Edgar Filing: Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd.

Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 1-15259

ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Bermuda

98-0214719

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)


110 Pitts Bay Road		P.O. Box HM 1282
Pembroke HM08		Hamilton HM FX
Bermuda		Bermuda
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Mailing Address)

(441) 296-5858

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

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


Large Accelerated Filer x		Accelerated Filer ¨		Non-accelerated Filer ¨		Smaller Reporting Company ¨

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common shares as of October 28, 2010.


Title		Outstanding
Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share		31,111,683

ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.

INDEX


PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	3

Item 1.	Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009	3

	Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009	4

	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009	5

	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009	6

	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	7

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	30

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	42

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	45

PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION	45

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	45

Item 1a.	Risk Factors	47

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	47

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	47

Item 4.	Reserved	48

Item 5.	Other Information	48

Item 6.	Exhibits	48

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Consolidated Financial Statements

ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except number of shares and per share amounts)


	September 30, 2010			December 31, 2009
	(Unaudited)
Assets
Investments:
Fixed maturities, at fair value:
Available-for-sale (cost: 2010 - $3,335.2; 2009 - $3,445.8)	$	3,508.2		$	3,529.9
Trading (cost: 2010 - $0; 2009 - $2.2)		0			2.2
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2010 - $156.2; 2009 - $181.6)		249.9			265.9
Other investments (cost: 2010 - $138.6; 2009 - $97.4)		139.3			97.0
Short-term investments, at fair value (cost: 2010 - $443.1; 2009 - $439.4)		443.2			439.3

Total investments		4,340.6			4,334.3

Cash		66.0			18.1
Accrued investment income		31.9			30.8
Premiums receivable		366.6			380.7
Reinsurance recoverables		1,195.3			1,379.4
Goodwill		152.2			152.2
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization		93.1			96.5
Current income taxes receivable, net		3.7			7.9
Deferred tax asset, net		0			6.6
Deferred acquisition costs, net		160.3			185.7
Ceded unearned premiums		183.9			197.7
Other assets		82.4			106.9

Total assets	$	6,676.0		$	6,896.8

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	3,230.2		$	3,203.2
Unearned premiums		749.7			803.6
Accrued underwriting expenses		82.5			100.8
Ceded reinsurance payable, net		486.8			707.9
Funds held		34.8			38.0
Other indebtedness		62.3			69.2
Junior subordinated debentures		311.5			311.4
Deferred tax liability, net		22.7			0
Other liabilities		20.1			47.8

Total liabilities		5,000.6			5,281.9

Shareholders’ equity:
Common shares - $1.00 par, 500,000,000 shares authorized;
31,111,700 and 30,982,839 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively		31.1			31.0
Additional paid-in capital		707.7			702.4
Treasury shares (2,374,101 and 145,999 shares at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)		(75.1	)		(5.1	)
Retained earnings		838.2			779.2
Accumulated other comprehensive gain, net of taxes		173.5			107.4

Total shareholders’ equity		1,675.4			1,614.9

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	6,676.0		$	6,896.8

See accompanying notes.

ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in millions, except number of shares and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)


	For the Three Months Ended September 30,					For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010		2009			2010			2009
Premiums and other revenue:
Earned premiums	$	288.9	$	347.2		$	936.9		$	1,062.8
Net investment income		33.6		31.9			100.5			113.1
Fee income (expense), net		1.7		0.7			2.0			(1.8	)
Realized investment gains (losses), net		9.1		0.7			28.6			(20.3	)

Total revenue		333.3		380.5			1,068.0			1,153.8

Expenses:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		176.9		208.3			604.9			644.6
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		115.8		133.7			360.7			384.3
Interest expense		5.8		6.1			17.3			19.8
Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss		3.4		(5.0	)		(11.9	)		7.9
Impairment of intangible asset		0		0			0			5.9

Total expenses		301.9		343.1			971.0			1,062.5

Income before income taxes		31.4		37.4			97.0			91.3
Provision for income taxes		8.4		9.8			27.2			14.8

Net income	$	23.0	$	27.6		$	69.8		$	76.5

Net income per common share:
Basic	$	0.78	$	0.89		$	2.33		$	2.49

Diluted	$	0.77	$	0.89		$	2.31		$	2.48

Dividend declared per common share:	$	0.12	$	0		$	0.36		$	0

Weighted average common shares:
Basic		29,504,900		30,765,096			29,998,803			30,697,706

Diluted		29,876,350		30,889,207			30,333,685			30,810,617


	For the Three Months Ended September 30,					For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010		2009			2010			2009
Realized investment gains before other-than-temporary impairment losses	$	9.1	$	9.5		$	29.4		$	16.3
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities		0		0			(0.8	)		(6.0	)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on equity securities		0		(1.4	)		0			(17.2	)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses Funds at Lloyd’s foreign currency exchange		0		(7.4	)		0			(13.4	)
Non-credit portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income		0		0			0			0

Impairment losses recognized in earnings		0		(8.8	)		(0.8	)		(36.6	)

Realized investment gains (losses), net	$	9.1	$	0.7		$	28.6		$	(20.3	)

See accompanying notes.

ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in millions)

(Unaudited)


	For the Three Months Ended September 30,					For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009		2010			2009
Net income	$	23.0		$	27.6	$	69.8		$	76.5

Other comprehensive income:
Defined benefit pension plan:
Net loss arising during the period		(0.3	)		0		(0.3	)		0
Unrealized gains on securities:
Gains arising during the period		86.8			114.0		122.0			160.4
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income		(4.2	)		1.4		(22.1	)		22.3

Other comprehensive income before tax		82.3			115.4		99.6			182.7
Income tax provision related to other comprehensive income:
Defined benefit pension plan:
Net loss arising during the period		(0.1	)		0		(0.1	)		0
Unrealized gains on securities:
Gains arising during the period		23.7			31.5		40.2			39.0
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income		(1.2	)		0.1		(6.6	)		6.8

Income tax provision related to other comprehensive income		22.4			31.6		33.5			45.8
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		59.9			83.8		66.1			136.9

Comprehensive income	$	82.9		$	111.4	$	135.9		$	213.4

See accompanying notes.

ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

(Unaudited)


	For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	69.8		$	76.5
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization and depreciation		24.4			14.2
Share-based payments expense		6.7			6.8
Excess tax expense from share-based payment arrangements		0.3			0.2
Deferred income tax benefit, net		(4.7	)		(13.2	)
Realized investment (gains) losses, net		(28.6	)		20.3
Impairment of intangible asset		0			5.9
Change in:
Accrued investment income		(1.1	)		4.1
Receivables		198.2			(142.2	)
Deferred acquisition costs		25.4			(26.2	)
Ceded unearned premiums		13.8			(15.4	)
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses		27.0			190.3
Unearned premiums		(53.9	)		98.2
Ceded reinsurance payable and funds held		(216.9	)		14.5
Income taxes payable		3.9			(7.3	)
Accrued underwriting expenses		(17.1	)		(22.8	)
Sale of trading investment		2.1			0
Other assets and liabilities, net		(20.0	)		63.8

Cash provided by operating activities		29.3			267.7

Cash flows from investing activities:
Sales of fixed maturity investments		1,668.1			902.5
Maturities and mandatory calls of fixed maturity investments		324.5			314.8
Sales of equity securities		47.4			61.1
Sales of other investments		0.1			0.1
Purchases of fixed maturity investments		(1,877.8	)		(1,355.1	)
Purchases of equity securities		(16.7	)		(19.7	)
Purchases of other investments		(17.5	)		(2.0	)
Change in foreign regulatory deposits		(14.1	)		(27.9	)
Change in short-term investments		(5.9	)		(79.6	)
Purchases of fixed assets		(11.8	)		(9.0	)
Other, net		(2.0	)		7.4

Cash provided (used) by investing activities		94.3			(207.4	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Activity under revolving credit facility, net		0			(50.9	)
Activity under stock incentive plans		1.6			2.8
Repurchase of Company’s common shares		(66.2	)		0
Excess tax expense from share-based payment arrangements		(0.3	)		(0.2	)
Payment of cash dividend to common shareholders		(10.8	)		0

Cash used by financing activities		(75.7	)		(48.3	)

Change in cash		47.9			12.0
Cash, beginning of period		18.1			5.2

Cash, end of period	$	66.0		$	17.2

See accompanying notes.

ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1.	Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (“Argo Group” or the “Company”) and its subsidiaries have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The preparation of interim financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The major estimates reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, reinsurance recoverables, including the reinsurance recoverables allowance for doubtful accounts, estimates of written and earned premiums, the fair value of investments, the valuation of goodwill and the Company’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain financial information that normally is included in annual financial statements, including certain financial statement footnotes, prepared in accordance with GAAP, is not required for interim reporting purposes and has been condensed or omitted. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Argo Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2010.

The interim financial information as of, and for the three and nine months ended, September 30, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the interim information includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair statement of the results presented for the interim periods. The operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. All significant intercompany amounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts applicable to prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the presentation followed as of September 30, 2010.

The Company’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 includes revised amounts from those previously reported within cash flows from operating activities and investing activities. The primary change to the previously reported Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows has resulted from an accounting classification difference between GAAP and Generally Accepted Accounting Practice as applied to Lloyd’s of London (“Lloyd’s”) syndicates in the United Kingdom. This change in classification associated with the Company’s foreign regulatory deposits has resulted in a $27.9 million reclassification from “Other assets and liabilities, net” in operating activities to “Change in foreign regulatory deposits” in investing activities.

The balance sheet at December 31, 2009, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Argo Group at that date but does not include all of the information required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

2.	Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting update that requires new fair value measurement disclosures and clarifies current fair value measurement disclosure requirements. Companies will now be required to disclose separate significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 categories and provide an explanation for the transfer(s). Companies are also required to separately disclose purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the Level 3 reconciliation table rather than aggregating this activity in one line as previously allowed. The update clarifies that fair value measurement disclosures should be for each class of assets and liabilities. The update also clarifies that disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques are required for recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements that are categorized as Level 2 or Level 3. Except for the separate disclosure requirements related to the Level 3 reconciliation table, the disclosures required by this accounting update are effective for interim

and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009. The Level 3 reconciliation table disclosure requirements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the update as required, and elected to early adopt the Level 3 reconciliation table disclosure requirements for its March 31, 2010 reporting period. See Note 4, “Investments” for required disclosures.

In July 2010, the FASB issued an accounting update that enhances disclosures and requires a greater level of disaggregated information about the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses. In addition, the amendments in the update require an entity to disclose credit quality indicators, past due information, and modifications of its financing receivables. The disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The Company is currently evaluating this update to determine the potential impact, if any, the adoption may have on its disclosures.

In October 2010, the FASB issued an accounting update that amends the guidance in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 944, entitled “Financial Services – Insurance.” The amendments in the update modify the definition of the types of costs incurred by insurance entities that can be capitalized in the acquisition of new and renewal contracts. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The amendments in this update are to be applied prospectively upon adoption. Retrospective application to all prior periods presented upon the date of adoption also is permitted, but not required. Early adoption is permitted, but only at the beginning of an entity’s annual reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating this update to determine the potential impact, if any, the adoption may have on its financial results and disclosures.

3.	Shareholders’ Equity

On August 10, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.12 on each share of common stock outstanding. On September 15, 2010, the Company paid $3.5 million to its shareholders of record on September 1, 2010. Through the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company had paid $10.8 million in dividends to its shareholders.

Since January 1, 2010 and through the date of this filing, the Company has repurchased 2,558,596 shares of its common stock for a total cost of $81.5 million. Since the inception of the buy-back program in 2007, the Company has repurchased 2,704,595 shares at an average price of $32.01 for a total cost of $86.6 million. These shares are being held as treasury shares in accordance with the provisions of the Bermuda Companies Act 1981. A summary of the activity in 2010 follows.

On March 4, 2010, the Company repurchased 430,119 common shares from two shareholders for a total cost of $12.5 million.

On March 11, 2010, the Company repurchased 1.7 percent of its then outstanding common shares or 541,075 common shares, including 16,948 common shares at the end of the program, through an Accelerated Shares Repurchase program. The shares were purchased from a dealer for $17.5 million. Through the repurchase program the Company immediately reduced the number of its common shares outstanding. The dealer obtained the shares that the Company purchased by borrowing them in the open market, and then repurchased shares in the market over time to repay the borrowed shares. The program ended in May 2010.

On September 14, 2010, the Company initiated a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan which allows the Company to repurchase its shares during periods when it would normally not be active in the market because of internally established trading windows. Under the Rule 10b5-1 plan, the Company authorized the repurchase of up to $25.0 million of its common shares outstanding. As of September 30, 2010 the Company repurchased 399,100 shares under this plan at an average price of $33.76 for a total cost of $13.5 million. The Company completed this trading plan on October 18, 2010, repurchasing an additional 330,494 shares at an average price of $34.87 for a total cost of $11.5 million. The Company repurchased a total of 729,594 shares under this trading plan at an average price of $34.27.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company repurchased 633,010 common shares on the open market for $19.8 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company has repurchased 857,808 common shares for $26.5 million on the open market.

4.	Investments

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of investments as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were as follows:


September 30, 2010	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
(in millions)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
Fixed maturities
U.S. Treasury securities	$	151.3	$	4.9	$	—	$	156.2
U.S. Government agencies ⁽¹⁾		329.2		11.4		—		340.6
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		622.1		45.3		0.5		666.9
Corporate securities		784.1		49.2		1.0		832.3
Structured securities:
CMO/MBS-agency ⁽²⁾		690.4		40.7		—		731.1
CMO/MBS-non agency		40.4		1.4		0.6		41.2
CMBS ⁽³⁾		153.5		8.3		0.7		161.1
ABS-residential ⁽⁴⁾		19.9		0.1		2.4		17.6
ABS-non residential		145.3		3.6		—		148.9
Foreign		399.0		19.6		6.3		412.3

Total fixed maturities		3,335.2		184.5		11.5		3,508.2
Equity securities		156.2		95.0		1.3		249.9
Other investments		138.6		0.7		—		139.3
Short-term investments		443.1		0.1		—		443.2

Total investments	$	4,073.1	$	280.3	$	12.8	$	4,340.6

⁽¹⁾	Includes corporate bonds backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation of $103.4 million amortized cost, $105.5 million fair value.

⁽²⁾	Collateralized mortgage obligations/mortgage-backed securities (“CMO/MBS”).

⁽³⁾	Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”).

⁽⁴⁾	Asset-backed securities (“ABS”).


December 31, 2009	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
(in millions)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
Fixed maturities
U.S. Treasury securities	$	171.7	$	1.9	$	0.9	$	172.7
U.S. Government agencies ⁽¹⁾		395.3		9.1		0.8		403.6
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		692.6		33.0		0.9		724.7
Corporate securities		513.8		16.5		3.0		527.3
Structured securities:
CMO/MBS-agency		874.1		28.1		1.7		900.5
CMO/MBS-non agency		52.4		0.5		6.3		46.6
CMBS		166.6		2.4		2.0		167.0
ABS-residential		23.1		—		5.0		18.1
ABS-non residential		182.7		2.7		0.7		184.7
Foreign		375.7		15.6		4.4		386.9

Total fixed maturities		3,448.0		109.8		25.7		3,532.1
Equity securities		181.6		84.9		0.6		265.9
Other investments		97.4		—		0.4		97.0
Short-term investments		439.4		—		0.1		439.3

Total investments	$	4,166.4	$	194.7	$	26.8	$	4,334.3

⁽¹⁾	Includes corporate bonds backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation of $158.6 million amortized cost, $159.6 million fair value.

Included in fair value of total investments at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are $179.1 million and $235.3 million, respectively, of assets managed on behalf of the trade capital providers, who are third party capital participants that provide underwriting capital to the Company’s International Specialty segment.

The amortized cost and fair values of fixed maturity investments as of September 30, 2010, by contractual maturity, were as follows:


(in millions)	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	178.3	$	180.1
Due after one year through five years		1,232.2		1,288.3
Due after five years through ten years		646.4		699.0
Thereafter		228.8		240.9
Structured securities		1,049.5		1,099.9

Total	$	3,335.2	$	3,508.2

The expected maturities may differ from the contractual maturities because debtors may have the right to call or prepay obligations.

An aging of unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in fixed maturities, equity securities and other investments at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 is presented below:


September 30, 2010	Less Than One Year				One Year or Greater				Total
(in millions)	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss

Fixed maturities
U.S. Government agencies ^{(1) (2)}	$	4.9	$	—	$	2.6	$	—	$	7.5	$	—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		8.3		0.2		0.7		0.3		9.0		0.5
Corporate securities		5.4		0.2		11.9		0.8		17.3		1.0
Structured securities:
CMO/MBS-agency ⁽¹⁾		9.8		—		—		—		9.8		—
CMO/MBS-non agency ⁽¹⁾		—		—		9.1		0.6		9.1		0.6
CMBS ⁽¹⁾		1.7		—		8.9		0.7		10.6		0.7
ABS-residential		7.7		1.7		3.5		0.7		11.2		2.4
ABS-non residential ^{(1) (2)}		1.8		—		0.8		—		2.6		—
Foreign		134.4		6.0		1.7		0.3		136.1		6.3

Total fixed maturities		174.0		8.1		39.2		3.4		213.2		11.5
Equity securities ⁽²⁾		16.6		1.3		0.1		—		16.7		1.3

Total	$	190.6	$	9.4	$	39.3	$	3.4	$	229.9	$	12.8

⁽¹⁾	Unrealized losses less than one year are less than $0.1 million.

⁽²⁾	Unrealized losses one year or greater are less than $0.1 million.


December 31, 2009	Less Than One Year				One Year or Greater				Total
(in millions)	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss

Fixed maturities
U.S. Treasury securities	$	72.0	$	0.8	$	8.4	$	0.1	$	80.4	$	0.9
U.S. Government agencies		98.0		0.8		—		—		98.0		0.8
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		45.7		0.5		3.5		0.4		49.2		0.9
Corporate securities		93.4		0.9		14.8		2.1		108.2		3.0
Structured securities:
CMO/MBS-agency		143.3		1.6		1.2		0.1		144.5		1.7
CMO/MBS-non agency		1.0		—		42.6		6.3		43.6		6.3
CMBS		16.8		0.1		23.9		1.9		40.7		2.0
ABS-residential		10.2		3.1		7.7		1.9		17.9		5.0
ABS-non residential		22.4		0.1		10.5		0.6		32.9		0.7
Foreign		149.2		1.4		49.3		3.0		198.5		4.4

Total fixed maturities		652.0		9.3		161.9		16.4		813.9		25.7
Equity securities		9.1		0.6		1.1		—		10.2		0.6
Other investments		—		—		13.0		0.4		13.0		0.4
Short-term investments		8.0		0.1		—		—		8.0		0.1

Total	$	669.1	$	10.0	$	176.0	$	16.8	$	845.1	$	26.8

The Company holds a total of 4,168 securities, of which 283 were in an unrealized loss position for less than one year and 38 were in an unrealized loss position for a period one year or greater as of September 30, 2010.

The following table presents the Company’s gross realized investment gains (losses) for the three and nine months ended September 30:


	For the Three Months Ended September 30,						For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Realized gains
Fixed maturities	$	5.3		$	10.9		$	27.0		$	30.6
Equity securities		0.9			0.4			4.4			1.4
Short-term and other investments		5.2			1.9			6.9			3.9

Gross realized gains		11.4			13.2			38.3			35.9
Realized losses
Fixed maturities		(2.0	)		(3.7	)		(7.4	)		(16.7	)
Equity securities		(0.2	)		—			(1.1	)		(0.9	)
Short-term and other investments		(0.1	)		—			(0.4	)		(2.0	)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities		—			—			(0.8	)		(6.0	)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on equity securities		—			(1.4	)		—			(17.2	)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses Funds at Lloyd’s foreign currency exchange		—			(7.4	)		—			(13.4	)

Gross realized losses		(2.3	)		(12.5	)		(9.7	)		(56.2	)

Net realized investment gains (losses)	$	9.1		$	0.7		$	28.6		$	(20.3	)

In June 2010, the Company entered into short-term, currency spot and forward contracts to mitigate foreign exchange rate exposure in its non-US Dollar denominated higher yielding, fixed maturity investments. The forward contracts used are typically less than sixty days and will be renewed, upon expiration of the initial contracts, as long as the non-US Dollar denominated higher yielding fixed maturity investments are held in the portfolio. Forward contracts are designated as hedges for accounting purposes.

Foreign exchange unrealized gains on bonds of $0.5 million were offset by foreign exchange realized losses on forwards of $0.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and are reflected in realized gains and losses in the income statement and in the table above. As of September 30, 2010, the total notional amount of the Company’s holdings in non-US Dollar denominated higher yielding fixed maturity investments was $4.8 million.

At September 30, 2010, the amortized cost and fair value of investments on deposit with various U.S. insurance and other regulatory agencies were $233.7 million and $250.4 million, respectively.

Investments with an amortized cost of $147.3 million and fair value of $152.7 million were pledged as collateral in support of irrevocable letters of credit at September 30, 2010. These assets support irrevocable letters of credit issued under the terms of certain reinsurance agreements in respect of reported loss and loss expense reserves in the amount of $38.2 million and the Company’s Corporate member’s capital as security to support the underwriting business at Lloyd’s in the amount of $92.5 million. The Company also has securities of $14.3 million (amortized cost) and $15.3 million (fair value) principally pledged as collateral related to a security trust agreement.

Securities and letters of credit pledged to Lloyd’s as the Company’s Corporate member’s capital at September 30, 2010 are comprised of:


(in millions)
Letters of credit	$	92.5
Fixed maturities, at fair value		124.8
Short-term investments, at fair value		9.3

Total securities and letters of credit pledged to Lloyd’s	$	226.6

The Company evaluates its investments for impairment at each reporting period. In accordance with Company policy, the determination that a security has incurred an other-than-temporary decline in fair value and the associated amount of any loss recognition requires the judgment of the Company’s management and a continual review of its investments. The Company reviews its investments in an unrealized loss position at each balance sheet date to determine whether a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis is other-than-temporary. In general, the process for identifying other-than-temporary declines in fair value involves the consideration of a number of factors, including but not limited to, whether the issuer has been downgraded to below investment-grade, the length of time in which there has been a significant decline in value, the liquidity, business prospects, and overall financial condition of the issuer, the nature and performance of the collateral or other credit support backing the security, the significance of the decline in value, and whether the Company has the intent to sell the debt security or may be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. For equity securities, the length of time in which there has been a significant decline in value, the significance of the decline in value and whether the Company has the intent to sell the security before its anticipated recovery are the primary factors in determining if an unrealized loss on a security is other-than-temporary. If consideration of the factors above results in a conclusion that the decline in fair value is other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is written down to fair value and the write down is recorded as a realized loss. For securities in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2010, management has evaluated the aforementioned factors. Based on an evaluation of these factors, the Company has concluded that the unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in fixed maturities and equity securities, as shown above, at September 30, 2010, are temporary.

Unrealized losses greater than twelve months on fixed maturities were the result of a number of factors, including increasing credit spreads and higher market yields relative to the date the securities were purchased, macroeconomic issues affecting market liquidity, and for structured securities by the performance of the underlying collateral as well. The Company does not consider those investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2010. The Company recognized other-than-temporary losses on its fixed maturities portfolio of $0 and $0.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

For investments in equity securities, none of the unrealized losses have been in an unrealized loss position of 10% or more for greater than one year. The Company did not recognize any other-than-temporary losses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 on its equity securities portfolio.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal (or most advantageous) market that are independent, knowledgeable, able to transact for the asset or liability and willing to transfer for the asset or liability.

Valuation techniques consistent with the market approach, income approach and/or cost approach are used to measure fair value. The inputs of these valuation techniques are categorized into three levels.

•

Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that can be accessed at the reporting date. Actively traded, as defined by the Company, is a security that has traded in the past seven days. The Company receives one quote per instrument for Level 1 inputs.

•

Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. The Company receives one quote per instrument for Level 2 inputs.

•

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances.

The Company receives fair value prices from an independent pricing service and its independent investment managers. These prices are determined using observable market information such as dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, yield curves, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things. The Company has reviewed the processes used by the third party providers for pricing the securities, and has determined that these processes result in fair values consistent with GAAP requirements. In addition, the Company reviews these prices for reasonableness, and has not adjusted any prices received from the independent providers as of September 30, 2010. A description of the Company’s valuation techniques used to measure its assets at fair value is typically as follows:

Fixed Maturities (Available-for-Sale) Levels 1 and 2:

•

United States Treasury securities are valued using Level 1 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service using quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets at the reporting date.

•

United States Government agencies are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from a third party pricing service.

•

Obligations of states and political subdivisions are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from a third party pricing service.

•

Corporate securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from a third party pricing service.

•

Foreign securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from a third party pricing service.

•

CMO/MBS agency securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities the Company obtains fair value measurements from a third party pricing service. Observable data may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, yield curves, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things. All of these securities are backed by United States agencies and are all of the highest investment grade.

•

CMO/MBS non-agency, CMBS, ABS residential, and ABS non-residential securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities the Company obtains fair value measurements from a third party pricing service. Observable data may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, yield curves, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things.

Fixed Maturities (Available-for-Sale) Level 3:

•

Corporate securities reported at fair value utilizing Level 3 inputs are infrequently traded securities valued by an independent investment manager utilizing unobservable inputs.

Transfers Between Level 1 and Level 2 securities: There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 securities during the nine month period ended September 30, 2010.

Equity Securities Level 1: Equity securities are principally reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from a third party pricing service using quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets at the reporting date.

Equity Securities Level 3: The Company has certain equity securities that are reported at fair value utilizing Level 3 inputs. The valuation techniques for these securities are as follows:

•

The Company obtains fair value measurements from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Security Valuation Office at the reporting date.

•

The Company used a quoted market price and adjusts the price using unobservable inputs due to certain restrictions as to the ability to sell the security.

•

The Company has determined that its investment in an equity fund is a Level 3 investment and has moved the investment from Level 1 to Level 3. The Company obtains fair value measurements for this fund by applying final prices provided by the administrator of the fund, which is based upon certain estimates and assumptions.

Other Investments Level 2: Foreign regulatory deposits are assets held in trust in jurisdictions where there is a legal and regulatory requirement to maintain funds locally in order to protect policyholders. Lloyd’s is the appointed investment manager for the funds. These assets are invested in short term government securities, agency securities and corporate bonds and are valued utilizing Level 2 inputs based upon values obtained from Lloyd’s. There were no transfers of other investments between Level 1 and Level 2 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Short-term Investments: Short-term investments are principally reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs. Values for the investments categorized as Level 1 are obtained from various financial institutions as of the reporting period date. Included in short-term investments are Funds at Lloyd’s which represents a portion of the Company’s Corporate member’s capital as security to support the underwriting business at Lloyd’s. Lloyd’s invests the funds in fixed cash deposit accounts, certificates of deposits, sovereign debt, United Kingdom short government gilts and U.S. Treasury bills. There were no transfers of short-term investments between Level 1 and Level 2 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Based on an analysis of the inputs, the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 have been categorized as follows:


			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in millions)	September 30, 2010		Level 1 ^(a)		Level 2 ^(b)		Level 3 ^(c)
Investments
Fixed maturities (Available-for-sale):
U.S. Treasury securities	$	156.2	$	156.2	$	—	$	—
U.S. Government agencies		340.6		—		340.6		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		666.9		—		666.9		—
Corporate securities		832.3		—		831.6		0.7
Structured securities:
CMO/MBS-agency		731.1		—		731.1		—
CMO/MBS-non agency		41.2		—		41.2		—
CMBS		161.1		—		161.1		—
ABS-residential		17.6		—		17.6		—
ABS-non residential		148.9		—		148.9		—
Foreign		412.3		—		412.3		—
Equity securities		249.9		231.6		—		18.3
Other investments		82.5		—		82.5		—
Short-term investments		443.2		438.8		4.4		—

	$	4,283.8	$	826.6	$	3,438.2	$	19.0


			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in millions)	December 31, 2009		Level 1 ^(a)		Level 2 ^(b)		Level 3 ^(c)
Investments
Fixed maturities (Available-for-sale):
U.S. Treasury securities	$	172.7	$	172.7	$	—	$	—
U.S. Government agencies		403.6		—		403.6		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		724.7		—		724.7		—
Corporate securities		527.3		—		526.6		0.7
Structured securities
CMO/MBS-agency		900.5		—		900.5		—
CMO/MBS-non agency		46.6		—		46.6		—
CMBS		167.0		—		167.0		—
ABS-residential		18.1		—		18.1		—
ABS-non residential		184.7		—		184.7		—
Foreign		384.7		—		384.7		—
Fixed maturities (Trading):
Foreign		2.2		—		2.2		—
Equity securities		265.9		251.9		—		14.0
Other investments		66.3		—		66.3		—
Short-term investments		439.3		439.3		—		—

	$	4,303.6	$	863.9	$	3,425.0	$	14.7

(a)	Quote prices in active markets for identical assets

(b)	Significant other observable inputs

(c)	Significant unobservable inputs

The fair value measurements in the tables above do not equal “Total investments” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they exclude certain other investments that are accounted for under the equity-method of accounting and are not included in this disclosure.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the investments categorized as Level 3 at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are as follows:


	Fair Value Measurements Using Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
(in millions)	Corporate Securities		Equity Securities			Total
Beginning balance, January 1, 2010	$	0.7	$	14.0		$	14.7
Transfers into Level 3 ^{(a) (b)}		—		7.7			7.7
Transfers out of Level 3		—		(1.3	)		(1.3	)
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
Included in net income		—		—			—
Included in other comprehensive income		—		(1.0	)		(1.0	)
Purchases, issuances, sales, and settlements
Purchases		—		—			—
Issuances		—		—			—
Sales		—		(1.1	)		(1.1	)
Settlements		—		—			—

Ending balance, September 30, 2010	$	0.7	$	18.3		$	19.0

Amount of total gains or losses for the period included in net income attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at September 30, 2010	$	—	$	—		$	—

(a)	Transferred from Level 1 to Level 3 due to significant other unobservable inputs included in market pricing.

(b)	The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out of Level 3 at the end of the reporting period.


	Fair Value Measurements Using Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
(in millions)	Corporate Securities			Equity Securities		Total
Beginning balance, January 1, 2009	$	1.4		$	6.2	$	7.6
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
Included in net income		(0.5	)		—		(0.5	)
Included in other comprehensive income		0.3			7.8		8.1
Purchases, issuances and settlements		(0.5	)		—		(0.5	)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		—			—		—

Ending balance, December 31, 2009	$	0.7		$	14.0	$	14.7

Amount of total gains or losses for the period included in net income attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at September 30, 2009	$	—		$	—	$	—

At September 30, 2010, the Company did not have any financial assets or financial liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis.

5.	Net Income Per Common Share

The following table presents the calculation of net income per common share on a basic and diluted basis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:


	For the Three Months Ended September 30,				For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions, except number of shares and per share amounts)	2010		2009		2010		2009
Net income	$	23.0	$	27.6	$	69.8	$	76.5
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic		29,504,900		30,765,096		29,998,803		30,697,706
Effect of dilutive securities
Equity compensation awards		371,450		124,111		334,882		112,911

Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted		29,876,350		30,889,207		30,333,685		30,810,617

Net income per common share - basic	$	0.78	$	0.89	$	2.33	$	2.49

Net income per common share - diluted	$	0.77	$	0.89	$	2.31	$	2.48

Excluded from the weighted average common shares outstanding calculation at September 30, 2010 and 2009 are 2,374,101 shares and 145,999 shares, respectively, which are currently held as treasury shares. The shares are excluded as of their repurchase date. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, options to purchase 894,068 shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per common share as these instruments were anti-dilutive. These instruments expire at varying times from 2011 through 2016. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, options to purchase 1,032,241 shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per common share as these instruments were anti-dilutive. These instruments expire at varying times from 2010 through 2016.

6.	Commitments and Contingencies

Between May 3, 2006 and June 16, 2006, several class action lawsuits were filed against PXRE Group Ltd. (now Argo Group) (“PXRE”) and certain former officers of PXRE on behalf of a putative class of plaintiffs consisting of investors who purchased PXRE securities traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “PXT” between September 11, 2005 and February 22, 2006. These lawsuits were consolidated into one proceeding before the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and were the subject of an Amended Class Action Complaint filed on June 15, 2007 (the “Amended Complaint”). The Amended Complaint alleges that during the purported class period PXRE fraudulently understated the full impact of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma on PXRE’s business and that certain PXRE executives made a series of materially false and misleading statements or omissions about PXRE’s business, prospects and operations in violation of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and Rule 10b-5 promulgated under the 1934 Act. On March 4, 2009, the Amended Complaint was dismissed with prejudice by the District Court. On December 21, 2009, the District Court’s decision was affirmed on appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the class plaintiff’s petition for rehearing was denied by the Court of Appeals on January 11, 2010. The District Court’s dismissal of the Class Action is now final and not subject to further review or appeal.

On December 4, 2008, a lawsuit was filed against PXRE, Argo Group and certain of PXRE’s former officers in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging causes of action based on facts and circumstances on behalf of a group of institutional shareholders that purchased Series D Perpetual Non-voting Preferred Shares of PXRE pursuant to the Private Placement Memorandum dated on or about September 28, 2005 (the “Private Placement”). The lawsuit alleges that the Private Placement was a public offering and that the Private Placement Memorandum contained false and misleading statements or omissions concerning PXRE’s business, prospects and operations actionable under Section 12(a) (2) of the Securities Act of 1933. In addition, the lawsuit alleges claims under New York state law for negligent misrepresentation and common law fraud based upon, among other things, statements contained in the Private Placement Memorandum and alleged false and misleading statements by PXRE’s named former officers. On April 6, 2009, the institutional investors filed an amended complaint. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint on May 6, 2009. On January 26, 2010, the District Court granted the Company’s motion, dismissing the plaintiffs’ federal law causes of action without prejudice, and holding that the amended complaint failed to allege facts that would show that the Private Placement could be construed to be a public offering or that the Private Placement should be integrated with PXRE’s public share offering. The Court’s order provided the plaintiffs with a deadline of February 22, 2010 to file amended pleadings setting forth the nature of the entities to which the Private Placement was offered. Based on the dismissal of the federal law claims, the Court’s order also dismissed without prejudice all state law claims asserted by the plaintiffs for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, without prejudice to the plaintiffs’ right to file a separate action in state court asserting such claims. On February 22, 2010, the plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint in the District Court case seeking to overcome the deficiencies outlined in the order of dismissal. At a pre-motion conference held on April 14, 2010, the Court indicated that the Second Amended Complaint was also insufficient to raise an issue of fact as to the federal law causes of action. The Court allowed plaintiffs a third opportunity to replead, and plaintiffs filed their Third Amended Complaint on April 23, 2010. The Company does not believe that the Third Amended Complaint is sufficient to comply with the relevant legal standard, and on May 14, 2010 the Company filed its Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs’ Third Amended Complaint which is currently pending before the Court.

At this stage, the Company is unable to determine with any reasonable certainty the specific claims, litigants, or alleged damages that ultimately may be associated with the pending securities litigation, Private Placement lawsuit or any other future proceedings regarding the alleged facts and circumstances described above, nor can the Company currently predict the timing of any rulings, trials or other significant events relating to such proceedings. Given these limitations and the inherent difficulty of projecting the outcome of litigated disputes, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the possible loss, range of loss or legal costs that are likely to arise out of the pending securities litigation or any future proceedings relating to the above matters at this time. The Company has insurance protection that may cover a portion of any potential loss or legal costs, but a settlement above the coverage limits could impact the Company’s financial position.

Based on all information available to the Company at this time, management of the Company believes that PXRE’s reserving practices, financial disclosures, public filings and securities offerings in the aftermath of the 2005 hurricanes complied fully with all applicable regulatory and legal requirements. However, if unfavorable outcomes in the Private Placement lawsuit were to occur and result in the payment of substantial damages or fines or criminal penalties, these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, cash flows, results of operations, financial position and prospects.

The subsidiaries of the Company are parties to other legal actions incidental to their business. Based on the advice of counsel, management of the Company believes that the resolution of these matters will not materially affect the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

7.	Income Taxes

The Company is incorporated under the laws of Bermuda and, under current Bermuda law, is not obligated to pay any taxes in Bermuda based upon income or capital gains. The Company has received an undertaking from the Supervisor of Insurance in Bermuda pursuant to the provisions of the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act, 1966, which exempts the Company from any Bermuda taxes computed on profits, income or any capital asset, gain or appreciation, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, at least until the year 2016.

The Company does not consider itself to be engaged in a trade or business in the United States or the United Kingdom and, accordingly, does not expect to be subject to direct United States or United Kingdom income taxation.

The Company has subsidiaries based in the United Kingdom that are subject to the tax laws of that country. Under current law, these subsidiaries are taxed at the applicable corporate tax rates. Six of the United Kingdom subsidiaries are deemed to be engaged in business in the United States and are therefore subject to United States corporate tax in respect of a proportion of their United States underwriting business only. Relief is available against the United Kingdom tax liabilities in respect of overseas taxes paid that arise from the underwriting business. Corporate income tax losses incurred in the United Kingdom can be carried forward, for application against future income, indefinitely. The United Kingdom subsidiaries of the Company file separate United Kingdom income tax returns.

The Company has subsidiaries based in the United States that are subject to the tax laws of that country. Under current law, these subsidiaries are taxed at the applicable corporate tax rates. The United States subsidiaries of the Company file a consolidated United States federal income tax return.

The Company also has operations in Belgium, Switzerland, and Ireland, which also are subject to income taxes imposed by the jurisdiction in which they operate.

The Company’s income tax provision includes the following components:


	For the Three Months Ended September 30,						For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Current tax provision	$	12.9		$	11.1		$	31.9		$	28.0
Deferred tax benefit related to:
Future tax deductions		(4.3	)		(1.1	)		(4.0	)		(12.5	)
Valuation allowance change		(0.2	)		(0.2	)		(0.7	)		(0.7	)

Income tax provision	$	8.4		$	9.8		$	27.2		$	14.8

The Company’s expected income tax provision computed on pre-tax income at the weighted average tax rate has been calculated as the sum of the pre-tax income in each jurisdiction multiplied by that jurisdiction’s applicable statutory tax rate.

A reconciliation of the difference between the provision for income taxes and the expected tax provision at the weighted average tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:


	For the Three Months Ended September 30,						For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Income tax provision at expected rate	$	9.3		$	9.0		$	33.5		$	24.8
Tax effect of:
Tax-exempt interest		(1.4	)		(2.0	)		(4.6	)		(5.9	)
Dividends received deduction		(0.4	)		(0.3	)		(1.1	)		(1.1	)
Valuation allowance change		(0.2	)		(0.2	)		(0.7	)		(0.7	)
Other permanent adjustments, net		1.0			—			1.1			0.2
Adjustment for 2009 tax return		1.3			—			1.3			—
Adjustment for annualized rate		0.1			(0.1	)		(0.7	)		(0.4	)
Disallowed interest expense		—			(0.5	)		—			—
United States state tax expense		0.3			0.2			0.2			(3.5	)
Other foreign adjustments		0.1			—			0.2			—
Foreign exchange adjustments		(1.7	)		3.7			(2.0	)		1.4

Income tax provision	$	8.4		$	9.8		$	27.2		$	14.8

The Company’s net deferred tax assets are supported by taxes paid in previous periods, the reversal of the taxable temporary differences and the recognition of future income. Management regularly evaluates the recoverability of the deferred tax assets and makes any necessary adjustments to it based upon any changes in management’s expectations of future taxable income. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the Company’s generation of sufficient taxable income in the future to recover tax benefits that cannot be recovered from taxes paid in the carryback period, which is generally two years for net operating losses and three years for capital losses. At September 30, 2010, the Company had a total net deferred tax assets of $26.0 million prior to any valuation allowance. Management has concluded that a valuation allowance is required for a portion of the tax effected net capital loss carryforward of $32.9 million generated from the sale of PXRE Reinsurance Company, and a full valuation allowance is required for the tax effected net operating loss carryforward of $18.7 million from PXRE Corporation. Of the PXRE loss carryforwards, $17.2 million will expire if not utilized by December 31, 2025 and $1.5 million will expire if not utilized by December 31, 2027. The valuation allowances have been established as Internal Revenue Code Section 382 limits the utilization of net operating loss and net capital loss carryforwards following an ownership change. Accordingly, a valuation allowance of $48.7 million is required. The loss carryforwards available to utilize per year are $2.8 million as required by Internal Revenue Code Section 382. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the valuation allowance was reduced by $0.7 million.

The Company had no material unrecognized tax benefits upon adoption of the accounting guidance for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes and has no material unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2010. Tax years ended December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2009, as related to the Company’s United States subsidiaries, are open for examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Tax years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009 are open for examination by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in respect to the Company’s United Kingdom entities.

8.	Equity-based Compensation

The fair value method of accounting is used for equity-based compensation plans. Under the fair value method, compensation cost is measured based on the fair value of the award at the measurement date and recognized over the requisite service period. The Company uses the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair values on the measurement date for share options and share appreciation rights (“SARs”). The Black-Scholes model uses several assumptions to value a share award. The volatility assumption is based on the historical change in the Company’s stock price over the previous five years preceding the measurement date. The risk-free rate of return assumption is based on the five-year U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate on the measurement date. The expected award life is based upon the average holding period over the history of the incentive plan. The following table summarizes the assumptions used by the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:


	2010	2009
Risk-free rate of return	1.34% to 2.65%	0.40% to 2.82%
Expected dividend yields	1.55% to 1.65%	0.00%
Expected award life (years)	1.00 to 5.06	1.00 to 4.81
Expected volatility	31.3% to 31.8%	29.9% to 50.78%

Argo Group’s 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan

In November 2007, the shareholders of Argo Group approved the 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”), which provides for an aggregate of 4.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued to certain executives and other key employees. The share awards may be in the form of share options, SARs, restricted shares, restricted share units, performance units, performance shares or other share-based incentive awards. Shares issued under this plan may be shares that are authorized and unissued or shares that were reacquired by the Company, including shares purchased on the open market. Share options and SARs will count as one share for the purposes of the limits under the 2007 Plan; restricted shares, restricted share units, performance units, performance shares or other share-based incentive awards will count as 2.75 shares for purpose of the limits under the 2007 Plan.

Share options may be in the form of incentive share options, non-qualified share options and restorative options. Share options are required to have an exercise price that is not less than the market value on the date of grant. The Company is prohibited from repricing the options. The term of the share options cannot exceed seven years from the grant date.

A summary of option activity under the 2007 Plan as of September 30, 2010, and changes during the nine months then ended is as follows:


	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 1, 2010		493,035		$	36.05
Granted		75		$	28.49
Exercised		(10,075	)	$	26.45
Expired or forfeited		(26,678	)	$	36.15

Outstanding at September 30, 2010		456,357		$	36.67

Options outstanding under this plan vest over a 12 to 60 month period, subject to continued employment. Expense recognized under this plan for share options was $0.9 million and $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Compensation expense from all equity-based compensation awards is included in

“Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expense” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. For the nine months ended September, 2010, the Company received cash payments of $0.3 million (net of any related tax payments) related to the settlement of options exercised under the 2007 Plan. Unamortized expense for these options was $2.1 million as of September 30, 2010.

A summary of restricted share units activity under the 2007 Plan as of September 30, 2010, and changes during the nine months then ended is as follows:


	Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2010		94,455		$	36.54
Granted		60,862		$	25.44
Vested and issued		(31,543	)	$	33.88
Expired or forfeited		(11,416	)	$	38.30

Outstanding at September 30, 2010		112,358		$	30.82

The restricted share units will vest over three to five years. Expense recognized under this plan for the restricted share units was $0.9 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. As of September 30, 2010, there was $2.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted share units granted by the Company.

A summary of stock-settled SARs activity under the 2007 Plan as of September 30, 2010, and changes during the nine months then ended is as follows:


	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 1, 2010		249,552		$	28.03
Granted		407,900		$	28.38
Exercised		(539	)	$	28.14
Expired or forfeited		(20,625	)	$	28.14

Outstanding at September 30, 2010		636,288		$	28.25

The stock-settled SARs vest over a two to five year period. Upon exercise of the stock-settled SARs, the employee is entitled to receive shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the appreciation of the stock as compared to the exercise price. Expense recognized for the stock-settled SARs was $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Expense recognized for the stock-settled SARs was not material for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. As of September 30, 2010, there was $3.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock-settled SARs granted by the Company.

A summary of cash-settled SARs activity under the 2007 Plan as of September 30, 2010, and changes during the nine months then ended is as follows:


	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 1, 2010		300,203		$	28.07
Granted		461,246		$	28.33
Exercised		(6,542	)	$	28.14
Expired or forfeited		(51,145	)	$	28.06

Outstanding at September 30, 2010		703,762		$	28.24

The cash-settled SARs vest over a two to four year period. Upon exercise of the cash-settled SARs, the employee is entitled to receive cash payment for the appreciation in the value of the Company’s common stock over the exercise price. The Company is accounting for the cash-settled SARs as liability awards. Expense recognized for the cash-settled SARs totaled $1.9 million and $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. As of September 30, 2010, there was $3.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to cash-settled SARs granted by the Company.

Argo Group’s 2007 Employee Share Purchase Plan

The Company has established an employee stock purchase plan for eligible employees. Under this plan, shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased over an offering period of three months at 85% of the lower of the market value on the first day of the offering period or on the designated purchase date at the end of the offering period. Expense of $0.2 million was recognized under this plan for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Argo Group’s Save As You Earn Plan

The Company has established a Save As You Earn Plan for its United Kingdom employees. Under this plan, shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased over an offering period of three or five years at 85% of the market value of the Company’s common shares on the first day of the offering period. Expense of $0.1 million was recognized under this plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Expense recognized under this plan was not material for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Argo Group’s 2008 Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors

In February 2008, the Board of Directors approved the Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, a non-funded and non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Under the Plan, non-employee directors can elect each year to defer payment of 50% or 100% of their cash compensation payable during the next calendar year. During the time that the cash compensation amounts are deferred, such amounts are credited with interest earned at a rate two (2) percent above the prime rate, to be re-set each May 1. In addition, the Plan calls for the Company to grant a match equal to 75% of the cash compensation amounts deferred in the form of “Stock Units,” which provide directors with the economic equivalent of stock ownership and are credited as a bookkeeping entry to each director’s “Stock Unit Account.” Each Stock Unit is valued at the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the national exchange on which it is listed as of the date credited for all purposes under the Plan and fluctuates daily thereafter on that same basis. Distributions from the Plan will occur six months after the non-employee director ceases to be a member of the Board due to retirement or termination without cause or change in control, or immediately upon disability or death. The non-employee directors are responsible for all tax requirements on the deferred compensation and any related earnings. The Plan provides for a Stock Unit Account to be established for each non-employee director upon the effective date of the Plan and with credit for an initial bookkeeping entry for 1,650 Stock Units. Under this plan, the Company recorded compensation expense of $0.6 million and $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Argonaut Group’s Share-Based Payment Plans

Argonaut Group, Inc.’s Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan, as approved by the shareholders (the “Amended Plan”), provided for an aggregate of up to 6,250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued to certain executives and other key employees. The stock awards were issued in the form of non-qualified stock options and non-vested stock.

A summary of option activity under the Amended Plan as of September 30, 2010, and changes during the nine months then ended is as follows:


	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 1, 2010		666,709		$	34.92
Granted		—		$	0.00
Exercised		(57,410	)	$	24.70
Expired or forfeited		(55,733	)	$	39.25

Outstanding at September 30, 2010		553,566		$	35.55

The compensation expense recorded for options outstanding was $0.4 million and $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For the nine months ended September, 2010, the Company received cash payments of $1.4 million (net of any related tax payments) related to the settlement of options exercised under the Amended Plan. As of September 30, 2010, there was unamortized expense related to these options of $0.3 million.

Under the Amended Plan, up to 1,250,000 shares (of the total shares authorized under the Amended Plan) may be issued as non-vested stock to officers and certain key employees. The shares vest in equal annual installments over a period of two to five years, subject to continued employment. The stock is not issued until the vesting requirements are met; therefore, participants in the plan are not entitled to any voting or dividend rights until the stock has been issued. A summary of the non-vested shares activity under the Amended Plan as of September 30, 2010, and changes during the nine months then ended is as follows:


	Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2010		34,071		$	48.02
Granted		—		$	0.00
Vested and issued		(17,856	)	$	52.76
Expired or forfeited		(3,166	)	$	44.70

Outstanding at September 30, 2010		13,049		$	42.35

The compensation expense recorded for non-vested stock awards outstanding was $0.5 million and $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and, 2009, respectively. As of September 30, 2010, there was unamortized expense related to the non-vested stock awards of $0.2 million.

9.	Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The following table provides a reconciliation of reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”), net of reinsurance, to the gross amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Reinsurance recoverables in this note exclude paid loss recoverables of $241.0 million and $286.4 million as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively:


	For the Nine Months
	Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2010			2009
Net beginning of the year	$	2,213.2		$	2,115.6
Add:
Losses and LAE incurred during current calendar year, net of reinsurance:
Current accident year		631.7			634.6
Prior accident years		(26.8	)		10.0

Losses and LAE incurred during calendar year, net of reinsurance		604.9			644.6

Deduct:
Losses and LAE payments made during current calendar year, net of reinsurance:
Current accident year		129.3			142.1
Prior accident years		445.6			446.7

Losses and LAE payments made during current calendar year, net of reinsurance:		574.9			588.8

Additional participation interest		44.6			18.2
Foreign exchange adjustments		(11.9	)		13.9

Net reserves - end of period		2,275.9			2,203.5
Add:
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and
LAE, end of period		954.3			983.4

Gross reserves - end of period	$	3,230.2		$	3,186.9

Included in losses and LAE for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $26.8 million in favorable prior years’ loss reserve development comprised of the following: $9.3 million of net favorable development in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment resulting from $9.5 million of favorable development related to casualty and professional liability lines of business partially offset by $0.2 million of unfavorable development related to property lines of business; $5.4 million of net favorable development in the Commercial Specialty segment resulting from favorable development primarily in workers compensation and property lines of business partially offset by unfavorable development in liabilty lines of business; $14.5 million of favorable development in the Reinsurance segment comprising $12.2 million attributable to short-tail non-catastrophe losses, $1.1 million attributable to Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, and $1.2 million related to other assumed programs; $2.7 million of net unfavorable development in the International Specialty segment attributable to $11.6 million unfavorable development related to liability lines of business partially offset by $8.9 million favorable development related to property lines of business; and $0.3 million of net favorable development in the Run-off Lines segment due to $8.2 million of favorable development related to risk management run-off reserves and $1.6 million of favorable development on legacy PXRE claims, partially offset by $9.5 million of unfavorable development in asbestos and environmental lines.

Included in losses and LAE for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $10.0 million of unfavorable loss reserve development comprised of the following: $9.7 million of favorable development in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment resulting from $6.8 million related to casualty and professional liability lines of business and $2.9 million related to property lines of business; $2.2 million of net unfavorable development in the Commercial Specialty segment primarily due to unfavorable development of $5.4 million in auto and professional liability lines, partially offset by $3.3 million favorable development in workers compensation lines; $6.7 million of favorable development in the Reinsurance segment comprised of $3.2 million of favorable development attributable to Hurricane Ike and $3.5 million attributable to non-catastrophe losses; $24.4 million unfavorable development in International Specialty lines attributable to property lines written primarily in 2008; and $0.2 million of net favorable

development in the Run-off Lines segment primarily due to $6.3 million favorable development on legacy PXRE claims, $2.2 million of favorable development related to 2005 Hurricanes, $6.1 million of unfavorable development in asbestos and environmental lines, and $2.2 million of unfavorable development in workers compensation lines due to the unwinding of the reserve discount.

In the opinion of management, the Company’s reserves represent the best estimate of its ultimate liabilities, based on currently known facts, current law, current technology and assumptions considered reasonable where facts are not known. Due to significant uncertainties and related management judgments inherent in estimating losses and LAE, there can be no assurance that future loss development, favorable or unfavorable, will not occur.

10.

Segment Information

The Company is primarily engaged in writing property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. The Company has four ongoing reporting segments: Excess and Surplus Lines, Commercial Specialty, Reinsurance and International Specialty. Additionally, the Company has a Run-off Lines segment for certain products that it no longer writes.

The Company considers many factors, including the nature of each segment’s insurance and reinsurance products, production sources, distribution strategies and the regulatory environment, in determining how to aggregate reporting segments.

In evaluating the operating performance of its segments, the Company focuses on core underwriting and investing results before the consideration of realized gains or losses from the sales of investments. Realized investment gains (losses) are reported as a component of the Corporate and Other segment, as decisions regarding the acquisition and disposal of securities reside with the executive management of the Company and are not under the control of the individual business segments. Identifiable assets by segment are those assets used in the operation of each segment.

Revenues and income (loss) before income taxes for each segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:


	For the Three Months Ended September 30,						For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Revenue:
Earned premiums
Excess and Surplus Lines	$	122.2		$	138.4		$	376.0		$	403.9
Commercial Specialty		81.6			90.4			254.2			274.4
Reinsurance		24.8			22.9			74.7			63.4
International Specialty		60.7			95.6			232.2			320.8
Run-off Lines		(0.4	)		(0.1	)		(0.2	)		0.3

Total earned premiums		288.9			347.2			936.9			1,062.8
Net investment income
Excess and Surplus Lines		14.4			14.8			43.7			49.3
Commercial Specialty		7.2			6.6			22.1			22.4
Reinsurance		2.4			1.7			6.4			5.8
International Specialty		3.9			1.4			10.6			8.3
Run-off Lines		4.3			5.4			13.4			18.5
Corporate and Other		1.4			2.0			4.3			8.8

Total net investment income		33.6			31.9			100.5			113.1
Fee income (expense), net		1.7			0.7			2.0			(1.8	)
Realized investment gains (losses), net		9.1			0.7			28.6			(20.3	)

Total revenue	$	333.3		$	380.5		$	1,068.0		$	1,153.8


	For the Three Months Ended September 30,						For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Income (loss) before income taxes
Excess and Surplus Lines	$	15.3		$	14.4		$	43.5		$	63.6
Commercial Specialty		11.9			12.1			17.7			34.5
Reinsurance		8.4			13.9			23.0			34.0
International Specialty		0.1			0.7			(12.8	)		8.1
Run-off Lines		(2.0	)		(0.5	)		1.9			4.1

Total segment income before taxes		33.7			40.6			73.3			144.3
Corporate and Other		(11.4	)		(3.9	)		(4.9	)		(32.7	)
Realized investment gains (losses), net		9.1			0.7			28.6			(20.3	)

Total income before income taxes	$	31.4		$	37.4		$	97.0		$	91.3

In 2010, management reevaluated the metrics used to evaluate the business, including the results of operations of the segments. Beginning in 2010, management includes an allocation of interest expense to the segments to more accurately reflect the cost of capital allocated to each segment. The income (loss) before income taxes in the above table includes the effect of interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. As interest expense was not used by management to evaluate the segments during 2009, the income (loss) before income taxes for the segments were not re-stated for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 to include an interest expense component. Interest expense totaled $6.1 million and $19.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

The following table represents identifiable assets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:


(in millions)	September 30, 2010		December 31, 2009
Excess and Surplus Lines	$	2,331.3	$	2,325.1
Commercial Specialty		1,270.4		1,272.6
Reinsurance		495.5		465.9
International Specialty		1,576.9		1,858.2
Run-off Lines		688.7		740.9
Corporate and Other		313.2		234.1

Total	$	6,676.0	$	6,896.8

At December 31, 2009, the Company was in a net deferred tax asset position. At September 30, 2010, as the Company is in a net deferred tax liability position, excluded from identifiable assets are deferred tax asset (liability) balances of ($4.1) million from Excess and Surplus Lines, $3.0 million from Commercial Specialty, ($10.5) million from International Specialty, $43.2 million from Run-off Lines and ($54.3) million from Corporate and Other.

Included in the International Specialty segment at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are $638.0 million and $881.5 million, respectively, in assets associated with trade capital providers.

11.

Underwriting, Acquisition and Insurance Expenses

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:


	For the Three Months Ended September 30,					For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2010		2009			2010		2009
Commissions	$	46.6	$	69.8		$	163.3	$	227.1
General expenses		58.1		56.6			158.7		156.2
Premium taxes, boards and bureaus		6.9		8.2			19.5		22.7

		111.6		134.6			341.5		406.0
Net amortization (deferral) of policy acquisition costs		4.2		(0.9	)		19.2		(21.7	)

Total underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	$	115.8	$	133.7		$	360.7	$	384.3

Included in general expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 is $2.9 million and $5.0 million, respectively, in bad debt expense due primarily to management establishing an allowance in the first quarter and third quarter of 2010 for reinsurance recoverable balances. Included in general expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 is $4.8 million of bad debt expense due to the write-off of reinsurance recoverable balances as a result of lost arbitrations.

12.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Income taxes paid. The Company paid income taxes of $19.8 million and $37.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Income taxes recovered. The Company recovered income taxes of $2.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. This recovery, reflected in “Current income taxes receivable, net,” will be applied against the Company’s 2010 estimated tax payments. The Company recovered $5.7 million of income taxes during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. In June 2009, the Company received a $10.1 million refund attributable to a favorable decision rendered by the California State Board of Equalization related to franchise tax payments paid by Argo Group US, Inc. (“Argo Group US”) for tax years 1994 through 1999. Of this refund, $5.6 million was a recovery of taxes and $4.5 million was earned interest. The earned interest has been reflected in “Net investment income” in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Interest paid. The Company paid interest on the junior subordinated debentures of $17.2 million and $18.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company paid interest on its revolving credit facility and other indebtedness of $0.1 million and $2.4 million, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, and $0.7 million and $3.4 million, respectively, during the same period in 2009.

13.

Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Cash. The carrying amount approximates fair value.

Investment securities and short-term investments. See Note 4, “Investments” for additional information.

Premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverables on paid losses. The carrying value of current receivables approximates fair value. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the carrying values of premiums receivable over 90 days were $22.8 million and $20.5 million, respectively. Included in “Reinsurance recoverables” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, are amounts that are due from third party trade reinsurers associated with the operations of Argo Underwriting Agency Limited (“Argo International”).

Upon settlement, the receivable is offset against the liability. The liability is reflected in “Ceded reinsurance payable, net” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the payable was in excess of the receivable. Of the Company’s paid losses on reinsurance recoverable balances, excluding amounts attributable to Argo International’s third party trade reinsurers, at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the carrying values over 90 days were $39.2 million and $23.2 million, respectively. The Company’s methodology for establishing its allowances for doubtful accounts includes specifically identifying all potential uncollectible balances regardless of aging. Any of the over 90 day balances, where collectibility is deemed uncertain, has been included in the allowances. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the allowance for doubtful accounts for premiums receivable was $5.3 million and $4.9 million, respectively, and the allowance for doubtful accounts for reinsurance recoverables on paid losses was $10.3 million and $5.8 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, premiums receivable over 90 days were secured by collateral in the amount of $0.1 million and $0, respectively, and reinsurance recoverables on paid losses over 90 days were secured by collateral in the amount of $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The carrying value of aged receivables, net of allowances for doubtful accounts and collateral security, also approximates fair value due to the short duration of the expected turnover period.

Long-term debt. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the fair value of the Company’s Junior Subordinated Debentures was estimated using quoted prices from external sources based on current market conditions.

Floating rate loan stock. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the fair value of Argo International’s floating rate loan stock was estimated using quoted prices from external sources based on current market conditions.

A summary of the Company’s financial instruments whose carrying amount did not equal fair value at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 is shown below:


	September 30, 2010				December 31, 2009
(in millions)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(Unaudited)
Junior subordinated debentures	$	311.5	$	187.9	$	311.4	$	190.9
Floating rate loan stock		62.3		30.2		69.2		32.8

	$	373.8	$	218.1	$	380.6	$	223.7

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following is a discussion and analysis of the Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, and also a discussion of the Company’s financial condition as of September 30, 2010. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the attached unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto and Argo Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2010, including the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto.

Forward Looking Statements

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk and the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements (including the notes thereto) may contain “forward looking statements,” which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that actual developments will be those anticipated by the Company. Actual results may differ materially as a result of significant risks and uncertainties, including non-receipt of expected payments, the capital markets and their effect on investment income and the fair value of the investment portfolio, development of claims and the effect on loss reserves, accuracy in estimating loss reserves, changes in the demand for the Company’s products, the effect of general economic conditions, adverse state and federal legislation and regulations, government investigations into industry practices, developments relating to existing agreements, heightened competition, changes in pricing environments and changes in asset valuations. For a more detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties, see the Company’s public filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.

Generally, it is the Company’s policy to communicate events that may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s operations or financial position, including property and casualty catastrophic events and material losses in the investment portfolio, in a timely manner through a public announcement. It is also the Company’s policy not to make public announcements regarding events that are believed to have no material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position based on management’s current estimates and available information, other than through regularly scheduled calls, press releases or filings.

Results of Operations

The following is a comparison of selected data from the Company’s operations:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Gross written premiums	$	398.3		$	505.8		$	1,238.1		$	1,573.9

Earned premiums	$	288.9		$	347.2		$	936.9		$	1,062.8
Net investment income		33.6			31.9			100.5			113.1
Fee income (expense), net		1.7			0.7			2.0			(1.8	)
Realized investment gains (losses), net		9.1			0.7			28.6			(20.3	)

Total revenue	$	333.3		$	380.5		$	1,068.0		$	1,153.8

Income before income taxes		31.4			37.4			97.0			91.3
Provision for income taxes		8.4			9.8			27.2			14.8

Net income	$	23.0		$	27.6		$	69.8		$	76.5

Loss ratio		61.2	%		60.0	%		64.6	%		60.7	%
Expense ratio		40.1	%		38.5	%		38.5	%		36.2	%

Combined ratio		101.3	%		98.5	%		103.1	%		96.9	%

The decline in consolidated gross written and earned premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same periods in 2009 was primarily due to continued competition, declining rates and the discontinuation of writing certain programs within the Commercial Specialty segment, as well as the revision of its underwriting guidelines in the Commercial Specialty and International Specialty segments. Consolidated gross written and earned premiums declined across all segments, except the Reinsurance segment, which increased primarily due to the new primary excess casualty and professional lines unit, which began writing premiums in the second quarter of 2009. Most of the Company’s product lines have continued to be impacted by increased competition and/or reduced rates.

Consolidated net investment income increased for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 due to an increased total invested assets balance coupled with a shift in the portfolio mix during the third quarter of 2010. Consolidated net investment income decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 due to reduced yields. Included in consolidated net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $4.5 million in interest received from the state of California related to a tax settlement. Total invested assets at September 30, 2010 and 2009 were $4,161.5 million and $3,833.7 million, respectively, net of $179.1 million and $243.4 million of invested assets attributable to Argo International’s trade capital providers.

Consolidated fee income (expense), net represents commissions and other fees earned by the Company for non-risk bearing activities reported net of the associated expenses. Fee income is generated by the Commercial Specialty segment as a result of business placed with other insurance companies. In addition, the International Specialty segment generates fee income and profit commission from managing third party capital for certain syndicates at Lloyd’s. Consolidated fee income (expense), net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 were impacted by reduced profit commissions stemming from the decline in operating profits in the International Specialty segment.

Consolidated realized investment gains, net, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 were $9.1 million compared to $0.7 million for the same period in 2009. The consolidated realized investment gains, net were primarily attributable to the fixed income portfolio, as the Company sold selected securities in order to reposition the portfolio into higher yielding assets. Consolidated realized investment gains, net, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $28.6 million compared to $20.3 million realized loss for the same period in 2009. Included in realized investment losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 were $0 and $0.8 million, respectively, of realized losses due to the recognition of other-than-temporary impairments, compared to $8.8 million and $36.6 million of realized losses for the same period in 2009. Included in the other-than-temporary-impairment charge for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $7.4 million and $13.4 million of foreign currency exchange loss on securities the Company intended to sell or subsequently sold. If individual securities are determined to have an other-than-temporary impairment, the security is written down to its fair value.

Consolidated losses and loss adjustment expenses were $176.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $208.3 million for the same period in 2009. Included in losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $12.6 million in catastrophe losses for the 2010 accident year, driven primarily by $11.3 million in losses resulting from the New Zealand earthquake. Partially offsetting these losses was $6.5 million in net favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years. Included in the net favorable development was $15.6 million of favorable development primarily attributable to $9.0 million favorable development in the Company’s run-off workers compensation products, with the remaining favorable development occurring over multiple lines. Partially offsetting this favorable development was unfavorable development in the general liability lines, primarily attributable to $9.5 million in reserve strengthening as a result of the Company’s annual actuarial review of the asbestos and environmental reserves for claims incurred many years ago.

Consolidated losses and loss adjustment expenses was $604.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $644.6 million for the same period in 2009. Included in losses and loss adjustment expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $62.3 million resulting from storms in the United States, the Chile, Haiti and New Zealand earthquakes and the Deepwater Horizon incident. The following table summarizes the reserve development as respects to prior year loss reserves by line of business for the nine months ended September 30, 2010:


(in millions)	2009 Net Reserves		Net Reserve Development (Favorable)/ Unfavorable			Percent of 2009 Net Reserves
General liability	$	957.3	$	4.1			0.4	%
Workers compensation		447.0		(9.9	)		-2.2	%
Commercial multi-peril		185.6		(3.3	)		-1.8	%
Commercial auto liability		161.9		(4.8	)		-3.0	%
Reinsurance - nonproportional assumed property		89.3		(14.9	)		-16.7	%
Special property		17.5		(0.4	)		-2.3	%
Auto physical damage		8.3		(0.4	)		-4.8	%
International Specialty		336.7		2.7			0.8	%
All other lines		9.6		0.1			1.0	%

Total	$	2,213.2	$	(26.8	)		-1.2	%

With the exception of the reinsurance – nonproportional assumed property, which was primarily attributable to non-catastrophe losses, there was no material reserve development by line of business.

In determining appropriate reserve levels as September 30, 2010, the Company maintained the same general processes and disciplines that were used to set reserves at prior reporting dates. No changes in key assumptions were made to estimate the reserves since the last reporting date; however, the maturation of claims since the last analysis provided a basis to assign greater credibility to emerged loss development patterns. Consistent with prior reserve valuations, actuarial estimates were refined to assign alternate weights to the different loss forecasting methodologies in order to respond to any emerging trends in the paid and reported loss data. These modifications to the analysis varied depending on whether the line of business was short-tailed or long-tailed and also varied by accident year.

When determining reserve levels, the Company recognizes that there are several factors that present challenges and uncertainties to the estimation of loss reserves. Examples of these factors potentially include changes in underwriting, changes to the ceded reinsurance structure, and the variability associated with the loss settlement process. To properly recognize these uncertainties, actuarial reviews relied to a large extent on the paid and incurred Bornhuetter-Ferguson methodologies. These methods assigned weight to actual reported loss experience as well as an expected or planned loss ratio. The expected or planned loss ratio has typically been determined using various assumptions pertaining to prospective loss frequency and severity trends, changes in rates and changes in other factors expected to impact the results. In setting reserves at September 30, 2010, the Company continued to rely most heavily on the paid and incurred Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods for recent accident years; however certain additional weighting was assigned to other actuarial methods to recognize the most current trends emerging in paid and reported loss data.

The Company’s loss reserve estimates gradually blend in the results from other methodologies over time. For general liability, more credibility is assigned to methods that rely more heavily on the Company’s actual paid and reported loss experience as the accident year matures. For property business where losses are reported and settled more quickly, more credibility is assigned to methods that rely more heavily on the Company’s actual paid and reported loss experience at an earlier point of maturity.

While prior accident years’ net reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses for some lines of business have developed favorably in recent periods, this does not infer that more recent accident years’ reserves also will develop favorably; pricing, reinsurance costs, the legal environment, general economic conditions and many other factors impact management’s ultimate loss estimates. Since accident year 2007, pricing for the Company’s products has been under significant competition and management’s expectation is that profitability for certain lines of business decreased accordingly yet loss costs have not decreased proportionately.

Consolidated loss reserves were $3,230.2 million (including $183.8 million of reserves attributable to the International Specialty segment’s trade capital providers), and $3,186.9 million (including $235.1 million of reserves attributable to trade capital providers) as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Management has recorded its best estimate of loss reserves as of September 30, 2010 based on current known facts and circumstances. Due to the significant uncertainties inherent in the estimation of loss reserves, there can be no assurance that future loss development, favorable or unfavorable, will not occur.

Consolidated underwriting, insurance and acquisition expenses were $115.8 million and $360.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to $133.7 million and $384.3 million for the same periods in 2009. Consolidated expense ratios were 40.1% and 38.5% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to 38.5% and 36.2% for the same periods in 2009. The increase in the expense ratio in 2010 as compared to 2009 was primarily attributable to declining premium volumes without a corresponding reduction in fixed costs.

Consolidated interest expense was $5.8 million and $17.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to $6.1 million and $19.8 million for the same periods in 2009. The decline in interest expense was the result of more favorable interest rates on the Company’s outstanding debt reflecting current market conditions.

Consolidated foreign currency exchange losses were $3.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to a foreign currency exchange gain of $5.0 million for the same period ended 2009. Consolidated foreign currency exchange gains were $11.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to a foreign currency exchange loss of $7.9 million for the same period ended 2009. Foreign currency exchange (gains) losses represent the conversion into U.S. Dollars of transactions that are settled in currencies other than U.S. Dollars.

Consolidated provision for income taxes was $8.4 million and $9.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Consolidated provision for income taxes was $27.2 million and $14.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Included in the consolidated provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was a $5.6 million tax refund received from the state of California due to a favorable tax settlement. Offsetting this tax refund was $6.3 million in tax expense from Argo Financial Holding (Ireland) Ltd to the Internal Revenue Service for withholding on dividends received from Argo Group US. The consolidated income tax provision for the periods in 2010 and 2009 represents the income tax expense associated with the Company’s operations based on the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which they operate.

Segment Results

In evaluating the operating performance of its segments, the Company focuses on core underwriting and investing results before consideration of realized gains or losses from the sales of investments. Management excludes realized investment gains and losses from segment results, as decisions regarding the sales of investments are made at the corporate level. Although this measure of profit (loss) does not replace net income (loss) computed in accordance with GAAP as a measure of profitability, management utilizes this measure of profit (loss) to focus its reporting segments on generating operating income.

Since the Company generally manages and monitors the investment portfolio and indebtedness on an aggregate basis, the overall performance of the investment portfolio, including the related net investment income, and interest expense are discussed above on a consolidated basis under consolidated net investment income and consolidated interest expense rather than within or by segment.

Excess and Surplus Lines. The following table summarizes the results of operations for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Gross written premiums	$	132.7		$	164.5		$	403.6		$	486.6

Earned premiums	$	122.2		$	138.4		$	376.0		$	403.9
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		78.5			91.6			243.1			253.4
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		41.2			47.2			128.2			136.2

Underwriting income (loss)		2.5			(0.4	)		4.7			14.3
Net investment income		14.4			14.8			43.7			49.3
Interest expense		(1.6	)		—			(4.9	)		—

Income before income taxes	$	15.3		$	14.4		$	43.5		$	63.6

Loss ratio		64.3	%		66.2	%		64.6	%		62.7	%
Expense ratio		33.7	%		34.1	%		34.1	%		33.7	%

Combined ratio		98.0	%		100.3	%		98.7	%		96.4	%

The declines in gross written and earned premiums were primarily due to market conditions. The excess and surplus lines marketplace continues to experience increased competition from both other excess and surplus lines carriers as well as the standard markets, which has led to lower rates and business shifting to the standard markets. Competition within the excess and surplus lines marketplace remains intense, resulting in continued downward pressure on average rate per exposure and the current economic conditions are forcing insureds to reduce coverage or in some cases, cease operations. In addition, insureds in this segment are often the result of new business formations, which have been limited due to the current economic environment.

The Excess and Surplus Lines segment’s loss ratios for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were 64.3% and 66.2%, respectively. Included in losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $1.5 million in favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years in the casualty, professional liability and property lines. Included in losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $1.4 million of favorable development on prior accident years primarily in the casualty and professional lines. Additionally, for the three months ended September 30, 2009, $1.5 million in additional losses were recorded for the 2009 accident year for higher than expected losses primarily in the professional liability and property lines.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 resulted in loss ratios of 64.6% and 62.7%, respectively. Included in losses and loss adjustment expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $9.3 million net favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years primarily within the casualty and professional liability lines. Included in losses and loss adjustment expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $9.7 million in favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years within the casualty, professional liability and property lines. Loss reserves for the Excess and Surplus lines segment were $1,385.3 million and $1,334.1 million at September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Underwriting, insurance and acquisition expenses resulted in expense ratios of 33.7% and 34.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The decrease in the expense ratio in 2010 as compared to 2009 was primarily attributable to increased contingent commission expense in 2009 due to the lack of catastrophe losses. The expense ratios were 34.1% and 33.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in the year to date expense ratio in 2010 was primarily attributable to declining premium volumes.

Commercial Specialty. The following table summarizes the results of operations for the Commercial Specialty segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Gross written premiums	$	146.3		$	166.5		$	338.2		$	379.9

Earned premiums	$	81.6		$	90.4		$	254.2		$	274.4
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		50.4			60.2			175.3			183.0
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		26.0			25.8			81.0			79.6

Underwriting income (loss)		5.2			4.4			(2.1	)		11.8
Net investment income		7.2			6.6			22.1			22.4
Interest expense		(1.0	)		—			(3.1	)		—
Fee income, net		0.5			1.1			0.8			0.3

Income before income taxes	$	11.9		$	12.1		$	17.7		$	34.5

Loss ratio		61.8	%		66.6	%		69.0	%		66.7	%
Expense ratio		31.8	%		28.5	%		31.9	%		29.0	%

Combined ratio		93.6	%		95.1	%		100.9	%		95.7	%

The decrease in gross written premiums and earned premiums for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same periods ended in 2009 was primarily attributable to the discontinued hotel/motel and religious institution programs and underwriting actions in the grocery and restaurant programs within the Argo Select business unit. Earned premiums within Argo Select decreased from $35.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 to $26.9 million for the same period in 2010. The decrease in gross written premiums and earned premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period ended in 2009 was primarily attributable to the factors noted above plus the impact of the weakened economy on payrolls in the Company’s coal mining workers compensation lines. Earned premiums within Argo Select decreased from $106.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $88.5 million for the same period in 2010. Earned premiums for the coal mining business decreased from $50.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $45.1 million for the same period in 2010. The decreases in earned premiums were partially offset by an increase in earned premiums in the Company’s surety lines of business. Surety lines earned premiums increased $4.3 million, from $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $7.5 million for the same period in 2010.

The Commercial Specialty segment’s loss ratios were 61.8% and 66.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The loss ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2010, included $2.2 million of losses from storm activity in the United States. Included in losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $1.9 million of net favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years resulting from favorable development in workers compensation lines. For the three months ended September 30, 2009, the Commercial Specialty segment recognized $0.4 million of favorable development on prior accident years. The net favorable loss reserve development was the result of favorable development in workers compensation lines for accident years 2006 and prior, partially offset by unfavorable development in automobile liability and multiple-peril coverages primarily in accident years 2006 through 2008. Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 also included several large non-weather related property losses.

The loss ratios for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were 69.0% and 66.7%, respectively. Losses for the 2010 accident year include total storm activity of $15.5 million. Additionally, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Commercial Specialty segment recognized $5.4 million of favorable loss development on prior accident years. The favorable development was driven primarily by favorable development in the workers compensation line of business as well as property lines related to salvage and subrogation received. This development was partially offset by adverse development in the liability lines. Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included total storm activity of $9.5 million. Additionally, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Commercial Specialty segment recognized $2.2 million of unfavorable loss development on prior accident years. This total reflects adverse development in automobile and professional liability lines and involuntary pool participation, along with unwinding the reserve discount on workers compensation business, partially offset by favorable development in workers compensation. Loss reserves for the Commercial Specialty segment were $623.1 million and $597.1 million as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The expense ratios for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 were 31.8% and 31.9%, respectively, compared to 28.5% and 29.0% for the same periods in 2009. The increase in the expense ratio was primarily attributable to lower premium volumes and reduced ceding commissions received on the state fund program, coupled with an increase in the allocation of operating expenses to underwriting activities.

Gross fee income, which consists of commissions earned by the Company’s managing general underwriters for brokerage business placed outside the Company, was $3.2 million and $4.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, and $4.1 million and $4.9 million for the same periods in 2009. The decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily related to the reduction of profit share following losses with two significant carriers. The expenses associated with the generation of fee income were $2.7 million and $4.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, and $3.0 million and $4.6 million for the same periods in 2009. The decrease for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same time period in 2009 was attributable to the reduced allocation of overall operating expenses.

Reinsurance. The following table summarizes the results of operations for the Reinsurance segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Gross written premiums	$	40.2		$	28.9		$	168.0		$	143.0

Earned premiums	$	24.8		$	22.9		$	74.7		$	63.4
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		11.5			3.3			33.2			14.2
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		6.4			7.4			22.2			21.0

Underwriting income		6.9			12.2			19.3			28.2
Net investment income		2.4			1.7			6.4			5.8
Interest expense		(0.9	)		—			(2.7	)		—

Income before income taxes	$	8.4		$	13.9		$	23.0		$	34.0

Loss ratio		46.4	%		14.4	%		44.4	%		22.4	%
Expense ratio		25.8	%		32.3	%		29.7	%		33.1	%

Combined ratio		72.2	%		46.7	%		74.1	%		55.5	%

The increase in gross written and earned premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to 2009 was primarily attributable to a new primary excess casualty and professional lines unit, which

began writing business in the second quarter of 2009. The casualty and professional lines unit contributed earned premiums of $3.8 million and $9.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to $1.4 million and $1.9 million for the same periods in 2009. Also included in earned premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 were reinstatement premiums of $0.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively, related to certain reinsurance contracts.

The loss ratios for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were 46.4% and 14.4%, respectively. Included in losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $5.9 million of losses resulting from the New Zealand and Chile earthquakes. Partially offsetting these 2010 accident year losses was $2.6 million favorable loss development on prior accident years comprised of $1.4 million attributable to short-tail non-catastrophe losses and $1.2 million related to other assumed programs. Included in losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $2.3 million in favorable loss reserve development for prior accident years related to Hurricane Ike and non-catastrophe losses.

The loss ratios for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were 44.4% and 22.4%, respectively. Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included $22.6 million related to the New Zealand and Chile earthquakes and the Deepwater Horizon incident. Partially offsetting these losses was $14.5 million in favorable development comprised of $12.2 million attributable to short-tail non-catastrophe losses, $1.1 million attributable to Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, and $1.2 million related to other assumed programs. Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included $3.2 million in favorable loss reserve development for the 2008 accident year due to Hurricane Ike losses developing more favorably than original estimates, coupled with $3.5 million of favorable reported loss activity on the non-catastrophe losses. Loss reserves for the Reinsurance segment were $117.0 million and $74.1 million at September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The expense ratios for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 were 25.8% and 29.7%, respectively, compared to 32.3% and 33.1% for the same periods in 2009. The decline in the expense ratios for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period ended 2009 was primarily attributable to increased ceding commissions from the primary excess casualty and professional lines.

International Specialty. The following table summarizes the results of operations for the International Specialty segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Gross written premiums	$	79.8		$	145.4		$	329.6		$	562.6

Earned premiums	$	60.7		$	95.6		$	232.2		$	320.8
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		36.2			55.1			153.6			194.1
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		28.7			40.8			100.8			118.9

Underwriting income (loss)		(4.2	)		(0.3	)		(22.2	)		7.8
Net investment income		3.9			1.4			10.6			8.3
Interest expense		(0.8	)		—			(2.4	)		—
Fee income (expense), net		1.2			(0.4	)		1.2			(2.1	)
Impairment of intangible asset		—			—			—			(5.9	)

Income (loss) before income taxes	$	0.1		$	0.7		$	(12.8	)	$	8.1

Loss ratio		59.6	%		57.6	%		66.1	%		60.5	%
Expense ratio		47.3	%		42.7	%		43.4	%		37.1	%

Combined ratio		106.9	%		100.3	%		109.5	%		97.6	%

Earned premiums represent premiums earned on the portion of gross written premiums retained by the Company. In 2009, International Specialty increased its underwriting participation in the syndicates it manages to 61% from 54% in 2008 and has retained that participation for 2010. For the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the property division wrote approximately $52.1 million and $116.2 million of gross written premiums, respectively. The casualty division wrote $24.5 million and $29.2 million for the same periods, and discontinued lines accounted for the remaining $3.2 million of gross written premiums for the three months ended September 30, 2010. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the property division wrote $220.2 million and $420.2 million of gross written premiums, respectively. The casualty division wrote $103.0 million and $142.4 million for the same periods, and discontinued lines accounted for the remaining $6.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Gross written premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 were increased by approximately $40.0 million and $57.2 million, respectively, for increased writings related to property binder business stemming from late reported premium from prior periods. The decrease in property written premiums in 2010 was driven by a planned reduction in property binder business and by significant competition in the direct and facultative market. The decrease in casualty written premiums in 2010 was driven by the Company being more selective in accepting risks within a highly competitive marketplace.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses are reported net of losses ceded to the trade reinsurers. Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 included $0.8 million favorable and $2.7 million of unfavorable prior accident year loss development. Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 included $2.2 million of unfavorable development primarily related to property binder business written in prior years. Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included $24.4 million of unfavorable development which was partiallyoffset by additional premiums of $22.8 million, both of which were primarily related to the property binder business. The effect on the loss ratios for the 2009 periods was mitigated by the increased earned premium that was late reported for the property binder business.

The loss ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was impacted by $6.1 million of catastrophe losses from the New Zealand earthquake. The loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was impacted by $21.3 million of catastrophe losses from the Chile, Haiti and New Zealand earthquakes. Loss reserves as of September 30, 2010 were $611.9 million, which includes $183.8 million attributable to trade reinsurers, compared to $605.3 million, which includes $235.1 million attributable to trade reinsurers, as of September 30, 2009.

The increase in the expense ratio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same periods in 2009 was the result of lower earned premium from decreasing premium writings in more recent periods, and further exacerbated by the third quarter and nine months 2009 earned premiums benefiting from the additional property binder earned premiums discussed above.

Fee income represents fees and profit commission derived from the management of third party capital on the Company’s underwriting syndicates at Lloyds. Fee income, net, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $1.2 million while 2009 was a $0.4 million loss with fees being more than offset by fee expenses. Fee income, net, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was also $1.2 million with the third quarter accounting for the result, as prior periods in 2010 had fees offset by fee expenses. Fee income, net, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was a loss of $2.1 million as fees were reduced to reflect revised expectations with respect to syndicate results.

In June 2009, the Company deemed the value assigned to the trade name of Heritage impaired after an evaluation of the value of the name in the Lloyd’s market and the subsequent renaming of Heritage to Argo International, resulting in a $5.9 million charge.

Run-off Lines. The Company has discontinued underwriting certain lines of business, including those lines that were previously reported in Argo Group US’s Risk Management segment and PXRE Reinsurance Limited. As the Company no longer actively underwrites business within these programs, all current activity is related to the management of claims and other administrative functions.

Also included in the Run-off Lines segment are liabilities associated with other liability policies written in the 1970s and into the 1980s, and include asbestos and environmental liabilities as well as medical malpractice liabilities. The Company regularly monitors the activity of claims within the Run-off Lines.

The following table summarizes the results of operations for the Run-off Lines segment:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2010			2009			2010			2009
Earned premiums	$	(0.4	)	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.2	)	$	0.3
Losses and loss adjustment expenses (benefits)		0.3			(1.9	)		(0.3	)		(0.1	)
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		5.0			7.7			9.8			14.8

Underwriting loss		(5.7	)		(5.9	)		(9.7	)		(14.4	)
Net investment income		4.3			5.4			13.4			18.5
Interest expense		(0.6	)		—			(1.8	)		—

Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(2.0	)	$	(0.5	)	$	1.9		$	4.1

Earned premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were attributable to adjustments resulting from final audits, return premium adjustments on retrospectively rated policies and other adjustments on policies previously written.

Included in losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $0.3 million of net unfavorable loss reserve development on prior accident years. The unfavorable loss reserve development was the result of $9.5 million unfavorable loss reserve development on asbestos reserves. Partially offsetting this unfavorable loss reserve development was $8.7 million in favorable loss reserve development related to risk management run-off reserves due primarily to better than expected paid and incurred loss activity for workers compensation, and $0.5 million of favorable loss reserve development on the legacy PXRE property non-catastrophe reinsurance reserves. Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 included $1.9 million of net favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years. Favorable loss reserve development consisted of $2.6 million for the legacy PXRE lines attributable to reserves for the 2005 hurricanes and for the non-catastrophe reinsurance lines, partially offset by $0.7 million related to the workers compensation reserve discount.

Included in losses and loss adjustment expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $0.3 million of net favorable development driven by $8.2 million of favorable development related to risk management run-off reserves due to the factors noted above and $1.6 million in favorable loss reserve development on the legacy PXRE lines. Partially offsetting this favorable development was the $9.5 million in reserve strengthening for asbestos discussed above. Included in losses and loss adjustment expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $6.1 million in unfavorable reserve development for prior accident years resulting from the settlement of one large asbestos claim in the first quarter of 2009, coupled with $2.2 million related to the workers compensation reserve discount. More than offsetting this unfavorable loss reserve development was $8.4 million in favorable loss reserve development on the legacy PXRE prior accident years resulting from non-catastrophe reinsurance lines and favorable development on the 2005 hurricane reserves.

Loss reserves for the Run-off Lines were as follows:


	September 30,
	2010						2009
(in millions)	Gross			Net			Gross			Net
Asbestos and environmental:
Loss reserves, beginning of the year	$	122.7		$	93.0		$	143.3		$	125.4
Incurred losses		8.5			9.5			30.4			6.5
Losses paid		(17.4	)		(16.8	)		(43.7	)		(32.3	)

Loss reserves - asbestos and environmental, end of the period		113.8			85.7			130.0			99.6
Risk management reserves		336.2			240.8			374.0			274.1
PXRE run-off reserves		34.2			34.1			58.5			58.4
Other run-off lines		8.7			8.5			13.8			13.4

Total loss reserves - Run-off Lines	$	492.9		$	369.1		$	576.3		$	445.5

In the third quarter of 2010, the Company concluded its annual review of asbestos and environmental liability reserves. As a result, the Company strengthened asbestos reserves by $9.5 million. The change was driven by increased severity estimates for asbestos claims primarily pertaining to the Company’s assumed reinsurance business. In the opinion of management, the Company’s reserves for the Run-off Lines segment represent the best estimates of its ultimate liabilities based on currently known facts and trends, current laws, current technology and assumptions considered reasonable where specific facts are not known. However, as management regularly monitors and evaluates the activity of these claims, adjustments to the reserves may be recorded outside of the annual review period. Due to the significant uncertainties inherent in the estimation of loss reserves, there can be no assurance that future loss development, favorable or unfavorable, will not occur.

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses for the Run-off segment consists primarily of administrative expenses. Included in underwriting expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $2.9 million and $5.0 million, respectively, in bad debt expense for reinsurance recoverable balances whose collection has been deemed doubtful. Bad debt expense for reinsurance recoverable was $4.8 million for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s principal operating cash flow sources are premiums and investment income. The primary operating cash outflows are claim payments, reinsurance costs, acquisition and operating expenses. Argo Group’s holding companies have access to various sources of liquidity including subsidiary dividends, its revolving credit facility and access to the debt and equity capital markets, if available.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, net cash provided by operating activities was $29.3 million compared to $267.7 million of net cash provided for the same period in 2009. The decline in net cash provided by operating activities primarily related to an overall decrease in gross written and earned premiums resulting from reduced rates and increased selectivity in accepting risks within a highly competitive marketplace.

Since January 1, 2010 and through the date of this filing, the Company has repurchased 2,558,596 shares of its common stock for a total cost of $81.5 million. Since the inception of the buy-back program in 2007, the Company has repurchased 2,704,595 shares of its common stock at an average price of $32.01 for a total cost of $86.6 million.

On April 30, 2010, each of Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd., Argo Group US, Inc., Argo International Holdings Limited, and Argo Underwriting Agency Limited (the “Borrowers”) entered into a $150,000,000 Credit Agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) with major money center banks. The New Credit Agreement replaced the $100,000,000 Credit Agreement between the Borrowers and major money center banks, which agreement was terminated in connection with the execution of the New Credit Agreement. The New Credit Agreement and the commitments thereunder expire on April 30, 2013. Borrowings by the Borrowers under the New Credit Agreement may be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital and permitted acquisitions, and each of the Borrowers has agreed to be jointly and severally liable for the obligations of the other Borrowers under the New Credit Agreement.

The New Credit Agreement contains customary events of default. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the Borrowers might be required immediately to repay all amounts outstanding under the New Credit Agreement. Lenders holding more than 51% of the loans and commitments under the New Credit Agreement may elect to accelerate the maturity of the loans under the New Credit Agreement upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an event of default. No defaults or events of defaults have occurred as of the date of this filing.

Currently the Company does not have an outstanding balance under the $150.0 million credit facility. The $15.0 million outstanding balance at June 30, 2010 was repaid during the third quarter of 2010. The credit facility allows up to $15.0 million of the facility to be used for letters of credit, subject to availability under the line. Currently, the Company has a $0.1 million letter of credit issued and outstanding under the facility.

In March 2010, the Company received a dividend in the amount of $17.5 million in cash from Argo Re, Ltd, a primary direct subsidiary. In September 2010, Argo Group US received cash dividends of $25.0 million and $30.0 million from Argonaut Insurance Company and Rockwood Casualty Insurance Company, respectively, which are primary direct subsidiaries of Argo Group US. In October 2010, Argo Group US received a dividend of $50.0 million, in the form of $25.0 million in cash and $25.0 million in securities, from Colony Insurance Company, a primary direct subsidiary of Argo Group US.

On February 19, 2010, May 5, 2010, August 10, 2010 and November 3, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.12 on each share of common stock outstanding. On March 15, 2010, June 15, 2010 and September 15, 2010, the Company paid $3.7 million, $3.6 million and $3.5 million to its shareholders of record on March 1, 2010, June 1, 2010 and September 1, 2010, respectively. The dividend declared on November 3, 2010 will be paid on December 15, 2010 to its shareholders of record on December 1, 2010.

Refer to Part II, Item 7 - “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Argo Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 that Argo Group filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2010 for further discussion on Argo Group’s liquidity.

Recent Accounting Standards and Critical Accounting Estimates

New Accounting Standards

The discussion of the adoption and pending adoption of recently issued accounting policies is included in Note 2, “Recently Issued Accounting Standards,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part I, Item 1 - “Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).”

Critical Accounting Estimates

Refer to “Critical Accounting Estimates” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 that the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2010 for information on accounting policies that the Company considers critical in preparing its consolidated financial

statements. These policies include significant estimates made by management using information available at the time the estimates were made. However, these estimates could change materially if different information or assumptions were used.

Income Taxes

The Company also has operations in Belgium, Switzerland, and Ireland, which also are subject to income taxes imposed by the jurisdiction in which they operate.

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company’s market risk generally represents the risk of gain or loss that may result from the potential change in the fair value of its investment portfolio as a result of fluctuations in prices, interest rates, credit spreads, and/or market liquidity. Interest expense fluctuates with changes in interest rates as well. In addition, the Company is subject to currency exchange rate risk from its International Specialty and Reinsurance segments.

Fixed Maturities Portfolio

The Company continually monitors the credit quality of its fixed maturities portfolio. The Company’s Investment Committee has established guidelines regarding minimum credit quality. These guidelines govern the minimum acceptable credit rating at purchase, as well as the minimum acceptable average credit rating for the portfolio as a whole. As shown on the accompanying table, the Company’s fixed maturites portfolio is diversified among different types of investments and has a weighted average rating of AA. At September 30, 2010, 87.1% ($3.1 billion at fair value) of the Company’s portfolio was rated A or better, with 54.6% ($1.9 billion at fair value) of the portfolio rated AAA.


(in millions)	Fair Value AAA		Fair Value AA		Fair Value A		Fair Value Other		Total
U.S. Treasury securities	$	156.2	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	156.2
U.S. Government agencies		340.6		—		—		—		340.6
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		131.5		453.4		68.2		13.8		666.9
Corporate securities		16.9		69.4		384.7		361.3		832.3
Structured securities:
CMO/MBS-agency		731.1		—		—		—		731.1
CMO/MBS-non agency		22.0		0.7		0.3		18.2		41.2
CMBS		135.2		9.5		13.7		2.7		161.1
ABS-residential		7.4		2.5		2.7		5.0		17.6
ABS-non residential		140.8		1.3		—		6.8		148.9
Foreign		235.2		60.1		71.5		45.5		412.3

Total fixed maturities	$	1,916.9	$	596.9	$	541.1	$	453.3	$	3,508.2

Monoline Guarantors: Some securities in the Company’s investment portfolio have credit enhancement in the form of a third-party guarantee from one of the monoline insurers, resulting in exposure to the financial strength of these entities. At September 30, 2010, the total fair value of these securities was $292.5 million, or 6.7% of the consolidated investment portfolio. In most instances, the underlying issuer has its own rating, independent of the additional credit enhancement provided by the monoline insurer. The table below shows the rating of these securities “with” and “without” the credit enhancement provided by the monoline insurer. The rating “with” the guarantee is the higher of the monoline insurer or underlying issuer rating. The rating “without” the credit enhancement represents the rating of the underlying issuer, or the rating of the security based solely on the underlying collateral.


(in millions)	With Guarantee		Without Guarantee
AAA	$	111.7	$	17.0
AA		126.7		203.5
A		50.9		63.9
Less than A		—		4.9
Not Rated		3.2		3.2

Total	$	292.5	$	292.5

The Company continues to monitor developments on the credit quality of these guarantees and underlying issuers, and our professional investment managers continue to evaluate credit risk on a basis that includes the underlying issuer as well as the guarantor. The average credit quality of monoline holdings without the guarantees is AA-. The Company has no direct investment in any monoline insurer at September 30, 2010.

CMBS/ABS Exposure:

CMBS: The Company’s investment portfolio includes $153.7 million par value of CMBS holdings at September 30, 2010. The amortized cost of these CMBS securities was $153.5 million and the fair value was $161.1 million, representing 3.7% of the Company’s consolidated investment portfolio. Of these CMBS securities, 90.1% ($145.2 million at fair value) were rated AAA and the remaining $15.9 million were rated AA or lower. These CMBS securities are generally of the “conduit” variety (as compared with single property type/single property transactions), providing diversity by number of properties (typically over 100), property type, and geography. The CMBS portfolio has a significant number of seasoned deals; 2005 vintages and earlier represent 85.6% of the total. In addition, the CMBS holdings are senior and super senior credit enhanced securities, and 14.3% of these securities have been defeased with U.S. Treasury securities.

ABS: The Company’s investment portfolio includes $143.1 million par value of non-residential ABS holdings at September 30, 2010. The amortized cost of these ABS securities was $145.3 million and the fair value was $148.9 million, representing 3.4% of the Company’s consolidated investment portfolio. These ABS holdings are collateralized by a variety of asset types including: auto loans, prime consumer credit cards, commercial equipment leases, railcar leases, timberland leases, and others.

Equity Portfolio

The Company holds a diversified investment portfolio of common stocks in various industries and market segments, ranging from small market capitalization stocks to large capitalization S&P 500 companies. Marketable equity securities are carried on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value, and are subject to the risk of potential loss in fair value resulting from adverse changes in prices. At September 30, 2010, the fair value of the equity securities portfolio was $249.9 million.

The Company has evaluated its equity portfolio to determine what level, if any, the current market conditions may have on its other-than-temporary write downs for the fourth quarter of 2010. Assuming September 30, 2010 market prices, the Company does not anticipate any write downs on its equity portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Total Portfolio

As of September 30, 2010, the Company had gross unrealized losses of $9.4 million that were in an unrealized loss position for less than one year and $3.4 million of gross unrealized losses that were in an unrealized loss position for one year or greater. The fixed maturities portfolio accounted for 100% of the unrealized losses greater than one year. These losses were primarily due to macroeconomic issues affecting market liquidity and increases in credit spreads. The Company has concluded that the declines in the fair values of its investments in fixed maturities and equity securities as of September 30, 2010 are temporary.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, the Company recorded other-than-temporary impairments of $0 and $8.8 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, the Company recorded other-than-temporary impairments of $0.8 million and $36.6 million, respectively.

No issuer (excluding United States Government and United States Governmental agencies) of fixed maturities or equity securities represents more than 3.3% of shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2010.

Foreign Currency Risk

The Company has exposure to foreign currency risk in both its insurance contracts and its invested assets. Certain of the Company’s insurance contracts provide that ultimate losses may be payable in foreign currencies depending on the country of original loss. Foreign currency exchange rate risk exists to the extent that there is an increase in the exchange rate of the foreign currency in which losses are ultimately owed. Therefore, the Company attempts to manage its foreign currency risk by seeking to match its liabilities under insurance and reinsurance polices that are payable in foreign currencies with cash and investments that are denominated in such currencies. Due to the extended time frame for settling the claims plus the fluctuation in currency exchange rates, the potential exists for the Company to realize gains and or losses related to the exchange rates. In addition, the Company may experience foreign currency gains or losses related to exchange rate fluctuations in operating expenses as certain operating costs are payable in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. For the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded realized losses of $1.4 million and $2.4 million, respectively, from movements on foreign currency rates. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded realized gains of $13.9 million and realized losses of $21.3 million, respectively, from movements on foreign currency rates.

In June 2010, the Company entered into short-term, currency spot and forward contracts designed to mitigate foreign exchange rate exposure in its non-US Dollar denominated higher yielding, fixed maturity investments. The forward contracts used are typically less than sixty days and will be renewed, upon expiration of the initial contracts, as long as the non-US Dollar denominated higher yielding fixed maturities investments are held in the portfolio. Forward contracts are designed as hedges for accounting purposes. The net realized effect on income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was not material.

The Company holds investments that are denominated in foreign currencies. For these foreign denominated investments, the change in exchange rates between the local currency and the Company’s functional currency at each balance sheet date represents an unrealized appreciation or depreciation in value of these securities, and is included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

Indebtedness

At September 30, 2010, the Company has $373.8 million of par value indebtedness outstanding of which $255.6 million or 68.4% is subject to variable interest rates and $118.2 million has fixed interest rates. Thus, interest expense on this variable rate debt is directly correlated to market interest rates, primarily changes in the three-month U.S. Dollar-denominated LIBOR rate. Based on the September 30, 2010 outstanding floating par value of $255.6 million, a 100 basis point change in market interest rates would change annual interest expense by $2.5 million.

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of September 30, 2010. In designing and evaluating these disclosure controls and procedures, the Company and its management recognize that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating and implementing possible controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

There were no changes in the internal control over financial reporting made during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company reviews its disclosure controls and procedures, which may include internal controls over financial reporting, on an ongoing basis. From time to time, management makes changes to enhance the effectiveness of these controls and ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the Company’s business activities over time.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

2005 and February 22, 2006. These lawsuits were consolidated into one proceeding before the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and were the subject of an Amended Class Action Complaint filed on June 15, 2007 (the “Amended Complaint”). The Amended Complaint alleges that during the purported class period PXRE fraudulently understated the full impact of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma on PXRE’s business and that certain PXRE executives made a series of materially false and misleading statements or omissions about PXRE’s business, prospects and operations in violation of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and Rule 10b-5 promulgated under the 1934 Act. On March 4, 2009, the Amended Complaint was dismissed with prejudice by the District Court. On December 21, 2009, the District Court’s decision was affirmed on appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the class plaintiff’s petition for rehearing was denied by the Court of Appeals on January 11, 2010. The District Court’s dismissal of the Class Action is now final and not subject to further review or appeal.

the Private Placement lawsuit were to occur and result in the payment of substantial damages or fines or criminal penalties, these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, cash flows, results of operations, financial position and prospects.

Item 1a.

Risk Factors

See “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for a detailed discussion of the risk factors affecting the Company.

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities

On November 13, 2007, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $150.0 million of Argo Group’s common stock. Excluding the shares surrendered by employees in payment for the minimum required withholding taxes due to the vesting of restrict stock units, during the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company repurchased 1,032,110 shares. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company had repurchased 2,228,102 shares under this authorization. As of September 30, 2010, the Company had repurchased 2,374,101 shares (total of $75.1 million repurchased). Shares of stock repurchased will be held as treasury shares in accordance with the provisions of the Bermuda Companies Act 1981.

The following table provides information with respect to shares of the Company’s common stock that were repurchased or surrendered during the three months ended September 30, 2010:


Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased (a)		Average Price Paid per Share (b)		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan or Program (c)		Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan or Program (d)
July 1 through July 31, 2010		—	$	—		—	$	108,178,669
August 1 through August 31, 2010		287,952	$	29.83		281,593	$	99,768,736
September 1 through September 30, 2010		750,529	$	33.04		750,517	$	74,944,423

Total		1,038,481	$	32.15		1,032,110	$	74,944,423

Employees are allowed to surrender shares to settle the tax liability incurred upon the vesting of shares under the various employees equity compensation plans. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company received 6,371 shares of its common stock that were surrendered by employees in payment for the minimum required withholding taxes due to the vesting of restricted stock units. In the above table, these shares are included in columns (a) and (b), but excluded from columns (c) and (d). These shares do not reduce the number of shares that may yet be purchased under the repurchase plan.

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.

Reserved

Item 5.

Other Information

None.

Item 6.

Exhibits

A list of exhibits required to be filed as part of this report is set forth in the Exhibit Index of this Form 10-Q, which immediately precedes such exhibits, and is incorporated herein by reference.

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number		Description

10.1		Executive Employment Agreement, effective as of August 10, 2010, between Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. and Mark E. Watson III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report of Argo Group on Form 8-K filed on August 13, 2010)

10.2		Letter Agreement, dated August 10, 2010, between Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. and Mark E. Watson III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report of Argo Group on Form 8-K filed on August 13, 2010)

12.1		Statements of Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Share Dividends

31.1		Rule 13a – 14(a)/15d – 14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer

31.2		Rule 13a – 14(a)/15d – 14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer

32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101		Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and (v) the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.

SIGNATURES

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


	ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.

November 5, 2010	By:	/s/ Mark E. Watson III
	Mark E. Watson III
	President and Chief Executive Officer

November 5, 2010	By:	/s/ Jay S. Bullock
	Jay S. Bullock
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer