e10vq
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   Quarterly report pursuant to section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Quarterly period ended March 31, 2007
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   95-2109453
     
(State or Other Jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)    
     
301 East Colorado Boulevard, Suite 300, Pasadena, California   91101-1901
 
(Address of Principal Executives Offices)   (Zip Code)
626/585-6700
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ     No o
     Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer o          Accelerated Filer þ          Non-Accelerated Filer o
     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
APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS
DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
Yes o     No o
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 7,119,807 as of April 30, 2007
 
 

 


 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
             
        Page(s)
Item 1.
  Financial Statements (unaudited)        
 
           
 
  Condensed consolidated balance sheet — March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006     4  
 
           
 
  Condensed consolidated statement of income and retained earnings — three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006     5  
 
           
 
  Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows — three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006     6  
 
           
 
  Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements   7-10
 
           
Item 2.
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   11-18
 
           
Item 3.
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.        
     Reference is made to Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk appearing on pages 34 and 35 of the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed by Wesco Financial Corporation (“Wesco”), for information on equity price risk and interest rate risk at Wesco. There have been no material changes through March 31, 2007.
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures.
          An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the management of Wesco, including Charles T. Munger (Chief Executive Officer) and Jeffrey L. Jacobson (Chief Financial Officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Wesco’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2006. 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, 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 Mr. Munger and Mr. Jacobson, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There have been no changes in Wesco’s internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the internal controls over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6.   Exhibits
     
31 (a) —
  Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (chief executive officer)
 
   
31 (b) —
  Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (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)

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WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    March 31,     Dec. 31,  
    2007     2006  
ASSETS
               
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,252,367     $ 1,257,351  
Investments — 
               
Securities with fixed maturities
    78,436       81,861  
Marketable equity securities
    1,020,549       1,040,550  
Rental furniture
    183,530       182,846  
Goodwill of acquired businesses
    266,607       266,607  
Other assets
    152,541       141,090  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 2,954,030     $ 2,970,305  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses — 
               
Affiliated business
  $ 31,232     $ 29,761  
Unaffiliated business
    49,824       48,549  
Unearned insurance premiums — 
               
Affiliated business
    13,176       14,062  
Unaffiliated business
    15,772       15,298  
Deferred furniture rental income and security deposits
    20,480       20,440  
Notes payable
    36,200       38,200  
Income taxes payable, principally deferred
    325,909       355,399  
Other liabilities
    54,113       48,258  
 
           
 
               
 
    546,706       569,967  
 
           
 
               
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital
    33,324       33,324  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    332,051       344,978  
Retained earnings
    2,041,949       2,022,036  
 
           
 
               
Total shareholders’ equity
    2,407,324       2,400,338  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 2,954,030     $ 2,970,305  
 
           
See notes beginning on page 7.

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WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
(Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2007     2006  
Revenues:
               
Furniture rentals
  $ 79,946     $ 78,704  
Sales and service revenues
    33,419       37,599  
Insurance premiums earned —
               
Affiliated business
    6,369       6,511  
Unaffiliated business
    7,521       8,698  
Dividend and interest income
    22,472       21,099  
Other
    954       939  
 
           
 
    150,681       153,550  
 
               
Costs and expenses:
               
Cost of products and services sold
    36,260       39,631  
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses — 
               
Affiliated business
    4,802       2,018  
Unaffiliated business
    2,094       6,429  
Insurance underwriting expenses — 
               
Affiliated business
    1,494       1,339  
Unaffiliated business
    2,582       2,620  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    69,526       65,285  
Interest expense
    563       587  
 
           
 
    117,321       117,909  
 
           
 
               
Income before income taxes
    33,360       35,641  
Income taxes
    10,777       12,226  
 
           
 
               
Net income
    22,583       23,415  
 
               
Retained earnings — beginning of period
    2,022,036       1,940,398  
Cash dividends declared and paid
    (2,670 )     (2,599 )
 
           
 
               
Retained earnings — end of period
  $ 2,041,949     $ 1,961,214  
 
           
 
               
Amounts per capital share based on 7,119,807 shares outstanding throughout each period:
               
Net income
  $ 3.17     $ 3.29  
 
           
Cash dividends
  $ .375     $ .365  
 
           
See notes beginning on page 7.

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WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2007     2006  
Cash flows from operating activities, net
  $ 6,056     $ 35,393  
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Maturities and redemptions of securities with fixed maturities
    44,627       6,147  
Purchases of equity securities
          (18,856 )
Purchases of securities with fixed maturities
    (41,113 )     (3,351 )
Purchases of rental furniture
    (20,802 )     (23,005 )
Sales of rental furniture
    16,317       18,580  
Additions to condominium construction in process
    (4,748 )     (2,072 )
Other, net
    (651 )     (303 )
 
           
 
               
Net cash flows from investing activities
    (6,370 )     (22,860 )
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net decrease in notes payable, principally line of credit
    (2,000 )     (500 )
Payment of cash dividends
    (2,670 )     (2,599 )
 
           
 
               
Net cash flows from financing activities
    (4,670 )     (3,099 )
 
           
 
               
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (4,984 )     9,434  
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of period
    1,257,351       1,194,113  
 
           
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents — end of period
  $ 1,252,367     $ 1,203,547  
 
           
 
               
Supplementary information:
               
Interest paid during period
  $ 553     $ 526  
Income taxes paid (recovered), net, during period
    31,959       (20 )
 
           
See notes beginning on page 7.

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WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands except for amounts per share)
(Unaudited)
Note 1.
          The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of which these notes are an integral part include the accounts of Wesco Financial Corporation (“Wesco”) and its subsidiaries. In management’s opinion, such statements reflect all adjustments (all of them of a normal recurring nature) necessary to a fair statement of interim results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
          Reference is made to the notes to Wesco’s consolidated financial statements appearing on pages 46 through 58 of its 2006 Form 10-K Annual Report for other information deemed generally applicable to the condensed consolidated financial statements. In particular, Wesco’s significant accounting policies and practices are set forth in Note 1 on pages 46 through 48.
          In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty of income tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns when it is more likely than not that an examination of a company’s tax returns will result in the assessment of additional taxes. FIN 48 requires the recognition in the financial statements of the impact of the tax position based on the technical merits of the position, as well as expanded disclosure, if applicable, in the notes to the company’s financial statements. In connection with the implementation of FIN 48, a company is required to adjust its opening retained earnings balance for the aggregate impact of the uncertain tax positions that existed as of that date. Wesco’s implementation of the provisions of FIN 48 as of the beginning of the 2007 had no material impact on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
          Consolidated Federal income tax returns have been examined by and settled with the Internal Revenue Service through 1998. Tax returns for the years 1999 through 2004 are under examination.
          Wesco’s management does not believe that any accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other applicable authorities that are required to be adopted after March 31, 2007 are likely to have a material effect on reported shareholders’ equity.
Note 2.
     The following table sets forth Wesco’s consolidated comprehensive income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006:
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2007     2006  
Net income
  $ 22,583     $ 23,415  
Increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation of investments, net of income tax effect of ($7,067) and $4,944
    (12,927 )     9,150  
 
           
Comprehensive income
  $ 9,656     $ 32,565  
 
           

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Note 3.
          Following is a summary of securities with fixed maturities:
                 
    March 31,     Dec. 31,  
    2007     2006  
Amortized cost
  $ 77,770     $ 81,243  
Gross unrealized gains
    686       633  
Gross unrealized losses
    (20 )     (15 )
 
           
Fair value
  $ 78,436     $ 81,861  
 
           
          Following is a summary of marketable equity securities (all common stocks):
                 
    March 31,     Dec. 31,  
    2007     2006  
Total cost
  $ 511,004     $ 511,004  
Gross unrealized gains
    509,545       529,546  
Gross unrealized losses
           
 
           
Fair value
  $ 1,020,549     $ 1,040,550  
 
           
 
               
Fair value:
               
The Procter & Gamble Company
  $ 451,878     $ 459,820  
The Coca-Cola Company
    345,869       347,670  
American Express Company
    109,591       117,888  
Other
    113,211       115,172  
 
           
Fair value
  $ 1,020,549     $ 1,040,550  
 
           
Note 4.
     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. In addition, PBP, Precision Steel, and other parties have been named in several civil lawsuits, including lawsuits by and on behalf of area residents, relating to this matter.
     Included in other liabilities on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet is $1,115 as of March 31, 2007, representing the remaining unpaid balance resulting from provisions previously recorded by PBP in the aggregate amount of $2,863 ($1,718, after taxes), representing the estimated share of its costs of remediation agreed to with governmental entities and other parties, and related expenses, as well as estimated costs and expenses associated with matters discussed below. Several of PBP’s and Precision Steel’s insurers have undertaken the cost of their defense and have agreed to indemnify them within the policy limits in connection with the matters, but have reserved their rights retroactively to decline coverage and receive reimbursement of amounts paid. To date, PBP has recovered $724 ($434, after taxes) from its insurers, for fees and costs it had advanced before the insurers agreed to undertake PBP’s defense in certain of the matters.
     PBP, Precision Steel, and other parties have been named in several civil lawsuits brought by and on behalf
Dollar amounts in thousands, except for amounts per share

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of area residents relating to this alleged contamination. Muniz v. Precision Brand Products, Inc., et al., filed in April 2004 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (the “Court”), is a class action alleging that PBP and the other defendants caused diminution in property values of nearby homes and put the residents at an increased risk of contracting cancer. The Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion to certify the class on liability issues, but not on damages. Late in 2006, the plaintiffs agreed, in arbitration, to a group settlement aggregating $15,750, following which each of the thirteen plaintiffs, including PBP, deposited $1,211 into an escrow account. After approval of the agreement by the Court, the funds were released to the plaintiffs. Following recent mediation among the defendants, $1,812 was allocated to PBP as its ultimate share of the settlement. PPB’s unpaid balance of $601 is expected to be paid in the near future. PBP is in process of negotiating with its various insurers, and is hopeful that it will ultimately collect the majority of the $1,812 from them.
     In Bendik v. Precision Brand Products, Inc. and Precision Steel Warehouse, Inc., filed in May 2003 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, the plaintiff claims that her exposure to contaminants allegedly released by PBP and Precision Steel caused her to contract cancer. The plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages of $12,500. PBP and Precision Steel have filed third party actions against a number of other companies who were or are located in the industrial park. Because settlement mediation and independent discussions were unsuccessful, and the first phase of sampling, recently undertaken, has provided inconclusive information as to the extent to which contamination from the industrial park may have migrated to the pumping wells that served the plaintiff’s home, expert discovery is proceeding. PBP is negotiating coverage matters with its insurers. Pote vs. Precision Brand Products, Inc. and Precision Steel Warehouse, Inc., filed in December 2004 in the same court as the Bendik matter, is a wrongful death action brought by the Estate of Ralph Pote against PBP and Precision Steel, and other companies who were or are located in the industrial park, alleging that the defendants released contaminants into the soil and groundwater and that exposure to such contaminants was ultimately responsible for the death of Mr. Pote. The case was recently settled in mediation for $1,250 against all defendants. PBP and Precision Steel are negotiating with their insurers, who thus far have offered to pay $63 of PBP’s and Precision Steel’s $77 share of the settlement.
     Management anticipates that additional provisions with respect to such remediation and related legal matters may be required in the future, and expects that the insurers will continue to provide defenses and reimbursement of some of the costs previously recorded. However, as of March 31, 2007, it was not possible to reasonably estimate the amount, if any, of additional loss or a range of losses that may be required in connection with these matters, or any related benefit from insurance indemnification. Although it is not expected that the ultimate impact of such future costs will be material in relation to Wesco’s shareholders’ equity, the effect on industrial segment and consolidated net income in any given period could be material.
Dollar amounts in thousands, except for amounts per share

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Note 5.
          Following is condensed consolidated financial information for Wesco, by business segment:
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2007     2006  
Insurance segment:
               
Revenues
  $ 36,083     $ 36,062  
Net income
    17,471       16,480  
Assets at end of period
    2,352,200       2,196,368  
 
           
 
               
Furniture rental segment:
               
Revenues
  $ 97,458     $ 98,618  
Net income
    4,716       6,051  
Assets at end of period
    248,201       256,477  
 
           
 
               
Industrial segment:
               
Revenues
  $ 15,907     $ 17,721  
Net income
    361       895  
Assets at end of period
    21,552       18,939  
 
           
 
               
Goodwill of acquired businesses (included in assets)
  $ 266,607     $ 266,607  
 
           
 
               
Other items unrelated to business segments:
               
Revenues
  $ 1,233     $ 1,149  
Net income (loss)
    35       (11 )
Assets at end of period
    65,470       46,866  
 
           
 
               
Consolidated totals:
               
Revenues
  $ 150,681     $ 153,550  
Net income
    22,583       23,415  
Assets at end of period
    2,954,030       2,785,257  
 
           
Dollar amounts in thousands, except for amounts per share

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WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
     Reference is made to Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations appearing on pages 22 through 36 of the Form 10-K Annual Report filed by Wesco Financial Corporation (“Wesco”) for the year 2006 for information deemed generally appropriate to an understanding of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The information set forth in the following paragraphs updates such discussion. Further, in reviewing the following paragraphs, attention is directed to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
OVERVIEW
Financial Condition
     Wesco continues to have a strong balance sheet at March 31, 2007, with relatively little debt and no hedging. Liquidity, which has traditionally been high, has been even higher than usual for the past several years due principally to sales, maturities and redemptions of fixed-maturity investments, and reinvestment of the proceeds in cash equivalents pending redeployment.
Results of Operations
          Consolidated after-tax earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 decreased by $0.8 million from those reported for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, due mainly to an increase in operating expenses incurred by the furniture rental business as the Company’s CORT Business Services Corporation subsidiary expands and redirects the marketing of its rental relocation services from targeting individuals to targeting corporate clients, partially offset by increased investment income earned by the insurance businesses.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
     Wesco’s shareholders’ equity at March 31, 2007 was approximately $2.41 billion ($338 per share), up from $2.40 billion ($337 per share) at December 31, 2006. Shareholders’ equity included $332.1 million at March 31, 2007, and $345.0 million at December 31, 2006, representing appreciation in market value of investments, which is credited directly to shareholders’ equity, net of taxes, without being reflected in earnings. Because unrealized appreciation is recorded using market quotations, gains or losses ultimately realized upon sale of investments could differ substantially from recorded unrealized appreciation.
     Wesco’s consolidated cash and cash equivalents, held principally by its insurance businesses, amounted to $1.25 billion at March 31, 2007, approximately unchanged from the $1.26 billion at December 31, 2006.
     Wesco’s consolidated borrowings totaled $36.2 million at March 31, 2007 versus $38.2 million at December 31, 2006. The decrease in borrowings related to a revolving credit facility used in the furniture rental business. In addition to the recorded debt, the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses of Wesco’s insurance businesses totaled $81.1 million at March 31, 2007, versus $78.3 million at December 31, 2006. In addition to this recorded debt, Wesco and its subsidiaries have operating lease and other contractual obligations which, at March 31, 2007, were essentially unchanged from the $147.4 million included in the table of off-balance sheet arrangements and contractual obligations appearing on page 32 of its Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2006.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
     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 results are evaluated without allocation of investment income.
     The condensed consolidated income statement appearing on page 5 has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Revenues, including realized net investment gains, if any, 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, if any, 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.)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2007     2006  
Insurance segment:
               
Underwriting
  $ 1,897     $ 1,822  
Investment income
    15,574       14,658  
Furniture rental segment
    4,716       6,051  
Industrial segment
    361       895  
Nonsegment items
    35       (11 )
 
           
 
               
Consolidated net income
  $ 22,583     $ 23,415  
 
           

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Insurance Segment
     The insurance segment is comprised of Wesco-Financial Insurance Company (“Wes-FIC”) and The Kansas Bankers Surety Company (“KBS”). Their operations are conducted or supervised by wholly owned subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (“Berkshire”), Wesco’s ultimate parent company. Following is a summary of the results of segment operations, which represents essentially the combination of underwriting results with dividend and interest income. (Amounts are in thousands.)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2007     2006  
Insurance premiums written — 
               
Reinsurance
  $ 6,920     $ 7,460  
Primary
    5,431       5,748  
 
           
Total
  $ 12,351     $ 13,208  
 
           
Insurance premiums earned — 
               
Reinsurance
  $ 9,069     $ 9,842  
Primary
    4,821       5,367  
 
           
Total
    13,890       15,209  
Insurance losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting expenses
    10,972       12,406  
Underwriting gain (loss), before income taxes — 
               
Reinsurance
    213       (452 )
Primary
    2,705       3,255  
 
           
Total
    2,918       2,803  
Income taxes
    1,021       981  
 
           
Underwriting gain
  $ 1,897     $ 1,822  
 
           
          At March 31, 2007, in-force reinsurance business consisted of the participation in three pools of aviation-related risks: hull and liability pools, each to the extent of 16.67%, and a workers’ compensation pool to the extent of 5%. In 2006, in-force reinsurance consisted of participation in the same pools of aviation-related risks, with the participation in the hull and liability pools at the 12.5% level. Wes-FIC’s reinsurance activities have fluctuated from period to period as participations in reinsurance contracts have become available both through insurance subsidiaries of Berkshire, and otherwise.
          The nature of Wes-FIC’s participation in the aviation-related reinsurance contracts requires that estimates be made not only as to losses and expenses incurred, but also as to premiums written, due to a time lag in reporting by the ceding pools. Wesco reported in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, that its insurance segment had written reinsurance premiums of $13.5 million for that quarter. In the Company’s Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2006, it was reported that management had determined that the written premium figure that had been reported for the first quarter had been based on an estimate which caused written premiums to be overstated by $6.1 million for that quarter. Inasmuch as underwriting gain is determined based on earned, not written, premiums, neither the accrual of written premiums as of the end of the first quarter, nor the adjustment, significantly affected underwriting results for the first or second quarters of 2006. Reinsurance premiums written for the first quarter of 2006, reflected in the above table, are lower by $6.1 million from the amount reported in the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.
     Reinsurance premiums written in the first quarter of 2007 decreased $0.5 million (7.2%) from the 2006 figure reported above. The decrease occurred in spite of the 33.3% increase in the percentage by which Wes-FIC currently participates in the hull and liability pools. As competition has intensified, the pools have continued to exercise underwriting discipline by not writing policies where pricing was deemed inadequate with respect to the risks assumed.
     Earned reinsurance premiums decreased $0.8 million (7.9%) for the first quarter of 2007 as compared with reinsurance premiums earned for the first quarter last year. The decrease is attributable principally to the reduction in volume of business written by the pools.

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     Reinsurance activities resulted in an underwriting gain of $0.2 million, before income taxes, for the first quarter of 2007, versus an underwriting loss of $0.5 million, before income taxes, for the first quarter of 2006. The improvement for the 2007 period was attributable principally to a decrease in unfavorable prior period loss development.
     Primary insurance premiums written for the first quarter of 2007 decreased by $0.3 million (5.5%) from those written for the first quarter of 2006. Earned primary insurance premiums decreased by $0.5 million (10.2%). The decreases were attributable principally to intensified price competition. KBS, like its parent companies, exercises discipline in its underwriting and does not write business when pricing is deemed inadequate with respect to the risks assumed.
     As mentioned above, 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 and 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.
     Underwriting results have fluctuated from period to period due not only to competitiveness of pricing in terms of premiums charged for risks assumed, but also to volatility of losses incurred. Underwriting results of Wesco’s insurance segment have generally been favorable. Combined ratios from reinsurance activities amounted to 97.6% for the first quarter of 2007, versus 104.6% for the first quarter of 2006. Combined ratios from primary insurance were 43.9% for the first quarter of 2007, versus 39.3% for the first quarter of 2006.
     It should be noted that the profitability of an 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 quarterly reporting period.
     Wesco’s insurers retain most of their business and cede modest amounts of business to reinsurers; consequently, underwriting results may be volatile. Instead of paying reinsurers to minimize risks associated with significant losses, management accepts volatility in underwriting results provided the prospects of long-term underwriting profitability remain favorable.
     Following is a summary of investment income produced by Wesco’s insurance segment (in thousands of dollars).
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2007     2006  
Investment income, before taxes
  $ 22,193     $ 21,005  
Income taxes
    6,619       6,347  
 
           
Investment income, after taxes
  $ 15,574     $ 14,658  
 
           

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     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). Pre-tax investment income for the first quarter of 2007 increased $1.2 million, or 5.7%, from the corresponding 2006 figure due principally to increased dividend income.
Furniture Rental Segment
     The furniture rental segment consists of CORT Business Services Corporation (“CORT”). Following is a summary of segment operating results. (Amounts are in thousands.)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2007     2006  
Revenues:
               
Furniture rentals
  $ 79,946     $ 78,704  
Furniture sales
    16,317       18,580  
Service fees
    1,195       1,334  
 
           
Total revenues
    97,458       98,618  
 
           
Cost of rentals, sales and fees
    23,021       25,326  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    66,422       62,216  
Interest expense
    563       587  
 
           
 
    90,006       88,129  
 
           
Income before income taxes
    7,452       10,489  
Income taxes
    2,736       4,438  
 
           
Segment net income
  $ 4,716     $ 6,051  
 
           
     Furniture rental revenues for the first quarter of 2007 increased $1.2 million (1.6%) from those of the first quarter of 2006. Excluding $11.2 million and $9.2 million of rental revenues from trade shows and locations not in operation throughout each year, rental revenues for the first quarter of 2007 decreased 1.1% from those of the 2006 quarter. The number of furniture leases outstanding at the end of the first quarter of 2007 was 3.1% lower than at the end of the first quarter of 2006. The decrease in the number of outstanding leases continues the trend that developed late in 2006, believed to be due principally to non-renewals of leases generated in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, increased interest rates and energy prices, and customer uncertainty as to future economic conditions. Despite the continued decline in the number of furniture leases outstanding, the furniture rental revenues have grown due mainly to an increase in tradeshow demand and improved pricing.
     Furniture sales revenues decreased 12.2% for the first quarter of 2007 from those reported for the year ago period. The decrease was attributed principally to the softening of the housing market.
     Service fees for the first quarter of 2007 decreased by $0.1 million (10.4%) from those reported for the first quarter of 2006. Service fee revenues have declined in recent years due principally to an effort to significantly reduce apartment locator related losses by reducing apartment locator costs. The decreases in service fee revenues have been more than offset by reductions in related costs and expenses. Traditionally, the furniture segment has concentrated the marketing efforts of its relocation services towards individual residential customers. Recently, CORT began a new initiative to expand the variety of its relocation services, and it redirected the thrust of this specialty towards providing this full slate of services to corporate relocation

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departments for their relocating employees in need of temporary or longer-term housing.
     Cost of rentals, sales and fees amounted to 23.6% of revenues for the first quarter of 2007 versus 25.7% for the comparable 2006 period. The decrease in costs as a percentage of revenues is due principally to a shift in revenue mix, with a larger percentage of revenue coming from furniture rental, which has a higher margin than furniture sales.
     Selling, general, administrative and interest expenses (“operating expenses”) for the segment were $67.0 million for the first quarter of 2007, up 6.7% from the $62.8 million incurred in the first quarter of 2006. The increase in operating expenses was due principally to an increase in personnel devoted to the relocation service, and related expenses. Management is hopeful that the recent expansion of facilities and personnel devoted to the relocation service will result in profitable revenue growth.
     Operating expenses as a percentage of revenues increased from 63.7% for the first quarter of 2006 to 68.7% for the 2007 period due principally to the increase in personnel and related expenses and the softness in revenues.
     Segment net income for the first quarter of 2007 decreased to $4.7 million from $6.1 million in the first quarter of 2006. The $1.4 million (23.0%) decrease was principally attributable to the significant increase in personnel-related expenses, offset somewhat by the change in revenue mix.
Industrial Segment
     Following is a summary of the results of operations of the industrial segment, which consists of the businesses of Precision Steel Warehouse, Inc. and its subsidiaries. (Amounts are in thousands.)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2007     2006  
Revenues
  $ 15,907     $ 17,721  
 
           
Income before income taxes
  $ 598     $ 1,350  
Income taxes
    237       455  
 
           
Segment net income
  $ 361     $ 895  
 
           
     Reference is made to pages 29 and 30 of Wesco’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K for information about Wesco’s industrial segment, including the challenges affecting the domestic steel service industry since approximately 2000.
     Industrial segment revenues for the first quarter of 2007 decreased $1.8 million (10.2%) from those of the first quarter of 2006. Of the decrease in revenues, $0.9 million was attributable to the absence in the current year of an extraordinarily large sale of toolroom supplies to a single customer by Precision Steel’s Precision Brand Products subsidiary, as occurred in the first quarter of 2006. Excluding that transaction, industrial segment revenues for the current quarter decreased $0.9 million (5.1%) from those of the first quarter of 2006. The decrease resulted from a 20.9% reduction in volume of pounds sold. Had it not been for continuing increases in average selling prices per pound and a change in the mix of products sold, revenues for the current period would have decreased more significantly.

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     Income before income taxes of the industrial segment for the first quarter of 2007 decreased $0.8 million (55.7%) from that of the first quarter of 2006; segment net income decreased $0.5 million (59.7%). The decreases in these figures for the 2007 period resulted principally from the decrease in the gross profit as a percentage of revenues, from 19.1% for the first quarter of 2006, to 16.8% for the corresponding quarter of 2007, as well as the decrease in revenues.
     As explained in Note 4 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, Precision Steel and a subsidiary are involved in an environmental matter, the ultimate cost of which is not possible to estimate.
*     *     *     *     *
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
     Reference is made to page 32 of Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the Form 10-K Annual Report filed by Wesco for the year ended December 31, 2006, for a table summarizing the contractual obligations associated with ongoing business activities of Wesco and its subsidiaries, some of which are off-balance sheet, and involve cash payments in periods after yearend 2006. At March 31, 2007, there have been no material changes in contractual obligations, including off-balance sheet arrangements, of Wesco or its subsidiaries from those reported as of December 31, 2006.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES
     Reference is made to pages 32 to 34 of Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the Form 10-K Annual Report filed by Wesco for the year ended December 31, 2006 for the accounting policies and practices considered by Wesco’s management to be critical to its determination of consolidated financial position and results of operations, as well as to Note 1 to Wesco’s consolidated financial statements appearing on pages 46 through 48 thereof for a description of the significant policies and practices followed by Wesco (including those deemed critical) in preparing its consolidated financial statements. There have been no changes in significant policies and practices through March 31, 2007.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
     Certain representations of management stated in this 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

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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, changes in market prices of Wesco’s significant equity investments, 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.
SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  WESCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
 
Date: May 7, 2007            By:     /s/ Jeffrey L. Jacobson    
      Jeffrey L. Jacobson   
      Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)   
 

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