UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 13G UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. 1)* AXIS CAPITAL HOLDINGS LIMITED (NAME OF ISSUER) COMMON STOCK (TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES) G0692 4 10 9 (CUSIP NUMBER) December 31, 2004 (DATE OF EVENT WHICH REQUIRES FILING OF THIS STATEMENT) Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed: [ ] Rule 13d-1(b) [ ] Rule 13d-1(c) [X] Rule 13d-1(d) *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). PAGE 1 OF 15 ---------------------------- -------------------------- CUSIP NO. G0692 4 10 9 13G PAGE 2 OF 15 PAGES ---------------------------- -------------------------- --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Name of Reporting Person: Blackstone Management Associates (Cayman) III L.P. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only): --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) [ ] (b) [X] --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC Use Only --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Citizenship or Place of Organization: Cayman Islands --------------------------- ------ --------------------------------------------- 5. Sole Voting Power: 11,580,077 NUMBER OF ------ --------------------------------------------- SHARES 6. Shared Voting Power: 0 BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ------ --------------------------------------------- REPORTING 7. Sole Dispositive Power: 11,580,077 PERSON WITH ------ --------------------------------------------- 8. Shared Dispositive Power: 0 --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 11,580,077 --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) [ ] --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9): 7.5% --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions): oo --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 2 of 15 ---------------------------- -------------------------- CUSIP NO. G0692 4 10 9 13G PAGE 3 OF 15 PAGES ---------------------------- -------------------------- --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Name of Reporting Person: Blackstone FI Capital Partners (Cayman) L.P. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only): --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) [ ] (b) [X] --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC Use Only --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Citizenship or Place of Organization: Cayman Islands --------------------------- ------ --------------------------------------------- 5. Sole Voting Power: 9,352,918 NUMBER OF ------ --------------------------------------------- SHARES 6. Shared Voting Power: 0 BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ------ --------------------------------------------- REPORTING 7. Sole Dispositive Power: 9,352,918 PERSON WITH ------ --------------------------------------------- 8. Shared Dispositive Power: 0 --------------------------- ------ --------------------------------------------- 9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 9,352,918 --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) [ ] --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9): 6.0% --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions): PN --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 3 of 15 ---------------------------- -------------------------- CUSIP NO. G0692 4 10 9 13G PAGE 4 OF 15 PAGES ---------------------------- -------------------------- --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Name of Reporting Person: Blackstone FI Offshore Capital Partners (Cayman) L.P. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only): --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) [ ] (b) [X] --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC Use Only --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Citizenship or Place of Organization: Cayman Islands --------------------------- ------ --------------------------------------------- 5. Sole Voting Power: 1,821,859 NUMBER OF ------ --------------------------------------------- SHARES 6. Shared Voting Power: 0 BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ------ --------------------------------------------- REPORTING 7. Sole Dispositive Power: 1,821,859 PERSON WITH ------ --------------------------------------------- 8. Shared Dispositive Power: 0 --------------------------- ------ --------------------------------------------- 9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 1,821,859 --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) [ ] --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9): 1.2% --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions): PN --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 4 of 15 ---------------------------- -------------------------- CUSIP NO. G0692 4 10 9 13G PAGE 5 OF 15 PAGES ---------------------------- -------------------------- --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Name of Reporting Person: Blackstone Family Investment Partnership (Cayman) III L.P. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only): --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) [ ] (b) [X] --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC Use Only --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Citizenship or Place of Organization: Cayman Islands --------------------------- ------ --------------------------------------------- 5. Sole Voting Power: 405,300 NUMBER OF ------ --------------------------------------------- SHARES 6. Shared Voting Power: 0 BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ------ --------------------------------------------- REPORTING 7. Sole Dispositive Power: 405,300 PERSON WITH ------ --------------------------------------------- 8. Shared Dispositive Power: 0 --------------------------- ------ --------------------------------------------- 9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 405,300 --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) [ ] --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9): 0.3% --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions): PN --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 5 of 15 ---------------------------- -------------------------- CUSIP NO. G0692 4 10 9 13G PAGE 6 OF 15 PAGES ---------------------------- -------------------------- --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Name of Reporting Person: Peter G. Peterson I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only): --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) [ ] (b) [X] --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC Use Only --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Citizenship or Place of Organization: United States --------------------------- ------ --------------------------------------------- 5. Sole Voting Power: 11,580,077 NUMBER OF ------ --------------------------------------------- SHARES 6. Shared Voting Power: 0 BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ------ --------------------------------------------- REPORTING 7. Sole Dispositive Power: 11,580,077 PERSON WITH ------ --------------------------------------------- 8. Shared Dispositive Power: 0 --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 11,580,077 --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) [ ] --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9): 7.5% --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions): IN --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 6 of 15 ---------------------------- -------------------------- CUSIP NO. G0692 4 10 9 13G PAGE 7 OF 15 PAGES ---------------------------- -------------------------- --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Name of Reporting Person: Stephen A. Schwarzman I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only): --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) [ ] (b) [X] --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC Use Only --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Citizenship or Place of Organization: United States --------------------------- ------ --------------------------------------------- 5. Sole Voting Power: 11,580,077 NUMBER OF ------ --------------------------------------------- SHARES 6. Shared Voting Power: 0 BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ------ --------------------------------------------- REPORTING 7. Sole Dispositive Power: 11,580,077 PERSON WITH ------ --------------------------------------------- 8. Shared Dispositive Power: 0 --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 11,580,077 --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) [ ] --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9): 7.5% --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions): IN --------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 7 of 15 PAGE 8 OF 15 ITEM 1(a). NAME OF ISSUER: Axis Capital Holdings Limited ITEM 1(b). ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES: 106 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, Prembroke, Bermuda ITEM 2(a). NAME OF PERSON FILING: Blackstone Management Associates (Cayman) III L.P. Blackstone FI Capital Partners (Cayman) L.P. Blackstone FI Offshore Capital Partners (Cayman) L.P. Blackstone Family Investment Partnership (Cayman) III L.P. Peter G. Peterson Stephen A. Schwarzman ITEM 2(b). ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE OR, IF NONE, RESIDENCE: Blackstone Management Associates (Cayman) III L.P. c/o Walkers SPV Limited Walker House P.O. Box 908 GT Georgetown Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Peter G. Peterson Stephen A. Schwarzman c/o The Blackstone Group 345 Park Avenue New York, NY 10154 ITEM 2(c). CITIZENSHIP: Blackstone Management Associates (Cayman) III L.P. - Cayman Islands Blackstone FI Capital Partners (Cayman) L.P. - Cayman Islands Blackstone FI Offshore Capital Partners (Cayman) L.P. - Cayman Islands Blackstone Family Investment Partnership (Cayman) III L.P. - Cayman Islands Peter G. Peterson - United States Stephen A. Schwarzman - United States ITEM 2(d). TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES: Common Shares, par value $0.01 ITEM 2(e). CUSIP NUMBER: G0692 4 10 9 ITEM 3. IF THIS STATEMENT IS FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 13D-1(B), OR 13D-2(B) OR (C), CHECK WHETHER THE PERSON FILING IS A: (a) [ ] Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Exchange Act. (b) [ ] Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act. (c) [ ] Insurance company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Exchange Act. (d) [ ] Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act. (e) [ ] An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E); (f) [ ] An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F); (g) [ ] A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G); (h) [ ] A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act; (i) [ ] A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act; (j) [ ] Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J); PAGE 9 OF 15 ITEM 4. OWNERSHIP. (a) Amount beneficially owned: Blackstone FI Capital Partners (Cayman) L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership ("BCP FI") is the record holder of 9,352,918 shares of the identified class of securities, Blackstone FI Offshore Capital Partners (Cayman) L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership ("BCP FI Offshore") is the record holder of 1,821,859 shares of the identified class of securities and Blackstone Family Investment Partnership (Cayman) III L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership ("BFIP III") is the record holder of 405,300 shares of the identified class of securities. As the sole general partner of each of BCP FI and BFIP III and the sole investment general partner of BCP FI Offshore, Blackstone Management Associates (Cayman) III L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership ("BMA III") may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 11,580,077 shares of the identified securities. However, BMA III disclaims that it is a beneficial owner of such securities, except to the extent of its pecuniary interest in such securities. Messrs. Peter G. Peterson and Stephen A. Schwarzman are the founding members of BMA III (the "Founding Members") and have the shared power to vote or to direct the vote of, and to dispose or to direct the disposition of, the shares of the identified class of securities that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by BMA III. As a result, the Founding Members may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of the identified class of securities that BMA III may be deemed to beneficially own, but they disclaim any such beneficial ownership except to the extent of their individual pecuniary interest in such securities. (b) Percent of class: See item 11 of each cover page, which is based on Item 5 of each cover page. (c) Number of shares as to which the person has; (i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: See Item 5 of each cover page. (ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: See Item 6 of each cover page. (iii) Sole Power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: See Item 7 of each cover page. (iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: See Item 8 of each cover page. ITEM 5. OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following ITEM 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON. See Item 4(a) above. ITEM 7. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY. Not applicable. ITEM 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP. BMA III is the sole general partner of BCP FI and BFIP III and the sole investment general partner of BCP FI Offshore and therefore may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the securities held by such limited partnerships. However, BMA III disclaims that it is a beneficial owner of such securities, except to the extent of its pecuniary interest in such securities. BCP FI, BFIP III and BCP FI Offshore may be deemed to be a group in relation to their respective investments in Axis Capital Holdings Limited The Founding Members may be deemed to be a group in relation to their shared power to vote or to direct the vote of, and to dispose or to direct the disposition of, the securities held, through BMA III, by BCP FI, BFIP III and BCP FI Offshore, , but they disclaim any such beneficial ownership except to the extent of their individual pecuniary interest in such securities. ITEM 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP. Not applicable. ITEM 10. CERTIFICATIONS. Not applicable. SIGNATURE After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. BLACKSTONE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES (CAYMAN) III L.P. By: Blackstone LR Associates (Cayman) III LDC, its general partner By: /s/ Robert L. Friedman ---------------------------------------- Name: Robert L. Friedman Title: Authorized Signatory Dated: January 27, 2005 PAGE 10 OF 15 SIGNATURE After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. BLACKSTONE FI CAPITAL PARTNERS (CAYMAN) L.P. By: Blackstone LR Associates (Cayman) III LDC, the general partner of its sole general partner By: /s/ Robert L. Friedman ---------------------------------------- Name: Robert L. Friedman Title: Authorized Signatory Dated: January 27, 2005 PAGE 11 OF 15 SIGNATURE After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. BLACKSTONE FI OFFSHORE CAPITAL PARTNERS (CAYMAN) L.P. By: Blackstone LR Associates (Cayman) III LDC, the general partner of its sole investment general partner By: /s/ Robert L. Friedman ---------------------------------------- Name: Robert L. Friedman Title: Authorized Signatory Dated: January 27, 2005 PAGE 12 OF 15 SIGNATURE After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. BLACKSTONE FAMILY INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP (CAYMAN) III L.P. By: Blackstone LR Associates (Cayman) III LDC, the general partner of its sole general partner By: /s/ Robert L. Friedman ---------------------------------------- Name: Robert L. Friedman Title: Authorized Signatory Dated: January 27, 2005 PAGE 13 OF 15 SIGNATURE After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. /s/ Peter G. Peterson --------------------------------- PETER G. PETERSON Dated: January 27, 2005 PAGE 14 OF 15 SIGNATURE After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. /s/ Stephen A. Schwarzman ---------------------------------------- STEPHEN A. SCHWARZMAN Dated: January 27, 2005 PAGE 15 OF 15