NOTE 22 FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair value is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is best evidenced by quoted bid or ask price, as appropriate, in an active market. Where bid or ask prices are not available, such as in an illiquid or inactive market, the closing price of the most recent transaction of that instrument subject to appropriate adjustments as required is used. Where quoted market prices are not available, the quoted prices of similar financial instruments or valuation models with observable market-based inputs are used to estimate the fair value. These valuation models may use multiple observable market inputs, including observable interest rates, foreign-exchange rates, index levels, credit spreads, equity prices, counterparty credit quality, corresponding market volatility levels and option volatilities. Minimal management judgment is required for fair values calculated using quoted market prices or observable market inputs for models. Greater subjectivity is required when making valuation adjustments for financial instruments in inactive markets or when using models where observable parameters do not exist. Also, the calculation of estimated fair value is based on market conditions at a specific point in time and may not be reflective of future fair values. For the Company's financial instruments carried at cost or amortized cost, the book value is not adjusted to reflect increases or decreases in fair value due to market fluctuations, including those due to interest rate changes, as it is the Company's intention to hold them until there is a recovery of fair value, which may be to maturity.

The Company employs a fair value hierarchy to categorize the inputs it uses in valuation techniques to measure the fair value. The following fair value hierarchy is used in selecting inputs, with the highest priority given to Level 1:

The Company classifies its investments in fixed maturities as available-for-sale and reports these investments at fair value. The Company's limited liability investment, at fair value, subordinated debt, contingent consideration and seller phantom equity awards are measured and reported at fair value.

Fixed maturities - Fair values of fixed maturities for which no active market exists are derived from quoted market prices of similar instruments or other third-party evidence. All classes of the Company’s fixed maturities, primarily consisting of investments in US. Treasury bills and government bonds; obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions; mortgage-backed securities; and corporate securities, are classified as Level 2. Level 2 is applied to valuations based upon quoted prices for similar assets in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are inactive; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

The Company engages a third-party vendor who utilizes third-party pricing sources and primarily employs a market approach to determine the fair values of our fixed maturities. The market approach includes primarily obtaining prices from independent third-party pricing services as well as, to a lesser extent, quotes from broker-dealers. Our third-party vendor also monitors market indicators, as well as industry and economic events, to ensure pricing is appropriate. All classes of our fixed maturities are valued using this technique. The Company has obtained an understanding of our third-party vendor’s valuation methodologies and inputs. Fair values obtained from our third-party vendor are not adjusted by the Company.

The following is a description of the significant inputs, by asset class, used by the third-party pricing services to determine the fair values of our fixed maturities included in Level 2:

Limited liability investment, at fair value - Limited liability investment, at fair value, include the underlying investments of Argo Holdings. Argo Holdings makes investments in limited liability companies and limited partnerships that hold investments in private operating companies.

The fair value of Argo Holdings' limited liability investments that hold investments in private operating companies is valued using a market approach including valuation multiples applied to corresponding performance metrics, such as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization; revenue; or net earnings. The selected valuation multiples were estimated using multiples provided by the investees and review of those multiples in light of investor updates, performance reports, financial statements and other relevant information. These investments are categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Subordinated debt - The fair value of the subordinated debt is calculated using a model based on significant market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party. These inputs include credit spread assumptions developed by a third-party and market observable swap rates. The subordinated debt is categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Contingent consideration - The consideration for the Company's acquisitions of Advanced Plumbing and Southside Plumbing includes future payments to the former owners that are contingent upon the achievement of certain targets over future reporting periods. Liabilities for contingent consideration are measured and reported at fair value and are included in other liabilities, noncurrent in the consolidated balance sheets.  Contingent consideration liabilities are revalued each reporting period. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities can result from changes to one or multiple inputs, including adjustments to the discount rates or changes in the assumed achievement or timing of any targets. Any changes in fair value are reported in the consolidated statements of operations. The contingent consideration liabilities are categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Seller phantom equity awards - In connection with the acquisition of Roundhouse, the Company granted phantom equity awards to the former owners.  The seller phantom equity awards are measured and reported at fair value and are included in other liabilities, noncurrent in the consolidated balance sheets. The seller phantom equity awards liability is measured and reported at fair value at the date of grant and is revalued each reporting period.  Changes in the fair value of the seller phantom equity awards can result from changes to one or multiple inputs, including adjustments to the discount rates or changes in Roundhouse performance. Any changes in fair value are reported in the consolidated statements of operations. The seller phantom equity awards liability is categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The balances of the Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 are as follows. 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the fair value of recurring Level 3 fair value measurements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2025:

The following table summarizes the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs utilized in determining fair values for the Company's financial assets and liabilities that are categorized as Level 3 at June 30, 2026:

The following table summarizes the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs utilized in determining fair values for the Company's financial assets and liabilities that are categorized as Level 3 at December 31, 2025:

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, including assets that are adjusted for observable price changes or written down to fair value as a result of an impairment. 

Indefinite-lived intangible assets are recorded at carrying value, and, if impaired, are adjusted to fair value using Level 3 inputs. Refer to Note 8, "Intangible Assets" for further information regarding the process of determining the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets and the impairment charges recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and  June 30, 2025.

As further discussed in Note 5, "Acquisitions and Disposal," the Company sold Trinity on May 8, 2026 and a portion of the sales proceeds were in the form of seller notes payable to the Company. The seller notes are non-interest bearing and are due May 8, 2036; however they could be paid off early at any time prior to May 8, 2036, for a discount, if certain conditions are met. The fair value of the seller notes associated with the sale of Trinity were determined to be Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy.  Repayment, default and change in control scenarios, probability weighting of those scenarios and discount rates ranging from 5.7%-6.6% were utilized in determining the fair value for this Level 3 measurement.  

Assets and Liabilities Not Carried at Fair Value 

The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximate fair values for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments and certain other assets and other liabilities because of their short-term nature. The fair values of the Company's bank loans, which are reported as debt in the consolidated balance sheets, are derived from quoted market prices of industrial bonds with similar maturities and are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The estimated fair value of bank loans was $52.1 million and $57.3 million as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.