Allied World Reports Record 2009 Results; Grows Book Value by 33%

By Allied World Assurance Company Ltd, PRNE
Wednesday, February 10, 2010

PEMBROKE, Bermuda, February 11 - Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd (NYSE: AWH) today reported
net income of US$161.3 million, or US$3.05 per diluted share, for the fourth
quarter of 2009 compared to net income of US$19.9 million, or US$0.39 per
diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2008. Net income for the year ended
December 31, 2009 was a record US$606.9 million, or US$11.67 per diluted
share, compared to net income of US$183.6 million, or US$3.59 per diluted
share, for the year ended December 31, 2008.

The company reported operating income of US$131.9 million, or US$2.49 per
diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to operating income of
US$141.1 million, or US$2.80 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of
2008. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2009 was a record
US$537.7 million, or US$10.34 per diluted share, compared to operating income
of US$455.1 million, or US$8.90 per diluted share, for the year ended
December 31, 2008.

President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Carmilani commented, "Despite
the challenging market environment, I am very pleased to report exceptional
results to our shareholders for the fourth quarter and full year 2009. Net
income for 2009 exceeded US$600 million for the first time in our company's
history and our operating return on shareholders' equity was a very
impressive 20% for the year. Our shareholders' equity base has grown to
US$3.2 billion, which is up 33% from the beginning of the year."

Underwriting Results

Gross premiums written were US$322.1 million in the fourth quarter of
2009, a 3.6% increase compared to US$310.9 million in the fourth quarter of
2008. For the year ended December 31, 2009, gross premiums written totaled
US$1,696.3 million, a 17.3% increase compared to US$1,445.6 million for the
year ended December 31, 2008. Net premiums written were US$233.7 million in
the fourth quarter of 2009, a 3.2% increase compared to US$226.5 million in
the fourth quarter of 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2009, net
premiums written totaled US$1,321.1 million, a 19.3% increase compared to
US$1,107.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. These increases were
primarily due to the expansion of our U.S. insurance business offset by our
selectively paring back general property, energy and professional liability
risk in our international insurance segment that did not meet our
underwriting requirements.

Net premiums earned in the fourth quarter of 2009 were US$330.5 million,
a 9.1% increase compared to US$303.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.
For the year ended December 31, 2009, net premiums earned totaled US$1,316.9
million
, a 17.9% increase from net premiums earned of US$1,116.9 million for
the year ended December 31, 2008. These increases were primarily due to the
expansion of our U.S. insurance business.

The combined ratio was 76.2% in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to
75.9% in the fourth quarter of 2008. The loss and loss expense ratio was
42.8% in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to 47.4% in the fourth quarter
of 2008. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the company recorded net
favorable reserve development on prior loss years of US$77.7 million, a
benefit of 23.5 percentage points to the company's loss and loss expense
ratio for the quarter. This compares to the fourth quarter of 2008, where the
company recorded net favorable reserve development on prior loss years of
US$90.3 million, a benefit of 29.8 percentage points to the company's loss
and loss expense ratio for that quarter. Absent prior year reserve
adjustments, the loss and loss expense ratio related to the fourth quarter of
2009 was 66.3% compared to 77.2% for the fourth quarter of 2008. During the
three months ended December 31 2008, the company added US$41.7 million to its
reserves related to Hurricanes Ike and Gustav.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, the combined ratio was 76.1%
compared to 84.1% for the year ended December 31, 2008. For the year ended
December 31, 2009, the company recorded net favorable reserve development on
prior loss years of US$248.0 million, a benefit of 18.8 percentage points to
the company's loss and loss expense ratio. For the year ended December 31,
2008
, the company recorded net favorable reserve development on prior loss
years of US$280.1 million, a benefit of 25.1 percentage points to the
company's loss and loss expense ratio.

The company's reported expense ratio was 33.4% and 30.2% for the fourth
quarter and full year 2009, respectively. These ratios were impacted by 3.6
percentage points and 0.9 percentage points for the fourth quarter and full
year 2009, respectively, due to the company recording US$11.8 million related
to our reaching certain incentive based performance hurdles. Absent this
item, the company's expense ratios would have been 29.8% and 29.3% for the
fourth quarter and full year 2009, respectively, which compare to the
company's expense ratios for the fourth quarter and full year 2008 of 28.5%
and 26.7%, respectively. Our overall staff count increased to over 650 as of
December 31, 2009 from 560 as of December 31, 2008, primarily driven by the
additional staff in our U.S. insurance operations. As a result of the
increased staff count, salary and employee welfare costs increased by US$4.3
million
and US$48.3 million during the fourth quarter and year ended December
31, 2009
, respectively.

Amortization and Impairment of Intangible Assets

At the end of 2009, we made a strategic decision to market all products,
with a few limited exceptions, under the Allied World brand instead of under
the Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc. ("Darwin") brand. We believe that
Darwin related business will benefit from greater access to markets under the
Allied World brand, which is a more internationally recognized brand.
Accordingly, an impairment charge of US$6.9 million was incurred to write off
the unamortized balance of the trademark intangible asset acquired as part of
the October 2008 acquisition of Darwin.

Investment Results

Net investment income in the fourth quarter of 2009 was US$73.3 million,
a decrease of 11.3% from the US$82.6 million of net investment income in the
fourth quarter of 2008. The primary reason for the decrease was that in the
fourth quarter of 2008 the company received a US$7.9 million dividend from a
high-yield bond fund. For the year ended December 31, 2009, net investment
income was US$300.7 million, a decrease of 2.6% from the US$308.8 million of
net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2008.

The company recorded net realized investment gains of US$37.8 million and
US$126.4 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009,
respectively. As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, net accumulated
unrealized gains were US$149.8 million and US$105.6 million, respectively.
The increase in net unrealized investment gains from December 31, 2008 to
December 31, 2009 was due to unrealized gains in our fixed-maturity portfolio
of US$181.1 million primarily resulting from the narrowing of credit spreads
across all fixed income classes partially offset by the cumulative effect
adjustment of US$136.8 million related to the company adopting accounting
changes for investments in the second quarter of 2009.

Shareholders' Equity

As of December 31, 2009, shareholders' equity was US$3.2 billion, an
increase of 33% compared to US$2.4 billion reported as of December 31, 2008.
The increase was primarily due to strong underwriting results, prudent
investment decisions and benign catastrophe activity.

The company's annualized net income return on average shareholders'
equity for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009 was 21.7% and
22.6%, respectively. The company's annualized operating return on average
shareholders' equity for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009
was 17.7% and 20.0%, respectively.

As of December 31, 2009, diluted book value per share was US$59.56, an
increase of 29.3% compared to US$46.05 as of December 31, 2008.

Investment Supplement

Allied World will be providing additional information on its investment
portfolio as of December 31, 2009. This information will be available at the
"Investor Relations" section of the company's website at www.awac.com.

Financial Supplement

A financial supplement relating to the fourth quarter of 2009 will be
available at the "Investor Relations" section of the company's website at
www.awac.com.

Conference Call

Allied World will host a conference call on Friday, February 12, 2010 at
8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss its fourth quarter and year ended
December 31, 2009 financial results. The public may access a live webcast of
the conference call at the "Investor Relations" section of the company's
website at www.awac.com. In addition, the conference call can be
accessed by dialing +1-866-713-8310 (U.S. and Canada callers) or
+1-617-597-5308 (international callers) and entering the passcode 11691912
approximately ten minutes prior to the call.

Following the conclusion of the presentation, a replay of the call will
be available through Friday, February 26, 2010 by dialing +1-888-286-8010
(U.S. and Canada callers) or +1-617-801-6888 (international callers) and
entering the passcode 80525762. In addition, the webcast will remain
available online through Friday, February 26, 2010 at www.awac.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In presenting the company's results, management has included and
discussed in this press release certain non generally accepted accounting
principles ("non-GAAP") financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G
as promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Management
believes that these non-GAAP measures, which may be defined differently by
other companies, better explain the company's results of operations in a
manner that allows for a more complete understanding of the underlying trends
in the company's business. However, these measures should not be viewed as a
substitute for those determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP").

"Operating income" is an internal performance measure used by the company
in the management of its operations and represents after-tax operational
results excluding, as applicable, net realized investment gains or losses,
net impairment charges recognized in earnings and net foreign exchange gain
or loss. The company excludes net realized investment gains or losses, net
impairment charges recognized in earnings and net foreign exchange gain or
loss from its calculation of operating income because the amount of these
gains or losses is heavily influenced by, and fluctuates in part according
to, the availability of market opportunities. The company believes these
amounts are largely independent of its business and underwriting process and
including them may distort the analysis of trends in its insurance and
reinsurance operations. In addition to presenting net income determined in
accordance with GAAP, the company believes that showing operating income
enables investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of its financial
information to more easily analyze the company's results of operations in a
manner similar to how management analyzes the company's underlying business
performance. Operating income should not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP
net income.

The company has included "diluted book value per share" because it takes
into account the effect of dilutive securities; therefore, the company
believes it is a better measure of calculating shareholder returns than book
value per share.

"Annualized net income return on average shareholders' equity" ("ROAE")
is calculated using average shareholders' equity, excluding the average after
tax unrealized gains (or losses) on investments. Unrealized gains (losses) on
investments are primarily the result of interest rate and risk premium
movements and the resultant impact on fixed income securities. Such gains
(losses) are not related to management actions or operational performance,
nor are they likely to be realized. Therefore, the company believes that
excluding these unrealized gains (losses) provides a more consistent and
useful measurement of operating performance, which supplements GAAP
information. In calculating ROAE, the net income (loss) available to
shareholders for the period is multiplied by the number of such periods in a
calendar year in order to arrive at annualized net income (loss) available to
shareholders. The company presents ROAE as a measure that is commonly
recognized as a standard of performance by investors, analysts, rating
agencies and other users of its financial information.

"Annualized operating return on average shareholders' equity" is
calculated using operating income (as defined above and annualized in the
manner described for net income (loss) available to shareholders under ROAE
above), and average shareholders' equity, excluding the average after tax
unrealized gains (losses) on investments. Unrealized gains (losses) are
excluded from equity for the reasons outlined in the annualized net income
return on average shareholders' equity explanation above.

Reconciliations of these financial measures to their most directly
comparable GAAP measures are included in the attached tables.

About Allied World Assurance Company

Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd, through its subsidiaries,
is a global provider of innovative property, casualty and specialty insurance
and reinsurance solutions, offering superior client service through offices
in Bermuda, Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States. Our insurance
and reinsurance subsidiaries are rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.
For further information on Allied World, please visit our website at
www.awac.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any forward-looking statements made in this press release reflect our
current views with respect to future events and financial performance and are
made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and
uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those
set forth in these statements. For example, our forward-looking statements
could be affected by pricing and policy term trends; increased competition;
the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war; greater frequency or
severity of unpredictable catastrophic events; investigations of market
practices and related settlement terms; negative rating agency actions; the
adequacy of our loss reserves; the company or its subsidiaries becoming
subject to significant income taxes in the United States or elsewhere;
changes in regulations or tax laws; changes in the availability, cost or
quality of reinsurance or retrocessional coverage; adverse general economic
conditions including those related to the ongoing financial crisis; and
judicial, legislative, political and other governmental developments, as well
as management's response to these factors, and other factors identified in
our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We are under no
obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or revise
any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time, whether as
a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and
    per share amounts)

                               Quarter Ended                 Year Ended
                                December 31,                 December 31,
                              2009        2008            2009         2008
                              ----        ----            ----         ----
    Revenues:
      Gross premiums
       written             $322,129    $310,945      $1,696,345   $1,445,584
      Premiums ceded        (88,435)    (84,442)       (375,220)    (338,356)
                            -------     -------        --------     --------

      Net premiums
       written              233,694     226,503       1,321,125    1,107,228
      Change in unearned
       premiums              96,787      76,481          (4,233)       9,677
                             ------      ------          ------        -----
      Net premiums earned   330,481     302,984       1,316,892    1,116,905

      Net investment
       income                73,252      82,583         300,675      308,775
      Net realized
       investment gains
       (losses)              37,796     (19,454)        126,352      (59,954)
      Net impairment
       charges recognized
       in earnings             (187)   (100,593)        (49,577)    (212,897)
      Other income              373         746           1,506          746
                                ---         ---           -----          ---
      Total revenue         441,715     266,266       1,695,848    1,153,575
                            -------     -------       ---------    ---------
    Expenses:
      Net losses and loss
       expenses             141,403     143,531         604,060      641,122
      Acquisition costs      38,126      30,849         148,847      112,569
      General and
       administrative
       expenses              72,212      55,405         248,592      185,850
      Amortization and
       impairment of
       intangible assets      7,856         710          11,051          710
      Interest expense        9,527      10,205          39,019       38,743
      Foreign exchange
       loss (gain)            1,408       1,230             748       (1,421)
                              -----       -----             ---       ------
      Total expenses        270,532     241,930       1,052,317      977,573
                            -------     -------       ---------      -------
    Income before
     income taxes           171,183      24,336         643,531      176,002
      Income tax expense
       (recovery)             9,928       4,484          36,644       (7,633)
                              -----       -----          ------       ------
    NET INCOME             $161,255     $19,852        $606,887     $183,635
                           ========     =======        ========     ========

    PER SHARE DATA:
      Basic earnings per
       share                  $3.25       $0.40          $12.26        $3.75
      Diluted earnings
       per share              $3.05       $0.39          $11.67        $3.59

      Weighted average
       common shares
       outstanding       49,662,575  49,028,249      49,503,438   48,936,912
      Weighted average
       common shares and
       common share
       equivalents
       outstanding       52,880,733  50,366,814       51,992,674   51,147,215

      Dividends declared
       per share               $0.20       $0.18           $0.74        $0.72
    ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and
    per share amounts)

                                                     As of         As of
                                                  December 31,   December 31,
    ASSETS:                                           2009          2008
                                                      ----          ----
    Fixed maturity investments
     available for sale, at fair value
     (amortized cost: 2009:
     $4,260,844; 2008: $5,872,031)                 $4,427,072     $6,032,029
    Fixed maturity investments
     trading, at fair value                         2,544,322              -
    Other invested assets trading, at
     fair value                                       184,869         69,902
    Other invested assets available
     for sale, at fair value
    (cost: 2009: nil; 2008: $89,229)                        -         55,199
                                                          ---         ------
    Total investments                               7,156,263      6,157,130
    Cash and cash equivalents                         379,751        706,267
    Securities lending collateral                           -        171,026
    Insurance balances receivable                     395,621        347,941
    Prepaid reinsurance                               186,610        192,582
    Reinsurance recoverable                           919,991        888,314
    Accrued investment income                          53,046         50,671
    Net deferred acquisition costs                     87,821         86,181
    Goodwill                                          268,376        268,532
    Intangible assets                                  60,359         71,410
    Net balances receivable on
     purchases and sales of
     investments                                          184         12,371
    Net deferred tax assets                            21,895         22,452
    Other assets                                       67,566         47,603
                                                       ------         ------
                          Total assets             $9,597,483     $9,022,480
                                                   ----------     ----------

    LIABILITIES:
    Reserve for losses and loss
     expenses                                      $4,761,772     $4,576,828
    Unearned premiums                                 928,619        930,358
    Reinsurance balances payable                      102,837         95,129
    Securities lending payable                              -        177,010
    Syndicated loan                                         -        243,750
    Senior notes                                      498,919        498,796
    Accounts payable and accrued
     liabilities                                       92,041         83,747
                                                       ------         ------
                     Total liabilities             $6,384,188     $6,605,618
                                                   ----------     ----------

    SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
    Common shares, par value $0.03 per
     share: issued and outstanding 2009:
     49,734,487; 2008: 49,036,159 shares               $1,492         $1,471
    Additional paid-in capital                      1,359,934      1,314,785
    Retained earnings                               1,702,020        994,974
    Accumulated other comprehensive
     income, net of tax                               149,849        105,632
                                                      -------        -------
            Total shareholders' equity             $3,213,295     $2,416,862
                                                   ----------     ----------

                 Total liabilities and
                  shareholders' equity             $9,597,483     $9,022,480
                                                   ==========     ==========
    ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD
    UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT DATA
    (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except for ratio
    information)

    Quarter Ended           U.S.     International
     December 31, 2009   Insurance     Insurance     Reinsurance  Total
    ------------------   ---------     ---------     -----------  -----

    Gross premiums
     written             $169,116       $130,272       $22,741  $322,129
    Net premiums
     written              123,155         87,827        22,712   233,694
    Net premiums
     earned               119,641         92,464       118,376   330,481
    Other income              373              -             -       373
    Net losses and
     loss expenses        (68,273)       (16,467)      (56,663) (141,403)
    Acquisition costs     (15,806)           501       (22,821)  (38,126)
    General and
     administrative
     expenses             (32,474)       (25,791)      (13,947)  (72,212)
                          -------        -------       -------   -------
    Underwriting income     3,461         50,707        24,945    79,113
    Net investment income                                         73,252
    Net realized
     investment gains                                             37,796
    Net impairment
     charges recognized
     in earnings                                                    (187)
    Amortization and
     impairment of
     intangible assets                                            (7,856)
    Interest expense                                              (9,527)
    Foreign exchange loss                                         (1,408)
                                                                  ------
    Income before
     income taxes                                               $171,183
                                                                ========

    GAAP Ratios:
    Loss and loss
     expense ratio           57.1%          17.8%         47.9%     42.8%
    Acquisition cost
     ratio                   13.2%         (0.5%)         19.3%     11.5%
    General and
     administrative
     expense ratio           27.1%          27.9%         11.8%     21.9%
                             ----           ----          ----      ----
    Combined ratio           97.4%          45.2%         79.0%     76.2%
                             ====           ====          ====      ====

    Quarter Ended            U.S.     International
     December 31, 2008    Insurance     Insurance     Reinsurance   Total
    ------------------    ---------     ---------     -----------   -----

    Gross premiums
     written               $153,671       $147,025       $10,249  $310,945
    Net premiums written    108,541        107,833        10,129   226,503
    Net premiums earned      86,060        115,434       101,490   302,984
    Other income                746              -             -       746
    Net losses and loss
     expenses               (34,572)       (47,136)      (61,823) (143,531)
    Acquisition costs        (9,363)        (1,525)      (19,961)  (30,849)
    General and
     administrative
     expenses               (27,359)       (16,399)      (11,647)  (55,405)
                            -------        -------       -------   -------
    Underwriting income      15,512         50,374         8,059    73,945
    Net investment income                                           82,583
    Net realized
     investment losses                                             (19,454)
    Net impairment
     charges recognized
     in earnings                                                  (100,593)
    Amortization and
     impairment of
     intangible assets                                                (710)
    Interest expense                                               (10,205)
    Foreign exchange loss                                           (1,230)
                                                                    ------
    Income before income
     taxes                                                         $24,336
                                                                   =======

    GAAP Ratios:
    Loss and loss
     expense ratio             40.2%          40.8%         60.9%     47.4%
    Acquisition cost ratio     10.9%           1.3%         19.7%     10.2%
    General and
     administrative
     expense ratio             31.8%          14.2%         11.5%     18.3%
                               ----           ----          ----      ----
    Combined ratio             82.9%          56.3%         92.1%     75.9%
                               ====           ====          ====      ====
    ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD
    UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT DATA
    (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except for ratio
    information)

    Year Ended            U.S.      International
     December 31, 2009  Insurance     Insurance    Reinsurance    Total
    ------------------  ---------     ---------    -----------    -----

    Gross premiums
     written            $674,826       $555,944      $465,575  $1,696,345
    Net premiums
     written             493,067        362,893       465,165   1,321,125
    Net premiums
     earned              447,491        413,170       456,231   1,316,892
    Other income           1,506              -             -       1,506
    Net losses and
     loss expenses      (211,363)      (158,062)     (234,635)   (604,060)
    Acquisition costs    (58,114)        (2,742)      (87,991)   (148,847)
    General and
     administrative
     expenses           (115,797)       (84,390)      (48,405)   (248,592)
                        --------        -------       -------    --------
    Underwriting income   63,723        167,976        85,200     316,899
    Net investment income                                         300,675
    Net realized
     investment gains                                             126,352
    Net impairment
     charges
     recognized in
     earnings                                                     (49,577)
    Amortization and
     impairment of
     intangible assets                                            (11,051)
    Interest expense                                              (39,019)
    Foreign exchange loss                                            (748)
                                                                     ----
    Income before
     income taxes                                                $643,531
                                                                 ========

    GAAP Ratios:
    Loss and loss
     expense ratio          47.2%          38.3%         51.4%       45.9%
    Acquisition cost ratio  13.0%           0.7%         19.3%       11.3%
    General and
     administrative
     expense ratio          25.9%          20.4%         10.6%       18.9%
                            ----           ----          ----        ----
    Combined ratio          86.1%          59.4%         81.3%       76.1%
                            ====           ====          ====        ====

    Year Ended December      U.S.     International
     31, 2008             Insurance     Insurance    Reinsurance    Total
    -------------------   ---------     ---------    -----------    -----

    Gross premiums
     written              $319,985       $695,459      $430,140  $1,445,584
    Net premiums
     written               212,978        465,869       428,381   1,107,228
    Net premiums earned    179,818        472,550       464,537   1,116,905
    Other income               746              -             -         746
    Net losses and loss
     expenses             (103,363)      (288,620)     (249,139)   (641,122)
    Acquisition costs      (17,832)        (3,774)      (90,963)   (112,569)
    General and
     administrative
     expenses              (66,810)       (75,490)      (43,550)   (185,850)
                           -------        -------       -------    --------
    Underwriting (loss)
     income                 (7,441)       104,666        80,885     178,110
    Net investment income                                           308,775
    Net realized
     investment losses                                              (59,954)
    Net impairment
     charges recognized
     in earnings                                                   (212,897)
    Amortization and
     impairment of
     intangible assets                                                 (710)
    Interest expense                                                (38,743)
    Foreign exchange gain                                             1,421
                                                                      -----
    Income before
     income taxes                                                  $176,002
                                                                   ========

    GAAP Ratios:
    Loss and loss
     expense ratio            57.5%          61.1%         53.6%       57.4%
    Acquisition cost ratio     9.9%           0.8%         19.6%       10.1%
    General and
     administrative
     expense ratio            37.2%          16.0%          9.4%       16.6%
                              ----           ----           ---        ----
    Combined ratio           104.6%          77.9%         82.6%       84.1%
                             =====           ====          ====        ====
    ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD
    UNAUDITED OPERATING INCOME RECONCILIATION
    (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and
    per share amounts)

                       Quarter Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
                          2009           2008         2009           2008
                          ----           ----         ----           ----

    Net income          $161,255       $19,852      $606,887       $183,635
      Net realized
       investment
       (gains) losses    (37,796)       19,454      (126,352)        59,954
      Net impairment
       charges
       recognized
       in earnings           187       100,593        49,577        212,897
      Impairment
       of intangible
       assets              6,866             -         6,866              -
      Foreign exchange
       loss (gain)         1,408         1,230           748         (1,421)
                           -----         -----           ---         ------
    Operating income    $131,920      $141,129      $537,726       $455,065
                        ========      ========      ========       ========

    Weighted average
     common shares
     outstanding:
    Basic             49,662,575    49,028,249    49,503,438     48,936,912
    Diluted           52,880,733    50,366,814    51,992,674     51,147,215

    Basic per
     share data:
    Net income             $3.25         $0.40        $12.26          $3.75
      Net realized
       investment
       (gains) losses      (0.76)         0.40         (2.55)          1.23
      Net impairment
       charges
       recognized
       in earnings             -          2.05          1.00           4.35
      Impairment
       of intangible
       assets               0.14             -          0.14              -
      Foreign exchange
       loss (gain)          0.03          0.03          0.01          (0.03)
                            ----          ----          ----          -----
    Operating income       $2.66         $2.88        $10.86          $9.30
                           =====         =====        ======          =====

    Diluted per share data
    Net income             $3.05         $0.39        $11.67          $3.59
      Net realized
       investment
       (gains) losses      (0.72)         0.39         (2.43)          1.17
      Net impairment
       charges
       recognized
       in earnings             -          2.00          0.96           4.16
      Impairment
       of intangible
       assets               0.13             -          0.13              -
      Foreign exchange
       loss (gain)          0.03          0.02          0.01          (0.02)
                            ----          ----          ----          -----
    Operating income       $2.49         $2.80        $10.34          $8.90
                           =====         =====        ======          =====
    ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD
    UNAUDITED  DILUTED BOOK VALUE PER SHARE RECONCILIATION
    (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and
    per share amounts)
                                             As of            As of
                                           December 31,    December 31,
                                              2009            2008
                                           ----------      ----------
    Price per share at period end             $46.07          $40.60

    Total shareholders' equity             3,213,295       2,416,862

    Basic common shares outstanding       49,734,487      49,036,159

    Add: unvested restricted share units     915,432         971,907

    Add:  Performance based equity awards  1,583,237       1,345,903

    Add:  dilutive options/warrants
     outstanding                           6,805,157       6,371,151
      Weighted average exercise price
       per share                               34.44           33.38
    Deduct: options bought back via
     treasury method                      (5,087,405)     (5,237,965)
                                          ----------      ----------

    Common shares and common share
    equivalents outstanding               53,950,908      52,487,155

    Basic book value per common share         $64.61          $49.29
    Diluted book value per common share       $59.56          $46.05

    ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD
    UNAUDITED ANNUALIZED RETURN ON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY RECONCILIATION
    (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except for
    percentage information)

                           Quarter Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
                              2009           2008       2009           2008
                              ----           ----        ----          ----

    Opening shareholders'
     equity               $3,078,894     $2,272,828   $2,416,862  $2,239,842
    Deduct/Add: accumulated
     other comprehensive
     (income) loss          (185,043)        19,775     (105,632)   (136,214)
                             --------         ------     --------    --------
    Adjusted opening
     shareholders' equity  2,893,851      2,292,603    2,311,230   2,103,628
    Closing shareholders'
     equity               $3,213,295     $2,416,862   $3,213,295  $2,416,862
    Deduct: accumulated other
     comprehensive income   (149,849)      (105,632)    (149,849)   (105,632)
                            --------       --------     --------    --------
    Adjusted closing
     shareholders' equity  3,063,446      2,311,230    3,063,446   2,311,230

    Average shareholders'
     equity               $2,978,649     $2,301,917   $2,687,338  $2,207,429
                          ==========     ==========   ==========  ==========

    Net  income available
     to shareholders        $161,255        $19,852     $606,887    $183,635
    Annualized net income
     available to
     shareholders            645,020         79,408      606,887     183,635

    Annualized return on
     average shareholders'
     equity -net income
     available to shareholders  21.7%           3.4%        22.6%        8.3%
                                ====            ===         ====         ===

    Operating income available
     to shareholders        $131,920       $141,129     $537,726    $455,065
    Annualized operating
     income available to
     shareholders            527,680        564,516      537,726     455,065

    Annualized return on
     average shareholders'
     equity - operating
     income available to
     shareholders               17.7%          24.5%        20.0%       20.6%
                                ====           ====         ====        ====

Media, Faye Cook, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, +1-441-278-5406, faye.cook at awac.com, or Investors, Keith J. Lennox, Investor Relations Officer, +1-646-794-0750, keith.lennox at awac.com

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