(38,519
)
 
114,982

 
(6,251
)
 
1,585,610

 
(44,770
)
Asset-backed securities
 
86,604

 
(173
)
 
5,546

 
(30
)
 
92,150

 
(203
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
35,064

 
(312
)
 
209,882

 
(8,080
)
 
244,946

 
(8,392
)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
134,488

 
(2,361
)
 
69,927

 
(1,614
)
 
204,415

 
(3,975
)
Collateralized loan obligations
 

 

 
51,750

 
(1,148
)
 
51,750

 
(1,148
)
Debt securities issued by foreign sovereign governments
 
4,463

 
(102
)
 

 

 
4,463

 
(102
)
Equity securities
 
355

 
(8
)
 
171

 
(10
)
 
526

 
(18
)
Total
 
$
2,209,765

 
$
(49,346
)
 
$
491,195

 
$
(18,494
)
 
$
2,700,960

 
$
(67,840
)
The unrealized losses in all categories of our investments at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were primarily caused by the difference in interest rates at each respective period, compared to interest rates at the time of purchase. There were 316 and 303 securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.


During each of the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 there were no other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) recognized.   The net realized investment gains on the investment portfolio are as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Realized investment gains (losses) on investments:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities
 
$
3,054

 
$
26,324

Equity securities
 
2

 
3

Net realized investment gains
 
$
3,056

 
$
26,327

 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Realized investment gains (losses) on investments:
 
 
 
 
Gains on sales
 
$
4,104

 
$
27,206

Losses on sales
 
(1,048
)
 
(879
)
Net realized investment gains
 
$
3,056

 
$
26,327




19 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016




Note 8 – Fair Value Measurements

Our estimates of fair value for financial assets and financial liabilities are based on the framework established in the fair value accounting guidance.  The framework is based on the inputs used in valuation, gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and requires that observable inputs be used in the valuations when available.

To determine the fair value of securities available-for-sale in Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, independent pricing sources have been utilized. One price is provided per security based on observable market data. To ensure securities are appropriately classified in the fair value hierarchy, we review the pricing techniques and methodologies of the independent pricing sources and believe that their policies adequately consider market activity, either based on specific transactions for the issue valued or based on modeling of securities with similar credit quality, duration, yield and structure that were recently traded. A variety of inputs are utilized by the independent pricing sources including benchmark yields, reported trades, non-binding broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data including data published in market research publications. Inputs may be weighted differently for any security, and not all inputs are used for each security evaluation.

Market indicators, industry and economic events are also considered. This information is evaluated using a multidimensional pricing model. This model combines all inputs to arrive at a value assigned to each security. Quality controls are performed by the independent pricing sources throughout this process, which include reviewing tolerance reports, trading information, data changes, and directional moves compared to market moves. In addition, on a quarterly basis, we perform quality controls over values received from the pricing sources which also include reviewing tolerance reports, trading information, data changes, and directional moves compared to market moves. We have not made any adjustments to the prices obtained from the independent pricing sources.

In accordance with fair value guidance, we applied the following fair value hierarchy in order to measure fair value for assets
and liabilities:

Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets that we can access. Financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs primarily include U.S. Treasury securities, equity securities, and Australian government and semi government securities.

Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable in the marketplace for the financial instrument. The observable inputs are used in valuation models to calculate the fair value of the financial instruments.
 
Financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs primarily include obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, and most municipal bonds.

The independent pricing sources utilize these approaches to determine the fair value of the securities in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy based on type of investment:

Corporate Debt & U.S. Government and Agency Bonds are evaluated by surveying the dealer community, obtaining relevant trade data, benchmark quotes and spreads and incorporating this information into the evaluation process.

Obligations of U.S. States & Political Subdivisions are evaluated by tracking, capturing, and analyzing quotes for active issues and trades reported via the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board records. Daily briefings and reviews of current economic conditions, trading levels, spread relationships, and the slope of the yield curve provide further data for evaluation.

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities are evaluated by monitoring interest rate movements, and other pertinent data daily. Incoming market data is enriched to derive spread, yield and/or price data as appropriate, enabling known data points to be extrapolated for valuation application across a range of related securities.

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities are evaluated using valuation techniques that reflect market participants’ assumptions and maximize the use of relevant observable inputs including quoted prices for similar assets, benchmark yield curves and market corroborated inputs. Evaluation utilizes regular reviews of the inputs for securities covered, including executed trades, broker quotes, credit information, collateral attributes and/or cash flow waterfall as applicable.

Asset-Backed Securities are evaluated using spreads and other information solicited from market buy- and sell-side sources, including primary and secondary dealers, portfolio managers, and research analysts. Cash flows are generated for each tranche, benchmark yields are determined, and deal collateral performance and tranche level attributes including market color as available are used, resulting in tranche-specific spreads.

Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value drivers are unobservable or from par values for equity securities restricted in their ability to be redeemed or sold. The inputs used to derive the fair value of Level 3 securities reflect our own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability. Financial assets



MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 20


utilizing Level 3 inputs primarily include equity securities that can only be redeemed or sold at their par value and only to the security issuer and certain state premium tax credit investments. The state premium tax credit investments have an average maturity of less than 2 years, credit ratings of AA+ or higher, and their balance reflects their remaining scheduled payments discounted at an average annual rate of
 
7.2%. Our non-financial assets that are classified as Level 3 securities consist of real estate acquired through claim settlement. The fair value of real estate acquired is the lower of our acquisition cost or a percentage of the appraised value. The percentage applied to the appraised value is based upon our historical sales experience adjusted for current trends.

Fair value measurements for assets measured at fair value included the following as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
March 31, 2016
(In thousands)
 
Total Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and  agencies
 
$
148,528

 
$
51,448

 
$
97,080

 
$

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
 
1,913,130

 

 
1,911,938

 
1,192

Corporate debt securities
 
1,854,207

 

 
1,854,207

 

Asset-backed securities
 
110,328

 

 
110,328

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
250,641

 

 
250,641

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
220,696

 

 
220,696

 

Collateralized loan obligations
 
60,384

 

 
60,384

 

Total debt securities
 
4,557,914

 
51,448

 
4,505,274

 
1,192

Equity securities (1)
 
6,289

 
2,868

 

 
3,421

Total investment portfolio
 
$
4,564,203

 
$
54,316

 
$
4,505,274

 
$
4,613

Real estate acquired (2)
 
$
12,849

 
$

 
$

 
$
12,849

December 31, 2015
(In thousands)
 
Total Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations  of U.S. government corporations and   agencies
 
$
160,584

 
$
46,197

 
$
114,387

 
$

Obligations of U.S. states and political  subdivisions
 
1,792,527

 

 
1,791,299

 
1,228

Corporate debt securities
 
2,004,763

 

 
2,004,763

 

Asset-backed securities
 
116,617

 

 
116,617

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
257,648

 

 
257,648

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
233,491

 

 
233,491

 

Collateralized loan obligations
 
60,200

 

 
60,200

 

Debt securities issued by foreign  sovereign governments
 
31,731

 
31,731

 

 

Total debt securities
 
4,657,561

 
77,928

 
4,578,405

 
1,228

Equity securities (1)
 
5,645

 
2,790

 

 
2,855

Total investment portfolio
 
$
4,663,206

 
$
80,718

 
$
4,578,405

 
$
4,083

Real estate acquired (2)
 
$
12,149

 
$

 
$

 
$
12,149

(1) 
Equity securities in Level 3 are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
(2) 
Real estate acquired through claim settlement, which is held for sale, is reported in Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.


21 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


There were no transfers of securities between Level 1 and Level 2 during the first three months of 2016.

For assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is shown in the following tables. There were no transfers into or out of Level 3 in those periods and there were no losses included in earnings for those periods attributable to the change in unrealized losses on assets still held at the end of the applicable period.
(In thousands)
 
Debt Securities
 
Equity Securities
 
Total Investments
 
Real Estate Acquired
Balance at December 31, 2015
 
$
1,228

 
$
2,855

 
$
4,083

 
$
12,149

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Included in earnings and reported as losses incurred, net
 

 

 

 
(293
)
Purchases
 

 
3,091

 
3,091

 
12,267

Sales
 
(36
)
 
(2,525
)
 
(2,561
)
 
(11,274
)
Balance at March 31, 2016
 
$
1,192

 
$
3,421

 
$
4,613

 
$
12,849

(In thousands)
 
Debt Securities
 
Equity Securities
 
Total Investments
 
Real Estate Acquired
Balance at December 31, 2014
 
$
1,846

 
$
321

 
$
2,167

 
$
12,658

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Included in earnings and reported as losses incurred, net
 

 

 

 
(503
)
Purchases
 
7

 

 
7

 
10,797

Sales
 
(62
)
 

 
(62
)
 
(12,055
)
Balance at March 31, 2015
 
$
1,791

 
$
321

 
$
2,112

 
$
10,897

Authoritative guidance over disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments requires additional disclosure for financial instruments not measured at fair value. Certain financial instruments, including insurance contracts, are excluded from these fair value disclosure requirements. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents (Level 1) and accrued investment income (Level 2) approximated their fair values. Additional fair value disclosures related to our investment portfolio are included in Note 7 – “Investments.”

Financial Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value
We incur financial liabilities in the normal course of our business. The following tables present the carrying value and fair value of our financial liabilities disclosed, but not carried, at fair value at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The fair values of our Convertible Senior Notes and Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures were based on observable market prices and the fair value of the Federal Home Loan Bank Advance was estimated using discounted cash flows on current incremental borrowing rates for similar borrowing arrangements, and in all cases they are categorized as Level 2.
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
FHLB Advance due 2023
 
$
155,000

 
$
156,831

Convertible Senior Notes due 2017
 
194,319

 
203,771

Convertible Senior Notes due 2020
 
491,305

 
630,310

Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2063
 
256,872

 
292,754

Total Debt
 
$
1,097,496

 
$
1,283,666

 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Convertible Senior Notes due 2017
 
$
331,546

 
$
345,616

Convertible Senior Notes due 2020
 
490,755

 
701,955

Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2063
 
389,522

 
455,067

Total Debt
 
$
1,211,823

 
$
1,502,638





MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 22


Note 9 – Other Comprehensive Income

The pretax components of our other comprehensive income (loss) and the related income tax (expense) benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are included in the following table.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Net unrealized holding gains arising during the period
 
$
78,383

 
$
19,721

Income tax expense
 
(27,556
)
 
(6,876
)
Valuation allowance (1)
 

 
6,718

Net of taxes
 
50,827

 
19,563

 
 
 
 
 
Net changes in benefit plan assets and obligations
 
(474
)
 
(700
)
Income tax benefit
 
166

 
245

Valuation allowance (1)
 

 
(245
)
Net of taxes
 
(308
)
 
(700
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net changes in unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment
 
(1,496
)
 
(3,102
)
Income tax benefit
 
521

 
1,088

Net of taxes
 
(975
)
 
(2,014
)
 
 
 
 
 
Total other comprehensive income
 
76,413

 
15,919

Total income tax (expense) benefit, net of valuation allowance
 
(26,869
)
 
930

Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
$
49,544

 
$
16,849

(1) 
See Note 11 – “Income Taxes” for a discussion of the valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets.
 
The pretax and related income tax (expense) benefit components of the amounts reclassified from our accumulated other comprehensive loss to our consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are included in the following table.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains (losses) included in net income (1)
 
$
612

 
$
11,234

Income tax expense
 
(92
)
 
(3,931
)
Valuation allowance (2)
 

 
3,926

Net of taxes
 
520

 
11,229

 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment related to benefit plan assets and obligations (3)
 
474

 
700

Income tax expense
 
(166
)
 
(245
)
Valuation allowance (2)
 

 
245

Net of taxes
 
308

 
700

 
 
 
 
 
Total reclassifications
 
1,086

 
11,934

Total income tax expense, net of valuation allowance
 
(258
)
 
(5
)
Total reclassifications, net of tax
 
$
828

 
$
11,929

(1) 
Increases (decreases) Net realized investment gains on the consolidated statements of operations.
(2) 
See Note 11 – “Income Taxes” for a discussion of the valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets.
(3) 
Decreases (increases) Other underwriting and operating expenses, net on the consolidated statements of operations.



Changes in our accumulated other comprehensive loss, including amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss), for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are included in the table below.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
(In thousands)
 
Net unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities
 
Net benefit plan assets and obligations recognized in shareholders' equity
 
Net unrealized foreign currency translation
 
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance at December 31, 2015, net of tax
 
$
(17,148
)
 
$
(44,652
)
 
$
920

 
$
(60,880
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
51,347

 

 
(975
)
 
50,372

Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
520

 
308

 

 
828

Balance at March 31, 2016, net of tax
 
$
33,679

 
$
(44,960
)
 
$
(55
)
 
$
(11,336
)


23 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


Note 10 – Benefit Plans

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension, supplemental executive retirement and other postretirement benefit plans:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
 
Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Service cost
 
$
2,163

 
$
2,448

 
$
175

 
$
202

Interest cost
 
3,929

 
3,908

 
172

 
178

Expected return on plan assets
 
(4,889
)
 
(5,295
)
 
(1,222
)
 
(1,248
)
Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)
 
1,361

 
1,209

 

 
(35
)
Amortization of prior service cost
 
(172
)
 
(211
)
 
(1,662
)
 
(1,662
)
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)
 
$
2,392

 
$
2,059

 
$
(2,537
)
 
$
(2,565
)
We currently intend to make a contribution of $11.4 million to our qualified pension plan and supplemental executive retirement plan in 2016.

Note 11 – Income Taxes

Valuation Allowance

We review the need to maintain a deferred tax asset valuation allowance on a quarterly basis. We analyze many factors, among which are the severity and frequency of operating losses, our capacity for the carryback or carryforward of any losses, the existence and current level of taxable operating income, operating results on a three year cumulative basis, the expected occurrence of future income or loss, the expiration dates of the loss carryforwards, the cyclical nature of our operating results, and available tax planning strategies. Based on our analysis, we reduced our benefit from income tax through the recognition of a valuation allowance from the first quarter of 2009 through the second quarter of 2015. In the third quarter of 2015, based on our analysis, we concluded that it was more likely than not that our deferred tax assets would be fully realizable and that the valuation allowance was no longer necessary. Therefore, we reversed the valuation allowance.

 
The effect of the change in valuation allowance on the provision for income taxes was as follows:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Provision for income tax
 
$
34,497

 
$
47,883

Change in valuation allowance
 

 
(44,498
)
Provision for income taxes
 
$
34,497

 
$
3,385

The change in the valuation allowance that was included in other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was a decrease of $6.5 million.

We have approximately $1.9 billion of net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards on a regular tax basis and $1.0 billion of NOL carryforwards for computing the alternative minimum tax as of March 31, 2016. Any unutilized carryforwards are scheduled to expire at the end of tax years 2029 through 2033.

Tax Contingencies

As previously disclosed, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed examinations of our federal income tax returns for the years 2000 through 2007 and issued proposed assessments for taxes, interest and penalties related to our treatment of the flow-through income and loss from an investment in a portfolio of residual interests of Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (“REMICs”). The IRS indicated that it did not believe that, for various reasons, we had established sufficient tax basis in the REMIC residual interests to deduct the losses from taxable income. We appealed these assessments within the IRS and in August 2010, we reached a tentative settlement agreement with the IRS which was not finalized.

In 2014, we received Notices of Deficiency (commonly referred to as “90 day letters”) covering the 2000-2007 tax years. The Notices of Deficiency reflect taxes and penalties related to the REMIC matters of $197.5 million and at March 31, 2016, there would also be interest related to these matters of approximately $187.4 million. In 2007, we made a payment of $65.2 million to the United States Department of the Treasury which will reduce any amounts we would ultimately owe. The Notices of Deficiency also reflect additional amounts due of $261.4 million, which are primarily associated with the disallowance of the carryback of the 2009 net operating loss to the 2004-2007 tax years. We believe the IRS included the carryback adjustments as a precaution to keep open the statute of limitations on collection of the tax that was refunded when this loss was carried back, and not because the IRS actually intends to disallow the carryback permanently.

We filed a petition with the U.S. Tax Court contesting most of the IRS’ proposed adjustments reflected in the Notices of Deficiency and the IRS has filed an answer to our petition which continues to assert their claim. The case has twice been scheduled for trial and in each instance, the parties jointly filed, and the U.S. Tax Court approved (most recently in February 2016), motions



MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 24


for continuance to postpone the trial date. Also in February 2016, the U.S. Tax Court approved a joint motion to consolidate for trial, briefing, and opinion, our case with similar cases of Radian Group, Inc., as successor to Enhance Financial Services Group, Inc., et al. Litigation to resolve our dispute with the IRS could be lengthy and costly in terms of legal fees and related expenses. We can provide no assurance regarding the outcome of any such litigation or whether a compromised settlement with the IRS will ultimately be reached and finalized. Depending on the outcome of this matter, additional state income taxes and state interest may become due when a final resolution is reached. As of March 31, 2016, those state taxes and interest would approximate $49.3 million. In addition, there could also be state tax penalties. Our total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2016 is $107.4 million, which represents the tax benefits generated by the REMIC portfolio included in our tax returns that we have not taken benefit for in our financial statements, including any related interest. We continue to believe that our previously recorded tax provisions and liabilities are appropriate. However, we would need to make appropriate adjustments, which could be material, to our tax provision and liabilities if our view of the probability of success in this matter changes, and the ultimate resolution of this matter could have a material negative impact on our effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows, available assets and statutory capital. In this regard, see Note 15 – “Capital Requirements.”

The total amount of the unrecognized tax benefits, related to our aforementioned REMIC issue that would affect our effective tax rate is $94.1 million. We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income taxes. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had accrued $28.1 million and $27.8 million, respectively, for the payment of interest.

Note 12 – Loss Reserves

We establish reserves to recognize the estimated liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) related to defaults on insured mortgage loans. Loss reserves are established by estimating the number of defaulted loans that will result in a claim payment, which is referred to as the claim rate, and further estimating the amount of the claim payment, which is referred to as claim severity.

Estimation of losses is inherently judgmental. The conditions that affect the claim rate and claim severity include the current and future state of the domestic economy, including unemployment, and the current and future strength of local housing markets; exposure on insured loans; the amount of time between default and claim filing; and curtailments. The actual amount of the claim payments may be substantially different than our loss reserve estimates. Our estimates could be adversely affected by several factors, including a deterioration of regional or national economic conditions, including unemployment, leading to a reduction in borrower income and thus their ability to make mortgage payments, and a drop in housing values which may affect borrower willingness to continue to make mortgage payments
 
when the value of the home is below the mortgage balance. Changes to our estimates could result in a material impact to our results of operations and capital position, even in a stable economic environment.

The following table provides a reconciliation of beginning and ending loss reserves for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Reserve at beginning of period
 
$
1,893,402

 
$
2,396,807

Less reinsurance recoverable
 
44,487

 
57,841

Net reserve at beginning of period
 
1,848,915

 
2,338,966

 
 
 
 
 
Losses incurred:
 
 
 
 
Losses and LAE incurred in respect of defaults related to:
 
 
 
 
Current year
 
92,479

 
109,381

Prior years (1)
 
(7,467
)
 
(27,596
)
Subtotal
 
85,012

 
81,785

 
 
 
 
 
Losses paid:
 
 
 
 
Losses and LAE paid in respect of defaults related to:
 
 
 
 
Current year
 
204

 
312

Prior years
 
221,457

 
231,230

Reinsurance terminations (2)
 
(4
)
 

Subtotal
 
221,657

 
231,542

 
 
 
 
 
Net reserve at end of period
 
1,712,270

 
2,189,209

Plus reinsurance recoverables
 
41,119

 
55,415

 
 
 
 
 
Reserve at end of period
 
$
1,753,389

 
$
2,244,624

(1) 
A negative number for prior year losses incurred indicates a redundancy of prior year loss reserves.
(2) 
In a termination or commutation, the reinsurance agreement is cancelled, with no future premium ceded and funds for any incurred but unpaid losses transferred to us. The transferred funds result in an increase in our investment portfolio (including cash and cash equivalents) and a decrease in net losses paid (reduction in losses incurred). In addition, there is an offsetting decrease in the reinsurance recoverable (increase in losses incurred), and thus there is no net impact to losses incurred.




25 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


The “Losses incurred” section of the table above shows losses incurred on defaults that occurred in the current year and in prior years.  The amount of losses incurred relating to defaults that occurred in the current year represents the estimated amount to be ultimately paid on such defaults.  The amount of losses incurred relating to defaults received in prior years represents the actual claim rate and severity associated with those defaults resolved in the current year differing from the estimated liability at the prior year-end, as well as a re-estimation of amounts to be ultimately paid on defaults continuing from the end of the prior year.  This re-estimation of the estimated claim rate and estimated severity is the result of our review of current trends in the default inventory, such as percentages of defaults that have resulted in a claim, the amount of the claims relative to the average loan exposure, changes in the relative level of defaults by geography and changes in average loan exposure.

Losses incurred on defaults received in the current year decreased in the first three months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, primarily due to a decrease in the number of new defaults, net of related cures.

The prior year development of the reserves in the first three months of 2016 and 2015 is reflected in the following table.
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
 
2016
 
2015
Decrease in estimated claim rate on primary defaults
 
$
(26
)
 
$
(39
)
Increase in estimated severity on primary defaults
 
22

 
17

Change in estimates related to pool reserves, LAE reserves and reinsurance
 
(3
)
 
(6
)
Total prior year loss development (1)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
(28
)
(1) 
A negative number for prior year loss development indicates a redundancy of prior year loss reserves, and a positive number indicates a deficiency of prior year loss reserves.

 
For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 we experienced favorable prior year loss reserve development. This development was, in part, due to the resolution of approximately 28% and 24% of the prior year default inventory during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  During the first three months of 2016, we experienced improved cure rates on prior year defaults, which was offset in part by an increase in severity on the prior year defaults. In addition to the resolution of defaults, the first three months of 2015 were also favorably impacted by $20 million due to re-estimation of previously recorded reserves relating to disputes on our claims paying practices and adjustments to incurred but not reported losses (IBNR).  The favorable development in the first quarter of 2015 was offset, in part, by an increase in the severity on prior year defaults remaining in the delinquent inventory.

The “Losses paid” section of the table above shows the breakdown between claims paid on new default notices in the current year and claims paid on defaults from prior years. Until a few years ago, it took, on average, approximately twelve months for a default that is not cured to develop into a paid claim. Over the past several years, the average time it takes to receive a claim associated with a default has increased. This is, in part, due to new loss mitigation protocols established by servicers and to changes in some state foreclosure laws that may include, for example, a requirement for additional review and/or mediation processes. It is difficult to estimate how long it may take for current and future defaults that do not cure to develop into paid claims.

During the first quarter of 2016, our losses paid included $47 million associated with settlements for claims paying practices and a nonperforming loan sale. These settlements reduced our delinquent inventory by 1,138 notices. These settlements had no material impact on our losses incurred, net.

The liability associated with our estimate of premiums to be refunded on expected claim payments is accrued for separately at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and approximated $99 million and $102 million, respectively. This liability was included in “Other liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets.



MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 26


A rollforward of our primary default inventory for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 appears in the following table. The information concerning new notices and cures is compiled from monthly reports received from loan servicers. The level of new notice and cure activity reported in a particular month can be influenced by, among other things, the date on which a servicer generates its report, the number of business days in a month and transfers of servicing between loan servicers.
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Default inventory at beginning of period
 
62,633

 
79,901

New notices
 
16,731

 
18,896

Cures
 
(19,053
)
 
(21,767
)
Paids (including those charged to a deductible or captive)
 
(3,373
)
 
(4,573
)
Rescissions and denials
 
(210
)
 
(221
)
Items removed from inventory resulting from settlements (1)
 
(1,138
)
 

Default inventory at end of period
 
55,590

 
72,236

(1) 
Includes 732 loans whose insurance was terminated by agreement to settle coverage on certain non-performing loans, and 406 loans for which we had previously suspended rescissions and that were included in a rescission settlement agreement. Both agreements became effective in the first quarter of 2016 and neither had a material financial impact in the quarter.


The decrease in the primary default inventory experienced during 2016 and 2015 was generally across all markets and primarily in book years 2008 and prior. As of March 31, 2016 the percentage of loans in the inventory that have been in default for 12 or more consecutive months remained consistent compared with the prior year end and declined compared to one year prior, as shown in the following table. Historically as a default ages it becomes more likely to result in a claim. The percentage of loans that have been in default for 12 or more consecutive months and the number of loans in our primary claims received inventory have been affected by our suspended rescissions and the resolution of certain of those rescissions discussed below and in Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies.”
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
Consecutive months in default
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 months or less
10,120

 
18
%
 
13,053

 
21
%
 
11,604

 
16
%
4 - 11 months
15,319

 
28
%
 
15,763

 
25
%
 
18,940

 
26
%
12 months or more (1)
30,151

 
54
%
 
33,817

 
54
%
 
41,692

 
58
%
Total primary default inventory
55,590

 
100
%
 
62,633

 
100
%
 
72,236

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Primary claims received inventory included in ending default inventory
2,267

 
4
%
 
2,769

 
4
%
 
4,448

 
6
%
(1) 
Approximately 49%, 50%, and 53% of the primary default inventory in default for 12 consecutive months or more has been in default for at least 36 consecutive months as of March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015, and March 31, 2015, respectively.

The number of months a loan is in the default inventory can differ from the number of payments that the borrower has not made or is considered delinquent. These differences typically result from a borrower making monthly payments that do not result in the loan becoming fully current. The number of payments that a borrower is delinquent is shown in the table below.


27 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
Number of payments delinquent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 payments or less
16,864

 
30
%
 
20,360

 
33
%
 
19,159

 
27
%
4 - 11 payments
14,595

 
26
%
 
15,092

 
24
%
 
18,372

 
25
%
12 payments or more
24,131

 
44
%
 
27,181

 
43
%
 
34,705

 
48
%
Total primary default inventory
55,590

 
100
%
 
62,633

 
100
%
 
72,236

 
100
%
Pool insurance default inventory decreased to 2,247 at March 31, 2016 from 2,739 at December 31, 2015. The pool insurance default inventory was 3,350 at March 31, 2015.

Claims paying practices
Our loss reserving methodology incorporates our estimates of future rescissions. A variance between ultimate actual rescission rates and our estimates, as a result of the outcome of litigation, settlements or other factors, could materially affect our losses.

The liability associated with our estimate of premiums to be refunded on expected future rescissions is accrued for separately. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 the estimate of this liability totaled $5 million and $7 million, respectively. This liability was included in “Other liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets.

For information about discussions and legal proceedings with customers with respect to our claims paying practices, including settlements that we believe are probable, as defined in ASC 450-20, see Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies.”

 
Note 13 – Shareholders’ Equity

Capital transactions
As described in Note 3 - “Debt” the purchase of a portion of our 9% Debentures by MGIC, and corresponding elimination of the purchased 9% Debentures in consolidation, resulted in a reduction to our consolidated shareholders’ equity of approximately $9.8 million as of March 31, 2016. This reduction represents the allocated portion of the consideration paid to reacquire the equity component of the 9% Debentures. The reduction was recognized in paid-in capital and was less than the amount ascribed to paid-in capital at original issuance of the 9% Debentures.

Shareholders Rights Agreement
Our Amended and Restated Shareholders Rights Agreement dated July 23, 2015, which was approved by shareholders, (the “Agreement”) seeks to diminish the risk that our ability to use our NOLs to reduce potential future federal income tax obligations may become substantially limited and to deter certain abusive takeover practices. The benefit of the NOLs would be substantially limited, and the timing of the usage of the NOLs could be substantially delayed, if we were to experience an “ownership change” as defined by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Under the Agreement each outstanding share of our Common Stock is accompanied by one Right. The “Distribution Date” occurs on the earlier of ten days after a public announcement that a person has become an “Acquiring Person”, or ten business days after a person announces or begins a tender offer in which consummation of such offer would result in a person becoming an “Acquiring Person”. An “Acquiring Person” is any person that becomes, by itself or together with its affiliates and associates, a beneficial owner of 5% or more of the shares of our Common Stock then outstanding, but excludes, among others, certain exempt and grandfathered persons as defined in the Agreement. The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. Each Right will initially entitle shareholders to buy one-tenth of one share of our Common Stock at a Purchase Price of $45 per full share (equivalent to $4.50 for each one-tenth share), subject to adjustment. Each exercisable Right (subject to certain limitations) will entitle its holder to purchase, at the Rights’ then-current Purchase Price, a number of our shares of Common Stock (or if after the Shares Acquisition Date, we are acquired in a business combination, common shares of the acquiror) having a market value at the time equal to twice the Purchase Price. The Rights will expire on August 1, 2018, or earlier as described in



MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 28


the Agreement. The Rights are redeemable at a price of $0.001 per Right at any time prior to the time a person becomes an Acquiring Person. Other than certain amendments, the Board of Directors may amend the Rights in any respect without the consent of the holders of the Rights.

Note 14 – Stock-Based Compensation

We have incentive stock plans under which restricted stock units (“RSUs”) were granted to employees. Our annual grant of share-based compensation to employees takes place during the first quarter of each fiscal year. Under the fair value method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the service period which generally corresponds to the vesting period. Awards under our incentive plans generally vest over periods ranging from one to three years.

The number of shares granted to employees and the weighted average fair value per share during the periods presented were (shares in thousands):
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Shares
Granted
 
Weighted Average Share Fair Value
 
Shares
Granted
 
Weighted Average Share Fair Value
RSUs subject to performance conditions
1,257

 
$
5.66

 
1,110

 
$
8.98

RSUs subject only to service conditions
433

 
5.67

 
408

 
8.98



Note 15 – Capital Requirements

Capital - GSEs

Substantially all of our insurance written since 2008 has been for loans purchased by the GSEs. The PMIERs of the GSEs include financial requirements that require a mortgage insurer’s “Available Assets” (generally only the most liquid assets of an insurer) to equal or exceed its “Minimum Required Assets” (which are based on an insurer’s book and are calculated from tables of factors with several risk dimensions and are subject to a floor amount).

Based on our interpretation of the PMIERs, as of March 31, 2016, MGIC’s Available Assets are in excess of its Minimum Required Assets; and MGIC is in compliance with the financial requirements of the PMIERs and eligible to insure loans purchased by the GSEs.

 
Statutory Capital Requirements

The insurance laws of 16 jurisdictions, including Wisconsin, our domiciliary state, require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital relative to the risk in force (or a similar measure) in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. We refer to these requirements as the “State Capital Requirements” and, together with the GSE Financial Requirements, the “Financial Requirements.” While they vary among jurisdictions, the most common State Capital Requirements allow for a maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25 to 1. A risk-to-capital ratio will increase if (i) the percentage decrease in capital exceeds the percentage decrease in insured risk, or (ii) the percentage increase in capital is less than the percentage increase in insured risk. Wisconsin does not regulate capital by using a risk-to-capital measure but instead requires a minimum policyholder position (“MPP”). The “policyholder position” of a mortgage insurer is its net worth or surplus, contingency reserve and a portion of the reserves for unearned premiums.
At March 31, 2016, MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio was 12.3 to 1, below the maximum allowed by the jurisdictions with State Capital Requirements, and its policyholder position was $1.1 billion above the required MPP of $1.1 billion. In calculating our risk-to-capital ratio and MPP, we are allowed full credit for the risk ceded under our reinsurance transaction with a group of unaffiliated reinsurers. It is possible that under the revised State Capital Requirements discussed below, MGIC will not be allowed full credit for the risk ceded to the reinsurers. If MGIC is not allowed an agreed level of credit under either the State Capital Requirements or the PMIERs, MGIC may terminate the reinsurance agreement, without penalty. At this time, we expect MGIC to continue to comply with the current State Capital Requirements; however, you should read the rest of these financial statement footnotes for information about matters that could negatively affect such compliance.

At March 31, 2016, the risk-to-capital ratio of our combined insurance operations (which includes reinsurance affiliates) was 13.8 to 1. Reinsurance agreements with affiliates permit MGIC to write insurance with a higher coverage percentage than it could on its own under certain state-specific requirements.  A higher risk-to-capital ratio on a combined basis may indicate that, in order for MGIC to continue to utilize reinsurance agreements with its affiliates, additional capital contributions to the reinsurance affiliates could be needed.

During the first quarter of 2016 MGIC received approval from the OCI to pay a $16 million dividend to our holding company, which was paid in April, its first dividend since 2008. Any additional dividends paid by MGIC to our holding company in 2016 would require OCI approval under the adjusted statutory net income regulations discussed below.

MGIC is subject to statutory regulations as to payment of dividends. The maximum amount of dividends that MGIC may pay in any twelve-month period without regulatory approval by the OCI is the lesser of adjusted statutory net income or 10% of



29 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


statutory policyholders’ surplus as of the preceding calendar year end. Adjusted statutory net income is defined for this purpose to be the greater of statutory net income, net of realized investment gains, for the calendar year preceding the date of the dividend or statutory net income, net of realized investment gains, for the three calendar years preceding the date of the dividend less dividends paid within the first two of the preceding three calendar years. The OCI recognizes only statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the State of Wisconsin for determining and reporting the financial condition and results of operations of an insurance company. The OCI has adopted certain prescribed accounting practices that differ from those found in other states. Specifically, Wisconsin domiciled companies record changes in the contingency reserves through the income statement as a change in underwriting deduction. As a result, in periods in which MGIC is increasing contingency reserves statutory net income is lowered. For the year ended December 31, 2015, MGIC’s statutory net income was reduced by $444 million to account for the increase in contingency reserves.

The NAIC previously announced that it plans to revise the minimum capital and surplus requirements for mortgage insurers that are provided for in its Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Model Act. A working group of state regulators is drafting the revisions, although no date has been established by which the NAIC must propose revisions to such requirements. Depending on the scope of revisions made by the NAIC, MGIC may be prevented from writing new business in the jurisdictions adopting such revisions.

While MGIC currently meets the State Capital Requirements of Wisconsin and all other jurisdictions, it could be prevented from writing new business in the future in all jurisdictions if it fails to meet the State Capital Requirements of Wisconsin, or it could be prevented from writing new business in another jurisdiction if it fails to meet the State Capital Requirements of that jurisdiction, and in each case MGIC does not obtain a waiver of such requirements. It is possible that regulatory action by one or more jurisdictions, including those that do not have specific State Capital Requirements, may prevent MGIC from continuing to write new insurance in such jurisdictions.

If we are unable to write business in all jurisdictions, lenders may be unwilling to procure insurance from us anywhere. In addition, a lender’s assessment of the future ability of our insurance operations to meet the State Capital Requirements or the PMIERs may affect its willingness to procure insurance from us. A possible future failure by MGIC to meet the State Capital Requirements or the PMIERs will not necessarily mean that MGIC lacks sufficient resources to pay claims on its insurance liabilities. While we believe MGIC has sufficient claims paying resources to meet its claim obligations on its insurance in force on a timely basis, you should read the rest of these financial statement footnotes for information about matters that could negatively affect MGIC’s claims paying resources.





MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 30


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward Looking and Other Statements

As discussed under “Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors” below, actual results may differ materially from the results contemplated by forward looking statements. We are not undertaking any obligation to update any forward looking statements or other statements we may make in the following discussion or elsewhere in this document even though these statements may be affected by events or circumstances occurring after the forward looking statements or other statements were made. Therefore no reader of this document should rely on these statements being current as of any time other than the time at which this document was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

OVERVIEW
Through our subsidiary MGIC, we are a leading provider of private mortgage insurance in the United States, as measured by $175 billion of primary insurance in force at March 31, 2016.

As used below, “we” and “our” refer to MGIC Investment Corporation’s consolidated operations. The discussion below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. We refer to this Discussion as the “10-K MD&A.”
Financial performance of MGIC Investment Corporation
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions, except per share data; unaudited)
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Selected statement of operations data
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
 
$
258.6

 
$
270.2

 
(4
)%
Losses incurred, net
 
85.0

 
81.8

 
4
 %
Loss on debt extinguishment
 
13.4

 

 
N/M

Income before tax
 
103.7

 
136.5

 
(24
)%
Provision for taxes
 
34.5

 
3.4

 
N/M

Net income
 
69.2

 
133.1

 
(48
)%
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.17

 
$
0.32

 
(47
)%

Business Overview
Net income decreased 48% compared with the first quarter of 2015, primarily due to lower realized investment gains, lower positive prior year primary loss reserve development, losses from debt repurchase activity, and the recognition of a full tax provision.

Total revenues were $259 million, down 4% compared with the prior year, driven by a decrease in realized investment gains. Net premiums earned were $221 million, an increase of 2%, driven by a decrease in our estimated premium refunds. Investment income, net of expenses, was $28 million, up 15% compared with the prior year, reflecting a higher investment yield
 
on our investment portfolio. Realized investment gains were $3 million, compared with $26 million in the prior year, reflecting the higher investment sales activity in the first quarter of 2015 under favorable market conditions.

Losses incurred, net were $85 million, or 4% higher than the prior year, driven by a decline in favorable prior year primary loss reserve development. Excluding the impact of prior year development on our primary loss reserves, our losses incurred, net would have declined $15 million compared to the prior year period. Absent prior year loss reserve development, our lower level of losses incurred reflect the continued improvement in new notice activity.

Loss on debt extinguishment reflects the debt transaction activity we executed in the first quarter of 2016 to reposition the maturity profile of our debt and reduce potentially dilutive shares. We purchased a portion of our outstanding debt at amounts above our carrying value for our 5% Convertible Senior Notes (5% Notes) and above fair value for our Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures (9% Debentures), resulting in the recognition of losses. See Note 3 - “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the accounting for these transactions. Further, we will continue to assess opportunities to enhance our capital position, improve our debt profile and liquidity, and reduce potential dilution through additional debt transactions, which could result in additional losses in 2016.

The difference in Provision for taxes in 2016 compared to 2015 reflects the change in our tax position; 2015 included a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets while 2016 did not. Because there is no longer a valuation allowance our 2016 results reflected a full tax provision.

See “Results of Consolidated Operations” below for additional discussion of our results for the first quarter of 2016 compared to the prior year.




31 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


For a number of years, substantially all of the loans we insured have been sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the “GSEs”), which have been in conservatorship since late 2008.  When the conservatorship will end and what role, if any, the GSEs will play in the secondary mortgage market post-conservatorship will be determined by Congress.  The scope of the FHA’s large market presence may also change in connection with the determination of the future of the GSEs. See our risk factor titled “Changes in the business practices of the GSEs, federal legislation that changes their charters or a restructuring of the GSEs could reduce our revenues or increase our losses.”   While we strongly believe private mortgage insurance should be an integral part of credit enhancement in a future mortgage market, its role in that market cannot be predicted.

Capital

GSEs
We must comply with the Private Mortgage Eligibility Requirements (the “PMIERs”) of the GSEs to be eligible to insure loans purchased by them. The PMIERs include financial requirements, as well as business, quality control and certain transaction approval requirements. The financial requirements of the PMIERs require a mortgage insurer’s “Available Assets” (generally only the most liquid assets of an insurer) to equal or exceed its “Minimum Required Assets” (which are based on an insurer’s book and are calculated from tables of factors with several risk dimensions and are subject to a floor amount). Based on our interpretation of the PMIERs, as of March 31, 2016, MGIC’s Available Assets are $4.8 billion and its Minimum Required Assets are $4.3 billion. MGIC is in compliance with the financial requirements of the PMIERs and eligible to insure loans purchased by the GSEs.
If MGIC ceases to be eligible to insure loans purchased by one or both of the GSEs, it would significantly reduce the volume of our new business writings. Factors that may negatively impact MGIC’s ability to continue to comply with the financial requirements of the PMIERs include the following:
The GSEs may reduce the amount of credit they allow under the PMIERs for the risk ceded under our quota share reinsurance transaction. The GSEs’ ongoing approval of that transaction is subject to several conditions and the transaction will be reviewed under the PMIERs at least annually by the GSEs. For more information about the transaction, see Note 4 - “Reinsurance” to our consolidated financial statements.
The GSEs could make the PMIERs more onerous in the future; in this regard, the PMIERs provide that the tables of factors that determine Minimum Required Assets will be updated every two years and may be updated more frequently to reflect changes in macroeconomic conditions or loan performance. The GSEs will provide notice 180 days prior to the effective date of table updates. In addition, the GSEs may amend the PMIERs at any time.
 
Our future operating results may be negatively impacted by the matters discussed in our risk factors. Such matters could decrease our revenues, increase our losses or require the use of assets, thereby creating a shortfall in Available Assets.
Should additional capital be needed by MGIC in the future, additional capital contributions from our holding company may not be available due to competing demands on holding company resources, including for repayment of debt.
While on an overall basis, the amount of Available Assets MGIC must hold in order to continue to insure GSE loans increased under the PMIERs over what state regulation currently requires, our reinsurance transaction mitigates the negative effect of the PMIERs on our returns. In this regard, see the first bullet point above.

State Regulations

The insurance laws of 16 jurisdictions, including Wisconsin, our domiciliary state, require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital relative to the risk in force (or a similar measure) in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. We refer to these requirements as the “State Capital Requirements.” While they vary among jurisdictions, the most common State Capital Requirements allow for a maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25 to 1. A risk-to-capital ratio will increase if (i) the percentage decrease in capital exceeds the percentage decrease in insured risk, or (ii) the percentage increase in capital is less than the percentage increase in insured risk. Wisconsin does not regulate capital by using a risk-to-capital measure but instead requires a minimum policyholder position (“MPP”). The “policyholder position” of a mortgage insurer is its net worth or surplus, contingency reserve and a portion of the reserves for unearned premiums.

At March 31, 2016, MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio was 12.3 to 1, below the maximum allowed by the jurisdictions with State Capital Requirements, and its policyholder position was $1.1 billion above the required MPP of $1.1 billion. In calculating our risk-to-capital ratio and MPP, we are allowed full credit for the risk ceded under our reinsurance transaction with a group of unaffiliated reinsurers. It is possible that under the revised State Capital Requirements discussed below, MGIC will not be allowed full credit for the risk ceded to the reinsurers. If MGIC is not allowed an agreed level of credit under either the State Capital Requirements or the PMIERs, MGIC may terminate the reinsurance agreement, without penalty. At this time, we expect MGIC to continue to comply with the current State Capital Requirements; however, refer to our risk factor titled “State capital requirements may prevent us from continuing to write new insurance on an uninterrupted basis” for more information about matters that could negatively affect such compliance.




MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 32


GSE Reform

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) is the conservator of the GSEs and has the authority to control and direct their operations. The increased role that the federal government has assumed in the residential housing finance system through the GSE conservatorship may increase the likelihood that the business practices of the GSEs change in ways that have a material adverse effect on us and that the charters of the GSEs are changed by new federal legislation. The financial reform legislation that was passed in July 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) required the U.S. Department of the Treasury to report its recommendations regarding options for ending the conservatorship of the GSEs. This report did not provide any definitive timeline for GSE reform; however, it did recommend using a combination of federal housing policy changes to wind down the GSEs, shrink the government’s footprint in housing finance (including FHA insurance), and help bring private capital back to the mortgage market. Since then, members of Congress introduced several bills intended to change the business practices of the GSEs and the FHA; however, no legislation has been enacted. As a result of the matters referred to above, it is uncertain what role the GSEs, FHA and private capital, including private mortgage insurance, will play in the residential housing finance system in the future or the impact of any such changes on our business. In addition, the timing of the impact of any resulting changes on our business is uncertain. Most meaningful changes would require Congressional action to implement and it is difficult to estimate when Congressional action would be final and how long any associated phase-in period may last.

For additional information about the business practices of the GSEs, see our risk factor titled “Changes in the business practices of the GSEs, federal legislation that changes their charters or a restructuring of the GSEs could reduce our revenues or increase our losses.”

Loan Modification and Other Similar Programs
Our operating results continue to be impacted by the Home Affordable Modification Program (“HAMP”) and the GSEs’ Home Affordable Refinance Program (“HARP”). During the first three months of each of 2016 and 2015, we were notified of modifications that cured delinquencies that had they become paid claims would have resulted in approximately $117 million and $153 million, respectively, of estimated claim payments. Based on information that is provided to us, most of the modifications resulted in reduced payments from interest rate and/or amortization period adjustments. Approximately 3% and 8% of the modifications resulted in principal forgiveness in each of the first three months of 2016 and 2015, respectively.

In 2015 and the first quarter of 2016, approximately 16% and 12%, respectively, of our primary cures were the result of modifications, with HAMP accounting for approximately 66% and 62% of the modifications in each of those periods, respectively. Although the HAMP and HARP programs have been extended through December 2016, we believe that we have realized the majority of the benefits from them because the
 
number of loans insured by us that we are aware are entering those programs has decreased significantly.

HARP allows borrowers who are not delinquent but who may not otherwise be able to refinance their loans under the current GSE underwriting standards, to refinance their loans. We allow HARP refinances on loans that we insure, regardless of whether the loan meets our current underwriting standards, and we account for the refinance as a loan modification (even where there is a new lender) rather than new insurance written. As of March 31, 2016, approximately 13% of our primary insurance in force had benefited from HARP and was still in force. We believe that we have realized the majority of the benefits from HARP because the number of loans insured by us that we are aware are entering HARP has decreased significantly.

As shown in the following table, as of March 31, 2016 approximately 22% of our primary risk in force has been modified.
Modifications
Policy year
 
HARP (1)
 
HAMP
 
Other
2003 and Prior
 
11.1
%
 
18.1
%
 
15.0
%
2004
 
17.8
%
 
18.1
%
 
13.3
%
2005
 
23.9
%
 
18.8
%
 
13.1
%
2006
 
27.1
%
 
20.1
%
 
13.2
%
2007
 
37.4
%
 
19.6
%
 
8.4
%
2008
 
51.3
%
 
11.9
%
 
4.2
%
2009
 
25.0
%
 
1.5
%
 
1.1
%
2010 - Q1 2016
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
12.3
%
 
6.4
%
 
3.5
%
(1) 
Includes proprietary programs that are substantially the same as HARP.

As of March 31, 2016 based on loan count, the loans associated with 97.8% of HARP modifications, 78.6% of HAMP modifications and 73.8% of other modifications remaining in our inventory were current.

Eligibility under certain loan modification programs can adversely affect us by creating an incentive for borrowers who are able to make their mortgage payments to become delinquent in an attempt to obtain the benefits of a modification. New notices of delinquency increase our incurred losses.

Over the past several years, the average time it takes to receive a claim associated with a defaulted loan has increased. This is, in part, due to new loss mitigation protocols established by servicers and to changes in some state foreclosure laws that may include, for example, a requirement for additional review and/or mediation processes. Unless a loan is cured during a foreclosure delay, at the completion of the foreclosure, additional interest and expenses may be due to the lender from the borrower. In some circumstances, our paid claim amount may include some



33 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


additional interest and expenses. See “Results of Consolidated Operations - Losses incurred, net” for additional discussion on our loss severity.
 
Factors Affecting Our Results

Our results of operations are affected by:

Premiums written and earned

Premiums written and earned in a year are influenced by:

New insurance written, which increases insurance in force, and is the aggregate principal amount of the mortgages that are insured during a period. Many factors affect new insurance written, including the volume of low down payment home mortgage originations and competition to provide credit enhancement on those mortgages, including competition from the FHA, the VA, other mortgage insurers, GSE programs that may reduce or eliminate the demand for mortgage insurance and other alternatives to mortgage insurance. New insurance written does not include loans previously insured by us which are modified, including loans refinanced under HARP.

Cancellations, which reduce insurance in force. Cancellations due to refinancings are affected by the level of current mortgage interest rates compared to the mortgage coupon rates throughout the in force book, current home values compared to values when the loans in the in force book became insured and the terms on which mortgage credit is available. Generally, single premium policies are not refundable; therefore, if a single premium policy is cancelled, because the loan is repaid, the remaining unearned premium is earned immediately. Cancellations also include rescissions, which require us to return any premiums received related to the rescinded policy, and policies cancelled due to claim payment, which require us to return any premium received from the date of default. Finally, cancellations are affected by home price appreciation, which can give homeowners the right to cancel the mortgage insurance on their loans.

Premium rates, which are affected by product type, competitive pressures, the risk characteristics of the loans insured, the percentage of coverage on the loans, and in some cases the age of the insurance policy. The substantial majority of our monthly mortgage insurance premiums are under a premium plan in which, for the first ten years of the policy, the amount of premium is determined by multiplying the initial premium rate by the original loan balance; thereafter, the premium declines because a lower premium rate is used for the remaining life of the policy. However, for loans that have utilized HARP, the initial ten-year period resets to begin as of the date of the HARP transaction. The remainder of our monthly premiums are under a premium plan in which premiums are determined by a fixed percentage of the loan’s amortizing balance over the life of the policy.
 
Premiums ceded, net of a profit commission, under reinsurance agreements. See Note 4 - “Reinsurance” to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our reinsurance agreements.

Premiums are generated by the insurance that is in force during all or a portion of the period. A change in the average insurance in force in the current period compared to an earlier period is a factor that will increase (when the average in force is higher) or reduce (when it is lower) premiums written and earned in the current period, although this effect may be enhanced (or mitigated) by differences in the average premium rate between the two periods as well as by premiums that are returned or expected to be returned in connection with claim payments and rescissions, and premiums ceded under reinsurance agreements. Also, new insurance written and cancellations during a period will generally have a greater effect on premiums written and earned in subsequent periods than in the period in which these events occur.

Investment income

Our investment portfolio is composed principally of investment grade fixed maturity securities. The principal factors that influence investment income are the size of the portfolio and its yield. As measured by amortized cost (which excludes changes in fair value, such as from changes in interest rates), the size of the investment portfolio is mainly a function of cash generated from (or used in) operations, such as net premiums received, investment income, net claim payments and expenses, and cash provided by (or used for) non-operating activities, such as debt or stock issuances or repurchases. From time to time we may elect to realize gains through sales of securities that are trading above our cost basis. Realized gains and losses are a function of the difference between the amount received on the sale of a security and the security’s cost basis, as well as any “other than temporary” impairments (“OTTI”) recognized in earnings.  The amount received on the sale of fixed maturity securities is affected by the coupon rate of the security compared to the yield of comparable securities at the time of sale.

Losses incurred

Losses incurred are the current expense that reflects estimated payments that will ultimately be made as a result of delinquencies on insured loans. As explained under “Critical Accounting Policies” in our 10-K MD&A, except in the case of a premium deficiency reserve, we recognize an estimate of this expense only for delinquent loans. Losses incurred are generally affected by:




MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 34


The state of the economy, including unemployment and housing values, each of which affects the likelihood that loans will become delinquent and whether loans that are delinquent cure their delinquency. The level of new delinquencies has historically followed a seasonal pattern, with new delinquencies in the first part of the year lower than new delinquencies in the latter part of the year, though this pattern can be affected by the state of the economy and local housing markets.

The product mix of the in force book, with loans having higher risk characteristics generally resulting in higher delinquencies and claims.

The size of loans insured, with higher average loan amounts tending to increase losses incurred.

The percentage of coverage on insured loans, with deeper average coverage tending to increase incurred losses.

Changes in housing values, which affect our ability to mitigate our losses through sales of properties with delinquent mortgages as well as borrower willingness to continue to make mortgage payments when the value of the home is below the mortgage balance.

The rate at which we rescind policies. Our estimated loss reserves reflect mitigation from rescissions of policies, curtailments, and denials of claims. We collectively refer to such rescissions and denials as “rescissions” and variations of this term.

The distribution of claims over the life of a book. Historically, the first few years after loans are originated are a period of relatively low claims, with claims increasing substantially for several years subsequent and then declining, although persistency (percentage of insurance remaining in force from one year prior), the condition of the economy, including unemployment and housing prices, and other factors can affect this pattern. For example, a weak economy or housing price declines can lead to claims from older books increasing, continuing at stable levels or experiencing a lower rate of decline. See further information under “Mortgage Insurance Earnings and Cash Flow Cycle” below.

Losses ceded under reinsurance agreements. See “Results of Consolidated Operations - Reinsurance agreements” below.

 
Underwriting and other expenses

The majority of our operating expenses are fixed, with some variability due to contract underwriting volume. Contract underwriting generates fee income included in “Other revenue.” Underwriting and other expenses are net of any ceding commission associated with our reinsurance agreements. See Results of Consolidated Operations - Reinsurance agreements” below.
   
Interest expense

Interest expense reflects the interest associated with our outstanding debt obligations. For information about our outstanding debt obligations, see Note 3 - “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements and under “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.
Mortgage Insurance Earnings and Cash Flow Cycle

In our industry, a “book” is the group of loans insured in a particular calendar year. In general, the majority of any underwriting profit (premium revenue minus losses) that a book generates occurs in the early years of the book, with the largest portion of any underwriting profit realized in the first year following the year the book was written. Subsequent years of a book generally result in modest underwriting profit or underwriting losses. This pattern of results typically occurs because relatively few of the claims that a book will ultimately experience typically occur in the first few years of the book, when premium revenue is highest, while subsequent years are affected by declining premium revenues, as the number of insured loans decreases (primarily due to loan prepayments), and increasing losses.



35 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016




MORTGAGE INSURANCE PORTFOLIO
New insurance written

 


The amount of our primary new insurance written during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:
Primary NIW by FICO score
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In billions)
 
2016
 
2015
740 and greater
 
$
4.6

 
$
5.3

700-739
 
2.2

 
2.2

660-699
 
1.2

 
1.2

659 and less
 
0.3

 
0.3

Total Primary
 
$
8.3

 
$
9.0

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Percentage of primary NIW
 
 
 
 
Policy payment type:
 
 
 
 
Monthly premiums
 
78.0
%
 
76.3
%
Single premiums
 
21.7
%
 
23.4
%
Annual premiums
 
0.3
%
 
0.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
Type of mortgage:
 
 
 
 
Purchases
 
79.2
%
 
68.7
%
Refinances
 
17.9
%
 
28.8
%
Other
 
2.9
%
 
2.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
LTV
 
 
 
 
95.01% and above
 
4.7
%
 
3.1
%
90.01% to 95.00%
 
50.6
%
 
48.7
%
85.01% to 90.00%
 
32.2
%
 
33.3
%
80.01% to 85%
 
12.5
%
 
14.9
%

 
Conditions and Trends impacting our NIW

New insurance written continues to have strong underlying credit characteristics as lenders maintain high underwriting standards.
Overall mortgage origination volume decreased from the prior year, however origination volume with private mortgage insurance was relatively consistent with the prior year due to the following:
higher purchase origination volume of which the private mortgage insurance industry captured a greater market share; offsetting,
lower refinancing origination volume of which the private mortgage insurance industry captured a lower share. Refinancing volume in the first quarter of 2015 was robust due to declining residential mortgage rates.
Although we estimate the private mortgage industry maintained market share, we estimate our market share declined compared to the prior year period. The decline in our new insurance written from refinancing was only partially offset by an increase in our purchase mortgage new insurance written.
Competitive pricing practices within the private mortgage insurance industry remain in the market, including: (i) reductions to standard filed rates on borrower-paid policies, (ii) use by certain competitors of a spectrum of filed rates to allow for formulaic, risk-based pricing; and (iii) use of customized rates (discounted from published rates) on lender-paid single premium policies.
In response to the competitive dynamics in the market, we revised our filed premium rates effective April 2016. In general, the revisions decreased our filed premium rates on some higher-FICO score loans and increased our filed premium rates on some lower-FICO loans. In addition to the revisions of our filed rates, we continue to use the authority set forth in our rate filings to negotiate customized lender-paid single premium policy rates on a selective basis.




MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 36


Insurance in force and risk in force

The amount of our insurance in force and risk in force is impacted by the amount of new insurance written and cancellations of primary insurance in force during the period. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the impact of our new insurance written and cancellations was as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In billions)
 
2016
 
2015
NIW
 
$
8.3

 
$
9.0

Cancellations
 
(7.8
)
 
(7.8
)
Change in primary insurance in force
 
$
0.5

 
$
1.2

 
 
 
 
 
Direct primary insurance in force as of March 31,
 
$
175.0

 
$
166.1

 
 
 
 
 
Direct primary risk in force as of March 31,
 
$
45.6

 
$
43.2

Cancellation activity due to refinancing has historically been affected by the level of mortgage interest rates and the level of home price appreciation. Such cancellations generally move inversely to the change in the direction of interest rates, although they generally lag a change in direction. Cancellations also include rescissions, policies cancelled due to claim payment, and policies cancelled when borrowers achieve the required amount of home equity.
Persistency is the percentage of insurance remaining in force from one year prior. Since 2000, our year-end persistency ranged from a high of 84.7% at December 31, 2009 to a low of 47.1% at December 31, 2003.

 
Credit profile of primary risk in force
Our portfolio of business written after 2008 has been steadily increasing in proportion to our total primary risk in force. The loans insured from our 2009 and later origination years possess significantly improved credit characteristics when compared to our 2005-2008 origination years. Substantially all of our new business written from 2009 and later, on average, includes insured loans containing substantially higher FICO scores and lower LTVs than our 2005-2008 origination years. The credit profile of our risk in force has also benefited from modification programs such as HARP, which allows borrowers who are not delinquent but who may not otherwise be able to refinance their loans under the current GSE underwriting standards, to refinance their loans under terms that generally provide the borrower with a greater ability to pay and more financial flexibility to cover the loan obligations. The following chart shows the composition of our primary risk in force as of March 31, 2016. As shown in the chart below, the aggregate of our 2009-2016 book years and our HARP modifications accounted for approximately 76% of our total primary risk in force at March 31, 2016.

Pool insurance

We have written no new pool insurance since 2009, however, for a variety of reasons, including responding to capital market alternatives to private mortgage insurance and customer demands, we may write pool risk in the future. Our direct pool risk in force was $616 million ($251 million on pool policies with aggregate loss limits and $365 million on pool policies without aggregate loss limits) at March 31, 2016 compared to $659 million ($271 million on pool policies with aggregate loss limits and $388 million on pool policies without aggregate loss limits) at December 31, 2015. If claim payments associated with a specific pool reach the aggregate loss limit, the remaining insurance in force within the pool would be cancelled and any remaining defaults under the pool would be removed from our default inventory.



37 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016




RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
The following section of the MD&A provides a comparative discussion of MGIC Investment Corporation’s Results of Consolidated Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.
Revenue
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Net premiums written
 
$
231.3

 
$
234.5

 
(1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 


Net premiums earned
 
$
221.3

 
$
217.3

 
2
 %
Investment income, net of expenses
 
27.8

 
24.1

 
15
 %
Net realized investment gains
 
3.1

 
26.3

 
(88
)%
Other revenue
 
6.4

 
2.5

 
156
 %
Total revenue
 
$
258.6

 
$
270.2

 
(4
)%
Net premiums written and earned

Net premiums written during the first quarter of 2016 decreased when compared to the same period in 2015. The decrease in net premiums written was due to higher ceded premiums under our 2015 quota share reinsurance agreement (“2015 QSR Transaction”) entered into in the third quarter of 2015 than our previous reinsurance transaction, which increased the amount of our insurance in force covered by reinsurance.

Net premiums earned during the first quarter of 2016 increased when compared to the same period in 2015. The increase in net earned premiums was primarily due to a first quarter 2015 reclassification of our premium refund estimate on claim payments and rescissions previously included in our premium deficiency reserve within Other liabilities, which reduced net premiums earned in that period.

See “Overview - Factors Affecting Our Results” above for additional factors that influenced the amount of net premiums written and earned during the period.

Although we expect that our insurance in force will increase in 2016 compared to 2015, net premiums written and earned as well as the ratio of net premiums earned divided by the average primary insurance in force outstanding for the year or other reporting period (sometimes referred to as “premium rate/yield” or “effective premium rate/yield”) is likely to decline in 2016 from 2015 levels. As discussed below, we see this occurring for two reasons.  The largest portion of the decline relates to the restructuring of our reinsurance transaction because it covers insurance in force that was previously excluded, as well as certain new insurance written through 2016.  A modest amount of the decline relates to the premium rates themselves: the books we
 
wrote before 2009, which have a higher average premium rate than subsequent business, are expected to continue to decline as a percentage of the insurance in force; and the average premium rate on these books is also expected to decline as the premium rates reset to lower levels at the time the loans reach the ten-year anniversary of their initial coverage date.

Effect of reinsurance on premiums:

Our net premiums written and earned are net of amounts ceded to reinsurers who assume a portion of the risk under the insurance policies we write that are subject to reinsurance. A substantial portion of our business is covered by our 2015 QSR Transaction that protects us against a fixed percentage of losses arising from policies covered by the agreement. Under that agreement, we cede to reinsurers 30% of earned and received premiums and losses incurred on the following: policies in the 2013 reinsurance transaction (“2013 QSR Transaction”) that was commuted; additional qualifying in force policies as of the agreement effective date which either had no history of defaults, or where a single default had been cured for twelve or more months at the agreement effective date; as well as all qualifying new insurance written through December 31, 2016. The premiums we cede are reduced by a profit commission, which primarily varies by the level of losses we cede. The 2015 QSR Transaction increases the amount of our insurance in force covered by reinsurance and will result in an increase in the amount of premiums and losses ceded.

Our reinsurance affects premiums, underwriting expenses and losses incurred and should be analyzed by reviewing its total effect on our statement of operations, as discussed below under “Reinsurance agreements.”

Effect of changing premium rate on premiums:

The insurance in force associated with the 2008 and prior book years was approximately 35% of the primary insurance in force as of March 31, 2016. The business written after 2008 has a lower average premium rate because of its lower risk characteristics and, beginning in the second half of 2014, the increase in the business mix represented by lender-paid single premium business, which had a lower average premium rate than borrower-paid monthly premium business. Persistency will affect the average premium rate on single premium policies because the premium is not generally refundable and is earned over the estimated life of the policy. When persistency is lower than the assumption used to set the estimated life, the average premium rate will increase; the opposite effect will occur when persistency is greater than such assumption.




MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 38


The monthly premium program used for the substantial majority of loans we insured provides that, for the first ten years of the policy, the premium is determined by the product of the premium rate and the initial loan balance; thereafter, a lower premium rate is applied to the initial loan balance. The initial ten-year period is reset when the loan is refinanced under HARP. The premiums on many of the policies in our 2006 book that were not refinanced under HARP will reset in 2016. As of March 31, 2016, approximately 5%, 8%, and 3% of our primary risk in force was written in 2006, 2007, and 2008 respectively, was not refinanced under HARP and is subject to reset after ten years.

Reinsurance agreements

Our reinsurance affects various lines of our statements of operations and therefore we believe it should be analyzed by reviewing its effect on our net income, as described below.

We cede a fixed percentage of premiums on insurance covered by the agreement.

We receive the benefit of a profit commission through a reduction in the premiums we cede. The profit commission varies directly and inversely with the level of losses on a “dollar for dollar” basis and is eliminated at levels of losses that we do not expect to occur. This means that lower levels of losses result in a higher profit commission and less benefit from ceded losses; higher levels of losses result in more benefit from ceded losses and a lower profit commission (or for levels of losses we do not expect, its elimination).

We receive the benefit of a ceding commission through a reduction in underwriting expenses equal to 20% of premiums ceded (before the effect of the profit commission).

We cede a fixed percentage of losses incurred on insurance covered by the agreement.

The effects described above result in a net cost of the reinsurance, with respect to a covered loan, of 6% (but can be lower if losses are materially higher than we expect). This cost is derived by dividing the reduction in our pre-tax net income from such loans with reinsurance by our direct (that is, without reinsurance) premiums from such loan. Although the net cost of the reinsurance is generally constant at 6%, the effect of the reinsurance on the various components of pre-tax income discussed above will vary from period to period, depending on the level of ceded losses. The 2015 QSR Transaction had the effect of reducing our premium yield in the first quarter of 2016 and this trend is expected to continue through 2016, in part due to an increase in the amount of losses ceded, which reduces our profit commission. Because more of our insurance in force is covered under the 2015 QSR Transaction than was covered under the commuted 2013 QSR Transaction, the absolute dollar cost of the 2015 QSR Transaction will be modestly higher than the cost of the 2013 QSR Transaction.




39 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


The following table provides additional information related to our premiums written and earned and risk in force subject to reinsurance agreements for 2016 and 2015.
 
 
As of and For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
New insurance written subject to quota share reinsurance agreements
 
89
%
 
85
%
Insurance in force subject to quota share reinsurance agreements
 
74
%
 
57
%
Insurance in force subject to captive reinsurance agreements
 
3
%
 
4
%
 
 
 
 
 
2015 QSR Transaction
 
 
 
 
Ceded premiums written, net of profit commission
 
$
31,666

 
n/a

% of direct premiums written
 
12
%
 
n/a

Ceded premiums earned, net of profit commission
 
$
31,666

 
n/a

% of direct premiums earned
 
12
%
 
n/a

Ceding commissions
 
$
11,576

 
n/a

Ceded risk in force
 
$
10,036,523

 
n/a

 
 
 
 
 
2013 QSR Transaction
 
 
 
 
Ceded premiums written, net of profit commission
 
n/a

 
$
27,136

% of direct premiums written
 
n/a

 
10
%
Ceded premiums earned, net of profit commission
 
n/a

 
$
24,613

% of direct premiums earned
 
n/a

 
10
%
Ceding commissions
 
n/a

 
$
10,122

Ceded risk in force
 
n/a

 
$
8,360,048

 
 
 
 
 
Captives
 
 
 
 
Ceded premiums written
 
$
2,425

 
$
3,977

% of direct premiums written
 
1
%
 
1
%
Ceded premiums earned
 
$
2,460

 
$
4,004

% of direct premiums earned
 
1
%
 
2
%
As part of the settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) in 2013 and the Minnesota Department of Commerce (the “MN Department”) in 2015, MGIC has agreed to not enter into any new captive reinsurance agreements or reinsure any new loans under any existing captive reinsurance agreement for a period of ten years from the date of settlement. In addition the GSEs will not approve any future reinsurance or risk sharing transaction with a mortgage enterprise or an affiliate of a mortgage enterprise. See our risk factor titled “We are involved in legal proceedings and are subject to the risk of additional legal proceedings in the future” for a discussion of the CFPB and MN Department settlements for information regarding captive mortgage reinsurance agreements.




MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 40


Investment income

Investment income in the first quarter 2016 increased compared to the same period in 2015 due to an increase in our investment yield. The portfolio’s average pre-tax investment yield was 2.5% at March 31, 2016 and 2.2% at March 31, 2015. The portfolio’s average pre-tax investment yield was 2.5% at December 31, 2015.

Realized gains (losses) and other-than-temporary impairments

Net realized gains for the first quarter of 2016 were $3.1 million compared to $26.3 million for the first quarter of 2015. During the first quarter of 2015, under favorable market conditions, we sold fixed maturity securities to realize gains. At March 31, 2016, the net unrealized gains in our investment portfolio were $51.8 million, which included $81.9 million of gross unrealized gains, partially offset by $30.1 million of gross unrealized losses.
Other revenue

Other revenue for the first quarter of 2016 was $6.4 million compared to $2.5 million for the first quarter of 2015. The increase in other revenue was primarily due to the substantial liquidation of our Australian operations for which we recognized approximately $4 million related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates in the first quarter of 2016. Our remaining assets in Australia are minimal and are not expected to have a material impact on our future consolidated results of operations upon final liquidation.
Losses incurred, net
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Current year
 
$
92.5

 
$
109.4

 
(15
)%
Prior years
 
(7.5
)
 
(27.6
)
 
(73
)%
Losses incurred, net
 
$
85.0

 
$
81.8

 
4
 %
As discussed in “Critical Accounting Policies” in our 10-K MD&A and consistent with industry practices, we establish loss reserves for future claims only for loans that are currently delinquent. The terms “delinquent” and “default” are used interchangeably by us. We consider a loan in default when it is two or more payments past due. Loss reserves are established based on estimating the number of loans in our default inventory that will result in a claim payment, which is referred to as the claim rate, and further estimating the amount of the claim payment, which is referred to as claim severity.

Estimation of losses is inherently judgmental. The conditions that affect the claim rate and claim severity include the current and future state of the domestic economy, including unemployment, and the current and future strength of local housing markets; exposure on insured loans; the amount of time
 
between default and claim filing; and curtailments.. The actual amount of the claim payments may be substantially different than our loss reserve estimates. Our estimates could be adversely affected by several factors, including a deterioration of regional or national economic conditions, including unemployment, leading to a reduction in borrower income and thus their ability to make mortgage payments, and a drop in housing values that could result in, among other things, greater losses on loans, and may affect borrower willingness to continue to make mortgage payments when the value of the home is below the mortgage balance. Our estimates are also affected by any agreements we enter into regarding our claims paying practices, such as the settlement agreements discussed in Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies” to our consolidated financial statements. Changes to our estimates could result in a material impact to our results of operations and capital position, even in a stable economic environment.

In the first three months of 2016, net losses incurred were $85 million, reflecting $92 million of current year loss development partially offset by $7 million of favorable prior years’ loss development. In the first three months of 2015, net losses incurred were $82 million, reflecting $109 million of current year loss development partially offset by $28 million of favorable prior years’ loss development.

Losses incurred for the first quarter of 2016 increased compared to the same period in 2015, primarily due to a lower level of favorable prior year loss reserve development in 2016 when compared to 2015. Excluding the impact of prior year loss development, losses incurred in the first quarter of 2016 were lower than the same period of 2015 as fewer new notices of default were received. There were 16,731 new notices received in the first quarter of 2016 compared to 18,896 new notices received in the first quarter of 2015. The claim rate applied to new notices in the first quarter of 2016 was approximately 12%, which is down marginally from the fourth quarter of 2015, but consistent with first quarter of 2015, reflecting the seasonal trend of lower claim rates early in the year. Our expectation is for the claim rate on new notices received in 2016 to range from 12% to 13%. Loans insured in 2008 and prior represented approximately 89% and 94% of the new notices received in the first quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively. Of the new notices received during the first quarter of 2016 and 2015 from loans insured in 2008 and prior, 88% and 87% were previously delinquent.

Historically, losses incurred have followed a seasonal trend in which the second half of the year has weaker credit performance than the first half, with higher new notice activity and a lower cure rate.




41 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


The reduction in prior year positive loss reserve development in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the same period last year, was the result of a larger increase in our expected severity assumption on prior year notices. In addition, the re-estimated claim rate on prior year notices, while favorable, had a smaller impact in the first quarter of 2016 than for the same period last year. As shown in the table below, the average claim paid, expressed as a percentage of our exposure (the unpaid principal balance of the loan times our insurance coverage percentage), following periods of relative stability has increased in recent quarters. Therefore, we now expect loans in our delinquent inventory that become claims to have a higher claim severity than previously estimated at December 31, 2015. Our loss reserve estimates take into consideration trends over time, as the development of the delinquencies may vary from period to period without establishing a meaningful trend.

Note: Table excludes material settlements.
Period
 
Average exposure on claim paid
 
Average claim paid
 
% Paid to exposure
 
Average number of missed payments at claim received date
Q1 2016
 
$
44,094

 
$
49,281

 
111.8
%
 
34
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q4 2015
 
44,342

 
49,134

 
110.8
%
 
35
Q3 2015
 
44,159

 
48,156

 
109.1
%
 
33
Q2 2015
 
44,683

 
48,587

 
108.7
%
 
34
Q1 2015
 
44,403

 
47,366

 
106.7
%
 
33
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q4 2014
 
44,321

 
46,714

 
105.4
%
 
32
Q3 2014
 
43,769

 
45,849

 
104.8
%
 
30
Q2 2014
 
43,402

 
45,531

 
104.9
%
 
30
Q1 2014
 
43,711

 
45,897

 
105.0
%
 
28
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q4 2013
 
44,923

 
47,072

 
104.8
%
 
26
Q3 2013
 
44,163

 
45,706

 
103.5
%
 
25
Q2 2013
 
43,990

 
45,340

 
103.1
%
 
24
Q1 2013
 
45,458

 
47,421

 
104.3
%
 
22
The average exposure (which, in the case of delinquent loans that have not been filed as claims, may change if different information is received from servicers) on items remaining in our default inventory at March 31, 2016 is $45,350. The average number of missed payments on items remaining in our default inventory at March 31, 2016 is 21.

Factors that impact claim severity include the exposure on the loan, the amount of time between default and claim filing (which impacts the amount of interest and expenses) and curtailments. All else being equal, the longer the period between default and claim filing, the greater the severity. The majority of loans from 2005-2008 (which represent the majority of loans in the delinquent inventory) are covered by master policy terms that, except under certain circumstances, do not limit the number of years that an insured can include interest when filing a claim.


See Note 12 – “Loss Reserves” to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our losses incurred and claims paying practices.
The primary average claim paid, as shown in the following table, can vary materially from period to period based upon a variety of factors, including the local market conditions, average loan amount, average coverage percentage, and our loss mitigation efforts on loans for which claims are paid.


MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 42


The primary average claim paid for the top 5 states (based on 2016 paid claims, excluding settlement amounts) for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 appears in the following table.
Primary average claim paid
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Florida
$
64,163

 
$
58,707

New Jersey
86,199

 
69,590

Illinois
48,388

 
47,996

Maryland
80,579

 
67,829

New York
65,289

 
75,502

All other jurisdictions
41,379

 
40,963

 
 
 
 
All jurisdictions
$
49,281

 
$
47,366

Note: Jurisdictions in italics in the table above are those that predominately use a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.

The primary average exposure of our primary risk in force at March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 and for the top 5 jurisdictions (based on 2016 paid claims, excluding settlement amounts) appears in the following table.
Primary average exposure
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
All jurisdictions
$
46,153

 
$
45,820

 
$
44,532

 
 
 
 
 
 
Jurisdictions:
 
 
 
 
 
Florida
$
49,367

 
$
49,095

 
$
47,702

New Jersey
62,603

 
62,496

 
61,482

Illinois
40,487

 
40,368

 
39,782

Maryland
62,979

 
62,912

 
62,566

New York
51,299

 
50,964

 
50,267

All other jurisdictions
45,247

 
44,887

 
43,521


 
The primary default inventory by policy year at March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 appears in the following table.
Primary default inventory by policy year
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
Policy year:
 
 
 
 
 
2004 and prior
12,971

 
14,599

 
17,576

2005
7,005

 
7,890

 
9,521

2006
10,518

 
11,853

 
14,009

2007
17,490

 
20,000

 
22,894

2008
4,738

 
5,418

 
6,162

2009
436

 
515

 
593

2010
241

 
274

 
301

2011
262

 
246

 
252

2012
357

 
388

 
340

2013
590

 
615

 
377

2014
730

 
672

 
210

2015
251

 
163

 
1

2016
1

 

 

 
55,590

 
62,633

 
72,236

 
Our results of operations continue to be negatively impacted by the mortgage insurance we wrote during 2005 through 2008. Although uncertainty remains with respect to the ultimate losses we may experience on these books of business, as we continue to write new insurance on high-quality mortgages, those books have become a smaller percentage of our total portfolio, and we expect this trend to continue. Our 2005 through 2008 books of business represented approximately 31% and 32% of our total primary risk in force at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively. Approximately 36% of the remaining primary risk in force on our 2005-2008 books of business benefited from HARP as of March 31, 2016 and as of December 31, 2015.

On our primary business, the highest claim frequency years have typically been the third and fourth year after the year of loan origination. However, the pattern of claim frequency can be affected by many factors, including persistency and deteriorating economic conditions. Low persistency can accelerate the period in the life of a book during which the highest claim frequency occurs. Deteriorating economic conditions can result in increasing claims following a period of declining claims. As of March 31, 2016, 42% of our primary risk in force was written subsequent to December 31, 2013, 52% of our primary risk in force was written subsequent to December 31, 2012, and 59% of our primary risk in force was written subsequent to December 31, 2011.




43 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


The primary default inventory for the top 15 jurisdictions (based on 2016 paid claims, excluding settlement amounts) at March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 appears in the following table.
Primary default inventory by jurisdiction
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
Florida
5,063

 
5,903

 
8,276

New Jersey
3,139

 
3,498

 
3,910

Illinois
2,899

 
3,301

 
3,970

Maryland
1,433

 
1,609

 
1,908

New York
3,562

 
3,901

 
4,309

Pennsylvania
3,148

 
3,574

 
3,945

California
1,761

 
2,019

 
2,570

Ohio
2,795

 
3,209

 
3,484

Virginia
1,036

 
1,109

 
1,219

Washington
944

 
1,049

 
1,290

Massachusetts
1,277

 
1,390

 
1,539

Georgia
1,945

 
2,225

 
2,450

Puerto Rico
2,107

 
2,221

 
2,416

Connecticut
752

 
832

 
974

North Carolina
1,550

 
1,736

 
1,938


Note: Jurisdictions in italics in the table above are those that predominately use a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.

Information about net paid claims during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 appears in the following table.
Net paid claims
(In millions)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Total primary (excluding settlements)
 
$
166

 
$
217

Rescission settlements
 
47

 

Pool (1)
 
14

 
17

Other
 

 

Direct losses paid
 
227

 
234

Reinsurance
 
(10
)
 
(8
)
Net losses paid
 
217

 
226

LAE
 
5

 
6

Net losses and LAE paid
 
$
222

 
$
232

(1) 
The three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 each include $11 million paid under the terms of the settlement with Freddie Mac.

 
Primary claims paid for the top 15 jurisdictions (based on 2016 paid claims, excluding settlement amounts) and all other jurisdictions for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 appears in the following table.
Paid claims by jurisdiction
(In millions)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Florida
 
$
27

 
$
49

New Jersey
 
16

 
9

Illinois
 
11

 
18

Maryland
 
9

 
11

New York
 
8

 
8

Pennsylvania
 
8

 
9

California
 
8

 
11

Ohio
 
5

 
8

Virginia
 
4

 
4

Washington
 
4

 
7

Massachusetts
 
4

 
4

Georgia
 
4

 
6

Puerto Rico
 
4

 
3

Connecticut
 
3

 
6

North Carolina
 
3

 
4

All other jurisdictions
 
48

 
60

 
 
166

 
217

Rescission settlements
 
47

 

Other (Pool, LAE, Reinsurance)
 
9

 
15

Net losses and LAE paid
 
$
222

 
$
232

 
We believe paid claims will continue to decline in the remainder of 2016 compared to the prior year.



MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 44




The primary and pool loss reserves at March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 appear in the table below.
Gross Reserves
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
Primary:
 
 
 
 
 
Direct loss reserves (in millions)
$
1,595

 
$
1,681

 
$
1,972

IBNR and LAE
88

 
126

 
140

Total primary loss reserves
$
1,683

 
$
1,807

 
$
2,112

 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending default inventory
55,590

 
62,633

 
72,236

Percentage of loans delinquent (default rate)
5.62
%
 
6.31
%
 
7.44
%
Average total primary loss reserves per default
$
30,268

 
$
28,859

 
$
29,233

 
 
 
 
 
 
Primary claims received inventory included in ending default inventory
2,267

 
2,769

 
4,448

 
 
 
 
 
 
Pool (1):
 

 
 

 
 

Direct loss reserves (in millions):
 

 
 
 
 
With aggregate loss limits
$
31

 
$
34

 
$
47

Without aggregate loss limits
7

 
9

 
10

Reserve related to Freddie Mac Settlement (2)
31

 
42

 
73

Total pool direct loss reserves
$
69

 
$
85

 
$
130

 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending default inventory:
 

 
 

 
 

With aggregate loss limits
1,666

 
2,126

 
2,666

Without aggregate loss limits
581

 
613

 
684

Total pool ending default inventory
2,247

 
2,739

 
3,350

 
 
 
 
 
 
Pool claims received inventory included in ending default inventory
72

 
60

 
88

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other gross reserves (in millions)
$
1

 
$
1

 
$
3

(1) 
Since a number of our pool policies include aggregate loss limits and/or deductibles, we do not disclose an average direct reserve per default for our pool business.
(2) 
See our Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 30, 2012 for a discussion of our settlement with Freddie Mac regarding a pool policy.


45 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


Underwriting and other expenses
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Other underwriting and operating expenses, net
 
$
39.8

 
$
39.3

 
1
%
Underwriting and other expenses for the first quarter of 2016 were relatively consistent with the same period in the prior year.

Ratios

The following table presents our GAAP loss and expense ratios for our combined insurance operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.
The loss ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the sum of incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses to net premiums earned. The loss ratio does not reflect any effects due to changes in premium deficiency reserves. The increase in the loss ratio in the first quarter of 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, was primarily due to an increase in losses incurred, partially offset by an increase in premiums earned. The underwriting expense ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the underwriting expenses of our combined insurance operations (which excludes the cost of non-insurance operations) to net premiums written. The increase in the expense ratio in the first quarter of 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, was due to a decrease in net premiums written.
 
Interest expense

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Interest expense
 
$
14.7

 
$
17.4

 
(16
)%
Interest expense for the first quarter of 2016 decreased compared to the same period in 2015. During the first quarter of 2016 we repurchased $138.3 million of our 5% Notes and MGIC purchased $132.7 million of our 9% Debentures, which are deemed retired on a consolidated basis. The extinguishment of these debt obligations occurred prior to the end of the period, resulting in a decline in the amount of interest incurred on outstanding debt obligations compared to the same period in 2015.

Loss on debt extinguishment
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Loss on debt extinguishment
 
$
13.4

 
$

 
N/M
As discussed in Note 3 - “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements, during the first quarter of 2016 we executed debt repurchase transactions for a portion of our outstanding debt that were completed at amounts above our carrying value for our 5% Notes and above fair value for our 9% Debentures, resulting in the recognition of losses on extinguishment.

Income tax expense
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions, except rate)
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Income before tax
 
$
103.7

 
$
136.5

 
(24
)%
Income tax expense
 
$
34.5

 
$
3.4

 
N/M

Effective tax rate
 
33.3
%
 
2.5
%
 
N/M

Income tax expense for the first quarter of 2016 increased compared to the same period in 2015 due to the reversal of our deferred tax valuation allowance in the third quarter of 2015, which required us to establish a full tax provision position for the first quarter of 2016. The difference between our statutory tax rate of 35% and our effective tax rate of 33.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was primarily due to the benefits of tax preferenced securities. The difference between our statutory tax rate of 35% and our effective tax rate of 2.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was primarily due to the impact of the changes in our overall valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets.

See Note 11 – “Income Taxes” to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our tax position.



MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 46




FINANCIAL CONDITION
Investments
Investment Portfolio 2016 Summary

Investments totaled $4.56 billion as of March 31, 2016, decreasing from $4.66 billion as of December 31, 2015.
Unrealized net capital gains totaled $52 million as of March 31, 2016 compared to unrealized net capital losses of $27 million as of December 31, 2015.
Net investment income was $28 million for the first quarter of 2016, an increase of 15.3% from $24 million in the first quarter of 2015.
Net realized investment gains totaled $3 million in the first quarter of 2016 compared to $26 million in the first quarter of 2015.



 
Investment Portfolio Composition
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our investment portfolio was primarily made up of fixed maturity securities. Total investments decreased by $99 million during the first quarter of 2016 from the prior year end primarily due to the sale of investments to repurchase of a portion of our outstanding debt obligations, offset in part by an increase in fair values. As of March 31, 2016, approximately 3% of the investment portfolio’s fair value was in energy sector corporate bond holdings with net unrealized losses of $8 million. At March 31, 2016, based on fair value, 99.8% of our fixed maturity securities were investment grade securities. The ratings below are provided by one or more of: Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings. If three ratings are available the middle rating is utilized, otherwise the lowest rating is utilized. Approximately 2% of our investment portfolio, excluding cash and cash equivalents, is guaranteed by financial guarantors. As of March 31, 2016, less than 1% of our fixed maturity securities relied on financial guaranty insurance to elevate their rating.



The composition of our fixed maturity security ratings, based on fair value, at March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 is shown in the chart below.



47 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


Loss Reserves
Loss reserves are the primary liability on our balance sheet and they represent our estimated liability for losses and settlement expenses under MGIC’s mortgage guaranty insurance policies, before considering offsetting reinsurance balances recoverable. Reinsurance balances recoverable on our estimated losses and settlement expenses, which serve to offset our loss reserves, were $41.1 million as of March 31, 2016.

The loss reserves can be split into two parts: (1) reserves representing estimates of losses and settlement expenses on known delinquencies and (2) IBNR reserves representing estimates of losses and settlement expenses on delinquencies that have occurred but have not yet been reported to us. Our gross liability for both is reduced by reinsurance balances recoverable on our estimated losses and settlement expenses to calculate a net reserve balance. The net reserve balance decreased to $1.71 billion as of March 31, 2016, from $1.85 billion as of December 31, 2015. The overall decrease in our loss reserves during the first quarter of 2016 was due to a higher level of losses paid ($221.7 million) relative to losses incurred ($85.0 million) during the quarter.
 

Debt
During the first quarter of 2016 we executed several transactions that significantly reduced the outstanding debt obligations under our 5% Notes and 9% Debentures. Using a combination of cash available at the holding company and a borrowing from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) by MGIC, we repurchased $138.3 million in par value of our 5% Notes and MGIC purchased $132.7 million in par value of our 9% Debentures. These obligations are deemed extinguished on our consolidated financial statements. The borrowing from the FHLB was $155.0 million. The result of these transactions was a net reduction in our debt of approximately $115.8 million and will result in a reduction of our annual interest expense.
See Note 3 - “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements for the scheduled maturities of our outstanding debt and additional disclosures regarding our debt as of March 31, 2016.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows

We have three primary types of cash flows: (1) operating cash flows, which consist mainly of cash generated by our insurance operations and income earned on our investment portfolio, less amounts paid for claims, interest expense and operating expenses, (2) investing cash flows related to the purchase, sale and maturity of investments and (3) financing cash flows generally from activities that impact our capital structure, such as changes in debt and shares outstanding. The following table summarizes our consolidated cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Total cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
 
(56,530
)
 
(32,708
)
Investing activities
 
209,306

 
64,881

Financing activities
 
(83,998
)
 
2,568

Increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
68,778

 
$
34,741

Net cash used in operating activities in the first quarter of 2016 increased compared to the same period of 2015 primarily due to debt extinguishment activities in the first quarter of 2016 that included losses on debt extinguishment and payments attributable to the original issue discount on our convertible junior subordinated debentures purchased. These outflows were offset, in part, by the receipt of our profit commission in our quarterly reinsurance settlement in 2016, which was excluded in the prior year period, and a lower level of losses paid.
 

Net cash from investing activities in the first quarter of 2016 increased when compared to the same period of 2015, primarily due to the sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities to fund debt repurchases in 2016. Unsettled security purchases also increased compared to the prior year period due to investment activity near the end the first quarter of 2016.

Net cash used in financing activities in the first quarter of 2016 increased compared to the same period of 2015 primarily due to a repurchase of a portion of our 5% Notes and MGIC’s purchase of a portion of our 9% Debentures. These purchases were offset, in part, by a borrowing from the FHLB.

Capital Structure

Debt at Our Holding Company and Holding Company Capital Resources
The Convertible Senior Notes and Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures are obligations of our holding company, MGIC Investment Corporation, and not of its subsidiaries. The payment of dividends from our insurance subsidiaries, which other than investment income and raising capital in the public markets is the principal source of our holding company cash inflow, is restricted by insurance regulation. MGIC is the principal source of dividend-paying capacity and Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin (the “OCI”) authorization is required for MGIC to pay dividends.  During the first quarter of 2016 MGIC received approval from the OCI to pay a $16 million dividend to our holding company, which was paid in April, its first dividend since 2008. We expect



MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 48


to continue to receive quarterly dividends from MGIC; however, any additional dividends require approval from the OCI.

2016 Debt transactions:

5% Convertible Senior Notes
During the first quarter of 2016, we purchased $138.3 million in par value of our 5% Notes at a purchase price of $143.4 million, plus accrued interest using funds held at our holding company. While these repurchases will reduce our annual cash interest paid, they will improve our liquidity (which for this purpose is our expected cash balance immediately after the maturity of the these 5% Notes) only modestly taking into account the above-par purchase prices and the foregone investment income on the funds used for the purchases.

9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures
In February 2016, MGIC purchased $132.7 million of par value of our 9% Debentures at a purchase price of $150.7 million, plus accrued interest. The 9% Debentures are not extinguished; MGIC will hold them as an asset and will receive interest on them at the same time interest is paid to other holders of the 9% Debentures. In this regard, the 9% Debentures will continue to be a use of holding company liquidity. However, for GAAP accounting purposes, the 9% Debentures owned by MGIC will be considered retired and will be eliminated in our consolidated financial statements resulting in interest expense on the statement of operations that is lower than the cash payments due from our holding company.

We may from time to time continue to seek to acquire our debt obligations through cash purchases and/or exchanges for other securities. We may do this in open market purchases, privately negotiated acquisitions or other transactions. The amounts involved may be material.

At March 31, 2016, we had approximately $265 million in cash and investments at our holding company. As of March 31, 2016, our holding company’s debt obligations were $1,085 million in par value, which consisted of the following obligations:

$195 million of 5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017, with an annual interest cost of $10 million;
$500 million of 2% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020, with an annual interest cost of $10 million;
$390 million of 9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2063 (of which approximately $133 million is held by MGIC), with an annual interest cost of $35 million (of which approximately $12 million is payable to MGIC). See Debt transactionsdiscussion above for the accounting treatment of the debentures held by MGIC.

 
Subject to certain limitations and restrictions, holders of each of the convertible debt issues may convert their notes into shares of common stock at their option prior to certain dates under the terms of their issuance, in which case our corresponding obligation will be eliminated.

See Note 8 – “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for additional information about this indebtedness, including our option to defer interest on our 9% Debentures. Any deferred interest compounds at the stated rate of 9%. The description in Note 8 - “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the notes and debentures.

Debt at our subsidiaries
In February 2016, MGIC borrowed $155.0 million in the form of a fixed rate advance from the FHLB (the “Advance”) to provide funds used to purchase the 9% Debentures. Interest on the Advance is payable monthly at an annual rate, fixed for the term of the Advance, of 1.91%. The principal of the Advance matures on February 10, 2023. MGIC may prepay the Advance at any time. Such prepayment would be below par if interest rates have risen after the Advance was originated, or above par if interest rates have declined. The Advance is secured by eligible collateral whose market value must be maintained at 102% of the principal balance of the Advance. MGIC provided eligible collateral from its investment portfolio.

The funds obtained from the Advance were used to purchase our 9% Debentures. Due to the lower fixed interest cost of the Advance relative to our 9% Debentures we have lowered our annual interest cost on a consolidated basis.

Capital Contributions to Subsidiaries
We may also contribute funds to our insurance operations to comply with the PMIERs or the State Capital Requirements. See “Overview - Capital” above for a discussion of these requirements. See discussion of our non-insurance contract underwriting services in Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies” to our consolidated financial statements.

Shelf Registration Statement
Our existing automatic shelf registration statement is expiring on May 10, 2016. We intend to file a replacement Form S-3 automatic shelf registration statement, which will become effective immediately upon its filing with the SEC, on May 9, 2016.  A shelf registration statement allows us flexibility to offer and sell from time to time, in one or more offerings, common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, stock purchase contracts, units or any combination thereof.  The terms of any such offerings will be established at the time of the offering, will be subject to market conditions and will be described in a supplement to the prospectus issued as part of the filed Form S-3. While we may issue securities under the shelf registration statement, currently, we have no specific plans to do so.




49 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


PMIERs

Substantially all of our insurance written since 2008 has been for loans purchased by the GSEs. The PMIERs of the GSEs include financial requirements that require a mortgage insurer’s “Available Assets” (generally only the most liquid assets of an insurer) to equal or exceed its “Minimum Required Assets” (which are based on an insurer’s book and are calculated from tables of factors with several risk dimensions and are subject to a floor amount).

Based on our interpretation of the PMIERs, as of March 31, 2016, MGIC’s Available Assets are $4.8 billion and its Minimum Required Assets are $4.3 billion. MGIC is in compliance with the financial requirements of the PMIERs and eligible to insure loans purchased by the GSEs. Our Available Assets exclude the $150.7 million investment by MGIC in our 9% Debentures and also exclude approximately $164.6 million of securities in our investment portfolio pledged under the terms of the Advance.

Although we were in compliance with PMIERs as of March 31, 2016, our capital requirements under PMIERs may increase in the future because the GSEs have indicated that the tables of factors used to determine the Minimum Required Assets will be updated every two years and may be updated more frequently to reflect changes in macroeconomic conditions or loan performance. The GSEs will provide notice 180 days prior to the effective date of table updates. In addition, the GSEs may amend the PMIERs at any time. We plan to continuously comply with the existing PMIERs through our operational activities or through the contribution of funds from our holding company, subject to demands on the holding company's resources, as outlined above.

Risk-to-Capital

We compute our risk-to-capital ratio on a separate company statutory basis, as well as for our combined insurance operations. The risk-to-capital ratio is our net risk in force divided by our policyholders’ position. Our net risk in force includes both primary and pool risk in force, and excludes risk on policies that are currently in default and for which loss reserves have been established. The risk amount includes pools of loans or bulk deals with contractual aggregate loss limits and in some cases without these limits. Policyholders’ position consists primarily of statutory policyholders’ surplus (which increases as a result of statutory net income and decreases as a result of statutory net loss and dividends paid), plus the statutory contingency reserve. The statutory contingency reserve is reported as a liability on the statutory balance sheet. A mortgage insurance company is required to make annual contributions to the contingency reserve of approximately 50% of net earned premiums. These contributions must generally be maintained for a period of ten years.  However, with regulatory approval a mortgage insurance company may make early withdrawals from the contingency reserve when incurred losses exceed 35% of net earned premium in a calendar year.
 

MGIC’s separate company risk-to-capital calculation appears in the table below.
(In millions, except ratio)
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Risk in force - net (1)
 
$
27,573

 
$
27,301

 
 
 
 
 
Statutory policyholders’ surplus
 
$
1,432

 
$
1,574

Statutory contingency reserve
 
804

 
691

Statutory policyholders’ position
 
$
2,236

 
$
2,265

 
 
 
 
 
Risk-to-capital
 
12.3:1

 
12.1:1


(1) 
Risk in force – net, as shown in the table above is net of reinsurance and exposure on policies currently in default for which loss reserves have been established.

Our combined insurance companies’ risk-to-capital calculation appears in the table below.
(In millions, except ratio)
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Risk in force - net (1)
 
$
33,347

 
$
33,072

 
 
 
 
 
Statutory policyholders’ surplus
 
$
1,466

 
$
1,608

Statutory contingency reserve
 
953

 
827

Statutory policyholders’ position
 
$
2,419

 
$
2,435

 
 
 
 
 
Risk-to-capital
 
13.8:1

 
13.6:1


(1) 
Risk in force – net, as shown in the table above, is net of reinsurance and exposure on policies currently in default ($2.9 billion at March 31, 2016 and $3.2 billion at December 31, 2015) for which loss reserves have been established.

The increase in MGIC's and our combined insurance companies’ risk-to-capital in the first quarter of 2016 was due an increase in our net risk in force and a decrease in statutory policyholders’ position in both calculations. Our risk in force, net of reinsurance, increased in the first quarter of 2016, due to an increase in our insurance in force. Statutory policyholders’ surplus decreased in both calculations as the 9% Debentures held by MGIC are non-admitted assets. Our risk-to-capital ratio will increase if (i) the percentage decrease in capital exceeds the percentage decrease in insured risk, or (ii) the percentage increase in capital is less than the percentage increase in insured risk.




MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 50


For additional information regarding regulatory capital see Note 15 – “Capital Requirements” to our consolidated financial statements as well as our risk factor titled “State Capital requirements may prevent us from continuing to write new insurance on an uninterrupted basis.”

Financial Strength Ratings

The financial strength of MGIC, our principal mortgage insurance subsidiary, is as follows:
Rating Agency
 
Rating
 
Outlook
Moody’s Investor Services
 
Baa3
 
Stable
Standard and Poor’s Rating Services’
 
BBB
 
Stable
For further information about the importance of MGIC’s ratings, see our risk factor titled “Competition or changes in our relationships with our customers could reduce our revenues, reduce our premium yields and/or, or increase our losses.”



51 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016




CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
At March 31, 2016, the approximate future payments under our contractual obligations of the type described in the table below are as follows:
Contractual Obligations:
 
Payments due by period
(In millions)
 
Total
 
Less than 1 year
 
1-3 years
 
3-5 years
 
More than 5 years
Long-term debt obligations
 
$
2,285.5

 
$
45.9

 
$
272.4

 
$
567.2

 
$
1,400.0

Operating lease obligations
 
2.9

 
0.7

 
1.1

 
1.0

 
0.1

Tax obligations
 
20.0

 

 
20.0

 

 

Purchase obligations
 
2.7

 
2.0

 
0.7

 

 

Pension, SERP and other post-retirement plans
 
274.9

 
23.8

 
46.9

 
55.2

 
149.0

Other long-term liabilities
 
1,753.4

 
824.1

 
701.4

 
227.9

 

Total
 
$
4,339.4

 
$
896.5

 
$
1,042.5

 
$
851.3

 
$
1,549.1

Our long-term debt obligations at March 31, 2016 include $155.0 million of a 1.91% FHLB advance due in 2023, $195 million of 5% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2017, $500 million 2% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2020 and $257 million in 9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due in 2063, including related interest, as discussed in Note 3 – “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements and under “Liquidity and Capital Resources” above. For information about the first quarter 2016 purchase by our holding company of a portion of our 5% Notes and purchase by MGIC of a portion of our outstanding 9% Debentures, see “Debt at Our Holding Company and Holding Company Capital Resources” above. Our operating lease obligations include operating leases on certain office space, data processing equipment and autos, as discussed in Note 19 – “Leases” to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Tax obligations primarily relate to our current dispute with the IRS, as discussed in Note 11 – “Income Taxes.” Purchase obligations consist primarily of agreements to purchase data processing hardware or services made in the normal course of business. See Note 13 – “Benefit Plans” to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for a discussion of expected benefit payments under our benefit plans.

 
Our other long-term liabilities represent the loss reserves established to recognize the liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses related to defaults on insured mortgage loans. The timing of the future claim payments associated with the established loss reserves was determined primarily based on two key assumptions: the length of time it takes for a notice of default to develop into a received claim and the length of time it takes for a received claim to be ultimately paid. The future claim payment periods are estimated based on historical experience, and could emerge significantly different than this estimate. Due to the uncertainty regarding how certain factors, such as loss mitigation protocols established by servicers and changes in some state foreclosure laws that may include, for example, a requirement for additional review and/or mediation process, will affect our future paid claims it is difficult to estimate the amount and timing of future claim payments. See Note 12 – “Loss Reserves” to our consolidated financial statements. In accordance with GAAP for the mortgage insurance industry, we establish loss reserves only for loans in default. Because our reserving method does not take account of the impact of future losses that could occur from loans that are not delinquent, our obligation for ultimate losses that we expect to occur under our policies in force at any period end is not reflected in our financial statements or in the table above.



MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016 | 52



Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors

General:  Our revenues and losses could be affected by the risk factors referred to under “Location of Risk Factors” below. These risk factors are an integral part of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

These factors may also cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by forward looking statements that we may make. Forward looking statements consist of statements which relate to matters other than historical fact. Among others, statements that include words such as we “believe,” “anticipate” or “expect,” or words of similar import, are forward looking statements. We are not undertaking any obligation to update any forward looking statements we may make even though these statements may be affected by events or circumstances occurring after the forward looking statements were made. Therefore no reader of this document should rely on these statements being current as of any time other than the time at which this document was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Location of Risk Factors:  The risk factors are in Item 1 A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as supplemented by Part II, Item 1 A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The risk factors in the 10-K, as supplemented by this 10-Q and through updating of various statistical and other information, are reproduced in Exhibit 99 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Our investment portfolio is essentially a fixed maturity portfolio and is exposed to market risk. Important drivers of the market risk are credit spread risk and interest rate risk.

Credit spread risk is the risk that we will incur a loss due to adverse changes in credit spreads. Credit spread is the additional yield on fixed maturity securities above the risk-free rate (typically referenced as the yield on U.S. Treasury securities) that market participants require to compensate them for assuming credit, liquidity and/or prepayment risks.

We manage credit risk via our investment policy guidelines which primarily place our investments in investment grade securities and limit the amount of our credit exposure to any one issue, issuer and type of instrument. Guideline and investment portfolio detail is available in "Business – Section C, Investment Portfolio" in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Interest rate risk is the risk that we will incur a loss due to adverse changes in interest rates relative to the characteristics of our interest bearing assets.

 

One of the measures used to quantify interest rate this exposure is modified duration. Modified duration measures the price sensitivity of the assets to the changes in spreads. At March 31, 2016, the modified duration of our fixed income investment portfolio was 4.7 years, which means that an instantaneous parallel shift in the yield curve of 100 basis points would result in a change of 4.7% in the fair value of our fixed income portfolio. For an upward shift in the yield curve, the fair value of our portfolio would decrease and for a downward shift in the yield curve, the fair value would increase. See Note 7 – “Investments” to our consolidated financial statements for additional disclosure surrounding our investment portfolio.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that such controls and procedures were effective as of the end of such period. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the first quarter of 2016 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.




53 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Our previously disclosed U.S. Tax Court case with the Internal Revenue Service has twice been scheduled for trial and in each instance, the parties jointly filed, and the U.S. Tax Court approved (most recently in February 2016), motions for continuance to postpone the trial date. Also in February 2016, the U.S. Tax Court approved a joint motion to consolidate for trial, briefing, and opinion, our case with similar cases of Radian Group, Inc., as successor to Enhance Financial Services Group, Inc., et al.

Item 1 A. Risk Factors

With the exception of the changes described and set forth below, there have been no material changes in our risk factors from the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 as supplemented by Part II, Item I A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The risk factors in the 10-K, as supplemented by this 10-Q, and through updating of various statistical and other information, are reproduced in their entirety in Exhibit 99 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Competition or changes in our relationships with our customers could reduce our revenues, reduce our premium yields and / or increase our losses.
Our private mortgage insurance competitors include:
Arch Mortgage Insurance Company,
Essent Guaranty, Inc.,
Genworth Mortgage Insurance Corporation,
National Mortgage Insurance Corporation,
Radian Guaranty Inc., and
United Guaranty Residential Insurance Company.
The level of competition within the private mortgage insurance industry has intensified over the past several years and is not expected to diminish. We believe that we currently compete with other private mortgage insurers based on pricing, underwriting requirements, financial strength, customer relationships, name recognition, reputation, the strength of our management team and field organization, the ancillary products and services provided to lenders (including contract underwriting services), the depth of our databases covering insured loans and the effective use of technology and innovation in the delivery and servicing of our mortgage insurance products.
Competitive pricing practices currently in the market include: (i) reductions in standard filed rates on borrower-paid policies, (ii) use by certain competitors of a spectrum of filed rates to allow for formulaic, risk-based pricing (commonly referred to as “black-box” pricing); and (iii) use of customized rates (discounted from published rates) on lender-paid, single premium policies. The willingness of mortgage insurers to offer reduced pricing (through filed or customized rates) has been met with an increased demand from various lenders for reduced rate products. This has further intensified pricing competition.
We announced changes to our premium rates in January 2016 and March 2016, which became effective in April 2016. In general, the revisions decreased our filed premium rates on some higher-FICO score loans and increased our filed premium rates on some lower-FICO score loans. In addition to the revisions to our filed rates, we continue to use the authority set forth in our rate filings to negotiate customized premiums on a selective basis. We expect that our current premium rates will result in a modest decrease in our new insurance written, especially on lower-FICO score loans. We believe our pricing revisions will allow us to compete more effectively; however, there can be no assurance that pricing competition will not intensify further, which could result in a decrease in new insurance written and/or returns.
In each of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016, approximately 5% of our new insurance written was for loans for which one lender was the original insured. Our relationships with our customers could be adversely affected by a variety of factors, including premium rates higher than can be obtained from competitors, tightening of and adherence to our underwriting requirements, which may result in our declining to insure some of the loans originated by our customers, and insurance rescissions and curtailments that affect the customer. We have ongoing discussions with lenders who are significant customers regarding their objections to our claims paying practices.


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Substantially all of our insurance written since 2008 has been for loans purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the “GSEs”). The current private mortgage insurer eligibility requirements (the “PMIERs”) of the GSEs require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of assets to support its insured risk, as discussed in our risk factor titled “We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ private mortgage insurer eligibility requirements and our returns may decrease as we are required to maintain more capital in order to maintain our eligibility.” The PMIERs do not require an insurer to maintain minimum financial strength ratings. However, a downgrade in our financial strength ratings could have an adverse effect on us in many ways, including increased scrutiny of our financial condition by our customers, potentially resulting in a decrease in the amount of our new insurance written. In addition, we believe that financial strength ratings may be a significant consideration for participants seeking to secure credit enhancement in the non-GSE mortgage market. While this market has been limited since the financial crisis, it may grow in the future. Our ability to participate in the non-GSE mortgage market could depend on our ability to maintain and improve our investment grade ratings for our mortgage insurance subsidiaries. We could be competitively disadvantaged with some market participants because the financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries are lower than those of some competitors, despite having recently been upgraded. For each of MGIC and MIC, the financial strength rating from Moody’s is Baa3 (with a stable outlook) and from Standard & Poor’s is BBB (with a stable outlook). It is possible that MGIC’s and MIC’s financial strength ratings could decline from these levels.
Financial strength ratings may also play a greater role if the GSEs no longer operate in their current capacities, for example, due to legislative or regulatory action. In addition, although the PMIERs do not require minimum financial strength ratings, the GSEs consider financial strength ratings to be important when utilizing forms of credit enhancement other than traditional mortgage insurance. If we are unable to compete effectively in the current or any future markets as a result of the financial strength ratings assigned to our mortgage insurance subsidiaries, our future new insurance written could be negatively affected.

Item 6. Exhibits

The accompanying Index to Exhibits is incorporated by reference in answer to this portion of this Item, and except as otherwise indicated in the next sentence, the Exhibits listed in such Index are filed as part of this Form 10-Q. Exhibit 32 is not filed as part of this Form 10-Q but accompanies this Form 10-Q.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, on May 6, 2016.

 
MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION
 
 
 
/s/ Timothy J. Mattke
 
Timothy J. Mattke
 
Executive Vice President and
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
/s/ Julie K. Sperber
 
Julie K. Sperber
 
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer


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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
(Part II, Item 6)
 
Exhibit Number
Description of Exhibit
10.2.16
Form of Amendment to Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan*
 
 
31.1
Certification of CEO under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
31.2
Certification of CFO under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
32
Certification of CEO and CFO under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (as indicated in Item 6 of Part II, this Exhibit is not being “filed”)
 
 
99
Risk Factors included in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as supplemented by Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, and through updating of various statistical and other information
 
 
101
The following financial information from MGIC Investment Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

*
Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan.




57 | MGIC Investment Corporation - Q1 2016