[January 29, 2015]

Validus Announces 2014 Full Year Net Income of $481.3 Million

Validus Holdings, Ltd. ("Validus" or the "Company") (NYSE:VR) today reported net income available to Validus of $125.9 million, or $1.38 per diluted common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2014, compared to $95.3 million, or $0.93 per diluted common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2013. Net income available to Validus was $481.3 million, or $5.08 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $532.7 million, or $4.94 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Net operating income available to Validus was $129.0 million, or $1.42 per diluted common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2014, compared to $100.1 million, or $0.97 per diluted common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2013. Net operating income available to Validus was $486.5 million, or $5.14 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $589.4 million, or $5.48 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Book value per diluted common share stands at $39.66, reflecting quarterly growth of 3.3% inclusive of dividends.

Commenting on the financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2014, Validus' Chairman and CEO Ed Noonan stated:

"During 2014, Validus delivered an impressive 13.2% operating return on average equity and 12.8% growth in book value per diluted share inclusive of dividends. We also completed an important strategic objective by acquiring Western World Insurance Group, a leading specialty lines insurance company. The addition of Western World provides Validus with a top notch underwriting and distribution platform in the United States, the world's largest insurance market, to complement our Bermuda, London and other global operations."

On October 2, 2014, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Western World Insurance Group, Inc. ("Western World"), a specialty lines insurance company. The three month results of Western World have been included in the Company's results for the first time and are disclosed as a separate segment.

Net income and net operating income available to Validus, net earnings and net operating earnings per diluted common share available to Validus, by segment for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

Net operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined as net income (loss) excluding net realized and change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, income (loss) from investment affiliate, foreign exchange gains (losses), other income (loss) and non-recurring items. Net operating income (loss) available (attributable) to Validus is defined as above, but excludes income (loss) available (attributable) to noncontrolling interest. Reconciliations of these measures to net income (loss) and net income (loss) available (attributable) to Validus, the most directly comparable GAAP measures, are presented at the end of this release.

January 2015 Reinsurance Renewals - Validus Re and AlphaCat segments

During the January 2015 renewal season, the Validus Re and AlphaCat segments underwrote $540.9 million in gross premiums written, a decrease of 6.0% from the prior year renewal period. This renewal data does not include: (i) Talbot and Western World's operations as the business of each of these segments is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year and (ii) U.S. agriculture premiums.

Below is a table outlining the Validus Re and AlphaCat combined January 2015 renewals split by Catastrophe XOL, Per Risk and Proportional.

Below is a table outlining the Validus Re and AlphaCat segments' January 2015 reinsurance renewals split by line of business.

Fourth Quarter 2014 Results

Highlights for the fourth quarter, including the three month results of Western World, include the following:

• Gross premiums written for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $336.6 million compared to $237.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $99.4 million, or 41.9%.
• Net premiums earned for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $558.7 million compared to $492.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $66.5 million, or 13.5%.
• Underwriting income for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $135.7 million compared to $110.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $25.3 million, or 22.9%.
• Combined ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was 75.7% which included $84.6 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 15.1 percentage points compared to a combined ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2013 of 77.6% which included $33.6 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 6.8 percentage points. The favorable loss reserve development was primarily due to lower than expected development on attritional losses.
• Net operating income available to Validus for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $129.0 million compared to $100.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $29.0 million, or 29.0%.
• Net income available to Validus for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $125.9 million compared to $95.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $30.6 million, or 32.1%.
• Annualized return on average equity of 13.8% and annualized net operating return on average equity of 14.2% for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to 10.2% and 10.7%, respectively, for the three months ended December 31, 2013.

Highlights for the full year ended December 31, 2014 include the following:

• Gross premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $2,363.3 million compared to $2,401.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $37.8 million, or 1.6%.
• Net premiums earned for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $2,002.4 million compared to $2,102.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $99.6 million, or 4.7%.
• Underwriting income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $526.9 million compared to $604.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $78.0 million, or 12.9%.
• Combined ratio for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 73.7% which included $252.2 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 12.6 percentage points compared to a combined ratio for the year ended December 31, 2013 of 71.2% which included $205.4 million of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years, benefiting the loss ratio by 9.8 percentage points.
• Net operating income available to Validus for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $486.5 million compared to $589.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $103.0 million, or 17.5%.
• Net income available to Validus for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $481.3 million compared to $532.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $51.3 million, or 9.6%.
• Return on average equity of 13.1% and net operating return on average equity of 13.2% for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to 14.0% and 15.5%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Notable Loss Events

During the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not incur any notable loss events, defined as consolidated losses which aggregate to a threshold greater than or equal to $30.0 million, however there was development on a previous quarter non-notable loss event, Tripoli airport, of $6.8 million during the three months ended December 31, 2014. The fourth quarter development caused this event to exceed the $30.0 million threshold and become a notable loss as a result.

The Company's loss ratio, excluding prior year development, notable loss events, and non-notable loss events for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was 52.7% and 49.1%, respectively.

Validus Re Segment - Fourth Quarter 2014 Results

Highlights for the fourth quarter include the following:

• Gross premiums written for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $32.7 million compared to $10.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $22.5 million, or 219.4%. Gross premiums written for the three months ended December 31, 2014 included $14.0 million of property premiums, $15.3 million of marine premiums and $3.5 million of specialty premiums, compared to $17.2 million of property premiums and $nil of marine premiums, offset by $(6.9) million of specialty premiums for the three months ended December 31, 2013.
• Net premiums earned for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $230.5 million compared to $250.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $19.8 million, or 7.9%.
• The combined ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was 51.3% compared to 69.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of 17.8 percentage points.
• The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was 25.8% compared to 44.2% for the three months ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of 18.4 percentage points. The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2014 included favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years of $30.8 million, benefiting the loss ratio by 13.3 percentage points. The favorable loss reserve development was primarily due to lower than expected development on attritional losses. The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2013 included unfavorable loss reserve development on prior accident years of $3.4 million, increasing the loss ratio by 1.3 percentage points.
• Net operating income available to Validus Re for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $132.1 million compared to $92.1 million, for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $40.0 million, or 43.4%.
• General and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $21.0 million compared to $21.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $0.6 million, or 2.9%.

Highlights for the full year ended December 31, 2014 include the following:

• Gross premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $1,136.9 million compared to $1,242.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $105.6 million, or 8.5%. Gross premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2014 included $631.0 million of property premiums, $191.0 million of marine premiums and $314.9 million of specialty premiums, compared to $744.6 million of property premiums, $194.0 million of marine premiums and $303.9 million of specialty premiums for the year ended December 31, 2013.
• Net premiums earned for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $917.3 million compared to $1,133.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $216.7 million, or 19.1%.
• The combined ratio for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 58.2% compared to 62.6% for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of 4.4 percentage points.
• The loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 33.5% compared to 37.9% for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of 4.4 percentage points. The loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2014 included favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years of $87.6 million, benefiting the loss ratio by 9.5 percentage points. The loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2013 included favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years of $59.3 million, benefiting the loss ratio by 5.2 percentage points.
• Net operating income available to Validus Re for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $452.4 million compared to $508.9 million, for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $56.5 million, or 11.1%.
• General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $74.7 million compared to $91.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $16.5 million, or 18.1%.

Talbot Segment - Fourth Quarter 2014 Results

Highlights for the fourth quarter include the following:

• Gross premiums written for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $247.4 million compared to $236.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $11.1 million, or 4.7%. Gross premiums written for the three months ended December 31, 2014 included $76.1 million of property premiums, $72.9 million of marine premiums and $98.4 million of specialty premiums compared to $60.9 million of property premiums, $75.1 million of marine premiums and $100.4 million of specialty premiums for the three months ended December 31, 2013.
• Net premiums earned for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $221.2 million compared to $204.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $16.9 million, or 8.3%.
• The combined ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was 96.8% compared to 86.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of 10.0 percentage points.
• The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was 53.6% compared to 46.4% for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of 7.2 percentage points. The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2014 included favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years of $42.0 million, benefiting the loss ratio by 19.0 percentage points. The favorable loss reserve development was primarily due to lower than expected development on attritional losses. The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2013 included favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years of $37.0 million, benefiting the loss ratio by 18.1 percentage points.
• Net operating income available to Talbot for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $11.3 million compared to $33.4 million, for the three months ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $22.1 million, or 66.1%.
• General and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $43.8 million compared to $36.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $7.8 million, or 21.8%.

Highlights for the full year ended December 31, 2014 include the following:

• Gross premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $1,101.8 million compared to $1,091.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $9.9 million, or 0.9%. Gross premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2014 included $337.2 million of property premiums, $392.7 million of marine premiums and $371.9 million of specialty premiums compared to $345.8 million of property premiums, $381.2 million of marine premiums and $364.8 million of specialty premiums for the year ended December 31, 2013.
• Net premiums earned for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $879.8 million compared to $830.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $49.1 million, or 5.9%.
• The combined ratio for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 87.8% compared to 79.8% for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of 8.0 percentage points.
• The loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 48.1% compared to 41.7% for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of 6.4 percentage points. The loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2014 included favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years of $141.2 million, benefiting the loss ratio by 16.1 percentage points. The loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2013 included favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years of $146.2 million, benefiting the loss ratio by 17.6 percentage points.
• Net operating income available to Talbot for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $125.0 million compared to $186.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $61.5 million, or 32.9%.
• General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $150.8 million compared to $136.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $14.4 million, or 10.5%.

AlphaCat Segment - Fourth Quarter 2014 Results

Highlights for the fourth quarter include the following:

• Gross premiums written, including PaCRe, for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $0.1 million compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 57.1%.
• Net premiums earned for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $34.1 million compared to $37.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $3.6 million, or 9.5%.
• Other insurance related income, consisting primarily of management fee income, for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $5.6 million compared to $9.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $3.3 million, or 37.2%.
• Income available to AlphaCat from non-consolidated operating affiliates for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $4.1 million compared to $5.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $1.4 million, or 24.8%.
• Income attributable to operating affiliate investors for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $26.6 million compared to $26.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013.
• The combined ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was 14.3% compared to 25.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of 11.3 percentage points.
• The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was (7.4)% compared to 1.7% for the three months ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of 9.1 percentage points. The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2014 included favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years of $0.6 million, benefiting the loss ratio by 1.7 percentage points. The loss ratios for the three months ended December 31, 2013 did not include any loss reserve development on prior accident years.
• Net operating income available to AlphaCat for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $8.9 million compared to $11.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 24.5%.

Highlights for the full year ended December 31, 2014 include the following:

• Gross premiums written, including PaCRe, for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $135.2 million compared to $147.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $11.8 million, or 8.0%.
• Net premiums earned for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $132.4 million compared to $137.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $5.1 million, or 3.7%.
• Other insurance related income, consisting primarily of management fee income, for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $27.1 million compared to $26.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $0.7 million, or 2.6%.
• Income available to AlphaCat from non-consolidated operating affiliates for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $17.7 million compared to $14.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $3.4 million, or 24.0%.
• Income attributable to operating affiliate investors for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $109.4 million compared to $68.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a change of $40.6 million, or 59.1%.
• The combined ratio for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 17.5% compared to 36.9% for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of 19.4 percentage points.
• The loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2014 was (7.3)% compared to 12.8% for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of 20.1 percentage points. The loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2014 included favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years of $12.2 million, benefiting the loss ratio by 9.2 percentage points. The loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2013 did not include any loss reserve development on prior accident years.
• Net operating income available to AlphaCat for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $38.6 million compared to $45.2 million, for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $6.6 million, or 14.7%.

Western World Segment - Fourth Quarter 2014 Results

On October 2, 2014, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Western World. The three month results of Western World have been included in the Company's results for the first time, and are disclosed as a separate segment. For additional details on the purchase GAAP adjustments, refer to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K furnished with the SEC on January 26, 2015.

Highlights for the fourth quarter include the following:

• Gross premiums written for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $65.2 million. Gross premiums written for the three months ended December 31, 2014 included $10.0 million of property premiums and $55.3 million of liability premiums.
• Net premiums earned for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $73.0 million.
• The combined ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was 89.7%.
• The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was 69.9%. The loss ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2014 included favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years of $11.2 million, benefiting the loss ratio by 15.4 percentage points.
• Net operating income available to Western World for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $10.9 million.
• General and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $11.1 million.

Corporate Results

Corporate results include executive and board expenses, internal and external audit expenses, interest and costs incurred in connection with the Company's senior notes and junior subordinated deferrable debentures and other costs relating to the Company as a whole.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2014, net of operating segment eliminations, were $18.3 million compared to $20.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $2.0 million or 10.0%. Share compensation expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2014, net of operating segment eliminations were $3.0 million compared to $2.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $0.1 million or 3.6%. In addition to the general and administrative expenses noted above, there were $4.7 million of non-recurring costs relating to the acquisition of Western World for the three months ended December 31, 2014.

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014, net of operating segment eliminations, were $73.5 million compared to $68.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $4.7 million, or 6.9%. Share compensation expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014, net of operating segment eliminations, were $11.4 million compared to $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $1.5 million, or 14.9%. In addition to the general and administrative expenses noted above, there were $8.1 million of non-recurring costs relating to the acquisition of Western World for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Investments

Net investment income for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $30.2 million compared to $24.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $6.0 million, or 24.6%.

Net realized gains on investments for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $6.9 million compared to $4.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $2.5 million, or 55.2%.

The change in net unrealized losses on investments for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $(74.1) million compared to the change in net unrealized gains of $20.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $94.3 million, or 468.1%. The change in net unrealized losses on investments for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was driven by ($72.1) million in unrealized losses relating to PaCRe. The amount of PaCRe's net unrealized losses attributable to noncontrolling interest was $64.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014, leaving a net impact to the Company of ($7.2) million.

The change in net unrealized gains on investments for the three months ended December 31, 2013 was driven by $26.6 million in unrealized gains relating to PaCRe. The amount of PaCRe's net unrealized gains attributable to noncontrolling interest was ($23.9) million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, leaving a net impact to the Company of $2.7 million.

Net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $100.1 million compared to $96.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $4.0 million, or 4.2%.

Net realized gains on investments for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $23.1 million compared to $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $19.8 million, or 608.9%.

The change in net unrealized losses on investments for the year ended December 31, 2014 was ($58.0) million compared to ($58.5) million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $0.5 million, or 0.9%. The change in net unrealized losses on investments for the year ended December 31, 2014 was driven by ($55.1) million in unrealized losses relating to PaCRe. The amount of PaCRe's net unrealized losses attributable to noncontrolling interest was $49.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, leaving a net impact to the Company of ($5.5) million.

The change in net unrealized losses on investments for the year ended December 31, 2013 was driven by ($6.1) million in unrealized losses relating to PaCRe. The amount of PaCRe's net unrealized losses attributable to noncontrolling interest was $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, leaving a net impact to the Company of ($0.6) million.

Finance Expenses

Finance expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $16.5 million compared to $16.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 2.7%.

Finance expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $63.9 million compared to $64.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 0.5%.

Shareholders' Equity and Capitalization

As at December 31, 2014, total shareholders' equity was $4.0 billion including $458.6 million of noncontrolling interest. Shareholders' equity available to Validus was $3.6 billion as at December 31, 2014. Book value per diluted common share was $39.66 at December 31, 2014, compared to $38.70 at September 30, 2014. Book value per diluted common share is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation of this measure to book value per common share is presented at the end of this release.

Total capitalization at December 31, 2014 was $4.9 billion, including $539.3 million of junior subordinated deferrable debentures, $247.3 million of senior notes and $80.0 million of redeemable noncontrolling interest. Total capitalization available to Validus at December 31, 2014 was $4.4 billion, excluding $458.6 million of noncontrolling interest and $80.0 million of redeemable noncontrolling interest.

Share Repurchases

For the three months ended December 31, 2014, the number of shares repurchased by the Company was 5.5 million. A summary of the share repurchases made to date under the Company's previously announced share repurchase program is as follows:

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call for analysts and investors on January 30, 2015 at 10:00 AM (Eastern) to discuss the fourth quarter 2014 financial results and related matters. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 1-800-708-4540 (toll-free U.S.) or 1-847-619-6397 (international) and entering the passcode 3847 5579. Those who intend to participate in the conference call should register at least ten minutes in advance to ensure access to the call. A telephone replay of the conference call will be available through February 13, 2015, by dialing 1-888-843-7419 (toll-free U.S.) or 1-630-652-3042 (international) and entering the passcode 3847 5579.

This conference call will also be available through a live audio webcast accessible through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website located at www.validusholdings.com. A replay of the webcast will be available at the Investor Relations section of the Company's website through February 13, 2015. In addition, a financial supplement relating to the Company's financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014 is available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website.

About Validus Holdings, Ltd.

Validus Holdings, Ltd. is a holding company for reinsurance and insurance operating companies and investment advisors including Validus Reinsurance, Ltd. ("Validus Re"), Talbot Holdings Ltd. ("Talbot"), Western World Insurance Group, Inc. ("Western World") and AlphaCat Managers, Ltd. ("AlphaCat").

The results of Western World are consolidated from the October 2, 2014 date of acquisition.

Validus Re is a Bermuda based reinsurer focused on short-tail lines of reinsurance. Talbot is the Bermuda parent of the specialty insurance group primarily operating within the Lloyd's insurance market through Syndicate 1183. Western World is a U.S. specialty lines insurance company focused on excess and surplus lines. AlphaCat is a Bermuda based investment adviser managing capital for third parties and the Group in insurance linked securities and other property catastrophe reinsurance investments.

(a) The transaction expenses relate to costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of Western World Insurance Group, Inc. ("Western World"), which was completed on October 2, 2014. The results of Western World are consolidated from the October 2, 2014 date of acquisition. Transaction expenses are primarily comprised of legal, financial advisory and audit related services.

(b) The general and administrative expense ratio includes share compensation expenses.

Notes:

(a) Net operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined as net income (loss) excluding net realized and change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, foreign exchange gains (losses), other income (loss), income (loss) from investment affiliate and non-recurring items. This measure focuses on the underlying fundamentals of our operations without the influence of gains (losses) from the sale of investments, translation of non-U.S.$ currencies and non-recurring items. Gains (losses) from the sale of investments are driven by the timing of the disposition of investments, not by our operating performance. Gains (losses) arising from translation of non-U.S.$ denominated balances are unrelated to our underlying business. Net operating income (loss) available (attributable) to Validus is defined as above and includes income (loss) from noncontrolling interests.

(b) The results of Western World are consolidated from the October 2, 2014 date of acquisition.

Notes:

(a) Net operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined as net income (loss) excluding net realized and change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, foreign exchange gains (losses), other income (loss), income (loss) from investment affiliate and non-recurring items. This measure focuses on the underlying fundamentals of our operations without the influence of gains (losses) from the sale of investments, translation of non-U.S.$ currencies, and non-recurring items. Gains (losses) from the sale of investments are driven by the timing of the disposition of investments, not by our operating performance. Gains (losses) arising from translation of non-U.S.$ denominated balances are unrelated to our underlying business. Net operating income (loss) available (attributable) to Validus is defined as above and includes income (loss) from noncontrolling interests.

(b) The results of Western World are consolidated from the October 2, 2014 date of acquisition.

(a) The transaction expenses relate to costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of Western World Insurance Group, Inc. ("Western World"), which was completed on October 2, 2014. The results of Western World are consolidated from the October 2, 2014 date of acquisition. Transaction expenses are primarily comprised of legal, financial advisory and audit related services.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include forward-looking statements, both with respect to the Company and its industry, that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Statements that include the words "expect", "intend", "plan", "believe", "project", "anticipate", "will", "may" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements and, therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any such statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events; 2) rating agency actions; 3) adequacy of Validus' risk management and loss limitation methods; 4) cyclicality of demand and pricing in the insurance and reinsurance markets; 5) statutory or regulatory developments including tax policy, reinsurance and other regulatory matters; 6) Validus' ability to implement its business strategy during "soft" as well as "hard" markets; 7) adequacy of Validus' loss reserves; 8) continued availability of capital and financing; 9) retention of key personnel; 10) competition; 11) potential loss of business from one or more major insurance or reinsurance brokers; 12) Validus' ability to implement, successfully and on a timely basis, complex infrastructure, distribution capabilities, systems, procedures and internal controls, and to develop accurate actuarial data to support the business and regulatory and reporting requirements; 13) general economic and market conditions (including inflation, volatility in the credit and capital markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates); 14) the integration of businesses Validus may acquire or new business ventures Validus may start; 15) the effect on Validus' investment portfolios of changing financial market conditions including inflation, interest rates, liquidity and other factors; 16) acts of terrorism or outbreak of war; and 17) availability of reinsurance and retrocessional coverage, as well as management's response to any of the aforementioned factors.

The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risk factors included in Validus' most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and other documents of the Company on file with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Any forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by Validus will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Validus or its business or operations. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In presenting the Company's results, management has included and discussed certain schedules containing net operating income (loss), net operating income (loss) available (attributable) to Validus, net operating income (loss) per share, underwriting income (loss), annualized net operating return on average equity, book value per diluted common share and book value per diluted common share plus accumulated dividends that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise U.S. GAAP. Such measures are referred to as non-GAAP. Non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A reconciliation of net operating income (loss) to net income (loss), the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, is presented in the section above entitled "Net Operating Income available to Validus, Net Operating Income per share available to Validus and Annualized Net Operating Return on Average Equity". A reconciliation of underwriting income and operating income to net income, the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, is presented in the "Consolidated Statements of Operations" above.

Underwriting income indicates the performance of the Company's core underwriting function, excluding revenues and expenses such as net investment income (loss), other insurance related income (loss), finance expenses, net realized and change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, foreign exchange gains (losses), other income (loss) and transaction expenses. The Company believes the reporting of underwriting income enhances the understanding of our results by highlighting the underlying profitability of the Company's core insurance and reinsurance business. Underwriting profitability is influenced significantly by earned premium growth, adequacy of the Company's pricing and loss frequency and severity.

Underwriting profitability over time is also influenced by the Company's underwriting discipline, which seeks to manage exposure to loss through favorable risk selection and diversification, its management of claims, its use of reinsurance and its ability to manage its expense ratio, which it accomplishes through its management of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses. The Company believes that underwriting income provides investors with a valuable measure of profitability derived from underwriting activities.

Annualized net operating return on average equity is presented in the section above entitled "Net Operating Income available to Validus, Net Operating Income per share available to Validus and Annualized Net Operating Return on Average Equity." A reconciliation of book value per diluted common share and book value per diluted common share plus accumulated dividends to book value per common share, the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, is presented in the section above entitled "Book Value per Common Share, Book Value per Diluted Common Share and Book Value per Diluted Common Share plus Accumulated Dividends." Net operating income (loss) is calculated based on net income (loss) excluding net realized gains (losses) on investments, change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, foreign exchange gains (losses), other income (loss), income (loss) from investment affiliates and non-recurring items. Realized gains (losses) from the sale of investments are driven by the timing of the disposition of investments, not by our operating performance. Gains (losses) arising from translation of non-US$ denominated balances are unrelated to our underlying business. Net operating income (loss) available (attributable) to Validus is defined as net operating income (loss) as defined above, but excluding income (loss) available (attributable) to noncontrolling interest.

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