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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 or
 
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the Transition period from           to          
 
Commission file number 1-4720
 
WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
     
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)
  95-2109453
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
301 East Colorado Boulevard, Suite 300,
Pasadena, California
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  91101-1901
(Zip Code)
(626) 585-6700
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
 
     
Title of Each Class   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
 
     
Capital Stock, $1 par value
  NYSE Amex
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
None
(Title of Class)
 
(Title of Class)
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.  Yes o     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
             
Large accelerated filer o
      Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2009 was: $390,654,000.
 
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Capital Stock as of February 26, 2010 was: 7,119,807.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
     
    Parts of
Title of Document   Form 10-K
 
Proxy Statement for 2010
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
  Part III. Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14


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PART I
 
Item 1.   Business
 
GENERAL
 
Wesco Financial Corporation (“Wesco”) was incorporated in Delaware on March 19, 1959. Wesco engages in three principal businesses through its direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries:
 
  •  the insurance business, through Wesco-Financial Insurance Company (“Wes-FIC”), which was incorporated in 1985 and engages in the property and casualty insurance business, and The Kansas Bankers Surety Company (“KBS”), which was incorporated in 1909, purchased by Wes-FIC in 1996 and provides specialized insurance coverages for banks;
 
  •  the furniture rental business, through CORT Business Services Corporation (“CORT”), which traces its national presence to the combination of five regional furniture rental companies in 1972 and was purchased by Wesco in 2000; and
 
  •  the steel service center business, through Precision Steel Warehouse, Inc. (“Precision Steel”), which was begun in 1940 and acquired by Wesco in 1979.
 
Wesco’s operations also include, through another wholly owned subsidiary, MS Property Company (“MS Property”), management of owned commercial real estate in downtown Pasadena, California. MS Property began its operations in late 1993, upon transfer to it of real properties previously owned by Wesco and by a former savings and loan subsidiary of Wesco.
 
Since 1973, Wesco has been 80.1%-owned by Blue Chip Stamps (“Blue Chip”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (“Berkshire”). Thus, Wesco and its subsidiaries are controlled by Blue Chip and Berkshire. All of these companies may also be deemed to be controlled by Warren E. Buffett, who is Berkshire’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and economic owner of 24.3% of its stock. Wesco’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Charles T. Munger, is also Vice Chairman of Berkshire, and consults with Mr. Buffett with respect to Wesco’s investment decisions, major capital allocations, and the selection of the chief executives to head each of its operating businesses, subject to ultimate approval of Wesco’s Board of Directors.
 
Wesco’s activities fall into three business segments — insurance, furniture rental and industrial. The insurance segment consists of the operations of Wes-FIC and KBS. The furniture rental segment consists of the operations of CORT. The industrial segment comprises Precision Steel’s steel service center and industrial supply operations. Wesco is also engaged in several activities not identified with the three business segments, including investment activity unrelated to the insurance segment, MS Property’s real estate activities, and parent company activities.
 
INSURANCE SEGMENT
 
Wes-FIC was incorporated in 1985 to engage in the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance business. Its insurance operations are managed by National Indemnity Company (“NICO”), which is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. To simplify discussion, the term “Berkshire Insurance Group” refers to NICO, General Reinsurance Corporation, and certain other wholly owned insurance subsidiaries of Berkshire, although Berkshire also includes in its insurance group the insurance subsidiaries that are 80.1%-owned through Berkshire’s ownership of Wesco.
 
Wes-FIC’s high statutory net worth (about $2.6 billion at December 31, 2009) has enabled Berkshire to offer Wes-FIC the opportunity to participate, from time to time, in contracts in which Wes-FIC effectively has reinsured certain property and casualty risks of unaffiliated property and casualty insurers. These arrangements have included “excess-of-loss” contracts such as “super-catastrophe reinsurance” contracts which subject the reinsurer to especially large amounts of losses from mega-catastrophes such as hurricanes or earthquakes. Super-catastrophe policies, which indemnify the ceding companies for all or part of covered losses in excess of large, specified retentions, have been subject to aggregate limits. Wes-FIC is also a party to large “quota-share”


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reinsurance arrangements under which it shares in premiums and losses proportionately with the ceding companies as described in more detail below.
 
Wesco’s board of directors has authorized automatic acceptance of retrocessions of super-catastrophe reinsurance offered by the Berkshire Insurance Group provided the following guidelines and limitations are complied with: (1) in order not to delay the acceptance process, the retrocession is to be accepted without delay in writing in Nebraska by agents of Wes-FIC who are salaried employees of the Berkshire Insurance Group; (2) any ceding commission received by the Berkshire Insurance Group cannot exceed 3% of premiums, which is believed to be less than the Berkshire Insurance Group could get in the marketplace; (3) Wes-FIC is to assume 20% or less of the total risk; (4) the Berkshire Insurance Group must retain at least 80% of the identical risk; and (5) the aggregate premiums from this type of business in any twelve-month period cannot exceed 10% of Wes-FIC’s net worth. Occasionally, the Berkshire Insurance Group will also have an upper-level reinsurance interest with interests different from Wes-FIC’s, particularly in the event of one or more large losses. Although Wes-FIC has no active super-catastrophe reinsurance contracts in force, Wes-FIC may have opportunities to participate in such business from time to time in the future.
 
Following are some of the more significant reinsurance arrangements in which Wes-FIC has participated in recent years:
 
  •  Participation, since 2001, in several risk pools managed by a subsidiary of General Reinsurance Corporation, covering principally hull, liability and workers’ compensation exposures, relating to the aviation industry. For the past three years, Wes-FIC has participated to the extent of 16.67% in several hull and liability pools and 5% of a workers’ compensation pool. In July 2009, it began to participate to the extent of 25% in an international pool. Another General Reinsurance Corporation subsidiary provides a portion of the upper-level reinsurance protection to these aviation risk pools, and therefore to Wes-FIC, on terms that could cause some conflict of interest under certain conditions, such as in settling a large loss. Wes-FIC’s exposure to detrimental effects, however, is mitigated because a senior manager of NICO who represents the membership interests of Wes-FIC and unrelated pool members with an additional 75% of the hull and liability pools and 90% of the workers’ compensation pool who have the same exposures to this potential conflict of interest, has access to information regarding significant losses and thus is able to address conflict issues that might arise.
 
  •  Participation, since the beginning of 2008, in a retrocession agreement with NICO, to assume 10% of NICO’s quota share reinsurance of Swiss Reinsurance Company and its major property-casualty affiliates (“Swiss Re”). Under this agreement, Wes-FIC has assumed 2% part of NICO’s 20% quota share reinsurance of all Swiss Re property-casualty risks incepting over the five-year period ending December 31, 2012 on the same terms as NICO’s agreement with Swiss Re. Wes-FIC’s share of written premiums under the contract was $294.1 million in 2009, giving rise to earned premiums of $276.7 million, the latter representing 85.6% of Wes-FIC’s 2009 earned premiums and 34.0% of Wesco’s consolidated revenues. Annual premiums in each of the three remaining years under the contract could vary significantly depending on market conditions and opportunities. See Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, beginning on page 20, for more information about the impact of Wes-FIC’s participation in the Swiss Re contract.
 
Wes-FIC is also licensed to write “direct,” or “primary” insurance business (as distinguished from reinsurance) in Nebraska, Utah and Iowa, and may write such insurance in the non-admitted excess and surplus lines market in several other states, but the volume written to date has been minimal.
 
In 1996, Wes-FIC purchased 100% of KBS, which writes specialized primary insurance coverage to mostly small and medium-sized banks in the Midwest. Its product line for financial institutions includes policies for crime insurance, check kiting fraud indemnification, Internet banking catastrophe theft insurance, Internet banking privacy liability insurance, directors and officers liability, bank employment practices, and bank insurance agents professional errors and omissions indemnity.
 
Through the latter part of 2008, KBS also offered deposit guarantee bonds which insured bank deposits in excess of federally insured limits. Beginning in 2008, events in the banking industry led to a rapid increase in


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bank failures. Although few of KBS’s customer banks were believed to be subject to significant risk of failure, management became less confident in the long-term profitability of this line of insurance. Following the failure of one of its customer banks in the third quarter of 2008, resulting in a loss to KBS, and thus, Wesco, of $4.7 million, after taxes, KBS notified its customers of its decision to exit this line of insurance as rapidly as feasible. Bond premiums accounted for approximately half of KBS’s written premiums of $20 million in 2008.
 
The aggregate face amount of deposit guarantee bonds has been reduced, from $9.7 billion outstanding at September 30, 2008, to $33 million, currently. The number of institutions that had outstanding KBS bonds has been reduced from 1,671 at September 30, 2008, to ten. KBS is licensed to write business in 29 states; however, in 4 states its insurance has been limited to deposit guarantee bonds. Thus, it is actively writing insurance in 25 states at the present time. Management is hopeful that KBS’s primary insurance premiums will increase, albeit slowly, in future periods.
 
KBS limits its loss exposure per loss event to a maximum of $7.6 million, after taxes, by limiting the maximum amount of risk underwritten to $30 million to any single customer or group of affiliated customers, and through the purchase of reinsurance, from the Berkshire Insurance Group, at market prices. KBS reinsures the entire layer of losses between $3 million and $5 million and 65% of the entire layer above $5 million.
 
In 2009, premiums of $0.1 million were ceded to the Berkshire Insurance Group, $0.2 million of reinsured losses were allocated to it and $1.4 million of losses which had been allocated to it in 2008, were recovered and repaid to it. In 2008, premiums of $3.4 million were ceded to the Berkshire Insurance Group, and $11.0 million of reinsured losses were allocated to it.
 
KBS markets its products in some states through exclusive, commissioned agents, and directly to insureds in other states. Inasmuch as the number of small Midwestern banks is declining as the banking industry consolidates, KBS has attributed the ongoing growth in its business to an extraordinary level of service provided by its employees and agents, and to the introduction of new products, such as deposit guarantee bonds which, until KBS decided in late 2008 to exit that line of insurance, had grown to represent approximately half of its business. Internet banking catastrophe theft insurance and Internet banking privacy liability insurance, which were introduced relatively recently, are steadily increasing in volume, but do not yet provide a significant amount of premium volume.
 
A significant marketing advantage enjoyed by the Berkshire Insurance Group, including Wesco’s insurance segment, is the maintenance of exceptional capital strength. The combined statutory surplus of Wesco’s insurance businesses totaled approximately $2.6 billion at December 31, 2009. This capital strength creates opportunities for Wes-FIC to participate in reinsurance and insurance contracts not necessarily available to many of its competitors.
 
Management of Wesco believes that an insurer in the reinsurance business must maintain a large net worth in relation to annual premiums in order to remain solvent when called upon to pay claims when a loss occurs. In this respect, Wes-FIC and KBS are competitively well positioned, inasmuch as their net premiums written for calendar 2009 amounted to only 13% of their combined statutory surplus, compared to an industry average of 94% based on figures reported for 2008 by A.M. Best Company, a nationally recognized statistical rating organization for the insurance industry. Standard & Poor’s Corporation recently reduced from AAA to AA+ the rating it assigned to Wes-FIC’s claims-paying ability. This rating continues to recognize Wes-FIC’s strong competitive position as a member of the Berkshire Insurance Group and its significant capital strength, as well as the commitment of Wes-FIC’s management to a disciplined approach to underwriting and conservative reserving.
 
Insurance companies are subject to regulation by the departments of insurance of the various states in which they write policies as well as the states in which they are domiciled and, in the case of KBS, because of its business of insuring banks, by the Department of the Treasury. Regulations relate to, among other things, capital requirements, shareholder and policyholder dividend restrictions, reporting requirements, annual audits by independent accountants, periodic regulatory examinations and limitations on the risk exposures that can be retained, as well as the size and types of investments that can be made.
 
Because it is operated by NICO, Wes-FIC has no employees of its own. KBS has 18 employees.


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FURNITURE RENTAL SEGMENT
 
CORT is the nation’s largest provider of rental furniture, accessories and related services in the “rent-to-rent” (as opposed to “rent-to-own”) segment of the furniture industry. CORT rents high-quality furniture to corporate and individual customers who desire flexibility in meeting their temporary office, residential or trade show furnishing needs, and who typically do not seek to own such furniture. In addition, CORT sells previously rented furniture through company-owned clearance centers, thereby enabling it to regularly renew its inventory and update styles. CORT’s network of facilities (in 34 states, the District of Columbia and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”)) comprises 90 showrooms, 83 clearance centers and 92 warehouses, as well as seven websites, including www.cort.com.
 
CORT’s rent-to-rent business is differentiated from rent-to-own businesses primarily by the terms of the rental arrangements and the type of customer served. Rent-to-rent customers generally desire high-quality furniture to meet temporary needs, have established credit, and pay on a monthly basis. Typically, these customers do not seek to acquire the property on a permanent basis. In a typical rent-to-rent transaction, the customer agrees to rent furniture for a minimum of three months, subject to extension by the customer on a month-to-month basis. By contrast, rent-to-own arrangements are generally made by customers lacking established credit whose objective is the eventual ownership of the property. These transactions are typically entered into on a month-to-month basis and may require weekly rental payments.
 
CORT’s customer base includes primarily Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, professionals, and owners and operators of apartment communities. CORT’s management believes its size, national presence, brand awareness, consistently high level of customer service, product quality, breadth of selection, depth and experience of management, and efficient clearance centers have been key contributors to the company’s success. CORT offers a wide variety of office and home furnishings, including commercial panel systems, televisions, housewares and accessories. CORT emphasizes its ability to furnish an apartment, home or entire suite of offices with high-quality furniture, housewares and accessories in two business days. CORT’s objective is to build upon these core competencies and competitive advantages to increase revenues and market share. Key to CORT’s growth strategies are:
 
  •  expanding its commercial customer base;
 
  •  enhancing its ability to capture an increasing number of Internet customers through its on-line catalog and other web services;
 
  •  making selective acquisitions; and
 
  •  continuing to develop various products and services.
 
In order to capitalize on the significant profit potential available from longer average rental periods and the higher average monthly rent typically available for office products, CORT’s strategy is to place greater emphasis on growth in rentals of office furniture while maintaining its premier position in residential furniture rental. In order to promote longer office lease terms, CORT offers lower rates on leases when lease terms exceed six months. A significant portion of CORT’s residential furniture rentals is derived from corporate relocations and temporary assignments, as new and transferred employees of CORT’s corporate customers enter into leases for residential furniture. Thus, CORT offers its corporate rental customers a way to reduce the costs of corporate relocation and travel while developing residential business with new and transferred employees. CORT also provides short-term rentals for trade shows and conventions. Its www.corttradeshow.com website assists in providing information to and gathering leads from prospects.
 
In January 2008, CORT expanded its operations to the U.K. through the purchase of Roomservice Group, now doing business as CORT Business Services UK Ltd., a small regional provider of furniture rental and relocation services. In November 2008, CORT acquired a business division of Aaron Rents, Inc., expanding its national presence in the U.S.
 
The furniture rental business is subject to economic cycles and dependent on economic growth for expansion. Although the economic contraction in 2008 and 2009 has contributed to a weakening of the furniture rental business, CORT has made several selective acquisitions following its purchase by Wesco, and it


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is believed to be better positioned to benefit from future economic expansion, particularly if there is corresponding job growth.
 
The rent-to-rent segment of the furniture rental industry is highly competitive. There are several large regional competitors, as well as a number of smaller regional and local rent-to-rent competitors. The availability of low priced, lower-quality furniture from overseas manufacturers is also providing additional competitive pressure. In addition, numerous retailers offer residential and office furniture under rent-to-own arrangements. It is believed that the principal competitive factors in the furniture rental industry are product value, furniture condition, the extent of furniture selection, terms of the rental agreement, speed of delivery, exchange privileges, options to purchase, deposit requirements and customer service.
 
CORT provides a nation-wide apartment locator service through its website www.apartmentsearch.com and customer call centers. The apartment locator service was begun in 2001 as CORT’s Relocation Central Corporation subsidiary. The business, was originally intended mainly to lead to increased furniture rentals, and was marketed primarily to individual renters. In order to trim operating costs, the subsidiary was reorganized and, by yearend 2004, absorbed into CORT. Late in 2006 CORT began the expansion and marketing of its relocation service, designed specifically for renters, to Fortune 2000 companies as a comprehensive, seamless solution to their employee-relocation needs. However, in connection with weak economic environment, CORT has more recently trimmed back on its efforts to expand these services. Through its network of foreign contacts, CORT also provides such services internationally.
 
The majority of CORT’s furniture sales revenue is derived from its clearance center sales. The remaining furniture sales revenue results principally from lease conversions and sales of new furniture. The sale of previously leased furniture allows CORT to control inventory quantities and to maintain inventory quality at showroom level. On average, furniture is typically sold through the clearance centers from three to five years after its initial purchase. With respect to sales of furniture through its clearance centers, CORT competes with numerous new and used furniture retailers, some of which are larger than CORT. Wesco management believes that price and value are CORT’s principal competitive advantages.
 
CORT has approximately 2,211 full-time employees, including 72 union members. Management considers labor relations to be good.
 
INDUSTRIAL SEGMENT
 
Precision Steel and one of its subsidiaries operate steel service centers in the Chicago and Charlotte metropolitan areas. The service centers buy stainless steel, low carbon sheet and strip steel, coated metals, spring steel, brass, phosphor bronze and other metals, cut these metals to order, and sell them to a wide variety of customers.
 
The steel service center business is highly competitive. Precision Steel’s annual sales volume of approximately 12 thousand tons of flat rolled products compares with the domestic steel service industry’s annual volume for all shapes of products (flat rolled, bar, wire, structural, plate, tubular steel, etc.) of approximately 30 million tons. Precision Steel competes not only with other service centers but also with mills that supply metal to service centers, original equipment manufacturers and end-users. Sales competition exists in the areas of price, quality, availability and speed of delivery. Because it is willing to sell in relatively small quantities, Precision Steel has been able to compete in geographic areas distant from its service center facilities. Competitive pressure has been intensified by economic cycles and a shift to production abroad and an increasing tendency of domestic manufacturers to use less costly materials in making parts.
 
Precision Brand Products, Inc. (“Precision Brand”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Precision Steel that is also located in the Chicago area, manufactures shim stock and other toolroom specialty items, and distributes a line of hose clamps and threaded rod. These products are sold under the Precision Brand and DuPage names nationwide, generally through industrial distributors. This business is highly competitive, and Precision Brand’s sales represent a very small share of the market.
 
Steel service raw materials are obtained principally from major domestic steel mills. Periodic scarcities of domestic supplies resulting from consolidation and downsizing at the mill level in recent years, combined with


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generally increasing worldwide demand for certain popular but relatively scarce imported materials have resulted in periods of shortages and large swings in prices, intensifying the competitive pressures on the steel service business, to which has more recently been added a significant downturn in industrial demand resulting from a weak economic environment. Precision Steel’s service centers continue to focus on cost-cutting measures where feasible, while focusing on customer service and the maintenance of extensive inventories in order to meet customer demand for prompt deliveries; typically, processed metals are delivered to the customer within one or two weeks. Precision Brand normally maintains inventories adequate to allow for off-the-shelf service to customers within 24 hours.
 
The industrial segment businesses are subject to economic cycles and other factors, but are not dependent on a few large customers. The backlog of steel service orders decreased to $3.7 million at December 31, 2009 from $4.7 million at December 31, 2008.
 
There are 166 full-time employees engaged in the industrial segment businesses, one-third of whom are members of unions. Management considers labor relations to be good.
 
ACTIVITIES NOT IDENTIFIED WITH A BUSINESS SEGMENT
 
Certain of Wesco’s activities are not identified with any business segment. These include investment activity unrelated to the insurance segment, management and development of owned real property, including the development of a multi-story luxury condominium building currently being offered for sale, and parent company activities.
 
Five full-time employees are engaged in the activities of Wesco and MS Property.
 
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
Wesco’s Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, and amendments thereto, as well as proxy materials, may be accessed soon after they are electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), through Wesco’s website, www.wescofinancial.com, or the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
In addition to the factors affecting specific business operations identified in connection with the description of these operations and their financial results elsewhere in this report, we invite your attention to the considerations and risk factors described below. The risk factors could cause Wesco’s actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking and other statements contained in this report and in the other periodic reports and other filings Wesco makes with the SEC, as well as in news releases, annual reports and other communications that Wesco makes from time to time. It should be noted that there are other risks facing Wesco, and that additional risks and uncertainties not presently known or that are currently deemed immaterial may also impair Wesco’s business operations.
 
An investment in Wesco is not an investment in Berkshire Hathaway.
 
From time to time there is an erroneous report by an analyst or reporter that an investor wishing to purchase Berkshire common stock can instead purchase shares of Wesco. Berkshire is the parent of Wesco. Wesco’s operations differ significantly from those of Berkshire, and its shares may trade at a significantly different price relative to its intrinsic value than do those of Berkshire. In addition to the risk factors affecting Wesco’s operations, Berkshire has risk factors of its own. Investors wishing to have investment exposure to Berkshire cannot accomplish this by purchasing Wesco shares. They should carefully read Berkshire’s published financial statements and filings with the SEC.
 
Wesco’s investments are unusually concentrated and fair values are subject to loss in value.
 
Compared to other companies, Wesco keeps an unusually high percentage of its assets (principally related to its insurance businesses) in common stocks and diversifies its portfolio far less than is conventional. A significant decline in the general stock market or in the price of major investments may produce a large decrease


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in Wesco’s shareholders’ equity and under certain circumstances may require the recognition of such losses in the statement of income. Decreases in values of equity investments could have a material adverse effect on Wesco’s book value per share. During 2008, several crises affecting the financial system and capital markets of the U.S. resulted in very large price declines in the general stock market and in the fair values of Wesco’s equity securities investments. Although the aggregate fair value of Wesco’s equity securities investments increased during 2009, the fair values of several of its equity securities investments continued to decline. There is no guarantee that their fair values will recover or whether significant decreases will occur in the future.
 
Wesco is dependent for its investment and all other capital allocation decisions on a few key people.
 
Investment decisions and all other capital allocation decisions are made for Wesco’s businesses by Charles T. Munger, Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and CEO of Wesco, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Berkshire Hathaway, age 86, in consultation with Warren E. Buffett, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, age 79. If for any reason the services of those key personnel, particularly Mr. Buffett, were to become unavailable to Wesco, there could be a material adverse effect on Wesco. However, Berkshire’s Board of Directors has agreed on a replacement for Mr. Buffett should a replacement be needed currently. Its Board continually monitors this matter and could alter its current view in the future.
 
Wesco’s Wes-FIC subsidiary is dependent upon the Berkshire Insurance Group for its management and personnel, and for opportunities to participate with the Berkshire Insurance Group in reinsurance contracts representing essentially the entirety of its reinsurance business, as well as a significant portion of its insurance business to date.
 
Since the incorporation of Wes-FIC in 1985, Wesco’s insurance and reinsurance business, other than that conducted by its Kansas Bankers Surety subsidiary, has been limited principally to participation with members of the Berkshire Insurance Group in contracts for the reinsurance of risks of unaffiliated property and casualty insurance companies. Wes-FIC’s operations are managed by NICO, a member of the Berkshire Insurance Group; it has no employees of its own. In the event the Berkshire Insurance Group were to cease operating Wes-FIC’s business or to significantly curtail Wes-FIC’s participation with it in reinsurance contracts, Wes-FIC would be required to look elsewhere for personnel who would conduct and manage its operations, and/or seek to continue its insurance business in a different manner, possibly by acquisition.
 
Wesco’s tolerance for risk in its insurance businesses may result in a high degree of volatility in periodic reported earnings.
 
Wes-FIC participates with members of the Berkshire Insurance Group in certain reinsurance contracts in which significant risk is periodically assumed. The Berkshire Insurance Group has indicated that it believes that it has been and continues to be willing to assume more risk than any other insurer has knowingly assumed.
 
As described in Item 1, Business, effective January 1, 2008, Wes-FIC entered into a quota-share retrocession agreement with NICO, a member of the Berkshire Insurance Group, to assume 10% of NICO’s quota share reinsurance of Swiss Re. Under this retrocession agreement, Wes-FIC has assumed 2% part of NICO’s 20% quota share reinsurance of all Swiss Re property-casualty risks incepting over the five-year period which began January 1, 2008, on the same terms as NICO’s agreement with Swiss Re (the “Swiss Re contract”). This arrangement significantly increased Wes-FIC’s premium volume as well as exposure to large losses, such as hurricanes, and foreign exchange risk, and thus, the potential for increased volatility and losses. In addition, as with all reinsurance arrangements, Wes-FIC does not control the underwriting of the primary insurer and relies on the primary insurer’s reputation and judgment in deciding what underlying risks to insure.
 
Aside from risks assumed under the Swiss Re contract, Wes-FIC’s reinsurance activities currently in force do not subject it to super-catastrophe risks. However, it has procedures in place for the immediate acceptance of participations in catastrophic excess of loss reinsurance, which could subject it to large amounts of losses from mega-catastrophes such as hurricanes or earthquakes, if offered to it by the Berkshire Insurance Group, so long as the Berkshire Insurance Group participates in such reinsurance activities to a greater degree. The tolerance for


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significant risks may in certain future periods result in significant losses. This policy may result in a high degree of volatility in Wesco’s periodic reported earnings.
 
The degree of estimation error inherent in the process of estimating property and casualty insurance loss reserves may result in a high degree of volatility in periodic reported earnings.
 
In the insurance business, premiums are charged today for promises to pay covered losses in the future. The principal cost associated with premium revenue is claims. However, it will literally take decades before all losses that have occurred as of the balance sheet date will be reported and settled. Although Wesco believes that loss reserve balances are adequate to cover losses, Wesco will not truly know whether the premiums charged for the coverages provided were sufficient until well after the balance sheet date. Wesco’s objective is to generate underwriting profits over the long term. Estimating insurance claim costs is inherently imprecise. Wesco’s reserve estimates are large ($343.5 million at December 31, 2009), so adjustments to reserve estimates can have a material effect on periodic reported earnings.
 
Each of Wesco’s operating businesses faces intense competitive pressures.
 
Each of Wesco’s operating businesses faces intense competitive pressures within its respective markets. Such competition may come from domestic and international operators. While Wesco’s businesses are managed with the objective of achieving sustainable growth over the long term through developing and strengthening competitive advantages, many factors, including market changes and technology, could erode or impede those competitive advantages or prevent their strengthening. Accordingly, future operating results will depend to some degree on whether the operating units are successful in protecting or enhancing their competitive advantages.
 
Unfavorable economic conditions could hurt Wesco’s operating businesses.
 
Wesco’s operating businesses are subject to normal economic cycles affecting the economy in general and the industries in which they operate. To the extent that the current weak economic environment continues for a prolonged period of time, one or more of Wesco’s significant operations could be materially harmed.
 
In addition to the foregoing risk factors inherent in Wesco’s operations, Wesco’s shareholders face a market liquidity risk because the daily trading volume of Wesco’s shares on NYSE Amex is relatively low.
 
In addition to the risks facing Wesco in its business operations, investors wishing to purchase or sell shares of its capital stock face market price risks because the daily NYSE Amex trading volume of Wesco’s shares is relatively low. An order for the purchase or sale of a large number of Wesco shares could significantly affect the price at which the order is executed.
 
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments
 
None.
 
Item 2.   Properties
 
CORT leases 16,212 square feet of office space in a multistory office building in Fairfax, Virginia, which it uses as its headquarters under a lease which will expire in 2012.
 
CORT carries out its rental, sales and warehouse operations in metropolitan areas in 34 states, the District of Columbia and the U.K. through 157 facilities, of which 17 were owned and the remaining were leased as of December 31, 2009. The leased facilities’ lease terms expire at dates ranging from 2010 to 2021. CORT has generally been able to extend expiration dates of its leases or obtain suitable alternative facilities on satisfactory terms. As leases expire, CORT has been eliminating redundant locations and decreasing the size of its showrooms, which as of yearend 2009 ranged in size from 1,200 to 17,368 square feet of floor space. Where locations are desirable, its management has been attempting to combine rental, clearance and warehouse operations rather than retain separate showrooms, because business and residential customers have been


17


 

increasingly using the Internet. CORT regularly reviews the presentation and appearance of its furniture showrooms and clearance centers and periodically improves or refurbishes them to enhance their attractiveness to customers.
 
MS Property owns a business block in Pasadena, California situated between the city hall and a large shopping mall. The block’s improvements include a nine-story office building that was constructed in 1964 and has approximately 125,000 square feet of rentable area, and a multistory garage with space for 420 vehicles. Of the 125,000 square feet of space in the office building, approximately 5,000 square feet are used by MS Property or leased to Blue Chip or Wesco at market rental rates. The remaining space is almost fully leased to outside parties, including Citibank (the ground floor tenant), law firms and others, under agreements expiring at dates extending to 2017.
 
Wes-FIC’s place of business is the Omaha, Nebraska headquarters office of NICO.
 
KBS leases 5,100 square feet of office space in a multistory office building in Topeka, Kansas under a lease that expires in 2012.
 
Precision Steel and its subsidiaries own three buildings housing their plant and office facilities, with usable area approximately as follows: 138,000 square feet in Franklin Park, Illinois; 63,000 square feet in Charlotte, North Carolina; and 59,000 square feet in Downers Grove, Illinois.
 
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings
 
Wesco and its subsidiaries are not involved in any legal proceedings the ultimate outcomes of which are expected to be significant to Wesco.
 
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
None.
 
PART II
 
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities
 
Wesco’s capital stock is listed on the NYSE Amex, owned and operated by NYSE Euronext, a holding company also owning the New York Stock Exchange.
 
The following table sets forth quarterly ranges of composite prices for trading of Wesco shares for 2009 and 2008, based on data reported by the American Stock Exchange, on which Wesco’s capital stock was listed through November 2008, and thereafter, by Bloomberg LP, as well as cash dividends paid by Wesco on each outstanding share:
 
                         
    2009   2008
    Sales Price   Dividends
  Sales Price   Dividends
Quarter Ended
  High   Low   Paid   High   Low   Paid
 
March 31
  $309   $222   $0.395   $421   $368   $0.385
June 30
  320   275   0.395   450   368   0.385
September 30
  326   285   0.395   401   352   0.385
December 31
  349   315   0.395   372   243   0.385
                         
            $1.58           $1.54
                         
 
There were approximately 400 shareholders of record of Wesco’s capital stock as of the close of business on February 26, 2010. It is estimated that approximately 5,000 additional Wesco shareholders held shares of Wesco’s capital stock in street name at that date.
 
Wesco did not purchase any of its own equity securities during 2009.


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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
 
Set forth below and on the following page are selected consolidated financial data for Wesco and its subsidiaries. For additional financial information, attention is directed to Wesco’s audited 2009 consolidated financial statements appearing in Item 8 of this report. (Amounts are in thousands except for amounts per share.)
 
                                         
    December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
 
Assets:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 273,671     $ 297,643     $ 526,722     $ 1,257,351     $ 1,194,113  
Investments —
                                       
Securities with fixed maturities
    229,872       28,656       38,600       81,861       74,441  
Marketable equity securities
    2,065,627       1,868,293       1,919,425       1,040,550       884,673  
Accounts receivable
    37,983       57,489       42,841       37,204       39,203  
Receivable from affiliates
    173,476       133,396       36,671       23,182       14,784  
Rental furniture
    177,793       217,597       178,297       182,846       187,572  
Goodwill of acquired businesses
    277,590       277,742       266,607       266,607       266,607  
Other assets
    165,414       169,879       103,846       80,704       67,118  
                                         
Total assets
  $ 3,401,426     $ 3,050,695     $ 3,113,009     $ 2,970,305     $ 2,728,511  
                                         
Liabilities:
                                       
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses —
                                       
Affiliated business
  $ 290,375     $ 164,424     $ 39,687     $ 29,761     $ 19,697  
Unaffiliated business
    53,091       50,844       54,158       48,549       42,283  
Unearned insurance premiums —
                                       
Affiliated business
    110,477       94,544       15,041       14,062       12,301  
Unaffiliated business
    11,516       13,251       15,225       15,298       16,092  
Deferred furniture rental income and security deposits
    11,846       17,674       19,947       20,440       22,204  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    54,537       61,145       49,476       48,258       52,587  
Notes payable
    28,200       40,400       37,200       38,200       42,300  
Income taxes payable, principally deferred
    290,667       230,657       347,416       355,399       290,615  
                                         
Total liabilities
  $ 850,709     $ 672,939     $ 578,150     $ 569,967     $ 498,079  
                                         
Shareholders’ equity:
                                       
Capital stock and additional paid- in capital
  $ 33,324     $ 33,324     $ 33,324     $ 33,324     $ 33,324  
Accumulated other comprehensive income —
                                       
Unrealized appreciation of investments, net of taxes
    284,051       154,660       381,017       344,978       256,710  
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes
    (1,151 )     (1,897 )                  
Retained earnings
    2,234,493       2,191,669       2,120,518       2,022,036       1,940,398  
                                         
Total shareholders’ equity
  $ 2,550,717     $ 2,377,756     $ 2,534,859     $ 2,400,338     $ 2,230,432  
                                         
Per capital share
  $ 358.26     $ 333.96     $ 356.03     $ 337.14     $ 313.27  
                                         
 


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    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
 
Revenues:
                                       
Furniture rentals
  $ 312,234     $ 340,162     $ 327,671     $ 324,300     $ 303,485  
Sales and service revenues
    106,342       130,753       129,861       139,058       141,749  
Insurance premiums earned —
                                       
Affiliated business
    307,560       218,094       35,530       32,643       32,450  
Unaffiliated business
    15,661       19,870       18,881       21,506       17,032  
Dividend and interest income
    67,458       79,079       90,872       84,504       56,792  
Realized net investment gains
          7,006       24,240             333,241  
Other
    4,076       3,990       3,869       3,716       3,541  
                                         
      813,331       798,954       630,924       605,727       888,290  
                                         
Costs and expenses:
                                       
Cost of products and services sold
    130,992       149,319       143,282       154,218       153,402  
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses —
                                       
Affiliated business
    198,853       151,308       24,008       21,401       11,990  
Unaffiliated business
    14,454       20,892       4,269       9,944       9,482  
Insurance underwriting expenses —
                                       
Affiliated business
    92,857       63,156       8,019       7,566       6,611  
Unaffiliated business
    5,946       7,135       7,284       7,294       6,832  
Selling, general and administrative
    305,934       300,231       280,728       265,327       262,594  
Interest expense
    641       1,798       2,408       2,711       1,575  
                                         
      749,677       693,839       469,998       468,461       452,486  
                                         
Income before income taxes
    63,654       105,115       160,926       137,266       435,804  
Income taxes
    9,581       22,999       51,765       45,233       141,225  
                                         
Net income
  $ 54,073     $ 82,116     $ 109,161     $ 92,033     $ 294,579  
                                         
Amounts per share:
                                       
Net income
  $ 7.59     $ 11.53     $ 15.33     $ 12.93     $ 41.37  
Cash dividends
    1.58       1.54       1.50       1.46       1.42  
                                         
 
 
The reinsurance activities of Wesco’s insurance segment are managed by Berkshire’s NICO subsidiary and represent participations in contracts in which NICO and other members of the Berkshire Insurance Group also participate. Financial information associated with these participations is identified in Wesco’s consolidated financial statements, as well as in Item 6, Selected Financial Data, as affiliated business.
 
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
In reviewing this item, attention is directed to Item 6, Selected Financial Data, and Item 1, Business.
 
OVERVIEW
 
The principal goal of Wesco’s management is to maximize gain in Wesco’s intrinsic business value per share over the long term. Accounting consequences do not influence business decisions, nor do fluctuations in annual net income. To accomplish desired growth, a high priority is placed on investing in companies having excellent economic characteristics, run by outstanding managers. Management strives to maintain high liquidity to ensure that Wesco and its subsidiaries are able to endure unforeseen circumstances, including recessionary economic cycles and periods of significant declines in the trading prices of investments, with a margin of safety, and to invest in common stocks of outstanding publicly traded companies at prices deemed

20


 

reasonable. In the event that such investments are not available, capital is preserved through investments principally in high-quality cash equivalents, securities of the U.S. Government and its agencies, and high-quality corporate debt instruments.
 
Wesco’s operating businesses are managed on a decentralized basis. There are essentially no centralized or integrated business functions (such as sales, marketing, purchasing, legal or human resources) and there is minimal involvement by Wesco’s management in the day-to-day business activities of the operating businesses. Wesco’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Charles T. Munger, is also Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, and consults with Warren E. Buffett, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Berkshire, with respect to Wesco’s investment decisions, major capital allocations, and the selection of the chief executives to head each of Wesco’s operating units, subject to ultimate approval of Wesco’s Board of Directors.
 
The operations of Wesco’s Wes-FIC subsidiary are managed by Berkshire’s NICO subsidiary. Wes-FIC participates principally in reinsurance contracts, in which NICO and other Berkshire insurance subsidiaries participate, in the reinsurance of property and casualty risks of unaffiliated insurance companies. The terms of Wes-FIC’s participation are essentially identical to those by which the other Berkshire insurance subsidiaries participate, except as to the percentages of participation (see Item 1, Business, for further information).
 
FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
Wesco continues to have a strong consolidated balance sheet, with high liquidity and relatively little debt. Its equity investments are in strong, well-known companies, whose aggregate fair values as of yearend 2009 reflected net appreciation during the year, although the fair values of several of Wesco’s investees were down for 2009. In particular, as of December 31, 2009, the stock prices of the banking companies in which Wesco has significant investments had not fully recovered from near panic selling in the marketplace in early 2009. Management of Wesco believes that it may be some time, perhaps beyond 2010, before economic conditions begin significantly to improve. Wesco’s practice of concentrating its investments in a few issuers, rather than diversifying, follows the investment philosophy of the chairmen-CEOs of Wesco and its parent, Berkshire, who consult with respect to Wesco’s investments and major capital allocations.
 
Wesco’s shareholders’ equity was $2.55 billion ($358.26 per share) at December 31, 2009, $2.38 billion ($333.96 per share) as of December 31, 2008, and $2.53 billion ($356.03 per share) at December 31, 2007. Wesco carries principally all of its investments on its consolidated balance sheet at fair value, with net unrealized appreciation or depreciation included as a component of shareholders’ equity, net of deferred taxes, without being reflected in earnings. The changes in shareholders’ equity reflect principally the after-tax appreciation or depreciation of the aggregate values of Wesco’s investments, as well as net income retained, after payment of dividends to shareholders.
 
Because unrealized appreciation or depreciation is recorded based upon market quotations and, in some cases, upon other inputs that are affected by economic and market conditions as of the balance sheet date, gains or losses ultimately realized upon sale of investments could differ substantially from unrealized appreciation or depreciation recorded on the balance sheet. See Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, as well as Notes 1, 2 and 8 to Wesco’s accompanying consolidated financial statements, for additional information on Wesco’s investments.
 
Wesco’s liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at December 31, 2009 totaled $343.5 million versus $215.3 million at December 31, 2008. The increase related mainly to the retrocession agreement with Berkshire’s NICO subsidiary, described in Item 1, Business, above.
 
Wesco’s consolidated borrowings totaled $28.2 million at December 31, 2009 versus $40.4 million at December 31, 2008. These amounts related primarily to a $100 million revolving credit facility used in CORT’s furniture rental business. In addition to this recorded debt, Wesco and its subsidiaries had $125.8 million of operating lease and other contractual obligations at December 31, 2009, versus $142.2 million one year earlier. (See the section on off-balance sheet arrangements and contractual obligations appearing below in this Item 7, as well as Note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, for additional information on debt.)
 
Wes-FIC has a rating of AA+ from Standard & Poor’s Corporation with respect to its claims-paying ability.


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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The weakness in global economic activity over the last half of 2008 continued through 2009. Wesco’s consolidated operating results in 2009 were significantly impacted by that weakness.
 
Wesco’s consolidated net income is also impacted from year to year as a result of the realization of gains or losses on investments. The amount, if any, of realized gain or loss in any year has no predictive value, and variations in amount from year to year have no practical analytical value. Realized gains amounted to $7.0 million ($4.6 million, after taxes) for 2008 and $24.2 million ($15.8 million, after income taxes) for 2007. No gains or losses were realized in 2009.
 
Wesco’s reportable business segments are organized in a manner that reflects how Wesco’s top management views those business activities. Wesco’s management views insurance businesses as possessing two distinct operations — underwriting and investing, and believes that “underwriting gain or loss” is an important measure of their financial performance. Underwriting gain or loss represents the simple arithmetic difference between the following line items appearing on the consolidated statement of income: (1) insurance premiums earned, less (2) insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses, and insurance underwriting expenses. Management’s goal is to generate underwriting gains over the long term. Underwriting decisions are the responsibility of the unit managers; investing is the responsibility of Charles T. Munger in consultation with Warren E. Buffett, subject to ultimate approval by Wesco’s Board of Directors. Accordingly, underwriting results are evaluated without allocation of investment income.
 
Wesco’s consolidated net income, excluding realized investment gains, decreased by $23.5 million for 2009. Several factors were involved, including (1) the detrimental effects of the weak economic environment on CORT’s and Precision Steel’s businesses, (2) a decrease in investment income resulting mainly from declining interest yields on investments, and (3) a writedown in the carrying value of real estate held for sale, partially offset by (4) improved insurance underwriting results.
 
As noted above, the operations of Wesco’s subsidiaries have been impacted by the weak economic conditions, which Berkshire and Wesco management believe will likely persist at least through 2010 before meaningful improvements become evident. Wesco’s subsidiaries will continue their cost reduction actions in response to the current economic situation, including ongoing reductions in capital expenditures and operating expenses. Wesco has historically attempted to manage its financial condition such that it can weather cyclical economic conditions. Management believes that the economic franchises of Wesco’s principal business operations will remain intact and that their operating results will ultimately return to more normal historic levels.
 
The selected financial data in Item 6 are set forth essentially in the income statement format customary to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Revenues, including realized net investment gains, are followed by costs and expenses, and a provision for income taxes, to arrive at net income. The following summary sets forth the after-tax contribution to GAAP net income of each business segment — insurance, furniture rental and industrial — as well as activities not considered related to such segments. Realized net investment gains are excluded from segment activities, consistent with the way Wesco’s management views the business operations. (Amounts are in thousands, all after income tax effect.)
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Insurance segment:
                       
Underwriting
  $ 7,222     $ (2,942 )   $ 7,040  
Investment income
    55,781       64,274       65,207  
Furniture rental segment
    (1,359 )     15,744       20,316  
Industrial segment
    (648 )     842       915  
Nonsegment items other than investment gains
    (6,923 )     (356 )     (73 )
Realized investment gains
          4,554       15,756  
                         
Consolidated net income
  $ 54,073     $ 82,116     $ 109,161  
                         


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In the following sections the data set forth in the foregoing summary on an after-tax basis are broken down and discussed.
 
Insurance Segment
 
Wesco engages principally in reinsurance of property and casualty risks through Wes-FIC. It also engages in primary insurance through KBS. Their operations are conducted or supervised by wholly owned subsidiaries of Berkshire, Wesco’s ultimate parent company, principally, NICO. In reinsurance activities, defined portions of similar or dissimilar risks that other insurers or reinsurers have subjected themselves to in their own insuring activities are assumed. In primary insurance activities, defined portions of the risks of loss from persons or organizations that are directly subject to the risks are assumed. For purposes of the following discussion, the results have been disaggregated between reinsurance and primary insurance activities. Following is a summary of the insurance segment’s underwriting activities. (Amounts are in thousands.)
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Insurance premiums written —
                       
Reinsurance
  $ 329,227     $ 298,622     $ 35,346  
Primary
    9,964       17,850       19,493  
                         
Total
  $ 339,191     $ 316,472     $ 54,839  
                         
Insurance premiums earned —
                       
Reinsurance
  $ 311,144     $ 217,584     $ 34,998  
Primary
    12,077       20,380       19,413  
                         
Total
    323,221       237,964       54,411  
Insurance losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting expenses
    312,110       242,491       43,580  
Underwriting gain (loss), before income taxes —
                       
Reinsurance
    15,968       (2,162 )     2,158  
Primary
    (4,857 )     (2,365 )     8,673  
                         
Total
    11,111       (4,527 )     10,831  
Income taxes
    3,889       (1,585 )     3,791  
                         
Underwriting gain (loss)
  $ 7,222     $ (2,942 )   $ 7,040  
                         
 
Contractual delays in reporting, and limitations in details reported, by the ceding companies necessitate that estimates be made of reinsurance premiums written and earned, as well as reinsurance losses and expenses. Under the Swiss Re contract, for example, estimates of premiums, claims and expenses are reported 45 days after the end of each quarterly period. Estimates are therefore made each reporting period by management for the activity not yet reported. Such estimates are developed by NICO based on information publicly available and adjusted for the impact of its, as well as Wes-FIC’s management’s, assessments of prevailing market conditions and other factors with respect to the underlying reinsured business. The relative importance of the Swiss Re contract to Wesco’s results of operations causes those results to be particularly sensitive to this estimation process. However, increases or decreases in premiums earned as a result of the estimation process related to the reporting lag have been and will typically be substantially offset by corresponding increases or decreases in claim and expense estimates. Periodic underwriting results can also be affected significantly by changes in estimates for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, including amounts established for occurrences in prior years. See the Critical Accounting Policies section of this discussion for information concerning the loss reserve estimation process.
 
Written and earned reinsurance premiums have increased significantly beginning in 2008 as a result of the inception of the Swiss Re contract. Written and earned premiums assumed under the Swiss Re contract were $294.1 million and $276.7 million, respectively, for 2009, and $265.2 million and $183.2 million, for 2008.


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The 2009 figures represented increases of 10.9% in written premiums and 51.0% in earned premiums for the year. Premiums assumed in each of the remaining three years under the contract could vary significantly depending on Swiss Re’s response to market conditions and opportunities that may arise, as well as any significant fluctuation in the value of the U.S. Dollar in foreign exchange as compared with the many currencies in which Swiss Re conducts its business. For 2009, written aviation-related reinsurance premiums increased by $1.7 million (5.2%), after having decreased by $2.0 million (5.9%) for 2008, from those of 2007. Earned aviation-related premiums increased by $0.1 million (0.2%) for 2009, and decreased by $0.6 million (1.7%) for 2008, from those of 2007. Aviation insurance is a competitive business. The pool manager exercises underwriting discipline and does not accept business when pricing is deemed inadequate with respect to risks assumed.
 
Written primary insurance premiums decreased by $7.9 million (44.2%) for 2009 and by $1.6 million (8.4%) for 2008, from those of each corresponding prior year. Earned primary insurance premiums decreased by $8.3 million (40.7%) for 2009 and increased by $1.0 million (5.0%) for 2008, from the corresponding prior year figures. These fluctuations related essentially to KBS’s bank deposit guarantee bonds which insure deposits above FDIC limits for specific customers of mainly Midwestern banks and which represented approximately half of KBS’s premium volume for 2008 and 2007. KBS announced late in 2008 that events in the banking industry, including a number of bank failures, had caused management to become less confident in the long-term profitability of this line of insurance. In September 2008, KBS notified its customers of its decision to exit this line of insurance as rapidly as feasible. As a result, the aggregate face amount of outstanding deposit guarantee bonds was reduced, from $9.7 billion at September 30, 2008, when 1,671 separate institutions were insured by KBS, to $33 million, insuring 10 institutions currently. KBS anticipates that outstanding guarantee bonds will decline to approximately $3 million, insuring just one institution by December 31, 2010, and to zero, by August 1, 2011.
 
KBS limits its risk exposure through the use of underwriting practices, policy limits and reinsurance. Its management maintains and regularly updates a list ranking the banks it believes to be the 250 weakest in the nation based on data obtained from quarterly financial “Call” reports filed by all domestic banks with their banking regulators. Data by which banks are rated includes capital to asset ratio, brokered deposits, loan to deposit ratio, loans to insiders, loan delinquencies and non-accruing loans. Procedures followed by KBS management with respect to customer banks whose names are on the list might include the issuance of notices of non-voluntary cancellation. None of the 10 banks for which deposit guarantee bonds are outstanding are included on KBS’s list of 250 weakest banks in the nation. KBS management believes that none of the institutions for which deposit guarantee bonds are outstanding are facing a significant risk of failure. None of the banks whose deposits are currently insured by KBS exposes it to an individual after-tax loss in excess of $3 million.
 
Management believes that “underwriting gain or loss” is an important measure of financial performance of insurance companies. When stated as a percentage, the sum of insurance losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting expenses, divided by premiums, gives the combined ratio. A combined ratio of less than 100% connotes an underwriting profit and a combined ratio of greater than 100% connotes an underwriting loss. The ratio is figured on a pre-tax basis. Underwriting results of Wesco’s insurance segment have generally been favorable, but have fluctuated from year to year for various reasons, including competitiveness of pricing in terms of premiums charged for risks assumed, and volatility of losses incurred.
 
Reinsurance generated pre-tax underwriting gains (losses) of $16.0 million for 2009, ($2.2 million) for 2008 and $2.2 million for 2007, representing combined ratios of 94.9%, 101.0% and 93.9%. The 2009 figure included a pre-tax underwriting gain of $12.6 million under the Swiss Re contract, versus a pre-tax loss of $5.4 million incurred under the contract for 2008. During the third quarter of 2008, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike struck the Caribbean and the Gulf coast region of the United States, producing large catastrophe losses for the property-casualty insurance industry. The underwriting figure for 2008 included Wes-FIC’s estimate that its share of Swiss Re’s losses from those events was $13.5 million, before taxes, based entirely on management’s assessment of publicly available information. Pre-tax underwriting results under the contract for 2009 include favorable loss development of $12.0 million in recognition of more favorable underwriting results for 2008 than had been reflected in Wes-FIC’s estimate of Swiss Re’s results under the contract for the year. Wes-FIC, for 2009, reserved for Swiss Re losses and loss expenses at a lower rate than for 2008 in part based on the lack of major catastrophes in 2009 and in part based on the reported performance by Swiss Re; however, the 2009 figures also


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reflect the mildly detrimental effects of the declining value of the U.S. Dollar relative to other currencies in which Swiss Re conducts much of its business. Wesco does not hedge against such fluctuations recognizing that foreign exchange risk is an inherent part of assuming risks denominated in other currencies, which it is willing to retain.
 
Underwriting gains from the aviation-related reinsurance contracts were $3.4 million, $3.2 million and $2.2 million, before taxes, for 2009, 2008 and 2007. Underwriting results typically fluctuate from period to period. The severity component of aviation-related losses tends to be volatile, especially with respect to losses incurred during a single reporting period. Included in the pre-tax underwriting gains for each year were net favorable prior period reserve development of $3.5 million in 2009, $4.2 million in 2008 and $3.2 million in 2007.
 
Primary insurance activities resulted in pre-tax underwriting gains (losses) of ($4.9 million), ($2.4 million) and $8.7 million for 2009, 2008 and 2007. These figures represented combined ratios of 140.2%, 111.6% and 55.1%. Not only do these figures reflect favorable (unfavorable) pre-tax loss development of ($3.4 million), ($0.4 million) and $3.6 million for those respective years, but the 2009 and 2008 figures also reflect pre-tax losses of $2.6 million ($1.7 million, after taxes) and $6.9 million ($4.7 million, after taxes), respectively, from the FDIC’s seizure of several failed banks that had portions of their deposits insured by KBS. As the FDIC liquidates the assets of failed banks, it distributes funds to the bank’s creditors and owners of deposits in excess of FDIC insurance limits, including KBS (by right of subrogation). KBS’s pre-tax underwriting loss for 2009 reflects $1.2 million ($0.8 million, after taxes) recovered to date from the FDIC. Additional recoveries, if any, will also be recorded when received.
 
KBS operates from modest offices, and its ongoing operations require a basic level of services with annual costs that do not lend themselves to downsizing nearly in proportion to the significant reduction in revenues resulting from the discontinuation of the deposit-guarantee bond line of insurance. Underwriting results of future periods will likely continue to reflect the disproportionately higher level of operating expenses to revenues, as in 2009, unless and until KBS is able to replace the premiums from deposit guarantee bonds it no longer writes, with other premium revenues.
 
It should be noted that the profitability of a reinsurance or insurance arrangement is better assessed after all losses and expenses have been realized, perhaps many years after the coverage period, rather than for any given reporting period. As noted above, because of recent events in the banking industry, including a number of bank failures, management became less confident in the long-term profitability of KBS’s line of bank deposit guarantee bonds and, in the latter part of 2008, KBS initiated steps to exit that line of business as rapidly as feasible. No other trends have been identified which directly relate to losses, other than periodic effects from increasing competition (causing declining premium rates), fluctuations in exchange rates of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar (which will affect the underwriting results under the Swiss Re contract), and the weak economy (which might result in a decrease in the demand for insurance overall or an increase in claims). Losses incurred by Wesco’s insurance segment, by their very nature, occur unexpectedly and fluctuate from period to period in both frequency and magnitude. Wesco’s insurers cede minimal amounts of their direct business, and as a result underwriting results may be volatile.
 
Since September 11, 2001, the insurance industry has been particularly concerned about its exposure to claims resulting from acts of terrorism. In spite of partial relief provided to the insurance industry by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, enacted in 2002 and amended by the Terrorism Risk Extension Act of 2005, and the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007, Wes-FIC is exposed to insurance losses from terrorist events. Wes-FIC’s (and thus Wesco’s) exposure to such losses from an insurance standpoint cannot be predicted. Management, however, does not believe it likely that, on a worst-case basis, Wesco’s shareholders’ equity would be severely impacted by future terrorism-related insurance losses under reinsurance or insurance contracts currently in effect. Losses from terrorism could, however, significantly impact Wesco’s periodic reported earnings.
 
Other industry concerns in recent years have included exposures to losses relating to environmental contamination and asbestos. Management currently believes such exposures to be minimal.


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Following is a summary of investment income produced by Wesco’s insurance segment (in thousands of dollars)
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Investment income, before taxes
  $ 67,049     $ 84,920     $ 89,716  
Income taxes
    11,268       20,646       24,509  
                         
Investment income, after taxes
  $ 55,781     $ 64,274     $ 65,207  
                         
 
Investment income of the insurance segment comprises dividends and interest earned principally from the investment of shareholder capital (including reinvested earnings) as well as float (principally, premiums received before payment of related claims and expenses). Wesco’s insurance segment redeployed $1.2 billion of interest-yielding investments into equity securities beginning in the latter part of 2007, and through yearend 2008, including $205 million invested in shares of 10% cumulative perpetual preferred stock of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., in the fourth quarter of 2008. Not only have interest rates continued to soften since late in 2007, but Wells Fargo & Company and US Bancorp, in which Wesco’s insurance segment has significant investments, reduced their quarterly dividend distributions to shareholders during 2009. The insurance segment’s pre-tax dividend income decreased by $1.0 million for 2009, having increased by $33.0 million in 2008, and pre-tax interest income decreased by $16.9 million in 2009, following a $37.8 million decrease in 2008, from the corresponding prior year figures.
 
Wesco continues to seek to invest in the purchase of businesses and in long-term equity holdings.
 
Wesco’s insurance subsidiaries, as a matter of practice, maintain liquidity in amounts which exceed by wide margins expected near-term requirements for payment of claims and expenses. As a result, it would be unlikely that any unanticipated payment of claims or expenses would require the liquidation of investments at a loss. Wesco does not attempt to match long-term investment maturities to estimated durations of claim liabilities.
 
Reference is made to the table of contractual obligations appearing on page 30.
 
Furniture Rental Segment
 
Following is a summary of the results of operations of CORT, Wesco’s furniture rental segment. (Amounts are in thousands.)
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Revenues:
                       
Furniture rentals
  $ 312,234     $ 340,162     $ 327,671  
Furniture sales
    61,191       61,800       61,704  
Service fees
    6,771       8,081       6,795  
                         
      380,196       410,043       396,170  
                         
Cost of rentals, sales and fees
    99,042       97,997       91,407  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    283,590       287,498       268,469  
Interest expense
    640       1,798       2,408  
                         
      383,272       387,293       362,284  
                         
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (3,076 )     22,750       33,886  
Income taxes
    (1,717 )     7,006       13,570  
                         
Segment net income (loss)
  $ (1,359 )   $ 15,744     $ 20,316  
                         


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Furniture rental revenues decreased $27.9 million (8.2%) for 2009, after increasing $12.5 million (3.8%) for 2008 from those of the respective prior years. Excluding rental revenues from trade shows and locations not in operation throughout each year (“core rental revenues”), core rental revenues decreased 17.8% for 2009, following a decrease of 2.7% for 2008. Excluding the effects of acquisitions in the year over year comparisons, the number of furniture leases outstanding at yearend 2009 declined by 24.9%, following a decline by 8.3% in 2008, accelerating a trend that was established late in 2006. CORT’s core rental revenues have decreased, despite some strategic acquisitions and price increases, due primarily to the ongoing weak economic environment.
 
Furniture sales revenues for 2009, 2008, and 2007 were relatively unchanged; however furniture sales margins have decreased from 36.8% in 2007, to 34.3% in 2008, and to 33.6% in 2009. The reductions in retail margins reflect management’s efforts to reduce rental furniture inventory levels in the face of lower customer demand.
 
Service fees for 2009 decreased $1.3 million (16.2%) from those of 2008, after increasing $1.3 million (18.9%) in 2008 from those of 2007. Despite the significant investment made by CORT in recent years towards the expansion and marketing of its relocation services to corporate relocation departments as well as individual customers, service fee revenues remain disappointing. Management is now focusing its efforts on controlling operating costs associated with rental relocations services.
 
Cost of rentals, sales and fees amounted to 26.1% of revenues for 2009, versus 23.9% for 2008 and 23.1% for 2007. The increases in the percentages for the 2009 and 2008 periods were due primarily to higher depreciation expense on rental furniture acquired in the business acquisition in November 2008 and decreasing profit margins on furniture sold.
 
Selling, general, administrative and interest expenses (“operating expenses”) for the segment were $284.2 million for 2009, down 1.8% from the $289.3 million incurred for 2008, following an increase of 6.8% from the $270.9 million incurred for 2007. The decrease in operating expenses in 2009 reflected principally the effect to date of management’s ongoing cost-cutting initiative, offset somewhat by incremental costs attributable to the November 2008 business acquisition, including employee-related expenses as well as an increase by $3.0 million of amortization of the value assigned to rental contracts acquired. The increase in operating expenses for 2008 was due principally to the incremental costs associated with two business acquisitions in 2008 as well as business growth initiatives, subsequently curtailed, relating to rental relocation services. Given the uncertainty of the timing of future economic growth, management is aggressively seeking to further reduce operating expenses.
 
Income (loss) before income taxes for the furniture rental segment amounted to ($3.1 million) in 2009, $22.8 million in 2008 and $33.9 million in 2007. The significant decline in pre-tax income for 2009 was due primarily to a dramatic decrease in revenues, principally attributable to the effect of the ongoing weak economic environment, coupled with a level of expenses that could not be sufficiently reduced to match the depressed revenue level. The decline in pre-tax income for 2008 was principally attributable to the significant increase in year-to-year operating expenses. Although uncertain as to the timing of future revenue growth, management believes that the segment will be well-positioned to return to profitability when the business cycle improves.


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Industrial Segment
 
Following is a summary of the results of operations of the industrial segment, consisting of the businesses of Precision Steel and its subsidiaries. (Amounts are in thousands.)
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Revenues, principally sales and services
  $ 38,380     $ 60,872     $ 61,361  
                         
Cost of sales and services
    31,950       51,323       51,875  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    7,435       7,948       7,968  
                         
      39,385       59,271       59,843  
                         
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (1,005 )     1,601       1,518  
Income taxes
    (357 )     759       603  
                         
Segment net income (loss)
  $ (648 )   $ 842     $ 915  
                         
 
The operations of Wesco’s industrial segment are subject to economic cycles and have suffered a variety of ongoing difficulties for a number of years, including a shift of production by many customers from domestic to overseas facilities, resulting in a general decline in the number of orders placed and a trend towards smaller-sized orders, unprecedented ability of the major steel producers in recent years to raise prices and establish minimum order quantities following consolidation in the industry, periods of intensified competitive pressures for product from suppliers, and intensifying competitive pressures among service centers for remaining domestic business.
 
In last year’s Form 10-K it was reported that the severity of the impact of the foregoing factors on Wesco’s industrial segment was demonstrated by the significant decline in sales volume, in terms of pounds sold, from an average of 68 million pounds annually over the three-year period of 1998 through 2000, to an average of 39 million pounds annually for the three-year period of 2006 through 2008. By the second half of 2008, it became apparent that the economy had begun to slip into a recession. Recessionary conditions significantly intensified throughout 2009, and sales volume fell to 24.4 million pounds, 34% below the volume of 2008 and less than half the volume that Precision Steel had sold thirty years earlier, when Wesco acquired it in 1979.
 
The industrial segment has strived to continually improve its gross profit margins (revenues, less cost of products and services), which were 16.8%, 15.7% and 15.5% of revenues for 2009, 2008 and 2007, determined on a last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) basis with respect to cost of products sold. As competition for sales has intensified in recent years, selling prices have been determined more as a function of current replacement costs than previously. Following recessionary-driven decreases in worldwide demand during the current year, the pricing of raw materials, which reached historic highs in 2008, declined in 2009 to pricing levels of earlier periods. Thus, in 2009, the combination of lower selling prices and decreased volume resulted in a $3.1 million reduction of gross profit, from $9.5 million realized by the industrial segment both in 2007 and 2008, to $6.4 million in 2009.
 
The segment’s business activities require a base of operations supported by significant fixed operating costs. The deterioration of the industrial segment’s pre-tax and net operating results for 2009 resulted principally from the decrease in revenues, which resulted in the reduction in gross profit, in terms of dollars available to absorb the operating costs, explained above, despite management’s ongoing efforts to trim expenses aggressively. It is not yet clear when the effects of the weak economic environment will abate, but management continues to strive to reduce costs and expenses where feasible, to lessen the downside, while maintaining exceptional customer service and hoping ultimately to return the segment to profitability.
 
Unrelated to Business Segment Operations
 
Realized gains and losses on Wesco’s investments have fluctuated in amount from year to year, sometimes impacting net income significantly. Amounts and timing of these realizations have no predictive or practical analytical value. Wesco’s investments are carried at fair value, and unrealized gains and losses are reflected, net


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of deferred income tax effect, in the unrealized appreciation component of other comprehensive income, in its shareholders’ equity. When gains or losses are realized, due to sale of securities or other triggering events, they are credited or charged to the consolidated statement of income; generally, in Wesco’s case, there has been little effect on total shareholders’ equity — essentially only a transfer from net unrealized appreciation to retained earnings. Wesco’s consolidated earnings contained net realized investment gains, after taxes, of $4.6 million for 2008 and $15.8 million for 2007; no gains or losses were realized in 2009.
 
Management’s principal goal is to maximize gain in Wesco’s intrinsic business value per share over the long term. Accounting consequences do not influence business decisions. There is no particular strategy as to the timing of sales of investments. Investments may be sold for a variety of reasons, including (1) the belief that prospects for future appreciation of a particular investment are less attractive than the prospects for reinvestment of the after-tax proceeds from its sale, or (2) the desire to generate funds for an acquisition or repayment of debt. Investment gains may also derive from non-cash exchanges of securities for other investment securities as a result of merger activity involving the investees.
 
Other nonsegment items typically include mainly (1) rental income from owned commercial real estate and (2) dividend and interest income from marketable securities and cash equivalents owned outside the insurance subsidiaries, reduced by real estate and general and administrative expenses. The 2009 figure also included an impairment loss of $9.5 million ($6.2 million, after taxes) on real estate held for sale.
 
* * * *
 
Consolidated revenues, expenses and net income reported for any period are not necessarily indicative of future results in that they are subject to significant variations in amount and timing of (1) participations in reinsurance contracts with members of the Berkshire Insurance Group, such as the quota-share arrangement with NICO described in Item 1, Business, which significantly increased the business of the insurance segment beginning in 2008, (2) investment gains and losses, or (3) unusual nonoperating items. In addition, consolidated revenues, expenses and net income are subject to external conditions, such as terrorist activity, and changes in the economy.
 
Wesco is not presently suffering from inflation, but each of its business operations has potential exposure. Large unanticipated changes in the rate of inflation could adversely impact the insurance business, because premium rates are established well in advance of expenditures. Precision Steel’s businesses are competitive and operate on tight gross profit margins, making their earnings susceptible to inflationary and deflationary cost changes; the impact, though not material in relation to Wesco’s consolidated net income, may be significant to that of the industrial segment, due particularly to the segment’s use of LIFO inventory accounting. As we continue to endure the ongoing effects of the weak economic environment, management will continue to exercise judgment in all aspects of Wesco’s operations, with the goal of maximizing shareholder value over the long term.
 
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
 
Neither Wesco nor any of its subsidiaries has off-balance sheet arrangements other than the unrecorded contractual obligations discussed below. Nor do they have any insurance obligations for which estimated provisions have not been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 
Wesco and its subsidiaries have contractual obligations associated with ongoing business activities, which will result in cash payments in future periods. Certain obligations, such as notes payable, accrued interest, and unpaid insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses, are reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. In addition, Wesco and its subsidiaries have entered into long-term contracts to acquire goods or services in the future, which are not currently reflected in the consolidated financial statements and


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will be reflected in future periods as the goods are delivered or services provided. A summary of contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009 follows. (Amounts are in thousands.)
 
                                         
          Payments Due  
    Total     2010     2011-2012     2013-2014     Thereafter  
 
Notes payable, including interest
  $ 28,295     $ 28,095     $     $ 200     $  
Operating lease obligations
    108,090       27,755       41,544       22,113       16,678  
Payment of insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses*
    343,466       102,740       116,620       77,947       46,159  
Purchase obligations, other than for capital expenditures
    10,536       5,668       2,786       1,608       474  
Purchase obligations for capital expenditures**
    1,231       1,231                    
Other, principally deferred compensation
    5,898       196       288       267       5,147  
                                         
Totals
  $ 497,516     $ 165,685     $ 161,238     $ 102,135     $ 68,458  
                                         
 
 
Amounts and timing of payments are significantly dependent on estimates. See Critical Accounting Policies and Practices below.
 
** Principally, construction costs of MS Property’s luxury condominium development.
 
Credit markets have become restricted as a consequence of the ongoing worldwide credit crisis. As a result, the availability of credit to corporations has declined significantly and interest rates for new issues have increased relative to government obligations, even for companies with strong credit histories and capital to withstand these conditions. Management believes that Wesco currently maintains ample liquidity to cover its contractual obligations and provide for contingent liquidity needs.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES
 
Wesco’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). In 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification” or “ASC”) as the source of GAAP through the integration of then current accounting standards from several sources into a single source. The Codification did not affect the content or application of GAAP that was in effect and had no material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The significant accounting policies and practices followed by Wesco are set forth in Note 1 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Following are the accounting policies and practices considered by Wesco’s management to be critical to the determination of consolidated financial position and results of operations.
 
Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses during the period reported upon. In particular, estimates of written and earned premiums and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for property and casualty insurance are subject to considerable estimation error due both to the necessity of estimating information with respect to certain reinsurance contracts where reports from ceding companies for quarterly reporting periods are not contractually due until after the balance sheet date, as well as the inherent uncertainty in estimating ultimate claim amounts that will be reported and settled over a period of many years. The estimates and assumptions are based on management’s evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances using information available at the time such estimates and assumptions are made. The amounts of such assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses included in the consolidated financial statements may differ significantly from those that might result from use of estimates and assumptions based on facts and circumstances not yet available. Although Wesco’s management


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does not believe such changes in estimates would have a materially adverse effect on shareholders’ equity, they could produce a material effect on results of operations in a reporting period.
 
Investments
 
The appropriate classifications of investments in securities with fixed maturities and marketable equity securities are established at the time of purchase and reevaluated as of each balance sheet date. There are three permissible classifications: held-to-maturity, trading, and, when neither of those classifications is applicable, available-for-sale. Trading investments are carried at fair value and include securities acquired with the intent to sell in the near term. Held — to-maturity investments are carried at amortized cost, reflecting the ability and intent to hold the securities to maturity. All other investments are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable deferred income taxes, reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.
 
Realized investment gains and losses, determined on a specific-identification basis, are included in the consolidated statement of income, as are provisions for other-than-temporary declines in market or fair value of equity investments, when applicable. With respect to an investment in a fixed-maturity security, an other-than-temporary impairment would be recognized if the Company (a) intends to sell or expects to be required to sell the security before amortized cost is recovered or (b) does not expect to ultimately recover the amortized cost basis even if it does not intend to sell the security. Losses under (a) would be recognized in earnings. Under (b) any credit loss component would be recognized in earnings and any difference between fair value and the amortized cost basis, net of the credit loss, would be reflected in other comprehensive income. Factors considered in judging whether an impairment is other than temporary include: the financial condition, business prospects and creditworthiness of the issuer, the length of time that fair value has been less than cost, the relative amount of the decline, and Wesco’s ability and intent to hold the investment until the fair value recovers.
 
See Notes 2 and 8 to Wesco’s consolidated financial statements for additional information as to Wesco’s investments.
 
Fair Value
 
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The standard establishes a framework for measuring fair value based on observable, independent market inputs and unobservable market assumptions. Following is a description of the three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
 
Level 1 inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Substantially all of Wesco’s equity investments are traded on an exchange in active markets and fair value is based on the closing prices as of the balance sheet date.
 
Level 2 inputs represent observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active or inactive markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; other inputs that may be considered in fair value determinations of the assets or liabilities, such as interest rates and yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Fair values for Wesco’s investments in fixed maturity securities are based primarily on market prices and market data available for instruments with similar characteristics since active markets are not common for many instruments.
 
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs used in the measurement of assets. Measurement of the fair values of the non-exchange traded investments are based on a standard warrant valuation model or discounted cash flow model, as applicable, which are techniques believed to be widely used by other market participants. Significant assumptions inherent in the warrant valuation model include an estimated stock price volatility factor, dividend and interest rate assumptions, and the estimated term of the warrants.


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Significant assumptions used in a discounted cash flow model include the discount rate and estimated duration of the instrument.
 
Rental Furniture
 
Rental furniture consists principally of residential and office furniture which is available for rental or, if no longer up to rental standards or excessive in quantity, for sale. Rental furniture is carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation calculated primarily on a declining-balance basis over 3 to 5 years using estimated salvage values of 25 to 40 percent of original cost.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Insurance premiums are stated net of amounts ceded to reinsurers and are recognized as earned revenues in proportion to the insurance protection provided, which in most cases is pro rata over the term of each contract. Premiums are estimated with respect to certain reinsurance contracts written during the period where reports from ceding companies for the period are not contractually due until well after the balance sheet date. Unearned insurance premiums are deferred in the liability section of the consolidated balance sheet. Certain costs of acquiring insurance premiums — commissions, premium taxes, and other — are deferred and charged to income as the premiums are earned.
 
Furniture rentals are recognized as revenue proportionately over the rental contract period; rentals received in advance are deferred in the liability section of the consolidated balance sheet. Related costs comprise the main element of cost of products and services sold on the consolidated income statement and include depreciation expense, repairs and maintenance and inventory losses.
 
Revenues from product sales are recognized upon passage of title to the customer, which coincides with customer pickup, product shipment, delivery or acceptance, depending on the sales arrangement. Revenues from services performed are recognized at the completion of the elements specified in the contract, which typically coincides with their being billed.
 
Interest income from investments in bonds and mortgage-backed securities is earned under the constant yield method and includes accrual of interest due as well as amortization of acquisition premiums and accruable discounts. In determining the constant yield for mortgage-backed securities, anticipated counterparty prepayments are estimated and evaluated periodically. Dividends from equity securities are earned on the ex-dividend date.
 
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
 
Liabilities for unpaid insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses represent estimates of the ultimate amounts payable under property and casualty reinsurance and insurance contracts related to losses occurring on or before the balance sheet date. Liabilities for insurance losses are comprised of estimates for reported claims (“case reserves”); and reserve development on reported claims as well as estimates for claims that have not yet been reported (some of which may not be reported for many years), which together are also referred to as “incurred-but-not-reported” reserves (“IBNR” reserves). The liability for unpaid losses includes significant estimates for these claims and includes estimates reported by ceding insurers. Loss reserve estimates reflect past loss experience, adjusted as appropriate when losses are reasonably expected to deviate from experience.
 
Considerable judgment is required to evaluate claims and estimate claims liabilities in connection with reinsurance contracts. As further data become available, the liabilities are reevaluated and adjusted as appropriate. Additionally, claims, at each balance sheet date, are in various stages of the settlement process. Each claim is settled individually based upon its merits, and some take years to settle, especially if legal action is involved. Actual ultimate claims amounts are likely to differ from amounts recorded at the balance sheet date.
 
Depending on the type of loss being estimated, the timing and amount of loss payments are subject to a great degree of variability and are contingent, among other factors, upon the timing of the claim reporting by cedants and insureds, and the determination and payment of the ultimate loss amounts through the loss


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adjustment process. Judgments and assumptions are necessary in projecting the ultimate amounts payable in the future with respect to loss events that have occurred.
 
Provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reported in the consolidated statement of income after deducting estimates of amounts that will be recoverable under reinsurance contracts. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the ceding companies of their obligations to indemnify policyholders with respect to the underlying insurance contracts. Ceded reinsurance losses recoverable (“ceded reserves”) are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as a component of accounts receivable.
 
The time period between the claim occurrence date and payment date of the loss is referred to as the “claim tail.” Property claims usually have fairly short claim tails, and, absent litigation, are reported and settled within a few months or years after occurrence. Casualty losses usually have very long claim tails. Casualty claims can be more susceptible to litigation and can be more significantly affected by changing contract interpretations and the legal environment, which contributes to extended claim tails. Claim tails for reinsurers may be further extended due to delayed reporting by ceding insurers or reinsurers due to contractual provisions or reporting practices. Actual ultimate loss settlement amounts are likely to differ from amounts recorded at the balance sheet date. Changes in estimates, referred to as “loss development,” are recorded as a component of losses incurred in the period of change. Wes-FIC and KBS do not use consultants to assist in reserving activities.
 
Following are summaries of Wesco’s consolidated liabilities for unpaid insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses and related reinsurance recoverables reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Wesco does not discount the amounts for time value, regardless of the length of the estimated claim tail. Amounts are in thousands.
 
                 
    December 31,
    December 31,
 
    2009     2008  
 
Case reserves
  $ 121,389     $ 61,757  
IBNR reserves
    222,077       153,511  
                 
Gross liability before ceded reinsurance
    343,466       215,268  
Ceded reserves
    (19,288 )*     (17,914 )*
                 
Net reserves
  $ 324,178     $ 197,354  
                 
 
 
* Represents principally, Wes-FIC’s proportionate share of reinsurance purchased by the aviation pools.
 
Following is a breakdown of Wesco’s consolidated liabilities for unpaid insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses and related reinsurance recoverables reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at yearends 2009 and 2008. Amounts are in thousands.
 
                                 
    Gross Unpaid Losses     Net Unpaid Losses*  
    Dec. 31,
    Dec. 31,
    Dec. 31,
    Dec. 31,
 
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
Swiss Re contract
  $ 246,596     $ 127,215     $ 246,596     $ 127,215  
Other reinsurance, principally aviation-related
    80,170       73,356       61,152       55,442  
KBS primary
    16,700       14,697       16,430       14,697  
                                 
Total
  $ 343,466     $ 215,268     $ 324,178     $ 197,354  
                                 
 
 
* Net of reinsurance recoverable, and before foreign currency translation effects.
 
Included in other reinsurance losses in the foregoing table are $6.8 million at yearend 2009 and $5.1 million at yearend 2008, representing non-aviation reinsurance reserve amounts at those dates, consisting mainly of IBNR reserves relating to a quota-share contract that has been in runoff for more than 10 years, under which Wes-FIC continues to make loss payments. Such amounts reflected loss estimates reported by the ceding companies and additional IBNR reserves estimates by Wes-FIC management, which were mainly a function of reported losses from ceding companies, anticipated loss ratios for the contract period, and management’s


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judgment as to the loss reserving adequacy of the ceding companies. There is no reinsurance recoverable with respect to these reserves.
 
The techniques and processes employed in estimating loss reserves are differentiated between reinsurance and primary insurance.
 
Reinsurance — Historically, Wes-FIC’s property and casualty loss reserves derive from individual risk, multi-line and catastrophe reinsurance policies. In 2008, Wes-FIC entered into a retrocession agreement with National Indemnity Company, (“NICO”), a wholly owned insurance subsidiary of its parent company, Berkshire Inc., to assume 10% of NICO’s quota share reinsurance of Swiss Reinsurance Company and its property-casualty affiliates (“Swiss Re”). Under this retrocession agreement, Wes-FIC assumed 2% part of NICO’s 20% quota share reinsurance of all Swiss Re property-casualty risks incepting over a five-year period beginning in 2008, on the same terms as NICO’s agreement with Swiss Re. Other Wes-FIC reinsurance activities in recent years have consisted almost exclusively of participations in aviation-related pools that are underwritten and managed by a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Berkshire.
 
Losses from aviation coverages generally have reasonably short tails with respect to the property components. The claim tail for the liability coverage can be somewhat longer, especially when litigation results. The case reserving process for aviation risks is believed to involve less uncertainty than for many other types of insurance, because loss events tend to become known and reported relatively soon after the events occur. The material judgments underlying the loss reserving by the aviation pools’ manager assume that future loss patterns (incurred and paid) will be similar to those of the past. The aviation pools’ manager establishes case and IBNR reserves and manages the claims settlement process, including payment of the related claims. Wes-FIC is allocated its share of these amounts, monthly. The pools’ manager has considerable experience with aviation insurance and claims. Wes-FIC management reviews reported claim amounts for reasonableness and has historically accepted the amounts without further adjustment, except for adjustments made for minor reporting delays.
 
Wes-FIC management is represented at regular meetings and presentations held by the aviation pools’ manager, and Wesco believes that Wes-FIC is able to closely monitor and assess the pools’ manager’s judgments concerning reserves.
 
Wes-FIC’s estimates of losses and loss adjustment expenses under the Swiss Re contract are derived from Swiss Re’s quarterly reports to NICO on a quarterly-lag basis, plus NICO’s and Wes-FIC’s managements’ estimates of underwriting results for the current quarter, which reflect their assessments of publicly available information and prevailing market conditions. As Swiss Re’s business underlying the contract is predominately reinsurance, Swiss Re’s quarterly reports are affected by the estimation processes of its management, which are believed to be similar to those underlying Wes-FIC’s other reinsurance contracts. In addition, inasmuch as more than half of the business assumed under the Swiss Re contract is denominated with NICO in currencies other than United States dollars, significant portions of assumed losses are also subject to foreign exchange risks relative to United States dollars. Thus, the foreign exchange risk adds greater uncertainty to the underwriting results estimated by management than the uncertainty relating to the other property-casualty insurance and reinsurance contracts in which Wes-FIC participates. Wesco and Wes-FIC managements understand and accept the greater uncertainty under the Swiss Re contract as a business risk compensated by management’s judgment of the expected profitability of the assumed business.
 
Primary insurance — Loss reserves from Wesco’s primary insurance activities derive from individual risk policies written by KBS, which primarily provides specialty coverages for financial institutions. Reserve amounts are comprised of case estimates and estimates of IBNR reserves, which approximated $7 million at each yearend of 2009 and 2008. Because of the relatively low number (or frequency) of losses and potential for higher severity (or amount per claim), KBS management is familiar with and closely monitors each claim. Losses generally are expected to have a relatively short reporting and claim tail due to the nature of the claims. KBS provides crime insurance, check kiting fraud indemnification, Internet banking catastrophe theft insurance, Internet banking privacy liability insurance, directors and officers liability, bank employment practices, and bank insurance agents professional errors and omissions indemnity. Until the latter part


34


 

of 2008, KBS also offered deposit guarantee bonds which insured bank deposits in excess of federally insured limits (“bonds”). Beginning in 2008, events in the banking industry led to a rapid increase in bank failures. Although few of KBS’s customer banks were believed to be subject to significant risk of failure, following the failure of one of its customer banks, resulting in a loss to KBS, and thus, to Wesco, of $4.5 million, after taxes, management became less confident in the long-term profitability of this line of insurance than previously, and KBS notified its customers of its decision to exit this line of insurance as rapidly as feasible. Bond premiums had accounted for approximately half of KBS’s annual premiums of $20 million. The aggregate face amount of deposit guarantee bonds has been reduced, from $9.7 billion outstanding at September 30, 2008, to $33 million, currently. The number of institutions that had outstanding KBS bonds has been reduced from 1,671 at September 30, 2008, to 10. Deposit guarantee bonds will decline to approximately $3 million deposited in one institution by December 31, 2010, and to zero, by August 1, 2011.
 
As a result of KBS management’s intimate knowledge as to its claims, reserves are developed primarily from case estimates, reducing the need for extended actuarial studies and broad estimates of IBNR of the nature typically performed by large primary insurers whose business volume requires such procedures for the development of their loss data. A range of reserve amounts as a result of changes in underlying assumptions is not prepared.
 
Goodwill of Acquired Businesses
 
Goodwill of acquired businesses represents the excess of the cost of acquired entities over the fair values assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. All goodwill acquired is assigned to the reporting unit that the related assets are employed in and the liabilities relate to, as it is believed that those reporting units benefit from the acquisition. The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with GAAP, which requires a test for impairment annually or if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The impairment test is performed in two phases. The first step compares the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, to its estimated fair value. If the carrying value is greater than the estimated fair value of the unit, a second step is required, comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. An impairment loss, charged to earnings, is recorded to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.
 
The Company determines the fair value of its furniture rental unit using the discounted cash flows approach. Under the discounted cash flows approach, the Company estimates the fair value of the reporting unit based on the present value of its estimated future cash flows. This approach incorporates a number of significant estimates and assumptions that include: a forecast of the reporting unit’s future cash flows, estimated growth rates, future terminal value, and an appropriate discount rate. The Company then prepares a sensitivity analysis as to how changes in key estimates or assumptions might affect the outcome of the goodwill impairment test. In projecting future cash flows, the Company considers the current economic environment as well as historical results of the unit. The Company believes that the discounted cash flows approach is the most meaningful valuation technique for the furniture rental business, as CORT is the only national company that operates in the rent-to-rent furniture industry, thus making market-based and transaction-based valuation techniques less meaningful.
 
Realized Investment Gains and Losses
 
Realized investment gains and losses, determined on a specific-identification basis, are included in the consolidated statement of income, as are provisions for other-than-temporary declines in market or estimated fair value, when applicable. Factors considered in judging whether an impairment is other than temporary include: the financial condition, business prospects and creditworthiness of the issuer, the length of time that fair value has been less than cost, the relative amount of the decline, and Wesco’s ability and intent to hold the investment until the fair value recovers.


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Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Wesco’s consolidated balance sheet contains substantial liquidity as well as substantial amounts of investments whose estimated fair values are subject to market risks. Values of investment securities are subject to market fluctuations. Apart from investments, the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009 did not contain significant assets or liabilities with values subject to these or other potential market exposures such as changes in commodity prices or foreign exchange rates. Wesco does not utilize derivatives to manage market risks.
 
EQUITY PRICE RISK
 
Strategically, Wesco strives to invest in businesses that possess excellent economics, with able and honest management, at sensible prices. Wesco’s management prefers to invest a meaningful amount in each investee, resulting in concentration. Most equity investments are expected to be held for long periods of time; thus, Wesco’s management is not ordinarily troubled by short-term price volatility with respect to its investments provided that the underlying business, economic and management characteristics of the investees remain favorable. Wesco strives to maintain above-average levels of shareholders’ equity and liquidity to provide a margin of safety against short-term equity price volatility.
 
The carrying values of investments subject to equity price risks are based on quoted market prices. During 2008, several crises affecting the financial system and capital markets of the U.S. resulted in very large price declines in the general stock market and in Wesco’s equity securities. Certain of Wesco’s equity investments declined further in 2009. Fluctuation in the market price of a security may also result from actual or perceived changes in the underlying economic characteristics of the investee and the relative prices of alternative investments. Furthermore, amounts realized upon the sale of a particular security may be adversely affected if a relatively large quantity of the security is being sold.
 
Wesco’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009 contained $2.066 billion of marketable equity securities stated at fair value, reflecting a net increase in fair values by $198 million during the year. The concentration existing in Wesco’s equity securities portfolio exposes it to more significant market price fluctuations than might be the case were Wesco’s investments more diversified. This exposure to fluctuations is further exacerbated by the large amount invested in companies engaged in the banking industry, inasmuch as trading prices of financial institutions’ shares have been more severely impacted than have general trading prices as a result of the recent liquidity crisis and deterioration of assets and earnings reported by the industry beginning in mid 2008. (At December 31, 2009, five investments, whose carrying values aggregated $1.6 billion, comprised 79% of the carrying value of the Company’s equity securities portfolio. These five were common stocks of Wells Fargo & Company, USBancorp, The Procter & Gamble Company, The Coca-Cola Company and Kraft Foods Incorporated, of which the first two are in the banking industry and the latter three have significant global operations and thus are subject to changes in global economic conditions and foreign currency exchange rates.)
 
The following table summarizes Wesco’s equity price risks as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. It shows the effects of a hypothetical 50% overall increase or decrease in market prices of marketable equity securities owned by the Wesco group on total recorded market value and, after tax effect, on Wesco’s shareholders’ equity at each of those dates. (Amounts are in thousands.)
 
                                 
    December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008  
    Increase     Decrease     Increase     Decrease  
 
Market value of marketable equity securities —
                               
As recorded
  $ 2,065,627     $ 2,065,627     $ 1,868,293     $ 1,868,293  
Hypothetical
    3,098,440       1,032,813       2,802,440       934,147  
Shareholders’ equity —
                               
As recorded
    2,550,717       2,550,717       2,377,756       2,377,756  
Hypothetical
    3,222,045       1,879,388       2,984,951       1,770,561  
                                 


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The 50% hypothetical changes in market values assumed in preparing the tables do not reflect what could be considered best- or worst-case scenarios. Actual results could be much worse or better due both to the nature of equity markets and the aforementioned concentration existing in Wesco’s equity investment portfolio.
 
INTEREST RATE RISK
 
Wesco’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009 contained $274 million of cash and cash equivalents and $230 million of securities with fixed maturities. Consequently, market value risks with respect to changing interest rates were not considered significant at December 31, 2009.
 
The fair values of Wesco’s fixed-maturity investments fluctuate in response to changes in market interest rates. Increases and decreases in prevailing interest rates generally translate into decreases and increases in fair values. Fair values of Wesco’s investments may also be affected by the creditworthiness of the issuer, prepayment options, relative values of alternative investments, the liquidity of the instrument and other market conditions.
 
FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK
 
Wesco’s participation in the Swiss Re contract beginning in 2008 has subjected Wesco to foreign currency risk inasmuch as more than half of the business assumed by NICO under the contract is denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars. In addition, CORT’s new U.K.-based subsidiary also subjects Wesco to foreign currency risk, although the volume of business conducted in the U.K. has not become significant. Otherwise, Wesco’s foreign currency risk is limited principally to that of its investees. It has a significant amount invested in major international companies, such as the Coca-Cola Company, that have significant foreign business and foreign currency risks of their own.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Certain written or oral representations of management stated in this annual report or elsewhere constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as contrasted with statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements include statements which are predictive in nature, or which depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or which include words such as expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, estimates, may, or could, or which involve hypothetical events. Forward-looking statements are based on information currently available and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those characterized as being likely or possible to occur. Such statements should be considered judgments only, not guarantees, and Wesco’s management assumes no duty, nor has it any specific intention, to update them.
 
Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. The principal important risk factors that could cause Wesco’s actual performance and future events and actions to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to those risks reported in Item 1A, Risk Factors, but also to the occurrence of one or more catastrophic events such as acts of terrorism, hurricanes, or other events that cause losses insured by Wesco’s insurance subsidiaries, changes in insurance laws or regulations, changes in income tax laws or regulations, and changes in general economic and market factors that affect the prices of investment securities or the industries in which Wesco and its affiliates do business.


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Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
Following is an index to financial statements and related schedules of Wesco appearing in this report:
 
         
Financial Statements
  Page Number(s)
 
    41-42  
    43  
    44  
    45  
    46  
    47-60  
 
Listed below are financial statement schedules required by the SEC to be included in this report. The data appearing therein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Wesco and report of independent registered public accounting firm referred to above. Schedules not included with these financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
 
                 
Financial Statement Schedule
  Schedule Number     Page Number(s)  
 
Condensed financial information of Wesco —
               
December 31, 2009 and 2008, and years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
    I       61-62  
 
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
Not applicable, as there were no such changes or disagreements.
 
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures
 
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including Charles T. Munger, its Chief Executive Officer and Jeffrey L. Jacobson, its Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2009. Based on that evaluation, Messrs. Munger and Jacobson concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as specified in the rules and forms of the Securities Exchange Commission, and are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Wesco in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act, as amended, is accumulated and communicated to Wesco’s management, including Messrs. Munger and Jacobson, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
 
Wesco’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Rule 13A-5(f) under the Exchange Act. The internal control system of Wesco and its subsidiaries is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the preparation and fair presentation of Wesco’s published consolidated financial statements. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including Charles T. Munger, our principal executive officer, and Jeffrey L. Jacobson, our principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 as required by Rule 13a-15(c) under the


38


 

Exchange Act. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth in the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation, we concluded that Wesco’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2009.
 
Wesco’s independent registered public accounting firm has audited our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. Its report begins on Page 41.
 
WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
Pasadena, California
February 26, 2010
 
Item 9B.   Other Information
 
None.
 
PART III
 
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
The information set forth in the sections “Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Corporate Governance” and “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” appearing in the definitive combined notice of annual meeting and proxy statement of Wesco for its annual meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held May 5, 2010 (the “2010 Proxy Statement”) is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 11.   Executive Compensation
 
The information set forth in the sections “Compensation of Executive Officers,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Director Compensation” in the 2010 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. All such compensation is cash compensation; Wesco neither has, nor is considering having, any stock option plan or other equity compensation arrangement.
 
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters
 
The information set forth in the sections “Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof,” “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the 2010 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
Certain information set forth in the sections “Election of Directors,” “Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof,” “Compensation of Executive Officers,” “Director Compensation,” “Corporate Governance” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in the 2010 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
The information set forth in the section “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the 2010 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.


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Item 15.   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
The following exhibits (listed by numbers corresponding to Table 1 of Item 601 of Regulation S-K) are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or are incorporated herein by reference:
 
3a — Articles of incorporation of Wesco (filed as exhibit 3a to Wesco’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999) and Bylaws of Wesco (filed as exhibit 3.2 to Wesco’s Form 8-K dated December 5, 2007 — Commission File No. 1-4720)
 
14 — Code of Ethics (may be accessed through Wesco’s website, www.wescofinancial.com.)
 
21 — List of subsidiaries
 
31(a) — Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (chief executive officer)
 
31(b) — Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (chief financial officer)
 
32(a) — Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (chief executive officer)
 
32(b) — Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (chief financial officer)
 
Instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of Wesco and its subsidiaries are not being filed since the total amount of securities authorized by all such instruments does not exceed 10% of the total assets of Wesco and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of December 31, 2009. Wesco hereby agrees to furnish to the Commission upon request a copy of any such debt instrument to which it is a party.
 
The index to financial statements and related schedules set forth in Item 8 of this report is incorporated herein by reference.


40


 

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
         
         
By:   /s/ Charles T. Munger    
    Charles T. Munger
Chairman of the Board and President (principal executive officer)
  February 26, 2010
By:
  /s/ Jeffrey L. Jacobson    
    Jeffrey L. Jacobson
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
  February 26, 2010
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
     
     
/s/ Carolyn H. Carlburg    
Carolyn H. Carlburg
Director
  February 26, 2010
     
/s/ Robert E. Denham    
Robert E. Denham
Director
  February 26, 2010
     
/s/ Robert T. Flaherty    
Robert T. Flaherty
Director
  February 26, 2010
     
/s/ Peter D. Kaufman    
Peter D. Kaufman
Director
  February 26, 2010
     
/s/ Charles T. Munger    
Charles T. Munger
Director
  February 26, 2010
     
/s/ Elizabeth Caspers Peters    
Elizabeth Caspers Peters
Director
  February 26, 2010
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Wesco Financial Corporation
Pasadena, California
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Wesco Financial Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 8. We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting,


41


 

included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the financial statement schedule and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits 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 the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included 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 over financial reporting based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel 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 (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) 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 (3) 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 the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Wesco Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
 
(DELOITTE & TOUCH LLP)
 
Omaha, Nebraska
February 26, 2010


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WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 273,671     $ 297,643  
Investments —
               
Securities with fixed maturities
    229,872       28,656  
Marketable equity securities
    2,065,627       1,868,293  
Accounts receivable
    37,983       57,489  
Receivable from affiliates
    173,476       133,396  
Rental furniture
    177,793       217,597  
Goodwill of acquired businesses
    277,590       277,742  
Other assets
    165,414       169,879  
                 
    $ 3,401,426     $ 3,050,695  
                 
                 
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses —
               
Affiliated business
  $ 290,375     $ 164,424  
Unaffiliated business
    53,091       50,844  
Unearned insurance premiums —
    110,477       94,544  
Affiliated business
               
Unaffiliated business
    11,516       13,251  
Deferred furniture rental income and security deposits
    11,846       17,674  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    54,537       61,145  
Notes payable
    28,200       40,400  
Income taxes payable, principally deferred
    290,667       230,657  
                 
      850,709       672,939  
                 
Shareholders’ equity —
               
Capital stock, $1 par value — authorized, 7,500,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 7,119,807 shares
    7,120       7,120  
Additional paid-in capital
    26,204       26,204  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    282,900       152,763  
Retained earnings
    2,234,493       2,191,669  
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    2,550,717       2,377,756  
                 
    $ 3,401,426     $ 3,050,695  
                 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.


43


 

WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share)
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Revenues:
                       
Furniture rentals
  $ 312,234     $ 340,162     $ 327,671  
Sales and service revenues
    106,342       130,753       129,861  
Insurance premiums earned —
    307,560       218,094       35,530  
Affiliated business
                       
Unaffiliated business
    15,661       19,870       18,881  
Dividend and interest income
    67,458       79,079       90,872  
Realized investment gains
          7,006       24,240  
Other
    4,076       3,990       3,869  
                         
      813,331       798,954       630,924  
                         
Costs and expenses:
                       
Cost of products and services sold
    130,992       149,319       143,282  
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses —
    198,853       151,308       24,008  
Affiliated business
                       
Unaffiliated business
    14,454       20,892       4,269  
Insurance underwriting expenses —
                       
Affiliated business
    92,857       63,156       8,019  
Unaffiliated business
    5,946       7,135       7,284  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    305,934       300,231       280,728  
Interest expense
    641       1,798       2,408  
                         
      749,677       693,839       469,998  
                         
Income before income taxes
    63,654       105,115       160,926  
Income taxes
    9,581       22,999       51,765  
                         
Net income
  $ 54,073     $ 82,116     $ 109,161  
                         
Amounts per capital share based on 7,119,807 shares outstanding throughout each year:
                       
Net income
  $ 7.59     $ 11.53     $ 15.33  
Cash dividends
    1.58       1.54       1.50  
                         
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.


44


 

WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net income
  $ 54,073     $ 82,116     $ 109,161  
Adjustments to reconcile net income with net cash flows from operating activities —
                       
Gross profit on sale of rental furniture
    (20,755 )     (22,447 )     (22,678 )
Investment gains
          (7,006 )     (24,240 )
Depreciation and amortization
    55,500       49,574       41,515  
Change in liabilities for insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses —
                       
Affiliated business
    125,951       124,737       9,926  
Unaffiliated business
    2,247       (3,314 )     5,609  
Change in unearned insurance premiums —
                       
Affiliated business
    15,933       79,503       979  
Unaffiliated business
    (1,735 )     (1,974 )     (73 )
Change in receivable from affiliates
    (40,080 )     (96,725 )     (13,489 )
Change in income taxes payable
    (9,410 )     4,953       (27,075 )
Other, net
    12,134       (16,767 )     2,724  
                         
Net cash flows from operating activities
    193,858       192,650       82,359  
                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Purchases of securities with fixed maturities
    (208,269 )           (29,106 )
Purchases of equity securities
          (349,071 )     (826,826 )
Purchases of rental furniture
    (45,385 )     (74,572 )     (73,809 )
Proceeds from redemptions and maturities of securities with fixed maturities
    8,639       7,402       74,195  
Proceeds from sales of rental furniture
    61,192       61,800       61,704  
Proceeds from sales of equity securities
          60,203       25,126  
Change in condominium construction in process
    (5,420 )     (28,510 )     (26,059 )
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired
    (878 )     (81,428 )      
Other, net
    (4,333 )     (8,863 )     (6,534 )
                         
Net cash flows from investing activities
    (194,454 )     (413,039 )     (801,309 )
                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Borrowings (repayments), net, under revolving credit facility
    (12,200 )     3,200       (1,000 )
Payment of cash dividends
    (11,249 )     (10,965 )     (10,679 )
                         
Net cash flows from financing activities
    (23,449 )     (7,765 )     (11,679 )
                         
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes
    73       (925 )      
                         
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (23,972 )     (229,079 )     (730,629 )
Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of year
    297,643       526,722       1,257,351  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents — end of year
  $ 273,671     $ 297,643     $ 526,722  
                         
Supplementary disclosures
                       
Interest paid during year
  $ 713     $ 1,744     $ 2,309  
Income taxes paid, net, during year
    19,133       17,960       79,011  
                         
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.


45


 

WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME


(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Capital stock:
                       
Balance at beginning and end of year
  $ 7,120     $ 7,120     $ 7,120  
                         
Additional paid-in capital:
                       
Balance at beginning and end of year
  $ 26,204     $ 26,204     $ 26,204  
                         
Retained earnings:
                       
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 2,191,669     $ 2,120,518     $ 2,022,036  
Net income
    54,073       82,116       109,161  
Cash dividends declared and paid
    (11,249 )     (10,965 )     (10,679 )
                         
Balance at end of year
  $ 2,234,493     $ 2,191,669     $ 2,120,518  
                         
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
                       
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, net
  $ 198,917     $ (348,283 )   $ 55,132  
Applicable income taxes
    (69,526 )     121,926       (19,093 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    1,434       (2,687 )      
Applicable income taxes
    (688 )     790        
                         
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    130,137       (228,254 )     36,039  
Accumulated other comprehensive income at beginning of year
    152,763       381,017       344,978  
                         
Accumulated other comprehensive income at end of year
  $ 282,900     $ 152,763     $ 381,017  
                         
Comprehensive income (loss):
                       
Net income
  $ 54,073     $ 82,116     $ 109,161  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    130,137       (228,254 )     36,039  
                         
Total comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 184,210     $ (146,138 )   $ 145,200  
                         
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.


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WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share)
 
Note 1.   Significant Accounting Policies and Practices
 
Nature of operations, basis of consolidation, and presentation
 
Wesco Financial Corporation (“Wesco”) is an 80.1% indirectly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (“Berkshire”). Wesco is a holding company. Its consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Wesco and its subsidiaries, all wholly owned. Its principal subsidiaries are Wesco-Financial Insurance Company (“Wes-FIC”), The Kansas Bankers Surety Company (“KBS”), CORT Business Services Corporation (“CORT”) and Precision Steel Warehouse, Inc. (“Precision Steel”). Further information regarding these businesses is contained in Note 12. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
 
In January 2008, CORT purchased RoomService Group, a small furniture rental company in the United Kingdom, for $5,500, including $1,913 of goodwill. In November 2008 CORT purchased certain assets of the Corporate Furnishing Division of Aaron Rents, Inc., for $76,430, including $9,717 of goodwill. The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements from dates of acquisition.
 
The operations of Wes-FIC are managed by Berkshire’s subsidiary National Indemnity Company (“NICO”). Historically, a significant part of Wes-FIC’s insurance business has derived from contracts with NICO and other wholly owned insurance subsidiaries of Berkshire, herein referred to as the “Berkshire Insurance Group”. Terms of Wes-FIC’s participation in the insurance contracts are identical to those by which the other Berkshire Insurance Group members participate, except as to the relative percentages of their participation in the various contracts. Financial data appearing in the accompanying consolidated financial statements relative to business with the Berkshire Insurance Group is designated as affiliated business.
 
Wes-FIC significantly increased its reinsurance activities effective at the beginning of 2008, when it entered into a retrocession agreement with NICO, to assume 10% of NICO’s quota share reinsurance of Swiss Reinsurance Company and its major property-casualty affiliates (“Swiss Re”). Under this arrangement, Wes-FIC has assumed 2% part of NICO’s 20% quota share reinsurance of all Swiss Re property-casualty risks incepting over the five-year period ending December 31, 2012 on the same terms as NICO’s agreement with Swiss Re. Wes-FIC recorded written premiums of $294.1 million and $265.2 million in 2009 and 2008, and earned premiums of $276.7 million and $183.2 million in those respective years, under this arrangement.
 
Use of estimates in preparation of financial statements
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses during the period reported upon. In particular, estimates of written and earned premiums and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for property and casualty insurance are subject to considerable estimation error due both to the necessity of estimating information with respect to certain reinsurance contracts where reports from ceding companies for the quarterly reporting periods are not contractually due until after the balance sheet date, as well as the inherent uncertainty in estimating ultimate claim amounts that will be reported and settled over a period of many years. The estimates and assumptions are based on management’s evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances using information available at the time such estimates and assumptions are made. The amounts of such assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses included in the consolidated financial statements may differ significantly from those that might result from use of estimates and assumptions based on facts and circumstances not yet available. Although Wesco’s management does not believe such changes in


47


 

 
estimates would have a materially adverse effect on shareholders’ equity, they could produce a material effect on results of operations in a reporting period.
 
Cash equivalents
 
Cash equivalents consist of funds invested in U.S. Treasury Bills, money market accounts, and other investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased.
 
Investments
 
The appropriate classifications of investments in securities with fixed maturities and marketable equity securities are established at the time of purchase and reevaluated as of each balance sheet date. There are three permissible classifications: held-to-maturity, trading, and, when neither of those classifications is applicable, available-for-sale. Trading investments are carried at fair value and include securities acquired with the intent to sell in the near term. Held-to-maturity investments are carried at amortized cost, reflecting the ability and intent to hold the securities to maturity. All other investments are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable deferred income taxes, reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.
 
Realized investment gains and losses, determined on a specific-identification basis, are included in the consolidated statement of income, as are provisions for other-than-temporary declines in market or fair value of equity investments, when applicable. With respect to an investment in a fixed-maturity security, an other-than-temporary impairment would be recognized if the Company (a) intends to sell or expects to be required to sell the security before amortized cost is recovered or (b) does not expect to ultimately recover the amortized cost basis even if it does not intend to sell the security. Losses under (a) would be recognized in earnings. Under (b) any credit loss component would be recognized in earnings and any difference between fair value and the amortized cost basis, net of the credit loss, would be reflected in other comprehensive income. Factors considered in judging whether an impairment is other than temporary include: the financial condition, business prospects and creditworthiness of the issuer, the length of time that fair value has been less than cost, the relative amount of the decline, and Wesco’s ability and intent to hold the investment until the fair value recovers.
 
Accounts receivable
 
Substantially all accounts receivable are due from customers and affiliates located within the United States. Accounts receivable are recorded net of an allowance for doubtful accounts, based on a review of specifically identified accounts in addition to an overall collectability analysis. Judgments are made with respect to the collectability of accounts receivable based on historical experience and current economic trends. Actual losses could differ from those estimates.
 
Rental furniture
 
Rental furniture consists principally of residential and office furniture which is available for rental or, if no longer up to rental standards, for sale. Rental furniture is carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation calculated primarily on a declining-balance basis over 3 to 5 years using estimated salvage values of 25 to 40 percent of original cost.
 
Goodwill of acquired businesses
 
Goodwill of acquired businesses represents the excess of the cost of acquired entities over the fair values assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. All goodwill acquired is assigned to the reporting unit that the related assets are employed in and the liabilities relate to, as it is believed that those reporting units benefit from the acquisition. The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with GAAP, which requires a test for impairment annually or if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The impairment test is performed in two phases. The first step compares the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, to its estimated fair value. If the
 
Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share


48


 

 
carrying value is greater than the estimated fair value of the unit, a second step is required, comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. An impairment loss, charged to earnings, is recorded to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.
 
The Company determines the fair value of its furniture rental unit using the discounted cash flows approach. Under the discounted cash flows approach, the Company estimates the fair value of the reporting unit based on the present value of its estimated future cash flows. This approach incorporates a number of significant estimates and assumptions that include: a forecast of the reporting unit’s future cash flows, estimated growth rates, future terminal value, and an appropriate discount rate. The Company then prepares a sensitivity analysis as to how changes in key estimates or assumptions might affect the outcome of the goodwill impairment test. In projecting future cash flows, the Company considers the current economic environment as well as historical results of the unit. The Company believes that the discounted cash flows approach is the most meaningful valuation technique for the furniture rental business, as CORT is the only national company that operates in the rent-to-rent furniture industry, thus making market-based and transaction-based valuation techniques less meaningful.
 
Inventories
 
Inventories of $6,221 and $6,425, included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009 and 2008, are stated at the lower of last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) cost or market; under this method, the most recent costs are reflected in cost of products sold. The aggregate differences in values between LIFO cost and cost determined under the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) methods were $9,793 and $12,674 as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. LIFO inventory accounting adjustments increased income before income taxes by $2,551 ($1,535 after income taxes) for 2009 and decreased income before income taxes by $1,667 and $1,695 ($1,003 and $1,020, after income taxes) for 2008 and 2007.
 
Capitalized construction costs
 
Capitalized construction costs of $72,005 and $76,085 are included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009 and 2008. These costs are associated with the acquisition, development and construction of a real estate project managed by MS Property Company, a Wesco subsidiary.
 
Revenue recognition
 
Insurance premiums are stated net of amounts ceded to reinsurers and are recognized as earned revenues in proportion to the insurance protection provided, which in most cases is pro rata over the term of each contract. Premiums are estimated with respect to certain reinsurance contracts written during the period where reports from ceding companies for the period are not contractually due until well after the balance sheet date. Unearned insurance premiums are deferred and reflected in the liability section of the consolidated balance sheet. Certain costs of acquiring insurance premiums — commissions, premium taxes, and other — are deferred and charged to income as the premiums are earned.
 
Furniture rentals are recognized as revenue proportionately over the rental contract period; rentals received in advance are deferred in the liability section of the consolidated balance sheet. Costs related to furniture rentals comprise the main element of cost of products and services sold on the consolidated income statement and include depreciation expense, repairs and maintenance, and inventory losses.
 
Revenues from product sales are recognized upon passage of title to the customer, which coincides with customer pickup, product shipment, delivery or acceptance, depending on the sales arrangement. Revenues from services performed are recognized at the completion of the elements specified in the contract, which typically coincides with their being billed.
 
Interest income from investments in fixed maturity securities is earned under the constant yield method and includes accrual of interest due as well as amortization of acquisition premiums and accruable discounts. In
 
Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share


49


 

 
determining the constant yield for mortgage-backed securities, anticipated counterparty prepayments are estimated and evaluated periodically. Dividends from equity securities are earned on the ex-dividend date.
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
Liabilities for unpaid insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses represent estimates of the ultimate amounts payable under property and casualty reinsurance and insurance contracts related to losses occurring on or before the balance sheet date. Liabilities for insurance losses are comprised of estimates for reported claims (“case reserves”) and reserve development on reported claims as well as estimates for claims that have not yet been reported (some of which may not be reported for many years), which together are also referred to as “incurred-but-not-reported” reserves (“IBNR” reserves). The liability for unpaid losses includes significant estimates for these claims and includes estimates reported by ceding insurers. Loss reserve estimates reflect past loss experience, adjusted as appropriate when losses are reasonably expected to deviate from experience.
 
Considerable judgment is required to evaluate claims and estimate claims liabilities in connection with reinsurance contracts. As further data becomes available, the liabilities are reevaluated and adjusted as appropriate. Additionally, claims, at each balance sheet date, are in various stages of the settlement process. Each claim is settled individually based upon its merits, and some take years to settle, especially if legal action is involved. Actual ultimate claims amounts are likely to differ from amounts recorded at the balance sheet date.
 
Depending on the type of loss being estimated, the timing and amount of loss payments are subject to a great degree of variability and are contingent upon, among other factors, the timing of the claim reporting by cedants and insureds, and the determination and payment of the ultimate loss amounts through the loss adjustment process. Judgments and assumptions are necessary in projecting the ultimate amounts payable in the future with respect to loss events that have occurred.
 
The time period between the claim occurrence date and payment date of the loss is referred to as the “claim tail.” Property claims usually have fairly short claim tails, and, absent litigation, are reported and settled within a few months or years after occurrence. Casualty losses usually have very long claim tails. Casualty claims can be more susceptible to litigation and can be more significantly affected by changing contract interpretations and the legal environment, which contributes to extended claim tails. Claim tails for reinsurers may be further extended due to delayed reporting by ceding insurers or reinsurers due to contractual provisions or reporting practices. Actual ultimate loss settlement amounts are likely to differ from amounts recorded at the balance sheet date. Changes in estimates, referred to as “loss development,” are recorded as a component of losses incurred in the period of change.
 
Provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reported in the consolidated statement of income after deducting estimates of amounts that will be recoverable under reinsurance contracts. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the ceding companies of their obligations to indemnify policyholders with respect to the underlying insurance contracts. Ceded reinsurance losses recoverable (“ceded reserves”) are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as a component of accounts receivable.
 
Income taxes
 
Wesco and its subsidiaries join in the filing of consolidated Federal income tax returns of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The consolidated Federal tax liability is apportioned among group members pursuant to methods that result in each member of the group paying or receiving an amount that approximates the increase or decrease in consolidated taxes attributable to that member. In addition, Wesco and its subsidiaries also file income tax returns in state and local jurisdictions as applicable.
 
Provisions for current income tax liabilities are calculated and accrued on income and expense amounts expected to be included in the income tax returns for the current year. Deferred income taxes are calculated under the liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are based on differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities at the current enacted tax rates.
 
Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share


50


 

 
Changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities that are associated with components of other comprehensive income (principally, unrealized investment gains and losses) are charged or credited directly to other comprehensive income. Otherwise, changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities are included as a component of income tax expense. Changes in deferred income taxes and liabilities attributable to changes in enacted tax rates are charged or credited to income tax expense in the period of enactment. Valuation allowances are established for deferred tax assets where realization is not likely.
 
Assets and liabilities are established for uncertain tax positions taken or positions expected to be taken in income tax returns when such positions are judged to not meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold based on the technical merits of the positions. Estimated interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are included as a component of income tax expense.
 
Foreign currency
 
The accounts of the Company’s foreign-based subsidiary are measured using the local currency as the “functional” currency. Thus, revenues and expenses of this business are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate for the period. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate as of the end of the reporting period. Gains or losses from translating the financial statements of the foreign-based operations are included in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
 
Accounting pronouncements adopted in 2009 and 2008
 
In 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification” or “ASC”) as the source of GAAP through the integration of then current accounting standards from several sources into a single source. The Codification did not affect the content or application of GAAP that was in effect and had no material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In these notes, specific accounting standards are identified by Accounting Standards Codification number or “ASC”.
 
As of January 1, 2008, Wesco adopted ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”). ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.
 
ASC 820 establishes a framework for measuring fair value based on observable, independent market inputs and unobservable market assumptions. Following is a description of the three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
 
Level 1 inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Substantially all of Wesco’s equity investments are traded on an exchange in active markets and fair value is based on the closing prices as of the balance sheet date.
 
Level 2 inputs represent observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active or inactive markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; other inputs that may be considered in fair value determinations of the assets or liabilities, such as interest rates and yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Fair values for Wesco’s investments in fixed maturity securities are based primarily on market prices and market data available for instruments with similar characteristics since active markets are not common for many instruments.
 
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs used in the measurement of assets. Measurement of the fair values of the non-exchange traded investments are based on a standard warrant valuation model or discounted cash flow model, as applicable, which are techniques believed to be widely used by other market participants. Significant assumptions inherent in the warrant valuation model include an estimated stock price volatility factor, dividend and interest rate assumptions, and the estimated term of the warrants.
 
Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share


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Significant assumptions used in a discounted cash flow model include the discount rate and estimated duration of the instrument.
 
The adoption of ASC 820 did not have a material impact on the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 
In May 2009, the FASB amended ASC 855 Subsequent Events to set forth general accounting and disclosure requirements for events that occur subsequent to the balance sheet date but before the company’s financial statements are issued and is effective for the periods ending after June 15, 2009. Wesco management has evaluated events that have occurred subsequent to December 31, 2009.
 
Accounting pronouncements not yet in effect
 
Wesco’s management does not believe than any authoritative accounting pronouncements issued to date and required to be adopted after yearend 2009 are likely to have a material effect on shareholders’ equity.
 
Note 2.   Investments
 
Following is a summary of investments in securities with fixed maturities:
 
                                 
    December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008  
          Fair
          Fair
 
    Amortized Cost     Value     Amortized Cost     Value  
 
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 18,865     $ 20,702     $ 21,894     $ 22,886  
Corporate bonds
    200,000       200,000              
Other, principally U.S. government obligations
    8,265       9,170       5,606       5,770  
                                 
    $ 227,130     $ 229,872     $ 27,500     $ 28,656  
                                 
 
At yearend 2009 and 2008, the fair values of securities with fixed maturities contained unrealized gains of $2,742 and $1,156. There were no unrealized losses at December 31, 2009 or 2008.
 
On December 17, 2009 Wesco acquired $200 million par amount of 5.0% senior notes due 2014 of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company (“Wrigley”). Wesco has classified the Wrigley Notes as held-to-maturity, and accordingly, they are carried at cost.
 
Shown below are the amortized costs and fair values of securities with fixed maturities at December 31, 2009, by contractual maturity dates.
 
                 
          Fair
 
    Amortized Cost     Value  
 
Due in 2010 — 2013
  $ 8,265     $ 9,170  
Due in 2014
    200,000       200,000  
Mortgage-backed securities
    18,865       20,702  
                 
    $ 227,130     $ 229,872  
                 
 
Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share


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Following is a summary of investments in marketable equity securities (all common stocks):
 
                                 
    December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008  
          Fair (Carrying)
          Fair (Carrying)
 
    Cost     Value     Cost     Value  
 
The Procter & Gamble Company
  $ 372,480     $ 378,331     $ 372,480     $ 385,757  
The Coca-Cola Company
    40,761       410,719       40,761       326,198  
Wells Fargo & Company
    382,779       341,240       382,779       372,722  
Kraft Foods Incorporated
    325,816       271,800       325,816       268,500  
US Bancorp
    266,940       225,100       266,940       250,100  
Other
    243,661       438,437       243,661       265,016  
                                 
    $ 1,632,437     $ 2,065,627     $ 1,632,437     $ 1,868,293  
                                 
 
At yearends 2009 and 2008, the estimated fair values of marketable equity securities contained unrealized gains of $590,395 and $399,910 and unrealized losses of $157,205 and $164,054, respectively. As of December 31, 2009, two marketable equity securities had been in an unrealized loss positions for more than twelve months and unrealized losses on each security approximated 16% of its respective cost. In management’s judgment the financial condition and near term prospects of these issuers are favorable and Wesco possesses the intent and ability to retain these investments for a period of time sufficient to allow for the prices to recover.
 
Other equity securities includes an investment of $205,000, at cost, in shares of newly issued 10% cumulative perpetual preferred stock of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“GS”) and warrants to purchase 1.78 million shares of GS common stock, at any time until they expire on October 1, 2013, at a price of $115 per share. GS has the right to call the preferred shares for redemption at any time at a premium of 10%.
 
Wesco’s realized investment gains for 2008 and 2007 were $7,006 and $24,240, before taxes, respectively. There were no realized investment gains for 2009 or realized losses in any of the past three years.
 
Although the investments of Wesco and its subsidiaries are subject to market risks, derivatives are not utilized to manage risks.
 
Note 3.   Accounts Receivable
 
Accounts receivable from unaffiliated companies are comprised of the following:
 
                 
    December 31,
    December 31,
 
    2009     2008  
 
Trade accounts receivable
  $ 40,592     $ 59,875  
Allowance for uncollectible accounts
    (2,609 )     (2,386 )
                 
    $ 37,983     $ 57,489  
                 
 
Note 4.   Rental Furniture
 
Following is a reconciliation of the change in carrying value of rental furniture for 2009 and 2008:
 
                 
    December 31,
    December 31,
 
    2009     2008  
 
Cost of rental furniture
  $ 294,266     $ 323,117  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (116,473 )     (105,520 )
                 
    $ 177,793     $ 217,597  
                 
 
Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share


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Note 5.   Goodwill
 
Following is a breakdown of goodwill:
 
                 
    December 31,
    December 31,
 
    2009     2008  
 
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 277,742     $ 266,607  
Foreign currency translation
    (152 )     (495 )
Acquisitions of businesses and other
          11,630  
                 
    $ 277,590     $ 277,742  
                 
 
The decrease in goodwill for 2009 relates to the fluctuation of the foreign currency exchange rate of the functional currency for Roomservice Group, CORT’s foreign based subsidiary. The increase in goodwill for 2008 relates primarily to CORT’s acquisitions of Roomservice Group and certain assets of Aaron Rents, Inc.
 
The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test for 2009 and 2008 in the fourth quarters of each respective year, and concluded that there was no impairment for any of its reporting units at that time because the fair values exceeded the book carrying values.
 
The length and magnitude of the economic recession which became evident in 2008 and continued into 2009 has had a negative impact on the Company’s reporting units to date, but the extent of that impact over the long term cannot be reasonably predicted. There can be no assurance that the Company’s estimates and assumptions regarding future operating results made for purposes of the goodwill impairment testing will be accurate predictions of the future. If the weak economic environment has an adverse impact on the long-term economic value of the reporting units, the Company may be required to record goodwill impairment losses in future periods. Currently, it is not possible to determine if any such future impairment losses would result or if such losses would be material.
 
Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share


54


 

 
 
Note 6.   Insurance Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Payable
 
The balances of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are based upon estimates of the ultimate claim costs associated with property and casualty claim occurrences as of the balance sheet dates including estimates for IBNR claims. Considerable judgment is required to evaluate claims and establish estimated claim liabilities.
 
Following is a summary of liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for each of the past three years:
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Gross liabilities at beginning of year
  $ 215,268     $ 93,845     $ 78,310  
Less ceded liabilities*
    (17,914 )     (23,502 )     (11,628 )
                         
Net balance at beginning of year
    197,354       70,343       66,682  
                         
Incurred losses recorded during year —
                       
For current year
    225,451       175,962       35,392  
For all prior years
    (12,144 )     (3,762 )     (7,115 )
                         
Total incurred losses
    213,307       172,200       28,277  
                         
Payments made during year —
                       
For current year
    34,618       19,433       9,255  
For all prior years
    51,865       25,756       15,362  
                         
Total payments
    86,483       45,189       24,617  
                         
Net liabilities at end of year
    324,178       197,354       70,343  
Plus ceded liabilities*
    19,288       17,914       23,502  
                         
Gross liabilities at end of year
  $ 343,466     $ 215,268     $ 93,845  
                         
 
 
* Principally represents Wes-FIC’s proportionate share of reinsurance purchased by the aviation pools.
 
Incurred losses “for all prior years,” commonly known as “reserve development,” represents the net amount of estimation error charged (credited) to earnings with respect to the liabilities established as of the beginning of the year. Reference is made to Note 12, Business Segment Data, for a summary of the principal insurance activities in which Wesco’s insurance segment has engaged in the past three years. During 2009, $12,144 of net favorable reserve development was recorded, which principally included $12,043 attributed to the Swiss Re contract for the year 2008 and $3,502 attributable to aviation-related reinsurance, primarily for the years 2005 to 2007, partially offset by $4,579 of unfavorable reserve development attributable to primary insurance, including, most notably, increases in loss estimates relating for the years 2007 and 2008, less loss recoveries of $1,002 attributable mainly to a deposit guarantee loss recorded in 2008. During 2008, $3,762 of net favorable reserve development was recorded, which included $4,158 attributable to aviation-related reinsurance, primarily for years 2002-2007, partially offset by $396 of unfavorable reserve development attributable to primary insurance. During 2007, $7,115 of net favorable reserve development was recorded, which included $3,600 attributable to primary insurance and reflected, most notably, the reversal, following a favorable court decision, of a loss of $1,900 recorded in 2005. The 2007 favorable reserve development also included $3,200 attributable to aviation-related reinsurance.
 
Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share


55


 

 
 
Note 7.   Notes Payable and Other Contractual Obligations
 
Following is a summary of notes payable, at year end:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Revolving credit facility
  $ 28,000     $ 40,200  
Other
    200       200  
                 
    $ 28,200     $ 40,400  
                 
 
The credit facility, used in the furniture rental business, totals $100,000 and is unsecured. The weighted average annual interest rate on amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility at yearend 2009 was 0.51% in addition to an annual commitment fee of .075% of the total credit facility. The underlying agreement does not contain any materially restrictive covenants, and is guaranteed by Berkshire. The credit facility expires in June 2011. In addition to the $28,200 of loans outstanding at December 31, 2009, the business was contingently liable with respect to letters of credit totaling $7,085.
 
Fair values of the notes payable at yearend 2009 and 2008 approximated carrying values of $28,200 and $40,400.
 
In addition to recorded liabilities, Wesco at yearend 2009 had operating lease obligations aggregating $108,090 (payable in 2010, $27,755; in 2011, $23,472; in 2012, $18,072; in 2013, $12,709; in 2014, $9,404; and thereafter, $16,678) and other contractual obligations aggregating $17,665. Rent expense amounted to $34,391, $32,013 and $29,075 for 2009, 2008 and 2007.
 
Note 8.   Fair Value Measurements
 
Following is a summary of Wesco’s yearend 2009 and 2008 financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the type of inputs applicable to fair value measurement:
 
                                 
    Total Fair
    Fair Value Measurements Using  
    Value     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
 
December 31, 2009
                               
Investments in fixed maturity securities
  $ 29,872     $     $ 29,872     $  
Investments in equity securities
    2,065,627       1,726,878             338,749  
December 31, 2008
                               
Investments in fixed maturity securities
  $ 28,656     $     $ 28,656     $  
Investments in equity securities
    1,868,293       1,658,783             209,510  
 
Following is a summary of Wesco’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value, with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
 
         
    Investments in
 
    Equity Securities  
 
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $ 209,510  
Unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income
    129,239  
Purchases
     
         
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 338,749  
         
 
Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share


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Note 9.   Income Taxes
 
Following is a breakdown of income taxes payable at 2009 and 2008 yearends:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Deferred tax liabilities, relating to —
               
Appreciation of investments
  $ 153,511     $ 83,985  
Cost basis differences in investments
    116,368       116,368  
Other items
    63,794       60,277  
                 
      333,673       260,630  
Deferred tax assets
    (43,066 )     (31,061 )
                 
Net deferred tax liabilities
    290,607       229,569  
Taxes currently payable
    60       1,088  
                 
Income taxes payable
  $ 290,667     $ 230,657  
                 
 
The consolidated statement of income contains a provision (benefit) for income taxes, as follows:
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Federal
  $ 12,786     $ 24,958     $ 50,165  
State
    (2,517 )     (957 )     1,600  
Foreign
    (688 )     (1,002 )      
                         
Provision for income taxes
  $ 9,581     $ 22,999     $ 51,765  
                         
Current
  $ 17,349     $ 15,987     $ 50,272  
Deferred
    (7,768 )     7,012       1,493  
                         
Provision for income taxes
  $ 9,581     $ 22,999     $ 51,765  
                         
 
Following is a reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate with the effective income tax rate resulting in the provision for income taxes appearing on the consolidated statement of income:
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Statutory Federal income tax rate
    35.0 %     35.0 %     35.0 %
Increase (decrease) resulting from —
                       
Dividends received deduction
    (25.1 )     (14.6 )     (4.2 )
State income taxes, less Federal tax benefit
    (2.7 )     (0.3 )     (0.1 )
Other differences, net
    7.9       1.8       1.5  
                         
Effective income tax provision rate
    15.1 %     21.9 %     32.2 %
                         
 
Consolidated U.S. federal income tax return liabilities have been substantially settled with the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) through 1998. The IRS has completed its examination of the consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns for the years 1999 through 2006. The years 1999 through 2001 are being reviewed by the Joint Committee on Taxation. The years 2002 through 2006 are currently being reviewed in the IRS appeals process. The IRS has recently started its examination of the 2007 and 2008 tax years. Wesco management believes that the ultimate outcome of the Federal income tax audits will not materially affect Wesco’s consolidated financial statements.
 
Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share


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Note 10.   Environmental Matters and Litigation
 
Federal and state environmental agencies have made claims relating to alleged contamination of soil and groundwater with trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene against Precision Brand Products (“PBP”), whose results, like those of its parent, Precision Steel, are included in Wesco’s industrial segment, and various other businesses situated in an industrial park in Downers Grove, Illinois. PBP, along with the other businesses, have been negotiating remedial actions with various governmental entities.
 
PBP, Precision Steel, and other parties were also named in several civil lawsuits relating to the foregoing matter. The civil lawsuits were settled with the plaintiffs in 2007 for amounts that were not material to Wesco.
 
Included in other liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet is $300 as of December 31, 2009, representing management’s estimate of the remaining costs that are likely to be incurred in connection with the litigation. Although the ultimate cost is not yet certain, it is not expected that the ultimate impact of additional future costs, if any, will be significant to Wesco.
 
Note 11.   Quarterly Financial Information
 
Unaudited quarterly consolidated financial information for 2009 and 2008 follows:
 
                                         
    Quarter Ended  
    March 31,     June 30,     September 30,     December 31,     Total For Year  
 
2009
                                       
Revenues
  $ 210,802     $ 202,515     $ 203,884     $ 196,130     $ 813,331  
                                         
Net income
  $ 19,959     $ 12,930     $ 9,882     $ 11,302     $ 54,073  
Per capital share
    2.80       1.82       1.39       1.58       7.59  
                                         
2008
                                       
Revenues
  $ 160,196     $ 211,342     $ 207,001     $ 220,415     $ 798,954  
                                         
Net income
  $ 20,717     $ 21,573     $ 16,164     $ 23,662     $ 82,116  
Per capital share
    2.91       3.03       2.27       3.32       11.53  
                                         
Realized investment gains —
                                       
2009
                                       
Before taxes (included in revenues)
  $     $     $     $     $  
After taxes (included in net income)
                             
                                         
2008
                                       
Before taxes (included in revenues)
  $     $     $     $ 7,006     $ 7,006  
After taxes (included in net income)
                      4,554       4,554  
                                         
 
Note 12.   Business Segment Data
 
Wesco’s reportable business segments are organized in a manner that reflects how management views those business activities. The financial information that follows shows data of reportable segments reconciled to amounts reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The insurance segment includes the accounts of Wes-FIC and its subsidiary, KBS. Wes-FIC is engaged in the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance business. For the past three years its reinsurance business has consisted principally of participation with the Berkshire Insurance Group in several reinsurance contracts, as
 
Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share


58


 

 
follows: (1) since 2008, in a retrocession agreement in which it is now reinsuring a portion of Swiss Re’s property-casualty risks incepting over a five-year period effective in 2008, described more fully in Note 1, and (2) since 2001, in several pools of aviation-related risks.
 
Wes-FIC has also participated through the Berkshire Insurance Group in several contracts for super-catastrophe reinsurance covering hurricane risks in Florida and catastrophic excess-of-loss risks of a major international reinsurer, in prior years. Because Wesco’s board of directors desires that Wesco participate in insurance and reinsurance activities in which the Berkshire Insurance Group also participates, it has approved Wes-FIC’s automatic acceptance of retrocessions of super-catastrophe reinsurance provided that the following guidelines are met: (1) in order not to delay the acceptance process, the retrocession is to be accepted without delay in writing in Nebraska by agents of Wes-FIC who are salaried employees of the Berkshire Insurance Group; (2) any ceding commission received by the Berkshire Insurance Group cannot exceed 3% of premiums; (3) Wes-FIC is to assume 20% or less of the total risk; (4) the Berkshire Insurance Group must retain at least 80% of the identical risk; and (5) the aggregate premiums from this type of business in any twelve-month period cannot exceed 10% of Wes-FIC’s net worth.
 
KBS provides specialized insurance coverage mainly to small- and medium-sized banks in the Midwestern United States. In addition to generating insurance premiums, Wesco’s insurance segment derives dividend and interest income from the investment of float (premiums received before payment of related claims and expenses) as well as earnings retained and reinvested.
 
Payments of dividends by insurance subsidiaries are restricted by insurance statutes and regulations. Without prior regulatory approval, Wesco’s insurance subsidiaries may pay up to approximately $268,295 as ordinary dividends as of yearend 2009.
 
Combined shareholders’ equity of Wes-FIC and KBS determined pursuant to statutory accounting rules (“statutory surplus”) was approximately $2,568,000 at December 31, 2009 and $2,359,000 at December 31, 2008. Statutory surplus differs from the corresponding amount determined on the basis of GAAP. The major differences between statutory basis accounting and GAAP are that deferred policy acquisition costs, unrealized gains and losses on investments in securities with fixed maturities and related deferred income taxes are recognized under GAAP but not for statutory reporting purposes. In addition, statutory accounting for goodwill of acquired businesses requires amortization of goodwill over 10 years, whereas under GAAP, goodwill is subject to periodic tests for impairment.
 
The furniture rental segment includes the operating accounts of CORT. CORT is a nation-wide provider of rental furniture, accessories and related services in the “rent-to-rent” segment of the furniture industry. It rents high-quality furniture to corporate and individual customers who desire flexibility in meeting their temporary office, residential or trade show furnishing needs and who typically do not seek to own such furniture. In addition, CORT sells previously rented furniture through company-owned clearance centers.
 
The industrial segment includes the operating accounts of Precision Steel and its subsidiaries. The Precision Steel group operates two service centers which buy steel and other metals in the form of sheets or strips, cut these to order and sell them directly to a wide variety of industrial customers throughout the United States. The Precision Steel group also manufactures shim stock and other toolroom specialty items and sells them, along with hose clamps and threaded rod, nationwide, generally through distributors.
 
Wesco’s consolidated realized net investment gains and goodwill of acquired businesses, are shown separately as nonsegment items, consistent with the way Wesco’s management evaluates the performance of its operating segments. Other items considered unrelated to Wesco’s three business segments include principally (1) investments other than those held by Wes-FIC and KBS, together with related dividend and interest income,
 
Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share


59


 

 
(2) commercial real estate, together with related revenues and expenses, (3) residential real estate development, and (4) the assets, revenues and expenses of the parent company.
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Insurance segment:
                       
Premiums earned
  $ 323,221     $ 237,964     $ 54,411  
Dividend and interest income
    67,253       77,914       89,716  
Income taxes
    15,156       12,055       28,300  
Net income
    63,003       61,332       72,247  
Depreciation and amortization other than of discounts and premiums of investments
    26       36       45  
Advertising expense
    111       138       181  
Capital expenditures
    7       4       32  
Assets at yearend
    2,755,509       2,336,463       2,497,794  
                         
Furniture rental segment:
                       
Revenues
  $ 380,196     $ 410,043     $ 396,170  
Income taxes
    (1,717 )     7,006       13,570  
Net income (loss)
    (1,359 )     15,744       20,316  
Depreciation and amortization other than of discounts and premiums of investments
    53,783       43,195       39,891  
Advertising expense
    12,837       16,762       18,002  
Interest expense
    640       1,798       2,408  
Capital expenditures
    2,972       7,197       3,971  
Assets at yearend
    252,180       310,412       245,817  
                         
Industrial segment:
                       
Sales, service and other revenues
  $ 38,380     $ 60,872     $ 61,361  
Income taxes
    (357 )     759       603  
Net income (loss)
    (648 )     842       915  
Depreciation and amortization
    402       409       433  
Advertising expense
    211       202       258  
Capital expenditures
    230       456       357  
Assets at yearend
    19,502       16,734       19,263  
                         
Goodwill of acquired businesses (included in assets)
  $ 277,590     $ 277,742     $ 266,607  
                         
Realized investment gains:
                       
Before taxes (included in revenues)
  $     $ 7,006     $ 24,240  
After taxes (included in net income)
          4,554       15,756  
                         
Other items unrelated to business segments:
                       
Dividend and interest income
  $ 205     $ 1,165     $ 1,156  
Other revenues
    4,076       3,990       3,870  
Income taxes
    (3,501 )     726       808  
Net income (loss)
    (6,923 )     (356 )     (73 )
Depreciation and amortization
    387       351       388  
Capital expenditures
    755       95       419  
Assets at yearend
    96,645       109,344       83,528  
                         
Consolidated revenues (total of those set forth above)
  $ 813,331     $ 798,954     $ 630,924  
                         
Consolidated assets (total of those set forth above)
  $ 3,401,426     $ 3,050,695     $ 3,113,009  
                         
 
Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share


60


 

WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
SCHEDULE I — CONDENSED FINANCIAL
 
INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
 
BALANCE SHEET
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 18     $ 33  
Investment in subsidiaries, at cost plus equity in subsidiaries’ undistributed earnings and unrealized appreciation
    2,749,442       2,563,311  
                 
    $ 2,749,460     $ 2,563,344  
                 
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity:
               
Loans from subsidiaries
  $ 198,268     $ 185,204  
Income taxes payable
    128       62  
Other liabilities
    347       322  
                 
Total liabilities
    198,743       185,588  
Shareholders’ equity (see consolidated balance sheet and statement of changes in shareholders’ equity)
    2,550,717       2,377,756  
                 
    $ 2,749,460     $ 2,563,344  
                 
 
STATEMENT OF INCOME
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Revenues
  $     $     $  
                         
Expenses:
                       
Intercompany interest
    1,914       5,083       7,251  
General and administrative
    1,041       1,277       1,059  
                         
      2,955       6,360       8,310  
                         
Loss before items shown below
    (2,955 )     (6,360 )     (8,310 )
Income taxes
    (1,034 )     (2,225 )     (2,908 )
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
    55,994       86,251       114,563  
                         
Net income
  $ 54,073     $ 82,116     $ 109,161  
                         
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.


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WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
SCHEDULE I — CONDENSED FINANCIAL
 
INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Continued)
 
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net income
  $ 54,073     $ 82,116     $ 109,161  
Adjustments to reconcile net income with cash flows from operating activities —
                       
Change in income taxes payable currently
    66       (417 )     1,026  
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
    (55,994 )     (86,251 )     (114,563 )
Other, net
    25       202       1  
                         
Net cash flows from operating activities
    (1,830 )     (4,350 )     (4,375 )
                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Borrowings from subsidiaries, net
    13,064       15,331       15,052  
Payment of cash dividends
    (11,249 )     (10,965 )     (10,679 )
                         
Net cash flows from financing activities
    1,815       4,366       4,373  
                         
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (15 )     16       (2 )
Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of year
    33       17       19  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents — end of year
  $ 18     $ 33     $ 17  
                         
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.


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Wesco Stock Performance Graph
 
The following graph compares the value at each subsequent yearend of $100 invested in Wesco capital stock on December 31, 2004 with identical investments in the Standard and Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Stock Index and the S&P Property-Casualty Insurance Index, assuming reinvestment of dividends.
 
Comparison of Five Year Cumulative Return*
 
Comparison of Cumulative Five Year Total Return
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
It would be difficult to develop a peer group of companies similar to Wesco. The Company owns subsidiaries engaged in a number of diverse business activities of which the most important is the property and casualty insurance business and, accordingly, management has used the Standard and Poor’s Property-Casualty Insurance Index for comparative purposes.


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