Document


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark one)
þ        QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018.
 
¨       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. 
For the transition period from _____________________ to _____________________.
Commission file number 0-4604
 
CINCINNATI FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Ohio
 
31-0746871
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification
No.)
 
 
 
6200 S. Gilmore Road, Fairfield, Ohio
 
45014-5141
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (513) 870-2000
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. 
þYes ¨ No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
þYes ¨ No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a nonaccelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
þ Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨ Nonaccelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company
¨ Emerging growth company
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

¨ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):
¨Yes þ No
 
As of April 20, 2018, there were 164,145,978 shares of common stock outstanding.





CINCINNATI FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED March 31, 2018
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Results
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 2



Part I – Financial Information
Item 1.    Financial Statements (unaudited)
 
Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Assets
 
 

 
 

Investments
 
 

 
 

Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2018—$10,364; 2017—$10,314)
 
$
10,528

 
$
10,699

Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2017—$3,094)
 
6,086

 
6,249

Other invested assets
 
107

 
103

Total investments
 
16,721

 
17,051

Cash and cash equivalents
 
604

 
657

Investment income receivable
 
124

 
134

Finance receivable
 
61

 
61

Premiums receivable
 
1,626

 
1,589

Reinsurance recoverable
 
423

 
432

Prepaid reinsurance premiums
 
39

 
42

Deferred policy acquisition costs
 
691

 
670

Land, building and equipment, net, for company use (accumulated depreciation:
   2018—$259; 2017—$253)
 
186

 
185

Other assets
 
192

 
216

Separate accounts
 
803

 
806

Total assets
 
$
21,470

 
$
21,843

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 

 
 

Insurance reserves
 
 

 
 

Loss and loss expense reserves
 
$
5,345

 
$
5,273

Life policy and investment contract reserves
 
2,740

 
2,729

Unearned premiums
 
2,459

 
2,404

Other liabilities
 
672

 
792

Deferred income tax
 
652

 
745

Note payable
 
24

 
24

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
 
829

 
827

Separate accounts
 
803

 
806

Total liabilities
 
13,524

 
13,600

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 12)
 


 


 
 
 
 
 
Shareholders' Equity
 
 

 
 

Common stock, par value—$2 per share; (authorized: 2018 and 2017—500 million
   shares; issued: 2018 and 2017—198.3 million shares)
 
397

 
397

Paid-in capital
 
1,258

 
1,265

Retained earnings
 
7,565

 
5,180

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
115

 
2,788

Treasury stock at cost (2018—34.2 million shares and 2017—34.4 million shares)
 
(1,389
)
 
(1,387
)
Total shareholders' equity
 
7,946

 
8,243

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
21,470

 
$
21,843

 
 
 
 
 
 Accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 3



Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
Three months ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Revenues
 

 
 

Earned premiums
$
1,260

 
$
1,208

Investment income, net of expenses
150

 
149

Investment gains and losses, net
(191
)
 
160

Fee revenues
4

 
5

Other revenues
1

 
1

Total revenues
1,224

 
1,523

Benefits and Expenses
 

 
 

Insurance losses and contract holders' benefits
854

 
853

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
403

 
377

Interest expense
13

 
13

Other operating expenses
4

 
4

 Total benefits and expenses
1,274

 
1,247

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
(50
)
 
276

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
 

 
 

Current
28

 
40

Deferred
(47
)
 
35

Total provision (benefit) for income taxes
(19
)
 
75

Net Income (Loss)
$
(31
)
 
$
201

Per Common Share
 

 
 

Net income (loss)—basic
$
(0.19
)
 
$
1.22

Net income (loss)—diluted
(0.19
)
 
1.21

 
 
 
 
Accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 4



Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Dollars in millions)
Three months ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Net Income (Loss)
$
(31
)
 
$
201

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 

 
 

Change in unrealized gains on investments, net of tax (benefit) of ($46) and $46, respectively
(175
)
 
85

Amortization of pension actuarial loss and prior service cost, net of tax of $0 and $0, respectively

 
1

Change in life deferred acquisition costs, life policy reserves and other, net of tax of $1 and $1, respectively
5

 
1

Other comprehensive income (loss)
(170
)
 
87

Comprehensive Income (Loss)
$
(201
)
 
$
288

 
 
 
 
Accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 5



Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
   Beginning of year
 
$
397

 
$
397

   Share-based awards
 

 

   End of period
 
397

 
397

 
 
 
 
 
Paid-In Capital
 
 
 
 
   Beginning of year
 
1,265

 
1,252

   Share-based awards
 
(17
)
 
(18
)
   Share-based compensation
 
9

 
8

   Other
 
1

 
1

   End of period
 
1,258

 
1,243

 
 
 
 
 
Retained Earnings
 
 
 
 
   Beginning of year
 
5,180

 
5,037

Cumulative effect of change in accounting for equity securities as of January 1, 2018
 
2,503

 

Adjusted beginning of year
 
7,683

 
5,037

   Net income (loss)
 
(31
)
 
201

   Dividends declared
 
(87
)
 
(82
)
   End of period
 
7,565

 
5,156

 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
   Beginning of year
 
2,788

 
1,693

Cumulative effect of change in accounting for equity securities as of January 1, 2018
 
(2,503
)
 

Adjusted beginning of year
 
285

 
1,693

   Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(170
)
 
87

   End of period
 
115

 
1,780

 
 
 
 
 
Treasury Stock
 
 
 
 
   Beginning of year
 
(1,387
)
 
(1,319
)
   Share-based awards
 
14

 
17

   Shares acquired - share repurchase authorization
 
(15
)
 
(15
)
   Shares acquired - share-based compensation plans
 
(2
)
 
(4
)
   Other
 
1

 
1

   End of period
 
(1,389
)
 
(1,320
)
 
 
 
 
 
      Total Shareholders' Equity
 
$
7,946

 
$
7,256

 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
Common Stock - Shares Outstanding
 
 
 
 
   Beginning of year
 
163.9

 
164.4

   Share-based awards
 
0.4

 
0.5

   Shares acquired - share repurchase authorization
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.2
)
   Shares acquired - share-based compensation plans
 

 
(0.1
)
   Other
 

 

   End of period
 
164.1

 
164.6

 
 
 
 
 
Accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 6



Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 (Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
 
 

 
 

Net income (loss)
 
$
(31
)
 
$
201

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
18

 
14

Investment gains and losses, net
 
191

 
(160
)
Share-based compensation
 
9

 
8

Interest credited to contract holders'
 
11

 
13

Deferred income tax expense
 
(47
)
 
35

Changes in:
 
 

 
 

Investment income receivable
 
10

 
11

Premiums and reinsurance receivable
 
(26
)
 
(44
)
Deferred policy acquisition costs
 
(10
)
 
(25
)
Other assets
 
(8
)
 
(5
)
Loss and loss expense reserves
 
72

 
92

Life policy and investment contract reserves
 
21

 
25

Unearned premiums
 
55

 
70

Other liabilities
 
(137
)
 
(139
)
Current income tax receivable/payable
 
26

 
40

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
154

 
136

Cash Flows From Investing Activities
 
 

 
 

Sale of fixed maturities
 
5

 
12

Call or maturity of fixed maturities
 
393

 
249

Sale of equity securities
 
104

 
216

Purchase of fixed maturities
 
(438
)
 
(403
)
Purchase of equity securities
 
(110
)
 
(313
)
Investment in finance receivables
 
(6
)
 
(5
)
Collection of finance receivables
 
6

 
6

Investment in buildings and equipment
 
(3
)
 
(2
)
Change in other invested assets, net
 
(5
)
 
(6
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(54
)
 
(246
)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
 
 

 
 

Payment of cash dividends to shareholders
 
(80
)
 
(77
)
Shares acquired - share repurchase authorization
 
(15
)
 
(15
)
Payments of note payable
 

 
(3
)
Proceeds from stock options exercised
 
4

 
6

Contract holders' funds deposited
 
21

 
23

Contract holders' funds withdrawn
 
(46
)
 
(43
)
Other
 
(37
)
 
(15
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(153
)
 
(124
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
(53
)
 
(234
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
657

 
777

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
604

 
$
543

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
 
 

 
 

Interest paid
 
$

 
$

Income taxes paid
 

 

Noncash Activities
 
 

 
 

Conversion of securities
 
$
3

 
$
4

Equipment acquired under capital lease obligations
 
5

 
3

Cashless exercise of stock options
 
2

 
4

Other assets and other liabilities
 
30

 
73

 
 
 
 
 
 Accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 7



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
NOTE 1 — Accounting Policies
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cincinnati Financial Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, each of which is wholly owned. These statements are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Our actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain financial information that is normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, but that is not required for interim reporting purposes, has been condensed or omitted.
 
Our March 31, 2018, condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. We believe that we have made all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, that are necessary for fair presentation. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods do not necessarily indicate results to be expected for the full year.

Adopted Accounting Updates

ASU 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. Insurance contracts do not fall within the scope of this ASU. The effective date of ASU 2014-09 was for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The company adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the company's consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU 2016-01 revised the accounting related to the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The effective date of ASU 2016-01 was for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018, and applied it prospectively without prior period amounts restated. As a result of the adoption, $2.503 billion of after-tax unrealized gains on equity securities was reclassified on January 1, 2018, from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Results of operations were impacted as changes in fair value of equity securities are now reported in net income (loss) instead of reported in other comprehensive income (loss). As a result of the adoption of this ASU, the first quarter 2018 net investment loss of $191 million in the condensed consolidated statements of income included $198 million from the fair value change of equity securities.

ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The effective date of ASU 2016-15 is for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The company adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2018, and it did not have a material impact on our company's consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 8



In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Costs. ASU 2017-07 provides guidance on how to present the components of net periodic benefit costs in the income statement for pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans and allows only the service cost component of net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization when applicable. The effective date of ASU 2017-07 is for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The company adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2018 and disclosed the line items used in the statements of income to present the service and non-service components of net periodic benefit costs in Note 11, Employee Retirement Benefits, to these consolidated financial statements. The adoption did not have a material impact on our company's consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting. ASU 2017-09 clarifies when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share based payment award as a modification. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. The effective date of ASU 2017-09 was for interim and annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, and was applied prospectively. The company adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2018, and it did not have a material impact on our company's consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

Pending Accounting Updates

ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The main provision of ASU 2016-02 requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. The effective date of ASU 2016-02 is for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The ASU has not yet been adopted; however, it is not expected to have a material impact on our company’s consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 amends previous guidance on the impairment of financial instruments by adding an impairment model that allows an entity to recognize expected credit losses as an allowance rather than impairing as they are incurred. The new guidance is intended to reduce complexity of credit impairment models and result in a more timely recognition of expected credit losses. The effective date of ASU 2016-13 is for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The ASU has not yet been adopted. Management is currently evaluating the impact on our company's consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

ASU 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. ASU 2017-08 amends guidance on the amortization period of premiums on certain purchased callable debt securities. The amendments shorten the amortization period of premiums on certain purchased callable debt securities to the earliest call date. The amendments should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. The effective date of ASU 2017-08 is for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The ASU has not yet been adopted; however, it is not expected to have a material impact on our company's consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.







Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 9




NOTE 2 – Investments
In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-01, which resulted in changes in the fair value of equity securities still held at March 31, 2018, being reported in net income (loss) instead of being reported in other comprehensive income (loss). See Note 1, Accounting Policies, for additional discussion.

The following table provides cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value for our fixed-maturity and equity securities:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Cost or
amortized
cost
 
Gross unrealized
 
Fair value
At March 31, 2018
 
 
gains
 
losses
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$
5,452

 
$
155

 
$
35

 
$
5,572

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
4,304

 
85

 
35

 
4,354

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
285

 
3

 
2

 
286

Government-sponsored enterprises
 
277

 

 
6

 
271

United States government
 
36

 

 
1

 
35

Foreign government
 
10

 

 

 
10

Total
 
10,364

 
243

 
79

 
10,528

At December 31, 2017
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed maturity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$
5,420

 
$
246

 
$
13

 
$
5,653

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
4,316

 
155

 
6

 
4,465

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
280

 
7

 
1

 
286

Government-sponsored enterprises
 
257

 
1

 
4

 
254

United States government
 
31

 

 

 
31

Foreign government
 
10

 

 

 
10

Subtotal
 
10,314

 
409

 
24

 
10,699

Equity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Common equities
 
2,918

 
3,135

 
14

 
6,039

Nonredeemable preferred equities
 
176

 
34

 

 
210

Subtotal
 
3,094

 
3,169

 
14

 
6,249

Total
 
$
13,408

 
$
3,578

 
$
38

 
$
16,948

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The net unrealized investment gains in our fixed-maturity portfolio at March 31, 2018, are primarily the result of the continued low interest rate environment that increased the fair value of our fixed-maturity portfolio. Our commercial mortgage-backed securities had an average rating of Aa1/AA at March 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017.
At March 31, 2018, JP Morgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) was our largest single equity holding with a fair value of $248 million, which was 4.2 percent of our publicly traded common equities portfolio and 1.5 percent of the total investment portfolio.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 10



The table below provides fair values and gross unrealized losses by investment category and by the duration of the securities’ continuous unrealized loss positions:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
At March 31, 2018
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$
1,002

 
$
20

 
$
253

 
$
15

 
$
1,255

 
$
35

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
1,052

 
21

 
256

 
14

 
1,308

 
35

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
81

 
1

 
35

 
1

 
116

 
2

Government-sponsored enterprises
 
131

 
2

 
123

 
4

 
254

 
6

Foreign government
 
10

 

 

 

 
10

 

United States government
 
24

 
1

 
11

 

 
35

 
1

Total
 
$
2,300

 
$
45

 
$
678

 
$
34

 
$
2,978

 
$
79

At December 31, 2017
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed maturity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$
330

 
$
4

 
$
252

 
$
9

 
$
582

 
$
13

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
88

 
1

 
264

 
5

 
352

 
6

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
33

 

 
36

 
1

 
69

 
1

Government-sponsored enterprises
 
96

 
1

 
124

 
3

 
220

 
4

Foreign government
 
10

 

 

 

 
10

 

United States government
 
23

 

 
6

 

 
29

 

Subtotal
 
580

 
6

 
682

 
18

 
1,262

 
24

Equity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Common equities
 
229

 
14

 

 

 
229

 
14

Subtotal
 
229

 
14

 

 

 
229

 
14

Total
 
$
809

 
$
20

 
$
682

 
$
18

 
$
1,491

 
$
38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Contractual maturity dates for fixed-maturity investments were:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Amortized
cost
 
Fair
value
 
% of fair
value
At March 31, 2018
 
 
 
Maturity dates:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Due in one year or less
 
$
449

 
$
457

 
4.4
%
Due after one year through five years
 
2,714

 
2,768

 
26.3

Due after five years through ten years
 
3,986

 
4,046

 
38.4

Due after ten years
 
3,215

 
3,257

 
30.9

Total
 
$
10,364

 
$
10,528

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities when there is a right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 11



The following table provides investment income and investment gains and losses, net:
(Dollars in millions)
Three months ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Investment income:
 
 
 
Interest
$
110

 
$
111

Dividends
42

 
39

Other
1

 
1

Total
153

 
151

Less investment expenses
3

 
2

Total
$
150

 
$
149

 
 
 
 
Investment gains and losses, net:
 

 
 

Equity securities:
 

 
 

Investment gains and losses on securities sold, net
$
3

 
$

Unrealized gains and losses on securities still held, net
(198
)
 

Gross realized gains

 
153

Gross realized losses

 
(4
)
Subtotal
(195
)
 
149

Fixed maturities:
 

 
 

Gross realized gains
4

 
10

Gross realized losses

 

Subtotal
4

 
10

 
 
 
 
Other

 
1

Total
$
(191
)
 
$
160

 
 
 
 
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2018, there were no fixed-maturity securities other-than-temporarily impaired. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, there were no equity securities and no fixed-maturity securities other-than-temporarily impaired. There were no credit losses on fixed-maturity securities for which a portion of other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) has been recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

At March 31, 2018, 250 fixed-maturity investments with a total unrealized loss of $34 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more. Of that total, one fixed-maturity investment had a fair value below 70 percent of amortized cost. At December 31, 2017, 249 fixed-maturity investments with a total unrealized loss of $18 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more. Of that total, no fixed-maturity investments had fair values below 70 percent of amortized cost. There were no equity security investments in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more as of December 31, 2017.
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 12



NOTE 3 – Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures, we categorized our financial instruments, based on the priority of the observable and market-based data for the valuation technique used, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices with readily available independent data in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable market inputs (Level 3). When various inputs for measurement fall within different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the lowest observable input that has a significant impact on fair value measurement is used. Our valuation techniques have not changed from those used at December 31, 2017, and ultimately management determines fair value. See our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 3, Fair Value Measurements, Page 132, for information on characteristics and valuation techniques used in determining fair value.

Fair Value Disclosures for Assets
The following tables illustrate the fair value hierarchy for those assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017. We do not have any liabilities carried at fair value. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.
(Dollars in millions)
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant other
observable inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
At March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$

 
$
5,571

 
$
1

 
$
5,572

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 

 
4,350

 
4

 
4,354

Commercial mortgage-backed
 

 
286

 

 
286

Government-sponsored enterprises
 

 
271

 

 
271

United States government
 
35

 

 

 
35

Foreign government
 

 
10

 

 
10

Subtotal
 
35

 
10,488

 
5

 
10,528

Common equities
 
5,893

 

 

 
5,893

Nonredeemable preferred equities
 

 
193

 

 
193

Separate accounts taxable fixed maturities
 

 
793

 

 
793

Top Hat savings plan mutual funds and common
equity (included in Other assets)
 
34

 

 

 
34

Total
 
$
5,962

 
$
11,474

 
$
5

 
$
17,441

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$

 
$
5,652

 
$
1

 
$
5,653

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 

 
4,460

 
5

 
4,465

Commercial mortgage-backed
 

 
286

 

 
286

Government-sponsored enterprises
 

 
254

 

 
254

United States government
 
31

 

 

 
31

Foreign government
 

 
10

 

 
10

Subtotal
 
31

 
10,662

 
6

 
10,699

Common equities, available for sale
 
6,039

 

 

 
6,039

Nonredeemable preferred equities, available for sale
 

 
210

 

 
210

Separate accounts taxable fixed maturities
 

 
795

 

 
795

Top Hat savings plan mutual funds and common
  equity (included in Other assets)
 
31

 

 

 
31

Total
 
$
6,101

 
$
11,667

 
$
6

 
$
17,774

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 13



 
Each financial instrument that was deemed to have significant unobservable inputs when determining valuation is identified in the following tables by security type with a summary of changes in fair value as of March 31, 2018. Total Level 3 assets continue to be less than 1 percent of financial assets measured at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Assets presented in the table below were valued based primarily on broker/dealer quotes for which there is a lack of transparency as to inputs used to develop the valuations. Transfers out of Level 3 included situations where a broker quote was used without observable inputs or data that could be corroborated by our pricing vendors in the prior period and significant other observable inputs were identified in the current period. The quantitative detail of these unobservable inputs is neither provided nor reasonably available to us.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table provides the change in Level 3 assets for the three months ended March 31:
(Dollars in millions)
Asset fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs
 
 
Corporate
fixed
maturities
 
States,
municipalities
and political
subdivisions
fixed maturities
 
Total
Beginning balance, January 1, 2018
 
$
1

 
$
5

 
$
6

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 

 
 

Included in net income (loss)
 

 

 

Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Purchases
 

 

 

Sales
 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3
 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 

 

Ending balance, March 31, 2018
 
$
1

 
$
4

 
$
5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance, January 1, 2017
 
$
78

 
$

 
$
78

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 

 
 
Included in net income
 

 

 

Included in other comprehensive income
 

 

 

Purchases
 

 

 

Sales
 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3
 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3
 
(77
)
 

 
(77
)
Ending balance, March 31, 2017
 
$
1

 
$

 
$
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

With the exception of the above table, additional disclosures for the Level 3 category are not material and therefore not provided.

Fair Value Disclosures for Assets and Liabilities Not Carried at Fair Value
 
The disclosures below are presented to provide information about the effects of current market conditions on financial instruments that are not reported at fair value in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 14



This table summarizes the book value and principal amounts of our long-term debt:
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
 
Book value
 
Principal amount
Interest
rate
 
Year of 
issue
 
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
6.900
%
 
1998
 
Senior debentures, due 2028
 
$
26

 
$
26

 
$
28

 
$
28

6.920
%
 
2005
 
Senior debentures, due 2028
 
391

 
391

 
391

 
391

6.125
%
 
2004
 
Senior notes, due 2034
 
370

 
370

 
374

 
374

 

 
 
 
Total
 
$
787

 
$
787

 
$
793

 
$
793

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table shows fair values of our note payable and long-term debt:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
At March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
Note payable
 
$

 
$
24

 
$

 
$
24

6.900% senior debentures, due 2028
 

 
33

 

 
33

6.920% senior debentures, due 2028
 

 
490

 

 
490

6.125% senior notes, due 2034
 

 
464

 

 
464

Total
 
$

 
$
1,011

 
$

 
$
1,011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note payable
 
$

 
$
24

 
$

 
$
24

6.900% senior debentures, due 2028
 

 
34

 

 
34

6.920% senior debentures, due 2028
 

 
505

 

 
505

6.125% senior notes, due 2034
 

 
477

 

 
477

Total
 
$

 
$
1,040

 
$

 
$
1,040

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table shows the fair value of our life policy loans included in other invested assets:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant other
observable inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
At March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
Life policy loans
 
$

 
$

 
$
40

 
$
40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life policy loans
 
$

 
$

 
$
41

 
$
41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding principal and interest for these life policy loans totaled $31 million at March 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 15



The following table shows fair values of our deferred annuities and structured settlements included in life policy and investment contract reserves:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant other
observable inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
At March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
Deferred annuities
 
$

 
$

 
$
788

 
$
788

Structured settlements
 

 
200

 

 
200

Total
 
$

 
$
200

 
$
788

 
$
988

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred annuities
 
$

 
$

 
$
834

 
$
834

Structured settlements
 

 
210

 

 
210

Total
 
$

 
$
210

 
$
834

 
$
1,044

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Recorded reserves for the deferred annuities were $821 million and $835 million at March 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, respectively. Recorded reserves for the structured settlements were $161 million at March 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017.



Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 16



NOTE 4 – Property Casualty Loss and Loss Expenses
This table summarizes activity for our consolidated property casualty loss and loss expense reserves:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Gross loss and loss expense reserves, beginning of period
 
$
5,219

 
$
5,035

Less reinsurance recoverable
 
187

 
298

Net loss and loss expense reserves, beginning of period
 
5,032

 
4,737

Net incurred loss and loss expenses related to:
 
 

 
 

Current accident year
 
839

 
826

Prior accident years
 
(48
)
 
(38
)
Total incurred
 
791

 
788

Net paid loss and loss expenses related to:
 
 

 
 

Current accident year
 
195

 
185

Prior accident years
 
519

 
509

Total paid
 
714

 
694

Net loss and loss expense reserves, end of period
 
5,109

 
4,831

Plus reinsurance recoverable
 
184

 
297

Gross loss and loss expense reserves, end of period
 
$
5,293

 
$
5,128

 
 
 
 
 
 
We use actuarial methods, models and judgment to estimate, as of a financial statement date, the property casualty loss and loss expense reserves required to pay for and settle all outstanding insured claims, including incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims, as of that date. The actuarial estimate is subject to review and adjustment by an inter-departmental committee that includes actuarial, claims, underwriting, loss prevention and accounting management. This committee is familiar with relevant company and industry business, claims and underwriting trends, as well as general economic and legal trends that could affect future loss and loss expense payments. The amount we will actually have to pay for claims can be highly uncertain. This uncertainty, together with the size of our reserves, makes the loss and loss expense reserves our most significant estimate. The reserve for loss and loss expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheets also included $52 million at March 31, 2018, and
$49 million at March 31, 2017, for certain life and health loss and loss expense reserves.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we experienced $48 million of favorable development on prior accident years, including $35 million of favorable development in commercial lines, $1 million of favorable development in personal lines, $10 million of favorable development in excess and surplus lines and $2 million of favorable development in our reinsurance assumed operations. This included $7 million from favorable development of catastrophe losses for the three months ended March 31, 2018. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recognized favorable reserve development of $21 million for the commercial property line, $13 million for the workers' compensation line, $2 million for the commercial auto line and $4 million for the other commercial lines due to reduced uncertainty of prior accident year loss and loss adjustment expense for these lines. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recognized unfavorable reserve development of $5 million for the commercial casualty line. The unfavorable reserve development for commercial casualty was primarily due to an increase in case reserves for accident year 2017.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, we experienced $38 million of favorable development on prior accident years, including $11 million of favorable development in commercial lines, $10 million of favorable development in personal lines, $13 million of favorable development in excess and surplus lines and $4 million of favorable development in our reinsurance assumed operations. This included $11 million from favorable development of catastrophe losses for the three months ended March 31, 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, we recognized favorable reserve development of $18 million for the workers' compensation line, $10 million for the commercial property line and $8 million for the other commercial lines due to reduced uncertainty of prior accident year loss and loss adjustment expenses for these lines. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, we recognized unfavorable reserve development of $15 million for the commercial casualty line and $10 million for the commercial auto line. The unfavorable reserve development for commercial casualty reflected higher

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 17



than usual large loss activity. Commercial auto developed unfavorably due to higher loss cost effects in recent accident years, resulting in an increase of our reserve estimate for claims that have not yet been settled.



Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 18



NOTE 5 – Life Policy and Investment Contract Reserves
We establish the reserves for traditional life insurance policies based on expected expenses, mortality, morbidity, withdrawal rates, timing of claim presentation and investment yields, including a provision for uncertainty. Once these assumptions are established, they generally are maintained throughout the lives of the contracts. We use both our own experience and industry experience, adjusted for historical trends, in arriving at our assumptions for expected mortality, morbidity and withdrawal rates as well as for expected expenses. We base our assumptions for expected investment income on our own experience adjusted for current economic conditions.
 
We establish reserves for the company’s deferred annuity, universal life and structured settlement policies equal to the cumulative account balances, which include premium deposits plus credited interest less charges and withdrawals. Some of our universal life policies contain no-lapse guarantee provisions. For these policies, we establish a reserve in addition to the account balance, based on expected no-lapse guarantee benefits and expected policy assessments.

This table summarizes our life policy and investment contract reserves:
(Dollars in millions)
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31, 2017
Life policy reserves:
 
 
 
 
Ordinary/traditional life
 
$
1,098

 
$
1,080

Other
 
47

 
47

Subtotal
 
1,145

 
1,127

Investment contract reserves:
 
 
 
 
Deferred annuities
 
821

 
835

Universal life
 
607

 
601

Structured settlements
 
161

 
160

Other
 
6

 
6

Subtotal
 
1,595

 
1,602

Total life policy and investment contract reserves
 
$
2,740

 
$
2,729

 
 
 
 
 



Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 19



NOTE 6 – Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Expenses directly related to successfully acquired insurance policies – primarily commissions, premium taxes and underwriting costs – are deferred and amortized over the terms of the policies. We update our acquisition cost assumptions periodically to reflect actual experience, and we evaluate the costs for recoverability. The table below shows the deferred policy acquisition costs and asset reconciliation.
(Dollars in millions)
Three months ended March 31,

2018
 
2017
Property casualty:
 
 
 
Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, beginning of period
$
438

 
$
408

Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs
232

 
226

Amortized deferred policy acquisition costs
(224
)
 
(206
)
Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, end of period
$
446

 
$
428

 
 
 
 
Life:
 
 
 
Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, beginning of period
$
232

 
$
229

Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs
13

 
13

Amortized deferred policy acquisition costs
(10
)
 
(8
)
Amortized shadow deferred policy acquisition costs
10

 
(2
)
Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, end of period
$
245

 
$
232

 
 
 
 
Consolidated:
 
 
 
Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, beginning of period
$
670

 
$
637

Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs
245

 
239

Amortized deferred policy acquisition costs
(234
)
 
(214
)
Amortized shadow deferred policy acquisition costs
10

 
(2
)
Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, end of period
$
691

 
$
660

 
 
 
 

No premium deficiencies were recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income, as the sum of the anticipated loss and loss expenses, policyholder dividends and unamortized deferred acquisition expenses did not exceed the related unearned premiums and anticipated investment income.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 20



NOTE 7 – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) includes changes in unrealized gains and losses on investments, changes in pension obligations and changes in life deferred acquisition costs, life policy reserves and other as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
Three months ended March 31,
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
Before tax
 
Income tax
 
Net
 
 
Before tax
 
Income tax
 
Net
Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AOCI, beginning of period
$
3,540

 
$
733

 
$
2,807

 
 
$
2,625

 
$
908

 
$
1,717

Cumulative effect of change in accounting for equity securities as of January 1, 2018
(3,155
)
 
(652
)
 
(2,503
)
 
 

 

 

Adjusted AOCI, beginning of period
385

 
81

 
304

 
 
2,625

 
908

 
1,717

OCI before investment gains recognized in net income
(217
)
 
(45
)
 
(172
)
 
 
290

 
102

 
188

Investment gains recognized in net income
(4
)
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
 
(159
)
 
(56
)
 
(103
)
OCI
(221
)
 
(46
)
 
(175
)
 
 
131

 
46

 
85

AOCI, end of period
$
164

 
$
35

 
$
129

 
 
$
2,756

 
$
954

 
$
1,802

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AOCI, beginning of period
$
(12
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(11
)
 
 
$
(26
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(18
)
OCI excluding amortization recognized in net income

 

 

 
 

 

 

Amortization recognized in net income

 

 

 
 
1

 

 
1

OCI

 

 

 
 
1

 

 
1

AOCI, end of period
$
(12
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(11
)
 
 
$
(25
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(17
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life deferred acquisition costs, life policy reserves and other:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AOCI, beginning of period
$
(10
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(8
)
 
 
$
(9
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(6
)
OCI before realized gains and losses recognized in net
  income
6

 
1

 
5

 
 
3

 
2

 
1

Realized gains recognized in net income

 

 

 
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

OCI
6

 
1

 
5

 
 
2

 
1

 
1

AOCI, end of period
$
(4
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(3
)
 
 
$
(7
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(5
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary of AOCI:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AOCI, beginning of period
$
3,518

 
$
730

 
$
2,788

 
 
$
2,590

 
$
897

 
$
1,693

Cumulative effect of change in accounting for equity securities as of January 1, 2018
(3,155
)
 
(652
)
 
(2,503
)
 
 

 

 

Adjusted AOCI, beginning of period
363

 
78

 
285

 
 
2,590

 
897

 
1,693

Investments OCI
(221
)
 
(46
)
 
(175
)
 
 
131

 
46

 
85

Pension obligations OCI

 

 

 
 
1

 

 
1

Life deferred acquisition costs, life policy reserves and other OCI
6

 
1

 
5

 
 
2

 
1

 
1

Total OCI
(215
)
 
(45
)
 
(170
)
 
 
134

 
47

 
87

AOCI, end of period
$
148

 
$
33

 
$
115

 
 
$
2,724

 
$
944

 
$
1,780

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Investment gains and losses, net and life deferred acquisition costs, life policy reserves and other investment gains and losses, net, are recorded in the investment gains and losses, net, line item in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Amortization on pension obligations is recorded in the insurance losses and contract holders'

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 21



benefits and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 22



NOTE 8 – Reinsurance
Primary components of our property casualty reinsurance assumed operations include involuntary and voluntary assumed risks as well as contracts from our reinsurance assumed operations, known as Cincinnati Re. Primary components of our ceded reinsurance include a property per risk treaty, property excess treaty, casualty per occurrence treaty, casualty excess treaty, property catastrophe treaty and catastrophe bonds and retrocessions on our reinsurance assumed operations. Management's decisions about the appropriate level of risk retention are affected by various factors, including changes in our underwriting practices, capacity to retain risks and reinsurance market conditions.

The tables below summarize our consolidated property casualty insurance net written premiums, earned premiums and incurred loss and loss expenses:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Direct written premiums
 
$
1,247

 
$
1,226

Assumed written premiums
 
49

 
33

Ceded written premiums
 
(38
)
 
(28
)
Net written premiums
 
$
1,258

 
$
1,231

 
 
 
 
 

(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Direct earned premiums
 
$
1,207

 
$
1,163

Assumed earned premiums
 
33

 
27

Ceded earned premiums
 
(40
)
 
(39
)
Earned premiums
 
$
1,200

 
$
1,151

 
 
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Direct incurred loss and loss expenses
 
$
781

 
$
788

Assumed incurred loss and loss expenses
 
16

 
15

Ceded incurred loss and loss expenses
 
(6
)
 
(15
)
Incurred loss and loss expenses
 
$
791

 
$
788

 
 
 
 
 
 
Our life insurance company purchases reinsurance for protection of a portion of the risks that are written. Primary components of our life reinsurance program include individual mortality coverage, aggregate catastrophe and accidental death coverage in excess of certain deductibles.

The tables below summarize our consolidated life insurance earned premiums and contract holders' benefits incurred:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Direct earned premiums
 
$
77

 
$
74

Ceded earned premiums
 
(17
)
 
(17
)
Earned premiums
 
$
60

 
$
57

 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 23



(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Direct contract holders' benefits incurred
 
$
76

 
$
76

Ceded contract holders' benefits incurred
 
(13
)
 
(11
)
Contract holders' benefits incurred
 
$
63

 
$
65

 
 
 
 
 

The ceded benefits incurred can vary depending on the type of life insurance policy held and the year the policy was issued.

NOTE 9 – Income Taxes
As of March 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, we had no liability for unrecognized tax benefits.
 
The differences between the 21 percent and 35 percent statutory federal income tax rates and our effective income tax rate were as follows:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Tax at statutory rate:
 
$
(11
)
 
21.0
%
 
$
97

 
35.0
 %
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tax-exempt income from municipal bonds
 
(5
)
 
10.0

 
(9
)
 
(3.3
)
Dividend received exclusion
 
(3
)
 
6.0

 
(8
)
 
(2.9
)
Other
 

 
1.0

 
(5
)
 
(1.6
)
Provision for income taxes
 
$
(19
)
 
38.0
%
 
$
75

 
27.2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The provision for federal income taxes is based upon filing a consolidated income tax return for the company and its subsidiaries.

Our 2017 10-K discusses enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) on December 22, 2017, and its impact on our financial results for that period. Interpretive guidance of the Tax Act will be received throughout 2018, and we expect to update our estimates and our disclosure on a quarterly basis as interpretative guidance is received within each quarter that it is received. During the period ended March 31, 2018, the U.S. Treasury Department (the “Treasury”) and the Internal Revenue Service (the ”IRS”) have not issued further clarification or guidance for the items for which our accounting for the Tax Act is incomplete. We expect to complete determination of the effects of the Tax Act on our deferred tax assets and liabilities as part of the annual income tax return filing process.

As of March 31, 2018, we had no operating or capital loss carryforwards.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 24



NOTE 10 – Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding using the treasury stock method. The table shows calculations for basic and diluted earnings per share:
(In millions, except per share data)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Numerator:
 
 

 
 

Net income (loss)—basic and diluted
 
$
(31
)
 
$
201

Denominator:
 
 

 
 

Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding
 
164.0

 
164.6

Effect of share-based awards:
 
 

 
 

Stock options
 

 
1.1

Nonvested shares
 

 
0.8

Diluted weighted-average shares
 
164.0

 
166.5

Earnings per share:
 
 

 
 

Basic
 
$
(0.19
)
 
$
1.22

Diluted
 
(0.19
)
 
1.21

Number of anti-dilutive share-based awards
 
2.8

 
0.7

 
 
 
 
 

In accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share, the assumed exercise of share-based awards in 2018 were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share. See our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 17, Share-Based Associate Compensation Plans, Page 161, for information about share-based awards. The above table shows the number of anti-dilutive share-based awards for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. These share-based awards were not included in the computation of net income (loss) per common share (diluted) because their exercise would have anti-dilutive effects.

NOTE 11 – Employee Retirement Benefits
The following summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost for our qualified and supplemental pension plans:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Service cost
 
$
3

 
$
3

Non-service costs (benefit):
 
 
 
 
Interest cost
 
3

 
3

Expected return on plan assets
 
(5
)
 
(5
)
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service cost
 

 
1

 Total non-service benefit
 
(2
)
 
(1
)
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
1

 
$
2

 
 
 
 
 

See our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 13, Employee Retirement Benefits, Page 156, for information on our retirement benefits. Service costs and non-service costs (benefit) are allocated in the same proportion primarily to underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses line item with the remainder allocated to insurance losses and contract holders' benefits line item on the consolidated statements of income for both 2018 and 2017.

We made matching contributions totaling $6 million to our 401(k) and Top Hat savings plans during the first quarter of 2018 and 2017.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 25



We contributed $5 million to our qualified pension plan during the first three months of 2018.

NOTE 12 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
In the ordinary course of conducting business, the company and its subsidiaries are named as defendants in various legal proceedings. Most of these proceedings are claims litigation involving the company's insurance subsidiaries in which the company is either defending or providing indemnity for third-party claims brought against insureds or litigating first-party coverage claims. The company accounts for such activity through the establishment of unpaid loss and loss expense reserves. We believe that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such ordinary-course claims litigation, after consideration of provisions made for potential losses and costs of defense, is immaterial to our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
The company and its subsidiaries also are occasionally involved in other legal and regulatory proceedings, some of which assert claims for substantial amounts. These actions include, among others, putative class actions seeking certification of a state or national class. Such proceedings have alleged, for example, breach of an alleged duty to search national databases to ascertain unreported deaths of insureds under life insurance policies. The company's insurance subsidiaries also are occasionally parties to individual actions in which extra-contractual damages, punitive damages or penalties are sought, such as claims alleging bad faith handling of insurance claims or writing unauthorized coverage or claims alleging discrimination by former or current associates.
 
On a quarterly basis, we review these outstanding matters. Under current accounting guidance, we establish accruals when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and we can reasonably estimate its potential exposure. The company accounts for such probable and estimable losses, if any, through the establishment of legal expense reserves. Based on our quarterly review, we believe that our accruals for probable and estimable losses are reasonable and that the amounts accrued do not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. However, if any one or more of these matters results in a judgment against us or settlement for an amount that is significantly greater than the amount accrued, the resulting liability could have a material effect on the company's consolidated results of operations or cash flows. Based on our most recent review, our estimate for any other matters for which the risk of loss is not probable, but more than remote, is immaterial.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 26



NOTE 13 – Segment Information
We operate primarily in two industries, property casualty insurance and life insurance. Our chief operating decision maker regularly reviews our reporting segments to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance. Our reporting segments are:
Commercial lines insurance
Personal lines insurance
Excess and surplus lines insurance
Life insurance
Investments

We report as Other the noninvestment operations of the parent company and its noninsurer subsidiary, CFC Investment Company and Cincinnati Re, our reinsurance assumed operations. See our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 18, Segment Information, Page 164, for a description of revenue, income or loss before income taxes and identifiable assets for each of the five segments.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 27



Segment information is summarized in the following table: 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Revenues:
 
 

 
 

Commercial lines insurance
 
 

 
 

Commercial casualty
 
$
265

 
$
265

Commercial property
 
228

 
223

Commercial auto
 
161

 
155

Workers' compensation
 
80

 
84

Other commercial
 
56

 
54

Commercial lines insurance premiums
 
790

 
781

Fee revenues
 
2

 
1

Total commercial lines insurance
 
792

 
782

 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines insurance
 
 

 
 

Personal auto
 
151

 
141

Homeowner
 
136

 
125

Other personal
 
38

 
34

Personal lines insurance premiums
 
325

 
300

Fee revenues
 
1

 
2

Total personal lines insurance
 
326

 
302

 
 
 
 
 
Excess and surplus lines insurance
 
56

 
48

 
 
 
 
 
Life insurance premiums
 
60

 
57

Fee revenues
 
1

 
2

Total life insurance
 
61

 
59

 
 
 
 
 
Investments
 
 
 
 
    Investment income, net of expenses
 
150

 
149

    Investment gains and losses, net
 
(191
)
 
160

Total investment revenue
 
(41
)
 
309

 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
 
Cincinnati Re insurance premiums
 
29

 
22

Other
 
1

 
1

Total other revenues
 
30

 
23

Total revenues
 
$
1,224

 
$
1,523

 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes:
 
 

 
 

Insurance underwriting results
 
 

 
 

Commercial lines insurance
 
$
15

 
$
(2
)
Personal lines insurance
 
(9
)
 
(15
)
Excess and surplus lines insurance
 
18

 
18

Life insurance
 
2

 

Investments
 
(65
)
 
286

Other
 
(11
)
 
(11
)
Total income (loss) before income taxes
 
$
(50
)
 
$
276

Identifiable assets:
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31, 2017
Property casualty insurance
 
$
2,888

 
$
2,863

Life insurance
 
1,418

 
1,409

Investments
 
16,748

 
17,112

Other
 
416

 
459

Total
 
$
21,470

 
$
21,843

 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 28



Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
The following discussion highlights significant factors influencing the condensed consolidated results of operations and financial position of Cincinnati Financial Corporation. It should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Unless otherwise noted, the industry data is prepared by A.M. Best Co., a leading insurance industry statistical, analytical and financial strength rating organization. Information from A.M. Best is presented on a statutory basis. When we provide our results on a comparable statutory basis, we label it as such; all other company data is presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
 
We present per share data on a diluted basis unless otherwise noted, adjusting those amounts for all stock splits and dividends. Dollar amounts are rounded to millions; calculations of percent changes are based on dollar amounts rounded to the nearest million. Certain percentage changes are identified as not meaningful (nm).
 
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This is our “Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our business is subject to certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements in this report. Some of those risks and uncertainties are discussed in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1A, Risk Factors, Page 30.
Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to:
Unusually high levels of catastrophe losses due to risk concentrations, changes in weather patterns, environmental events, terrorism incidents or other causes
Increased frequency and/or severity of claims or development of claims that are unforeseen at the time of policy issuance
Inadequate estimates, assumptions or reliance on third-party data used for critical accounting estimates
Declines in overall stock market values negatively affecting the company’s equity portfolio and book value
Prolonged low interest rate environment or other factors that limit the company’s ability to generate growth in investment income or interest rate fluctuations that result in declining values of fixed-maturity investments, including declines in accounts in which we hold bank-owned life insurance contract assets
Domestic and global events resulting in capital market or credit market uncertainty, followed by prolonged periods of economic instability or recession, that lead to:
Significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of a particular security or group of securities and impairment of the asset(s)
Significant decline in investment income due to reduced or eliminated dividend payouts from a particular security or group of securities
Significant rise in losses from surety and director and officer policies written for financial institutions or other insured entities
Recession or other economic conditions resulting in lower demand for insurance products or increased payment delinquencies
Difficulties with technology or data security breaches, including cyberattacks, that could negatively affect our ability to conduct business and our relationships with agents, policyholders and others
Disruption of the insurance market caused by technology innovations such as driverless cars that could decrease consumer demand for insurance products
Delays, inadequate data developed internally or from third parties, or performance inadequacies from ongoing development and implementation of underwriting and pricing methods, including telematics and other usage-based insurance methods, or technology projects and enhancements expected to increase our pricing accuracy, underwriting profit and competitiveness
Increased competition that could result in a significant reduction in the company’s premium volume
Changing consumer insurance-buying habits and consolidation of independent insurance agencies that could alter our competitive advantages
Inability to obtain adequate ceded reinsurance on acceptable terms, amount of reinsurance coverage purchased, financial strength of reinsurers and the potential for nonpayment or delay in payment by reinsurers
Inability to defer policy acquisition costs for any business segment if pricing and loss trends would lead management to conclude that segment could not achieve sustainable profitability

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 29



Inability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends consistent with current or past levels
Events or conditions that could weaken or harm the company’s relationships with its independent agencies and hamper opportunities to add new agencies, resulting in limitations on the company’s opportunities for growth, such as:
Downgrades of the company’s financial strength ratings
Concerns that doing business with the company is too difficult
Perceptions that the company’s level of service, particularly claims service, is no longer a distinguishing characteristic in the marketplace
Inability or unwillingness to nimbly develop and introduce coverage product updates and innovations that our competitors offer and consumers expect to find in the marketplace
Actions of insurance departments, state attorneys general or other regulatory agencies, including a change to a federal system of regulation from a state-based system, that:
Impose new obligations on us that increase our expenses or change the assumptions underlying our critical accounting estimates
Place the insurance industry under greater regulatory scrutiny or result in new statutes, rules and regulations
Restrict our ability to exit or reduce writings of unprofitable coverages or lines of business
Add assessments for guaranty funds, other insurance‑related assessments or mandatory reinsurance arrangements; or that impair our ability to recover such assessments through future surcharges or other rate changes
Increase our provision for federal income taxes due to changes in tax law
Increase our other expenses
Limit our ability to set fair, adequate and reasonable rates
Place us at a disadvantage in the marketplace
Restrict our ability to execute our business model, including the way we compensate agents
Adverse outcomes from litigation or administrative proceedings
Events or actions, including unauthorized intentional circumvention of controls, that reduce the company’s future ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Unforeseen departure of certain executive officers or other key employees due to retirement, health or other causes that could interrupt progress toward important strategic goals or diminish the effectiveness of certain longstanding relationships with insurance agents and others
Events, such as an epidemic, natural catastrophe or terrorism, that could hamper our ability to assemble our workforce at our headquarters location
Further, the company’s insurance businesses are subject to the effects of changing social, global, economic and regulatory environments. Public and regulatory initiatives have included efforts to adversely influence and restrict premium rates, restrict the ability to cancel policies, impose underwriting standards and expand overall regulation. The company also is subject to public and regulatory initiatives that can affect the market value for its common stock, such as measures affecting corporate financial reporting and governance. The ultimate changes and eventual effects, if any, of these initiatives are uncertain.




Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 30



CORPORATE FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
Net Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) Data
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Earned premiums
 
$
1,260

 
$
1,208

 
4

Investment income, net of expenses (pretax)
 
150

 
149

 
1

Investment gains and losses, net (pretax)
 
(191
)
 
160

 
nm

Total revenues
 
1,224

 
1,523

 
(20
)
Net income (loss)
 
(31
)
 
201

 
nm

Comprehensive income (loss)
 
(201
)
 
288

 
nm

Net income (loss) per share—diluted
 
(0.19
)
 
1.21

 
nm

Cash dividends declared per share
 
0.53

 
0.50

 
6

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
 
164.0

 
166.5

 
(2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Total revenues decreased for the first quarter of 2018, compared with the same period of 2017, as higher earned premiums were offset by a reduction in net investment gains. Premium and investment revenue trends are discussed further in the respective sections of Financial Results.
 
Investment gains and losses are recognized on the sales of investments, on certain changes in fair values of securities even though we continue to hold the securities or as otherwise required by GAAP. We have substantial discretion in the timing of investment sales, and that timing generally is independent of the insurance underwriting process. The change in fair value of securities is also generally independent of the insurance underwriting process.
 
The net loss for first-quarter of 2018, compared with first-quarter 2017 net income, was a change of $232 million, primarily due to a $254 million decrease in after-tax net investment gains and losses that offset a $19 million increase in after-tax property casualty underwriting income. New accounting requirements adopted during the first quarter of 2018 resulted in reporting, through net income, the change in fair value for equity securities still held, as disclosed in this quarterly report Item 1, Note 1, Accounting Policies, and Note 2, Investments. Included in the $254 million decrease in net investment gains was $156 million from the recognition of fair value changes of equity securities still held that prior to 2018 would have been reported in other comprehensive income instead of net income. Catastrophe losses, mostly weather related, were $27 million less after taxes and favorably affected both net income and property casualty underwriting income. First-quarter 2018 after-tax investment income in our investments segment results rose $13 million. Life insurance segment results on a pretax basis for the first quarter of 2018 rose $2 million compared with the first quarter of 2017.

Performance by segment is discussed below in Financial Results. As discussed in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Factors Influencing Our Future Performance, Page 48, there are several reasons that our performance during 2018 may be below our long-term targets. In that annual report, as part of Financial Results, we also discussed the full-year 2018 outlook for each reporting segment.
 
The board of directors is committed to rewarding shareholders directly through cash dividends and through share repurchase authorizations. Through 2017, the company had increased the annual cash dividend rate for 57 consecutive years, a record we believe is matched by only seven other publicly traded companies. In January 2018, the board of directors increased the regular quarterly dividend to 53 cents per share, setting the stage for our 58th consecutive year of increasing cash dividends. During the first three months of 2018, cash dividends declared by the company increased 6 percent compared with the same period of 2017. Our board regularly evaluates relevant factors in decisions related to dividends and share repurchases. The 2018 dividend increase reflected our strong earnings performance and signaled management’s and the board’s positive outlook and confidence in our outstanding capital, liquidity and financial flexibility.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 31



Balance Sheet Data and Performance Measures
(Dollars in millions, except share data)
 
At March 31,
 
At December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Total investments
 
$
16,721

 
$
17,051

Total assets
 
21,470

 
21,843

Short-term debt
 
24

 
24

Long-term debt
 
787

 
787

Shareholders' equity
 
7,946

 
8,243

Book value per share
 
48.42

 
50.29

Debt-to-total-capital ratio
 
9.3
%
 
9.0
%
 
 
 
 
 

Total assets at March 31, 2018, decreased 2 percent compared with year-end 2017, and included a 2 percent decrease in investments that reflected net purchases that were offset by lower fair values for many securities in our portfolio. Shareholders’ equity decreased 4 percent, and book value per share also decreased 4 percent during the first three months of 2018. Our debt-to-total-capital ratio (capital is the sum of debt plus shareholders’ equity) was slightly higher than at year-end 2017.

Our value creation is our primary performance metric. That ratio was negative 2.7 percent for the first three months of 2018, and was less than the same period in 2017 due to a decrease in overall net gains from our investment portfolio. The $1.87 decrease in book value per share during the first three months of 2018 contributed negative 3.7 percentage points to the value creation ratio, while dividends declared at $0.53 per share contributed positive 1.0 points. Value creation ratios for comparable periods by major components and in total, along with a calculations from per-share amounts, are shown in the tables below.
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Value creation ratio major components:
 
 

 
 

Net income before investment gains
 
1.5
 %
 
1.4
 %
Change in fixed-maturity securities, realized and unrealized gains
 
(2.1
)
 
0.4

Change in equity securities, investment gains
 
(1.9
)
 
2.3

Other
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.3
)
     Value creation ratio
 
(2.7
)%
 
3.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 32



(Dollars are per share)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Value creation ratio:
 
 

 
 

End of period book value*
 
$
48.42

 
$
44.07

Less beginning of period book value
 
50.29

 
42.95

Change in book value
 
(1.87
)
 
1.12

Dividend declared to shareholders
 
0.53

 
0.50

Total value creation
 
$
(1.34
)
 
$
1.62

 
 
 
 
 
Value creation ratio from change in book value**
 
(3.7
)%
 
2.6
%
Value creation ratio from dividends declared to shareholders***
 
1.0

 
1.2

Value creation ratio
 
(2.7
)%
 
3.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
    * Book value per share is calculated by dividing end of period total shareholders' equity by end of period shares outstanding
 
 
  ** Change in book value divided by the beginning of period book value
 
 
*** Dividend declared to shareholders divided by beginning of period book value
 
 


DRIVERS OF LONG-TERM VALUE CREATION
Operating through The Cincinnati Insurance Company, Cincinnati Financial Corporation is one of the 25 largest property casualty insurers in the nation, based on 2017 net written premiums for approximately 2,000 U.S. stock and mutual insurer groups. We market our insurance products through a select group of independent insurance agencies as discussed in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Our Business and Our Strategy, Page 5. At March 31, 2018, we actively marketed through agencies located in 42 states. We maintain a long-term perspective that guides us in addressing immediate challenges or opportunities while focusing on the major decisions that best position our company for success through all market cycles.

To measure our long-term progress in creating shareholder value, our value creation ratio is our primary financial performance target. As discussed in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Executive Summary, Page 44, management believes this measure is a meaningful indicator of our long-term progress in creating shareholder value and has three primary performance drivers:

Premium growth – We believe our agency relationships and initiatives can lead to a property casualty written premium growth rate over any five-year period that exceeds the industry average. For the first three months of 2018, our consolidated property casualty net written premium year-over-year growth was 2 percent. As of February 2018, A.M. Best projected the industry's full-year 2018 written premium growth at approximately 4 percent. For the five-year period 2013 through 2017, our growth rate was nearly double that of the industry. The industry's growth rate excludes its mortgage and financial guaranty lines of business.
Combined ratio – We believe our underwriting philosophy and initiatives can generate a GAAP combined ratio over any five-year period that is consistently within the range of 95 percent to 100 percent. For the first three months of 2018, our GAAP combined ratio was 97.9 percent and our statutory combined ratio was 96.4 percent, both including 5.0 percentage points of current accident year catastrophe losses partially offset by 3.9 percentage points of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years. As of February 2018, A.M. Best projected the industry's full-year 2018 statutory combined ratio at approximately 100 percent, including approximately 5 percentage points of catastrophe losses and a favorable effect of approximately 1 percentage point of loss reserve development on prior accident years. The industry's ratio again excludes its mortgage and financial guaranty lines of business.
Investment contribution – We believe our investment philosophy and initiatives can drive investment income growth and lead to a total return on our equity investment portfolio over a five-year period that exceeds the five-year return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. For the first three months of 2018, pretax investment income was $150 million, up 1 percent compared with the same period in 2017. We believe our investment portfolio mix provides an appropriate balance of income stability and growth with capital appreciation potential.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 33



Highlights of Our Strategy and Supporting Initiatives
Management has worked to identify a strategy that can lead to long-term success, with concurrence by the board of directors. Our strategy is intended to position us to compete successfully in the markets we have targeted while appropriately managing risk. Further description of our long-term, proven strategy can be found in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Our Business and Our Strategy, Page 5. We believe successful implementation of initiatives that support our strategy will help us better serve our agent customers and reduce volatility in our financial results while we also grow earnings and book value over the long term, successfully navigating challenging economic, market or industry pricing cycles.

Manage insurance profitability – Implementation of these initiatives is intended to enhance underwriting expertise and knowledge, thereby increasing our ability to manage our business while also gaining efficiency. Better profit margins can arise from additional information and more focused action on underperforming product lines, plus pricing capabilities we are expanding through the use of technology and analytics. In addition to enhancing company efficiency, improving internal processes also supports the ability of the independent agencies that represent us to grow profitably by allowing them to serve clients faster and to more efficiently manage agency expenses.
We continue to enhance our property casualty underwriting expertise and to effectively and efficiently underwrite individual policies and process transactions. Ongoing initiatives supporting this work include expanding our pricing and segmentation capabilities through experience and use of predictive analytics and additional data. Our segmentation efforts emphasize identification and retention of insurance policies we believe have relatively stronger pricing, while seeking more aggressive renewal terms and conditions on policies we believe have relatively weaker pricing. In 2018, we continue to improve underwriting and rate adequacy for our commercial auto and personal auto lines of business. Our commercial auto policies that renewed during the first three months of 2018 experienced an estimated average price increase at percentages in the high-single-digit range, and our personal auto policies that renewed during that period also averaged an estimated price increase at percentages in the high-single-digit range.
Drive premium growth – Implementation of these initiatives is intended to further penetrate each market we serve through our independent agencies. Strategies aimed at specific market opportunities, along with service enhancements, can help our agents grow and increase our share of their business. Premium growth initiatives also include expansion of Cincinnati ReSM – our reinsurance assumed operation. Diversified growth also may reduce variability of losses from weather-related catastrophes.
We continue to appoint new agencies to develop additional points of distribution. In 2018, we are planning approximately 100 appointments of independent agencies that offer most or all of our property casualty insurance products. During the first three months of 2018, we appointed 22 new agencies that meet that criteria.
We also plan to appoint additional agencies that focus on high net worth personal lines clients. In 2018, we are targeting the appointment of approximately 100 agencies that market only personal lines products for us. During the first three months of 2018, we appointed 24 new agencies that meet that criteria.
As of March 31, 2018, a total of 1,724 agency relationships market our property casualty insurance products from 2,288 reporting locations.
We also continue to grow premiums through the disciplined expansion of Cincinnati Re. During the first three months of 2018, Cincinnati Re contributed $6 million of growth in consolidated property casualty insurance net written premiums.
 
Financial Strength
An important part of our long-term strategy is financial strength, which is described in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Our Business and Our Strategy, Financial Strength, Page 8. One aspect of our financial strength is prudent use of reinsurance ceded to help manage financial performance variability due to catastrophe loss experience. A description of how we use reinsurance ceded is included in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Liquidity and Capital Resources, 2018 Reinsurance Ceded Programs, Page 99. Another aspect of our financial strength is our investment portfolio, which remains well-diversified as discussed in this quarterly report in Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. Our strong parent-company liquidity and financial strength increase our flexibility to maintain a cash dividend through all periods and to continue to invest in and expand our insurance operations.

At March 31, 2018, we held $2.532 billion of our cash and invested assets at the parent-company level, of which $2.295 billion, or 90.6 percent, was invested in common stocks, and $160 million, or 6.3 percent, was cash or

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 34



cash equivalents. Our debt-to-total-capital ratio was 9.3 percent at March 31, 2018. Another important indicator of financial strength is our ratio of property casualty net written premiums to statutory surplus, which was 1.0-to-1 for the 12 months ended March 31, 2018, matching year-end 2017.

Financial strength ratings assigned to us by independent rating firms also are important. In addition to rating our parent company’s senior debt, four firms award insurer financial strength ratings to one or more of our insurance subsidiary companies based on their quantitative and qualitative analyses. These ratings primarily assess an insurer’s ability to meet financial obligations to policyholders and do not necessarily address all of the matters that may be important to investors. Ratings are under continuous review and subject to change or withdrawal at any time by the rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating; please see each rating agency's website for its most recent report on our ratings.

At April 24, 2018, our insurance subsidiaries continued to be highly rated.
Insurer Financial Strength Ratings
Rating
agency
Standard market property casualty insurance subsidiaries
Life insurance
 subsidiary
Excess and surplus lines insurance subsidiary
Outlook
 
 
 
Rating
tier
 
 
Rating
tier
 
 
Rating
tier
 
A.M. Best Co.
 ambest.com
A+
Superior
2 of 16
A
Excellent
3 of 16
A+
Superior
2 of 16
Stable/ Positive/ Stable
Fitch Ratings
 fitchratings.com
A+
Strong
5 of 21
A+
Strong
5 of 21
-
-
-
Stable
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Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 35



CONSOLIDATED PROPERTY CASUALTY INSURANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Consolidated property casualty insurance results include premiums and expenses for our standard market insurance segments (commercial lines and personal lines), our excess and surplus lines segment and our reinsurance assumed operations.
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Earned premiums
 
$
1,200

 
$
1,151

 
4

Fee revenues
 
3

 
3

 
0

Total revenues
 
1,203

 
1,154

 
4

Loss and loss expenses from:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
779

 
709

 
10

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
60

 
117

 
(49
)
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(41
)
 
(27
)
 
(52
)
Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
(7
)
 
(11
)
 
36

Loss and loss expenses
 
791

 
788

 
0

Underwriting expenses
 
383

 
360

 
6

Underwriting profit
 
$
29

 
$
6

 
383

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 

 
 

 
Pt. Change
    Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
64.9
 %
 
61.6
 %
 
3.3

    Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
5.0

 
10.2

 
(5.2
)
    Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(3.3
)
 
(2.4
)
 
(0.9
)
    Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
(0.6
)
 
(1.0
)
 
0.4

Loss and loss expenses
 
66.0

 
68.4

 
(2.4
)
Underwriting expenses
 
31.9

 
31.3

 
0.6

Combined ratio
 
97.9
 %
 
99.7
 %
 
(1.8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio
 
97.9
 %
 
99.7
 %
 
(1.8
)
Contribution from catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development
 
1.1

 
6.8

 
(5.7
)
Combined ratio before catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development
 
96.8
 %
 
92.9
 %
 
3.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our consolidated property casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $29 million for the first quarter of 2018. The increase of $23 million, compared with the same period of 2017, in part reflected a decrease of $53 million in losses from natural catastrophes that were mostly weather related. Weather-related losses not identified as part of designated catastrophe events for the property casualty industry, typically referred to as noncatastrophe weather losses, increased by $43 million in the first quarter of 2018, and partially offset the decrease in catastrophe losses. First-quarter 2018 also experienced a higher amount of favorable reserve development on prior accident years. We believe future property casualty underwriting results will continue to benefit from price increases and our ongoing initiatives to improve pricing precision and loss experience related to claims and loss control practices.
For all property casualty lines of business in aggregate, net loss and loss expense reserves at March 31, 2018, were $77 million higher than at year-end 2017, including $6 million for the incurred but not reported (IBNR) portion. The $77 million reserve increase raised year-end 2017 net loss and loss expense reserves by 2 percent.

We measure and analyze property casualty underwriting results primarily by the combined ratio and its component ratios. The GAAP-basis combined ratio is the percentage of incurred losses plus all expenses per each earned premium dollar – the lower the ratio, the better the performance. An underwriting profit results when the combined ratio is below 100 percent. A combined ratio above 100 percent indicates that an insurance company’s losses and expenses exceeded premiums.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 36



Our consolidated property casualty combined ratio for the first quarter of 2018 decreased by 1.8 percentage points, compared with the same period of 2017, including 4.8 points from lower catastrophe losses and loss expenses. Noncatastrophe weather-related losses were 3.5 points higher, and partially offset the decrease in the ratio for castastrophe losses.
 
The combined ratio can be affected significantly by natural catastrophe losses and other large losses as discussed in detail below. The combined ratio can also be affected by updated estimates of loss and loss expense reserves established for claims that occurred in prior periods, referred to as prior accident years. Net favorable development on prior accident year reserves, including reserves for catastrophe losses, benefited the combined ratio by 3.9 percentage points in the first three months of 2018, compared with 3.4 percentage points in the same period of 2017. Net favorable development is discussed in further detail in Financial Results by property casualty insurance segment.
 
The ratio for current accident year loss and loss expenses before catastrophe losses rose in the first three months of 2018. That 64.9 percent ratio increased 3.3 percentage points compared with the 61.6 percent accident year 2017 ratio measured as of March 31, 2017, including a decrease of 0.9 percentage points in the ratio for large losses of $1 million or more per claim, discussed below. The effects of higher 2018 noncatastrophe weather-related losses contributed significantly to the overall increase in the current accident year ratio.
 
The underwriting expense ratio for the first three months of 2018 increased, compared with the same period of 2017, reflecting a lower amount of deferred acquisition costs that was partially offset by higher earned premiums and ongoing expense management efforts.

Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Premiums
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,

 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Agency renewal written premiums
 
$
1,083

 
$
1,057

 
2

Agency new business written premiums
 
159

 
153

 
4

Cincinnati Re net written premiums
 
46

 
40

 
15

Other written premiums
 
(30
)
 
(19
)
 
(58
)
Net written premiums
 
1,258

 
1,231

 
2

Unearned premium change
 
(58
)
 
(80
)
 
28

Earned premiums
 
$
1,200

 
$
1,151

 
4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The trends in net written premiums and earned premiums summarized in the table above include the effects of price increases. Price change trends that heavily influence renewal written premium increases or decreases, along with other premium growth drivers for 2018, are discussed in more detail by segment below in Financial Results.
 
Consolidated property casualty net written premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2018, grew $27 million compared with the same period of 2017. Our premium growth initiatives from prior years have provided an ongoing favorable effect on growth during the current year, particularly as newer agency relationships mature over time.

Consolidated property casualty agency new business written premiums rose $6 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared with the same period of 2017. New business written premiums in the first three months of 2018 were higher than the same period of 2017 for each of our property casualty insurance segments. New agency appointments during 2017 and 2018 produced a $13 million increase in standard lines new business for the first three months of 2018 compared with the same period of 2017. As we appoint new agencies that choose to move accounts to us, we report these accounts as new business. While this business is new to us, in many cases it is not new to the agent. We believe these seasoned accounts tend to be priced more accurately than business that may be less familiar to our agent upon obtaining it from a competing agent.

Net written premiums for Cincinnati Re increased $6 million for the first three months of 2018, compared with the same period of 2017. Cincinnati Re assumes risks through reinsurance treaties and in some cases cedes part of the risk and related premiums to one or more unaffiliated reinsurance companies through transactions known as

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 37



retrocessions. For the first three months of 2018, earned premiums for Cincinnati Re totaled $29 million, compared with $22 million earned in the same period a year ago.
 
Other written premiums include premiums ceded to reinsurers as part of our reinsurance ceded program. Those ceded premium totals for the first three months of 2018 were substantially similar to the same period of 2017.
 
Catastrophe losses and loss expenses typically have a material effect on property casualty results and can vary significantly from period to period. Losses from natural catastrophes contributed 4.4 percentage points to the combined ratio in the first three months of 2018, compared with 9.2 percentage points in the same period of 2017. Some of those losses were applicable to annual loss deductible provisions of our collateralized reinsurance funded through catastrophe bonds. For our collateralized reinsurance arrangement that became effective in January 2017, we can recover catastrophe bond funds if aggregate losses, after the $8 million per occurrence deductible, exceed $190 million during an annual coverage period. Aggregate losses from three events between January 1 and March 31, 2018, which occurred within the specific geographic locations included in the severe convective storm portion of our coverage, totaled $23 million, after our per occurrence deductible. The following table shows consolidated property casualty insurance catastrophe losses and loss expenses incurred, net of reinsurance, as well as the effect of loss development on prior period catastrophe events. We individually list declared catastrophe events for which our incurred losses reached or exceeded $10 million.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 38



Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Catastrophe Losses and Loss Expenses Incurred
(Dollars in millions, net of reinsurance)
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
 
Comm.
 
Pers.
 
E&S
 
Cin.
 
 

Dates
Event
Region
lines
 
lines
 
lines
 
Re
 
Total
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jan. 8-10
Flood, wind
West
$

 
$
11

 
$

 
$

 
$
11

Mar. 1-3
Freezing, ice, snow, wind
Northeast, South
6

 
6

 

 

 
12

Mar. 18-21
Flood, hail, wind
South
17

 
5

 
1

 

 
23

All other 2018 catastrophes
7

 
7

 

 

 
14

Development on 2017 and prior catastrophes
(7
)
 

 

 

 
(7
)
Calendar year incurred total
$
23

 
$
29

 
$
1

 
$

 
$
53


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Feb. 28-Mar. 1
Flood, hail, wind
Midwest, South
$
21

 
$
20

 
$
1

 
$

 
$
42

Mar. 6-9
Flood, hail, wind
Midwest, Northeast, South
22

 
13

 

 

 
35

Mar. 21-22
Flood, hail, wind
South
13

 
10

 

 

 
23

All other 2017 catastrophes
12

 
5

 

 

 
17

Development on 2016 and prior catastrophes
(9
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
(11
)
Calendar year incurred total
$
59

 
$
47

 
$
1

 
$
(1
)
 
$
106

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following table includes data for losses incurred of $1 million or more per claim, net of reinsurance.
 
Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Losses Incurred by Size
(Dollars in millions, net of reinsurance)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Current accident year losses greater than $5 million
 
$
15

 
$
28

 
(46
)
Current accident year losses $1 million - $5 million
 
32

 
29

 
10

Large loss prior accident year reserve development
 
34

 
17

 
100

Total large losses incurred
 
81

 
74

 
9

Losses incurred but not reported
 
10

 
4

 
150

Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
520

 
467

 
11

Catastrophe losses
 
51

 
103

 
(50
)
Total losses incurred
 
$
662

 
$
648

 
2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
Current accident year losses greater than $5 million
 
1.3
%
 
2.4
%
 
(1.1
)
Current accident year losses $1 million - $5 million
 
2.7

 
2.5

 
0.2

Large loss prior accident year reserve development
 
2.8

 
1.5

 
1.3

Total large loss ratio
 
6.8

 
6.4

 
0.4

Losses incurred but not reported
 
0.8

 
0.4

 
0.4

Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
43.4

 
40.5

 
2.9

Catastrophe losses
 
4.2

 
9.0

 
(4.8
)
Total loss ratio
 
55.2
%
 
56.3
%
 
(1.1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We believe the inherent variability of aggregate loss experience for our portfolio of larger policies is greater than that of our portfolio of smaller policies, and we continue to monitor the variability in addition to general

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 39



inflationary trends in loss costs. Our analysis continues to indicate no unexpected concentration of large losses and case reserve increases by risk category, geographic region, policy inception, agency or field marketing territory. The first-quarter 2018 property casualty total large losses incurred of $81 million, net of reinsurance, were higher than the $77 million quarterly average during full-year 2017 and higher than the $74 million experienced for the first quarter of 2017. The ratio for these large losses was 0.4 percentage points higher compared with last year’s first quarter. We believe results for the three-month period largely reflected normal fluctuations in loss patterns and normal variability in large case reserves for claims above $1 million. Losses by size are discussed in further detail in results of operations by property casualty insurance segment.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 40



FINANCIAL RESULTS
Consolidated results reflect the operating results of each of our five segments along with the parent company, Cincinnati Re and other activities reported as “Other.” The five segments are:
Commercial lines property casualty insurance
Personal lines property casualty insurance
Excess and surplus lines property casualty insurance
Life insurance
Investments


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 41



COMMERCIAL LINES INSURANCE RESULTS
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,

 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Earned premiums
 
$
790

 
$
781

 
1

Fee revenues
 
2

 
1

 
100

Total revenues
 
792

 
782

 
1

Loss and loss expenses from:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
524

 
478

 
10

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
30

 
68

 
(56
)
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(28
)
 
(2
)
 
nm

Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
(7
)
 
(9
)
 
22

Loss and loss expenses
 
519

 
535

 
(3
)
Underwriting expenses
 
258

 
249

 
4

Underwriting profit (loss)
 
$
15

 
$
(2
)
 
nm

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
66.2
 %
 
61.2
 %
 
5.0

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
3.8

 
8.7

 
(4.9
)
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(3.5
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(3.2
)
Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
(0.9
)
 
(1.1
)
 
0.2

Loss and loss expenses
 
65.6

 
68.5

 
(2.9
)
Underwriting expenses
 
32.7

 
31.9

 
0.8

Combined ratio
 
98.3
 %
 
100.4
 %
 
(2.1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio
 
98.3
 %
 
100.4
 %
 
(2.1
)
Contribution from catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development
 
(0.6
)
 
7.3

 
(7.9
)
Combined ratio before catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development
 
98.9
 %
 
93.1
 %
 
5.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview
Performance highlights for the commercial lines segment include:
Premiums – Earned premiums for the commercial lines segment grew during the first three months of 2018. The table below analyzes the primary components of premiums. We continue using predictive analytics tools to improve pricing precision and segmentation while also leveraging our local relationships with agents through the efforts of our teams that work closely with them. We seek to maintain appropriate pricing discipline for both new and renewal business as our agents and underwriters assess account quality to make careful decisions on a case-by-case basis whether to write or renew a policy.
Agency renewal written premiums decreased $1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared with the same period of 2017. The first-quarter 2018 decrease was largely due to a lower total for policies with annual premiums greater than $250,000 that offset price increases and improving economic conditions. During the first quarter of 2018, our overall standard commercial lines policies continued to average estimated renewal price increases at percentages in the low-single-digit range, similar to the fourth quarter of 2017. We continue to segment commercial lines policies, emphasizing identification and retention of policies we believe have relatively stronger pricing. Conversely, we have been seeking stricter renewal terms and conditions on policies we believe have relatively weaker pricing, in turn retaining fewer of those policies. We measure average changes in commercial lines renewal pricing as the percentage rate of change in renewal premium for the new policy period compared with the premium for the expiring policy period, assuming no change in the level of insured exposures or policy coverage between those periods for the respective policies.
Our average overall commercial lines renewal pricing change includes the impact of flat pricing for certain coverages within package policies written for a three-year term that were in force but did not expire during the period being measured. Therefore, the change in average commercial lines renewal pricing we report reflects

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 42



a blend of three-year policies that did not expire and other policies that did expire during the measurement period. For commercial lines policies that did expire and were then renewed during the first quarter of 2018, we estimate that our average percentage price increase for commercial auto continued in the high-single-digit range. The estimated average percentage price change for our commercial property line of business was an increase in the mid-single-digit range and for commercial casualty it was an increase near the low end of the low-single-digit range. The estimated average percentage price change for workers’ compensation was a decrease in the mid-single-digit range.
Renewal premiums for our commercial casualty and workers’ compensation lines include the results of policy audits that adjust initial premium amounts based on differences between estimated and actual sales or payroll related to a specific policy. Audits completed during the first three months of 2018 contributed $16 million to net written premiums.
New business written premiums for commercial lines increased $1 million during the first three months of 2018, compared with the same period of 2017. Trend analysis for year-over-year comparisons of individual quarters are more difficult to assess for commercial lines new business written premiums, due to inherent variability. That variability is often driven by larger policies with annual premiums greater than $100,000.
Other written premiums include premiums ceded to reinsurers as part of our reinsurance ceded program. For our commercial lines insurance segment, ceded premium totals for the first three months of 2018 exceeded the same period of 2017 by less than $1 million.

Commercial Lines Insurance Premiums
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Agency renewal written premiums
 
$
771

 
$
772

 
0

Agency new business written premiums
 
104

 
103

 
1

Other written premiums
 
(21
)
 
(10
)
 
(110
)
Net written premiums
 
854

 
865

 
(1
)
Unearned premium change
 
(64
)
 
(84
)
 
24

Earned premiums
 
$
790

 
$
781

 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio – The commercial lines combined ratio decreased 2.1 percentage points for the first three months of 2018, compared with the same period a year ago, largely due to a decrease in losses from natural catastrophes. The first-quarter 2018 combined ratio also reflected higher noncatastrophe weather-related losses and a higher amount of benefit from favorable reserve development on prior accident years, discussed below.
Catastrophe losses and loss expenses accounted for 2.9 percentage points of the combined ratio for the first three months of 2018, compared with 7.6 percentage points for the same period a year ago. The 10-year annual average for that catastrophe measure through 2017 for the commercial lines segment was 5.2 percentage points, and the five-year annual average was 4.7 percentage points. The first-quarter 2018 ratio for noncatastrophe weather-related losses, at 6.5 percent, was 3.7 percentage points higher than the same period a year ago.
Commercial auto, representing 20 percent of our 2017 commercial lines earned premiums, was the only major line of business in this segment with a first-quarter 2018 total loss and loss expense ratio before catastrophe losses significantly higher than we desired. During the first three months of 2018, our commercial auto policies experienced average renewal price increases at percentages in the high-single-digit range. We believe pricing and risk selection actions we are taking will help improve future profitability. Further segmentation of policies as they renew should also help improve profitability, as we seek more adequate pricing on individual policies that need it based on analytics and underwriter judgment.
The net effect of reserve development on prior accident years during the first three months of 2018 was favorable for commercial lines overall by $35 million compared with $11 million for the same period in 2017. For the first three months of 2018, our commercial property line of business was the largest contributor to the total commercial lines net favorable reserve development on prior accident years, followed by workers' compensation. Those contributions were partially offset by a relatively small amount of unfavorable reserve development for our commercial casualty line of business, primarily due an increase in case reserves for

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 43



accident year 2017. The net favorable reserve development recognized during the first three months of 2018 for our commercial lines insurance segment was largely for accident years prior to 2016, and was primarily due to lower-than-anticipated loss emergence on known claims. Reserve estimates are inherently uncertain as described in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Critical Accounting Estimates, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves, Page 49.
The commercial lines underwriting expense ratio for the first quarter of 2018 increased, compared with the same period of 2017, reflecting a lower amount of deferred acquisition costs that was partially offset by higher earned premiums and ongoing expense management efforts.

Commercial Lines Insurance Losses Incurred by Size
(Dollars in millions, net of reinsurance)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Current accident year losses greater than $5 million
 
$
15

 
$
28

 
(46
)
Current accident year losses $1 million - $5 million
 
22

 
26

 
(15
)
Large loss prior accident year reserve development
 
29

 
17

 
71

Total large losses incurred
 
66

 
71

 
(7
)
Losses incurred but not reported
 
16

 
(5
)
 
nm

Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
325

 
306

 
6

Catastrophe losses
 
22

 
58

 
(62
)
Total losses incurred
 
$
429

 
$
430

 
0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
Current accident year losses greater than $5 million
 
1.9
%
 
3.6
 %
 
(1.7
)
Current accident year losses $1 million - $5 million
 
2.9

 
3.3

 
(0.4
)
Large loss prior accident year reserve development
 
3.6

 
2.2

 
1.4

Total large loss ratio
 
8.4

 
9.1

 
(0.7
)
Losses incurred but not reported
 
2.1

 
(0.6
)
 
2.7

Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
41.1

 
39.2

 
1.9

Catastrophe losses
 
2.8

 
7.4

 
(4.6
)
Total loss ratio
 
54.4
%
 
55.1
 %
 
(0.7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We continue to monitor new losses and case reserve increases greater than $1 million for trends in factors such as initial reserve levels, loss cost inflation and claim settlement expenses. Our analysis continues to indicate no unexpected concentration of these large losses and case reserve increases by risk category, geographic region, policy inception, agency or field marketing territory. The first-quarter 2018 commercial lines total large losses incurred of $66 million, net of reinsurance, were higher than the quarterly average of $63 million during full-year 2017 but lower than the $71 million total large losses incurred for the first quarter of 2017. The decrease in commercial lines large losses for the first three months of 2018 was largely due to our commercial property and workers' compensation lines of business. The first-quarter 2018 ratio for commercial lines total large losses was 0.7 percentage points lower compared with last year’s first-quarter ratio. We believe results for the three-month period largely reflected normal fluctuations in loss patterns and normal variability in large case reserves for claims above $1 million.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 44



PERSONAL LINES INSURANCE RESULTS
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Earned premiums
 
$
325

 
$
300

 
8

Fee revenues
 
1

 
2

 
(50
)
Total revenues
 
326

 
302

 
8

Loss and loss expenses from:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
210

 
193

 
9

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
29

 
48

 
(40
)
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(1
)
 
(9
)
 
89

Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 

 
(1
)
 
100

Loss and loss expenses
 
238

 
231

 
3

Underwriting expenses
 
97

 
86

 
13

Underwriting loss
 
$
(9
)
 
$
(15
)
 
40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
64.5
 %
 
64.1
 %
 
0.4

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
9.0

 
16.0

 
(7.0
)
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(0.1
)
 
(2.9
)
 
2.8

Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.4
)
 
0.3

Loss and loss expenses
 
73.3

 
76.8

 
(3.5
)
Underwriting expenses
 
29.9

 
28.7

 
1.2

Combined ratio
 
103.2
 %
 
105.5
 %
 
(2.3
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio
 
103.2
 %
 
105.5
 %
 
(2.3
)
Contribution from catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development
 
8.8

 
12.7

 
(3.9
)
Combined ratio before catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development
 
94.4
 %
 
92.8
 %
 
1.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Overview
Performance highlights for the personal lines segment include:
Premiums – Personal lines earned premiums and net written premiums for the first three months of 2018 continued to grow, reflecting increases in renewal written premiums and new business written premiums from agencies that represent us. Price increases and a high level of policy retention were the main drivers of renewal premium growth. The table below analyzes the primary components of premiums.
Agency renewal written premiums increased 8 percent for the first quarter of 2018, largely reflecting rate increases. We estimate that premium rates for our personal auto line of business increased at average percentages in the high-single-digit range during the first three months of 2018. For our homeowner line of business, we estimate that premium rates for the first three months of 2018 increased at average percentages in the mid-single-digit range. For both our personal auto and homeowner lines of business, some individual policies experienced lower or higher rate changes based on each risk's specific characteristics and enhanced pricing precision enabled by predictive models.
Personal lines new business written premiums grew $5 million or 15 percent during the first quarter of 2018, compared with the same period of 2017, mainly due to an increase of approximately $5 million from high net worth clients of our agencies. Personal lines new business written premiums from our high net worth policies totaled approximately $15 million for the first three months of 2018.
Other written premiums include premiums ceded to reinsurers as part of our reinsurance ceded program. For our personal lines insurance segment, ceded premium totals for the first three months of 2018 were similar to the same period of 2017.
We continue to implement strategies discussed in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Strategic Initiatives, Page 14, to enhance our responsiveness to marketplace changes and to help achieve our long-term

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 45



objectives for personal lines growth and profitability. These strategies include initiatives to more profitably underwrite personal auto policies.
 
Personal Lines Insurance Premiums
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Agency renewal written premiums
 
$
264

 
$
245

 
8
Agency new business written premiums
 
39

 
34

 
15
Other written premiums
 
(6
)
 
(6
)
 
0
Net written premiums
 
297

 
273

 
9
Unearned premium change
 
28

 
27

 
4
Earned premiums
 
$
325

 
$
300

 
8
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio – Our personal lines combined ratio for the first quarter of 2018 decreased 2.3 percentage points, compared with the same period a year ago, primarily due to a decrease of 6.7 percentage points in the ratio for weather-related natural catastrophe losses and loss expenses. The first-quarter 2018 combined ratio also reflected higher noncatastrophe weather-related losses.
Catastrophe losses and loss expenses accounted for 8.9 percentage points of the combined ratio for the first three months of 2018, compared with 15.6 percentage points for the same period of 2017. The 10-year annual average catastrophe loss ratio through 2017 for the personal lines segment was 11.4 percentage points, and the five-year annual average was 8.6 percentage points. The first-quarter 2018 ratio for noncatastrophe weather-related losses, at 7.4 percent, was 3.6 percentage points higher than the same period a year ago.
In addition to the average rate increases discussed above, we continue to refine our pricing to better match premiums to the risk of loss on individual policies. Improved pricing precision and broad-based rate increases are expected to help position the combined ratio at a profitable level over the long term. In addition, greater geographic diversification is expected to reduce the volatility of homeowner loss ratios attributable to weather-related catastrophe losses over time.
Personal auto, representing 47 percent of our 2017 personal lines earned premiums, was the only major line of business in this segment with a first-quarter 2018 total loss and loss expense ratio before catastrophe losses significantly higher than we desired. As discussed above, during the first three months of 2018, our personal auto policies experienced average renewal price increases at percentages in the high-single-digit range. We believe rate increases and other actions to improve pricing precision and reduce loss costs will improve future profitability.
The net effect of reserve development on prior accident years during the first three months of 2018 was favorable for personal lines overall by $1 million, compared with $10 million for the same period in 2017. Our personal auto line of business was the largest contributor to the first-quarter 2018 total personal lines net favorable reserve development on prior accident years, partially offset by unfavorable reserve development for our homeowner and other personal lines of business. The favorable reserve development was due primarily to lower-than-anticipated loss emergence on known claims. Reserve estimates are inherently uncertain as described in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Critical Accounting Estimates, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves, Page 49.
The underwriting expense ratio increased for the first three months of 2018, compared with the same period of 2017, reflecting a lower amount of deferred acquisition costs that was partially offset by higher earned premiums and ongoing expense management efforts.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 46



Personal Lines Insurance Losses Incurred by Size
(Dollars in millions, net of reinsurance)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Current accident year losses greater than $5 million
 
$

 
$

 
nm

Current accident year losses $1 million - $5 million
 
10

 
3

 
233

Large loss prior accident year reserve development
 
5

 

 
nm

Total large losses incurred
 
15

 
3

 
400

Losses incurred but not reported
 
(1
)
 
10

 
nm

Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
167

 
144

 
16

Catastrophe losses
 
29

 
46

 
(37
)
Total losses incurred
 
$
210

 
$
203

 
3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
Current accident year losses greater than $5 million
 
 %
 
 %
 
0.0

Current accident year losses $1 million - $5 million
 
2.9

 
1.0

 
1.9

Large loss prior accident year reserve development
 
1.7

 
(0.2
)
 
1.9

Total large loss ratio
 
4.6

 
0.8

 
3.8

Losses incurred but not reported
 
(0.4
)
 
3.3

 
(3.7
)
Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
51.6

 
47.9

 
3.7

Catastrophe losses
 
8.8

 
15.5

 
(6.7
)
Total loss ratio
 
64.6
 %
 
67.5
 %
 
(2.9
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We continue to monitor new losses and case reserve increases greater than $1 million for trends in factors such as initial reserve levels, loss cost inflation and claim settlement expenses. Our analysis continues to indicate no unexpected concentration of these large losses and case reserve increases by risk category, geographic region, policy inception, agency or field marketing territory. In the first quarter of 2018, the personal lines total large loss ratio, net of reinsurance, was 3.8 percentage points higher than last year’s first quarter. The rise in personal lines large losses for the first three months of 2018 was largely due to our homeowner line of business. We believe results for the three-month period largely reflected normal fluctuations in loss patterns and normal variability in large case reserves for claims above $1 million.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 47



EXCESS AND SURPLUS LINES INSURANCE RESULTS
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Earned premiums
 
$
56

 
$
48

 
17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and loss expenses from:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
30

 
26

 
15

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
1

 
1

 
0

Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(10
)
 
(13
)
 
23

Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 

 

 
0

Loss and loss expenses
 
21

 
14

 
50

Underwriting expenses
 
17

 
16

 
6

Underwriting profit
 
$
18

 
$
18

 
0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
54.6
 %
 
55.5
 %
 
(0.9
)
Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
1.8

 
1.2

 
0.6

Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(17.2
)
 
(27.4
)
 
10.2

Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
0.1

 
(0.4
)
 
0.5

Loss and loss expenses
 
39.3

 
28.9

 
10.4

Underwriting expenses
 
29.5

 
33.4

 
(3.9
)
Combined ratio
 
68.8
 %
 
62.3
 %
 
6.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio
 
68.8
 %
 
62.3
 %
 
6.5

Contribution from catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development
 
(15.3
)
 
(26.6
)
 
11.3

Combined ratio before catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development
 
84.1
 %
 
88.9
 %
 
(4.8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview
Performance highlights for the excess and surplus lines segment include:
Premiums – Excess and surplus lines net written premiums continued to grow, primarily due to increases in renewal written premiums, during the first three months of 2018.
Renewal written premiums rose 20 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared with the same period of 2017, reflecting the opportunity to renew many accounts for the first time, as well as higher renewal pricing. For the first three months of 2018, excess and surplus lines policy renewals experienced estimated average price increases at percentages in the low-single-digit range. We measure average changes in excess and surplus lines renewal pricing as the percentage rate of change in renewal premium for the new policy period compared with the premium for the expiring policy period, assuming no change in the level of insured exposures or policy coverage between those periods for respective policies.
New business written premiums produced by agencies increased by less than $1 million for the first three months of 2018, compared with the same period of 2017, as we continued to carefully underwrite each policy in a highly competitive market. Some of what we report as new business came from accounts that were not new to our agents. We believe our agents’ seasoned accounts tend to be priced more accurately than business that may be less familiar to them.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 48



Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Premiums
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Agency renewal written premiums
 
$
48

 
$
40

 
20
Agency new business written premiums
 
16

 
16

 
0
Other written premiums
 
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
0
Net written premiums
 
61

 
53

 
15
Unearned premium change
 
(5
)
 
(5
)
 
0
Earned premiums
 
$
56

 
$
48

 
17
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio – The excess and surplus lines combined ratio increased by 6.5 percentage points for the first quarter of 2018, compared with the same period of 2017, primarily due to less favorable reserve development on prior accident years.
Excess and surplus lines net favorable reserve development on prior accident years, as a ratio to earned premiums, was 17.1 percent for the first three months of 2018, compared with 27.8 percent for the same period of 2017. Approximately half of the net favorable reserve development recognized during the first three months of 2018 was attributable to accident years 2017 and 2016. The favorable reserve development was due primarily to lower-than-anticipated loss emergence on known claims. Reserve estimates are inherently uncertain as described in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Critical Accounting Estimates, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves, Page 49.
The underwriting expense ratio for the first quarter of 2018 improved, compared with the same period of 2017, reflecting higher earned premiums and ongoing expense management efforts.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 49



Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Losses Incurred by Size
(Dollars in millions, net of reinsurance)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Current accident year losses greater than $5 million
 
$

 
$

 
nm

Current accident year losses $1 million - $5 million
 

 

 
nm

Large loss prior accident year reserve development
 

 

 
nm

Total large losses incurred
 

 

 
nm

Losses incurred but not reported
 
(5
)
 
(1
)
 
nm

Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
14

 
8

 
75

Catastrophe losses
 
1

 

 
nm

Total losses incurred
 
$
10

 
$
7

 
43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
Current accident year losses greater than $5 million
 
 %
 
 %
 
0.0

Current accident year losses $1 million - $5 million
 

 

 
0.0

Large loss prior accident year reserve development
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.1
)
Total large loss ratio
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.1
)
Losses incurred but not reported
 
(9.0
)
 
(1.6
)
 
(7.4
)
Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
26.4

 
17.0

 
9.4

Catastrophe losses
 
1.8

 
0.8

 
1.0

Total loss ratio
 
18.8
 %
 
15.9
 %
 
2.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We continue to monitor new losses and case reserve increases greater than $1 million for trends in factors such as initial reserve levels, loss cost inflation and claim settlement expenses. Our analysis continues to indicate no unexpected concentration of these large losses and case reserve increases by risk category, geographic region, policy inception, agency or field marketing territory. In the first quarter of 2018, the excess and surplus lines total ratio for large losses, net of reinsurance, was 0.1 percentage points lower than last year’s first quarter. We believe results for the three-month period largely reflected normal fluctuations in loss patterns and normal variability in large case reserves for claims above $1 million.
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 50



LIFE INSURANCE RESULTS
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Earned premiums
 
$
60

 
$
57

 
5

Fee revenues
 
1

 
2

 
(50
)
Total revenues
 
61

 
59

 
3

Contract holders' benefits incurred
 
63

 
65

 
(3
)
Investment interest credited to contract holders'
 
(24
)
 
(23
)
 
(4
)
Underwriting expenses incurred
 
20

 
17

 
18

Total benefits and expenses
 
59

 
59

 
0

Life insurance segment profit
 
$
2

 
$

 
nm

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview
Performance highlights for the life insurance segment include:
Revenues – Revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2018, primarily due to higher earned premiums from term life insurance, our largest life insurance product line.
Net in-force life insurance policy face amounts increased to $62.147 billion at March 31, 2018, from $61.177 billion at year-end 2017.
Fixed annuity deposits received for the three months ended March 31, 2018, were $7 million compared with $10 million for same period of 2017. Fixed annuity deposits have a minimal impact to earned premiums because deposits received are initially recorded as liabilities. Profit is earned over time by way of interest-rate spreads. We do not write variable or equity-indexed annuities.
 
Life Insurance Premiums
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,

 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Term life insurance
 
$
41

 
$
38

 
8

Universal life insurance
 
9

 
10

 
(10
)
Other life insurance, annuity and disability income products
 
10

 
9

 
11

Net earned premiums
 
$
60

 
$
57

 
5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Profitability – Our life insurance segment typically reports a small profit or loss on a GAAP basis because profits from investment income spreads are included in our investment segment results. We include only investment income credited to contract holders (including interest assumed in life insurance policy reserve calculations) in our life insurance segment results. A gain of $2 million for our life insurance segment in the first three months of 2018, compared with a gain of less than $1 million for the same period of 2017, was largely due to more favorable effects from the unlocking of actuarial assumptions.
Life insurance segment benefits and expenses consist principally of contract holders’ (policyholders’) benefits incurred related to traditional life and interest-sensitive products and operating expenses incurred, net of deferred acquisition costs. Total benefits decreased in the first three months of 2018. The increase in life policy and investment contract reserves during the first three months of 2018 was less than the increase for the same period a year ago. For the first three months of 2018, unlocking of interest rate and other actuarial assumptions decreased life policy and contract reserves. For the first three months of 2017, unlocking increased life policy and contract reserves. Mortality results increased from the same period of 2017 but were less than our 2018 projections.
Underwriting expenses for the first three months of 2018 increased compared with the same period a year ago. For the first three months of 2018, unlocking of interest rate and other actuarial assumptions had an immaterial impact on the amount of expenses deferred to future periods. For the first three months of 2017, unlocking increased the amount of expenses deferred to future periods, decreasing underwriting expenses.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 51



We recognize that assets under management, capital appreciation and investment income are integral to evaluating the success of the life insurance segment because of the long duration of life products. On a basis that includes investment income and investment gains or losses from life-insurance-related invested assets, the life insurance company reported net income of $13 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, matching net income for the same period of 2017. The life insurance company portfolio had net after-tax investment gains of less than $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared with $3 million of net after-tax investment gains for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

INVESTMENTS RESULTS
 
Overview
The investments segment contributes investment income and investment gains and losses to results of operations. Investments traditionally are our primary source of pretax and after-tax profits.
 
Investment Income
Pretax investment income increased 1 percent for the first quarter of 2018, compared with the same period of 2017. Interest income decreased due to the continuing effects of the low interest rate environment that offset net purchases of fixed-maturity securities. Higher dividend income reflected rising dividend rates and net purchases of equity securities.

Investments Results
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,

 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Total investment income, net of expenses
 
$
150

 
$
149

 
1

Investment interest credited to contract holders'
 
(24
)
 
(23
)
 
(4
)
Investment gains and losses, net
 
(191
)
 
160

 
nm

Investments profit (loss), pretax
 
$
(65
)
 
$
286

 
nm

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We continue to position our portfolio considering both the challenges presented by the current low interest rate environment and the risks presented by potential future inflation. As bonds in our generally laddered portfolio mature or are called over the near term, we will be challenged to replace their current yield. The table below shows the average pretax yield-to-amortized cost associated with expected principal redemptions for our fixed-maturity portfolio. The expected principal redemptions are based on par amounts and include dated maturities, calls and prefunded municipal bonds that we expect will be called during each respective time period.
(Dollars in millions)
% Yield
 
Principal redemptions
At March 31, 2018
 
Fixed-maturity pretax yield profile:
 
 
 
Expected to mature during the remainder of 2018
5.54
 
$
525

Expected to mature during 2019
6.03
 
660

Expected to mature during 2020
4.75
 
665

Average yield and total expected redemptions from the remainder of 2018 through 2020
5.43
 
$
1,850

 
 
 
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 52



The table below shows the average pretax yield-to-amortized cost for fixed-maturity securities acquired during the periods indicated. The average yield for total fixed-maturity securities acquired during the first three months of 2018 was lower than the 4.40 percent average yield-to-amortized cost of the fixed-maturity securities portfolio at the end of 2017. Our fixed-maturity portfolio's average yield of 4.26 percent for the first three months of 2018, from the investment income table below, was also lower than that yield for the year-end 2017 fixed-maturities portfolio.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Average pretax yield-to-amortized cost on new fixed-maturities:
 
 
 
Acquired taxable fixed-maturities
4.11
%
 
4.38
%
Acquired tax-exempt fixed-maturities
3.32

 
3.46

Average total fixed-maturities acquired
4.02

 
3.93

 
 
 
 

While our bond portfolio more than covers our insurance reserve liabilities, we believe our diversified common stock portfolio of mainly blue chip, dividend-paying companies represents one of our best investment opportunities for the long term. In our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Investments Segment, Page 24, and Item 7, Investments Outlook, Page 86, we discussed our portfolio strategies. We discuss risks related to our investment income and our fixed-maturity and equity investment portfolios in this quarterly report Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

The table below provides details about investment income. Average yields in this table are based on the average invested asset and cash amounts indicated in the table, using fixed-maturity securities valued at amortized cost and all other securities at fair value.
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Investment income:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest
 
$
110

 
$
111

 
(1
)
Dividends
 
42

 
39

 
8

Other
 
1

 
1

 
0

Less investment expenses
 
3

 
2

 
50

Investment income, pretax
 
150

 
149

 
1

Less income taxes
 
23

 
35

 
(34
)
Total investment income, after-tax
 
$
127

 
$
114

 
11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment returns:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average invested assets plus cash and cash equivalents
 
$
17,242

 
$
16,141

 
 
Average yield pretax
 
3.48
%
 
3.69
%
 
 
Average yield after-tax
 
2.95

 
2.83

 
 
Effective tax rate
 
15.4

 
23.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-maturity returns:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average amortized cost
 
$
10,339

 
$
9,890

 
 
Average yield pretax
 
4.26
%
 
4.49
%
 
 
Average yield after-tax
 
3.56

 
3.28

 
 
Effective tax rate
 
16.3

 
27.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 53



Total Investment Gains and Losses
We believe it is useful to analyze our overall investment performance by using total investment return over several years. Total investment return considers changes in unrealized gains and losses, which are not included in net income, in addition to net investment income and investment gains and losses that are included in net income. Measuring total investment gains and losses is useful for evaluating major components of changes in book value and the value creation ratio that are not included in net income before investment gains.

Investment gains and losses are recognized on the sales of investments, on certain changes in fair values of securities even though we continue to hold the securities or as otherwise required by GAAP. New accounting requirements adopted during first-quarter 2018 resulted in reporting, through net income, the change in fair value for equity securities still held, as disclosed in this quarterly report Item 1, Note 1, Accounting Policies, and Note 2, Investments. Included in net investment gains and losses for the first three months of 2018 was $198 million from the recognition of fair value changes of equity securities still held that prior to 2018 would have been reported in other comprehensive income instead of net income. Change in unrealized gain or losses for fixed-maturity securities are included as a component of other comprehensive income (OCI). Accounting requirements for other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) charges for the fixed-maturity portfolio are disclosed in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Page 121.
 
The table below summarizes total investment gains and losses, before taxes.
(Dollars in millions)
Three months ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Investment gains and losses:

 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
Investment gains and losses on securities sold, net
$
3

 
$

Unrealized investment gains and losses on securities still held, net
(198
)
 

Gross realized gains

 
153

Gross realized losses

 
(4
)
Subtotal
(195
)
 
149

Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
Gross realized gains
4

 
10

Gross realized losses

 

Subtotal
4

 
10

Other

 
1

Total investment gains and losses reported in net income
(191
)
 
160

 
 
 
 
Change in unrealized investment gains and losses:
 
 
 
Equity Securities

 
97

Fixed Maturities
(221
)
 
34

Total unrealized investment gains and losses reported in OCI
(221
)
 
131

Total
$
(412
)
 
$
291

 
 
 
 

Of the 3,499 fixed-maturity securities in the portfolio, one security was trading below 70 percent of amortized cost at March 31, 2018. This fixed-maturity security had a fair value of $2 million with an unrealized loss of $1 million. Our asset impairment committee regularly monitors the portfolio, including a quarterly review of the entire portfolio for potential OTTI charges. We believe that if liquidity in the markets were to significantly deteriorate or economic conditions were to significantly weaken, we could experience declines in portfolio values and possibly additional OTTI charges.
 
We had no OTTI charges for either the first three months of 2018 or the first three months of 2017.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 54



OTHER
We report as Other the noninvestment operations of the parent company and a noninsurance subsidiary, CFC Investment Company. We also report as Other the underwriting results of Cincinnati Re, our reinsurance assumed operation, including earned premiums, loss and loss expenses and underwriting expenses.

Total revenues for the first three months of 2018 for our Other operations increased, compared with the same period of 2017, primarily due to earned premiums from Cincinnati Re. Total expenses for Other also increased for the first three months of 2018, primarily due to losses and loss expenses and underwriting expenses from Cincinnati Re.

Other loss in the table below represents losses before income taxes. The net result of Cincinnati Re for the first three months of 2018 was an underwriting profit of approximately $5 million. For both periods shown, Other loss resulted largely from interest expense from debt of the parent company.
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Interest and fees on loans and leases
 
$
1

 
$
1

 
0
Earned premiums
 
29

 
22

 
32
Total revenues
 
30

 
23

 
30
Interest expense
 
13

 
13

 
0
Loss and loss expenses
 
13

 
8

 
63
Underwriting expenses
 
11

 
9

 
22
Operating expenses
 
4

 
4

 
0
Total expenses
 
41

 
34

 
21
Other loss
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(11
)
 
0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TAXES
We had $19 million of income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared with $75 million of income tax expense for the same period of 2017. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018, was 38.0 percent compared with 27.2 percent for the same period last year. The change in our effective tax rate includes the change in the federal tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. However, our increase in effective tax rate is primarily due to large unrealized losses included in income for the current period versus only net realized gains included in income for the prior period, combined with immaterial changes in the amount of permanent book-tax differences between the two periods. In both periods, permanent book-tax differences such as tax-exempt interest lowered the effective tax rate, to a smaller positive rate in 2017 and a larger negative rate in 2018.

Historically, we have pursued a strategy of investing some portion of cash flow in tax-advantaged fixed-maturity and equity securities to minimize our overall tax liability and maximize after-tax earnings. See Tax-Exempt Fixed Maturities in this quarterly report Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk for further discussion on municipal bond purchases in our fixed-maturity investment portfolio. For our property casualty insurance subsidiaries, approximately 75 percent of interest from tax-advantaged fixed-maturity investments and approximately 40 percent of dividends from qualified equities are exempt from federal tax after applying proration from the 1986 Tax Reform Act. Our noninsurance companies own an immaterial amount of tax-advantaged fixed-maturity investments. For our noninsurance companies, the dividend received deduction exempts 50 percent of dividends from qualified equities. Our life insurance company does not own tax-advantaged fixed-maturity investments or equities subject to the dividend received deduction. Details about our effective tax rate are in this quarterly report Item 1, Note 9 – Income Taxes.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 55



LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
At March 31, 2018, shareholders’ equity was $7.946 billion, compared with $8.243 billion at December 31, 2017. Total debt was $811 million at March 31, 2018, matching December 31, 2017. At March 31, 2018, cash and cash equivalents totaled $604 million, compared with $657 million at December 31, 2017.

SOURCES OF LIQUIDITY
 
Subsidiary Dividends
Our lead insurance subsidiary declared dividends of $100 million to the parent company in the first three months of 2018, compared with $90 million for the same period of 2017. For full-year 2017, subsidiary dividends declared totaled $465 million. State of Ohio regulatory requirements restrict the dividends our insurance subsidiary can pay. For full-year 2018, total dividends that our insurance subsidiary could pay to our parent company without regulatory approval are approximately $509 million.
 
Investing Activities
Investment income is a source of liquidity for both the parent company and its insurance subsidiary. We continue to focus on portfolio strategies to balance near-term income generation and long-term book value growth.
 
Parent company obligations can be funded with income on investments held at the parent-company level or through sales of securities in that portfolio, although our investment philosophy seeks to compound cash flows over the long term. These sources of capital can help minimize subsidiary dividends to the parent company, protecting insurance subsidiary capital.

See our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Investments Segment, Page 24, for a discussion of our historic investment strategy, portfolio allocation and quality.
 
Insurance Underwriting
Our property casualty and life insurance underwriting operations provide liquidity because we generally receive premiums before paying losses under the policies purchased with those premiums. After satisfying our cash requirements, we use excess cash flows for investment, increasing future investment income.
 
Historically, cash receipts from property casualty and life insurance premiums, along with investment income, have been more than sufficient to pay claims, operating expenses and dividends to the parent company.
 
The table below shows a summary of operating cash flow for property casualty insurance (direct method):
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
Premiums collected
 
$
1,269

 
$
1,241

 
2

Loss and loss expenses paid
 
(714
)
 
(694
)
 
(3
)
Commissions and other underwriting expenses paid
 
(519
)
 
(497
)
 
(4
)
Cash flow from underwriting
 
36

 
50

 
(28
)
Investment income received
 
108

 
105

 
3

Cash flow from operations
 
$
144

 
$
155

 
(7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collected premiums for property casualty insurance rose $28 million during the first three months of 2018, compared with the same period in 2017. Loss and loss expenses paid increased $20 million. Commissions and other underwriting expenses paid rose $22 million, primarily due to higher commissions paid to agencies, reflecting the increase in collected premiums.
 
We discuss our future obligations for claims payments and for underwriting expenses in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Contractual Obligations, Page 92, and Other Commitments also on Page 92.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 56



Capital Resources
At March 31, 2018, our debt-to-total-capital ratio was 9.3 percent, with $787 million in long-term debt and $24 million in borrowing on our revolving short-term line of credit. That line of credit also had a $24 million balance at December 31, 2017. At March 31, 2018, $201 million was available for future cash management needs. Based on our capital requirements at March 31, 2018, we do not anticipate a material increase in debt levels during the remainder of 2018. As a result, we expect changes in our debt-to-total-capital ratio to continue to be largely a function of the contribution of unrealized investment gains or losses to shareholders’ equity.
 
We provide details of our three, long-term notes in this quarterly report Item 1, Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements. None of the notes are encumbered by rating triggers.
 
Four independent ratings firms award insurer financial strength ratings to our property casualty insurance companies and three firms rate our life insurance company. Those firms made no changes to our parent company debt ratings during the first three months of 2018. Our debt ratings are discussed in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Liquidity and Capital Resources, Other Sources of Liquidity, Page 90.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not use any special-purpose financing vehicles or have any undisclosed off-balance sheet arrangements (as that term is defined in applicable SEC rules) that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on the company’s financial condition, results of operation, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources. Similarly, the company holds no fair-value contracts for which a lack of marketplace quotations would necessitate the use of fair-value techniques.
 
USES OF LIQUIDITY
Our parent company and insurance subsidiary have contractual obligations and other commitments. In addition, one of our primary uses of cash is to enhance shareholder return.
 
Contractual Obligations
In our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Contractual Obligations, Page 92, we estimated our future contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017. There have been no material changes to our estimates of future contractual obligations since our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Other Commitments
In addition to our contractual obligations, we have other property casualty operational commitments.
Commissions – Commissions paid were $327 million in the first three months of 2018. Commission payments generally track with written premiums, except for annual profit-sharing commissions typically paid during the first quarter of the year.
Other underwriting expenses – Many of our underwriting expenses are not contractual obligations, but reflect the ongoing expenses of our business. Noncommission underwriting expenses paid were $192 million in the first three months of 2018.
Technology costs – In addition to contractual obligations for hardware and software, we anticipate capitalizing up to $6 million in spending for key technology initiatives in 2018. Capitalized development costs related to key technology initiatives were $1 million in the first three months of 2018. These activities are conducted at our discretion, and we have no material contractual obligations for activities planned as part of these projects.

We contributed $5 million to our qualified pension plan during the first three months of 2018.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 57



Investing Activities
After fulfilling operating requirements, we invest cash flows from underwriting, investment and other corporate activities in fixed-maturity and equity securities on an ongoing basis to help achieve our portfolio objectives. We discuss our investment strategy and certain portfolio attributes in this quarterly report Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
Uses of Capital
Uses of cash to enhance shareholder return include dividends to shareholders. In January 2018, the board of directors declared regular quarterly cash dividends of 53 cents per share for an indicated annual rate of $2.12 per share. During the first three months of 2018, we used $80 million to pay cash dividends to shareholders.

PROPERTY CASUALTY INSURANCE LOSS AND LOSS EXPENSE RESERVES
For the business lines in the commercial and personal lines insurance segments, and in total for the excess and surplus lines segment, the following table details gross reserves among case, IBNR (incurred but not reported) and loss expense reserves, net of salvage and subrogation reserves. Reserving practices are discussed in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Obligations and Reserves, Page 93.
 
Total gross reserves at March 31, 2018, increased $74 million compared with December 31, 2017. Case loss reserves for losses increased $71 million, IBNR loss reserves increased by $9 million and loss expense reserves decreased by $6 million. Accounting for most of the total gross increase was the aggregate of our commercial casualty, homeowner and commercial auto lines of business.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 58



Property Casualty Gross Reserves
(Dollars in millions)
 
Loss reserves
 
Loss expense reserves
 
Total gross reserves
 
 
 
 
Case reserves
 
IBNR reserves
 
 
 
Percent of total
At March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial lines insurance:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial casualty
 
$
913

 
$
620

 
$
576

 
$
2,109

 
39.9
%
Commercial property
 
246

 
22

 
52

 
320

 
6.0

Commercial auto
 
400

 
129

 
127

 
656

 
12.4

Workers' compensation
 
394

 
529

 
92

 
1,015

 
19.2

Other commercial
 
108

 
12

 
62

 
182

 
3.4

Subtotal
 
2,061

 
1,312

 
909

 
4,282

 
80.9

Personal lines insurance:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Personal auto
 
241

 
38

 
68

 
347

 
6.6

Homeowner
 
124

 
(1
)
 
33

 
156

 
2.9

Other personal
 
54

 
47

 
4

 
105

 
2.0

Subtotal
 
419

 
84

 
105

 
608

 
11.5

Excess and surplus lines
 
111

 
82

 
78

 
271

 
5.1

Cincinnati Re
 
24

 
106

 
2

 
132

 
2.5

Total
 
$
2,615

 
$
1,584

 
$
1,094

 
$
5,293

 
100.0
%
At December 31, 2017
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial lines insurance:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial casualty
 
$
890

 
$
611

 
$
570

 
$
2,071

 
39.7
%
Commercial property
 
232

 
18

 
65

 
315

 
6.0

Commercial auto
 
401

 
119

 
125

 
645

 
12.4

Workers' compensation
 
393

 
533

 
96

 
1,022

 
19.6

Other commercial
 
108

 
14

 
61

 
183

 
3.5

Subtotal
 
2,024

 
1,295

 
917

 
4,236

 
81.2

Personal lines insurance:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Personal auto
 
240

 
35

 
70

 
345

 
6.6

Homeowner
 
101

 
2

 
33

 
136

 
2.6

Other personal
 
55

 
46

 
5

 
106

 
2.0

Subtotal
 
396

 
83

 
108

 
587

 
11.2

Excess and surplus lines
 
104

 
87

 
73

 
264

 
5.1

Cincinnati Re
 
20

 
110

 
2

 
132

 
2.5

Total
 
$
2,544

 
$
1,575

 
$
1,100

 
$
5,219

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIFE POLICY AND INVESTMENT CONTRACT RESERVES
Gross life policy and investment contract reserves were $2.740 billion at March 31, 2018, compared with $2.729 billion at year-end 2017, reflecting continued growth in life insurance policies in force. We discuss our life insurance reserving practices in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Life Insurance Policyholder Obligations and Reserves, Page 99.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 59



OTHER MATTERS
 
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our significant accounting policies are discussed in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Page 121, and updated in this quarterly report Item 1, Note 1, Accounting Policies.
 
In conjunction with those discussions, in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, management reviewed the estimates and assumptions used to develop reported amounts related to the most significant policies. Management discussed the development and selection of those accounting estimates with the audit committee of the board of directors.
 
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Our greatest exposure to market risk is through our investment portfolio. Market risk is the potential for a decrease in securities’ fair value resulting from broad yet uncontrollable forces such as: inflation, economic growth or recession, interest rates, world political conditions or other widespread unpredictable events. It is comprised of many individual risks that, when combined, create a macroeconomic impact.
 
Our view of potential risks and our sensitivity to such risks is discussed in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, Page 106.
 
The fair value of our investment portfolio was $16.614 billion at March 31, 2018, down $334 million from year-end 2017, including a $171 million decrease in the fixed-maturity portfolio and a $163 million decrease in the equity portfolio.
(Dollars in millions)
At March 31, 2018
 
At December 31, 2017
 
Cost or 
adjusted cost
Percent 
of total
 
Fair value
Percent 
of total
 
Cost or 
adjusted cost
Percent 
of total
 
Fair value
Percent 
of total
Taxable fixed maturities
$
6,467

47.8
%
 
$
6,595

39.7
%
 
$
6,383

47.6
%
 
$
6,637

39.2
%
Tax-exempt fixed maturities
3,897

28.8

 
3,933

23.7

 
3,931

29.3

 
4,062

24.0

Common equity securities
2,997

22.1

 
5,893

35.5

 
2,918

21.8

 
6,039

35.6

Nonredeemable preferred
  equity securities
172

1.3

 
193

1.1

 
176

1.3

 
210

1.2

Total
$
13,533

100.0
%
 
$
16,614

100.0
%
 
$
13,408

100.0
%
 
$
16,948

100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At March 31, 2018, our consolidated investment portfolio included $5 million of assets for which values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require significant management judgment (Level 3 assets). This represented less than 1 percent of investment portfolio assets measured at fair value. See Item 1, Note 3, Fair Value Measurements, for additional discussion of our valuation techniques. We have generally obtained and evaluated two nonbinding quotes from brokers; then, our investment professionals determined our best estimate of fair value. These investments include private placements, small issues and various thinly traded securities.
 
In addition to our investment portfolio, the total investments amount reported in our condensed consolidated balance sheets includes Other invested assets. Other invested assets included $31 million of life policy loans, $40 million of private equity investments and $36 million of real estate through direct property ownership and development projects in the United States at March 31, 2018.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 60



FIXED-MATURITY SECURITIES INVESTMENTS
By maintaining a well-diversified fixed-maturity portfolio, we attempt to reduce overall risk. We invest new money in the bond market on a regular basis, targeting what we believe to be optimal risk-adjusted, after-tax yields. Risk, in this context, includes interest rate, call, reinvestment rate, credit and liquidity risk. We do not make a concerted effort to alter duration on a portfolio basis in response to anticipated movements in interest rates. By regularly investing in the bond market, we build a broad, diversified portfolio that we believe mitigates the impact of adverse economic factors.

In the first three months of 2018, the decrease in fair value of our fixed-maturity portfolio reflected net purchases of securities that were more than offset by a decrease in net unrealized gains, primarily due to an increase in interest rates and a widening of corporate credit spreads. At March 31, 2018, our fixed-maturity portfolio with an average rating of A2/A was valued at 101.6 percent of its amortized cost, compared with 103.7 percent at December 31, 2017.
 
At March 31, 2018, our investment-grade and noninvestment-grade fixed-maturity securities represented 87.3 percent and 3.2 percent of the portfolio, respectively. The remaining 9.5 percent represented fixed-maturity securities that were not rated by Moody's or S&P Global Ratings.

Attributes of the fixed-maturity portfolio include:
 
 
At March 31, 2018
 
At December 31, 2017
Weighted average yield-to-amortized cost
 
4.27
%
 
4.40
%
Weighted average maturity
 
7.7
yrs
 
7.7
yrs
Effective duration
 
5.3
yrs
 
5.2
yrs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We discuss maturities of our fixed-maturity portfolio in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 2, Investments, Page 129, and in this quarterly report Item 2, Investments Results.
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 61



TAXABLE FIXED MATURITIES
Our taxable fixed-maturity portfolio, with a fair value of $6.595 billion at March 31, 2018, included:
(Dollars in millions)
 
At March 31, 2018
 
At December 31, 2017
Investment-grade corporate
 
$
5,239

 
$
5,252

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

 
421

 
403

Noninvestment-grade corporate
 
333

 
401

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
286

 
286

Government sponsored enterprises
 
271

 
254

United States government
 
35

 
31

Foreign government
 
10

 
10

Total
 
$
6,595

 
$
6,637

 
 
 
 
 
 
Our strategy is to buy, and typically hold, fixed-maturity investments to maturity, but we monitor credit profiles and fair value movements when determining holding periods for individual securities. With the exception of United States agency issues that include government-sponsored enterprises, no individual issuer’s securities accounted for more than 1.2 percent of the taxable fixed-maturity portfolio at March 31, 2018. Our investment-grade corporate bonds had an average rating of Baa2 by Moody’s or BBB+ by S&P Global Ratings and represented 79.4 percent of the taxable fixed-maturity portfolio’s fair value at March 31, 2018, compared with 79.1 percent at year-end 2017.
 
The heaviest concentration in our investment-grade corporate bond portfolio, based on fair value at
March 31, 2018, was the financial sector. It represented 47.4 percent of our investment-grade corporate bond portfolio, compared with 46.6 percent at year-end 2017. No other sector exceeded 10 percent of our investment-grade corporate bond portfolio.

Our taxable fixed-maturity portfolio at March 31, 2018, included $286 million of commercial mortgage-backed securities with an average rating of Aa1/AA.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 62



TAX-EXEMPT FIXED MATURITIES
At March 31, 2018, we had $3.933 billion of tax-exempt fixed-maturity securities with an average rating of Aa2/AA by Moody’s and S&P Global Ratings. We traditionally have purchased municipal bonds focusing on general obligation and essential services issues, such as water, waste disposal or others. The portfolio is well diversified among approximately 1,450 municipal bond issuers. No single municipal issuer accounted for more than 0.6 percent of the tax-exempt fixed-maturity portfolio at March 31, 2018.

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
Because of our strong surplus, long-term investment horizon and ability to hold most fixed-maturity investments until maturity, we believe the company is adequately positioned if interest rates were to rise. Although the fair values of our existing holdings may suffer, a higher rate environment would provide the opportunity to invest cash flow in higher-yielding securities, while reducing the likelihood of untimely redemptions of currently callable securities. While higher interest rates would be expected to continue to increase the number of fixed-maturity holdings trading below 100 percent of amortized cost, we believe lower fixed-maturity security values due solely to interest rate changes would not signal a decline in credit quality. We continue to manage the portfolio with an eye toward both meeting current income needs and managing interest rate risk.
 
Our dynamic financial planning model uses analytical tools to assess market risks. As part of this model, the effective duration of the fixed-maturity portfolio is continually monitored by our investment department to evaluate the theoretical impact of interest rate movements.
 
The table below summarizes the effect of hypothetical changes in interest rates on the fair value of the fixed-maturity portfolio:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Effect from interest rate change in basis points
 
 
-200
 
 -100
 
-
 
100
 
200
At March 31, 2018
 
$
11,642

 
$
11,088

 
$
10,528

 
$
9,959

 
$
9,416

At December 31, 2017
 
$
11,803

 
$
11,249

 
$
10,699

 
$
10,133

 
$
9,589

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The effective duration of the fixed-maturity portfolio as of March 31, 2018, was 5.3 years, up from 5.2 years at year-end 2017. The above table is a theoretical presentation showing that an instantaneous, parallel shift in the yield curve of 100 basis points could produce an approximately 5.4 percent change in the fair value of the fixed-maturity portfolio. Generally speaking, the higher a bond is rated, the more directly correlated movements in its fair value are to changes in the general level of interest rates, exclusive of call features. The fair values of average- to lower-rated corporate bonds are additionally influenced by the expansion or contraction of credit spreads.
 
In our dynamic financial planning model, the selected interest rate change of 100 to 200 basis points represents our view of a shift in rates that is quite possible over a one-year period. The rates modeled should not be considered a prediction of future events as interest rates may be much more volatile in the future. The analysis is not intended to provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in rates on our results or financial condition, nor does it take into account any actions that we might take to reduce exposure to such risks.



Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 63



EQUITY INVESTMENTS
Our equity investments, with a fair value totaling $6.086 billion at March 31, 2018, included $5.893 billion of common stock securities of companies generally with strong indications of paying and growing their dividends. Other criteria we evaluate include increasing sales and earnings, proven management and a favorable outlook. We believe our equity investment style is an appropriate long-term strategy. While our long-term financial position would be affected by prolonged changes in the market valuation of our investments, we believe our strong surplus position and cash flow provide a cushion against short-term fluctuations in valuation. Continued payment of cash dividends by the issuers of our common equity holdings can provide a floor to their valuation.

The table below summarizes the effect of hypothetical changes in market prices on fair value of our equity portfolio.
(Dollars in millions)
Effect from market price change in percent
 
 
-30%
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
 
10%
 
20%
 
30%
At March 31, 2018
 
$
4,260

 
$
4,869

 
$
5,477

 
$
6,086

 
$
6,695

 
$
7,303

 
$
7,912

At December 31, 2017
 
$
4,374

 
$
4,999

 
$
5,624

 
$
6,249

 
$
6,874

 
$
7,499

 
$
8,124

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

At March 31, 2018, JP Morgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) was our largest single common stock holding with a fair value of $248 million, or 4.2 percent of our publicly traded common stock portfolio and 1.5 percent of the total investment portfolio. Twenty-eight holdings among eight different sectors each had a fair value greater than $100 million.
 
Common Stock Portfolio Industry Sector Distribution
 
Percent of common stock portfolio
 
At March 31, 2018
 
At December 31, 2017
 
Cincinnati
 Financial
 
S&P 500 Industry
Weightings
 
Cincinnati
Financial
 
S&P 500 Industry
Weightings
Sector:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Information technology
20.6
%
 
22.1
%
 
19.5
%
 
23.7
%
Financial
17.0

 
14.4

 
16.2

 
14.8

Industrials
13.9

 
10.1

 
14.3

 
10.3

Consumer discretionary
13.2

 
12.3

 
13.6

 
12.2

Healthcare
13.2

 
13.9

 
13.2

 
13.8

Energy
6.9

 
6.6

 
7.3

 
6.1

Consumer staples
5.8

 
9.3

 
6.2

 
8.2

Materials
4.4

 
2.8

 
5.6

 
3.0

Utilities
2.4

 
3.2

 
2.1

 
2.9

Telecomm services
1.6

 
2.4

 
1.7

 
2.1

Real Estate
1.0

 
2.9

 
0.3

 
2.9

Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 64



UNREALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS AND LOSSES
With the adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018, we recognized the cumulative unrealized gains on equity securities and will recognize future changes in fair value through net income. For GAAP purposes this eliminated unrealized gains on equity securities. The remaining unrealized gains and losses are related to fixed-maturity securities. At March 31, 2018, unrealized investment gains before taxes for the fixed-maturity portfolio totaled $243 million and unrealized investment losses amounted to $79 million.
 
The $164 million net unrealized gain position in our fixed-maturity portfolio at March 31, 2018 decreased in the first three months of 2018, primarily due to an increase in interest rates and a widening of corporate credit spreads. The net gain position for our current fixed-maturity holdings will naturally decline over time as individual securities mature. In addition, changes in interest rates can cause rapid, significant changes in fair values of fixed-maturity securities and the net gain position, as discussed in Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

For federal income tax purposes, taxes on gains from appreciated investments generally are not due until securities are sold. We believe that the appreciated value of equity securities, compared with the cost of securities that is generally used as a tax basis, is a useful measure to help evaluate how fair value can change over time. On this basis, the net unrealized investment gains at March 31, 2018, consisted of a net gain position in our equity portfolio of $2.917 billion. Events or factors such as economic growth or recession can affect the fair value of our equity securities. The seven largest contributors to our common stock portfolio net gain position were JP Morgan Chase, Blackrock Inc. (NYSE:BLK), Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq:MSFT), Apple Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL), Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE:HON), 3M Company (NYSE:MMM) and AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV), which had a combined gross unrealized gain position of $1.011 billion.

Unrealized Investment Losses
We expect the number of fixed-maturity securities trading below amortized cost to fluctuate as interest rates rise or fall and credit spreads expand or contract due to prevailing economic conditions. Further, amortized costs for some securities are revised through OTTI recognized in prior periods. At March 31, 2018, 1,108 of the 3,499 fixed-maturity securities we owned had fair values below amortized cost, compared with 440 of the 3,598 securities we owned at year-end 2017. The 1,108 holdings with fair values below cost or amortized cost at March 31, 2018, represented 28.3 percent of the fair value of our fixed-maturity investment portfolio and $79 million in unrealized losses.
1,099 of the 1,108 holdings had fair value between 90 percent and 100 percent of amortized cost at
March 31, 2018. These primarily consist of securities whose current valuation is largely the result of interest rate factors. The fair value of these 1,099 securities was $2.954 billion, and they accounted for $74 million in unrealized losses.
Eight of the 1,108 fixed-maturity holdings had fair value between 70 percent and 90 percent of amortized cost at March 31, 2018. We believe the eight fixed-maturity securities will continue to pay interest and ultimately pay principal upon maturity. The issuers of these eight securities have strong cash flow to service their debt and meet their contractual obligation to make principal payments. The fair value of these securities was $22 million, and they accounted for $4 million in unrealized losses.
One of the 1,108 fixed-maturity securities had fair value below 70 percent of amortized cost at March 31, 2018. We believe the remaining one fixed-maturity security will continue to pay interest and ultimately pay principal upon maturity. The issuer of this security has strong cash flow to service their debt and meet their contractual obligation to make principal payments. The fair value of this security was $2 million, and they accounted for $1 million in unrealized losses.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation First-Quarter 2018 10-Q
Page 65



The table below reviews fair values and unrealized losses by investment category and by the overall duration of the securities’ continuous unrealized loss position.
(Dollars in millions)
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
 
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
At March 31, 2018
 
value
 
losses
 
value
 
losses
 
value
 
losses
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$
1,002

 
$
20

 
$
253

 
$
15

 
$
1,255

 
$
35

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
1,052

 
21

 
256

 
14

 
1,308

 
35

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
81

 
1

 
35

 
1

 
116

 
2

Government-sponsored enterprises
 
131

 
2

 
123

 
4

 
254

 
6

Foreign government
 
10

 

 

 

 
10

 

United States government
 
24

 
1

 
11

 

 
35

 
1

Total
 
$
2,300

 
$
45

 
$
678

 
$
34

 
$
2,978

 
$
79

At December 31, 2017
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$
330

 
$
4

 
$
252

 
$
9

 
$
582

 
$
13

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
88

 
1

 
264

 
5

 
352

 
6

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
33

 

 
36

 
1

 
69

 
1

Government-sponsored enterprises
 
96

 
1

 
124

 
3

 
220

 
4

Foreign government
 
10

 

 

 

 
10

 

United States government
 
23

 

 
6

 

 
29

 

Subtotal
 
580

 
6

 
682

 
18

 
1,262

 
24

Equity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Common equities
 
229

 
14

 

 

 
229

 
14

Subtotal
 
229

 
14

 

 

 
229

 
14

Total
 
$
809

 
$
20

 
$
682

 
$
18

 
$
1,491

 
$
38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At March 31, 2018, 250 fixed-maturity securities with a total unrealized loss of $34 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more. Of that total, one fixed-maturity security with a fair value of $2 million had a fair value below 70 percent of amortized cost and accounted for $1 million in unrealized losses; six fixed-maturity securities with a fair value of $19 million had a fair value from 70 percent to less than 90 percent of amortized cost and accounted for $4 million in unrealized losses; and 243 fixed-maturity securities with a fair value of $657 million had fair values from 90 percent to less than 100 percent of amortized cost and accounted for $29 million in unrealized losses.

At March 31, 2018, applying our invested asset impairment policy, we determined that the total of $34 million, for securities in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more in the table above, was not other-than-temporarily impaired.

During the first three months of 2018, and during the same period of 2017, no securities were written down through an impairment charge.
 
During full-year 2017, we wrote down six securities and recorded $9 million in OTTI charges. At December 31, 2017, 249 fixed-maturity investments with a total unrealized loss of $18 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more. Of that total, no fixed-maturity investments had fair values below 70 percent of amortized cost. There were no equity security investments in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more as of December 31, 2017.


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The following table summarizes the investment portfolio by severity of decline:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Number
of issues
 
Cost or 
amortized
cost
 
Fair value
 
Gross 
unrealized 
gain (loss)
 
Gross investment income
At March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair valued below 70% of amortized cost
 
1

 
$
3

 
$
2

 
$
(1
)
 
$

Fair valued at 70% to less than 100% of amortized cost
 
480

 
1,824

 
1,777

 
(47
)
 
15

Fair valued at 100% and above of amortized cost
 
1,021

 
4,640

 
4,816

 
176

 
59

Investment income on securities sold in current year
 

 

 

 

 
3

Total
 
1,502

 
6,467

 
6,595

 
128

 
77

Tax-exempt fixed maturities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fair valued below 70% of amortized cost
 

 

 

 

 

Fair valued at 70% to less than 100% of amortized cost
 
627

 
1,230

 
1,199

 
(31
)
 
9

Fair valued at 100% and above of amortized cost
 
1,370

 
2,667

 
2,734

 
67

 
23

Investment income on securities sold in current year
 

 

 

 

 
1

Total
 
1,997

 
3,897

 
3,933

 
36

 
33

Fixed-maturities summary:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fair valued below 70% of cost or amortized cost
 
1

 
3

 
2

 
(1
)
 

Fair valued at 70% to less than 100% of cost or amortized cost
 
1,107

 
3,054

 
2,976

 
(78
)
 
24

Fair valued at 100% and above of cost or amortized cost
 
2,391

 
7,307

 
7,550

 
243

 
82

Investment income on securities sold in current year
 

 

 

 

 
4

Total
 
3,499

 
$
10,364

 
$
10,528

 
$
164

 
$
110

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2017
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Portfolio summary:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fair valued below 70% of cost or amortized cost
 

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Fair valued at 70% to less than 100% of cost or amortized cost
 
440

 
1,529

 
1,491

 
(38
)
 
37

Fair valued at 100% and above of cost or amortized cost
 
3,158

 
11,879

 
15,457

 
3,578

 
533

Investment income on securities sold in current year
 

 

 

 

 
45

Total
 
3,598

 
$
13,408

 
$
16,948

 
$
3,540

 
$
615

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Critical Accounting Estimates, Asset Impairment, Page 53.

Item 4.        Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures – The company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)).
 
Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. The company’s management, with the participation of the company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2018. Based upon that evaluation, the company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the design and operation of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures provided reasonable assurance that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure:
that information required to be disclosed in the company’s reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and

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that such information is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting – During the three months ended March 31, 2018, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Part II – Other Information
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings
Neither the company nor any of our subsidiaries are involved in any litigation believed to be material other than ordinary, routine litigation incidental to the nature of our business.
 
Item 1A.    Risk Factors
Our risk factors have not changed materially since they were described in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 23, 2018.
 
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
We did not sell any of our shares that were not registered under the Securities Act during the first three months of 2018. Our repurchase program was expanded on October 22, 2007, to increase our repurchase authorization to approximately 13 million shares. Our repurchase program does not have an expiration date. On January 26, 2018, an additional 15 million shares were authorized, which expanded our current repurchase program. We have 17,042,065 shares available for purchase under our programs at March 31, 2018.
Period
 
Total number
 of shares
 purchased
 
Average
 price paid
 per share
 
Total number of shares 
purchased as part of
publicly announced
plans or programs
 
Maximum number of
shares that may yet be
purchased under the
plans or programs
January 1-31, 2018
 

 

 

 
17,242,065

February 1-28, 2018
 
24,692

 
72.73

 
24,692

 
17,217,373

March 1-31, 2018
 
175,308

 
73.86

 
175,308

 
17,042,065

Totals
 
200,000

 
73.72

 
200,000

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Item 6.    Exhibits
Exhibit No.
 
Exhibit Description
3.1
 
3.2
 
10.1
 
31A
 
31B
 
32
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 

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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CINCINNATI FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Date: April 25, 2018
 
/S/ Michael J. Sewell
Michael J. Sewell, CPA
Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President and Treasurer
(Principal Accounting Officer)


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