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Fairfax Financial

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Employees 51-200
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FY2015 Annual Report · Fairfax Financial
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30JAN201416052574

2015 Annual Report

Contents

Fairfax Corporate Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Corporate Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chairman’s Letter to Shareholders . . . . . . . . . .

Management’s Responsibility for the Financial
Statements and Management’s Report on
Internal Control over Financial Reporting . . .

Independent Auditor’s Report to the

Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fairfax Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . .

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

. . .

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Appendix – Fairfax Guiding Principles . . . . . . . .

Corporate Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

2

4

28

29

32

39

112

199

200

30JAN201416052574

2015 Annual Report

Fairfax Corporate Performance

(in US$ millions, except as otherwise indicated)(1)

Book
value
per
share

Closing
Net
share
price(1) Revenue earnings

Total
assets

Invest-
ments

Common
share-
Net holders’

debt

out-
equity standing

Shares Earnings
per
share

3.25(3)

As at and for the years ended December 31(2)
1.52
1985
4.25
1986
6.30
1987
8.26
1988
10.50
1989
14.84
1990
18.38
1991
18.55
1992
26.39
1993
31.06
1994
38.89
1995
63.31
1996
1997
86.28
1998 112.49
1999 155.55
2000 148.14
2001 117.03
2002 125.25
2003 163.70
2004 162.76
2005 137.50
2006 150.16
2007 230.01
2008 278.28
2009 369.80
2010 376.33
2011 364.55
2012 378.10
2013 339.00
2014 394.83
2015 403.01

(0.6)
12.2
4.7
38.9
12.75
12.3
86.9
12.37
12.1
112.0
15.00
14.4
108.6
18.75
18.2
167.0
11.00
19.6
217.4
21.25
8.3
237.0
25.00
25.8
266.7
61.25
27.9
464.8
67.00
63.9
837.0
98.00
110.6
1,082.3
290.00
152.1
1,507.7
320.00
280.3
2,469.0
540.00
42.6
3,905.9
245.50
75.5
4,157.2
228.50
(406.5)
3,953.2
164.00
252.8
5,104.7
121.11
288.6
5,731.2
226.11
53.1
5,829.7
202.24
(446.6)
5,900.5
168.00
6,803.7
227.5
231.67
7,510.2 1,095.8
287.00
7,825.6 1,473.8
390.00
856.8
6,635.6
410.00
335.8
5,967.3
408.99
7,475.0
45.1
437.01
526.9
8,022.8
358.55
424.11
(573.4)
5,944.9
608.78 10,017.9 1,633.2
567.7
9,580.4
656.91

30.4
93.4
139.8
200.6
209.5
461.9
447.0
464.6
906.6
1,549.3
2,104.8
4,216.0
7,148.9
13,640.1
22,229.3
21,667.8
22,183.8
22,173.2
24,877.1
26,271.2
27,542.0
26,576.5
27,941.8
27,305.4
28,452.0
31,448.1
33,406.9
36,945.4
35,999.0
36,131.2
41,529.0

23.9
68.8
93.5
111.7
113.1
289.3
295.3
311.7
641.1
1,105.9
1,221.9
2,520.4
4,054.1
7,867.8
12,289.7
10,399.6
10,228.8
10,596.5
12,491.2
13,460.6
14,869.4
16,819.7
19,000.7
19,949.8
21,273.0
23,300.0
24,322.5
26,094.2
24,861.6
26,192.7
29,016.1

7.6
–
29.7
3.7
46.0
4.9
60.3
27.3
76.7
21.9
81.6
83.3
101.1
58.0
113.1
69.4
211.1
118.7
279.6
166.3
346.1
175.7
664.7
281.6
369.7
960.5
830.0 1,364.8
1,248.5 2,088.5
1,251.5 1,940.8
1,194.1 1,679.5
1,602.8 1,760.4
1,961.1 2,264.6
1,965.9 2,605.7
1,984.0 2,448.2
1,613.6 2,662.4
1,207.4 4,063.5
412.5 4,866.3
1,071.1 7,391.8
1,254.9 7,697.9
2,055.7 7,427.9
1,920.6 7,654.7
1,752.9 7,186.7
1,966.3 8,361.0
2,075.6 8,952.5

5.0
7.0
7.3
7.3
7.3
5.5
5.5
6.1
8.0
9.0
8.9
10.5
11.1
12.1
13.4
13.1
14.4
14.1
13.8
16.0
17.8
17.7
17.7
17.5
20.0
20.5
20.4
20.2
21.2
21.2
22.2

(1.35)
0.98
1.72
1.63
1.87
2.42
3.34
1.44
4.19
3.41
7.15
11.26
14.12
23.60
3.20
5.04
(31.93)
17.49
19.51
3.11
(27.75)
11.92
58.38
79.53
43.75
14.82
(0.31)
22.68
(31.15)
73.01
23.15

Compound annual growth
19.4%
20.4%

(1) All share references are to common shares; Closing share price is in Canadian dollars; per share amounts are in US dollars;

Shares outstanding are in millions.

(2)

IFRS  basis  for  2010  to  2015;  Canadian  GAAP  basis  for  2009  and  prior.  Under  Canadian  GAAP,  investments  were
generally carried at cost or amortized cost in 2006 and prior.

(3) When current management took over in September 1985. 

1

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Corporate Profile

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited  is  a  holding  company  whose  corporate  objective  is  to  build  long  term
shareholder value by achieving a high rate of compound growth in book value per share over the long term. The
company has been under present management since September 1985.

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge Financial,  based  in  Toronto,  Canada,  provides  property  and  casualty  insurance  products  in  the
Canadian market through its Northbridge Insurance and Federated subsidiaries. It is one of the largest commercial
property and casualty insurers in Canada based on gross premiums written. In 2015, Northbridge’s net premiums
written were Cdn$1,132.8 million. At year-end, the company had statutory equity of Cdn$1,288.7 million and there
were 1,368 employees.

OdysseyRe,  based  in  Stamford,  Connecticut,  underwrites  treaty  and  facultative  reinsurance  as  well  as  specialty
insurance, with principal locations in the United States, Toronto, London, Paris, Singapore and Latin America. In
2015,  OdysseyRe’s  net  premiums  written  were  US$2,095.0  million.  At  year-end,  the  company  had  shareholders’
equity of US$4,107.1 million and there were 971 employees.

Crum & Forster (C&F), based in Morristown, New Jersey, is a national commercial property and casualty insurance
company in the United States writing a broad range of commercial, principally specialty, coverages. In 2015, C&F’s
net  premiums  written  were  US$1,659.4  million.  At  year-end,  the  company  had  statutory  surplus  of
US$1,252.7 million and there were 2,101 employees.

Zenith  National,  based  in  Woodland  Hills,  California,  is  primarily  engaged  in  the  workers’  compensation
insurance business in the United States. In 2015, Zenith National’s net premiums written were US$785.4 million. At
year-end, the company had statutory surplus of US$621.7 million and there were 1,485 employees.

Brit, based in London, England, is a market-leading global Lloyd’s of London specialty insurer and reinsurer. In
2015,  Brit’s  net  premiums  written  were  US$1,629.8. At  year-end,  the  company  had  shareholders’  equity  of
US$1,669.6 million and there were 507 employees. Brit was acquired on June 5, 2015.

Fairfax Asia

First Capital, based in Singapore, writes property and casualty insurance primarily in Singapore markets. In 2015,
First  Capital’s  net  premiums  written  were  SGD  184.8  million  (approximately  SGD  1.4  =  US$1).  At  year-end,  the
company had shareholders’ equity of SGD 611.2 million and there were 154 employees.

Falcon Insurance, based in Hong Kong, writes property and casualty insurance in niche markets in Hong Kong. In
2015,  Falcon’s  net  premiums  written  were  HK$452.2  million  (approximately  HK$7.8  =  US$1).  At  year-end,  the
company had shareholders’ equity of HK$493.2 million and there were 63 employees.

Pacific Insurance, based in Malaysia, writes all classes of general insurance and medical insurance in Malaysia. In
2015,  Pacific  Insurance’s  net  premiums  written  were  MYR  172.4  million  (approximately  MYR  3.9  =  US$1).  At
year-end, the company had shareholders’ equity of MYR 404.6 million and there were 366 employees.

Fairfax Indonesia, based in Indonesia, writes all classes of general insurance, specializing in automobile coverage
in Indonesia. In 2015, Fairfax Indonesia’s net premiums written were IDR 62.3 billion (approximately IDR 13,376.1 =
US$1). At year-end, the company had shareholders’ equity of IDR 329.3 billion and there were 135 employees.

Union Assurance, based in Sri Lanka, writes general insurance, specializing in automobile and personal accident
lines  of  business.  In  2015,  Union  Assurance’s  net  premiums  written  were  LKR  4,632.6  million  (approximately
LKR  135.9  =  US$1).  At  year-end  the  company  had  shareholders’  equity  of  LKR  4,572.9  million  and  there  were
671 employees.

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Fairfax Brasil, based in S˜ao Paulo, writes general insurance in Brazil. In 2015, Fairfax Brasil’s net premiums written
were  BRL  158.3  million  (approximately  BRL  3.3  =  US$1).  At  year-end,  the  company  had  shareholders’  equity  of
BRL 106.3 million and there were 84 employees.

2

Advent, based in London, England, is a reinsurance and insurance company, operating through Syndicate 780 at
Lloyd’s, focused on specialty property reinsurance and insurance risks. In 2015, Advent’s net premiums written were
US$174.8  million.  At  year-end,  the  company  had  shareholders’  equity  of  US$154.0  million  and  there  were
107 employees.

Polish Re, based in Warsaw, writes reinsurance in the Central and Eastern European regions. In 2015, Polish Re’s net
premiums  written  were  PLN  377.2  million  (approximately  PLN  3.8  =  US$1).  At  year-end,  the  company  had
shareholders’ equity of PLN 314.6 million and there were 43 employees.

Group  Re  primarily  constitutes  the  participation  by  CRC  Re  and  Wentworth  (both  based  in  Barbados)  in  the
reinsurance  of  Fairfax’s  subsidiaries  by  quota  share  or  through  participation  in  those  subsidiaries’  third  party
reinsurance programs on the same terms and pricing as the third party reinsurers. Group Re also writes third party
business. In 2015, Group Re’s net premiums written were US$166.7 million. At year-end, the Group Re companies
had combined shareholders’ equity of US$465.3 million.

Colonnade, based in Luxembourg, was licensed in July 2015. It writes general insurance through its Ukrainian
insurance company acquired in the fourth quarter of 2015, and commencing in 2016, through its branches in the
Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia.

Runoff

The runoff business comprises the U.S. and the European runoff groups. At year-end, the runoff group had combined
shareholders’ equity of US$1,994.1 million.

The Resolution Group (TRG) and the RiverStone Group (run by TRG management) manage runoff under the
RiverStone name. At year-end, TRG/RiverStone had 265 employees in the U.S., located primarily in Manchester,
New Hampshire, and 132 employees in its offices in the United Kingdom.

Other

Pethealth, based in Toronto with 411 employees, provides pet medical insurance and pet-related management
software  and  database  management  services  in  North  America  and  the  United  Kingdom.  In  2015,  Pethealth
produced gross premiums written of Cdn$89.5 million.

Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel, founded in 1984 and based in Toronto, provides investment management
to the insurance, reinsurance and runoff subsidiaries of Fairfax.

Notes:

(1) All of the above companies are wholly owned (except for 70%-owned Brit, 98%-owned First Capital, 80%-owned Fairfax

Indonesia and 78%-owned Union Assurance).

(2) The foregoing lists all of Fairfax’s operating subsidiaries (many of which operate through their own operating structure,
primarily involving wholly-owned operating subsidiaries). The Fairfax corporate structure also includes a 25.6% interest
in ICICI Lombard (an Indian property and casualty insurance company), a 41.4% interest in Gulf Insurance (a Kuwait
company with property and casualty insurance operations in the MENA region), a 32.1% interest in Thai Re, a 15.0%
interest in Alltrust Insurance (a Chinese property and casualty insurance company), a 35.0% interest in BIC Insurance
(a Vietnamese property and casualty insurance company), a 27.8% interest in Singapore Re, and a 40.5% interest in
Falcon Insurance (Thailand) (a Thai property and casualty insurance company), as well as investments in a number of
non-insurance-related companies. The other companies in the Fairfax corporate structure, which include a number of
intermediate holding companies, have no insurance, reinsurance, runoff or other operations.

3

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

To Our Shareholders:

We had another excellent year in 2015 even though it was not obvious in the numbers, as book value per share
increased by only 4.5% (including the $10(1) per share dividend paid in 2015) to $403 per share because of our very
cautious view of financial markets. All of our concerns about the financial markets may be coming to a head in early
2016, as I write this report to you. More on that later.

Our underwriting results in 2015 were the best in our 30-year history, with record underwriting profit of $705 million
and a record low combined ratio of 89.9%. We earned $568 million after tax ($23.15 per share) in 2015, thereby
increasing common shareholders’ equity from $8.4 billion at December 31, 2014 to $9.0 billion. Here’s how our
insurance companies performed in 2015:

Northbridge
Crum & Forster
Zenith
Brit
OdysseyRe
Fairfax Asia
Other Insurance and Reinsurance

Consolidated

Combined Underwriting
Profit
72
35
134
46
337
35
46

Ratio
91.8%
97.7%
82.5%
94.9%
84.7%
87.9%
89.6%

89.9%

705

As you can see from the table, all our major insurance companies again had combined ratios less than 100% with
Zenith  at  82.5%,  OdysseyRe  at  84.7%,  Fairfax  Asia  at  87.9%,  Northbridge  at  91.8%,  Brit  (which  we  acquired  on
June 5, 2015) at 94.9% and Crum & Forster at 97.7%. Under Andy Barnard’s oversight, our decentralized insurance
operations led by Kari Van Gundy at Zenith, Brian Young at OdysseyRe, Mr. Athappan at Fairfax Asia, Silvy Wright at
Northbridge, Mark Cloutier at Brit and Marc Adee at Crum & Forster had an outstanding year. Our other insurance
and reinsurance operations also did well. We now have an extremely disciplined underwriting-focused insurance
organization operating all over the world with a very entrepreneurial (i.e., decentralized) structure. I am very excited
about the future of our insurance and reinsurance operations!

2015 marked the completion of the first 30 years for Fairfax. And it has been quite a ride! As you know, we began with
one small insurance company in Canada with about $10 million in premiums, less than $10 million in capital and a
book value per share of $11⁄2. Here’s our record:

Insurance premiums (net)
Investment portfolios
Common shareholders’ equity
Shares outstanding

Per share
Insurance premiums
Investment portfolios
Book value
Stock price (Cdn$)

1985

2015

10 million
24 million
8 million
5 million

7.5 billion
29 billion
9 billion
22 million

752x
1,214x
1,178x
4.4x

$ 2.00
4.80
1.52
31⁄4

$ 339
1,306
403
657

169x
272x
265x
202x

Our book value per share has compounded at 20.4% (21.2% including dividends) per year and our stock price at
19.4% per year. The compound rate of growth in our stock price over 30 years is the best in the property and casualty
industry  (there  are  only  12  public  companies  with  a  30-year  track  record),  second  best  among  all  companies  in
Canada and in the top ten companies in the S&P500.

This was accomplished with much hard work and a small but wonderful group of officers, Presidents and investment
principals, supported by a great group of Directors and lots of good fortune – and with no vision statement! As I have
said in the past, we just waited for the telephone to ring – and ring it has!

(1) Amounts in this letter are in U.S. dollars unless specified otherwise. Numbers in the tables in this letter are in U.S. dollars and $ millions

except as otherwise indicated.

4

When you consider all the challenges we faced over this time period, you can understand why we are so grateful for
this  performance  and  deeply  humbled.  We  particularly  want  to  thank  our  extraordinary  group  of  long  term
shareholders who have supported us and encouraged us over all these years.

While we are very thankful for our results, we are even more grateful for the fair and friendly culture that we have
embedded in Fairfax. The foundation for our culture and the people who are attracted to it is our Guiding Principles,
shown (as they are each year) in the Appendix. Very simply, we think of business as a good thing. By providing
outstanding service to customers, looking after and nurturing employees, providing a return for shareholders and
then reinvesting a portion of the profits in the communities we serve, we think business can be a calling. The key, we
think,  is  to  be  focused  on  the  long  term  and  never  compromise  honesty  and  integrity  in  any  relationship.  Our
Guiding Principles have served us well over the past 30 years and are the rock on which our company is built. They
will never change!

Below we show you, for successive five-year periods over the past 30 years, the compound growth in our book value
per share (including dividends paid) together with the average combined ratio and total return on investments:

1986 – 1990
1991 – 1995
1996 – 2000
2001 – 2005
2006 – 2010
2011 – 2015

Growth in
Book Value
per Share
57.7%
21.2%
30.7%
(0.7)%
24.0%
3.7%

Average Average Total
Return on
Investments
10.4%
9.7%
8.8%
8.6%
11.0%
3.0%

Combined
Ratio
106.7%
104.2%
114.4%
105.4%
99.9%
96.9%

As the table shows, there have been two five-year periods when our annual book value growth was below 5%: 2001 –
2005, which was part of our seven lean years, and recently, 2011 – 2015, due to the defensive measures we adopted
because  of  our  concern  about  financial  markets.  You  can  see  that  our  average  combined  ratios  for  the  last  two
five-year periods have been excellent (i.e., float at no cost) but the average total return on our investment portfolio in
the last five years has been the lowest in 30 years. This has been by design as we worried about the speculation in
financial markets and the potential for a 50-100 year financial storm. And we wanted to be sure to survive that! We
expect to make up (in a hurry!) for the low average total return on our investment portfolio over the past five years
and,  combined  with  disciplined  underwriting  results,  return  to  average  annual  growth  in  book  value  per  share
of 15%.

In spite of poor book value growth over the past five years, the intrinsic value of our company has increased very
significantly even though it is not shown in the book value numbers. First of all, our underwriting operations have
become very valuable since Andy Barnard’s appointment as President and COO of our insurance operations about
five years ago. We now have over 140 profit centres in our companies; have established from across our companies
the Executive Leadership Council, working groups of many specific functions (such as claims, underwriting and loss
prevention)  and  the  Fairfax  Leadership  Workshop  (about  100  have  participated);  and  while  maintaining  a  very
decentralized structure, have significantly increased the discipline, coordination and communication in and among
our  various  underwriting  operations.  Our  insurance  underwriting  operations  have  become  strong  generators  of
underwriting profits while providing outstanding service to our customers. It all culminated in record underwriting
profit of $705 million in 2015. During the last five years, we have added to our underwriting operations with the
acquisition of First Mercury and Brit Insurance, expanded into pet insurance through Hartville and Pethealth, and
expanded internationally into Eastern Europe, Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. RiverStone, our
runoff company which we acquired long ago to look after our own runoffs, has established itself as one of the premier
runoff companies in the world and has made many highly profitable runoff acquisitions. A few years ago, at our
annual shareholders’ meeting, Andy Barnard said that his goal was for our insurance operations to be as well known
as our investment operations. Well, early in 2016, he achieved that objective as Fairfax and I were named Insurance
Leader of the Year by St. John’s University, which I accepted on behalf of all our insurance leaders, past and present.

In the last five years, we have established Fairbridge Capital, our India investment management office, acquired
Thomas Cook India (and in it Quess and Sterling) and created Fairfax India which raised $1 billion in its initial public
offering. We have a strong, successful and growing Indian operation, built on the Fairfax guiding principles, with
unlimited potential in India. Also during this five-year time period, we began investing in the restaurant business,
and today with our investments in Cara, the Keg and McEwan we are the third largest restaurant group in Canada,

5

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

behind only Tim Hortons and McDonalds, with over 1,100 restaurants, Cdn$2.4 billion in system sales and over
40,000 people employed.

As well during the last five years, all of our major insurance operations, with the exception of Fairfax Asia (we hope
Mr. Athappan never retires!), have seamlessly transitioned, upon their CEO’s retirement, to new CEOs chosen from
within the organization. We hope that we can promote from within the group for every successor CEO of our major
companies. Also, for the first time in our history, we have named a President for Fairfax. Paul Rivett is a joy to work
with, he is totally team oriented and no one works harder! Peter Clarke, our Chief Risk Officer, and David Bonham,
our Chief Financial Officer, have also blossomed as officers in the last five years. Fairfax’s culture is in strong hands!

So you can see why I feel our intrinsic value has increased significantly over the past five years, and why I think that
you will see it in spades over the next five years as it gets reflected in book value growth.

During 2015, we continued to expand our insurance operations worldwide. At Fairfax Asia, under Mr. Athappan, we
acquired  a  35%  strategic  investment  in  BIC  Insurance,  the  insurance  subsidiary  of  the  second  largest  bank  in
Vietnam, BIDV Bank. We expect to increase our interest over time. We were warmly welcomed by the Chairman of
BIDV Bank, Mr. Tran Bac Ha, and by Mr. Tung, who runs BIC Insurance. We expect this to be a longlasting partnership
in Vietnam. BIC writes $70 million in premiums and has had a combined ratio of 99.0% over the last three years.

In  2015,  we  were  able  to  purchase  the  QBE  insurance  operations  in  Ukraine.  This  will  be  an  addition  to  Peter
Csakvari’s Fairfax Eastern Europe operations. The Ukrainian operations write $5 million in premiums and had a
combined ratio of 94.5% over the last ten years. We created an insurance company, Colonnade, in Luxembourg,
under  Peter  Csakvari,  to  write  all  our  Eastern  European  insurance  business,  which  had  gross  premiums  of
$36.5 million in 2015. Colonnade also has an EU insurance licence. Bijan Khosrowshahi works directly with Peter
Csakvari and also does an outstanding job overseeing our Middle East partnership.

Late in 2015 we agreed to acquire 80% of Eurolife, a life and property and casualty insurance company which is the
third largest insurer in Greece and which distributes its products through Eurobank’s network, for $347 million – at
about its underlying book value. We got to know Alex Sarrigeorgiou in the last few years and were very impressed
with  him,  his  management  team  and  their  track  record.  The  company  writes  A306  million  in  premiums –
A248 million in life insurance and A58 million in property and casualty. Over the past ten years, the property and
casualty operations have had a combined ratio of 60.0% while the life insurance operations produce stable earnings
with plain vanilla products. Eurolife had net income in 2015 of A48.4 million, 45% from life and 55% from P&C. We
welcome Alex Sarrigeorgiou and the over 300 employees of Eurolife to the Fairfax family. As we did with Brit, where
OMERS purchased 30% from us to help us finance the acquisition, we expect OMERS to buy 40% of Eurolife’s shares
at close to help us finance the acquisition. In the case of both Brit and Eurolife, we expect to be able to acquire the
interests back within the five years after closing, after providing OMERS with an acceptable return. The team at
OMERS has been a pleasure to deal with.

It has been 16 years since we began our partnership with ICICI Bank in India with the formation of ICICI Lombard.
Recently, the Indian government permitted foreigners to increase their ownership interests in insurance companies
to 49%. ICICI Lombard, as you know, is the largest non-government insurance company in India (there are four
government-owned companies that are slightly larger). We have had a wonderful partnership with the Bank, first
with K.V. Kamath and more recently with Chanda Kochhar, who runs the Bank. Chanda decided to sell 9% so that we
could take our ownership interest to 35% and ICICI Bank will come down to 64%. That’s the good news! The bad news is
that the 9% cost us $234 million or five times book value. While many of you may think I am losing it, we think, over time, ICICI
Lombard  will  be  worth  every  dollar  we  have  invested  in  it – and  more!  It  is  an  outstanding  company.  Our  total
investment in ICICI Lombard stands at $347 million.

Early in 2015, we purchased a 7.2% stake in Africa Re. Africa Re writes about $700 million of business across Africa
and has a ten-year average combined ratio of 92.8%. Africa Re is owned by a combination of African states, African
insurance and reinsurance operations and foreign investors (who are restricted to a 25% total foreign ownership).
Fairfax is represented on the Board of Africa Re by Jean Cloutier. Africa Re provides us with a great introduction to a
continent in which we currently do little business.

In  April,  Crum  &  Forster  purchased  The  Redwoods  Group,  a  full  service  national  program  administrator  and
managing general underwriter. It manages nearly $50 million of property and casualty packaged insurance business
focussed on YMCAs, Jewish community organizations and residential camps with an average combined ratio below
95% for the last ten years. Redwoods was founded in 1997 by Kevin Trapani and is operated by Kevin (CEO) and his
wife Jennifer (CUO). We welcome Kevin, Jennifer and their almost 70 employees to the Fairfax family.

6

In June, Hudson Insurance purchased Euclid Managers, a longstanding program partner specializing in tech and
media E&O business. Euclid produces $15 million in premiums on an annual basis. The combined ratio for the
program  over  the  past  decade  has  produced  excellent  underwriting profits.  Euclid  is  led  by  John  Whall,  Laura
Johnson and Thomas Franklin. We welcome all 11 members of the Euclid team.
In September, Fairfax invested A70 million in FBD Group through a ten-year convertible bond with a coupon of 7%
and a conversion price of A8.50 per share. We have followed FBD for some time, recognizing its deserved reputation
as a leader in farm insurance in Ireland. This investment underlines our belief in the strength of Ireland’s ongoing
economic recovery and in FBD’s core franchise in the farming and agri-business sectors. FBD writes A363 million in
premiums and has had an average combined ratio of 94.4% over the last ten years, notwithstanding a couple of
difficult years lately. Fiona Muldoon has recently taken over as CEO of FBD and we are confident she will do very well
over the long term.

In October, Crum & Forster acquired Travel Insured International (‘‘TII’’). TII is a leading travel insurance provider
specializing  in  writing  and  servicing  travel  insurance,  including  emergency  assistance,  trip  cancellation  and  trip
interruption, in the United States and internationally. TII produces $50 million of premiums at an average combined
ratio of 89%. Crum & Forster has been the exclusive carrier for TII for the last three years. We welcome Jon Gehris,
TII’s CEO, and his 110 employees to the Fairfax family.

Also  in  October,  Crum  &  Forster  purchased  Brownyard  Programs.  Brownyard  is  a  leading  national  provider  of
insurance products for the private security industry, with programs that include security guard, private investigation,
burglar/fire  alarm,  background  screening  and  armoured  car  companies.  Brownyard  produces  $15  million  of
premiums at an average combined ratio of 90%. We welcome Bruce Brownyard, Brownyard’s founder and President,
and his 11 employees to Fairfax.

In  December,  Brit  made  an  investment  in  Ambridge  Partners,  one  of  the  world’s  leading  managing  general
underwriters of transactional insurance products. These products insure losses as a result of breaches or inaccuracies
in warranties and indemnities relating to M&A, restructuring activities, business financing and tax issues. Ambridge,
which has been a partner of Brit for the last nine years, produces $128 million of premiums and is highly profitable.
We welcome Jesseman Pryor (CEO), Jeffery Cowhey (President) and their team of 29 employees to Fairfax.

Fairfax India has just completed its first year in business. Under Chandran Ratnaswami’s leadership, and with John
Varnell as Chief Financial Officer and Harsha Raghavan and his management team at Fairbridge, Fairfax India has
made  three  investments.  All  of  these  investments  are  in  companies  with  great  track  records  and  run  by  honest,
exceptional CEOs with a long term focus. The table below shows the investments made:

Company
National Collateral Management
IIFL Holdings
Adi Finechem

% interest
purchased
88%
22%
45%

Amount
CEO
invested
Sanjay Kaul
149
202 Nirmal Jain

19 Nahoosh Jariwala

370

All of these investments were purchased at approximately ten times normalized free cash flow. The potential for all of
them is very significant, and we look forward to a long relationship with them. Please read Fairfax India’s annual
report for more details (www.fairfaxindia.ca).

The results of Thomas Cook India and its subsidiaries over the last four years are shown in the table below:

2012

2013(1)

2014(1)

2015(1)

Thomas Cook India
IKYA (now Quess)
Sterling Resorts

Net

Net
Revenue Earnings Revenue Earnings Revenue Earnings Revenue Earnings
0.6
11.6
(3.2)

83.1
482.4
34.7

76.9
147.5
–

8.3
9.8
0.8(2)

31.8
–
–

84.3
303.8

7.7
3.2
–

2.7
–
–

10.9(2)

Net

Net

Total

31.8

2.7

224.4

10.9

399.0

18.9

600.2

9.0

(1) Excludes purchase price adjustments and acquisition costs
(2) Consolidated since September 2014 

7

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The bad news first. An unusual confluence of events and negative surprises in 2015 resulted in the halving of the
total earnings at Thomas Cook India and its subsidiaries. Thomas Cook saw a decline of 11% in its inbound business
because of a significant drop in arrivals from France, the United Kingdom and Russia as a result of weakness in their
economies. This effect was compounded by increased expenses due to investment in technology, human resources
and new offices. Sterling Resorts, led by Ramesh Ramanathan, incurred increased expenses in human resources and
marketing, had to account for an unexpected cost of stamp duty relating to its merger with Thomas Cook, and wrote
down a significant receivable. Fortunately there were no such surprises from Quess.

Now for the good news. Under Madhavan Menon’s leadership, Thomas Cook’s outbound business and its meetings
incentives events and conferences business increased their passenger counts by 16% and 28% respectively and their
revenues by 5% and 31% respectively. Also, Thomas Cook completed the acquisition of Kuoni India, one of its major
competitors,  making  the  combined  company  the  leading  and  largest  travel  operator  in  India  with  tangible
economies of scale, an excellent strategic fit and strong synergies. Kuoni’s inbound business is a highly profitable
leisure  destination  management  service  that  consistently  delivers  strong  earnings.  In  addition,  Thomas  Cook
acquired Kuoni Hong Kong which, as the largest premium outbound travel operator in Hong Kong, will give Thomas
Cook access to the growing Chinese travel market and enable it to grow the cruise business in India.

Ajit Isaac and Quess again had an excellent year, with revenue growing 59% and net earnings growing 18%. The
number of associates on the payroll grew 30% to 108,000. In addition to acquiring Brainhunter (Canada) and our
own MFX IT Services, Quess completed two other smaller acquisitions in 2015, in Sri Lanka and Dubai. In December,
its Board of Directors approved an IPO for Quess to raise $60 million by way of an initial public offering. This exciting
process is underway and listing is targeted for May 2016.

Chairman MK Sharma retired from the Thomas Cook Board after approximately seven years. We thank him very
much for his exceptional service. Madhavan will become Chairman and Managing Director and Mahesh Iyer, who
has been with the company for eight years, will take over as COO.

In November 2015, Fairfax agreed to acquire, for $46 million, a 49% interest in Quantum Advisors, which Ajit Dayal
founded 25 years ago. A pioneer in India’s investment management industry, it manages non-Indian institutional
funds and, through its India-based Quantum Mutual Fund, retail funds. We are excited to be a passive investor in
Ajit’s business and expect it to do very well for its clients and investors over the long term.

Bill Gregson and Ken Grondin and their team continue to do a superb job at Cara. This year they took Cara public on
the Toronto Stock Exchange (three years earlier than we originally expected when we first invested in Cara). The
initial public offering was a tremendous success in Canada and was twenty times oversubscribed! As a result of this
IPO, Cara is now virtually debt free. Our partners in Cara, the Phelan family, led by Sean Regan who sits on Cara’s
Board, were able to sell some of their Cara stock in a subsequent secondary offering in order to diversify some of the
family’s investment holdings. Cara’s revenue has continued to grow both organically and through acquisitions and
its earnings have followed suit, increasing from Cdn$9.9 million in 2014 to Cdn$67.2 million in 2015. Bill and his
team continue to be on the watch for accretive acquisition opportunities in Canada, so if you are a restaurant owner
or  entrepreneur  in  Canada  looking  to  bring  your  business  to  a  decentralized  partner  willing  to  share  in  group
synergies, please let Bill know! We own approximately 20 million Cara shares representing a 41% equity and 57%
voting interest.

Business at the Keg with our partner, David Aisenstat, and his team, Neil Maclean, Doug Smith and Jamie Henderson,
continues to be excellent. The Keg had its best year ever in 2015 from organic revenue growth, leading to total system
sales of nearly Cdn$600 million. Food costs, particularly beef, have continued to climb in Canada but despite these
increased costs, the Keg continues to bring in record numbers of guests with its consistently great food and stellar
customer service.

In  2015  we  also  added  some  bench  strength  to  our  restaurant  investments  by  partnering  with  Mark  McEwan,  a
leading  chef  in  North  America.  Mark  was  introduced  to  us  by  our  partner,  Nick  Perpick,  previously  at  Prime
Restaurants and Cara. Mark has created and grown his company, The McEwan Group, and the McEwan brand with
an entrepreneurial, customer service focus we look for in each of our business partners. The investment is relatively
small, but we are excited to be partnered with Mark, who has committed to providing us with expertise that will be
beneficial to all of our restaurant investments in the future.

Our partners at Sporting Life, David and Patti Russell and Brian McGrath, continued to grow their business in 2015.
Revenue continued to increase but margins were somewhat compressed by the mild winter. When there is no snow it
is tough to sell winter jackets! Last year was a tremendous winter by comparison. Seasonality will always be part of

8

the  business  over  the  long  term  as  the  Sporting  Life  brand  continues  to  grow  in  value,  driven  by  the  team’s
unrelenting customer service focus.

The tableware and kitchenware business continues to be challenged by the lower Canadian dollar. Mark Halpern and
his team at Kitchen Stuff Plus have worked tremendously hard in this tough environment to grow the business and
maintain profitability. William Ashley also faced these competitive headwinds but the move to a new warehouse
location, and the resulting move of the iconic holiday warehouse sale, has been a resounding success. We continue to
applaud Jackie Chiesa and Carole Sovran and the entire team at William Ashley for their tremendous effort.

This year we partnered with David Fortier, Ivan Schneeberg and John Young in Boat Rocker Media (formerly Temple
Street  Productions).  Boat  Rocker  was  founded  in  Toronto  approximately  ten  years  ago  and  the  team  has  been
responsible for producing several hit TV shows including Being Erica, The Next Step and more recently X Company,
Kill Joys and Orphan Black, which is watched in over 150 countries. The company had over Cdn$90 million in
production volume in 2015, has been profitable since inception and has continued to grow revenue and free cash
flow as it has branched out into multiple jurisdictions with diversified content.

We had acquired 73.6% of Ridley, mostly in November 2008 at the bottom of the great recession, at Cdn$8.44 per
share and over the years received Cdn$5.50 per share in dividends. Since that time, Steve Van Roekel, Ridley’s CEO,
and his management team, without interference from us but under the oversight of Brad Martin as Chairman, did an
outstanding job building Ridley and hugely increasing its profits and cash flow. In 2015, Pearce Lyons, the founder of
Alltech, made an offer for all of the shares of Ridley at Cdn$40.75 per share. Under Alltech’s ownership, Steve and his
team will continue to run the company. This was a win-win transaction for Ridley, Alltech and Fairfax. Our total
realized gain was Cdn$304.1 million, representing a compound annual return of 31% including dividends. We wish
Steve Van Roekel, Ridley and Alltech the very best in the future and thank Steve and his team for their outstanding
performance.

A summary of our 2015 realized and unrealized gains (losses) is shown in the table below:

Equity and equity-related investments
Equity hedges

Net equity and equity-related
Bonds
CPI-linked derivatives
Other (principally foreign currency)

Total

Realized

Gains Gains (Losses)
(1,243.8)
818.8
375.1
126.7

Unrealized Net Gains
(Losses)
(425.0)
501.8

945.5
26.8
–
204.1

(868.7)
(495.5)
35.7
(107.1)

76.8
(468.7)
35.7
97.0

1,176.4

(1,435.6)

(259.2)

The table shows the realized gains for the year and, separately, the unrealized fluctuations in common stock, bond
and  CPI-linked  derivative  prices.  With  IFRS  accounting,  these  fluctuations,  although  unrealized,  flow  into  the
income statement and balance sheet, necessarily producing lumpy results (the real results can only be seen over the
long term). This table is updated for you in every quarterly report and we discuss it every year in our Annual Report.

In 2015, we realized $1,176.4 million in gains, predominantly from common stocks. On our equity and equity-
related investments, after unrealized losses of $868.7 million (net of $375.1 million of unrealized gains from our
hedges), mainly from our stock portfolio, we had net gains of $76.8 million. With interest rates going up a little in
2015, we had a $495.5 million unrealized loss on our bond portfolio. Over the past five years, we have had total
cumulative  realized  gains  of  $4.1  billion  but  show  net  gains  of  only  $1.2  billion  because  of  unrealized  losses  of
$2.9 billion, including unrealized losses from our hedges. Some of these unrealized losses from our hedges have
reversed during 2015 and in 2016 as I write this report to you.

Our cumulative net realized and unrealized gains since we began in 1985 have amounted to $11.4 billion. As we have
mentioned many times, these gains, while unpredictable, are a major source of strength to Fairfax as they add to our
capital base and help finance our expansion. Also, as I have emphasized every year, the unpredictable timing of these

9

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

gains and mark to market accounting make our quarterly (and even annual) earnings and book value very volatile, as
we saw again in 2015:

December 31, 2014
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter

Earnings Book Value
per Share
per Share
$395
394
388
400
403

$ 9.71
(8.87)
18.16
4.10

After two years at BlackBerry, John Chen has stabilized the operations, generating cash every quarter in his second
year. This has allowed him to make acquisitions of $864 million, including Good Technology for $425 million, and
still have cash of $2.7 billion in the holding company. After flawlessly introducing the Passport and the BlackBerry
Classic, John introduced the Priv, which operates on the Android system and thus provides users with access to over
1 million apps. John has many projects on the go, including the BlackBerry Enterprise business, the Internet of
Things and QNX, as he builds revenue and profits at BlackBerry. Although the stock price has yet to reflect the
progress at BlackBerry, we continue to be excited about John’s leadership.
Richie Boucher at the Bank of Ireland had another outstanding year in 2015 as the Bank earned A1.2 billion of profit
before tax, a 30% increase over 2014, with all trading divisions being profitable. Bank of Ireland continued to be the
largest lender to the Irish economy, with group new lending up 40% over 2014. In 2015, the Irish economy grew 9%,
while house prices and commercial real estate prices increased 8.9% and 18.2% respectively. Bank of Ireland issued
five-year bonds at 1.25% – unbelievable when you think it could not issue bonds at 14+% in 2011! Recently, Bank of
Ireland repaid the A1.3 billion in preferreds initially issued to the Irish government. Richie and his management team
have done an incredible job, paying back the Irish government for the A6 billion in support during the financial crisis
in 2011, helping the Irish economy grow by providing over A10 billion over the past two years in new loans and
providing its shareholders, particularly the shareholders who refinanced the bank in 2011, exceptional returns. It has
been an incredible story and we thank Richie and his team again. These outstanding results created excellent results
for us as we realized some profits in 2015.

2015 was very turbulent for Greece as it went through a referendum, had capital controls imposed on its banking
system, had another election which resulted in a majority government for the Syriza party and was trying to cope
with  an  unprecedented  migration  of  refugees  from  Syria.  Prime  Minister  Tsipras  appointed  Euclid  Tsakalotos  as
Finance Minister. Recently, we took ten institutional investors to Greece for an update from the Prime Minister and
the Finance Minister. While there are no guarantees in life, it seems to us that the Greek government and the citizens
of  Greece  have  clearly  rejected  leaving  the  euro  (going  back  to  the  drachma)  and  are  implementing  the  reform
program required by the Troika. In spite of the massive uncertainties in Greece in 2015, the economy was flat and
unemployment came down from 27.9% in 2013 to 24.6%. Housing construction is down over 90% from the high
while automobile sales are down 75% from the top. Greece’s economy has hit bottom and given some stability in the
political environment, should recover strongly, not unlike Ireland in the last few years.

With this as a backdrop, we experienced one of our largest unrealized losses ever in our holdings of Eurobank. As
discussed in last year’s Annual Report, in 2014, as part of a large group of institutional investors investing A2.9 billion
so as to allow Eurobank to successfully pass the ECB stress test, we invested A400 million at 31 euro cents per share in
Eurobank. With the uncertainties of 2015 discussed above and the bank capital controls, the ECB imposed another
very severe stress test on the Greek banks that resulted in an additional capital raise of A2.039 billion at 1 euro cent
per share – yes, you read that right – 1 euro cent!! At that price, after the issue, Eurobank was selling at 39% of book
value and 3.1 times normalized earnings. We invested A350 million for an average total cost per share of 2.2 euro
cents versus a book value of 2.5 euro cents per share and a normalized price/earnings ratio of 6.9 times.
After a consolidation of 100 to 1, Eurobank began trading at A1 per share. Early in 2016, Eurobank, in sympathy with
other  European  banks,  declined  to  30  euro  cents  per  share;  it  is  now  trading  at  about  77 euro  cents  per  share.
Unbelievable! And they say markets are efficient! We continue to be confident in the management team of Eurobank
with Fokion Karavias as CEO and Nikos Karamouzis as Chairman.

Our other Greek investments – Grivalia, led by George Chryssikos, Praktiker Greece, led by Ioannis Selalmazidis and
Mytilineous, led by Evangelos Mytilineos – continue to do well in a very difficult economic environment. We are

10

very fortunate to have Wade Burton, a member of our Investment Committee, leading the charge on our Greek
investments. Brad Martin, also on the Board of Eurobank, has backed him well. Our time will come in Greece!

Arbor Memorial was taken private in November 2012 by the Scanlan family in a transaction which we helped finance
by  investing  Cdn$55.5  million  in  preferred  shares  and  Cdn$49.6  million  in  common  equity.  Last  year,  Arbor
redeemed the preferred shares, and the common shares are currently valued at about 2.1 times our cost, for a total
annual  return  of  20%  since  going  private.  Brian  Snowden,  the  CEO  of  Arbor  Memorial,  continues  to  do  an
excellent job.

We have invested $645 million in real estate investments with Kennedy Wilson over the last six years. Through sales
of real estate and mortgage loans, as well as refinancings, we have received distributions of $625 million. Our total
net  cash  investment  in  real  estate  investments  with  Kennedy  Wilson  is  therefore  now  $20  million,  and  that
investment is probably worth about $237 million. In 2015 Kennedy Wilson sold its Japanese real estate for a gain of
$78 million, a return of 45% on our original investment, and returned $125 million of the proceeds to Fairfax. Also,
we continue to own 10.4% of Kennedy Wilson (12.2 million shares): our cost was $11.37 per share, and the shares are
currently trading at about $20. A big thank you to Bill McMorrow and his team at Kennedy Wilson.

Below we update the table on our intrinsic value and stock price. As discussed in previous Annual Reports, we use
book value as a first measure of intrinsic value.

1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
1985-2015 (compound annual growth)

INTRINSIC VALUE
% Change in
US$ Book Value per Share
+180
+48
+31
+27
+41
+24
+1
+42
+18
+25
+63
+36
+30
+38
-5
-21
+7
+31
-1
-16
+9
+53
+21
+33
+2
-3
+4
+10
+16
+2
+20.4

STOCK PRICE
% Change in
Cdn$ Price per Share
+292
(cid:1)3
+21
+25
(cid:1)41
+93
+18
+145
+9
+46
+196
+10
+69
-55
-7
-28
-26
+87
-11
-17
+38
+24
+36
+5
–
+7
-18
+18
+44
+8
+19.4

As our book value is reported in U.S. dollars and our stock trades in Canadian dollars, the weak Canadian dollar in the
last three years has resulted in our stock price going up faster than our book value. When we began, our stock price
was Cdn$3.25 and our book value was US$1.52, with 1 Canadian dollar equal to U.S. 75 cents. At that exchange rate,
the compound annual growth in our book value and our stock price would have been the same at the end of 2015 if
our stock price had been about Cdn$850 per share.

11

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Insurance and Reinsurance Operations

The table below shows the recent combined ratios and the 2015 change in net premiums written of our insurance
and reinsurance operations:

Northbridge
Crum & Forster
Zenith
Brit
OdysseyRe
Fairfax Asia
Other Insurance and Reinsurance

Consolidated

(1) For the period since its acquisition on June 5, 2015

(2) An increase of 6.1% in Canadian dollars 

Combined Ratio

2015

2014
2013
91.8% 95.5%
98.2%
97.7% 99.8% 101.9%
97.1%
82.5% 87.5%
94.9%(1)
–
–
84.0%
84.7% 84.7%
87.5%
87.9% 86.7%
96.6%
89.6% 94.7%

Change in Net
Premiums
Written

2015
(8.3)%(2)
23.3%
8.9%
–
(12.5)%
(1.5)%
18.3%

89.9% 90.8%

92.7%

16.6%

Led by Silvy Wright, Northbridge improved its combined ratio by 3.7% to 91.8% and generated an underwriting
profit of $71.4 million. Northbridge continues to benefit from its conservative reserving philosophy. Northbridge’s
net premiums written (in Canadian dollars) were up 6.1% in the year, benefitting from its strong brand recognition
in  Canada  and  excellent  customer  service.  Like  all  of  our  insurance  and  reinsurance  companies,  Northbridge  is
focused on sustained underwriting profitability with continued strong reserving.

Crum & Forster improved its combined ratio again in 2015 while continuing to grow its business profitably. Its
combined ratio decreased 2.1% to 97.7% while net premiums written were up 23.3%. Marc Adee and his team have
continued  to  build  a  premier  specialty  insurance  business  through  organic  growth  and  a  number  of  successful
bolt-on acquisitions.

Zenith, under the guidance of Kari Van Gundy, produced another year of underwriting profit, with a combined ratio
of 82.5%, benefitting from improved accident year results and favourable prior year development. In 2015, Zenith
produced an underwriting profit of $134.4 million. With rate increases remaining flat year over year, Zenith achieved
an  increase  in  net  premiums  written  of  8.9%  on  a  profitable  basis.  Zenith  remains  one  of  the  premier  workers
compensation writers in the United States.

Brit has not disappointed, posting excellent results since the acquisition closed in June. Brit’s combined ratio was
94.9%  with  conservative  reserving.  Mark  Cloutier  and  Matthew  Wilson  and  their  team  continue  to  make  Brit  a
leading insurer at Lloyd’s. Brit is a great fit for Fairfax and we are excited that it is part of the Fairfax family.

Brian  Young  and  his  team  at  OdysseyRe  had  another  outstanding  year  with  a  combined  ratio  of  84.7%  and
underwriting profit of $336.9 million. OdysseyRe continues to maintain its disciplined underwriting in a difficult
reinsurance  market  and  continues  to  leverage  its  strong  brand  based  on  its  capabilities  to  write  insurance  and
reinsurance business globally. Once again, favourable loss development from prior years and minimal catastrophe
activity contributed to the excellent result.

Fairfax Asia, under the leadership of Mr. Athappan, continued to produce outstanding results, with a combined ratio
of  87.9%  and  an  underwriting  profit  of  $34.8 million.  Fairfax  Asia  features  excellent  leadership  at  all  of  its
companies: Mr. Athappan at First Capital in Singapore, Cody Hui at Falcon Insurance in Hong Kong, Gobi Athappan
at Pacific Insurance in Malaysia, Sanjeev Jha at Union Assurance in Sri Lanka and Arun Nanwami at Fairfax Insurance
Indonesia.  Gobi  Athappan,  Sam Chan  and  Paul  Mulvin  have  been  instrumental  in  our  growth  throughout  the
region, working of course with Mr. Athappan.

12

Our other insurance and reinsurance segment had an excellent year, with $443 million in premiums, a combined
ratio of 89.6% and an underwriting profit of $46.2 million. This segment also features excellent leadership at all of its
companies: Nigel Fitzgerald at Advent, Monika Wozniak-Makarska at Polish Re, Bruno Camargo at Fairfax Brasil,
Peter Csakvari at Fairfax Eastern Europe (now called Colonnade Insurance) and Sean Smith at Pethealth.

We also have a minority ownership position in a number of insurance and reinsurance companies that are therefore
not consolidated in our results. We are very excited about the prospects for each of these companies and expect to
increase  our  ownership  over  time  (as we  are  doing  at  ICICI  Lombard).  We  are  very  thankful  for  the  wonderful
leadership  at  these  companies:  Bhargav  Dasgupta  at  ICICI  Lombard  in  India,  Khaled  Saoud  Al-Hasan  at  Gulf
Insurance in the Middle East, Sopa Kanjanarintr at Falcon Thailand and Phan Quang Tung at BIC in Vietnam. I would
also like to welcome Danny Fung, who became CEO of Alltrust Insurance in China during 2015.

You will be interested to know that in the last five years, the gross premiums produced by Fairfax’s international
operations (i.e., our companies outside North America) have gone from 23% to 40% of our total gross premiums. We
write  (re)insurance  in  over  80  countries  worldwide.  The  table  shows  you  our  international  operations  as  at
December 31, 2015:

Fairfax Share

Gross
Shareholders’ Premiums
Equity Written

Investment

Portfolio Ownership

Gross
Fairfax Shareholders’ Premiums
Equity Written

Consolidated
Brit(1)
First Capital (Singapore)
Advent
Fairfax Brasil
Polish Re(2)
Pacific Insurance (Malaysia)
Falcon Insurance (Hong Kong)
Union Assurance (Sri Lanka)
Fairfax Indonesia

Non-consolidated
ICICI Lombard (India)(3)
Alltrust Insurance (China)(3)
Gulf Insurance (Middle East)(3)
BIC Insurance (Vietnam)
Falcon Insurance (Thailand)

Total International

Operations

(1) Full year 2015 premium

(2)

Including Fairfax Eastern Europe

1,670
431
154
27
80
94
64
32
24

2,576

439
427
285
40
14

1,205

1,999
399
241
123
114
108
69
43
34

3,130

1,170
1,063
608
70
48

2,959

3,955
677
514
74
195
145
143
44
24

5,771

1,707
1,033
763
78
38

3,619

70%
98%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
78%
80%

26%
15%
41%
35%
41%

1,165
421
154
27
80
94
64
25
19

2,049

112
64
118
14
6

314

1,400
390
241
123
114
108
69
34
28

2,507

299
159
252
25
20

755

3,781

6,089

9,390

2,363

3,262

(3) As at and for the 12 months ended September 30, 2015

There is much opportunity for growth in these countries as insurance is very underpenetrated in all of them. For
example, in the United States, non-life premiums as a percentage of GDP is 4.3%, while in countries where we write
business, it is less than 2%, and in some cases less than 1%. We are excited about this growth opportunity.

13

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

All of our companies are well capitalized, as shown in the table below:

As at and for the Year Ended
December 31, 2015

Northbridge
Crum & Forster
Zenith
Brit
OdysseyRe
Fairfax Asia

(1) For the full year ended December 31, 2015

(2)

IFRS total equity 

Net Premiums
Written

Surplus
Cdn 1,132.8 Cdn 1,288.7
1,252.7
621.7
1,156.5
4,107.1(2)
712.9(2)

Net Premiums
Statutory Written/Statutory
Surplus
0.9x
1.3x
1.3x
1.4x
0.5x
0.4x

1,659.4
785.4
1,629.8(1)
2,095.0
275.9

On average we are writing at about 0.8 times net premiums written to surplus. In the hard markets of 2002 – 2005 we
wrote, on average, at 1.5 times. We have huge unused capacity currently and our strategy during the times of soft
pricing is to be patient and stand ready for the hard markets to come.

The accident year combined ratios of our companies from 2006 onwards are shown in the table below:

Northbridge
Crum & Forster
OdysseyRe
Fairfax Asia

Total

2006 – 2015

Cumulative Net
Premiums Written
($ billions)
Cdn 10.8
11.2
21.4
1.7

45.1

Average
Combined Ratio

100.0%
101.7%
91.7%
86.0%

95.9%

The table comprising a full decade with a hard and soft market and extreme catastrophe losses in 2011, demonstrates
the quality of our insurance and reinsurance companies. It shows you the cumulative business each company has
written in the past ten years and each company’s average accident year combined ratio during those years. Results in
total are excellent – but there is no complacency as our Presidents, with Andy Barnard’s help, continue to focus on
developing  competitive  advantages  that  will  ensure  these  combined  ratios  are  sustainable  through  the  ups  and
downs of the insurance cycle.

The table below shows the average annual reserve redundancies for our companies for the past ten years (business
written from 2005 onwards):

Northbridge
Crum & Forster
OdysseyRe
Fairfax Asia

2005 – 2014
Average Annual
Reserve
Redundancies
11.7%
1.7%
11.4%
9.1%

The table shows you how our reserves have developed for the ten accident years prior to 2015. We are very pleased
with this reserving record, but given the inherent uncertainty in setting reserves in the property casualty business, we
continue to be focused on being conservative in our reserving process. More on our reserves in the MD&A.

14

Our runoff operations under Nick Bentley continued to be an important contributor to the group. During the year,
Nick and his team, always active in seeking runoff opportunities to add to their business, acquired four runoff books.
Cumulative pre-tax profit from runoff in the last nine years amounted to $1.1 billion.

We have updated the float table that we show you each year for our insurance and reinsurance companies:

Year
1986

2006

2015
Weighted average last ten years
Fairfax weighted average financing differential last

ten years: 4.1%

Underwriting
Profit (Loss)
3

Average
Float
22

Cost
(Benefit)
of Float
(11.6)%

Average
Long Term
Canada Treasury
Bond Yield
9.6%

213

705

8,213

(2.6)%

12,635

(5.6)%
(0.8)%

4.3%

2.2%
3.3%

Float is essentially the sum of loss reserves, including loss adjustment expense reserves, and unearned premium
reserves, less accounts receivable, reinsurance recoverables and deferred premium acquisition costs. Our long term
goal is to increase the float at no cost, by achieving combined ratios consistently at or below 100%. This, combined
with our ability to invest the float well, is why we feel we can achieve our long term objective of compounding book
value per share by 15% per annum. In the last ten years, our float has cost us nothing (in fact, it provided a 0.8%
benefit per year) – significantly less than the 3.3% that it cost the Government of Canada to borrow for ten years.

The table below shows you the breakdown of our year-end float for the past five years:

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge

Crum &
Forster

Zenith

Brit

OdysseyRe

Fairfax
Asia

Other

2.2
2.3
2.1
1.9
1.6

2.1
2.4
2.3
2.6
2.6

1.1
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2

–
–
–
–
2.7

($ billions)

4.7
4.9
4.7
4.5
4.2

0.4
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.6

1.0
1.0
1.0
0.9
0.8

Total
Insurance
and
Reinsurance

Runoff

Total

11.6
12.2
11.8
11.6
13.7

2.8
3.6
3.7
3.5
3.4

14.4
15.9
15.6
15.1
17.1

Year

2011
2012
2013
2014
2015

In the past five years our float has increased by 18.6%, due to acquisitions and organic growth in net premiums
written at Crum & Forster, Zenith and Fairfax Asia. The decrease in 2015 (excluding Brit) was due to foreign exchange
movements and reserve releases.

Of course, our float and float per share have grown tremendously since we began in 1985, as the table below shows.
This has been one of the key reasons for our success in the past and will continue to be a key reason in the future.

1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015

Total Float
13
164
653
5,877
8,757
13,110
17,072

Float per Share
$ 21⁄2
30
74
449
492
641
769

At the end of 2015, we had $769 per share in float. Together with our book value of $403 per share and $134 per share
in net debt, you have approximately $1,306 in investments per share working for your long term benefit – about
5.6% higher than at the end of 2014.

15

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The table below shows the sources of our net earnings. This table, like various others in this letter, is set out in a
format which we have consistently used and we believe assists you in understanding Fairfax.

Underwriting – Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge
Crum & Forster
Zenith
Brit
OdysseyRe
Fairfax Asia
Other

Underwriting profit
Interest and dividends – insurance and reinsurance

Operating income
Runoff (excluding net gains (losses) on investments)
Non-insurance operations
Interest expense
Corporate overhead and other

Pre-tax income before net gains (losses) on investments
Net realized gains before equity hedges

Pre-tax income including net realized gains but before unrealized gains (losses) and equity

hedges

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) before equity hedges
Equity hedging net gains (losses)

Pre-tax income
Income taxes (payable) recovered

Net earnings

2015

2014

71.4
35.4
134.4
45.4
336.9
34.8
46.2

704.5
477.0

1,181.5
(74.1)
127.8
(219.0)
(132.5)

883.7
1,049.7

42.7
2.5
89.5
–
360.4
36.2
20.7

552.0
363.4

915.4
(88.5)
77.6
(206.3)
(96.5)

601.7
777.6

1,933.4
1,379.3
(1,810.7) 1,153.1
(194.5)

501.8

624.5
17.5

2,337.9
(673.3)

642.0

1,664.6

The table shows the results from our insurance and reinsurance (underwriting and interest and dividends), runoff
and non-insurance operations (which shows the pre-tax income (loss) before interest of Ridley (sold on June 18,
2015), William Ashley, Sporting Life, Praktiker (acquired on June 5, 2014), the Keg (acquired on February 4, 2014),
Thomas Cook India, Pethealth (acquired on November 14, 2014), Fairfax India (since its initial public offering on
January 30, 2015) and Cara (consolidated on April 10, 2015)). Net realized gains before equity hedges, net change in
unrealized gains (losses) before equity hedges, and equity hedging net gains (losses) are shown separately to help you
understand  the  composition  of  our  earnings.  In  2015,  after  interest  and  dividend  income,  our  insurance  and
reinsurance companies had operating income of $1.2 billion. Excluding unrealized gains (losses) and equity hedging,
our pre-tax income was $1.9 billion. All in, after-tax income was $642 million. (See more detail in the MD&A.)

16

Financial Position

Holding company cash, short term investments and marketable securities (net of short

sale and derivative obligations)

Holding company – long term debt
Insurance and reinsurance companies – long term debt
Non-insurance companies – long term debt

Total debt

Net debt

Common shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Net debt/total equity
Net debt/net total capital
Total debt/total capital
Interest coverage
Interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage

2015

2014

1,275.9

1,212.7

2,599.0
468.5
284.0

2,656.5
385.9
136.6

3,351.5

3,179.0

2,075.6

1,966.3

8,952.5
1,334.9
1,731.5

8,361.0
1,164.7
218.1

12,018.9

9,743.8

17.3%
14.7%
21.8%
3.9x
2.9x

20.2%
16.8%
24.6%
12.3x
9.0x

At the end of 2015 we maintained our strong financial position, with the holding company continuing to hold cash
and marketable securities of well over $1 billion, and having only limited debt maturities in the next five years.
Please note the non-insurance long term debt has not been guaranteed by Fairfax. During the year, we raised our
unused bank lines to $1 billion.

On  March 2,  2016  we  sold  1 million  shares  of  Fairfax  at  Cdn$735 per  share  to  partially  fund  the  acquisition  of
Eurolife and the purchase of an additional 9% of ICICI Lombard and to maintain a very strong financial position in
these uncertain times.

You  may  have  forgotten,  but  in  1998  we  swapped  $125  million  of  our  73⁄8%  debentures  due  April  15,  2018  for
Japanese yen-denominated debt of the same maturity with a fixed rate of 3.48% per annum. Last year, we closed the
swap for a cumulative profit of $44 million, much less than what we expected at the time, due to the appreciation of
the yen.

Investments

The  table  below  shows  the  time-weighted  compound  annual  returns  (including  equity  hedging)  achieved  by
Hamblin Watsa, Fairfax’s wholly-owned investment manager, on the stocks and bonds of our companies managed by
it during the past 15 years, compared to the benchmark index in each case:

Common stocks (with equity hedging)

S&P 500
Taxable bonds

Merrill Lynch U.S. corporate (1-10 year) bond index

5 Years
(4.9)%
12.6%
7.2%
4.0%

10 Years
4.2%
7.3%
9.8%
5.0%

15 Years
9.8%
5.0%
10.2%
5.5%

Hedging our common equity exposures has been very costly for us over the last five years – particularly in 2013.
However,  we  have  warned  you  many  times  in  our  Annual  Reports  of  the  many  risks  that  we  see  and  the  great
disconnect between the markets and the economic fundamentals. These risks may be coming to a head in early 2016,
as I write this Annual Report to you – right out of the blue!

The most important risk we saw was that the 2008/2009 recession was not like any we had experienced in the last
50 years. The closest comparables were the U.S. in the 1930s and Japan since 1990. Most investors consider the
2008/2009 recession and crash to be a once in a generation event – and it’s over! We differ because we think we
escaped the serious adverse consequences of that recession as a result of huge fiscal stimulus from the U.S., even

17

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

greater fiscal stimulus from China and the reduction in interest rates to 0% with massive monetary stimulus in the
U.S., Europe and Japan through QE programs. There is nothing to fall back on now if the U.S. and Europe slip back
into recession.

Here are some of the risks we discussed in our recent Annual Reports:

2010

The real estate bubble in China, causing a worldwide commodity bubble.

2011

The psychology of U.S. consumers may be changing to less spending and more saving just like what happened in
Japan with Japanese housewives no longer buying stocks after the significant crash in the market in the 1990s period.
Record profit margins in the U.S. were being extrapolated into the future as opposed to the historic regression to the
mean. Commodities could collapse with the breaking of the Chinese bubble and Canada would not be spared.

2012

The great disconnect between stock markets and the economic fundamentals. Junk bond yields making new lows of
5%-6%. Emerging market countries like Bolivia issuing $500 million of U.S. dollar-denominated ten-year paper at
47⁄8%. We quoted Russ Napier who said that much capital has been destroyed in history by reaching for yields of
5%-6% in a low interest rate environment. After an acquisition binge in 2011 and even earlier, mining companies
had begun facing the consequences even though commodity prices had yet to collapse. Speculation in condos was in
full swing in Canada.

2013

We listed the problems in China including the fact that it had built the equivalent of 50 Manhattans in the previous
five  years  and  it  had  a  shadow  banking  system  even  bigger  than  the  U.S.  banking  system  prior  to  the  crash  in
2008/2009. In spite of QE1, 2 and 3, economic growth in the U.S. was very tepid! Commodity prices had begun to
come down but had not collapsed. We felt with high debt levels in the developed markets and effectively zero interest
rates, the government and central banks had no ammunition left to cushion us from unexpected economic events.

2014

We noted deflation had arrived in the second half of 2014 in the U.S. and Europe. Commodities, particularly oil,
collapsed.  German  30-year  bond  rates  collapsed  to  1%  and  almost  half  the  German  bond  market  was  yielding
negative interest rates, reflecting deflation. The Shiller CAPE index was at record P/E ratios, only seen twice before –
in 1999/2000 and 1929. The rising U.S. dollar was resulting in profit margins of U.S. companies coming down from
record levels.

18

So let’s now turn to the comprehensive risks we see currently.

Commodity prices declined significantly again in 2015 with the S&P GSCI making 10-year lows. Recently, the price
of oil went below $30 per barrel, the price of copper below $2.00 per pound and the price of iron ore below $40 per
tonne. The table below shows the carnage in commodities and mining stock prices from the 2011 highs:

Oil – $/barrel
Copper – $/lb.
Iron Ore – $/tonne
Cotton – $/lb.
Corn – $/bushel

Rio Tinto
Anglo American (£)
BHP
Glencore (£)
Teck
Cliffs

Peak in December 31,
2015
$ 37.04
2.13
43.40
0.63
3.59

2011
$ 113.93
4.61
138.20
2.15
7.87

$

76.63
3,437.00
102.68
473.23
65.10
101.43

$ 29.12
299.45
25.76
90.48
3.86
1.58

%
Change
(67)%
(54)%
(69)%
(71)%
(54)%

(62)%
(91)%
(75)%
(81)%
(94)%
(98)%

Interestingly enough, all of the above companies made major acquisitions in 2011 and loaded up their balance sheets
with debt! They are trying to clean up their balance sheets by selling subsidiaries at very low prices – and at huge
losses from their purchase price. Unfortunately, we have seen this movie many times over our 40-year career.

As we have said a few times before, the collapsing commodity prices will not spare Canada. Canadian housing prices,
particularly  in  Toronto  and  Vancouver,  have  gone  up  significantly,  driven  by  lax  policies  at  CMHC  (Canada’s
equivalent to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Canadians have accessed their increasing real estate wealth through
lines of credit easily available from the banks. Sounds familiar? This is exactly what happened in the United States
before the financial crisis in 2008/2009. If history is any guide, this will reverse and we continue to be shocked at the
massive debt levels incurred by young people (below 45 years old), with no financial buffer against hard times as the
C.D. Howe report, Mortgaged to the Hilt, shows.

China devalued its currency on August 11, 2015 by 1.9% – the biggest move in 21 years. The Chinese government is
trying frantically to support four major markets: its exchange market, its stock market, its bond market (no debt
defaults  allowed)  and  of  course,  the  biggest  real  estate  bubble  we  have  ever  witnessed.  In  2015,  China’s  foreign
exchange reserves dropped for the first time in 20 years – by almost $800 billion from the high. Early in 2016, the
trend continues!

The high yield bond market, mainly due to oil and mining issues, is moribund. Spreads have increased dramatically –
particularly for energy issues! Of course, distress in the energy area is being transmitted to the pipelines and then to
the  banks  and  bond  markets  that  funded  significant  pipelines  and  transmission  expansions  and  acquisitions.
Distress is spreading into other areas of the high yield market. Recently, three high yield funds, one very prominent,
were not able to redeem for cash and closed down – similar to the Bear Stearns real estate funds in June 2007. This
may well be the Hyman Minksy moment!

Record emerging market bond purchases by mutual funds reaching for yield is another bomb waiting to explode. For
example,  Venezuela  has  some  $115  billion  in  U.S.  dollar  bonds  outstanding  with  $8.6  billion  maturing  in  the
remainder of 2016. Oil and gas accounts for 25% of its economy and 96% of its exports, and inflation is running at
181%. A default would have a significant impact on bond mutual fund redemptions which would cause major losses
to the retail investor – and potentially a run on these funds. Many emerging market countries in Latin America,
Africa and Asia have similar challenges.

Japan recently decided to expand its quantitative easing program which resulted in its ten-year yield going negative
((cid:1)0.03%). Its yen/dollar exchange rate weakened for a day and then strengthened by 7% – much to the shock of the
Bank of Japan and most investors! Prime Minister Abe and the Bank of Japan’s Governor Kuroda have tried to create
inflation in Japan by weakening their currency but have failed so far!

19

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

As I write to you, Japan is still under deflation – the economy shrank 1.1% in the fourth quarter of 2015. Declining
interest rates and negative interest rates have caused a major problem for banks all over the world as their net interest
margins  get  compressed.  Japanese  bank  net  interest  margins  have  been  declining  for  the  past  ten  years  while
European and U.S. banks have experienced the same in the past five years. Concerns about bank profitability have
led to a 40% reduction in European bank stock prices in 2016 with Deutsche Bank making 30-year lows and selling at
35% of book value.

Imagine my shock when I recently found out that a friend’s 90-year old grandmother had an equity weighting of
85% – yes, 85%! And she has a very reputable bank as her investment advisor. When asked to reduce her exposure,
she said she couldn’t get income any other way!! I have not given up on changing her mind – but it will not be easy!

Speaking of dividends, have you noticed the dividend reductions spreading from junior oil and mining companies to
senior oil companies like ConocoPhillips (66% cut), to senior mining companies like Rio Tinto (50% cut) and BHP
(74% cut), to pipeline companies like Kinder Morgan (75% cut), and to large utilities like RWE in Europe (100% cut)?
Dividends for the S&P500 are down slightly but it is very early days as pre-tax margins regress to the mean. Also,
many companies have borrowed to pay dividends! Much pain to come for sure!

There is a prevailing view today that common shares are great long term investments, irrespective of price. This is a
great example of long term investing gone astray. Of course, there is no country more entrepreneurial than the
United States, with the rule of law and deep capital markets that are the envy of the whole world. But as history
shows, being bullish in 1929, when the Dow Jones hit 400, meant you had to wait 25 years (until 1954) before the
Dow Jones saw 400 again. In the meantime you had to survive a 90% decrease in the index. More recently in Japan,
the Nikkei has yet to hit the 40,000 level it traded at in 1989 – almost 27 years ago. It is still over 50% below its all-
time high in 1989. As they say, caveat emptor!

I have purposely given you a quick summary of all the problems/challenges that the world faces right now. The
potential for unintended consequences, and therefore of pain, is huge. This is why Ben Graham said if you were not
bearish in 1925 – yes, 1925 – you had a 1 in 100 chance of surviving the depression – really the 1930 to 1932 crash in
the stock market that resulted in an 86% loss from the high in 1930. We continue to protect you, our shareholders –
and our company – as best we can from the potential problems that we see. As we have said, it is better to be wrong,
wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong and then right, than the other way around! We remember it took 89 years for AIG to
build $90 billion of shareholders’ capital, and only one year to lose it all!

As we said in last year’s Annual Report, with deflation in the air, our CPI-linked derivative contracts, with a notional
amount of $109 billion, have come to life. Here’s how they have performed recently:

September 30, 2014
December 31, 2014
December 31, 2015

Value of
CPI-linked
Derivatives
110
238
273

Early in 2016, ten-year TIP spreads (i.e., the spread between ten-year inflation adjusted bonds and treasuries) have
made new lows, second only to the 2008/2009 lows. Declining TIP spreads, reflecting lower inflation expectations
and higher volatility, result in higher prices for our CPI-linked derivative contracts.

If  some  of  the  risks  that  we  have  discussed  earlier  materialize  and  deflation  becomes  embedded  in  the  U.S.  and
Europe, as it has been in Japan since the 1990s and as it was in the U.S. in the 1930s, these contracts can become very
valuable and protect our company from deflation’s deleterious effects! In our 2007 Annual Report, we discussed how
the value of our CDS contracts increased from June 2007 to February 2008 after declining for the previous four years!
They went from a market value of $200 million to $2 billion, i.e., a ten times increase in the course of eight months.
And this was long before the Lehman Brothers crisis at the end of 2008!

20

The table below gives you more details on our CPI-linked derivative contracts as at December 31, 2015:

Underlying CPI Index

United States
United States
European Union
United Kingdom
France

Floor
Rate(1)

0.0%
0.5%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%

Average
Life
(in years)
6.6
8.8
5.7
6.9
7.1

Notional
Amount

Cost

46,225.0 284.7
12,600.0
39.3
42,338.4 287.2
23.9
20.7

4,863.9
3,421.8

6.6 109,449.1 655.8

Cost(2)
(in bps)
61.6
31.2
67.8
49.1
60.5

Market Market Unrealized
Value Value(2) Gain (Loss)

(in bps)
21.4
66.2
17.5
6.4
38.9

98.9
83.4
73.9
3.1
13.3

272.6

(185.8)
44.1
(213.3)
(20.8)
(7.4)

(383.2)

(1) Contracts with a floor rate of 0.0% provide a payout at maturity if there is cumulative deflation over the life of the
contract. Contracts with a floor rate of 0.5% provide a payout at maturity if cumulative inflation averages less than 0.5%
per year over the life of the contract.

(2) Expressed as a percentage of the notional amount. 

On average, our CPI-linked derivative contracts have 6.6 years to go. We will update the table above every quarter.

In 2015, we maintained our position in CPI-linked derivative contracts as shown in the table below:

Notional amount ($ billions)
Cost
Market value

2010
34.2
302.3
328.6

2011
46.5
421.1
208.2

2012
48.4
454.1
115.8

2013
82.9
545.8
131.7

2014
111.8
655.4
238.4

2015
109.4
655.8
272.6

The table below shows you the average strike price of our contracts versus the index values at the end of 2015:

Underlying CPI Index

United States – 0.0%
United States – 0.5%
European Union
United Kingdom
France

Total

Notional Amount
($ billions)
46.2
12.6
42.3
4.9
3.4

109.4

Weighted Average December 31, 2015
CPI
Strike Price (CPI)

231.32
238.30
111.84
243.82
125.07

236.53
236.53
117.21
260.60
126.03

In the five years 2010 – 2014, we had significant losses, mostly unrealized, from our hedging program and from our
CPI-linked derivative contracts. This began to reverse in 2015, as shown below:

Equity hedges
CPI-linked derivative contracts

2010
(936.6)
28.1

2011
413.9
(233.9)

2012
(1,005.5)
(129.2)

2013
(1,982.0)
(126.9)

2014

2015
(194.5) 501.8
35.7

17.7

Cumulative
(3,202.9)
(408.5)

Total

(908.5)

180.0

(1,134.7)

(2,108.9)

(176.8) 537.5

(3,611.4)

We hope the unrealized losses reverse out and turn into profits as they did in 2007/2008, as shown in the table below:

Equity hedges
Credit default swaps

Total

2003 – 2006
(287)
(211)

2007
143
1,145

2008
2,080
1,290

(498)

1,288

3,370

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

We  had  to  endure  years  of  pain  before  harvesting  the  gains  in  2007  and  2008.  We  continue  to  be  focused  on
protecting your company from the significant unintended consequences that prevail today.

The speculation in the high tech world ended in early 2016, as shown in the table below:

Social Media

Twitter
Netflix
LinkedIn
Yelp
Yandex
Tencent Holdings

Other Tech/Web

Groupon
Service Now
Salesforce.com
Netsuite

Highest Price
per Share in
Last Two Years

Price per Share on
February 29, 2016 % Decline

$ 69.00
130.93
270.76
98.04
44.22
171.00

$ 12.08
89.99
82.14
119.63

$18.12
93.41
117.19
20.24
12.92
141.90

$ 4.78
54.99
67.75
60.42

(74)%
(29)%
(57)%
(79)%
(71)%
(17)%

(60)%
(39)%
(18)%
(49)%

When it is all over, we will not be surprised if most of these stocks are down 90%!

The speculation in private high tech companies (the most valuable of which are known as ‘‘unicorns’’) has also
ended with a thud. A friend of mine said the new name for these companies is ‘‘unicorpse’’ as many of them cannot
fund their losses internally for more than a few months and now have almost no access to external funding. The
table below shows the companies mentioned in last year’s Annual Report.

Uber
Xiaomi
Airbnb
Palantir Technologies
Didi Kuaidi
Flipkart
SpaceX
Snapchat
Pinterest
Dropbox
WeWork
Theranos
Spotify
Lyft
Stripe

Latest Valuation
($ billions)
62.5
45.0
25.0
20.0
16.5
15.2
12.0
12.0
11.0
10.0
10.0
9.0
8.5
5.5
5.0

Total Equity Funding Valuation/Funding

($ billions)
8.8
1.5
2.4
2.5
4.4
3.2
1.3
1.2
1.3
0.6
1.0
0.4
0.5
2.0
0.3

7.1x
31.0x
10.5x
8.2x
3.7x
4.8x
9.6x
10.3x
8.3x
16.5x
10.0x
22.5x
16.2x
2.7x
16.7x

Layoffs have begun in many of these companies. Money is being raised at lower valuations than the previous round
of financing and the cycle is now in reverse.

As we have said in the past, when you review our financial statements, please remember that when we own more
than 20% of a company, we equity account, and when we own above 50%, we consolidate, so that mark to market
gains in these companies are not reflected in our results. Let me mention some of those gains.

As you can see in note 6 to our consolidated financial statements, the fair value of our investment in associates is
$2,407 million while its carrying value is $1,933 million, representing an unrealized gain of $474 million which is
not on our balance sheet.

22

Also, we own 68% of Thomas Cook India, which is consolidated in our statements. The unrealized gain on this
position, based on market value as at December 31, 2015, is $475 million. This brings the total unrealized gain not
reflected on our balance sheet to $949 million.

Our net unrealized gains (losses) over cost by asset class at year-end were as follows:

Bonds
Preferred stocks
Common stocks
Investments in associates

Total

2015
1,126.0
(103.9)
(685.8)
473.7

2014
1,642.3
33.5
325.9
452.8

810.0

2,454.5

Our common stock portfolio, which reflects our long term value-oriented investment philosophy, is broken down by
country as follows (at market value at year-end):

Canada
United States
Other

Total

704.3
1,059.7
2,708.3

4,472.3

We continue to like the long term prospects of our common stock holdings, while our hedges protect us against our
near term economic concerns.

Miscellaneous

Our annual dividend remained the same as in 2014. On a normalized basis, we are paying out approximately 2% of
our book value per share or approximately 17% of our earnings – and over time these ratios should drop significantly
as we like the idea of a stable dividend and do not anticipate it will change for some time.

During 2015, I went to you, our shareholders, for approval of the preservation of the voting power of my multiple
voting shares. Over the past 30 years, I have repeatedly mentioned to you that you suffer a major negative with my
control  of  the  company – you  cannot  make  a  quick  profit  on  Fairfax  stock  as  I  will  not  accept  a  takeover  offer,
irrespective of price. In return, of course, we are very much focused on making a return for you over the long term.

Over time, with the stock issues we have done, my multiple voting shares, which once represented 80% of the votes,
represented  only  41.8%  of  the  votes.  I  was  very  uncomfortable  going  much  below  this  level  of  control  as  our
company would then be subject to being taken over. That left us two choices: either change the multiple voting share
structure, or stop making acquisitions using our stock as currency. Our Board formed a Special Committee consisting
of Alan Horn (Chair), Tony Griffiths and Bob Gunn which, after much careful consideration, proposed terms which
protected  the  interests  of  minority  shareholders  while  preserving  the  power  of  the  multiple  voting  shares.  We
discussed this with our large shareholders and at a special shareholders’ meeting we obtained approval from our
shareholders. Changing the terms of our multiple voting shares needed a high hurdle of 2⁄3 approval of our publicly
traded subordinate voting shares and we got it – we believe because shareholders recognized that this was the best
governance in all of Fairfax’s circumstances. We thank the Special Committee members for their extensive work and
sensitive  consideration  on  behalf  of  our  shareholders,  and  we  are  very  thankful  to  you,  our  shareholders,  for
this support!

In connection with this approval, I have agreed that through 2025, I will continue not to receive any remuneration
by way of bonus, equity incentive or pension entitlement, and my annual salary will remain at Cdn$600,000, where
it has been since 2000 at my request. Also, the continuing effect of the preservation of the approved multiple voting
share power is subject to ratification votes by a majority of the shareholders other than me periodically at certain
dates after defined increases in the number of our outstanding shares (please read our proxy circular for the details).

All  in  all,  this  is  an  excellent  deal  for  Fairfax  and  its  shareholders,  as  it  allows  us  to  expand  significantly  while
retaining the very valuable corporate culture that we have built over the past 30 years. While you won’t benefit from
a takeover premium for Fairfax, we will be focused on building long term value for you, our shareholders, by treating

23

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

our customers, employees and the communities in which we operate in a fair and friendly way. Perhaps I am biased,
but the fact that Fairfax is not for sale and that Fairfax will not sell any of its insurance companies is a major plus for
our companies and all of our employees.

This is a major advantage for Fairfax in today’s world of corporate activism and short termism. Companies are being
destroyed,  quite  often,  by  the  short  term  focus  of  corporate  activists  who,  in  order  to  make  a  quick  profit  for
themselves, aggressively demand that companies sell divisions or cut costs indiscriminately, or get taken over! This
activity is anathema to us and gives business a bad name. We will never take part in it!

Of course, this does not prevent companies that we have invested in experiencing these problems. Recently, we saw it
with Sandridge, an oil and gas company run by its founder, Tom Ward. Some activists got together and removed Tom
as CEO at precisely the wrong time. Tom was one of the few CEOs in the oil industry who, at our urging, had hedged
the price of oil for about three years at approximately $90 per barrel. While we will never know, Tom, with his
entrepreneurial instincts, may have hedged more of his oil production and survived the current oil price collapse. As
it is, because of its significant debt position, Sandridge recently stopped paying its interest – and we likely will lose
our whole investment. A costly error on our part as we should have sold as soon as Tom resigned!

We continue to be extremely fortunate to have very long term shareholders. Many of you have been supporting us
since we began in 1985. Our institutional shareholders also are unusually long term – many have been with us for
10 – 25 years. You can see that in our turnover. Our shares have an annual turnover rate of 32%, one of the lowest on
the Toronto Stock Exchange or the NYSE. The most active traders on the NYSE have annual turnover rates in excess of
500%.

We continue to encourage all our employees to be owners of our company through our employee share ownership
plan, under which our employees’ share purchases by way of payroll deduction are supplemented by contributions
by their employer. It is an excellent plan and employees have had great returns over the long term, as shown below:

Employee Share Ownership Plan

Compound Annual Return

5 Years
30%

10 Years
22%

15 Years
17%

20 Years
13%

Since
Inception
17%

If an employee earning Cdn$40,000 had participated fully in this program since its inception, he or she would have
accumulated 3,306 shares of Fairfax worth Cdn$2.2 million at the end of 2015. I am happy to say, we have many
employees who have done exactly that! We want our employees to be owners and to benefit from the performance of
their company.

We began Hamblin Watsa 31 years ago in 1984 with Tony Hamblin, Frances Burke, Mary Pritchard and myself. We
had no money but big dreams! The four of us worked very closely, and Roger Lace and Brian Bradstreet joined us
within a year or two. Frances Burke, our trader extraordinaire, bought and sold common shares for us first in Canada,
then in the U.S. and then the world! Some days she worked right through the clock, particularly during the Asian
crisis when we were buying shares in Asia. She was almost always the first to come into the office and the last to leave.
Nothing ever missed her attention and all of us could rest easy because it was in Frances’ capable hands.

Mary Pritchard ran our small office and, for the longest time, ran me! It was not for nothing that I called her the Real
Boss! More recently, she looked after our donations programs.

At the end of 2015, after 31 years, both Frances and Mary decided to retire. We will miss them dearly and wish them a
long, healthy and happy retirement. We all have benefitted greatly from their devotion to the company.

Our donations program continues to thrive across the communities all over the world where we do business. Our
employees are all pitching in and having ‘‘fun’’, helping people who are not doing so well. For 2015, we donated
$15.1 million for a total of over $140 million since we began. Over the past 30 years (really 25 years since we began
our donations program), our annual donations have gone up 100 times. Here are a few examples of our company
donations that I would like to highlight.

OdysseyRe  supports  Little  Haven  Hospice  in  London,  Institut  Pasteur  in  Paris  for  its  research  and  treatment  of
infectious diseases, and AmeriCares for its global disaster relief programs. Also, OdysseyRe continued supporting
Stamford Hospital to help fund the construction of a new hospital scheduled to open in September 2016.

24

Crum & Forster is a major supporter of The Redwoods Group Foundation, an organization that focuses on projects
and programs that make people safer. Crum & Forster also supports the Morristown Medical Center, and sponsors an
annual  volunteer  day on  which  employees  spend  the  whole  day  volunteering  in  local  communities  across  the
country where the company has offices.

Zenith supports South Central Scholars, a non-profit organization which identifies highly motivated and talented
students from disadvantaged communities of Los Angeles County and assists them in achieving academic, career and
personal  success  in  college  and  beyond.  Zenith  also  provides  students  in  undergraduate  college  programs  with
scholarships, study and career advice, networking opportunities, resume building and interviewing tips, meaningful
job and internship experience, and a senior leader as an engaged and dedicated mentor.

Northbridge supports Partners for Mental Health, a national organization with a mandate to improve mental health
in Canada and help put support within reach for all youth affected by mental illness and their families. Northbridge’s
employees participate in Give Together, an annual fundraising campaign, and annually support local community
charities by providing an aggregate of over 2,000 hours of volunteer service.

RiverStone  US  has  partnered  with  a  unique  organization,  City  Year,  that  has  a  significant  positive  impact  on
elementary school students who are at risk of dropping out of school. The City Year effort is centered around young
volunteers, typically recent college graduates, who commit to live and work in Manchester, NH for a year to provide
support and programs to the students. RiverStone UK has helped support the first dedicated children’s asthma clinic
in the U.K.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our annual meeting in Toronto at 9:30 a.m. (Eastern time) on April 14, 2016
at Roy Thomson Hall. As in the past few years, we will have booths (the number grows each year) which will provide
information and allow you the opportunity to interact with the Presidents and/or senior members of our insurance
companies, such as OdysseyRe, Northbridge, Crum & Forster, Zenith, Brit, ICICI Lombard, Fairfax Asia (which now
includes  BIC,  our  new  venture  in  Vietnam),  and  our  partners  in  the  Middle  East,  the  Gulf  Insurance  Group.
Continuing this year, for all you pet lovers, Sean Smith and his team at Pethealth will be on hand to help you insure
your favourite pet. Please also stop by and visit the booth of IIFL, one of the companies that Fairfax India has invested
in. To give you enough time to visit all our booths, the doors will open at 8 a.m.

Last  year  I  mentioned  to  you  that  we  had  instituted  the  Fairfax  Leadership  Workshop,  which  every  year  brings
together about 25 of our future leaders for a week of learning, exposure to other members of the Fairfax family,
networking and immersion in the Fairfax culture. I am happy to say we now have about 100 graduates from this
program and they will be the ones that you see at the various insurance company booths. That number will grow
each  year  by  another  25  or  so.  In  addition,  the  booths  will  showcase  some  of  our  non-insurance  company
investments – William Ashley, Sporting Life, Arbor Memorial, Kitchen Plus, Quess and Boat Rocker Media. I also
want  to  highlight  to  you  our  new  innovation  lab  that  we  have  started  in  Waterloo,  for  which  we  created  our
FairVentures company. The innovation and research lab was created with the mandate to develop, partner and invest
in innovative solutions to support the entire Fairfax family of companies and plan for the future. Please visit their
booth and say hello to Dave Kruis who is leading the charge.

This year, in addition to Cara and the Keg restaurants, McEwan’s, led by celebrity chef Mark McEwan, will also be
present to help tantalize your taste buds. As I mentioned, we are now one of the leading restaurant companies in
Canada: you cannot go too far before you come across one of our restaurants in either the fast food or fine dining
space. BlackBerry, which always attracts a crowd, will also have a booth. I am sure that I will be able to convince John
Chen to raffle a BlackBerry Priv and my personal favourite, the Passport. We will have BlueAnt, Boat Rocker Media,
Zoomer  Media  and  Thomas  Cook  India  present  as  well.  Madhavan  Menon  from  Thomas  Cook  has  promised  a
shareholders’ discount to take your bookings for the trip of a lifetime to India, in case you did not avail of it last year!
Many have already gone and have had a wonderful experience, so please visit their booth and see the different trips
that they have to offer. India is a vast and diverse country and cannot be done justice in just one trip! So come early
and visit all our booths. It is a great opportunity for you to learn more about our companies as well as to get some
discounts for shopping at William Ashley and Sporting Life and dining at Cara and the Keg.

Bill Gregson, David Aisenstat and Mark McEwan will have their chefs on hand to prepare a few of the signature items
sold at their restaurants for you to sample at their booths in the foyer after our meeting ends. They would also
encourage you after the meeting to dine at their restaurants that are within walking distance from Roy Thomson
Hall. We will have booths featuring some of our major charity partners – The Hospital for Sick Children, Americares
and the Royal Ontario Museum – so you can see firsthand how we reinvest into the communities in which we do

25

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

business. Doing good by doing well!! Hopefully in the spirit of giving, you will be inclined to make an additional
contribution! As in the past, highlighted will be two excellent programs that we support: the Ben Graham Centre for
Value Investing with George Athanassakos at the Ivey School of Business and the Actuarial Program at the University
of Waterloo – both among the best in North America! This year the staff at the University of Waterloo booth will
again include co-op students working at our companies. I encourage you to speak to them: I assure you that you will
be impressed. Many of you have hired, and will want to continue to hire, a few more at your own companies: the
University will have someone on hand to let you know how you can go about doing so. George will also have many
of his MBA students on hand, so speak to them: you may want to hire them as well. George runs a Value Investing
Conference the day before our meeting. This will be the fifth year and in case you have not attended, please check the
website for details (www.bengrahaminvesting.ca). I highly recommend it – he has some outstanding speakers – and
it is well worth your time to attend.

This year I would like you to stop by and visit Stephen Post who last year gave away his book ‘‘Is Ultimate Reality
Unlimited Love’’ to anyone who gave a donation to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. This year, Stephen is giving
away 125 copies of ‘‘Why Good Things Happen to Good People’’, which describes how to live a happier, healthier
and longer life through the simple act of giving. Stephen was a very close friend of Sir John Templeton.

Also, to make it convenient for you and the shareholders of Fairfax India (many of you are the same), Fairfax India
will have its first annual meeting at 2:00 p.m. at Roy Thomson Hall. Chandran Ratnaswami, John Varnell, Harsha
Raghavan and the CEOs of Fairfax India’s investees will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

This year, to commemorate our 30th anniversary, we have compiled all of my letters to shareholders from our 1985 to
2015 Annual Reports into a book, which we will give to everyone attending our annual meeting as a token of our
appreciation to our loyal shareholders. Given the many mistakes we have made, I hope that rereading these letters
won’t deter you from being long term investors!

So, as we have done for the last 30 years, we look forward to meeting you, our shareholders, and answering all your
questions, as well as getting you to meet the fine men and women that work at and run our companies. I personally
am inspired each and every time that I meet you all, and when I hear your stories I want to work twice as hard to
make a return for you in the long term. We are truly blessed to have the loyal shareholders that we have.

March 11, 2016

10MAR201607580995

V. Prem Watsa
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

26

(This page intentionally left blank)

27

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements

The  preparation  and  presentation  of  the  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements,  Management’s
Discussion and Analysis (‘‘MD&A’’) and all financial information are the responsibility of management and have
been approved by the Board of Directors.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Financial statements, by nature, are not precise
since  they  include  certain  amounts  based  upon  estimates  and  judgments.  When  alternative  methods  exist,
management has chosen those it deems to be the most appropriate in the circumstances.

We,  as  Fairfax’s  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer,  have  certified  Fairfax’s  annual  disclosure
documents  filed  with  the  Canadian  Securities  Administrators  and  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission
(Form 40-F) in accordance with Canadian securities legislation and the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
respectively.

The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that management fulfills its responsibilities for financial reporting
and is ultimately responsible for reviewing and approving the consolidated financial statements and MD&A. The
Board  carries  out  this  responsibility  principally  through  its  Audit  Committee  which  is  independent  from
management.

The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors and reviews the consolidated financial statements and
MD&A; considers the report of the external auditors; assesses the adequacy of the internal controls of the company,
including  management’s  assessment  described  below;  examines  the  fees  and  expenses  for  audit  services;  and
recommends to the Board the independent auditors for appointment by the shareholders. The independent auditors
have full and free access to the Audit Committee and meet with it to discuss their audit work, Fairfax’s internal
control over financial reporting and financial reporting matters. The Audit Committee reports its findings to the
Board for consideration when approving the consolidated financial statements for issuance to the shareholders and
management’s assessment of the internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.

Management  has  assessed  the  effectiveness  of  the  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of
December  31,  2015  using  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control – Integrated  Framework  (2013)  issued  by  the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (‘‘COSO’’). The scope of this assessment did
not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Brit PLC, which was acquired on June 5,
2015 and subsequently renamed Brit Limited. The operations of Brit Limited represented 8.8% of the company’s
consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015 and represented 15.3% and 15.9% of the company’s
consolidated  assets  and  liabilities  respectively  as  at  December  31,  2015.  Based  on  this  assessment,  management
concluded that the company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2015.

The  effectiveness  of  the  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December  31,  2015  has  been
audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent auditor, as stated in its report which appears herein.

March 11, 2016

10MAR201607580995

V. Prem Watsa
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

30JAN201416020159

David Bonham
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

28

Independent Auditor’s Report

To the Shareholders of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited

We have completed integrated audits of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (the Company) and its subsidiaries’ 2015
and 2014 consolidated financial statements and their internal control over financial reporting as at December 31,
2015. Our opinions, based on our audits are presented below.

Report on the consolidated financial statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, which
comprise the consolidated balance sheets as at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the consolidated
statements of earnings, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the
period  ended  December  31,  2015,  and  the  related  notes,  which  comprise  a  summary  of  significant  accounting
policies and other explanatory information.

Management’s responsibility for the consolidated financial statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in
accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (IFRS)  as  issued  by  the  International  Accounting
Standards  Board  (IASB)  and  for  such  internal  control  as  management  determines  is  necessary  to  enable  the
preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud
or error.

Auditor’s responsibility
Our  responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  these  consolidated  financial  statements  based  on  our  audits.  We
conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material
misstatement.  Canadian  generally  accepted  auditing  standards  also  require  that  we  comply  with  ethical
requirements.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence, on a test basis, about the amounts and disclosures
in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the
assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or
error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the company’s preparation
and  fair  presentation  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  in  order  to  design  audit  procedures  that  are
appropriate in the circumstances. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting principles and
policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for
our audit opinion on the consolidated financial statements.

Opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
the Company and its subsidiaries as at December 31, 2015 and 2014 and their financial performance and their cash
flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2015 in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

Report on internal control over financial reporting

We have also audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2015, based on
criteria  established  in  Internal  Control – Integrated  Framework  (2013),  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

Management’s responsibility for internal control over financial reporting
Management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment
of  the  effectiveness  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  included  in  Management’s  Report  on  Internal
Control over Financial Reporting on page 28.

29

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Auditor’s responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our
audit. We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  effective  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  was
maintained in all material respects.

An audit of internal control over financial reporting includes obtaining an understanding of internal control over
financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating
effectiveness of internal control, based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we consider
necessary in the circumstances.

We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our audit opinion on the company’s internal control over
financial reporting.

Definition of internal control over financial reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding
the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those
policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect  the  transactions  and  dispositions  of  the  assets  of  the  company;  (ii)  provide  reasonable  assurance  that
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted  accounting  principles,  and  that  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  company  are  being  made  only  in
accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance
regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets
that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Inherent limitations
Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect
misstatements.  Also,  projections  of  any  evaluation  of  effectiveness  to  future  periods  are  subject  to  the  risk  that
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies
or procedures may deteriorate.

As  described  in  Management’s  Report  on  Internal  Control  over  Financial  Reporting,  management  has  excluded
Brit PLC,  which  was  subsequently  renamed  Brit  Limited,  from  its  assessment  of  internal  control  over  financial
reporting as at December 31, 2015 because it was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination
during 2015. We have also excluded Brit Limited from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. Brit
Limited is a 70.1% owned subsidiary whose total assets, total liabilities and total revenues represent 15.3%, 15.9%
and  8.8%,  respectively,  of  the  related  consolidated  financial  statement  amounts  as  at  and  for  the  year  ended
December 31, 2015.

Opinion
In our opinion, Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective
internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control –
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants
Toronto, Ontario

4MAR201617303609

March 11, 2016

30

(This page intentionally left blank)

31

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets
as at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014

Assets
Holding company cash and investments (including assets pledged for
short sale and derivative obligations – $62.8; December 31, 2014 –
$109.7)

Insurance contract receivables

Portfolio investments
Subsidiary cash and short term investments
Bonds (cost $11,258.9; December 31, 2014 – $9,900.1)
Preferred stocks (cost $220.5; December 31, 2014 – $386.8)
Common stocks (cost $6,004.2; December 31, 2014 – $4,531.7)
Investments in associates (fair value $2,185.9; December 31, 2014 –

$2,070.5)

Derivatives and other invested assets (cost $628.5; December 31,

2014 – $634.0)

Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations (cost $322.9;

December 31, 2014 – $757.8)

Fairfax India cash and portfolio investments (cost $848.7;

December 31, 2014 – nil)

Deferred premium acquisition costs
Recoverable from reinsurers (including recoverables on paid losses –

$286.3; December 31, 2014 – $230.7)

Deferred income taxes
Goodwill and intangible assets
Other assets

Total assets

See accompanying notes.

Notes

December 31, December 31,
2014

2015
(US$ millions)

5, 27
10

5, 27
5
5
5

5, 6

5, 7

5, 7

5, 27

11

9
18
12
13

1,276.5
2,546.5

1,244.3
1,931.7

6,641.6
12,286.6
116.6
5,358.3

5,534.3
11,445.5
376.4
4,848.5

1,730.2

1,617.7

500.7

351.1

847.4

426.8

860.0

–

27,832.5

25,109.2

532.7

497.6

3,890.9
463.9
3,214.9
1,771.1

3,982.1
460.4
1,558.3
1,347.6

41,529.0

36,131.2

Signed on behalf of the Board

10MAR201607580995
Director

10MAR201607580340
Director

32

Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Income taxes payable
Short sale and derivative obligations (including at the holding

company – $0.6; December 31, 2014 – $31.6)

Funds withheld payable to reinsurers
Insurance contract liabilities
Long term debt – holding company and insurance and reinsurance

companies

Long term debt – non-insurance companies

Total liabilities

Equity
Common shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock

Shareholders’ equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

See accompanying notes.

Notes

December 31, December 31,
2014

2015
(US$ millions)

14
18

5, 7

8

15
15

16

2,555.9
85.8

92.9
322.8
23,101.2

3,067.5
284.0

2,029.1
118.3

160.8
461.5
20,438.7

3,042.4
136.6

29,510.1

26,387.4

8,952.5
1,334.9

10,287.4
1,731.5

12,018.9

41,529.0

8,361.0
1,164.7

9,525.7
218.1

9,743.8

36,131.2

33

Notes

2015

2014

(US$ millions except per
share amounts)

10, 25

8,655.8

25

7,520.5

7,459.9

6,301.8

7,358.2
(1,142.0)

6,216.2
403.8
105.7
1,736.2
1,556.0

8,581.7
(1,210.7)

7,371.0
512.2
172.9
(259.2)
1,783.5

9,580.4

10,017.9

5,098.4
(712.0)

4,386.4
1,470.1
1,177.3
219.0
1,703.1

8,955.9

624.5
(17.5)

642.0

567.7
74.3

642.0

$ 23.67
$ 23.15
$ 10.00
22,070

4,427.4
(633.1)

3,794.3
1,227.2
959.9
206.3
1,492.3

7,680.0

2,337.9
673.3

1,664.6

1,633.2
31.4

1,664.6

$ 74.43
$ 73.01
$ 10.00
21,186

25
5
6
5
25

8
9

26
26
9
15
26

18

17
17
16
17

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Consolidated Statements of Earnings
for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

Revenue

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Gross premiums earned
Premiums ceded to reinsurers

Net premiums earned
Interest and dividends
Share of profit of associates
Net gains (losses) on investments
Other revenue

Expenses

Losses on claims, gross
Losses on claims ceded to reinsurers

Losses on claims, net
Operating expenses
Commissions, net
Interest expense
Other expenses

Earnings before income taxes
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes

Net earnings

Attributable to:
Shareholders of Fairfax
Non-controlling interests

Net earnings per share
Net earnings per diluted share
Cash dividends paid per share
Shares outstanding (000) (weighted average)

See accompanying notes.

34

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

Net earnings

Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net earnings

Net unrealized foreign currency translation losses on foreign operations
Gains on hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries
Share of other comprehensive loss of associates, excluding net gains (losses) on

defined benefit plans

Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to net earnings

Share of net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans of associates
Net losses on defined benefit plans

Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes

Comprehensive income

Attributable to:
Shareholders of Fairfax
Non-controlling interests

See accompanying notes.

Notes

2015
(US$ millions)

2014

642.0

1,664.6

16

7

6

(557.9)
218.8

(200.7)
118.7

(25.0)

(52.7)

(364.1)

(134.7)

6
21

28.8
(6.1)

(36.7)
(32.9)

22.7

(69.6)

(341.4)

(204.3)

300.6

1,460.3

316.0
(15.4)

1,436.7
23.6

300.6

1,460.3

35

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(US$ millions)

Balance as of January 1, 2015
Net earnings for the year
Other comprehensive loss, net of

income taxes:
Net unrealized foreign currency
translation losses on foreign
operations

Gains on hedge of net investment

in Canadian subsidiaries

Share of other comprehensive loss
of associates, excluding net gains
on defined benefit plans
Share of net gains on defined
benefit plans of associates

Net losses on defined benefit plans

Issuance of shares
Purchases and amortization
Excess of book value over

consideration of preferred shares
purchased for cancellation

Common share dividends
Preferred share dividends
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (notes 16

and 23)

Other net changes in capitalization

Share-
based
payments
and

Accumulated
other

Equity
attributable
to

Subordinate Multiple Treasury
shares
(at cost)

voting
shares

voting
shares

Non-
Common
other Retained comprehensive shareholders’ Preferred shareholders controlling
interests

income (loss)

of Fairfax

earnings

equity

shares

reserves

Total
equity

3,642.8
–

3.8
–

(155.8)
–

78.4 4,909.9
567.7

–

(118.1)
–

8,361.0 1,164.7
–

567.7

9,525.7
567.7

218.1
74.3

9,743.8
642.0

–

–

–

–
–
587.0
–

–
–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
15.3
(95.5)

–
–
(16.1)
34.8

–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–

4.0
(216.1)
(49.3)

–
(8.9)

–
14.5

(468.3)

(468.3)

218.8

218.8

(25.0)

(25.0)

–

–

–

28.0
(5.2)
586.2
(60.7)

–
–
179.0
(8.8)

(468.3)

(89.6)

(557.9)

218.8

(25.0)

28.0
(5.2)
765.2
(69.5)

–

–

0.8
(0.9)
–
0.2

218.8

(25.0)

28.8
(6.1)
765.2
(69.3)

4.0
(216.1)
(49.3)

–
11.4

–
–
–

–
–

4.0
(216.1)
(49.3)

–
(5.0)
–

4.0
(221.1)
(49.3)

–
11.4

1,175.4
358.2

1,175.4
369.6

28.0
(5.2)
–
–

–
–
–

–
5.8

Balance as of December 31, 2015

4,229.8

3.8

(236.0)

88.2 5,230.7

(364.0)

8,952.5 1,334.9

10,287.4

1,731.5 12,018.9

Balance as of January 1, 2014
Net earnings for the year
Other comprehensive loss, net of

income taxes:
Net unrealized foreign currency
translation losses on foreign
operations

Gains on hedge of net investment

in Canadian subsidiaries

Share of other comprehensive loss

of associates, excluding net losses
on defined benefit plans
Share of net losses on defined
benefit plans of associates

Net losses on defined benefit plans

Issuance of shares
Purchases and amortization
Excess of book value over

consideration of preferred shares
purchased for cancellation

Common share dividends
Preferred share dividends
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)
Other net changes in capitalization

3,642.8
–

3.8
–

(140.0)
–

50.5 3,551.2
– 1,633.2

78.4
–

7,186.7 1,166.4
–
1,633.2

8,353.1
1,633.2

107.4
31.4

8,460.5
1,664.6

–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
8.8
(24.6)

–
–
(12.2)
36.8

–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
3.3

0.5
(215.7)
(56.9)
–
(2.4)

(193.3)

(193.3)

118.7

118.7

(52.7)

(52.7)

(36.7)
(32.5)
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

(36.7)
(32.5)
(3.4)
12.2

0.5
(215.7)
(56.9)
–
0.9

–

–

–

–
–
–
(1.7)

–
–
–
–
–

(193.3)

(7.4)

(200.7)

118.7

(52.7)

(36.7)
(32.5)
(3.4)
10.5

0.5
(215.7)
(56.9)
–
0.9

–

–

–
(0.4)
–
–

–
(6.6)
–
86.7
7.0

118.7

(52.7)

(36.7)
(32.9)
(3.4)
10.5

0.5
(222.3)
(56.9)
86.7
7.9

Balance as of December 31, 2014

3,642.8

3.8

(155.8)

78.4 4,909.9

(118.1)

8,361.0 1,164.7

9,525.7

218.1

9,743.8

See accompanying notes.

36

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

Operating activities

Net earnings
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges
Net bond discount amortization
Amortization of share-based payment awards
Share of profit of associates
Deferred income taxes
Net (gains) losses on investments
Loss on repurchase of long term debt
Net purchases of securities classified as FVTPL
Changes in operating assets and liabilities

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

Investing activities

Sales of investments in associates
Purchases of investments in associates
Net purchases of premises and equipment and intangible assets
Purchases of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
Sales of subsidiaries, net of cash divested
Increase in restricted cash for purchase of subsidiary

Cash used in investing activities

Financing activities

Long term debt – holding company and insurance and reinsurance companies:

Issuances, net of issuance costs
Repayments

Long term debt – non-insurance companies:

Issuances, net of issuance costs
Repayments
Net borrowings from revolving credit facilities

Subordinate voting shares:

Issuances, net of issuance costs
Purchases for treasury
Common share dividends

Preferred shares:

Issuance, net of issuance costs
Repurchases
Preferred share dividends
Subsidiary common shares:

Issuances to non-controlling interests, net of issuance costs
Net sales to non-controlling interests
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of year
Foreign currency translation

Notes

2015
(US$ millions)

2014

25

6
18
5
15
27
27

642.0
133.3
(0.2)
34.8
(172.9)
(210.4)
259.2
–
(484.3)
(56.8)

1,664.6
94.2
(30.0)
36.8
(105.7)
521.7
(1,736.2)
3.6
(590.0)
70.8

144.7

(70.2)

6, 23
6, 23

23
23

201.3
(313.3)
(201.3)
(1,455.6)
304.4
(6.5)

252.1
(390.2)
(67.1)
(189.9)
–
–

(1,471.0)

(395.1)

15

15

16

16

23
23

275.7
(212.4)

294.2
(86.6)

54.2
(5.8)
18.4

–
(3.5)
17.4

575.9
(95.5)
(216.1)

–
(24.6)
(215.7)

179.0
(4.8)
(49.3)

725.8
430.0
(5.0)

–
(1.2)
(56.9)

–
–
(6.6)

1,670.1

(83.5)

343.8
3,018.7
(236.9)

(548.8)
3,758.2
(190.7)

Cash and cash equivalents – end of year

27

3,125.6

3,018.7

See accompanying notes.

37

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Index to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Business Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2. Basis of Presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4. Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5. Cash and Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.

Investments in Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7. Short Sales and Derivatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8.

Insurance Contract Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9. Reinsurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10.

Insurance Contract Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11. Deferred Premium Acquisition Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12. Goodwill and Intangible Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13. Other Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14. Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15. Long Term Debt and Credit Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16. Total Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17. Earnings per Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18.

Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19. Statutory Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20. Contingencies and Commitments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21. Pensions and Post Retirement Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22. Operating Leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

23. Acquisitions and Divestitures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24. Financial Risk Management

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

39

39

39

50

51

57

58

61

64

65

65

66

67

68

69

71

75

75

78

78

79

80

80

85

25. Segmented Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

101

26. Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

106

27. Supplementary Cash Flow Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

107

28. Related Party Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

108

29. Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

109

38

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(in US$ and $ millions except per share amounts and as otherwise indicated)

1. Business Operations

Fairfax  Financial  Holdings  Limited  (‘‘the  company’’  or  ‘‘Fairfax’’)  is  a  holding  company  which,  through  its
subsidiaries,  is  principally  engaged  in  property  and  casualty  insurance  and  reinsurance  and  the  associated
investment management. The holding company is federally incorporated and domiciled in Ontario, Canada.

2. Basis of Presentation

The company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 are prepared in accordance
with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘‘IFRS’’) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board
(‘‘IASB’’) effective as at December 31, 2015 (except IFRS 9 (2010) Financial Instruments which was adopted early). The
consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  on  a  historical  cost  basis,  except  for  derivative  financial
instruments and fair value through profit and loss (‘‘FVTPL’’) financial assets and liabilities that have been measured
at fair value.

The  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  the  company  are  presented  on  a  non-classified  basis.  Assets  expected  to  be
realized  and  liabilities  expected  to  be  settled  within  the  company’s  normal  operating  cycle  of  one  year  would
typically  be  considered  as  current,  including  the  following  balances:  cash,  short  term  investments,  insurance
contract  receivables,  deferred  premium  acquisition  costs,  income  taxes  payable,  and  short  sale  and  derivative
obligations. The following balances are generally considered as non-current: deferred income taxes and goodwill and
intangible assets. All other balances are comprised of current and non-current amounts.

The holding company has significant liquid resources that are generally not restricted by insurance regulators. The
operating subsidiaries are primarily insurers and reinsurers that are often subject to a wide variety of insurance and
other laws and regulations that vary by jurisdiction and are intended to protect policyholders rather than investors.
These laws and regulations may limit the ability of operating subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions to
parent companies. The company’s consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of cash flows therefore
make a distinction in classification between the holding company and the operating subsidiaries for cash and short
term investments to provide additional insight into the company’s liquidity, financial leverage and capital structure.

These  consolidated  financial  statements  were  approved  for  issue  by  the  company’s  Board  of  Directors  on
March 11, 2016.

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies applied to the presentation of these consolidated financial statements and the
methods of computation have been consistently applied to all periods presented unless otherwise stated, and are as
set out below.

Consolidation
Subsidiaries – The  company’s  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  assets,  liabilities,  equity,  revenue,
expenses  and  cash  flows  of  the  holding  company  and  its  subsidiaries.  A  subsidiary  is  an  entity  over  which  the
company has control. The company controls an entity when the company has power over the entity, is exposed to,
or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns
through its power over the entity. Assessment of control is based on the substance of the relationship between the
company and the entity and includes consideration of both existing voting rights and, if applicable, potential voting
rights that are currently exercisable and convertible. The operating results of subsidiaries acquired are included in the
consolidated financial statements from the date control is acquired (typically the acquisition date). The operating
results of subsidiaries that have been divested during the year are included up to the date control ceased and any
difference between the fair value of the consideration received and the carrying value of the subsidiary are recognized
in the consolidated statement of earnings.

The consolidated financial statements are prepared as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 based on individual holding
companies’ and subsidiary companies’ financial statements at the same dates. Accounting policies of subsidiaries

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

have  been  aligned  where  necessary  to  ensure  consistency  with  those  of  Fairfax.  The  company’s  significant
subsidiaries are identified in note 29.

Non-controlling interests – A non-controlling interest is initially recognized as the proportionate share of the
identifiable  net  assets  of  the  subsidiary  on  the  date  of  its  acquisition  and  is  subsequently  adjusted  for  the
non-controlling interest’s share in changes of the acquired subsidiary’s earnings and capital. Effects of transactions
with non-controlling interests are recorded in equity if there is no change in control.

Business combinations
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting whereby the consideration
transferred is measured at fair value at the date of acquisition. This consideration may include cash paid and the fair
value at the date of exchange of assets given, liabilities incurred and equity instruments issued by the company or its
subsidiaries.  The  consideration  transferred  also  includes  contingent  consideration  arrangements  recorded  at  fair
value.  Directly  attributable  acquisition-related  costs  are  expensed  in  the  current  period  and  reported  within
operating expenses. At the date of acquisition, the company recognizes the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities
assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquired business. The identifiable assets acquired and liabilities
assumed are initially recognized at fair value. If the consideration transferred is less than the fair value of identifiable
net assets acquired, the excess is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings.

A pre-existing equity interest in an acquiree is re-measured to fair value at the date of the business combination with
any gain or loss recognized in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Goodwill and intangible assets
Goodwill – Goodwill is recorded as the excess of consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net
assets  acquired  in  a  business  combination,  less  accumulated  impairment  charges,  and  is  allocated  to  the
cash-generating units expected to benefit from the acquisition for the purpose of impairment testing. On an annual
basis or more frequently if there are potential indicators of impairment, the carrying value of a cash-generating unit
inclusive of its allocated goodwill is compared to its recoverable amount, with any goodwill impairment measured as
the  excess  of  the  carrying  amount  over  the  recoverable  amount.  Goodwill  is  derecognized  on  disposal  of  a
cash-generating unit to which goodwill was previously allocated.

Intangible assets – Intangible assets are comprised primarily of customer and broker relationships, brand names,
Lloyd’s  participation  rights,  computer  software  (including  enterprise  systems)  and  other  acquired  identifiable
non-monetary assets without physical form.

Intangible  assets  are  initially  recognized  at  cost  (fair  value  when  acquired  through  a  business  combination)  and
subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment, where amortization is calculated
using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful life of those intangible assets with a finite life. The
carrying  value  of  intangible  assets  with  a  finite  life  are  re-evaluated  by  the  company  when  there  are  potential
indicators  of  impairment.  Indefinite-lived  intangible  assets  are  not  subject  to  amortization  but  are  assessed  for
impairment annually or more frequently if there are potential indicators of impairment.

The estimated useful lives of the company’s intangible assets are as follows:

Customer and broker relationships
Brand names and Lloyd’s participation rights
Computer software

8 to 20 years
Indefinite
3 to 15 years

Brand names are considered to be indefinite-lived based on their strength, history and expected future use.

Investments in associates
Investments  in  associates  are  accounted  for  using  the  equity  method  and  are  comprised  of  investments  in
corporations, limited partnerships and trusts where the company has the ability to exercise significant influence but
not control. Under the equity method of accounting, an investment in associate is initially recognized at cost and
adjusted  thereafter  for  the  post-acquisition  change  in  the  company’s  share  of  net  assets  of  the  associate.  The
company’s  share  of  profit  (loss)  and  other  comprehensive  income  (loss)  of  associates  are  reported  in  the
corresponding  lines  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  earnings  and  consolidated  statement  of  comprehensive
income,  respectively.  A  pre-existing  interest  in  an  associate  is  re-measured  to  fair  value  at  the  date  significant
influence is obtained and included in the carrying value of the associate.

40

The fair value of associates is estimated at each reporting date (or more frequently when conditions warrant) using
valuation techniques consistent with those applied to the company’s other investments in equity instruments. See
‘Determination of fair value’ under the heading of ‘Investments’ for further details. If there is objective evidence of
impairment, the associate is written down to its recoverable amount. Gains and losses realized on dispositions of
associates and unrealized impairment losses are recognized in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated
statement of earnings.

Foreign currency translation
Functional and presentation currency – The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars
which is the holding company’s functional currency and the presentation currency of the consolidated group.

Foreign currency transactions – Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currencies of
the holding company and its subsidiaries using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign
exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end
exchange  rates  of  monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign  currencies  are  recognized  in  the
consolidated statement of earnings. Non-monetary items carried at cost are translated using the exchange rate at the
date  of  the  transaction.  Non-monetary  items  carried  at  fair  value  are  translated  at  the  date  the  fair  value
is determined.

Translation  of  foreign  subsidiaries – The  functional  currencies  of  some  of  the  company’s  subsidiaries
(principally in Canada, the United Kingdom and Asia) differ from the consolidated group U.S. dollar presentation
currency.  As  a  result,  the  assets  and  liabilities  of  these  foreign  subsidiaries  (including  goodwill  and  fair  value
adjustments arising on their acquisition, where applicable) are translated on consolidation at the rates of exchange
prevailing at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange for the
period.  The  net  unrealized  gain  or  loss  resulting  from  this  translation  is  recognized  in  accumulated  other
comprehensive  income,  and  only  recycled  to  the  consolidated  statement  of  earnings  upon  reduction  of  an
investment in a foreign subsidiary.

Net investment hedge – The net unrealized gain or loss relating to the effective portion of the hedge is recognized
in accumulated other comprehensive income, and only recycled to the consolidated statement of earnings upon
reduction of the investment in the hedged foreign subsidiary. Gains and losses relating to the ineffective portion of
the hedge are recorded in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net earnings (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) and includes all
changes in total equity during a period, except for those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to
owners. Unrealized foreign currency translation amounts arising from foreign subsidiaries and associates that do not
have U.S. dollar functional currencies and changes in the fair value of the effective portion of cash flow hedging
instruments on hedges of net investments in foreign subsidiaries are recognized in other comprehensive income
(loss) and included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until recycled to the consolidated statement
of earnings in the future. Actuarial gains and losses and changes in asset limitation amounts on defined benefit
pension and post retirement plans are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently included in
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) without recycling. Upon settlement of the defined benefit plan or
disposal  of  the  related  associate  or  subsidiary  those  amounts  are  reclassified  directly  to  retained  earnings.
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (net of income taxes) is included on the consolidated balance sheet
as a component of common shareholders’ equity.

Consolidated statement of cash flows
The  company’s  consolidated  statements  of  cash  flows  are  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  indirect  method,
classifying cash flows by operating, investing and financing activities.

Cash and cash equivalents – Cash  and  cash  equivalents  consist  of  holding  company  and  subsidiary  cash  on
hand, demand deposits with banks and other short term highly liquid investments with maturities of three months
or less when purchased, and exclude cash and short term highly liquid investments that are restricted.

Investments
Investments  include  cash  and  cash  equivalents,  short  term  investments,  equity  instruments,  debt  instruments,
securities  sold  short,  derivatives,  real  estate  held  for  investment  and  investments  in  associates.  Management

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

determines the appropriate classifications of investments at their acquisition date. The company has not designated
any  financial  assets  or  liabilities  (including  derivatives)  as  accounting  hedges  except  for  the  hedge  of  its  net
investment in Canadian subsidiaries as described in note 7.

Classification – Short  term  investments,  equity  instruments,  debt  instruments,  securities  sold  short  and
derivatives are classified as fair value through profit or loss (‘‘FVTPL’’). Investments classified as FVTPL are carried at
fair value on the consolidated balance sheet with realized and unrealized gains and losses recorded in net gains
(losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings and as an operating activity in the consolidated
statement of cash flows. Dividends and interest earned, net of interest incurred on investments are included in the
consolidated  statement  of  earnings  in  interest  and  dividends  and  as  an  operating  activity  in  the  consolidated
statement of cash flows.

An investment in a debt instrument is measured at amortized cost if (i) the objective of the company’s business
model  is  to  hold  the  instrument  in  order  to  collect  contractual  cash  flows  and  (ii)  the  contractual  terms  of  the
instrument  give  rise  on  specified  dates  to  cash  flows  that  are  solely  payments  of  principal  and  interest  on  the
principal amount outstanding. The company’s business model currently does not permit any of its investments in
debt instruments to be measured at amortized cost.

Recognition and measurement – The company recognizes purchases and sales of investments on the trade date,
which is the date on which the company commits to purchase or sell the asset. Transactions pending settlement are
reflected on the consolidated balance sheet in other assets or in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

Transaction costs related to investments classified or designated as FVTPL are expensed as incurred.

An investment is derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the investment have expired or have been
transferred and when the company has transferred substantially the risks and rewards of ownership.

Short term investments – Short term investments are investments with maturity dates between three months
and twelve months when purchased.

Securities sold short – Securities sold short (‘‘short sales’’) represent obligations to deliver securities which were
not owned at the time of the sale.

Derivatives – Derivatives may include interest rate, credit default, currency and total return swaps, consumer price
index linked (‘‘CPI-linked’’), futures, forwards, warrants and option contracts, all of which derive their value mainly
from  changes  in  underlying  interest  rates,  foreign  exchange  rates,  credit  ratings,  commodity  values,  inflation
indexes or equity instruments. A derivative contract may be traded on an exchange or over-the-counter (‘‘OTC’’).
Exchange-traded derivatives are standardized and include futures and certain warrants and option contracts. OTC
derivative  contracts  are  individually  negotiated  between  contracting  parties  and  may  include  the  company’s
forwards, CPI-linked derivatives and total return swaps.

The  company  uses  derivatives  principally  to  mitigate  financial  risks  arising  from  its  investment  holdings  and
reinsurance  recoverables,  and  monitors  the  derivatives  for  effectiveness  in  achieving  their  risk  management
objectives.

The fair value of derivatives in a gain position is presented on the consolidated balance sheet in derivatives and other
invested assets in portfolio investments and in cash and investments of the holding company. The fair value of
derivatives  in  a  loss  position  and  obligations  to  purchase  securities  sold  short,  if  any,  are  presented  on  the
consolidated  balance  sheet  in  short  sale  and  derivative  obligations.  The  initial  premium  paid  for  a  derivative
contract, if any, would be recorded as a derivative asset and subsequently adjusted for changes in the market value of
the contract at each balance sheet date. Changes in the market value of a derivative are recorded as net gains (losses)
on  investments  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  earnings  at  each  balance  sheet  date,  with  a  corresponding
adjustment to the carrying value of the derivative asset or liability.

Cash received from counterparties as collateral for derivative contracts is recognized within subsidiary cash and short
term  investments  and  a  corresponding  liability  is  recognized  within  accounts  payable  and  accrued  liabilities.
Securities received from counterparties as collateral are not recorded as assets.

Cash and securities delivered to counterparties as collateral for derivative contracts continue to be reflected as assets
on the consolidated balance sheet within holding company cash and investments or within portfolio investments
assets as assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations.

42

Equity contracts – The company’s long equity total return swaps allow the company to receive the total return on a
notional amount of an equity index or individual equity security (including dividends and capital gains or losses) in
exchange for the payment of a floating rate of interest on the notional amount. Conversely, short equity total return
swaps allow the company to pay the total return on a notional amount of an equity index or individual equity
security in exchange for the receipt of a floating rate of interest on the notional amount. The company classifies
dividends and interest paid or received related to its long and short equity and equity index total return swaps on a
net basis as interest and dividends in the consolidated statement of earnings. The company’s equity and equity index
total  return  swaps  contain  contractual  reset  provisions  requiring  counterparties  to  cash-settle  on  a  monthly  or
quarterly basis any market value movements arising subsequent to the prior settlement. Any cash amounts paid to
settle unfavourable market value changes and, conversely, any cash amounts received in settlement of favourable
market value changes, are recorded as net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings. To
the extent that a contractual reset date of a contract does not correspond to the balance sheet date, the company
records net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings to adjust the carrying value of the
derivative asset or liability associated with each total return swap contract to reflect its fair value at the balance sheet
date. Final cash settlements of total return swaps are recognized as net gains (losses) on investments net of any
previously recorded unrealized market value changes since the last quarterly reset date. Total return swaps require no
initial net investment, and at inception, their fair value is zero.

CPI-linked derivative contracts – The company’s derivative contracts referenced to consumer price indexes (‘‘CPI’’) in
the  geographic  regions  in  which  it  operates  serve  as  an  economic  hedge  against  the  potential  adverse  financial
impact on the company of decreasing price levels. These contracts may be structured to provide a payout at maturity
if there is cumulative deflation over the life of the contract or if cumulative average inflation is below a specified floor
rate over the life of the contract. As the average remaining life of a CPI-linked derivative declines, the fair value of the
contract (excluding the impact of changes in the underlying CPI) will generally decline.

Determination  of  fair  value – Fair  values  for  substantially  all  of  the  company’s  financial  instruments  are
measured using market or income approaches. Considerable judgment may be required in interpreting market data
used to develop estimates of fair value. Accordingly, actual values realized in future market transactions may differ
from the estimates presented in these consolidated financial statements. The use of different market assumptions
and/or valuation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair values. The fair values of financial
instruments  are  based  on  bid  prices  for  financial  assets  and  ask  prices  for  financial  liabilities.  The  company
categorizes its fair value measurements using a three level hierarchy in accordance with IFRS as described below:

Level 1 – Inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments exchanged in active markets. The
fair values of securities sold short, the majority of the company’s common stocks, equity call options and certain
warrants are based on published quotes in active markets.

Level 2 – Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs (other than Level 1 inputs) such as quoted prices
for similar financial instruments exchanged in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar financial
instruments  exchanged  in  inactive  markets  and  other  market  observable  inputs.  The  fair  value  of  the  vast
majority of the company’s investments in bonds are priced based on information provided by independent
pricing service providers while much of the remainder, along with most derivative contracts (total return swaps)
and certain warrants are based primarily on non-binding third party broker-dealer quotes that are prepared using
Level 2 inputs. Where third party broker-dealer quotes are used, typically one quote is obtained from a broker-
dealer with particular expertise in the instrument being priced. Preferred stocks are priced using a combination
of  independent  pricing  service  providers  and  internal  valuation  models  that  rely  on  directly  or  indirectly
observable inputs.

The fair values of investments in certain limited partnerships classified as common stocks on the consolidated
balance  sheet  are  based  on  the  net  asset  values  received  from  the  general  partner,  adjusted  for  liquidity  as
required and are classified as Level 2 when they may be liquidated or redeemed within three months or less of
providing notice to the general partner. Otherwise, such investments in limited partnerships are classified as
Level 3.

Level 3 – Inputs include unobservable inputs used in the measurement of financial instruments. Management is
required to use its own assumptions regarding unobservable inputs as there is little, if any, market activity in
these instruments or related observable inputs that can be corroborated at the measurement date. CPI-linked
derivatives are classified as Level 3 and valued using broker-dealer quotes which management has determined
utilize market observable inputs except for the inflation volatility input which is not market observable.

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Transfers between fair value hierarchy categories are considered effective from the beginning of the reporting period
in which the transfer is identified.

Valuation techniques used by the company’s independent pricing service providers and third party broker-dealers
include comparisons with similar instruments where observable market prices exist, discounted cash flow analysis,
option  pricing  models,  and  other  valuation  techniques  commonly  used  by  market  participants.  The  company
assesses the reasonableness of pricing received from these third party sources by comparing the fair values received to
recent transaction prices for similar assets where available, to industry accepted discounted cash flow models (that
incorporate estimates of the amount and timing of future cash flows and market observable inputs such as credit
spreads and discount rates) and to option pricing models (that incorporate market observable inputs including the
quoted price, volatility and dividend yield of the underlying security and the risk free rate).

The reasonableness of the fair values of CPI-linked derivative contracts are assessed by comparing the fair values
received from third party broker-dealers to recent market transactions where available and values determined using
third  party  pricing  software  based  on  the  Black-Scholes  option  pricing  model  for  European-style  options  that
incorporates market observable and unobservable inputs such as the current value of the relevant CPI underlying the
derivative, the inflation swap rate, nominal swap rate and inflation volatility. The fair values of CPI-linked derivative
contracts are sensitive to assumptions such as market expectations of future rates of inflation and related inflation
volatilities.

The  company  employs  dedicated  personnel  responsible  for  the  valuation  of  its  investment  portfolio.  Detailed
valuations are performed for those financial instruments that are priced internally, while external pricing received
from  independent  pricing  service  providers  and  third  party  broker-dealers  are  evaluated  by  the  company  for
reasonableness.  The  company’s  Chief  Financial  Officer  oversees  the  valuation  function  and  regularly  reviews
valuation  processes  and  results,  including  at  each  quarterly  reporting  period.  Significant  valuation  matters,
particularly those requiring extensive judgment, are communicated to the company’s Audit Committee.

Accounts receivable and accounts payable
Accounts  receivable  and  accounts  payable  are  recognized  initially  at  fair  value.  Due  to  their  short-term  nature,
carrying value is considered to approximate fair value.

Insurance contracts
Insurance  contracts  are  those  contracts  that  have  significant  insurance  risk  at  the  inception  of  the  contract.
Insurance risk arises when the company agrees to compensate a policyholder if a specified uncertain future event
adversely  affects  the  policyholder,  with  the  possibility  of  paying  (including  variability  in  timing  of  payments)
significantly more in a scenario where the insured event occurs than when it does not occur. Contracts not meeting
the definition of an insurance contract under IFRS are classified as investment contracts, derivative contracts or
service contracts, as appropriate.

Revenue recognition – Premiums written are deferred as unearned premiums and recognized as revenue, net of
premiums ceded, on a pro rata basis over the terms of the underlying policies. Net premiums earned are reported
gross  of  premium  taxes  which  are  included  in  operating  expenses  as  the  related  premiums  are  earned.  Certain
reinsurance premiums are estimated at the individual contract level, based on historical patterns and experience
from the ceding companies for contracts where reports from ceding companies for the period are not contractually
due  until  after  the  balance  sheet  date.  The  cost  of  reinsurance  purchased  by  the  company  (premiums  ceded)  is
included in recoverable from reinsurers and is amortized over the contract period in proportion to the amount of
insurance  protection  provided.  Unearned  premium  represents  the  portion  of  the  premiums  written  relating  to
periods of insurance and reinsurance coverage subsequent to the balance sheet date. Impairment losses on insurance
premiums receivable are included in operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Deferred premium acquisition costs – Certain  costs  of  acquiring  insurance  contracts,  consisting  of  brokers’
commissions and premium taxes are deferred and charged to earnings as the related premiums are earned. Deferred
premium acquisition costs are limited to their estimated realizable value based on the related unearned premium,
which considers anticipated losses and loss adjustment expenses and estimated remaining costs of servicing the
business  based  on  historical  experience.  The  ultimate  recoverability  of  deferred  premium  acquisition  costs  is
determined without regard to investment income. Impairment losses on deferred premium acquisition costs are
included in operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

44

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses – The company is required by applicable insurance laws,
regulations and Canadian accepted actuarial practice to establish reserves for payment of losses and loss adjustment
expenses that arise from the company’s general insurance and reinsurance products and its runoff operations. These
reserves are based on assumptions that represent the best estimates of possible outcomes aimed at evaluating the
expected ultimate cost to settle claims occurring prior to, but still outstanding as of, the balance sheet date. The
company establishes its reserves by product line, type and extent of coverage and year of occurrence. Loss reserves
fall into two categories: reserves for reported losses (case reserves) and reserves for incurred but not reported (‘‘IBNR’’)
losses. Additionally, reserves are held for loss adjustment expenses, which include the estimated legal and other
expenses expected to be incurred to finalize the settlement of the losses. Losses and loss adjustment expenses are
charged to losses on claims, gross, in the consolidated statement of earnings.

The company’s reserves for reported losses and loss adjustment expenses are based on estimates of future payments
to settle reported general insurance and reinsurance claims and claims from its run-off operations. The company
bases case reserve estimates on the facts available at the time the reserves are established and for reinsurance, based
on reports and individual case reserve estimates received from ceding companies. The company establishes these
reserves on an undiscounted basis to recognize the estimated costs of bringing pending claims to final settlement,
taking into account inflation, as well as other factors that can influence the amount of reserves required, some of
which are subjective and some of which are dependent on future events. In determining the level of reserves, the
company considers historical trends and patterns of loss payments, pending levels of unpaid claims and types of
coverage. In addition, court decisions, economic conditions and public attitudes may affect the ultimate cost of
settlement and, as a result, the company’s estimation of reserves. Between the reporting and final settlement of a
claim, circumstances may change, which would result in changes to established reserves. Items such as changes in
law and interpretations of relevant case law, results of litigation, changes in medical costs, as well as costs of vehicle
and building repair materials and labour rates can substantially impact ultimate settlement costs. Accordingly, the
company reviews and re-evaluates case reserves on a regular basis. Any resulting adjustments are included in the
consolidated statement of earnings in the period the adjustment is made. Amounts ultimately paid for losses and loss
adjustment expenses can vary significantly from the level of reserves originally set or currently recorded.

The company also establishes reserves for IBNR claims on an undiscounted basis to recognize the estimated final
settlement  cost  for  loss  events  which  have  already  occurred  but  which  have  not  yet  been  reported.  Historical
information and statistical models, based on product line, type and extent of coverage, as well as reported claim
trends,  claim  severities,  exposure  growth,  and  other  factors,  are  relied  upon  to  estimate  IBNR  reserves.  These
estimates are revised as additional information becomes available and as claims are actually paid and reported.

Estimation  techniques – Provisions  for  losses  and  loss  adjustment  expense  and  provisions  for  unearned
premiums are determined based upon previous claims experience, knowledge of events, the terms and conditions of
the relevant policies and on interpretation of circumstances. Particularly relevant is experience with similar cases and
historical claims payment trends. The approach also includes consideration of the development of loss payment
trends, the potential longer term significance of large events, the levels of unpaid claims, legislative changes, judicial
decisions and economic and political conditions.

Where possible the company applies several commonly accepted actuarial projection methodologies in estimating
required  provisions  to  give  greater  insight  into  the  trends  inherent  in  the  data  being  projected.  These  include
methods  based  upon  the  following:  the  development  of  previously  settled  claims,  where  payments  to  date  are
extrapolated for each prior year; estimates based upon a projection of numbers of claims and average cost; notified
claims development, where notified claims to date for each year are extrapolated based upon observed development
of  earlier  years;  and,  expected  loss  ratios.  In  addition,  the  company  uses  other  techniques  such  as  aggregate
benchmarking methods for specialist classes of business. In selecting its best estimate, the company considers the
appropriateness  of  the  methods  to  the  individual  circumstances  of  the  line  of  business  and  accident  or
underwriting year.

Large claims impacting each relevant line of business are generally assessed separately, being measured either at the
face value of the loss adjusters’ estimates or projected separately in order to allow for the future development of
large claims.

Provisions  for  losses  and  loss  adjustment  expenses  are  calculated  gross  of  any  reinsurance  recoveries.  A  separate
estimate is made of the amounts that will be recoverable from reinsurers based upon the gross provisions and having
due regard to collectability.

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses are subject to review at the subsidiary level by subsidiary
actuaries, at the corporate level by the company’s Chief Risk Officer and by independent third party actuaries. In
addition, for major classes of business where the risks and uncertainties inherent in the provisions are greatest, ad
hoc detailed reviews are undertaken by internal and external advisers who are able to draw upon their specialist
expertise and a broader knowledge of current industry trends in claims development. The results of these reviews are
considered  when  establishing  the  appropriate  levels  of  provisions  for  losses  and  loss  adjustment  expenses  and
unexpired risks.

Reinsurance
Reinsurance does not relieve the originating insurer of its liability and is reflected on the consolidated balance sheet
on a gross basis to indicate the extent of credit risk related to reinsurance and the obligations of the insurer to its
policyholders. Reinsurance assets include balances due from reinsurance companies for paid and unpaid losses and
loss adjustment expenses and ceded unearned premiums. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a
manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policy. Reinsurance is recorded gross on the
consolidated balance sheet unless a legal right to offset against a liability owing to the same reinsurer exists.

Ceded premiums and losses are recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings in premiums ceded to reinsurers
and losses on claims ceded to reinsurers respectively and in recoverable from reinsurers on the consolidated balance
sheet.  Unearned  premiums  are  reported  before  reduction  for  premiums  ceded  to  reinsurers  and  the  reinsurers’
portion is classified with recoverable from reinsurers on the consolidated balance sheet along with the estimates of
the reinsurers’ shares of provision for claims determined on a basis consistent with the related claims liabilities.

Impairment – Reinsurance assets are assessed regularly for any events that may trigger impairment, including legal
disputes with third parties, changes in capital, surplus levels and in credit ratings of a counterparty, and historic
experience regarding collectability from specific reinsurers. If there is objective evidence that a reinsurance asset is
impaired,  the  carrying  amount  of  the  asset  is  reduced  to  its  recoverable  amount  by  recording  a  provision  for
uncollectible reinsurance in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Risk transfer – Reinsurance  contracts  are  assessed  to  ensure  that  insurance  risk  is  transferred  by  the  ceding  or
assuming company to the reinsurer. Those contracts that do not transfer insurance risk are accounted for using the
deposit method whereby a deposit asset or liability is recognized based on the consideration paid or received less any
explicitly identified premiums or fees to be retained by the ceding company.

Premiums – Premiums payable in respect of reinsurance ceded are recognized on the consolidated balance sheet in
the period in which the reinsurance contract is entered into and include estimates for contracts in force which have
not yet been finalized. Premiums ceded are recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings over the period of
the reinsurance contract.

Income taxes
The  provision  for  income  taxes  for  the  period  comprises  current  and  deferred  income  tax.  Income  taxes  are
recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings, except to the extent that they relate to items recognized in
other  comprehensive  income  or  directly  in  equity.  In  those  cases,  the  related  taxes  are  also  recognized  in  other
comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

Current income tax is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the
reporting  period  in  the  countries  where  the  company’s  subsidiaries  and  associates  operate  and  generate
taxable income.

Deferred income tax is calculated under the liability method whereby deferred income tax assets and liabilities are
recognized for temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and
their  respective  income  tax  bases  at  the  current  substantively  enacted  tax  rates.  With  the  exception  of  initial
recognition of deferred income tax arising from business combinations, changes in deferred income tax associated
with components of other comprehensive income are recognized directly in other comprehensive income while all
other changes in deferred income tax are included in the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statement
of earnings.

Deferred income tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available
against which the temporary differences can be utilized. Carry forwards of unused losses or unused tax credits are tax

46

effected and recognized as deferred tax assets when it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against
which these losses or tax credits can be utilized.

Deferred income tax is not recognized on unremitted subsidiary earnings where the company has determined it is
not probable those earnings will be repatriated in the foreseeable future.

Current  and  deferred  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  offset  when  the  income  taxes  are  levied  by  the  same
taxation authority and there is a legally enforceable right of offset.

Other assets
Other assets consist of premises and equipment, inventories and receivables of subsidiaries included in the Other
reporting segment, accrued interest and dividends, income taxes refundable, receivables for securities sold, pension
assets, deferred compensation assets, prepaid expenses and other miscellaneous receivables.

Premises and equipment – Premises and equipment is recorded at historical cost less accumulated amortization
and  any  accumulated  impairment  losses.  The  company  reviews  premises  and  equipment  for  impairment  when
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The cost of premises and
equipment  is  depreciated  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  asset’s  estimated  useful  life  and  charged  to  operating
expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Other revenue and expenses
Revenue from the sale of hospitality, travel and other non-insurance products and services are recognized when the
price is fixed or determinable, collection is reasonably assured and the product or service has been delivered to the
customer. The revenue and related cost of inventories sold or services provided are recorded in other revenue and
other expenses respectively, in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Long term debt
Borrowings (debt issued) are recognized initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred, and subsequently
carried at amortized cost. Interest expense on borrowings is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings
using the effective interest rate method.

Equity
Common stock issued by the company is classified as equity when there is no contractual obligation to transfer cash
or other financial assets to the holder of the shares. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue or repurchase
for cancellation of equity instruments are recognized in equity, net of tax.

Treasury shares are equity instruments reacquired by the company which have not been cancelled and are deducted
from equity on the consolidated balance sheet, regardless of the objective of the transaction. The company acquires
its  own  subordinate  voting  shares  on  the  open  market  for  its  share-based  payment  awards.  No  gain  or  loss  is
recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of treasury shares.
Consideration paid or received is recognized directly in equity.

Dividends and other distributions to holders of the company’s equity instruments are recognized directly in equity.

Share-based payments
The company has restricted share plans or equivalent for management of the holding company and its subsidiaries
with vesting periods of up to ten years from the date of grant. The fair value of restricted share awards on the grant
date is amortized to compensation expense over the vesting period, with a corresponding increase in the share-based
payments equity reserve. At each balance sheet date, the company reviews its estimates of the number of restricted
share awards expected to vest.

Net earnings per share attributable to shareholders of Fairfax
Net earnings (loss) per share – Basic net earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing the net earnings (loss)
attributable to shareholders of Fairfax, after the deduction of preferred share dividends declared and the excess over
stated value of preferred shares purchased for cancellation, by the weighted average number of subordinate and
multiple voting shares issued and outstanding during the period, excluding subordinate voting shares purchased by
the company and held as treasury shares.

47

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Net earnings (loss) per diluted share – Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted
average number of subordinate and multiple voting shares outstanding during the period for the dilutive effect of
share-based payments.

Pensions and post retirement benefits
The company’s subsidiaries have a number of arrangements in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom
that provide pension and post retirement benefits to retired and current employees. The holding company has no
such  arrangements  or  plans.  Pension  arrangements  of  the  subsidiaries  include  defined  benefit  statutory  pension
plans, as well as supplemental arrangements that provide pension benefits in excess of statutory limits. These plans
are  a  combination  of  defined  benefit  plans  and  defined  contribution  plans.  The  assets  of  these  plans  are  held
separately from the company’s general assets in separate pension funds and invested principally in high quality fixed
income  securities  and  cash  and  short  term  investments.  Certain  of  the  company’s  post  retirement  benefit  plans
covering medical care and life insurance are internally funded.

Defined contribution plan – A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the company pays fixed
contributions. Contributions to defined contribution pension plans are charged to operating expenses in the period
in which the employment services qualifying for the benefit are provided. The company has no further payment
obligations once the contributions have been paid.

Defined benefit plan – A defined benefit plan is a plan that defines an amount of pension or other post retirement
benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of
service and salary. Actuarial valuations of benefit liabilities for the majority of pension and post retirement benefit
plans  are  performed  each  year  using  the  projected  benefit  method  prorated  on  service,  based  on  management’s
assumptions.

Defined benefit obligations, net of the fair value of plan assets, and adjusted for pension asset limitations, if any, are
accrued on the consolidated balance sheet in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 14). Plans in a net asset
position, subject to any minimum funding requirements, are recognized in other assets (note 13).

Defined benefit expense recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings includes the net interest on the net
defined benefit liability (asset) calculated using a discount rate based on market yields on high quality bonds, past
service costs arising from plan amendments or curtailments and gains or losses on plan settlements.

Remeasurements, consisting of actuarial gains and losses, the actual return on plan assets (excluding the net interest
component)  and  any  change  in  asset  limitation  amounts,  are  recognized  in  other  comprehensive  income  and
subsequently included in accumulated other comprehensive income. These remeasurements will not be recycled to
the consolidated statement of earnings in the future, but are reclassified to retained earnings upon settlement of the
plan or disposal of the related subsidiary.

Operating leases
The company and its subsidiaries are lessees under various operating leases relating to premises, automobiles and
equipment. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are recorded in
operating expenses on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

New accounting pronouncements adopted in 2015
The  company  adopted  the  following  new  and  revised  standards,  along  with  any  consequential  amendments,
effective January 1, 2015. These changes were retrospectively adopted in accordance with the applicable transitional
provisions of each new or revised standard, and did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial
statements.

Amendment to IAS 19 Employee Benefits (‘‘IAS 19’’)
The IASB amended IAS 19 to permit employee contributions that are independent of the number of years of service
to be recognized as a reduction of service cost in the period in which the service is rendered, instead of allocating the
contributions to periods of service. Retrospective adoption of the amendment on January 1, 2015 did not have a
significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

48

IFRS Annual Improvements
The IASB periodically issues improvements to clarify the requirements of IFRS and eliminate inconsistencies within
and between standards. Adoption of the 2010-2012 and 2011-2013 improvements on January 1, 2015 in accordance
with  their  respective  transition  provisions  did  not  have  a  significant  impact  on  the  consolidated  financial
statements.

New accounting pronouncements issued but not yet effective
The following new standards have been issued by the IASB and were not yet effective for the fiscal year beginning
January 1, 2015. The company is currently evaluating their impact on its consolidated financial statements.

IFRS Annual Improvements 2012-2014
In  September  2014  the  IASB  issued  a  limited  number  of  amendments  to  clarify  the  requirements  of  four  IFRS
standards. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016, with retrospective
application.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (‘‘IFRS 9’’)
In July 2014 the IASB published the complete version of IFRS 9 which supersedes the 2010 version of IFRS 9 currently
applied by the company. This complete version is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018,
with retrospective application, and includes: requirements for the classification and measurement of financial assets
and liabilities; an expected credit loss model that replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model; and new
hedge accounting guidance. The company is also evaluating the implementation options for insurers proposed in
the December 2015 Exposure Draft Applying IFRS 9 Financial Instruments with IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts (Proposed
amendments to IFRS 4).

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (‘‘IFRS 15’’)
In May 2014 the IASB published IFRS 15 which introduces a single model for recognizing revenue from contracts
with customers. IFRS 15 excludes insurance contracts from its scope and is primarily applicable to the company’s
non-insurance  entities.  The  standard  is  effective  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after  January  1,  2018,  with
retrospective application.

IFRS 16 Leases (‘‘IFRS 16’’)
In January 2016 the IASB published IFRS 16 which largely eliminates the distinction between finance and operating
leases for lessees. With limited exceptions, lessees will be required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a liability for
its obligation to make lease payments. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1,
2019, with modified retrospective application.

Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortization (Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38)

In May 2014 the IASB issued amendments to IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment and IAS 38 Intangible Assets to clarify
that revenue-based amortization methods cannot be used to amortize property, plant and equipment, and may be
used to amortize intangible assets only in limited circumstances. The amendments are effective for annual periods
beginning on or after January 1, 2016, with prospective application.

Disclosure Initiative (Amendments to IAS 1)
In December 2014 the IASB issued certain narrow-focus amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements to
clarify  existing  presentation  and  disclosure  requirements.  The  amendments  are  effective  for  annual  periods
beginning on or after January 1, 2016, with retrospective application.

49

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

4. Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments

In  the  preparation  of  the  company’s  consolidated  financial  statements,  management  has  made  a  number  of
estimates and judgments, the more critical of which are discussed below, with the exception of the determination of
fair value for financial instruments (notes 3 and 5), carrying value of associates (notes 3 and 6), and contingencies
(note  20).  Estimates  and  judgments  are  continually  evaluated  and  are  based  on  historical  experience  and  other
factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses are valued based on Canadian accepted actuarial practices, which
are designed to ensure the company establishes an appropriate reserve on the consolidated balance sheet to cover
insured losses with respect to reported and unreported claims incurred as of the end of each accounting period and
related  claims  expenses.  The  assumptions  underlying  the  valuation  of  provisions  for  losses  and  loss  adjustment
expenses are reviewed and updated by the company on an ongoing basis to reflect recent and emerging trends in
experience and changes in risk profile of the business. The estimation techniques employed by the company in
determining  provisions  for  losses  and  loss  adjustment  expenses  and  the  inherent  uncertainties  associated  with
insurance contracts are described in the ‘‘Underwriting Risk’’ section of note 24 while the historic development of
the company’s insurance liabilities are presented in note 8.

Recoverability of deferred income tax assets
In  determining  the  recoverability  of  deferred  income  tax  assets,  the  company  primarily  considers  current  and
expected  profitability  of  applicable  operating  companies  and  their  ability  to  utilize  any  recorded  tax  assets.  The
company  reviews  its  deferred  income  tax  assets  quarterly,  taking  into  consideration  the  availability  of  sufficient
current and projected taxable profits, reversals of taxable temporary differences and tax planning strategies.

Business combinations
Accounting for business combinations requires judgments and estimates to be made in order to determine the fair
values of the consideration transferred, assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. The company uses all available
information,  including  external  valuations  and  appraisals  where  appropriate,  to  determine  these  fair  values.
Changes in estimates of fair value due to additional information related to facts and circumstances that existed at the
acquisition date would impact the amount of goodwill (or gain on bargain purchase) recognized. If necessary, the
company  has  up  to  one  year  from  the  acquisition  date  to  finalize  the  determinations  of  fair  value  for  business
combinations.

Assessment of goodwill for potential impairment
Goodwill is assessed annually for impairment or more frequently if there are potential indicators of impairment.
Management estimates the recoverable amount of each of the company’s cash-generating units using one or more
generally  accepted  valuation  techniques,  which  requires  the  making  of  a  number  of  assumptions,  including
assumptions about future revenue, net earnings, corporate overhead costs, capital expenditures, cost of capital, and
the growth rate of the various operations. The recoverable amount of each cash-generating unit to which goodwill
has been assigned is compared to its carrying value (inclusive of assigned goodwill). If the recoverable amount of a
cash-generating  unit  is  determined  to  be  less  than  its  carrying  value,  the  excess  is  recognized  as  a  goodwill
impairment  loss.  Given  the  variability  of  future-oriented  financial  information,  goodwill  impairment  tests  are
subjected to sensitivity analysis.

50

5. Cash and Investments

Holding  company  cash  and  investments,  portfolio  investments  and  short  sale  and  derivative  obligations  are
classified as FVTPL, except for investments in associates and other invested assets which are classified as other, and
are shown in the table below:

Holding company:
Cash and cash equivalents (note 27)
Short term investments
Short term investments pledged for short sale and derivative obligations
Bonds
Bonds pledged for short sale and derivative obligations
Preferred stocks
Common stocks(1)
Derivatives (note 7)

Short sale and derivative obligations (note 7)

Portfolio investments:
Cash and cash equivalents (note 27)
Short term investments
Bonds
Preferred stocks
Common stocks(1)
Investments in associates (note 6)
Derivatives (note 7)
Other invested assets

Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations:
Cash and cash equivalents (note 27)
Short term investments
Bonds

Fairfax India cash and portfolio investments:
Cash and cash equivalents (note 27)
Short term investments
Bonds
Common stocks(1)
Investments in associates (note 6)

Short sale and derivative obligations (note 7)

December 31, December 31,
2014

2015

222.4
241.7
49.9
511.7
12.9
0.3
159.6
78.0

1,276.5
(0.6)

1,275.9

3,227.7
3,413.9
12,286.6
116.6
5,358.3
1,730.2
484.4
16.3

26,634.0

7.7
129.1
214.3

351.1

22.0
61.5
512.8
48.4
202.7

847.4

317.7
121.6
92.0
323.8
17.7
144.2
89.8
137.5

1,244.3
(31.6)

1,212.7

3,034.5
2,499.8
11,445.5
376.4
4,848.5
1,617.7
412.6
14.2

24,249.2

–
227.7
632.3

860.0

–
–
–
–
–

–

27,832.5
(92.3)

25,109.2
(129.2)

27,740.2

24,980.0

(1) Common  stocks  include  investments  in  limited  partnerships  and  other  funds  with  carrying  values  of  $1,183.0  and
$1,094.0 respectively at December 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 – $1,004.4 and nil). Other funds comprise a significant
proportion of Brit’s investment portfolio and are invested principally in fixed income securities.

51

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Restricted cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2015 of $354.2 (December 31, 2014 – $333.5) was comprised
primarily  of  amounts  required  to  be  maintained  on  deposit  with  various  regulatory  authorities  to  support  the
subsidiaries’  insurance  and  reinsurance  operations.  Restricted  cash  and  cash  equivalents  are  included  on  the
consolidated balance sheet in holding company cash and investments, or in portfolio investments in subsidiary cash
and  short  term  investments,  assets  pledged  for  short  sale  and  derivative  obligations  and  Fairfax  India  portfolio
investments.

The company’s subsidiaries have pledged cash and investments, inclusive of trust funds and regulatory deposits, as
security for their own obligations to pay claims or make premium payments (these pledges are either direct or to
support  letters  of  credit).  In  order  to  write  insurance  business  in  certain  jurisdictions  (primarily  U.S.  states)  the
company’s subsidiaries must deposit funds with local insurance regulatory authorities to provide security for future
claims  payments  as  ultimate  protection  for  the  policyholder.  Additionally,  some  of  the  company’s  subsidiaries
provide reinsurance to primary insurers, for which funds must be posted as security for losses that have been incurred
but not yet paid. These pledges are in the normal course of business and are generally released when the payment
obligation is fulfilled.

The table that follows summarizes pledged assets by the nature of the pledge requirement (excluding assets pledged
in favour of Lloyd’s (note 20) and assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations). Pledged assets primarily
consist of bonds within portfolio investments on the consolidated balance sheet.

Regulatory deposits
Security for reinsurance and other

December 31, December 31,
2014
2,717.0
903.8

2015
4,786.8
699.5

5,486.3

3,620.8

Fixed Income Maturity Profile
Bonds are summarized by the earliest contractual maturity date in the table below. Actual maturities may differ from
maturities shown below due to the existence of call and put features. At December 31, 2015 bonds containing call
and put features represented approximately $6,339.1 and $179.4 respectively (December 31, 2014 – $6,880.2 and
$56.4) of the total fair value of bonds.

Due in 1 year or less
Due after 1 year through 5 years
Due after 5 years through 10 years
Due after 10 years

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Amortized
cost
1,173.9
4,649.9
952.8
5,635.7

Fair Amortized
cost
653.9
4,714.1
341.6
5,067.4

value
1,313.1
5,160.3
931.5
6,133.4

Fair
value
664.2
5,708.3
355.0
5,691.8

12,412.3

13,538.3

10,777.0

12,419.3

Effective interest rate

5.1%

5.0%

The calculation of the effective interest rate of 5.1% (December 31, 2014 – 5.0%) is on a pre-tax basis and does not
give effect to the favourable tax treatment which the company expects to receive with respect to its tax advantaged
U.S. state and municipal bond investments of approximately $4.9 billion (December 31, 2014 – $5.2 billion).

52

Fair Value Disclosures
The  company’s  use  of  quoted  market  prices  (Level  1),  valuation  models  using  observable  market  information  as
inputs (Level 2) and valuation models without observable market information as inputs (Level 3) in the valuation of
securities and derivative contracts by type of issuer was as follows:

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Total fair
value
asset
(liability)

Significant
other
Quoted observable unobservable
inputs
inputs
(Level 3)
(Level 2)

Significant Total fair
value
asset
(liability)

prices
(Level 1)

Significant
Significant
other
Quoted observable unobservable
inputs
inputs
(Level 3)
(Level 2)

prices
(Level 1)

Cash and cash equivalents

3,479.8

3,479.8

–

3,352.2

3,352.2

Short term investments:

Canadian government

Canadian provincials

U.S. treasury

Other government

Corporate and other

Bonds:

Canadian government

Canadian provincials

U.S. treasury

U.S. states and municipalities

Other government

Corporate and other

Preferred stocks:

Canadian

U.S.

Other

Common stocks:

Canadian

U.S.
Other funds(1)

Other

3,896.1

3,783.5

112.6

2,941.1

2,817.5

123.6

–

–

–

–

30.1

82.5

297.1

198.8

2,699.7

6,646.2

1,625.2

1,374.9

8.9

78.5

21.8

109.2

66.7

66.7

114.0

114.0

3,433.9

3,433.9

199.0

168.9

82.5

–

297.1

198.8

2,699.7

6,646.2

1,625.2

2,071.3

13,538.3

16.3

78.8

21.8

116.9

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

704.3

1,059.7

1,094.0

601.6

531.5

87.0

33.9

–

1,094.0

–

–

–

–

48.3

75.3

–

–

334.0

334.0

2,170.7

2,170.7

361.1

312.8

75.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

16.0

217.1

2,094.2

6,998.2

1,559.0

7.4

0.3

–

7.7

15.7

494.3

–

173.9

322.4

24.3

520.6

918.2

907.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

786.7

478.0

–

16.0

217.1

2,094.2

6,998.2

1,559.0

701.8

11,586.3

16.7

321.6

24.3

362.6

109.7

29.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

833.0

833.0

157.2

0.8

–

158.0

21.8

399.9

–

696.4

1,534.8

12,841.9

696.4 12,419.3

2,708.3

1,484.2

464.2

759.9

3,112.8

1,922.1

563.3

627.4

5,566.3

2,617.3

1,679.1

1,269.9

4,938.3

3,186.8

702.4

1,049.1

Derivatives and other invested assets

578.7

Short sale and derivative obligations

(92.9)

–

–

293.3

285.4

564.3

(92.9)

–

(160.8)

–

–

285.0

279.3

(160.8)

–

Holding company cash and
investments and portfolio
investments measured at fair value

27,083.2

9,880.6

14,943.2

2,259.4 24,575.0

9,356.5

12,899.1

2,319.4

100.0%

36.5%

55.2%

8.3% 100.0%

38.1%

52.5%

9.4%

Investments in associates (note 6)(2)

2,406.6

1,034.9

37.0

1,334.7

2,070.5

1,046.4

35.5

988.6

(1) Other funds comprise a significant proportion of Brit’s investment portfolio. These funds are invested principally in fixed
income securities and are measured at net asset value, which represents the fair value of the underlying securities.

(2) The carrying value of investments in associates is determined using the equity method of accounting and fair value is

presented separately in the table above.

53

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Transfers between fair value hierarchy levels are considered effective from the beginning of the reporting period in
which the transfer is identified. During 2015 and 2014 there were no significant transfers of financial instruments
between Level 1 and Level 2 and there were no significant transfers of financial instruments in or out of Level 3 as a
result of changes in the observability of valuation inputs.

Included in Level 3 are investments in CPI-linked derivatives, certain private placement debt securities and equity
warrants,  and  common  and  preferred  shares  of  private  companies.  CPI-linked  derivatives  are  classified  within
holding company cash and investments, or in derivatives and other invested assets in portfolio investments on the
consolidated balance sheet and are valued based on broker-dealer quotes which management has determined utilize
market observable inputs except for the inflation volatility input which is not market observable. Private placement
debt securities are classified within holding company cash and investments and bonds on the consolidated balance
sheet and are valued using industry accepted discounted cash flow models that incorporate the credit spreads of the
issuers, an input which is not market observable. Limited partnerships, private equity funds and private company
common  shares  are  classified  within  holding  company  cash  and  investments  and  common  stocks  on  the
consolidated balance sheet. These investments are primarily valued based on net asset value statements provided by
the respective third party fund managers and general partners. The fair values in those statements are determined
using  quoted  prices  of  the  underlying  assets,  and  to  a  lesser  extent,  observable  inputs  where  available  and
unobservable inputs, in conjunction with industry accepted valuation models, where required. In some instances,
private equity funds and limited partnerships are classified as Level 3 because they may require at least three months’
notice to liquidate. Reasonably possible changes in the value of unobservable inputs for any of these individual
investments  would  not  significantly  change  the  fair  value  of  investments  classified  as  Level  3  in  the  fair  value
hierarchy.

A summary of changes in Level 3 financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended
December 31 follows:

2015

Private

Private
company

placement preferred partnerships
and other
shares

debt securities

Limited Private
equity
funds

Private Derivatives
and other
invested
assets

company
common
shares

Total

Balance – January 1

833.0

158.0

775.3

117.6

156.2

279.3 2,319.4

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

included in the consolidated statement of
earnings

Purchases

Sales

Acquisition of Brit

Unrealized foreign currency translation losses
on foreign operations included in other
comprehensive income

(75.9)

123.7

13.5

2.4

44.4

224.7

8.6

85.6

(10.6)

5.1

209.4

22.2

189.4

463.7

(162.4)

(156.0)

(69.4)

(25.2)

(10.4)

(221.9)

(645.3)

23.5

–

–

–

–

3.8

27.3

(45.5)

(10.2)

(14.1)

(15.6)

(2.3)

(7.4)

(95.1)

Balance – December 31

696.4

7.7

960.9

171.0

138.0

285.4 2,259.4

54

2014

Private

Private
company

placement preferred partnerships
and other
shares

debt securities

Limited Private
equity
funds

Private Derivatives
and other
invested
assets

company
common
shares

Total

Balance – January 1

437.6

183.0

692.7

112.2

171.7

169.6 1,766.8

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

included in the consolidated statement of
earnings

Purchases

Sales

Transfer into category due to change in

accounting treatment

Unrealized foreign currency translation losses
on foreign operations included in other
comprehensive income

175.1

249.2

(5.5)

–

(21.5)

4.1

–

6.0

36.6

112.9

22.2

26.2

(57.5)

(36.3)

–

–

(19.3)

5.6

–

–

8.6

121.1

201.7

519.1

(14.7)

(114.0)

–

6.0

(23.4)

(13.6)

(9.4)

(6.7)

(1.8)

(5.3)

(60.2)

Balance – December 31

833.0

158.0

775.3

117.6

156.2

279.3 2,319.4

Investment Income
An analysis of investment income for the years ended December 31 follows:

Interest and dividends and share of profit of associates

Interest income:

Cash and short term investments
Bonds
Derivatives and other

Dividends:

Preferred stocks
Common stocks

Investment expenses

Interest and dividends

Share of profit of associates (note 6)

2015

2014

28.5
584.7
(156.1)

27.8
474.1
(151.6)

457.1

350.3

15.1
65.0

80.1

38.1
42.1

80.2

(25.0)

(26.7)

512.2

403.8

172.9

105.7

55

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Net gains (losses) on investments

Bonds
Preferred stocks
Common stocks

Derivatives:

2015

2014

Net Net change
in unreal-
ized gains
(losses)

realized
gains
(losses)

Net gains
(losses) on
investments

Net Net change
in unreal-
ized gains
(losses)

realized
gains
(losses)

Net gains
(losses) on
investments

27.4
130.6(1)
255.7

(615.3)
(141.8)(1)
(948.7)

(587.9)
(11.2)
(693.0)

139.7
(161.8)(1)
483.5

1,300.9
20.0
(216.6)

1,440.6
(141.8)
266.9

413.7

(1,705.8)

(1,292.1)

461.4

1,104.3

1,565.7

Common stock and equity index short positions
Common stock and equity index long positions
Equity index put options
Equity warrants and call options
CPI-linked derivatives
Other

Foreign currency net gains (losses) on:

Investing activities
Underwriting activities
Foreign currency contracts

Gain on disposition of subsidiary and associates

Other

303.3(2)
(43.0)(2)
–

208.5(3)

–
6.1

205.7
7.0
(7.2)
(20.8)(3)
35.7
(8.7)

509.0
(36.0)
(7.2)
187.7
35.7
(2.6)

(377.9)(2)
70.3(2)
–
66.6
–
12.5

183.4
(23.8)
–
19.2
17.7
(2.3)

474.9

211.7

686.6

(228.5)

194.2

(99.6)
82.1
210.4

192.9

235.5(4)

(0.3)

72.0
–
(152.4)

(80.4)

–

(1.4)

(27.6)
82.1
58.0

112.5

235.5

(55.8)
53.5
61.3

59.0

54.0(4)

(1.7)

6.1

(98.7)
–
143.1

44.4

41.2(5)

0.1

(194.5)
46.5
–
85.8
17.7
10.2

(34.3)

(154.5)
53.5
204.4

103.4

95.2

6.2

Net gains (losses) on investments

1,316.7

(1,575.9)

(259.2)

352.0

1,384.2

1,736.2

(1) During  2015  a  preferred  stock  investment  of  the  company  was,  pursuant  to  its  terms,  automatically  converted  into
common shares of the issuer, resulting in a net realized gain on investment of $124.4 (the difference between the share
price of the underlying common stock at the date of conversion and the exercise price of the preferred stock). Prior period
unrealized  gains  on  the  preferred  stock  investment  of  $104.8  were  reclassified  to  net  realized  gains.  During  2014  a
preferred stock investment of the company was, pursuant to its terms, automatically converted into common shares of the
issuer, resulting in a net realized loss on investment of $161.5.

(2) Amounts recorded in net realized gains (losses) include net gains (losses) on total return swaps where the counterparties are
required  to  cash-settle  on  a  quarterly  or  monthly  basis  the  market  value  movement  since  the  previous  reset  date
notwithstanding that the total return swap positions remain open subsequent to the cash settlement.

(3) On  April  10,  2015  the  company  exchanged  its  holdings  of  Cara  warrants,  class  A  and  class  B  preferred  shares  and
subordinated debentures for common shares of Cara, resulting in a net realized gain on the Cara warrants of $209.1
(inclusive of prior period unrealized gains of $20.6 that were reclassified to net realized gains).

(4) The  gain  on  disposition  of  subsidiary  of  $235.5  in  2015  principally  reflected  the  $236.4  gain  on  disposition  of  the
company’s  investment  in  Ridley.  The  gain  on  disposition  of  associates  of  $54.0  in  2014,  principally  reflected  the
dispositions of the company’s investments in MEGA Brands and two KWF LPs.

(5) During the third quarter of 2014 Thomas Cook India increased its ownership interest in Sterling Resorts to 55.1% and
ceased applying the equity method of accounting, resulting in a non-cash gain of $41.2 in the consolidated statement
of earnings.

56

6.

Investments in Associates

The following summarizes the company’s investments in associates:

December 31, 2015

2015

December 31, 2014

2014

Year ended

December 31,

Year ended

December 31,

Ownership

Fair Carrying

Share of Ownership

Fair Carrying

Share of

percentage

value

value

profit (loss) percentage

value

value

profit (loss)

Insurance and reinsurance associates:

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company

Limited (‘‘ICICI Lombard’’)(1)

Gulf Insurance Company (‘‘Gulf Insurance’’)
Thai Re Public Company Limited (‘‘Thai Re’’)
Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam

Insurance Joint Stock Corporation
(‘‘BIC Insurance’’)(2)

Singapore Reinsurance Corporation Limited

(‘‘Singapore Re’’)

Ambridge Partners LLC (‘‘Ambridge Partners’’)(3)
Falcon Insurance PLC (‘‘Falcon Thailand’’)

Non-insurance associates:
Real estate

KWF Real Estate Ventures Limited Partnerships

(‘‘KWF LPs’’)(4)

Grivalia Properties REIC (‘‘Grivalia Properties’’)

Other

Resolute Forest Products Inc. (‘‘Resolute’’)(5)
IIFL Holdings Limited (‘‘IIFL Holdings’’)(6)
Arbor Memorial Services Inc. (‘‘Arbor Memorial’’)
Partnerships, trusts and other

33.0
14.1
(13.7)

–

4.8
–
1.6

25.6% 666.3
41.4% 247.0
32.1% 103.7

109.8
198.3
98.9

10.7
6.5
14.9

25.6% 268.5
41.4% 235.9
30.0% 120.6

107.5
208.3
76.4

35.0%

33.8

48.1

–

–

–

–

27.8%
50.0%
40.5%

38.5
28.6
8.1

34.6
28.6
8.1

1,126.0

526.4

–

191.5
40.6% 329.3

191.5
301.7

520.8

493.2

32.3% 218.0
30.7% 310.3
73.8
43.4%
157.7
–

416.2
290.8
47.3
159.0

759.8

913.3

1.0
–
(0.1)

33.0

77.5
16.2

93.7

30.3
–
7.0
8.9

46.2

27.3%
–
40.5%

39.3
–
9.0

38.4
–
9.0

673.3

439.6

39.8

–

274.9
40.6% 376.3

274.9
334.1

651.2

609.0

30.5% 507.7
–
78.4
159.9

–
41.8%
–

353.7
–
54.8
160.6

746.0

569.1

13.5
18.9

32.4

15.7
–
9.7
8.1

33.5

Investments in associates

2,406.6

1,932.9

172.9

2,070.5

1,617.7

105.7

As presented on the consolidated balance sheet:

Investments in associates
Fairfax India cash and portfolio investments(6)

1,730.2
202.7

1,932.9

1,617.7
–

1,617.7

(1) On October 30, 2015 the company announced that it had agreed to acquire an additional 9.0% of the issued and
outstanding  shares  of  ICICI  Lombard  from  ICICI  Bank  for  15.5  billion  Indian  rupees  (approximately  $230).
Closing of the transaction is subject to customary government and regulatory approvals and is expected to occur
by the end of the first quarter of 2016. Upon closing, Fairfax will own 34.6% of ICICI Lombard.

(2) On September 18, 2015 the company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired a 35% ownership interest in
BIC Insurance for purchase consideration of $48.1 (1.1 trillion Vietnamese dong). BIC Insurance is a leading
property and casualty insurer in Vietnam, producing approximately $70 of annual gross premiums written in
2015 through an exclusive arrangement with its majority shareholder, Bank for Investment and Development of
Vietnam (‘‘BIDV’’), to sell its products through BIDV’s distribution network.

(3) On  December  9,  2015  Brit  completed  the  acquisition  of  a  50%  ownership  interest  in  Ambridge  Partners  for
$28.6. Ambridge Partners, with offices in London and New York, is a leading managing general underwriter of
transactional insurance products for a broad consortium of Lloyd’s syndicates and international insurers.

(4) The  KWF  LPs  are  partnerships  formed  between  the  company  and  Kennedy-Wilson,  Inc.  and  its  affiliates
(‘‘Kennedy-Wilson’’) to invest in U.S. and international real estate properties. The company participates as a
limited partner in the KWF LPs, with limited partnership interests ranging from 50% to 90%. Kennedy-Wilson
holds the remaining limited partnership interests in each of the KWF LPs and is also the General Partner.

57

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

On June 1, 2015 an investee of a KWF LP completed the sale of 50 multi-family buildings located throughout
Japan.  The  company  received  a  final  net  cash  distribution  of  $124.9  on  liquidation  of  the  partnership  and
recognized its share of profit of associates of $78.0 (including amounts previously recorded in accumulated other
comprehensive income).

(5) At December 31, 2015 the carrying value of the company’s investment in Resolute exceeded its fair value as
determined by the market price of Resolute shares. The company performed a value-in-use analysis based on
multi-year free cash flow projections with an assumed after-tax discount rate of 9.2% and a long term growth
rate of 0%. Free cash flow projections are based on EBITDA projections from external reports that incorporate
modest EBITDA growth in fiscal 2016 and 2017. The after-tax discount rate is representative of the cost of capital
for Resolute’s industry peers as the company believes that over the long term Resolute’s risk profile and cost of
capital will be comparable to its peers. A long term growth rate of 0% is conservative relative to reports on the
pulp and forestry industry’s outlook and Resolute’s recent entrance into the tissue market through its acquisition
of Atlas Paper Holdings in November of 2015. Other assumptions included in the value-in-use analysis were
annual capital expenditures reverting to lower historic levels, working capital requirements being comparable to
industry peers and Resolute not having to pay any significant cash taxes in the next 5 years due to the utilization
of tax losses. As the recoverable amount (higher of fair value and value-in-use) exceeded carrying value, the
investment in Resolute was not considered to be impaired.

(6) On December 1, 2015 Fairfax India acquired a 21.9% interest in IIFL Holdings Limited, formerly India Infoline
Limited, at a price of 195 Indian rupees per share, for total consideration of approximately $202 (13.4 billion
Indian rupees). When aggregated with common shares already owned by Fairfax, the company’s total interest in
IIFL Holdings increased to 30.7%. Accordingly, on December 1, 2015 the company commenced recording its
investment in IIFL Holdings under the equity method of accounting. IIFL Holdings is a diversified financial
services holding company in India. 

During 2015 the company received distributions (inclusive of the distribution from the KWF LP described above) and
dividends  of  $202.5  (2014 – $260.7)  from  its  non-insurance  associates.  The  distributions  received  in  2014  are
inclusive of the proceeds on the sales of MEGA Brands Inc. and certain KWF LPs.

The company’s strategic investment in 15.0% of Alltrust Insurance Company of China Ltd. (‘‘Alltrust Insurance’’)
had a carrying value of $93.2 at December 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 – $97.5) and is classified as FVTPL within
common stocks on the consolidated balance sheet.

7. Short Sales and Derivatives

The following table summarizes the company’s derivative financial instruments:

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Fair value

Notional
amount Assets Liabilities

Cost

Fair value

Notional
amount Assets Liabilities

Cost

Equity derivatives:

Equity index total return swaps – short positions
Equity total return swaps – short positions
Equity index put options
Equity total return swaps – long positions
Equity call options
Warrants

CPI-linked derivative contracts
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Other derivative contracts

Total

–
–
20.3
–
0.4
–

4,403.1 134.0
69.6
1,491.7
13.1
382.5
0.9
149.4
0.4
4.2
0.4
1.2
655.8 109,449.1 272.6
66.9
4.5

–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
15.6

4,891.8
1,965.1
–
177.9
–
143.5

29.8
–
97.7
9.3
–
–
–
9.5
–
–
–
35.2
– 655.4 111,797.9 238.4
– 121.3
27.7
–

–
–

74.1
–

97.2
36.5
–
15.9
–
–
–
5.3
5.9

562.4

92.9

550.1

160.8

The company is exposed to significant market risk (comprised of foreign currency risk, interest rate risk and other
price  risk)  through  its  investing  activities.  Derivative  contracts  entered  into  by  the  company,  with  limited
exceptions, are considered economic hedges and are not designated as hedges for financial reporting.

58

Equity contracts
The  company  has  economically  hedged  its  equity  and  equity-related  holdings  (comprised  of  common  stocks,
convertible  preferred  stocks,  convertible  bonds,  non-insurance  investments  in  associates  and  equity-related
derivatives)  against  a  potential  significant  decline  in  equity  markets  by  way  of  short  positions  effected  through
equity  and  equity  index  total  return  swaps  (including  short  positions  in  certain  equity  indexes  and  individual
equities) and equity index put options as set out in the table below. The company’s equity hedges are structured to
provide a return which is inverse to changes in the fair values of the equity indexes and certain individual equities.

During 2015 the company closed out a portion of its short individual equities and other equity index total return
swaps with an original notional amount of $434.1. During 2015 the company received net cash of $303.3 (2014 –
paid net cash of $377.9) in connection with the reset provisions of its short equity and equity index total return
swaps  (excluding  the  impact  of  collateral  requirements).  Subsequent  to  December  31,  2015  the  company  added
approximately  $952.6  notional  amount  to  its  short  positions  in  equity  and  equity  index  total  return  swaps,
increasing  its  equity  hedge  ratio  to  approximately  100%  based  on  the  fair  value  of  its  equity  and  equity-related
holdings at December 31, 2015. Refer to note 24 for a tabular analysis followed by a discussion of the company’s
hedges of equity price risk and the related basis risk.

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Underlying short equity and
equity index total return swaps

Russell 2000 – TRS
S&P/TSX 60 – TRS
Other equity indices – TRS
Individual equities -TRS
S&P 500 – put options(2)

Weighted
average
Original index value
or strike
notional
Units amount(1)
price

Index
value at
period
end

Original
notional
Units amount(1)

Weighted

Index
average value at
period
end

index
value

37,424,319
13,044,000
–
–
225,643

2,477.2
206.1
40.0
1,379.3
382.5

661.92 1,135.89 37,424,319
764.54 13,044,000
641.12
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
1,695.15 2,043.94

2,477.2
206.1
140.0
1,701.9
–

661.92 1,204.70
854.85
641.12
–
–
–
–
–
–

(1) The aggregate notional amounts on the dates that the short positions or put options were first initiated.

(2) As the S&P 500 put options are currently out-of-the-money, the company does not consider the notional amount in its

calculation of the equity hedge ratio.

As at December 31, 2015 the company had entered into long equity total return swaps on individual equities for
investment purposes with an original notional amount of $243.9 (December 31, 2014 – $243.5). During 2015 the
company paid net cash of $43.0 (2014 – received net cash of $70.3) in connection with the reset provisions of its long
equity total return swaps (excluding the impact of collateral requirements).

During 2015 the company paid a premium of $20.3 to purchase American style put options on the S&P 500 index
with  a  notional  amount  of  $382.5,  a  weighted  average  strike  price  of  1,695.15  and  an  expiry  date  of
December 30, 2016.

At December 31, 2015 the fair value of the collateral deposited for the benefit of derivative counterparties included in
holding company cash and investments, or in assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations, was $413.9
(December  31,  2014 – $969.7),  comprised  of  collateral  of  $380.4  (December  31,  2014 – $788.6)  required  to  be
deposited to enter into such derivative contracts (principally related to total return swaps) and $33.5 (December 31,
2014 – $181.1)  securing  amounts  owed  to  counterparties  in  respect  of  fair  value  changes  since  the  most  recent
reset date.

CPI-linked derivative contracts
The company has purchased derivative contracts referenced to consumer price indexes (‘‘CPI’’) in the geographic
regions in which it operates to serve as an economic hedge against the potential adverse financial impact on the
company of decreasing price levels. At December 31, 2015 these contracts have a remaining weighted average life of
6.6 years (December 31, 2014 – 7.4 years) and a notional amount and fair value as shown in the table below. In the
event of a sale, expiration or early settlement of any of these contracts, the company would receive the fair value of
that contract on the date of the transaction. The company’s maximum potential loss on any contract is limited to the

59

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

original cost of that contract. The following table summarizes the notional amounts and weighted average strike
prices of CPI indexes underlying the company’s CPI-linked derivative contracts:

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Notional Amount

Notional Amount

Underlying CPI index

United States
United States
European Union
United Kingdom
France

Floor
rate(1)

Original
currency

0.0%
0.5%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%

46,225.0
12,600.0
38,975.0
3,300.0
3,150.0

U.S.
dollars

46,225.0
12,600.0
42,338.4
4,863.9
3,421.8

109,449.1

Weighted

Index
average value at
period

strike
price

Original
end currency

231.32
238.30
111.84
243.82
125.07

236.53
236.53
117.21
260.60
126.03

46,225.0
12,600.0
36,775.0
3,300.0
2,750.0

Weighted

Index
average value at
period
end

strike
price

231.32
238.30
111.24
243.82
124.85

234.81
234.81
117.01
257.50
125.81

U.S.
dollars

46,225.0
12,600.0
44,499.7
5,145.6
3,327.6

111,797.9

(1) Contracts with a floor rate of 0.0% have a constant strike price and provide a payout at maturity if there is cumulative
deflation over the life of the contract. Contracts with a floor rate of 0.5% provide a payout at maturity based on a weighted
average strike price of 250.49 if cumulative inflation averages less than 0.5% per year over the life of the contract.

During  2015  the  company  purchased  $2,907.3  (2014 – $35,954.2)  notional  amount  of  CPI-linked  derivative
contracts at a cost of $14.6 (2014 – $120.6) and paid additional premiums of $4.8 (2014 – nil) to increase the strike
prices  of  certain  CPI-linked  derivative  contracts  (primarily  the  European  CPI-linked  derivatives).  The  company’s
CPI-linked derivative contracts produced net unrealized gains of $35.7 in 2015 (2014 – $17.7).

Foreign exchange forward contracts
Long and short foreign exchange forward contracts primarily denominated in the euro, the British pound sterling
and  the  Canadian  dollar  are  used  to  manage  certain  foreign  currency  exposures  arising  from  foreign  currency
denominated  transactions.  These  contracts  have  an  average  term  to  maturity  of  less  than  one  year  and  may  be
renewed at market rates.

Counterparty collateral
The company endeavours to limit counterparty risk through diligent selection of counterparties to its derivative
contracts and through the terms of negotiated agreements. The fair value of the collateral deposited for the benefit of
the company at December 31, 2015 consisted of cash of $28.7 and government securities of $264.6 (December 31,
2014 – $27.8 and $164.5). The company had not exercised its right to sell or repledge collateral at December 31,
2015. The company’s exposure to counterparty risk and the management thereof are discussed in note 24.

Hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries
The  company  has  designated  the  carrying  value  of  Cdn$1,525.0  principal  amount  of  its  Canadian  dollar
denominated  unsecured  senior  notes  with  a  fair  value  of  $1,240.9  (December  31,  2014 – principal  amount  of
Cdn$1,525.0 with a fair value of $1,488.7) as a hedge of its net investment in its Canadian subsidiaries for financial
reporting.  In  2015  the  company  recognized  pre-tax  gains  of  $218.8  (2014 – $118.7)  related  to  foreign  currency
movements on the unsecured senior notes in gains on hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries in the
consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

60

8.

Insurance Contract Liabilities

Provision for unearned premiums
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses

3,284.8
19,816.4

398.7
3,205.9

2,886.1
16,610.5

2,689.6
17,749.1

395.7
3,355.7

2,293.9
14,393.4

Total insurance contract liabilities

23,101.2

3,604.6

19,496.6

20,438.7

3,751.4

16,687.3

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Gross

Ceded

Net

Gross

Ceded

Net

Current
Non-current

8,552.5
14,548.7

2,380.7
1,223.9

6,171.8
13,324.8

6,985.2
13,453.5

1,894.0
1,857.4

5,091.2
11,596.1

23,101.2

3,604.6

19,496.6

20,438.7

3,751.4

16,687.3

At December 31, 2015 the company’s net loss reserves of $16,610.5 (December 31, 2014 – $14,393.4) were comprised
of case reserves of $7,790.9 and IBNR of $8,819.6 (December 31, 2014 – $7,285.0 and $7,108.4).

Provision for unearned premiums
Changes in the provision for unearned premiums for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Provision for unearned premiums – January 1

Gross premiums written
Less: gross premiums earned

Acquisitions of subsidiaries
Foreign exchange effect and other

Provision for unearned premiums – December 31

2015

2014

2,689.6
8,655.8
(8,581.7)
691.9
(170.8)

2,680.9
7,459.9
(7,358.2)
2.6
(95.6)

3,284.8

2,689.6

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Changes in the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses – January 1

Decrease in estimated losses and expenses for claims occurring in the prior years
Losses and expenses for claims occurring in the current year
Paid on claims occurring during:

the current year
the prior years

Acquisitions of subsidiaries
Foreign exchange effect and other

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses – December 31

2015

2014

17,749.1
(506.2)
5,606.5

19,212.8
(473.9)
4,901.3

(1,342.4)
(4,172.3)
3,299.0
(817.3)

(1,201.4)
(4,081.0)
0.4
(609.1)

19,816.4

17,749.1

61

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Development of insurance losses, gross
The development of insurance liabilities provides a measure of the company’s ability to estimate the ultimate value
of claims. The loss development table which follows shows the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses at
the end of each calendar year, the cumulative payments made in respect of those reserves in subsequent years and the
re-estimated  amount  of  each  calendar  year’s  provision  for  losses  and  loss  adjustment  expenses  as  at
December 31, 2015.

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Calendar year

Provision for losses and loss

adjustment expenses

Less: CTR Life(1)

Cumulative payments as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later

Reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later

Favourable (unfavourable)

development

Comprised of – favourable

(unfavourable):
Effect of foreign currency

translation

Loss reserve development

14,843.2 14,467.2 14,504.8 16,049.3 17,232.2 19,648.8 19,212.8 17,749.1 19,816.4
14.2

27.6

21.5

25.3

20.6

24.2

34.9

17.9

15.2

14,821.7 14,432.3 14,477.2 16,024.0 17,208.0 19,628.2 19,194.9 17,733.9 19,802.2

3,136.0
3,167.8
5,336.4
5,130.8
7,070.7
6,784.9
8,318.7
8,124.6
9,189.1
9,079.0
9,730.6 10,039.4
10,458.1 10,705.5
11,025.6

3,126.6
5,307.6
6,846.3
7,932.7
8,936.9
9,721.1

3,355.9
5,441.4
7,063.1
8,333.3
9,327.0

3,627.6
6,076.7
7,920.3
9,333.4

4,323.5
7,153.1
9,148.0

4,081.1
6,787.6

3,801.6

14,420.4 14,746.0 14,616.0 15,893.8 17,316.4 19,021.2 18,375.6 16,696.4
14,493.8 14,844.4 14,726.6 15,959.7 17,013.6 18,529.4 17,475.0
14,579.9 14,912.4 14,921.6 15,705.6 16,721.0 17,820.5
14,679.5 15,127.5 14,828.9 15,430.4 16,233.9
14,908.6 15,091.0 14,663.1 15,036.2
14,947.2 15,011.7 14,433.0
14,964.2 14,873.6
14,887.8

(66.1)

(441.3)

44.2

987.8

974.1

1,807.7

1,719.9

1,037.5

267.4
(333.5)

(269.8)
(171.5)

149.5
(105.3)

360.1
627.7

386.0
588.1

674.1
1,133.6

618.5
1,101.4

545.8
491.7

(66.1)

(441.3)

44.2

987.8

974.1

1,807.7

1,719.9

1,037.5

(1) Guaranteed  minimum  death  benefit  retrocessional  business  written  by  Compagnie  Transcontinentale  de  R´eassurance
(‘‘CTR Life’’), a wholly owned subsidiary of the company that was transferred to Wentworth and  placed into  runoff
in 2002.

The effect of foreign currency translation in the table above primarily arose on translation to U.S. dollars of the loss
reserves of subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The company’s exposure to foreign
currency risk and the management thereof are discussed in note 24.

Loss reserve development in the table above excludes the loss reserve development of a subsidiary in the year it is
acquired whereas the consolidated statement of earnings includes the loss reserve development of a subsidiary from
its acquisition date.

Favourable loss reserve development in calendar year 2015 of $491.7 in the table above was principally comprised of
favourable  loss  emergence  on  the  more  recent  accident  years,  partially  offset  by  adverse  development  primarily
relating to asbestos and other latent reserves.

62

Development of losses and loss adjustment expenses for asbestos
A number of the company’s subsidiaries wrote general insurance policies and reinsurance prior to their acquisition
by the company under which policyholders continue to present asbestos-related injury claims. The vast majority of
these claims are presented under policies written many years ago and reside primarily within the runoff group.

There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding these types of claims, which impacts the ability of insurers and
reinsurers to estimate the ultimate amount of unpaid claims and related settlement expenses. The majority of these
claims differ from most other types of claims because there is inconsistent precedent, if any at all, to determine what,
if any, coverage exists or which, if any, policy years and insurers/reinsurers may be liable. These uncertainties are
exacerbated  by  judicial  and  legislative  interpretations  of  coverage  that  in  some  cases  have  eroded  the  clear  and
express intent of the parties to the insurance contracts, and in others have expanded theories of liability.

The following is an analysis of the changes which have occurred in the company’s provision for losses and loss
adjustment expenses related to asbestos exposure on a gross and net basis for the years ended December 31:

2015

2014

Provision for asbestos claims and loss adjustment expenses – January 1

Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred
Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid
Provisions for asbestos claims assumed during the year at December 31(1)

Gross
1,224.3
159.2
(200.5)
198.0

Net

Gross
896.7 1,353.1
49.3
(178.1)
–

87.2
(130.6)
190.5

Net
981.8
36.4
(121.5)
–

Provision for asbestos claims and loss adjustment expenses – December 31

1,381.0 1,043.8 1,224.3

896.7

(1) U.S. Runoff’s reinsurance of third party asbestos runoff portfolios.

Fair Value
The fair value of insurance and reinsurance contracts is estimated as follows:

Insurance contracts
Ceded reinsurance contracts

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Fair
value
22,997.8
3,481.5

Carrying
value
23,101.2
3,604.6

Fair
value
20,383.6
3,641.4

Carrying
value
20,438.7
3,751.4

The fair value of insurance contracts is comprised of the fair value of unpaid claim liabilities and the fair value of the
unearned premiums. The fair value of ceded reinsurance contracts is comprised of the fair value of reinsurers’ share of
unpaid  claim  liabilities  and  the  unearned  premium.  Both  reflect  the  time  value  of  money  through  discounting,
whereas the carrying values (including the reinsurers’ share thereof) do not. The calculation of the fair value of the
unearned premium includes acquisition expenses to reflect the deferral of these expenses at the inception of the
insurance contract. The estimated value of insurance and ceded reinsurance contracts is determined by projecting
the expected future cash flows of the contracts, selecting the appropriate interest rates, and applying the resulting
discount factors to expected future cash flows. The difference between the sum of the undiscounted expected future
cash flows and discounted future cash flows represent the time value of money. A margin for risk and uncertainty is
added to the discounted cash flows to reflect the volatility of the lines of business written, quantity of reinsurance
purchased, credit quality of reinsurers and a risk margin for future changes in interest rates.

The table that follows shows the potential impact of interest rate fluctuations on the fair value of insurance and
reinsurance contracts:

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Change in Interest Rates
100 basis point rise
100 basis point decline

Fair value of Fair value of Fair value of Fair value of
reinsurance
contracts
3,552.6
3,737.0

reinsurance
contracts
3,408.5
3,559.7

insurance
contracts
19,808.9
21,004.5

insurance
contracts
22,364.4
23,681.4

63

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

9. Reinsurance

Reinsurers’ share of insurance contract liabilities was comprised as follows:

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Gross
recoverable

Provision for Recoverable
from
reinsurers

from uncollectible
reinsurance(1)

reinsurers

Gross
recoverable

Provision for Recoverable
from
reinsurers

from uncollectible
reinsurance(1)

reinsurers

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Reinsurers’ share of paid losses
Provision for unearned premiums

3,259.8
419.4
398.7

4,077.9

(53.9)
(133.1)
–

3,205.9
286.3
398.7

3,410.0
380.7
395.7

(54.3)
(150.0)
–

3,355.7
230.7
395.7

(187.0)

3,890.9

4,186.4

(204.3)

3,982.1

Current
Non-current

2,606.0
1,284.9

3,890.9

2,070.6
1,911.5

3,982.1

(1) The company’s management of credit risk associated with its reinsurance recoverables is discussed in note 24.

Changes in reinsurers’ share of paid losses, unpaid losses, unearned premiums and the provision for uncollectible
balances for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Balance – January 1, 2015

Reinsurers’ share of losses paid to insureds
Reinsurance recoveries received
Reinsurers’ share of losses or premiums earned
Premiums ceded to reinsurers
Change in provision, recovery or write-off of

impaired balances

Acquisitions of subsidiaries
Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31, 2015

Balance – January 1, 2014

Reinsurers’ share of losses paid to insureds
Reinsurance recoveries received
Reinsurers’ share of losses or premiums earned
Premiums ceded to reinsurers
Change in provision, recovery or write-off of

impaired balances

Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31, 2014

Paid
losses
380.7

Unpaid
losses
3,410.0
1,338.2 (1,338.2)
–
(1,326.6)
711.9
–
–
–

(20.3)
59.3
(11.9)

–
660.2
(184.1)

419.4

3,259.8

2015

Unearned
premiums
395.7
–
–
(1,210.7)
1,135.3

–
127.6
(49.2)

398.7

2014

Provision for Recoverable
from
uncollectible
reinsurers
reinsurance
3,982.1
(204.3)
–
–
(1,326.6)
–
(498.8)
–
1,135.3
–

14.5
–
2.8

(5.8)
847.1
(242.4)

(187.0)

3,890.9

Paid
losses
518.6

Unpaid
losses
4,276.8
1,380.2 (1,380.2)
–
(1,507.6)
626.9
–
–
–

Unearned
premiums
408.1
–
–
(1,142.0)
1,158.1

Provision for Recoverable
from
uncollectible
reinsurers
reinsurance
4,974.7
(228.8)
–
–
(1,507.6)
–
(515.1)
–
1,158.1
–

(3.0)
(7.5)

(0.3)
(113.2)

380.7

3,410.0

–
(28.5)

395.7

22.9
1.6

19.6
(147.6)

(204.3)

3,982.1

Commission  income  earned  on  premiums  ceded  to  reinsurers  in  2015  of  $266.7  (2014 – $261.0)  is  included  in
commissions, net in the consolidated statement of earnings.

64

On October 15, 2015 Crum & Forster commuted a significant aggregate stop loss reinsurance treaty which reduced
each of recoverable from reinsurers and funds withheld payable to reinsurers by $334.0, with no impact on net
earnings or cash flows.

On August 18, 2014 Runoff commuted a $312.7 reinsurance recoverable from Brit Group for proceeds of $310.2,
comprised of cash and investments.

10. Insurance Contract Receivables

Insurance contract receivables were comprised as follows:

Insurance premiums receivable
Reinsurance premiums receivable
Funds withheld receivable
Other
Provision for uncollectible balances

December 31,
2015
1,677.1
659.5
191.9
49.2
(31.2)

December 31,
2014
1,262.7
427.0
223.3
50.6
(31.9)

2,546.5

1,931.7

The following changes have occurred in the insurance premiums receivable and reinsurance premiums receivable
balances for the years ended December 31:

Balance – January 1

Gross premiums written
Premiums collected
Impairments
Amounts due to brokers and agents
Acquisitions of subsidiaries
Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31

Insurance
premiums receivable

Reinsurance
premiums receivable

2015
1,262.7
6,185.3
(5,421.0)
(3.9)
(639.0)
380.8
(87.8)

2014
1,192.1
5,322.9
(4,825.5)
(1.0)
(387.2)
0.2
(38.8)

2015
427.0
2,470.5
(2,065.9)
0.3
(510.4)
362.3
(24.3)

2014
527.4
2,137.0
(1,704.4)
(2.8)
(516.7)
–
(13.5)

1,677.1

1,262.7

659.5

427.0

11. Deferred Premium Acquisition Costs

Changes in deferred premium acquisition costs for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Balance – January 1

Acquisition costs deferred
Amortization of deferred costs
Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31

2015

2014

497.6
1,591.3
(1,532.2)
(24.0)

462.4
1,360.0
(1,312.6)
(12.2)

532.7

497.6

65

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

12. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets were comprised as follows:

Goodwill

Intangibles

Total

Balance – January 1, 2015

Additions
Disposals
Amortization and impairment
Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31, 2015

Gross carrying amount
Accumulated amortization
Accumulated impairment

1,048.7
465.6
(15.0)
–
(71.1)

1,428.2

1,428.2
–
–

1,428.2

Lloyd’s
participation

Customer
Brand
and broker
rights(1) relationships names(1)
64.0
740.0
(2.9)
–
(77.8)

273.7
158.6
–
(28.3)
(18.4)

4.3
416.2
–
–
–

Computer
software
and other
167.6
145.0
(9.0)
(44.7)
(1.6)

1,558.3
1,925.4
(26.9)
(73.0)
(168.9)

420.5

420.5
–
–

420.5

385.6

723.3

257.3

3,214.9

496.3
(110.7)
–

723.3
–
–

447.2
(175.6)
(14.3)

3,515.5
(286.3)
(14.3)

385.6

723.3

257.3

3,214.9

Goodwill

Intangibles

Total

Balance – January 1, 2014

Additions
Disposals
Amortization and impairment
Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31, 2014

Gross carrying amount
Accumulated amortization
Accumulated impairment

(1) Not subject to amortization.

851.3
220.9
–
–
(23.5)

1,048.7

1,048.7
–
–

1,048.7

Lloyd’s
participation

Customer
Brand
and broker
rights(1) relationships names(1)
62.3
3.0
–
–
(1.3)

243.0
55.3
–
(19.3)
(5.3)

4.3
–
–
–
–

Computer
software
and other
150.9
49.2
(1.0)
(29.8)
(1.7)

1,311.8
328.4
(1.0)
(49.1)
(31.8)

4.3

4.3
–
–

4.3

273.7

362.1
(88.4)
–

273.7

64.0

64.0
–
–

64.0

167.6

1,558.3

305.5
(129.3)
(8.6)

1,784.6
(217.7)
(8.6)

167.6

1,558.3

Goodwill and intangible assets are allocated to the company’s cash-generating units (‘‘CGUs’’) as follows:

Cara
Brit
Zenith National
Crum & Forster
OdysseyRe
Northbridge
Thomas Cook India
All other(1)

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Goodwill
119.7
154.3
317.6
177.5
126.5
85.3
186.0
261.3

Intangible
assets
674.9
584.9
129.1
153.9
61.9
58.7
61.6
61.7

Total Goodwill
–
794.6
–
739.2
317.6
446.7
153.1
331.4
116.0
188.4
102.3
144.0
174.5
247.6
185.2
323.0

Intangible
assets
–
–
136.3
141.7
66.7
74.6
67.2
23.1

Total
–
–
453.9
294.8
182.7
176.9
241.7
208.3

1,428.2

1,786.7

3,214.9

1,048.7

509.6

1,558.3

(1) Comprised primarily of balances related to The Keg, NCML and U.S. Runoff.

66

At  December  31,  2015  goodwill  and  intangible  assets  were  comprised  primarily  of  amounts  arising  on  the
acquisitions of Cara, Brit and NCML during 2015, The Keg, Sterling Resorts and Pethealth during 2014, American
Safety,  Hartville  and  Quess  during  2013,  Thomas  Cook  India  during  2012,  First  Mercury,  Pacific  Insurance  and
Sporting Life during 2011, Zenith National during 2010 and the privatizations of Northbridge and OdysseyRe during
2009. Impairment tests for goodwill and intangible assets not subject to amortization were completed in 2015 and it
was concluded that no impairment had occurred.

When testing for impairment, the recoverable amount of each CGU was based on fair value less costs of disposal,
determined on the basis of market prices, where available, or discounted cash flow models. Cash flow projections
covering a five year period were derived from financial budgets approved by management. Cash flows beyond the
five year period were extrapolated using estimated growth rates which do not exceed the long term average past
growth rate for the business in which each CGU operates.

A  number  of  other  assumptions  and  estimates  including  forecasts  of  operating  cash  flows,  premium  volumes,
expenses and working capital requirements were required to be incorporated into the discounted cash flow models.
The forecasts were based on the best estimates of future premiums or revenue and operating expenses using historical
trends, general geographical market conditions, industry trends and forecasts and other available information. These
assumptions and estimates were reviewed by the applicable CGU’s management and by head office management.
The cash flow forecasts are adjusted by applying appropriate after-tax discount rates within a range of 7.7% to 13.1%
for insurance business and 10.1% to 20.4% for non-insurance business. The weighted average annual growth rate
used to extrapolate cash flows beyond five years was 3.0%.

13. Other Assets

Other assets were comprised as follows:

Premises and equipment
Other reporting segment sales receivables
Accrued interest and dividends
Other reporting segment inventories
Income taxes refundable
Pension surplus (note 21)
Prepaid expenses
Deferred compensation plans
Receivables for securities sold but not yet settled
Other

Current
Non-current

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Insurance and

Non-
reinsurance insurance
companies companies
397.8
240.9
28.9
103.6
25.1
–
16.0
–
–
189.3

164.2
–
134.4
–
72.8
77.8
49.3
47.6
20.0
203.4

Total
562.0
240.9
163.3
103.6
97.9
77.8
65.3
47.6
20.0
392.7

Insurance and

Non-
reinsurance insurance
companies companies
327.9
185.5
0.1
129.0
10.4
–
10.2
–
–
83.3

123.7
–
128.5
–
40.7
33.1
37.9
48.4
16.9
172.0

Total
451.6
185.5
128.6
129.0
51.1
33.1
48.1
48.4
16.9
255.3

769.5

1,001.6 1,771.1

601.2

746.4 1,347.6

394.9
374.6

519.9
481.7

914.8
856.3

769.5

1,001.6 1,771.1

330.6
270.6

601.2

379.0
367.4

709.6
638.0

746.4 1,347.6

67

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

14. Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities were comprised as follows:

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Payable to reinsurers
Salaries and employee benefit liabilities
Deferred gift card, hospitality and other

revenue

Other reporting segment payables related to

cost of sales

Pension and post retirement liabilities

(note 21)

Amounts withheld and accrued taxes
Amounts payable for securities purchased

but not yet settled

Ceded deferred premium acquisition costs
Accrued commissions
Accrued premium taxes
Accrued rent, storage and facilities costs
Accrued interest expense
Accrued legal and professional fees
Amounts payable to agents and brokers
Administrative and other

Current
Non-current

Insurance and
reinsurance

Non-
insurance
companies companies
–
28.6

428.7
206.6

Insurance and
reinsurance

Non-
insurance
companies companies
–
31.4

391.6
173.0

Total
428.7
235.2

Total
391.6
204.4

19.3

187.2

206.5

21.3

114.6

135.9

–

204.8

204.8

–

177.0

177.0

179.6
117.3

114.7
72.9
72.0
51.7
18.3
36.7
21.1
17.7
442.0

19.1
42.1

–
–
–
–
23.9
2.9
4.2
0.2
244.3

198.7
159.4

114.7
72.9
72.0
51.7
42.2
39.6
25.3
17.9
686.3

175.2
87.5

14.8
91.3
69.0
55.9
18.9
40.6
24.3
16.7
369.5

23.4
38.2

–
–
0.3
–
9.1
0.7
3.0
–
81.8

198.6
125.7

14.8
91.3
69.3
55.9
28.0
41.3
27.3
16.7
451.3

1,798.6

757.3 2,555.9

1,549.6

479.5 2,029.1

1,142.3
656.3

560.5 1,702.8
853.1
196.8

969.9
579.7

347.4 1,317.3
711.8
132.1

1,798.6

757.3 2,555.9

1,549.6

479.5 2,029.1

68

15. Long Term Debt and Credit Facilities

Long term debt – holding company borrowings
Fairfax unsecured notes:

8.25% due October 1, 2015(1)
7.375% due April 15, 2018(e)
7.50% due August 19, 2019 (Cdn$400.0)(d)
7.25% due June 22, 2020 (Cdn$275.0)(d)
5.80% due May 15, 2021(d)
6.40% due May 25, 2021 (Cdn$400.0)(d)
5.84% due October 14, 2022 (Cdn$450.0)(d)
4.875% due August 13, 2024(d)
4.95% due March 3, 2025 (Cdn$350.0)(4)
8.30% due April 15, 2026(e)
7.75% due July 15, 2037(e)

Trust preferred securities
Purchase consideration payable due 2017

Long term debt – insurance and reinsurance companies
OdysseyRe unsecured senior notes:
6.875% due May 1, 2015(5)(d)
Series A, floating rate due March 15, 2021(d)
Series C, floating rate due December 15, 2021(d)

Brit 6.625% subordinated notes due December 9, 2030 (£135.0)(4)
First Mercury floating rate trust preferred securities due 2036 and

2037

Zenith National 8.55% debentures due August 1, 2028(d)
Advent floating rate subordinated notes due June 3, 2035(d)
Advent floating rate unsecured senior notes due 2026(d)

Long term debt – non-insurance companies(c)
The Keg 7.5% note due May 31, 2042 (Cdn$57.0)
The Keg floating rate term loan due July 1, 2016
Thomas Cook India 10.52% debentures redeemable in equal
instalments from 2016 to 2018 (1.0 billion Indian rupees)
Thomas Cook India 9.37% debentures redeemable in equal

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Carrying

Fair

Principal

value(a) value(b) Principal

Carrying

Fair
value(a) value(b)

–
144.2
288.0
198.0
500.0
288.0
324.0
300.0
252.0
91.8
91.3
2.1
134.7

–
144.1
286.2
196.9
496.7
285.8
328.7
295.0
247.0
91.5
90.3
2.1
134.7

–
157.1
328.2
228.4
531.5
325.2
359.1
293.2
261.4
112.1
106.4
2.1
134.7

82.4
144.2
345.3
237.4
500.0
345.3
388.5
300.0
–
91.8
91.3
2.1
139.7

82.4
144.1
343.2
236.1
496.1
342.7
394.0
294.4
–
91.5
90.2
2.1
139.7

86.4
163.7
402.1
275.5
522.4
388.2
422.9
296.7
–
115.7
107.2
2.1
139.7

2,614.1

2,599.0 2,839.4

2,668.0

2,656.5 2,922.6

–
50.0
40.0
199.0

41.4
38.4
47.0
46.0

–
49.9
39.9
208.6

41.4
38.1
45.8
44.8

–
50.7
41.3
207.6

41.4
38.1
41.8
46.0

125.0
50.0
40.0
–

41.4
38.4
48.5
46.0

124.9
49.8
39.9
–

41.4
38.1
47.1
44.7

127.2
50.2
41.0
–

41.4
38.1
43.8
46.0

461.8

468.5

466.9

389.3

385.9

387.7

41.0
23.0

41.0
22.8

41.0
22.8

49.2
31.1

49.2
30.7

49.2
30.7

15.1

15.1

15.6

15.8

15.8

16.5

instalments from 2018 to 2020 (1.0 billion Indian rupees)(2)
Loans and revolving credit facilities primarily at floating rates(3)(6)

15.1
190.9

15.0
190.1

15.0
190.1

–
40.9

–
40.9

–
40.9

Long term debt

Current
Non-current

285.1

284.0

284.5

137.0

136.6

137.3

3,361.0

3,351.5 3,590.8

3,194.3

3,179.0 3,447.6

128.9
3,232.1

3,361.0

254.3
2,940.0

3,194.3

(a) Principal net of unamortized issue costs and discounts (premiums).

(b) Based  principally  on  quoted  market  prices  with  the  remainder  based  on  discounted  cash  flow  models  using  market

observable inputs (Levels 1 and 2 respectively in the fair value hierarchy).

(c) These borrowings are non-recourse to the holding company.

(d) Redeemable at the issuer’s option at any time at certain prices specified in the instrument’s offering document.

(e) This debt has no provision for redemption prior to the contractual maturity date.

69

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

During 2015 the company and its subsidiaries completed the following debt transactions:

(1) On  October  1,  2015  the  company  repaid  the  $82.4  principal  amount  of  its  8.25%  unsecured  senior  notes

upon maturity.

(2) On August 31, 2015 Thomas Cook India issued $15.2 (1.0 billion Indian rupees) principal amount of 9.37%
debentures  due  2020  at  par  value  for  net  proceeds  after  commissions  and  expenses  of  $15.1  (996.7  million
Indian  rupees).  Commission  and  expenses  of  $0.1  (3.3  million  Indian  rupees)  were  included  as  part  of  the
carrying value of the debt. The debentures are repayable in equal annual instalments of $5.1 (333.3 million
Indian rupees) in each of 2018, 2019, and 2020.

(3) On August 19, 2015 Fairfax India acquired NCML (pursuant to the transaction described in note 23), which

included long term debt of $36.1, comprised of various bank term loans at fixed and floating rates.

(4) On June 5, 2015 the company completed the acquisition of Brit (as described in note 23):

a. Brit maintains a $360 revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders that bears interest at LIBOR+2.3%
and  matures  on  December  31,  2018.  There  were  no  amounts  drawn  on  the  credit  facility  at
December 31, 2015.

b. The company consolidated Brit’s listed 6.625% subordinated debt of $206.6 (£135.0) principal amount due
December 9, 2030. The subordinated debt is callable at par at Brit’s option on December 9, 2020 (the ‘‘reset
date’’). If the subordinated debt is not called, the interest rate on the reset date is reset to the greater of (a) the
yield on the reset date of the U.K. treasury gilt due 2030 plus 3.4%; or (b) the yield on the reset date of the
U.K. treasury gilt due 2021 plus 3.4%.

c. On March 3, 2015 the company completed an underwritten public offering of Cdn$350.0 principal amount
of  4.95%  unsecured  senior  notes  due  March  3,  2025  at  an  issue  price  of  99.114  for  net  proceeds  after
discount, commissions and expenses of $275.7 (Cdn$343.3). Commissions and expenses of $2.9 (Cdn$3.6)
were included as part of the carrying value of the debt. The notes are redeemable at the company’s option, in
whole or in part, at any time at the greater of (a) a specified redemption price based upon the then current
yield of a Government of Canada bond with an equal term to maturity or (b) par. The net proceeds from this
offering formed part of the financing for the acquisition of Brit.

(5) On May 1, 2015 OdysseyRe repaid its $125.0 principal amount of 6.875% unsecured senior notes upon maturity.

(6) On April 10, 2015 the company consolidated the long term debt of Cara (pursuant to the transaction described
in note 23), consisting primarily of a Cdn$200.0 revolving credit facility due June 30, 2019 at a floating rate of
interest. An amount of $46.8 (Cdn$65.0) was drawn on the credit facility at December 31, 2015.

Principal repayments on long term debt are due as follows:

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Thereafter

Credit Facility

Holding company
and insurance and
reinsurance
companies

Non-insurance
companies

5.4
129.3
144.2
288.0
198.0
2,311.0

123.5
44.1
36.3
12.7
12.7
55.8

Total

128.9
173.4
180.5
300.7
210.7
2,366.8

On May 11, 2015 the company increased the size of its unsecured revolving credit facility (the ‘‘credit facility’’) with a
syndicate of lenders to $600.0 from $300.0 and extended the term from December 31, 2016 to May 11, 2019. On
December 23, 2015 the company increased the size of the credit facility to $1.0 billion. There were no amounts
drawn on the credit facility at December 31, 2015.

70

16. Total Equity

Equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax

Authorized capital

The authorized share capital of the company consists of an unlimited number of preferred shares issuable in series, an
unlimited number of multiple voting shares (cumulatively carrying 41.8% voting power) and an unlimited number
of subordinate voting shares carrying one vote per share.

Issued capital

Issued capital at December 31, 2015 included 1,548,000 (December 31, 2014 – 1,548,000) multiple voting shares and
22,034,939  (December  31,  2014 – 20,865,645)  subordinate  voting  shares  without  par  value  prior  to  deducting
569,850  (December  31,  2014 – 438,247)  subordinate  voting  shares  reserved  in  treasury  for  share-based  payment
awards. The multiple voting shares are not traded.

Subsequent to December 31, 2015

On March 2, 2016 the company completed an underwritten public offering of 1.0 million subordinate voting shares
at a price of Cdn$735.00 per share, resulting in net proceeds of $523.5 (Cdn$705.1), after commissions and expenses
of $22.2 (Cdn$29.9), to provide the financing for the acquisition of Eurolife and the additional investment in ICICI
Lombard as described in note 23.

Common stock

The number of shares outstanding was as follows:

Subordinate voting shares – January 1

Issuances during the year
Purchases for cancellation
Treasury shares acquired
Treasury shares reissued

Subordinate voting shares – December 31
Multiple voting shares – beginning and end of year
Interest in subordinate voting shares held through ownership interest in shareholder – beginning

and end of year

Common stock effectively outstanding – December 31

2015

2014

20,427,398
1,169,294
–
(185,156)
53,553

20,451,232
–
(8)
(53,421)
29,595

21,465,089
1,548,000

20,427,398
1,548,000

(799,230)

(799,230)

22,213,859

21,176,168

On April 10, 2015 the company issued 19,294 subordinate voting shares to a shareholder of Cara in exchange for
Cara common shares pursuant to the Cara acquisition described in note 23.

On March 3, 2015 the company completed an underwritten public offering of 1.15 million subordinate voting shares
at a price of Cdn$650.00 per share, resulting in net proceeds of $575.9 (Cdn$717.1), after commissions and expenses
of $24.4 (Cdn$30.4), that formed part of the financing for the Brit acquisition as described in note 23.

During 2015 the company repurchased for treasury 185,156 subordinate voting shares at a cost of $95.5 (2014 –
53,421 subordinate voting shares at a cost of $24.6) on the open market for use in its share-based payment awards.
During 2014 the company repurchased 8 shares for cancellation from former employees.

Dividends paid by the company on its outstanding multiple voting and subordinate voting shares were as follows:

Date of declaration

January 5, 2016
January 5, 2015
January 3, 2014

Date of record

January 20, 2016
January 20, 2015
January 21, 2014

Date of payment

January 27, 2016
January 27, 2015
January 28, 2014

Dividend
per share

$10.00
$10.00
$10.00

Total
cash
payment

$227.8
$216.1
$215.7

71

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Amendment to Terms of Multiple Voting Shares

Following shareholder approval, on August 31, 2015 the company amended its articles to preserve the then current
41.8% voting power of its multiple voting shares, which are controlled by V. Prem Watsa, the company’s Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, and to make certain additional changes, including memorializing that the holder of the
multiple voting shares will never be able to profit, or receive any premium or benefit, from the special voting rights
attached  to  the  multiple  voting  shares,  and  continuing  through  2025  the  freeze  since  2000  on  Mr.  Watsa’s
compensation as Chief Executive Officer. The continuing preservation of the 41.8% voting power of the multiple
voting shares is subject to a majority of the minority shareholder ratification vote in various circumstances. Some of
those  circumstances  involve  a  calculation  which  factors  in  the  aggregate  number  of  all  issued  and  outstanding
multiple voting shares and subordinate voting shares on August 31, 2015: that number is 23,583,605.

Preferred Stock

The number of preferred shares outstanding was as follows:

Series C

Series D

Series E

Series F

Series G

Series H

Series I

Series J

Series K

Series M

Total

December 31, 2013

10,000,000

2014 Activity:

Repurchases

Conversions

–

(3,983,616) 3,983,616

–

–

8,000,000

(75,326)

–

December 31, 2014

6,016,384

3,983,616

7,924,674

2015 Activity:
Issuances(1)
Repurchases(2)
Conversions(3)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(385,496)

–

–

–

–

–

–

10,000,000

–

–

10,000,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

12,000,000

–

–

12,000,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

9,500,000

–

–

9,500,000

–

–

–

–

49,500,000

(75,326)

–

49,424,674

–

–

–

9,200,000

9,200,000

–

–

(385,496)

–

(3,572,044) 3,572,044

(2,567,048) 2,567,048

(1,534,447) 1,534,447

December 31, 2015

6,016,384

3,983,616

3,967,134

3,572,044

7,432,952

2,567,048

10,465,553

1,534,447

9,500,000

9,200,000

58,239,178

(1) On March 3, 2015 the company completed an underwritten public offering of 9,200,000 cumulative five-year rate reset
preferred shares, Series M for Cdn$25.00 per share, resulting in net proceeds of $179.0 (Cdn$222.9) after commissions
and expenses of $5.7 (Cdn$7.1) that formed part of the financing for the Brit acquisition described in note 23.

(2) During 2015, under the terms of its normal course issuer bid, the company repurchased for cancellation 385,496 (2014 –

75,326) Series E preferred shares with a carrying value of $8.8 (2014 – $1.7) for a cost of $4.8 (2014 – $1.2).

(3) On March 31, 2015 holders of Series E preferred shares converted 3,572,044 shares into Series F floating rate cumulative

preferred shares.
On  September  30,  2015  holders  of  Series  G  preferred  shares  converted  2,567,048  shares  into  Series  H  floating  rate
cumulative preferred shares.
On  December  31,  2015  holders  of  Series  I  preferred  shares  converted  1,534,447  shares  into  Series  J  floating  rate
cumulative preferred shares.

Changes in the carrying value of preferred shares outstanding were as follows:

Series C

Series D

Series E

Series F

Series G

Series H

Series I

Series J

Series K

Series M

231.7

–

–

231.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

179.0

–

–

Total

1,166.4

(1.7)

–

1,164.7

179.0

(8.8)

–

231.7

179.0

1,334.9

December 31, 2013

2014 Activity:

Repurchases

Conversions

December 31, 2014

2015 Activity:

Issuances

Repurchases

Conversions

227.2

–

(90.5)

136.7

–

–

–

–

–

90.5

90.5

–

–

–

183.1

(1.7)

–

181.4

–

(8.8)

(81.8)

December 31, 2015

136.7

90.5

90.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

81.8

81.8

235.9

–

–

235.9

–

–

(60.6)

175.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

60.6

60.6

288.5

–

–

288.5

–

–

(36.9)

251.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

36.9

36.9

72

The terms of the company’s cumulative five-year rate reset preferred shares at December 31, 2015 were as follows:

Next possible
redemption and
conversion date(1)(2)

December 31, 2019
December 31, 2019
March 31, 2020
March 31, 2020
September 30, 2020
September 30, 2020
December 31, 2020
December 31, 2020
March 31, 2017
March 31, 2020

Number of
shares
outstanding

6,016,384
3,983,616
3,967,134
3,572,044
7,432,952
2,567,048
10,465,553
1,534,447
9,500,000
9,200,000

Stated capital

Cdn $150.4
Cdn $99.6
Cdn $99.2
Cdn $89.3
Cdn $185.8
Cdn $64.2
Cdn $261.6
Cdn $38.4
Cdn $237.5
Cdn $230.0

Liquidation
preference
per share

Cdn $25.00
Cdn $25.00
Cdn $25.00
Cdn $25.00
Cdn $25.00
Cdn $25.00
Cdn $25.00
Cdn $25.00
Cdn $25.00
Cdn $25.00

Fixed
dividend rate
per annum

Floating
dividend rate
per
annum(3)

4.58%
–
2.91%
–
3.32%
–
3.71%
–
5.00%
4.75%

–
3.59%
–
2.60%
–
3.00%
–
3.35%
–
–

Series C
Series D
Series E
Series F
Series G
Series H
Series I
Series J
Series K
Series M

(1) Fixed and floating rate cumulative preferred shares are redeemable at the company’s option at each stated redemption date

and on each subsequent five-year anniversary date at Cdn$25.00 per share.

(2) Holders of Series C, Series E, Series G, Series I, Series K and Series M fixed rate cumulative preferred shares will have the
right, at their option, to convert their shares into floating rate cumulative preferred shares Series D, Series F, Series H,
Series J, Series L and Series N respectively, at the conversion dates specified in the table above, and on each subsequent
five-year anniversary date. Holders of Series D, Series F, Series H and Series J floating rate cumulative preferred shares will
have the right, at their option, to convert their shares into fixed rate cumulative preferred shares Series C, Series E, Series G
and  Series I  respectively,  at  the  conversion  dates  specified  in  the  table  above,  and  on  each  subsequent  five-year
anniversary date.

(3) The Series D, Series F, Series H, and Series J preferred shares, and the Series L and Series N preferred shares (of which none
are currently issued), have a floating dividend rate equal to the three-month Government of Canada treasury bill yield plus
3.15%, 2.16%, 2.56%, 2.85%, 3.51% and 3.98% respectively, with rate resets at the end of each calendar quarter.

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

The  amounts  related  to  each  component  of  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  (loss)  attributable  to
shareholders of Fairfax were as follows:

Items that may be subsequently reclassified

to net earnings
Currency translation account
Share of accumulated other comprehensive loss
of associates, excluding net gains (losses) on
defined benefit plans

Items that will not be subsequently

reclassified to net earnings
Share of net gains (losses) on defined benefit

plans of associates

Net losses on defined benefit plans

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Income tax

Income tax

Pre-tax
amount

(expense) After-tax
amount
recovery

Pre-tax
amount

(expense) After-tax
amount
recovery

(243.7)

(21.6)

(265.3)

5.5

(21.3)

(15.8)

(118.0)

(361.7)

22.6

1.0

(95.4)

(83.3)

(360.7)

(77.8)

12.9

(8.4)

(70.4)

(86.2)

(0.3)
(5.4)

(5.7)

0.5
1.9

2.4

0.2
(3.5)

(3.3)

(38.3)
(7.8)

(46.1)

10.5
3.7

14.2

(27.8)
(4.1)

(31.9)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

attributable to shareholders of Fairfax

(367.4)

3.4

(364.0)

(123.9)

5.8

(118.1)

73

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Consolidated other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31 were comprised as follows:

2015

Income tax

2014

Income tax

Pre-tax
amount

(expense) After-tax
amount
recovery

Pre-tax
amount

(expense) After-tax
amount
recovery

Items that may be subsequently reclassified

to net earnings
Net unrealized foreign currency translation losses

on foreign operations

(557.6)

(0.3)

(557.9)

(186.6)

(14.1)

(200.7)

Gains on hedge of net investment in Canadian

subsidiaries

Share of other comprehensive loss of associates,
excluding net gains (losses) on defined benefit
plans

Items that will not be subsequently

reclassified to net earnings
Share of net gains (losses) on defined benefit

plans of associates

Net losses on defined benefit plans

Other comprehensive loss

Non-controlling interests

Subsidiary
Fairfax India(1)
Brit(2)
Cara(3)
Thomas Cook India(4)
The Keg
Ridley(5)
All other

Domicile

Canada
U.K.
Canada
India
Canada
Canada
–

218.8

–

218.8

118.7

–

118.7

(34.7)

(373.5)

38.9
(9.4)

29.5

(344.0)

9.7

9.4

(25.0)

(67.5)

(364.1)

(135.4)

14.8

0.7

(52.7)

(134.7)

(10.1)
3.3

(6.8)

2.6

28.8
(6.1)

22.7

(50.8)
(44.6)

(95.4)

(341.4)

(230.8)

14.1
11.7

25.8

26.5

(36.7)
(32.9)

(69.6)

(204.3)

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Minority
voting
percentage

Carrying
value

Minority
voting
percentage

Carrying
value

Net earnings
attributable to non-
controlling interests

Year ended
December 31,

2015

2014

4.9%
29.9%
43.1%
32.2%
49.0%
–
–

716.4
505.1
351.2
106.3
17.2
–
35.3

1,731.5

–
–
–
27.0%
49.0%
26.4%
–

–
–
–
145.1
17.4
34.2
21.4

218.1

18.1
3.6
43.8
2.2
2.2
3.5
0.9

74.3

–
–
–
15.9
7.2
6.7
1.6

31.4

Pursuant to the transactions described in note 23:

(1) On  January  30,  2015  the  company,  through  its  subsidiaries,  acquired  30,000,000  multiple  voting  shares  of
Fairfax India for $300.0 in a private placement, representing a 95.1% voting interest and 28.1% equity interest.
During the third quarter of 2015 Fairfax India acquired an 88.1% interest in NCML.

(2) On  June  5,  2015  the  company  acquired  97.0%  of  the  outstanding  ordinary  shares  of  Brit  and  acquired  the

remaining 3.0% by July 8, 2015. On June 29, 2015 the company sold 29.9% of Brit to OMERS.

(3) On April 10, 2015 the company, through its subsidiaries, acquired a 52.6% and a 40.7% voting and economic
interest respectively in Cara. On December 2, 2015 a Cara shareholder converted 3,000,000 multiple voting
shares into 3,000,000 subordinate voting shares which increased Fairfax’s voting interest to 56.9%.

(4) On September 3, 2015 Thomas Cook India acquired all of the 45.0% non-controlling interest in Sterling Resorts
through a non-cash share exchange of newly issued common shares of Thomas Cook India. On September 8,
2015 the company converted a preferred stock investment held in Thomas Cook India into common shares.
These transactions together decreased the company’s ownership in Thomas Cook India to 67.9% from 73.0% at
December 31, 2014.

(5) On June 18, 2015 the company sold its 73.6% interest in Ridley.

Non-controlling  interest  voting  percentage  was  consistent  with  economic  ownership  for  each  subsidiary  at
December  31,  2015  except  for  Fairfax  India  and  Cara  whose  non-controlling  interest  economic  ownership
percentages were 71.9% and 59.5% respectively.

74

17. Earnings per Share

Net earnings per share is calculated based upon the weighted average common shares outstanding as follows:

Net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax
Preferred share dividends
Excess of book value over consideration of preferred shares purchased for

cancellation

Net earnings attributable to common shareholders – basic and diluted

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic
Share-based payment awards

Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted

Net earnings per common share – basic
Net earnings per common share – diluted

18. Income Taxes

2015
567.7
(49.3)

4.0

522.4

2014
1,633.2
(56.9)

0.5

1,576.8

22,069,942
494,874

21,186,325
411,814

22,564,816

21,598,139

$
$

23.67
23.15

$
$

74.43
73.01

The company’s provision for (recovery of) income taxes for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Current income tax

Current year expense
Adjustments to prior years’ income taxes

Deferred income tax

Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Adjustments to prior years’ deferred income taxes
Other

Provision for (recovery of) income taxes

2015

2014

198.8
(5.9)

184.8
(33.2)

192.9

151.6

(194.4)
(9.9)
(6.1)

514.2
8.8
(1.3)

(210.4)

521.7

(17.5)

673.3

A significant portion of the company’s earnings before income taxes may be earned or incurred outside of Canada.
The statutory income tax rates for jurisdictions outside of Canada generally differs from the Canadian statutory
income  tax  rate  (and  may  be  significantly  higher  or  lower).  The  company’s  earnings  before  income  taxes  by
jurisdiction and the associated provision for (recovery of) income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2015 and
2014 are summarized in the following table:

Earnings before income taxes
Provision for (recovery of)

income taxes

Net earnings

2015

2014

Canada
478.1

U.S.(1) Other
9.3
137.1

Total
624.5

Canada
133.1

U.S.(1) Other
449.1

1,755.7

Total
2,337.9

59.7

(83.0)

418.4

220.1

5.8

3.5

(17.5)

48.7

570.1

54.5

673.3

642.0

84.4

1,185.6

394.6

1,664.6

(1) Principally  comprised  of  Crum  &  Forster,  Zenith  National,  OdysseyRe  (notwithstanding  that  certain  operations  of

OdysseyRe conduct business outside of the U.S.), U.S. Runoff and other associated holding company results.

The increase in pre-tax profitability in Canada in 2015 compared to 2014 was due to improved operating income and
higher net realized gains on investments (including gains arising on the Ridley sale and Cara acquisition during
2015).  The  decrease  in  pre-tax  profitability  in  the  U.S.  and  Other  in  2015  compared  to  2014  primarily  reflected
increased net unrealized losses on investments, partially offset by an improvement in underwriting results.

75

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Reconciliations  of  the  provision  for  income  taxes  calculated  at  the  Canadian  statutory  income  tax  rate  to  the
provision for (recovery of) income taxes at the effective tax rate in the consolidated financial statements for the years
ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 are summarized in the following table:

Canadian statutory income tax rate

Provision for income taxes at the Canadian statutory income tax rate
Non-taxable investment income
Change in unrecorded tax benefit of losses and temporary differences
Change in tax rate for deferred income taxes
Recovery relating to prior years
Tax rate differential on income and losses incurred outside Canada
Other including permanent differences
Foreign exchange effect

Provision for (recovery of) income taxes

2014

2015
26.5% 26.5%

165.5
(204.1)
(28.9)
(2.4)
(0.6)
29.8
17.5
5.7

619.5
(109.2)
24.4
(10.9)
(17.4)
121.8
22.4
22.7

(17.5)

673.3

Non-taxable investment income is principally comprised of dividend income, non-taxable interest income and the
50% of net capital gains which are not taxable in Canada. During 2015 non-taxable investment income of $204.1
included gains on the sale of Ridley and the Cara acquisition. The Ridley gain and a portion of the Cara gains were
incurred in Canada and therefore only 50% taxable, while the remaining Cara gain was largely non-taxable as the
Cara acquisition resulted in a rollover of tax basis for the instruments exchanged. In 2014 non-taxable investment
income  also  included  a  provision  for  income  taxes  of  $38.0  following  an  internal  reorganization  of  the
U.S. shareholders of OdysseyRe that triggered the release of taxable gains on intercompany transactions within the
U.S. consolidated tax group that had been deferred in prior years.

The change in unrecorded tax benefit of losses and temporary differences of $28.9 in 2015 principally reflected the
recognition of a deferred tax asset at Cara ($40.8) after determining that it was probable that certain tax attributes
and  temporary  differences  at  Cara  could  be  utilized  prior  to  expiration,  partially  offset  by  deferred  tax  assets  in
Canada of $10.9 (2014 – $28.1) that were not recorded because the related pre-tax losses did not meet the applicable
recognition criteria under IFRS. In 2014 the change in unrecorded tax benefit of losses and temporary differences of
$24.4 also included the de-recognition of $9.0 of U.S. foreign tax credits which had been recorded as deferred tax
assets in prior years after determining that it was no longer probable that those tax credits could be utilized prior
to expiration.

The recovery relating to prior years of $0.6 in 2015 and $17.4 in 2014 was primarily due to the release of provisions
following the completion of prior year income tax audits.

The  tax  rate  differential  on  income  and  losses  incurred  outside  Canada  of  $29.8  in  2015  principally  reflected
improved underwriting results and net realized gains on investments on U.S. securities, partially offset by pre-tax net
unrealized losses on investments on bonds (primarily U.S. state and municipal bonds and U.S treasury bonds) and
the benefit of the recognition of foreign tax credits in the U.S. consolidated tax group after determining that it was
probable that foreign tax credits arising in 2015 could be utilized prior to expiration. The tax rate differential on
income and losses incurred outside Canada of $121.8 in 2014 principally reflected significant pre-tax net unrealized
gains on investments, combined with improved underwriting results in the U.S. The statutory income tax rate in the
U.S. is significantly higher than the Canadian statutory income tax rate.

Income taxes refundable and payable were as follows:

Income taxes refundable
Income taxes payable

Net income taxes (payable) refundable

December 31, December 31,
2014
51.1
(118.3)

2015
97.9
(85.8)

12.1

(67.2)

76

Changes in net income taxes (payable) refundable during the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Balance – January 1

Amounts recorded in the consolidated statements of earnings
Payments made during the year
Acquisitions of subsidiaries
Foreign exchange effect and other

Balance – December 31

2015
(67.2)
(192.9)
259.0
12.0
1.2

2014
34.0
(151.6)
52.3
(5.1)
3.2

12.1

(67.2)

Changes in the net deferred income tax asset during the years ended December 31 were as follows:

2015

Operating
and

Provision
for losses Provision
for
capital adjustment unearned acquisition Intan- Invest-

Deferred
premium

and loss

Tax

Balance – January 1, 2015

Amounts recorded in the

consolidated statement of earnings

Amounts recorded in total equity
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)
Foreign exchange effect and other

losses

479.7

(238.3)
(1.6)
10.7
(15.1)

expenses premiums

costs

gibles ments credits Other

293.0

89.8

(95.5)

(155.3) (339.3) 112.3

75.7

Total

460.4

(51.7)
–
(32.9)
(4.2)

3.0
–
–
–

(0.6)
–
–
(0.8)

12.8
–
(206.9)
24.0

376.9
9.4
(0.1)
2.1

62.6
–
–
–

45.7
(7.0)
20.2
(4.7)

210.4
0.8
(209.0)
1.3

Balance – December 31, 2015

235.4

204.2

92.8

(96.9)

(325.4)

49.0 174.9 129.9

463.9

2014

Operating
and

Provision
for losses Provision
for
capital adjustment unearned acquisition Intan- Invest-

Deferred
premium

and loss

Tax

Balance – January 1, 2014

Amounts recorded in the

consolidated statement of earnings

Amounts recorded in total equity
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)
Foreign exchange effect and other

losses

690.9

(213.3)
–
9.8
(7.7)

expenses premiums

costs

gibles ments credits Other

Total

334.9

94.9

(82.1)

(131.8)

(42.3) 105.5

45.0 1,015.0

(39.5)
–
–
(2.4)

(5.3)
–
0.1
0.1

(12.8)
–
–
(0.6)

(1.3) (272.2)
0.8
(25.0)
(0.6)

–
(24.1)
1.9

8.2
14.5
(1.4) 25.8
– (10.2)
0.6
–

(521.7)
25.2
(49.4)
(8.7)

Balance – December 31, 2014

479.7

293.0

89.8

(95.5)

(155.3) (339.3) 112.3

75.7

460.4

Management expects that the recorded deferred income tax asset will be realized in the normal course of operations.
The most significant temporary differences included in the deferred income tax asset at December 31, 2015 related to
provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses and operating and capital losses, partially offset by a deferred
income tax liability related to intangible assets. The provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses is recorded on
an undiscounted basis in these consolidated financial statements but is recorded on a discounted basis in certain
jurisdictions for tax purposes.

Management  conducts  ongoing  reviews  of  the  recoverability  of  the  deferred  income  tax  asset  and  adjusts,  as
necessary, to reflect its anticipated realization. As at December 31, 2015 management has not recorded deferred
income  tax  assets  of  $412.2  (December  31,  2014 – $464.8)  related  primarily  to  operating  and  capital  losses  and
U.S. foreign tax credits. The losses for which deferred income tax assets have not been recorded are comprised of
$591.1 of losses in Canada (December 31, 2014 – $947.7), $463.0 of losses in Europe (December 31, 2014 – $412.6),
$44.5 of losses in the U.S. (December 31, 2014 – $58.2), and $59.0 of foreign tax credits in the U.S. (December 31,
2014 – $59.0).  The  losses  in  Canada  expire  between  2026  and  2034.  The  losses  and  foreign  tax  credits  in  the
U.S. expire between 2020 and 2034. The losses in Europe do not have an expiry date.

77

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Deferred income tax has not been recognized for the withholding tax and other taxes that could be payable on the
unremitted  earnings  of  certain  subsidiaries.  Unremitted  earnings  amounted  to  approximately  $3.2  billion  at
December 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 – $3.0 billion) and are not likely to be repatriated in the foreseeable future.

19. Statutory Requirements

The retained earnings of the company are largely represented by retained earnings at the insurance and reinsurance
subsidiaries. The insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to certain requirements and restrictions under
their respective insurance company Acts including minimum capital requirements and dividend restrictions. The
company’s  capital  requirements  and  management  thereof  are  discussed  in  note  24.  The  company’s  share  of
dividends paid in 2015 by the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, comprised of cash and marketable securities,
which  are  eliminated  on  consolidation  was  $757.9  (2014 – $605.8  (inclusive  of  $250.0  of  dividends  received  in
connection with the 2014 OdysseyRe reorganization described in note 25). Based on the surplus and net income of
the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries at December 31, 2015 the dividend capacity available in 2016 at each of
the primary operating companies is as follows:

OdysseyRe
Brit
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Northbridge(1)

(1) Subject to prior regulatory approval.

20. Contingencies and Commitments

Lawsuits

December 31,
2015
449.6
144.5
121.2
121.0
85.2

921.5

On  July  26,  2006  Fairfax  filed  a  lawsuit  seeking  $6  billion  in  damages  from  a  number  of  defendants  who,  the
complaint (as subsequently amended) alleges, participated in a stock market manipulation scheme involving Fairfax
shares. The complaint, filed in Superior Court, Morris County, New Jersey, alleges violations of various state laws,
including the New Jersey Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, pursuant to which treble damages
may  be  available.  On  September  12,  2012,  before  trial,  and  consequently  without  having  heard  or  made  any
determination on the facts, the Court dismissed the lawsuit on legal grounds. In October 2012 Fairfax filed an appeal
of this dismissal, as it believes that the legal basis for the dismissal is incorrect. By the end of 2013, the briefs of all
parties  in  connection  with  this  appeal  had  been  filed.  The  ultimate  outcome  of  any  litigation  is  uncertain.  The
financial  effects,  if  any,  of  this  lawsuit  cannot  be  practicably  determined  at  this  time,  and  the  company’s
consolidated financial statements include no anticipated recovery from the lawsuit.

Other

The Autorit ´e des march ´es financiers (the ‘‘AMF’’), the securities regulatory authority in the Province of Quebec, is
conducting  an  investigation  of  Fairfax,  its  CEO,  Prem  Watsa,  and  its  President,  Paul  Rivett.  The  investigation
concerns  the  possibility  of  illegal  insider  trading  and/or  tipping  (not  involving  any  personal  trading  by  the
individuals) in connection with the December 15, 2011 takeover offer by Resolute Forest Products Inc. for shares of
Fibrek  Inc.  Except  as  set  out  below,  further  details  concerning  the  investigation  are,  by  law,  not  permitted  to
be disclosed.

The AMF has authorized Fairfax to make the above-mentioned disclosure. Fairfax and its management are solely
responsible for the content of the disclosure set out in the three following paragraphs; the AMF has not in any way
endorsed that content.

Resolute’s above-mentioned takeover offer was made to all Fibrek shareholders, including Fairfax. Fairfax agreed in
that transaction to a hard lock-up agreement with Resolute whereby Fairfax agreed to tender its shares of Fibrek,
representing approximately 26% of Fibrek’s outstanding shares, to the Resolute takeover offer at the same price as all

78

other Fibrek shareholders. At the time of the Resolute takeover offer for Fibrek, Fairfax’s position in Fibrek was valued
at approximately Cdn$32, representing less than  1⁄6 of 1% of Fairfax’s total invested assets at that time.

Fibrek actively opposed the Resolute takeover offer. ln 2012, the Fibrek transaction was the subject of numerous
regulatory hearings in Quebec and court proceedings relating to Fibrek’s anti-takeover tactics and the hard lock-ups
given by various selling shareholders, including Fairfax. Allegations were made in those hearings concerning the
possibility  of  non-compliance  with  the  takeover  bid  rules.  Resolute’s  takeover  offer  was  allowed  to  proceed  and
resulted in Resolute acquiring Fibrek.

Fairfax  believes  it  has  an  unblemished  record  for  honesty  and  integrity  and  is  fully  cooperating  with  the  AMF’s
investigation.  Fairfax  continues  to  be  confident  that  in  connection  with  the  Resolute  takeover  offer,  it  had  no
material non-public information, that it did not engage in illegal insider trading or tipping, and that there is no
reasonable basis for any proceedings in this connection. To the best of Fairfax’s knowledge, the AMF investigation is
still ongoing. If the AMF commences legal proceedings, which could be administrative or penal, no assurance can be
given at this time by Fairfax as to the outcome.

Subsidiaries of the company are defendants in several damage suits and have been named as third party in other
suits. The uninsured exposure to the company is not considered to be material to the company’s financial position,
financial performance or cash flows.

OdysseyRe,  Brit,  Advent  and  RiverStone  (UK)  (‘‘the  Lloyd’s  participants’’)  underwrite  in  the  Lloyd’s  of  London
insurance market through their participation on certain Lloyd’s syndicates. The Lloyd’s participants have pledged
securities and cash, with a fair value of $1,295.0 and $75.5 respectively at December 31, 2015. These assets represent a
combination of assets pledged as capital to support those underwriting activities as well as assets pledged in respect of
the specific reinsurance contracts that the entities have entered into. Pledged securities and restricted cash consist of
cash, fixed income and equity investments which are included within portfolio investments on the consolidated
balance  sheet.  The  Lloyd’s  participants  have  the  ability  to  substitute  other  securities  for  these  pledged  securities
subject to certain admissibility criteria. The Lloyd’s participants’ liability in respect of assets pledged as capital is
limited to the aggregate amount of the pledged assets and their obligation to support these liabilities will continue
until such liabilities are settled or are reinsured by a third party approved by Lloyd’s. The company believes that the
syndicates  for  which  the  Lloyd’s  participants  are  capital  providers  maintain  sufficient  liquidity  and  financial
resources to support their ultimate liabilities and does not anticipate that the pledged assets will be utilized.

The company’s maximum capital commitments for potential investments in common stocks, limited partnerships
and  associates  at  December  31,  2015  was  $339.2,  with  a  further  amount  of  approximately  $811  committed  for
investments in Eurolife, APR Energy and ICICI Lombard (described in note 23).

21. Pensions and Post Retirement Benefits

The funded status of the company’s defined benefit pension and post retirement plans were as follows:

Benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

Funded status of plans – deficit
Impact of asset ceiling

Net accrued liability (notes 13 and 14)(1)

Defined benefit
pension plans
December 31

Post retirement
benefit plans
December 31

2015
736.6
715.4

(21.2)
(1.4)

(22.6)

2014
640.0
566.8

2015
98.3
–

(73.2)
(1.4)

(98.3)
–

(74.6)

(98.3)

2014
90.9
–

(90.9)
–

(90.9)

Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
Health care cost trend

4.0%
3.5%
–

4.1%
3.5%
–

3.7%
3.2%
5.9%

4.2%
3.7%
7.2%

(1) The defined benefit pension plan net accrued liability at December 31, 2015 of $22.6 (December 31, 2014 – $74.6) was
comprised of pension surpluses of $77.8 and pension deficits of $100.4 (December 31, 2014 – $33.1 and $107.7).

79

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Pension and post retirement expenses recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings for the years ended
December 31 were as follows:

Defined benefit pension plan expense
Defined contribution pension plan expense
Defined benefit post retirement expense

2015
21.6
32.5
9.4

63.5

2014
20.7
24.1
8.8

53.6

Pre-tax actuarial net gains (losses) recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years
ended December 31 were as follows:

Defined benefit pension plans

Actuarial net gains (losses) on plan assets and change in asset ceiling
Actuarial net gains (losses) on benefit obligations

Post retirement benefit plans – actuarial net gains (losses) on benefit obligations

2015

2014

(40.2)
25.7

(14.5)
5.1

32.9
(69.8)

(36.9)
(7.7)

(9.4)

(44.6)

During  2015  the  company  contributed  $29.8  (2014 – $34.1)  to  its  defined  benefit  pension  and  post  retirement
benefit plans, and expects to make contributions of $23.5 in 2016.

22. Operating Leases

Aggregate future minimum operating lease commitments at December 31, 2015 relating to premises, automobiles
and equipment for various terms up to ten years were as follows:

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Thereafter

110.8
102.7
93.8
86.2
76.8
290.2

23. Acquisitions and Divestitures

Subsequent to December 31, 2015

Acquisition of Eurolife ERB Insurance Group Holdings S.A.

On December 22, 2015 the company entered into an agreement with Eurobank Ergasias S.A. (‘‘Eurobank’’) to acquire an
80% interest in Eurolife ERB Insurance Group Holdings S.A. (‘‘Eurolife’’) for a purchase price of approximately $347
(A316). Closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, and is expected to
occur by the end of the second quarter of 2016. Eurolife, which distributes its life and non-life insurance products and
services through Eurobank’s network, is the third largest insurer in Greece, with gross written premiums of approximately
A306 during 2015.

Investment in APR Energy plc

On  January 5,  2016,  the  company  through  its  subsidiaries,  participated,  along  with  certain  other  investors,  in  a
transaction to privatize APR Energy plc (‘‘APR Energy’’) and to provide APR Energy with $200.0 of additional equity
financing for it to retire outstanding debt and augment working capital. The company invested $230.2 in APR Energy as
part of these transactions, comprised of $80.6 and $149.6 in preferred shares and common shares respectively, that in
addition to its pre-existing ownership of 18.3%, resulted in the company having a 49.0% indirect equity interest. APR

80

Energy,  serving  developed  and  developing  markets  globally,  provides  mobile  power  generation  solutions  to  utilities,
countries, and industries.

Additional Investment in ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited

On October 30, 2015 the company reached an agreement with ICICI Bank Limited to acquire an additional 9.0% of the
outstanding shares of ICICI Lombard, which will increase the company’s ownership interest in ICICI Lombard to 34.6%.
The proposed transaction values ICICI Lombard at approximately $2.6 billion (172.3 billion Indian rupees), is subject to
governmental and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016. ICICI Lombard is the largest
private sector general insurance company in India with gross written premiums of approximately $1 billion for its fiscal
year ended March 31, 2015.

Acquisition of Eastern European Insurers

On December 16, 2014 the company entered into an agreement with QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited (‘‘QBE’’) to acquire
QBE’s  insurance  operations  in  the  Czech  Republic,  Hungary  and  Slovakia  (the  ‘‘QBE  insurance  operations’’).  A  new
Luxembourg insurer, Colonnade Insurance S.A. (‘‘Colonnade’’), was licensed in July 2015 and branches of Colonnade
were  established  in  the  Czech  Republic,  Hungary  and  Slovakia  during  the  fourth  quarter  of  2015.  The  business  and
renewal rights of QBE’s Hungarian insurance operations were transferred to Colonnade during the first quarter of 2016,
with the Czech Republic and Slovakia equivalents expected to be transferred later in the second quarter of 2016. In 2015
the QBE insurance operations generated approximately $78 in gross premiums written across a range of general insurance
classes, including property, travel, general liability and product protection. The previously announced transaction to
acquire  QBE  ‘s  operations  in  Ukraine  closed  during  the  fourth  quarter  of  2015.  Those  operations,  now  known  as
Colonnade Ukraine and included in the Insurance and Reinsurance – Other reporting segment, recorded gross written
premiums of approximately $5 in 2015 across a variety of non-life classes of business.

Year ended December 31, 2015

National Collateral Management Services Limited

On August 19, 2015 Fairfax India acquired a 73.6% interest in National Collateral Management Services Limited
(‘‘NCML’’)  for  purchase  consideration  of  $124.2  (8.1  billion  Indian  rupees)  and  subsequently  acquired  a  further
14.5% interest by September 28, 2015 for $24.5 (1.6 billion Indian rupees). Commencing August 19, 2015 the assets
and  liabilities  and  results  of  operations  of  NCML  were  consolidated  by  Fairfax  India  and  included  in  the  Other
reporting segment. NCML is a leading private-sector agricultural commodities storage company in India. Fairfax’s
economic  interest  in  NCML  at  August  19,  2015  was  20.7%,  (increased  to  24.8%  by  September  28,  2015)  as  that
interest is held through a 28.1% equity interest in Fairfax India.

Sale of Ridley Inc.

On June 18, 2015 the company completed the sale of its 73.6% interest in Ridley Inc. (‘‘Ridley’’) for Cdn$40.75 per
common share. The company received cash proceeds of $313.2 (Cdn$383.5) and recognized a pre-tax gain of $236.4
(including amounts previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income) and de-consolidated Ridley
from the Other reporting segment.

Acquisition of Brit PLC

On June 5, 2015 the company completed the acquisition of 97.0% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Brit PLC
(‘‘Brit’’) for 305 pence per share (comprised of $4.30 (280 pence) per share in cash paid by the company and the final
and special dividends of $0.38 (25 pence) per share paid by Brit on April 30, 2015), representing aggregate cash
consideration of $1,656.6 (£1,089.1). The remaining 3.0% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Brit were acquired
by July 8, 2015 on the same terms as described in the preceding sentence. The assets and liabilities and results of
operations of Brit were consolidated in the Brit reporting segment. Brit is a market-leading global Lloyd’s of London
specialty  insurer  and  reinsurer.  On  June  29,  2015  the  company  completed  the  sale  of  29.9%  of  the  outstanding
ordinary shares of Brit to Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (‘‘OMERS’’), the pension plan manager
for government employees in the province of Ontario, for cash proceeds of $516.0 ($4.30 per share). The company
will have the ability to repurchase the shares owned by OMERS over time. These transactions resulted in an increase
of $501.1 to the company’s non-controlling interests.

81

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The net proceeds from underwritten public offerings (described in more detail in notes 15 and 16) of 1.15 million
subordinate voting shares ($575.9), 9.2 million Series M preferred shares ($179.0) and Cdn$350.0 of 4.95% Fairfax
senior notes due 2025 ($275.7), all of which closed on March 3, 2015, were used to finance the acquisition of Brit.

Acquisition of Cara Operations Limited

On April 10, 2015 the company acquired, directly and through its subsidiaries, a 52.6% and a 40.7% voting and
economic interest respectively in Cara Operations Limited (‘‘Cara’’) through an exchange of its existing holdings
(comprised of warrants, class A and class B preferred shares and subordinated debentures) for common shares of Cara
pursuant  to  their  respective  terms  and  also  through  the  acquisition  of  additional  common  shares  of  Cara  from
existing Cara shareholders in a private transaction. The common shares were exchanged for multiple voting shares
immediately prior to Cara’s initial public offering of subordinate voting shares at Cdn$23.00 per share, which closed
on April 10, 2015. The assets and liabilities and results of operations of Cara were consolidated in the Other reporting
segment. These transactions resulted in an increase of $353.8 to the company’s non-controlling interests. Cara is
Canada’s  largest  full-service  restaurant  company  and  franchises,  owns  and  operates  numerous  restaurant  brands
across Canada.

Investment in Fairfax India Holdings Corporation

On January 30, 2015 the company, through its subsidiaries, acquired 30,000,000 multiple voting shares of newly
incorporated  Fairfax  India  for  $300.0  in  a  private  placement.  Through  that  private  placement  and  offerings  of
subordinate  voting  shares,  Fairfax  India  raised  net  proceeds  of  $1,025.8  after  issuance  costs  and  expenses.  The
company’s multiple voting shares represented 95.1% of the voting rights and 28.1% of the equity interest in Fairfax
India at the close of the offerings. Fairfax India was established, with the support of Fairfax, to invest in public and
private equities and debt instruments in India and Indian businesses or other businesses primarily conducted in or
dependent  on  India.  Hamblin Watsa  is  the  portfolio  advisor  to  Fairfax  India  and  its  subsidiaries.  The  assets  and
liabilities  and  results  of  operations  of  Fairfax  India  were  consolidated  in  the  Other  reporting  segment.  These
transactions resulted in an increase of $737.3 to the company’s non-controlling interests.

Acquisition of MCIS Insurance Berhad

On March 1, 2015 Pacific Insurance, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, completed the acquisition of the
general insurance business of MCIS Insurance Berhad (formerly known as MCIS Zurich Insurance Berhad) (‘‘MCIS’’)
for cash consideration of $13.4 (48.6 million Malaysian ringgits). MCIS is an established general insurer in Malaysia
with approximately $55 of gross premiums written in 2014 in its general insurance business. The assets and liabilities
and results of operations of MCIS were consolidated in the Fairfax Asia reporting segment.

Acquisition of Union Assurance General Limited

On January 1, 2015 the company completed the acquisition of 78.0% of Union Assurance General Limited (‘‘Union
Assurance’’) for cash consideration of $27.9 (3.7 billion Sri Lankan rupees). Union Assurance, with approximately
$43 of gross premiums written in 2015, is headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka and underwrites general insurance in
Sri Lanka, specializing in automobile and personal accident lines of business. The assets and liabilities and results of
operations of Union Assurance were consolidated in the Fairfax Asia reporting segment.

82

The preliminary determination of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the Brit,
Cara  and  NCML  acquisitions  is  summarized  in  the  table  that  follows  and  may  be  revised  when  estimates,
assumptions and valuations are finalized within twelve months of the respective acquisition dates:

Acquisition date
Percentage of common shares acquired
Assets:

Insurance contract receivables
Portfolio investments
Recoverable from reinsurers
Deferred income taxes
Goodwill and intangible assets
Other assets

Liabilities:

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Short sale and derivative obligations
Deferred income taxes
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers
Insurance contract liabilities
Long term debt

Non-controlling interests
Purchase consideration

Brit

NCML
June 5, 2015 April 10, 2015 August 19, 2015

Cara

97.0%

40.7%

73.6%(4)

727.8
3,938.6(1)
882.1
–

746.4(2)
116.2

6,411.1

76.8
8.6
130.4
354.0
3,921.4
216.7

4,707.9
46.6
1,656.6

6,411.1

–
0.5
–
–

846.2(3)
128.4

975.1

147.9
–
77.6
–
–
31.9

257.4
353.8
363.9

975.1

–
33.3(5)
–
2.0
65.3(6)
91.7

192.3

10.8
–
–
–
–
36.1

46.9
21.2
124.2

192.3

(1)

Included $549.7 of subsidiary cash and cash equivalents, of which $89.4 was restricted.

(2) Comprised of $154.3 of goodwill and $592.1 of intangible assets (primarily Lloyd’s participation rights of $416.2).

(3) Comprised of $129.3 of goodwill and $716.9 of intangible assets (primarily brand names of $699.9).

(4) Fairfax’s economic interest in NCML was 20.7% as a result of acquiring NCML through 28.1%-owned Fairfax India.

(5)

Included $20.5 of subsidiary cash and cash equivalents.

(6) Comprised of $65.2 of goodwill and $0.1 of intangible assets.

Brit contributed revenue of $846.7 and a net loss of $14.9 to the company’s consolidated financial results for the year
ended  December  31,  2015.  Had  Brit  been  acquired  on  January  1,  2015,  the  company’s  pro-forma  consolidated
revenue and net earnings would have been $10,273.1 and $678.4 respectively for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Year ended December 31, 2014

Acquisition of Pethealth Inc.

On November 14, 2014 the company acquired all of the outstanding common shares, preferred shares and employee
share  options  of  Pethealth  Inc.  (‘‘Pethealth’’)  for  cash  consideration  of  $88.7  (Cdn$100.4).  The  goodwill  and
intangible assets associated with Pethealth’s marketing of pet medical insurance were allocated to the Crum & Forster
($90.9,  comprised  of  $39.4  of  goodwill,  $47.3  of  customer  relationships  and  $4.2  of  computer  software)  and
Northbridge ($17.3, comprised of $8.3 of goodwill, $8.0 of customer relationships and $1.0 of computer software)
reporting segments since Crum & Forster and Northbridge were to become Pethealth’s ongoing insurance carriers.
Pethealth’s residual assets and liabilities and results of operations were consolidated in the Other reporting segment.
Pethealth  is  headquartered  in  Canada  and  provides  pet  medical  insurance,  related  management  software  and
pet-related database management services in North America and the United Kingdom.

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Acquisition of Sterling Holiday Resorts (India) Limited

During the first half of 2014 Thomas Cook India acquired a 41.9% ownership interest in Sterling Holiday Resorts
(India) Limited (‘‘Sterling Resorts’’) for cash purchase consideration of $57.4 (3.5 billion Indian rupees), and classified
its investment as an associate. On September 3, 2014 Thomas Cook India increased its ownership interest to 55.1%
by acquiring additional common shares of Sterling Resorts for cash consideration of $19.2 (1.2 billion Indian rupees).
Having obtained control, Thomas Cook India was required to re-measure its existing ownership interest in Sterling
Resorts to fair value as at September 3, 2014, resulting in the recognition of a non-cash gain of $41.2 in net gains on
investments in the consolidated statement of earnings, representing the difference between the fair value of the
previously  held  interest  in  Sterling  Resorts  and  its  carrying  value  under  the  equity  method  of  accounting.  The
acquisition of Sterling Resorts was financed internally by subsidiaries of Fairfax. The assets and liabilities and results
of operations of Sterling Resorts were consolidated within the Other reporting segment. Goodwill and intangible
assets was comprised of $69.2 of goodwill and $0.4 of computer software. Sterling Resorts is engaged in vacation
ownership and leisure hospitality and operates a network of resorts in India.

Acquisition of Praktiker Hellas Commercial Societe Anonyme

On  June  5,  2014  Fairfax  completed  the  acquisition  of  a  100%  interest  in  Praktiker  Hellas  Commercial  Societe
Anonyme  (‘‘Praktiker’’)  for  cash  purchase  consideration  of  $28.6  (A21.0).  The  assets  and  liabilities  and  results  of
operations  of  Praktiker  were  consolidated  in  the  Other  reporting  segment.  Praktiker  is  one  of  the  largest  home
improvement and do-it-yourself goods retailers in Greece, operating 14 stores.

Acquisition of PT Batavia Mitratama Insurance

On May 21, 2014 Fairfax Asia completed the acquisition of an 80.0% interest in PT Batavia Mitratama Insurance
(subsequently renamed PT Fairfax Insurance Indonesia (‘‘Fairfax Indonesia’’)) for cash purchase consideration of
$8.5 (98.2 billion Indonesian rupees). Subsequent to the acquisition, Fairfax Asia contributed an additional $12.9 to
Fairfax  Indonesia  (maintaining  its  80.0%  interest)  to  support  business  expansion.  The  assets  and  liabilities  and
results of operations of Fairfax Indonesia were consolidated in the Fairfax Asia reporting segment. Fairfax Indonesia
is  headquartered  in  Jakarta,  Indonesia  and  underwrites  general  insurance,  specializing  in  automobile  coverage
in Indonesia.

Acquisition of Keg Restaurants Ltd.

On February 4, 2014 the company completed the acquisition of 51.0% of the outstanding common shares of Keg
Restaurants Ltd. (‘‘The Keg’’) for cash purchase consideration of $76.7 (Cdn$85.0). The assets and liabilities and
results of operations of The Keg were consolidated in the Other reporting segment. Goodwill and intangible assets
was comprised of $65.4 of goodwill and $0.1 of computer software. The Keg franchises, owns and operates a network
of premium dining restaurants across Canada and in select locations in the United States.

84

The identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the Pethealth, Sterling Resorts and The
Keg acquisitions are summarized in the table below.

Acquisition date
Percentage of common shares acquired
Assets:

Portfolio investments(1)
Goodwill and intangible assets
Other assets

Liabilities:

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Long term debt

Non-controlling interests
Purchase consideration

Pethealth
November 14, 2014
100.0%

10.7
108.2(2)
7.7

126.6

19.9
18.0(2)
–

37.9
–
88.7

126.6

Sterling Resorts
September 3, 2014

55.1%(3)

19.1
69.6(4)

176.3

265.0

52.8
17.0
2.1

71.9
74.1
119.0

265.0

The Keg
February 4, 2014
51.0%

126.0
65.5
78.9

270.4

76.7
20.1
86.1

182.9
10.8
76.7

270.4

(1)

Included in the carrying value of the acquired portfolio investments of Pethealth, Sterling Resorts and The Keg were $10.7,
$0.5 and $24.8 respectively of subsidiary cash and cash equivalents.

(2) Goodwill and intangible assets and the related deferred income taxes arising on the acquisition of Pethealth were allocated
to  Crum  &  Forster  ($90.9  and  $18.0  respectively)  and  Northbridge  ($17.3  and  $2.4  respectively)  in  the  company’s
segment reporting (note 25).

(3) Fairfax’s economic interest in Sterling Resorts was 40.2% as a result of acquiring Sterling Resorts through 73.0%-owned

Thomas Cook India.

(4) Partially comprised of additional non-cash purchase consideration of $41.2 arising on the re-measurement to fair value of

the previously held equity accounted interest.

24. Financial Risk Management

Overview

The  primary  goals  of  the  company’s  financial  risk  management  are  to  ensure  that  the  outcomes  of  activities
involving elements of risk are consistent with the company’s objectives and risk tolerance, while maintaining an
appropriate balance between risk and reward and protecting the company’s consolidated balance sheet from events
that have the potential to materially impair its financial strength. The company’s exposure to potential loss from its
insurance and reinsurance operations and investment activities primarily relates to underwriting risk, credit risk,
liquidity risk and various market risks. Balancing risk and reward is achieved through identifying risk appropriately,
aligning  risk  tolerances  with  business  strategy,  diversifying  risk,  pricing  appropriately  for  risk,  mitigating  risk
through preventive controls and transferring risk to third parties. There were no significant changes in the types of
the  company’s  risk  exposures  or  the  processes  used  by  the  company  for  managing  those  risk  exposures  at
December 31, 2015 compared to those identified at December 31, 2014, except as discussed below.

Financial risk management objectives are achieved through a two tiered system, with detailed risk management
processes  and  procedures  at  the  company’s  primary  operating  subsidiaries  and  its  investment  management
subsidiary combined with the analysis of the company-wide aggregation and accumulation of risks at the holding
company  level.  In  addition,  although  the  company  and  its  operating  subsidiaries  have  designated  Chief  Risk
Officers, the company regards each Chief Executive Officer as the chief risk officer of his or her company: each Chief
Executive  Officer  is  the  individual  ultimately  responsible  for  risk  management  for  his  or  her  company  and  its
subsidiaries.

85

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The company’s designated Chief Risk Officer reports on risk considerations to Fairfax’s Executive Committee and
provides a quarterly report to the Board of Directors on the key risk exposures. The company’s management, in
consultation with the designated Chief Risk Officer, approves certain policies for overall risk management, as well as
policies  addressing  specific  areas  such  as  investments,  underwriting,  catastrophe  risk  and  reinsurance.  The
company’s Investment Committee approves policies for the management of market risk (including currency risk,
interest  rate  risk  and  other  price  risk)  and  the  use  of  derivative  and  non-derivative  financial  instruments,  and
monitors to ensure compliance with relevant regulatory guidelines and requirements. A discussion of the risks of the
business (the risk factors and the management of those risks) is an agenda item for every regularly scheduled meeting
of the Board of Directors.

Underwriting Risk

Underwriting  risk  is  the  risk  that  the  total  cost  of  claims,  claims  adjustment  expenses  and  premium  acquisition
expenses  will  exceed  premiums  received  and  can  arise  as  a  result  of  numerous  factors,  including  pricing  risk,
reserving risk and catastrophe risk. There were no significant changes to the company’s exposure to underwriting risk
or  the  framework  used  to  monitor,  evaluate  and  manage  underwriting  risk  at  December  31,  2015  compared  to
December 31, 2014. The foregoing statement recognizes the acquisition of Brit during the second quarter of 2015,
whose underwriting risk profile is largely consistent with that of the company.

Principal lines of business

The company’s principal lines of business and the significant insurance risks inherent therein are as follows:

(cid:127) Property, which insures against losses to property from (among other things) fire, explosion, natural perils
(for  example  earthquake,  windstorm  and  flood),  terrorism  and  engineering  problems  (for  example,  boiler
explosion, machinery breakdown and construction defects). Specific types of property risks underwritten by
the company include automobile, commercial and personal property and crop;

(cid:127) Casualty,  which  insures  against  accidents  (including  workers’  compensation  and  automobile)  and  also

includes employers’ liability, accident and health, medical malpractice, and umbrella coverage;

(cid:127) Specialty, which insures against marine, aerospace and surety risk, and other miscellaneous risks and liabilities

that are not identified above; and

(cid:127) Reinsurance which includes, but is not limited to, property, casualty and liability exposures.

An analysis of revenue by line of business is included in note 25.

The table below shows the company’s concentration of risk by region and line of business based on gross premiums
written prior to giving effect to ceded reinsurance premiums. The company’s exposure to general insurance risk
varies by geographic region and may change over time. Premiums ceded to reinsurers (including retrocessions) in
2015 by line of business amounted to $379.3 for property (2014 – $400.1), $512.2 for casualty (2014 – $539.1) and
$243.8 for specialty (2014 – $218.9).

For the years ended
December 31

Property
Casualty
Specialty

Total

Insurance
Reinsurance

Canada

United States

Asia(1)

International(2)

Total

2015

579.4
489.5
112.6

2014

560.9
516.0
113.1

2015

2014

2015

2014

1,250.4
3,547.5
371.8

1,173.5
2,805.9
211.0

413.2
288.6
284.3

405.7
268.0
247.8

2015

503.6
536.9
278.0

2014

448.5
490.0
219.5

2015

2014

2,746.6
4,862.5
1,046.7

2,588.6
4,079.9
791.4

1,181.5

1,190.0

5,169.7

4,190.4

986.1

921.5

1,318.5

1,158.0

8,655.8

7,459.9

1,095.3
86.2

1,120.7
69.3

4,060.4
1,109.3

3,426.0
764.4

494.6
491.5

404.3
517.2

535.0
783.5

371.9
786.1

6,185.3
2,470.5

5,322.9
2,137.0

1,181.5

1,190.0

5,169.7

4,190.4

986.1

921.5

1,318.5

1,158.0

8,655.8

7,459.9

(1) The Asia geographic segment comprises countries located throughout Asia including China, India, the Middle East, Sri

Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

(2) The International geographic segment comprises Australia and countries located in Africa, Europe and South America.

86

Pricing Risk

Pricing risk arises because actual claims experience can differ adversely from the assumptions included in pricing
calculations. Historically the underwriting results of the property and casualty industry have fluctuated significantly
due to the cyclicality of the insurance market. The market cycle is affected by the frequency and severity of losses,
levels of capacity and demand, general economic conditions and competition on rates and terms of coverage. The
operating  companies  focus  on  profitable  underwriting  using  a  combination  of  experienced  underwriting  and
actuarial staff, pricing models and price adequacy monitoring tools.

Reserving Risk

Reserving risk arises because actual claims experience can differ adversely from the assumptions included in setting
reserves, in large part due to the length of time between the occurrence of a loss, the reporting of the loss to the
insurer and the ultimate resolution of the claim. The degree of uncertainty will vary by line of business according to
the characteristics of the insured risks and the cost of a claim will be determined by the actual loss suffered by the
policyholder. Claims provisions reflect expectations of the ultimate cost of resolution and administration of claims
based on an assessment of facts and circumstances then known, a review of historical settlement patterns, estimates
of trends in claims severity and frequency, legal theories of liability and other factors.

The time required to learn of and settle claims is often referred to as the ‘‘tail’’ and is an important consideration in
establishing the company’s reserves. Short-tail claims are those for which losses are normally reported soon after the
incident and are generally settled within months following the reported incident. This would include, for example,
most property, automobile and marine and aerospace damage. Long-tail claims are considered by the company to be
those that often take three years or more to develop and settle, such as asbestos, environmental pollution, workers’
compensation and product liability. Information concerning the loss event and ultimate cost of a long-tail claim may
not be readily available, making the reserving analysis of long-tail lines of business more difficult and subject to
greater uncertainties than for short-tail lines of business. In the extreme cases of long-tail claims like those involving
asbestos and environmental pollution, it may take upwards of 40 years to settle. The company employs specialized
techniques to determine such provisions using the extensive knowledge of both internal and external asbestos and
environmental pollution experts and legal advisors.

The establishment of provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses is an inherently uncertain process that can
be affected by internal factors such as the inherent risk in estimating loss development patterns based on historical
data that may not be representative of future loss payment patterns; assumptions built on industry loss ratios or
industry benchmark development patterns that may not reflect actual experience; and the intrinsic risk as to the
homogeneity of the underlying data used in carrying out the reserve analyses; and external factors such as trends
relating to jury awards; economic inflation; medical inflation; worldwide economic conditions; tort reforms; court
interpretations  of  coverage;  the  regulatory  environment;  underlying  policy  pricing;  claims  handling  procedures;
inclusion  of  exposures  not  contemplated  at  the  time  of  policy  inception;  and  significant  changes  in  severity  or
frequency of losses relative to historical trends. Due to the amount of time between the occurrence of a loss, the
actual reporting of the loss and the ultimate payment for the loss, provisions may ultimately develop differently
from the actuarial assumptions made when initially estimating the provision for claims.

The  company  has  exposures  to  risks  in  each  line  of  business  that  may  develop  adversely  and  that  could  have  a
material impact upon the company’s financial position. The insurance risk diversity within the company’s portfolio
of issued policies makes it difficult to predict whether material prior year reserve development will occur and, if it
does occur, the location and the timing of such an occurrence.

Catastrophe Risk

Catastrophe risk arises because property and casualty insurance companies may be exposed to large losses arising
from man-made or natural catastrophes that could result in significant underwriting losses. As the company does not
establish reserves for catastrophes in advance of the occurrence of such events, these events may cause volatility in
the levels of incurred losses and reserves, subject to the effects of reinsurance recoveries. This volatility may also be
contingent  upon  political  and  legal  developments  after  the  occurrence  of  the  event.  The  company  evaluates
potential  catastrophic  events  and  assesses  the  probability  of  occurrence  and  magnitude  of  these  events
predominantly  through  probable  maximum  loss  (‘‘PML’’)  modeling  techniques  and  through  the  aggregation  of
limits  exposed.  A  wide  range  of  events  are  simulated  using  the  company’s  proprietary  and  commercial  models,
including single large events and multiple events spanning the numerous geographic regions in which the company
operates. 

87

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Each  of  the  operating  companies  has  developed  and  applies  strict  underwriting  guidelines  for  the  amount  of
catastrophe  exposure  it  may  assume  as  a  standalone  entity  for  any  one  risk  and  location.  Those  guidelines  are
regularly  monitored  and  updated  by  the  operating  companies.  Each  of  the  operating  companies  also  manages
catastrophe exposure by diversifying risk across geographic regions, catastrophe types and other lines of business,
factoring in levels of reinsurance protection, adjusting the amount of business written based on capital levels and
adhering  to  risk  tolerances.  The  company’s  head  office  aggregates  catastrophe  exposure  company-wide  and
continually  monitors  the  group  exposure.  The  independent  exposure  limits  for  each  entity  in  the  group  are
aggregated to produce an exposure limit for the group as there is currently no model capable of simultaneously
projecting the magnitude and probability of loss in all geographic regions in which the company operates. Currently
the company’s objective is to limit its company-wide catastrophe loss exposure such that one year’s aggregate pre-tax
net catastrophe losses would not exceed one year’s normalized net earnings before income taxes. The company takes
a long term view and generally considers a 15% return on common shareholders’ equity, adjusted to a pre-tax basis,
to be representative of one year’s normalized net earnings. The modeled probability of aggregate catastrophe losses in
any one year exceeding this amount is generally more than once in every 250 years.

Management of Underwriting Risk

To manage its exposure to underwriting risk, and the pricing, reserving and catastrophe risks contained therein, the
company’s operating companies have established limits for underwriting authority and the requirement for specific
approvals  for  transactions  involving  new  products  or  for  transactions  involving  existing  products  which  exceed
certain limits of size or complexity. The company’s objective of operating with a prudent and stable underwriting
philosophy with sound reserving is also achieved through establishment of goals, delegation of authorities, financial
monitoring,  underwriting  reviews  and  remedial  actions  to  facilitate  continuous  improvement.  The  company’s
provision  for  claims  is  reviewed  separately  by,  and  must  be  acceptable  to,  internal  actuaries  at  each  operating
company, the Chief Risk Officer at Fairfax and one or more independent actuaries. The company also purchases
reinsurance protection for risks assumed when it is considered prudent and cost effective to do so, at the operating
company level for specific exposures and, if needed, at the holding company level for aggregate exposures. Steps are
taken to actively reduce the volume of insurance and reinsurance underwritten on particular types of risks when the
company desires to reduce its direct exposure due to inadequate pricing.

As  part  of  its  overall  risk  management  strategy,  the  company  cedes  insurance  risk  through  proportional,
non-proportional and facultative reinsurance treaties. With proportional reinsurance, the reinsurer shares a pro rata
portion of the company’s losses and premium, whereas with non-proportional reinsurance, the reinsurer assumes
payment  of  the  company’s  loss  above  a  specified  retention,  subject  to  a  limit.  Facultative  reinsurance  is  the
reinsurance  of  individual  risks  as  agreed  by  the  company  and  the  reinsurer.  The  company  follows  the  policy  of
underwriting  and  reinsuring  contracts  of  insurance  and  reinsurance  which,  depending  on  the  type  of  contract,
generally limits the liability of the individual insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries on any policy to a maximum
amount on any one loss. Reinsurance decisions are made by the subsidiaries to reduce and spread the risk of loss on
insurance and reinsurance written, to limit multiple claims arising from a single occurrence and to protect capital
resources. The amount of reinsurance purchased can vary among subsidiaries depending on the lines of business
written, their respective capital resources and prevailing or expected market conditions. Reinsurance is generally
placed on an excess of loss basis and written in several layers, the purpose of which is to limit the amount of one risk
to a maximum amount acceptable to the company and to protect from losses on multiple risks arising from a single
occurrence. This type of reinsurance includes what is generally referred to as catastrophe reinsurance. The company’s
reinsurance does not, however, relieve the company of its primary obligation to the policyholder.

The  majority  of  reinsurance  contracts  purchased  by  the  company  provide  coverage  for  a  one  year  term  and  are
negotiated annually. The ability of the company to obtain reinsurance on terms and prices consistent with historical
results reflects, among other factors, recent loss experience of the company and of the industry in general. Currently
there  exists  excess  capital  within  the  reinsurance  market  due  to  favourable  operating  results  of  reinsurers  and
alternative forms of reinsurance capacity entering the market. As a result, the market has become very competitive
with pricing remaining flat and in some cases decreasing. Further compounding these effects has been the relatively
benign level of catastrophe losses for reinsurers in the United States over the last number of years. The company will
remain opportunistic in its use of reinsurance, balancing capital requirements and the cost of reinsurance.

88

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of loss resulting from the failure of a counterparty to honour its financial obligations to the
company. Credit risk arises predominantly with respect to cash and short term investments, investments in debt
instruments,  insurance  contract  receivables,  recoverable  from  reinsurers  and  receivable  from  counterparties  to
derivative contracts (primarily total return swaps and CPI-linked derivatives). There were no significant changes to
the company’s exposure to credit risk (except as set out in the discussion which follows) or the framework used to
monitor, evaluate and manage credit risk at December 31, 2015 compared to December 31, 2014.

The company’s aggregate gross credit risk exposure at December 31, 2015 (without taking into account amounts held
by the company as collateral) was comprised as follows:

Cash and short term investments
Bonds:

U.S., U.K., German, and Canadian sovereign government
Other sovereign government
Canadian provincials
U.S. states and municipalities
Corporate and other

Receivable from counterparties to derivative contracts
Insurance contract receivables
Recoverable from reinsurers
Other assets

December 31, December 31,
2014
6,293.3

2015
7,375.9

3,242.9
1,379.1
198.8
6,646.2
2,071.3
561.6
2,546.5
3,890.9
930.8

2,408.2
1,261.0
217.1
6,998.2
1,534.8
514.9
1,931.7
3,982.1
664.9

Total gross credit risk exposure

28,844.0

25,806.2

The company had income taxes refundable of $97.9 at December 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 – $51.1).

Cash and Short Term Investments

The company’s cash and short term investments (including at the holding company) are held at major financial
institutions in the jurisdictions in which the company operates. At December 31, 2015, 86.3% of these balances were
held in Canadian and U.S. financial institutions, 5.5% in European financial institutions and 8.2% in other foreign
financial  institutions  (December  31,  2014 – 89.0%,  3.4%  and  7.6%  respectively).  The  company  monitors  risks
associated with cash and short term investments by regularly reviewing the financial strength and creditworthiness
of these financial institutions and more frequently during periods of economic volatility. As a result of these reviews,
the company may transfer balances from financial institutions where it perceives heightened credit risk to other
institutions considered to be more stable.

Investments in Debt Instruments

The company’s risk management strategy for debt instruments is to invest primarily in high credit quality issuers and
to limit the amount of credit exposure with respect to any one corporate issuer. While the company reviews third
party credit ratings, it also carries out its own analysis and does not delegate the credit decision to rating agencies.
The  company  endeavours  to  limit  credit  exposure  by  monitoring  fixed  income  portfolio  limits  on  individual
corporate issuers and limits based on credit quality and may, from time to time, initiate positions in certain types of
derivatives to further mitigate credit risk exposure.

At  December  31,  2015  the  company’s  bond  investments  subject  to  credit  risk  had  a  fair  value  of  $10,220.3
(December 31, 2014 – $9,978.9), representing 35.2% (December 31, 2014 – 38.1%) of the total investment portfolio
(comprising bonds included in other sovereign government rated A/A or lower and all bonds included in Canadian
provincials, U.S. states and municipalities and corporate and other). Other sovereign government bonds included
Greek  bonds  purchased  at  deep  discounts  to  par  of  $151.4  (December  31,  2014 – $178.6)  that  were  rated  below
investment grade. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the company did not own any bonds issued by Ireland, Italy,
Portugal  or  Spain.  The  company  considers  its  investment  of  $3,318.0  in  sovereign  bonds  rated  AA/Aa  or  higher
(primarily  sovereign  bonds  issued  by  the  U.S.,  U.K.,  German  and  Canadian  governments  (including  $2,699.7

89

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

(December 31, 2014 – $2,094.2) of U.S. treasury bonds), representing 11.4% (December 31, 2014 – 9.3%) of the total
investment  portfolio,  to  present  only  a  nominal  risk  of  default.  The  company’s  exposure  to  credit  risk  from  its
investment in debt instruments remained substantially unchanged at December 31, 2015 compared to December 31,
2014  notwithstanding  the  consolidation  of  Brit’s  bond  portfolio  and  Fairfax  India’s  purchases  of  permitted
investments  in  India  from  the  net  proceeds  of  its  share  offerings  during  2015.  There  were  no  other  significant
changes  to  the  company’s  framework  used  to  monitor,  evaluate  and  manage  credit  risk  of  investments  in  debt
instruments at December 31, 2015 compared to December 31, 2014.

The  composition  of  the  company’s  fixed  income  portfolio  classified  according  to  the  higher  of  each  security’s
respective S&P and Moody’s issuer credit rating is presented in the table that follows:

Issuer Credit Rating
AAA/Aaa
AA/Aa
A/A
BBB/Baa
BB/Ba
B/B
Lower than B/B and unrated

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Amortized
cost
3,562.5
5,100.6
566.4
1,288.6
318.0
26.9
1,549.3

Carrying
value
3,587.9
6,125.8
647.6
1,368.9
272.5
26.3
1,509.3

Amortized
cost
2,402.4
5,266.0
839.8
994.5
35.1
359.7
879.5

%
26.5
45.3
4.8
10.1
2.0
0.2
11.1

Carrying
value
2,636.2
6,419.2
956.4
1,097.4
51.8
178.6
1,079.7

%
21.2
51.8
7.7
8.8
0.4
1.4
8.7

Total

12,412.3

13,538.3

100.0

10,777.0

12,419.3

100.0

There were no significant changes to the composition of the company’s fixed income portfolio classified according
to the higher of each security’s respective S&P and Moody’s issuer credit rating at December 31, 2015 compared to
December  31,  2014,  notwithstanding  the  modest  increase  in  the  categories  rated  BBB/Baa  and  lower.  At
December  31,  2015,  86.7%  (December  31,  2014 – 89.5%)  of  the  fixed  income  portfolio  carrying  value  was  rated
investment grade or better, with 71.8% (December 31, 2014 – 73.0%) being rated AA or better (primarily consisting of
government obligations). The increase in bonds rated BBB/Baa reflected Fairfax India’s purchase of investments in
India  from  the  net  proceeds  of  its  share  offerings.  The  increase  in  bonds  rated  BB/Ba  reflected  a  credit  rating
downgrade  on  certain  of  the  company’s  tax  exempt  and  taxable  U.S.  municipal  bonds  (in  the  A/A  category  at
December 31, 2014). The increase in bonds rated lower than B/B and unrated reflected the credit rating downgrade of
the company’s Greek bonds (in the B/B category at December 31, 2014) and Fairfax India’s purchase of investments
in India from the net proceeds of its share offerings.

At December 31, 2015 holdings of fixed income securities in the ten issuers (excluding U.S., Canadian, U.K. and
German  sovereign  government  bonds)  to  which  the  company  had  the  greatest  exposure  totaled  $4,701.6
(December 31, 2014 – $4,829.7), which represented approximately 16.2% (December 31, 2014 – 18.4%) of the total
investment  portfolio.  Exposure  to  the  largest  single  issuer  of  corporate  bonds  at  December  31,  2015  was  $547.6
(December  31,  2014 – $653.3),  which  represented  approximately  1.9%  (December  31,  2014 – 2.5%)  of  the  total
investment portfolio.

The  consolidated  investment  portfolio  included  $6.6  billion  at  December  31,  2015  (December  31,  2014 –
$7.0 billion) of U.S. state and municipal bonds (approximately $4.9 billion tax-exempt, $1.7 billion taxable), a large
portion  of  which  were  purchased  during  2008  within  subsidiary  investment  portfolios.  At  December  31,  2015
approximately $3.7 billion (December 31, 2014 – $3.9 billion) of those U.S. state and municipal bonds are insured by
Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corp. for the payment of interest and principal in the event of issuer default, and are
therefore all rated AA or better.

Counterparties to Derivative Contracts

Counterparty risk arises from the company’s derivative contracts primarily in three ways: first, a counterparty may be
unable to honour its obligation under a derivative contract and there may be insufficient collateral pledged in favour
of  the  company  to  support  that  obligation;  second,  collateral  deposited  by  the  company  to  a  counterparty  as  a
prerequisite for entering into certain derivative contracts (also known as initial margin) may be at risk should the
counterparty face financial difficulty; and third, excess collateral pledged in favour of a counterparty may be at risk
should the counterparty face financial difficulty (counterparties may hold excess collateral as a result of the timing of
the settlement of the amount of collateral required to be pledged based on the fair value of a derivative contract).

90

The company endeavours to limit counterparty risk through diligent selection of counterparties to its derivative
contracts  and  through  the  terms  of  negotiated  agreements.  Pursuant  to  these  agreements,  counterparties  are
contractually required to deposit eligible collateral in collateral accounts (subject to certain minimum thresholds) for
the benefit of the company based on the then daily fair value of the derivative contracts. The company’s exposure to
risk associated with providing initial margin is mitigated where possible through the use of segregated third party
custodian accounts whereby counterparties are permitted to take control of the collateral only in the event of default
by the company.

Agreements negotiated with counterparties provide for a single net settlement of all financial instruments covered by
the agreement in the event of default by the counterparty, thereby permitting obligations owed by the company to a
counterparty to be offset to the extent of the aggregate amount receivable by the company from that counterparty
(the ‘‘net settlement arrangements’’). The following table sets out the company’s credit risk related to derivative
contract counterparties, assuming all such counterparties are simultaneously in default:

Total derivative assets(1)
Impact of net settlement arrangements
Fair value of collateral deposited for the benefit of the company(2)
Excess collateral pledged by the company in favour of counterparties
Initial margin not held in segregated third party custodian accounts

December 31, December 31,
2014
514.9
(110.0)
(171.1)
137.1
61.8

2015
561.6
(61.1)
(285.2)
39.3
59.8

Net derivative counterparty exposure after net settlement and collateral

arrangements

314.4

432.7

(1) Excludes equity warrants and equity call options which are not subject to counterparty risk.

(2) Excludes $8.1 (December 31, 2014 – $21.2) of excess collateral pledged by counterparties.

Collateral  deposited  for  the  benefit  of  the  company  at  December  31,  2015  consisted  of  cash  and  government
securities of $28.7 and $264.6 respectively (December 31, 2014 – $27.8 and $164.5 respectively). The company had
not exercised its right to sell or repledge collateral at December 31, 2015.

Recoverable from Reinsurers

Credit risk on the company’s recoverable from reinsurers balance existed at December 31, 2015 to the extent that any
reinsurer  may  be  unable  or  unwilling  to  reimburse  the  company  under  the  terms  of  the  relevant  reinsurance
arrangements. The company is also exposed to the credit risk assumed in fronting arrangements and to potential
reinsurance capacity constraints. The company regularly assesses the creditworthiness of reinsurers with whom it
transacts business. Internal guidelines generally require reinsurers to have strong A.M. Best ratings and to maintain
capital and surplus in excess of $500.0. Where contractually provided for, the company has collateral for outstanding
balances in the form of cash, letters of credit, guarantees or assets held in trust accounts. This collateral may be drawn
on when amounts remain unpaid beyond contractually specified time periods for each individual reinsurer.

The company’s reinsurance security department conducts ongoing detailed assessments of current and potential
reinsurers and annual reviews on impaired reinsurers, and provides recommendations for uncollectible reinsurance
provisions for the group. The reinsurance security department also collects and maintains individual and group
reinsurance exposures aggregated across the group. Most of the reinsurance balances for reinsurers rated B++ and
lower or which are not rated were inherited by the company on acquisition of a subsidiary. The company’s largest
single  recoverable  from  reinsurer  (Munich  Reinsurance  Company)  represented  3.2%  of  shareholders’  equity
attributable to shareholders of Fairfax at December 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 – Swiss Re America Corp., 4.4%) and
is rated A+ by A.M. Best.

The company’s gross exposure to credit risk from counterparties to its reinsurance contracts remained substantially
unchanged  at  December  31,  2015  compared  to  December  31,  2014.  Changes  that  occurred  in  the  provision  for
uncollectible reinsurance during the period are disclosed in note 9.

91

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The following table presents the gross recoverable from reinsurers classified according to the financial strength rating
of the reinsurers. Pools and associations, shown separately, are generally government or similar insurance funds
carrying limited credit risk.

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

A.M. Best Rating
(or S&P equivalent)
A++
A+
A
A-
B++
B+
B or lower
Not rated
Pools and associations

Provision for uncollectible reinsurance

Recoverable from reinsurers

Liquidity Risk

Gross
recoverable
from
reinsurers
422.2
1,325.5
1,294.8
347.7
16.9
5.9
17.8
556.8
90.3

4,077.9
(187.0)

3,890.9

Outstanding
balances

Net
Gross
unsecured
for which recoverable recoverable
from
reinsurers
463.4
1,425.2
1,289.6
346.4
23.3
2.1
28.7
539.4
68.3

from
reinsurers
322.5
1,162.2
1,189.5
185.3
13.2
0.7
4.2
393.2
21.9

security
is held
99.7
163.3
105.3
162.4
3.7
5.2
13.6
163.6
68.4

Outstanding
balances

Net
unsecured
for which recoverable
from
reinsurers
355.1
997.9
1,156.0
159.9
10.6
1.4
4.9
435.2
46.1

security
is held
108.3
427.3
133.6
186.5
12.7
0.7
23.8
104.2
22.2

785.2

3,292.7
(187.0)

4,186.4
(204.3)

1,019.3

3,105.7

3,982.1

3,167.1
(204.3)

2,962.8

Liquidity risk is the potential for loss if the company is unable to meet financial commitments in a timely manner at
reasonable costs as they fall due. The company’s policy is to ensure that sufficient liquid assets are available to meet
financial commitments, including liabilities to policyholders and debt holders, dividends on preferred shares and
investment commitments. Cash flow analysis is performed regularly at both the holding company and subsidiary
company  levels  to  ensure  that  future  cash  needs  are  met  or  exceeded  by  cash  flows  generated  from  operating
companies.

The holding company’s known significant commitments for 2016 consist of payment of the $227.8 ($10.00 per
share) dividend on common shares (paid January 2016), interest and corporate overhead expenses, preferred share
dividends, income tax payments, potential cash outflows related to derivative contracts (described below) and the
anticipated  acquisition  of  Eurolife  and  the  additional  investment  in  ICICI  Lombard.  The  net  proceeds  from  an
underwritten  public  offering  of  1.0  million  subordinate  voting  shares  ($523.5  (Cdn$705.1)),  which  closed  on
March 2, 2016, will be used to finance the acquisition of Eurolife and the additional investment in ICICI Lombard
(see notes 16 and 23).

The net proceeds from underwritten public offerings (described in more detail in notes 15 and 16) of 1.15 million
subordinate voting shares ($575.9), 9.2 million Series M preferred shares ($179.0) and Cdn$350.0 of 4.95% Fairfax
senior notes due 2025 ($275.7), all of which closed on March 3, 2015, were used to finance the acquisition of Brit.
The company used the residual proceeds from the private debt offering completed on August 13, 2014 of $300.0
principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due August 13, 2024 to fund the repayment, upon maturity, of the Fairfax
($82.4) and OdysseyRe ($125.0) unsecured senior notes on October 1, 2015 and May 1, 2015 respectively.

The  company  believes  that  holding  company  cash  and  investments,  net  of  holding  company  short  sale  and
derivative obligations at December 31, 2015 of $1,275.9 provides adequate liquidity to meet the holding company’s
known  obligations  in  2016.  The  holding  company  expects  to  continue  to  receive  investment  management  and
administration fees from its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, investment income on its holdings of cash and
investments, and dividends from its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. To further augment its liquidity, the
holding company can draw upon its $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility (described in note 15).

The liquidity requirements of the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries principally relate to the liabilities associated
with underwriting, operating costs and expenses, the payment of dividends to the holding company, contributions
to their subsidiaries, payment of principal and interest on their outstanding debt obligations, income tax payments

92

and certain derivative obligations (described below). Liabilities associated with underwriting include the payment of
claims and direct commissions. Historically, the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries have used cash inflows from
operating activities (primarily the collection of premiums and reinsurance commissions) and investment activities
(primarily repayments of principal on debt investments, sales of investment securities and investment income) to
fund their liquidity requirements. The insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries may also receive cash inflows from
financing activities (primarily distributions received from their subsidiaries).

The company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries (and the holding company on a consolidated basis) focus on
the stress that could be placed on liquidity requirements as a result of severe disruption or volatility in the capital
markets or extreme catastrophe activity or the combination of both. The insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries
maintain  investment  strategies  intended  to  provide  adequate  funds  to  pay  claims  or  withstand  disruption  or
volatility in the capital markets without forced sales of investments. The insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries hold
highly  liquid,  high  quality  short-term  investment  securities  and  other  liquid  investment  grade  fixed  maturity
securities  to  fund  anticipated  claim  payments,  operating  expenses  and  commitments  related  to  investments.  At
December 31, 2015 portfolio investments net of short sale and derivative obligations totaled $27.7 billion. These
portfolio investments may include investments in inactively traded corporate debentures, preferred stocks, common
stocks  and  limited  partnership  interests  that  are  relatively  illiquid.  At  December  31,  2015  these  asset  classes
represented approximately 7.4% (December 31, 2014 – 7.6%) of the carrying value of the insurance and reinsurance
subsidiaries’ portfolio investments.

The  insurance  and  reinsurance  subsidiaries  and  the  holding  company  may  experience  cash  inflows  or  outflows
(which at times could be significant) related to their derivative contracts, including collateral requirements and cash
settlements of market value movements of total return swaps which have occurred since the most recent reset date.
During  2015  the  insurance  and  reinsurance  subsidiaries  and  the  holding  company  received  net  cash  of  $225.4
(2014 – paid net cash of $194.2) and $34.9 (2014 – paid net cash of $113.4) respectively, in connection with long and
short  equity  and  equity  index  total  return  swap  derivative  contracts  (excluding  the  impact  of  collateral
requirements). The insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries typically fund such obligations from cash provided by
operating activities (and may fund such obligations from sales of equity-related investments, the market value of
which will generally vary inversely with the market value of short equity and equity index total return swaps). The
holding  company  typically  funds  any  such  obligations  from  holding  company  cash  and  investments  and  its
additional sources of liquidity as discussed above.

The  following  tables  set  out  the  maturity  profile  of  the  company’s  financial  liabilities  based  on  the  expected
undiscounted cash flows from the end of the year to the contractual maturity date or the settlement date:

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(1)
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Long term debt – principal
Long term debt – interest

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(1)
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers(2)
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Long term debt – principal
Long term debt – interest

December 31, 2015

Less than 3 months
to 1 year
3 months

1,129.2
101.0
1,397.5
11.6
38.9

459.0
190.0
3,870.2
117.3
166.7

1 – 3 years

3 – 5 years

335.6
22.1
5,725.2
353.9
382.3

104.1
6.8
3,444.7
511.4
319.5

More than
5 years

82.9
2.9
5,378.8
2,366.8
631.6

Total

2,110.8
322.8
19,816.4
3,361.0
1,539.0

2,678.2

4,803.2

6,819.1

4,386.5

8,463.0

27,150.0

December 31, 2014

Less than 3 months
to 1 year
3 months

844.6
1.3
1,064.3
9.9
36.5

338.8
50.8
3,231.3
244.4
172.2

1 – 3 years

3 – 5 years

233.2
78.6
5,462.7
175.2
371.1

101.5
8.2
3,658.1
494.7
328.3

More than
5 years

48.2
2.2
4,332.7
2,270.1
589.3

Total

1,566.3
141.1
17,749.1
3,194.3
1,497.4

1,956.6

4,037.5

6,320.8

4,590.8

7,242.5

24,148.2

(1) Excludes pension and post retirement liabilities, ceded deferred premium acquisition costs and accrued interest. Operating

lease commitments are described in note 22.

(2) Excludes $320.4 at December 31, 2014 relating to Crum & Forster which will be settled net of reinsurance recoverables

resulting in no cash outflow.

93

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The timing of loss payments is not fixed and represents the company’s best estimate. The payment obligations which
are due beyond one year in accounts payable and accrued liabilities primarily relate to certain payables to brokers and
reinsurers not expected to be settled in the short term. At December 31, 2015 the company had income taxes payable
of $85.8 (December 31, 2014 – $118.3).

The following table provides a maturity profile of the company’s short sale and derivative obligations based on the
expected undiscounted cash flows from the end of the year to the contractual maturity date or the settlement date:

Equity index total return swaps – short positions
Equity total return swaps – short positions
Equity total return swaps – long positions
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Other derivative contracts

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Less than
3 months
–
9.3
9.5
53.9
–

3 months
to 1 year
–
–
–
20.2
–

Total
–
9.3
9.5
74.1
–

Less than
3 months
97.2
36.5
15.9
4.0
5.9

3 months
to 1 year
–
–
–
1.3
–

Total
97.2
36.5
15.9
5.3
5.9

72.7

20.2

92.9

159.5

1.3

160.8

Market Risk

Market risk (comprised of foreign currency risk, interest rate risk and other price risk) is the risk that the fair value or
future  cash  flows  of  a  financial  instrument  will  fluctuate  because  of  changes  in  market  prices.  The  company  is
exposed to market risk principally in its investing activities but also in its underwriting activities to the extent that
those activities expose the company to foreign currency risk. The company’s investment portfolios are managed with
a long term, value-oriented investment philosophy emphasizing downside protection. The company has policies to
limit and monitor its individual issuer exposures and aggregate equity exposure at the subsidiary level and in total at
the holding company level. The following is a discussion of the company’s primary market risk exposures and how
those exposures are managed.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of
changes in market interest rates. Typically, as interest rates rise, the fair value of fixed income investments decline
and, conversely, as interest rates decline, the fair value of fixed income investments rise. In each case, the longer the
maturity  of  the  financial  instrument,  the  greater  the  consequence  of  a  change  in  interest  rates.  The  company’s
interest rate risk management strategy is to position its fixed income portfolio based on its view of future interest
rates  and  the  yield  curve,  balanced  with  liquidity  requirements.  The  company  may  reposition  the  portfolio  in
response to changes in the interest rate environment. At December 31, 2015 the company’s investment portfolio
included fixed income securities with a fair value of $13.5 billion which are subject to interest rate risk.

Notwithstanding the consolidation of Brit’s bond portfolio and Fairfax India’s purchase of investments in India from
the net proceeds of its share offerings during 2015, the company’s exposure to interest rate risk did not change
significantly during 2015 compared to 2014. There were no significant changes to the company’s framework used to
monitor, evaluate and manage interest rate risk at December 31, 2015 compared to December 31, 2014.

Movements in the term structure of interest rates affect the level and timing of recognition in earnings of gains and
losses  on  fixed  income  securities  held.  Generally,  the  company’s  investment  income  may  be  reduced  during
sustained periods of lower interest rates as higher yielding fixed income securities are called, mature, or are sold and
the proceeds are reinvested at lower rates. During periods of rising interest rates, the market value of the company’s
existing fixed income securities will generally decrease and gains on fixed income securities will likely be reduced.
Losses  are  likely  to  be  incurred  following  significant  increases  in  interest  rates.  General  economic  conditions,
political conditions and many other factors can also adversely affect the bond markets and, consequently, the value
of fixed income securities held. These risks are monitored by the company’s senior portfolio managers and CEO, and
taken into consideration when managing the consolidated bond portfolio.

94

The table below displays the potential impact of changes in interest rates on the company’s fixed income portfolio
based on parallel 200 basis point shifts up and down, in 100 basis point increments. This analysis was performed on
each individual security to determine the hypothetical effect on net earnings.

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Fair value
of fixed
income

Hypothetical Hypothetical
$ change effect % change in
fair value

portfolio on net earnings

Fair value
of fixed
income

Hypothetical Hypothetical
$ change effect % change in
fair value

portfolio on net earnings

Change in interest rates
200 basis point increase
100 basis point increase
No change
100 basis point decrease
200 basis point decrease

11,560.9
12,467.2
13,538.3
14,867.4
16,480.6

(1,380.2)
(747.8)
–
927.7
2,053.3

(14.6)
(7.9)
–
9.8
21.7

10,517.6
11,393.1
12,419.3
13,668.7
15,214.3

(1,290.4)
(696.5)
–
847.2
1,894.8

(15.3)
(8.3)
–
10.1
22.5

Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented above. Computations of the prospective
effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including the maintenance of the
level and composition of fixed income securities at the indicated date, and should not be relied on as indicative of
future  results.  Actual  values  may  differ  from  the  projections  presented  should  market  conditions  vary  from
assumptions  used  in  the  calculation  of  the  fair  value  of  individual  securities;  such  variations  may  include
non-parallel shifts in the term structure of interest rates and changes in individual issuer credit spreads.

Market Price Fluctuations

Market price fluctuation is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate
because of changes in market prices (other than those arising from interest rate risk or foreign currency risk), whether
those  changes  are  caused  by  factors  specific  to  the  individual  financial  instrument  or  its  issuer,  or  other  factors
affecting all similar financial instruments in the market. Changes to the company’s exposure to equity price risk
through its equity and equity-related holdings at December 31, 2015 compared to December 31, 2014 are described
below.

The company holds significant investments in equity and equity-related instruments. The market value and the
liquidity of these investments are volatile and may vary dramatically either up or down in short periods, and their
ultimate value will therefore only be known over the long term or on disposition. The company has economically
hedged  its  equity  and  equity-related  holdings  (comprised  of  common  stocks,  convertible  preferred  stocks,
convertible  bonds,  non-insurance  investments  in  associates  and  equity-related  derivatives)  against  a  potential
significant decline in equity markets by way of short positions effected through equity and equity index total return
swaps (including short positions in certain equity indexes (Russell 2000 index, S&P/TSX 60 index and other equity
indexes, collectively the ‘‘indexes’’) and individual equities) and equity index put options (S&P 500). The company’s
equity hedges are structured to provide a return which is inverse to changes in the fair values of the indexes and
certain individual equities.

At  December  31,  2015  equity  hedges  with  a  notional  amount  of  $5,894.8  (December  31,  2014 – $6,856.9)
represented  88.1%  (December  31,  2014 – 89.6%)  of  the  fair  value  of  the  company’s  equity  and  equity-related
holdings of $6,687.4 (December 31, 2014 – $7,651.7). The modest decrease in the hedge ratio principally resulted
from closing out short positions in certain individual equities and equity index total return swaps, partially offset by
unrealized depreciation of equity and equity-related holdings due to significant market declines and the impact of
the  strengthening  of  the  U.S.  dollar  on  holdings  denominated  in  the  euro  and  Canadian  dollar  during  2015.
Subsequent to December 31, 2015 the company added approximately $952.6 notional amount to its short positions
in equity and equity index total return swaps, increasing its equity hedge ratio to approximately 100% based on the
fair value of its equity and equity-related holdings at December 31, 2015. During 2015 the company’s equity and
equity-related holdings after equity hedges produced net gains of $76.8 (2014 – $347.4).

One risk of a hedging strategy (sometimes referred to as basis risk) is the risk that the fair value or cash flows of
derivative instruments applied as economic hedges will not experience changes in exactly the opposite directions
from those of the underlying hedged exposure. This imperfect correlation between the derivative instrument and
underlying hedged exposure creates the potential for excess gains or losses in a hedging strategy. In the context of the

95

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

company’s equity hedges, the company expects that there may be periods when the notional amount of the equity
hedges may exceed or be deficient relative to the company’s equity price risk exposure as a result of the timing of
opportunities to exit and enter hedges at attractive prices, decisions by the company to hedge an amount less than
the company’s full equity exposure or, as a result of any non-correlated performance of the equity hedges relative to
the equity and equity-related holdings (basis risk).

The company’s risk management objective when selecting a hedging instrument (including its equity index total
return swaps) is to economically protect capital over potentially long periods of time and especially during periods of
market turbulence. The company regularly monitors the prospective and retrospective effectiveness of its equity
hedging program. Based on its historical observation, the company believes that its hedges of its equity and equity-
related holdings will be effective in the medium to long term and especially in the event of a significant market
correction.  However,  due  to  the  lack  of  a  perfect  correlation  between  the  hedging  instruments  and  the  hedged
exposures, combined with other market uncertainties, it is not possible to predict the future impact of the company’s
hedging program related to equity risk. In the future, the company may manage the net exposure to its equity and
equity-related holdings by adjusting the notional amounts of its equity hedges upwards or downwards.

The following table summarizes the effect of the equity hedges and the equity and equity-related holdings on the
company’s financial position as at December 31, 2015 and 2014 and results of operations for the years then ended:

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, December 31,

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

2015

2014

Exposure/

Notional Carrying
value
amount

Exposure/
Notional
amount

Carrying
value

Pre-tax
earnings
(loss)

Pre-tax
earnings
(loss)

4,472.3
82.8
701.5

4,472.3
82.8
701.5

4,938.3
329.8
773.3

4,938.3
329.8
773.3

(670.5)
(22.5)
(119.2)

266.9
(114.3)
203.4

1,280.6

1,406.5

1,397.2

1,178.1

235.5

53.6

149.4
0.8

(8.6)
0.8

177.9
35.2

(15.9)
35.2

(36.0)
187.7

46.5
85.8

6,687.4

6,655.3

7,651.7

7,238.8

(425.0)

541.9

Equity exposures:

Common stocks(1)
Preferred stocks – convertible
Bonds – convertible
Investments in associates and

subsidiary(2)(3)

Derivatives and other invested assets:
Equity total return swaps – long

positions

Equity warrants and call options

Total equity and equity related

holdings

Hedging instruments:

Derivatives and other invested assets:
Equity total return swaps – short

positions

(1,491.7)

60.3

(1,965.1)

61.2

170.7

(5.5)

Equity index total return swaps –

short positions

Equity index put options(4)

(4,403.1)
–

134.0
13.1

(4,891.8)
–

(5,894.8)

207.4

(6,856.9)

(67.4)
–

(6.2)

Net exposure and financial effects

792.6

794.8

338.3
(7.2)

501.8

76.8

(189.0)
–

(194.5)

347.4

(1) The company excludes other funds that are invested principally in fixed income securities (carrying value of $1,094.0 at

December 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 – nil)) when measuring its equity and equity-related exposure.

(2) Excludes the company’s insurance and reinsurance investments in associates which are considered long term strategic

holdings. See note 6 for details.

(3) During the second quarter of 2015 the company sold its investment in Ridley and recognized a net realized gain of $236.4.

See note 23 for details.

(4) As the S&P 500 put options are currently out-of-the-money, the company does not consider the notional amount in its

calculation of the equity hedge ratio.

96

The tables that follow illustrate the potential impact on net earnings of various combinations of changes in fair value
of  the  company’s  equity  and  equity-related  holdings  and  simultaneous  changes  in  global  equity  markets  at
December 31, 2015 and 2014. The analysis assumes variations ranging from 5% to 10% which the company believes
to be reasonably possible based on analysis of the return on various equity indexes and management’s knowledge of
global equity markets.

Scenarios 1 and 2 illustrate the potential impact of a 10% change in the fair value of the company’s equity and equity-
related holdings while global equity markets also change by 10%. Scenarios 3 and 4 illustrate the potential impact of
imperfect correlation between the company’s equity and equity-related holdings and global equity markets (hedging
basis risk) whereby the company’s equity and equity-related holdings decrease by 10% and 5% respectively, while
global  equity  markets  remain  unchanged.  Scenarios  5  and  6  further  illustrate  hedging  basis  risk  whereby  global
equity markets increase by 5% and 10% respectively, while the fair value of the company’s equity and equity-related
holdings remain unchanged. Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented as the analysis
assumes that all variables, with the exception of those described in each scenario, are held constant.

December 31, 2015

Scenario

Change in the company’s equity and equity-related holdings
Change in global equity markets
Equity and equity-related holdings
Equity hedges

1

3

2

4
+10% (cid:1)10% (cid:1)10% (cid:1)5%
+10% (cid:1)10%
–
(512.2)
488.6
(512.2) (261.2)
589.5
(589.5)

6
–
+5% +10%
–
–
– (294.8) (589.5)

5
–

–

–

Pre-tax impact on net earnings

(100.9)

77.3

(512.2) (261.2) (294.8) (589.5)

After-tax impact on net earnings

(77.7)

60.6

(369.1) (188.1) (214.9) (429.7)

December 31, 2014

Scenario

Change in the company’s equity and equity-related holdings
Change in global equity markets
Equity and equity-related holdings
Equity hedges

3

2

1

4
+10% (cid:1)10% (cid:1)10% (cid:1)5%
+10% (cid:1)10%
–
(629.5)
576.7
(629.5) (298.7)
685.7
(685.7)

6
–
+5% +10%
–
–
– (342.8) (685.7)

5
–

–

–

Pre-tax impact on net earnings

(109.0)

56.2

(629.5) (298.7) (342.8) (685.7)

After-tax impact on net earnings

(89.0)

49.5

(456.5) (216.4) (253.0) (506.0)

From  an  economic  perspective,  the  company  believes  it  is  appropriate  to  include  the  fair  value  of  $1,280.6
(December 31, 2014 – $1,397.2) of its non-insurance investments in associates (see note 6) as a component of its
equity and equity-related holdings when measuring the effectiveness of its equity hedges. Changes in the fair value
of  the  company’s  equity  and  equity-related  holdings  (except  for  investments  in  associates)  are  reflected  in  the
company’s net earnings as the majority of the company’s equity investments are classified as FVTPL. Accordingly, the
changes in fair value of non-insurance investments in associates have been excluded from each of the scenarios
presented  above  as  any  change  in  the  fair  value  of  an  investment  in  associate  is  generally  recognized  in  the
company’s consolidated financial reporting only upon ultimate disposition of the associate.

At December 31, 2015 the company’s exposure to the ten largest issuers of common stock owned in the investment
portfolio was $2,572.9, which represented 8.9% of the total investment portfolio (December 31, 2014 – $3,020.9,
11.5%). The exposure to the largest single issuer of common stock held at December 31, 2015 was $425.1, which
represented 1.5% of the total investment portfolio (December 31, 2014 – $700.0, 2.7%).

97

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Risk of Decreasing Price Levels

The risk of decreases in the general price level of goods and services is the potential for negative impacts on the
consolidated  balance  sheet  (including  the  company’s  equity  and  equity-related  holdings  and  fixed  income
investments  in  non-sovereign  debt)  and  the  consolidated  statement  of  earnings.  Among  their  effects  on  the
economy, decreasing price levels typically result in decreased consumption, restriction of credit, shrinking output
and investment and numerous bankruptcies.

The company has purchased derivative contracts referenced to consumer price indexes (‘‘CPI’’) in the geographic
regions in which it operates to serve as an economic hedge against the potential adverse financial impact on the
company of decreasing price levels. At December 31, 2015 these contracts have a remaining weighted average life of
6.6 years (December 31, 2014 – 7.4 years), a notional amount of $109.4 billion (December 31, 2014 – $111.8 billion)
and a fair value of $272.6 (December 31, 2014 -$238.4). As the average remaining life of a contract declines, the fair
value  of  the  contract  (excluding  the  impact  of  CPI  changes)  will  generally  decline.  The  company’s  maximum
potential loss on any contract is limited to the original cost of that contract.

During  2015  the  company  purchased  $2,907.3  (2014 – $35,954.2)  notional  amount  of  CPI-linked  derivative
contracts at a cost of $14.6 (2014 – $120.6) and paid additional premiums of $4.8 (2014 – nil) to increase the strike
prices  of  certain  CPI-linked  derivative  contracts  (primarily  the  European  CPI-linked  derivatives).  The  company’s
CPI-linked derivative contracts produced net unrealized gains of $35.7 in 2015 (2014 – $17.7).

The CPI-linked derivative contracts are extremely volatile with the result that their market value and liquidity may
vary dramatically either up or down in short periods and their ultimate value will therefore only be known upon
their disposition or settlement. The company’s purchase of these derivative contracts is consistent with its capital
management  framework  designed  to  protect  its  capital  in  the  long  term.  Due  to  the  uncertainty  of  the  market
conditions which may exist many years into the future, it is not possible to predict the future impact of this aspect of
the company’s risk management program.

Foreign Currency Risk

Foreign  currency  risk  is  the  risk  that  the  fair  value  or  cash  flows  of  a  financial  instrument  or  another  asset  will
fluctuate because of changes in exchange rates and as a result, could produce an adverse effect on earnings and equity
when  measured  in  a  company’s  functional  currency.  The  company  is  exposed  to  foreign  currency  risk  through
transactions conducted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and also through its investments in associates and
net investment in subsidiaries that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar. Long and short foreign
exchange forward contracts primarily denominated in the euro, the British pound sterling and the Canadian dollar
are  used  to  manage  foreign  currency  exposure  on  foreign  currency  denominated  transactions.  Foreign  currency
denominated liabilities may be used to manage the company’s foreign currency exposures to net investments in
foreign  operations  having  a  functional  currency  other  than  the  U.S.  dollar.  The  company’s  exposure  to  foreign
currency risk was not significantly different at December 31, 2015 compared to December 31, 2014 except for the
increased  exposure  to  Indian  rupees  at  December  31,  2015  resulting  primarily  from  Fairfax  India’s  purchase  of
investments in India during 2015 from the net proceeds of its share offerings. The foregoing statement recognizes the
acquisition of Brit during the second quarter of 2015, whose operating entities primarily have a U.S. dollar functional
currency.

The  company’s  foreign  currency  risk  management  objective  is  to  mitigate  the  impact  of  foreign  currency  rate
fluctuations  on  total  equity,  notwithstanding  the  company’s  exposure  to  the  Indian  rupee  resulting  from  its
investment in Fairfax India. At the consolidated level the company accumulates, and matches, all significant asset
and liability foreign currency exposures, thereby identifying any net unmatched positions, whether long or short.
The company may then take action to cure an unmatched position through the acquisition of a derivative contract
or the purchase or sale of investments denominated in the exposed currency.

A portion of the company’s premiums are written in foreign currencies and a portion of the company’s loss reserves
are  denominated  in  foreign  currencies.  Moreover,  a  portion  of  the  company’s  cash  and  investments  are  held  in
currencies  other  than  the  U.S.  dollar.  In  general,  the  company  manages  foreign  currency  risk  on  liabilities  by
investing in financial instruments and other assets denominated in the same currency as the liabilities to which they
relate. The company also monitors the exposure of invested assets to foreign currency risk and limits these amounts
as deemed necessary. The company may nevertheless, from time to time, experience gains or losses resulting from
fluctuations in the values of these foreign currencies, which may favourably or adversely affect operating results.

98

At  December  31,  2015  the  company  had  designated  the  carrying  value  of  Cdn$1,525.0  principal  amount  of  its
Canadian dollar denominated unsecured senior notes with a fair value of $1,240.9 (December 31, 2014 – principal
amount of Cdn$1,525.0 with a fair value of $1,488.7) as a hedge of its net investment in its Canadian subsidiaries for
financial  reporting.  In  2015  the  company  recognized  pre-tax  gains  of  $218.8  (2014 – $118.7)  related  to  foreign
currency movements on the unsecured senior notes in gains on hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries in
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

The pre-tax foreign exchange effect on certain line items in the company’s consolidated financial statements for the
years ended December 31 follows:

Net gains (losses) on investments

Investing activities
Underwriting activities
Foreign currency forward contracts

Foreign currency net gains included in pre-tax earnings

2015

2014

(27.6)
82.1
58.0

(154.5)
53.5
204.4

112.5

103.4

The table below shows the approximate effect of a 5% appreciation of the U.S. dollar against each of the Canadian
dollar, euro, British pound sterling, Indian rupee and all other currencies, respectively, on pre-tax earnings (loss), net
earnings  (loss),  pre-tax  other  comprehensive  income  (loss)  and  other  comprehensive  income  (loss).  Certain
shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented, including the assumption that the 5% appreciation
of the U.S. dollar occurred with all other variables held constant.

Canadian
dollar

Euro

British
pound
sterling

Indian rupee

All other
currencies

2015

2014

2015 2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

23.9
16.4

4.1
1.5

(25.5)
(17.7)

(2.0)
(4.3)

27.5
20.5

7.6
4.8

(42.5)
(29.3)

(52.5)
(38.2)

37.2
25.4

71.7
41.6

Total

2015

20.6
15.3

2014

28.9
5.4

(61.3)

(29.6)

7.6

7.2

(36.8)

(43.6)

(79.7)

(25.1)

(42.4)

(38.4)

(212.6)

(129.5)

Pre-tax earnings (loss)
Net earnings (loss)
Pre-tax other comprehensive

income (loss)

Other comprehensive income

(loss)

(61.2)

(25.9)

12.7

1.3

(35.9)

(35.7)

(77.5)

(24.2)

(41.7)

(37.7)

(203.6)

(122.2)

The hypothetical impact in 2015 of the foreign currency movements on pre-tax earnings (loss) in the table above
principally related to:

Canadian dollar: Foreign exchange forward contracts which are economic hedges of operational exposure at
OdysseyRe and the translation of Canadian dollar denominated Fairfax senior notes not included as part of the
hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries.

Euro: Net assets (principally portfolio investments) at Brit and OdysseyRe.

British pound sterling: Net liabilities (principally insurance contract liabilities) at Brit and OdysseyRe.

Indian rupee: Portfolio investments held broadly across the consolidated group.

All  other  currencies: U.S. dollar  denominated  portfolio  investments  held  in  entities  where  the  functional
currency is other than the U.S. dollar (specifically at OdysseyRe’s Paris branch and Newline syndicate).

The hypothetical impact in 2015 of the foreign currency movements on pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss)
in the table above principally related to:

Canadian dollar: Translation of the net investments in Northbridge and the Canadian subsidiaries within the
Other reporting segment, partially offset by the impact of the hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries.

Euro: Net  liabilities  at  OdysseyRe  (Paris  branch),  partially  offset  by  investments  in  associates  (Grivalia
Properties and certain KWF LPs).

British pound sterling: Net investments in Newline (OdysseyRe) and RiverStone Insurance (Runoff).

99

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Indian rupee: Net investments in Fairfax India and Thomas Cook India, and an investment in associate (ICICI
Lombard).

All  other  currencies: Net  investments  in  First  Capital  (Singapore  dollar)  and  Pacific  Insurance  (Malaysian
ringgit), and an investment in associate (Gulf Insurance, Kuwaiti dinar).

Capital Management

The company’s capital management framework is designed to protect, in the following order, its policyholders, its
bondholders and its preferred shareholders and then finally to optimize returns to common shareholders. Effective
capital management includes measures designed to maintain capital above minimum regulatory levels, above levels
required to satisfy issuer credit ratings and financial strength ratings requirements, and above internally determined
and calculated risk management levels. Total capital at December 31, 2015, comprising total debt, shareholders’
equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax and non-controlling interests, was $15,370.4 compared to $12,922.8 at
December 31, 2014. The company manages its capital based on the following financial measurements and ratios to
provide an indication of the company’s ability to issue and service debt without impacting the operating companies
or their portfolio investments:

Holding company cash and investments (net of short sale and derivative obligations)

Long term debt – holding company borrowings
Long term debt – insurance and reinsurance companies
Long term debt – non-insurance companies

Total debt

Net debt

Common shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Net debt/total equity
Net debt/net total capital(1)
Total debt/total capital(2)
Interest coverage(3)
Interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage(4)

December 31, December 31,
2014
1,212.7

2015
1,275.9

2,599.0
468.5
284.0

2,656.5
385.9
136.6

3,351.5

3,179.0

2,075.6

1,966.3

8,952.5
1,334.9
1,731.5

8,361.0
1,164.7
218.1

12,018.9

9,743.8

17.3%
14.7%
21.8%
3.9x
2.9x

20.2%
16.8%
24.6%
12.3x
9.0x

(1) Net total capital is calculated by the company as the sum of total equity and net debt.

(2) Total capital is calculated by the company as the sum of total equity and total debt.

(3)

(4)

Interest coverage is calculated by the company as the sum of earnings (loss) before income taxes and interest expense
divided by interest expense.

Interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage is calculated by the company as the sum of earnings (loss)
before income taxes and interest expense divided by interest expense and preferred share dividend distributions adjusted to
a before tax equivalent at the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate.

On  March  3,  2015  the  company  completed  three  underwritten  public  offerings  to  finance  the  Brit  acquisition
($575.9  from  the  issuance  of  1.15  million  subordinate  voting  shares,  $275.7  from  the  issuance  of  Cdn$350.0
principal amount of 4.95% unsecured senior notes due March 3, 2025 and $179.0 from the issuance of 9.2 million
Series M preferred shares).

During 2014 the company completed a private debt offering of $300.0 principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due
August 13, 2024 for net proceeds of $294.2. Those net proceeds were used to fund the redemptions of $50.0 principal
amount of OdysseyRe Series B unsecured senior notes and $25.0 principal amount of American Safety trust preferred
securities  in  2014  and  to  fund  the  repayment,  upon  maturity,  of  the  Fairfax  ($82.4)  and  OdysseyRe  ($125.0)
unsecured senior notes on October 1, 2015 and May 1, 2015 respectively.

100

The  company’s  capital  management  objectives  include  maintaining  sufficient  liquid  resources  at  the  holding
company to be able to pay interest on debt, dividends to preferred shareholders and all other holding company
obligations. Accordingly, the company monitors its interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage ratio
calculated as described in footnote 4 of the table above.

In the United States, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (‘‘NAIC’’) has developed a model law and
risk-based capital (‘‘RBC’’) formula designed to help regulators identify property and casualty insurers that may be
inadequately capitalized. Under the NAIC’s requirements, an insurer must maintain total capital and surplus above a
calculated threshold or face varying levels of regulatory action. The threshold is based on a formula that attempts to
quantify the risk of a company’s insurance, investment and other business activities. At December 31, 2015 and 2014
Crum & Forster, Zenith National, OdysseyRe and U.S. runoff subsidiaries had capital and surplus in excess of the
regulatory minimum requirement of two times the authorized control level.

In  Canada,  property  and  casualty  companies  are  regulated  by  the  Office  of  the  Superintendent  of  Financial
Institutions on the basis of a minimum supervisory target of 150% of a minimum capital test (‘‘MCT’’) formula. At
December 31, 2015 and 2014 Northbridge’s subsidiaries had a weighted average MCT ratio well in excess of the 150%
minimum supervisory target.

The  Lloyd’s  market  is  subject  to  the  solvency  and  capital  adequacy  requirements  of  the  Prudential  Regulatory
Authority in the U.K. The capital requirements of Brit are based on the output of an internal model which reflects the
risk profile of the business. At December 31, 2015 Brit’s available capital consisted of net tangible assets (total assets
less any intangible assets and all liabilities), subordinated debt and contingent funding in the form of letters of credit
and amounted to $1,495.5. This represented a surplus of $329.5 over the management capital requirements (capital
required for business strategy and regulatory requirements), compared to Brit’s minimum surplus of $185.0.

In  countries  other  than  the  U.S.  and  Canada  where  the  company  operates  (the  United  Kingdom,  Barbados,
Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Poland, Brazil, Indonesia and other jurisdictions), the company met or
exceeded the applicable regulatory capital requirements at December 31, 2015.

25. Segmented Information

The company identifies its operating segments by operating company, consistent with its management structure.
Certain  of  the  operating  segments  have  been  aggregated  into  reporting  segments,  with  reporting  segments
categorized by type of business as described below. The accounting policies of the reporting segments are the same as
those described in note 3. Transfer prices for inter-segment transactions are set at arm’s length. Geographic premiums
are  determined  based  on  the  domicile  of  the  various  subsidiaries  and  where  the  primary  underlying  risk  of  the
business resides.

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge – A  national  commercial  property  and  casualty  insurer  in  Canada  providing  property  and  casualty
insurance products through its Northbridge Insurance and Federated subsidiaries.

OdysseyRe – A U.S.-based reinsurer that provides a full range of property and casualty products on a worldwide basis,
and that underwrites specialty insurance, primarily in the U.S. and in the U.K., both directly and through the Lloyd’s
market in London.

Crum  &  Forster – A  national  commercial  property  and  casualty  insurer  in  the  U.S.  writing  a  broad  range  of
commercial coverages. Its subsidiaries, Seneca Insurance and First Mercury, provide property and casualty insurance
to small businesses and certain specialty coverages.

Zenith National – An insurer primarily engaged in workers’ compensation business in the U.S.

Brit – A market-leading global Lloyd’s of London specialty insurer and reinsurer, acquired on June 5, 2015.

Fairfax Asia – This reporting segment includes the company’s operations that underwrite insurance and reinsurance
coverages  in  Singapore  (First  Capital),  Hong  Kong  (Falcon),  Malaysia  (Pacific  Insurance),  Indonesia  (Fairfax
Indonesia), and Sri Lanka (Union Assurance, acquired on January 1, 2015). Fairfax Asia also includes the company’s
equity accounted interests in Mumbai-based ICICI Lombard (25.6%), Vietnam-based BIC Insurance (35.0%) and
Thailand-based Falcon Thailand (40.5%).

101

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other – This reporting segment is comprised of Group Re, Advent, Polish Re and Fairfax
Brasil. Group Re primarily constitutes the participation of CRC Re and Wentworth (both based in Barbados) in the
reinsurance  of  Fairfax’s  subsidiaries  by  quota  share  or  through  participation  in  those  subsidiaries’  third  party
reinsurance programs on the same terms as third party reinsurers. Group Re also writes third party business. Advent is
a  specialty  property  reinsurance  and  insurance  company  operating  through  Syndicate  780  at  Lloyd’s.  Polish  Re
underwrites  reinsurance  in  Central  and  Eastern  Europe.  Fairfax  Brasil  writes  commercial  property  and  casualty
insurance in Brazil.

Runoff

The Runoff reporting segment principally comprises RiverStone (UK), Syndicate 3500, RiverStone Insurance and the
U.S. runoff company formed on the merger of TIG Insurance and International Insurance Company combined with
Old Lyme, Clearwater Insurance, Commonwealth Insurance Company of America and American Safety.

Other

The Other reporting segment is comprised of the company’s non-insurance operations, including Cara (acquired on
April 10, 2015), The Keg, Praktiker, Sporting Life, William Ashley, Pethealth, Thomas Cook India, Quess (formerly
known  as  IKYA),  Sterling  Resorts,  Fairfax  India  (since  its  initial  public  offering  on  January  30,  2015)  and  NCML
(acquired on August 19, 2015 by Fairfax India). Ridley was de-consolidated from the company’s financial reporting
upon its sale on June 18, 2015.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other includes the parent entity (Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited), its subsidiary intermediate
holding companies and Hamblin Watsa, an investment management company.

In  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014,  Fairfax  centralized  the  ownership  of  wholly-owned  OdysseyRe  under  a  single
intermediate holding company in the U.S. (the ‘‘OdysseyRe reorganization’’). Prior to the OdysseyRe reorganization,
OdysseyRe  was  owned  by  Crum  &  Forster  (8.1%),  Runoff  (TIG  Insurance)  (20.1%)  and  Fairfax  (71.8%,  through
various U.S. intermediate holding companies). The OdysseyRe reorganization had no effect on Fairfax’s consolidated
financial reporting.

The OdysseyRe reorganization was principally comprised of the following transactions: OdysseyRe redeemed the
investment of Crum & Forster in it and portions of the investments of Runoff and Fairfax in it in exchange for cash
and unaffiliated marketable securities with fair values of $367.5, $510.1 and $12.8 respectively. The remainder of
Runoff’s investment in OdysseyRe (fair value of $380.7) was distributed to Fairfax as a dividend-in-kind. Crum &
Forster  and  Runoff  remitted  to  Fairfax  a  portion  of  the  redemption  proceeds  received  from  OdysseyRe  (Crum  &
Forster paid a dividend of $150.0 and Runoff made an intercompany advance of $350.0), from which Fairfax made a
capital contribution to OdysseyRe of $400.0.

102

Pre-tax Income (Loss) by Reporting Segment

Pre-tax income (loss) by reporting segment for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

2015

Gross premiums written

External

Intercompany

Insurance and Reinsurance

Crum & Zenith

Fairfax

Operating

Corporate Eliminations

and

and

Northbridge OdysseyRe Forster National Brit(1)

Asia Other companies Runoff Other

Other adjustments Consolidated

1,058.2

2,381.5 1,854.3

797.6 1,080.7

617.7 541.1

8,331.1

324.7

1.4

22.5

41.8

–

6.8

3.2

93.6

169.3

56.5

1,059.6

2,404.0 1,896.1

797.6 1,087.5

620.9 634.7

8,500.4

381.2

Net premiums written

887.0

2,095.0 1,659.4

785.4

946.4

275.9 489.8

7,138.9

381.6

Net premiums earned

External

Intercompany

938.0

(63.3)

2,212.0 1,504.0

768.1

890.7

336.9 396.1

7,045.8

325.2

(7.9)

18.0

(1.7)

1.8

(49.9)

46.6

(56.4)

56.4

Underwriting expenses

(803.3)

(1,867.2) (1,486.6)

(632.0) (847.1)

(252.2) (396.5)

(6,284.9)

(553.7)

874.7

2,204.1 1,522.0

766.4

892.5

287.0 442.7

6,989.4

381.6

Underwriting profit (loss)

Interest income

Dividends

71.4

31.5

13.2

336.9

35.4

134.4

45.4

34.8

46.2

704.5 (172.1)

161.5

21.0

52.6

7.0

27.8

3.4

23.4

13.2

26.2

4.9

28.4

2.4

351.4

65.1

78.3

6.7

44.7

7.5

Investment expenses

(13.4)

(22.0)

(12.3)

(7.4)

(8.7)

(2.8)

(11.0)

(77.6)

(13.7)

(6.5)

Interest and dividends

Share of profit of associates

Other

Revenue

Expenses

31.3

11.0

–

–

–

160.5

47.3

23.8

27.9

28.3

19.8

338.9

71.3

45.7

(17.9)

61.3

19.5

25.1

1.6

12.7

6.9

138.1

26.7

1.7

6.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 1,783.5

– (1,703.1)

–

80.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(17.3)

0.8

(1.4)

–

8,655.8

(225.8)

–

(225.8)

8,655.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

74.2

74.2

–

–

–

–

7,520.5

7,371.0

–

7,371.0

(6,838.6)

532.4

457.1

80.1

(25.0)

512.2

172.9

1,783.5

(1,703.1)

80.4

Operating income (loss)

113.7

558.7

102.2

183.3

74.9

75.8

72.9

1,181.5

(74.1)

127.8

(11.5)

74.2

1,297.9

Net gains (losses) on

investments

Interest expense

Corporate overhead

131.9

(267.2)

(105.6)

(58.8)

(75.3)

(24.5)

(68.4)

(467.9)

(138.5)

6.5

340.7

–

–

(5.5)

(1.4)

(11.0)

(27.1)

(19.5)

(3.3)

(9.4)

(9.8)

(16.4)

–

(0.1)

(4.1)

0.4

(24.1)

(83.1)

–

–

(16.1)

(178.8)

–

(37.9)

(74.2)

Pre-tax income (loss)

234.6

258.9

(24.3)

111.8

(26.6)

51.2

0.8

606.4 (212.6)

118.2

112.5

–

Income taxes

Net earnings

Attributable to:

Shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

(259.2)

(219.0)

(195.2)

624.5

17.5

642.0

567.7

74.3

642.0

(1) Brit is included in the company’s financial reporting with effect from June 5, 2015.

103

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

2014

Gross premiums written

External

Intercompany

Insurance and Reinsurance

Crum & Zenith Fairfax

Operating

Corporate Eliminations

and

and

Northbridge OdysseyRe Forster National

Asia Other companies Runoff Other

Other adjustments Consolidated

1,107.3

2,704.1 1,696.1

733.0

567.9 487.6

7,296.0

163.9

2.0

35.4

3.4

–

(4.4) 65.7

102.1

–

1,109.3

2,739.5 1,699.5

733.0

563.5 553.3

7,398.1

163.9

–

7,459.9

(102.1)

–

(102.1)

7,459.9

Net premiums written

967.1

2,393.8 1,346.3

720.9

280.1 413.9

6,122.1

179.7

Net premiums earned

External

Intercompany

951.3

2,347.2 1,316.7

715.5

306.7 341.2

5,978.6

237.6

(9.0)

9.4

(10.2)

(1.2)

(34.5) 51.5

6.0

(6.0)

942.3

2,356.6 1,306.5

714.3

272.2 392.7

5,984.6

231.6

Underwriting expenses

(899.6)

(1,996.2) (1,304.0)

(624.8)

(236.0) (372.0)

(5,432.6)

(383.1)

42.7

22.5

17.4

360.4

2.5

89.5

36.2

20.7

552.0 (151.5)

161.5

26.8

41.0

5.6

26.6

2.3

20.9

27.1

5.0

3.6

299.6

60.7

74.5

5.8

(17.7)

(32.7)

(13.7)

(7.6)

(3.6)

(12.0)

(87.3)

(15.1)

155.6

32.9

21.3

22.3

18.7

273.0

65.2

26.6

6.2

0.8

38.2

8.3

90.4

(2.2)

Underwriting profit (loss)

Interest income

Dividends

Investment expenses

Interest and dividends

Share of profit (loss) of associates

Other

Revenue

Expenses

Operating income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on investments(1)
Loss on repurchase of long term debt

Interest expense

Corporate overhead

Pre-tax income (loss)

Income taxes

Net earnings

Attributable to:

Shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

22.2

10.3

–

–

–

75.2

213.1

–

–

(12.2)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 1,556.0

– (1,488.7)

–

67.3

542.6

579.3

–

(12.7)

(27.5)

41.6

632.1

–

(1.4)

(31.6)

111.6

106.8

–

(3.3)

(8.8)

96.7

47.7

915.4

(88.5)

(19.3) 135.8

1,647.8

771.0

–

–

(0.1)

–

(4.2)

(0.4)

–

(21.6)

(80.6)

(3.5)

(1.0)

–

77.6

43.1

–

(12.3)

(171.4)

–

(6.0)

(79.1)

276.1

1,081.7

640.7

206.3

77.3 178.9

2,461.0

678.0

108.4

(154.1)

(755.4)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

7.2

–

7.2

3.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(23.8)

6.5

(3.4)

(20.7)

14.4

–

–

–

(6.3)

29.7

(0.1)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

79.1

79.1

–

–

–

–

79.1

(755.4)

–

–

6,301.8

6,216.2

–

6,216.2

(5,815.7)

400.5

350.3

80.2

(26.7)

403.8

105.7

1,556.0

(1,488.7)

67.3

977.3

1,736.2

(3.6)

(206.3)

(165.7)

2,337.9

(673.3)

1,664.6

1,633.2

31.4

1,664.6

(1) Net gains (losses) on investments at Crum & Forster, Runoff and Corporate and Other included a gain on redemption of the
investment in OdysseyRe of $310.8, $406.1 and $38.5 respectively, all of which were eliminated on consolidation.

104

Investments in Associates, Additions to Goodwill, Segment Assets and Segment Liabilities

Investments in associates, additions to goodwill, segment assets and segment liabilities by reporting segment as at
and for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge

OdysseyRe

Crum & Forster

Zenith National

Brit(1)

Fairfax Asia

Other

Investments in Additions to

associates

goodwill

Segment assets

Segment
liabilities

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

193.2

307.2

163.9

105.4

96.3

213.9

89.2

164.7

519.8

95.7

60.5

–

10.5

31.8

–

–

154.3

163.6

107.4

13.7

–

8.3

4,057.0

4,670.6

2,564.6

3,106.2

11.8 10,618.5 11,100.7

6,511.4

7,088.1

44.3

6,155.2

6,425.6

4,401.2

4,649.9

–

–

2,730.6

2,737.2

1,646.5

1,678.0

6,347.4

–

4,677.8

–

4.1

2,051.7

1,868.7

1,338.8

1,207.8

–

2,238.5

2,371.4

1,515.5

1,559.4

Operating companies

1,169.1

1,111.7

210.3

68.5 34,198.9 29,174.2 22,655.8 19,289.4

Runoff

Other

Corporate and Other and eliminations and adjustments

310.0

204.0

249.8

275.5

–

–

6,468.0

6,963.7

4,473.9

4,899.0

17.9

255.3

152.4

3,449.1

1,376.4

1,168.3

700.7

212.6

–

–

(2,587.0) (1,383.1) 1,212.1

1,498.3

Consolidated

1,932.9

1,617.7

465.6

220.9 41,529.0 36,131.2 29,510.1 26,387.4

(1) Brit is included in the company’s financial reporting with effect from June 5, 2015.

Product Line

Net premiums earned by product line for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

Net premiums earned – Insurance and Reinsurance

Property

Casualty

Specialty

Total

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

Northbridge
OdysseyRe
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Brit(1)
Fairfax Asia
Other

Operating companies
Runoff

Consolidated net premiums earned
Interest and dividends
Share of profit of associates
Net gains (losses) on investments
Other

Consolidated revenue

376.4

405.0
1,232.6 1,317.9

443.8
412.9
759.3
811.8
184.6 1,222.5 1,052.8
694.0
741.5
–
429.6
186.8
179.0
119.4
131.3

20.3
–
25.6
171.5

213.2
24.9
253.9
46.4
198.0

2,345.4 2,124.9 3,876.1 3,308.6
224.5

381.2

2.6

0.4

85.4

93.5
212.2 226.9
69.1
–
–
59.8
113.4 101.8

86.3
–
209.0
61.6

874.7
2,204.1
1,522.0
766.4
892.5
287.0
442.7

767.9 551.1
4.5

–

6,989.4
381.6

2,345.8 2,127.5 4,257.3 3,533.1

767.9 555.6

7,371.0
512.2
172.9
(259.2)
1,783.5

942.3
2,356.6
1,306.5
714.3
–
272.2
392.7

5,984.6
231.6

6,216.2
403.8
105.7
1,736.2
1,556.0

9,580.4 10,017.9

Allocation of net premiums earned

31.8% 34.2% 57.8% 56.9% 10.4% 8.9%

(1) Brit is included in the company’s financial reporting with effect from June 5, 2015.

105

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Geographic Region

Net premiums earned by geographic region for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

Net premiums earned – Insurance and Reinsurance

Canada

United States

Asia(1)

International(2)

Total

2015

2014

2015

2014 2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

Northbridge
OdysseyRe
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Brit(3)
Fairfax Asia
Other

Operating companies
Runoff

Consolidated net premiums earned
Interest and dividends
Share of profit of associates
Net gains (losses) on investments
Other

Consolidated revenue

866.2
91.3
–
–
43.8
0.1
4.1

933.0

9.2
8.5
96.3 1,311.6 1,346.5
– 1,521.8 1,306.3
714.3
–
–
–
0.1
0.3
89.4
8.2

766.4
595.6
0.4
118.5

1,005.5 1,037.6 4,322.8 3,466.0
150.1

318.5

56.5

–

–
255.3
–
–
35.8
276.8
113.5

681.4
–

–
281.4
–
–
–
261.1
66.7

609.2
–

–
545.9
0.2
–
217.3
9.7
206.6

979.7
6.6

0.1
632.4
0.2
–
–
10.7
228.4

871.8
81.5

1,062.0 1,037.6 4,641.3 3,616.1

681.4

609.2

986.3

953.3

874.7
2,204.1
1,522.0
766.4
892.5
287.0
442.7

942.3
2,356.6
1,306.5
714.3
–
272.2
392.7

6,989.4
381.6

5,984.6
231.6

6,216.2
7,371.0
403.8
512.2
172.9
105.7
(259.2) 1,736.2
1,556.0

1,783.5

9,580.4 10,017.9

Allocation of net premiums earned

14.4% 16.7% 63.0% 58.2% 9.2% 9.8%

13.4% 15.3%

(1) The Asia geographic segment comprises countries located throughout Asia including China, India, the Middle East, Sri

Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

(2) The International geographic segment comprises Australia and countries located in Africa, Europe and South America.

(3) Brit is included in the company’s financial reporting with effect from June 5, 2015.

26. Expenses

Losses  on  claims,  net,  operating  expenses  and  other  expenses  for  the  years  ended  December  31  were  comprised
as follows:

Losses and loss adjustment expenses
Wages and salaries
Other reporting segment cost of sales
Employee benefits
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges
Operating lease costs
Audit, legal and tax professional fees
Information technology costs
Premium taxes
Share-based payments to directors and employees
Other reporting segment marketing costs
Restructuring costs
Loss on repurchase of long term debt (note 15)
Administrative expense and other

106

2015
4,182.3
1,082.3
1,009.6
259.3
133.3
132.2
112.0
97.4
93.6
34.8
29.5
3.1
–
390.2

2014
3,584.0
904.3
978.3
204.1
94.2
96.9
99.6
79.8
93.2
36.8
20.8
22.1
3.6
296.1

7,559.6

6,513.8

27. Supplementary Cash Flow Information

Cash and cash equivalents were included on the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

Holding company cash and investments:

Cash and balances with banks
Treasury bills and other eligible bills

Subsidiary cash and short term investments:

Cash and balances with banks
Treasury bills and other eligible bills

Subsidiary assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations:

Cash and balances with banks

Fairfax India: cash and balances with banks

December 31, December 31,
2014

2015

151.5
70.9

222.4

1,628.4
1,599.3

3,227.7

7.7

22.0

93.7
224.0

317.7

1,336.3
1,698.2

3,034.5

–

–

Cash and cash equivalents included on the consolidated balance

sheets

3,479.8

3,352.2

Less: Cash and cash equivalents – restricted(1)

Subsidiary cash and cash equivalents – restricted:

Cash and balances with banks
Treasury bills and other eligible bills

Cash and cash equivalents included on the consolidated statements

of cash flows

152.2
202.0

354.2

122.1
211.4

333.5

3,125.6

3,018.7

(1) Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts as presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows excludes balances
that are restricted. Restricted cash and cash equivalents are comprised primarily of amounts required to be maintained on
deposit with various regulatory authorities to support the subsidiaries’ insurance and reinsurance operations.

107

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Details of certain cash flows included in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31
were as follows:

(a) Net (purchases) sales of securities classified as FVTPL

Short term investments
Bonds
Preferred stocks
Common stocks
Derivatives and short sales

(b) Changes in operating assets and liabilities

Net decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Provision for unearned premiums
Insurance contract receivables
Recoverable from reinsurers
Other receivables
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Income taxes payable
Other

(c) Net interest and dividends received

Interest and dividends received
Interest paid

(d) Net income taxes paid

28. Related Party Transactions

2015

2014

(805.7)
(455.4)
39.8
252.5
484.5

918.9
(620.9)
60.3
(527.5)
(420.8)

(484.3)

(590.0)

79.4
(291.5)
(221.8)
24.7
475.2
(90.3)
(150.7)
270.0
(33.2)
(118.6)

4.7
(926.8)
102.1
21.7
860.7
(33.2)
5.0
23.3
27.0
(13.7)

(56.8)

70.8

661.0
(211.4)

612.3
(192.3)

449.6

420.0

(259.0)

(52.3)

Compensation for the company’s key management team for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

Salaries and other short-term employee benefits
Share-based payments

2015
8.3
2.1

10.4

Compensation for the company’s Board of Directors for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

Retainers and fees
Share-based payments

2015
0.6
0.2

0.8

2014
10.7
1.4

12.1

2014
0.8
0.1

0.9

The compensation presented above is determined in accordance with the company’s IFRS accounting policies and
may differ from the compensation presented in the company’s Management Proxy Circular.

108

29. Subsidiaries

During 2015 the company acquired controlling interests in Brit, Union Assurance, Cara and (through Fairfax India)
NCML, incorporated Fairfax India and divested its ownership of Ridley Inc. During 2014 the company acquired
controlling interests in Pethealth, Praktiker, Fairfax Indonesia, The Keg and (through Thomas Cook India) Sterling
Resorts.  The  foregoing  transactions  are  described  in  note  23.  The  company  has  a  number  of  wholly-owned
subsidiaries  not  presented  in  the  tables  below,  that  are  intermediate  holding  companies  of  investments  in
subsidiaries and intercompany balances, all of which are eliminated on consolidation.

December 31, 2015
Insurance and Reinsurance
Northbridge Financial Corporation (Northbridge)
Odyssey Re Holdings Corp. (OdysseyRe)

Hudson Insurance Company (Hudson Insurance)

Crum & Forster Holdings Corp. (Crum & Forster)
Zenith National Insurance Corp. (Zenith National)
Brit Limited (Brit)
Advent Capital (Holdings) Ltd. (Advent)
Polskie Towarzystwo Reasekuracji Sp ´olka Akcyjna (Polish Re)
Colonnade Insurance S.A. (Colonnade)
Fairfax Brasil Seguros Corporativos S.A. (Fairfax Brasil)
Group Re, which underwrites business in:
CRC Reinsurance Limited (CRC Re)
Wentworth Insurance Company Ltd. (Wentworth)

Fairfax Asia, which consists of:

Falcon Insurance (Hong Kong) Company Ltd. (Falcon)
First Capital Insurance Limited (First Capital)
The Pacific Insurance Berhad (Pacific Insurance)
PT Fairfax Insurance Indonesia (Fairfax Indonesia)
Union Assurance General Limited (Union Assurance)
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited

(ICICI Lombard)(1)

Runoff
TIG Insurance Company (TIG Insurance)
American Safety Holdings Corp. (American Safety)
Clearwater Insurance Company (Clearwater)
RiverStone Insurance (UK) Limited (RiverStone (UK))
RiverStone Insurance Limited (RiverStone Insurance)
RiverStone Managing Agency Limited

(1)

ICICI Lombard is an equity accounted investment in associate (note 6).

Fairfax’s ownership
(100% other than
as shown below)

70.1%

97.7%

80.0%
78.0%

25.6%

Domicile

Canada
United States
United States
United States
United States
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Poland
Luxembourg
Brazil

Barbados
Barbados

Hong Kong
Singapore
Malaysia
Indonesia
Sri Lanka

India

United States
United States
United States
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

109

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

December 31, 2015
Other reporting segment
Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd.

(Hamblin Watsa)

Pethealth Inc. (Pethealth)

Restaurants and Retail
Cara Operations Limited (Cara)

Domicile

Fairfax’s
ownership

Primary business

Canada

100.0% Investment management

Canada

100.0% Pet medical insurance and
database services

Canada

40.5%(1) Franchisor, owner and operator

of restaurants

Keg Restaurants Ltd. (The Keg)

Canada

51.0% Owner and operator of premium

dining restaurants

Praktiker Hellas Commercial Societe Anonyme

Greece

100.0% Retailer of home improvement

(Praktiker)

goods

Sporting Life Inc. (Sporting Life)

Canada

75.0% Retailer of sporting goods and

sports apparel

William Ashley China Corporation (William

Canada

100.0% Retailer of tableware and gifts

Ashley)

India focused
Fairfax India Holdings Limited (Fairfax India)

Canada

which owns:

28.1%(1) Invests in public and private
Indian businesses

88.1% of National Collateral Management

India

24.8% Provider of agricultural

Services Limited (NCML)

commodities storage

Thomas Cook (India) Limited (Thomas Cook

India

67.8% Provider of integrated travel and

India)
which owns:

travel-related financial services

69.6% of Quess Corp Limited (Quess) (formerly

India

47.2% Provider of specialized human

IKYA Human Capital Solutions Private Limited)
100.0% of Sterling Holiday Resorts (India) Limited

(Sterling Resorts)

India

67.8% Owner and operator of holiday

resorts

resources services

(1) The company holds multiple voting shares that give it voting rights of 56.9% in Cara and 95.1% in Fairfax India.

110

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

Notes to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . .
Overview of Consolidated Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Business Developments

Acquisitions and Divestitures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sources of Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Premiums Earned by Geographic Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sources of Net Earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Earnings by Reporting Segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance Sheets by Reporting Segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Components of Net Earnings

Underwriting and Operating Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest and Dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Gains (Losses) on Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest Expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate Overhead and Other
Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-controlling Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Components of Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheet Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Asbestos and Pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recoverable from Reinsurers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Investments

Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overview of Investment Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest and Dividend Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Gains (Losses) on Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Return on the Investment Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common Stocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Derivatives and Derivative Counterparties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Float . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Financial Condition

Capital Resources and Management
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Book Value per Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Liquidity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contractual Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Accounting and Disclosure Matters

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Significant Accounting Policy Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Future Accounting Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Risk Management

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Issues and Risks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other

Quarterly Data (unaudited)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock Prices and Share Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compliance with Corporate Governance Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forward-Looking Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

112
113

113
115
116
119
119
123
124

127
142
142
142
143
143
143

144
145
159
163

167
168
168
170
173
175
175
176
176

178
180
181
184

184
184
186
186
186

187
187

196
196
197
197

111

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

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

(as of March 11, 2016)

(Figures and amounts are in US$ and $ millions except per share amounts and as otherwise indicated. Figures may not add due
to rounding.)

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

(1) Readers of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(‘‘MD&A’’) should review the entire Annual Report for additional commentary and information. Additional
information relating to the company, including its annual information form, can be found on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com. Additional information can also be accessed from the company’s website www.fairfax.ca.

(2) Management analyzes and assesses the underlying insurance, reinsurance and runoff operations and the
financial  position  of  the  consolidated  group  in  various  ways.  Certain  of  the  measures  provided  in  this
Annual Report, which have been used historically and disclosed regularly in Fairfax’s Annual Reports and
interim  financial  reporting,  are  non-IFRS  measures  that  do  not  have  a  prescribed  meaning  within  IFRS.
Where non-IFRS measures are used, descriptions have been provided in the commentary as to their nature
and how they relate to the most comparable IFRS measure.

(3) The company presents information on gross premiums written and net premiums written throughout this
MD&A. These two measures are used in the insurance industry and by management in evaluating operating
results. Gross premiums written represents the total premiums on policies issued during a specified period,
irrespective of the portion earned. Net premiums written represents gross premiums written less amounts
ceded to reinsurers.

(4) The combined ratio is the traditional measure of underwriting results of property and casualty companies. A
non-IFRS measure, the combined ratio is calculated by the company as the sum of the loss ratio (claims
losses and loss adjustment expenses expressed as a percentage of net premiums earned) and the expense
ratio (commissions, premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses expressed as a percentage
of net premiums earned). Other non-IFRS measures used by the company include the commission expense
ratio (commissions expressed as a percentage of net premiums earned) and the accident year combined ratio
(calculated  in  the  same  manner  as  the  combined  ratio  but  excluding  the  net  favourable  or  adverse
development of reserves established for claims that occurred in previous accident years).

(5)

‘‘Interest and dividends’’ in this MD&A is derived from the consolidated statement of earnings prepared in
accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and is comprised of the sum of interest and dividends and share
of profit (loss) of associates. ‘‘Consolidated interest and dividend income’’ in this MD&A refers to interest
and dividends as presented in the consolidated statement of earnings.

(6) The company’s long equity total return swaps allow the company to receive the total return on a notional
amount of an equity index or individual equity instrument (including dividends and capital gains or losses)
in exchange for the payment of a floating rate of interest on the notional amount. Conversely, short equity
total return swaps allow the company to pay the total return on a notional amount of an equity index or
individual  equity  instrument  in  exchange  for  the  receipt  of  a  floating  rate  of  interest  on  the  notional
amount. Throughout this MD&A, the term ‘‘total return swap expense’’ refers to the net dividends and
interest paid or received related to the company’s long and short equity and equity index total return swaps.

(7) Additional  GAAP  measures  included  in  the  Capital  Resources  and  Management  section  of  this  MD&A
include: net debt divided by total equity, net debt divided by net total capital and total debt divided by total
capital. The company also calculates an interest coverage ratio and an interest and preferred share dividend
distribution coverage ratio as a measure of its ability to service its debt and pay dividends to its preferred
shareholders.

(8) Average annual return on average equity, a non-IFRS measure, is derived from segment balance sheets and
segment  operating  results.  It  is  calculated  for  a  reporting  segment  as  the  cumulative  net  earnings  for  a
specified period of time expressed as a percentage of average equity over the same period.

(9)

Intercompany shareholdings are presented as ‘Investments in Fairfax affiliates’ on the segmented balance
sheets and carried at cost.

(10) References in this MD&A to the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations do not include its runoff

operations.

112

Overview of Consolidated Performance

The insurance and reinsurance operations produced a record underwriting profit of $704.5 and combined ratio of
89.9%  in  2015  compared  to  an  underwriting  profit  of  $552.0  and  a  combined  ratio  of  90.8%  in  2014  with  the
year-over-year improvement principally reflecting lower current period catastrophe losses, higher net favourable
prior year reserve development, the incremental underwriting profit resulting from the acquisition of Brit on June 5,
2015 and improvements in non-catastrophe underwriting margins related to the current accident year. Operating
income  of  the  insurance  and  reinsurance  operations  (excluding  net  gains  (losses)  on  investments)  increased  to
$1,181.5 in 2015 from $915.4 in 2014 primarily as a result of higher underwriting profits and interest and dividend
income. Net premiums written by the insurance and reinsurance operations increased by 16.6% in 2015 principally
reflecting the consolidation of Brit’s net premiums written of $946.4 since its acquisition date.

Net investment losses of $259.2 in 2015 (compared to net investment gains of $1,736.2 in 2014) were principally
comprised of net unrealized losses on bonds, partially offset by net gains on equity and equity-related holdings after
equity hedges and foreign currency. Consolidated interest and dividend income increased to $512.2 in 2015 from
$403.8 in 2014 principally reflecting increased holdings of higher yielding government bonds and the impact of
consolidating Fairfax India and Brit’s portfolio investments. At December 31, 2015 the company had holdings of
cash and short term investments of $7,375.9 which accounted for 25.4% of its portfolio investments.

Net earnings of $567.7 in 2015 were lower than net earnings of $1,633.2 in 2014, primarily as a result of net losses on
investments (compared to net gains on investments in 2014), partially offset by a lower provision for income taxes,
increased interest and dividend income and increased underwriting profit. The company’s consolidated total debt to
total capital ratio decreased to 21.8% at December 31, 2015 from 24.6% at December 31, 2014 primarily as a result of
higher non-controlling interests (Fairfax India, Brit and Cara) and an increase in common shareholders’ equity from
$8,361.0 ($394.83 per basic share) at December 31, 2014 to $8,952.5 ($403.01 per basic share) at December 31, 2015
(an increase of 4.5%, adjusted for the $10.00 per common share dividend paid in the first quarter of 2015).

Maintaining  its  emphasis  on  financial  soundness,  the  company  held  $1,276.5  of  cash  and  investments  at  the
holding  company  level  ($1,275.9  net  of  $0.6  of  holding  company  short  sale  and  derivative  obligations)  at
December  31,  2015  compared  to  $1,244.3  ($1,212.7  net  of  $31.6  of  holding  company  short  sale  and  derivative
obligations) at December 31, 2014.

Business Developments

Acquisitions and Divestitures

The  following  narrative  sets  out  the  company’s  key  business  developments  in  2015  and  2014.  Unless  indicated
otherwise,  all  acquisitions  described  in  the  following  paragraphs  resulted  in  a  100%  ownership  interest  in  the
acquiree.  For  further  details  about  these  acquisitions  and  transactions  (including  definitions  of  terms  set  out  in
italics), refer to note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2015 or the Components of Net Earnings section of this MD&A under the relevant reporting segment
heading.

OdysseyRe

In  2015  OdysseyRe  acquired  Euclid  (an  underwriting  and  claims  manager  for  internet,  technology,  media,
manufacturers  and  other  professional  liability  coverage).  In  2014  OdysseyRe  acquired  Motor  Transport  (a  leading
underwriting, claims and risk management specialist in the long-haul trucking industry). The acquisitions of Euclid
and Motor Transport, which produce annual gross premiums written of approximately $15 and $21 respectively, will
ensure OdysseyRe has the opportunity to participate in future renewals of their business.

Crum & Forster

In 2015 Crum & Forster acquired TII (a leading travel insurance provider that specializes in offering travel insurance
protection), Brownyard (a specialist in writing and servicing security guard and security services business insurance)
and Redwoods (a producer of property and casualty packaged insurance business focused on YMCAs, community
centers  and  day  camps),  which  produce  annual  gross  premiums  written  of  approximately  $50,  $15  and  $50
respectively.  These  acquisitions  will  complement  Crum  &  Forster’s  existing  footprint  in  each  of  these  lines
of business.

113

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Brit

On June 5, 2015 Fairfax acquired Brit (a market-leading global Lloyd’s of London specialty insurer and reinsurer). On
June 29, 2015 Fairfax sold 29.9% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Brit to OMERS and will have the ability to
repurchase those shares over time. The net proceeds from underwritten public offerings of 1.15 million subordinate
voting shares ($575.9 (Cdn$717.1)), 9.2 million Series M preferred shares ($179.0 (Cdn$222.9)) and Cdn$350.0 of
4.95%  Fairfax  senior  notes  due  2025  ($275.7),  all  of  which  closed  on  March  3,  2015,  were  used  to  finance  the
purchase of Brit ($1,140.6 net of the proceeds received from OMERS).

Fairfax Asia

The company has agreed to acquire an additional 9.0% of the outstanding shares of ICICI Lombard from ICICI Bank
Limited, which will increase its ownership interest in ICICI Lombard to 34.6%. The proposed transaction values
ICICI Lombard at approximately $2.6 billion (172.3 billion Indian rupees), is subject to governmental and regulatory
approvals and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016.

In 2015 Pacific Insurance acquired the general insurance business of MCIS, an established general insurer in Malaysia
with approximately $55 of gross premiums written in 2014 in its general insurance business. In 2015 Fairfax Asia
acquired 78.0% of Union Assurance, an underwriter of general insurance in Sri Lanka, specializing in automobile and
personal accident lines of business with approximately $43 of gross premiums written in 2015. In 2014 Fairfax Asia
acquired 80.0% of Fairfax Indonesia, an underwriter of general insurance, specializing in automobile coverage in
Indonesia with approximately $10 of gross premiums written in 2014.

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

On December 16, 2014 the company agreed to acquire QBE’s insurance operations in the Czech Republic, Hungary
and Slovakia (the ‘‘QBE insurance operations’’). A new Luxembourg insurer, Colonnade, was licensed in July 2015 and
branches of Colonnade were established in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia during the fourth quarter of
2015.  The  business  and  renewal  rights  of  QBE’s  Hungarian  insurance  operations  were  transferred  to  Colonnade
during the first quarter of 2016, with the Czech Republic and Slovakia equivalents expected to be transferred later in
the second quarter of 2016. In 2015 the QBE insurance operations generated approximately $78 of gross premiums
written  across  a  range  of  general  insurance  classes,  including  property,  travel,  general  liability  and  product
protection.

Other

On December 22, 2015 the company agreed to acquire an 80% interest in Eurolife from Eurobank. Eurolife, which
distributes  its  life  and  non-life  insurance  products  and  services  through  Eurobank’s  network,  is  the  third  largest
insurer in Greece with gross written premiums of approximately A306 during 2015. The transaction is subject to
regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, and is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of
2016. On January 5, 2016 the company acquired a 49.0% indirect equity interest in APR Energy, a provider of mobile
power generation solutions to utilities, countries, and industries in developed and developing markets globally.

On November 9, 2015 and December 16, 2015 Thomas Cook India acquired Kuoni Hong Kong and Kuoni India. Kuoni
Hong Kong and Kuoni India are travel and travel-related companies in Hong Kong and India, offering a broad range
of services that include corporate and leisure travel. In 2014 Thomas Cook India acquired 55.1% of Sterling Resorts
and the company commenced consolidating Sterling Resorts effective September 3, 2014. Sterling Resorts is engaged
in vacation ownership and leisure hospitality and operates a network of resorts in India.

On June 18, 2015 Fairfax sold its 73.6% interest in Ridley.

On April 10, 2015 Fairfax acquired, directly and through its subsidiaries, a 52.6% and a 40.7% voting and economic
interest  respectively  in  Cara.  Cara  is  Canada’s  largest  full-service  restaurant  company  and  franchises,  owns  and
operates numerous restaurant brands across Canada.

On  January  30,  2015  Fairfax,  through  its  subsidiaries,  acquired  30,000,000  multiple  voting  shares  of  newly
incorporated  Fairfax  India  for  $300.0  in  a  private  placement.  Through  that  private  placement  and  offerings  of
subordinate voting shares, Fairfax India raised net proceeds of $1,025.8. Fairfax’s multiple voting shares represented
95.1% of the voting rights and 28.1% of the equity interest in Fairfax India at the close of the offerings. Fairfax India
was established, with the support of Fairfax, to invest in public and private equity securities and debt instruments in

114

India and Indian businesses or other businesses primarily conducted in or dependent on India. In 2015 Fairfax India
acquired an 88.1% interest in NCML, a leading private-sector agricultural commodities storage company in India.

On November 14, 2014 Fairfax acquired Pethealth. Headquartered in Canada, Pethealth is a provider of pet medical
insurance, related management software and pet-related database management services in North America and the
United Kingdom. Crum & Forster and Northbridge became Pethealth’s ongoing insurance carriers.

On June 5, 2014 Fairfax acquired Praktiker, one of the largest home improvement and do-it-yourself goods retailers in
Greece with 14 stores.

On  February  4,  2014  Fairfax,  through  its  subsidiaries,  acquired  51.0%  of  The  Keg,  which  franchises,  owns  and
operates a network of premium dining restaurants across Canada and in select locations in the United States.

Reorganization of Ownership of OdysseyRe

In  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014,  Fairfax  centralized  the  ownership  of  its  wholly-owned  reinsurance  and  insurance
company,  Odyssey  Re  Holdings  Corp.  (‘‘OdysseyRe’’),  under  a  single  intermediate  holding  company  in  the
U.S. (the ‘‘OdysseyRe reorganization’’). Prior to the OdysseyRe reorganization, OdysseyRe was owned by Crum &
Forster  (8.1%),  Runoff  (TIG  Insurance)  (20.1%)  and  Fairfax  (71.8%,  through  various  U.S.  intermediate  holding
companies).

The OdysseyRe reorganization was effected in order to accomplish the following in respect of Fairfax and its affiliates:
simplify the ownership of OdysseyRe; enhance investment flexibility (principally at Crum & Forster and Runoff
(TIG Insurance)); reduce certain risk charges applied by insurance regulators and rating agencies to the capital of
insurance entities when they own investments in affiliated companies (this principally affected Crum & Forster and
TIG  Insurance);  create  a  direct  channel  through  which  OdysseyRe  may  remit  dividends  to  Fairfax;  and  reduce
regulatory overlap among jurisdictions.

The OdysseyRe reorganization was principally comprised of the following transactions: OdysseyRe redeemed the
investment of Crum & Forster in it and portions of the investments of Runoff and Fairfax in it in exchange for cash
and unaffiliated marketable securities with fair values of $367.5, $510.1 and $12.8 respectively. The remainder of
Runoff’s investment in OdysseyRe (fair value of $380.7) was distributed to Fairfax as a tax-free dividend-in-kind.
Crum  &  Forster  and  Runoff  remitted  to  Fairfax  a  portion  of  the  redemption  proceeds  received  from  OdysseyRe
(Crum  &  Forster  paid  a  dividend  of  $150.0  and  Runoff  made  an  intercompany  advance  of  $350.0),  from  which
Fairfax made a capital contribution to OdysseyRe of $400.0. The OdysseyRe reorganization had no effect on Fairfax’s
consolidated financial reporting; however, it impacted OdysseyRe, Crum & Forster and Runoff.

Operating Environment

Insurance Environment

The property and casualty insurance and reinsurance industry is expected to report another year of underwriting
profitability  in  2015  largely  driven  by  the  absence  of  major  catastrophe  losses  and  the  continued  benefit  from
favourable reserve development. Accident year combined ratios are expected to be at or slightly above 100% as price
decreases in 2015 have pressured combined ratios despite relatively benign loss cost trends. The industry continues
to  feel  the  effects  of  historically  low  interest  rates  that  are  negatively  affecting  operating  income  in  addition  to
challenging and volatile equity markets. If interest rates remain at these low levels, interest income earned in the
future will likely continue to decline even further due to lower reinvestment rates. Flat to negative performance in
the equity markets in the U.S. and Canada and increases in interest rates produced unrealized losses on common
stocks and bonds for many in the industry in 2015 and contributed to the very modest growth in capital for the
industry. Equity markets experienced a tumultuous start to 2016 and interest rates are at historical lows, raising
concerns over whether such trends can persist into the future. Insurance pricing on property and casualty lines of
business  declined,  with  larger  account  business  continuing  to  experience  more  pricing  pressure  than
medium-to-small account business. Insurance pricing in 2016 is likely to be affected by the direction of interest rates,
probable lower levels of favourable reserve development, capacity available within the industry, the extent to which
a line of business is loss-affected and the general strength of the global economy.

The reinsurance sector remains overcapitalized as a result of recent strong earnings and additional capacity from
non-traditional  capital  providers.  Pricing  on  many  reinsurance  lines  remains  attractive;  property  catastrophe-
exposed business has experienced a slowdown in rate decreases after double digit decreases the last few years, while
non-catastrophe property and casualty reinsurance business is experiencing more moderate price decreases reflecting
the factors described above affecting insurance pricing.

115

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Sources of Revenue

Revenue for the most recent three years is shown in the table that follows.

Net premiums earned – Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge
OdysseyRe
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Brit(1)
Fairfax Asia
Other

Runoff

Interest and dividends
Net gains (losses) on investments
Other revenue(2)

2015

2014

2013

874.7
2,204.1
1,522.0
766.4
892.5
287.0
442.7
381.6

7,371.0
685.1
(259.2)
1,783.5

942.3
2,356.6
1,306.5
714.3
–
272.2
392.7
231.6

6,216.2
509.5
1,736.2
1,556.0

990.2
2,373.6
1,261.0
673.8
–
256.2
439.5
83.0

6,077.3
473.6
(1,564.0)
958.0

9,580.4

10,017.9

5,944.9

(1) Brit is included in the company’s financial reporting with effect from June 5, 2015.

(2) Other revenue primarily comprises the revenue earned by Ridley (sold on June 18, 2015), William Ashley, Sporting Life,
Praktiker (acquired on June 5, 2014), The Keg (acquired on February 4, 2014), Thomas Cook India, Quess (formerly
known as IKYA), Sterling Resorts (consolidated since September 3, 2014), Pethealth (acquired on November 14, 2014),
Fairfax  India  (since  its  initial  public  offering  on  January  30,  2015),  Cara  (acquired  on  April  10,  2015)  and  NCML
(acquired on August 19, 2015).

Revenue of $9,580.4 in 2015 decreased from $10,017.9 in 2014 principally as a result of net losses on investments,
partially offset by increased net premiums earned, increased other revenue and higher interest and dividends. Net
losses on investments in 2015 was principally comprised of net unrealized losses on bonds, partially offset by net
gains on equity and equity-related holdings after equity hedges and foreign currency. Consolidated interest and
dividend  income  increased  from  $403.8  in  2014  to  $512.2  in  2015,  reflecting  higher  interest  income  earned,
principally  due  to  increased  holdings  of  higher  yielding  government  bonds  year-over-year  and  the  impact  of
consolidating Fairfax India and Brit’s portfolio investments. The increase in net premiums earned by the company’s
insurance and reinsurance operations in 2015 reflected year-over-year increases at Crum & Forster ($215.5, 16.5%),
Zenith National ($52.1, 7.3%), Insurance and Reinsurance — Other ($50.0, 12.7%) and Fairfax Asia ($14.8, 5.4%)
and  the  consolidation  of  the  net  premiums  earned  by  Brit  ($892.5),  partially  offset  by  decreases  at  OdysseyRe
($152.5, 6.5%) and Northbridge ($67.6, 7.2% including the unfavourable effect of foreign currency translation). Net
premiums earned at Runoff in 2015 and 2014 ($381.6 and $231.6 respectively) primarily reflected the impact of
various transactions during those years involving the reinsurance of third party runoff portfolios.

Revenue of $10,017.9 in 2014 increased from $5,944.9 in 2013 reflecting significant net gains on investments and
increased other revenue, net premiums earned and interest and dividends. Net gains on investments in 2014 was
principally comprised of net unrealized gains on bonds and net gains on equity and equity-related holdings after
equity hedges. The modest decrease in net premiums earned by the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations
in 2014 reflected year-over-year decreases at Northbridge ($47.9, 4.8% including the unfavourable effect of foreign
currency  translation),  OdysseyRe  ($17.0,  0.7%)  and  Insurance  and  Reinsurance – Other  ($46.8,  10.6%),  partially
offset by increases at Crum & Forster ($45.5, 3.6%), Zenith National ($40.5, 6.0%) and Fairfax Asia ($16.0, 6.2%). Net
premiums earned at Runoff in 2013 primarily reflected the runoff of policies in force at the acquisition dates of
RiverStone Insurance ($54.4) and American Safety ($20.7).

In order to better compare 2015 and 2014, the table which follows presents adjusted net premiums written, which is
calculated as net premiums written by the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations in 2015 and 2014 after
adjusting for: (i) the impact of the acquisition of Brit on June 5, 2015 (described in more detail in the Components of
Net Earnings section of this MD&A under the heading Brit); (ii) the impacts of the acquisitions of Union Assurance,
MCIS  and  Fairfax  Indonesia  by  Fairfax  Asia  (the  ‘‘Fairfax  Asia  acquisitions’’,  described  in  more  detail  in  the

116

Components of Net Earnings section of this MD&A under the heading Fairfax Asia); (iii) the change in the manner in
which OdysseyRe recognizes premiums written in respect of its U.S. crop insurance business (described in more detail
in the Components of Net Earnings section of this MD&A under the heading OdysseyRe); and, (iv) the impact of the
QBE reinsurance transactions on Polish Re (described in more detail in the Components of Net Earnings section of
this MD&A under the heading Insurance and Reinsurance – Other):

Net premiums written – as adjusted

Northbridge
OdysseyRe
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Fairfax Asia
Other

Insurance and reinsurance operations

2015

2014

887.0
2,095.0
1,659.4
785.4
225.7
417.3

967.1
2,359.4
1,346.3
720.9
278.5
413.9

6,069.8

6,086.1

% change
year-over-
year

(8.3)
(11.2)
23.3
8.9
(19.0)
0.8

(0.3)

Northbridge’s net premiums written decreased by 8.3% in 2015 as the impact of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar
relative to the Canadian dollar exceeded the underlying increases in net premiums written expressed in Canadian
dollars. In Canadian dollar terms, Northbridge’s net premiums written increased by 6.1% in 2015, primarily due to
increased renewal business, modest price increases across the group and the impact of a decrease in the amount of
casualty reinsurance purchased.

OdysseyRe’s net premiums written decreased by 11.2% in 2015, primarily reflecting the non-renewal of a significant
property  quota  share  reinsurance  contract  covering  risks  in  Florida  which  resulted  in  the  return  of  unearned
premium to the cedent of that contract (reducing net premiums written by $100.7), the unfavourable impact of
foreign currency translation, primarily at OdysseyRe’s EuroAsia division and lower writings of liability insurance
related to a specific program. The non-renewal of the quota share reinsurance contract is described in more detail in
the Components of Net Earnings section of this MD&A under the heading OdysseyRe.

Crum & Forster’s net premiums written increased by 23.3% in 2015, primarily reflecting growth in specialty lines of
business (accident and health at Fairmont, across all lines of business at Crum & Forster and in specialty package at
Seneca), the incremental contribution from the acquisition of Redwoods, improvements in the pricing of casualty
reinsurance purchased and reductions in purchases of quota share and facultative reinsurance, partially offset by
planned reductions in the legacy CoverX line of business.

Zenith National’s net premiums written increased by 8.9% in 2015, primarily reflecting an increase in exposure.

Net premiums written by Fairfax Asia decreased by 19.0% in 2015, primarily reflecting the unfavourable effect of
foreign currency translation at First Capital and Pacific Insurance, planned reductions in commercial automobile
writings  at  Falcon  (which  had  a  relatively  high  retention  rate)  and  an  increase  in  written  premiums  ceded  to
reinsurers  related  to  new  intercompany  quota  share  reinsurance  agreements  between  Group  Re  and  Fairfax  Asia
(principally commercial automobile business ceded by Pacific Insurance which incepted January 1, 2015).

Net  premiums  written  by  the  Insurance  and  Reinsurance – Other  reporting  segment  increased  by  0.8%  in  2015,
primarily reflecting increases at Advent (principally growth in the accident and health line of business), partially
offset by decreases at Polish Re (lower writings of the property line of business) and Fairfax Brasil (the unfavourable
impact of foreign currency translation, partially offset by an increase in premium retention).

117

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Net gains (losses) on investments in 2015 and 2014 were comprised as shown in the following table:

Common stocks
Preferred stocks – convertible(1)
Bonds – convertible
Gain on disposition of subsidiary and associates(2)
Other equity derivatives(3)

Equity and equity-related holdings

Equity hedges

Equity and equity-related holdings after equity hedges

Bonds
Common stocks – Other funds(4)
Preferred stocks
CPI-linked derivatives
Other derivatives
Foreign currency
Other(5)

Net gains (losses) on investments

Net gains (losses) on bonds is comprised as follows:

Government bonds
U.S. states and municipalities
Corporate and other

2015
(670.5)
(22.5)
(119.2)
235.5
151.7

(425.0)
501.8

76.8
(468.7)
(22.5)
11.3
35.7
(2.6)
112.5
(1.7)

2014
266.9
(114.3)
203.4
53.6
132.3

541.9
(194.5)

347.4
1,237.2
–
(27.5)
17.7
10.2
103.4
47.8

(259.2)

1,736.2

(58.7)
(213.2)
(196.8)

531.3
684.7
21.2

(468.7)

1,237.2

(1) During  2015  a  preferred  stock  investment  of  the  company  was,  pursuant  to  its  terms,  automatically  converted  into
common shares of the issuer, resulting in a net realized gain on investment of $124.4 (the difference between the share
price of the underlying common stock at the date of conversion and the exercise price of the preferred stock). During 2014 a
preferred stock investment of the company was, pursuant to its terms, automatically converted into common shares of the
issuer, resulting in a net realized loss on investment of $161.5.

(2) Comprised primarily of a $236.4 gain on disposition of Ridley in 2015 and gains on disposition of MEGA Brands and two

KWF LPs in 2014.

(3) Other equity derivatives include long equity total return swaps, equity warrants and call options.

(4) Other funds comprise a significant proportion of Brit’s investment portfolio and are invested principally in fixed income

securities.

(5) During 2014 Thomas Cook India increased its ownership interest in Sterling Resorts to 55.1% and ceased applying the

equity method of accounting, resulting in a non-cash gain of $41.2.

At  December  31,  2015  equity  hedges  with  a  notional  amount  of  $5,894.8  (December  31,  2014 – $6,856.9)
represented  88.1%  (December  31,  2014 – 89.6%)  of  the  fair  value  of  the  company’s  equity  and  equity-related
holdings  of  $6,687.4  (December  31,  2014 – $7,651.7).  Subsequent  to  December  31,  2015  the  company  added
approximately  $952.6  notional  amount  to  its  short  positions  in  equity  and  equity  index  total  return  swaps,
increasing  its  equity  hedge  ratio  to  approximately  100%  based  on  the  fair  value  of  its  equity  and  equity-related
holdings  at  December 31,  2015.  Refer  to  note  24  (Financial  Risk  Management)  under  the  heading  Market  Price
Fluctuations in the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, for a tabular
analysis followed by a discussion of the company’s hedges of equity price risk and the related basis risk and to the
tabular analysis in the Investments section of this MD&A for further details about the components of net gains
(losses) on investments.

Net losses on bonds of $468.7 in 2015 were primarily comprised of net losses on U.S. state and municipal bonds
(net losses of $213.2), government bonds (principally comprised  of net losses on U.S. treasury  bonds of $119.2,
partially offset by net gains on Greek bonds of $86.0) and corporate and other bonds (net losses of $196.8). The net
losses on corporate and other bonds was primarily due to the widening of the credit spread on one particular issuer.

118

The company’s CPI-linked derivative contracts produced net unrealized gains of $35.7 and $17.7 in 2015 and 2014
respectively. Net unrealized gains (losses) on CPI-linked derivative contracts typically reflect decreases (increases) in
the values of the CPI indexes underlying those contracts during the periods presented (those contracts are structured
to benefit the company during periods of decreasing CPI index values).

The increase in other revenue from $1,556.0 in 2014 to $1,783.5 in 2015, principally reflected increased revenue at
Quess and the impact of the consolidation of Cara (acquired on April 10, 2015), Praktiker (acquired on June 5, 2014),
Pethealth (acquired on November 14, 2014) and Sterling Resorts (consolidated since September 3, 2014), partially
offset by the divestiture of Ridley on June 18, 2015.

Net Premiums Earned by Geographic Region

As  presented  in  note  25  (Segmented  Information)  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended
December 31, 2015, the United States, Canada, International and Asia accounted for 63.0%, 14.4%, 13.4% and 9.2%
respectively, of net premiums earned by geographic region in 2015, compared to 58.2%, 16.7%, 15.3% and 9.8%
respectively, in 2014.

United States

Net premiums earned in the United States geographic region increased by 28.4% from $3,616.1 in 2014 to $4,641.3
in  2015  primarily  reflecting  the  consolidation  of  Brit  ($595.6),  growth  in  specialty  lines  of  business  at  Crum  &
Forster, growth in workers’ compensation business at Zenith National reflecting increased exposure, the effects of
various transactions involving the reinsurance of third party runoff portfolios at Runoff and growth in the accident
and health line of business at Advent.

Canada

Net premiums earned in the Canada geographic region increased by 2.4% from $1,037.6 in 2014 to $1,062.0 in 2015
primarily as a result of the consolidation of Brit ($43.8) and the impact of a transaction involving the reinsurance of a
third  party  runoff  portfolio  at  Runoff,  partially  offset  by  the  unfavourable  effect  of  the  strengthening  of  the
U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar at Northbridge as measured by average annual rates of exchange.

International

Net premiums earned in the International geographic region increased by 3.5% from $953.3 in 2014 to $986.3 in
2015  principally  reflecting  the  consolidation  of  Brit  ($217.3),  partially  offset  by  decreases  at  OdysseyRe  in  its
reinsurance business.

Asia

Net premiums earned in the Asia geographic region increased by 11.9% from $609.2 in 2014 to $681.4 in 2015
primarily as a result of the consolidation of Brit ($35.8) and growth at Fairfax Asia.

Sources of Net Earnings

The following table presents the combined ratios and underwriting and operating results for each of the insurance
and reinsurance operations and, as applicable, for runoff operations, as well as the earnings contributions from the
Other reporting segment for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. In that table, interest and dividends
are presented separately as they relate to the insurance and reinsurance reporting segments, and included in Runoff,
Corporate overhead and other, and Other as they relate to those segments. Net realized gains before equity hedges,
net change in unrealized gains (losses) before equity hedges and equity hedging net gains (losses) are each shown
separately to present more meaningfully the results of the company’s investment management strategies.

119

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Combined ratios – Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge
OdysseyRe
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Brit(1)
Fairfax Asia
Other

Consolidated

Sources of net earnings
Underwriting – Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge
OdysseyRe
Crum & Forster
Zenith National
Brit(1)
Fairfax Asia
Other

Underwriting profit – Insurance and Reinsurance
Interest and dividends – Insurance and Reinsurance

Operating income – Insurance and Reinsurance
Runoff (excluding net gains (losses) on investments)
Other reporting segment
Interest expense
Corporate overhead and other

Pre-tax income before net gains (losses) on investments
Net realized gains before equity hedges

Pre-tax income including net realized gains before equity hedges
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) before equity hedges
Equity hedging net gains (losses)

Pre-tax income (loss)
Income taxes

Net earnings (loss)

Attributable to:

Shareholders of Fairfax
Non-controlling interests

Net earnings (loss) per share
Net earnings (loss) per diluted share
Cash dividends paid per share

2015

2014

2013

91.8%
84.7%
97.7%
82.5%
94.9%
87.9%
89.6%

98.2%
95.5%
84.7%
84.0%
99.8% 101.9%
97.1%
87.5%
–%
–%
87.5%
86.7%
96.6%
94.7%

89.9%

90.8%

92.7%

71.4
336.9
35.4
134.4
45.4
34.8
46.2

704.5
477.0

1,181.5
(74.1)
127.8
(219.0)
(132.5)

883.7
1,049.7

42.7
360.4
2.5
89.5
–
36.2
20.7

552.0
363.4

915.4
(88.5)
77.6
(206.3)
(96.5)

18.2
379.9
(24.3)
19.2
–
32.0
15.0

440.0
330.2

770.2
77.3
51.9
(211.2)
(125.3)

601.7
777.6

562.9
1,379.6

1,933.4
(1,810.7)
501.8

1,379.3
1,153.1
(194.5)

1,942.5
(961.6)
(1,982.0)

624.5
17.5

2,337.9
(673.3)

(1,001.1)
436.6

642.0

1,664.6

(564.5)

567.7
74.3

1,633.2
31.4

(573.4)
8.9

642.0

1,664.6

(564.5)

$
$
$

23.67
23.15
10.00

$ 74.43
$ 73.01
$ 10.00

$ (31.15)
$ (31.15)
$ 10.00

(1) Brit is included in the company’s financial reporting with effect from June 5, 2015.

The underwriting profit of the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations increased from $552.0 (combined
ratio of 90.8%) in 2014 to $704.5 (combined ratio of 89.9%) in 2015 principally as a result of lower current period
catastrophe losses, improvement in non-catastrophe underwriting margins related to the current accident year and
higher net favourable prior year reserve development.

120

Net favourable development of $544.3 (7.8 combined ratio points) in 2015 and $445.7 (7.4 combined ratio points) in
2014 was comprised as follows:

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge
OdysseyRe
Zenith National
Brit(1)
Fairfax Asia
Other

Net favourable development

2015

2014

(93.9)
(233.3)
(89.6)
(19.7)
(39.5)
(68.3)

(110.2)
(189.1)
(72.6)
–
(20.6)
(53.2)

(544.3)

(445.7)

(1) Brit is included in the company’s financial reporting with effect from June 5, 2015.

Catastrophe  losses  added  1.9  combined  ratio  points  ($133.7)  to  the  combined  ratio  in  2015  compared  to
3.2 combined ratio points ($189.0) in 2014 and were comprised as follows:

2015

2014

Catastrophe
losses(1)
–
133.7

Combined
ratio impact
–
1.9

Catastrophe
losses(1)
41.7
147.3

Combined
ratio impact
0.7
2.5

133.7

1.9 points

189.0

3.2 points

Windstorm Ela
Other

(1) Net of reinstatement premiums.

The following table presents the components of the company’s combined ratios for the years ended December 31:

Underwriting profit – Insurance and Reinsurance

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expense

Combined ratio – accident year

Net favourable development

Combined ratio – calendar year

2015
704.5

2014
552.0

64.5%
16.8%
16.4%

66.4%
16.0%
15.8%

97.7%
98.2%
(7.8)% (7.4)%

89.9%

90.8%

The commission expense ratio of the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations increased from 16.0% in 2014
to 16.8% in 2015 primarily due to the consolidation of Brit, which has a commission expense ratio that is generally
higher than Fairfax’s other operating companies, and also reflected reductions in ceding commissions earned on
premiums ceded to reinsurers at Crum & Forster. Commission rates on the Lloyd’s platform tend to be higher than
those of typical non-Lloyd’s insurance and reinsurance arrangements; however, Lloyd’s participants tend to have
lower underwriting expense ratios.

121

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The underwriting expense ratio of the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations increased from 15.8% in
2014  to  16.4%  in  2015  principally  as  a  result  of  lower  net  premiums  earned  at  OdysseyRe,  the  impact  of  the
consolidation of the operating expenses of Fairfax Indonesia and Union Assurance and acquisition and integration
expenses related to MCIS. Underwriting expenses in 2015 increased by 6.2% (excluding Brit’s underwriting expenses
of $141.2), primarily reflecting increased operating expenses at Crum & Forster and Zenith National consistent with
their  growth  in  net  premiums  earned  and  increased  underwriting  expenses  at  Fairfax  Asia  as  described  in  the
preceding sentence.

Operating expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings include only the operating expenses of the company’s
insurance  and  reinsurance  and  runoff  operations  and  corporate  overhead.  Operating  expenses  increased  from
$1,227.2 in 2014 to $1,470.1 in 2015 primarily as a result of increased underwriting expenses of the insurance and
reinsurance  operations  as  described  in  the  preceding  paragraph  (including  the  consolidation  of  the  operating
expenses of Brit), increased operating expenses at Runoff and higher Fairfax corporate overhead (principally related
to expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition of Brit).

Other expenses increased from $1,492.3 in 2014 to $1,703.1 in 2015 principally reflecting increased expenses at
Quess consistent with its growth in revenue and the impact of the consolidation of Cara (acquired on April 10, 2015),
Pethealth (acquired on November 14, 2014), Praktiker (acquired on June 5, 2014) and Sterling Resorts (consolidated
since September 3, 2014), partially offset by the impact of the sale of Ridley (sold on June 18, 2015).

The company reported net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of $567.7 (net earnings of $23.67 per basic
and $23.15 per diluted share) in 2015 compared to net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of $1,633.2
(net earnings of $74.43 per basic and $73.01 per diluted share) in 2014. The year-over-year decrease in profitability in
2015 primarily reflected net losses on investments (compared to net gains on investments in 2014), partially offset
by the lower provision for income taxes, increased interest and dividend income and increased underwriting profit.

Common shareholders’ equity increased from $8,361.0 at December 31, 2014 to $8,952.5 at December 31, 2015,
primarily reflecting net proceeds from the issuance of 1.15 million subordinate voting shares on March 3, 2015
($575.9)  and  net  earnings  attributable  to  shareholders  of  Fairfax  ($567.7),  partially  offset  by  the  payment  of
dividends  on  the  company’s  common  and  preferred  shares  ($265.4)  and  other  comprehensive  loss  of  $251.7
(primarily related to net unrealized foreign currency translation losses of foreign operations of $249.5). Common
shareholders’  equity  per  basic  share  at  December  31,  2015  was  $403.01  compared  to  $394.83  per  basic  share  at
December  31,  2014,  representing  an  increase  of  2.1%  (without  adjustment  for  the  $10.00  per  common  share
dividend paid in the first quarter of 2015, or an increase of 4.5% adjusted to include that dividend).

122

Net Earnings by Reporting Segment

The  company’s  sources  of  net  earnings  shown  by  reporting  segment  are  set  out  below  for  the  years  ended
December 31, 2015 and 2014. The intercompany adjustment for gross premiums written eliminates premiums on
reinsurance ceded within the group, primarily to OdysseyRe and Group Re.

Year ended December 31, 2015

Insurance and Reinsurance

Crum &

Zenith

Fairfax

Operating

Corporate

Eliminations
and

Northbridge OdysseyRe Forster National Brit(1)

Asia Other companies Runoff Other and Other adjustments Consolidated

Gross premiums written

1,059.6

2,404.0 1,896.1

797.6 1,087.5

620.9 634.7

8,500.4

381.2

Net premiums written

887.0

2,095.0 1,659.4

785.4

946.4

275.9 489.8

7,138.9

381.6

Net premiums earned

874.7

2,204.1 1,522.0

766.4

892.5

287.0 442.7

6,989.4

381.6

Underwriting profit (loss)

Interest and dividends

71.4

42.3

336.9

221.8

35.4

66.8

134.4

48.9

45.4

29.5

34.8

41.0

46.2

26.7

704.5

(172.1)

477.0

98.0

47.4

Operating income (loss)

113.7

558.7

102.2

183.3

74.9

75.8

72.9

1,181.5

(74.1)

47.4

Net gains (losses) on

investments

Other reporting segment

Interest expense

Corporate overhead and

other

131.9
–

–

(267.2)
–

(105.6)
–

(5.5)

(1.4)

(58.8)
–

(3.3)

(75.3)
–

(9.8)

(24.5)
–

(68.4)
–

–

(4.1)

(467.9)
–

(24.1)

(11.0)

(27.1)

(19.5)

(9.4)

(16.4)

(0.1)

0.4

(83.1)

(138.5)
–

6.5
80.4

–

–

(16.1)

(178.8)

–

–

–

–

(11.5)

(11.5)

340.7
–

(225.8)

8,655.8

–

–

–

74.2

74.2

–
–

–

7,520.5

7,371.0

532.4

685.1

1,217.5

(259.2)
80.4

(219.0)

–

(37.9)

(74.2)

(195.2)

Pre-tax income (loss)

234.6

258.9

(24.3)

111.8

(26.6)

51.2

0.8

606.4

(212.6) 118.2

112.5

–

Income taxes

Net earnings

Attributable to:

Shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling

interests

624.5

17.5

642.0

567.7

74.3

642.0

(1)

Brit is included in the company’s financial reporting with effect from June 5, 2015.

Year ended December 31, 2014

Insurance and Reinsurance

Crum &

Zenith

Fairfax

Operating

Corporate

Eliminations
and

Northbridge OdysseyRe Forster National Brit(1)

Asia Other companies Runoff Other and Other adjustments Consolidated

Gross premiums written

1,109.3

2,739.5 1,699.5

733.0

Net premiums written

967.1

2,393.8 1,346.3

720.9

Net premiums earned

942.3

2,356.6 1,306.5

714.3

42.7

32.5

75.2

360.4

182.2

2.5

39.1

89.5

22.1

542.6

41.6

111.6

213.1

579.3

632.1

106.8

–

–

–

–

(12.7)

(1.4)

–

(3.3)

(12.2)

(27.5)

(31.6)

(8.8)

276.1

1,081.7

640.7

206.3

Underwriting profit (loss)

Interest and dividends

Operating income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on

investments(2)

Other reporting segment

Interest expense
Corporate overhead and

other

Pre-tax income (loss)
Income taxes

Net earnings

Attributable to:

Shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling

interests

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

563.5 553.3

7,398.1

163.9

280.1 413.9

6,122.1

179.7

272.2 392.7

5,984.6

231.6

36.2

60.5

20.7

27.0

552.0

(151.5)

363.4

63.0

10.3

96.7

47.7

915.4

(88.5)

10.3

(19.3) 135.8

1,647.8

771.0

–

–

43.1

67.3

–

–

–

(4.2)

(21.6)

(1.0)

(12.3)

(171.4)

–

–

–

–

(6.3)

(6.3)

29.7

–

(102.1)

7,459.9

–

–

–

79.1

79.1

6,301.8

6,216.2

400.5

509.5

910.0

(755.4)

1,736.2

–

–

67.3

(206.3)

(0.1)

(0.4)

(80.6)

(3.5)

–

(6.1)

(79.1)

(169.3)

77.3 178.9

2,461.0

678.0 108.4

(154.1)

(755.4)

2,337.9
(673.3)

1,664.6

1,633.2

31.4

1,664.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1)

(2)

Brit is included in the company’s financial reporting with effect from June 5, 2015.

Net gains (losses) on investments at Crum & Forster, Runoff and Corporate and Other included a gain on redemption of the investment in OdysseyRe of $310.8, $406.1 and $38.5
respectively, all of which are eliminated on consolidation. Refer to the Business Developments section of this MD&A for a discussion of the OdysseyRe reorganization.

123

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Balance Sheets by Reporting Segment

The company’s segmented balance sheets as at December 31, 2015 and 2014 present the assets and liabilities of, and
the capital invested by the company in, each of the company’s reporting segments. The segmented balance sheets
have been prepared on the following basis:

(a) The  balance  sheet  for  each  reporting  segment  is  on  a  legal  entity  basis  for  the  subsidiaries  within  the
segment  and  is  prepared  in  accordance  with  IFRS  and  Fairfax’s  accounting  policies  and  include,  where
applicable, acquisition accounting adjustments principally related to goodwill and intangible assets which
arose on their initial acquisition or on a subsequent step acquisition by the company.

(b) Certain  of  the  company’s  subsidiaries  held  ownership  interests  in  other  Fairfax  subsidiaries  (‘‘Fairfax
affiliates’’) at December 31, 2015. These investments in Fairfax affiliates are carried at cost and are disclosed
in the table below. Affiliated insurance and reinsurance balances, including premiums receivable (included
in insurance contracts receivable), deferred premium acquisition costs, recoverable from reinsurers, funds
withheld  payable  to  reinsurers,  provision  for  losses  and  loss  adjustment  expenses  and  provision  for
unearned premiums, are not shown separately but are eliminated in Corporate and Other.

(c) Corporate  and  Other  includes  the  Fairfax  holding  company  and  its  subsidiary  intermediate  holding
companies as well as the consolidating and eliminating entries required under IFRS to prepare consolidated
financial  statements.  The  most  significant  of  those  entries  are  derived  from  the  elimination  of
intercompany  reinsurance  (primarily  consisting  of  reinsurance  provided  by  Group  Re  and  reinsurance
between  OdysseyRe  and  the  primary  insurers),  which  affects  recoverable  from  reinsurers,  provision  for
losses  and  loss  adjustment  expenses  and  unearned  premiums.  Corporate  and  Other  long  term  debt  of
$2,599.0 as at December 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 – $2,656.5) consisted of Fairfax holding company
debt of $2,462.2 (December 31, 2014 – $2,514.7) and other long term obligations comprised of purchase
consideration  payable  related  to  the  TRG  acquisition  of  $134.7  (December  31,  2014 – $139.7)  and  trust
preferred securities of $2.1 (December 31, 2014 – $2.1).

Percentage ownership in Fairfax Affiliates

Northbridge OdysseyRe Forster National Brit

Asia

– Other Runoff

Other(1) Consolidated

Crum &

Zenith

Insurance &
Fairfax Reinsurance

Corporate &

Fairfax Affiliates

Zenith National

Advent

TRG (Runoff)

Thomas Cook India

Fairfax India

The Keg

Cara

–

–

–

1.1%

–

11.0%

10.1%

6.1%

2.0%

15.7%

12.7%

–

11.0%

8.0%

14.7%

14.6%

5.2%

1.5%

3.8%

7.3%

4.1%

–

–

–

0.4%

–

–

–

–

1.1% 2.3%

8.0%

–

–

2.5%

–

–

–

1.9%

2.3%

–

–

–

–

–

1.7%

7.8%

6.7%

–

–

13.8%

76.3%

5.7%

2.8%

3.3%

5.5%

91.9%

57.8%

18.5%

44.5%

–

–

3.7%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

67.8%

28.1%

51.0%

40.5%

(1)

This table excludes subsidiaries which are wholly owned by the holding company including Northbridge, OdysseyRe, Brit and Fairfax Asia.

124

Segmented Balance Sheet as at December 31, 2015

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge OdysseyRe

Forster National

Brit(1)

Asia Other companies Runoff Other and Other Consolidated

Crum &

Zenith

Fairfax

Operating

Corporate

Assets

Holding company cash and investments

Insurance contract receivables

245.0

242.7

560.3

806.7

8.2

258.8

65.9

–

–

–

879.4

–

222.6

605.6

131.2

265.3

2,532.9

127.9

–

–

Portfolio investments

2,569.4

7,215.3

3,883.4

1,787.9 3,967.1 1,157.5 1,479.2

22,059.8 4,264.9 1,176.8

Deferred premium acquisition costs

Recoverable from reinsurers

Deferred income taxes

Goodwill and intangible assets

Due from affiliates

Other assets

Investments in Fairfax affiliates

84.4

478.0

41.1

144.0

71.7

73.9

106.8

181.0

118.2

828.9

1,079.1

222.9

188.4

2.1

102.1

510.8

183.1

331.4

0.1

116.9

176.0

10.7

78.1

4.0

–

446.7

739.2

–

73.9

40.8

–

132.0

47.3

63.2

24.4

60.2

793.0

579.9

242.3

7.0

16.7

25.3

31.5

–

40.1

8.0

65.1

45.5

542.1

4,079.3

458.1

–

940.7

114.1

–

–

–

1,906.5

39.4 1,270.7

107.2

595.4

587.7

–

104.8 1,001.6

397.1

(114.3)

331.0

(9.4)

(1,129.1)

(108.3)

(1.7)

(694.9)

69.3

111.0

1,038.2

288.5

–

(1,326.7)

1,276.5

2,546.5

27,832.5

532.7

3,890.9

463.9

3,214.9

–

1,771.1

–

Total assets

Liabilities

4,057.0

10,618.5

6,155.2

2,730.6 6,347.4 2,051.7 2,238.5

34,198.9 6,468.0 3,449.1

(2,587.0)

41,529.0

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

169.9

575.5

230.6

86.5

141.3

241.2

109.3

1,554.3

128.4

757.3

Income taxes payable

Short sale and derivative obligations

Due to affiliates

Funds withheld payable to reinsurers

Provision for losses and loss adjustment

3.7

40.4

2.0

4.0

31.1

13.0

6.1

56.1

2.6

5.3

15.5

20.3

–

1.4

0.4

–

12.5

–

206.1

expenses

1,852.2

5,010.4

3,428.5

1,252.4 3,324.1

Provision for unearned premiums

492.4

729.4

657.0

267.7

Deferred income taxes

Long term debt

–

–

–

89.8

–

41.4

–

38.1

664.9

120.3

208.6

1.0

3.3

2.6

69.5

962.0

276.6

0.6

90.6

–

1.9

66.2

757.0

252.7

8.8

–

49.4

75.9

28.5

422.2

16.8

4.2

16.0

16,586.6 4,308.5

3,340.7

129.7

468.5

–

–

–

–

34.2

–

–

–

77.5

284.0

–

11.0

–

15.3

115.9

21.1

0.2

(66.9)

(115.4)

(1,078.7)

(55.9)

(207.2)

2,599.0

2,555.9

85.8

92.9

–

322.8

19,816.4

3,284.8

–

3,351.5

Total liabilities

2,564.6

6,511.4

4,401.2

1,646.5 4,677.8 1,338.8 1,515.5

22,655.8 4,473.9 1,168.3

1,212.1

29,510.1

Equity

Shareholders’ equity attributable

to shareholders of Fairfax

1,492.4

4,107.1

1,754.0

1,084.1 1,669.6

693.7

723.0

11,523.9 1,994.1 2,257.9

(5,488.5)

Non-controlling interests

–

–

–

–

–

19.2

–

19.2

–

22.9

1,689.4

10,287.4

1,731.5

Total equity

1,492.4

4,107.1

1,754.0

1,084.1 1,669.6

712.9

723.0

11,543.1 1,994.1 2,280.8

(3,799.1)

12,018.9

Total liabilities and total equity

4,057.0

10,618.5

6,155.2

2,730.6 6,347.4 2,051.7 2,238.5

34,198.9 6,468.0 3,449.1

(2,587.0)

41,529.0

Capital

Total debt

Investments in Fairfax affiliates

Shareholders’ equity attributable to

shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

–

106.8

89.8

510.8

41.4

176.0

38.1

40.8

208.6

47.3

–

90.6

468.5

–

284.0

2,599.0

3,351.5

45.5

111.0

1,038.2

288.5

–

(1,326.7)

–

1,385.6

3,596.3

1,578.0

1,043.3 1,117.2

648.2

612.0

9,980.6 1,705.6 1,073.6

(2,472.4)

–

–

–

–

505.1

19.2

–

524.3

– 1,207.2

–

10,287.4

1,731.5

Total capital

1,492.4

4,196.9

1,795.4

1,122.2 1,878.2

712.9

813.6

12,011.6 1,994.1 2,564.8

(1,200.1)

15,370.4

% of total capital

9.7%

27.3% 11.7%

7.3% 12.2%

4.6%

5.3%

78.1% 13.0% 16.7%

(7.8)%

100.0%

(1)

Brit is included in the company’s financial reporting with effect from June 5, 2015.

125

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Segmented Balance Sheet as at December 31, 2014

Assets

Holding company cash and investments

Insurance contract receivables

Portfolio investments

Deferred premium acquisition costs

Recoverable from reinsurers

Deferred income taxes

Goodwill and intangible assets

Due from affiliates

Other assets

Investments in Fairfax affiliates

Total assets

Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Income taxes payable

Short sale and derivative obligations

Due to affiliates

Funds withheld payable to reinsurers

Provision for losses and loss adjustment

expenses

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge OdysseyRe

Forster National

Asia Other companies Runoff Other and Other Consolidated

Crum &

Zenith Fairfax

Operating

Corporate

35.2

285.5

463.6

814.1

5.8

212.7

60.2

205.6

–

–

564.8

–

99.3

220.0

1,837.2

144.0

–

–

3,160.9

8,179.8

3,918.9

1,789.6 1,137.1 1,819.4

20,005.7 4,841.7

269.0

98.7

629.9

48.4

176.9

91.8

97.6

45.7

217.7

109.8

9.9

21.4

45.0

502.5

–

868.2

1,527.0

144.3

525.4

211.4

3,906.2 1,100.9

50.8

182.7

2.7

117.6

203.5

161.7

294.7

0.1

113.7

81.2

–

453.9

0.2

61.5

12.0

–

31.6

5.2

48.7

–

–

18.3

0.2

47.1

10.0

260.9

1,158.1

100.2

486.2

352.4

67.4

43.4

615.0

73.8

77.5

–

–

–

360.8

0.2

746.4

–

679.5

(49.5)

(7.2)

(4.9)

(1,025.0)

132.1

(4.0)

(715.4)

41.2

(429.9)

1,244.3

1,931.7

25,109.2

497.6

3,982.1

460.4

1,558.3

–

1,347.6

–

4,670.6

11,100.7

6,425.6

2,737.2 1,868.7 2,371.4

29,174.2 6,963.7 1,376.4

(1,383.1)

36,131.2

179.4

33.5

8.2

5.2

4.2

503.9

102.6

53.2

9.4

36.0

249.4

74.3

203.1

119.2

–

12.3

25.3

338.9

–

8.0

1.2

–

10.5

–

4.7

58.2

1.3

16.2

10.4

63.4

1,329.3

147.9

97.9

56.2

500.7

98.1

32.3

31.3

0.1

16.8

2,299.7

5,315.3

3,407.6

1,297.4

691.3 1,011.3

14,022.6 4,720.4

479.7

13.8

–

27.0

–

–

–

43.6

136.6

122.0

(75.7)

31.6

(83.3)

(56.0)

(993.9)

(36.1)

(66.8)

2,029.1

118.3

160.8

–

461.5

17,749.1

2,689.6

–

2,656.5

3,179.0

Provision for unearned premiums

576.0

853.1

575.0

248.6

229.3

243.7

2,725.7

Deferred income taxes

Long term debt

–

–

–

214.6

–

41.4

10.4

38.1

10.7

–

2.1

91.8

23.2

385.9

–

–

–

Total liabilities

3,106.2

7,088.1

4,649.9

1,678.0 1,207.8 1,559.4

19,289.4 4,899.0

700.7

1,498.3

26,387.4

Equity

Shareholders’ equity attributable to

shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

1,564.4

4,012.6

1,775.7

1,059.2

647.6

812.0

9,871.5 2,064.7

616.4

(3,026.9)

–

–

–

–

13.3

–

13.3

–

59.3

145.5

9,525.7

218.1

Total equity

1,564.4

4,012.6

1,775.7

1,059.2

660.9

812.0

9,884.8 2,064.7

675.7

(2,881.4)

9,743.8

Total liabilities and total equity

4,670.6

11,100.7

6,425.6

2,737.2 1,868.7 2,371.4

29,174.2 6,963.7 1,376.4

(1,383.1)

36,131.2

Capital

Total debt

Investments in Fairfax affiliates

Shareholders’ equity attributable to

shareholders of Fairfax

Non-controlling interests

Total capital

% of total capital

–

45.7

214.6

203.5

41.4

81.2

38.1

12.0

–

–

91.8

10.0

385.9

352.4

–

136.6

2,656.5

3,179.0

77.5

–

(429.9)

–

1,518.7

3,809.1

1,694.5

1,047.2

647.6

802.0

9,519.1 1,987.2

–

–

–

–

13.3

–

13.3

–

616.4

204.8

(2,597.0)

–

9,525.7

218.1

1,564.4

4,227.2

1,817.1

1,097.3

660.9

903.8

10,270.7 2,064.7

957.8

(370.4)

12,922.8

12.1%

32.7% 14.1%

8.5%

5.1%

7.0%

79.5% 16.0%

7.4%

(2.9)%

100.0%

126

Components of Net Earnings

Underwriting and Operating Income

Set  out  and  discussed  below  are  the  underwriting  and  operating  results  of  Fairfax’s  insurance  and  reinsurance
operations, Runoff and Other by reporting segment for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Northbridge(1)

Underwriting profit

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

Combined ratio – accident year

Net favourable development

Combined ratio – calendar year

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit
Interest and dividends

Operating income
Net gains on investments

Pre-tax income before interest and other

Net earnings

Cdn$

2015
91.2

67.5%
15.8%
19.2%

2014
47.1

72.2%
16.0%
19.0%

2015
71.4

67.5%
15.8%
19.2%

2014
42.7

72.2%
16.0%
19.0%

102.5%
(10.7)%

107.2%
(11.7)%

102.5%
(10.7)%

107.2%
(11.7)%

91.8%

95.5%

91.8%

95.5%

1,353.3

1,224.8

1,059.6

1,109.3

1,132.8

1,067.7

1,117.1

1,040.4

91.2
54.0

145.2
168.5

313.7

236.7

47.1
35.9

83.0
235.3

318.3

236.7

887.0

874.7

71.4
42.3

113.7
131.9

245.6

185.3

967.1

942.3

42.7
32.5

75.2
213.1

288.3

214.4

(1) These results differ from those published by Northbridge primarily due to purchase accounting adjustments related to the

privatization of Northbridge in 2009.

The average U.S. dollar foreign exchange rate strengthened by 15.7% in 2015 relative to the Canadian dollar. To
avoid the distortion caused by foreign currency translation, the table above presents Northbridge’s underwriting and
operating  results  in  both  U.S.  dollars  and  Canadian  dollars  (Northbridge’s  functional  currency).  The  discussion
which follows makes reference to those Canadian dollar figures unless indicated otherwise.

In 2015 Northbridge assumed gross premiums written of Cdn$70.6 ($56.6) and gross losses on claims of Cdn$66.5
($53.3)  in  connection  with  the  AXA  reinsurance  transaction  in  the  first  quarter  of  2015  (described  in  the
Components of Net Earnings section of this MD&A under the heading Runoff). Northbridge fully retroceded these
amounts to Runoff and received a commission of $1.4 (Cdn$1.7) from Runoff for fronting this transaction.

Northbridge produced an underwriting profit of Cdn$91.2 ($71.4) and a combined ratio of 91.8% in 2015 compared
to an underwriting profit of Cdn$47.1 ($42.7) and a combined ratio of 95.5% in 2014. The year-over-year increase in
underwriting profit principally reflected the impact of higher net premiums earned and improved non-catastrophe
loss experience related to the current accident year (primarily due to improved results in commercial liability and
commercial transportation lines of business), partially offset by higher underwriting expenses.

Net  favourable  prior  year  reserve  development  of  Cdn$119.9  ($93.9)  (10.7  combined  ratio  points)  in  2015  was
comparable to net favourable prior year reserve development of Cdn$121.7 ($110.2) (11.7 combined ratio points) in
2014 with both years reflecting better than expected emergence across most accident years and lines of business.
There were no material current period catastrophe losses in 2015 and 2014.

127

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Northbridge’s commission expense ratio decreased from 16.0% in 2014 to 15.8% in 2015, primarily as a result of
increased  fronting  fee  commission  revenue,  including  commission  revenue  earned  on  the  AXA  reinsurance
transaction in the first quarter of 2015 described earlier in this section. Northbridge’s underwriting expense ratio
increased from 19.0% in 2014 to 19.2% in 2015, primarily as a result of increased employee variable compensation,
premises and information technology costs, partially offset by the favourable impact of increased net premiums
earned  and  the  release  of  a  provision  related  to  harmonized  sales  tax  on  premiums  ceded  to  foreign  affiliated
reinsurers following a favourable ruling from taxation authorities.

Excluding the impact of the AXA reinsurance transaction, gross premiums written increased 4.7% from Cdn$1,224.8
in 2014 to Cdn$1,282.7 in 2015, primarily due to increased renewal business and modest price increases across the
group. In Canadian dollar terms, net premiums written increased by 6.1% in 2015, reflecting many of the same
factors which affected gross premiums written, and also included the impact of a decrease in the amount of casualty
reinsurance purchased. In Canadian dollar terms, net premiums earned increased by 7.4% in 2015, consistent with
the growth in net premiums written.

The decrease in net gains on investments (as set out in the Investments section of this MD&A), partially offset by
increased underwriting profitability and higher interest and dividend income (reflecting increased holdings of bonds
and  common  stocks  year-over-year),  produced  pre-tax  income  before  interest  and  other  of  Cdn$313.7  in  2015
compared to pre-tax income before interest and other of Cdn$318.3 in 2014.

Northbridge’s cash resources, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, decreased by Cdn$229.0 ($179.3)
in 2015 compared to a decrease of Cdn$483.5 ($437.9) in 2014. Cash provided by operating activities (excluding
operating cash flow activity related to investments classified as FVTPL) decreased from Cdn$63.8 ($57.7) in 2014 to
Cdn$16.8 ($13.2) in 2015, primarily due to higher income taxes paid and increased net claims payments, partially
offset by higher net premium collections.

Northbridge’s average annual return on average equity over the past 30 years since inception in 1985 was 13.6% at
December 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 – 13.6%) (expressed in Canadian dollars).

OdysseyRe(1)

Underwriting profit

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

Combined ratio – accident year

Net favourable development

Combined ratio – calendar year

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit
Interest and dividends

Operating income
Net gains (losses) on investments

Pre-tax income before interest and other

Net earnings

2015
336.9

2014
360.4

64.4%
20.4%
10.5%

95.3%
(10.6)%

62.5%
20.3%
9.9%

92.7%
(8.0)%

84.7%

84.7%

2,404.0

2,739.5

2,095.0

2,393.8

2,204.1

2,356.6

336.9
221.8

558.7
(267.2)

360.4
182.2

542.6
579.3

291.5

1,121.9

197.3

713.8

(1) These results differ from those published by Odyssey Re Holdings Corp. primarily due to differences between IFRS and
U.S. GAAP and purchase accounting adjustments (principally goodwill and intangible assets) recorded by Fairfax related
to the privatization of OdysseyRe in 2009.

128

On June 3, 2015 Hudson Insurance Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of OdysseyRe) completed the acquisition
of certain assets of Euclid Managers, LLC (‘‘Euclid’’), an underwriting and claims manager for internet, technology,
media, manufacturers and other professional liability coverage. On April 1, 2014 Hudson Insurance completed the
acquisition  of  certain  assets  and  assumed  certain  liabilities  associated  with  Motor  Transport  Underwriters,  Inc.
(‘‘Motor  Transport’’),  a  leading  underwriting,  claims  and  risk  management  specialist  in  the  long-haul  trucking
industry.  The  acquisitions  of  Euclid  and  Motor  Transport,  which  produce  annual  gross  premiums  written  of
approximately $15 and $21 respectively will ensure that Hudson Insurance has the opportunity to participate on
future renewals of that business.

OdysseyRe  produced  an  underwriting  profit  of  $336.9  and  a  combined  ratio  of  84.7%  in  2015  compared  to  an
underwriting profit of $360.4 and a combined ratio of 84.7% in 2014. The year-over-year decrease in underwriting
profit  principally  reflected  a  decrease  in  premiums  earned  with  lower  non-catastrophe  underwriting  margins
(principally related to the impact of the Tianjin port explosion in China ($52.9 or 2.4 combined ratio points)) and
lower writings of higher margin property catastrophe business, partially offset by lower current period catastrophe
losses and increased net favourable prior year reserve development.

OdysseyRe’s combined ratio in 2015 included the benefit of 10.6 combined ratio points ($233.3) of net favourable
prior  year  reserve  development  compared  to  8.0  combined  ratio  points  ($189.1)  in  2014.  Net  favourable
development  in  2015  and  2014  was  primarily  related  to  casualty  and  property  catastrophe  loss  reserves.  The
combined ratio in 2015 included 4.9 combined ratio points ($108.0) of current period catastrophe losses relating
primarily to attritional losses. The combined ratio in 2014 included 6.2 combined ratio points ($145.1) of current
period catastrophe losses (net of reinstatement premiums) comprised of the effects of Windstorm Ela ($37.7) and
other attritional catastrophe losses. OdysseyRe’s underwriting expense ratio increased from 9.9% in 2014 to 10.5% in
2015, principally due to the decrease in net premiums earned.

Following enhancements to its underwriting systems and the accumulation of sufficient internal historical data,
OdysseyRe recognized the majority of the premiums written in respect of the winter planting season of its U.S. crop
insurance business in the fourth quarter of 2014, whereas in prior years those premiums would have been recognized
in the first quarter of the following year. Excluding the impact of the U.S. crop insurance business winter planting
season from 2014, OdysseyRe’s gross premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned decreased
as set out in the following table. The impact of this change on underwriting profit was nominal.

OdysseyRe – as reported
Adjustments related to timing of

U.S. crop insurance

2015

2014

Gross
premiums
written
2,404.0

Net
premiums
written
2,095.0

Net
premiums
earned
2,204.1

Gross
premiums
written
2,739.5

Net
premiums
written
2,393.8

Net
premiums
earned
2,356.6

–

–

–

(41.4)

(34.4)

(6.0)

OdysseyRe – as adjusted

2,404.0

2,095.0

2,204.1

2,698.1

2,359.4

2,350.6

Percentage change year-over-year

(10.9)%

(11.2)%

(6.2)%

Due to the non-renewal on June 1, 2015 of a significant property quota share reinsurance contract covering risks in
Florida (following the cedent’s decision to retain all the risk associated with the contract), OdysseyRe returned the
remaining unearned premium from the contract to the cedent (the ‘‘unearned premium portfolio transfer’’) reducing
both  gross  premiums  written  and  net  premiums  written  by  $100.7  in  2015.  Gross  premiums  written  in  2015
decreased  by  10.9%  (as  adjusted),  principally  as  a  result  of  the  unearned  premium  portfolio  transfer, the
unfavourable impact of foreign currency translation, primarily at OdysseyRe’s EuroAsia division, and lower writings
of liability insurance related to a specific program. Net premiums written in 2015 decreased by 11.2% (as adjusted),
consistent  with  the  decrease  in  gross  premiums  written.  Net  premiums  earned  in  2015  decreased  by  6.2%  (as
adjusted),  consistent  with  the  decrease  in  net  premiums  written,  partially  offset  by  the  earning  of  increased
premiums written on lines of business that experienced growth in previous periods.

Interest and dividends increased from $182.2 in 2014 to $221.8 in 2015 principally reflecting increased share of
profit of associates (primarily relating to OdysseyRe’s $37.5 share of a gain recognized by a Kennedy Wilson real
estate partnership on the disposition of investment properties in the second quarter of 2015).

129

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Net losses on investments in 2015 (as set out in the Investments section of this MD&A) and lower underwriting
profit, partially offset by the increase in interest and dividend income, produced pre-tax income before interest and
other of $291.5 in 2015 compared to pre-tax income before interest and other of $1,121.9 in 2014.

OdysseyRe’s  cash  resources,  excluding  the  impact  of  foreign  currency  translation,  decreased  by  $98.9  in  2015
compared to an increase of $24.9 in 2014. Cash provided by operating activities (excluding operating cash flow
activity  related  to  investments  classified  as  FVTPL)  decreased  from  $464.2  in  2014  to  $59.4  in  2015  with  the
year-over-year  change  principally  reflecting  the  impact  of  the  unearned  premium  portfolio  transfer,  increased
income tax payments and higher net paid losses related to prior years’ non-catastrophe losses.

Crum & Forster

Underwriting profit

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

Combined ratio – accident year

Net favourable development

Combined ratio – calendar year

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit
Interest and dividends

Operating income
Net gains (losses) on investments
Gain on redemption of investment in OdysseyRe(1)

Pre-tax income (loss) before interest and other

Net earnings (loss)

(1) Eliminated on consolidation. 

2015
35.4

64.1%
14.8%
18.8%

97.7%
–%

97.7%

2014
2.5

66.9%
13.6%
19.3%

99.8%
–%

99.8%

1,896.1

1,699.5

1,659.4

1,346.3

1,522.0

1,306.5

35.4
66.8

102.2
(105.6)
–

(3.4)

(5.2)

2.5
39.1

41.6
321.3
310.8

673.7

545.8

On October 30, 2015 Crum & Forster acquired a 100% interest in Brownyard Programs, Ltd. (‘‘Brownyard’’) for $7.0
to augment its CoverX brand. Brownyard specializes in writing and servicing security guard and security services
business insurance and produces approximately $15 of gross premiums written annually.

On October 15, 2015 Crum & Forster commuted a significant aggregate stop loss reinsurance treaty (the ‘‘significant
commutation’’).  The  significant  commutation  reduced  each  of  recoverable  from  reinsurers  and  funds  withheld
payable to reinsurers by $334.0 and had no effect on the income statement initially, but funds held interest expense
(a component of interest and dividends) is expected to be reduced in future periods by approximately $20 annually.

On  October  8,  2015  Crum  &  Forster  acquired  a  100%  interest  in  Travel  Insured  International,  Inc.  (‘‘TII’’)  for
consideration  of  $30.0.  TII  is  a  leading  travel  insurance  provider  that  specializes  in  offering  travel  insurance
protection  (where  Crum  &  Forster  is  its  exclusive  insurance  carrier)  and  produces  approximately  $50  of  gross
premiums written annually. The acquisition of TII is complementary to Crum & Forster’s existing footprint in the
travel insurance market.

130

On  April  10,  2015  Crum  &  Forster  acquired  a  100%  interest  in  The  Redwoods  Group,  Inc.  (‘‘Redwoods’’)  for
consideration  of  $20.0.  Redwoods  is  a  full  service  national  managing  general  underwriter  and  produces
approximately $50 of gross premiums written annually primarily from property and casualty packaged insurance
business focused on YMCAs, community centers and day camps. Commencing in the second quarter of 2015, all
premiums produced by Redwoods were underwritten by Crum & Forster.

In  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014,  Fairfax  centralized  the  ownership  of  its  wholly-owned  reinsurance  and  insurance
company, Odyssey Re Holdings Corp., under a single intermediate holding company in the U.S. This reorganization
had no effect on Fairfax’s consolidated financial reporting; however, it impacted Crum & Forster as described in the
‘‘Business Developments’’ section of this MD&A.

Crum & Forster produced an underwriting profit of $35.4 and a combined ratio of 97.7% in 2015 compared to an
underwriting profit of $2.5 and a combined ratio of 99.8% in 2014. The year-over-year increase in underwriting
profit  principally  reflected  better  non-catastrophe  underwriting  margins  related  to  the  current  accident  year,
primarily due to increased writings of more profitable lines of business and the impact of underwriting actions that
have improved the performance of the CoverX business.

Current  period  catastrophe  losses  were  $12.0  (0.8  of  a  combined  ratio  point)  in  2015  compared  to  $14.3
(1.1 combined ratio points) in 2014. Current period catastrophe losses in 2015 and 2014 principally reflected severe
winter weather and storms in the U.S. There was no net prior year reserve development in 2015 or 2014. The increase
in Crum & Forster’s commission expense ratio from 13.6% in 2014 to 14.8% in 2015, primarily reflected reductions
in ceding commissions earned on premiums ceded to reinsurers as a result of increased retentions. The decrease in
Crum & Forster’s underwriting expense ratio from 19.3% in 2014 to 18.8% in 2015 primarily reflected the effect of
increased  net  premiums  earned,  partially  offset  by  increased  underwriting  expenses  (principally  personnel  costs
associated with acquisitions and new business initiatives).

Gross  premiums  written  increased  by  11.6%  in  2015,  principally  reflecting  growth  in  accident  and  health  at
Fairmont, across all lines of business at Crum & Forster and in specialty package at Seneca, and the incremental
contribution from the acquisition of Redwoods, partially offset by planned reductions in the CoverX business. Net
premiums  written  increased  by  23.3%  in  2015,  consistent  with  the  growth  in  gross  premiums  written  and  also
reflected improvements in the pricing of casualty reinsurance purchased and reductions in purchases of quota share
and facultative reinsurance. The growth in net premiums earned of 16.5% in 2015 was consistent with the growth in
net premiums written in 2015 and 2014 and the increase in risk retention in 2015.

Interest and dividends increased from $39.1 in 2014 to $66.8 in 2015 reflecting increased share of profit of associates
(primarily related to Crum & Forster’s $12.2 share of a gain recognized by a Kennedy Wilson real estate partnership
on the disposition of investment properties in the second quarter of 2015), increased interest income earned on
higher yielding fixed income investments owned year-over-year and lower funds held interest expense related to the
significant commutation (described earlier in this section).

Net  losses  on  investments  in  2015  (as  set  out  in  the  Investments  section  of  this  MD&A),  partially  offset  by  the
year-over-year  improvement  in  underwriting  profitability  and  higher  interest  and  dividend  income,  produced  a
pre-tax loss before interest and other of $3.4 in 2015 compared to pre-tax income before interest and other of $673.7
in 2014 (which included a gain of $310.8 on redemption of Crum & Forster’s investment in OdysseyRe).

Crum & Forster’s cash resources, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, increased by $25.3 in 2015
compared  to  a  decrease  of  $33.4  in  2014.  Cash  provided  by  operating  activities  (excluding  operating  cash  flow
activity related to investments classified as FVTPL) increased from $115.6 in 2014 to $218.0 in 2015, primarily as a
result of increased net cash flow from underwriting activities.

Crum & Forster’s cumulative net earnings since acquisition on August 13, 1998 was $1,947.4 and its average annual
return on average equity since acquisition has been 10.1% (December 31, 2014 – 10.7%).

131

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Zenith National(1)

Underwriting profit

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

Combined ratio – accident year

Net favourable development

Combined ratio – calendar year

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit
Interest and dividends

Operating income
Net gains (losses) on investments

Pre-tax income before interest and other

Net earnings

2015
134.4

58.6%
9.9%
25.7%

94.2%
(11.7)%

2014
89.5

62.9%
9.7%
25.1%

97.7%
(10.2)%

82.5%

87.5%

797.6

785.4

766.4

134.4
48.9

183.3
(58.8)

124.5

76.5

733.0

720.9

714.3

89.5
22.1

111.6
106.8

218.4

140.8

(1) These results differ from those published by Zenith National primarily due to differences between IFRS and U.S. GAAP,
intercompany  investment  transactions  and  acquisition  accounting  adjustments  recorded  by  Fairfax  related  to  the
acquisition of Zenith National in 2010.

Zenith National produced an underwriting profit of $134.4 and a combined ratio of 82.5% in 2015 compared to an
underwriting  profit  of  $89.5  and  a  combined  ratio  of  87.5%  in  2014.  Net  premiums  earned  in  2015  of  $766.4
increased from $714.3 in 2014, principally reflecting an increase in exposure.

The  year-over-year  improvement  in  Zenith  National’s  combined  ratio  reflected  a  decrease  of  4.3  combined  ratio
points  in  the  estimated  accident  year  loss  and  LAE  ratio  in  2015  due  to  favourable  loss  development  trends  for
accident year 2014 emerging in 2015 combined with earned price changes equal to estimated loss trends for accident
year  2015.  Net  favourable  development  of  prior  years’  reserves  (11.7  percentage  points  in  2015  compared  to
10.2  percentage  points  in  2014)  reflected  net  favourable  emergence  principally  related  to  accident  years  2011
through 2014.

Interest and dividends increased from $22.1 in 2014 to $48.9 in 2015, principally reflecting increased share of profit
of associates (primarily relating to Zenith National’s $21.5 share of a gain recognized by a Kennedy Wilson real estate
partnership on the disposition of investment properties in the second quarter of 2015).

Net  losses  on  investments  in  2015  (as  set  out  in  the  Investments  section  of  this  MD&A),  partially  offset  by  the
improvement  in  underwriting  profitability  and  higher  interest  and  dividend  income,  produced  pre-tax  income
before interest and other of $124.5 in 2015 compared to pre-tax income before interest and other of $218.4 in 2014.

At December 31, 2015 Zenith National had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $24.9 (December 31, 2014 –
$39.2). Cash provided by operating activities (excluding operating cash flow activity related to investments classified
as FVTPL) increased from $119.2 in 2014 to $137.0 in 2015, primarily as a result of higher net premiums written and
proceeds from the commutation of certain ceded reinsurance contracts, partially offset by higher income taxes paid
in 2015.

132

Brit(1)

Underwriting profit

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

Combined ratio – accident year

Net favourable development

Combined ratio – calendar year

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit
Interest and dividends

Operating income
Net losses on investments

Pre-tax loss before interest and other

Net loss

For the period
June 5, 2015 to
December 31, 2015

45.4

60.5%
20.8%
15.8%

97.1%
(2.2)%

94.9%

1,087.5

946.4

892.5

45.4
29.5

74.9
(75.3)

(0.4)

(14.9)

(1) These  results  differ  from  those  published  by  Brit  primarily  due  to  the  differing  accounting  periods  and  preliminary

acquisition accounting adjustments recorded by Fairfax related to the acquisition of Brit on June 5, 2015.

On June 5, 2015 the company completed the acquisition of 97.0% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Brit PLC
(‘‘Brit’’) for 305 pence per share (comprised of $4.30 (280 pence) per share in cash paid by the company and the final
and special dividends of $0.38 (25 pence) per share paid by Brit on April 30, 2015), representing aggregate cash
consideration of $1,656.6 (£1,089.1). The remaining 3.0% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Brit were acquired
by July 8, 2015 on the same terms as described in the preceding sentence. The assets and liabilities and results of
operations of Brit were consolidated in the Brit reporting segment. Brit is a market-leading global Lloyd’s of London
specialty  insurer  and  reinsurer.  On  June  29,  2015  the  company  completed  the  sale  of  29.9%  of  the  outstanding
ordinary shares of Brit to Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (‘‘OMERS’’), the pension plan manager
for government employees in the province of Ontario, for cash proceeds of $516.0 ($4.30 per share). The company
will have the ability to repurchase the shares owned by OMERS over time. These transactions resulted in an increase
of $501.1 to the company’s non-controlling interests.

Brit  produced  an  underwriting  profit  of  $45.4  and  a  combined  ratio  of  94.9%  for  the  period  June  5,  2015  to
December 31, 2015 which included net favourable prior year reserve development of $19.7 (2.2 combined ratio
points) primarily related to insurance lines of business (marine, specialty, energy and aviation) and reinsurance lines
of business (property treaty and casualty treaty). There were no significant current period catastrophe losses for the
period June 5, 2015 to December 31, 2015. Non-catastrophe underwriting margins related to the current accident
year continued to reflect the increased competition, pricing pressures and market conditions that existed prior to the
acquisition  by  Fairfax.  Net  premiums  written  of  $946.4  for  the  period  June  5,  2015  to  December  31,  2015  was
impacted by a combination of factors, including rate reductions on direct business (energy, aviation and property
lines of business) and reinsurance business (property treaty and casualty lines of business) and the unfavourable
effect of foreign currency translation, partially offset by growth in net premiums written related to underwriting
initiatives launched in 2013 and 2014.

133

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Net losses on investments (as set out in the Investments section of this MD&A), partially offset by underwriting profit
and interest and dividend income, produced a pre-tax loss before interest and other of $0.4 for the period June 5,
2015 to December 31, 2015.

Fairfax Asia

Underwriting profit

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

Combined ratio – accident year

Net favourable development

Combined ratio – calendar year

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit
Interest and dividends

Operating income
Net losses on investments

Pre-tax income before interest and other

Net earnings

2015
34.8

83.5%
–%
18.2%

101.7%
(13.8)%

2014
36.2

81.4%
(0.1)%
13.0%

94.3%
(7.6)%

87.9%

86.7%

620.9

275.9

287.0

34.8
41.0

75.8
(24.5)

51.3

42.0

563.5

280.1

272.2

36.2
60.5

96.7
(19.3)

77.4

67.7

Fairfax Asia comprises the company’s Asian holdings and operations: 97.7%-owned Singapore-based First Capital
Insurance  Limited  (‘‘First  Capital’’),  Hong  Kong-based  Falcon  Insurance  (Hong  Kong)  Company  Ltd.  (‘‘Falcon’’),
Malaysia-based  The  Pacific  Insurance  Berhad  (‘‘Pacific  Insurance’’),  80.0%-owned  Indonesia-based  PT  Fairfax
Insurance Indonesia (‘‘Fairfax Indonesia’’), 78.0%-owned Sri Lanka-based Union Assurance General Limited (‘‘Union
Assurance’’), 32.1%-owned Thailand-based Thai Re Public Company Limited (‘‘Thai Re’’), 35.0%-owned Vietnam-
based  Bank  for  Investment  and  Development  of  Vietnam  Insurance  Joint  Stock  Corporation  (‘‘BIC Insurance’’),
40.5%-owned  Bangkok-based  Falcon  Insurance  PLC  (‘‘Falcon  Thailand’’)  and  25.6%-owned  Mumbai-based  ICICI
Lombard General Insurance Company Limited (‘‘ICICI Lombard’’). The remaining 72.8% interest in ICICI Lombard
is held by ICICI Bank Limited (‘‘ICICI Bank’’), India’s second largest commercial bank. Thai Re, BIC Insurance, Falcon
Thailand and ICICI Lombard are reported under the equity method of accounting.

On October 30, 2015 the company reached an agreement with ICICI Bank to acquire an additional 9.0% of the
outstanding shares of ICICI Lombard, which will increase the company’s ownership interest in ICICI Lombard to
34.6%. The proposed transaction values ICICI Lombard at approximately $2.6 billion (172.3 billion Indian rupees), is
subject to governmental and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016.

On September 18, 2015 Fairfax Asia acquired a 35.0% ownership interest in BIC Insurance for purchase consideration
of  $48.1  (1.1  trillion  Vietnamese  dong).  BIC Insurance  is  a  leading  property  and  casualty  insurer  in  Vietnam,
producing approximately $70 of annual gross premiums written in 2015 through an exclusive arrangement with its
majority  shareholder,  Bank  for  Investment  and  Development  of  Vietnam  (‘‘BIDV’’),  to  sell  its  products  through
BIDV’s distribution network. BIC Insurance is recorded under the equity method of accounting within the Fairfax
Asia reporting segment.

On March 1, 2015 Pacific Insurance, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, completed the acquisition of the
general insurance business of MCIS Insurance Berhad (formerly known as MCIS Zurich Insurance Berhad) (‘‘MCIS’’)
for cash consideration of $13.4 (48.6 million Malaysian ringgits). MCIS is an established general insurer in Malaysia
with approximately $55 of gross premiums written in 2014 in its general insurance business.

134

On January 1, 2015 the company completed the acquisition of 78.0% of Union Assurance for cash consideration of
$27.9 (3.7 billion Sri Lankan rupees). Union Assurance, with approximately $43 of gross premiums written in 2015, is
headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka and underwrites general insurance in Sri Lanka, specializing in automobile and
personal accident lines of business.

On May 21, 2014 Fairfax Asia completed the acquisition of an 80.0% interest in Fairfax Indonesia for cash purchase
consideration of $8.5 (98.2 billion Indonesian rupees). Subsequent to the acquisition, Fairfax Asia contributed an
additional  $12.9  to  Fairfax  Indonesia  (maintaining  its  80.0%  interest)  to  support  business  expansion.  Fairfax
Indonesia  is  headquartered  in  Jakarta,  Indonesia  and  underwrites  general  insurance,  specializing  in  automobile
coverage in Indonesia.

Fairfax  Asia  produced  an  underwriting  profit  of  $34.8  and  a  combined  ratio  of  87.9%  in  2015,  compared  to  an
underwriting profit of $36.2 and a combined ratio of 86.7% in 2014. The principal entities comprising Fairfax Asia
produced combined ratios as set out in the following table:

First Capital
Falcon
Pacific Insurance
Fairfax Indonesia
Union Assurance

2015
69.3%
98.6%
95.4%

2014
74.4%
98.8%
98.9%
114.7% 127.9%
107.8%

–

The  combined  ratio  in  2015  included  $39.5  (13.8  combined  ratio  points)  of  net  favourable  prior  year  reserve
development, primarily related to commercial automobile, marine hull, property and workers’ compensation loss
reserves. The combined ratio in 2014 included $20.6 (7.6 combined ratio points) of net favourable prior year reserve
development primarily related to engineering, workers’ compensation, property and commercial automobile loss
reserves. Fairfax Asia’s underwriting expense ratio increased from 13.0% in 2014 to 18.2% in 2015, primarily as a
result of the consolidation of Fairfax Indonesia and Union Assurance and increased operating expenses at Pacific
Insurance related to the acquisition and integration of MCIS.

The consolidation of MCIS, Union Assurance and Fairfax Indonesia (the ‘‘Fairfax Asia acquisitions’’) affected gross
premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned as set out in the following table.

Fairfax Asia – as reported
Fairfax Asia acquisitions

2015

2014

Gross
premiums
written
620.9
(99.2)

Net
premiums
written
275.9
(50.2)

Net
premiums
earned
287.0
(56.4)

Gross
premiums
written
563.5
(10.2)

Net
premiums
written
280.1
(1.6)

Net
premiums
earned
272.2
(0.7)

Fairfax Asia – as adjusted

521.7

225.7

230.6

553.3

278.5

271.5

Percentage change year-over-year

(5.7)%

(19.0)%

(15.1)%

The  decrease  in  gross  premiums  written  of  5.7%  in  2015  primarily  reflected  the  unfavourable  effect  of  foreign
currency translation at First Capital and Pacific Insurance and the planned reduction in commercial automobile
writings at Falcon. The decrease in net premiums written of 19.0% in 2015 was consistent with the decrease in gross
premiums  written  and  also  reflected  an  increase  in  written  premiums  ceded  to  reinsurers  related  to  new
intercompany  quota  share  reinsurance  agreements  between  Group  Re  and  Fairfax  Asia  (principally  commercial
automobile business ceded by Pacific Insurance which incepted January 1, 2015) and the impact on premiums ceded
to reinsurers from the reduction in commercial automobile writings at Falcon which had a relatively high retention
rate.  The  decrease  in  net  premiums  earned  of  15.1%  in  2015  was  consistent  with  the  decrease  in  net  premiums
written.

135

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Lower interest and dividend income (principally reflecting lower share of profit of associates, primarily related to
ICICI Lombard), increased net losses on investments (as set out in the Investments section of this MD&A) and the
modest  decrease  in  underwriting  profit,  produced  pre-tax  income  before  interest  and  other  of  $51.3  in  2015
compared to pre-tax income before interest and other of $77.4 in 2014.

As at December 31, 2015 the company had invested a total of $112.7 to acquire and maintain its 25.6% interest in
ICICI Lombard and carried this investment at $109.8 under the equity method of accounting (fair value of $666.3 as
disclosed  in  note  6  (Investments  in  Associates)  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended
December 31, 2015). The company’s investment in ICICI Lombard is included in portfolio investments in the Fairfax
Asia balance sheet as set out in the Balance Sheets by Reporting Segment section of this MD&A.

During the twelve month period ended September 30, 2015, ICICI Lombard’s gross premiums written increased in
Indian rupees by 6.3% over the comparable period in 2014, with a combined ratio of 113.0% compared to 111.3% in
the  prior  twelve  month  period.  The  increase  in  the  combined  ratio  is  primarily  a  result  of  increased  operating
expenses as ICICI Lombard undertook growth initiatives in its retail segment. The Indian property and casualty
insurance  industry  experienced  increasingly  competitive  market  conditions  in  2015  as  recent  new  entrants
continued to increase their market share. With a 9.1% market share, 6,295 employees and 254 offices across India,
ICICI  Lombard 
its  website
(www.icicilombard.com) for further details of its operations.

largest  (by  market  share)  private  general 

insurer.  Please  see 

is  India’s 

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

2015

Group Re Advent

Polish Re

Fairfax
Brasil

Inter-
company

Underwriting profit (loss)

48.2

0.9

1.6

(4.5)

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

63.9%
27.8%
4.7%

69.0%
21.9%
24.0%

71.0%
14.1%
15.8%

66.6%
12.0%
30.8%

Combined ratio – accident year

Net adverse (favourable) development

96.4% 114.9%
(25.7)% (15.4)%

100.9% 109.4%
2.1%

(2.9)%

Combined ratio – calendar year

70.7%

99.5%

98.0% 111.5%

–

–
–
–

–
–

–

Total

46.2

67.2%
21.8%
16.0%

105.0%
(15.4)%

89.6%

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit (loss)
Interest and dividends

Operating income (loss)
Net losses on investments

Pre-tax income (loss) before interest and other

Net earnings (loss)

174.3

240.5

113.8

123.3

(17.2) 634.7

166.7

174.8

164.3

159.4

100.1

79.8

48.2
13.5

61.7
(15.3)

46.4

56.7

0.9
8.2

9.1
(46.1)

(37.0)

(31.9)

1.6
1.9

3.5
(0.5)

3.0

2.1

48.2

39.2

(4.5)
3.1

(1.4)
(6.5)

(7.9)

(7.8)

–

–

–
–

–
–

–

–

489.8

442.7

46.2
26.7

72.9
(68.4)

4.5

19.1

136

2014

Group Re Advent

Polish Re

Fairfax
Brasil

Inter-
company

Underwriting profit (loss)

34.3

0.2

2.3

(16.1)

Loss & LAE – accident year
Commissions
Underwriting expenses

68.2%
26.3%
2.5%

72.2%
18.3%
27.9%

70.1%
17.3%
9.3%

70.4%
16.3%
41.6%

Combined ratio – accident year

Net adverse (favourable) development

97.0% 118.4%
(20.4)% (18.6)%

96.7% 128.3%
5.6%
(0.6)%

Combined ratio – calendar year

76.6%

99.8%

96.1% 133.9%

–

–
–
–

–
–

–

Total

20.7

70.2%
20.9%
17.2%

108.3%
(13.6)%

94.7%

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned

Underwriting profit (loss)
Interest and dividends

Operating income (loss)
Net gains on investments

Pre-tax income (loss) before interest and other

Net earnings (loss)

166.8

207.1

163.4

153.6

146.2

138.6

34.3
11.8

46.1
103.6

149.7

155.5

0.2
8.6

8.8
26.7

35.5

27.3

54.0

41.2

60.5

2.3
3.5

5.8
2.2

8.0

6.3

158.2

(32.8) 553.3

55.7

47.4

(16.1)
3.1

(13.0)
3.3

(9.7)

(10.0)

–

–

–
–

–
–

–

–

413.9

392.7

20.7
27.0

47.7
135.8

183.5

179.1

On December 16, 2014 the company entered into an agreement with QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited (‘‘QBE’’) to
acquire QBE’s insurance operations in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia (the ‘‘QBE insurance operations’’).
A new Luxembourg insurer, Colonnade Insurance S.A. (‘‘Colonnade’’), was licensed in July 2015 and branches of
Colonnade were established in each of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia during the fourth quarter of 2015.
The business and renewal rights of QBE’s Hungarian insurance operations were transferred to Colonnade during the
first quarter of 2016, with the Czech Republic and Slovakia equivalents expected to be transferred later in the second
quarter  of  2016.  The  transaction  to  acquire  QBE’s  operations  in  Ukraine  announced  on  February  3,  2015  closed
during  the  fourth  quarter  of  2015.  The  Ukrainian  company,  now  known  as  Colonnade  Ukraine,  recorded  gross
written premiums of approximately $5 in 2015 across a variety of non-life classes of business.

Prior to the formal closing of the transaction to acquire the QBE insurance operations, Polish Re entered into a
two-part 100% quota share reinsurance transaction with QBE (the ‘‘QBE reinsurance transactions’’) to: (i) reinsure
the runoff of the QBE insurance operations in respect of any business written up to December 31, 2014 (the ‘‘QBE loss
portfolio transfer’’); and (ii) reinsure any business written by the QBE insurance operations on or after January 1,
2015 (the ‘‘QBE quota share transaction’’). The QBE reinsurance transactions increased Polish Re’s gross premiums
written,  net  premiums  written,  net  premiums  earned  and  underwriting  profit  by  $77.6,  $72.5,  $52.6  and  $1.3
respectively in 2015.

The Insurance and Reinsurance – Other segment produced an underwriting profit of $46.2 and combined ratio of
89.6% in 2015 compared to an underwriting profit of $20.7 and combined ratio of 94.7% in 2014. The improvement
in underwriting profit in 2015 principally reflected higher net premiums earned, lower current period catastrophe
losses and increased net favourable prior year reserve development, partially offset by a year-over-year reduction in
non-catastrophe underwriting margins related to the current accident year (principally at Advent and Polish Re).

The underwriting results in 2015 included net favourable prior year reserve development of 15.4 combined ratio
points ($68.3), primarily reflecting net favourable development at Group Re (principally related to net favourable
emergence on the runoff of the intercompany quota share reinsurance contract with Northbridge and prior years’
catastrophe  loss  reserves)  and  Advent  (principally  reflecting  net  favourable  emergence  on  insurance  (casualty,
property  and  energy)  and  reinsurance  (property)  loss  reserves).  The  underwriting  results  in  2014  included  net
favourable prior year reserve development of 13.6 combined ratio points ($53.2), primarily reflecting net favourable
emergence at Group Re (principally related to prior years’ catastrophe loss reserves and net favourable emergence on

137

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

the  runoff  of  the  intercompany  quota  share  reinsurance  contract  with  Northbridge)  and  Advent  (principally
reflecting  net  favourable  emergence  on  attritional  loss  reserves  across  most  lines  of  business  and  prior  years’
catastrophe loss reserves).

The  underwriting  results  in  2015  included  $4.4  (1.0  combined  ratio  point)  of  current  period  catastrophe  losses,
principally comprised of attritional catastrophe losses at Advent. The underwriting results in 2014 included $21.5
(5.5 combined ratio points) of current period catastrophe losses, principally attributable to the impact on Advent and
Group Re of storms in the U.S. Midwest, Windstorm Ela and Hurricane Odile.

The expense ratio decreased from 17.2% in 2014 to 16.0% in 2015, principally reflecting lower operating expenses at
Fairfax Brasil and increased net premiums earned relative to flat operating expenses at Advent. The commission
expense ratio increased from 20.9% in 2014 to 21.8% in 2015, primarily reflecting higher commission expense at
Advent due to increased writings of insurance business which carry higher commission rates relative to reinsurance
business, partially offset by the impact of net premiums earned related to the QBE loss portfolio transfer which did
not attract commissions.

Gross  premiums  written  increased  by  14.7%  in  2015,  principally  reflecting  increases  at  Polish  Re  (primarily  the
impact of the QBE reinsurance transactions, partially offset by lower writings of its property line of business) and
Advent (primarily growth in the accident and health line of business), partially offset by decreases at Fairfax Brasil
(primarily the unfavourable impact of foreign currency translation). Net premiums written increased by 18.3% in
2015, consistent with the increase in gross premiums written and also reflected an increase in premium retention at
Fairfax Brasil and the impact of the QBE reinsurance transaction on written premiums ceded to reinsurers where the
majority of the gross premiums written was retained. The increase in net premiums earned of 12.7% in 2015 was
lower than the increase in net premiums written due to the impact of the QBE reinsurance transactions (specifically
the normal lag in growth of net premiums earned relative to net premiums written).

Net losses on investments in 2015 (as set out in the Investments section of this MD&A) and a nominal decrease in
interest and dividend income, partially offset by the improvement in underwriting profitability, produced pre-tax
income before interest and other of $4.5 in 2015 compared to pre-tax income before interest and other of $183.5
in 2014.

Runoff

The Runoff business segment was formed with the acquisition of the company’s interest in The Resolution Group
(‘‘TRG’’) on August 11, 1999, and currently consists of two groups: the U.S. Runoff group, consisting of TIG Insurance
Company, Clearwater Insurance, Commonwealth Insurance Company of America and American Safety; and the
European  Runoff  group,  consisting  of  RiverStone  (UK),  Syndicate  3500  and  RiverStone  Insurance.  The  Runoff
reporting segment also includes Resolution Group Reinsurance (Barbados) Limited and TIG Insurance (Barbados)
Limited, formed to facilitate certain reinsurance transactions. Both groups are managed by the dedicated RiverStone
runoff management operation which has 397 employees in the U.S. and the U.K.

On  October  30,  2015  U.S.  Runoff  agreed  to  reinsure  a  portfolio  of  legacy  asbestos,  pollution  and  other  hazards
(‘‘APH’’)  exposures  relating  to  accident  years  1986  and  prior  (the  ‘‘fourth  quarter  2015  APH  reinsurance
transaction’’). U.S. Runoff received a cash premium of $86.5 as consideration for the assumption of $83.4 of net
loss reserves.

On July 13, 2015 U.S. Runoff agreed to reinsure a portfolio of Everest comprised of APH exposures relating to accident
years 1985 and prior (the ‘‘Everest APH reinsurance transaction’’). U.S. Runoff received a cash premium of $140.3 as
consideration for the assumption of $140.3 of net loss reserves.

On March 9, 2015 RiverStone (UK) agreed to reinsure a portfolio of business comprised of APH exposures relating to
accident years 1992 and prior (the ‘‘first quarter 2015 APH reinsurance transaction’’). RiverStone (UK) received a
premium of $89.0 which was comprised of cash ($69.9) and a receivable ($19.1) as consideration for the assumption
of $89.0 of net loss reserves. The net loss reserves underlying this transaction are expected to be formally transferred
to RiverStone (UK) in the second quarter of 2016 by way of a Part VII transfer pursuant to the Financial Services and
Markets Act 2000 of the U.K. at which time the consideration receivable will be fully collected.

On February 18, 2015 U.S. Runoff agreed to reinsure two Canadian branches of AXA which were already in runoff
(the  ‘‘AXA  Canada  reinsurance  transaction’’).  The  business  reinsured  was  primarily  comprised  of  assumed
reinsurance of commercial automobile, general liability, marine and property exposures relating to accident years

138

2007  and  prior.  Northbridge  participated  by  fronting  this  reinsurance  arrangement  on  behalf  of  U.S.  Runoff,
receiving a cash premium of $56.6 as consideration for the assumption of $53.3 of net loss reserves. Northbridge
subsequently fully retroceded those amounts to U.S. Runoff and received a commission of $1.4 for facilitating the
transaction.

In  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014  Fairfax  centralized  the  ownership  of  its  wholly-owned  reinsurance  and  insurance
company, Odyssey Re Holdings Corp., under a single intermediate holding company in the U.S. This reorganization
had no effect on Fairfax’s consolidated financial reporting; however, it impacted Runoff as described in the ‘‘Business
Developments’’ section of this MD&A.

On December 4, 2014 RiverStone (UK) agreed to reinsure an Italian medical malpractice runoff portfolio principally
comprised of liabilities arising from direct policies issued to hospitals in Italy between 2007 and 2010 (the ‘‘medical
malpractice reinsurance transaction’’). Runoff received a cash premium of $66.5 as consideration for the assumption
of $65.5 of net loss reserves.

On October 6, 2014 TIG Insurance sold its wholly-owned inactive subsidiary Valiant Insurance Company and its
wholly-owned subsidiary Valiant Specialty Insurance Company (‘‘Valiant Group’’) to a third party purchaser and
recognized a net gain on investment of $6.5. Subsequent to the sale, TIG Insurance continued to reinsure 100% of
the gross insurance liabilities of Valiant Group and had entered into an administrative agreement with the purchaser
whereby TIG Insurance continued to provide claims handling services in respect of those liabilities.

On August 29, 2014 U.S. Runoff agreed to reinsure a construction defect runoff portfolio of Everest (the ‘‘Everest
construction  defect  reinsurance  transaction’’)  and  received  a  cash  premium  of  $84.1  as  consideration  for  the
assumption of $82.6 of net loss reserves. This construction defect runoff portfolio was principally comprised of direct
policies  issued  to  general  contractors  between  2002  and  2004,  primarily  in  the  western  U.S.  (predominantly
California).

On August 18, 2014 Runoff commuted a $312.7 reinsurance recoverable from Brit Group for proceeds of $310.2,
comprised of cash and investments, and recognized a loss of $2.5.

Set out below is a summary of the operating results of Runoff for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Gross premiums written

Net premiums written

Net premiums earned
Losses on claims
Operating expenses
Interest and dividends

Operating loss
Net gains (losses) on investments
Gain on redemption of investment in OdysseyRe(1)
Loss on repurchase of long term debt

Pre-tax income (loss) before interest and other

(1) Eliminated on consolidation. 

2015
381.2

2014
163.9

381.6

179.7

381.6
(419.2)
(134.5)
98.0

(74.1)
(138.5)
–
–

231.6
(265.9)
(117.2)
63.0

(88.5)
364.9
406.1
(3.5)

(212.6)

679.0

Runoff’s operating loss decreased from $88.5 in 2014 to $74.1 in 2015 primarily as a result of higher interest and
dividends and lower net adverse prior year reserve development, partially offset by higher operating expenses. Net
premiums earned of $381.6 and losses on claims of $419.2 in 2015 principally reflected the impacts of the fourth
quarter  2015  APH  reinsurance  transaction,  Everest  APH  reinsurance  transaction,  the  first  quarter  2015  APH
reinsurance transaction and the AXA Canada reinsurance transaction. Net premiums earned in 2015 also included
premium adjustments at RiverStone Insurance ($8.2). Losses on claims in 2015 also reflected net adverse prior year
reserve development at Clearwater Insurance ($87.7 principally related to asbestos and environmental exposures
assumed from Crum & Forster and in the legacy portfolio of Clearwater) and American Safety ($36.1 principally
related  to  strengthening  of  environmental  remediation  contractor  and  other  long  tail  casualty  loss  reserves),

139

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

partially  offset  by  net  favourable  prior  year  reserve  development  at  European  Runoff  ($73.5  across  various  lines
of business).

Net  premiums  earned  of  $231.6  and  losses  on  claims  of  $265.9  in  2014  principally  reflected  the  impacts  of  the
medical malpractice reinsurance transaction and the Everest construction defect reinsurance transaction, the runoff
of  policies  in  force  on  the  acquisition  date  of  American  Safety  ($65.9)  and  premium  adjustments  at  RiverStone
Insurance ($15.0). Losses on claims in 2014 also reflected net adverse prior year reserve development at Clearwater
Insurance  ($111.2  principally  related  to  strengthening  of  construction  contractors  loss  reserves  assumed  from
Crum  &  Forster  and  asbestos  and  environmental  loss  reserves  in  the  legacy  portfolio)  and  TIG  Insurance  ($55.8
principally related to strengthening of latent loss reserves, partially offset by net favourable development of workers’
compensation loss reserves), partially offset by net favourable prior year reserve development at American Safety
($67.4 related to environmental remediation contractor and other long tail casualty loss reserves).

Operating  expenses  increased  from  $117.2  in  2014  to  $134.5  in  2015,  principally  as  a  result  of  non-recurring
operating  expenses  associated  with  the  fourth  quarter  2015  APH  reinsurance  transaction  and  an  increase  in  the
provision for uncollectible reinsurance at U.S. Runoff in 2015 (compared to a release of a provision for uncollectible
reinsurance at European Runoff in 2014).

Interest and dividends increased from $63.0 in 2014 to $98.0 in 2015, primarily reflecting increased share of profit of
associates (primarily relating to Runoff’s share of a gain recognized by a Kennedy Wilson real estate partnership on
the disposition of investment properties in the second quarter of 2015 and increased share of profit of Thai Re) and
increased interest income earned on higher yielding fixed income investments owned year-over-year.

Runoff  produced  a  pre-tax  loss  before  interest  and  other  of  $212.6  in  2015  compared  to  pre-tax  income  before
interest and other of $679.0 in 2014 with the year-over-year decrease in profitability reflecting the non-recurrence of
the net gain on redemption of Runoff’s investment in OdysseyRe recognized in the fourth quarter of 2014 and net
losses on investments in 2015 (as set out in the Investments section of this MD&A), partially offset by the lower
operating loss year-over-year.

On  December  15,  2014  Runoff  redeemed  $25.0  principal  amount  (carrying  value  of  $21.5)  of  American  Safety’s
floating rate trust preferred securities due 2035 for cash consideration of $25.0 and recorded a loss on repurchase of
long term debt of $3.5 in other expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings. During 2015 Fairfax made a
capital contribution to Runoff of $26.9 comprised of cash and marketable securities. During 2014 Runoff paid Fairfax
a cash dividend of $60.4 and a dividend-in-kind comprised of marketable securities of $74.5 in connection with the
OdysseyRe reorganization.

Runoff’s cash flows may be volatile as to timing and amounts, with potential variability arising principally from the
requirement to pay gross claims initially while third party reinsurance is only collected subsequently in accordance
with its terms and from the delay, until some time after claims are paid, of the release of assets pledged to secure the
payment of those claims.

140

Other

Revenue
Expenses
Interest and dividends

Operating income
Net gains on investments

Pre-tax income before interest and other

Net earnings

Revenue
Expenses
Interest and dividends

Operating income
Net gains on investments

Pre-tax income before interest and other

Net earnings

2015

Restaurants
and retail(1)

Fairfax
India(2)

Thomas Cook Ridley and
other(4)

India(3)

Total

782.7
(731.2)
7.5

59.0
3.4

62.4

74.6

9.7
(13.3)
38.2

34.6
2.0

36.6

25.2

635.6
(618.3)
–

17.3
1.1

18.4

3.8

2014

355.5
(340.3)
1.7

1,783.5
(1,703.1)
47.4

16.9
–

16.9

127.8
6.5

134.3

8.3

111.9

Restaurants
and retail(1)

Fairfax
India(2)

Thomas Cook Ridley and
other(4)

India(3)

Total

556.4
(548.4)
7.2

15.2
1.5

16.7

15.4

–
–
–

–
–

–

–

406.7
(383.0)
–

23.7
41.6

65.3

52.1

592.9
(557.3)
3.1

1,556.0
(1,488.7)
10.3

38.7
–

38.7

28.8

77.6
43.1

120.7

96.3

(1) Comprised primarily of Cara (acquired April 10, 2015), The Keg (acquired February 4, 2014), Praktiker (acquired June 5,

2014),William Ashley and Sporting Life.

(2) Comprised of Fairfax India (since its initial public offering on January 30, 2015) and its subsidiary NCML (acquired
August 19, 2015). These results differ from those published by Fairfax India primarily due to Fairfax India’s application of
investment entity accounting under IFRS.

(3) Comprised of Thomas Cook India and its subsidiaries Quess and Sterling Resorts (consolidated since September 3, 2014).
These results differ from those published by Thomas Cook India primarily due to differences between IFRS and Indian
GAAP, and acquisition accounting adjustments.

(4) Comprised primarily of Ridley (sold on June 18, 2015) and Pethealth (acquired on November 14, 2014).

On November 9, 2015 and December 16, 2015 Thomas Cook India acquired 100% interests in Kuoni Travel (China)
Limited  (‘‘Kuoni  Hong  Kong’’)  and  Kuoni  Travel  (India)  Pvt.  Ltd.  (‘‘Kuoni  India’’)  for  consideration  of  $32.3
(250.0 million Hong Kong dollars) and $47.9 (3.2 billion Indian rupees) respectively. Kuoni Hong Kong and Kuoni
India are travel and travel-related companies in Hong Kong and India, offering a broad range of services that include
corporate and leisure travel.

On August 19, 2015 Fairfax India acquired a 73.6% interest in National Collateral Management Services Limited
(‘‘NCML’’)  for  purchase  consideration  of  $124.2  (8.1 billion  Indian  rupees)  and  subsequently  acquired  a  further
14.5% interest by September 28, 2015 for $24.5 (1.6 billion Indian rupees). Commencing August 19, 2015 the assets
and  liabilities  and  results  of  operations  of  NCML  were  consolidated  by  Fairfax  India  and  included  in  the  Other
reporting segment. NCML is a leading private-sector agricultural commodities storage company in India. Fairfax’s
economic  interest  in  NCML  at  August 19,  2015  was  20.7%  (increased  to  24.8%  by  September 28,  2015)  as  that
interest is held through a 28.1% equity interest in Fairfax India.

On June 18, 2015 the company completed the sale of its 73.6% interest in Ridley for Cdn$40.75 per common share.
The company received cash proceeds of $313.2 (Cdn$383.5) and recognized a pre-tax gain of $236.4 (including
amounts previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income) and de-consolidated Ridley from the
Other reporting segment.

141

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

On April 10, 2015 the company acquired, directly and through its subsidiaries, a 52.6% and a 40.7% voting and
economic interest respectively in Cara through an exchange of its existing holdings (comprised of warrants, class A
and class B preferred shares and subordinated debentures) for common shares of Cara pursuant to their respective
terms and also through the acquisition of additional common shares of Cara from existing Cara shareholders in a
private  transaction.  The  common  shares  were  exchanged  for  multiple  voting  shares  immediately  prior  to  Cara’s
initial public offering of subordinate voting shares at Cdn$23.00 per share, which closed on April 10, 2015. The assets
and liabilities and results of operations of Cara were consolidated in the Other reporting segment. Cara is Canada’s
largest  full-service  restaurant  company  and  franchises,  owns  and  operates  numerous  restaurant  brands
across Canada.

On January 30, 2015 the company, through its subsidiaries, acquired 30,000,000 multiple voting shares of newly
incorporated  Fairfax  India  for  $300.0  in  a  private  placement.  Through  that  private  placement  and  offerings  of
subordinate  voting  shares,  Fairfax  India  raised  net  proceeds  of  $1,025.8  after  issuance  costs  and  expenses.  The
company’s multiple voting shares represented 95.1% of the voting rights and 28.1% of the equity interest in Fairfax
India at the close of the offerings. Fairfax India was established, with the support of Fairfax, to invest in public and
private equities and debt instruments in India and Indian businesses or other businesses primarily conducted in or
dependent  on  India.  Hamblin Watsa  is  the  portfolio  advisor  to  Fairfax  India  and  its  subsidiaries.  The  assets  and
liabilities and results of operations of Fairfax India were consolidated in the Other reporting segment.

On November 14, 2014 the company acquired all of the outstanding common shares, preferred shares and employee
share options of Pethealth for cash purchase consideration of $88.7 (Cdn$100.4). The goodwill and intangible assets
associated  with  the  marketing  of  pet  medical  insurance  was  allocated  to  the  Crum  &  Forster  and  Northbridge
reporting  segments  ($90.9  and  $17.3  respectively)  since  they  became  Pethealth’s  ongoing  insurance  carriers.
Pethealth’s residual assets and liabilities and results of operations were consolidated in the Other reporting segment.

On September 3, 2014 the company acquired control of Sterling Resorts through its 73.0%-owned Thomas Cook
India subsidiary pursuant to the transaction described in note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated
financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2015.  Having  obtained  control,  Thomas  Cook  India  was
required  to  re-measure  its  existing  ownership  interest  in  Sterling  Resorts  to  fair  value  as  at  September  3,  2014,
resulting in the recognition of a non-cash gain of $41.2, representing the difference between the fair value of the
previously held interest in Sterling Resorts and its carrying value under the equity method of accounting.

On June 5, 2014 Fairfax completed the acquisition of a 100% interest in Praktiker for cash purchase consideration of
$28.6 (A21.0). On February 4, 2014 the company completed the acquisition of 51.0% of the outstanding common
shares of The Keg for cash purchase consideration of $76.7 (Cdn$85.0).

Interest and Dividends

An analysis of consolidated interest and dividend income is presented in the Investments section of this MD&A.

Net Gains (Losses) on Investments

An analysis of consolidated net gains (losses) on investments is provided in the Investments section of this MD&A.

Interest Expense

Consolidated interest expense increased from $206.3 in 2014 to $219.0 in 2015, reflecting the issuance on August 13,
2014 of $300.0 principal amount of unsecured senior notes due 2024, the issuance on March 3, 2015 of Cdn$350.0
principal amount of unsecured senior notes due 2025 and the consolidation of the interest expense of Brit and Cara,
partially offset by the favourable impact of foreign currency translation on the interest expense of the company’s
Canadian dollar denominated long term debt and the impact of the following repayments upon maturity: $125.0
principal  amount  of  OdysseyRe  6.875%  unsecured  senior  notes  on  May  1,  2015  and  $82.4  principal  amount  of
Fairfax 8.25% unsecured senior notes on October 1, 2015.

Consolidated interest expense in 2015 of $219.0 (2014 – $206.3) was primarily attributable to interest expense at the
holding company of $178.8 (2014 – $171.4). Interest expense by reporting segment is set out in the Sources of Net
Earnings section of this MD&A.

142

Corporate Overhead and Other

Corporate overhead and other consists of the expenses of all of the group holding companies, net of the company’s
investment management and administration fees and the interest and dividend income earned on holding company
cash and investments.

Fairfax corporate overhead
Subsidiary holding companies’ corporate overhead
Subsidiary holding companies’ non-cash intangible asset amortization(1)
Holding company interest and dividends
Investment management and administration fees
Loss on repurchase of long term debt

2015
112.1
35.6
47.5
11.5
(74.2)
–

2014
85.1
49.4
31.2
6.3
(79.1)
3.6

132.5

96.5

(1) Non-cash amortization of intangible assets is principally comprised of customer and broker relationships.

Fairfax corporate overhead increased from $85.1 in 2014 to $112.1 in 2015, primarily as a result of expenses incurred
in connection with the acquisition of Brit ($25.2).

Subsidiary  holding  companies’  corporate  overhead  decreased  from  $49.4  in  2014  to  $35.6  in  2015,  principally
reflecting lower restructuring costs and charitable donations, partially offset by expenses incurred in connection
with the acquisition of Brit ($10.6). Subsidiary holding companies’ non-cash intangible asset amortization increased
from  $31.2  in  2014  to  $47.5  in  2015  principally  reflecting  amortization  related  to  the  acquisitions  of  Pethealth
and Brit.

Holding company interest and dividends included total return swap expense ($28.7 in 2015 and $30.0 in 2014) and
share of profit of associates ($6.4 in 2015 and $14.4 in 2014). Prior to giving effect to the impacts of total return swap
expense and share of profit of associates, interest and dividend income on holding company cash and investments
increased from $9.3 in 2014 to $10.8 in 2015.

Investment management and administration fees decreased from $79.1 in 2014 to $74.2 in 2015, primarily due to
lower  investment  management  fees  earned  on  equity  investments,  partially  offset  by  incremental  investment
management fees earned on the investment portfolios of Brit and Fairfax India.

Net  gains  (losses)  on  investments  attributable  to  the  Corporate  and  Other  reporting  segment  are  set  out  in  the
Investments section of this MD&A.

Income Taxes

The $17.5 recovery of income taxes in 2015 differed from the provision for income taxes that would be determined
by applying the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate of 26.5% to the company’s earnings before income
taxes  primarily  as  a  result  of  non-taxable  investment  income  (including  dividend  income,  non-taxable  interest
income, capital gains and the 50% of net capital gains which are not taxable in Canada) and the recognition in 2015
of a significant portion of Cara’s deferred tax assets, partially offset by income earned in jurisdictions where the
corporate income tax rate is higher than the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate.

The  $673.3  provision  for  income  taxes  in  2014  differed  from  the  provision  for  income  taxes  that  would  be
determined by applying the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate of 26.5% to the company’s earnings
before income taxes primarily as a result of income earned in jurisdictions where the corporate income tax rate is
higher than the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate and also reflected the impact of unrecorded income
tax losses and temporary differences, partially offset by non-taxable investment income (including dividend income,
non-taxable interest income, capital gains and the 50% of net capital gains which are not taxable in Canada).

For further details of the provision for (recovery of) income taxes in 2015 and 2014, please refer to note 18 (Income
Taxes) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Non-controlling Interests

Non-controlling interests principally relate to Fairfax India, Brit, Cara and Thomas Cook India. For further details
refer to note 16 (Total Equity) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015.

143

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Components of Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheet Summary

The assets and liabilities reflected on the company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2015 were impacted
by  the  acquisitions  of  Brit,  Union  Assurance,  MCIS,  Cara  and  NCML,  the  sale  of  Ridley,  and  the  Fairfax  India
offerings. Refer to note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2015 for additional details related to these transactions.

Holding company cash and investments increased to $1,276.5 ($1,275.9 net of $0.6 of holding company short
sale and derivative obligations) at December 31, 2015 from $1,244.3 at December 31, 2014 ($1,212.7 net of $31.6 of
holding company short sale and derivative obligations). Significant cash movements at the Fairfax holding company
level during 2015 are as set out in the Financial Condition section of this MD&A under the heading Liquidity.

Insurance  contract  receivables  increased  by  $614.8  to  $2,546.5  at  December  31,  2015  from  $1,931.7  at
December  31,  2014  primarily  reflecting  the  consolidation  of  Brit  ($605.6)  and  the  impact  of  increased  business
volumes  at  Advent,  Crum  &  Forster  and  Zenith  National,  partially  offset  by  the  unfavourable  impact  of  foreign
currency translation at Northbridge (principally the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar).

Portfolio  investments  comprise  investments  carried  at  fair  value  and  equity  accounted  investments,  the
aggregate carrying value of which was $27,832.5 at December 31, 2015 ($27,740.2 net of subsidiary short sale and
derivative obligations) compared to an aggregate carrying value at December 31, 2014 of $25,109.2 ($24,980.0 net of
subsidiary short sale and derivative obligations). The increase of $2,760.2 primarily reflected the consolidation of
Brit’s portfolio investments ($3,967.1), the net proceeds received from the Fairfax India offerings and cash provided
by operating activities, partially offset by net unrealized depreciation of bonds and common stocks, dividends paid
by the operating companies to Fairfax, and the unfavourable impact of foreign currency translation (principally the
strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the euro), in addition to the specific factors
which caused movements in portfolio investments as discussed in the subsequent paragraphs.

Subsidiary cash and short term investments (including cash and short term investments pledged for short sale and
derivative obligations) increased by $1,099.9, primarily reflecting the consolidation of Brit’s cash and short term
investments  ($1,348.1),  proceeds  received  on  net  sales  of  common  stocks,  cash  inflows  related  to  derivatives
(principally equity and equity index total return swaps) and cash flow from operating activities, partially offset by
cash used to fund net purchases of bonds and the unfavourable impact of foreign currency translation.

Bonds (including bonds pledged for short sale derivative obligations) increased by $935.9 primarily reflecting the
consolidation of Brit’s bond portfolio ($1,212.8) and net purchases of bonds from the net proceeds of the Fairfax
India offerings, partially offset by net unrealized depreciation of the bond portfolio and the unfavourable impact of
foreign currency translation (principally the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and
the euro).

Common  stocks  increased  by  $558.2  primarily  reflecting  the  consolidation  of  Brit’s  common  stock  portfolio
($1,242.3) and the mandatory conversion of a preferred stock investment into common shares of the issuer, partially
offset by net unrealized depreciation of common stocks and the unfavourable impact of foreign currency translation
(principally the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the euro).

Investments in associates increased by $315.2 primarily reflecting Fairfax India’s acquisition of its 21.9% interest in
IIFL Holdings Limited (‘‘IIFL’’), Fairfax Asia’s purchase of its 35% interest in Bank for Investment and Development of
Vietnam  Insurance  Joint  Stock  Corporation  (‘‘BIC Insurance’’),  Brit’s  purchase  of  its  50%  interest  in  Ambridge
Partners LLC (‘‘Ambridge Partners’’) and the company’s share of profit of associates of $172.9, partially offset by the
receipt of dividends and distributions of $202.5 from the non-insurance associates.

Derivatives and other invested assets net of short sale and derivative obligations increased by $110.8 primarily due to
increased  receivables  from  counterparties  to  the  company’s  short  equity  and  equity  index  total  return  swaps
(excluding the impact of collateral requirements) and net unrealized gains on CPI-linked derivatives, partially offset
by net settlements of receivables related to foreign exchange forward contracts and a decrease in holdings of warrants
(reflecting the exchange of Cara warrants for Cara common shares in the second quarter of 2015).

Recoverable  from  reinsurers  decreased  by  $91.2  to  $3,890.9  at  December  31,  2015  from  $3,982.1  at
December 31, 2014 primarily reflecting the impact of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian
dollar and Brazilian real (principally affecting Northbridge and Fairfax Brasil, respectively), the impacts at Crum &
Forster of the commutation of a significant aggregate stop loss reinsurance treaty and a decrease in ceded unearned

144

premium  reserve  as  a  result  of  lower  ceded  premiums  (due  to  a  higher  retention  of  business),  Zenith  National’s
commutation of certain ceded reinsurance contracts, a decrease at OdysseyRe due to favourable prior year reserve
development ceded to reinsurers and Runoff’s continued progress reducing its recoverable from reinsurers (through
normal  cession  and  collection  activity).  These  decreases  were  partially  offset  by  the  acquisition  of  Brit  ($793.0),
Fairfax Asia’s acquisitions of MCIS and Union Assurance, and growth in recoverable from reinsurers at Fairfax Brasil
consistant with the growth in its business.

Deferred income taxes increased by $3.5 to $463.9 at December 31, 2015 from $460.4 at December 31, 2014
primarily due to the impact of higher net unrealized losses on investments, partially offset by the consolidation of
the  deferred  income  tax  liabilities  of  Brit  and  Cara  ($120.3  and  $44.0  respectively)  and  the  utilization  of  net
operating loss carryforwards as a result of realized investment gains and underwriting profits in the U.S.

Goodwill  and  intangible  assets  increased  by  $1,656.6  to  $3,214.9  at  December  31,  2015  from  $1,558.3  at
December 31, 2014 primarily as a result of the acquisitions of Brit ($746.4), Cara ($846.2) and NCML ($65.3). The
aforementioned  acquisitions,  and  the  allocation  of  goodwill  of  $1,428.2  and  intangible  assets  of  $1,786.7  at
December 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 — $1,048.7 and $509.6) by operating segment, are described in note 23
(Acquisitions  and  Divestitures)  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2015.
Impairment tests for goodwill and intangible assets not subject to amortization were completed in 2015 and it was
concluded that no impairment had occurred.

Other assets increased by $423.5 to $1,771.1 at December 31, 2015 from $1,347.6 at December 31, 2014 primarily
as  a  result  of  the  acquisitions  of  Brit  ($179.3),  Cara  ($141.8),  and  NCML  ($93.5),  partially  offset  by  the
de-consolidation of Ridley ($142.4).

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses increased by $2,067.3 to $19,816.4 at December 31, 2015
from $17,749.1 at December 31, 2014 primarily reflecting the acquisitions of Brit ($3,324.1), Union Assurance and
MCIS at Fairfax Asia, and the impact of the Everest APH, AXA and first quarter APH reinsurance transactions at
Runoff,  partially  offset  by  Runoff’s  continued  progress  settling  its  claim  liabilities,  favourable  prior  year  reserve
development (principally at OdysseyRe, Zenith National and Northbridge) and the impact on loss reserves of the
strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar (principally at Northbridge), the euro, the Australian
dollar and the British pound sterling (principally at OdysseyRe).

Non-controlling interests increased by $1,513.4 to $1,731.5 at December 31, 2015 from $218.1 at December 31,
2014 principally as a result of Fairfax India’s offerings, the sale of 29.9% of Brit to OMERS, the acquisitions of Cara,
NCML  and  Union  Assurance  and  net  earnings  attributable  to  non-controlling  interests,  partially  offset  by  the
de-consolidation of Ridley. For further details refer to note 16 (Total Equity) to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Comparison  of  2014  to  2013 – Total  assets  of  $35,999.0  at  December  31,  2013  increased  to  $36,131.2  at
December 31, 2014 primarily due to an increase in portfolio investments and the consolidation of Pethealth, The
Keg, Sterling Resorts and Praktiker pursuant to the transactions described in note 23 (Acquisitions and Divestitures)
to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2015,  partially  offset  by  decreases  in
recoverable  from  reinsurers  and  deferred  income  taxes.  Portfolio  investments  increased  from  $23,833.3  at
December 31, 2013 to $25,109.2 at December 31, 2014, which generally reflected net unrealized appreciation of
bonds (principally government bonds and bonds issued by U.S. states and municipalities) and common stocks, and
cash provided by operating activities, partially offset by the unfavourable impact of foreign currency translation
(principally  the  strengthening  of  the  U.S.  dollar  relative  to  the  Canadian  dollar).  Recoverable  from  reinsurers
decreased  from  $4,974.7  at  December  31,  2013  to  $3,982.1  at  December  31,  2014  primarily  reflecting  Runoff’s
continued progress reducing its recoverable from reinsurers (through normal cession and collection activity and
commutations including the commutation of a reinsurance recoverable from the Brit Group with a carrying value of
$312.7), the impact of more favourable loss experience at OdysseyRe in its U.S. crop insurance business, the impact
on loss reserves of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar (principally at Northbridge)
and favourable prior year reserve development ceded to reinsurers. Deferred income taxes decreased from $1,015.0 at
December  31,  2013  to  $460.4  at  December  31,  2014  primarily  due  to  the  impact  of  net  realized  and  unrealized
investment gains and improved underwriting profitability in the U.S.

Provision for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Since 1985, in order to ensure so far as possible that the company’s provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
(‘‘LAE’’) (often called ‘‘loss reserves’’ or ‘‘provision for claims’’) is adequate, management has established procedures
so that the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses at the company’s insurance, reinsurance and runoff
operations are subject to several reviews, including by one or more independent actuaries. The reserves are reviewed
separately by, and must be acceptable to, internal actuaries at each operating company, the Chief Risk Officer at
Fairfax, and one or more independent actuaries. 

145

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The tables below present the company’s gross provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses by reporting segment
and line of business for the years ended December 31:

2015

Property
Casualty
Specialty

Intercompany

Provision for
losses and
LAE

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge OdysseyRe Forster National Brit(1)

Asia Other Companies Runoff and Other Consolidated

Crum &

Zenith

Fairfax

Operating

Corporate

195.5
1,608.1
42.3

1,845.9
6.3

1,218.2
3,425.6
305.3

138.1
3,063.4
167.2

9.3

386.8
1,234.8 2,198.9
692.4

8.3

4,949.1
61.3

3,368.7
59.8

1,252.4 3,278.1
46.0

–

182.6
267.6
304.9

755.1
1.9

271.0
284.6
188.5

744.1
217.9

2,401.5

145.9
12,083.0 3,151.1
326.0

1,708.9

–
–
–

16,193.4 3,623.0
685.5

393.2

–
(1,078.7)

2,547.4
15,234.1
2,034.9

19,816.4
–

1,852.2

5,010.4

3,428.5

1,252.4 3,324.1

757.0

962.0

16,586.6 4,308.5

(1,078.7)

19,816.4

(1) Brit is included in the company’s financial reporting with effect from June 5, 2015. 

2014

Property
Casualty
Specialty

Intercompany

Provision for losses

and LAE

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge OdysseyRe

Asia Other Companies Runoff and Other Consolidated

Crum &
Forster National

Zenith Fairfax

Operating

Corporate

197.1
2,049.3
51.8

2,298.2
1.5

1,282.8
3,648.9
323.5

5,255.2
60.1

132.7
3,054.0
165.6

3,352.3
55.3

6.8
1,286.0
4.7

1,297.5
(0.1)

173.7
251.5
266.1

691.3
–

323.3
283.9
159.7

766.9
244.4

2,116.4
10,573.6
971.4

194.1
3,426.4
467.2

–
–
–

13,661.4
361.2

4,087.7
632.7

–
(993.9)

2,310.5
14,000.0
1,438.6

17,749.1
–

2,299.7

5,315.3

3,407.6

1,297.4

691.3 1,011.3

14,022.6

4,720.4

(993.9)

17,749.1

In the ordinary course of carrying on business, the company’s insurance, reinsurance and runoff companies may
pledge their own assets as security for their own obligations to pay claims or to make premium (and accrued interest)
payments. Circumstances where assets may be pledged (either directly or to support letters of credit issued for the
following  purposes)  include:  regulatory  deposits  (such  as  with  U.S.  states  for  workers’  compensation  business);
deposits of funds at Lloyd’s in support of London market underwriting; and by a non-admitted company under
U.S. insurance regulations as security for claims assumed or to support funds withheld obligations. Generally, the
pledged assets are released as the underlying payment obligation is fulfilled. The $5.5 billion of cash and investments
pledged by the company’s subsidiaries at December 31, 2015, as described in note 5 (Cash and Investments) to the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, represented the aggregate amount at that
date  that  had  been  pledged  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  to  support  each  pledging  subsidiary’s  respective
obligations as previously described in this paragraph (these pledges do not involve the cross-collateralization by one
group company of another group company’s obligations).

Claims provisions are established by the company’s primary insurance companies by the case method as claims are
initially reported. The provisions are subsequently adjusted as additional information on the estimated ultimate
amount of a claim becomes known during the course of its settlement. The company’s reinsurance companies rely on
initial and subsequent claims reports received from ceding companies to establish estimates of provision for claims.
In  determining  the  provision  to  cover  the  estimated  ultimate  liability  for  all  of  the  company’s  insurance  and
reinsurance  obligations,  a  provision  is  also  made  for  management’s  calculation  of  factors  affecting  the  future
development of claims including incurred but not reported claims based on the volume of business currently in
force, the historical experience on claims and potential changes, such as changes in the underlying book of business,
in law and in cost factors.

146

As  time  passes,  more  information  about  the  claims  becomes  known  and  provision  estimates  are  consequently
adjusted upward or downward. Because of the various elements of estimation encompassed in this process and the
time  it  takes  to  settle  many  of  the  more  substantial  claims,  several  years  may  be  required  before  a  meaningful
comparison of actual losses to the original estimates of provision for claims can be developed.

The development of the provision for claims is often measured as the difference between estimates of reserves as of
the initial year-end and the re-estimated liability at each subsequent year-end. This is based on actual payments in
full  or  partial  settlement  of  claims,  plus  re-estimates  of  the  reserves  required  for  claims  still  open  or  claims  still
unreported.  Favourable  development  (or  redundancies)  means  that  subsequent  reserve  estimates  are  lower  than
originally  indicated,  while  unfavourable  development  (or  deficiencies)  means  that  the  original  reserve  estimates
were  lower  than  subsequently  indicated.  The  net  favourable  reserve  development  in  the  two  tables  that  follow
excludes  the  loss  reserve  development  of  a  subsidiary  in  the  year  it  is  acquired.  In  the  second  table  below,  a
subsidiary’s provision for claims balance at December 31 in the year of acquisition is included in the line ‘Provision
for claims of companies acquired during the year at December 31’, whereas the net favourable reserve development
as set out in the Sources of Net Earnings section of this MD&A and the consolidated statement of earnings includes
the loss reserve development of a subsidiary from its acquisition date. The aggregate net favourable development in
2015 and 2014 were comprised as shown in the following table:

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge
OdysseyRe
Zenith National
Fairfax Asia
Other

Operating companies
Runoff

Net favourable reserve development

Favourable/(Unfavourable)

2015(1)

2014

93.9
233.3
89.6
35.5
68.3

520.6
(53.1)

467.5

110.2
189.1
72.6
20.6
53.2

445.7
(71.3)

374.4

(1) Excludes net favourable development at Brit ($19.7) and Fairfax Asia relating to the acquisitions of MCIS and Union

Assurance ($4.0) which were acquired in 2015. 

147

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Changes in provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses recorded on the consolidated balance sheets and the
related impact on unpaid claims and allocated loss adjustment expenses for the years ended December 31 were as
shown in the following table:

Reconciliation of Provision for Claims – Consolidated

Provision for claims at January 1 – net
Foreign exchange effect of change in provision for claims
Provision for claims occurring:

In the current year
In the prior years

Paid on claims during the year related to:

The current year
The prior years

2014

2015

2013
14,378.2 14,981.6 15,075.8
(128.0)

(559.3)

(496.2)

2012
13,711.2
101.0

2011
12,794.1
(122.3)

4,307.0
(467.5)

4,166.2
(374.4)

4,151.2
(476.0)

4,385.6
(136.1)

4,297.2
(29.8)

(1,055.3) (1,076.7) (1,050.8)
(2,688.4) (2,822.7) (3,068.7)

(946.5)
(2,964.4)

(1,221.3)
(2,639.5)

Provision for claims of companies acquired during the year

at December 31

2,681.6

0.4

478.1

925.0

632.8

Provision for claims at December 31 before the undernoted 16,596.3 14,378.2 14,981.6
CTR Life(1)
17.9

14.2

15.2

15,075.8
20.6

13,711.2
24.2

Provision for claims at December 31 – net
Reinsurers’ share of provision for claims at December 31

16,610.5 14,393.4 14,999.5
4,213.3
3,355.7

3,205.9

15,096.4
4,552.4

13,735.4
3,496.8

Provision for claims at December 31 – gross

19,816.4 17,749.1 19,212.8

19,648.8

17,232.2

(1) Guaranteed  minimum  death  benefit  retrocessional  business  written  by  Compagnie  Transcontinentale  de  R´eassurance
(‘‘CTR Life’’), a wholly owned subsidiary of the company that  was transferred to Wentworth and  placed into runoff
in 2002. 

The  foreign  exchange  effect  of  change  in  provision  for  claims  principally  related  to  the  impact  in  2015  of  the
strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar (principally at Northbridge) and the euro and British
pound sterling (principally at OdysseyRe and Runoff). In general, the company manages foreign currency risk on
claims liabilities by investing in financial instruments and other assets denominated in the same currency as the
liabilities to which they relate.

The  tables  that  follow  show  the  reserve  reconciliation  and  the  reserve  development  of  Northbridge,  OdysseyRe,
U.S. Insurance (comprised of Crum & Forster and Zenith National), Fairfax Asia, Insurance and Reinsurance – Other
(comprised of Group Re, Advent, Polish Re and Fairfax Brasil) and Runoff’s net provision for claims. Because business
is  written  in  multiple  geographic  locations  and  currencies,  there  will  necessarily  be  some  distortions  caused  by
foreign currency fluctuations. Northbridge tables are presented in Canadian dollars and OdysseyRe, U.S. Insurance,
Fairfax Asia, Insurance and Reinsurance – Other and Runoff tables are presented in U.S. dollars. The tables that follow
exclude the loss reserve development of Brit which was acquired in June 2015. Brit’s provision for claims balance at
December  31,  2015  is  included  in  the  line  ‘Provision  for  claims  of  companies  acquired  during  the  year  at
December 31’ in the table above.

The company endeavours to establish adequate provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses at the original
valuation  date,  with  the  objective  of  achieving  net  favourable  prior  period  reserve  development  at  subsequent
valuation dates. The reserves will always be subject to upward or downward development in the future and future
development could be significantly different from the past due to many unknown factors.

The tables that follow show calendar year claims reserve development; in any year when there is a redundancy or
reserve strengthening related to a prior year, the amount of the change in favourable (unfavourable) development
reflected for that prior year is also reflected in the favourable (unfavourable) development for each year thereafter.

148

The accident year claims reserve development tables that follow for Northbridge, OdysseyRe and U.S. Insurance
show the development of the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses by accident year commencing in
2005, with the re-estimated amount of each accident year’s reserve development shown in subsequent years up to
December  31,  2015.  All  claims  are  attributed  back  to  the  year  of  loss,  regardless  of  when  they  were  reported  or
adjusted. For example, accident year 2009 represents all claims with a date of loss between January 1, 2009 and
December 31, 2009. The initial reserves set up at the end of the accident year are re-evaluated over time to determine
their  redundancy  or  deficiency  based  on  actual  payments  in  full  or  partial  settlements  of  claims,  plus  current
estimates of the reserves for claims still open or claims still unreported.

Northbridge

The following table shows for Northbridge the provision for losses and LAE as originally and as currently estimated
for the years 2011 through 2015. The favourable or unfavourable development from prior years has been credited or
charged to each year’s earnings.

Reconciliation of Provision for Claims – Northbridge

2015

Provision for claims and LAE at January 1

Transfer to U.S. Runoff(1)

Incurred losses on claims and LAE

2012
2013
2014
(In Cdn$ except as indicated)
2,030.7

2011

1,994.3

1,982.4 2,016.9 2,077.2

–

–

(3.6)

–

–

Provision for current accident year’s claims
Foreign exchange effect on claims
Decrease in provision for prior accident years’ claims

754.6
20.9
(119.9)

751.7
8.6
(121.7)

789.8
7.1
(158.6)

756.1
(3.0)
(60.8)

766.8
3.2
(39.2)

Total incurred losses on claims and LAE

655.6

638.6

638.3

692.3

730.8

Payments for losses on claims and LAE

Payments on current accident year’s claims
Payments on prior accident years’ claims

(315.5)
(371.7)

(304.7)
(368.4)

(300.9)
(394.1)

(262.6)
(383.2)

(280.9)
(413.5)

Total payments for losses on claims and LAE

(687.2)

(673.1)

(695.0)

(645.8)

(694.4)

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31
Exchange rate

1,950.8 1,982.4 2,016.9
0.7199 0.8634 0.9412

2,077.2
1.0043

2,030.7
0.9821

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31 converted to

U.S. dollars

1,404.4 1,711.6 1,898.3

2,086.1

1,994.3

(1) Commonwealth Insurance Company of America was transferred to TIG Insurance, a wholly owned insurance subsidiary

of U.S. Runoff effective January 1, 2013. 

149

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The  following  table  shows  for  Northbridge  the  original  provision  for  losses  and  LAE  at  each  calendar  year-end
commencing in 2005, the subsequent cumulative payments made on account of these years and the subsequent
re-estimated amount of these reserves.

Northbridge’s Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development

As at December 31

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010
(In Cdn$)

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Calendar year

Provision for claims including LAE
Cumulative payments as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable) development

1,408.6 1,640.2 1,696.0 1,931.8 1,973.3 1,994.3 2,030.7 2,077.2 2,016.9 1,982.4 1,950.8

472.7
759.9
965.9

376.4
619.5
835.4

413.5
483.0
383.0
353.1
670.7
656.0
796.8
594.2
777.3
894.4
887.0 1,027.6
937.7 1,000.9 1,056.8 1,183.1 1,132.6 1,040.9
1,055.5 1,115.1 1,156.2 1,304.8 1,246.4 1,147.6
1,129.0 1,181.7 1,229.7 1,383.9 1,327.2
1,170.7 1,230.2 1,286.0 1,438.4
1,198.4 1,268.1 1,318.6
1,224.4 1,291.1
1,240.5

383.2
655.1
844.1
990.8

397.7
633.8
821.4

368.4
600.8

371.7

1,461.7 1,564.3 1,674.0 1,883.8 1,965.8 1,957.1 1,967.1 1,925.1 1,903.0 1,881.2
1,418.1 1,545.4 1,635.1 1,901.2 1,962.0 1,914.4 1,861.7 1,822.3 1,794.6
1,412.5 1,510.3 1,635.1 1,901.5 1,917.7 1,810.2 1,776.7 1,728.2
1,400.2 1,507.9 1,634.3 1,865.8 1,827.0 1,742.8 1,701.1
1,398.4 1,513.5 1,612.1 1,794.1 1,780.7 1,692.0
1,403.1 1,495.1 1,563.5 1,779.6 1,754.7
1,383.6 1,464.3 1,568.4 1,771.4
1,365.3 1,483.8 1,578.6
1,394.9 1,500.9
1,416.5
(7.9)

218.6

139.3

349.0

302.3

329.6

222.3

160.4

117.4

101.2

The net favourable prior year reserve development in 2015 of Cdn$101.2 reflected in the ‘‘Northbridge’s Calendar
Year  Claims  Reserve  Development’’  table  preceding  this  paragraph  is  comprised  of  Cdn$119.9  of  net  favourable
reserve development, partially offset by Cdn$18.7 of net unfavourable foreign currency movements related to the
translation  of  U.S.  dollar-denominated  claims  reserves  (principally  at  Northbridge  Indemnity  and  Northbridge
Commercial).  The  net  favourable  prior  year  reserve  development  in  2015  of  Cdn$119.9  reflected  net  favourable
emergence on commercial liability, commercial automobile and personal automobile claims reserves, primarily at
Northbridge  General,  specifically  in  respect  of  accident  years  2008  through  2013.  The  strengthening  of  the
U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar increased Northbridge’s claims reserves in 2015 (expressed in Canadian
dollars) by Cdn$18.7 related to prior years’ reserves and Cdn$2.2 related to the current year’s reserves representing a
total increase of Cdn$20.9.

150

The following table is derived from the ‘‘Northbridge’s Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development’’ table above. It
summarizes the effect of re-estimating prior year loss reserves by accident year.

Northbridge’s Accident Year Claims Reserve Development

As at December 31

End of first year
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable) development

Accident year

2006

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

(In Cdn$)

508.1 640.8 572.4 501.2 487.1 493.3 489.6 447.8 441.4
505.1 631.7 547.6 467.9 466.2 446.5 478.4 454.9
501.3 649.1 543.4 469.4 465.0 428.8 464.1
503.5 650.3 534.9 455.9 447.4 410.3
497.1 636.8 515.9 434.8 422.6
493.4 613.7 484.0 410.0
475.5 594.3 466.3
460.9 575.9
454.0

531.6
499.2
485.9
463.2
462.5
463.5
464.5
452.1
442.0
437.4

2005 &
Prior

1,408.6
1,461.7
1,418.1
1,412.5
1,400.2
1,398.4
1,403.1
1,383.6
1,365.3
1,394.9
1,416.5

(0.6)% 17.7% 10.6% 10.1% 18.5% 18.2% 13.2% 16.8% 5.2% (1.6)%

Accident year 2014 experienced net adverse emergence on property claims reserves from several late reported claims
occurring at the end of 2014. Accident years 2012 and 2013 experienced net favourable emergence across most lines
of business and operating segments except in the commercial transportation segment. Accident years 2006 through
2011 experienced net favourable emergence across most lines of business and operating segments, while accident
years 2005 and prior were impacted by pre-1990 general liability claims reserves.

OdysseyRe

The following table shows for OdysseyRe the provision for losses and LAE as originally and as currently estimated for
the  years  2011  through  2015.  Clearwater  Insurance  was  transferred  to  the  U.S.  Runoff  reporting  segment  on
January 1, 2011. The favourable or unfavourable development from prior years has been credited or charged to each
year’s earnings.

Reconciliation of Provision for Claims – OdysseyRe

Provision for claims and LAE at January 1

2015

2013
4,589.1 4,812.8 4,842.7

2014

2012
4,789.5

2011
4,857.2

Transfer of Clearwater Insurance to U.S. Runoff(1)

–

–

–

–

(484.2)

Incurred losses on claims and LAE

Provision for current accident year’s claims
Foreign exchange effect on claims
Decrease in provision for prior accident years’ claims

1,421.0 1,473.1 1,524.3
9.9
(186.2)
(214.7)
(189.1)

(141.5)
(233.3)

1,566.5
20.4
(152.0)

1,863.7
(38.0)
(51.4)

Total incurred losses on claims and LAE

1,046.2 1,097.8 1,319.5

1,434.9

1,774.3

Payments for losses on claims and LAE

Payments on current accident year’s claims
Payments on prior accident years’ claims

(277.6)

(283.3)
(311.4)
(1,038.1) (1,010.1) (1,066.1)

(249.3)
(1,132.4)

(439.0)
(918.8)

Total payments for losses on claims and LAE

(1,315.7) (1,321.5) (1,349.4)

(1,381.7)

(1,357.8)

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31

4,319.6 4,589.1 4,812.8

4,842.7

4,789.5

(1) Clearwater Insurance was transferred to Runoff effective January 1, 2011. 

151

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The  following  table  shows  for  OdysseyRe  the  original  provision  for  losses  and  LAE  at  each  calendar  year-end
commencing in 2005, the subsequent cumulative payments made on account of these years and the subsequent
re-estimated amount of these reserves.

OdysseyRe’s Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development(1)

As at December 31

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Calendar year

Provision for claims including LAE
Cumulative payments as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable)

development

3,865.4 4,403.1 4,475.6 4,560.3 4,666.3 4,857.2 4,789.5 4,842.7 4,812.8 4,589.1 4,319.6

787.3 1,111.1 1,016.0 1,024.2

988.2 1,403.0 1,132.4 1,066.1 1,010.1 1,038.1

1,614.0 1,808.2 1,646.5 1,676.1 2,006.8 2,053.7 1,760.2 1,642.9 1,601.7
2,160.9 2,273.0 2,123.5 2,567.1 2,484.3 2,482.0 2,152.9 2,040.8
2,520.9 2,661.8 2,887.8 2,942.5 2,823.6 2,766.9 2,437.9
2,831.1 3,347.6 3,164.1 3,206.4 3,046.0 2,971.7
3,463.2 3,572.9 3,360.3 3,376.6 3,194.9
3,653.1 3,721.2 3,488.6 3,486.9
3,769.1 3,817.5 3,566.8
3,842.8 3,868.9
3,879.0

4,050.8 4,443.6 4,465.5 4,549.0 4,662.7 4,805.8 4,637.5 4,628.0 4,623.7 4,355.8
4,143.5 4,481.5 4,499.0 4,567.7 4,650.4 4,726.6 4,500.3 4,439.1 4,399.4
4,221.3 4,564.3 4,537.8 4,561.3 4,606.6 4,674.1 4,357.3 4,262.3
4,320.5 4,623.1 4,534.5 4,548.7 4,591.2 4,566.5 4,207.7
4,393.0 4,628.3 4,522.9 4,535.0 4,489.4 4,437.3
4,406.7 4,630.5 4,516.0 4,460.5 4,398.4
4,426.1 4,627.3 4,464.0 4,404.1
4,434.0 4,577.3 4,426.8
4,395.1 4,548.4
4,376.1

(510.7)

(145.3)

48.8

156.2

267.9

419.9

581.8

580.4

413.4

233.3

(1) The table above reflects the transfer of Clearwater Insurance to Runoff effective January 1, 2011. 

OdysseyRe experienced net favourable prior year reserve development of $233.3 in 2015, attributable to decreased
loss estimates in its North America ($100.4), London Market ($44.2), EuroAsia ($43.6), U.S. Insurance ($36.4) and
Latin America ($8.7) divisions primarily related to net favourable emergence on casualty and property catastrophe
claims reserves.

The following table is derived from the ‘‘OdysseyRe’s Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development’’ table above. It
summarizes the effect of re-estimating prior year loss reserves by accident year.

OdysseyRe’s Accident Year Claims Reserve Development

As at December 31

End of first year
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable)

development

2005 &
Prior

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Accident Year

3,865.4 1,139.6 1,143.1 1,110.8 1,141.5 1,182.7 1,386.7 1,337.6 1,251.0
4,050.8 1,087.4 1,095.2 1,066.1 1,119.2 1,143.6 1,313.9 1,260.1 1,250.7
4,143.5 1,047.5 1,045.7 1,045.9 1,113.3 1,108.2 1,229.2 1,214.2 1,203.2
4,221.3 1,031.1 1,025.8 1,042.8 1,082.1 1,071.1 1,193.8 1,187.0
4,320.5 1,017.4 1,017.3 1,041.8 1,080.3 1,065.4 1,173.4
4,393.0 1,008.9 1,003.5 1,035.0 1,053.1 1,027.1
4,406.7
4,426.1
4,434.0
4,395.1
4,376.1

999.8 1,012.5 1,018.5
997.9
993.3
989.6

991.8
980.6
969.4
959.6

975.5 1,001.9
966.4

(13.2)% 15.8% 13.4% 10.6% 10.8% 13.2% 15.4% 11.3%

3.8%

0.9%

152

Improvements in competitive conditions and the economic environment beginning in 2001 resulted in a continued
downward  trend  on  re-estimated  reserves  for  accident  years  2006  through  2011.  Initial  loss  estimates  for  those
accident years did not fully anticipate the improvements in market and economic conditions achieved since the
early  2000s.  Accident  years  2011  through  2014  benefited  from  net  favourable  emergence  on  catastrophe  claims
reserves. The deterioration in accident year 2005 and prior principally reflected net adverse emergence on casualty
claims reserves, and on asbestos and environmental pollution claims reserves for accident years 1986 and prior.

U.S. Insurance

The following table shows for the U.S. insurance operations the provision for losses and LAE as originally and as
currently  estimated  for  the  years  2011  through  2015.  First  Mercury  and  Zenith  National  were  included  in
U.S. Insurance beginning in 2011 and 2010 respectively. Between 2010 and 2006, U.S. Insurance consisted of Crum &
Forster only with the years prior to 2006 including Fairmont (the business of which was assumed by Crum & Forster
effective  January  1,  2006  subsequent  to  the  transfer  of  the  Fairmont  entities  to  U.S.  Runoff).  The  favourable  or
unfavourable development from prior years has been credited or charged to each year’s earnings.

Reconciliation of Provision for Claims – U.S. Insurance

Provision for claims and LAE at January 1

Incurred losses on claims and LAE

2015

2013
3,165.8 3,108.0 3,058.3

2014

2012
2,776.5

2011
2,588.5

Provision for current accident year’s claims
Increase (decrease) in provision for prior accident years’

claims

1,424.7 1,323.0 1,339.3

1,353.0

966.7

(89.6)

(72.6)

(27.7)

52.4

61.8

Total incurred losses on claims and LAE

1,335.1 1,250.4 1,311.6

1,405.4

1,028.5

Payments for losses on claims and LAE

Payments on current accident year’s claims
Payments on prior accident years’ claims

(345.1)
(535.9)

(331.0)
(861.6)

(302.2)
(891.1)

(292.4)
(831.2)

(259.1)
(750.0)

Total payments for losses on claims and LAE

(881.0) (1,192.6) (1,193.3)

(1,123.6)

(1,009.1)

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31 before the

undernoted

Transfers to Runoff(1)

Insurance subsidiaries acquired during the year(2)

3,619.9 3,165.8 3,176.6

3,058.3

2,607.9

–

–

–

–

(68.6)

–

–

–

(334.5)

503.1

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31

3,619.9 3,165.8 3,108.0

3,058.3

2,776.5

(1) U.S. Runoff assumed the liability for Crum & Forster’s disconinued New York construction contractors’ business in 2013,

and substantially all of Crum & Forster’s asbestos and environmental claims reserves in 2011.

(2) First Mercury was acquired and integrated with Crum & Forster in 2011. 

153

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The following table shows for Crum & Forster (and Zenith National since 2010) the original provision for losses and
LAE at each calendar year-end commencing in 2005, the subsequent cumulative payments made on account of these
years and the subsequent re-estimated amounts of these reserves.

U.S. Insurance Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development (including Zenith National since 2010)

As at December 31

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Calendar year

Provision for claims including LAE
Cumulative payments as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable) development

1,610.6

1,686.9 1,668.9 2,038.3 1,789.4 2,588.5 2,776.5 3,058.3 3,108.0 3,165.8 3,619.9

478.9
848.7
804.7
1,013.8
1,209.9
1,693.5
1,759.7
1,773.6
1,807.8
1,508.9

1,561.7
1,525.3
1,640.4
1,653.0
1,688.5
1,737.3
1,738.0
1,707.0
1,707.7
1,714.5
(103.9)

571.0
629.2
904.3

632.9

861.6
264.1
649.0 1,048.7 1,258.8 1,537.0 1,464.6 1,539.4 1,103.4
971.2 1,670.9 1,492.4 1,840.7 1,864.6 1,602.1

565.4 1,084.5

831.2

954.3

535.9

1,153.9 1,524.3 1,847.5 1,628.0 2,035.2 1,788.9
1,661.7 1,647.2 1,936.6 1,715.3 1,825.6
1,746.4 1,706.0 2,007.0 1,466.3
1,777.9 1,760.2 1,739.0
1,818.1 1,480.0
1,525.6

1,640.3 1,727.9 2,013.3 1,800.7 2,650.3 2,828.9 3,030.6 3,035.4 3,076.2
1,716.5 1,692.4 2,015.5 1,833.4 2,664.6 2,867.9 3,042.3 2,969.8
1,700.3 1,711.8 2,063.1 1,836.7 2,645.2 2,894.4 3,010.5
1,732.0 1,754.7 2,062.4 1,819.3 2,626.4 2,874.6
1,774.6 1,755.5 2,041.5 1,812.0 2,612.7
1,777.8 1,735.0 2,036.6 1,821.3
1,747.7 1,737.1 2,046.0
1,749.5 1,745.7
1,756.1

(69.2)

(76.8)

(7.7)

(31.9)

(24.2)

(98.1)

47.8

138.2

89.6

U.S.  Insurance  experienced  net  favourable  prior  year  reserve  development  of  $89.6  in  2015  on  workers’
compensation claims reserves at Zenith National. There was no net prior year reserve development at Crum & Forster
in 2015.

The following table is derived from the ‘‘U.S. Insurance Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development’’ table above. It
summarizes the effect of re-estimating prior year loss reserves by accident year.

U.S. Insurance Accident Year Claims Reserve Development

As at December 31

End of first year
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable) development

Accident year

2009

659.6
668.8
670.7
691.1
700.2
703.2
699.2

2010

743.1
746.8
762.6
783.3
783.6
779.3

2005 &
Prior

1,947.8
1,898.9
1,862.5
1,977.6
1,990.2
2,025.7
2,076.7
2,066.3
2,043.2
2,036.3
2,041.0

2006

701.0
690.7
651.8
623.1
619.2
609.0
606.4
606.4
609.2
606.8

2007

723.4
706.4
686.9
674.8
676.9
679.9
688.0
698.1
699.1

2008

748.8
759.4
742.1
755.3
764.4
764.0
758.3
761.4

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

838.0 1,060.5 1,031.7
947.3
993.8
855.1
979.1
879.6
913.6
967.0
902.6
884.6

992.0 1,079.5
968.0

(4.8)% 13.4%

3.4%

(1.7)% (6.0)% (4.9)% (5.6)% 8.8% 11.4%

2.4%

Accident  year  2014  experienced  net  favourable  emergence  on  workers’  compensation  claims  reserves  at  Zenith
National.  Accident  years  2013  and  2012  experienced  net  favourable  emergence  on  workers’  compensation  and
general liability claims reserves. Accident years 2008 through 2011 experienced net adverse emergence principally
related to unfavourable trends on workers’ compensation claims reserves at Crum & Forster and Zenith National and

154

general  liability  claims  reserves  at  First  Mercury.  Accident  years  2006  and  2007  experienced  net  favourable
emergence on general liability, commercial multi-peril and workers’ compensation claims reserves. Accident years
2005 and prior were impacted by the effects of increased frequency and severity on casualty claims reserves, the
effects of increased competitive conditions during 2003 and prior periods and included strengthening of asbestos,
environmental and latent claims reserves through December 2011.

Fairfax Asia

The following table shows for Fairfax Asia the provision for losses and LAE as originally and as currently estimated for
the years 2011 through 2015. The favourable or unfavourable development from prior years has been credited or
charged to each year’s earnings.

Reconciliation of Provision for Claims – Fairfax Asia

Provision for claims and LAE at January 1

Incurred losses on claims and LAE

Provision for current accident year’s claims
Foreign exchange effect on claims
Decrease in provision for prior accident years’ claims

2015
2014
2013
372.6 360.0 318.8

2012
266.0

2011
203.0

207.3 221.3 205.7
(10.1)
(15.1)
(24.2)
(16.7)
(20.6)
(35.5)

182.4
13.0
(16.4)

144.6
(3.1)
(17.6)

Total incurred losses on claims and LAE

147.6 185.6 178.9

179.0

123.9

Payments for losses on claims and LAE

Payments on current accident year’s claims
Payments on prior accident years’ claims

(59.7)
(63.1)
(96.1) (110.3)

(49.4)
(88.3)

(44.1)
(82.1)

(24.5)
(62.2)

Total payments for losses on claims and LAE

(155.8) (173.4) (137.7)

(126.2)

(86.7)

Insurance subsidiaries acquired during the year(1)

31.9

0.4

–

–

25.8

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31

396.3 372.6 360.0

318.8

266.0

(1) MCIS and Union Assurance in 2015, Fairfax Indonesia in 2014 and Pacific Insurance in 2011. 

The  following  table  shows  for  Fairfax  Asia  the  original  provision  for  losses  and  LAE  at  each  calendar  year-end
commencing in 2005, the subsequent cumulative payments made on account of these years and the subsequent
re-estimated amount of these reserves. The following Asian Insurance subsidiaries’ reserves are included from the
respective years in which such subsidiaries were acquired:

Falcon Insurance
Winterthur (Asia) (now part of First Capital Insurance)
First Capital Insurance
Pacific Insurance
Fairfax Indonesia
Union Assurance
MCIS

Year acquired
1998
2001
2004
2011
2014
2015
2015

155

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Fairfax Asia’s Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development

As at December 31

Provision for claims including LAE
Cumulative payments as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable) development

2005

74.7

2006

2007

87.6

91.0

2008

113.2

2009

138.7

2010

203.0

2011

266.0

2012

318.8

2013

360.0

2014

372.6

2015

396.3

Calendar year

15.6
32.6
44.6
50.3
51.1
51.5
51.5
51.6
51.6
51.7

79.6
72.2
71.8
64.7
63.4
60.7
58.6
57.0
56.7
56.3
18.4

82.1
120.0
142.9
160.7

88.3
135.3
164.7

110.3
157.7

96.1

260.2
240.6
226.8
212.2

293.8
275.5
248.5

330.3
287.9

318.4

26.5
45.2
56.3
58.8
59.9
60.1
60.4
60.3
60.2

84.5
84.1
75.0
72.2
69.4
67.4
66.0
65.5
65.0

62.2
92.4
106.3
115.7
123.0

44.6
65.2
75.7
80.5
83.2
86.3

136.3
124.5
118.4
110.1
108.0
104.0

185.0
177.9
165.8
161.7
153.8

41.0
56.5
62.8
66.2
67.7
68.5
68.8

106.0
100.2
93.2
89.2
83.9
82.7
80.5

30.9
49.8
55.8
58.0
59.1
59.9
59.9
59.9

94.9
84.7
79.5
75.4
71.8
69.3
68.5
67.4

22.6

23.6

32.7

34.7

49.2

53.8

70.3

72.1

54.2

The net favourable prior year reserve development in 2015 of $54.2 reflected in the ‘‘Fairfax Asia’s Calendar Year
Claims  Reserve  Development’’  table  preceding  this  paragraph  is  comprised  of  $35.5  of  net  favourable  reserve
development and $18.7 of net favourable foreign currency movements related to the translation of non-U.S. dollar-
denominated  claims  reserves.  The  net  favourable  prior  year  reserve  development  in  2015  of  $35.5  reflected  net
favourable emergence on commercial automobile, property and marine hull claims reserves. Principally as a result of
the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Singapore dollar in 2015, Fairfax Asia’s claims reserves (expressed
in  U.S.  dollars)  decreased  by  $18.7  related  to  prior  years’  reserves  and  $5.5  related  to  the  current  year’s  reserves
representing a total decrease of $24.2.

156

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

The following table shows for Insurance and Reinsurance – Other the provision for losses and LAE as originally and as
currently estimated for the years 2011 through 2015. The favourable or unfavourable development from prior years
has been credited or charged to each year’s earnings.

Reconciliation of Provision for Claims – Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Provision for claims and LAE at January 1

Transfer to Runoff(1)

Incurred losses on claims and LAE

2015
2014
2013
877.1 966.6 1,046.5

2012
1,057.3

2011
1,024.4

–

–

–

(61.8)

–

Provision for current accident year’s claims
Foreign exchange effect on claims
Decrease in provision for prior accident years’ claims

297.0 276.0
(58.7)
(72.5)
(53.2)
(68.3)

297.6
(20.8)
(26.9)

392.0
22.3
(0.6)

578.0
(25.6)
(39.7)

Total incurred losses on claims and LAE

156.2 164.1

249.9

413.7

512.7

Payments for losses on claims and LAE

Payments on current accident year’s claims
Payments on prior accident years’ claims

(63.1)

(49.1)
(174.8) (204.5)

(67.5)
(262.3)

(101.0)
(261.7)

(201.0)
(278.8)

Total payments for losses on claims and LAE

(237.9) (253.6)

(329.8)

(362.7)

(479.8)

Insurance subsidiaries acquired during the year(2)

1.5

–

–

–

–

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31 excluding CTR Life
CTR Life(3)

796.9 877.1
15.2

14.2

966.6
17.9

1,046.5
20.6

1,057.3
24.2

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31

811.1 892.3

984.5

1,067.1

1,081.5

(1) Runoff assumed liability for the claims reserves of Advent’s Syndicate 3330 effective January 1, 2012.

(2) Colonnade Ukraine was acquired during the fourth quarter of 2015.

(3) Guaranteed  minimum  death  benefit  retrocessional  business  written  by  Compagnie  Transcontinentale  de  R´eassurance
(‘‘CTR Life’’), a wholly owned subsidiary of the company that was transferred to Wentworth and  placed into  runoff
in 2002. 

157

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The  following  table  shows  for  the  Insurance  and  Reinsurance – Other  reporting  segment  (comprised  only  of
Group Re prior to 2008) the original provision for losses and LAE at each calendar year-end commencing in 2005, the
subsequent  cumulative  payments  made  on  account  of  these  years  and  the  subsequent  re-estimated  amount  of
these reserves.

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other’s Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development(1)

As at December 31

Provisions for claims including LAE
Cumulative payments as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Favourable (unfavourable) development

2005

315.6

40.3
104.3
160.5
206.6
252.7
290.5
301.4
315.6
324.3
330.2

319.4
361.9
322.9
377.6
393.3
387.1
392.3
383.1
383.8
375.8
(60.2)

Calendar Year

2006

373.5

2007

456.5

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

742.0 1,004.1 1,024.4

995.5 1,046.5

2013

966.6

2014

877.1

2015

796.9

85.9
151.9
209.4
267.3
318.0
334.3
358.2
369.6
376.9

429.4
375.8
436.9
458.0
452.5
465.1
451.4
448.2
436.7

93.0
160.5
238.7
304.3
331.0
362.5
377.7
387.7

383.8
454.1
484.2
477.6
492.8
473.3
466.4
453.3

197.7
262.5
401.0
461.2
517.7
546.1
560.6

833.5
833.0
787.6
801.9
785.9
759.5
736.5

240.5
421.8
503.7
578.5
624.9
650.3

278.8
395.6
507.4
570.1
609.7

261.7
437.9
535.8
595.0

262.3
403.6
481.3

204.5
322.6

174.8

989.2
939.8
959.0
946.5
915.0
882.8

966.2 1,016.9
986.9
993.1
941.9
966.9
929.8
886.0
891.1

996.6
915.5
848.4

866.8
772.8

745.8

(63.2)

3.2

5.5

121.3

133.3

109.5

198.1

193.8

131.3

(1) The  table  above  has  been  restated  to  reflect  the  transfer  of  nSpire  Re’s  Group  Re  business  to  Runoff  effective

January 1, 2008. 

The net favourable prior year reserve development in 2015 of $131.3 reflected in the ‘‘Insurance and Reinsurance –
Other’s Calendar Year Claims Reserve Development’’ table preceding this paragraph is comprised of $68.3 of net
favourable reserve development and $63.0 of net favourable foreign currency movements related to the translation
of non-U.S. dollar-denominated claims reserves (principally the translation of the Canadian dollar-denominated
claims reserves of Group Re). The net favourable prior year reserve development in 2015 of $68.3 was principally
comprised of net favourable emergence at Group Re (primarily related to prior years’ catastrophe loss reserves and the
runoff of the intercompany quota share reinsurance contract with Northbridge) and Advent (primarily reflecting net
favourable  emergence  on  attritional  loss  reserves  across  most  lines  of  business  and  prior  years’  catastrophe  loss
reserves). The claims reserves of Insurance and Reinsurance – Other (expressed in U.S. dollars) decreased by $72.5
(principally  as  a  result  of  the  strengthening  of  the  U.S.  dollar  relative  to  the  Canadian  dollar  in  2015)  and  was
comprised of $63.0 related to prior years’ reserves and $9.5 related to the current year’s reserves.

158

Runoff

The following table shows for the Runoff operations the provision for losses and LAE as originally and as currently
estimated for the years 2011 through 2015. The favourable or unfavourable development from prior years has been
credited or charged to each year’s earnings.

Reconciliation of Provision for Claims – Runoff

Provision for claims and LAE at January 1

Transfers to Runoff at January 1(1)

Incurred losses on claims and LAE

2015

2013
3,693.8 3,843.9 3,744.6

2014

2012
2,860.6

2011
2,095.0

–

–

3.6

61.8

484.2

Provision for current accident year’s claims
Foreign exchange effect on claims
Increase (decrease) in provision for prior accident years’ claims

366.1
(62.9)
53.1

192.1
(75.5)
71.3

17.4
7.3
(36.0)

133.8
3.3
41.3

Total incurred losses on claims and LAE

356.3

187.9

(11.3)

178.4

8.8
(9.3)
56.7

56.2

Payments for losses on claims and LAE

Payments on current accident year’s claims
Payments on prior accident years’ claims

(26.1)
(552.4)

(35.4)
(302.6)

(61.5)
(378.2)

(7.4)
(273.8)

(1.8)
(211.4)

Total payments for losses on claims and LAE

(578.5)

(338.0)

(439.7)

(281.2)

(213.2)

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31 before the

undernoted

Transferred from Crum & Forster at December 31(2)

Runoff subsidiaries acquired during the year(3)

3,471.6 3,693.8 3,297.2

2,819.6

2,422.2

–

2.5

–

–

68.6

–

334.5

478.1

925.0

103.9

Provision for claims and LAE at December 31

3,474.1 3,693.8 3,843.9

3,744.6

2,860.6

(1) Transfer  to  Runoff  of  Northbridge’s  Commonwealth  Insurance  Company  of  America  business  in  2013,  Advent’s

Syndicate 3330 in 2012 and OdysseyRe’s Clearwater Insurance business in 2011.

(2) Runoff assumed liability for Crum & Forster’s discontinued New York construction contractors’ business in 2013 and

substantially all of Crum & Forster’s asbestos and environmental claims reserves in 2011.

(3) Comprised of two Canadian branches of AXA (which were already in runoff) in 2015, American Safety and Eagle Star in

2013, RiverStone Insurance and Syndicates 535 and 1204 in 2012 and Syndicate 376 in 2011. 

Runoff experienced net adverse development of prior years’ reserves in 2015 of $53.1, primarily reflecting net adverse
prior year reserve development at Clearwater Insurance ($87.7 principally related to asbestos and environmental
exposures  assumed  from  Crum  &  Forster  and  in  the  legacy  portfolio  of  Clearwater)  and  American  Safety  ($36.1
principally  related  to  strengthening  of  environmental  remediation  contractor  and  other  long  tail  casualty  loss
reserves), partially offset by net favourable prior year reserve development at European Runoff ($73.5 across various
lines of business). The provision for current accident year’s claims increased from $192.1 in 2014 to $366.1 in 2015,
principally reflecting the impacts of the fourth quarter 2015 APH reinsurance transaction, Everest APH reinsurance
transaction,  the  first  quarter  2015  APH  reinsurance  transaction  and  the  AXA  Canada  reinsurance  transaction
(described in the Components of Net Earnings section of this MD&A under the heading Runoff).

Asbestos and Pollution

General A&E Discussion

A number of the company’s subsidiaries wrote general liability policies and reinsurance prior to their acquisition by
Fairfax  under  which  policyholders  continue  to  present  asbestos-related  injury  claims  and  claims  alleging  injury,
damage or clean up costs arising from environmental pollution (collectively ‘‘A&E’’) claims. The vast majority of
these claims are presented under policies written many years ago.

159

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding these types of claims, which impacts the ability of insurers and
reinsurers to estimate the ultimate amount of unpaid claims and related settlement expenses. The majority of these
claims differ from most other types of claims because there is inconsistent precedent, if any at all, to determine what,
if any, coverage exists or which, if any, policy years and insurers/reinsurers may be liable. These uncertainties are
exacerbated  by  judicial  and  legislative  interpretations  of  coverage  that  in  some  cases  have  eroded  the  clear  and
express  intent  of  the  parties  to  the  insurance  contracts,  and  in  others  have  expanded  theories  of  liability.  The
insurance industry as a whole is engaged in extensive litigation over these coverage and liability issues and is thus
confronted with continuing uncertainty in its efforts to quantify A&E exposures. Conventional actuarial reserving
techniques cannot be used to estimate the ultimate cost of such claims, due to inadequate loss development patterns
and inconsistent legal doctrines that continue to emerge.

In addition to asbestos and environmental pollution, the company faces exposure to other types of mass tort or
health hazard claims including claims related to exposure to potentially harmful products or substances, such as
breast  implants,  pharmaceutical  products,  chemical  products,  lead-based  pigments,  tobacco,  hepatitis  C,  head
trauma  and  in  utero  exposure  to  diethylstilbestrol  (‘‘DES’’).  Tobacco,  although  a  significant  potential  risk  to  the
company,  has  not  presented  significant  actual  exposure  to  date.  Methyl  tertiary  butyl  ether  (‘‘MTBE’’)  was  a
significant potential health hazard, but the company has resolved the latest MBTE exposures and the remaining
exposures appear to be minimal at this time. Although still a risk due to occasional unfavourable court decisions, lead
pigment has had some favourable underlying litigation developments resulting in this hazard presenting less of a risk
to the company. The company is monitoring claims alleging breast cancer as a result of in utero exposure to DES, a
synthetic estrogen supplement prescribed to prevent miscarriages or premature births. Historically, DES exposure
cases involved alleged injuries to the reproductive tract. More recently filed cases are now alleging a link between DES
exposure and breast cancer. As a result of its historical underwriting profile and its focus on excess liability coverage
for Fortune 500 type entities, Runoff faces the bulk of these potential exposures within Fairfax. Establishing claim
and  claim  adjustment  expense  reserves  for  mass  tort  claims  is  subject  to  uncertainties  because  of  many  factors,
including expanded theories of liability and disputes concerning medical causation with respect to certain diseases.

Following  the  transfer  of  Clearwater  Insurance  to  Runoff  effective  from  January  1,  2011  and  the  assumption  by
Runoff of substantially all of Crum & Forster’s liabilities for asbestos, environmental and other latent claims effective
from December 31, 2011, substantially all of Fairfax’s exposure to A&E losses are now under the management of
Runoff. Following is an analysis of the company’s gross and net loss and ALAE reserves from A&E exposures as at
December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the movement in gross and net reserves for those years:

A&E
Provision for A&E claims and ALAE at January 1
A&E losses and ALAE incurred during the year
A&E losses and ALAE paid during the year
Provision for A&E claims and ALAE assumed during the year at

December 31(1)

2015

2014

Gross

Net

Gross

Net

1,394.3
199.2
(238.8)

1,016.4
131.0
(160.6)

1,528.2
65.1
(199.0)

1,146.3
7.2
(137.1)

223.2

215.6

–

–

Provision for A&E claims and ALAE at December 31

1,577.9

1,202.4

1,394.3

1,016.4

(1) U.S. Runoff’s reinsurance of third party A&E runoff portfolios.

Asbestos Claim Discussion

As  previously  reported,  tort  reform,  both  legislative  and  judicial,  has  had  a  significant  impact  on  the  asbestos
litigation landscape. The majority of claims now being filed and litigated continues to be mesothelioma, lung cancer,
or impaired asbestosis cases. This reduction in new filings has focused the litigants on the more seriously injured
plaintiffs. While there has been a noted increase in the settlement value of asbestos cases involving malignancies, the
increases have not been exponential. Asbestos litigation has seen mixed results, with both plaintiff and defense
verdicts having been rendered in courts throughout the United States. Expense has increased due to the fact that the
malignancy cases are often more heavily litigated than the non-malignancy cases were.

160

Following is an analysis of Fairfax’s gross and net loss and ALAE reserves from asbestos exposures as at December 31,
2015 and 2014, and the movement in gross and net reserves for those years:

Asbestos
Provision for asbestos claims and ALAE at January 1
Asbestos losses and ALAE incurred during the year
Asbestos losses and ALAE paid during the year
Provisions for asbestos claims and ALAE assumed during the year at

December 31(1)

2015

2014

Gross

Net

Gross

Net

1,224.3
159.2
(200.5)

896.7
87.2
(130.6)

1,353.1
49.3
(178.1)

981.8
36.4
(121.5)

198.0

190.5

–

–

Provision for asbestos claims and ALAE at December 31

1,381.0

1,043.8

1,224.3

896.7

(1) U.S. Runoff’s reinsurance of third party A&E runoff portfolios.

The  policyholders  with  the  most  significant  asbestos  exposure  continue  to  be  traditional  defendants  who
manufactured, distributed or installed asbestos products on a nationwide basis. The runoff companies are exposed to
these risks and have the bulk of the direct asbestos exposure within Fairfax. While these insureds are relatively small
in number, asbestos exposures for such entities have increased over the past decade due to the rising volume of
claims, the erosion of underlying limits, and the bankruptcies of target defendants. In addition, less prominent or
‘‘peripheral’’  defendants,  including  a  mix  of  manufacturers,  distributors,  and  installers  of  asbestos-containing
products, as well as premises owners continue to present with new reports. For the most part, these insureds are
defendants on a regional rather than nationwide basis. The nature of these insureds and the claimant population
associated  with  them,  however,  result  in  far  less  total  exposure  to  the  company  than  the  historical  traditional
asbestos defendants. Reinsurance contracts entered into before 1984 also still present exposure to asbestos.

Reserves for asbestos cannot be estimated using traditional loss reserving techniques that rely on historical accident
year loss development factors. Because each insured presents different liability and coverage issues, the company
evaluates  its  asbestos  exposure  on  an  insured-by-insured  basis.  Since  the  mid-1990’s,  Fairfax  has  utilized  a
sophisticated, non-traditional methodology that draws upon company experience and supplemental databases to
assess asbestos liabilities on reported claims. The methodology utilizes a ground-up, exposure-based analysis that
constitutes the industry ‘‘best practice’’ approach for asbestos reserving. The methodology was initially critiqued by
outside legal and actuarial consultants, and the results are annually reviewed by independent actuaries, all of whom
have consistently found the methodology comprehensive and the results reasonable.

In  the  course  of  the  insured-by-insured  evaluation,  the  following  factors  are  considered:  available  insurance
coverage, including any umbrella or excess insurance that has been issued to the insured; limits, deductibles, and
self-insured  retentions;  an  analysis  of  each  insured’s  potential  liability;  the  jurisdictions  involved;  past  and
anticipated future asbestos claim filings against the insured; loss development on pending claims; past settlement
values of similar claims; allocated claim adjustment expenses; and applicable coverage defenses.

As a result of the processes, procedures, and analyses described above, management believes that the reserves carried
for asbestos claims at December 31, 2015 are appropriate based upon known facts and current law. However, there are
a  number  of  uncertainties  surrounding  the  ultimate  value  of  these  claims  that  may  result  in  changes  in  these
estimates as new information emerges. Among these uncertainties are: the unpredictability inherent in litigation,
including the legal uncertainties described above, the added uncertainty brought upon by continuing changes in the
asbestos  litigation  landscape,  and  possible  future  developments  regarding  the  ability  to  recover  reinsurance  for
asbestos claims. It is also not possible to predict, nor has management assumed, any changes in the legal, social, or
economic environments and their impact on future asbestos claim development.

Environmental Pollution Discussion

Environmental  pollution  claims  represent  another  significant  exposure  for  Fairfax.  However,  new  reports  of
environmental pollution claims continue to remain low. While insureds with single-site exposures are still active,
Fairfax has resolved the majority of known claims from insureds with a large number of sites. In many cases, claims
are being settled for less than initially anticipated due to improved site remediation technology and effective policy
buybacks.

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FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Despite  the  stability  of  recent  trends,  there  remains  great  uncertainty  in  estimating  liabilities  arising  from  these
exposures. First, the number of hazardous materials sites subject to cleanup is unknown. Second, the liabilities of the
insureds  themselves  are  difficult  to  estimate.  At  any  given  site,  the  allocation  of  remediation  cost  among  the
potentially responsible parties varies greatly depending upon a variety of factors. Third, different courts have been
presented with liability and coverage issues regarding pollution claims and have reached inconsistent decisions.
There is also uncertainty about claims for damages to natural resources. These claims seek compensation for the
harm caused by the loss of natural resources beyond clean up costs and fines. Natural resources are generally defined
as land, air, water, fish, wildlife, biota, and other such resources. Funds recovered in these actions are generally to be
used for ecological restoration projects and replacement of the lost natural resources. At this point in time, natural
resource damages claims have not developed into significant risks for the company’s insureds.

Following  is  an  analysis  of  the  company’s  gross  and  net  loss  and  ALAE  reserves  from  pollution  exposures  as  at
December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the movement in gross and net reserves for those years:

Pollution
Provision for pollution claims and ALAE at January 1
Pollution losses and ALAE incurred during the year
Pollution losses and ALAE paid during the year
Provisions for pollution claims and ALAE assumed during the year at

December 31(1)

2015

2014

Gross

Net Gross

Net

170.0
40.0
(38.3)

119.7
43.8
(30.0)

175.1
15.8
(20.9)

164.5
(29.2)
(15.6)

25.2

25.1

–

–

Provision for pollution claims and ALAE at December 31

196.9

158.6

170.0

119.7

(1) U.S. Runoff’s reinsurance of third party A&E runoff portfolios.

As with asbestos reserves, exposure for pollution cannot be estimated with traditional loss reserving techniques that
rely  on  historical  accident  year  loss  development  factors.  Because  each  insured  presents  different  liability  and
coverage issues, the methodology used by the company’s subsidiaries to establish pollution reserves is similar to that
used for asbestos liabilities: the exposure presented by each insured and the anticipated cost of resolution using
ground-up, exposure-based analysis that constitutes industry ‘‘best practice’’ for pollution reserving. As with asbestos
reserving, this methodology was initially critiqued by outside legal and actuarial consultants, and the results are
annually reviewed by independent actuaries, all of whom have consistently found the methodology comprehensive
and the results reasonable.

In the course of performing these individualized assessments, the following factors are considered: the insured’s
probable  liability  and  available  coverage,  relevant  judicial  interpretations,  the  nature  of  the  alleged  pollution
activities of the insured at each site, the number of sites, the total number of potentially responsible parties at each
site, the nature of environmental harm and the corresponding remedy at each site, the ownership and general use of
each site, the involvement of other insurers and the potential for other available coverage, and the applicable law in
each jurisdiction.

Summary

Management believes that the A&E reserves reported at December 31, 2015 are reasonable estimates of the ultimate
remaining  liability  for  these  claims  based  on  facts  currently  known,  the  present  state  of  the  law  and  coverage
litigation,  current  assumptions,  and  the  reserving  methodologies  employed.  These  A&E  reserves  are  continually
monitored by management and reviewed extensively by independent actuaries. New reserving methodologies and
developments  will  continue  to  be  evaluated  as  they  arise  in  order  to  supplement  the  ongoing  analysis  of  A&E
exposures. However, to the extent that future social, scientific, economic, legal, or legislative developments alter the
volume of claims, the liabilities of policyholders or the original intent of the policies and scope of coverage, increases
in loss reserves may emerge in future periods.

162

Recoverable from Reinsurers

Fairfax’s  subsidiaries  purchase  reinsurance  to  reduce  their  exposure  on  the  insurance  and  reinsurance  risks  they
underwrite. Fairfax strives to minimize the credit risk associated with reinsurance through adherence to its internal
reinsurance guidelines. To be an ongoing reinsurer of Fairfax, generally a company must have high A.M. Best and/or
Standard  &  Poor’s  financial  strength  ratings  and  maintain  capital  and  surplus  exceeding  $500.0.  Most  of  the
reinsurance  balances  for  reinsurers  rated  B++  and  lower  or  which  are  not  rated  were  inherited  by  Fairfax  on
acquisition of a subsidiary.

Recoverable from reinsurers of $3,890.9 on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2015 consisted of future
recoverables from reinsurers on unpaid claims ($3,259.8), reinsurance receivable on paid losses ($419.4) and the
unearned portion of premiums ceded to reinsurers ($398.7), net of provision for uncollectible balances ($187.0).
Recoverables from reinsurers on unpaid claims decreased by $150.2 to $3,259.8 at December 31, 2015 from $3,410.0
at December 31, 2014 primarily due to Crum and Forster’s commutation of a significant aggregate stop loss treaty
($334.0),  Runoff’s  continued  progress  reducing  its  recoverable  from  reinsurers  (through  normal  cession  and
collection activity), the impact on loss reserves of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar
and Brazilian real (principally affecting Northbridge and Fairfax Brasil, respectively) and favourable prior year reserve
development ceded to reinsurers. These decreases were partially offset by the acquisition of Brit ($619.4), Fairfax
Asia’s acquisitions of MCIS and Union Assurance and the growth in recoverables at Fairfax Brasil.

163

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The following table presents Fairfax’s top 25 reinsurance groups (ranked by gross recoverable from reinsurers) at
December 31, 2015. These 25 reinsurance groups represented 70.8% (December 31, 2014 – 71.7%) of Fairfax’s total
recoverable from reinsurers at December 31, 2015.

A.M. Best
rating (or S&P
equivalent)(1)

A+
A
A++

A+
A++
A+
A+
A
A
A
NR

A-
A
A

A+
A
A
NR
A

A-
A-
A
A+

A
A++

Group
Munich
Lloyd’s
Berkshire Hathaway
Swiss Re

Ace
HDI
Everest
Alleghany
Markel
SCOR
Enstar
India Govt

Renaissance
QBE
Nationwide

Aspen
AIG
ARAG Holding
Liberty Mutual
Singapore Re

IRB
XL
WR Berkley
PartnerRe

Travelers

Sub-total
Other reinsurers

Principal reinsurers
Munich Reinsurance Company
Lloyd’s
General Reinsurance Corporation
Swiss Reinsurance America
Corporation
Ace Tempest Reinsurance Ltd.
Hannover R ¨uck SE
Everest Reinsurance (Bermuda), Ltd.
Transatlantic Reinsurance Company
Markel Global Reinsurance Company
SCOR Global P&C SE
Arden Reinsurance Company Ltd.
General Insurance Corporation of
India
Renaissance Reinsurance US Inc.
QBE Reinsurance Corporation
Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Company
Aspen Insurance UK Limited
Lexington Insurance Company
ARAG Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
Singapore Reinsurance Corporation
Limited
IRB – Brasil Resseguros S.A.
XL Re Ltd.
Berkley Insurance Company
Partner Reinsurance Company of the
U.S.
The Travelers Indemnity Company

Total recoverable from reinsurers
Provision for uncollectible reinsurance

Recoverable from reinsurers

Gross
recoverable
from
reinsurers(2)
468.1
325.6
208.8

Net unsecured
recoverable(3)
from reinsurers
401.8
303.0
179.7

198.8
153.0
150.4
145.2
120.9
119.8
103.7
90.6

86.5
75.3
75.0

67.9
64.4
63.6
58.2
51.9

48.8
45.1
43.8
43.6

41.5
38.6

182.9
95.8
131.4
124.4
117.7
115.5
95.8
38.0

31.0
62.8
71.0

67.8
62.8
55.1
56.3
50.5

26.4
39.1
33.6
41.5

37.7
38.2

2,889.1
1,188.8

4,077.9
(187.0)

3,890.9

2,459.8
832.9

3,292.7
(187.0)

3,105.7

(1) Of principal reinsurer (or, if principal reinsurer is not rated, of group).

(2) Before specific provisions for uncollectible reinsurance.

(3) Net of outstanding balances for which security was held, but before specific provisions for uncollectible reinsurance.

164

The following table presents the classification of the $3,890.9 gross recoverable from reinsurers according to the
financial  strength  rating  of  the  responsible  reinsurers  at  December  31,  2015.  Pools  and  associations,  shown
separately, are generally government or similar insurance funds carrying limited credit risk.

Consolidated Recoverable from Reinsurers

A.M. Best
rating
(or S&P
equivalent)
A++
A+
A
A-
B++
B+
B or lower
Not rated
Pools and associations

Provision for uncollectible reinsurance

Recoverable from reinsurers

Consolidated Recoverable from Reinsurers

Gross
recoverable
from reinsurers
422.2
1,325.5
1,294.8
347.7
16.9
5.9
17.8
556.8
90.3

4,077.9
(187.0)

3,890.9

Outstanding
balances
for which
security
is held
99.7
163.3
105.3
162.4
3.7
5.2
13.6
163.6
68.4

785.2

Net
unsecured
recoverable
from reinsurers
322.5
1,162.2
1,189.5
185.3
13.2
0.7
4.2
393.2
21.9

3,292.7
(187.0)

3,105.7

To  support  gross  recoverable  from  reinsurers  balances,  Fairfax  had  the  benefit  of  letters  of  credit,  trust  funds  or
offsetting balances payable totaling $785.2 as at December 31, 2015 as follows:

(cid:127) for reinsurers rated A – or better, Fairfax had security of $530.7 against outstanding reinsurance recoverable

of $3,390.2;

(cid:127) for reinsurers rated B++ or lower, Fairfax had security of $22.5 against outstanding reinsurance recoverable

of $40.6;

(cid:127) for  unrated  reinsurers,  Fairfax  had  security  of  $163.6  against  outstanding  reinsurance  recoverable  of

$556.8; and

(cid:127) for pools and associations, Fairfax had security of $68.4 against outstanding reinsurance recoverable of $90.3.

In  addition  to  the  above  security  arrangements,  Lloyd’s  is  also  required  to  maintain  funds  in  Canada  and  the
United States that are monitored by the applicable regulatory authorities.

Substantially  all  of  the  $187.0  provision  for  uncollectible  reinsurance  related  to  the  $411.3  of  net  unsecured
reinsurance recoverable from reinsurers rated B++ or lower or which are unrated (excludes pools and associations).

The  following  tables  separately  break  out  the  consolidated  recoverable  from  reinsurers  for  the  insurance  and
reinsurance operations and for the runoff operations. As shown in those tables, at December 31, 2015 approximately
22.6% (December 31, 2014 – 25.8%) of the consolidated recoverable from reinsurers related to runoff operations.

165

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Recoverable from Reinsurers – Insurance and Reinsurance Operating Companies and
Runoff Operations

Insurance and Reinsurance
Operating Companies

Runoff Operations

A.M. Best
rating
(or S&P
equivalent)
A++
A+
A
A-
B++
B+
B or lower
Not rated
Pools and associations

Provision for uncollectible reinsurance

Outstanding
balances
for which
security
is held
94.8
126.6
84.1
120.2
2.4
4.0
13.5
91.5
68.4

605.5

Gross
recoverable
from
reinsurers
314.9
987.6
1,090.4
298.5
13.6
4.3
13.8
247.7
78.8

3,049.6
(36.7)

Net
unsecured
recoverable
from
reinsurers
220.1
861.0
1,006.3
178.3
11.2
0.3
0.3
156.2
10.4

Gross
recoverable
from
reinsurers
107.3
337.9
204.4
49.2
3.3
1.6
4.0
309.1
11.5

2,444.1
(36.7)

1,028.3
(150.3)

Outstanding
balances
for which
security
is held
4.9
36.7
21.2
42.2
1.3
1.2
0.1
72.1
–

179.7

Recoverable from reinsurers

3,012.9

2,407.4

878.0

Net
unsecured
recoverable
from
reinsurers
102.4
301.2
183.2
7.0
2.0
0.4
3.9
237.0
11.5

848.6
(150.3)

698.3

Based  on  the  preceding  analysis  of  the  company’s  recoverable  from  reinsurers  and  on  the  credit  risk  analysis
performed by the company’s reinsurance security department as described below, Fairfax believes that its provision
for  uncollectible  reinsurance  has  provided  for  all  incurred  losses  arising  from  uncollectible  reinsurance  at
December 31, 2015.

The company’s reinsurance security department, with its dedicated specialized personnel and expertise in analyzing
and managing credit risk, is responsible for the following with respect to recoverable from reinsurers: evaluating the
creditworthiness  of  all  reinsurers  and  recommending  to  the  group  management’s  reinsurance  committee  those
reinsurers which should be included on the list of approved reinsurers; on a quarterly basis, monitoring reinsurance
recoverable  by  reinsurer  and  by  company,  in  aggregate,  and  recommending  the  appropriate  provision  for
uncollectible reinsurance; and pursuing collections from, and global commutations with, reinsurers which are either
impaired or considered to be financially challenged.

The insurance and reinsurance operating companies purchase reinsurance to achieve various objectives including
protection  from  catastrophic  financial  loss  resulting  from  a  single  event,  such  as  the  total  fire  loss  of  a  large
manufacturing plant, protection against the aggregation of many smaller claims resulting from a single event, such
as an earthquake or major hurricane, that may affect many policyholders simultaneously and generally to protect
capital by limiting loss exposure to acceptable levels. Consolidated net earnings included the pre-tax cost of ceded
reinsurance  of  $237.9  (2014 – $237.0).  The  consolidated  pre-tax  impact  of  ceded  reinsurance  was  comprised  as
follows:  reinsurers’  share  of  premiums  earned  (see  tables  which  follow  this  paragraph);  commissions  earned  on
reinsurers’ share of premiums earned of $266.7 (2014 – $261.0); losses on claims ceded to reinsurers of $711.9 (2014 –
$626.9); and provision for uncollectible reinsurance of $5.8 (2014 – recovery of uncollectible reinsurance of $19.6).

166

Year ended December 31, 2015

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge(1) OdysseyRe

Crum &
Forster National Brit(2)

Zenith

Fairfax

Asia Other

Operating
companies Runoff Other

Reinsurers’ share of premiums earned
Pre-tax benefit (cost) of ceded

reinsurance

171.8

321.1

292.0

12.1

182.7

328.5

121.2

1,429.4

(0.4)

(119.7)

(38.5)

60.5

(32.1)

(76.6)

(97.2)

(1.2)

(304.8)

21.3

–

–

Corporate
and
Other

–

–

Inter-

company Consolidated

(218.3)

1,210.7

45.6

(237.9)

(1) Reinsurers’ share of premiums earned and pre-tax cost of reinsurance at Northbridge included $56.6 and $3.3 respectively,
of intercompany reinsurance ceded to Runoff to facilitate the AXA reinsurance transaction (described in the Components
of Net Earnings section of this MD&A under the heading Runoff).

(2) Brit is included in the company’s financial reporting with effect from June 5, 2015.

Year ended December 31, 2014

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge OdysseyRe

Crum &
Forster National Brit(1)

Zenith

Fairfax

Asia Other

Operating
companies Runoff Other

Corporate
and other

Inter-

company Consolidated

Reinsurers’ share of premiums earned
Pre-tax benefit (cost) of ceded

reinsurance

142.5

338.3

343.1

11.5

(141.0)

(95.4)

(6.8)

(20.9)

–

–

277.4

113.6

1,226.4

6.0

6.5

(22.9)

(280.5)

90.4

–

–

–

–

(90.4)

(46.9)

1,142.0

(237.0)

(1) Brit is included in the company’s financial reporting with effect from June 5, 2015.

Reinsurers’  share  of  premiums  earned  increased  from  $1,142.0  in  2014  to  $1,210.7  in  2015  primarily  reflecting
premiums ceded to reinsurers by companies acquired in 2015 (Brit and the Fairfax Asia acquisitions of MCIS and
Union Assurance), partially offset by decreases at Crum & Forster (primarily as a result of lower ceded premiums due
to higher business retention) and OdysseyRe (due to decreased writings of reinsurance business and restructuring of
certain reinsurance programs). Commissions earned on reinsurers’ share of premiums earned increased from $261.0
in 2014 to $266.7 in 2015 primarily reflecting the commission earned at Brit. Reinsurers’ share of losses on claims
increased  from  $626.9  in  2014  to  $711.9  in  2015  primarily  reflecting  losses  ceded  to  reinsurers  by  companies
acquired  in  2015  (principally  Brit)  and  increases  at  OdysseyRe  (primarily  reflecting  lower  favourable  prior  year
reserve development ceded to reinsurers related to its U.S. crop insurance business), partially offset by decreases at
First Capital (consistent with the decrease in its gross losses on claims) and Runoff (primarily reflecting lower adverse
development  ceded  to  reinsurers  by  Clearwater  in  2015  compared  to  2014).  Principally  at  Runoff,  the  company
recorded net provisions for uncollectible reinsurance of $5.8 in 2015 compared to net recoveries of $19.6 in 2014.

The use of reinsurance increased cash provided by operating activities by approximately $111 in 2015 (2014 – $625).
The decrease year-over-year is primarily due to a decrease in collection of ceded losses ($992.6 in 2015 excluding the
impact of the non-cash commutation at Crum and Forster of $334.0 compared to $1,507.6 in 2014).

Investments

Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd.

Hamblin Watsa  Investment  Counsel  Ltd.  (‘‘Hamblin Watsa’’)  is  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  the  company  that
serves as the investment manager for Fairfax, its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries and Fairfax India. Hamblin
Watsa  follows  a  long-term  value-oriented  investment  philosophy  with  primary  emphasis  on  the  preservation  of
invested capital. Hamblin Watsa looks for investments with a margin of safety which are sought out by conducting
thorough proprietary analysis of investment opportunities and markets to assess the financial strength of issuers,
identifying attractively priced securities selling at discounts to intrinsic value and hedging risks where appropriate.
Hamblin Watsa is opportunistic and disciplined in seeking undervalued securities in the market, often investing in
out-of-favour securities when sentiment is negative, and willing to maintain a large proportion of its investment
portfolio in cash and cash equivalents when it perceives markets to be over-valued.

167

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Hamblin Watsa generally operates as a separate investment management entity, with Fairfax’s CEO and one other
corporate  officer  being  members  of  Hamblin  Watsa’s  investment  committee.  This  investment  committee  is
responsible  for  making  all  investment  decisions,  subject  to  relevant  regulatory  guidelines  and  constraints,  and
oversight by management of Hamblin Watsa. Fairfax’s Board of Directors, its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries
and Fairfax India are kept apprised of significant investment decisions through the financial reporting process as well
as periodic presentations by Hamblin Watsa management.

Overview of Investment Performance

Investments at their year-end carrying values (including at the holding company) in Fairfax’s first year and for the
past  ten  years  are  presented  in  the  following  table.  Included  in  bonds  are  credit  and  CPI-linked  derivatives  and
included in common stocks are investments in associates and equity derivatives.

Year(1)
1985
(cid:1)

2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015

Cash and
short term
investments
6.4

5,188.9
3,965.7
6,343.5
3,658.8
4,073.4
6,899.1
8,085.4
7,988.0
6,428.5
7,368.7

Bonds(2)
14.1

9,017.2
11,669.1
9,069.6
11,550.7
13,353.5
12,074.7
11,545.9
10,710.3
12,660.3
14,905.0

Preferred
stocks
1.0

Common
stocks
2.5

Real
estate(3)
–

16.4
19.9
50.3
357.6
627.3
608.3
651.4
764.8
520.6
116.9

2,579.2
3,339.5
4,480.0
5,697.9
5,095.3
4,448.8
5,397.6
4,951.0
5,968.1
6,124.4

18.0
6.5
6.4
8.0
150.5
291.6
413.9
447.5
615.2
501.1

Total(4)
24.0

16,819.7
19,000.7
19,949.8
21,273.0
23,300.0
24,322.5
26,094.2
24,861.6
26,192.7
29,016.1

Per share
($)
4.80

948.62
1,075.50
1,140.85
1,064.24
1,139.07
1,193.70
1,288.89
1,172.72
1,236.90
1,306.22

(1)

(2)

IFRS  basis  for  2010  to  2015;  Canadian  GAAP  basis  for  2009  and  prior.  Under  Canadian  GAAP,  investments  were
generally carried at cost or amortized cost in 2006 and prior.

Includes the company’s investment in funds that comprise a significant proportion of Brit’s investment portfolio. These
funds are invested principally in fixed income securities and are measured at net asset value, which represents the fair
value of the underlying securities. Although these funds are classified as common stocks on the consolidated balance sheet,
the company excludes funds that are invested principally in fixed income securities when measuring its equity and equity-
related exposure.

(3)

Includes the company’s equity-accounted investments in associates Grivalia Properties and the KWF LPs.

(4) Net of short sale and derivative obligations of the holding company and the subsidiary companies commencing in 2004.

Investments per share increased by $69.32 from $1,236.90 at December 31, 2014 to $1,306.22 at December 31, 2015,
primarily due to the consolidation of Brit’s investment portfolio, the net proceeds received from the Fairfax India
offerings  and  cash  provided  by  operating  activities,  partially  offset  by  net  unrealized  depreciation  of  bonds  and
common stocks, and the unfavourable impact of foreign currency translation (principally the strengthening of the
U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and euro). Since 1985, investments per share have compounded at a rate of
20.5% per year.

Interest and Dividend Income

The majority of interest and dividend income is earned by the insurance, reinsurance and runoff companies. Interest
and dividend income on holding company cash and investments was $17.2 in 2015 (2014 – $23.7) prior to giving

168

effect to total return swap expense of $28.7 (2014 – $30.0). Interest and dividend income earned in Fairfax’s first year
and for the past ten years is presented in the following table.

Year(1)
1986
(cid:1)

2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015

Interest and dividend income

Average

Pre-tax

After tax

Investments at

carrying value(2) Amount
3.4
46.3

Yield
(%)
7.34

Per share
($)
0.70

Amount(3)
1.8

Yield
(%)
3.89

Per share
($)
0.38

15,827.0
17,898.0
19,468.8
20,604.2
22,270.2
23,787.5
25,185.2
25,454.7
25,527.2
27,604.4

746.5
761.0
626.4
712.7
711.5
705.3
409.3
376.9
403.8
512.2

4.72
4.25
3.22
3.46
3.20
2.97
1.63
1.48
1.58
1.86

42.03
42.99
34.73
38.94
34.82
34.56
19.90
18.51
18.70
22.70

485.3
494.7
416.6
477.5
490.9
505.7
300.8
277.0
296.8
376.5

3.07
2.76
2.14
2.32
2.20
2.13
1.19
1.09
1.16
1.36

27.32
27.95
23.10
26.09
24.02
24.78
14.63
13.60
13.74
16.69

(1)

IFRS  basis  for  2010  to  2015;  Canadian  GAAP  basis  for  2009  and  prior.  Under  Canadian  GAAP,  investments  were
generally carried at cost or amortized cost in 2006 and prior.

(2) Net of short sale and derivative obligations of the holding company and the subsidiary companies commencing in 2004.

(3) Tax effected at the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate. 

Consolidated  interest  and  dividend  income  increased  from  $403.8  in  2014  to  $512.2  in  2015  reflecting  higher
interest income earned, principally due to increased holdings of higher yielding government bonds year-over-year
and the impact of consolidating Fairfax India and Brit’s portfolio investments. Total return swap expense increased
from $156.3 in 2014 to $160.5 in 2015, primarily reflecting an increase in the dividend rate on the iShares Russell
2000 Index (the reference security underlying a significant proportion of the company’s short total return swaps).

The company’s pre-tax interest and dividend income yield increased from 1.58% in 2014 to 1.86% in 2015 and the
company’s after-tax interest and dividend yield increased from 1.16% in 2014 to 1.36% in 2015. Prior to giving effect
to the interest expense which accrued to reinsurers on funds withheld and total return swap expense (described in
the two subsequent paragraphs), interest and dividend income in 2015 of $688.5 (2014 – $579.6) produced a pre-tax
gross portfolio yield of 2.49% (2014 – 2.27%), with the factors which contributed to the increased yield described in
the preceding paragraph.

Funds  withheld  payable  to  reinsurers  shown  on  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  represent  funds  to  which  the
company’s reinsurers are entitled (principally premiums and accumulated accrued interest on aggregate stop loss
reinsurance treaties) but which Fairfax retains as collateral for future obligations of those reinsurers. Claims payable
under  such  reinsurance  treaties  are  paid  first  out  of  the  funds  withheld  balances.  At  December  31,  2015  funds
withheld payable to reinsurers shown on the consolidated balance sheet of $322.8 (December 31, 2014 – $461.5)
principally related to Brit of $206.1 (December 31, 2014 – nil), Crum & Forster of $20.3 (December 31, 2014 – $338.9,
with  the  decrease  from  2014  principally  reflecting  the  significant  commutation  described  in  more  detail  in  the
Components of Net Earnings section of this MD&A under the heading Crum & Forster) and First Capital of $63.1
(December 31, 2014 – $62.5). The company’s consolidated interest and dividend income in 2015 is shown net of
interest expense which accrued to reinsurers on funds withheld of $15.8 (2014 – $19.5).

The company’s long equity total return swaps allow the company to receive the total return on a notional amount of
an equity index or individual equity instrument (including dividends and capital gains or losses) in exchange for the
payment of a floating rate of interest on the notional amount. Conversely, short equity total return swaps allow the
company  to  pay  the  total  return  on  a  notional  amount  of  an  equity  index  or  individual  equity  instrument  in
exchange for the receipt of a floating rate of interest on the notional amount. Throughout this MD&A, the term
‘‘total return swap expense’’ refers to the net dividends and interest paid or received related to the company’s long
and short equity and equity index total return swaps. The company’s consolidated interest and dividend income for
2015 is shown net of total return swap expense of $160.5 (2014 – $156.3).

169

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Share of profit of associates increased from $105.7 in 2014 to $172.9 in 2015, primarily reflecting the company’s
share of profit from its investments in KWF LPs (a Kennedy Wilson real estate partnership recognized a significant
gain on disposition of its investment properties in the second quarter of 2015) and Thai Re (Thai Re recognized a gain
on the partial disposition of its life insurance subsidiary in the second quarter of 2015), partially offset by lower share
of profit of ICICI Lombard.

Upon initial application of the equity method of accounting to its investment in Resolute, Fairfax was required to
determine its proportionate share of the fair value of Resolute’s assets and liabilities at that date. Differences between
fair value and Resolute’s carrying value were identified (collectively, fair value adjustments) primarily with respect to
Resolute’s fixed assets, deferred income tax assets and pension benefit obligations. These fair value adjustments have
been and will be recognized in Fairfax’s share of profit (loss) of Resolute in any period where Resolute adjusts the
carrying value of those particular assets and liabilities. As a result, in any such period Fairfax’s share of profit (loss) of
Resolute  will  differ,  potentially  significantly,  from  what  would  be  determined  by  applying  Fairfax’s  ownership
percentage of Resolute to Resolute’s reported net earnings (loss).

Net Gains (Losses) on Investments

Net losses on investments of $259.2 in 2015 (2014 – net gains on investments of $1,736.2) were comprised as shown
in the following table:

2015

2014

realized gains
(losses)

Net Net change in
unrealized
gains (losses)

Net gains
(losses) on realized gains
(losses)

Net Net change in
unrealized
gains (losses)

investments

Net gains
(losses) on
investments

Common stocks
Preferred stocks – convertible
Bonds – convertible
Gain on disposition of subsidiary and

associates(2)

Other equity derivatives(3)(4)

Equity and equity-related holdings

Equity hedges(4)

Equity and equity-related holdings after

equity hedges
Bonds
Common stocks – Other funds(6)
Preferred stocks
CPI-linked derivatives
Other derivatives
Foreign currency
Other

262.5
118.4(1)
0.6

235.5
201.8(5)

818.8
126.7

945.5
26.8
(6.8)
12.2
–
6.1
192.9
(0.3)

Net gains (losses) on bonds is comprised

as follows:
Government bonds
U.S. states and municipalities
Corporate and other

(3.3)
24.9
5.2

26.8

(933.0)
(140.9)(1)
(119.8)

(670.5)
(22.5)
(119.2)

483.5
(161.5)(1)
36.7

–
(50.1)(5)

235.5
151.7

(1,243.8)
375.1

(425.0)
501.8

(868.7)
(495.5)
(15.7)
(0.9)
35.7
(8.7)
(80.4)
(1.4)

76.8
(468.7)
(22.5)
11.3
35.7
(2.6)
112.5
(1.7)

(55.4)
(238.1)
(202.0)

(58.7)
(213.2)
(196.8)

53.6
184.6

596.9
13.0

609.9
103.0
–
(0.3)
–
12.5
59.0
6.5

790.6

79.6
18.5
4.9

(216.6)
47.2
166.7

–
(52.3)

(55.0)
(207.5)

(262.5)
1,134.2
–
(27.2)
17.7
(2.3)
44.4
41.3(7)

266.9
(114.3)
203.4

53.6
132.3

541.9
(194.5)

347.4
1,237.2
–
(27.5)
17.7
10.2
103.4
47.8

945.6

1,736.2

451.7
666.2
16.3

531.3
684.7
21.2

(495.5)

(468.7)

103.0

1,134.2

1,237.2

Net gains (losses) on investments

1,176.4

(1,435.6)

(259.2)

(1) During  2015  a  preferred  stock  investment  of  the  company  was,  pursuant  to  its  terms,  automatically  converted  into
common shares of the issuer, resulting in a net realized gain on investment of $124.4 (the difference between the share
price of the underlying common stock at the date of conversion and the exercise price of the preferred stock). Prior period
unrealized  gains  on  the  preferred  stock  investment  of  $104.8  were  reclassified  to  net  realized  gains.  During  2014  a
preferred stock investment of the company was, pursuant to its terms, automatically converted into common shares of the
issuer, resulting in a net realized loss on investment of $161.5.

170

(2) The  gain  on  disposition  of  subsidiary  of  $235.5  in  2015  principally  reflected  the  $236.4  gain  on  disposition  of  the
company’s investment in Ridley. The gain on disposition of associates of $53.6 in 2014 reflected the dispositions of the
company’s investments in MEGA Brands and two KWF LPs.

(3) Other equity derivatives include long equity total return swaps, equity warrants and call options.

(4) Gains and losses on equity and equity index total return swaps that are regularly renewed as part of the company’s long

term risk management objectives are presented within net change in unrealized gains (losses).

(5) On  April  10,  2015  the  company  exchanged  its  holdings  of  Cara  warrants,  class  A  and  class  B  preferred  shares  and
subordinated debentures for common shares of Cara, resulting in a net realized gain on the Cara warrants of $209.1
(inclusive of prior period unrealized gains of $20.6 that were reclassified to net realized gains).

(6) Other funds comprise a significant proportion of Brit’s investment portfolio and are invested principally in fixed income

securities.

(7) During the third quarter of 2014 Thomas Cook India increased its ownership interest in Sterling Resorts to 55.1% and
ceased applying the equity method of accounting, resulting in a non-cash gain of $41.2 in the consolidated statement
of earnings.

Equity and equity related holdings after equity hedges: The company has economically hedged its equity
and  equity-related  holdings  (comprised  of  common  stocks,  convertible  preferred  stocks,  convertible  bonds,
non-insurance investments in associates and equity-related derivatives) against a potential significant decline in
equity markets by way of short positions effected through equity and equity index total return swaps (including
short positions in certain equity indexes and individual equities) and equity index put options. At December 31,
2015  equity  hedges  with  a  notional  amount  of  $5,894.8  (December  31,  2014 – $6,856.9)  represented  88.1%
(December 31, 2014 – 89.6%) of the company’s equity and equity-related holdings of $6,687.4 (December 31, 2014 –
$7,651.7). The modest decrease in the hedge ratio principally resulted from closing out short positions in certain
individual equities and equity index total return swaps, partially offset by unrealized depreciation of equity and
equity-related holdings due to significant market declines and the impact of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar on
holdings  denominated  in  the  euro  and  Canadian  dollar  during  2015.  Subsequent  to  December  31,  2015  the
company added approximately $952.6 notional amount to its short positions in equity and equity index total return
swaps, increasing its equity hedge ratio to approximately 100% based on the fair value of its equity and equity-related
holdings at December 31, 2015. During 2015 the company’s equity and equity-related holdings after equity hedges
produced net gains of $76.8 (2014 – $347.4).

During 2015 the company paid a premium of $20.3 to purchase American style put options on the S&P 500 index
with a notional amount of $382.5, a weighted average strike price of 1,695.15 and an expiry date of December 30,
2016.  As  the  S&P  500  put  options  are  currently  out-of-the-money,  the  company  does  not  consider  the  notional
amount in its calculation of the equity hedge ratio.

Bonds: Net losses on bonds of $468.7 in 2015 were primarily comprised of net losses on U.S. state and municipal
bonds ($213.2), U.S. treasury bonds ($119.2) and corporate and other bonds ($196.8). The net losses on corporate
and other bonds was primarily due to the widening of the credit spread on one particular issuer.

CPI-linked derivatives: The company has purchased derivative contracts referenced to consumer price indexes
(‘‘CPI’’) in the geographic regions in which it operates to serve as an economic hedge against the potential adverse
financial impact on the company of decreasing price levels. Details of these contracts are presented in the tables
below. During 2015 the company purchased $2,907.3 (2014 – $35,954.2) notional amount of CPI-linked derivative
contracts at a cost of $14.6 (2014 – $120.6) and paid additional premiums of $4.8 (2014 – nil) to increase the strike
prices  of  certain  CPI-linked  derivative  contracts  (primarily  the  European  CPI-linked  derivatives).  The  company’s
CPI-linked derivative contracts produced net unrealized gains of $35.7 in 2015 (2014 – $17.7).

Net unrealized gains (losses) on CPI-linked derivative contracts typically reflect decreases (increases) in the values of
the CPI indexes underlying those contracts during the periods presented (those contracts are structured to benefit
the  company  during  periods  of  decreasing  CPI  index  values).  Refer  to  the  analysis  in  note  7  (Short  Sales  and
Derivatives) under the heading CPI-linked derivatives in the company’s consolidated financial statements for the

171

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

year  ended  December  31,  2015  for  a  discussion  of  the  company’s  economic  hedge  against  the  potential  adverse
financial impact of decreasing price levels.

December 31, 2015

Underlying CPI index
United States
United States
European Union
United Kingdom
France

Underlying CPI index
United States
United States
European Union
United Kingdom
France

Floor
rate(1)
0.0%
0.5%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%

Floor
rate(1)
0.0%
0.5%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%

Average
life
(in years)

6.6
8.8
5.7
6.9
7.1

6.6

Average
life
(in years)

7.6
9.8
6.5
7.9
7.7

7.4

Cost(2) Market
value

(in bps)

Market
value(2)
(in bps)

Net
unrealized
gain (loss)

Notional
amount

46,225.0
12,600.0
42,338.4
4,863.9
3,421.8

Cost

284.7
39.3
287.2
23.9
20.7

61.6
31.2
67.8
49.1
60.5

98.9
83.4
73.9
3.1
13.3

21.4
66.2
17.5
6.4
38.9

109,449.1

655.8

272.6

December 31, 2014

Cost(2) Market
value

(in bps)

Market
value(2)
(in bps)

Net
unrealized
gain (loss)

Notional
amount

46,225.0
12,600.0
44,499.7
5,145.6
3,327.6

Cost

286.4
40.3
285.9
24.4
18.4

62.0
32.0
64.2
47.4
55.3

78.8
72.5
70.4
4.8
11.9

17.0
57.5
15.8
9.3
35.8

111,797.9

655.4

238.4

(185.8)
44.1
(213.3)
(20.8)
(7.4)

(383.2)

(207.6)
32.2
(215.5)
(19.6)
(6.5)

(417.0)

(1) Contracts with a floor rate of 0.0% have a constant strike price and provide a payout at maturity if there is cumulative
deflation over the life of the contract. Contracts with a floor rate of 0.5% provide a payout at maturity based on a weighted
average strike price of 250.49 if cumulative inflation averages less than 0.5% per year over the life of the contract.

(2) Expressed as a percentage of the notional amount. 

172

Net gains (losses) on investments by reporting segment: Net  gains  (losses)  on  investments  by  reporting
segment for 2015 and 2014 were comprised as shown in the following tables:

Year ended December 31, 2015

Equity and equity-related holdings(2)
Equity hedges

Bonds

Common stocks – Other funds

Preferred stocks

CPI-linked derivatives

Foreign currency

Other

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge OdysseyRe

Crum &
Forster National Brit(1)

Zenith

Fairfax

Operating

Corporate
and

Asia Other companies Runoff Other

Other Consolidated

(45.5)

113.6

(22.9)

–

0.5

(0.8)

92.4

(5.4)

(285.4)

(101.6)

(59.3)

15.4

(23.7)

(79.0)

(579.1)

(125.9)

162.0

63.0

26.5

(7.2)

–

17.6

375.5

67.4

(180.8)

(64.4)

(30.1)

(42.3)

(7.8)

(37.9)

(386.2)

(78.8)

–

2.2

12.2

22.2

0.4

–

1.1

4.5

(8.4)

0.2

–

–

2.5

1.4

0.2

(20.7)

–

–

–

1.6

(21.9)

(0.2)

(0.3)

(0.5)

–

7.1

0.2

11.6

19.8

–

(20.7)

3.0

31.6

112.6

(4.6)

–

0.2

(1.4)

0.2

(0.2)

3.4

–

(2.9)

(1.8)

–

–

6.7

1.1

276.6

58.9

(0.8)

–

8.1

5.5

(7.0)

(0.6)

(425.0)

501.8

(468.7)

(22.5)

11.3

35.7

112.5

(4.3)

Net gains (losses) on investments

131.9

(267.2)

(105.6)

(58.8)

(75.3)

(24.5)

(68.4)

(467.9)

(138.5)

6.5

340.7

(259.2)

Year ended December 31, 2014

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge OdysseyRe

Crum &
Forster National Brit(1)

Zenith

Fairfax

Operating

Corporate
and

Asia Other companies Runoff Other

Other Consolidated

Equity and equity-related holdings

Equity hedges

Bonds

Preferred stocks

CPI-linked derivatives

Foreign currency

Other

119.2

(37.5)

66.9

(4.2)

(2.6)

74.7

(3.4)

146.1

107.2

(30.4)

(15.0)

494.2

230.4

(0.5)

(9.8)

(10.9)

(9.4)

(0.4)

(3.3)

3.1

(0.7)

17.9

(14.8)

93.4

–

2.9

8.3

(0.9)

Net gains (losses) on investments

213.1

579.3

321.3

106.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(26.6)

71.5

435.3

74.2

–

2.2

0.3

–

5.3

(0.5)

(6.1)

45.5

(22.2)

29.6

17.4

0.1

(103.8)

(24.6)

932.6

294.4

(27.0)

16.8

97.9

–

(3.8)

17.4

1.5

–

0.6

–

–

(0.2)

(14.8)

7.3

41.2

30.9

(66.1)

9.6

(0.5)

4.7

(11.7)

24.3

541.9

(194.5)

1,237.2

(27.5)

17.7

103.4

58.0

(19.3) 135.8

1,337.0

364.9

43.1

(8.8)

1,736.2

(1) Brit is included in the company’s financial reporting with effect from June 5, 2015.

(2)

Includes net realized gains on disposition of the company’s investment in Ridley of $106.3 and $130.1 at Northbridge and
Corporate and Other respectively.

Total Return on the Investment Portfolio

The following table presents the performance of the investment portfolio since Fairfax’s inception in 1985. For the
years  1986  to  2006,  the  calculation  of  total  return  on  average  investments  included  interest  and  dividends,  net
realized  gains  (losses)  and  changes  in  net  unrealized  gains  (losses)  as  the  majority  of  the  company’s  investment
portfolio was carried at cost or amortized cost under Canadian GAAP. For the years 2007 to 2009, Canadian GAAP
required the company to carry the majority of its investments at fair value and as a result, the calculation of total
return  on  average  investments  during  this  period  included  interest  and  dividends,  net  investment  gains  (losses)
recorded in net earnings, net unrealized gains (losses) recorded in other comprehensive income and changes in net
unrealized gains (losses) on equity accounted investments. Effective January 1, 2010 the company adopted IFRS and
was required to carry the majority of its investments at FVTPL and as a result, the calculation of total return on
average  investments  for  the  years  2010  to  2015  includes  interest  and  dividends,  net  investment  gains  (losses)
recorded in net earnings and changes in net unrealized gains (losses) on equity accounted investments. All of the
above noted amounts are included in the calculation of total return on average investments on a pre-tax basis.

173

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Average
investments
at carrying

Interest
and
value(2) dividends

Net
realized
gains
(losses)

Change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)

Net gains (losses)
recorded in:

Net
earnings
(loss)(3)

Other
comprehensive
income

Change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
investments
in
associates

Total return
on average
investments

46.3
81.2
102.6
112.4
201.2
292.3
301.8
473.1
871.5
1,163.4
1,861.5
3,258.6
5,911.2
10,020.3
11,291.5
10,264.3
10,377.9
11,527.5
12,955.8
14,142.4
15,827.0
17,898.0
19,468.8
20,604.2
22,270.2
23,787.5
25,185.2
25,454.7
25,527.2
27,604.4

3.4
6.2
7.5
10.0
17.7
22.7
19.8
18.1
42.6
65.3
111.0
183.8
303.7
532.7
534.0
436.9
436.1
331.9
375.7
466.1
746.5
761.0
626.4
712.7
711.5
705.3
409.3
376.9
403.8
512.2

0.7
7.1
6.5
13.4
2.0
(3.9)
2.8
21.6
14.6
52.5
96.3
149.3
314.3
63.8
259.1
121.0
465.0
826.1
300.5(4)
385.7
789.4(5)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1,639.5
2,718.6

(0.2)
(6.1)
9.5
(5.1)
(28.5)
24.0
(8.3)
22.2
(30.7)
32.7
82.1
(6.9)
(78.3)
(871.4)
584.1
194.0
263.2
142.4
165.6
73.0
(247.8)
–
–
904.3(6)
–
28.7
–
737.7
–
–
639.4
– (1,579.8)
1,682.7
–
(341.3)
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
304.5
(426.7)
1,076.7
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

3.9
7.2
23.5
18.3
(8.8)
42.8
14.3
61.9
26.5
150.5
289.4
326.2
539.7
(274.9)
1,377.2
751.9
1,164.3
1,300.4
841.8
924.8
1,288.1
(131.2) 2,573.8
278.3
3,196.6
(185.2) 2,508.5
838.4
98.2
1,521.5
78.5
79.6
1,128.3
(44.6) (1,247.5)
2,156.8
70.3
191.8
20.9

(%)

8.4
8.9
22.9
16.3
(4.4)
14.6
4.7
13.1
3.0
12.9
15.5
10.0
9.1
(2.7)
12.2
7.3
11.2
11.3
6.5
6.5
8.1
14.4
16.4
12.2
3.8
6.4
4.5
(4.9)
8.4
0.7

Year(1)
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015

Cumulative

from
inception

9,890.8

3,887.8

6,429.8

8.6(7)

(1)

IFRS basis for 2010 to 2015; Canadian GAAP for 2009 and prior. Under Canadian GAAP, investments were generally
carried at cost or amortized cost in 2006 and prior.

(2) Net of short sale and derivative obligations of the holding company and the subsidiary companies commencing in 2004.

(3) Excludes net gains (losses) recognized on the company’s underwriting activities related to foreign currency since 2008.

(4) Excludes the $40.1 gain on the company’s secondary offering of Northbridge and the $27.0 loss in connection with the

company’s repurchase of outstanding debt at a premium to par during 2004.

(5) Excludes the $69.7 gain on the company’s secondary offering of OdysseyRe, the $15.7 loss on the company’s repurchase of
outstanding  debt  at  a  premium  to  par  and  the  $8.1  dilution  loss  on  conversions  of  the  OdysseyRe  convertible  senior
debenture during 2006.

(6) Net gains on investments in 2009 excluded $25.9 of gains recognized on transactions in the common and preferred shares

of the company’s consolidated subsidiaries.

(7) Simple average of the total return on average investments for each of the 30 years.

174

Investment gains have been an important component of Fairfax’s financial results since 1985, having contributed an
aggregate  $11,376.3  (pre-tax)  to  total  equity  since  inception.  The  contribution  has  fluctuated  significantly  from
period to period; the amount of investment gains (losses) for any period has no predictive value and variations in
amount from period to period have no practical analytical value. From inception in 1985 to 2015, total return on
average investments has averaged 8.6%.

The company has a long term, value-oriented investment philosophy. It continues to expect fluctuations in the
global financial markets for common stocks, bonds, derivatives and other securities.

Bonds

Credit Risk

At December 31, 2015, 86.7% (December 31, 2014 – 89.5%) of the fixed income portfolio carrying value was rated
investment grade or better, with 71.8% (December 31, 2014 – 73.0%) being rated AA or better (primarily consisting of
government obligations).

Refer  to  note  24  (Financial  Risk  Management)  under  the  heading  Investments  in  Debt  Instruments  in  the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 for a discussion of the company’s exposure
to the credit risk of individual issuers, sovereign and U.S. state and municipal governments.

Interest Rate Risk

Hypothetical parallel upward shifts in the term structure of interest rates by 100 basis points and 200 basis points
would potentially decrease net earnings by $747.8 and $1,380.2 respectively.

The company’s exposure to interest rate risk is discussed further in note 24 (Financial Risk Management) to the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Common Stocks

The company owns significant investments in equity and equity-related holdings, which the company believes will
significantly appreciate in value over time. The market value and the liquidity of these investments are volatile and
may vary dramatically either up or down in short periods, and their ultimate value will therefore only be known over
the long term or on disposition.

As a result of volatility in the equity markets and international credit concerns, the company economically hedged
its  equity  and  equity-related  holdings  against  a  potential  significant  decline  in  equity  markets  by  way  of  short
positions effected through equity and equity index total return swaps. The company’s equity hedges are structured to
provide a return which is inverse to changes in the fair values of the equity indexes and certain individual equities.

In the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, refer to note 7 (Short
Sales and Derivatives) under the heading Equity Contracts for a tabular analysis of the equity hedging instruments
used by the company and to note 24 (Financial Risk Management) under the heading Market Price Fluctuations for a
tabular analysis followed by a discussion of the company’s hedges of equity price risk and the related basis risk.

The company’s holdings of common stocks and long equity total return swaps at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are
summarized by the issuer’s primary industry in the table below.

Financials and investment funds
Commercial and industrial
Consumer products and other

December 31, December 31,
2014
3,408.7
1,044.5
663.0

2015(1)
3,312.8
670.3
638.6

4,621.7

5,116.2

(1) Excludes investment funds classified within common stocks that comprise a significant proportion of Brit’s investment
portfolio. These funds are invested principally in fixed income securities and are therefore excluded by the company when
measuring its equity and equity-related exposure.

175

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The company’s holdings of common stocks and long equity total return swaps at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are
summarized by the issuer’s country of domicile in the table below.

United States
Canada
Greece
Egypt
Ireland
Netherlands
India
China
Kuwait
United Kingdom
Singapore
Hong Kong
Germany
All other

December 31, December 31,
2014
1,113.4
958.9
341.2
456.6
700.6
242.4
281.1
193.1
101.2
143.5
51.3
6.1
–
526.8

2015(1)
1,130.9
793.0
444.7
402.0
300.7
234.4
177.7
198.1
80.7
62.1
59.7
54.9
41.7
641.1

4,621.7

5,116.2

(1) Excludes investment funds classified within common stocks that comprise a significant proportion of Brit’s investment
portfolio. These funds are invested principally in fixed income securities and are therefore excluded by the company when
measuring its equity and equity-related exposure.

Derivatives and Derivative Counterparties

The company endeavours to limit counterparty risk through diligent selection of counterparties to its derivative
contracts  and  through  the  terms  of  negotiated  agreements.  Pursuant  to  these  agreements,  counterparties  are
contractually required to deposit eligible collateral in collateral accounts (subject to certain minimum thresholds) for
the benefit of the company based on the then current fair value of the derivative contracts. Agreements negotiated
with counterparties provide for a single net settlement of all financial instruments covered by the agreement in the
event of default by the counterparty, thereby permitting obligations owed by the company to a counterparty to be
offset to the extent of the aggregate amount receivable by the company from that counterparty. The company’s
exposure  to  derivative  counterparty  risk  at  December 31,  2015  is  estimated  to  be  $314.4  (December  31,  2014 –
$432.7).

Refer  to  note  24  (Financial  Risk  Management)  under  the  heading  Credit  Risk – Counterparties  to  Derivative
Contracts in the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 for a discussion
and a tabular analysis of the company’s exposure to derivative counterparty risk.

Float

Fairfax’s  float  (a  non-IFRS  measure)  is  the  sum  of  its  loss  reserves,  including  loss  adjustment  expense  reserves,
unearned premium reserves and other insurance contract liabilities, less insurance contract receivables, recoverable
from reinsurers and deferred premium acquisition costs. The annual benefit (cost) of float is calculated by dividing
the underwriting profit (loss) by the average float in that year. Float arises as an insurance or reinsurance business
receives premiums in advance of the payment of claims.

176

The following table presents the accumulated float and the cost of generating that float for Fairfax’s insurance and
reinsurance operations. The average float from those operations increased by 7.9% in 2015 to $12,634.9, at no cost.

Year
1986
(cid:1)

2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Weighted average since inception

Underwriting
profit (loss)(1)
2.5

Average
float
21.6

Cost (benefit)
of float
(11.6)%

(754.4) 11,315.1
11,906.0
12,045.7
11,707.4
12,634.9

6.1
440.0
552.0
704.5

6.7%
(0.1)%
(3.7)%
(4.7)%
(5.6)%
0.8%

Average
long term
Canada treasury
bond yield
9.6%

3.3%
2.4%
2.8%
2.8%
2.2%
4.0%

Fairfax weighted average net benefit of float since inception: 3.2%

(1)

IFRS basis for 2010 to 2015; Canadian GAAP basis for 2009 and prior.

The following table presents a breakdown of total year-end float for the most recent five years.

Insurance and Reinsurance

Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015

Northbridge(1) OdysseyRe(2)
4,733.4
4,905.9
4,673.5
4,492.3
4,172.2

2,223.1
2,314.1
2,112.0
1,910.8
1,626.1

Zenith
Crum &
Forster(3) National(4)

Fairfax

Ongoing

Brit(5)

Asia(6) Other(7)

operations Runoff(8)

Total

2,146.7
2,354.9
2,338.7
2,562.7
2,593.6

–
1,061.0
–
1,154.2
–
1,202.3
1,195.2
–
1,217.1 2,731.8

387.0 1,018.4
470.7 1,042.6
519.3 1,003.2
880.4
524.4
792.5
570.7

11,569.6
12,242.4
11,849.0
11,565.8
13,704.0

2,829.4 14,399.0
3,636.8 15,879.2
3,701.5 15,550.5
3,499.2 15,065.0
3,367.6 17,071.6

During 2015 the company’s aggregate float increased by $2,006.6 to $17,071.6.

(1) Northbridge’s float decreased by 14.9% primarily due to the effect of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the
Canadian  dollar.  In  Canadian  dollar  terms,  Northbridge’s  float  increased  by  2.5%  (at  no  cost)  primarily  due  to  net
favourable reserve development.

(2) OdysseyRe’s float decreased by 7.1% primarily due to lower loss reserves, partially offset by lower reinsurance recoverables,
principally due to net favourable prior year reserve development. The decrease in float also reflected a decrease in provision
for  unearned  premiums,  partially  offset  by  lower  deferred  acquisition  costs,  principally  reflecting  the  impact  of  lower
premium volume due to the competitive market environment.

(3) Crum & Forster’s float increased by 1.2% (at no cost) primarily due to an increase in provision for unearned premiums and
decreased reinsurance recoverables, principally reflecting the impacts of growth in premium volumes and higher retention
of business.

(4) Zenith National’s float increased by 1.8% (at no cost) due to lower reinsurance recoverables, partially offset by lower loss

reserves, principally reflecting higher retention of business and net favourable prior year reserve development.

(5) Brit is included in the company’s financial reporting with effect from June 5, 2015. There was no cost of float.

(6) Fairfax Asia’s float increased by 8.8% (at no cost) primarily due to the acquisitions of Union Assurance and MCIS.

(7)

Insurance  and  Reinsurance – Other’s  float  decreased  by  10.0%  primarily  due  to  the  effect  of  the  strengthening  of  the
U.S. dollar relative to the Brazilian real, Polish zloty, and Canadian dollar.

(8) Runoff’s float decreased by 3.8% primarily due to a decrease in loss reserves and payable to reinsurers balances, partially
offset by lower insurance balances receivable and reinsurance recoverables, principally reflecting normal course cession
and collection activity, partially offset by the impact of the reinsurance of third party runoff portfolios during the year.

177

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Financial Condition

Capital Resources and Management

The company manages its capital based on the following financial measurements and ratios:

Holding company cash and investments (net of short sale

and derivative obligations)

1,275.9

1,212.7

1,241.6

1,128.0

962.8

Long term debt – holding company borrowings
Long term debt – insurance and reinsurance companies
Long term debt – non-insurance companies

2,599.0
468.5
284.0

2,656.5
385.9
136.6

2,491.0
458.8
44.7

2,377.7
618.3
52.6

2,394.6
622.4
1.5

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Total debt

Net debt

Common shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

3,351.5

3,179.0

2,994.5

3,048.6

3,018.5

2,075.6

1,966.3

1,752.9

1,920.6

2,055.7

8,952.5
1,334.9
1,731.5

8,361.0
1,164.7
218.1

7,186.7
1,166.4
107.4

7,654.7
1,166.4
73.4

7,427.9
934.7
45.9

12,018.9

9,743.8

8,460.5

8,894.5

8,408.5

Net debt/total equity
Net debt/net total capital(1)
Total debt/total capital(2)
Interest coverage(3)
Interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage(4)

17.3%
14.7%
21.8%
3.9x
2.9x

20.2%
16.8%
24.6%
12.3x
9.0x

20.7%
17.2%
26.1%
n/a
n/a

21.6%
17.8%
25.5%
4.2x
3.0x

24.4%
19.6%
26.4%
1.0x
0.7x

(1) Net total capital is calculated by the company as the sum of total equity and net debt.

(2) Total capital is calculated by the company as the sum of total equity and total debt.

(3)

(4)

Interest coverage is calculated by the company as the sum of earnings (loss) before income taxes and interest expense
divided by interest expense.

Interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage is calculated by the company as the sum of earnings (loss)
before income taxes and interest expense divided by interest expense and preferred share dividend distributions adjusted to
a before tax equivalent at the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate.

Holding company borrowings at December 31, 2015 decreased by $57.5 to $2,599.0 from $2,656.5 at December 31,
2014, primarily reflecting the repayment upon maturity on October 1, 2015 of Fairfax unsecured notes ($82.4) and
the impact of foreign currency translation on the company’s Canadian dollar denominated long term debt, partially
offset by the issuance of Cdn$350.0 principal amount of Fairfax unsecured senior notes due 2025.

Subsidiary debt (comprised of long term debt of the insurance and reinsurance companies and long term debt of the
non-insurance companies) at December 31, 2015 increased by $230.0 to $752.5 from $522.5 at December 31, 2014,
primarily reflecting the consolidation of long term debt, loans and revolving credit facilities of Brit ($208.6), Cara
($46.8) and NCML ($19.2), and additional financing at Thomas Cook India in respect of its acquisitions and the
issuance of $15.2 (1.0 billion Indian rupees) principal amount of its debentures due 2020, partially offset by the
repayment upon maturity on May 1, 2015 of OdysseyRe unsecured senior notes ($125.0) and the impact of foreign
currency translation.

Common shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2015 increased by $591.5 to $8,952.5 from $8,361.0 at December 31,
2014, primarily reflecting net proceeds from the issuance of 1.15 million subordinate voting shares ($575.9) and net
earnings  attributable  to  shareholders  of  Fairfax  ($567.7),  partially  offset  by  the  payment  of  dividends  on  the
company’s common and preferred shares ($265.4) and other comprehensive loss of $251.7 (primarily $249.5 related
to net unrealized foreign currency translation losses of foreign operations).

The  changes  in  holding  company  borrowings,  subsidiary  debt  and  common  shareholders’  equity  affected  the
company’s  leverage  ratios  as  follows:  the  consolidated  net  debt/net  total  capital  ratio  decreased  to  14.7%  at
December 31, 2015 from 16.8% at December 31, 2014 primarily as a result of increases in net total capital, partially
offset by increases in net debt. The increase in net total capital was due to increases in common shareholders’ equity,

178

preferred stock (reflecting the issuance of 9.2 million Series M preferred shares), non-controlling interests (primarily
as a result of Fairfax India’s offerings and the acquisitions of Brit and Cara) and higher net debt. The increase in net
debt was primarily due to increased subsidiary debt as described above. The consolidated total debt/total capital ratio
decreased to 21.8% at December 31, 2015 from 24.6% at December 31, 2014 primarily as a result of increased total
capital  (reflecting  increases  in  common  shareholders’  equity,  preferred  shares,  total  debt  and  non-controlling
interests), partially offset by increased total debt (primarily increased subsidiary debt as described above).

The company believes that cash and investments, net of short sale and derivative obligations, at December 31, 2015
of  $1,275.9  (December  31,  2014 – $1,212.7)  provide  adequate  liquidity  to  meet  the  holding  company’s  known
obligations in 2016. Refer to the Liquidity section of this MD&A for a discussion of the sources of liquidity available
to the holding company and the holding company’s known significant commitments for 2016.

The  company’s  insurance  and  reinsurance  operating  companies  continue  to  maintain  capital  above  minimum
regulatory levels, at adequate levels required to support their issuer credit and financial strength ratings, and above
internally calculated risk management levels as discussed below. A common non-IFRS measure of capital adequacy in
the property and casualty industry is the ratio of premiums to statutory surplus (or total equity). This ratio is shown
for the insurance and reinsurance operating companies for the most recent five years in the following table:

Insurance and Reinsurance

Northbridge (Canada)
OdysseyRe (U.S.)
Crum & Forster (U.S.)
Zenith National (U.S.)
Brit(1)
Fairfax Asia
Other(2)

Canadian insurance industry
U.S. insurance industry

Net premiums written to statutory
surplus (total equity)

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

0.9
0.5
1.3
1.3
1.4
0.4
0.7
1.0
0.7

0.8
0.6
1.1
1.3
n/a
0.4
0.5
1.0
0.7

0.9
0.6
1.1
1.4
n/a
0.4
0.6
1.0
0.7

0.8
0.6
1.0
1.4
n/a
0.5
0.7
1.0
0.8

1.0
0.6
0.9
0.8
n/a
0.5
0.8
1.1
0.8

(1) The 2015 ratio presented for Brit includes net premiums written by Brit prior its acquisition by the company on June 5,

2015.

(2) Other includes Group Re, Advent, Polish Re and Fairfax Brasil. 

In  the  U.S.,  the  National  Association  of  Insurance  Commissioners  (‘‘NAIC’’)  has  developed  a  model  law  and
risk-based capital (‘‘RBC’’) formula designed to help regulators identify property and casualty insurers that may be
inadequately capitalized. Under the NAIC’s requirements, an insurer must maintain total capital and surplus above a
calculated threshold or face varying levels of regulatory action. The threshold is based on a formula that attempts to
quantify  the  risk  of  a  company’s  insurance  and  reinsurance,  investment  and  other  business  activities.  At
December 31, 2015 OdysseyRe, Crum & Forster, Zenith National and U.S. runoff subsidiaries had capital and surplus
in excess of the regulatory minimum requirement of two times the authorized control level; each subsidiary had
capital and surplus of at least 3.6 times (December 31, 2014 – 3.7 times) the authorized control level, except for TIG
Insurance which had 3.0 times (December 31, 2014 – 2.9 times).

In  Canada,  property  and  casualty  companies  are  regulated  by  the  Office  of  the  Superintendent  of  Financial
Institutions on the basis of a minimum supervisory target of 150% of a minimum capital test (‘‘MCT’’) formula. At
December 31, 2015 Northbridge’s subsidiaries had a weighted average MCT ratio of 198% of the minimum statutory
capital required, compared to 214% at December 31, 2014, well in excess of the 150% minimum supervisory target.

The  Lloyd’s  market  is  subject  to  the  solvency  and  capital  adequacy  requirements  of  the  Prudential  Regulatory
Authority in the U.K. The capital requirements of Brit are based on the output of an internal model which reflects the
risk profile of the business. At December 31, 2015 Brit’s available capital consisted of net tangible assets (total assets
less any intangible assets and all liabilities), subordinated debt and contingent funding in the form of letters of credit
and amounted to $1,495.5. This represented a surplus of $329.5 over the management capital requirements (capital
required for business strategy and regulatory requirements), compared to Brit’s minimum surplus of $185.0.

179

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

In  countries  other  than  the  U.S.  and  Canada  where  the  company  operates  (the  United  Kingdom,  Barbados,
Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Poland, Brazil, Indonesia and other jurisdictions), the company met or
exceeded the applicable regulatory capital requirements at December 31, 2015.

The  issuer  credit  ratings  and  financial  strength  ratings  of  Fairfax  and  its  insurance  and  reinsurance  operating
companies at December 31, 2015 were as follows:

Standard

Issuer Credit Ratings
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited

Financial Strength Ratings
Crum & Forster Holdings Corp.(1)
Zenith National Insurance Corp.
Odyssey Re Holdings Corp.(1)
Brit PLC(2)
Northbridge Commercial Insurance Corp.
Northbridge General Insurance Corp.
Federated Insurance Company of Canada
Wentworth Insurance Company Ltd.
First Capital Insurance Limited
Falcon Insurance Company (Hong Kong) Limited
Advent Capital (Holdings) PLC(2)
Polish Re

A.M. Best
bbb

& Poor’s Moody’s DBRS
BBB

Baa3

BBB-

A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
–
A
A-

A-
BBB+
A-
A+
A-
A-
A-
–
–
A-
A+
–

Baa1
Baa1
A3
–
–
A3
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
A
A
–
–
–
–
–

(1) Financial strength ratings apply to the operating companies.

(2) Advent and Brit’s ratings are the A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s ratings assigned to Lloyd’s.

During 2015 A.M. Best upgraded Wentworth Insurance Company Limited from a rating of ‘‘A-’’ at December 31,
2014  to  a  rating  of  ‘‘A’’  at  December  31,  2015  and  DBRS  assigned  a  Financial  Strength  Rating  of  ‘‘A’’  to  both
Northbridge General Insurance Company and Federated Insurance Company of Canada. Polish Re is no longer rated
by Standard & Poor’s.

Book Value Per Share

Common  shareholders’  equity  at  December  31,  2015  of  $8,952.5  or  $403.01  per  basic  share  (excluding  the
unrecorded $948.8 excess of fair value over the carrying value of investments in associates and certain consolidated
non-insurance  subsidiaries)  compared  to  $8,361.0  or  $394.83  per  basic  share  (excluding  the  unrecorded  $830.5
excess  of  fair  value  over  the  carrying  value  of  investments  in  associates  and  certain  consolidated  non-insurance
subsidiaries) at December 31, 2014, representing an increase per basic share in 2015 of 2.1% (without adjustment for
the $10.00 per common share dividend paid in the first quarter of 2015, or an increase of 4.5% adjusted to include
that dividend). During 2015 the number of basic shares increased primarily as a result of the issuance of 1.15 million
subordinate  voting  shares,  partially  offset  by  net  repurchases  of  131,603  subordinate  voting  shares  for  treasury
(for  use  in  the  company’s  share-based  payment  awards).  At  December  31,  2015  there  were  22,213,859  common
shares effectively outstanding.

The company has issued and repurchased common shares in the most recent five years as follows:

Date
2011 – repurchase of shares
2013 – issuance of shares
2013 – repurchase of shares
2014 – repurchase of shares
2015 – issuance of shares

Number of
subordinate
voting shares
(25,700)
1,000,000
(36)
(8)
1,169,294

Average
issue/repurchase
price per share
389.11
399.49
402.78
430.98
502.01

Net proceeds/
(repurchase cost)
(10.0)
399.5
–
–
587.0

180

On September 28, 2015 the company commenced its normal course issuer bid by which it is authorized, until expiry
of the bid on September 27, 2016, to acquire up to 800,000 subordinate voting shares, 601,538 Series C preferred
shares,  398,361  Series  D  preferred  shares,  405,134  Series  E  preferred  shares,  357,204  Series  F  preferred  shares,
1,000,000  Series  G  preferred  shares,  1,200,000  Series  I  preferred  shares,  950,000  Series  K  preferred  shares  and
920,000 Series M preferred shares, representing at that date approximately 3.7% of the public float in respect of the
subordinate voting shares and 10% of the public float in respect of each series of preferred shares. Decisions regarding
any future repurchases will be based on market conditions, share price and other factors including opportunities to
invest capital for growth. The Notice of Intention to Make a Normal Course Issuer Bid is available by contacting the
Corporate Secretary of the company.

Virtually all of the share issuances in 2013 and 2015 were pursuant to public offerings. During 2012, 2013, 2014 and
2015 the company did not repurchase for cancellation any subordinate voting shares under the terms of normal
course  issuer  bids.  During  2013  and  2014  the  company  repurchased  36  shares  and  8  shares  respectively  for
cancellation from former employees.

Fairfax’s indirect ownership of its own shares through The Sixty Two Investment Company Limited results in an
effective reduction of shares outstanding by 799,230, and this reduction has been reflected in the earnings per share
and book value per share figures.

The table below presents the excess (deficiency) of fair value over carrying value of investments in associates and
certain non-insurance subsidiaries the company considers to be portfolio investments but that are required to be
consolidated under IFRS. The aggregate excess of fair value over carrying value of these investments is not included in
the calculation of book value per share.

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Insurance and reinsurance

associates

Non-insurance associates
Thomas Cook India
Ridley(2)

Fair value

Carrying
value(1)

1,126.0
1,280.6
763.1
–

526.4
1,406.5
288.0
–

Excess
(deficiency) of
fair value over
carrying value

Fair
value

Carrying
value(1)

Excess of
fair value
over
carrying value

599.6
673.3
(125.9) 1,397.2
472.8
475.1
245.8
–

439.6
1,178.1
269.5
71.4

233.7
219.1
203.3
174.4

830.5

3,169.7

2,220.9

948.8

2,789.1

1,958.6

(1) The carrying values of Ridley and Thomas Cook India represent their respective carrying values under the equity method

of accounting.

(2) On June 18, 2015 Fairfax sold all of its common shares of Ridley and recognized a net realized gain of $236.4.

Liquidity

Holding company cash and investments at December 31, 2015 totaled $1,276.5 ($1,275.9 net of $0.6 of holding
company short sale and derivative obligations) compared to $1,244.3 at December 31, 2014 ($1,212.7 net of $31.6 of
holding company short sale and derivative obligations).

Significant  cash  and  investment  movements  at  the  Fairfax  holding  company  level  during  2015  included  the
following significant outflows: net consideration paid to acquire Brit of $1,656.6, the repayment upon maturity of
the principal amounts of OdysseyRe and Fairfax unsecured senior notes of $125.0 and $82.4 respectively, and capital
transactions  with  operating  companies  of  $134.0.  Significant  inflows  during  2015  included  the  following:  net
proceeds from the company’s three underwritten public offerings to finance the Brit acquisition ($575.9 from the
issuance of 1.15 million subordinate voting shares, $275.7 from the issuance of Cdn$350.0 principal amount of
4.95% unsecured senior notes due March 3, 2025 and $179.0 from the issuance of 9.2 million Series M preferred
shares), proceeds of $516.0 received from OMERS for the sale of a 29.9% interest in Brit, net proceeds from the
company’s  sale  of  its  73.6%  interest  in  Ridley  ($214.5),  the  receipt  of  corporate  income  tax  sharing  payments
($275.4), dividends from subsidiaries (primarily Northbridge ($276.8), Zenith National ($46.0), Wentworth ($88.0)
and OdysseyRe ($300.0)) and net cash received of $34.9 with respect to the reset provisions of long and short equity

181

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

and equity index total return swaps (excluding the impact of collateral requirements). The carrying value of holding
company  cash  and  investments  was  also  affected  by  the  following:  receipt  of  investment  management  and
administration fees, disbursements associated with corporate overhead expenses and costs in connection with the
repurchase of subordinate voting shares for treasury. The carrying values of holding company investments vary with
changes in the fair values of those investments.

The  company  believes  that  holding  company  cash  and  investments,  net  of  holding  company  short  sale  and
derivative obligations at December 31, 2015 of $1,275.9 provides adequate liquidity to meet the holding company’s
known  obligations  in  2016.  The  holding  company  expects  to  continue  to  receive  investment  management  and
administration fees from its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, investment income on its holdings of cash and
investments, and dividends from its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. To further augment its liquidity, the
holding company can draw upon its $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility (for further details related to the
credit facility, refer to note 15 (Long Term Debt and Credit Facilities) to the consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2015).

The holding company’s known significant commitments for 2016 consist of payment of the $227.8 ($10.00 per
share) dividend on common shares (paid January 2016), interest and corporate overhead expenses, preferred share
dividends, income tax payments, potential cash outflows related to derivative contracts (described below) and the
anticipated  acquisition  of  Eurolife  and  additional  investment  in  ICICI  Lombard.  The  net  proceeds  from  an
underwritten  public  offering  of  1.0  million  subordinate  voting  shares  ($523.5  (Cdn$705.1)),  which  closed  on
March 2, 2016, will be used to finance the acquisition of Eurolife and the additional investment in ICICI Lombard.
The offerings are described in more detail in note 16 (Total Equity) to the consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2015.

During 2014 the company completed a private debt offering of $300.0 principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due
August 13, 2024 for net proceeds of $294.2. Those net proceeds were used to fund the redemptions of $50.0 principal
amount of OdysseyRe Series B unsecured senior notes and $25.0 principal amount of American Safety trust preferred
securities  in  2014  and  to  fund  the  repayment,  upon  maturity,  of  the  Fairfax  ($82.4)  and  OdysseyRe  ($125.0)
unsecured senior notes on October 1, 2015 and May 1, 2015 respectively.

The holding company may experience cash inflows or outflows (which at times could be significant) related to its
derivative contracts, including collateral requirements and cash settlements of market value movements of total
return swaps which have occurred since the most recent reset date. During 2015 the holding company received net
cash of $34.9 (2014 – paid net cash of $113.4) in connection with long and short equity and equity index total return
swap derivative contracts (excluding the impact of collateral requirements).

During 2015 subsidiary cash and short term investments (including cash and short term investments pledged for
short sale and derivative obligations) increased by $1,099.9 primarily reflecting the consolidation of Brit’s cash and
short  term  investments  ($1,348.1),  proceeds  received  on  net  sales  of  common  stocks,  cash  inflows  related  to
derivatives (principally equity and equity index total return swaps) and cash flow from operating activities, partially
offset by cash used to fund net purchases of bonds and the unfavourable impact of foreign currency translation.

The  insurance  and  reinsurance  subsidiaries  may  experience  cash  inflows  or  outflows  (which  at  times  could  be
significant) related to their derivative contracts including collateral requirements and cash settlements of market
value  movements  of  total  return  swaps  which  have  occurred  since  the  most  recent  reset  date.  During  2015  the
insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries received net cash of $225.4 (2014 – paid net cash of $194.2) in connection
with long and short equity and equity index total return swap derivative contracts (excluding the impact of collateral
requirements). The insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries typically fund any such obligations from cash provided by
operating activities. In addition, obligations incurred on short equity and equity index total return swaps may be
funded from sales of equity-related investments, the market values of which will generally vary inversely with the
market values of the short equity and equity index total return swaps.

182

The following table presents major components of cash flow for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

Operating activities

Cash provided by operating activities before the undernoted
Net purchases of investments classified as FVTPL

Investing activities

Net purchases of investments in associates
Purchases of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
Sales of subsidiaries, net of cash divested
Net purchases of premises and equipment and intangible assets
Increase in restricted cash for purchase of subsidiary

Financing activities

Issuance of long term debt – holding company and insurance and reinsurance companies
Repayment of long term debt – holding company and insurance and reinsurance

companies

Issuance of long term debt – non-insurance companies
Repayment of long term debt – non-insurance companies
Net borrowings – revolving credit facilities
Issuances of subordinate voting shares
Issuance of preferred shares
Repurchases of preferred shares
Purchases of subordinate voting shares for treasury
Issuances of subsidiary common shares to non-controlling interests
Net sales of subsidiary common shares to non-controlling interests
Common and preferred share dividends paid
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

2015

2014

629.0
(484.3)

519.8
(590.0)

(112.0)
(1,455.6)
304.4
(201.3)
(6.5)

(138.1)
(189.9)
–
(67.1)
–

275.7

294.2

(212.4)
54.2
(5.8)
18.4
575.9
179.0
(4.8)
(95.5)
725.8
430.0
(265.4)
(5.0)

(86.6)
–
(3.5)
17.4
–
–
(1.2)
(24.6)
–
–
(272.6)
(6.6)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the year

343.8

(548.8)

Cash provided by operating activities (excluding net purchases of investments classified as FVTPL) increased from
$519.8 in 2014 to $629.0 in 2015, primarily as a result of higher net premiums collected, partially offset by higher
income  taxes  paid  and  higher  net  paid  losses.  Refer  to  note  28  (Supplementary  Cash  Flow  Information)  to  the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 for details of net purchases of securities
classified as FVTPL.

Net purchases of investments in associates of $112.0 in 2015 primarily reflected Fairfax India’s purchase of its 21.9%
interest in IIFL, Fairfax Asia’s purchase of its 35% interest in BIC Insurance and Brit’s purchase of its 50% interest in
Ambridge Partners, partially offset by distributions from the company’s non-insurance associates. Net purchases of
investments in associates of $138.1 in 2014 primarily related to investments in AgriCo and Sterling Resorts and an
additional investment in Grivalia Properties and Thai Re, partially offset by the sale of the company’s investments in
MEGA Brands and two KWF LPs. Purchases of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired of $1,455.6 in 2015 primarily related
to the acquisitions of a 97.0% interest in Brit, a 20.7% interest in NCML, Thomas Cook India’s acquisitions of Kuoni
Hong Kong and Kuoni India, a 78.0% interest in Union Assurance, the acquisitions of Redwoods and MCIS, and
Cara’s  acquisition  of  New  York  Fries.  Purchases  of  subsidiaries,  net  of  cash  acquired  of  $189.9  in  2014  primarily
related  to  the  acquisition  of  a  51.0%  interest  in  The  Keg,  the  acquisitions  of  Praktiker  and  Pethealth,  and  the
additional  controlling  interest  in  Sterling  Resorts.  Sales  of  subsidiaries,  net  of  cash  divested  of  $304.4  in  2015
primarily related to the sale of the company’s 73.6% interest in Ridley.

In 2015 the company completed three underwritten public offerings: the issuance of 1.15 million subordinate voting
shares  of  $575.9  (Cdn$717.1)),  the  issuance  of  long  term  debt  of  $275.7  (net  proceeds  from  the  issuance  of
Cdn$350.0  principal  amount  of  4.95%  unsecured  senior  notes  due  March  3,  2025)  and  the  issuance
9,200,000  cumulative  five-year  reset  preferred  shares,  Series  M  of  $179.0  (Cdn$222.9)  which  formed  part  of  the
financing  for  the  acquisition  of  Brit.  Repayment  of  long  term  debt – holding  company  and  insurance  and
reinsurance companies of $212.4 in 2015 primarily reflected the repayment upon maturity of OdysseyRe and Fairfax
unsecured  senior  notes  ($125.0  and  $82.4  principal  amounts  respectively).  Issuance  of  long  term  debt –
non-insurance of $54.2 in 2015 principally reflected additional financing at Thomas Cook India in respect of its

183

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

acquisitions and the issuance of $15.2 (INR 1.0 billion) principal amount of its debentures due 2020. Issuance of long
term debt – holding company and insurance and reinsurance companies of $294.2 in 2014 reflected net proceeds
from  the  issuance  of  $300.0  principal  amount  of  Fairfax  (US)  Inc.  4.875%  senior  notes  due  August  13,  2024.
Repayment  of  long  term  debt – holding  company  and  insurance  and  reinsurance  companies  of  $86.6  in  2014
primarily reflected the redemption of $50.0 principal amount of OdysseyRe Series B unsecured senior notes, the
redemption  of  $25.0  principal  amount  of  American  Safety  trust  preferred  securities  and  the  repurchase  of  $7.0
principal amount of holding company trust preferred securities. Purchases of subordinate voting shares for treasury
in 2015 of $95.5 (2014 – $24.6) related to purchases for the company’s share-based payment awards. Issuance of
subsidiary common shares to non-controlling interests of $725.8 in 2015 reflected the offerings of Fairfax India’s
common shares. Net sales of subsidiary common shares to non-controlling interests of $430.0 in 2015 primarily
reflected the sale of a 29.9% interest in Brit to OMERS. The company paid common and preferred share dividends of
$216.1 and $49.3 in 2015 respectively (2014 – $215.7 and $56.9 respectively).

Contractual Obligations

The  following  table  provides  a  payment  schedule  of  the  company’s  significant  current  and  future  obligations
(holding company and subsidiaries) as at December 31, 2015:

Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Long term debt obligations – principal
Long term debt obligations – interest
Operating leases – obligations

Less than
1 year
5,267.7
128.9
205.6
110.8

1-3 years
5,725.2
353.9
382.3
196.5

3-5 years
3,444.7
511.4
319.5
163.0

More than
5 years
5,378.8
2,366.8
631.6
290.2

Total
19,816.4
3,361.0
1,539.0
760.5

5,713.0

6,657.9

4,438.6

8,667.4

25,476.9

For further detail on the maturity profile of the company’s financial liabilities, please see the heading Liquidity Risk
in  note  24  (Financial  Risk  Management)  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended
December 31, 2015.

Contingencies and Commitments

For a full description of these matters, please see note 20 (Contingencies and Commitments) to the consolidated
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Accounting and Disclosure Matters

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the company’s management, including the company’s CEO and
CFO,  the  company  conducted  an  evaluation  of  the  effectiveness  of  its  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  as  of
December 31, 2015, as required by Canadian securities legislation. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed
to  ensure  that  the  information  required  to  be  disclosed  by  the  company  in  the  reports  it  files  or  submits  under
securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis and that such information is
accumulated and reported to management, including the company’s CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow required
disclosures to be made in a timely fashion. Based on their evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that as of
December 31, 2015, the company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial
reporting  (as  defined  in  Rule  13a-15(f)  under  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934  and  under  National
Instrument  52-109).  The  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a  process  designed  to  provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International
Accounting  Standards  Board.  A  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  includes  those  policies  and
procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the

184

transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are
recorded  as  necessary  to  permit  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with
authorizations  of  management  and  directors  of  the  company;  and  (iii)  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could
have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect
misstatements.  Also,  projections  of  any  evaluation  of  effectiveness  to  future  periods  are  subject  to  the  risk  that
controls  may  become  inadequate  because  of  changes  in  conditions,  or  that  the  degree  of  compliance  with  the
policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Subject to the limitations described below under ‘‘Limitation on scope of evaluation’’, the company’s management
assessed the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015. In
making this assessment, the company’s management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (‘‘COSO’’)  in  Internal  Control – Integrated  Framework  (2013).  The
company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that, as of December 31, 2015, the company’s
internal control over financial reporting was effective based on the criteria in Internal Control – Integrated Framework
(2013) issued by COSO.

Pursuant to the requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act, the effectiveness of the company’s internal control
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent
auditor, as stated in its report which appears within this Annual Report.

Limitation on scope of design and evaluation

On June 5, 2015 the company completed the acquisition of Brit PLC, which was subsequently renamed Brit Limited
(‘‘Brit’’).  Management  has  determined  to  limit  the  scope  of  the  design  and  evaluation  of  internal  controls  over
financial reporting to exclude the controls, policies and procedures of Brit, the results of which are included in the
consolidated financial statements of the company for the year ended December 31, 2015. The scope limitation is in
accordance  with  section  3.3(1)(b)  of  National  Instrument  52-109,  Certification  of  Disclosure  in  Issuer’s  Annual  and
Interim Filings, which allows an issuer to limit its design and evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting
to exclude the controls, policies and procedures of a company acquired not more than 365 days before the end of the
financial period to which the certifications of annual filings relates. The operations of Brit represented 8.8% of the
company’s consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015 and represented 15.3% and 15.9% of the
company’s consolidated assets and liabilities respectively as at December 31, 2015. In addition, the table that follows
presents a summary of financial information for Brit.

Revenue

Net loss

For the period
June 5, 2015 to
December 31, 2015
846.7

(14.9)

185

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Assets

Insurance contract receivables
Portfolio investments
Deferred premium acquisition costs
Recoverable from reinsurers
Goodwill and intangible assets
Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Short sale and derivative obligations
Deferred income taxes
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers
Insurance contract liabilities
Long term debt

Total liabilities

Equity

As at December 31, 2015

605.6
3,967.1
63.2
793.0
739.2
179.3

6,347.4

141.3
12.5
120.3
206.1
3,989.0
208.6

4,677.8

1,669.6

6,347.4

Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments

Please refer to note 4 (Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments) to the consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2015.

Significant Accounting Policy Changes

There were no significant accounting policy changes during 2015. Please refer to note 3 (Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 for a detailed
discussion of the company’s accounting policies.

Future Accounting Changes

Certain  IFRS  are  currently  undergoing  modification  or  are  yet  to  be  issued  for  the  first  time.  A  future  standard
expected to have a significant impact on the company’s consolidated financial reporting is discussed below. New
standards and amendments that have been issued but are not yet effective are described in note 3 (Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Insurance contracts

The Exposure Draft – Insurance Contracts was issued by the IASB on July 30, 2010 and a revised exposure draft was
published  in  June  of  2013.  The  proposed  standard  is  comprehensive  in  scope  and  addresses  recognition,
measurement,  presentation  and  disclosure  for  insurance  contracts.  The  measurement  approach  is  based  on  the
following building blocks: (i) a current, unbiased probability-weighted estimate of future cash flows expected to arise
as the insurer fulfills the contract; (ii) the effect of the time value of money; (iii) a risk adjustment that measures the
effects of uncertainty about the amount and timing of future cash flows; and (iv) a contractual service margin which
represents the unearned profit in a contract (that is recognized in net earnings as the insurer fulfills its performance
obligations  under  the  contract).  Estimates  are  required  to  be  re-measured  each  reporting  period.  In  addition,  a
simplified  measurement  approach  is  permitted  for  short-duration  contracts  in  which  the  coverage  period  is
approximately one year or less. The publication date of the final standard is yet to be determined, with an effective
date expected to be no earlier than January 1, 2020. Retrospective application will be required with some practical
expedients available on adoption. The company has commenced evaluating the impact of the exposure draft on its
financial reporting, and potentially, its business activities. The building block approach and the need for current
estimates could significantly increase operational complexity compared to existing practice. The use of different

186

measurement models depending on whether an insurance contract is considered short-duration or long-duration
under the exposure draft presents certain implementation challenges and the proposed presentation requirements
significantly alter the disclosure of profit and loss from insurance contracts in the consolidated financial statements.

Risk Management

Overview

The primary goals of the company’s financial risk management program are to ensure that the outcomes of activities
involving elements of risk are consistent with the company’s objectives and risk tolerance, while maintaining an
appropriate balance between risk and reward and protecting the company’s consolidated balance sheet from events
that  have  the  potential  to  materially  impair  its  financial  strength.  Please  refer  to  note 24  (Financial  Risk
Management)  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  December 31,  2015  for  a  detailed
discussion of the company’s risk management policies.

Issues and Risks

The following issues and risks, among others, should be considered in evaluating the outlook of the company. For
further detail about the issues and risks relating to the company, please see Risk Factors in Fairfax’s most recent Short
Form Base Shelf Prospectus and Supplements filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are
available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Claims Reserves

Reserves are maintained to cover the estimated ultimate unpaid liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses with
respect to reported and unreported claims incurred as of the end of each accounting period. The company’s success is
dependent upon its ability to accurately assess the risks associated with the businesses being insured or reinsured.
Failure to accurately assess the risks assumed may lead to the setting of inappropriate premium rates and establishing
reserves that are inadequate to cover losses. This could adversely affect the company’s net earnings and financial
condition.

Reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability, but instead represent estimates at a given point in time
involving  actuarial  and  statistical  projections  of  the  company’s  expectations  of  the  ultimate  settlement  and
administration  costs  of  claims  incurred.  Establishing  an  appropriate  level  of  claims  reserves  is  an  inherently
uncertain  process.  Both  proprietary  and  commercially  available  actuarial  models,  as  well  as  historical  insurance
industry loss development patterns, are utilized in the establishment of appropriate claims reserves. The company’s
management of pricing risk is discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management), and management of claims reserves
is discussed in note 4 (Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments) and note 8 (Insurance Contract Liabilities), to
the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Catastrophe Exposure

The company’s insurance and reinsurance operations are exposed to claims arising out of catastrophes. Catastrophes
can be caused by various events, including natural events such as hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, hailstorms,
severe winter weather and fires, and unnatural events such as terrorist attacks and riots. The incidence and severity of
catastrophes are inherently unpredictable.

The extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured exposure in the area affected
by  the  event  and  the  severity  of  the  event.  Most  catastrophes  are  restricted  to  small  geographic  areas;  however,
hurricanes,  windstorms  and  earthquakes  may  produce  significant  damage  in  large,  heavily  populated  areas.
Catastrophes  can  cause  losses  in  a  variety  of  property  and  casualty  lines,  including  losses  relating  to  business
interruptions occurring in the same geographic area as the catastrophic event or in the other geographic areas. It is
possible that a catastrophic event or multiple catastrophic events could have a material adverse effect upon the
company’s financial condition, profitability or cash flows. The company believes that increases in the value and
geographic concentration of insured property, higher construction costs due to labour and raw material shortages
following a significant catastrophe event, and climate change could increase the severity of claims from catastrophic
events  in  the  future.  The  company’s  management  of  catastrophe  risk  is  discussed  in  note  24  (Financial  Risk
Management) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015.

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Cyclical Nature of the Property & Casualty Business

The financial performance of the insurance and reinsurance industries has historically tended to fluctuate due to
competition,  frequency  of  occurrence  or  severity  of  catastrophic  events,  levels  of  capacity,  general  economic
conditions and other factors. Demand for insurance and reinsurance is influenced significantly by underwriting
results  of  primary  insurers  and  prevailing  general  economic  conditions.  Factors  such  as  changes  in  the  level  of
employment,  wages,  consumer  spending,  business  investment  and  government  spending,  the  volatility  and
strength of the global capital markets and inflation or deflation all affect the business and economic environment
and, ultimately, the demand for insurance and reinsurance products, and therefore may affect the company’s net
earnings, financial position or cash flows.

The  property  and  casualty  insurance  business  historically  has  been  characterized  by  periods  of  intense  price
competition due to excess underwriting capacity, as well as periods when shortages of underwriting capacity have
permitted attractive premium levels. The company expects to continue to experience the effects of this cyclicality,
which, during down periods, could harm its financial position, profitability or cash flows.

In the reinsurance industry, the supply of reinsurance is related to prevailing prices and levels of surplus capacity
that, in turn, may fluctuate in response to changes in rates of return being realized. It is possible that premium rates
or other terms and conditions of trade could vary in the future, that the present level of demand will not continue
because insurers, including the larger insurers created by industry consolidation, may require less reinsurance or that
the  present  level  of  supply  of  reinsurance  could  increase  as  a  result  of  capital  provided  by  existing  reinsurers  or
alternative forms of reinsurance capacity entering the market from recent or future market entrants. If any of these
events transpire, the profitability of the company’s reinsurance business could be adversely affected.

The company actively manages its operations to withstand the cyclical nature of the property and casualty business
by maintaining sound liquidity and strong capital management as discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management)
to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Investment Portfolio

Investment returns are an important part of the company’s overall profitability as the company’s operating results
depend in part on the performance of its investment portfolio. The company’s investment portfolio includes bonds
and other debt instruments, common stocks, preferred stocks, equity-related securities and derivative instruments.
Accordingly, fluctuations in the fixed income or equity markets could impair the company’s financial condition,
profitability or cash flows. Investment income is derived from interest and dividends, together with net gains or
losses on investments. The portion derived from net gains or losses on investments generally fluctuates from year to
year and is typically a less predictable source of investment income than interest and dividends, particularly in the
short term. The return on the portfolio and the risks associated with the investments are affected by the asset mix,
which can change materially depending on market conditions.

The ability of the company to achieve its investment objectives is affected by general economic conditions that are
beyond  its  control.  General  economic  conditions  can  adversely  affect  the  markets  for  interest-rate-sensitive
securities,  including  the  extent  and  timing  of  investor  participation  in  such  markets,  the  level  and  volatility  of
interest rates and, consequently, the value of fixed income securities. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many
factors, including governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions
and other factors beyond the company’s control. General economic conditions, stock market conditions and many
other factors can also adversely affect the equity markets and, consequently, the value of the equities owned. In
addition,  defaults  by  third  parties  who  fail  to  pay  or  perform  on  their  obligations  could  reduce  the  company’s
investment income and net gains on investment or result in investment losses. The company’s management of credit
risk,  liquidity  risk,  market  risk  and  interest  rate  risk  is  discussed  in  note  24  (Financial  Risk  Management)  to  the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Derivative Instruments

The company may hold significant investments in derivative instruments, primarily for general protection against
declines in the fair value of the company’s financial assets. Derivative instruments may be used to manage or reduce
risks or as a cost-effective way to synthetically replicate the investment characteristics of an otherwise permitted
investment. The market value and liquidity of these investments are volatile or extremely volatile and may vary

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dramatically  up  or  down  in  short  periods,  and  their  ultimate  value  will  therefore  only  be  known  upon  their
disposition or settlement.

Use  of  derivative  instruments  is  governed  by  the  company’s  investment  policies  and  exposes  the  company  to  a
number of risks, including credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, inflation risk, market risk and counterparty risk.
The  company  endeavors  to  limit  counterparty  risk  through  diligent  selection  of  counterparties  to  its  derivative
instruments and through the terms of agreements negotiated with counterparties. Pursuant to these agreements,
both parties are required to deposit eligible collateral in collateral accounts for either the benefit of the company or
the counterparty depending on the then current fair value or change in the fair value of the derivative contract.

The company may not be able to realize its investment objectives with respect to derivative instruments, which
could have a material adverse effect upon its financial position, profitability or cash flows. The company’s use of
derivatives is discussed in note 7 (Short Sales and Derivatives) and management of credit risk, liquidity risk, market
risk  and  interest  rate  risk  is  discussed  in  note  24  (Financial  Risk  Management)  to  the  consolidated  financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Economic Hedging Strategies

The company may use derivative instruments to manage or reduce its exposure to credit risk and various market
risks,  including  interest  rate  risk,  equity  market  risk,  inflation/deflation  risk  and  foreign  currency  risk.  Hedging
strategies may be implemented by the company to hedge risks associated with a specific financial instrument, asset
or liability or at a macro level to hedge systemic financial risk and the impact of potential future economic crisis and
credit related problems on its operations and the value of its financial assets. Credit default swaps, total return swaps
and consumer price index-linked derivative instruments have typically been used to hedge macro level risks. The
company’s  use  of  derivatives  is  discussed  in  note  7  (Short  Sales  and  Derivatives)  to  the  consolidated  financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2015.

The company’s derivative instruments may expose it to basis risk, counterparty risk, credit risk and liquidity risk,
notwithstanding that the company’s principal use of derivative instruments is to hedge exposures to various risks.
Basis risk is the risk that the fair value or cash flows of derivative instruments applied as economic hedges will not
experience changes in exactly the opposite directions from those of the underlying hedged exposure. This imperfect
correlation between the derivative instrument and underlying hedged exposure creates the potential for excess gains
or losses in a hedging strategy which may adversely impact the net effectiveness of the hedge and may diminish the
financial  viability  of  maintaining  the  hedging  strategy  and  therefore  adversely  impact  the  company’s  financial
condition, profitability or cash flows.

The company regularly monitors the prospective and retrospective effectiveness of its hedging program and based on
its historical observation, the company believes that its hedges will be reasonably effective in the medium to long
term and especially in the event of a significant market correction. The management of basis risk is also discussed in
note  24  (Financial  Risk  Management)  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended
December 31, 2015.

Latent Claims

The company has established loss reserves for asbestos, environmental and other latent claims that represent its best
estimate of ultimate claims and claims adjustment expenses based upon known facts and current law. As a result of
significant  issues  surrounding  liabilities  of  insurers,  risks  inherent  in  major  litigation  and  diverging  legal
interpretations and judgments in different jurisdictions, actual liability for these types of claims could exceed the loss
reserves set by the company by an amount that could be material to the company’s financial condition, profitability
or cash flows in future periods.

The  company’s  exposure  to  asbestos,  environmental  and  other  latent  claims  is  discussed  in  the  Asbestos  and
Pollution section of this MD&A. The company’s management of reserving risk is discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk
Management) and in note 8 (Insurance Contract Liabilities) to the consolidated financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 2015.

Recoverable from Reinsurers and Insureds

Most insurance and reinsurance companies reduce their exposure to any individual claim by reinsuring amounts in
excess of their maximum desired retention. Reinsurance is an arrangement in which an insurer, called the cedant,

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transfers  insurance  risk  to  another  insurer,  called  the  reinsurer,  which  accepts  the  risk  in  return  for  a  premium
payment. This third party reinsurance does not relieve the company, as a cedant, of its primary obligation to the
insured. Recoverable from reinsurers balances may become an issue mainly due to reinsurer solvency and credit
concerns, due to the potentially long time period over which claims may be paid and the resulting recoveries are
received from the reinsurers, or due to policy disputes. If reinsurers are unwilling or unable to pay amounts due under
reinsurance contracts, the company will incur unexpected losses and its cash flow will be adversely affected. The
credit risk associated with the company’s reinsurance recoverable balances is addressed in note 24 (Financial Risk
Management) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 and in the Recoverable
from Reinsurers section of this MD&A.

The  company’s  insurance  and  reinsurance  companies  write  certain  insurance  policies,  such  as  large  deductible
policies  (policies  where  the  insured  retains  a  specific  amount  of  any  potential  loss),  in  which  the  insured  must
reimburse  the  company’s  insurance  and  reinsurance  companies  for  certain  losses.  Accordingly,  the  company’s
insurance and reinsurance companies bear credit risk on these policies as there is no assurance that the insureds will
provide reimbursement on a timely basis or at all.

Acquisitions and Divestitures

The company may periodically and opportunistically acquire other insurance and reinsurance companies or execute
other strategic initiatives developed by management. Although the company undertakes due diligence prior to the
completion of an acquisition, it is possible that unanticipated factors could arise and there is no assurance that the
anticipated  financial  or  strategic  objectives  following  an  integration  effort  or  the  implementation  of  a  strategic
initiative will be achieved which could adversely affect the company’s financial condition, profitability or cash flows.

The  strategies  and  performance  of  operating  companies,  and  the  alignment  of  those  strategies  throughout  the
organization,  are  regularly  assessed  through  various  processes  involving  senior  management  and  the  company’s
Board of Directors.

Ratings

Financial  strength  and  credit  ratings  by  the  major  North  American  rating  agencies  are  important  factors  in
establishing  competitive  position  for  insurance  and  reinsurance  companies.  The  claims-paying  ability  ratings
assigned  by  rating  agencies  to  reinsurance  or  insurance  companies  represent  independent  opinions  of  financial
strength  and  ability  to  meet  policyholder  obligations.  A  downgrade  in  these  ratings  could  lead  to  a  significant
reduction  in  the  number  of  insurance  policies  the  company’s  insurance  subsidiaries  write  and  could  cause  early
termination  of  contracts  written  by  the  company’s  reinsurance  subsidiaries  or  a  requirement  for  them  to  post
collateral at the direction of their counterparts. A downgrade of the company’s long term debt ratings by the major
rating agencies could require the company and/or its subsidiaries to accelerate their cash settlement obligations for
certain  derivative  transactions  to  which  they  are  a  party,  and  could  result  in  the  termination  of  certain  other
derivative transactions. In addition, a downgrade of the company’s credit rating may affect the cost and availability
of unsecured financing. Ratings are subject to periodic review at the discretion of each respective rating agency and
may be revised downward or revoked at their sole discretion. Rating agencies may also increase their scrutiny of rated
companies, revise their rating standards or take other action. The company has dedicated personnel that manage the
company’s relationships with its various rating agencies.

Competition

The property and casualty insurance industry and the reinsurance industry are both highly competitive, and will
likely remain highly competitive in the foreseeable future. Competition in these industries is based on many factors,
including premiums charged and other terms and conditions offered, products and services provided, commission
structure, financial ratings assigned by independent rating agencies, speed of claims payment, reputation, selling
effort,  perceived  financial  strength  and  the  experience  of  the  insurer  or  reinsurer  in  the  line  of  insurance  or
reinsurance to be written. The company competes with a large number of Canadian, U.S. and foreign insurers and
reinsurers,  as  well  as  certain  underwriting  syndicates,  some  of  which  have  greater  financial,  marketing  and
management resources than the company. In addition, some financial institutions, such as banks, are now able to
offer services similar to those offered by the company’s reinsurance subsidiaries while in recent years, capital market
participants have also created alternative products that are intended to compete with reinsurance products.

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Consolidation within the insurance industry could result in insurance and reinsurance market participants using
their market power to implement price reductions. If competitive pressures compel the company to reduce its prices,
the company’s operating margins could decrease. As the insurance industry consolidates, competition for customers
could become more intense and the importance of acquiring and properly servicing each customer could become
greater, causing the company to incur greater expenses relating to customer acquisition and retention and further
reducing  operating  margins.  The  company’s  management  of  pricing  risk  is  discussed  in  note  24  (Financial  Risk
Management) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Emerging Claim and Coverage Issues

The provision for claims is an estimate and may be found to be deficient, perhaps very significantly, in the future as a
result of unanticipated frequency or severity of claims or for a variety of other reasons including unpredictable jury
verdicts, expansion of insurance coverage to include exposures not contemplated at the time of policy issue (as was
the case with asbestos and pollution exposures) and extreme weather events. Unanticipated developments in the law
as well as changes in social and environmental conditions could result in unexpected claims for coverage under
insurance and reinsurance contracts. With respect to casualty lines of business, these legal, social and environmental
changes may not become apparent until some time after their occurrence.

The full effects of these and other unforeseen emerging claim and coverage issues are extremely hard to predict. As a
result, the full extent of the company’s liability under its coverages, and in particular its casualty insurance policies
and reinsurance contracts, may not be known for many years after a policy or contract is issued. The company’s
exposure to this uncertainty is greatest in its ‘‘long-tail’’ casualty businesses, because in these lines of business claims
can typically be made for many years, making them more susceptible to these trends than in the property insurance
business, which is more typically ‘‘short-tail’’.

The company seeks to limit its loss exposure by employing a variety of policy limits and other terms and conditions
and  through  prudent  underwriting  of  each  program  written.  Loss  exposure  is  also  limited  by  geographic
diversification. The company’s management of reserving risk is discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management)
and  in  note  8  (Insurance  Contract  Liabilities)  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended
December 31, 2015 and in the Asbestos and Pollution section of this MD&A.

Cost of Reinsurance and Adequate Protection

The company uses reinsurance arrangements, including reinsurance of its own reinsurance business purchased from
other reinsurers, referred to as retrocessionaires, to help manage its exposure to property and casualty risks. The
availability of reinsurance and the rates charged by reinsurers are subject to prevailing market conditions, both in
terms  of  price  and  available  capacity,  which  can  affect  the  company’s  business  volume  and  profitability.  Many
reinsurance  companies  have  begun  to  exclude  certain  coverages  from,  or  alter  terms  in,  the  policies  they  offer.
Reinsurers are also imposing terms, such as lower per occurrence and aggregate limits, on primary insurers that are
inconsistent with corresponding terms in the policies written by these primary insurers. In the future, alleviation of
risk through reinsurance arrangements may become increasingly difficult.

The rates charged by reinsurers and the availability of reinsurance to the company’s subsidiaries will generally reflect
the recent loss experience of the company and of the industry in general. For example, the significant hurricane
losses in 2004 and 2005 caused the prices for catastrophe reinsurance protection in Florida to increase significantly in
2006. In 2011 the insurance industry experienced the second highest number of insured losses in history, primarily
due to numerous catastrophes. The significant catastrophe losses incurred by reinsurers worldwide resulted in higher
costs for reinsurance protection in 2012. Currently there exists excess capital within the reinsurance market due to
favourable operating results of reinsurers and alternative forms of reinsurance capacity entering the market. As a
result,  the  market  has  become  very  competitive  with  prices  decreasing  for  most  lines  of  business.  Each  of  the
company’s subsidiaries continues to evaluate the relative costs and benefits of accepting more risk on a net basis,
reducing exposure on a direct basis, and paying additional premiums for reinsurance.

Holding Company Liquidity

Fairfax  is  a  holding  company  that  conducts  substantially  all  of  its  business  through  its  subsidiaries  and  receives
substantially all of its earnings from them. The holding company controls the operating insurance and reinsurance
companies,  each  of  which  must  comply  with  applicable  insurance  regulations  of  the  jurisdictions  in  which  it

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operates. Each operating company must maintain reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses to cover the risks
it has underwritten.

Although substantially all of the holding company’s operations are conducted through its subsidiaries, none of its
subsidiaries are obligated to make funds available to the holding company for payment of its outstanding debt.
Accordingly, the holding company’s ability to meet financial obligations, including the ability to make payments on
outstanding debt, is dependent on the distribution of earnings from its subsidiaries. The ability of subsidiaries to pay
dividends in the future will depend on their statutory surplus, on earnings and on regulatory restrictions. Dividends,
distributions or returns of capital to the holding company are subject to restrictions set forth in the insurance laws
and  regulations  of  Canada,  the  United  States,  the  United  Kingdom,  Barbados,  Poland,  Hong  Kong,  Indonesia,
Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Brazil and other jurisdictions (in each case, including the provinces, states or other
jurisdictions therein) and is affected by the subsidiaries’ credit agreements, indentures, rating agencies, the discretion
of insurance regulatory authorities and capital support agreements with subsidiaries. The holding company strives to
be soundly financed and maintains high levels of liquid assets as discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management)
to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2015  and  in  the  Liquidity  section  of
this MD&A.

Access to Capital

The company’s future capital requirements depend on many factors, including its ability to successfully write new
business and to establish premium rates and reserves at levels sufficient to cover losses. To the extent that the funds
generated by the company’s business are insufficient to fund future operations, additional funds may need to be
raised through equity or debt financings. If the company requires additional capital or liquidity but cannot obtain it
on  reasonable  terms  or  at  all,  its  business,  financial  condition  and  profitability  would  be  materially  adversely
affected.

The company’s ability and/or the ability of its subsidiaries to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital
expenditures  or  acquisitions  in  the  future  may  also  be  limited  under  the  terms  of  its  credit  facility  discussed  in
note  15  (Long  Term  Debt  and  Credit  Facilities)  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended
December  31,  2015.  The  credit  facility  contains  various  covenants  that  may  restrict,  among  other  things,  the
company’s  ability  or  the  ability  of  its  subsidiaries  to  incur  additional  indebtedness,  to  create  liens  or  other
encumbrances and to sell or otherwise dispose of assets and merge or consolidate with another entity. In addition,
the credit facility contains certain financial covenants that require the company to maintain a ratio of consolidated
debt to consolidated capitalization of not more than 0.35:1 and to maintain consolidated shareholders’ equity of not
less than $7.5 billion. A failure to comply with the obligations and covenants under the credit facility could result in
an event of default under such agreement which, if not cured or waived, could prevent the company from drawing
on  the  credit  facility  and  permit  acceleration  of  indebtedness,  including  other  indebtedness  of  Fairfax  or  its
subsidiaries. If such indebtedness were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that our assets would be sufficient
to repay that indebtedness in full. This risk is mitigated by maintaining high levels of liquid assets at the holding
company. The company’s management of liquidity risk is discussed further in note 24 (Financial Risk Management)
to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2015  and  in  the  Liquidity  section  of
this MD&A.

Key Employees

The  company  is  substantially  dependent  on  a  small  number  of  key  employees,  including  its  Chairman,  Chief
Executive Officer and significant shareholder, Mr. Prem Watsa, and the senior management of the company and its
operating subsidiaries. The industry experience and reputations of these individuals are important factors in the
company’s ability to attract new business. The company’s success has been, and will continue to be, dependent on its
ability to retain the services of existing key employees and to attract and retain additional qualified personnel in the
future.  At  the  operating  subsidiaries,  employment  agreements  have  been  entered  into  with  key  employees.  The
company does not currently maintain key employee insurance with respect to any of its employees.

Regulatory, Political and other Influences

The insurance and reinsurance industries are highly regulated and are subject to changing political, economic and
regulatory influences. These factors affect the practices and operation of insurance and reinsurance organizations.
Federal,  state  and  provincial  governments  in  the  United  States  and  Canada,  as  well  as  governments  in  foreign

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jurisdictions  in  which  the  company  operates,  have  periodically  considered  programs  to  reform  or  amend  the
insurance systems at both the federal and local levels. For example, regulatory capital guidelines may change for the
company’s European operations due to Solvency II; the Dodd-Frank Act creates a new framework for regulation of
over-the-counter derivatives in the United States which could increase the cost of the company’s use of derivatives
for  investment  and  hedging  purposes;  the  activities  of  the  International  Association  of  Insurance  Supervisors  is
expected to lead to additional regulatory oversight of the company; and the Canadian and U.S. insurance regulators’
Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (‘‘ORSA’’) initiatives have required the company’s North American operations to
perform self-assessments of the capital available to support their business risks. Such initiatives could adversely affect
the  financial  results  of  the  company’s  subsidiaries,  including  their  ability  to  pay  dividends,  cause  unplanned
modifications of products or services, or result in delays or cancellations of sales of products and services by insurers
or reinsurers. Insurance industry participants may respond to changes by reducing their investments or postponing
investment decisions, including investments in the company’s products and services. The company’s management
of  the  risks  associated  with  its  capital  within  the  various  regulatory  regimes  in  which  it  operates  (Capital
Management) is discussed in note 24 (Financial Risk Management) to the consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2015 and in the Capital Resources and Management section of this MD&A.

Information Requests or Proceedings by Government Authorities

Each of the company’s insurance and reinsurance companies is subject to insurance legislation in the jurisdiction in
which  it  operates.  From  time  to  time,  the  insurance  industry  has  been  subject  to  investigations,  litigation  and
regulatory activity by various insurance, governmental and enforcement authorities, concerning certain practices
within the industry. From time to time, consumer advocacy groups or the media also focus attention on certain
insurance industry practices. The existence of information requests or proceedings by government authorities could
have  various  adverse  effects.  The  company’s  internal  and  external  legal  counsels  coordinate  with  operating
companies in responding to information requests and government proceedings.

Regional or Geographical Limitations and Risks

The company’s international operations are regulated in various jurisdictions with respect to licensing requirements,
currency, amount and type of security deposits, amount and type of reserves, amount and type of local investment
and other matters. International operations and assets held abroad may be adversely affected by political and other
developments in foreign countries, including possibilities of tax changes, nationalization and changes in regulatory
policy, as well as by consequences of hostilities and unrest. The risks of such occurrences and their overall effect upon
the company vary from country to country and cannot easily be predicted.

The company regularly monitors for political and other changes in each country where it operates. The decentralized
nature  of  the  company’s  operations  permits  quick  adaptation  to,  or  mitigation  of,  evolving  regional  risks.
Furthermore, the company’s international operations are widespread and therefore not dependent on the economic
stability of any one particular region.

Lawsuits

The company may, from time to time, become party to a variety of legal claims and regulatory proceedings. The
existence of such claims against the company or its affiliates, directors or officers could have various adverse effects,
including the incurrence of significant legal expenses defending claims, even those without merit.

Operating companies manage day-to-day regulatory and legal risk primarily by implementing appropriate policies,
procedures and controls. Internal and external legal counsels also work closely with the operating companies to
identify and mitigate areas of potential regulatory and legal risk. The company’s legal and regulatory matters are
discussed in note 20 (Contingencies and Commitments) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2015.

Significant Shareholder

The company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Prem Watsa, owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises
control  or  direction  over  shares  representing  42.6%  of  the  voting  power  of  the  company’s  outstanding  shares.
Mr.  Watsa  has  the  ability  to  substantially  influence  certain  actions  requiring  shareholder  approval,  including
approving a business combination or consolidation, liquidation or sale of assets, electing members of the Board of
Directors and adopting amendments to articles of incorporation and by-laws.

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Amendments were made to the terms of the company’s multiple voting shares, which are controlled by Mr. Watsa, in
August 2015 having the effect of preserving the voting power represented by the multiple voting shares at 41.8%
even if additional subordinate voting shares are issued in the future. The amendments are described in note 16 (Total
Equity) to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Foreign Exchange

The  company’s  reporting  currency  is  the  U.S.  dollar.  A  portion  of  the  company’s  premiums  and  expenses  are
denominated  in  foreign  currencies  and  a  portion  of  assets  (including  investments)  and  loss  reserves  are  also
denominated  in  foreign  currencies.  The  company  may,  from  time  to  time,  experience  losses  resulting  from
fluctuations in the values of foreign currencies (including when certain foreign currency assets and liabilities are
hedged) which could adversely affect the company’s financial condition, profitability or cash flows. The company’s
management  of  foreign  currency  risk  is  discussed  in  note  24  (Financial  Risk  Management)  to  the  consolidated
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Reliance on Distribution Channels

The company uses brokers to distribute its business and in some instances will distribute through agents or directly to
customers. The company may also conduct business through third parties such as managing general agents where it
is cost effective to do so and where the company can control the underwriting process to ensure its risk management
criteria  are  met.  Each  of  these  channels  has  its  own  distinct  distribution  characteristics  and  customers.  A  large
majority of the company’s business is generated by brokers (including international reinsurance brokers with respect
to  the  Reinsurance  reporting  segment),  with  the  remainder  split  among  the  other  distribution  channels.  This  is
substantially consistent across the company’s insurance and reinsurance reporting segments.

The company’s insurance operations have relationships with many different types of brokers including independent
retail brokers, wholesale brokers and national brokers depending on the particular jurisdiction, while the company’s
reinsurance  operations  are  dependent  primarily  on  a  limited  number  of  international  reinsurance  brokers.  The
company transacts business with these brokers on a non-exclusive basis. These independent brokers also transact the
business  of  the  company’s  competitors  and  there  can  be  no  assurance  as  to  their  continuing  commitment  to
distribute the company’s insurance and reinsurance products. The continued profitability of the company depends,
in part, on the marketing efforts of independent brokers and the ability of the company to offer insurance and
reinsurance products and maintain financial ratings that meet the requirements and preferences of such brokers and
their policyholders.

Because the majority of the company’s brokers are independent, there is limited ability to exercise control over them.
In the event that an independent broker exceeds its authority by binding the company on a risk which does not
comply with the company’s underwriting guidelines, the company may be at risk for that policy until the application
is received and a cancellation effected. Although to date the company has not experienced a material loss from
improper use of binding authority by its brokers, any improper use of such authority may result in losses that could
have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, profitability or cash flows of the company. The
company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries closely manage and monitor broker relationships and regularly
audit broker compliance with the company’s established underwriting guidelines.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The  goodwill  and  intangible  assets  on  the  company’s  consolidated  balance  sheet  originated  from  various
acquisitions made by the company or its operating subsidiaries. Continued profitability of acquired businesses is a
key driver for there to be no impairment in the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets. An intangible asset
may be impaired if the economic benefit to be derived from its use is unexpectedly diminished.

Management regularly reviews the current and expected profitability of the operating companies relative to plan in
assessing the carrying value of goodwill. The intended use, expected life, and economic benefit to be derived from
intangible assets are evaluated by the company when there are potential indicators of impairment. The carrying
values of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually or more often if
events or circumstances indicate there may be potential impairment.

194

Taxation

Realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of taxable income in those jurisdictions
where the relevant tax losses and temporary differences exist. Failure to achieve projected levels of profitability could
lead to a reduction in the company’s deferred income tax asset if it is no longer probable that the amount of the asset
will be realized.

The company is subject to income taxes in Canada, the U.S. and many foreign jurisdictions where it operates, and
the  company’s  determination  of  its  tax  liability  is  subject  to  review  by  applicable  domestic  and  foreign  tax
authorities. While the company believes its tax positions to be reasonable, where the company’s interpretations
differ from those of tax authorities or the timing of realization is not as expected, the provision for income taxes may
increase or decrease in future periods to reflect actual experience.

The  company  has  specialist  tax  personnel  responsible  for  assessing  the  income  tax  consequences  of  planned
transactions and events and undertaking the appropriate tax planning. The company also consults with external tax
professionals  as  needed.  Tax  legislation  of  each  jurisdiction  in  which  the  company  operates  is  interpreted  to
determine the provision for income taxes and expected timing of the reversal of deferred income tax assets and
liabilities.

Guaranty Funds and Shared Markets

Virtually all U.S. states require insurers licensed to do business in their state to bear a portion of the loss suffered by
some insureds as the result of impaired or insolvent insurance companies. Many states also have laws that establish
second-injury funds to provide compensation to injured employees for aggravation of a prior condition or injury,
which are funded by either assessments based on paid losses or premium surcharge mechanisms. In addition, as a
condition to the ability to conduct business in various jurisdictions, the company’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries are
required to participate in mandatory property and casualty shared market mechanisms or pooling arrangements,
which  provide  various  types  of  insurance  coverage  to  individuals  or  other  entities  that  otherwise  are  unable  to
purchase  that  coverage  from  private  insurers.  The  effect  of  these  assessments  and  mandatory  shared-market
mechanisms or changes in them could reduce the profitability of the company’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries in any
given period or limit their ability to grow their business. Similarly, the company’s Canadian insurance subsidiaries
contribute to a mandatory guaranty fund that protects insureds in the event of a Canadian property and casualty
insurer becoming insolvent.

Technological Changes

Technological changes could have unpredictable effects on the insurance and reinsurance business. It is expected
that new services and technologies will continue to emerge that will affect the demand for insurance and reinsurance
products and services, the premiums payable, the profitability of such products and services and the risks associated
with  underwriting  certain  lines  of  business,  including  new  lines  of  business.  Failure  to  understand  evolving
technologies, or to position the company in the appropriate direction, or to deploy new products and services in a
timely  way  that  considers  customer  demand  and  competitor  activities  could  have  an  adverse  impact  on  the
company’s business, financial condition, profitability or cash flows. The company maintains an innovation working
group comprised of members with diverse backgrounds from across its global subsidiaries to regularly assess new
services and technologies that that may be applicable or disruptive to the insurance and reinsurance industries.

Technology Infrastructure

Third parties provide certain of the key components of the company’s business infrastructure such as voice and data
communications and network access. Given the high volume of transactions processed daily, the company is reliant
on such third party provided services to successfully deliver its products and services. Despite the contingency plans
of the company and those of its third party service providers, failure of these systems could interrupt the company’s
operations and impact its ability to rapidly evaluate and commit to new business opportunities.

In addition, a security breach of the company’s computer systems could damage its reputation or result in liability.
The company retains confidential information regarding its business dealings in its computer systems, including, in
some  cases,  confidential  personal  information  regarding  its  insureds.  Therefore,  it  is  critical  that  the  company’s
facilities and infrastructure remain secure and are perceived by the marketplace to be secure.

195

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

The company has highly trained staff that are committed to the continual development and maintenance of its
systems. Operational availability, integrity and security of the company’s information, systems and infrastructure are
actively  managed  through  threat  and  vulnerability  assessments,  strict  security  policies  and  disciplined  change
management practices.

Other

Quarterly Data (unaudited)

Years ended December 31

2015

Revenue
Net earnings (loss)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of

Fairfax

Net earnings (loss) per share
Net earnings (loss) per diluted share

2014

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

Full
Year

2,387.9
236.1

1,769.0
(178.6)

2,976.3
451.4

2,447.2
133.1

9,580.4
642.0

225.2
9.92
9.71

$
$

(185.7)

424.8
$ (8.87) $ 18.57
$ (8.87) $ 18.16

103.4
4.19
4.10

$
$

567.7
$ 23.67
$ 23.15

Revenue
Net earnings
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax
Net earnings per share
Net earnings per diluted share

2,882.5
785.0
784.6
$ 36.35
$ 35.72

2,407.5
366.4
363.7
$ 16.47
$ 16.15

2,654.2
475.0
461.2
$ 21.10
$ 20.68

2,073.7
38.2
23.7
0.50
0.49

$
$

10,017.9
1,664.6
1,633.2
$ 74.43
$ 73.01

The company generated net earnings attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of $567.7 in 2015 (2014 – $1,633.2) with
the year-over-year decrease in profitability primarily reflecting net losses on investments (compared to significant
net gains on investments in 2014), partially offset by the lower provision for income taxes, increased interest and
dividend income and increased underwriting profit.

Operating  results  at  the  company’s  insurance  and  reinsurance  operations  continue  to  be  affected  by  a  difficult
competitive environment. Individual quarterly results have been (and may in the future be) affected by losses from
significant  natural  or  other  catastrophes,  by  reserve  releases  and  strengthenings  and  by  settlements  or
commutations, the occurrence of which are not predictable, and have been (and are expected to continue to be)
significantly impacted by net gains or losses on investments, the timing of which are not predictable.

Stock Prices and Share Information

As  at  March  11,  2016,  Fairfax  had  22,431,393  subordinate  voting  shares  and  1,548,000  multiple  voting  shares
outstanding  (an  aggregate  of  23,180,163  shares  effectively  outstanding  after  an  intercompany  holding).  Each
subordinate voting share carries one vote per share at all meetings of shareholders except for separate meetings of
holders of another class of shares. The multiple voting share cumulatively carry 41.8% voting power at all meetings
of  shareholders  except  in  certain  circumstances  (which  have  not  occurred)  and  except  for  separate  meetings  of
holders of another class of shares. The multiple voting shares are not publicly traded.

196

The  table  that  follows  presents  the  Toronto  Stock  Exchange  high,  low  and  closing  Canadian  dollar  prices  of
subordinate voting shares of Fairfax for each quarter of 2015 and 2014.

2015
High
Low
Close
2014
High
Low
Close

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

(Cdn$)

739.00
591.50
710.00

487.99
415.01
480.00

720.50
604.00
615.88

529.49
462.00
506.22

669.43
563.34
607.74

527.58
490.00
501.79

692.00
577.00
656.91

620.54
496.40
608.78

Compliance with Corporate Governance Rules

Fairfax is a Canadian reporting issuer with securities listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trading in Canadian
dollars under the symbol FFH and in U.S. dollars under the symbol FFH.U. It has in place corporate governance
practices that comply with all applicable rules and substantially comply with all applicable guidelines and policies of
the Canadian Securities Administrators and the practices set out therein.

The company’s Board of Directors has adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines (which include a written
mandate  of  the  Board),  established  an  Audit  Committee,  a  Governance  and  Nominating  Committee  and  a
Compensation Committee, approved written charters for all of its committees, approved a Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics applicable to all directors, officers and employees of the company and established, in conjunction with
the  Audit  Committee,  a  Whistleblower  Policy.  The  company  continues  to  monitor  developments  in  the  area  of
corporate governance as well as its own procedures.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the ‘‘safe
harbour’’  provisions  of  the  United  States  Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act  of  1995.  Such  forward-looking
statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of Fairfax to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such  factors  include,  but  are  not  limited  to:  a  reduction  in  net  earnings  if  our  loss  reserves  are  insufficient;
underwriting losses on the risks we insure that are higher or lower than expected; the occurrence of catastrophic
events with a frequency or severity exceeding our estimates; changes in market variables, including interest rates,
foreign exchange rates, equity prices and credit spreads, which could negatively affect our investment portfolio; the
cycles of the insurance market and general economic conditions, which can substantially influence our and our
competitors’ premium rates and capacity to write new business; insufficient reserves for asbestos, environmental and
other  latent  claims;  exposure  to  credit  risk  in  the  event  our  reinsurers  fail  to  make  payments  to  us  under  our
reinsurance  arrangements;  exposure  to  credit  risk  in  the  event  our  insureds,  insurance  producers  or  reinsurance
intermediaries fail to remit premiums that are owed to us or failure by our insureds to reimburse us for deductibles
that  are  paid  by  us  on  their  behalf;  the  timing  of  claims  payments  being  sooner  or  the  receipt  of  reinsurance
recoverables  being  later  than  anticipated  by  us;  the  inability  of  our  subsidiaries  to  maintain  financial  or  claims
paying ability ratings; risks associated with implementing our business strategies; risks associated with our use of
derivative instruments; the failure of our hedging methods to achieve their desired risk management objective; a
decrease in the level of demand for insurance or reinsurance products, or increased competition in the insurance
industry; the impact of emerging claim and coverage issues; the failure of any of the loss limitation methods we
employ; our inability to access cash of our subsidiaries; our inability to obtain required levels of capital on favourable
terms,  if  at  all;  the  loss  of  key  employees;  our  inability  to  obtain  reinsurance  coverage  in  sufficient  amounts,  at
reasonable  prices  or  on  terms  that  adequately  protect  us;  the  passage  of  legislation  subjecting  our  businesses  to
additional  supervision  or  regulation,  including  additional  tax  regulation,  in  the  United  States,  Canada  or  other
jurisdictions in which we operate; risks associated with government investigations of, and litigation and negative
publicity  related  to,  insurance  industry  practice  or  any  other  conduct;  risks  associated  with  political  and  other

197

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

developments in foreign jurisdictions in which we operate; risks associated with legal or regulatory proceedings;
failures or security breaches of our computer and data processing systems; the influence exercisable by our significant
shareholder; adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; our dependence on independent brokers over
whom we exercise little control; an impairment in the carrying value of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible
assets;  our  failure  to  realize  deferred  income  tax  assets;  technological  or  other  change  which  adversely  impacts
demand,  or  the  premiums  payable,  for  the  insurance  coverages  we  offer;  and  assessments  and  shared  market
mechanisms  which  may  adversely  affect  our  U.S.  insurance  subsidiaries.  Additional  risks  and  uncertainties  are
described  in  this  Annual  Report,  which  is  available  at  www.fairfax.ca,  and  in  our  Supplemental  and  Base  Shelf
Prospectus (under ‘‘Risk Factors’’) filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which is available on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Fairfax disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements.

198

APPENDIX
GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

OBJECTIVES:

1) We expect to compound our book value per share over the long term by 15% annually by running Fairfax and its
subsidiaries for the long term benefit of customers, employees and shareholders – at the expense of short term
profits if necessary.

Our focus is long term growth in book value per share and not quarterly earnings. We plan to grow through
internal means as well as through friendly acquisitions.

2) We always want to be soundly financed.

3) We provide complete disclosure annually to our shareholders.

STRUCTURE:

1) Our  companies  are  decentralized  and  run  by  the  presidents  except  for  performance  evaluation,  succession
planning,  acquisitions  and  financing  which  are  done  by  or  with  Fairfax.  Cooperation  among  companies  is
encouraged to the benefit of Fairfax in total.

2) Complete and open communication between Fairfax and subsidiaries is an essential requirement at Fairfax.

3)

4)

Share ownership and large incentives are encouraged across the Group.

Fairfax will always be a very small holding company and not an operating company.

VALUES:

1) Honesty and integrity are essential in all our relationships and will never be compromised.

2) We are results oriented – not political.

3) We are team players – no ‘‘egos’’. A confrontational style is not appropriate. We value loyalty – to Fairfax and

our colleagues.

4) We are hard working but not at the expense of our families.

5) We  always  look  at  opportunities  but  emphasize  downside  protection  and  look  for  ways  to  minimize  loss

of capital.

6) We  are  entrepreneurial.  We  encourage  calculated  risk  taking.  It  is  all  right  to  fail  but  we  should  learn  from

our mistakes.

7) We will never bet the company on any project or acquisition.

8) We believe in having fun – at work!

199

Officers of the Company

David Bonham
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Peter Clarke
Vice President and Chief Risk Officer

Jean Cloutier
Vice President, International Operations

Vinodh Loganadhan
Vice President, Administrative Services

Bradley Martin
Vice President, Strategic Investments

Paul Rivett
President

Eric Salsberg
Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Corporate Secretary

Ronald Schokking
Vice President and Treasurer

John Varnell
Vice President, Corporate Development

V. Prem Watsa
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Head Office

95 Wellington Street West
Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2N7
Telephone: (416) 367-4941
Website: www.fairfax.ca

Auditor

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

General Counsel

Torys LLP

Transfer Agents and Registrars

Computershare Trust Company of Canada, Toronto
Computershare Trust Company, N.A., Canton,
Massachusetts

Share Listing

Toronto Stock Exchange
Stock Symbol: FFH and FFH.U

Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the shareholders of
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited will be
held on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at 9:30 a.m.
(Toronto time) at Roy Thomson Hall,
60 Simcoe Street, Toronto, Canada

FAIRFAX  FINANCIAL  HOLDINGS  LIMITED

Directors of the Company

Anthony F. Griffiths
Corporate Director
Robert J. Gunn
Corporate Director
Alan D. Horn
President and Chief Executive Officer
Rogers Telecommunications Limited

John R.V. Palmer
Chairman, Toronto Leadership Centre

Timothy R. Price
Chairman, Brookfield Funds,
Brookfield Asset Management

Brandon W. Sweitzer
Dean, School of Risk Management, St. John’s University

Benjamin P. Watsa
Partner and Portfolio Manager
Lissom Investment Management Inc.
V. Prem Watsa
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company

Operating Management

Fairfax Insurance Group

Andrew A. Barnard, President and Chief Operating Officer

Northbridge

Silvy Wright, President
Northbridge Financial Corporation

OdysseyRe

Brian D. Young, President
Odyssey Re Holdings Corp.

Crum & Forster
Marc Adee, President
Crum & Forster Holdings Corp.

Zenith National

Kari Van Gundy, President
Zenith National Insurance Corp.

Brit

Mark Cloutier, President
Brit PLC

Fairfax Asia

Ramaswamy Athappan, President
First Capital Insurance Limited
and CEO Fairfax Asia

Sammy Y. Chan, President
Fairfax Asia

Gobinath Athappan, COO Fairfax Asia
and President Pacific Insurance

Insurance and Reinsurance – Other

Bruno Camargo, President
Fairfax Brasil
Nigel Fitzgerald, President
Advent Capital (Holdings) PLC
Monika Wozniak-Makarska, President
Polish Re
Peter Csakvari, President
Fairfax Eastern Europe

Runoff

Nicholas C. Bentley, President
RiverStone Group LLC

Other

Bijan Khosrowshahi, President
Fairfax International
Sean Smith, President
Pethealth Inc.
Roger Lace, President
Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd.

200