ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2025. Filed Feb 26, 2026.
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FY2025 · Filed Feb 26, 2026
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“Catastrophic Events and Severe Economic Events”
CATASTROPHIC AND SEVERE ECONOMIC EVENTS
We have large aggregate exposures to natural and man-made catastrophic events, pandemic events and severe economic events. Natural catastrophes can be caused by various events, including hurricanes, floods, windstorms, earthquakes, hailstorms, tornadoes, explosions, severe winter weather, fires, droughts and other natural disasters. Man-made catastrophic events may include acts of war, acts of terrorism and political instability. Catastrophes can also cause losses in non-property business such as mortgage insurance, workers’ compensation or general liability. In addition to the nature of property business, we believe that economic and geographic trends affecting insured property, including inflation, property value appreciation and geographic concentration, tend to generally increase the size of losses from catastrophic events over time.
We have substantial exposure to unexpected, large losses resulting from future man-made catastrophic events, such as acts of war, acts of terrorism and political instability. These risks are inherently unpredictable. It is difficult to predict the timing of such events with statistical certainty or estimate the amount of loss any given occurrence will generate. It is not possible to completely eliminate our exposure to unpredictable events and, to the extent that losses from such risks occur, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Therefore, claims for natural and man-made catastrophic events could expose us to large losses and cause substantial volatility in our results of operations, which could cause the value of our common shares to fluctuate widely. In certain instances, we specifically insure and reinsure risks resulting from terrorism. Even in cases where we attempt to exclude losses from terrorism and certain other similar risks from some coverages written by us, we may not be successful in doing so. Moreover, irrespective of the clarity and inclusiveness of policy language, there can be no assurance that a court or arbitration panel will limit enforceability of policy language or otherwise issue a ruling adverse to us.
We seek to limit our loss exposure by writing a number of our reinsurance contracts on an excess of loss basis, adhering to maximum limitations on reinsurance written in defined geographical zones, limiting program size for each client and prudent underwriting of each program written. In the case of proportional treaties, we may seek per occurrence limitations or loss ratio caps to limit the impact of losses from any one or series of events. In our insurance operations, we seek to limit our exposure through the purchase of reinsurance. We cannot be certain that any of these loss limitation methods will be effective. We also seek to limit our loss exposure by geographic diversification. Geographic zone limitations involve significant underwriting judgments, including the determination of the area of the zones and the inclusion of a particular policy within a particular zone's limits. There can be no assurance that various provisions of our policies, such as limitations or exclusions from coverage or choice of forum, will be enforceable in the manner we intend. Disputes relating to coverage and choice of legal forum may also arise. Underwriting is inherently a matter of judgment, involving important assumptions about matters that are inherently unpredictable and beyond our control, and for which historical experience and probability analysis may not provide sufficient guidance. One or more catastrophic or other events could result in claims that substantially exceed our expectations, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or our results of operations, possibly to the extent of eliminating our shareholders' equity.
For our natural catastrophe exposed business, we seek to limit the amount of exposure we will assume from any one insured or reinsured and the amount of the exposure to catastrophe losses from a single event in any geographic zone. We monitor our exposure to catastrophic events, including earthquake and wind and periodically reevaluate the estimated probable maximum pre-tax loss for such exposures. Our estimated probable maximum pre-tax loss is determined through the use of modeling techniques, but such estimate does not represent our total potential loss for such exposures.
Our models employ both proprietary and vendor-based systems and include cross-line correlations for property, marine, offshore energy, aviation, workers compensation and personal accident. We seek to limit the probable maximum pre-tax loss to a specific level for severe catastrophic events. Currently, we seek to limit our 1-in-250 year return period net probable maximum loss from a severe catastrophic event in any geographic zone to approximately 25% of tangible shareholders’ equity available to Arch (total shareholders’ equity available to Arch less goodwill and intangible assets). We reserve the right to change this threshold at any time.
Based on in-force exposure estimated as of January 1, 2026, our modeled peak zone catastrophe exposure was a windstorm affecting the Florida Tri-County, with a net probable maximum pre-tax loss of $1.9 billion, followed by windstorms affecting the Northeast U.S., and the Gulf of Mexico with net probable maximum pre-tax losses of $1.7 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. As of January 1, 2026, our modeled peak zone earthquake exposure (San Francisco area earthquake) represented approximately 51% of our peak zone catastrophe exposure, and our modeled peak zone international exposure (German windstorm) was substantially less than both our peak zone windstorm and earthquake exposures.
We also have significant exposure to losses due to mortgage defaults resulting from severe economic events in the future. For our U.S. and Australian mortgage insurance business, we have developed a proprietary risk model (“Realistic Disaster Scenario” or “RDS”) that simulates the maximum loss resulting from a severe economic downturn impacting the housing market. The RDS models the collective impact of adverse conditions for key economic indicators, the most significant of which is a decline in home prices. The RDS model projects paths of future home prices, unemployment rates, income levels and interest rates and assumes correlation across states and geographic regions. The resulting future performance of our in-force portfolio is then estimated under the economic stress scenario, reflecting loan and borrower information.
Currently, we seek to limit our modeled RDS loss from a severe economic event to approximately 25% of tangible shareholders’ equity available to Arch. We reserve the right to change this threshold at any time. Based on in-force exposure estimated as of January 1, 2026, our modeled RDS loss was $931 million, or 4.1% of tangible shareholders’ equity available to Arch.
Net probable maximum loss estimates are net of expected reinsurance recoveries, before income tax and before excess reinsurance reinstatement premiums. RDS loss estimates are net of expected reinsurance recoveries and before income tax. Catastrophe loss estimates are reflective of the zone indicated and not the entire portfolio. Since hurricanes and windstorms can affect more than one zone and make multiple landfalls, our catastrophe loss estimates include clash estimates from other zones. Our catastrophe loss estimates and RDS loss estimates do not represent our maximum exposures and it is highly likely that our actual incurred losses would vary materially from the modeled estimates. There can be no assurances that we will not suffer pre-tax losses greater than 25% of our tangible shareholders’ equity from one or more catastrophic events or severe economic events due to several factors. These factors include the inherent uncertainties in estimating the frequency and severity of such events and the margin of error in making such determinations resulting from potential inaccuracies and inadequacies in the data provided by clients and brokers, the modeling techniques and the application of such techniques or as a result of a decision to change the percentage of shareholders' equity exposed to a single catastrophic event or severe economic event. In addition, actual losses may increase if our reinsurers fail to meet their obligations to us or the reinsurance protections purchased by us are exhausted or are otherwise unavailable. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations” Depending on business opportunities and the mix of business that may comprise our insurance, reinsurance and mortgage portfolios, we may seek to adjust our self-imposed limitations on probable maximum pre-tax loss for catastrophe exposed business and mortgage default exposed business. See“—Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates—Ceded Reinsurance” for a discussion of our catastrophe reinsurance programs.
MARKET SENSITIVE INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Our investment results are subject to a variety of risks, including risks related to changes in the business, financial condition or results of operations of the entities in which we invest, as well as changes in general economic conditions and overall market conditions. We are also exposed to potential loss from various market risks, including changes in equity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.
In accordance with the SEC’s Financial Reporting Release No. 48, we performed a sensitivity analysis to determine the effects that market risk exposures could have on the future earnings, fair values or cash flows of our financial instruments as of December 31, 2025. Market risk represents the risk of changes in the fair value of a financial instrument and consists of several components, including liquidity, basis and price risks.
The sensitivity analysis performed as of December 31, 2025 presents hypothetical losses in cash flows, earnings and fair values of market sensitive instruments which were held by us on December 31, 2025 and are sensitive to changes in interest rates and equity security prices. This risk management discussion and the estimated amounts generated from the following sensitivity analysis represent forward-looking statements of market risk assuming certain adverse market conditions occur. Actual results in the future may differ materially from these projected results due to actual developments in the global financial markets. The analysis methods used by us to assess and mitigate risk should not be considered projections of future events of losses.
The focus of the SEC’s market risk rules is on price risk. For purposes of specific risk analysis, we employ sensitivity analysis to determine the effects that market risk exposures could have on the future earnings, fair values or cash flows of our financial instruments. The financial instruments included in the following sensitivity analysis consist of all of our investments and cash.
Investment Market Risk
Fixed Income Securities. We invest in interest rate sensitive securities, primarily debt securities. We consider the effect of interest rate movements on the fair value of our fixed maturities, short-term investments and certain of our other investments, equity securities and investment funds accounted for using the equity method which invest in fixed income securities (collectively, “Fixed Income Securities”) and the corresponding change in unrealized appreciation. As interest rates rise, the fair value of our Fixed Income
Securities falls, and the converse is also true. Based on historical observations, there is a low probability that all interest rate yield curves would shift in the same direction at the same time. Furthermore, at times interest rate movements in certain credit sectors exhibit a much lower correlation to changes in U.S. Treasury yields. Accordingly, the actual effect of interest rate movements may differ materially from the amounts set forth in the following tables.
The following table summarizes the effect that an immediate, parallel shift in the interest rate yield curve would have had on our investment portfolio at December 31, 2025 and 2024:
| (U.S. dollars in billions) · Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -100 | -50 | - | +50 | +100 | ||||||
| Total fair value | $45.8 | $45.2 | $44.6 | $44.0 | $43.3 | |||||
| Change from base | 2.8% | 1.4% | (1.4)% | (2.8)% | ||||||
| Change in unrealized value | $1.2 | $0.6 | $(0.6) | $(1.2) | ||||||
| Total fair value | $40.0 | $39.5 | $38.9 | $38.4 | $37.9 | |||||
| Change from base | 2.8% | 1.4% | (1.4)% | (2.7)% | ||||||
| Change in unrealized value | $1.1 | $0.5 | $(0.5) | $(1.1) | ||||||
In addition, we consider the effect of credit spread movements on the market value of our Fixed Income Securities and the corresponding change in unrealized value. As credit spreads widen, the fair value of our Fixed Income Securities falls, and the converse is also true. In periods where the spreads on our Fixed Income Securities are much higher than their historical average due to short-term market dislocations, a parallel shift in credit spread levels would result in a much more pronounced change in unrealized value.
The following table summarizes the effect that an immediate, parallel shift in credit spreads in a static interest rate environment would have had on the portfolio at December 31, 2025 and 2024:
| (U.S. dollars in billions) · Credit Spread Shift in Percentage | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -100 | -50 | - | +50 | +100 | ||||||
| Total fair value | $45.8 | $45.2 | $44.6 | $44.0 | $43.3 | |||||
| Change from base | 2.8% | 1.4% | (1.4)% | (2.8)% | ||||||
| Change in unrealized value | $1.2 | $0.6 | $(0.6) | $(1.2) | ||||||
| Total fair value | $40.0 | $39.5 | $38.9 | $38.4 | $37.8 | |||||
| Change from base | 2.8% | 1.4% | (1.4)% | (2.8)% | ||||||
| Change in unrealized value | $1.1 | $0.5 | $(0.5) | $(1.1) | ||||||
Another method that attempts to measure portfolio risk is Value-at-Risk (“VaR”). VaR measures the worst expected loss under normal market conditions over a specific time interval at a given confidence level. The 1-year 95th percentile parametric VaR reported herein estimates that 95% of the time, the portfolio loss in a one-year horizon would be less than or equal to the calculated number, stated as a percentage of the measured portfolio’s initial value. The VaR is a variance-covariance based estimate, based on linear sensitivities of a portfolio to a broad set of systematic market risk factors and idiosyncratic risk factors mapped to the portfolio exposures. The relationships between the risk factors are estimated using historical data, and the most recent data points are generally given more weight. As of December 31, 2025, our portfolio’s 95th percentile VaR was estimated to be 6.5%, compared to an estimated 5.6% at December 31, 2024. In periods where the volatility of the risk factors mapped to our portfolio’s exposures is higher due to market conditions, the resulting VaR is higher than in other periods.
Equity Securities. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the fair value of our investments in equity securities and certain investments accounted for using the equity method with underlying equity strategies totaled $1.8 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. These investments are exposed to price risk, which is the potential loss arising from decreases in fair value. An immediate hypothetical 10% decline in the value of each position would reduce the fair value of such investments by approximately $178 million and $149 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and would have decreased book value per share by approximately $0.50 and $0.40, respectively. An immediate hypothetical 10% increase in the value of each position would increase the fair value of such investments by approximately $178 million and $149 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and would have increased book value per share by approximately $0.50 and $0.40, respectively.
Investment-Related Derivatives. At December 31, 2025, the notional value of all derivative instruments (excluding foreign currency forward contracts which are included in the foreign currency exchange risk analysis below) was $8.0 billion, compared to $5.0 billion at December 31, 2024. If the underlying exposure of each investment-related derivative held at December 31, 2025 depreciated by 100 basis points, it would have resulted in a reduction in net income of approximately $80 million, and a decrease in book value per share of $0.22, compared to $50 million and $0.13, respectively, on investment-related derivatives held at December 31, 2024. If the underlying exposure of each investment-related derivative held at December 31, 2025 appreciated by 100 basis points, it would have resulted in an increase in net income of approximately $80 million, and an increase in book value per share of $0.22, compared to $50 million and $0.13, respectively, on investment-related
derivatives held at December 31, 2024. Seenote 11, “Derivative Instruments,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional disclosures concerning derivatives.
For further discussion on investment activity, please refer to “Financial Condition—Investable Assets.”
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
Foreign currency rate risk is the potential change in value, income and cash flow arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Through our subsidiaries and branches located in various foreign countries, we conduct our insurance and reinsurance operations in a variety of local currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. We generally hold investments in foreign currencies which are intended to mitigate our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations in our net insurance liabilities. We may also utilize foreign currency forward contracts and currency options as part of our investment strategy. Seenote 11, “Derivative Instruments,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional information.
The following table provides a summary of our net foreign currency exchange exposures, as well as foreign currency derivatives in place to manage these exposures:
| (U.S. dollars in millions, except per share data) | December 31,2025 | December 31,2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Net assets (liabilities), denominated in foreign currencies, excluding shareholders’ equity and derivatives | $(498) | $(815) |
| Shareholders’ equity denominated in foreign currencies (1) | 1,220 | 1,120 |
| Net foreign currency forward contracts outstanding (2) | 478 | 453 |
| Net exposures denominated in foreign currencies | $1,200 | $758 |
| Pre-tax impact of a hypothetical 10% appreciation of the U.S. Dollar against foreign currencies: | ||
| Shareholders’ equity | $(120) | $(76) |
| Book value per share | $(0.33) | $(0.20) |
| Pre-tax impact of a hypothetical 10% decline of the U.S. Dollar against foreign currencies: | ||
| Shareholders’ equity | $120 | $76 |
| Book value per share | $0.33 | $0.20 |
(1) Represents capital contributions held in the foreign currencies of our operating units.
(2) Represents the net notional value of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts.
Although the Company generally attempts to match the currency of its projected liabilities with investments in the same currencies, from time to time the Company may elect to over or underweight one or more currencies, which could increase the Company’s exposure to foreign currency fluctuations and increase the volatility of the Company’s shareholders’ equity. Historical observations indicate a low probability that all foreign currency exchange rates would shift against the U.S. Dollar in the same direction and at the same time and, accordingly, the actual effect of foreign currency rate movements may differ materially from the amounts set forth above. For further discussion on foreign exchange activity, please refer to “—Results of Operations.”
Effects of Inflation
General economic inflation has increased in recent quarters and may continue to remain at elevated levels for an extended period of time. The potential also exists, after a catastrophe loss or pandemic events, for the development of inflationary pressures in a local economy. This risk may be heightened from time to time by geopolitical tensions, global supply chain disruptions, tariffs, and other contributing factors. This may have a material effect on the adequacy of our reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, especially in longer-tailed lines of business, and on the market value of our investment portfolio through rising interest rates. The anticipated effects of inflation are considered in our pricing models, reserving processes and exposure management, across all lines of business and types of loss including natural catastrophe events. The actual effects of inflation on our results cannot be accurately known until claims are ultimately settled and will vary by the specific type of inflation affecting each line of business.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.