Unassociated Document


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008

OR

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 1-6541


LOEWS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
13-2646102
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 
667 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10065-8087
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(212) 521-2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

NOT APPLICABLE
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

   
Yes
X
   
No
 
   

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

Large accelerated filer
X
 
Accelerated filer
   
Non-accelerated filer
   
Smaller reporting company
   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

   
Yes
 
   
No
X
   

     
Class
   
Outstanding at July 18, 2008
Common stock, $0.01 par value
 
436,267,871 shares
     



 
1

 

INDEX


 
Page
 
No.
   
Part I.  Financial Information
   
     
     
Item 1.  Financial Statements (unaudited)
   
     
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
   
June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007
3
 
     
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income
   
Three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007
4
 
     
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
   
June 30, 2008 and 2007
6
 
     
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
   
Six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007
7
 
     
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
9
 
     
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
40
 
     
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
73
 
     
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
76
 
     
Part II.  Other Information
   
     
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
77
 
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors
77
 
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
77
 
     
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
77
 
     
Item 6.  Exhibits
79
 

 
2

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
           
             
Assets:
           
             
Investments:
           
Fixed maturities, amortized cost of $32,422 and $34,816
  $ 30,980     $ 34,663  
Equity securities, cost of $2,267 and $1,143
    2,196       1,347  
Limited partnership investments
    2,428       2,321  
Other investments
    18       108  
Short term investments
    9,736       8,230  
Total investments
    45,358       46,669  
Cash
    168       140  
Receivables
    11,965       11,469  
Property, plant and equipment
    11,782       10,218  
Deferred income taxes
    1,026       441  
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    1,357       1,353  
Assets of discontinued operations
    6       2,841  
Other assets
    1,502       1,347  
Deferred acquisition costs of insurance subsidiaries
    1,167       1,161  
Separate account business
    451       476  
Total assets
  $ 74,782     $ 76,115  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
               
                 
Insurance reserves:
               
Claim and claim adjustment expense
  $ 28,202     $ 28,588  
Future policy benefits
    7,326       7,106  
Unearned premiums
    3,644       3,597  
Policyholders’ funds
    582       930  
Total insurance reserves
    39,754       40,221  
Payable to brokers
    1,971       580  
Collateral on loaned securities
            63  
Short term debt
    258       358  
Long term debt
    7,137       6,900  
Reinsurance balances payable
    373       401  
Liabilities of discontinued operations
            1,637  
Other liabilities
    3,803       3,990  
Separate account business
    451       476  
Total liabilities
    53,747       54,626  
Minority interest
    4,254       3,898  
Preferred stock, $0.10 par value,
               
Authorized – 100,000,000 shares
               
Common stock:
               
Loews common stock, $0.01 par value:
               
Authorized – 1,800,000,000 shares
               
Issued and outstanding – 436,267,871 and 529,683,628 shares
    4       5  
Former Carolina Group stock
            1  
Additional paid-in capital
    3,280       3,967  
Earnings retained in the business
    14,598       13,691  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (1,101 )     (65 )
      16,781       17,599  
Less treasury stock, at cost (340,000 shares of former Carolina Group stock)
            8  
Total shareholders’ equity
    16,781       17,591  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 74,782     $ 76,115  

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 
3

 

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)


   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions, except per share data)
                       
                         
Revenues:
                       
Insurance premiums
  $ 1,774     $ 1,872     $ 3,586     $ 3,734  
Net investment income
    697       785       1,176       1,518  
Investment gains (losses)
    (111 )     (108 )     (162 )     (129 )
Gain on issuance of subsidiary stock
    2       4       2       139  
Contract drilling revenues
    937       636       1,707       1,226  
Other
    623       328       1,225       697  
Total
    3,922       3,517       7,534       7,185  
                                 
Expenses:
                               
Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits
    1,472       1,473       2,861       2,921  
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs
    360       372       728       753  
Contract drilling expenses
    271       222       558       434  
Other operating expenses
    624       532       1,241       1,018  
Interest
    88       71       177       149  
Total
    2,815       2,670       5,565       5,275  
Income before income tax and minority interest
    1,107       847       1,969       1,910  
Income tax expense
    340       256       593       592  
Minority interest
    256       169       456       335  
Total
    596       425       1,049       927  
Income from continuing operations
    511       422       920       983  
Discontinued operations, net:
                               
Results of operations
    170       232       343       439  
Gain on disposal
    4,282               4,362          
Net income
  $ 4,963     $ 654     $ 5,625     $ 1,422  
                                 
Net income attributable to:
                               
Loews common stock:
                               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 511     $ 422     $ 920     $ 983  
Discontinued operations, net
    4,348       91       4,494       180  
Loews common stock
    4,859       513       5,414       1,163  
Former Carolina Group stock - discontinued
                               
operations, net
    104       141       211       259  
Total
  $ 4,963     $ 654     $ 5,625     $ 1,422  

 
4

 

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions, except per share data)
                       
                         
                         
Basic net income per Loews common share:
                       
Income from continuing operations
  $ 1.00     $ 0.78     $ 1.77     $ 1.83  
Discontinued operations, net
    8.56       0.17       8.66       0.33  
Net income
  $ 9.56     $ 0.95     $ 10.43     $ 2.16  
                                 
Diluted net income per Loews common share:
                               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 1.00     $ 0.78     $ 1.77     $ 1.82  
Discontinued operations, net
    8.54       0.17       8.64       0.33  
Net income
  $ 9.54     $ 0.95     $ 10.41     $ 2.15  
                                 
Basic net income per former Carolina Group share:
                               
Discontinued operations, net
  $ 0.97     $ 1.31     $ 1.95     $ 2.39  
                                 
Diluted net income per former Carolina Group
                               
share:
                               
Discontinued operations, net
  $ 0.96     $ 1.30     $ 1.95     $ 2.39  
                                 
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding:
                               
Loews common stock
    508.16       536.30       518.93       538.90  
Former Carolina Group stock
    108.48       108.44       108.47       108.41  
                                 
Diluted weighted average number of shares
                               
  outstanding:
                               
Loews common stock
    509.43       537.50       520.17       540.01  
Former Carolina Group stock
    108.60       108.56       108.60       108.54  

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 
5

 

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)

               
Former
         
Earnings
   
Accumulated
   
Common
 
   
Comprehensive
   
Loews
   
Carolina
   
Additional
   
Retained
   
Other
   
Stock
 
   
Income
   
Common
   
Group
   
Paid-in
   
in the
   
Comprehensive
   
Held in
 
   
(Loss)
   
Stock
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Business
   
Income (Loss)
   
Treasury
 
(In millions, except per share data)
                                         
                                           
Balance, January 1, 2007
        $ 5     $ 1     $ 4,018     $ 12,099     $ 387     $ (8 )
Adjustment to initially apply:
                                                     
FIN No. 48
                                  (37 )                
FSP FTB 85-4-1
                                  34                  
Balance, January 1, 2007 as adjusted
          5       1       4,018       12,096       387       (8 )
Comprehensive income:
                                                     
Net income
  $ 1,422                               1,422                  
Other comprehensive loss
    (276 )                                     (276 )        
Comprehensive income
  $ 1,146                                                  
Dividends paid:
                                                       
Loews common stock, $0.125
                                                       
per share
                                    (67 )                
Former Carolina Group stock, $0.91
                                                       
per share
                                    (99 )                
Purchase of Loews treasury stock
                                                    (384 )
Issuance of Loews common stock
                            3                          
Issuance of former Carolina Group
                                                       
stock
                            3                          
Stock-based compensation
                            14                          
Other
                            1       (3 )                
Deferred tax benefit related to
                                                       
interest expense imputed on
                                                       
Diamond Offshore’s 1.5%
                                                       
debentures (Note 11)
                            26                          
Balance, June 30, 2007
          $ 5     $ 1     $ 4,065     $ 13,349     $ 111     $ (392 )
                                                         
Balance, January 1, 2008
          $ 5     $ 1     $ 3,967     $ 13,691     $ (65 )   $ (8 )
Comprehensive income:
                                                       
Net income
  $ 5,625                               5,625                  
Other comprehensive loss
    (1,089 )                                     (1,089 )        
Comprehensive income
  $ 4,536                                                  
Dividends paid:
                                                       
Loews common stock, $0.125
                                                       
per share
                                    (66 )                
Former Carolina Group stock, $0.91
                                                       
per share
                                    (99 )                
Issuance of Loews common stock
                            2                          
Redemption of former Carolina
                                                       
Group stock (Note 2)
                    (1 )             (602 )     53       8  
Exchange of Lorillard common stock
                                                       
for Loews common stock (Note 2)
                                                    (4,650 )
Stock-based compensation
                            11                          
Retirement of treasury stock
            (1 )             (700 )     (3,949 )             4,650  
Other
                                    (2 )                
Balance, June 30, 2008
          $ 4     $ -     $ 3,280     $ 14,598     $ (1,101 )   $ -  

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 
6

 

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30
 
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
           
             
             
Operating Activities:
           
             
Net income
  $ 5,625     $ 1,422  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
               
 provided (used) by operating activities, net
    (3,777 )     (138 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:
               
Reinsurance receivables
    447       556  
Other receivables
    (271 )     (72 )
Federal income tax
    (32 )     21  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
    (20 )     (22 )
Deferred acquisition costs
    (6 )     (7 )
Insurance reserves and claims
    (148 )     (86 )
Reinsurance balances payable
    (28 )     (11 )
Other liabilities
    (504 )     (171 )
Trading securities
    1,488       587  
Other, net
    (94 )     (64 )
Net cash flow operating activities - continuing operations
    2,680       2,015  
Net cash flow operating activities - discontinued operations
    151       297  
Net cash flow operating activities - total
    2,831       2,312  
                 
Investing Activities:
               
                 
Purchases of fixed maturities
    (28,260 )     (33,938 )
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities
    26,260       31,598  
Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities
    2,464       2,836  
Purchases of equity securities
    (133 )     (97 )
Proceeds from sales of equity securities
    132       109  
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (1,779 )     (718 )
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment
    15       13  
Change in collateral on loaned securities
    (63 )     (503 )
Change in short term investments
    (1,542 )     (1,207 )
Change in other investments
    (153 )     (85 )
Other, net
    1       56  
Net cash flow investing activities - continuing operations
    (3,058 )     (1,936 )
Net cash flow investing activities - discontinued operations,
               
  including proceeds from dispositions
    618       169  
Net cash flow investing activities - total
    (2,440 )     (1,767 )

 
7

 

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30
 
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
           
             
             
Financing Activities:
           
             
Dividends paid
  $ (165 )   $ (166 )
Dividends paid to minority interest
    (233 )     (315 )
Purchases of treasury shares
            (379 )
Purchases of treasury shares by subsidiary
    (70 )        
Issuance of common stock
    2       7  
Proceeds from subsidiaries’ equity issuances
    245       312  
Principal payments on debt
    (747 )     (2 )
Issuance of debt
    886          
Receipts of investment contract account balances
    2       1  
Return of investment contract account balances
    (299 )     (57 )
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
    3       7  
Other
    3       9  
Net cash flow financing activities - continuing operations
    (373 )     (583 )
Net cash flow financing activities - discontinued operations
            3  
Net cash flow financing activities - total
    (373 )     (580 )
                 
Effect of foreign exchange rate on cash - continuing operations
    (1 )     -  
                 
Net change in cash
    17       (35
Net cash transactions from:
               
Continuing operations to discontinued operations
    780       520  
Discontinued operations to continuing operations
    (780 )     (520 )
Cash, beginning of period
    160       174  
Cash, end of period
  $ 177     $ 139  
                 
Cash, end of period:
               
Continuing operations
  $ 168     $ 133  
Discontinued operations
    9       6  
Total
  $ 177     $ 139  

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 
8

 

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1.  Basis of Presentation

Loews Corporation is a holding company. Its subsidiaries are engaged in the following lines of business: commercial property and casualty insurance (CNA Financial Corporation (“CNA”), a 90% owned subsidiary); the operation of offshore oil and gas drilling rigs (Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (“Diamond Offshore”), a 50.4% owned subsidiary); exploration, production and marketing of natural gas and natural gas liquids (HighMount Exploration & Production LLC (“HighMount”), a wholly owned subsidiary); the operation of interstate natural gas transmission pipeline systems (Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (“Boardwalk Pipeline”), a 70% owned subsidiary); and the operation of hotels (Loews Hotels Holding Corporation (“Loews Hotels”), a wholly owned subsidiary). Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Company,” “Loews” and “Registrant” as used herein mean Loews Corporation excluding its subsidiaries.

In June of 2008, the Company disposed of its entire ownership interest in its wholly owned subsidiary, Lorillard, Inc. (“Lorillard”). The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements have been reclassified to reflect Lorillard as a discontinued operation. Accordingly, Lorillard’s assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows have been excluded from the respective captions in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income, and Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows and have been included in Assets and Liabilities of discontinued operations, Discontinued Operations, net and Net cash flows - discontinued operations, respectively.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 and the results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and changes in cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.

Net income for the second quarter and first half of each of the years is not necessarily indicative of net income for that entire year.

Reference is made to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K which should be read in conjunction with these Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

Supplementary cash flow information – As discussed in Note 2, in June of 2008, the Company disposed of its entire ownership interest in Lorillard resulting in a non-cash gain on disposal of $4.3 billion. Investing activities include accrued capital expenditures of $112 million and $21 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.

Accounting changes – In September of 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. The standard also responds to investors’ requests for expanded information about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. A one year deferral has been granted for the implementation of SFAS No. 157 for all nonrecurring fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities. As a result, the Company has partially applied the provisions of SFAS No. 157 upon adoption at January 1, 2008. The assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value for which the Company has not applied the provisions of SFAS No. 157 include goodwill, other intangible assets, long term debt and asset retirement obligations. The effect of partially adopting SFAS No. 157 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial condition at the date of adoption or the results of operations for the period ended June 30, 2008. See Note 4.

In April of 2007, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FIN 39-1, “Amendment of FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 39.” FSP FIN No. 39-1 permits a reporting entity to offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting arrangement that have been offset in the statement of financial position in accordance with FIN No. 39. Additionally, FSP No. FIN 39-1 requires that a reporting entity shall not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments without offsetting fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral. The Company adopted FSP No. FIN 39-1 in 2008, by electing to not offset cash collateral amounts recognized for derivative instruments under the same master netting arrangements and as a result

 
9

 

will no longer offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments. The Company presented the effect of adopting FSP No. FIN 39-1 as a change in accounting principle through retrospective application. The effect on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2007 was an increase of $36 million in Other investments and Payable to brokers. The adoption of FSP No. FIN 39-1 had no impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations as of or for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

2.  Separation of Lorillard, Inc.

The Company disposed of Lorillard through the following two integrated transactions, collectively referred to as the “Separation”:

 
·
On June 10, 2008, the Company distributed 108,478,429 shares, or approximately 62%, of the outstanding common stock of Lorillard in exchange for and in redemption of all of the 108,478,429 outstanding shares of the Company’s former Carolina Group stock, in accordance with the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Redemption”); and

 
·
On June 16, 2008, the Company distributed the remaining 65,445,000 shares, or approximately 38%, of the outstanding common stock of Lorillard in exchange for 93,492,857 shares of Loews common stock, reflecting an exchange ratio of 0.70 (the “Exchange Offer”).

As a result of the Separation, Lorillard is no longer a subsidiary of Loews and Loews no longer owns any interest in the outstanding stock of Lorillard. As of the completion of the Redemption, the former Carolina Group and former Carolina Group stock have been eliminated. In addition, at that time all outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) awarded under the Company’s former Carolina Group 2002 Stock Option Plan were assumed by Lorillard and converted into stock options and SARs which are exercisable for shares of Lorillard common stock.

The Loews common stock acquired by the Company in the Exchange Offer was recorded as a decrease in the Company’s Shareholders’ equity, reflecting Loews common stock at market value of the shares of Loews common stock delivered in the Exchange Offer. This decline was offset by a $4.3 billion gain to the Company from the Exchange Offer, which was reported as a gain on disposal of the discontinued business.

Prior to the Redemption, the Company had a two class common stock structure: Loews common stock and former Carolina Group stock. Former Carolina Group stock, commonly called a tracking stock, was intended to reflect the performance of a defined group of Loews’s assets and liabilities referred to as the former Carolina Group. The principal assets and liabilities attributable to the former Carolina Group were Loews’s 100% ownership of Lorillard, including all dividends paid by Lorillard to Loews, and any and all liabilities, costs and expenses arising out of or relating to tobacco or tobacco-related businesses. Immediately prior to the Separation, outstanding former Carolina Group stock represented an approximately 62% economic interest in the performance of the former Carolina Group. The Loews Group consisted of all of Loews’s assets and liabilities other than those allocated to the former Carolina Group, including an approximately 38% interest in the former Carolina Group.

 
10

 

3.  Investments

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Net investment income consisted of:
                       
                         
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 476     $ 526     $ 994     $ 1,022  
Short term investments
    36       88       89       164  
Limited partnerships
    46       71       7       123  
Equity securities
    39       6       44       11  
Income from trading portfolio
    103       96       51       188  
Other
    9       21       21       41  
Total investment income
    709       808       1,206       1,549  
Investment expense
    (12 )     (23 )     (30 )     (31 )
Net investment income
  $ 697     $ 785     $ 1,176     $ 1,518  

Investment gains (losses) are as follows:
                       
                         
Fixed maturities
  $ (158 )   $ (266 )   $ (160 )   $ (283 )
Equity securities, including short positions
    (14 )     10       (29 )     14  
Derivative instruments
    56       147       12       139  
Short term investments
    5               7          
Other, including guaranteed separate account business
            1       8       1  
Investment losses
    (111 )     (108 )     (162 )     (129 )
Gain on issuance of subsidiary stock (Note 11)
    2       4       2       139  
      (109 )     (104 )     (160 )     10  
Income tax (expense) benefit
    39       36       57       (5 )
Minority interest
    6       10       10       12  
Investment gains (losses), net
  $ (64 )   $ (58 )   $ (93 )   $ 17  

   Other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses of $170 million were recorded primarily in the asset-backed bonds sector for the three months ended June 30, 2008. This compared to OTTI losses of $176 million recorded primarily in the corporate and other taxable bonds, asset-backed bonds and U.S. Government bonds sectors for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Realized investment losses included OTTI losses of $256 million, recorded primarily in the asset-backed bonds sector for the six months ended June 30, 2008. This compared to OTTI losses of $263 million recorded primarily in the corporate and other taxable bonds, asset-backed bonds and U.S. Government bonds sectors for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The OTTI losses for 2008 were primarily driven by credit issue related OTTI losses. These OTTI losses were driven mainly by credit market conditions and the continued disruption caused by issues surrounding the sub-prime residential mortgage (sub-prime) crisis.

The Company’s investment policies emphasize high credit quality and diversification by industry, issuer and issue. Assets supporting interest rate sensitive liabilities are segmented within the general account to facilitate asset/liability duration management.

 
11

 

In 2008, the Company re-evaluated its classification of preferred stocks between redeemable and non-redeemable and determined that certain securities that were previously classified as redeemable preferred stock have characteristics similar to equities. These securities are presented as preferred stock securities included in Equity securities available-for-sale beginning with the June 30, 2008 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet.

The amortized cost and market values of securities are as follows:

               
Gross Unrealized Losses
       
                     
 
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Less Than
   
12 Months
       
June 30, 2008
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
12 Months
   
or Greater
   
Fair Value
 
(In millions)
                             
                               
Fixed maturity securities:
                             
U.S. government and obligations
                             
of government agencies
  $ 597     $ 92     $ 1     $ 1     $ 687  
Asset-backed securities
    10,695       69       328       524       9,912  
States, municipalities and political
                                       
subdivisions-tax exempt
    7,153       46       255       111       6,833  
Corporate
    9,690       170       389       144       9,327  
Other debt
    3,756       100       131       24       3,701  
Redeemable preferred stocks
    49       1       1               49  
Fixed maturities available-for-sale
    31,940       478       1,105       804       30,509  
Fixed maturities, trading
    482       6       3       14       471  
Total fixed maturities
    32,422       484       1,108       818       30,980  
Equity securities:
                                       
Equity securities available-for-sale
    1,507       210       186       109       1,422  
Equity securities, trading
    760       128       68       46       774  
Total equity securities
    2,267       338       254       155       2,196  
Short term investments:
                                       
Short term investments available-for-
                                       
sale
    6,262       1       3               6,260  
Short term investments, trading
    3,476                               3,476  
Total short term investments
    9,738       1       3       -       9,736  
Total
  $ 44,427     $ 823     $ 1,365     $ 973     $ 42,912  
                               
December 31, 2007
                             
                               
Fixed maturity securities:
                             
U.S. government and obligations of
                             
    government agencies
  $ 594     $ 93                 $ 687  
Asset-backed securities
    11,777       39     $ 223     $ 183       11,410  
States, municipalities and political
                                       
    subdivisions-tax exempt
    7,615       144       82       2       7,675  
Corporate
    8,867       246       149       12       8,952  
Other debt
    4,143       208       48       4       4,299  
Redeemable preferred stocks
    1,216       2       160               1,058  
Fixed maturities available-for-sale
    34,212       732       662       201       34,081  
Fixed maturities, trading
    604       6       19       9       582  
Total fixed maturities
    34,816       738       681       210       34,663  
Equity securities:
                                       
Equity securities available-for-sale
    366       214       12               568  
Equity securities, trading
    777       99       69       28       779  
Total equity securities
    1,143       313       81       28       1,347  
Short term investments:
                                       
Short term investments available-for-
                                       
sale
    5,600       3       1               5,602  
Short term investments, trading
    2,628                               2,628  
Total short term investments
    8,228       3       1       -       8,230  
Total
  $ 44,187     $ 1,054     $ 763     $ 238     $ 44,240  

 
12

 

The following table summarizes, available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position.

   
June 30, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
   
Estimated
   
Unrealized
   
Estimated
   
Unrealized
 
   
Fair Value
   
Loss
   
Fair Value
   
Loss
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Available-for-sale fixed income securities:
                       
Investment grade:
                       
0-6 months
  $ 11,981     $ 628     $ 4,771     $ 228  
7-12 months
    2,543       431       1,584       193  
13-24 months
    1,477       346       690       57  
Greater than 24 months
    2,057       244       3,869       138  
Total investment grade available-for-sale
    18,058       1,649       10,914       616  
                                 
Non-investment grade:
                               
0-6 months
    1,012       70       1,527       73  
7-12 months
    1,262       149       125       8  
13-24 months
    147       36       26       4  
Greater than 24 months
    8       4       9       2  
Total non-investment grade available-for-sale
    2,429       259       1,687       87  
                                 
Total fixed income securities available-for-sale
    20,487       1,908       12,601       703  
                                 
Redeemable and non-redeemable preferred stocks:
                               
0-6 months
    127       14       893       143  
7-12 months
    745       237       104       28  
13-24 months
    96       35                  
Greater than 24 months
                               
Total redeemable and non-redeemable preferred stocks
                               
available-for-sale
    968       286       997       171  
                                 
Available-for-sale equity securities:
                               
0-6 months
    33       9       34       1  
7-12 months
    13       1       1          
13-24 months
                               
Greater than 24 months
    3               3          
Total equity securities available-for-sale
    49       10       38       1  
Total fixed maturity and equity securities
                               
available-for-sale
  $ 21,504     $ 2,204     $ 13,636     $ 875  

At June 30, 2008, the fair value of the available-for-sale fixed maturities was $30,509 million, representing 67.3% of the total investment portfolio. The unrealized position associated with the fixed maturity portfolio included $1,909 million in gross unrealized losses, consisting of asset-backed securities which represented 44.7%, corporate bonds which represented 27.9%, tax-exempt bonds which represented 19.2%, and all other fixed maturity securities which represented 8.2%. The gross unrealized loss for any single issuer was no greater than 0.2% of the carrying value of the total general account fixed maturity portfolio. The total fixed maturity portfolio gross unrealized losses included 2,095 securities which were, in aggregate, approximately 9.0% below amortized cost.

Given the current facts and circumstances, the Company has determined that the securities presented in the above unrealized gain/loss tables were temporarily impaired when evaluated at June 30, 2008 or December 31, 2007, and therefore no related realized losses were recorded. A discussion of some of the factors reviewed in making that determination as of June 30, 2008 is presented below.

 
13

 

Asset-Backed Securities

The unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in asset-backed securities were caused by a combination of factors related to the market disruption caused by credit concerns surrounding the sub-prime issue, but also extended into other asset-backed securities in the market and specifically in the Company’s portfolio.

The majority of the holdings in this category are collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) typically collateralized with prime residential mortgages and corporate asset-backed structured securities. The holdings in these sectors include 624 securities in a gross unrealized loss position aggregating $849 million. Of these securities in a gross unrealized loss position, 54.0% are rated AAA, 19.0% are rated AA, 23.0% are rated A and 4.0% are rated BBB or lower. The aggregate severity of the unrealized loss was approximately 10.0% of amortized cost. The contractual cash flows on the asset-backed structured securities are passed through, but may be structured into classes of preference. The structured securities held are generally secured by over collateralization or default protection provided by subordinated tranches. Within this category, securities subject to Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 99-20, “Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets,” are monitored for significant adverse changes in cash flow projections. If there are adverse changes in cash flows, the amount of accretable yield is prospectively adjusted and an OTTI loss is recognized. As of June 30, 2008, there was no adverse change in estimated cash flows noted for the securities in an unrealized loss position held subject to EITF 99-20, which have a gross unrealized loss of $214 million. The Company received $53 million of principal repayments on these securities consistent with the cash flow expectations. There were OTTI losses of $128 million and $179 million recorded on asset-backed securities, $118 million and $133 million of which related to specific EITF 99-20 securities for which the most recent evaluation did show an adverse change in cash flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.

The remainder of the holdings in this category includes mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by an agency of the U.S. Government. There were 186 agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities and 3 agency CMOs in an unrealized loss position aggregating $3 million as of June 30, 2008. The cumulative unrealized losses on these securities was approximately 4.0% of amortized cost. These securities do not tend to be influenced by the credit of the issuer but rather the characteristics and projected cash flows of the underlying collateral.

The Company believes the decline in fair value was primarily attributable to the market disruption caused by sub-prime related issues and other temporary market conditions and is not indicative of the quality of the underlying collateral. Because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until an anticipated recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, the Company considers these investments to be temporarily impaired at June 30, 2008.

States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions – Tax-Exempt Securities

The unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in municipal securities were caused primarily by changes in credit spreads, and to a lesser extent, changes in interest rates. The Company invests in municipal securities as an asset class for economic benefits of the returns on the class compared to like after-tax returns on alternative classes. The holdings in this category include 584 securities in a gross unrealized loss position aggregating $366 million with all of these unrealized losses related to investment grade securities (rated BBB- or higher) where the cash flows are supported by the credit of the issuer. The aggregate severity of the unrealized losses was approximately 7.0% of amortized cost. Because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until an anticipated recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, the Company considers these investments to be temporarily impaired at June 30, 2008. There were no OTTI losses recorded on municipal securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.

Corporate Bonds

The holdings in this category include 545 securities in a gross unrealized loss position aggregating $533 million. Of the unrealized losses in this category, 59.0% relate to securities rated as investment grade. The total holdings in this category are diversified across 11 industry sectors. The aggregate severity of the unrealized losses were approximately 8.0% of amortized cost. Within corporate bonds, the industry sectors with the largest gross unrealized losses were financial, consumer cyclical, communications and industrial, which as a percentage of total gross unrealized losses were approximately 39.0%, 21.0%, 11.0% and 8.0% at June 30, 2008. The decline in fair value was primarily attributable to deterioration in the broader credit markets that resulted in widening of credit spreads over risk free rates and macro conditions in certain sectors that the market viewed as out of favor. Because the decline was not related to specific credit quality issues, and because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until an anticipated recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, the Company considers these

 
14

 

investments to be temporarily impaired at June 30, 2008. There were OTTI losses of $22 million and $32 million recorded on corporate bonds for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.

Preferred Stock

The unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in preferred stock were caused by similar factors as those that affected the Company’s corporate bond portfolio. Approximately 70.0% of the gross unrealized losses in this category come from securities issued by financial institutions, 27.0% from government agency issued securities and 3.0% from utilities. The holdings in this category include 48 securities in a gross unrealized loss position aggregating $286 million. Of these securities in a gross unrealized loss position, 27.0% are rated AA, 39.0% are rated A, 29.0% are rated BBB and 5.0% are rated lower than BBB. The Company believes the holdings in this category have been adversely impacted by changes in short term interest rates and significant credit spread widening brought on by a combination of factors in the capital markets. Many of the securities in this category are related to the banking and mortgage industries and are experiencing what the Company believes to be temporarily depressed valuations. Because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until an anticipated recovery of fair value, the Company considers these investments to be temporarily impaired at June 30, 2008. There were OTTI losses of $3 million and $8 million recorded on preferred stock for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.

Investment Commitments

As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had committed approximately $528 million and $461 million to future capital calls from various third-party limited partnership investments in exchange for an ownership interest in the related partnerships.

The Company invests in multiple bank loan participations as part of its overall investment strategy and has committed to additional future purchases and sales. The purchase and sale of these investments are recorded on the date that the legal agreements are finalized and cash settlement is made. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had commitments to purchase $76 million and $58 million and sell $4 million and $3 million of various bank loan participations. When loan participation purchases are settled and recorded they may contain both funded and unfunded amounts. An unfunded loan represents an obligation by the Company to provide additional amounts under the terms of the loan participation. The funded portions are reflected on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, while any unfunded amounts are not recorded until a draw is made under the loan facility. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had obligations on unfunded bank loan participations in the amount of $17 million and $23 million.

4.  Fair Value

Fair value is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The following fair value hierarchy is used in selecting inputs, with the highest priority given to Level 1, as these are the most transparent or reliable:

 
·
Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

 
·
Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.

 
·
Level 3 – Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable.

The Company is responsible for the valuation process and seeks to obtain quoted market prices for all securities. When quoted market prices are not available, the Company uses a number of methodologies including discounted cash flow models, prices from recently executed transactions of similar securities or broker/dealer quotes using market observable information to the extent possible to establish fair value estimates. In conjunction with modeling activities, the Company may use external data as inputs. The modeled inputs are consistent with observable market information when available, or with the Company’s assumptions as to what market participants would use to value the securities. As further validation of the Company’s valuation process, the Company samples its past fair value estimates and compares the valuations to actual transactions executed in the market on similar dates.

 
15

 

The fair values of CNA’s life settlement contracts investments are included in Other assets. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

June 30, 2008
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Assets:
                       
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 688     $ 26,858     $ 3,434     $ 30,980  
Equity securities
    1,831       102       263       2,196  
Other investments
                    12       12  
Short term investments
    6,725       3,011               9,736  
Receivables
            29               29  
Assets of discontinued operations
    36       111       23       170  
Other assets
            18       118       136  
Separate account business
    42       359       45       446  
Total
  $ 9,322     $ 30,488     $ 3,895     $ 43,705  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Payable to brokers
  $ (196 )   $ (364 )   $ (95 )   $ (655 )

The tables below presents a reconciliation for all assets and (liabilities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008:
 
   
Fixed
               
Assets of
         
Separate
   
Derivative
 
   
Maturity
   
Equity
   
Short Term
   
Discontinued
   
Other
   
Account
   
Financial
 
   
Securities
   
Securities
   
Investments
   
Operations
   
Assets
   
Business
   
Instruments, Net
 
(In millions)
                                         
                                           
Balance, April 1, 2008
  $ 2,471     $ 196     $ 85     $ 41     $ 118     $ 47     $ (90 )
Total net realized gains (losses)
                                                       
and net change in Unrealized
                                                       
gains (losses) on investments:
                                                       
  Included in Net income
    (81 )     (1 )                     12               10  
  Included in Accumulated
                                                       
other comprehensive
                                                       
income (loss)
    (55 )     (2 )                             (4 )     (9 )
Purchases, sales, issuances and
                                                       
settlements
    80       48               (1 )     (12 )     2       6  
Net transfers in (out) of
                                                       
Level 3
    1,019       22       (85 )     (17 )                        
Balance, June 30, 2008
  $ 3,434     $ 263     $ -     $ 23     $ 118     $ 45     $ (83 )
                                                         
Balance, January 1, 2008
  $ 2,909     $ 199     $ 85     $ 42     $ 115     $ 30     $ (19 )
Total net realized gains (losses)
                                                       
and net change in Unrealized
                                                       
gains (losses) on investments:
                                                       
Included in Net income
    (124 )     (3 )                     30               (21 )
Included in Accumulated
                                                       
other comprehensive
                                                       
income (loss)
    (270 )     (3 )                             (4 )     3  
Purchases, sales, issuances and
                                                       
settlements
    81       48               (2 )     (27 )     (1 )     (46 )
Net transfers in (out) of
                                                       
Level 3
    838       22       (85 )     (17 )             20          
Balance, June 30, 2008
  $ 3,434     $ 263     $ -     $ 23     $ 118     $ 45     $ (83 )

 
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The tables below summarize gains and losses due to changes in fair value, including both realized and unrealized gains and losses, recorded in Net income for Level 3 assets and liabilities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.
 
   
Fixed
               
Derivative
       
   
Maturity
   
Equity
   
Other
   
Financial
       
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
 
Securities
   
Securities
   
Assets
   
Instruments, Net
   
Total
 
(In millions)
                             
                               
Net investment income (loss)
  $ 8     $ (1 )               $ 7  
Investment gains (losses)
    (89 )                 $ 23       (66 )
Other revenues
                  $ 12       (13 )     (1 )
Total
  $ (81 )   $ (1 )   $ 12     $ 10     $ (60 )
                                         
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
                                       
                                         
Net investment income (loss)
  $ 6     $ (1 )                   $ 5  
Investment gains (losses)
    (130 )     (2 )           $ 1       (131 )
Other revenues
                  $ 30       (22 )     8  
Total
  $ (124 )   $ (3 )   $ 30     $ (21 )   $ (118 )

   The tables below summarize changes in unrealized gains or losses recorded in Net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 for Level 3 assets and liabilities still held at June 30, 2008.
 
   
Fixed
               
Derivative
     
   
Maturity
   
Equity
   
Other
   
Financial
     
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
 
Securities
   
Securities
   
Assets
   
Instruments, Net
   
Total
(In millions)
                           
                             
Net investment income (loss)
  $ (2 )   $ (1 )               $ (3 )
Investment gains (losses)
    (90 )     (2 )         $ 15       (77 )
Other revenues
                  $ 1               1  
Total
  $ (92 )   $ (3 )   $ 1     $ 15     $ (79 )
                                         
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
                                       
                                         
Net investment income (loss)
  $ (6 )   $ (1 )                   $ (7 )
Investment losses
    (133 )     (4 )           $ (69 )     (206 )
Other revenues
                  $ 5               5  
Total
  $ (139 )   $ (5 )   $ 5     $ (69 )   $ (208 )
 
Securities transferred into Level 3 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 relate primarily to tax-exempt auction rate certificates, included within Fixed maturity securities. These were previously valued using observable prices for similar securities, but due to decreased market liquidity, fair value is determined by cash flow models using market observable and unobservable inputs.

The following section describes the valuation methodologies used to measure different financial instruments at fair value, including an indication of the level in the fair value hierarchy in which the instrument is generally classified.

Fixed Maturity Securities

Level 1 securities include highly liquid government bonds for which quoted market prices are available. The remaining fixed maturity securities are valued using pricing for similar securities, recently executed transactions, cash flow models with yield curves, broker/dealer quotes and other pricing models utilizing observable inputs. The valuation for most fixed income securities, excluding government bonds, is classified as Level 2. Securities within Level 2 include certain corporate bonds, municipal bonds, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed pass-through securities and redeemable preferred stock. Securities are generally assigned to Level 3 in cases where broker/dealer quotes are significant inputs to the valuation and there is a lack of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the marketplace. Level 3 securities include certain corporate bonds, asset-backed securities, municipal bonds and redeemable preferred stock.

 
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Equity Securities

Level 1 securities include publicly traded securities valued using quoted market prices. Level 2 securities are primarily non-redeemable preferred securities and common stocks valued using pricing for similar securities, recently executed transactions, broker/dealer quotes and other pricing models utilizing observable inputs. Level 3 securities include one equity security, which represents 67.7% of the total, in an entity which is not publicly traded and is valued based on a discounted cash flow analysis model which is adjusted for the Company’s assumption regarding an inherent lack of liquidity in the security. The remaining non-redeemable preferred stocks and equity securities are primarily valued using inputs including broker/dealer quotes for which there is a lack of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the marketplace.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Exchange traded derivatives are valued using quoted market prices and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Over-the-counter derivatives, principally credit default and interest rate swaps, forwards and options, represent the present value of amounts estimated to be received from or paid to a marketplace participant in settlement of these instruments. They are valued using inputs including broker/dealer quotes and are classified within Level 2 or Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy, depending on the amount of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the marketplace.

Short Term Investments

The valuation of securities that are actively traded or have quoted prices are classified as Level 1. These securities include money market funds and treasury bills. Level 2 includes commercial paper, for which all inputs are observable.

Life Settlement Contracts

The fair values of life settlement contracts are estimated using discounted cash flows based on CNA’s own assumptions for mortality, premium expense, and the rate of return that a buyer would require on the contracts, as no comparable market pricing data is available.

Discontinued Operations Investments

Assets relating to CNA’s discontinued operations include fixed maturity securities, equities and short term investments. The valuation methodologies for these asset types have been described above.

Separate Account Business

Separate account business includes fixed maturity securities, equities and short term investments. The valuation methodologies for these asset types have been described above.

5.  Earnings Per Share

Companies with complex capital structures are required to present basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income attributable to each class of common stock by the weighted average number of common shares of each class of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.

Prior to the Separation, the Company had two classes of common stock:  former Carolina Group stock, a tracking stock intended to reflect the economic performance of a group of the Company’s assets and liabilities, called the former Carolina Group, principally consisting of Lorillard, Inc. and Loews common stock, representing the economic performance of the Company’s remaining assets, including the interest in the former Carolina Group not represented by former Carolina Group stock.

 
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The attribution of income to each class of common stock for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions, except %)
                       
                         
Loews common stock:
                       
                         
Consolidated net income
  $ 4,963     $ 654     $ 5,625     $ 1,422  
Less income attributable to former Carolina Group
                               
stock
    104       141       211       259  
Income attributable to Loews common stock
  $ 4,859     $ 513     $ 5,414     $ 1,163  
                                 
Former Carolina Group stock:
                               
                                 
Income available to former Carolina Group stock
  $ 168     $ 227     $ 339     $ 416  
Weighted average economic interest of the
                               
former Carolina Group
    62.4 %     62.4 %     62.4 %     62.4 %
                                 
Income attributable to former Carolina Group stock
  $ 104     $ 141     $ 211     $ 259  

The following is a reconciliation of basic weighted shares outstanding to diluted weighted shares:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Loews common stock:
                       
                         
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic
    508.16       536.30       518.93       538.90  
Stock options and stock appreciation rights
    1.27       1.20       1.24       1.11  
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted
    509.43       537.50       520.17       540.01  
                                 
Former Carolina Group stock:
                               
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic
    108.48       108.44       108.47       108.41  
Stock options and stock appreciation rights
    0.12       0.12       0.13       0.13  
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted
    108.60       108.56       108.60       108.54  

Certain options and stock appreciation rights were not included in the diluted weighted shares amount due to the exercise price being greater than the average stock price for the respective periods. The number of weighted average shares not included in the diluted computations is as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
                         
Loews common stock
    1,179,504       2,633       1,176,438       1,324  
Former Carolina Group stock
    310,125       549       255,983       25,414  

 
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6.  Receivables

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
           
             
Reinsurance
  $ 8,242     $ 8,689  
Other insurance
    2,284       2,284  
Security sales
    848       163  
Accrued investment income
    331       340  
Other
    1,011       791  
Total
    12,716       12,267  
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts on reinsurance receivables
    445       461  
allowance for other doubtful accounts and cash discounts
    306       337  
Receivables
  $ 11,965     $ 11,469  

7.  Property, Plant and Equipment

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
           
             
Land
  $ 70     $ 70  
Buildings and building equipment
    638       670  
Offshore drilling equipment
    5,000       4,540  
Machinery and equipment
    1,343       1,313  
Pipeline equipment
    3,397       2,445  
Natural gas and NGL proved and unproved properties
    3,123       2,869  
Construction in process
    1,638       1,423  
Leaseholds and leasehold improvements
    76       79  
Total
    15,285       13,409  
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
    3,503       3,191  
Property, plant and equipment
  $ 11,782     $ 10,218  

Diamond Offshore Construction Projects

Construction in process at June 30, 2008, included $286 million related to the major upgrade of the Ocean Monarch to ultra-deepwater service and $149 million related to the construction of the Ocean Scepter. Diamond Offshore anticipates delivery of the Ocean Scepter in the third quarter of 2008 and expects the upgrade of the Ocean Monarch to be completed in late 2008. Construction of the Ocean Shield was completed in the second quarter of 2008.

Boardwalk Pipeline Expansion Projects

In 2008, Boardwalk Pipeline placed in service the remaining pipeline assets associated with the East Texas to Mississippi Expansion project from Delhi, Louisiana to Harrisville, Mississippi and related compression. In addition, the pipeline assets and one compressor station related to the Southeast Expansion project were placed in service. As a result, approximately $913 million was transferred from Construction in process to Pipeline equipment. The assets will generally be depreciated over a term of 35 years.

8.  Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

CNA’s property and casualty insurance claim and claim adjustment expense reserves represent the estimated amounts necessary to resolve all outstanding claims, including claims that are incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) as of the reporting date. CNA’s reserve projections are based primarily on detailed analysis of the facts in each case, CNA’s experience with similar cases and various historical development patterns. Consideration is given to such historical patterns as field reserving trends and claims settlement practices, loss payments, pending levels of unpaid claims and product mix, as well as court decisions, economic conditions and public attitudes. All of these factors can affect the estimation of claim and claim adjustment expense reserves.

 
20

 

Establishing claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, including claim and claim adjustment expense reserves for catastrophic events that have occurred, is an estimation process. Many factors can ultimately affect the final settlement of a claim and, therefore, the necessary reserve. Changes in the law, results of litigation, medical costs, the cost of repair materials and labor rates can all affect ultimate claim costs. In addition, time can be a critical part of reserving determinations since the longer the span between the incidence of a loss and the payment or settlement of the claim, the more variable the ultimate settlement amount can be. Accordingly, short-tail claims, such as property damage claims, tend to be more reasonably estimable than long-tail claims, such as general liability and professional liability claims. Adjustments to prior year reserve estimates, if necessary, are reflected in the results of operations in the period that the need for such adjustments is determined.

Catastrophes are an inherent risk of the property and casualty insurance business and have contributed to material period-to-period fluctuations in the Company’s results of operations and/or equity. Catastrophe losses related to events occurring for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, net of reinsurance, were $47 million and $100 million. Catastrophe losses in 2008 related primarily to storms, floods, and tornadoes. Catastrophe losses related to events occurring for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, net of reinsurance, were $12 million and $44 million. Catastrophe losses in 2007 related primarily to tornadoes, floods and winter storms. There can be no assurance that CNA’s ultimate cost for catastrophes will not exceed current estimates.

The following provides discussion of CNA’s asbestos and environmental pollution (“A&E”) reserves.

A&E Reserves

CNA’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries have actual and potential exposures related to A&E claims. The following table provides data related to CNA’s A&E claim and claim adjustment expense reserves.

   
June 30, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
                         
         
Environmental
         
Environmental
 
   
Asbestos
   
Pollution
   
Asbestos
   
Pollution
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Gross reserves
  $ 2,206     $ 326     $ 2,352     $ 367  
Ceded reserves
    (977 )     (118 )     (1,030 )     (125 )
Net reserves
  $ 1,229     $ 208     $ 1,322     $ 242  

Asbestos

CNA recorded $6 million and $3 million of unfavorable asbestos-related net claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. CNA paid asbestos-related claims, net of reinsurance recoveries, of $99 million and $89 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.

The ultimate cost of reported claims, and in particular A&E claims, is subject to a great many uncertainties, including future developments of various kinds that CNA does not control and that are difficult or impossible to foresee accurately. With respect to the litigation identified below in particular, numerous factual and legal issues remain unresolved. Rulings on those issues by the courts are critical to the evaluation of the ultimate cost to CNA. The outcome of the litigation cannot be predicted with any reliability. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time.

Some asbestos-related defendants have asserted that their insurance policies are not subject to aggregate limits on coverage. CNA has such claims from a number of insureds. Some of these claims involve insureds facing exhaustion of products liability aggregate limits in their policies, who have asserted that their asbestos-related claims fall within so-called “non-products” liability coverage contained within their policies rather than products liability coverage, and that the claimed “non-products” coverage is not subject to any aggregate limit. It is difficult to predict the ultimate size of any of the claims for coverage purportedly not subject to aggregate limits or predict to what extent, if any, the attempts to assert “non-products” claims outside the products liability aggregate will succeed. CNA’s policies also contain other limits applicable to these claims and CNA has additional coverage defenses to certain claims. CNA has attempted to manage its asbestos exposure by aggressively seeking to settle claims on acceptable terms. There can be no assurance that any of these settlement efforts will be successful, or that any such claims can be settled on terms acceptable to CNA. Where CNA cannot settle a claim on acceptable terms, CNA aggressively litigates the claim. However, adverse developments with respect to such matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and/or equity.

 
21

 
 
Certain asbestos claim litigation in which CNA is currently engaged is described below:

On February 13, 2003, CNA announced it had resolved asbestos-related coverage litigation and claims involving A.P. Green Industries, A.P. Green Services and Bigelow–Liptak Corporation. Under the agreement, CNA is required to pay $70 million, net of reinsurance recoveries, over a ten year period commencing after the final approval of a bankruptcy plan of reorganization. The settlement received initial bankruptcy court approval on August 18, 2003. The debtor’s plan of reorganization includes an injunction to protect CNA from any future claims. The bankruptcy court issued an opinion on September 24, 2007 recommending confirmation of that plan. Several insurers have appealed that ruling; that appeal is pending at this time.

CNA is engaged in insurance coverage litigation in New York State Court, filed in 2003, with a defendant class of underlying plaintiffs who have asbestos bodily injury claims against the former Robert A. Keasbey Company (“Keasbey”) (Continental Casualty Co. v. Employers Ins. of Wausau et al., No. 601037/03 (N.Y. County)). Keasbey, a currently dissolved corporation, was a seller and installer of asbestos-containing insulation products in New York and New Jersey. Thousands of plaintiffs have filed bodily injury claims against Keasbey. However, under New York court rules, asbestos claims are not cognizable unless they meet certain minimum medical impairment standards. Since 2002, when these court rules were adopted, only a small portion of such claims have met medical impairment criteria under New York court rules and as to the remaining claims, Keasbey’s involvement at a number of work sites is a highly contested issue.

CNA issued Keasbey primary policies for 1970-1987 and excess policies for 1971-1978. CNA has paid an amount substantially equal to the policies’ aggregate limits for products and completed operations claims in the confirmed CNA policies. Claimants against Keasbey allege, among other things, that CNA owes coverage under sections of the policies not subject to the aggregate limits, an allegation CNA vigorously contests in the lawsuit. In the litigation, CNA and the claimants seek declaratory relief as to the interpretation of various policy provisions. On May 8, 2007, the Court in the first phase of the trial held that all of CNA’s primary policy products aggregates were exhausted and that past products liability claims could not be recharacterized as operations claims. The Court also found that while operations claims would not be subject to products aggregates, such claims could be made only against the policies in effect when the claimants were exposed to asbestos from Keasbey operations. These holdings limit CNA’s exposure to those instances where Keasbey used asbestos in operations between 1970 and 1987. Keasbey largely ceased using asbestos in its operations in the early 1970’s. CNA noticed an appeal to the Appellate Division to challenge certain aspects of the Court’s ruling. Other insurer parties to the litigation also filed separate notices of appeal to the Court’s ruling. The appeal was fully briefed and was argued on December 6, 2007. Numerous legal issues remain to be resolved on appeal with respect to coverage that are critical to the final result, which cannot be predicted with any reliability. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time.

CNA has insurance coverage disputes related to asbestos bodily injury claims against a bankrupt insured, Burns & Roe Enterprises, Inc. (“Burns & Roe”). These disputes are currently part of coverage litigation (stayed in view of the bankruptcy) and an adversary proceeding in In re: Burns & Roe Enterprises, Inc., pending in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, No. 00-41610. Burns & Roe provided engineering and related services in connection with construction projects. At the time of its bankruptcy filing, on December 4, 2000, Burns & Roe asserted that it faced approximately 11,000 claims alleging bodily injury resulting from exposure to asbestos as a result of construction projects in which Burns & Roe was involved. CNA allegedly provided primary liability coverage to Burns & Roe from 1956-1969 and 1971-1974, along with certain project-specific policies from 1964-1970. In September of 2007, CNA entered into an agreement with Burns & Roe, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors appointed by the Bankruptcy Court and the Future Claims Representative (the “Addendum”), which provides that claims allegedly covered by CNA policies will be adjudicated in the tort system, with any coverage disputes related to those claims to be decided in coverage litigation. With the approval of the Bankruptcy Court, Burns & Roe included the Addendum as part of its Fourth Amended Plan (the “Plan”), which was filed on June 9, 2008 and which will be the subject of a later confirmation hearing. With respect to both confirmation of the Plan and coverage issues, numerous factual and legal issues remain to be resolved that are critical to the final result, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with any reliability. These factors include, among others: (a) whether CNA has any further responsibility to compensate claimants against Burns & Roe under its policies and, if so, under which; (b) whether CNA’s responsibilities under its policies extend to a particular claimant’s entire claim or only to a limited percentage of the claim; (c) whether CNA’s responsibilities under its policies are limited by the occurrence limits or other provisions of the policies; (d) whether certain exclusions, including professional liability exclusions, in some of CNA’s policies apply to exclude certain claims; (e) the extent to which claimants can establish exposure to asbestos materials as to which Burns & Roe has any responsibility; (f) the legal theories which must be pursued by such claimants to establish the liability of Burns & Roe and whether such theories can, in fact, be established; (g) the diseases and damages alleged by such claimants; (h) the extent that any liability of Burns & Roe would be shared with other potentially responsible parties; (i) whether the Plan, which includes the Addendum, will be

 
22

 

approved by the Bankruptcy Court in its current form; and (j) the impact of bankruptcy proceedings on claims and coverage issue resolution. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time.

Suits have also been initiated directly against the CNA companies and numerous other insurers in two jurisdictions: Texas and Montana. Approximately 80 lawsuits were filed in Texas beginning in 2002, against two CNA companies and numerous other insurers and non-insurer corporate defendants asserting liability for failing to warn of the dangers of asbestos (e.g. Boson v. Union Carbide Corp., (Nueces County, Texas)). During 2003, several of the Texas suits were dismissed and while certain of the Texas courts’ rulings were appealed, plaintiffs later dismissed their appeals. A different Texas court, however, denied similar motions seeking dismissal. After that court denied a related challenge to jurisdiction, the insurers transferred the case, among others, to a state multi-district litigation court in Harris County charged with handling asbestos cases. In February 2006, the insurers petitioned the appellate court in Houston for an order of mandamus, requiring the multi-district litigation court to dismiss the case on jurisdictional and substantive grounds. On February 29, 2008, the appellate court denied the insurers’ mandamus petition on procedural grounds, but did not reach a decision on the merits of the petition. Instead, the appellate court allowed to stand the multi-district litigation court’s determination that the case remained on its inactive docket and that no further action can be taken unless qualifying reports are filed or the filing of such reports is waived. With respect to the cases that are still pending in Texas, in June 2008, plaintiffs in the only active case dropped the remaining CNA company from that suit, leaving only inactive cases against CNA companies. In those inactive cases, numerous factual and legal issues remain to be resolved that are critical to the final result, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with any reliability. These factors include: (a) the speculative nature and unclear scope of any alleged duties owed to individuals exposed to asbestos and the resulting uncertainty as to the potential pool of potential claimants; (b) the fact that imposing such duties on all insurer and non-insurer corporate defendants would be unprecedented and, therefore, the legal boundaries of recovery are difficult to estimate; (c) the fact that many of the claims brought to date are barred by the Statute of Limitations and it is unclear whether future claims would also be barred; (d) the unclear nature of the required nexus between the acts of the defendants and the right of any particular claimant to recovery; and (e) the existence of hundreds of co-defendants in some of the suits and the applicability of the legal theories pled by the claimants to thousands of potential defendants. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued is not readily determinable at this time.

On March 22, 2002, a direct action was filed in Montana (Pennock, et al. v. Maryland Casualty, et al. First Judicial District Court of Lewis & Clark County, Montana) by eight individual plaintiffs (all employees of W.R. Grace & Co. (“W.R. Grace”)) and their spouses against CNA, Maryland Casualty and the State of Montana. This action alleges that the carriers failed to warn of or otherwise protect W.R. Grace employees from the dangers of asbestos at a W.R. Grace vermiculite mining facility in Libby, Montana. The Montana direct action is currently stayed because of W.R. Grace’s pending bankruptcy. On April 7, 2008, W.R. Grace announced a settlement in principle with the asbestos personal injury claimants committee subject to confirmation of a plan of reorganization by the bankruptcy court. It is unknown when the confirmation hearing might take place. The settlement in principle with the asbestos claimants has no present impact on the stay currently imposed on the Montana direct action and with respect to such claims, numerous factual and legal issues remain to be resolved that are critical to the final result, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with any reliability. These factors include: (a) the unclear nature and scope of any alleged duties owed to people exposed to asbestos and the resulting uncertainty as to the potential pool of potential claimants; (b) the potential application of Statutes of Limitation to many of the claims which may be made depending on the nature and scope of the alleged duties; (c) the unclear nature of the required nexus between the acts of the defendants and the right of any particular claimant to recovery; (d) the diseases and damages claimed by such claimants; (e) the extent that such liability would be shared with other potentially responsible parties; and (f) the impact of bankruptcy proceedings on claims resolution. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time.

CNA is vigorously defending these and other cases and believes that it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted. However, there are numerous factual and legal issues to be resolved in connection with these claims, and it is extremely difficult to predict the outcome or ultimate financial exposure represented by these matters. Adverse developments with respect to any of these matters could have a material adverse effect on CNA’s business, and insurer financial strength and debt ratings, and the Company’s results of operations and/or equity.

Environmental Pollution

CNA recorded $2 million and $1 million of unfavorable environmental pollution net claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. CNA paid environmental pollution-related claims, net of reinsurance recoveries, of $36 million and $21 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.

 
23

 

Net Prior Year Development

The net prior year development presented below includes premium development due to its direct relationship to claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development. The net prior year development presented below excludes the impact of increases or decreases in the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance, but includes the impact of commutations.

Three Month Comparison

   
Standard
   
Specialty
   
Other
       
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
 
Lines
   
Lines
   
Insurance
   
Total
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior
                       
year claim and allocated claim adjustment
                       
expense reserve development:
                       
Core (Non-A&E)
  $ (15 )   $ 1     $ 5     $ (9 )
A&E
                    6       6  
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year
                               
development before impact of premium
                               
development
    (15 )     1       11       (3 )
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) premium
                               
development
    (8 )     1       1       (6 )
Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year
                               
development
  $ (23 )   $ 2     $ 12     $ (9 )

Three Months Ended June 30, 2007
                       
                         
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior
                       
year claim and allocated claim adjustment
                       
expense reserve development:
                       
Core (Non-A&E)
  $ (20 )   $ (14 )   $ 8     $ (26 )
A&E
                    4       4  
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year
                               
development before impact of premium
                               
development
    (20 )     (14 )     12       (22 )
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) premium
                               
development
    16               (5 )     11  
Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year
                               
development
  $ (4 )   $ (14 )   $ 7     $ (11 )

2008 Net Prior Year Development

Standard Lines

Approximately $29 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded due to favorable outcomes on claims relating to catastrophes, primarily in accident year 2005.

Approximately $8 million of favorable premium development was recorded across several coverages and accident years due to additional premium processing on auditable policies and changes to ultimate premium estimates. This favorable development was offset by additional unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development.

Other Insurance

The unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was primarily related to commutation activity, a portion of which was offset by a release of a previously established allowance for uncollectible reinsurance.

 
24

 

2007 Net Prior Year Development

Standard Lines

Approximately $33 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was due to lower than anticipated frequency and severity on claims related to large property products, primarily in accident years 2005 and 2006. The change was driven by decreased incurred losses as a result of changes in individual case reserve estimates.

Additional unfavorable prior year reserve development was recorded in the workers’ compensation line of business as a result of continued claim cost inflation in older accident years, driven by increasing medical inflation and advances in medical care. Additional favorable development was recorded in the commercial automobile, monoline general liability and umbrella product lines. This favorable development was due to improved severity in recent accident years.

Approximately $14 million of unfavorable premium development was taken primarily as a result of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development on large account retro policies relating to the automobile and general liability lines of business in accident years 2001 and subsequent. This favorable claim and allocated claim expense reserve development was due to lower than anticipated frequency and severity.

Specialty Lines

Approximately $9 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded in the excess and surplus lines of business. This favorable development was primarily related to improved frequency and severity on excess general liability claims across several accident years.

Other Insurance

Approximately $6 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was related to commutation activity, a portion of which was offset by a release of a previously established allowance for uncollectible reinsurance.

Six Month Comparison

   
Standard
   
Specialty
   
Other
       
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
 
Lines
   
Lines
   
Insurance
   
Total
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior
                       
year claim and allocated claim adjustment
                       
expense reserve development:
                       
Core (Non-A&E)
  $ (50 )   $ 18     $ 8     $ (24 )
A&E
                    8       8  
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year
                               
development before impact of premium
                               
development
    (50 )     18       16       (16 )
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) premium
                               
development
    1       (18 )             (17 )
Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year
                               
development
  $ (49 )   $ -     $ 16     $ (33 )

 
25

 
 
   
Standard
   
Specialty
   
Other
       
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
 
Lines
   
Lines
   
Insurance
   
Total
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior
                       
year claim and allocated claim adjustment
                       
expense reserve development:
                       
Core (Non-A&E)
  $ (7 )   $ (7 )   $ 8     $ (6 )
A&E
                    4       4  
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year
                               
development before impact of premium
                               
development
    (7 )     (7 )     12       (2 )
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) premium
                               
development
    (10 )     (10 )     (3 )     (23 )
Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year
                               
development
  $ (17 )   $ (17 )   $ 9     $ (25 )

2008 Net Prior Year Development

Standard Lines

Approximately $49 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded in property coverages. This favorable development was due to lower than expected frequency in accident year 2007 and favorable outcomes on several individual claims in accident years 2006 and prior, including approximately $29 million related to catastrophes, primarily in accident year 2005.

Approximately $23 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded in general liability due to favorable outcomes on individual claims causing lower severity in accident years 2003 and prior.

Approximately $24 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded in excess workers’ compensation due to higher than expected frequency and severity in accident years 2003 and prior. This is a result of continued claim cost inflation in older accident years, driven by increasing medical inflation and advances in medical care.

Specialty Lines

Approximately $10 million of favorable premium development was recorded due to a change in ultimate premiums within a foreign affiliate’s property and financial lines.  This was offset by approximately $9 million of related unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development.

Other Insurance

The net prior year development recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2008 relates to the same reasons included in the three month discussion.

2007 Net Prior Year Development

Standard Lines

Approximately $42 million of favorable premium development was recorded primarily as a result of additional premium resulting from audits on recent policies related to workers’ compensation and general liability books of business. This was offset by $27 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development related to this premium.

Approximately $16 million of unfavorable premium development was recorded due to a change in the estimate of CNA’s exposure related to its participation in involuntary pools. This unfavorable premium development was partially offset by $9 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development.

The remaining net prior year development recorded relates primarily to the items included in the three month discussion.

 
26

 

Specialty Lines

Approximately $9 million of favorable premium development was recorded mainly as a result of additional premium resulting from audits on recent policies related primarily to general liability coverages. Unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded related to those premiums.

The remaining net prior year development recorded relates primarily to the items included in the three month discussion.

Other Insurance

The net prior year development recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2007 relates to the same reasons included in the three month discussion.

9.  Debt

In January of 2008, CNA repaid its $150 million 6.45% senior note at maturity.

In March of 2008, Texas Gas Transmission, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Boardwalk Pipeline, issued $250 million aggregate principal amount of 5.5% senior notes due 2013 in a private placement. The proceeds from this offering were primarily used to finance a portion of its expansion projects.

10.  Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

                     
Accumulated
 
   
Unrealized
               
Other
 
   
Gains (Losses)
   
Foreign
   
Pension
   
Comprehensive
 
   
on Investments
   
Currency
   
Liability
   
Income (Loss)
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Balance, January 1, 2007
  $ 584     $ 86     $ (283 )   $ 387  
Unrealized holding losses, net of tax of $145
    (228 )                     (228 )
Adjustment for items included in net income,
                               
net of tax of $35
    (61 )                     (61 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of
                               
tax of $1
            5               5  
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax
                               
of $3
                    8       8  
Balance, June 30, 2007
  $ 295     $ 91     $ (275 )   $ 111  
                         
Balance, January 1, 2008
  $ 12     $ 117     $ (194 )   $ (65 )
Unrealized holding losses, net of tax of $710
    (1,166 )                     (1,166 )
Adjustment for items included in net income,
                               
net of tax of $38 and $20
    66               34       100  
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of
                               
tax
            (15 )             (15 )
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $4
                    (8 )     (8 )
Disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax
                               
of $33
                    53       53  
Balance, June 30, 2008
  $ (1,088 )   $ 102     $ (115 )   $ (1,101 )

11.  Significant Transactions

Diamond Offshore

In the first six months of 2007, the holders of $451 million in principal amount of Diamond Offshore’s 1.5% debentures converted their outstanding debentures into 9.2 million shares of Diamond Offshore’s common stock at a price of $49.02 per share. In addition, the holders of $2 million aggregate principal amount of Diamond Offshore’s

 
27

 

Zero Coupon Debentures converted their outstanding debentures into 20,658 shares of Diamond Offshore’s common stock at a price of $73.00 per share.

The Company’s ownership interest in Diamond Offshore declined from approximately 54% to 51% due to these transactions. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5-H, “Accounting for Sales of Stock by a Subsidiary” (“SAB No. 51”), the Company recognized a pretax gain of $142 million ($92 million after provision for deferred income taxes) on the issuance of subsidiary stock.

Prior to the conversion of Diamond Offshore’s 1.5% convertible debentures, the Company carried a deferred tax liability related to interest expense imputed on the bonds for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result of the conversion, the deferred tax liability was settled and a tax benefit of $26 million, net of minority interest, was included in shareholders’ equity as an increase in additional paid-in capital.

Boardwalk Pipeline

In the second quarter of 2008, Boardwalk Pipeline sold 10 million common units at a price of $25.30 per unit in a public offering and received net proceeds of $243 million. In addition, the Company contributed $5 million to maintain its 2% general partner interest. The Company’s percentage ownership interest in Boardwalk Pipeline declined as a result of this transaction. The issuance price of the common units exceeded the Company’s carrying amount, increasing the amount of cumulative pretax SAB No. 51 gains to approximately $536 million at June 30, 2008, from $472 million at December 31, 2007. In accordance with SAB No. 51, recognition of a gain is only appropriate if the class of securities sold by the subsidiary does not contain any preference over the subsidiary’s other classes of securities. As a result, the Company has deferred gain recognition until the common units no longer have preference over other classes of securities.

In June of 2008, the Company purchased 22,866,667 of Boardwalk Pipeline’s newly created class B units representing limited partner interests (“class B units”) for $30 per class B unit, or an aggregate purchase price of $686 million. The Company contributed an additional $14 million to maintain its 2% general partner interest. Boardwalk Pipeline intends to use the proceeds of approximately $700 million to fund a portion of the costs of its ongoing expansion projects.

Beginning with the distribution in respect of the quarter ending September 30, 2008, the class B units will share in quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus with Boardwalk Pipeline’s common units, until each common unit and class B unit has received a quarterly distribution of $0.30. The class B units will not participate in quarterly distributions above $0.30 per unit and are convertible into common units of Boardwalk Pipeline on a one-for-one basis at any time after June 30, 2013.

12.  Benefit Plans

Pension Plans - The Company has several non-contributory defined benefit plans for eligible employees. The benefits for certain plans which cover salaried employees and certain union employees are based on formulas which include, among others, years of service and average pay. The benefits for one plan which covers union workers under various union contracts and certain salaried employees are based on years of service multiplied by a stated amount. Benefits for another plan are determined annually based on a specified percentage of annual earnings (based on the participant’s age) and a specified interest rate (which is established annually for all participants) applied to accrued balances. The Company’s funding policy is to make contributions in accordance with applicable governmental regulatory requirements.

Other Postretirement Benefit Plans - The Company has several postretirement benefit plans covering eligible employees and retirees. Participants generally become eligible after reaching age 55 with required years of service. Actual requirements for coverage vary by plan. Benefits for retirees who were covered by bargaining units vary by each unit and contract. Benefits for certain retirees are in the form of a Company health care account.

Benefits for retirees reaching age 65 are generally integrated with Medicare. Other retirees, based on plan provisions, must use Medicare as their primary coverage, with the Company reimbursing a portion of the unpaid amount; or are reimbursed for the Medicare Part B premium or have no Company coverage. The benefits provided by the Company are basically health and, for certain retirees, life insurance type benefits.

The Company funds certain of these benefit plans and accrues postretirement benefits during the active service of those employees who would become eligible for such benefits when they retire.

At December 31, 2007, the Company expected to contribute $24 million to its pension plans and $13 million to its postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefit plans in 2008. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, CNA

 
28

 

decided to contribute an additional $43 million to their pension plan bringing the expected pension contributions to $67 million.

During the first six months of 2008, the Company made $13 million of total contributions to the pension plans and $5 million to the postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefit plans.

Net periodic benefit cost components:

   
Pension Benefits
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Service cost
  $ 7     $ 5     $ 15     $ 17  
Interest cost
    42       36       82       81  
Expected return on plan assets
    (48 )     (43 )     (96 )     (94 )
Amortization of net loss
                    1          
Amortization of prior service cost
            (1 )                
Actuarial loss
    1       2       2       6  
Settlement costs
            1               4  
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 2     $ -     $ 4     $ 14  

   
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Service cost
        $ 1     $ 1     $ 1  
Interest cost
  $ 3       3       6       7  
Expected return on plan assets
    (1 )     (1 )     (2 )     (2 )
Amortization of prior service benefit
    (7 )     (6 )     (12 )     (13 )
Actuarial loss
    1               1       1  
Regulatory asset decrease
    2       2       3       3  
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ (2 )   $ (1 )   $ (3 )   $ (3 )

13.  Business Segments

The Company’s reportable segments are primarily based on its individual operating subsidiaries. Each principal operating subsidiary is headed by a chief executive officer who is responsible for the operation of its business and has the duties and authority commensurate with that position. Investment gains (losses) and the related income taxes, excluding those of CNA Financial, are included in the Corporate and other segment.

CNA’s core property and casualty commercial insurance operations are reported in two business segments: Standard Lines and Specialty Lines. Standard Lines includes standard property and casualty coverages sold to small businesses and middle market entities and organizations in the U.S. primarily through an independent agency distribution system. Standard Lines also includes commercial insurance and risk management products sold to large corporations in the U.S. primarily through insurance brokers. Specialty Lines provides a broad array of professional, financial and specialty property and casualty products and services, including excess and surplus lines, primarily through insurance brokers and managing general underwriters. Specialty Lines also includes insurance coverages sold globally through CNA’s foreign operations (“CNA Global”). The non-core operations are managed in Life & Group Non-Core segment and Other Insurance segment. Life & Group Non-Core primarily includes the results of the life and group lines of business sold or placed in run-off. Other Insurance primarily includes the results of certain property and casualty lines of business placed in run-off, including CNA Re. This segment also includes the results related to the centralized adjusting and settlements of A&E.

Diamond Offshore’s business primarily consists of operating 45 offshore drilling rigs that are chartered on a contract basis for fixed terms by companies engaged in exploration and production of hydrocarbons. Offshore rigs are mobile units that can be relocated based on market demand. The majority of these rigs are located in the Gulf of Mexico region with the remainder operating in Brazil, the North Sea, and various other foreign markets.

 
29

 

HighMount’s business consists primarily of natural gas exploration and production operations located in the Permian Basin in Texas, the Antrim Shale in Michigan and the Black Warrior Basin in Alabama, with estimated proved reserves totaling approximately 2.5 trillion cubic feet equivalent.

Boardwalk Pipeline is engaged in the interstate transportation and storage of natural gas. This segment consists of interstate natural gas pipeline systems located in the Southeast and running north and east through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois.

Loews Hotels owns and/or operates 18 hotels, 16 of which are in the United States and two are in Canada.

The Corporate and other segment consists primarily of corporate investment income, including investment gains (losses) from non-insurance subsidiaries, equity earnings from shipping operations, as well as corporate interest expenses and other corporate administrative costs.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. In addition, CNA does not maintain a distinct investment portfolio for each of its insurance segments, and accordingly, allocation of assets to each segment is not performed. Therefore, net investment income and investment gains (losses) are allocated based on each segment’s carried insurance reserves, as adjusted.

The following tables set forth the Company’s consolidated revenues and income (loss) by business segment:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Revenues (a):
                       
                         
CNA Financial:
                       
Standard Lines
  $ 922     $ 1,025     $ 1,867     $ 2,095  
Specialty Lines
    1,039       1,044       2,088       2,066  
Life and Group Non-Core
    308       334       545       664  
Other Insurance
    52       66       103       161  
Total CNA Financial
    2,321       2,469       4,603       4,986  
Diamond Offshore
    970       661       1,762       1,280  
HighMount
    201               390          
Boardwalk Pipeline
    206       159       419       349  
Loews Hotels
    105       100       202       195  
Corporate and other
    119       128       158       375  
Total
  $ 3,922     $ 3,517     $ 7,534     $ 7,185  
                                 
Income (loss) before income tax and minority
                               
interest (a):
                               
                                 
CNA Financial:
                               
Standard Lines
  $ 119     $ 147     $ 233     $ 352  
Specialty Lines
    201       247       392       458  
Life and Group Non-Core
    (67 )     (50 )     (103 )     (57 )
Other Insurance
    3       (12 )             17  
Total CNA Financial
    256       332       522       770  
Diamond Offshore
    590       351       995       660  
HighMount
    76               151          
Boardwalk Pipeline
    64       36       153       116  
Loews Hotels
    32       22       50       40  
Corporate and other
    89       106       98       324  
Total
  $ 1,107     $ 847     $ 1,969     $ 1,910  

 
30

 
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
           
             
Net income (loss) (a):
           
                         
CNA Financial:
                       
Standard Lines
  $ 76     $ 93     $ 152     $ 216  
Specialty Lines
    113       139       220       257  
Life and Group Non-Core
    (31 )     (23 )     (43 )     (20 )
Other Insurance
    4       (5 )     4       14  
Total CNA Financial
    162       204       333       467  
Diamond Offshore
    194       118       330       225  
HighMount
    48               95          
Boardwalk Pipeline
    28       16       67       55  
Loews Hotels
    19       14       30       25  
Corporate and other
    60       70       65       211  
Income from continuing operations
    511       422       920       983  
Discontinued operations
    4,452       232       4,705       439  
Total
  $ 4,963     $ 654     $ 5,625     $ 1,422  

(a)
Investment gains (losses) included in Revenues, Income (loss) before income tax and minority interest and Net income (loss) are as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
                         
Revenues and Income (loss) before income tax and
                       
minority interest:
                       
                         
CNA Financial:
                       
Standard Lines
  $ (60 )   $ (62 )   $ (76 )   $ (87 )
Specialty Lines
    (30 )     (35 )     (39 )     (49 )
Life and Group Non-Core
    (6 )     (18 )     (23 )     (17 )
Other Insurance
    (15 )     (24 )     (24 )     (7 )
Total CNA Financial
    (111 )     (139 )     (162 )     (160 )
Corporate and other
    2       35       2       170  
Total
  $ (109 )   $ (104 )   $ (160 )   $ 10  
                                 
Net income (loss):
                               
                                 
CNA Financial:
                               
Standard Lines
  $ (35 )   $ (37 )   $ (45 )   $ (51 )
Specialty Lines
    (17 )     (21 )     (22 )     (29 )
Life and Group Non-Core
    (3 )     (10 )     (13 )     (10 )
Other Insurance
    (10 )     (13 )     (14 )     (3 )
Total CNA Financial
    (65 )     (81 )     (94 )     (93 )
Corporate and other
    1       23       1       110  
Total
  $ (64 )   $ (58 )   $ (93 )   $ 17  

14.  Legal Proceedings

Shaffer v. Continental Casualty Company, et al., U.S. District Court, Central District of California, CV06-2235 RGK, is a class action on behalf of certain California individual long term health care policyholders, alleging that Continental Casualty Company (“CCC”) and CNA knowingly or negligently used unrealistic actuarial assumptions in pricing these policies. On January 8, 2008, CCC, CNA and the plaintiffs entered into a binding agreement settling the case on a nationwide basis for the policy forms potentially affected by the allegations of the complaint. Following a fairness hearing, the Court entered an order approving the settlement. This order was appealed to the

 
31

 

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. CNA believes it has meritorious defenses to this appeal and intends to defend the appeal vigorously. The agreement did not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, cash flows or results of operations of the Company, however it still remains subject to the favorable resolution of the appeal.

On August 1, 2005, CNA and several of its insurance subsidiaries were joined as defendants, along with other insurers and brokers, in multidistrict litigation pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, In re Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation, Civil No. 04-5184 (FSH). The plaintiffs allege bid rigging and improprieties in the payment of contingent commissions in connection with the sale of insurance that violated federal and state antitrust laws, the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (“RICO”) Act and state common law. After discovery, the District Court dismissed the federal antitrust claims and the RICO claims, and declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims. The plaintiffs have appealed the dismissal of their complaint to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The parties have filed their briefs on the appeal, but the Court of Appeals has temporarily stayed the appeal. CNA believes it has meritorious defenses to this action and intends to defend the case vigorously.

The extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time. However, based on facts and circumstances presently known, in the opinion of management, an unfavorable outcome will not materially affect the equity of the Company, although results of operations may be adversely affected.

CCC has been named as a defendant in an action brought by the bankruptcy estate of Global Crossing Limited (“Global Crossing”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, Global Crossing Estate Representative, for itself and as the Liquidating Trustee of the Global Crossing Liquidating Trust v. Gary Winnick, et al., Case No. 04 Civ. 2558 (GEL). In the complaint, plaintiff seeks unspecified monetary damages from CCC and the other defendants for alleged fraudulent transfers and alleged breaches of fiduciary duties arising from actions taken by Global Crossing while CCC was a shareholder of Global Crossing. The Court dismissed some of the claims against CCC as a matter of law. The remainder of the case is now in discovery. CCC believes it has meritorious defenses to the remaining claims in this action and intends to defend the case vigorously.

The extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time. However, based on facts and circumstances presently known, in the opinion of management, an unfavorable outcome will not materially affect the equity of the Company, although results of operations may be adversely affected.

CNA is also a party to litigation and claims related to A&E cases arising in the ordinary course of business. See Note 8 for further discussion.

The Company has been named as a defendant in the following four cases alleging substantial damages based on alleged health effects caused by smoking cigarettes or exposure to tobacco smoke, all of which also name a former subsidiary, Lorillard, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries, as a defendant:  Cochran vs. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, et al. (2002, Circuit Court, George County, Mississippi). In 2003 the Company filed a motion to dismiss the complaint for lack of personal jurisdiction, which remains pending; Cypret vs. The American Tobacco Company, Inc. et al. (1998, Circuit Court, Jackson County, Missouri). The Company plans to file a motion to dismiss the complaint for lack of personal jurisdiction in the event it receives personal service of this action; Clalit vs. Philip Morris, Inc., et al. (1998, Jerusalem District Court of Israel). In 2006 the court dismissed the Company from this action for lack of personal jurisdiction, and the plaintiff has noticed an appeal; and Young vs. The American Tobacco Company, Inc. et al. (1997, Civil District Court, Orleans Parish, Louisiana). In 2000 the Company filed an exception for lack of personal jurisdiction, which remains pending.

The Company does not believe it is a proper defendant in any of the foregoing tobacco related cases and as a result, does not believe the outcome will have a material affect on the Company’s results of operations or equity. Further, pursuant to the Separation Agreement dated May 7, 2008 between the Company and Lorillard and its subsidiaries, Lorillard and its subsidiaries have agreed to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from all costs and expenses based upon or arising out of the operation or conduct of Lorillard’s business, including among other things, smoking and health claims and litigation such as the four cases described above.

The Company and its subsidiaries are also parties to other litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The outcome of this other litigation will not, in the opinion of management, materially affect the Company’s results of operations or equity.

 
32

 

15.  Commitments and Contingencies

Guarantees

In the course of selling business entities and assets to third parties, CNA has agreed to indemnify purchasers for losses arising out of breaches of representation and warranties with respect to the business entities or assets being sold, including, in certain cases, losses arising from undisclosed liabilities or certain named litigation. Such indemnification provisions generally survive for periods ranging from nine months following the applicable closing date to the expiration of the relevant statutes of limitation. As of June 30, 2008, the aggregate amount of quantifiable indemnification agreements in effect for sales of business entities, assets and third party loans was $873 million.

In addition, CNA has agreed to provide indemnification to third party purchasers for certain losses associated with sold business entities or assets that are not limited by a contractual monetary amount. As of June 30, 2008, CNA had outstanding unlimited indemnifications in connection with the sales of certain of its business entities or assets that included tax liabilities arising prior to a purchaser’s ownership of an entity or asset, defects in title at the time of sale, employee claims arising prior to closing and in some cases losses arising from certain litigation and undisclosed liabilities. These indemnification agreements survive until the applicable statutes of limitation expire, or until the agreed upon contract terms expire. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, CNA has recorded approximately $23 million and $27 million of liabilities related to these indemnification agreements.

In connection with the issuance of preferred securities by CNA Surety Capital Trust I, CNA Surety, a 62% owned and consolidated subsidiary of CNA, issued a guarantee of $75 million to guarantee the payment by CNA Surety Capital Trust I of annual dividends of $1.5 million over 30 years and redemption of $30 million of preferred securities.

Diamond Offshore Construction Projects

As of June 30, 2008, Diamond Offshore had purchase obligations aggregating approximately $109 million related to the major upgrade of one rig and construction of one new jack-up rig. Diamond Offshore expects to complete funding of these projects in 2008. However, the actual timing of these expenditures will vary based on the completion of various construction milestones, which are beyond Diamond Offshore’s control.

HighMount Volumetric Production Payment Transactions

As part of the acquisition of exploration and production assets from Dominion Resources, Inc., HighMount assumed an obligation to deliver approximately 15 Bcf of natural gas through February 2009 under previously existing Volumetric Production Payment (“VPP”) agreements. Under these agreements, certain HighMount acquired properties are subject to fixed-term overriding royalty interests which had been conveyed to the VPP purchaser. While HighMount is obligated under the agreement to produce and deliver to the purchaser its portion of future natural gas production from the properties, HighMount retains control of the properties and rights to future development drilling. If production from the properties subject to the VPP is inadequate to deliver the natural gas provided for in the VPP, HighMount has no obligation to make up the shortfall. At June 30, 2008, the remaining obligation under these agreements is approximately 6.1 Bcf of natural gas.

Boardwalk Pipeline Purchase Commitments

Boardwalk Pipeline is engaged in several major expansion projects that will require the investment of significant capital resources. As of June 30, 2008, Boardwalk Pipeline had purchase commitments of $451 million primarily related to its expansion projects.

16.  Discontinued Operations

Lorillard

As discussed in Note 2, in June of 2008, the Company disposed of its entire ownership interest in Lorillard. The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements have been reclassified to reflect Lorillard as a discontinued operation. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and cash flows of Lorillard have been excluded from the respective captions in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income, and Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows, and have been included in Assets and Liabilities of discontinued operations, Discontinued operations, net and Net cash flows - discontinued operations, respectively.

 
33

 

CNA

CNA has discontinued operations, which consist of run-off insurance and reinsurance operations acquired in its merger with The Continental Corporation in 1995. As of June 30, 2008, the remaining run-off business is administered by Continental Reinsurance Corporation International, Ltd., a Bermuda subsidiary. The business consists of facultative property and casualty, treaty excess casualty and treaty pro-rata reinsurance with underlying exposure to a diverse, multi-line domestic and international book of business encompassing property, casualty and marine liabilities.

The income (loss) from discontinued operations reported below related to CNA primarily represents the net investment income, realized investment gains and losses, foreign currency gains and losses, effects of the accretion of the loss reserve discount and re-estimation of the ultimate claim and claim adjustment expense reserve of the discontinued operations.

Bulova

The Company sold Bulova for approximately $263 million in January of 2008. The Company recorded a pretax gain of approximately $126 million, $75 million after tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Results of Discontinued Operations

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Revenues:
                       
Net investment income
  $ 6     $ 28     $ 18     $ 66  
Manufactured products
    829       1,095       1,750       2,054  
Investment gains
    1       4       2       3  
Other
            1               1  
Total
    836       1,128       1,770       2,124  
Expenses:
                               
Insurance related expenses
    1       19       6       20  
Cost of manufactured products sold
    485       634       1,039       1,201  
Other operating expenses
    72       99       172       200  
Interest
    1       2       2       2  
Total
    559       754       1,219       1,423  
Income before income tax and minority interest
    277       374       551       701  
Income tax expense
    (107 )     (143 )     (208 )     (263 )
Minority interest
            1               1  
Results of discontinued operations
    170       232       343       439  
Gain on disposal (net of tax of $7 and $51)
    4,282               4,362          
Net income from discontinued operations
  $ 4,452     $ 232     $ 4,705     $ 439  

Lorillard’s revenues amounted to 99.6% and 99.7% of total revenues of discontinued operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 95.7% and 95.3% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007. Lorillard’s pretax income amounted to approximately 100.0% of total pretax income of discontinued operations for all periods presented.

 
34

 

The components of discontinued operations included in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets are as follows:

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
           
             
Assets of discontinued operations:
           
Investments
  $ 170     $ 1,495  
Cash
    9       19  
Receivables
            293  
Reinsurance receivables
    6       1  
Property, plant and equipment
            218  
Deferred income taxes
            575  
Goodwill and other intangible assets
            5  
Other assets
    2       409  
Insurance reserves and other liabilities
    (181 )     (174 )
Assets of discontinued operations
  $ 6     $ 2,841  
                 
Liabilities of discontinued operations:
               
Other liabilities
  $  -     $ 1,637  

The assets and liabilities of Lorillard totaling $2.6 billion and $1.6 billion, and Bulova totaling $218 million and $50 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2007 are included in Assets of discontinued operations and Liabilities of discontinued operations in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet. The assets of CNA’s discontinued operations totaling $6 million and $23 million as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 are included in Assets of discontinued operations in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

CNA’s accounting and reporting for discontinued operations is in accordance with APB No. 30, “Reporting the Results of Operations – Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions.” In accordance with APB No. 30, CNA’s assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are presented in net assets. At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the insurance reserves are net of discounts of $79 million and $73 million, respectively.

17.  Consolidating Financial Information

The following schedules present the Company’s consolidating balance sheet information at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, and consolidating statements of income information for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. These schedules present the individual subsidiaries of the Company and their contribution to the consolidated condensed financial statements. Amounts presented will not necessarily be the same as those in the individual financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries due to adjustments for purchase accounting, income tax and minority interests. In addition, many of the Company’s subsidiaries use a classified balance sheet which also leads to differences in amounts reported for certain line items.

The Corporate and Other column primarily reflects the parent company’s investment in its subsidiaries, invested cash portfolio, the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations of Lorillard and Bulova and corporate long term debt. The elimination adjustments are for intercompany assets and liabilities, interest and dividends, the parent company’s investment in capital stocks of subsidiaries, and various reclasses of debit or credit balances to the amounts in consolidation. Purchase accounting adjustments have been pushed down to the appropriate subsidiary.

 
35

 

Loews Corporation
Consolidating Balance Sheet Information

   
CNA
   
Diamond
         
Boardwalk
   
Loews
   
Corporate
             
June 30, 2008
 
Financial
   
Offshore
   
HighMount
   
Pipeline
   
Hotels
   
and Other
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
(In millions)
                                               
                                                 
Assets:
                                               
                                                 
Investments
  $ 39,373     $ 727     $ 7     $ 478     $ 44     $ 4,729           $ 45,358  
Cash
    78       14       48       5       18       5             168  
Receivables
    10,890       674       105       104       30       165     $ (3 )     11,965  
Property, plant and equipment
    340       3,295       3,310       4,450       357       30               11,782  
Deferred income taxes
    1,842               57                               (873 )     1,026  
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    106       20       1,065       163       3                       1,357  
Assets of discontinued operations
    6                                                       6  
Investments in capital stocks of subsidiaries
                                            13,912       (13,912 )     -  
Other assets
    868       164       43       343       44       41       (1 )     1,502  
Deferred acquisition costs of insurance subsidiaries
    1,167                                                       1,167  
Separate account business
    451                                                       451  
Total assets
  $ 55,121     $ 4,894     $ 4,635     $ 5,543     $ 496     $ 18,882     $ (14,789 )   $ 74,782  
                                                                 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
                                                               
                                                                 
Insurance reserves
  $ 39,755                                             $ (1 )   $ 39,754  
Payable to brokers
    566     $ 198     $ 378     $ 37     $ 1     $ 791               1,971  
Short term debt
    200                               58                       258  
Long term debt
    1,807       503       1,690       2,096       174       867               7,137  
Reinsurance balances payable
    373                                                       373  
Deferred income taxes
            422               77       47       327       (873 )     -  
Other liabilities
    2,285       522       195       608       16       180       (3 )     3,803  
Separate account business
    451                                                       451  
Total liabilities
    45,437       1,645       2,263       2,818       296       2,165       (877 )     53,747  
Minority interest
    1,309       1,592               1,353                               4,254  
Shareholders’ equity
    8,375       1,657       2,372       1,372       200       16,717       (13,912 )     16,781  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 55,121     $ 4,894     $ 4,635     $ 5,543     $ 496     $ 18,882     $ (14,789 )   $ 74,782  

 
36

 

Loews Corporation
Consolidating Balance Sheet Information

   
CNA
   
Diamond
         
Boardwalk
   
Loews
   
Corporate
             
December 31, 2007
 
Financial
   
Offshore
   
HighMount
   
Pipeline
   
Hotels
   
and Other
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
(In millions)
                                               
                                                 
Assets:
                                               
                                                 
Investments
  $ 41,789     $ 633     $ 34     $ 316     $ 58     $ 3,839           $ 46,669  
Cash
    94       7       19       1       15       4             140  
Receivables
    10,672       523       136       87       22       32     $ (3 )     11,469  
Property, plant and equipment
    350       3,058       3,121       3,303       365       21               10,218  
Deferred income taxes
    1,224               3                               (786 )     441  
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    106       20       1,061       163       3                       1,353  
Assets of discontinued operations
    23                                       2,818               2,841  
Investments in capital stocks of subsidiaries
                                            14,967       (14,967 )     -  
Other assets
    824       130       47       272       36       39       (1 )     1,347  
Deferred acquisition costs of insurance subsidiaries
    1,161                                                       1,161  
Separate account business
    476                                                       476  
Total assets
  $ 56,719     $ 4,371     $ 4,421     $ 4,142     $ 499     $ 21,720     $ (15,757 )   $ 76,115  
                                                                 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
                                                               
                                                                 
Insurance reserves
  $ 40,222                                             $ (1 )   $ 40,221  
Payable to brokers
    441             $ 38                     $ 101               580  
Collateral on loaned securities
    63                                                       63  
Short term debt
    350     $ 3                     $ 5                       358  
Long term debt
    1,807       503       1,647     $ 1,848       229       866               6,900  
Reinsurance balances payable
    401                                                       401  
Deferred income taxes
            362               60       45       319       (786 )     -  
Liabilities of discontinued operations
                                            1,637               1,637  
Other liabilities
    2,463       587       280       561       16       91       (8 )     3,990  
Separate account business
    476                                                       476  
Total liabilities
    46,223       1,455       1,965       2,469       295       3,014       (795 )     54,626  
Minority interest
    1,467       1,425               1,006                               3,898  
Shareholders’ equity
    9,029       1,491       2,456       667       204       18,706       (14,962 )     17,591  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 56,719     $ 4,371     $ 4,421     $ 4,142     $ 499     $ 21,720     $ (15,757 )   $ 76,115  

 
37

 

Loews Corporation
Consolidating Statement of Income Information

   
CNA
   
Diamond
         
Boardwalk
   
Loews
   
Corporate
             
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
 
Financial
   
Offshore
   
HighMount
   
Pipeline
   
Hotels
   
and Other
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
(In millions)
                                               
                                                 
Revenues:
                                               
                                                 
Insurance premiums
  $ 3,587                                   $ (1 )   $ 3,586  
Net investment income
    1,010     $ 7           $ 1     $ 1     $ 157               1,176  
Intercompany interest and dividends
                                          876       (876 )     -  
Investment losses
    (162 )                                                   (162 )
Gain on issuance of subsidiary stock
                                          2               2  
Contract drilling revenues
            1,707                                             1,707  
Other
    168       48     $ 390       418       201                       1,225  
Total
    4,603       1,762       390       419       202       1,035       (877 )     7,534  
                                                                 
Expenses:
                                                               
                                                                 
Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits
    2,861                                                       2,861  
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs
    728                                                       728  
Contract drilling expenses
            558                                               558  
Other operating expenses
    425       206       202       229       146       34       (1 )     1,241  
Interest
    67       3       37       37       6       27               177  
Total
    4,081       767       239       266       152       61       (1 )     5,565  
Income before income tax and minority interest
    522       995       151       153       50       974       (876 )     1,969  
                                                                 
Income tax expense
    128       315       56       41       20       33               593  
Minority interest
    61       350               45                               456  
Total
    189       665       56       86       20       33       -       1,049  
Income from continuing operations
    333       330       95       67       30       941       (876 )     920  
Discontinued operations, net:
                                                               
Results of operations
                                            343               343  
Gain on disposal
                                            4,362               4,362  
Net income
  $ 333     $ 330     $ 95     $ 67     $ 30     $ 5,646     $ (876 )   $ 5,625  
 
38

 
Loews Corporation
Consolidating Statement of Income Information

   
CNA
   
Diamond
         
Boardwalk
   
Loews
   
Corporate
             
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
 
Financial
   
Offshore
   
HighMount
   
Pipeline
   
Hotels
   
and Other
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
(In millions)
                                               
                                                 
Revenues:
                                               
                                                 
Insurance premiums
  $ 3,735                                   $ (1 )   $ 3,734  
Net investment income
    1,279     $ 17           $ 11     $ 1     $ 210               1,518  
Intercompany interest and dividends
                                          855       (855 )        
Investment gains (losses)
    (160 )           $ 31                                       (129 )
Gain on issuance of subsidiary stock
            (3 )                             142               139  
Contract drilling revenues
            1,226                                               1,226  
Other
    132       37               338       194       (4 )             697  
Total
    4,986       1,277       31       349       195       1,203       (856 )     7,185  
                                                                 
Expenses:
                                                               
                                                                 
Insurance claims and policyholders’
                                                               
benefits
    2,921                                                       2,921  
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs
    753                                                       753  
Contract drilling expenses
            434                                               434  
Other operating expenses
    473       171               202       149       24       (1 )     1,018  
Interest
    69       15               31       6       28               149  
Total
    4,216       620       -       233       155       52       (1 )     5,275  
Income before income tax and minority interest
    770       657       31       116       40       1,151       (855 )     1,910  
                                                                 
Income tax expense
    225       203       11       36       15       102               592  
Minority interest
    78       232               25                               335  
Total
    303       435       11       61       15       102       -       927  
Income from continuing operations
    467       222       20       55       25       1,049       (855 )     983  
Discontinued operations, net
    (7 )                                     446               439  
Net income
  $ 460     $ 222     $ 20     $ 55     $ 25     $ 1,495     $ (855 )   $ 1,422  

 
39

 

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

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Report, Risk Factors included in Part II, Item 1A of this Report, and the Consolidated Financial Statements, Risk Factors, and MD&A included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. This MD&A is comprised of the following sections:

 
Page
 
No.
   
Overview
   
Consolidated Financial Results
41
 
    Separation of Lorillard
42
 
Parent Company Structure
42
 
Critical Accounting Estimates
42
 
Results of Operations by Business Segment
43
 
CNA Financial
43
 
Standard Lines
44
 
Specialty Lines
46
 
Life and Group Non-Core
47
 
Other Insurance
48
 
A&E Reserves
49
 
Diamond Offshore
52
 
HighMount
54
 
Boardwalk Pipeline
55
 
Loews Hotels
57
 
Corporate and Other
57
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
58
 
CNA Financial
58
 
Diamond Offshore
59
 
HighMount
60
 
Boardwalk Pipeline
60
 
Loews Hotels
61
 
Corporate and Other
61
 
Investments
62
 
Accounting Standards
70
 
Forward-Looking Statements
70
 

OVERVIEW

We are a holding company. Our subsidiaries are engaged in the following lines of business:

 
·
commercial property and casualty insurance (CNA Financial Corporation (“CNA”), a 90% owned subsidiary);

 
·
operation of offshore oil and gas drilling rigs (Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (“Diamond Offshore”), a 50.4% owned subsidiary);

 
·
exploration, production and marketing of natural gas, natural gas liquids and, to a lesser extent, oil (HighMount Exploration & Production LLC (“HighMount”), a wholly owned subsidiary);

 
·
operation of interstate natural gas transmission pipeline systems (Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (“Boardwalk Pipeline”), a 70% owned subsidiary); and

 
·
operation of hotels (Loews Hotels Holding Corporation (“Loews Hotels”), a wholly owned subsidiary).

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this report to “Loews Corporation,” the Company, “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms refer to the business of Loews Corporation excluding its subsidiaries.

 
40

 

Consolidated Financial Results

Net income and earnings per share information attributable to Loews common stock and former Carolina Group stock is summarized in the table below.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions, except per share data)
                       
                         
Net income attributable to Loews common stock:
                       
Income before net investment gains (losses)
  $ 575     $ 480     $ 1,013     $ 966  
Net investment gains (losses) (a)
    (64 )     (58 )     (93 )     17  
Income from continuing operations
    511       422       920       983  
Discontinued operations, net (b)
    4,348       91       4,494       180  
Net income attributable to Loews common stock
    4,859       513       5,414       1,163  
Net income attributable to former Carolina Group stock -
                               
Discontinued operations (c)
    104       141       211       259  
Consolidated net income
  $ 4,963     $ 654     $ 5,625     $ 1,422  
                                 
Net income per share:
                               
Loews common stock:
                               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 1.00     $ 0.78     $ 1.77     $ 1.82  
Discontinued operations, net (b)
    8.54       0.17       8.64       0.33  
Loews common stock
  $ 9.54     $ 0.95     $ 10.41     $ 2.15  
Former Carolina Group stock - Discontinued operations (c)
  $ 0.96     $ 1.30     $ 1.95     $ 2.39  

(a)
Includes a gain of $92 for the six months ended June 30, 2007 related to a reduction in the Company’s ownership interest in Diamond Offshore from the conversion of Diamond Offshore’s 1.5% convertible debt into Diamond Offshore common stock.

(b)
Includes a tax-free non-cash gain of $4,287 related to the Separation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and an after tax gain of $75 from the sale of Bulova Corporation for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

(c)
The Carolina Group and Carolina Group stock were eliminated effective June 10, 2008 upon completion of the Separation.

Consolidated income from continuing operations for the 2008 second quarter was $511 million, or $1.00 per share, compared to $422 million, or $0.78 per share, in the 2007 second quarter. Income from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was $920 million, or $1.77 per share, compared to $983 million, or $1.82 per share, in the prior year.

The increase in income from continuing operations primarily reflects higher dayrates and utilization at Diamond Offshore, increased gas transportation revenues at Boardwalk Pipeline, the operations of HighMount which was acquired in July of 2007, and an increase in equity earnings of a joint venture at Loews Hotels. These increases were partially offset by a decline in results at CNA reflecting lower net investment income, decreased current accident year underwriting results and increased catastrophe losses.

Income from continuing operations includes net investment losses of $64 million (after tax and minority interest) in the second quarter of 2008 compared to net investment losses of $58 million (after tax and minority interest) in the comparable period of the prior year.

The decline in income from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2008 primarily reflects a decline in results at CNA, and the increased investment losses discussed below. These decreases were partially offset by improved results at Diamond Offshore, Boardwalk Pipeline, HighMount and Loews Hotels.

Income from continuing operations includes net investment losses of $93 million (after tax and minority interest) in the first half of 2008 compared to net investment gains of $17 million (after tax and minority interest) in the comparable period of the prior year. The 2007 investment gains included $92 million (after tax) related to a reduction in our ownership interest in Diamond Offshore from the conversion of Diamond Offshore’s 1.5% convertible debt into Diamond Offshore common stock.

 
41

 

Separation of Lorillard

In June of 2008, we disposed of our entire ownership interest in our wholly owned subsidiary, Lorillard, Inc. (“Lorillard”), through the following two integrated transactions, collectively referred to as the “Separation”:

 
·
On June 10, 2008, we distributed 108,478,429 shares, or approximately 62%, of the outstanding common stock of Lorillard in exchange for and in redemption of all of the 108,478,429 outstanding shares of the Company’s former Carolina Group stock, in accordance with our Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Redemption”); and

 
·
On June 16, 2008, we distributed the remaining 65,445,000 shares, or approximately 38%, of the outstanding common stock of Lorillard in exchange for 93,492,857 shares of Loews common stock, reflecting an exchange ratio of 0.70 (the “Exchange Offer”).

As a result of the Separation, Lorillard is no longer a subsidiary of ours and we no longer own any interest in the outstanding stock of Lorillard. As of the completion of the Redemption, the former Carolina Group and former Carolina Group stock have been eliminated. In addition, at that time all outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) awarded under the Company’s former Carolina Group 2002 Stock Option Plan were assumed by Lorillard and converted into stock options and SARs which are exercisable for shares of Lorillard common stock.

The Loews common stock acquired by us in the Exchange Offer was recorded as a decrease in our Shareholders’ equity, reflecting Loews common stock at market value of the shares of Loews common stock delivered in the Exchange Offer. This decline was offset by a $4.3 billion gain to us from the Exchange Offer, which was reported as a gain on disposal of the discontinued business.

Our Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements have been reclassified to reflect Lorillard as a discontinued operation. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and cash flows have been excluded from the respective captions in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income, and Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows and have been included in Assets and Liabilities of discontinued operations, Discontinued Operations, net and Net cash flows - discontinued operations, respectively.

Prior to the Redemption, we had a two class common stock structure: Loews common stock and former Carolina Group stock. Former Carolina Group stock, commonly called a tracking stock, was intended to reflect the performance of a defined group of Loews’s assets and liabilities referred to as the former Carolina Group. The principal assets and liabilities attributable to the former Carolina Group were our 100% ownership of Lorillard, including all dividends paid by Lorillard to us, and any and all liabilities, costs and expenses arising out of or relating to tobacco or tobacco-related businesses. Immediately prior to the Separation, outstanding former Carolina Group stock represented an approximately 62% economic interest in the performance of the former Carolina Group. The Loews Group consisted of all of Loews’s assets and liabilities other than those allocated to the former Carolina Group, including an approximately 38% interest in the former Carolina Group.

Parent Company Structure

We are a holding company and derive substantially all of our cash flow from our subsidiaries. We rely upon our invested cash balances and distributions from our subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our obligations and to declare and pay any dividends to our stockholders. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends is subject to, among other things, the availability of sufficient funds in such subsidiaries, applicable state laws, including in the case of the insurance subsidiaries of CNA, laws and rules governing the payment of dividends by regulated insurance companies (see Liquidity and Capital Resources – CNA Financial, below). Claims of creditors of our subsidiaries will generally have priority as to the assets of such subsidiaries over our claims and those of our creditors and shareholders.

At June 30, 2008, the book value per share of Loews common stock was $38.47, compared to $32.40 at December 31, 2007.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of the consolidated condensed financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the related notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 
42

 

The consolidated condensed financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis. We continually evaluate the accounting policies and estimates used to prepare the consolidated condensed financial statements. In general, our estimates are based on historical experience, evaluation of current trends, information from third party professionals and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the known facts and circumstances.

We consider the accounting policies discussed below to be critical to an understanding of our consolidated condensed financial statements as their application places the most significant demands on our judgment.

 
·
Insurance Reserves
 
 
·
Reinsurance
 
 
·
Litigation
 
 
·
Valuation of Investments and Impairment of Securities
 
 
·
Long Term Care Products
 
 
·
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Obligations
 
 
·
Valuation of HighMount’s Proved Reserves
 

Due to the inherent uncertainties involved with these types of judgments, actual results could differ significantly from estimates, which may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or equity. See the Critical Accounting Estimates and the Results of Operations by Business Segment - CNA Financial - Reserves - Estimates and Uncertainties sections of our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included under Item 7 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 for further information.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

CNA Financial

Insurance operations are conducted by subsidiaries of CNA Financial Corporation (“CNA”). CNA is a 90% owned subsidiary.

CNA’s core property and casualty commercial insurance operations are reported in two business segments: Standard Lines and Specialty Lines. Standard Lines includes standard property and casualty coverages sold to small businesses and middle market entities and organizations in the U.S. primarily through an independent agency distribution system. Standard Lines also includes commercial insurance and risk management products sold to large corporations in the U.S. primarily through insurance brokers. Specialty Lines provides a broad array of professional, financial and specialty property and casualty products and services, including excess and surplus lines, primarily through insurance brokers and managing general underwriters. Specialty Lines also includes insurance coverages sold globally through CNA’s foreign operations (“CNA Global”). The non-core operations are managed in Life & Group Non-Core segment and Other Insurance segment. Life & Group Non-Core primarily includes the results of the life and group lines of business sold or placed in run-off. Other Insurance primarily includes the results of certain property and casualty lines of business placed in run-off, including CNA Re. This segment also includes the results related to the centralized adjusting and settlements of A&E.

Segment Results

The following discusses the results of continuing operations for CNA’s operating segments. CNA utilizes the net operating income financial measure to monitor its operations. Net operating income is calculated by excluding from net income the after-tax and minority interest of 1) net realized investment gains or losses, 2) income or loss from discontinued operations and 3) any cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles. In evaluating the results of its Standard Lines and Specialty Lines segments, CNA utilizes the loss ratio, the expense ratio, the dividend ratio, and the combined ratio. These ratios are calculated using GAAP financial results. The loss ratio is the percentage of net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses to net earned premiums. The expense ratio is the percentage of insurance underwriting and acquisition expenses, including the amortization of deferred acquisition costs, to net earned premiums. The dividend ratio is the ratio of policyholders’ dividends incurred to net earned premiums. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss, expense and dividend ratios.

 
43

 

Standard Lines

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Standard Lines.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions, except %)
                       
                         
Net written premiums
  $ 848     $ 904     $ 1,619     $ 1,771  
Net earned premiums
    768       842       1,551       1,705  
Net investment income
    199       235       363       455  
Net operating income
    111       130       197       267  
Net realized investment losses
    (35 )     (37 )     (45 )     (51 )
Net income
    76       93       152       216  
                                 
Ratios:
                               
Loss and loss adjustment expense
    73.7 %     69.0 %     73.7 %     68.8 %
Expense
    29.0       34.0       29.6       32.0  
Dividend
    0.5       (0.4 )     0.5          
Combined
    103.2 %     102.6 %     103.8 %     100.8 %

Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to 2007

Net written premiums for Standard Lines decreased $56 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007, primarily due to decreased production. The competitive market conditions are expected to put ongoing pressure on premium and income levels, and the expense ratio. Net earned premiums decreased $74 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007, consistent with the decreased premiums written.
 
Standard Lines averaged rate decreases of 6.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to decreases of 4.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2007 for the contracts that renewed during those periods. Retention rates of 80.0% and 81.0% were achieved for those contracts that were available for renewal in each period.
 
Net income decreased $17 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily attributable to decreased net operating income.
 
Net operating income decreased $19 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily driven by lower net investment income, higher catastrophe losses and decreased current accident year underwriting results. These decreases were partially offset by increased favorable net prior year development and lower expenses. The catastrophe losses were $26 million after-tax and minority interest in the second quarter of 2008, as compared to $7 million after-tax and minority interest in the second quarter of 2007.
 
The combined ratio increased 0.6 points for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. The loss ratio increased 4.7 points primarily due to increased catastrophe losses and higher current accident year loss ratios related to the decline in rates, partially offset by increased favorable net prior year loss development.
 
The expense ratio decreased 5.0 points for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. The decrease primarily related to favorable changes in estimates for insurance-related assessment liabilities.
 
The dividend ratio increased 0.9 points for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. The 2007 results included favorable dividend development in the workers’ compensation line of business.
 
Favorable net prior year development of $23 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2008, including $15 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $8 million of favorable premium development. Favorable net prior year development of $4 million, including $20 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $16 million of unfavorable premium development, was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Further information on Standard Lines net prior year development for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 is included in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1.

 
44

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to 2007

Net written premiums for Standard Lines decreased $152 million and net earned premiums decreased $154 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007, due to the reasons discussed above in the three month comparison.
 
Standard Lines averaged rate decreases of 6.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to decreases of 4.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2007 for the contracts that renewed during those periods. Retention rates of 80.0% and 79.0% were achieved for those contracts that were available for renewal in each period.
 
Net income decreased $64 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily attributable to decreased net operating income.
 
Net operating income decreased $70 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily driven by lower net investment income, higher catastrophe losses and decreased current accident year underwriting results. These decreases were partially offset by increased favorable net prior year development and lower expenses. The catastrophe losses were $57 million after-tax and minority interest for the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to $24 million after-tax and minority interest in the same period of 2007.
 
The combined ratio increased 3.0 points for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. The loss ratio increased 4.9 points primarily due to increased catastrophe losses and current accident year loss ratios related in part to the decline in rates, partially offset by increased favorable net prior year loss development as discussed below.
 
The expense ratio decreased 2.4 points for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. The decrease primarily related to favorable changes in estimates for insurance-related assessment liabilities.
 
The dividend ratio increased 0.5 points for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. The 2007 results included favorable dividend development in the workers’ compensation line of business.
 
Favorable net prior year development of $49 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2008, including $50 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $1 million of unfavorable premium development. Favorable net prior year development of $17 million, including $7 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $10 million of favorable premium development, was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Further information on Standard Lines net prior year development for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 is included in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1.

The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 for Standard Lines.

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
           
             
Gross Case Reserves
  $ 6,083     $ 5,988  
Gross IBNR Reserves
    5,893       6,060  
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
  $ 11,976     $ 12,048  
                 
Net Case Reserves
  $ 4,863     $ 4,750  
Net IBNR Reserves
    5,003       5,170  
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
  $ 9,866     $ 9,920  

 
45

 

Specialty Lines

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Specialty Lines.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions, except %)
                       
                         
Net written premiums
  $ 860     $ 869     $ 1,708     $ 1,733  
Net earned premiums
    859       870       1,732       1,715  
Net investment income
    155       162       287       311  
Net operating income
    130       160       242       286  
Net realized investment losses
    (17 )     (21 )     (22 )     (29 )
Net income
    113       139       220       257  
                                 
Ratios:
                               
Loss and loss adjustment expense
    65.2 %     61.1 %     65.0 %     62.6 %
Expense
    27.6       25.7       27.1       26.2  
Dividend
    0.1       0.2       0.5       0.2  
Combined
    92.9 %     87.0 %     92.6 %     89.0 %

Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to 2007

Net written premiums for Specialty Lines decreased $9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. Premiums written in 2008 were unfavorably impacted by decreased production as compared with the same period in 2007. The competitive market conditions are expected to put ongoing pressure on premium and income levels, and the expense ratio. This unfavorable impact was partially offset by decreased ceded premiums. Net earned premiums decreased $11 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007, consistent with the decrease in net written premiums.

Specialty Lines averaged rate decreases of 4.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to decreases of 3.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2007 for the contracts that renewed during those periods. Retention rates of 83.0% and 84.0% were achieved for those contracts that were available for renewal in each period.

Net income decreased $26 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower net operating income.

Net operating income decreased $30 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily driven by unfavorable net prior year development for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to favorable net prior year development for the same period in 2007 and decreased current accident year underwriting results. The 2007 results included favorable experience and a change in estimate related to dealer profit commissions in the warranty line of business.

The combined ratio increased 5.9 points for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. The loss ratio increased 4.1 points, primarily due to unfavorable net prior year development for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to favorable net prior year development for the same period in 2007 and higher current accident year loss ratios primarily related to the decline in rates.

The expense ratio increased 1.9 points for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. The 2007 results included a favorable change in estimate related to dealer profit commissions in the warranty line of business.

Unfavorable net prior year development of $2 million, including $1 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $1 million of unfavorable premium development, was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2008. Favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development of $14 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2007. There was no premium development for the three months ended June 30, 2007.

 
46

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to 2007

Net written premiums for Specialty Lines decreased $25 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. Premiums written in 2008 were unfavorably impacted by decreased production as compared with the same period in 2007. The competitive market conditions are expected to put ongoing pressure on premium and income levels, and the expense ratio. This unfavorable impact was partially offset by decreased ceded premiums. The U.S. Specialty Lines reinsurance structure was primarily quota share reinsurance through April 2007. CNA elected not to renew this coverage upon its expiration. With CNA’s current diversification in the previously reinsured lines of business and its management of the gross limits on the business written, CNA did not believe the cost of renewing the program was commensurate with its projected benefit. Net earned premiums increased $17 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007, which reflects the decreased use of reinsurance.

Specialty Lines averaged rate decreases of 4.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to decreases of 2.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2007 for the contracts that renewed during those periods. Retention rates of 84.0% were achieved for those contracts that were available for renewal in each period.

Net income decreased $37 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower net operating income.

Net operating income decreased $44 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily driven by less favorable net prior year development, lower net investment income and decreased current accident year underwriting results.
 
The combined ratio increased 3.6 points for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. The loss ratio increased 2.4 points and the expense ratio increased 0.9 point primarily due to the reasons discussed in the three month comparison above.

Unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development of $18 million and $18 million of favorable premium development was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2008, resulting in no net prior year development. Favorable net prior year development of $17 million, including $7 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $10 million of favorable premium development, was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 for Specialty Lines.

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
           
             
Gross Case Reserves
  $ 2,730     $ 2,585  
Gross IBNR Reserves
    5,790       5,818  
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
  $ 8,520     $ 8,403  
                 
Net Case Reserves
  $ 2,231     $ 2,090  
Net IBNR Reserves
    4,656       4,527  
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
  $ 6,887     $ 6,617  

Life and Group Non-Core

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Life and Group Non-Core.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Net earned premiums
  $ 149     $ 157     $ 306     $ 313  
Net investment income
    157       188       241       349  
Net operating loss
    (28 )     (13 )     (30 )     (10 )
Net realized investment losses
    (3 )     (10 )     (13 )     (10 )
Net loss
    (31 )     (23 )     (43 )     (20 )

 
47

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to 2007

Net earned premiums for Life & Group Non-Core decreased $8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. The net earned premiums relate primarily to the group and individual long term care businesses.

Net results decreased $8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. The 2008 net results were impacted by adverse reserve development on its run-off participation in a reinsurance pool, adverse investment performance on a portion of CNA’s pension deposit business, and unfavorable long term care experience. In addition, net results for the second quarter of 2007 included favorable resolution of certain contingencies. Lower net realized investment losses partially offset these unfavorable impacts.

The decreased net investment income included a decline of trading portfolio results of $45 million, which was more than offset by a corresponding decrease in the policyholders’ funds reserves supported by the trading portfolio, which is included in Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income included under Item 1. The trading portfolio supports the indexed group annuity portion of CNA’s pension deposit business.  See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to 2007

Net earned premiums for Life & Group Non-Core decreased $7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007.

Net results decreased $23 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. In addition to the unfavorable items discussed in the three month comparison, net results were also unfavorably impacted by higher net realized investment losses and lower net investment income. The decreased net investment income included a decline of trading portfolio results of $124 million, a significant portion of which was offset by a corresponding decrease in the policyholders’ fund reserves supported by the trading portfolio. The trading portfolio supports the indexed group annuity portion of our pension deposit business, which experienced a decline in net results of $7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007.

During the first quarter of 2008, CNA decided to exit the indexed group annuity portion of its pension deposit business. This business had net results of $(4) million and $3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. The related assets were $367 million and related liabilities were $341 million at June 30, 2008. CNA expects these liabilities to be settled with the policyholders during the remainder of 2008 with no material impact to results of operations.

Other Insurance

The following table summarizes the results of operations for the Other Insurance segment, including A&E and intrasegment eliminations.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Net investment income
  $ 65     $ 86     $ 119     $ 164  
Revenues
    52       66       103       161  
Net operating income
    14       8       18       17  
Net realized investment losses
    (10 )     (13 )     (14 )     (3 )
Net income (loss)
    4       (5 )     4       14  

Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to 2007

Revenues decreased $14 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. Revenues were unfavorably impacted by lower net investment income, partially offset by improved net realized investment results. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.

 
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Net results improved $9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. The 2007 results included current accident year losses related to certain mass torts. In addition, net income for the second quarter of 2008 included lower interest costs on corporate debt and $3 million related to the settlement of litigation brought by CNA against the issuer of a bond investment it previously held. These favorable impacts were partially offset by the decreased revenues as discussed above.

Unfavorable net prior year development of $12 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2008, including $11 million of unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $1 million of unfavorable premium development. Unfavorable net prior year development of $7 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2007, including $12 million of unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $5 million of favorable premium development.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 compared to 2007

Revenues decreased $58 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007.  Revenues were unfavorably impacted by lower net investment income and decreased net realized investment results.  See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.

Net income decreased $10 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007.  The decrease in net income was primarily due to decreased revenues as discussed above.  These unfavorable impacts were partly offset by the favorable items discussed in the three month comparison above.
 
Unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development of $16 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2008.  There was no premium development recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2008.  Unfavorable net prior year development of $9 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2007, including $12 million of unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $3 million of favorable premium development.

The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 for Corporate & Other Non-Core.

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
           
             
Gross Case Reserves
  $ 1,963     $ 2,159  
Gross IBNR Reserves
    2,771       2,951  
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
  $ 4,734     $ 5,110  
                 
Net Case Reserves
  $ 1,209     $ 1,328  
Net IBNR Reserves
    1,659       1,787  
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
  $ 2,868     $ 3,115  

A&E Reserves

CNA’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries have actual and potential exposures related to asbestos and environmental pollution (“A&E”) claims. Further information on A&E claim and claim adjustment expense reserves and net prior year development is included in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1.

Asbestos

CNA has resolved a number of its large asbestos accounts by negotiating settlement agreements. Structured settlement agreements provide for payments over multiple years as set forth in each individual agreement.

In 1985, 47 asbestos producers and their insurers, including The Continental Insurance Company (“CIC”), executed the Wellington Agreement. The agreement was intended to resolve all issues and litigation related to coverage for asbestos exposures. Under this agreement, signatory insurers committed scheduled policy limits and made the limits available to pay asbestos claims based upon coverage blocks designated by the policyholders in 1985, subject to extension by policyholders. CIC was a signatory insurer to the Wellington Agreement.

 
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CNA has also used coverage in place agreements to resolve large asbestos exposures. Coverage in place agreements are typically agreements between CNA and its policyholders identifying the policies and the terms for payment of asbestos related liabilities. Claim payments are contingent on presentation of adequate documentation showing exposure during the policy periods and other documentation supporting the demand for claim payment. Coverage in place agreements may have annual payment caps. Coverage in place agreements are evaluated based on claims filings trends and severities.

CNA categorizes active asbestos accounts as large or small accounts. CNA defines a large account as an active account with more than $100,000 of cumulative paid losses. CNA has made resolving large accounts a significant management priority. Small accounts are defined as active accounts with $100,000 or less of cumulative paid losses. Approximately 80.2% and 81.2% of our total active asbestos accounts are classified as small accounts at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

CNA also evaluates its asbestos liabilities arising from its assumed reinsurance business and its participation in various pools, including Excess & Casualty Reinsurance Association (“ECRA”).

IBNR reserves relate to potential development on accounts that have not settled and potential future claims from unidentified policyholders.

The tables below depict CNA’s overall pending asbestos accounts and associated reserves at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

                     
Percent of
 
   
Number of
   
Net Paid
   
Net Asbestos
   
Asbestos Net
 
June 30, 2008
 
Policyholders
   
Losses
   
Reserves
   
Reserves
 
(In millions of dollars)
                       
                         
Policyholders with settlement agreements
                       
Structured settlements
    14     $ 15     $ 130       10.6 %
Wellington
    3       1       11       0.9  
Coverage in place
    37       19       91       7.4  
Total with settlement agreements
    54       35       232       18.9  
                                 
Other policyholders with active accounts
                               
Large asbestos accounts
    235       42       213       17.3  
Small asbestos accounts
    952       18       86       7.0  
Total other policyholders
    1,187       60       299       24.3  
Assumed reinsurance and pools
            4       130       10.6  
Unassigned IBNR
                    568       46.2  
Total
    1,241     $ 99     $ 1,229       100.0 %
                                 
December 31, 2007
                               
                                 
Policyholders with settlement agreements
                               
Structured settlements
    14     $ 29     $ 151       11.4 %
Wellington
    3       1       12       1.0  
Coverage in place
    34       38       100       7.6  
Total with settlement agreements
    51       68       263       20.0  
                                 
Other policyholders with active accounts
                               
Large asbestos accounts
    233       45       237       17.9  
Small asbestos accounts
    1,005       15       93       7.0  
Total other policyholders
    1,238       60       330       24.9  
                                 
Assumed reinsurance and pools
            8       133       10.0  
Unassigned IBNR
                    596       45.1  
Total
    1,289     $ 136     $ 1,322       100.0 %

Some asbestos-related defendants have asserted that their insurance policies are not subject to aggregate limits on coverage. CNA has such claims from a number of insureds. Some of these claims involve insureds facing exhaustion of products liability aggregate limits in their policies, who have asserted that their asbestos-related claims fall within so-

 
50

 

called “non-products” liability coverage contained within their policies rather than products liability coverage, and that the claimed “non-products” coverage is not subject to any aggregate limit. It is difficult to predict the ultimate size of any of the claims for coverage purportedly not subject to aggregate limits or predict to what extent, if any, the attempts to assert “non-products” claims outside the products liability aggregate will succeed. CNA’s policies also contain other limits applicable to these claims and CNA has additional coverage defenses to certain claims. CNA has attempted to manage its asbestos exposure by aggressively seeking to settle claims on acceptable terms. There can be no assurance that any of these settlement efforts will be successful, or that any such claims can be settled on terms acceptable to CNA. Where CNA cannot settle a claim on acceptable terms, CNA aggressively litigates the claim. However, adverse developments with respect to such matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and/or equity.

CNA is involved in significant asbestos-related claim litigation, which is described in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1.

Environmental Pollution

CNA classifies its environmental pollution accounts into several categories, which include structured settlements, coverage in place agreements and active accounts. Structured settlement agreements provide for payments over multiple years as set forth in each individual agreement.

CNA has also used coverage in place agreements to resolve pollution exposures. Coverage in place agreements are typically agreements between CNA and its policyholders identifying the policies and the terms for payment of pollution related liabilities. Claim payments are contingent on presentation of adequate documentation of damages during the policy periods and other documentation supporting the demand for claim payment. Coverage in place agreements may have annual payment caps.

CNA categorizes active accounts as large or small accounts in the pollution area. CNA defines a large account as an active account with more than $100,000 cumulative paid losses. CNA has made closing large accounts a significant management priority. Small accounts are defined as active accounts with $100,000 or less of cumulative paid losses. Approximately 72.9% and 72.6% of CNA’s total active pollution accounts are classified as small accounts as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

CNA also evaluates its environmental pollution exposures arising from its assumed reinsurance and its participation in various pools, including ECRA.

CNA carries unassigned IBNR reserves for environmental pollution. These reserves relate to potential development on accounts that have not settled and potential future claims from unidentified policyholders.

The tables below depict CNA’s overall pending environmental pollution accounts and associated reserves at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

               
Net
   
Percent of
 
               
Environmental
   
Environmental
 
   
Number of
   
Net
   
Pollution
   
Pollution Net
 
June 30, 2008
 
Policyholders
   
Paid Losses
   
Reserves
   
Reserve
 
(In millions of dollars)
                       
                         
Policyholders with settlement agreements
                       
Structured settlements
    10     $ 1     $ 6       2.9 %
Coverage in place
    18       3       15       7.2  
Total with settlement agreements
    28       4       21       10.1  
                                 
Other policyholders with active accounts
                               
Large pollution accounts
    107       24       46       22.1  
Small pollution accounts
    288       7       35       16.8  
Total other policyholders
    395       31       81       38.9  
                                 
Assumed reinsurance and pools
            1       30       14.4  
Unassigned IBNR
                    76       36.6  
Total
    423     $ 36     $ 208       100.0 %

 
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Net
   
Percent of
 
               
Environmental
   
Environmental
 
   
Number of
   
Net
   
Pollution
   
Pollution Net
 
December 31, 2007
 
Policyholders
   
Paid Losses
   
Reserves
   
Reserve
 
(In millions of dollars)
                       
                         
Policyholders with settlement agreements
                       
Structured settlements
    10     $ 9     $ 6       2.5 %
Coverage in place
    18       8       14       5.8  
Total with settlement agreements
    28       17       20       8.3  
                                 
Other policyholders with active accounts
                               
Large pollution accounts
    112       17       53       21.9  
Small pollution accounts
    298       9       42       17.4  
Total other policyholders
    410       26       95       39.3  
                                 
Assumed reinsurance and pools
            1       31       12.7  
Unassigned IBNR
                    96       39.7  
Total
    438     $ 44     $ 242       100.0 %

Diamond Offshore

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Diamond Offshore”). Diamond Offshore is a 50.4% owned subsidiary.

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Diamond Offshore for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 as presented in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Report:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Revenues:
                       
Contract drilling
  $ 937     $ 636     $ 1,707     $ 1,226  
Net investment income
    3       7       7       17  
Investment losses
                            (3 )
Other revenue, primarily operating
    30       18       48       37  
Total
    970       661       1,762       1,277  
Expenses:
                               
Contract drilling
    271       222       558       434  
Other operating
    107       84       206       171  
Interest
    2       4       3       15  
Total
    380       310       767       620  
Income before income tax and minority interest
    590       351       995       657  
Income tax expense
    190       110       315       203  
Minority interest
    206       124       350       232  
Net income
  $ 194     $ 117     $ 330     $ 222  

Diamond Offshore’s revenues vary based upon demand, which affects the number of days the fleet is utilized and the dayrates earned. When a rig is idle, no dayrate is earned and revenues will decrease as a result. Revenues can also be affected as a result of the acquisition or disposal of rigs, required surveys and shipyard upgrades. In order to improve utilization or realize higher dayrates, Diamond Offshore may mobilize its rigs from one market to another. However, during periods of mobilization, revenues may be adversely affected. As a response to changes in demand, Diamond Offshore may withdraw a rig from the market by stacking it or may reactivate a rig stacked previously, which may decrease or increase revenues, respectively.

The two most significant variables affecting revenues are dayrates for rigs and rig utilization rates, each of which is a function of rig supply and demand in the marketplace. As utilization rates increase, dayrates tend to increase as well,

 
52

 

reflecting the lower supply of available rigs, and vice versa. Demand for drilling services is dependent upon the level of expenditures set by oil and gas companies for offshore exploration and development as well as a variety of political and economic factors. The availability of rigs in a particular geographical region also affects both dayrates and utilization rates. These factors are not within Diamond Offshore’s control and are difficult to predict.

Diamond Offshore’s operating income is primarily affected by revenue factors, but is also a function of varying levels of operating expenses. Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling expenses represent all direct and indirect costs associated with the operation and maintenance of its drilling equipment. The principal components of Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling costs are, among other things, direct and indirect costs of labor and benefits, repairs and maintenance, freight, regulatory inspections, boat and helicopter rentals and insurance. Labor and repair and maintenance costs represent the most significant components of contract drilling expenses. In general, Diamond Offshore’s labor costs increase primarily due to higher salary levels, rig staffing requirements and costs associated with labor regulations in the geographic regions in which Diamond Offshore’s rigs operate. Diamond Offshore has experienced and continues to experience upward pressure on salaries and wages as a result of the strengthening offshore drilling market and increased competition for skilled workers. In response to these market conditions, Diamond Offshore has implemented retention programs, including increases in compensation. Costs to repair and maintain equipment fluctuate depending upon the type of activity the drilling unit is performing, as well as the age and condition of the equipment and the regions in which the rigs are working.

Contract drilling expenses generally are not affected by changes in dayrates, and short term reductions in utilization do not necessarily result in lower operating expenses. For instance, if a rig is to be idle for a short period of time, few decreases in contract drilling expenses may actually occur since the rig is typically maintained in a prepared or “ready stacked” state with a full crew. In addition, when a rig is idle, Diamond Offshore is responsible for certain contract drilling expenses such as rig fuel and supply boat costs, which are typically costs of the operator when a rig is under contract. However, if the rig is to be idle for an extended period of time, Diamond Offshore may reduce the size of a rig’s crew and take steps to “cold stack” the rig, which lowers expenses and partially offsets the impact on operating income.

Operating income is also negatively impacted when Diamond Offshore performs certain regulatory inspections that are due every five years (“5-year survey”) for each of Diamond Offshore’s rigs as well as intermediate surveys, which are performed at interim periods between 5-year surveys. Contract drilling revenue decreases because these surveys are performed during scheduled downtime in a shipyard. No revenue is generally earned during periods of downtime for regulatory surveys. Contract drilling expenses increase as a result of these surveys due to the cost to mobilize the rigs to a shipyard, inspection costs incurred and repair and maintenance costs. Repair and maintenance costs may be required resulting from the survey or may have been previously planned to take place during this mandatory downtime. The number of rigs undergoing a 5-year survey will vary from year to year. During the second half of 2008, Diamond Offshore expects that nine of its rigs will undergo regulatory inspections and will be out of service for approximately 500 days in the aggregate, including downtime for planned maintenance projects. In addition, Diamond Offshore expects rigs to be out of service for approximately 400 days for the mobilization of rigs, completion of contract modifications and for extended maintenance projects not performed in conjunction with regulatory surveys.

Revenues increased by $309 million and $485 million, or 46.7% and 38.0%, and net income increased by $77 million and $108 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding periods of the prior year.

Revenues from high specification floaters and intermediate semisubmersible rigs increased by $309 million and $493 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding periods of the prior year. The increase primarily reflects increased dayrates of $278 million and $371 million and increased utilization of $26 million and $111 million, respectively.

Revenues from jack-up rigs decreased $8 million and $12 million, in the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding periods of the prior year, due primarily to decreased dayrates of $5 million and $13 million, partially offset by increased utilization of $7 million and $6 million, respectively. Revenues were also unfavorably impacted by a decrease in the recognition of mobilization fees, primarily for the Ocean Spur, of $7 million and $2 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2007.

Net income increased in the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding periods of the prior year, due to the revenue increases as noted above, and reduced interest expense, partially offset by increased contract drilling expenses.

Interest expense decreased $2 million in the second quarter of 2008, as compared to the second quarter of 2007, primarily due to more interest cost capitalized to Diamond Offshore’s qualifying rig upgrades and construction projects in the second quarter of 2008. Interest expense decreased $12 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008, primarily

 
53

 

due to the reduced interest expense and the absence of a $9 million write off of debt issuance costs related to conversions of Diamond Offshore’s 1.5% debentures into common stock in 2007.

HighMount

HighMount Exploration & Production LLC (“HighMount”). HighMount is a wholly owned subsidiary.

HighMount commenced operations on July 31, 2007, when it acquired certain exploration and production assets, and assumed certain related obligations, from subsidiaries of Dominion Resources, Inc. Prior to the acquisition, natural gas forwards were entered into in order to manage the commodity price risk of the natural gas assets to be acquired. The mark-to-market adjustments related to these forwards have been reflected as investment gains in the following table. Concurrent with the closing of the acquisition, these forwards were designated as hedges and included in HighMount’s operating results or Accumulated other comprehensive income on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet.

We use the following terms throughout this discussion of HighMount’s results of operations, with “equivalent” volumes computed with oil and natural gas liquid (“NGL”) quantities converted to Mcf, on an energy equivalent ratio of one barrel to six Mcf:

Bbl
-
Barrel (of oil or NGLs)
Bcf
-
Billion cubic feet (of natural gas)
Bcfe
-
Billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent
Mbbl
-
Thousand barrels (of oil or NGLs)
Mcf 
-
Thousand cubic feet (of natural gas)
Mcfe
-
Thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent

The following table summarizes the results of operations for HighMount for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 as presented in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Report.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Revenues:
                       
Other revenue, primarily operating
  $ 201           $ 390        
Investment gains
          $ 31             $ 31  
Total
    201       31       390       31  
                                 
Expenses:
                               
Operating
    106               202          
Interest
    19               37          
Total
    125       -       239       -  
Income before income tax
    76       31       151       31  
Income tax expense
    28       11       56       11  
Net income
  $ 48     $ 20     $ 95     $ 20  

Operating revenues consisted primarily of natural gas and NGL sales of $198 million and $384 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.

 
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Presented below are production and sales statistics related to HighMount’s operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30, 2008
   
June 30, 2008
 
             
Gas production (Bcf)
    19.9       39.6  
Gas sales (Bcf)
    18.3       36.4  
Oil production/sales (Mbbls)
    88.7       173.2  
NGL production/sales (Mbbls)
    938.8       1,850.5  
Equivalent production (Bcfe)
    26.0       51.7  
Equivalent sales (Bcfe)
    24.5       48.6  
                 
Average realized prices without hedging results:
               
Gas (per Mcf)
  $ 10.21     $ 8.86  
NGL (per Bbl)
    61.11       58.41  
Oil (per Bbl)
    117.21       106.31  
Equivalent (per Mcfe)
    10.41       9.25  
                 
Average realized prices with hedging results:
               
Gas (per Mcf)
  $ 7.90     $  7.67  
NGL (per Bbl)
    46.15       46.53  
Oil (per Bbl)
    117.21       106.31  
Equivalent (per Mcfe)
    8.11       7.90  

Operating expenses primarily consist of production expenses, general and administrative costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization. Production expenses totaled $44 million and $82 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, or $1.80 and $1.68 per Mcfe sold, and included production and ad valorem taxes of $20 million and $36 million, respectively. General and administrative expenses were $16 million and $34 million, or $0.68 and $0.70 per Mcfe sold, and primarily consisted of compensation related costs. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses totaled $46 million and $86 million and included depletion of natural gas and NGL properties totaling $42 million and $79 million. HighMount calculates depletion using the units-of-production method, which depletes the capitalized costs and future development costs associated with evaluated properties based on the ratio of production volume for the current period to total remaining reserve volume for the evaluated properties. On a per unit basis, depletion expense was $1.61 and $1.52 per Mcfe produced for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.

Boardwalk Pipeline

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP and subsidiaries (“Boardwalk Pipeline”). Boardwalk Pipeline is a 70% owned subsidiary.

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Boardwalk Pipeline for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 as presented in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Report:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Revenues:
                       
Other revenue, primarily operating
  $ 206     $ 152     $ 418     $ 338  
Net investment income
            7       1       11  
Total
    206       159       419       349  
Expenses:
                               
Operating
    124       109       229       202  
Interest
    18       14       37       31  
Total
    142       123       266       233  
Income before income tax and minority interest
    64       36       153       116  
Income tax expense
    16       11       41       36  
Minority interest
    20       9       45       25  
Net income
  $ 28     $ 16     $ 67     $ 55  

 
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Boardwalk Pipeline’s business is affected by trends involving natural gas price levels and natural gas price spreads, including spreads between physical locations on its pipeline system, which affects its transportation revenues, and spreads in natural gas prices across time (for example summer to winter), which primarily affects its parking and lending (“PAL”) and storage revenues. High natural gas prices in recent years have helped to drive increased production levels in locations such as the Bossier Sands and Barnett Shale gas producing regions in East Texas, which has resulted in additional supply being available on the west side of Boardwalk Pipeline’s system. This has resulted in widened west-to-east basis differentials which have benefited its transportation revenues. The high natural gas prices have also driven increased production in regions such as the Fayetteville Shale in Arkansas and the Caney Woodford Shale in Oklahoma, which, together with the higher production levels in East Texas, have formed the basis for several pipeline expansion projects including those being undertaken by Boardwalk Pipeline. Wide spreads in natural gas prices between time periods during the past two to three years, for example fall 2006 to spring 2007, were favorable for Boardwalk Pipeline’s PAL and interruptible storage services during that period. These spreads decreased substantially in 2007, and have continued to decrease into 2008, which resulted in reduced PAL and interruptible storage revenues. Boardwalk Pipeline cannot predict future time period spreads or basis differentials.

Total revenues increased $47 million, or 29.6%, to $206 million for the second quarter of 2008, compared to $159 million for the 2007 period. The primary increase related to a $28 million increase in gas transportation revenues, excluding fuel, of which the majority was generated by Boardwalk Pipeline’s expansion projects. Boardwalk Pipeline’s fuel revenues increased $17 million due to expansion-related throughput and an increase in the price of natural gas. These increases were partially offset by an $8 million decrease in PAL revenues due to unfavorable natural gas price spreads. Other revenues increased $13 million related to a gain on the sale of gas associated with Boardwalk Pipeline’s western Kentucky storage expansion project.

Operating costs and expenses increased $15 million to $124 million for the second quarter of 2008, compared to $109 million for the 2007 period, primarily resulting from a $17 million increase in fuel costs from expansion projects and higher natural gas prices. Depreciation and other taxes increased $14 million due to an increase in Boardwalk Pipeline’s asset base from expansion. These increases were partially offset by a $15 million impairment charge in 2007 related to Boardwalk Pipeline’s Magnolia storage facility.

Total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2008 increased $70 million, or 20.1%, to $419 million, compared to $349 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Gas transportation revenues, excluding fuel, increased $45 million related to Boardwalk Pipeline’s expansion projects and higher rates on Boardwalk Pipeline’s existing systems. Fuel revenues increased $19 million due to expansion-related throughput and higher natural gas prices. These increases were partially offset by lower PAL revenues of $22 million due to unfavorable natural gas price spreads. Revenues also increased $15 million related to gains recognized on the sale of gas associated with Boardwalk Pipeline’s western Kentucky storage expansion project and an $11 million gain from the settlement of a contract claim.

Operating costs and expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2008 increased $27 million, to $229 million, compared to $202 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The primary drivers were increased depreciation and other taxes of $25 million associated with an increase in Boardwalk Pipeline’s asset base due to expansion and increased fuel costs of $21 million from usage for expansion projects and higher natural gas prices. The 2007 period was unfavorably impacted by a $15 million impairment related to the Magnolia storage facility.

 
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Loews Hotels

Loews Hotels Holding Corporation and subsidiaries (“Loews Hotels”). Loews Hotels is a wholly owned subsidiary.

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Loews Hotels for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 as presented in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Report:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Revenues:
                       
Other revenue, primarily operating
  $ 104     $ 99     $ 201     $ 194  
Net investment income
    1       1       1       1  
Total
    105       100       202       195  
Expenses:
                               
Operating
    70       75       146       149  
Interest
    3       3       6       6  
Total
    73       78       152       155  
Income before income tax
    32       22       50       40  
Income tax expense
    13       8       20       15  
Net income
  $ 19     $ 14     $ 30     $ 25  

Revenues increased by $5 million and $7 million, or 5.0% and 3.6%, and net income increased by $5 million and $5 million, or 35.7% and 20.0%, respectively in the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding periods of 2007.

Revenues increased in the three months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding period of 2007, due to an increase in revenue per available room to $200.77, compared to $195.44 in the prior year, reflecting improvements in average room rates of $10.43, or 4.3%.

Revenues increased in the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding period of 2007, due to an increase in revenue per available room to $193.20, compared to $187.37 in the prior year, reflecting improvements in average room rates of $11.75, or 4.8%.

Pretax income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 increased primarily due to an $11 million gain related to an adjustment in the carrying value of a joint venture investment, partially offset by increased operating expenses.

Revenue per available room is an industry measure of the combined effect of occupancy rates and average room rates on room revenues. Other hotel operating revenues primarily include guest charges for food and beverages.

Corporate and Other

Corporate operations consist primarily of investment income, discontinued operations of Lorillard through June of 2008 and Bulova through January of 2008, investment gains (losses) from non-insurance subsidiaries, corporate interest expenses and other corporate administrative costs.

 
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The following table summarizes the results of operations for Corporate and Other for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 as presented in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Report:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Revenues:
                       
Net investment income
  $ 117     $ 99     $ 157     $ 210  
Investment gains
    2       4       2       142  
Other
            (6 )     (1 )     (5 )
Total
    119       97       158       347  
Expenses:
                               
Operating
    16       8       33       24  
Interest
    13       15       27       28  
Total
    29       23       60       52  
Income before income tax
    90       74       98       295  
Income tax expense
    29       24       33       102  
Income from continuing operations
    61       50       65       193  
Discontinued operations, net:
                               
Results of operations
    171       443       342       446  
Gain on disposal
    4,282               4,362          
Net income
  $ 4,514     $ 493     $ 4,769     $ 639  

Revenues increased by $22 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and decreased by $189 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008. Net income increased by $4,021 million and $4,130 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding periods of 2007.

Revenues increased in the three months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding period of 2007, due primarily to increased net investment income of $18 million. Revenues decreased in the six months ended June 30, 2008 primarily due to decreased investment income of $53 million and reduced investment gains. Investment gains for 2007 included a $142 million pretax gain ($92 million after tax) related to the issuance of Diamond Offshore common stock from the conversion of $451 million principal amount of Diamond Offshore’s 1.5% debentures into Diamond Offshore common stock.
 
In 2008, the Company completed the sale of Bulova Corporation and disposed of its entire ownership interest in Lorillard, Inc. The results of operations and gains on disposal of these businesses are presented as discontinued operations.
 
Discontinued operations for the three and six months includes a $4.3 billion gain on the Separation of Lorillard. Discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2008, also includes a $75 million gain on the sale of Bulova.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

CNA Financial

Cash Flow

CNA’s principal operating cash flow sources are premiums and investment income from its insurance subsidiaries. CNA’s primary operating cash flow uses are payments for claims, policy benefits and operating expenses.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, net cash provided by operating activities was $812 million as compared with $541 million for the same period in 2007. Cash provided by operating activities was favorably impacted by increased net sales of trading securities to fund policyholders’ withdrawals of investment contract products issued by CNA and decreased tax and expense payments. Policyholders’ fund withdrawals are reflected as financing cash flows. Cash provided by operating activities was unfavorably impacted by decreased premium collections and increased loss payments.

 
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For the six months ended June 30, 2008, net cash used by investing activities was $231 million as compared with $529 million for the same period in 2007. Cash flows used by investing activities related principally to purchases of fixed maturity securities. The cash flow from investing activities is impacted by various factors such as the anticipated payment of claims, financing activity, asset/liability management and individual security buy and sell decisions made in the normal course of portfolio management. Net cash flows provided by investing activities-discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2007 included $64 million of cash proceeds related to the sale of a discontinued operations business.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, net cash used by financing activities was $594 million as compared with $54 million for the same period in 2007. In January 2008, CNA repaid its $150 million 6.45% senior note. CNA also purchased outstanding shares of its common stock as discussed below. Additionally, the increase in cash used for financing activities is related to increased policyholders’ fund withdrawals in 2008 as compared to 2007, which are reflected as a Return of investment contract account balances on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows.

CNA believes that its present cash flows from operations, investing activities and financing activities, including cash dividends from CNA subsidiaries, are sufficient to fund its working capital and debt obligation needs.

CNA has an effective shelf registration statement under which it may issue debt or equity securities.

Dividends

On May 21, 2008, CNA paid a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, to shareholders of record on May 7, 2008. On July 23, 2008 CNA’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, payable August 20, 2008 to shareholders of record on August 6, 2008. The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of CNA’s common stock will be at the discretion of CNA’s Board of Directors and will depend on many factors, including CNA’s earnings, financial condition, business needs, and regulatory constraints.

Share Repurchases

CNA’s Board of Directors has approved an authorization to purchase, in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, CNA’s outstanding common stock, as CNA’s management deems appropriate. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, CNA repurchased a total of 2,649,621 shares at an average price of $26.53 (including commission) per share. Share repurchases may continue. No shares of CNA common stock were purchased during the second quarter of 2008 or for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 

Diamond Offshore

Cash and investments, net of receivables and payables, totaled $741 million at June 30, 2008, compared to $640 million at December 31, 2007. In 2008, Diamond Offshore paid cash dividends totaling $383 million, consisting of special cash dividends in 2008 of $348 million and its regular quarterly cash dividends of $35 million. In July of 2008, Diamond Offshore announced a special cash dividend of $1.25 per share and a regular cash dividend of $0.125 per share.

Cash provided by operating activities was $594 million in the first six months of June 30, 2008, compared to $584 million in the comparable period of 2007. The increase in cash flow from operations is primarily due to an increase in net income and higher favorable adjustments for depreciation and other non-cash items, partially offset by an increase in net cash required to satisfy Diamond Offshore’s working capital requirements. Trade and other receivables used $150 million during the first six months of 2008 compared to providing $62 million during the first six months of 2007 due to normal changes in the billing cycle combined with the effect of higher dayrates earned by Diamond Offshore’s rigs subsequent to the second quarter of 2007.

The upgrade of the Ocean Monarch continues in Singapore with expected delivery of the upgraded rig late in the fourth quarter of 2008. Diamond Offshore expects to spend approximately $310 million to modernize this rig of which $229 million had been spent through June 30, 2008.

Construction of Diamond Offshore’s two high-performance, premium jack-up rigs, the Ocean Scepter and the Ocean Shield has been completed. The Ocean Shield is currently operating offshore Malaysia while the Ocean Scepter is being commissioned. Diamond Offshore expects the Ocean Scepter to begin operating under contract during the third quarter of 2008. The aggregate expected cost for both rigs is approximately $320 million, including drill pipe and capitalized interest, of which $294 million had been spent through June 30, 2008.

Diamond Offshore estimates that capital expenditures in 2008 associated with its ongoing rig equipment replacement and enhancement programs and other corporate requirements will be approximately $540 million. In the six months

 
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ended June 30, 2008, Diamond Offshore spent approximately $190 million for capital additions, including $37 million towards modification of certain of its rigs to meet contractual requirements.

As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, there were no loans outstanding under Diamond Offshore’s $285 million credit facility; however, $54 million in letters of credit were issued under the credit facility as of June 30, 2008.

Diamond Offshore’s liquidity and capital requirements are primarily a function of its working capital needs, capital expenditures and debt service requirements. Cash required to meet Diamond Offshore’s capital commitments is determined by evaluating the need to upgrade rigs to meet specific customer requirements and by evaluating Diamond Offshore’s ongoing rig equipment replacement and enhancement programs, including water depth and drilling capability upgrades. It is the opinion of Diamond Offshore’s management that its operating cash flows and cash reserves will be sufficient to meet these capital commitments; however, Diamond Offshore will continue to make periodic assessments based on industry conditions.

HighMount

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $274 million. Key drivers of net operating cash flows are commodity prices, production volumes and operating costs.

The primary driver of cash used in investing activities was capital spending, inclusive of acquisitions. Cash used in investing activities in the six months ended June 30, 2008 was $288 million. HighMount spent $200 million on capital expenditures for its drilling program. HighMount is experiencing a higher capital cost environment attributable to increased costs of casing, tubing and diesel fuel.

At June 30, 2008, $90 million was outstanding under HighMount’s $400 million revolving credit facility. In addition, $6 million in letters of credit have been issued, which reduced the available capacity under the facility to $304 million. During the first six months of 2008, HighMount borrowed $120 million and repaid $77 million under the facility.

Boardwalk Pipeline

At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, cash and investments amounted to $483 million and $317 million, respectively. Funds from operations for each of the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 amounted to $172 million. In the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, Boardwalk Pipeline’s capital expenditures were $1,090 million and $380 million, respectively.

Boardwalk Pipeline maintains a $1.0 billion revolving credit facility. During the first six months of 2008, Boardwalk Pipeline borrowed and repaid $518 million under the facility. As of June 30, 2008, Boardwalk Pipeline was in compliance with all covenant requirements under its $1.0 billion revolving credit agreement and no amount was drawn under this facility. In addition, Boardwalk Pipeline has outstanding letters of credit for $58 million to support certain obligations associated with its pipeline expansion projects, which reduced the available capacity under the facility.

In August of 2007, Boardwalk Pipeline entered into a Treasury rate lock for a notional amount of $150 million to hedge the risk attributable to changes in the risk-free component of forward 10 year interest rates through February 1, 2008. The reference rate on the Treasury rate lock was 4.7%. On February 1, 2008, Boardwalk Pipeline paid the counterparty approximately $15 million to settle the Treasury rate lock. The Treasury rate lock was designated as a cash flow hedge; therefore, the loss will be recognized in Interest expense over ten years.

In March of 2008, Texas Gas Transmission, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Boardwalk Pipeline, issued $250 million aggregate principal amount of 5.5% senior notes due 2013. The proceeds from this offering were primarily used to finance a portion of its expansion projects.

In June of 2008, Boardwalk Pipeline sold 10 million common units at a price of $25.30 per unit in a public offering and received net proceeds of $243 million. In addition, the Company contributed $5 million to maintain its 2% general partner interest.

In June of 2008, the Company purchased 22,866,667 of Boardwalk Pipeline’s newly created class B units representing limited partner interests (“class B units”) for $30 per class B unit, or an aggregate purchase price of $686 million. The Company owns approximately 70% of Boardwalk Pipeline, including 100% of Boardwalk Pipeline’s general partner which contributed an additional $14 million to Boardwalk Pipeline to maintain its 2% general partner interest. Boardwalk Pipeline intends to use the proceeds of $700 million to fund a portion of the costs of its ongoing expansion projects.

 
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Beginning with the distribution in respect of the quarter ending September 30, 2008, the class B units will share in quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus on a pari passu basis with Boardwalk Pipeline’s common units, until each common unit and class B unit has received a quarterly distribution of $0.30. The class B units will not participate in quarterly distributions above $0.30 per unit. The class B units will be convertible into common units of Boardwalk Pipeline on a one-for-one basis at any time after June 30, 2013.

Maintenance capital expenditures were $13 million in the first six months of 2008. Boardwalk Pipeline expects to fund the remainder of its 2008 maintenance capital expenditures of approximately $45 million from operating cash flows.

Boardwalk Pipeline has undertaken significant capital expansion projects, substantially all of which have been or are expected to be funded with proceeds from its equity and debt financings. Boardwalk Pipeline expects the total cost of these projects to be as follows:

                     
Cash
 
   
Estimated
   
Estimated
   
Total
   
Invested
 
   
Project Cost
   
Additional
   
Estimated
   
through
 
   
at March 31, 2008
   
Cost (a)
   
Cost
   
June 30, 2008
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Southeast Expansion
  $ 775           $ 775     $ 553  
Gulf Crossing Project
    1,690     $ 110       1,800       505  
Fayetteville and Greenville Laterals
    1,250       40       1,290       261  
Total
  $ 3,715     $ 150     $ 3,865     $ 1,319  

(a)
These costs are related to the addition of compression to increase the transmission capacity to approximately 1.7 Bcf per day on the Gulf Crossing project and 1.3 Bcf per day on the Fayetteville Lateral. The additional capacity is required to accommodate commitments made under new transportation agreements. Boardwalk Pipeline expects the additional compression to be in service in 2010.

Boardwalk Pipeline completed its East Texas to Mississippi expansion project during the second quarter of 2008 at a total cost of approximately $960 million. This project consists of approximately 242 miles of 42-inch pipeline from DeSoto Parish in western Louisiana to near Harrisville, Mississippi. Customers have contracted at fixed rates for 1.4 Bcf per day of firm transportation capacity on a long-term basis which represents substantially all of the normal operating capacity.

Boardwalk Pipeline expects to incur expansion capital expenditures of approximately $1.8 billion in the remainder of 2008 and approximately $0.7 billion in 2009 and 2010 to complete its pipeline expansion projects, based upon current cost estimates. Boardwalk Pipeline has experienced cost increases in these projects and various factors could cause its costs to exceed that amount. Boardwalk Pipeline expects to finance its remaining pipeline expansion capital costs through equity financings and the incurrence of debt, including sales of debt by it and its subsidiaries and borrowings under its revolving credit facility, as well as available operating cash flow in excess of operating needs. However, the impact of the cost increases Boardwalk Pipeline has experienced and may experience in the future to complete its expansion capital projects could adversely impact Boardwalk Pipeline’s financing costs.

During the six months ended June 30, 2008, Boardwalk Pipeline paid cash distributions of $120 million, including $85 million to us. In July of 2008, Boardwalk Pipeline declared a quarterly distribution of $0.47 per unit.

Loews Hotels

Funds from operations continue to exceed operating requirements. Cash and investments decreased to $62 million at June 30, 2008 from $73 million at December 31, 2007. The decrease is primarily due to $35 million of dividends paid to the Parent Company in the first quarter of 2008. Funds for other capital expenditures and working capital requirements are expected to be provided from existing cash balances, operations and advances or capital contributions from us.

Corporate and Other

Parent Company cash and investments, net of receivables and payables, at June 30, 2008 totaled $4.0 billion, as compared to $3.8 billion at December 31, 2007. The increase in net cash and investments is primarily due to the receipt of $876 million in dividends from subsidiaries (including $ 491 million from Lorillard) and the receipt of $263 million in connection with the sale of Bulova, partially offset by the $700 million purchase of Boardwalk Pipeline’s class B units described in “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Boardwalk Pipeline,” and $165 million of dividends paid to our shareholders.

 
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As of June 30, 2008, there were 436,267,871 shares of Loews common stock outstanding. As discussed above, effective with the completion of the Separation of Lorillard, the former Carolina Group and former Carolina Group stock have been eliminated. As part of the Separation, we exchanged 65,445,000 shares of Lorillard common stock for 93,492,857 shares of Loews common stock. Depending on market and other conditions, we may purchase shares of our and our subsidiaries’ outstanding common stock in the open market or otherwise.

We have an effective Registration Statement on Form S-3 registering the future sale of an unlimited amount of our debt and equity securities.

We continue to pursue conservative financial strategies while seeking opportunities for responsible growth. These include the expansion of existing businesses, full or partial acquisitions and dispositions, and opportunities for efficiencies and economies of scale.

INVESTMENTS

Insurance

Net Investment Income

The significant components of CNA’s net investment income are presented in the following table:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 476     $ 526     $ 994     $ 1,022  
Short-term investments
    26       39       65       89  
Limited partnerships
    46       71       7       123  
Equity securities
    39       6       44       11  
Income (loss) from trading portfolio (a)
    (4 )     40       (81 )     43  
Other
    5       12       11       22  
Total investment income
    588       694       1,040       1,310  
Investment expense
    (12 )     (23 )     (30 )     (31 )
Net investment income
  $ 576     $ 671     $ 1,010     $ 1,279  

(a)
The change in net unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities, included in net investment income, was $(2) million, $(15) million, $1 million and $3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.

Net investment income decreased by $95 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily driven by decreased results from the trading portfolio and limited partnerships. The decreased results from the trading portfolio were more than offset by a corresponding decrease in the policyholders’ funds reserves supported by the trading portfolio, which is included in Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income.
 
Net investment income decreased by $269 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared with the same period of 2007. The decrease was primarily driven by the same reasons discussed above in the three month comparison.

The bond segment of the investment portfolio yielded 5.7% and 5.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.

 
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Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

The components of CNA’s net realized investment results are presented in the following table:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Realized investment gains (losses):
                       
Fixed maturity securities:
                       
U.S. Government bonds
  $ (46 )   $ (96 )   $ (14 )   $ (94 )
Corporate and other taxable bonds
    (8 )     (50 )     (39 )     (25 )
Tax-exempt bonds
    10       (42 )     50       (53 )
Asset-backed bonds
    (118 )     (77 )     (157 )     (110 )
Redeemable preferred stock
    4       (1 )             (1 )
Total fixed maturity securities
    (158 )     (266 )     (160 )     (283 )
Equity securities
    (14 )     11       (29 )     14  
Derivative securities
    56       115       12       107  
Short-term investments
    5               7          
Other invested assets, including dispositions
            1       8       2  
Total realized investment gains (losses)
    (111 )     (139 )     (162 )     (160 )
Income tax benefit
    40       48       58       56  
Minority interest
    6       10       10       11  
Net realized investment gains (losses)
  $ (65 )   $ (81 )   $ (94 )   $ (93 )

Net realized investment losses decreased by $17 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared with the same period in 2007. Net realized investment losses were essentially unchanged for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.

For the three months ended June 30, 2008, other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses of $97 million, driven by credit issues, were recorded primarily within the asset-backed bonds sector. For the three months ended June 30, 2007, OTTI losses of $101 million were recorded primarily in the corporate and other taxable bonds, asset-backed bonds and U.S. Government bonds sectors.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, OTTI losses of $149 million were recorded primarily in the asset-backed bonds sector. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, OTTI losses of $152 million were recorded primarily in the corporate and other taxable bonds, asset-backed bonds and U.S. Government bonds sectors.

The OTTI losses related to securities for which CNA did not assert an intent to hold until an anticipated recovery in value. The judgment as to whether an impairment is other-than-temporary incorporates many factors including the likelihood of a security recovering to cost, CNA’s intent and ability to hold the security until recovery, general market conditions, specific sector views and significant changes in expected cash flows. CNA’s decision to record an OTTI loss is primarily based on whether the security’s fair value is likely to recover to its amortized cost in light of all of the factors considered over the expected holding period. Current factors and market conditions that contributed to recording impairments in 2008 included significant credit spread widening in fixed income sectors and market disruptions surrounding sub-prime residential mortgage concerns. In some instances, an OTTI loss was recorded because, in CNA’s judgment, recovery to cost is not likely.

A primary objective in the management of the fixed maturity and equity portfolios is to optimize return relative to underlying liabilities and respective liquidity needs. CNA’s views on the current interest rate environment, tax regulations, asset class valuations, specific security issuer and broader industry segment conditions, and the domestic and global economic conditions, are some of the factors that enter into an investment decision. CNA also continually monitors exposure to issuers of securities held and broader industry sector exposures and may from time to time adjust such exposures based on its views of a specific issuer or industry sector.

A further consideration in the management of the investment portfolio is the characteristics of the underlying liabilities and the ability to align the duration of the portfolio to those liabilities to meet future liquidity needs, minimize interest rate risk and maintain a level of income sufficient to support the underlying insurance liabilities. For portfolios where future liability cash flows are determinable and typically long term in nature, CNA segregates investments for asset/liability management purposes.

 
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The segregated investments support liabilities primarily in the Life & Group Non-Core segment including annuities, structured benefit settlements and long term care products. The remaining investments are managed to support the Standard Lines, Specialty Lines and Other Insurance segments.

The effective durations of fixed income securities, short term investments, preferred stocks and interest rate derivatives are presented in the table below. Short term investments are net of securities lending collateral and accounts payable and receivable amounts for securities purchased and sold, but not yet settled.

   
June 30, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
         
Effective Duration
         
Effective Duration
 
   
Fair Value
   
(In years)
   
Fair Value
   
(In years)
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Segregated investments
  $ 9,066       10.6     $ 9,211       10.7  
Other interest sensitive investments
    27,781       3.6       29,406       3.3  
Total
  $ 36,847       5.3     $ 38,617       5.1  

The investment portfolio is periodically analyzed for changes in duration and related price change risk. Additionally, CNA periodically reviews the sensitivity of the portfolio to the level of foreign exchange rates and other factors that contribute to market price changes. A summary of these risks and specific analysis on changes is included in the Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in Item 3 of this Report.

CNA invests in certain derivative financial instruments primarily to reduce its exposure to market risk (principally interest rate, equity price and foreign currency risk) and credit risk (risk of nonperformance of underlying obligor). Derivative securities are recorded at fair value at the reporting date. CNA also uses derivatives to mitigate market risk by purchasing Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index futures in a notional amount equal to the contract liability relating to Life & Group Non-Core indexed group annuity contracts. CNA provided collateral to satisfy margin deposits on exchange-traded derivatives totaling $24 million as of June 30, 2008. For over-the-counter derivative transactions CNA utilizes International Swaps and Derivatives Association Master Agreements that specify certain limits over which collateral is exchanged. As of June 30, 2008, CNA provided $42 million of cash as collateral for over-the-counter derivative instruments.

 
CNA’s classifies its fixed maturity and equity securities as either available-for-sale or trading, and as such, they are carried at fair value. The amortized cost of fixed maturity securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, which is included in net investment income. Changes in fair value related to available-for-sale securities are reported as a component of other comprehensive income. Changes in fair value of trading securities are reported within net investment income. As of January 1, 2008, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1 for further information.

The following table provides further detail of gross realized investment gains and losses, which include OTTI losses, on available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Net realized gains (losses) on fixed maturity
                       
and equity securities:
                       
Fixed maturity securities:
                       
Gross realized gains
  $ 83     $ 45     $ 200     $ 143  
Gross realized losses
    (241 )     (311 )     (360 )     (426 )
Net realized losses on fixed maturity securities
    (158 )     (266 )     (160 )     (283 )
Equity securities:
                               
Gross realized gains
    7       13       11       20  
Gross realized losses
    (21 )     (2 )     (40 )     (6 )
Net realized gains (losses) on equity securities
    (14 )     11       (29 )     14  
Net realized losses on fixed maturity
                               
and equity securities
  $ (172 )   $ (255 )   $ (189 )   $ (269 )

 
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The following table provides details of the largest realized investment losses from sales of securities aggregated by issuer, including: the fair value of the securities at date of sale, the amount of the loss recorded and the period of time that the securities had been in an unrealized loss position prior to sale. The period of time that the securities had been in an unrealized loss position prior to sale can vary due to the timing of individual security purchases. Also included is a narrative providing the industry sector along with the facts and circumstances giving rise to the loss.

               
Months in
 
   
Fair Value
         
Unrealized
 
   
Date of
   
Loss
   
Loss Prior
 
Issuer Description and Discussion
 
Sale
   
On Sale
   
To Sale (a)
 
(In millions)
                 
                   
Various notes and bonds issued by the United States Treasury.
                 
Securities sold due to outlook on interest rates.
  $ 7,839     $ 84       0-6  
                         
A provider of wireless and wire line communication services.
                       
 Securities were sold to reduce exposure because the company
                       
 announced a significant shortfall in operating results, causing
                       
 significant credit deterioration which resulted in a rating
                       
 downgrade.
    38       16       7-12  
                         
A provider of electronic communications solutions. Issuer
                       
 announced a decision to explore the sale of a struggling and
                       
 major product unit creating uncertainty with respect to asset
                       
 value relative to total debt.  Securities were sold to reduce
                       
 exposure.
    61       7       7-12  
                         
Total
  $ 7,938     $ 107          

(a)
Represents the range of consecutive months the various positions were in an unrealized loss prior to sale.

 
65

 

Valuation and Impairment of Investments

The following table details the carrying value of CNA’s general account investments:

   
June 30, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
(In millions of dollars)
                       
                         
General account investments:
                       
                         
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
                       
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                       
government agencies
  $ 687       1.7 %   $ 687       1.7 %
Asset-backed securities
    9,912       25.2       11,409       27.3  
States, municipalities and political subdivisions-
                               
tax-exempt
    6,833       17.4       7,675       18.4  
Corporate securities
    9,327       23.7       8,952       21.4  
Other debt securities
    3,701       9.4       4,299       10.3  
Redeemable preferred stock
    49       0.1       1,058       2.5  
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
    30,509       77.5       34,080       81.6  
                                 
Fixed maturity securities trading:
                               
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                               
government agencies
                    5          
Asset-backed securities
    18               31       0.1  
Corporate securities
    29       0.1       123       0.3  
Other debt securities
    4               18          
Total fixed maturity securities trading
    51       0.1       177       0.4  
                                 
Equity securities available-for-sale:
                               
Common stock
    447       1.1       452       1.1  
Preferred stock
    972       2.5       116       0.3  
Total equity securities available-for-sale
    1,419       3.6       568       1.4  
                                 
Short term investments available-for-sale
    5,014       12.7       4,497       10.8  
Short term investments trading
    50       0.1       180       0.4  
Limited partnerships
    2,321       6.0       2,214       5.3  
Other investments
    9               73       0.1  
Total general account investments
  $ 39,373       100.0 %   $ 41,789       100.0 %

A significant judgment in the valuation of investments is the determination of when an OTTI has occurred. CNA analyzes securities on at least a quarterly basis. Part of this analysis is to monitor the length of time and severity of the decline below amortized cost for those securities in an unrealized loss position.

Investments in the general account had a net unrealized loss of $1,519 million at June 30, 2008 compared with a net unrealized gain of $74 million at December 31, 2007. The unrealized position at June 30, 2008 was comprised of a net unrealized loss of $1,431 million for fixed maturity securities, a net unrealized loss of $85 million for equity securities and a net unrealized loss of $3 million for short term investments. The unrealized position at December 31, 2007 was comprised of a net unrealized loss of $131 million for fixed maturity securities, a net unrealized gain of $202 million for equity securities and a net unrealized gain of $3 million for short term investments. See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1 for further detail on the unrealized position of CNA’s general account investment portfolio.

 
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The following table provides the composition of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale in a gross unrealized loss position at June 30, 2008 by maturity profile. Securities not due at a single date are allocated based on weighted average life.

   
Percent of
   
Percent of
 
   
Market
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Loss
 
             
Due in one year or less
    5.0 %     4.0 %
Due after one year through five years
    23.0       14.0  
Due after five years through ten years
    26.0       31.0  
Due after ten years
    46.0       51.0  
Total
    100.0 %     100.0 %

CNA’s non-investment grade fixed income securities available-for-sale at June 30, 2008 that were in a gross unrealized loss position had a fair value of $2,429 million. The following tables summarize the fair value and gross unrealized loss of non-investment grade securities categorized by the length of time those securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position and further categorized by the severity of the unrealized loss position in 10.0% increments as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

               
Gross
 
   
Estimated
   
Fair Value as a Percentage of Amortized Cost
   
Unrealized
 
June 30, 2008
 
Fair Value
      90-99 %     80-89 %     70-79 %  
<70%
   
Loss
 
(In millions)
                                         
                                           
Fixed income securities:
                                         
Non-investment grade:
                                         
0-6 months
  $ 1,012     $ 29     $ 20     $ 8     $ 13     $ 70  
7-12 months
    1,262       46       63       11       29       149  
13-24 months
    147       3       13       2       18       36  
Greater than 24 months
    8               1               3       4  
Total non-investment grade
  $ 2,429     $ 78     $ 97     $ 21     $ 63     $ 259  
                                                 
December 31, 2007
                                               
                                                 
Fixed income securities:
                                               
Non-investment grade:
                                               
0-6 months
  $ 1,527     $ 56     $ 14     $ 3             $ 73  
7-12 months
    125       6       2                       8  
13-24 months
    26       1       1       1     $ 1       4  
Greater than 24 months
    9       1       1                       2  
Total non-investment grade
  $ 1,687     $ 64     $ 18     $ 4     $ 1     $ 87  

As part of the ongoing OTTI monitoring process, CNA evaluated the facts and circumstances based on available information for each of the non-investment grade securities and determined that the securities presented in the above tables were temporarily impaired when evaluated at June 30, 2008 or December 31, 2007. This determination was based on a number of factors that CNA regularly considers including, but not limited to: the issuers’ ability to meet current and future interest and principal payments, an evaluation of the issuers’ financial condition and near term prospects, CNA’s assessment of the sector outlook and estimates of the fair value of any underlying collateral. In all cases where a decline in value is judged to be temporary, CNA has the intent and ability to hold these securities for a period of time sufficient to recover the amortized cost of its investment through an anticipated recovery in the fair value of such securities or by holding the securities to maturity. In many cases, the securities held are matched to liabilities as part of ongoing asset/liability duration management. As such, CNA continually assesses its ability to hold securities for a time sufficient to recover any temporary loss in value or until maturity. CNA believes it has sufficient levels of liquidity so as to not impact the asset/liability management process.

CNA’s equity securities classified as available-for-sale as of June 30, 2008 that were in a gross unrealized loss position had a fair value of $982 million and gross unrealized losses of $295 million. Under the same process as followed for fixed maturity securities, CNA monitors the equity securities for other-than-temporary declines in value. In all cases

 
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where a decline in value is judged to be temporary, CNA has the intent and ability to hold these securities for a period of time sufficient to recover the cost of its investment through an anticipated recovery in the fair value of such securities.

Invested assets are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate and credit risk. Due to the level of risk associated with certain invested assets and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the value of these assets, it is possible that changes in these risks in the near term, including increases in interest rates and further credit spread widening, could have an adverse material impact on our results of operations or equity.

The general account portfolio consists primarily of high quality bonds, 88.4% and 89.1% of which were rated as investment grade (rated BBB- or higher) at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

The following table summarizes the ratings of CNA’s general account bond portfolio at carrying value.

   
June 30, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
(In millions of dollars)
                       
                         
U.S. Government and affiliated agency securities
  $ 789       2.6 %   $ 816       2.5 %
Other AAA rated
    12,358       40.5       16,728       50.4  
AA and A rated
    8,038       26.3       6,326       19.1  
BBB rated
    5,809       19.0       5,713       17.2  
Non investment-grade
    3,517       11.6       3,616       10.8  
Total
  $ 30,511       100.0 %   $ 33,199       100.0 %

At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, approximately 97.0% and 95.0% of the general account portfolio was issued by U.S. Government and affiliated agencies or was rated by S&P or Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”). The remaining bonds were rated by other rating agencies or CNA.

Non-investment grade bonds, as presented in the tables above, are primarily high-yield securities rated below BBB- by bond rating agencies, as well as other unrated securities that, according to CNA’s analysis, are below investment grade. High-yield securities generally involve a greater degree of risk than investment grade securities. However, expected returns should compensate for the added risk. This risk is also considered in the interest rate assumptions for the underlying insurance products.

The carrying value of securities that are either subject to trading restrictions or trade in illiquid private placement markets at June 30, 2008 was $491 million, which represents 1.2% of CNA’s total investment portfolio. These securities were in a net unrealized gain position of $168 million at June 30, 2008.

Short Term Investments

The carrying value of the components of the general account short term investment portfolio is presented in the following table:

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
           
             
Short term investments available-for-sale:
           
Commercial paper
  $ 2,004     $ 3,040  
U.S. Treasury securities
    1,207       577  
Money market funds
    263       72  
Other, including collateral held related to securities lending
    1,540       808  
Total short term investments available-for-sale
    5,014       4,497  
                 
Short term investments trading:
               
Commercial paper
            35  
Money market funds
    49       139  
Other
    1       6  
Total short term investments trading
    50       180  
Total short term investments
  $ 5,064     $ 4,677  

 
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The fair value of collateral held related to securities lending, included in other short term investments, was $53 million at December 31, 2007. There was no collateral held at June 30, 2008.

Asset-backed and Sub-prime Mortgage Exposure

The following table provides detail of the Company’s exposure to asset-backed and sub-prime mortgage related securities as of June 30, 2008.

                                 
Percent
       
                                 
of Total
   
Percent
 
   
Security Type
         
Security
   
of Total
 
June 30, 2008
 
MBS (a)
   
CMO (b)
   
ABS (c)
   
CDO (d)
   
Total
   
Type
   
Investments
 
(In millions of dollars)
                                         
                                           
U.S. government agencies
  $ 638     $ 1,120                 $ 1,758       17.4 %     3.9 %
AAA
            4,986     $ 2,238     $ 9       7,233       71.5 %     15.9 %
AA
            150       329       29       508       5.0 %     1.1 %
A             8       131       116       255       2.5 %     0.6 %
BBB
            1       278       7       286       2.8 %     0.6 %
Non-investment grade and
                                                       
equity tranches
            5       61       14       80       0.8 %     0.2 %
Total fair value
  $ 638     $ 6,270     $ 3,037     $ 175     $ 10,120       100.0 %     22.3 %
Total amortized cost
  $ 650     $ 6,606     $ 3,297     $ 351     $ 10,904                  
                                                         
Percent of total fair value
                                                       
by security type
    6.3 %     61.0 %     31.0 %     1.7 %     100.0 %                
                                                         
Sub-prime (included above)
                                                       
Fair value
          $ 1     $ 1,558     $ 10     $ 1,569       15.5 %     3.5 %
Amortized cost
            1       1,668       33       1,702       15.6       3.8  
 
                                                       
Alt-A (included above)
                                                       
Fair value
          $ 1,218             $ 12     $ 1,230       12.2 %     2.7 %
Amortized cost
            1,321               12       1,333       12.2       2.9  
                                                         
(a) Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”)
(b) Collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMO”)
(c) Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)
(d) Collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”)

Included in our fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2008 were $10,120 million of asset-backed securities, at fair value, which represents 22.3% of total invested assets. Of the total asset-backed securities, 88.9% were U.S. Government Agency issued or AAA rated. The majority of our asset-backed securities are actively traded in liquid markets. Of the total invested assets, $1,569 million or 3.5% have exposure to sub-prime residential mortgage (sub-prime) collateral, as measured by the original deal structure, while 2.7% have exposure to Alternative A (Alt-A) collateral. Of the securities with sub-prime exposure, approximately 97.0% were rated investment grade, while over 99.0% of the Alt-A securities were rated investment grade. We believe that each of these securities would be rated investment grade even without the benefit of any applicable third-party guarantees. In addition to sub-prime exposure in fixed maturity securities, there is exposure of approximately $44 million through limited partnerships and credit default swaps.

All asset-backed securities in an unrealized loss position are reviewed as part of the ongoing OTTI process, which resulted in OTTI losses of $75 million and $105 million after-tax and minority interest for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. Included in these OTTI losses were $58 million and $83 million after tax and minority interest related to securities with sub-prime and Alt-A exposure. Our review of these securities includes an analysis of cash flow modeling under various default scenarios, the seniority of the specific tranche within the deal structure, the composition of the collateral and the actual default experience. Given current market conditions and the specific facts and circumstances related to our individual sub-prime and Alt-A exposures, we believe that all remaining unrealized losses are temporary in nature. Continued deterioration in these markets beyond our current expectations may cause us to reconsider and record additional OTTI losses.

 
69

 

Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

The aggregate amounts of CNA’s direct exposure at June 30, 2008, at amortized cost, of equity and debt securities of Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) are set forth below.

   
June 30,
 
   
2008
 
(In millions)
     
       
Fannie Mae
     
Preferred stock
  $ 137  
Senior bonds
    16  
         
Freddie Mac
       
Discount notes
  $ 846  
Preferred stock
    184  
Senior bonds
    67  

CNA’s entire holdings of Freddie Mac Discount notes had either matured or were disposed of, at or above amortized cost, subsequent to June 30, 2008.

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In December of 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements.” This standard will improve, simplify, and converge internationally the reporting of noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 160 requires all entities to report noncontrolling (minority) interests in subsidiaries as a component of equity in the consolidated financial statements. Moreover, SFAS No. 160 requires that transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interests be treated as equity transactions. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. As a result, after January 1, 2009, the Company’s deferred gains related to the issuances of Boardwalk Pipeline common units ($536 million at June 30, 2008) will be recognized in the shareholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as opposed to the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income.

In March of 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 161 is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. It is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008.  We are currently evaluating the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 161.

In May of 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. APB 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement).” This FSP clarifies that convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement) are not addressed by paragraph 12 of APB Opinion No. 14, “Accounting for Convertible Debt and Debt Issued with Stock Purchase Warrants.” FSP No. APB 14-1 specifies that issuers of such instruments should separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. It is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact that adopting FSP No. APB 14-1 will have on our results of operations and equity.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Investors are cautioned that certain statements contained in this Report as well as some statements in periodic press releases and some oral statements made by our officials and our subsidiaries during presentations about us, are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. In addition, any statement concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible actions taken by us or our subsidiaries, which may be provided by management are also forward-looking statements as defined by the Act.

 
70

 

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. These risks and uncertainties include, among others:

Risks and uncertainties primarily affecting us and our insurance subsidiaries

 
·
the impact of competitive products, policies and pricing and the competitive environment in which CNA operates, including changes in CNA’s book of business;

 
·
product and policy availability and demand and market responses, including the level of CNA’s ability to obtain rate increases and decline or non-renew under priced accounts, to achieve premium targets and profitability and to realize growth and retention estimates;

 
·
development of claims and the impact on loss reserves, including changes in claim settlement policies;

 
·
the performance of reinsurance companies under reinsurance contracts with CNA;

 
·
the effects upon insurance markets and upon industry business practices and relationships of current litigation, investigations and regulatory activity by the New York State Attorney General’s office and other authorities concerning contingent commission arrangements with brokers and bid solicitation activities;

 
·
legal and regulatory activities with respect to certain non-traditional and finite-risk insurance products, and possible resulting changes in accounting and financial reporting in relation to such products, including our restatement of financial results in May of 2005 and CNA’s relationship with an affiliate, Accord Re Ltd., as disclosed in connection with that restatement;

 
·
regulatory limitations, impositions and restrictions upon CNA, including the effects of assessments and other surcharges for guaranty funds and second-injury funds and other mandatory pooling arrangements;

 
·
weather and other natural physical events, including the severity and frequency of storms, hail, snowfall and other winter conditions, natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as climate change, including effects on weather patterns, greenhouse gases, sea, land and air temperatures, sea levels, rain and snow;

 
·
regulatory requirements imposed by coastal state regulators in the wake of hurricanes or other natural disasters, including limitations on the ability to exit markets or to non-renew, cancel or change terms and conditions in policies, as well as mandatory assessments to fund any shortfalls arising from the inability of quasi-governmental insurers to pay claims;

 
·
man-made disasters, including the possible occurrence of terrorist attacks and the effect of the absence or insufficiency of applicable terrorism legislation on coverages;

 
·
the unpredictability of the nature, targets, severity or frequency of potential terrorist events, as well as the uncertainty as to CNA’s ability to contain its terrorism exposure effectively, notwithstanding the extension until 2014 of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002;

 
·
the occurrence of epidemics;

 
·
exposure to liabilities due to claims made by insureds and others relating to asbestos remediation and health-based asbestos impairments, as well as exposure to liabilities for environmental pollution, construction defect claims and exposure to liabilities due to claims made by insureds and others relating to lead-based paint and other mass torts;

 
·
the sufficiency of CNA’s loss reserves and the possibility of future increases in reserves;

 
·
regulatory limitations and restrictions, including limitations upon CNA’s ability to receive dividends from its insurance subsidiaries imposed by state regulatory agencies and minimum risk-based capital standards established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners;

 
·
the risks and uncertainties associated with CNA’s loss reserves as outlined under “Results of Operations by Business Segment - CNA Financial - Reserves – Estimates and Uncertainties” in the MD&A portion of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007;

 
71

 

 
·
the possibility of further changes in CNA’s ratings by ratings agencies, including the inability to access certain markets or distribution channels, and the required collateralization of future payment obligations as a result of such changes, and changes in rating agency policies and practices;

 
·
the effects of corporate bankruptcies and accounting errors on capital markets and on the markets for directors and officers and errors and omissions coverages;

 
·
general economic and business conditions, including inflationary pressures on medical care costs, construction costs and other economic sectors that increase the severity of claims;

 
·
the effectiveness of current initiatives by claims management to reduce the loss and expense ratios through more efficacious claims handling techniques; and

 
·
changes in the composition of CNA’s operating segments.

Risks and uncertainties primarily affecting us and our energy subsidiaries

 
·
the impact of changes in demand for oil and natural gas and oil and gas price fluctuations on E&P activity;

 
·
costs and timing of rig upgrades;

 
·
utilization levels and dayrates for offshore oil and gas drilling rigs;

 
·
timing and duration of required regulatory inspections for offshore oil and gas drilling rigs;

 
·
the availability and cost of insurance, and the risks associated with self-insurance, covering drilling rigs;

 
·
regulatory issues affecting natural gas transmission, including ratemaking and other proceedings particularly affecting our gas transmission subsidiaries;

 
·
the ability of Boardwalk Pipeline to renegotiate, extend or replace existing customer contracts on favorable terms;

 
·
the successful development and projected cost and timing of planned expansion projects as well as the financing of such projects; and

 
·
the development of additional natural gas reserves and changes in reserve estimates.

Risks and uncertainties affecting us and our subsidiaries generally

 
·
general economic and business conditions;

 
·
changes in financial markets (such as interest rate, credit, currency, commodities and equities markets) or in the value of specific investments including the short and long-term effects of losses produced or threatened in relation to sub-prime residential mortgage-backed securities (sub-prime) including claims under directors and officers and errors and omissions coverages in connection with market disruptions recently experienced in relation to the sub-prime crisis in the U.S. economy;

 
·
changes in domestic and foreign political, social and economic conditions, including the impact of the global war on terrorism, the war in Iraq, the future outbreak of hostilities and future acts of terrorism;

 
·
potential changes in accounting policies by the FASB, the SEC or regulatory agencies for any of our subsidiaries’ industries which may cause us or our subsidiaries to revise their financial accounting and/or disclosures in the future, and which may change the way analysts measure our and our subsidiaries’ business or financial performance;

 
·
the impact of regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations, judicial rulings and jury verdicts;

 
·
the results of financing efforts;

 
72

 

 
·
the closing of any contemplated transactions and agreements;

 
·
the successful integration, transition and management of acquired businesses;

 
·
the outcome of pending or future litigation, including any tobacco-related suits to which we are or may become a party;

 
·
the availability of indemnification by Lorillard and its subsidiaries for any tobacco-related liabilities that we may incur as a result of tobacco-related lawsuits or otherwise, as provided in the Separation Agreement; and

 
·
the impact of the Separation on our future financial position, results of operations, cash flows and risk profile.

Developments in any of these areas, which are more fully described elsewhere in this Report, could cause our results to differ materially from results that have been or may be anticipated or projected. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Report and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update these statements to reflect any change in our expectations or beliefs or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

We are a large diversified holding company. As such, we and our subsidiaries have significant amounts of financial instruments that involve market risk. Our measure of market risk exposure represents an estimate of the change in fair value of our financial instruments. Changes in the trading portfolio are recognized in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income. Market risk exposure is presented for each class of financial instrument held by us at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, assuming immediate adverse market movements of the magnitude described below. We believe that the various rates of adverse market movements represent a measure of exposure to loss under hypothetically assumed adverse conditions. The estimated market risk exposure represents the hypothetical loss to future earnings and does not represent the maximum possible loss nor any expected actual loss, even under adverse conditions, because actual adverse fluctuations would likely differ. In addition, since our investment portfolio is subject to change based on our portfolio management strategy as well as in response to changes in the market, these estimates are not necessarily indicative of the actual results which may occur.

Exposure to market risk is managed and monitored by senior management. Senior management approves our overall investment strategy and has responsibility to ensure that the investment positions are consistent with that strategy with an acceptable level of risk. We may manage risk by buying or selling instruments or entering into offsetting positions.

Interest Rate Risk – We have exposure to interest rate risk arising from changes in the level or volatility of interest rates. We attempt to mitigate our exposure to interest rate risk by utilizing instruments such as interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, commitments to purchase securities, options, futures and forwards. We monitor our sensitivity to interest rate risk by evaluating the change in the value of our financial assets and liabilities due to fluctuations in interest rates. The evaluation is performed by applying an instantaneous change in interest rates by varying magnitudes on a static balance sheet to determine the effect such a change in rates would have on the recorded market value of our investments and the resulting effect on shareholders’ equity. The analysis presents the sensitivity of the market value of our financial instruments to selected changes in market rates and prices which we believe are reasonably possible over a one-year period.

The sensitivity analysis estimates the change in the market value of our interest sensitive assets and liabilities that were held on June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 due to instantaneous parallel shifts in the yield curve of 100 basis points, with all other variables held constant.

The interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates. Accordingly, the analysis may not be indicative of, is not intended to provide, and does not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes of market interest rates on our earnings or shareholders’ equity. Further, the computations do not contemplate any actions we could undertake in response to changes in interest rates.

Our debt is denominated in U.S. Dollars and has been primarily issued at fixed rates, therefore, interest expense would not be impacted by interest rate shifts. The impact of a 100 basis point increase in interest rates on fixed rate debt would result in a decrease in market value of $303 million and $333 million at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. A 100 basis point decrease would result in an increase in market value of $331 million and $350 million at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. HighMount has entered into interest rate swaps for a notional amount of $1.6 billion to hedge its exposure to fluctuations in LIBOR. These swaps effectively fix the interest rate at

 
73

 

5.8%. Gains or losses from derivative instruments used for hedging purposes, to the extent realized, will generally be offset by recognition of the hedged transaction.

Equity Price Risk – We have exposure to equity price risk as a result of our investment in equity securities and equity derivatives. Equity price risk results from changes in the level or volatility of equity prices which affect the value of equity securities or instruments that derive their value from such securities or indexes. Equity price risk was measured assuming an instantaneous 25% decrease in the underlying reference price or index from its level at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, with all other variables held constant.

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk – Foreign exchange rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in foreign currency exchange rates will impact the value of financial instruments. We have foreign exchange rate exposure when we buy or sell foreign currencies or financial instruments denominated in a foreign currency. This exposure is mitigated by our asset/liability matching strategy and through the use of futures for those instruments which are not matched. Our foreign transactions are primarily denominated in Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, British pounds, Japanese yen and the European Monetary Unit. The sensitivity analysis assumes an instantaneous 20% decrease in the foreign currency exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar from their levels at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, with all other variables held constant.

Commodity Price Risk – We have exposure to price risk as a result of our investments in commodities. Commodity price risk results from changes in the level or volatility of commodity prices that impact instruments which derive their value from such commodities. Commodity price risk was measured assuming an instantaneous increase of 20% from their levels at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007. The impact of a change in commodity prices on HighMount’s non-trading commodity-based financial derivative instruments at a point in time is not necessarily representative of the results that will be realized when such contracts are ultimately settled. Net losses from commodity derivative instruments used for hedging purposes, to the extent realized, will generally be offset by recognition of the underlying hedged transaction, such as revenue from sales.

Credit Risk – We are exposed to credit risk relating to the risk of loss resulting from the nonperformance by a customer of its contractual obligations. Boardwalk Pipeline has exposure related to receivables for services provided, as well as volumes owed by customers for imbalances or gas lent by Boardwalk Pipeline to them, generally under parking and lending services and no notice services. Boardwalk Pipeline maintains credit policies intended to minimize risk and actively monitors these policies. Natural gas price volatility has increased dramatically in recent years, which has materially increased Boardwalk Pipeline’s credit risk related to gas loaned to customers. As of June 30, 2008, the amount of gas loaned out by Boardwalk Pipeline was approximately 20.1 trillion British thermal units (“TBtu”) and the amount considered an imbalance was approximately 4.2 TBtu. Assuming an average market price during June 2008 of $12.54 per million British thermal units (“MMBtu”), the market value of gas loaned out and considered an imbalance at June 30, 2008, would have been approximately $305 million. If any significant customer of Boardwalk Pipeline should have credit or financial problems resulting in a delay or failure to repay the gas they owe to Boardwalk Pipeline, this could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The following tables present our market risk by category (equity markets, interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices) on the basis of those entered into for trading purposes and other than trading purposes.

 
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Trading portfolio:

Category of risk exposure:
 
Fair Value Asset (Liability)
   
Market Risk
 
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Equity markets (1):
                       
Equity securities (a)
  $ 722     $ 744     $ (180 )   $ (186 )
Futures - short
                    64       102  
Options - purchased
    52       35       38       1  
-  written
    (28 )     (16 )     (9 )     (5 )
Short sales
    (87 )     (84 )     22       21  
Limited partnership investments
    360       443       (29 )     (30 )
                                 
Interest rate (2):
                               
Futures – long
                    (9 )     (9 )
Fixed maturities – long
    471       582       (1 )     (4 )
Fixed maturities – short
    (78 )     (16 )     6       2  
Short term investments
    3,476       2,628                  
Other derivatives
                            (3 )
 
Note:
The calculation of estimated market risk exposure is based on assumed adverse changes in the underlying reference price or index of (1) a decrease in equity prices of 25% and (2) an increase in interest rates of 100 basis points. Adverse changes on options which differ from those presented above would not necessarily result in a proportionate change to the estimated market risk exposure.

(a)
A decrease in equity prices of 25% would result in market risk amounting to $(85) and $(171) at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. This market risk would be offset by decreases in liabilities to customers under variable insurance contracts.

 
75

 

Other than trading portfolio:

Category of risk exposure:
 
Fair Value Asset (Liability)
   
Market Risk
 
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
(In millions)
                       
                         
Equity markets (1):
                       
Equity securities:
                       
General accounts (a)
  $ 1,422     $ 568     $ (355 )   $ (142 )
Separate accounts
    42       45       (11 )     (11 )
Limited partnership investments
    2,068       1,878       (116 )     (106 )
                                 
Interest rate (2):
                               
Fixed maturities (a)(b)
    30,509       34,081       (1,832 )     (1,900 )
Short term investments (a)
    6,260       5,602       (14 )     (4 )
Other invested assets
    6       8                  
Interest rate swaps and other (c)
    (68 )     (88 )     63       81  
Other derivative securities
    4       38       54       33  
Separate accounts (a):
                               
Fixed maturities
    395       419       (18 )     (20 )
Short term investments
    8       6                  
Debt
    (7,141 )     (7,204 )                
                                 
Commodities (3):
                               
Forwards – short (c)
    (280 )     11       (210 )     (119 )
Forwards – long
    6               4       3  
 
Note:
The calculation of estimated market risk exposure is based on assumed adverse changes in the underlying reference price or index of (1) a decrease in equity prices of 25%, (2) an increase in interest rates of 100 basis points and (3) an increase in commodity prices of 20%.

(a)
Certain securities are denominated in foreign currencies. An assumed 20% decline in the underlying exchange rates would result in an aggregate foreign currency exchange rate risk of $(311) and $(317) at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

(b)
Certain fixed maturities positions include options embedded in convertible debt securities. A decrease in underlying equity prices of 25% would result in market risk amounting to $(5) and $(106) at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

(c)
The market risk at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 will generally be offset by recognition of the underlying hedged transaction.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

The Company maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), including this report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. These disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management on a timely basis to allow decisions regarding required disclosure.

The Company’s principal executive officer (“CEO”) and principal financial officer (“CFO”) undertook an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. The CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2008.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) identified in connection with the foregoing evaluation that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2008, that have materially affected or that are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 
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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.

Information with respect to legal proceedings is incorporated by reference to Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Part I of this Report.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 includes a detailed discussion of certain material risk factors facing our company. The information presented below describes updates and additions to such risk factors and should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and information disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

We could have a liability in the future for tobacco-related lawsuits.

As a result of our ownership of Lorillard prior to the Separation, which was consummated in June 2008, from time to time we have been named as a defendant in tobacco-related lawsuits. We are currently a defendant in four such lawsuits and could be named as a defendant in additional tobacco-related suits, notwithstanding the completion of the Separation. In the Separation Agreement entered into between us and Lorillard and its subsidiaries in connection with the Separation, Lorillard and each of its subsidiaries has agreed to indemnify us for liabilities related to Lorillard’s tobacco business, including liabilities that we may incur for current and future tobacco-related litigation against us. An adverse decision in a tobacco-related lawsuit against us could, if the indemnification is deemed for any reason to be unenforceable or any amounts owed to us thereunder are not collectible, in whole or in part, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and equity. We do not expect that the Separation will alter the legal exposure of either entity with respect to tobacco-related claims. We do not believe that we had or have any liability for tobacco-related claims, and we have never been held liable for any such claims.

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

Items 2(a) and (b) are inapplicable.

(c) STOCK REPURCHASES

Period
(a) Total number
of shares
purchased
(b) Average
price paid per
share
(c) Total number of shares purchased as
part of publicly announced plans or programs
(d) Maximum number of shares (or approximate dollar value)
of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (in millions)
         
April 1, 2008 -        
April 30, 2008
-
-
-
-
 May 1, 2008 -        
May 31, 2008
 -
-
-
-
June 1, 2008 -
       
   June 30, 2008
-
-
-
-

Note:
In June of 2008, the Company acquired 93,492,857 shares of Loews common stock in exchange for 65,445,000 shares of Lorillard common stock. Please read Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

Set forth below is information relating to the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Registrant.

The annual meeting was called to order at 11:00 A.M., May 13, 2008.  Represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, were shares representing 510,061,154 votes, approximately 90.7% of the votes represented by issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote.

 
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The following business was transacted:

Election of Directors

Over 95% of the votes cast for directors were voted for the election of the following directors. The number of votes for, against and abstained with respect to each director was as follows:

 
Votes For
 
Votes Against
 
Votes Abstained
           
Ann E. Berman
503,302,549
 
3,785,169
 
2,973,436
Joseph L. Bower
492,345,332
 
14,605,836
 
3,109,986
Charles M. Diker
501,515,122
 
5,525,375
 
3,020,657
Paul J. Fribourg
487,401,422
 
19,570,104
 
3,089,628
Walter L. Harris
490,767,664
 
16,149,318
 
3,144,172
Philip A. Laskawy
501,751,288
 
5,233,588
 
3,076,278
Gloria R. Scott
497,087,882
 
9,772,075
 
3,201,197
Andrew H. Tisch
500,231,328
 
6,744,535
 
3,085,291
James S. Tisch
499,095,864
 
7,887,418
 
3,077,872
Jonathan M. Tisch
499,556,615
 
7,484,392
 
3,020,147

Ratification of the appointment of independent auditors

Approved – 501,130,106 votes, approximately 98.3% of the votes cast, voted to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche, LLP as independent auditors for the Company. 5,986,119 votes, approximately 1.2% of the votes cast, voted against, and shares representing 2,944,929 votes, approximately 0.6% of the votes cast, abstained.

Shareholder proposal relating to cumulative voting

Rejected – 341,605,880 votes, approximately 72.4% of the votes cast, voted against this shareholder proposal. 125,784,540 votes, approximately 26.7% of the votes cast, were cast for, and shares representing 4,384,383 votes, approximately 0.9% of the votes cast, abstained. In addition, there were shares representing 38,286,351 votes as to which brokers indicated that they did not have authority to vote (“broker non-votes”).

Shareholder proposal relating to performance standards for executive compensation

Rejected – 351,012,008 votes, approximately 74.4% of the votes cast, voted against this shareholder proposal. 113,886,055 votes, approximately 24.1% of the votes cast, were cast for, and shares representing 6,876,740, approximately 1.5% of the votes cast, abstained. In addition, there were 38,286,351 broker non-votes.

Shareholder proposal relating health care reform

Rejected – 403,994,226 votes, approximately 85.6% of the votes cast, voted against this shareholder proposal. 12,380,965 votes, approximately 2.6% of the votes cast, were cast for, and shares representing 55,399,612 votes, approximately 11.7% of the votes cast, abstained. In addition, there were 38,286,351 broker non-votes.

Shareholder proposal relating to advertising expenditures

Rejected – 405,006,790 votes, approximately 85.6% of the votes cast, voted against this shareholder proposal. 9,881,502 votes, approximately 2.1% of the votes cast, were cast for, and shares representing 56,886,511 votes, approximately 12.1% of the votes cast, abstained. In addition, there were 38,286,351 broker non-votes.

 
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Item 6.  Exhibits.

 
Exhibit
Description of Exhibit
Number
   
Separation Agreement, dated as of May 7, 2008, by and among Registrant, Lorillard, Inc., Lorillard Tobacco Company, Lorillard Licensing Company LLC, One Park Media Services, Inc. and Plisa, S.A.
10.1*
   
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a)
31.1*
   
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a)
31.2*
   
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
32.1*
   
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
32.2*

*Filed herewith.

SIGNATURES

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

   
LOEWS CORPORATION
   
(Registrant)
   
   
   
   
   
   
Dated:  July 30, 2008
By:
/s/ Peter W. Keegan
   
 
PETER W. KEEGAN
   
 
Senior Vice President and
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
(Duly authorized officer
   
and principal financial
   
officer)
 
 
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