UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

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

		FOR QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

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

		FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                      TO

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-9371

ALLEGHANY CORPORATION

EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER

DELAWARE

51-0283071

7 TIMES SQUARE TOWER, 17TH FLOOR, NY, NY 10036

212-752-1356

NOT APPLICABLE

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       þ            NO       o

INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT HAS SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY AND POSTED ON ITS CORPORATE WEB SITE, IF ANY, EVERY INTERACTIVE DATA FILE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED AND POSTED PURSUANT TO RULE 405 OF REGULATION S-T (SECTION 232.405 OF THIS CHAPTER) DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AND POST SUCH FILES).

YES       þ            NO       o

INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IS A LARGE ACCELERATED FILER, AN ACCELERATED FILER, OR A NON-ACCELERATED FILER. SEE DEFINITION OF ACCELERATED FILER AND LARGE ACCELERATED FILER IN RULE 12b-2 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT.

(CHECK ONE):

LARGE ACCELERATED FILER þ		ACCELERATED FILER o		NON-ACCELERATED FILER o		SMALLER REPORTING COMPANY o
				(DO NOT CHECK IF A SMALLER REPORTING COMPANY)

INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IS A SHELL COMPANY (AS DEFINED IN RULE 12b-2 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT).

YES      o            NO       þ

INDICATE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING OF EACH OF THE ISSUER’S CLASSES OF COMMON STOCK, AS OF THE LAST PRACTICABLE DATE.

8,820,093 SHARES AS OF NOVEMBER 4, 2010

 

 

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

ALLEGHANY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

		September 30,				December 31,
		2010				2009
		(in thousands, except share amounts)
		(unaudited)
Assets
Investments
Available-for-sale securities at fair value:
Equity securities (cost: 2010 — $929,850; 2009 — $530,945)		$	936,613			$	624,546
Debt securities (amortized cost: 2010 — $3,061,147; 2009 — $3,235,595)			3,197,688				3,289,013
Short-term investments			413,804				262,903
			4,548,105				4,176,462
Other invested assets			201,098				238,227
Total investments			4,749,203				4,414,689
Cash			103,459				32,526
Premium balances receivable			121,424				145,992
Reinsurance recoverables			919,056				976,172
Ceded unearned premium reserves			156,989				160,713
Deferred acquisition costs			71,391				71,098
Property and equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization			19,527				20,097
Goodwill and other intangibles, net of amortization			143,151				145,667
Net deferred tax assets			111,865				124,266
Other assets			98,724				101,550
		$	6,494,789			$	6,192,770
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		$	2,388,826			$	2,520,979
Unearned premiums			568,508				573,906
Senior Notes			298,896				—
Reinsurance payable			47,900				51,795
Current taxes payable			4,690				3,827
Other liabilities			372,390				324,742
Total liabilities			3,681,210				3,475,249
Common stock (shares authorized: 2010 and 2009 — 22,000,000; issued and outstanding: 2010 — 9,118,086; 2009 — 9,300,734)			9,118				9,118
Contributed capital			928,403				921,225
Accumulated other comprehensive income			96,643				94,045
Treasury stock, at cost (2010 — 297,794 shares; 2009 — 258,013 shares)			(83,442	)			(66,325	)
Retained earnings			1,862,857				1,759,458
Total stockholders’ equity			2,813,579				2,717,521
		$	6,494,789			$	6,192,770

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

ALLEGHANY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)

		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2010				2009
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues
Net premiums earned		$	190,632			$	217,619
Net investment income			29,424				15,978
Net realized capital gains			27,248				64,020
Other than temporary impairment losses			(2,453	)			(9,536	)
Other income			5,312				249
Total revenues			250,163				288,330
Costs and expenses
Loss and loss adjustment expenses			106,416				118,324
Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses			64,202				68,404
Other operating expenses			9,928				12,827
Corporate administration			8,553				8,112
Interest expense			696				168
Total costs and expenses			189,795				207,835
Earnings before income taxes			60,368				80,495
Income taxes			23,736				31,007
Net earnings		$	36,632			$	49,488
Other comprehensive income
Change in unrealized gains, net of deferred taxes		$	80,598			$	113,814
Less: reclassification for net realized capital gains and other than temporary impairment losses, net of taxes			(16,117	)			(35,415	)
Other			49				44
Comprehensive income		$	101,162			$	127,931
Net earnings		$	36,632			$	49,488
Preferred dividends			—				—
Net earnings available to common stockholders		$	36,632			$	49,488
Basic earnings per share*		$	4.15			$	5.39
Diluted earnings per share*		$	4.15			$	5.39

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

ALLEGHANY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2010				2009
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues
Net premiums earned		$	574,141			$	640,193
Net investment income			93,547				67,571
Net realized capital gains			87,023				203,994
Other than temporary impairment losses			(9,233	)			(85,337	)
Other income			6,946				1,269
Total revenues			752,424				827,690
Costs and expenses
Loss and loss adjustment expenses			286,070				375,078
Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses			195,331				206,126
Other operating expenses			26,861				34,225
Corporate administration			20,111				15,250
Interest expense			1,131				500
Total costs and expenses			529,504				631,179
Earnings before income taxes			222,920				196,511
Income taxes			61,848				56,448
Net earnings		$	161,072			$	140,063
Other comprehensive income
Change in unrealized gains, net of deferred taxes		$	53,015			$	157,208
Less: reclassification for net realized capital gains and other than temporary impairment losses, net of taxes			(50,564	)			(84,915	)
Other			148				33
Comprehensive income		$	163,671			$	212,389
Net earnings		$	161,072			$	140,063
Preferred dividends			—				6,158
Net earnings available to common stockholders		$	161,072			$	133,905
Basic earnings per share*		$	18.02			$	15.18
Diluted earnings per share*		$	17.99			$	14.81

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

ALLEGHANY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2010				2009
		(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings		$	161,072			$	140,063
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			25,433				31,877
Net realized capital (gains) losses			(87,023	)			(203,994	)
Other than temporary impairment losses			9,233				85,337
(Increase) decrease in other assets			12,280				(36,596	)
(Increase) decrease in reinsurance receivable, net of reinsurance payable			53,221				49,624
(Increase) decrease in premium balances receivable			24,568				22,710
(Increase) decrease in ceded unearned premium reserves			3,724				6,742
(Increase) decrease in deferred acquisition costs			(293	)			(1,040	)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities and current taxes			770				19,192
Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums			(5,398	)			13,008
Increase (decrease) in losses and loss adjustment expenses			(132,153	)			19,625
Net adjustments			(95,638	)			6,485
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			65,434				146,548
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of investments			(1,746,763	)			(1,710,663	)
Sales of investments			1,332,233				1,332,087
Maturities of investments			304,787				238,397
Purchases of property and equipment			(4,807	)			(4,835	)
Net change in short-term investments			(150,844	)			222,089
Acquisition of equity method investments			(20,000	)			—
Other, net			60,751				(150	)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities			(224,643	)			76,925
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes			298,896				—
Debt issue costs paid			(2,846	)			—
Treasury stock acquisitions			(66,553	)			(53,313	)
Convertible preferred stock acquisition			—				(117,358	)
Convertible preferred stock dividends paid			—				(7,456	)
Tax benefit on stock based compensation			513				312
Other, net			132				(501	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities			230,142				(178,316	)
Net cash increase (decrease) in cash			70,933				45,157
Cash at beginning of period			32,526				18,125
Cash at end of period		$	103,459			$	63,282
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest		$	—			$	—
Income taxes paid (refunds received)		$	46,696			$	49,088

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

ALLEGHANY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Principles of Financial Statement Presentation

     This report should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (the “2009 10-K”) and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, of Alleghany Corporation (“Alleghany”).

     Alleghany, a Delaware corporation, is engaged in the property and casualty and surety insurance business through its wholly-owned subsidiary Alleghany Insurance Holdings LLC (“AIHL”). AIHL’s insurance business is conducted through its wholly-owned subsidiaries RSUI Group, Inc. (“RSUI”), Capitol Transamerica Corporation and Platte River Insurance Company (collectively “CATA”), and Pacific Compensation Corporation, formerly known as Employers Direct Corporation. Effective April 12, 2010, as part of a strategic repositioning effort, Employers Direct Corporation changed its name to Pacific Compensation Corporation (“PCC”), and the name of its insurance subsidiary from Employers Direct Insurance Company to Pacific Compensation Insurance Company (“PCIC”). AIHL Re LLC (“AIHL Re”), a captive reinsurance subsidiary of AIHL, has in the past provided reinsurance to Alleghany operating units and affiliates. In addition, Alleghany owns approximately 33 percent of the outstanding shares of common stock of Homesite Group Incorporated (“Homesite”), a national, full-service, mono-line provider of homeowners insurance, and approximately 38 percent of ORX Exploration, Inc. (“ORX”), a regional oil and gas exploration and production company. These investments are reflected in Alleghany’s financial statements in other invested assets. Alleghany also owns and manages properties in the Sacramento, California region through its subsidiary Alleghany Properties Holdings LLC (“Alleghany Properties”) and makes strategic investments in operating companies and conducts other activities at the parent level.

     The financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are unaudited, but reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to a fair statement of results of the interim periods covered thereby. All adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature except as described herein.

     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of Alleghany and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those reported results to the extent that those estimates and assumptions prove to be inaccurate.

     Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2010 presentation.

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

     (a) Recently Adopted

     In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance that establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “ASC”) as the single source of authoritative accounting principles in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. The ASC is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. Alleghany adopted the ASC in the 2009 third quarter, and the implementation did not have any impact on its results of operations and financial condition.

     In June 2009, FASB issued guidance that changes the way entities account for securitizations and special-purpose entities. This guidance eliminates the concept of a “qualifying special-purpose entity,” changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets, and requires additional disclosure about transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions and an entity’s continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. This guidance also changes how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting rights (or similar rights) should be consolidated. The determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design and a company’s ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. This guidance is generally effective for interim and annual periods beginning in 2010. Alleghany adopted this guidance in the 2010 first quarter, and the implementation did not have any impact on its results of operations and financial condition. Alleghany did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements outstanding at September 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009, including those that may involve the types of entities contemplated in this guidance.

     In September 2009, FASB issued guidance that allows investors to use net asset value as a practical expedient to estimate the fair value of investments in investment companies (and like entities) that do not have readily determinable fair values. This guidance does not apply to investments accounted for using the equity method. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2009, with early application permitted. Alleghany adopted this guidance in the fourth quarter of 2009, and the implementation did not have any impact on its results of operations and financial condition. Alleghany’s partnership investments that are accounted for as available-for-sale are subject to this guidance. Net asset value quotes from the third-party general partner of the entity in which such investments are held, which will often be based on unobservable market inputs, constitute the primary input in Alleghany’s determination of the fair value of such investments. The fair value of Alleghany’s available-for-sale partnership investments was $23.9 million at September 30, 2010 and $35.2 million at December 31, 2009.

     In January 2010, FASB issued guidance that provides for additional financial statement disclosure regarding fair value measurements, including how fair values are measured. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2009. Alleghany adopted this guidance in the 2010 first quarter, and the implementation did not have any impact on its results of operations and financial condition.

     (b) Future Application of Accounting Standards

     In July 2010, FASB issued guidance that provides for additional financial statement disclosure regarding financing receivables, including the credit quality and allowance for credit losses associated with such assets. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2010. Alleghany will adopt this guidance in the 2011 first quarter, and Alleghany does not currently believe that the implementation will have any impact on its results of operations and financial condition.

     In October 2010, FASB issued new guidance that provides additional clarification for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts. The new guidance states that only incremental, direct costs associated with the successful acquisition of a new or renewal insurance contract may be capitalized as deferred acquisition costs. Furthermore, such costs: (i) must be essential to the contract transaction; (ii) would not have been incurred had the contract transaction not occurred; and (iii) must be related directly to the acquisition activities involving underwriting, policy issuance and processing, medical and inspection, and sales force contract selling. Advertising costs should be included in deferred acquisition costs only if the capitalization criteria in separate “direct-response” advertising guidance within GAAP are met. All other acquisition-related costs and other expenses should be charged to expense as incurred. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted (but only at the beginning of an entity’s annual reporting period). Alleghany will adopt this guidance in the 2012 first quarter, and Alleghany does not currently believe that the implementation will have a material impact on its results of operations and financial condition.

3. Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

     The following is a reconciliation of the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in millions, except share amounts):

		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2010				2009				2010				2009
Net earnings		$	36.6			$	49.5			$	161.1			$	140.1
Preferred dividends			—				—				—				6.2
Income available to common stockholders for basic earnings per share			36.6				49.5				161.1				133.9
Preferred dividends			—				—				—				6.2
Effect of other dilutive securities			—				—				(0.1	)			(0.7	)
Income available to common stockholders for diluted earnings per share		$	36.6			$	49.5			$	161.0			$	139.4
Weighted average shares outstanding applicable to basic earnings per share			8,829,414				9,176,357				8,936,763				8,824,589
Preferred stock			—				—				—				584,965
Effect of other dilutive securities			—				—				11,261				5,468
Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding applicable to diluted earnings per share			8,829,414				9,176,357				8,948,024				9,415,022

     Contingently issuable shares of 42,784 and 40,215 were potentially available during the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, respectively, but were not included in the computations of diluted earnings per share because the impact was anti-dilutive to the earnings per share calculation.

     Earnings per share by quarter may not equal the amount for the full year due to rounding.

4. Commitments and Contingencies

     (a) Leases

     Alleghany leases certain facilities, furniture and equipment under long-term lease agreements.

     (b) Litigation

     Alleghany’s subsidiaries are parties to pending litigation and claims in connection with the ordinary course of their businesses. Each such subsidiary makes provisions for estimated losses to be incurred in such litigation and claims, including legal costs. In the opinion of management, such provisions were adequate at September 30, 2010.

     (c) Asbestos and Environmental Impairment Exposure

     AIHL’s reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses include $14.2 million of gross reserves and $14.1 million of net reserves at September 30, 2010, and $18.9 million of gross reserves and $18.8 million of net reserves at December 31, 2009, for various liability coverages related to asbestos and environmental impairment claims that arose from reinsurance assumed by a subsidiary of CATA between 1969 and 1976. This subsidiary exited such business in 1976. CATA released $3.5 million of such net reserves at June 30, 2010 based on a reserve study that was completed in the 2010 second quarter. Although Alleghany is unable at this time to determine whether additional reserves, which could have a material impact upon its results of operations, may be necessary in the future, Alleghany believes that CATA’s asbestos and environmental reserves were adequate at September 30, 2010. Additional information concerning CATA’s asbestos and environmental exposure can be found in Note 13 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of the 2009 10-K.

     (d) Indemnification Obligations

     On July 14, 2005, Alleghany completed the sale of its world-wide industrial minerals business, World Minerals, Inc. (“World Minerals”), to Imerys USA, Inc. (the “Purchaser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Imerys, S.A., pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2005, by and among the Purchaser, Imerys, S.A. and Alleghany (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, Alleghany undertook certain indemnification obligations, including a general indemnification for breaches of representations and warranties set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Contract Indemnification”) and a special indemnification (the “Products Liability Indemnification”) related to products liability claims arising from events that occurred during pre-closing periods, including the period of Alleghany ownership.

     The Products Liability Indemnification is divided into two parts, the first relating to products liability claims arising in respect of events occurring during the period prior to Alleghany’s acquisition of the World Minerals business from Johns Manville Corporation, Inc., formerly known as Manville Sales Corporation (“Manville”), in July 1991 (the “Manville Period”), and the second relating to products

liability claims arising in respect of events occurring during the period of Alleghany ownership (the “Alleghany Period”).

     Under the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, Alleghany will provide indemnification at a rate of 100 percent for the first $100.0 million of losses arising from products liability claims relating to the Manville Period and at a rate of 50 percent for the next $100.0 million of such losses, so that Alleghany’s maximum indemnification obligation in respect of products liability claims relating to the Manville Period is $150.0 million. This indemnification obligation in respect of the Manville Period products liability claims will expire on July 31, 2016. The Stock Purchase Agreement states that it is the intention of the parties that, with regard to losses incurred in respect of products liability claims relating to the Manville Period, recovery should first be sought from Manville, and that Alleghany’s indemnification obligation in respect of products liability claims relating to the Manville Period is intended to indemnify the Purchaser for such losses which are not recovered from Manville within a reasonable period of time after recovery is sought from Manville. In connection with World Minerals’ acquisition of the assets of the industrial minerals business of Manville in 1991, Manville agreed to indemnify World Minerals for certain product liability claims, in respect of products of the industrial minerals business manufactured during the Manville Period, asserted against World Minerals through July 31, 2006. In June 2006, Manville agreed to extend its indemnification for such claims asserted against World Minerals through July 31, 2009. Notwithstanding the expiration of the Manville indemnity, World Minerals did not, as part of its 1991 acquisition of the assets of Manville’s industrial minerals business assets, assume liability for product liability claims to the extent that such claims relate, in whole or in part, to the Manville Period, and Manville should continue to be responsible for such claims.

     The Stock Purchase Agreement provides that Alleghany has no responsibility for products liability claims arising in respect of events occurring after the closing, and that any products liability claims involving both pre-closing and post-closing periods will be apportioned on an equitable basis.

     With respect to the Contract Indemnification, substantially all of the representations and warranties to which the Contract Indemnification applies survived until July 14, 2007, with the exception of certain representations and warranties such as those related to environmental, real estate and tax matters, which survive for longer periods and generally, except for tax and certain other matters, apply only to aggregate losses in excess of $2.5 million, up to a maximum of approximately $123.0 million.

     Additional information concerning the Contract Indemnification and Products Liability Indemnification can be found in Note 13 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of the 2009 10-K.

     Based on Alleghany’s historical experience and other analyses, in July 2005, Alleghany established a $0.6 million reserve in connection with the Products Liability Indemnification for the Alleghany Period. Such reserve was approximately $0.3 million at both September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

     (e) Equity Holdings Concentration

     At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, Alleghany had a concentration of market risk in its available-for-sale equity securities portfolio with respect to certain energy sector businesses of $675.5

million and $399.2 million, respectively. Of the $675.5 million, $432.5 million represented Alleghany’s ownership of common stock of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

5. Segments of Business

     Information related to Alleghany’s reportable segment is shown in the table below. Property and casualty and surety insurance operations are conducted by AIHL through its insurance operating units RSUI, CATA and PCC. In addition, AIHL Re is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AIHL that has in the past provided reinsurance to Alleghany’s insurance operating units and affiliates.

     Alleghany’s reportable segment is reported in a manner consistent with the way management evaluates the businesses. As such, insurance underwriting activities are evaluated separately from investment activities. Net realized capital gains and other-than-temporary impairment losses are not considered relevant in evaluating investment performance on an annual basis. Segment accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of the 2009 10-K.

     The primary components of “corporate activities” are Alleghany Properties, Alleghany’s investments in Homesite and ORX, and strategic investments and other activities at the parent level.

		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		September 30,								September 30,
(in millions)		2010				2009				2010				2009
Revenues:
AIHL insurance group:
Net premiums earned
RSUI		$	148.5			$	160.1			$	445.1			$	480.0
CATA			42.0				41.6				124.1				124.8
PCC			0.1				15.9				4.9				35.4
AIHL Re			—				—				—				—
			190.6				217.6				574.1				640.2
Net investment income			30.5				30.0				96.9				84.7
Net realized capital gains			27.2				62.9				82.6				89.3
Other than temporary impairment losses (1)			(2.5	)			(9.5	)			(9.2	)			(85.3	)
Other income			0.2				0.2				0.4				1.1
Total insurance group			246.0				301.2				744.8				730.0
Corporate activities:
Net investment income (2)			(1.1	)			(14.0	)			(3.3	)			(17.1	)
Net realized capital gains (3)			0.1				1.1				4.4				114.7
Other than temporary impairment losses			—				—				—				—
Other income			5.2				—				6.5				0.1
Total		$	250.2			$	288.3			$	752.4			$	827.7
Earnings before income taxes:
AIHL insurance group:
Underwriting profit (loss) (4)
RSUI		$	26.6			$	33.3			$	107.2			$	116.3
CATA			(0.2	)			2.3				2.8				8.2
PCC			(6.4	)			(4.7	)			(17.3	)			(65.5	)
AIHL Re			—				—				—				—
			20.0				30.9				92.7				59.0
Net investment income			30.5				30.0				96.9				84.7
Net realized capital gains			27.2				62.9				82.6				89.3
Other than temporary impairment losses (1)			(2.5	)			(9.5	)			(9.2	)			(85.3	)
Other income, less other expenses			(9.1	)			(12.2	)			(25.1	)			(31.7	)
Total insurance group			66.1				102.1				237.9				116.0
Corporate activities:
Net investment income (2)			(1.1	)			(14.0	)			(3.3	)			(17.1	)
Net realized capital gains (3)			0.1				1.1				4.4				114.7
Other than temporary impairment losses			—				—				—				—
Other income			5.2				—				6.5				0.1
Corporate administration and other expenses			9.3				8.5				21.9				16.7
Interest expense			0.6				0.2				0.7				0.5
Total		$	60.4			$	80.5			$	222.9			$	196.5

6. Reinsurance

     As discussed in the 2009 10-K, RSUI reinsures its property lines of business through a program consisting of surplus share treaties, facultative placements, per risk, and catastrophe excess of loss treaties. RSUI’s catastrophe reinsurance program (which covers catastrophe risks including, among others, windstorms and earthquakes) and per risk reinsurance program run on an annual basis from May 1 to the following April 30 and thus expired on April 30, 2010. RSUI placed all of its catastrophe reinsurance program for the 2010-2011 period, and the new program is substantially similar to the expired program. The new reinsurance program provides coverage in two layers for $400.0 million of losses in excess of a $100.0 million net retention after application of the surplus share treaties, facultative reinsurance and per risk covers. The first layer provides coverage for $100.0 million of losses, before a 33 percent co-participation by RSUI, in excess of the $100.0 million net retention, and the second layer provides coverage for $300.0 million of losses, before a 5 percent co-participation by RSUI, in excess of $200.0 million. In addition, RSUI’s property per risk reinsurance program for the 2010-2011 period provides RSUI with coverage for $90.0 million of losses, before a 10 percent co-participation by RSUI (compared with no RSUI co-participation under the expired program), in excess of a $10.0 million net retention per risk after application of the surplus share treaties and facultative reinsurance.

     As discussed in Note 5(d) to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of the 2009 10-K, RSUI reinsures its other lines of business through quota share treaties, except for professional liability and binding authority lines where RSUI retains all of such business. RSUI’s quota share reinsurance treaty for umbrella/excess renewed on June 1, 2010 on the same terms as the expiring treaty, providing coverage for policies with limits up to $30.0 million, with RSUI ceding 35 percent of the premium and loss for policies with limits up to $15.0 million and ceding 67.5 percent of the premium and loss for policies with limits in excess of $15.0 million up to $30.0 million. RSUI’s directors and officers liability line quota share reinsurance treaty renewed on July 1, 2010 on the same terms as the expiring treaty, providing coverage for policies with limits up to $20.0 million, with RSUI ceding 35 percent of the premium and loss for policies with limits up to $10.0 million and ceding 60 percent of the premium and loss for policies with limits in excess of $10.0 million up to $20.0 million.

7. Investments

     (a) Fair Value

     The estimated carrying values and fair values of Alleghany’s consolidated financial instruments as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were as follows (in millions):

		September 30, 2010								December 31, 2009
		Carrying				Fair				Carrying				Fair
		Value				Value				Value				Value
Assets
Investments (excluding equity method investments and loans)*		$	4,572.0			$	4,572.0			$	4,211.6			$	4,211.6
Liabilities
Senior Notes**		$	298.9			$	304.7				—				—

     GAAP defines fair value as 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 measurements are not adjusted for transaction costs. In addition, GAAP has a three-tiered hierarchy for inputs used in management’s determination of fair value of financial instruments that emphasizes the use of observable inputs over the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions based on the best information available under the circumstances. In assessing the appropriateness of using observable inputs in making its fair value determinations, Alleghany considers whether the market for a particular security is “active” or not based on all the relevant facts and circumstances. For example, Alleghany may consider a market to be inactive if there are relatively few recent transactions or if there is a significant decrease in market volume. Furthermore, Alleghany considers whether observable transactions are “orderly” or not. Alleghany does not consider a transaction to be orderly if there is evidence of a forced liquidation or other distressed condition, and as such, little or no weight is given to that transaction as an indicator of fair value.

     The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:

	•		“Level 1” — Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical, unrestricted assets. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these assets does not involve any meaningful degree of judgment. An active market is defined as a market where transactions for the financial instrument occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Alleghany’s Level 1 assets generally include publicly traded common stocks and debt securities issued directly by the U.S. Government, where Alleghany’s valuations are based on quoted market prices.
	•		“Level 2” — Valuations are based on quoted market prices where such markets are not deemed to be sufficiently “active.” In such circumstances, additional valuation metrics will be used which involve direct or indirect observable market inputs. Alleghany’s Level 2 assets generally include preferred stocks and debt securities other than debt issued directly by the U.S. Government. Alleghany’s Level 2 liabilities include its Senior Notes. Substantially all of the determinations of value in this category are based on a single quote from third-party dealers and pricing services. As Alleghany generally does not make any adjustments thereto, such quote typically constitutes the sole input in Alleghany’s determination of the fair value of these types of securities. In developing a quote, such third parties will use the terms of the security and market-based inputs. Terms of the security include coupon, maturity date, and any special provisions that may, for example, enable the investor, at its election, to redeem the security prior to its scheduled maturity date. Market-based inputs include the level of interest rates applicable to comparable securities in the market place and current credit rating(s) of the security. Such quotes are generally non-binding.

•

“Level 3” — Valuations are based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Valuation under Level 3 generally involves a significant degree of judgment on the part of Alleghany. Alleghany’s Level 3 assets are primarily limited to partnership investments. Net asset value quotes from the third-party general partner of the entity in which such investments are held, which will often be based on unobservable market inputs, constitute the primary input in Alleghany’s determination of the fair value of such assets.

     Alleghany validates the reasonableness of its fair value determinations for Level 2 investment securities by testing the methodology of the relevant third-party dealer or pricing service that provides the quotes upon which the fair value determinations are made. Alleghany tests the methodology by comparing such quotes with prices from executed market trades when such trades occur. Alleghany discusses with the relevant third-party dealer or pricing service any identified material discrepancy between the quote derived from its methodology and the executed market trade in order to resolve the discrepancy. Alleghany uses the quote from the third-party dealer or pricing service unless Alleghany determines that the methodology used to produce such quote is not in compliance with GAAP. In addition to such procedures, Alleghany also compares the aggregate amount of the fair value for such Level 2 securities with the aggregate fair value provided by a third-party financial institution. Furthermore, Alleghany reviews the reasonableness of its classification of securities within the three-tiered hierarchy to ensure that the classification is consistent with GAAP.

     The estimated carrying values of Alleghany’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 allocated among the three levels set forth above were as follows (in millions):

		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3 (1)				Total
As of September 30, 2010
Equity securities:
Common stock		$	936.6			$	—			$	—			$	936.6
Preferred stock			—				—				—				—
Debt securities:
U.S. Government obligations			343.6				30.5				—				374.1
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities (2)			—				987.3				1.6				988.9
States, municipalities and political subdivisions bonds			—				1,261.0				—				1,261.0
Foreign bonds			—				112.2				—				112.2
Corporate bonds and other			—				461.5				—				461.5
			343.6				2,852.5				1.6				3,197.7
Short-term investments			149.9				263.9				—				413.8
Other invested assets			—				—				23.9				23.9
Investments (excluding equity method investments)		$	1,430.1			$	3,116.4			$	25.5			$	4,572.0
Senior Notes (3)		$	—			$	304.7			$	—			$	304.7
As of December 31, 2009
Equity securities:
Common stock		$	624.5			$	—			$	—			$	624.5
Preferred stock			—				—				—				—
Debt securities:
U.S. Government obligations			638.4				—				—				638.4
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities (2)			—				958.8				—				958.8
States, municipalities and political subdivisions bonds			—				1,234.0				—				1,234.0
Foreign bonds			—				144.3				—				144.3
Corporate bonds and other			—				313.5				—				313.5
			638.4				2,650.6				—				3,289.0
Short-term investments			75.2				187.7				—				262.9
Other invested assets			—				—				35.2				35.2
Investments (excluding equity method investments)		$	1,338.1			$	2,838.3			$	35.2			$	4,211.6

     (b) Available-For-Sale Securities

     Available-for-sale securities at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are summarized as follows (in millions):

		Amortized				Gross				Gross
		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
		or Cost				Gains				Losses				Value
September 30, 2010
Consolidated
Equity securities:
Common stock		$	929.9			$	53.4			$	(46.7	)		$	936.6
Preferred stock			—				—				—				—
Debt securities:
U.S. Government obligations			367.6				6.5				—				374.1
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities*			950.4				42.7				(4.2	)			988.9
States, municipalities and political subdivisions bonds			1,195.8				65.9				(0.7	)			1,261.0
Foreign bonds			108.0				4.2				—				112.2
Corporate bonds and other			439.3				22.2				—				461.5
			3,061.1				141.5				(4.9	)			3,197.7
Short-term investments			413.8				—				—				413.8
		$	4,404.8			$	194.9			$	(51.6	)		$	4,548.1
Industry Segment
AIHL insurance group		$	4,327.5			$	193.9			$	(51.6	)		$	4,469.8
Corporate activities			77.3				1.0				—				78.3
		$	4,404.8			$	194.9			$	(51.6	)		$	4,548.1
December 31, 2009
Consolidated
Equity securities:
Common stock		$	530.9			$	99.4			$	(5.8	)		$	624.5
Preferred stock			—				—				—				—
Debt securities:
U.S. Government obligations			634.8				5.1				(1.5	)			638.4
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities*			955.8				16.5				(13.5	)			958.8
States, municipalities and political subdivisions bonds			1,202.2				35.0				(3.2	)			1,234.0
Foreign bonds			137.8				6.5				—				144.3
Corporate bonds and other			305.0				8.9				(0.4	)			313.5
			3,235.6				72.0				(18.6	)			3,289.0
Short-term investments			262.9				—				—				262.9
		$	4,029.4			$	171.4			$	(24.4	)		$	4,176.4
Industry Segment
AIHL insurance group		$	3,744.7			$	167.0			$	(23.3	)		$	3,888.4
Corporate activities			284.7				4.4				(1.1	)			288.0
		$	4,029.4			$	171.4			$	(24.4	)		$	4,176.4

     The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at September 30, 2010 by contractual maturity are shown below (in millions). Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

		Amortized				Fair
		Cost				Value
Short-term investments due in one year or less		$	413.8			$	413.8
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities			950.4				988.9
Debt securities
One year or less			195.3				197.8
Over one through five years			834.9				869.5
Over five through ten years			519.1				554.1
Over ten years			561.4				587.4
Equity securities			929.9				936.6
		$	4,404.8			$	4,548.1

     The proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities were approximately $1.3 billion and $1.3 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The amounts of gross realized capital gains and gross realized capital losses of available-for-sale securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were:

		Nine Months
		Ended September 30,
		2010				2009
		(in millions)
Gross realized gains		$	94.3			$	221.5
Gross realized losses			(7.3	)			(17.5	)
Net realized gains		$	87.0			$	204.0

     The gross loss amounts exclude other-than-temporary impairment losses discussed below, but include $11.2 million of other impairment losses incurred by PCC in the 2009 second quarter (see Note 4(a) to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of the 2009 10-K). Realized gains and losses on investments are determined in accordance with the specific identification method.

     (c) Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Losses

     Alleghany holds its equity and debt securities as available for sale, and as such, these securities are recorded at fair value. Alleghany continually monitors the difference between cost and the estimated fair value of its investments, which involves uncertainty as to whether declines in value are temporary in nature. If Alleghany believes a decline in the value of a particular investment is temporary, Alleghany records the decline as an unrealized loss in stockholders’ equity. If the decline is deemed to be other than temporary, Alleghany writes it down to the carrying value of the investment and records an other-than-temporary impairment loss on its statement of earnings. In addition, under GAAP, any portion of such decline that relates to debt securities that is believed to arise from factors other than credit is to be recorded as a component of other comprehensive income.

     Management’s assessment of a decline in value includes, among other things: (i) the duration of time and the relative magnitude to which fair value of the investment has been below cost; (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer of the investment; (iii) extraordinary events, including negative news releases and rating agency downgrades, with respect to the issuer of the investment; (iv) Alleghany’s ability and intent to hold an equity security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery; and (v) whether it is more likely than not that Alleghany will sell a debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. A debt security is deemed impaired if it is probable that Alleghany will not be able to collect all amounts due under the security’s contractual terms. An equity security is deemed impaired if, among other things, its decline in estimated fair value has existed

for twelve months or more or if its decline in estimated fair value from its cost is greater than 50 percent, absent compelling evidence to the contrary. Further, for securities expected to be sold, an other-than-temporary impairment loss is recognized if Alleghany does not expect the fair value of a security to recover its cost prior to the expected date of sale. If that judgment changes in the future, Alleghany may ultimately record a realized loss after having originally concluded that the decline in value was temporary. Risks and uncertainties are inherent in the methodology Alleghany uses to assess other-than-temporary declines in value. Risks and uncertainties could include, but are not limited to, incorrect assumptions about financial condition, liquidity or future prospects, inadequacy of any underlying collateral, and unfavorable changes in economic or social conditions, interest rates or credit ratings.

     Other-than-temporary impairment losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 reflect $9.2 million of unrealized losses that were deemed to be other-than temporary and, as such, were required to be charged against earnings. Of the $9.2 million, $8.0 million related to equity security holdings (primarily in the energy sector), and $1.2 million related to debt security holdings (all of which were deemed to be credit-related). Of the $9.2 million of impairment losses, $2.5 million was incurred in the third quarter of 2010. The determination that unrealized losses on such securities were other-than-temporary was primarily based on the severity and duration of the declines in fair value of such securities relative to their cost as of the balance sheet date. Other-than-temporary impairment losses for the first nine months of 2009 reflect $85.3 million of unrealized losses that were deemed to be other-than-temporary and, as such, were required to be charged against earnings. Of the $85.3 million, $57.0 million related to equity security holdings in the energy sector, $16.5 million related to equity security holdings in various other sectors, and $11.8 million related to debt security holdings (all of which were deemed to be credit-related). Such severe declines primarily related to a significant deterioration of U.S. equity and, to a lesser extent, residential housing market conditions during the latter part of 2008 and extending through the first quarter of 2009, which abated somewhat in the 2009 second and third quarters. Of the $85.3 million of impairment losses, $9.5 million was incurred in the third quarter of 2009.

     After adjusting the cost basis of securities for the recognition of unrealized losses through other-than-temporary impairment losses, the gross unrealized investment losses and related fair value of debt securities and equity securities at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were as follows (in millions):

		As of September 30, 2010								As of December 31, 2009
		Fair				Gross Unrealized				Fair				Gross Unrealized
		Value				Losses				Value				Losses
Debt securities
U.S. Government obligations
Less than 12 months		$	13.0			$	—			$	225.5			$	1.5
More than 12 months			—				—				—				—
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
Less than 12 months			59.3				0.4				18.6				0.7
More than 12 months			45.9				3.8				149.2				12.8
States, municipalities and political subdivisions bonds
Less than 12 months			40.3				0.2				98.1				2.5
More than 12 months			7.3				0.5				16.1				0.7
Foreign bonds
Less than 12 months			7.1				—				1.0				—
More than 12 months			—				—				—				—
Corporate bonds and other
Less than 12 months			5.1				—				50.7				0.4
More than 12 months			—				—				1.8				—
Total debt securities
Less than 12 months			124.8				0.6				393.9				5.1
More than 12 months			53.2				4.3				167.1				13.5
Equity securities
Common stock
Less than 12 months			529.3				46.7				105.0				5.8
More than 12 months			—				—				—				—
Preferred stock
Less than 12 months			—				—				—				—
More than 12 months			—				—				—				—
Total temporarily impaired securities
Less than 12 months			654.1				47.3				498.9				10.9
More than 12 months			53.2				4.3				167.1				13.5
Total		$	707.3			$	51.6			$	666.0			$	24.4

     As of September 30, 2010, Alleghany held a total of 68 debt and equity securities that were in an unrealized loss position, of which 19 securities, all debt securities, were in an unrealized loss position continuously for 12 months or more. Of the debt securities that were in an unrealized loss position, all were mortgage- and asset-backed securities, and states, municipalities and political subdivisions bonds. At September 30, 2010, virtually all of Alleghany’s debt securities were rated investment grade.

     At September 30, 2010, non-income producing invested assets were insignificant.

8. Income Taxes

     As of September 30, 2010, Alleghany believed there were no material uncertain tax positions that would require disclosure under GAAP.

     The effective tax rate on earnings before income taxes was 27.8 percent for the first nine months of 2010, compared with 28.7 percent for the corresponding 2009 period. The slightly lower effective tax rate in 2010 primarily reflects Alleghany’s recognition of a permanent tax benefit in the 2010 first

quarter. This permanent tax benefit relates to a finalization of Alleghany’s unused foreign tax credits arising from its prior ownership of World Minerals which was sold on July 14, 2005.

9. Regulatory Matters

     The California Department of Insurance (the “CDI”) is responsible for periodic financial and market conduct examinations of California-domiciled insurance companies. In September 2010, the CDI issued a financial examination report of PCIC for the period from July 1, 2004 through December 31, 2008. As part of its work for such financial examination report, the CDI produced an actuarial report (the “Actuarial Report”) for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. The Actuarial Report included an estimate of loss and LAE reserves on a statutory basis of accounting that was higher than that recorded by PCIC at such dates. Alleghany believes that PCIC’s reserves for unpaid losses and LAE are adequate, and the CDI did not require PCIC to currently or retroactively increase its carried reserves to the estimates included in the Actuarial Report. AIHL did, however, contribute $40.0 million of capital to PCC on September 27, 2010, and these funds were used by PCIC to increase its workers’ compensation deposit, which is required to be maintained by PCIC under California workers’ compensation regulations, to a level consistent with the estimated loss and LAE reserves included in the Actuarial Report.

10. Share Repurchases

     In February 2008, Alleghany announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of shares of its common stock, at such times and at prices as management may determine advisable, up to an aggregate of $300.0 million. During the first nine months of 2010, Alleghany had repurchased approximately $66.6 million of shares. As of September 30, 2010, $284.8 million of the $300.0 million program was utilized. In July 2010, Alleghany’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of additional shares of common stock, at such times and at prices as management may determine advisable, up to an aggregate of $300.0 million upon the completion of the previously announced program.

11. Senior Notes and Credit Agreement

     On September 20, 2010, Alleghany issued $300.0 million of 5.625% Senior Notes due on September 15, 2020 (“Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes are unsecured and unsubordinated general obligations of Alleghany. Interest is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The terms of the Senior Notes permit redemption prior to their maturity. The indenture under which the Senior Notes were issued contains covenants that impose conditions on Alleghany’s ability to create liens on the capital stock of AIHL or RSUI or to engage in sales of the capital stock of AIHL or RSUI. The Senior Notes were issued at a discount of approximately 99.63 percent, resulting in proceeds before underwriting discount, commissions and other expenses of $298.9 million, and an effective yield of approximately 5.67 percent. Approximately $2.8 million of underwriting discount, commissions and other expenses were recorded as deferred charges, which are amortized over the life of the Senior Notes. Alleghany currently intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, acquisitions, additions to working capital, capital expenditures, investments, contributions of capital to its subsidiaries, repayment of Senior Notes, and repurchases and redemptions of its securities.

     On September 9, 2010, Alleghany entered into a three-year credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), with a bank syndicate, providing commitments (the “Commitments”) for a two tranche revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $100.0 million, consisting of (i) a secured credit facility (“Tranche A”), subject to a borrowing base as set forth in the Credit Agreement,

in an aggregate principal amount of up to $50.0 million and (ii) an unsecured credit facility (“Tranche B”) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $50.0 million. The Commitments under the Credit Agreement are scheduled to terminate on September 9, 2013 (the “Maturity Date”), unless earlier terminated. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement will be available for working capital and general corporate purposes. Alternate Base Rate Borrowings under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at (x) the greatest of (a) the administrative agent’s prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.5 percent or (c) an adjusted London Interbank Overnight (“LIBO”) rate for a one month interest period on such day plus 1 percent, plus (y) a specified margin (currently 0 basis points for Tranche A and 125 basis points for Tranche B). Eurodollar Borrowings under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at an adjusted LIBO Rate for the interest period in effect plus a specified margin (currently 75 basis points for Tranche A and 225 basis points for Tranche B). The Credit Agreement requires that all loans be repaid in full no later than the Maturity Date. The Credit Agreement also requires Alleghany to pay a commitment fee each quarter in a range of between one-fifth and one-half of one percent per annum, in each case based upon Alleghany’s credit ratings, on the daily unused amount of the Commitments of the relevant Tranche.

     The Credit Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants customary for bank loan facilities of this nature. In this regard, the Credit Agreement requires Alleghany to, among other things, (i) maintain a consolidated net worth of not less than the sum of (x) approximately $2.0 billion plus (y) 50 percent of Alleghany’s accumulated, consolidated net earnings earned in each fiscal quarter (if positive) commencing September 30, 2010 and (ii) maintain a ratio of total indebtedness to total capital as of the end of each fiscal quarter of not greater than 0.25 to 1.0. Additionally, the Credit Agreement contains various negative covenants with which Alleghany must comply, including, but not limited to, limitations respecting the creation of liens on any property or asset; the incurrence of indebtedness; mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions; change of business; sales of assets; transactions with affiliates; and other provisions customary in similar types of agreements. There were no borrowings under the Credit Agreement during the third quarter of 2010.

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

     References to the “Company,” “Alleghany,” “we,” “us,” and “our” in Items 2, 3 and 4 of Part I, as well as in Part II, of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or “this Form 10-Q,” refer to Alleghany Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires. “AIHL” refers to our insurance holding company subsidiary Alleghany Insurance Holdings LLC. “RSUI” refers to our subsidiary RSUI Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. “CATA” refers to our subsidiary Capitol Transamerica Corporation and its subsidiaries and also includes the results of operations of Platte River Insurance Company unless the context otherwise requires. “PCC” refers to our subsidiary Pacific Compensation Corporation (formerly known as Employers Direct Corporation). “AIHL Re” refers to our subsidiary AIHL Re LLC. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to AIHL include the results of operations of RSUI, CATA, PCC and AIHL Re. “Alleghany Properties” refers to our subsidiary Alleghany Properties Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

     “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” contain disclosures which are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “should,” “continue” or the negative versions of those words or other comparable words. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current plans or expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect current plans, anticipated actions and our future financial condition and results. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and we have no specific intention to update these statements. The uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to,

	•		significant weather-related or other natural or human-made catastrophes and disasters;
	•		the cyclical nature of the property and casualty insurance industry;
	•		changes in market prices of our equity investments and changes in value of our debt portfolio;
	•		adverse loss development for events insured by our insurance operating units in either the current year or prior years;
	•		the long-tail and potentially volatile nature of certain casualty lines of business written by our insurance operating units;
	•		the cost and availability of reinsurance;
	•		exposure to terrorist acts;
	•		the willingness and ability of our insurance operating units’ reinsurers to pay reinsurance recoverables owed to our insurance operating units;
	•		changes in the ratings assigned to our insurance operating units;
	•		claims development and the process of estimating reserves;
	•		legal and regulatory changes, including the new federal financial regulatory reform of the insurance industry established by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act;
	•		the uncertain nature of damage theories and loss amounts; and
	•		increases in the levels of risk retention by our insurance operating units.

     Additional risks and uncertainties include general economic and political conditions, including the effects of a prolonged U.S. or global economic downturn or recession; changes in costs; variations in political, economic or other factors; risks relating to conducting operations in a competitive environment; effects of acquisition and disposition activities, inflation rates, or recessionary or expansive trends; changes in interest rates; extended labor disruptions, civil unrest, or other external factors over which we have no control; and changes in our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, or intentions, which may happen at any time at our discretion. As a consequence, current plans, anticipated actions, and future financial condition and results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.

Critical Accounting Estimates

     The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or “GAAP,” requires us to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period covered by the financial statements. Critical accounting estimates are defined as those estimates that are important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and require us to exercise significant judgment.

     We review our critical accounting estimates and assumptions quarterly. These reviews include evaluating the adequacy of reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, or “LAE,” and the reinsurance allowance for doubtful accounts, analyzing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, assessing goodwill for impairment and evaluating the investment portfolio for other-than-temporary declines in estimated fair value. Actual results may differ from the estimates used in preparing the financial statements.

     Readers are encouraged to review our Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, or the “2009 10-K,” for a more complete description of our critical accounting estimates.

Consolidated Results of Operations

     The following discussion and analysis presents a review of our results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. You should read this review in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and other data presented in this Form 10-Q as well as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” contained in our 2009 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010. Our results for the first nine months of 2010 are not indicative of operating results in future periods.

Overview

     We are engaged, through AIHL and its subsidiaries, primarily in the property and casualty and surety insurance business. We also own and manage properties in the Sacramento, California region through our subsidiary Alleghany Properties and seek out strategic investments and conduct other activities at the parent level. Strategic investments currently include an approximately 33 percent stake in Homesite Group Incorporated, or “Homesite,” a national, full-service, mono-line provider of homeowners

insurance, and an approximately 38 percent stake in ORX Exploration Inc., or “ORX,” a regional gas and oil exploration and production company. Our primary sources of revenues and earnings are our insurance operations and investments.

     The profitability of our insurance operating units, and as a result, our profitability, is primarily impacted by the adequacy of premium rates, level of catastrophe losses, investment returns, intensity of competition, and the cost of reinsurance. The adequacy of premium rates is affected mainly by the severity and frequency of claims, which are influenced by many factors, including natural disasters, regulatory measures and court decisions that define and expand the extent of coverage, and the effects of economic inflation on the amount of compensation due for injuries or losses. The ultimate adequacy of premium rates is not known with certainty at the time property and casualty insurance policies are issued because premiums are determined before claims are reported.

     Catastrophe losses, or the absence thereof, can have a significant impact on our results. For example, RSUI’s pre-tax catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, were $23.9 million for the first nine months of 2010, minimal for the year ended December 31, 2009, and $97.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 (primarily reflecting net losses from 2008 third quarter Hurricanes Ike, Gustav and Dolly). The incidence and severity of catastrophes in any short period of time are inherently unpredictable. Catastrophes can cause losses in a variety of our property and casualty lines of business, and most of our past catastrophe-related claims have resulted from severe hurricanes. Longer-term natural catastrophe trends may be changing due to climate change, a phenomenon that has been associated with extreme weather events linked to rising temperatures, and includes effects on global weather patterns, sea, land and air temperatures, sea levels, rain and snow. Climate change, to the extent it produces rising temperatures and changes in weather patterns, could impact the frequency or severity of weather events such as hurricanes. To the extent climate change increases the frequency and severity of such weather events, our insurance operating units, particularly RSUI, may face increased claims, particularly with respect to properties located in coastal areas. Our insurance operating units take certain measures to mitigate against the frequency and severity of such events by giving consideration to these risks in their underwriting and pricing decisions and through the purchase of reinsurance.

     At September 30, 2010, we had consolidated total investments of approximately $4.7 billion, of which approximately $3.2 billion was invested in debt securities and approximately $936.6 million was invested in equity securities. Net realized capital gains, other-than-temporary impairment losses and net investment income related to such investment assets are subject to market conditions and management investment decisions and as a result can have a significant impact on our profitability. In the first nine months of 2010, net realized capital gains were $87.0 million, compared with $204.0 million in the corresponding 2009 period, and other-than-temporary impairment losses were $9.2 million in the first nine months of 2010, compared with $85.3 million in the corresponding 2009 period.

     The profitability of our insurance operating units is also impacted by competition generally and price competition in particular. Historically, the financial performance of the property and casualty insurance industry has tended to fluctuate in cyclical periods of price competition and excess underwriting capacity followed by periods of high premium rates and shortages of underwriting capacity. Although an individual insurance company’s financial performance is dependent on its own specific business characteristics, the profitability of most property and casualty insurance companies tends to follow this cyclical market pattern. In the past few years, our insurance operating units have faced increasing

competition as a result of an increased flow of capital into the insurance industry, with both new entrants and existing insurers seeking to gain market share. This has resulted in decreased premium rates and less favorable contract terms and conditions. In particular, RSUI and CATA’s specialty lines of business increasingly encounter competition from admitted companies seeking to increase market share. We expect to continue to face strong competition in these and the other lines of business of our insurance operating units, and our insurance operating units may continue to experience decreases in premium rates and/or premium volume and less favorable contract terms and conditions.

     As part of their overall risk and capacity management strategy, our insurance operating units purchase reinsurance for certain amounts of risk underwritten by them, especially catastrophe risks. The reinsurance programs purchased by our insurance operating units are generally subject to annual renewal. Market conditions beyond the control of our insurance operating units determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance protection they purchase, which may affect the level of business written and thus their profitability.

     The following table summarizes our consolidated revenues, costs and expenses and earnings (in millions).

		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2010				2009				2010				2009
Revenues
Net premiums earned		$	190.6			$	217.6			$	574.1			$	640.2
Net investment income			29.4				16.0				93.6				67.6
Net realized capital gains			27.3				64.0				87.0				204.0
Other than temporary impairment losses			(2.5	)			(9.5	)			(9.2	)			(85.3	)
Other income			5.4				0.2				6.9				1.2
Total revenues		$	250.2			$	288.3			$	752.4			$	827.7
Costs and expenses
Loss and loss adjustment expenses		$	106.4			$	118.3			$	286.1			$	375.1
Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses			64.2				68.4				195.3				206.1
Other operating expenses			9.9				12.8				26.9				34.2
Corporate administration			8.6				8.1				20.1				15.3
Interest expense			0.7				0.2				1.1				0.5
Total costs and expenses		$	189.8			$	207.8			$	529.5			$	631.2
Earnings before income taxes		$	60.4			$	80.5			$	222.9			$	196.5
Income taxes			23.8				31.0				61.8				56.4
Net earnings		$	36.6			$	49.5			$	161.1			$	140.1
Revenues:
AIHL		$	246.0			$	301.2			$	744.8			$	730.0
Corporate activities*			4.2				(12.9	)			7.6				97.7
Earnings before income taxes:
AIHL		$	66.1			$	102.1			$	237.9			$	116.0
Corporate activities*			(5.7	)			(21.6	)			(15.0	)			80.5

     Our earnings before income taxes in the 2010 third quarter decreased from the corresponding 2009 period, primarily reflecting lower net realized capital gains and net premiums earned, partially offset by higher net investment income and lower loss and LAE. The decrease in net realized capital gains in the

2010 third quarter from the corresponding 2009 period primarily reflects higher equity returns in the 2009 period compared with the corresponding 2010 period. The decrease in net premiums earned and loss and LAE primarily reflects the impact of continuing competition at RSUI, as well as PCC’s determination in June 2009 to cease soliciting new and renewal business on a direct basis commencing August 1, 2009. The increase in net investment income primarily reflects modest ORX losses, net of purchase accounting adjustments, in the 2010 third quarter, whereas such losses were significant in the 2009 third quarter.

     Our earnings before income taxes in the first nine months of 2010 increased from the corresponding 2009 period, primarily reflecting a decrease in loss and LAE and lower other-than-temporary impairment losses, partially offset by lower net realized capital gains and net premiums earned. The decrease in loss and LAE primarily reflects the absence of adverse reserve development at PCC in the 2010 period, compared with $34.5 million of adverse development recorded during the second quarter of the 2009 period, as well as PCC’s determination in June 2009 to cease soliciting new and renewal business on a direct basis commencing August 1, 2009. The decrease in other-than-temporary impairment losses was due to improvements in U.S. equity market conditions since the 2009 first quarter when we incurred substantial losses primarily related to a significant deterioration of U.S. equity and, to a lesser extent, residential housing market conditions. The decrease in net realized capital gains primarily reflects the absence of sales of common stock of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, or “Burlington Northern,” in the 2010 period, which were significant in the 2009 period. The decrease in net premiums earned in the first nine months of 2010 compared with the corresponding 2009 period reflects the impact of the factors discussed above with respect to the quarter over quarter results.

     The effective tax rate on earnings before income taxes was 27.8 percent for the first nine months of 2010, compared with 28.7 percent for the corresponding 2009 period. The slightly lower effective tax rate in 2010 primarily reflects our recognition of a permanent tax benefit in the 2010 first quarter. This permanent tax benefit relates to a finalization of our unused foreign tax credits arising from our prior ownership of World Minerals, Inc. which we sold on July 14, 2005.

AIHL Operating Results

AIHL Operating Unit Pre-Tax Results

		RSUI				AIHL Re				CATA				PCC				AIHL
		(in millions, except ratios)
Three months ended September 30, 2010
Gross premiums written		$	214.2			$	—			$	44.0			$	(0.5	)		$	257.7
Net premiums written			133.0				—				41.5				(0.5	)			174.0
Net premiums earned (1)		$	148.5			$	—			$	42.0				0.1			$	190.6
Loss and loss adjustment expenses			80.2				—				25.8				0.4				106.4
Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses (2)			41.7				—				16.4				6.1				64.2
Underwriting profit (loss) (3)		$	26.6			$	—			$	(0.2	)		$	(6.4	)		$	20.0
Net investment income (1)																			30.5
Net realized capital gains (1)																			27.2
Other than temporary impairment losses (1)																			(2.5	)
Other income (1)																			0.2
Other expenses (2)																			9.3
Earnings before income taxes																		$	66.1
Loss ratio (4)			54.0	%			—				61.5	%			378	%			55.8	%
Expense ratio (5)			28.1	%			—				38.9	%			7220	%			33.7	%
Combined ratio (6)			82.1	%			—				100.4	%			7598	%			89.5	%
Three months ended September 30, 2009
Gross premiums written		$	231.0			$	—			$	42.1			$	12.4			$	285.5
Net premiums written			140.7				—				40.7				11.2				192.6
Net premiums earned (1)		$	160.1			$	—			$	41.6			$	15.9			$	217.6
Loss and loss adjustment expenses			82.9				—				21.0				14.4				118.3
Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses (2)			43.9				—				18.3				6.2				68.4
Underwriting profit (loss) (3)		$	33.3			$	—			$	2.3			$	(4.7	)		$	30.9
Net investment income (1)																			30.0
Net realized capital gains (1)																			62.9
Other than temporary impairment losses (1)																			(9.5	)
Other income (1)																			0.2
Other expenses (2)																			12.4
Earnings before income taxes																		$	102.1
Loss ratio (4)			51.8	%			—				50.5	%			90.2	%			54.4	%
Expense ratio (5)			27.4	%			—				43.9	%			39.8	%			31.4	%
Combined ratio (6)			79.2	%			—				94.4	%			130.0	%			85.8	%