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8-K - FORM 8-K - NAVIGATORS GROUP INCc96959e8vk.htm
Exhibit 99.1
         
(N LOGO)
  The Navigators Group, Inc.
CORPORATE NEWS
   
Navigators Reports Fourth Quarter Earnings
New York — February 25, 2010 — The Navigators Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NAVG) reported net income of $6.1 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2009 compared to net income of $10.0 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2008.
The summary of results for the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:
                                 
                    Diluted earnings per share  
($ in millions, except per share amounts)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
                               
Net income
  $ 6.1     $ 10.0     $ 0.35     $ 0.59  
Less: Net realized gains / (losses) after-tax
    0.8       (16.1 )     0.05       (0.95 )
 
                       
Operating earnings (1)
  $ 5.3     $ 26.1     $ 0.30     $ 1.54  
 
                       
 
The results for the three months ended December 31, 2009 included after-tax net realized gains of $0.8 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, which included other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments of $0.1 million after-tax, or $0.01 per diluted share.
 
The results for the three months ended December 31, 2008 included after-tax net realized losses of $16.1 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, which included other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments of $15.5 million after-tax, or $0.91 per diluted share.
The summary of results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:
                                 
                    Diluted earnings per share  
($ in millions, except per share amounts)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
                               
Net income
  $ 63.2     $ 51.7     $ 3.65     $ 3.04  
Less: Net realized gains / (losses) after-tax
    (2.0 )     (24.9 )     (0.11 )     (1.46 )
 
                       
Operating earnings (1)
  $ 65.2     $ 76.6     $ 3.76     $ 4.50  
 
                       
 
The results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 included after-tax net realized losses of $2.0 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, which included other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments of $7.8 million after-tax, or $0.45 per diluted share.
 
The results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 included $19.1 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, for after-tax net losses from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. In addition, the results included after-tax net realized losses of $24.9 million, or $1.46 per diluted share, which included other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments of $24.1 million after-tax, or $1.42 per diluted share.
 
For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2009, book value per share decreased by 1% and increased by 16%, respectively, to $47.58.

 

 


 

News Release
February 25, 2010
Page 2
Gross written premiums and net written premiums for the three months ended December 31, 2009 were $251.7 million and $161.6 million, respectively, a decrease of 5.2% and an increase of 1.4% from the comparable 2008 periods. Gross written premiums and net written premiums for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 were $1,044.9 million and $701.3 million, respectively, a decrease of 3.7% and an increase of 6.0% from the comparable 2008 periods.
The combined loss and expense ratios for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2009 were 106.5% and 97.2%, respectively, compared to 88.9% and 93.8% for the comparable 2008 periods. The combined loss and expense ratio for the three months ended December 31, 2009 was negatively impacted by 5.7 loss ratio points due to unfavorable development in prior period loss reserves. The combined loss and expense ratio for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 was positively impacted by 1.3 loss ratio points due to favorable development in prior period loss reserves. The combined loss and expense ratios for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2008 included 0.8 and 4.3 loss and expense ratio points, respectively, due to the net losses from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Such net losses are inclusive of reinsurance recoveries and related costs for reinsurance reinstatement premiums.
Navigators’ Chief Executive Officer Stan Galanski commented, “In what was an increasingly competitive underwriting environment and challenging economy, we are pleased to have generated an underwriting profit and grown book value by 16% during 2009. In times like these, a company’s ability and willingness to exercise underwriting, balance sheet and capital management discipline are put to the test. We continue to emphasize underwriting and pricing integrity, which has slowed the development of several of our more recent growth initiatives. We would rather take the time to build these businesses properly and profitably than to ignore the potential consequences of rapid growth in a soft market.
Our strategy is to maintain a conservative balance sheet and a strong capital position. We continued to experience favorable development in 2009 on our prior accident reserves and have taken appropriate underwriting and reserving actions to address those lines of business that were adversely impacted by higher than expected large loss activity.”
During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2009, the Company repurchased 141,576 shares of its common stock for $6.8 million. The Company repurchased an additional 300,000 shares of its common stock for $13.0 million from January 1, 2010 through February 22, 2010.
Net investment income for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2009 was $19.0 million and $75.5 million, respectively, which were decreases of 3.4% and 1.4% from the comparable 2008 periods. The annualized pre-tax investment yields, excluding net realized gains and losses, were 3.7% and 3.8% for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2009, respectively, compared to 4.2% and 4.1% for the comparable 2008 periods. The effective tax rates on net investment income were 24.7% and 25.0% for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2009, respectively, compared to 25.3% and 25.7% for the comparable 2008 periods.
The Company’s investment portfolio mainly consists of fixed income securities with an average quality rating of “AA/Aa” as defined by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, respectively, and an average effective duration of 4.2 years at December 31, 2009. At December 31, 2009, net unrealized gains within our investment portfolio were $53.9 million, a decrease of $13.5 million compared to September 30, 2009. There were $1.3 million of net realized gains for the three months ended December 31, 2009.

 

 


 

News Release
February 25, 2010
Page 3
Consolidated cash flow from operations for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2009 was $(1.3) million and $103.9 million, respectively, compared to $28.9 million and $245.3 million for the comparable 2008 periods.
Stockholders’ equity was $801.5 million, or $47.58 per share, at December 31, 2009 compared to $689.3 million, or $40.89 per share, at December 31, 2008. The statutory surplus of Navigators Insurance Company was $645.8 million at December 31, 2009 compared to $581.2 million at December 31, 2008.
Effective in 2009, the Company has reclassified certain of its business lines which had no effect on the segment classifications of the Insurance Companies and Lloyd’s Operations. Underwriting data for prior periods has been reclassified to reflect these changes.
   
The offshore energy business, formerly included in the “Marine and Energy” businesses of the Insurance Companies and Lloyd’s Operations, is now included in the Insurance Companies’ and Lloyd’s “Property Casualty” businesses.
   
The marine lines within both the Insurance Company and Lloyd’s are now presented as “Marine” instead of “Marine and Energy,” since the energy business has now been reclassified to “Property Casualty.”
   
Engineering and construction, European Property and other run-off business, formerly included in the “Other” category of business within the Insurance Companies and Lloyd’s, are now included under “Property Casualty.”
   
The “Middle Markets” business, formerly broken out separately in the Insurance Companies, is now included in the Insurance Companies’ “Property Casualty” business.
     
(1)  
Operating earnings, or net income excluding net realized gains (losses) after-tax, is a non-GAAP financial measure that is a common performance measurement for insurance companies. We believe this presentation enhances the understanding of our results of operations by highlighting the underlying profitability of our insurance business.
The Company will hold a conference call on Friday, February 26, 2010 starting at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the 2009 fourth quarter results. The call will be available via live webcast on Navigators’ website (www.navg.com) by clicking on the Earnings Webcast link under “News & Events”.
To participate by telephone, the domestic dial-in number is (888) 679-8034 and the international dial-in is (617) 213-4847. The access code is 53869873. Participants may pre-register for the call at https://www.theconferencingservice.com/prereg/key.process?key=PFYLPDDAG. Pre-registrants will be issued a pin number to use when dialing into the live call that will provide quick access by bypassing the operator upon connection.
The Navigators Group, Inc. is an international specialty insurance holding company with insurance company operations, underwriting management companies, and operations at Lloyd’s of London. Headquartered in New York, Navigators has offices in major insurance centers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe.

 

 


 

News Release
February 25, 2010
Page 4
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Whenever used in this release, the words “estimate”, “expect”, “believe” or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are derived from information that we currently have and assumptions that we make. We cannot assure that results that we anticipate will be achieved, since results may differ materially because of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that we face. Please refer to Navigators’ most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a description of Navigators’ business and the important factors that may affect that business. Navigators undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.

 

 


 

News Release
Page 5
THE NAVIGATORS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Financial Highlights
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Twelve Months Ended        
    December 31,             December 31,        
Results of Operations   2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
 
       
Gross written premiums
  $ 251,739     $ 265,620       -5 %   $ 1,044,918     $ 1,084,922       -4 %
Net written premiums
    161,595       159,288       1 %     701,255       661,615       6 %
 
                                               
Revenues:
                                               
Net earned premiums
    177,278       171,493       3 %     683,363       643,976       6 %
Commission income
    (92 )     269     NM       87       1,005       -91 %
Net investment income
    19,003       19,663       -3 %     75,512       76,554       -1 %
Total other-than-temporary impairments
    (496 )     (23,885 )   NM       (29,265 )     (37,045 )     -21 %
Portion of loss recognized in Other comprehensive income (before tax)
    335           NM       17,388           NM  
 
                                       
Net other-than-temporary impairment loss recognized in earnings
    (161 )     (23,885 )   NM       (11,877 )     (37,045 )     -68 %
Net realized gains (losses)
    1,476       (846 )   NM       9,217       (1,254 )   NM  
Other income (expense)
    71       (472 )   NM       6,578       430     NM  
 
                                       
Total revenues
    197,575       166,222       19 %     762,880       683,666       12 %
 
                                       
 
                                               
Expenses:
                                               
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
    127,432       99,553       28 %     435,998       393,131       11 %
Commission expenses
    27,330       22,990       19 %     98,908       89,785       10 %
Other operating expenses
    34,099       29,554       15 %     132,671       123,148       8 %
Interest expense
    2,044       2,219       -8 %     8,455       8,871       -5 %
 
                                       
Total expenses
    190,905       154,316       24 %     676,032       614,935       10 %
 
                                       
 
                                               
Income before income taxes
    6,670       11,906       -44 %     86,848       68,731       26 %
 
                                               
Income tax expense
    594       1,886       -69 %     23,690       17,039       39 %
 
                                       
 
                                               
Net income
  $ 6,076     $ 10,020       -39 %   $ 63,158     $ 51,692       22 %
 
                                       
 
                                               
Per Share Data
                                               
Net income per common share:
                                               
Basic
  $ 0.36     $ 0.60       -40 %   $ 3.73     $ 3.08       21 %
Diluted
  $ 0.35     $ 0.59       -41 %   $ 3.65     $ 3.04       20 %
 
                                               
Average shares outstanding:
                                               
Basic
    16,955       16,801               16,935       16,802          
Diluted
    17,355       16,971               17,322       16,992          
 
                                               
Underwriting Ratios
                                               
Loss Ratio
    71.9 %     58.1 %             63.8 %     61.0 %        
Expense Ratio
    34.6 %     30.8 %             33.4 %     32.8 %        
 
                                       
Combined Ratio
    106.5 %     88.9 %             97.2 %     93.8 %        
                                                 
    Dec. 31,     Sept. 30,             Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,          
Balance Sheet Data   2009     2009             2009     2008          
Stockholders’ equity
  $ 801,519     $ 810,955       -1 %   $ 801,519     $ 689,317       16 %
Book value per share
  $ 47.58     $ 47.78       0 %   $ 47.58     $ 40.89       16 %

 

 


 

News Release
Page 6
THE NAVIGATORS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands, except par value)
                 
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2009     2008  
    (unaudited)        
ASSETS
Investments and cash:
               
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2009, $1,777,983; 2008, $1,664,755)
  $ 1,816,669     $ 1,643,772  
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: 2009, $47,376; 2008, $52,523)
    62,610       51,802  
Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value
    176,799       220,684  
Cash
    509       1,457  
 
           
Total investments and cash
    2,056,587       1,917,715  
 
           
 
               
Premiums receivable
    193,460       170,522  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
    162,344       188,874  
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
    76,505       67,227  
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
    807,352       853,793  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    56,575       47,618  
Accrued investment income
    17,438       17,411  
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    7,057       6,622  
Current income tax receivable, net
    4,854        
Deferred income tax, net
    31,222       54,736  
Other assets
    40,600       25,062  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  $ 3,453,994     $ 3,349,580  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
               
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 1,920,286     $ 1,853,664  
Unearned premiums
    475,171       480,665  
Reinsurance balances payable
    98,555       140,319  
Senior notes
    114,010       123,794  
Current income tax payable, net
          5,874  
Accounts payable and other liabilities
    44,453       55,947  
 
           
Total liabilities
    2,652,475       2,660,263  
 
           
 
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, $.10 par value, authorized 1,000,000 shares, none issued
           
Common stock, $.10 par value, authorized 50,000,000 shares, issued 17,212,814 shares for 2009 and 17,080,826 shares for 2008
    1,721       1,708  
Additional paid-in capital
    304,505       298,872  
Retained earnings
    469,934       406,776  
Treasury stock, at cost (366,330 shares for 2009 and 224,754 shares for 2008)
    (18,296 )     (11,540 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    43,655       (6,499 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    801,519       689,317  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 3,453,994     $ 3,349,580  
 
           

 

 


 

News Release
Page 7
THE NAVIGATORS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Comparative Premium Data
($ in thousands)
                                                 
    Three Months             Twelve Months        
    2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Gross Written Premiums:
                                               
Insurance Companies:
                                               
Marine
  $ 53,986     $ 58,878       -8 %   $ 241,438     $ 248,080       -3 %
Property Casualty
    80,158       94,009       -15 %     352,285       405,062       -13 %
Professional Liability
    35,264       37,618       -6 %     137,053       109,048       26 %
 
                                       
 
    169,408       190,505       -11 %     730,776       762,190       -4 %
 
                                               
Lloyd’s Operations:
                                               
Marine
    51,703       48,998       6 %     191,959       192,568       0 %
Property Casualty
    19,093       16,621       15 %     78,151       91,292       -14 %
Professional Liability
    11,535       9,496       21 %     44,032       38,872       13 %
 
                                       
 
    82,331       75,115       10 %     314,142       322,732       -3 %
 
                                       
Total
  $ 251,739     $ 265,620       -5 %   $ 1,044,918     $ 1,084,922       -4 %
 
                                       
                                                 
    Three Months             Twelve Months        
    2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Net Written Premiums:
                                               
Insurance Companies:
                                               
Marine
  $ 38,242     $ 35,130       9 %   $ 171,289     $ 147,569       16 %
Property Casualty
    43,987       57,794       -24 %     227,234       261,322       -13 %
Professional Liability
    19,970       21,139       -6 %     79,150       63,797       24 %
 
                                       
 
    102,199       114,063       -10 %     477,673       472,688       1 %
 
                                               
Lloyd’s Operations:
                                               
Marine
    42,286       33,161       28 %     156,153       132,788       18 %
Property Casualty
    11,316       6,588       72 %     45,097       32,735       38 %
Professional Liability
    5,794       5,476       6 %     22,332       23,404       -5 %
 
                                       
 
    59,396       45,225       31 %     223,582       188,927       18 %
 
                                       
Total
  $ 161,595     $ 159,288       1 %   $ 701,255     $ 661,615       6 %
 
                                       
                                                 
    Three Months             Twelve Months        
    2009     2008     Change     2009     2008     Change  
Net Earned Premiums:
                                               
Insurance Companies:
                                               
Marine
  $ 43,075     $ 38,350       12 %   $ 157,534     $ 132,005       19 %
Property Casualty
    57,283       68,582       -16 %     246,143       273,977       -10 %
Professional Liability
    19,446       14,239       37 %     75,444       57,316       32 %
 
                                       
 
    119,804       121,171       -1 %     479,121       463,298       3 %
 
                                               
Lloyd’s Operations:
                                               
Marine
    40,800       34,873       17 %     142,958       126,126       13 %
Property Casualty
    11,080       9,752       14 %     39,330       32,644       20 %
Professional Liability
    5,594       5,697       -2 %     21,954       21,908       0 %
 
                                       
 
    57,474       50,322       14 %     204,242       180,678       13 %
 
                                       
Total
  $ 177,278     $ 171,493       3 %   $ 683,363     $ 643,976       6 %
 
                                       

 

 


 

News Release
Page 8
THE NAVIGATORS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Segment Information
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2009
($ in thousands)
                                 
    Insurance     Lloyd’s              
    Companies     Operations     Corporate     Total  
Gross written premiums
  $ 169,408     $ 82,331     $     $ 251,739  
Net written premiums
    102,199       59,396             161,595  
 
                               
Net earned premiums
    119,804       57,474             177,278  
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
    (89,838 )     (37,594 )           (127,432 )
Commission expenses
    (16,575 )     (11,194 )     439       (27,330 )
Other operating expenses
    (26,141 )     (7,963 )           (34,104 )
Other income (expense)
    341       82       (439 )     (16 )
 
                       
 
                               
Underwriting profit (loss)
    (12,409 )     805             (11,604 )
 
                               
Investment income
    16,674       2,169       160       19,003  
Net realized gains (losses)
    1,520       (205 )           1,315  
Other operating expenses
                5       5  
Other income (expense)
                (5 )     (5 )
Interest expense
                (2,044 )     (2,044 )
 
                       
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
    5,785       2,769       (1,884 )     6,670  
 
                               
Income tax expense (benefit)
    142       1,112       (660 )     594  
 
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 5,643     $ 1,657     $ (1,224 )   $ 6,076  
 
                       
 
                               
Loss and loss expenses ratio
    75.0 %     65.4 %             71.9 %
Commission expense ratio
    13.8 %     19.5 %             15.4 %
Other operating expenses ratio (1)
    21.6 %     13.7 %             19.2 %
 
                         
Combined ratio
    110.4 %     98.6 %             106.5 %
 
                         
     
(1)  
The Other operating expenses ratio includes Other income (expense).

 

 


 

News Release
Page 9
THE NAVIGATORS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Segment Information
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2008
($ in thousands)
                                 
    Insurance     Lloyd’s              
    Companies     Operations     Corporate     Total  
Gross written premiums
  $ 190,505     $ 75,115     $     $ 265,620  
Net written premiums
    114,063       45,225             159,288  
 
                               
Net earned premiums
    121,171       50,322             171,493  
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
    (67,840 )     (31,713 )           (99,553 )
Commission expenses
    (14,258 )     (8,732 )           (22,990 )
Other operating expenses
    (22,795 )     (6,869 )     110       (29,554 )
Other income (expense)
    92       (185 )     (110 )     (203 )
 
                       
 
                               
Underwriting profit
    16,370       2,823             19,193  
 
                               
Investment income
    16,513       2,728       422       19,663  
Net realized gains (losses)
    (24,460 )     (271 )           (24,731 )
Interest expense
                (2,219 )     (2,219 )
 
                       
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
    8,423       5,280       (1,797 )     11,906  
 
                               
Income tax expense (benefit)
    634       1,881       (629 )     1,886  
 
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 7,789     $ 3,399     $ (1,168 )   $ 10,020  
 
                       
 
                               
Loss and loss expenses ratio
    56.0 %     63.0 %             58.1 %
Commission expense ratio
    11.8 %     17.4 %             13.4 %
Other operating expenses ratio (1)
    18.7 %     14.0 %             17.4 %
 
                         
Combined ratio
    86.5 %     94.4 %             88.9 %
 
                         
     
(1)  
The Other operating expenses ratio includes Other income (expense).

 

 


 

News Release
Page 10
THE NAVIGATORS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Segment Information
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2009
($ in thousands)
                                 
    Insurance     Lloyd’s              
    Companies     Operations     Corporate     Total  
Gross written premiums
  $ 730,776     $ 314,142     $     $ 1,044,918  
Net written premiums
    477,673       223,582             701,255  
 
                               
Net earned premiums
    479,121       204,242             683,363  
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
    (304,672 )     (131,326 )           (435,998 )
Commission expenses
    (61,949 )     (37,727 )     768       (98,908 )
Other operating expenses
    (104,801 )     (27,896 )           (132,697 )
Other income (expense)
    3,498       961       (768 )     3,691  
 
                       
 
                               
Underwriting profit
    11,197       8,254             19,451  
 
                               
Investment income
    65,717       9,229       566       75,512  
Net realized losses
    533       (3,193 )           (2,660 )
Other operating expenses
                26       26  
Other income (expense)
                2,974       2,974  
Interest expense
                (8,455 )     (8,455 )
 
                       
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
    77,447       14,290       (4,889 )     86,848  
 
                               
Income tax expense (benefit)
    19,819       5,582       (1,711 )     23,690  
 
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 57,628     $ 8,708     $ (3,178 )   $ 63,158  
 
                       
 
                               
Loss and loss expenses ratio
    63.6 %     64.3 %             63.8 %
Commission expense ratio
    12.9 %     18.5 %             14.5 %
Other operating expenses ratio (1)
    21.1 %     13.2 %             18.9 %
 
                         
Combined ratio
    97.6 %     96.0 %             97.2 %
 
                         
     
(1)  
The Other operating expenses ratio includes Other income (expense).

 

 


 

News Release
Page 11
THE NAVIGATORS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Segment Information
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2008
($ in thousands)
                                 
    Insurance     Lloyd’s              
    Companies     Operations     Corporate     Total  
Gross written premiums
  $ 762,190     $ 322,732     $     $ 1,084,922  
Net written premiums
    472,688       188,927             661,615  
 
                               
Net earned premiums
    463,298       180,678             643,976  
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
    (275,767 )     (117,364 )           (393,131 )
Commission expenses
    (55,752 )     (34,033 )           (89,785 )
Other operating expenses
    (92,297 )     (30,961 )     110       (123,148 )
Other income (expense)
    2,145       (600 )     (110 )     1,435  
 
                       
 
                               
Underwriting profit (loss)
    41,627       (2,280 )           39,347  
 
                               
Investment income
    63,544       11,655       1,355       76,554  
Net realized gains (losses)
    (37,822 )     (477 )           (38,299 )
Interest expense
                (8,871 )     (8,871 )
 
                       
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
    67,349       8,898       (7,516 )     68,731  
 
                               
Income tax expense (benefit)
    16,401       3,269       (2,631 )     17,039  
 
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 50,948     $ 5,629     $ (4,885 )   $ 51,692  
 
                       
 
                               
Loss and loss expenses ratio
    59.5 %     65.0 %             61.0 %
Commission expense ratio
    12.0 %     18.8 %             13.9 %
Other operating expenses ratio (1)
    19.5 %     17.5 %             18.9 %
 
                         
Combined ratio
    91.0 %     101.3 %             93.8 %
 
                         
     
(1)  
The Other operating expenses ratio includes Other income (expense).

 

 


 

News Release
Page 12
THE NAVIGATORS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Underwriting Results
($ in thousands)
                                                         
    Three Months Ended December 31, 2009  
    Net     Losses                    
    Earned     and LAE     Underwriting     Underwriting     Combined Ratio  
    Premiums     Incurred     Expenses     Gain(Loss)     Loss     Expense     Total  
Insurance Companies:
                                                       
Marine
  $ 43,075     $ 26,677     $ 14,998     $ 1,400       61.9 %     34.8 %     96.7 %
Property Casualty
    57,283       43,444       20,474       (6,635 )     75.8 %     35.7 %     111.5 %
Professional Liability
    19,446       19,717       6,903       (7,174 )     101.4 %     35.5 %     136.9 %
 
                                         
 
    119,804       89,838       42,375       (12,409 )     75.0 %     35.4 %     110.4 %
Lloyd’s Operations
    57,474       37,594       19,075       805       65.4 %     33.2 %     98.6 %
 
                                         
Total
  $ 177,278     $ 127,432     $ 61,450     $ (11,604 )     71.9 %     34.6 %     106.5 %
 
                                         
                                                         
    Three Months Ended December 31, 2008  
    Net     Losses                    
    Earned     and LAE     Underwriting     Underwriting     Combined Ratio  
    Premiums     Incurred     Expenses     Gain(Loss)     Loss     Expense     Total  
Insurance Companies:
                                                       
Marine
  $ 38,350     $ 25,891     $ 10,294     $ 2,165       67.5 %     26.8 %     94.3 %
Property Casualty
    68,582       33,027       21,559       13,996       48.2 %     31.4 %     79.6 %
Professional Liability
    14,239       8,922       5,108       209       62.7 %     35.9 %     98.6 %
 
                                         
 
    121,171       67,840       36,961       16,370       56.0 %     30.5 %     86.5 %
Lloyd’s Operations
    50,322       31,713       15,786       2,823       63.0 %     31.4 %     94.4 %
 
                                         
Total
  $ 171,493     $ 99,553     $ 52,747     $ 19,193       58.1 %     30.8 %     88.9 %
 
                                         
                                 
    Amounts     Loss Ratio  
    Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Net Incurred Loss Activity
                               
For the Three Months Ended:
                               
Insurance Companies:
                               
Loss and LAE payments
  $ 75,175     $ 56,373       62.8 %     46.5 %
Change in reserves
    14,663       11,467       12.2 %     9.5 %
 
                       
Net incurred loss and LAE
    89,838       67,840       75.0 %     56.0 %
 
                       
 
       
Lloyd’s Operations:
                               
Loss and LAE payments
    24,130       25,714       42.0 %     51.1 %
Change in reserves
    13,464       5,999       23.4 %     11.9 %
 
                       
Net incurred loss and LAE
    37,594       31,713       65.4 %     63.0 %
 
                       
 
                               
Total
                               
Loss and LAE payments
    99,305       82,087       56.0 %     47.9 %
Change in reserves
    28,127       17,466       15.9 %     10.2 %
 
                       
Net incurred loss and LAE
  $ 127,432     $ 99,553       71.9 %     58.1 %
 
                       
                                 
    Amounts     Loss Ratio Impact  
    Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Impact of Prior Years Reserves
                               
Favorable / (Unfavorable) Development
                               
For the Three Months Ended:
                               
Insurance Companies
  $ (10,164 )   $ 16,170       -8.5 %     13.3 %
Lloyd’s Operations
    9       2,296       0.0 %     4.6 %
 
                       
Total
  $ (10,155 )   $ 18,466       -5.7 %     10.8 %
 
                       

 

 


 

News Release
Page 13
THE NAVIGATORS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Underwriting Results
($ in thousands)
                                                         
    Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2009  
    Net     Losses                    
    Earned     and LAE     Underwriting     Underwriting     Combined Ratio  
    Premiums     Incurred     Expenses     Gain(Loss)     Loss     Expense     Total  
Insurance Companies:
                                                       
Marine
  $ 157,534     $ 109,916     $ 50,451     $ (2,833 )     69.8 %     32.0 %     101.8 %
Property Casualty
    246,143       123,775       86,116       36,252       50.3 %     35.0 %     85.3 %
Professional Liability
    75,444       70,981       26,685       (22,222 )     94.1 %     35.4 %     129.5 %
 
                                         
 
    479,121       304,672       163,252       11,197       63.6 %     34.0 %     97.6 %
Lloyd’s Operations
    204,242       131,326       64,662       8,254       64.3 %     31.7 %     96.0 %
 
                                         
Total
  $ 683,363     $ 435,998     $ 227,914     $ 19,451       63.8 %     33.4 %     97.2 %
 
                                         
                                                         
    Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2008  
    Net     Losses                    
    Earned     and LAE     Underwriting     Underwriting     Combined Ratio  
    Premiums     Incurred     Expenses     Gain(Loss)     Loss     Expense     Total  
Insurance Companies:
                                                       
Marine
  $ 132,005     $ 84,099     $ 38,184     $ 9,722       63.7 %     28.9 %     92.6 %
Property Casualty
    273,977       158,457       87,310       28,210       57.8 %     31.9 %     89.7 %
Professional Liability
    57,316       33,211       20,410       3,695       57.9 %     35.6 %     93.5 %
 
                                         
 
    463,298       275,767       145,904       41,627       59.5 %     31.5 %     91.0 %
Lloyd’s Operations
    180,678       117,364       65,594       (2,280 )     65.0 %     36.3 %     101.3 %
 
                                         
Total
  $ 643,976     $ 393,131     $ 211,498     $ 39,347       61.0 %     32.8 %     93.8 %
 
                                         
                                                         
    Effect of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike on the Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31, 2008  
Insurance Companies
  $ (7,214 )   $ 9,077     $     $ (16,291 )     8.7 %     1.4 %     10.1 %
Lloyd’s Operations
    (4,964 )     8,092             (13,056 )     6.1 %     1.0 %     7.1 %
 
                                         
Total
  $ (12,178 )   $ 17,169     $     $ (29,347 )     3.7 %     0.6 %     4.3 %
 
                                         
                                 
    Amounts     Loss Ratio  
    Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Net Incurred Loss Activity
                               
For the Twelve Months Ended:
                               
Insurance Companies:
                               
Loss and LAE payments
  $ 246,457     $ 162,389       51.4 %     35.1 %
Change in reserves
    58,215       113,378       12.2 %     24.4 %
 
                       
Net incurred loss and LAE
    304,672       275,767       63.6 %     59.5 %
 
                       
 
                               
Lloyd’s Operations:
                               
Loss and LAE payments
    76,478       78,175       37.4 %     43.3 %
Change in reserves
    54,848       39,189       26.9 %     21.7 %
 
                       
Net incurred loss and LAE
    131,326       117,364       64.3 %     65.0 %
 
                       
 
                               
Total
                               
Loss and LAE payments
    322,935       240,564       47.3 %     37.3 %
Change in reserves
    113,063       152,567       16.5 %     23.7 %
 
                       
Net incurred loss and LAE
  $ 435,998     $ 393,131       63.8 %     61.0 %
 
                       
                                 
    Amounts     Loss Ratio Impact  
    Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Impact of Prior Years Reserves
                               
Favorable / (Unfavorable) Development
                               
For the Twelve Months Ended:
                               
Insurance Companies
  $ 3,079     $ 41,922       0.6 %     9.0 %
Lloyd’s Operations
    5,862       8,824       2.9 %     4.9 %
 
                       
Total
  $ 8,941     $ 50,746       1.3 %     7.9 %
 
                       

 

 


 

News Release
Page 14
THE NAVIGATORS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Net Loss Data
($ in thousands)
                         
    Case     IBNR        
Net Loss Reserves, December 31, 2009   Reserves     Reserves     Total  
Insurance Companies:
                       
Marine
  $ 113,604     $ 100,042     $ 213,646  
Property Casualty
    134,427       351,985       486,412  
Professional Liability
    38,410       68,807       107,217  
 
                 
Total
    286,441       520,834       807,275  
 
                 
 
                       
Lloyd’s Operations:
                       
Marine
    107,800       101,851       209,651  
Property Casualty
    27,148       25,175       52,323  
Professional Liability
    7,442       36,243       43,685  
 
                 
Total
    142,390       163,269       305,659  
 
                 
 
                       
Total Net Loss Reserves
  $ 428,831     $ 684,103     $ 1,112,934  
 
                 
                         
    Case     IBNR        
Net Loss Reserves, December 31, 2008   Reserves     Reserves     Total  
Insurance Companies:
                       
Marine
  $ 96,244     $ 96,995     $ 193,239  
Property Casualty
    115,810       358,305       474,115  
Professional Liability
    22,913       58,793       81,706  
 
                 
Total
    234,967       514,093       749,060  
 
                 
 
                       
Lloyd’s Operations:
                       
Marine
    99,233       78,293       177,526  
Property Casualty
    26,218       16,386       42,604  
Professional Liability
    5,822       24,859       30,681  
 
                 
Total
    131,273       119,538       250,811  
 
                 
 
                       
Total Net Loss Reserves
  $ 366,240     $ 633,631     $ 999,871  
 
                 

 

 


 

News Release
Page 15
THE NAVIGATORS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Investment Data
December 31, 2009
($ in thousands)
At December 31, 2009, the average quality of the investment portfolio as rated by S&P and Moody’s was AA/Aa with an average duration of 4.2 years. We do not own any collateralized debt obligations (CDO’s), collateralized loan obligations (CLO’s) or asset backed commercial paper.
At December 31, 2009, we owned two asset-backed securities approximating $0.1 million with subprime mortgage exposures. The securities have an effective maturity of 3.1 years. In addition, we owned a total of five residential mortgage obligations approximating $1.5 million classified as Alt-A which is a credit category between prime and subprime. They have an effective maturity of 5.6 years. Such subprime and Alt-A categories are as defined by S&P. We are receiving principal and/or interest payments on all these securities and believe such amounts are fully collectible.
The following table sets forth our cash and investments at December 31, 2009:
                                         
            Gross     Gross     Cost or     OTTI  
    Fair     Unrealized     Unrealized     Amortized     Recognized  
December 31, 2009   Value     Gains     (Losses)     Cost     in OCI  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
                                       
Fixed maturities:
                                       
U.S. Government Treasury bonds, agency bonds and foreign government bonds
  $ 471,598     $ 7,397     $ (597 )   $ 464,798     $  
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
    676,699       25,044       (2,917 )     654,572        
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
                                       
Agency mortgage-backed securities
    283,578       12,607       (98 )     271,069        
Residential mortgage obligations
    31,071             (7,246 )     38,317       (5,723 )
Asset-backed securities
    16,469       612       (34 )     15,891       (23 )
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
    100,393       594       (5,028 )     104,827        
 
                             
Subtotal
    431,511       13,813       (12,406 )     430,104       (5,746 )
Corporate bonds
    236,861       9,111       (759 )     228,509        
 
                             
 
                                       
Total fixed maturities
    1,816,669       55,365       (16,679 )     1,777,983       (5,746 )
 
                                       
Equity securities — common stocks
    62,610       15,244       (10 )     47,376        
 
                                       
Cash
    509                   509        
 
                                       
Short-term investments
    176,799                   176,799        
 
                             
 
                                       
Total
  $ 2,056,587     $ 70,609     $ (16,689 )   $ 2,002,667     $ (5,746 )
 
                             

 

 


 

News Release
Page 16
The Navigators Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Investment Data
December 31, 2009
($ in thousands)
The following three tables set forth our agency mortgage-backed securities, residential mortgage obligations, and asset-backed securities by those issued by GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC and the quality category (prime, Alt-A and subprime) for all other such investments at December 31, 2009:
                                 
            Gross     Gross     Cost or  
    Fair     Unrealized     Unrealized     Amortized  
    Value     Gains     (Losses)     Cost  
Agency mortgage-backed securities:
                               
GNMA
  $ 44,351     $ 1,300     $ (53 )   $ 43,104  
FNMA
    173,785       8,716       (11 )     165,080  
FHLMC
    65,442       2,591       (34 )     62,885  
 
                       
Total
  $ 283,578     $ 12,607     $ (98 )   $ 271,069  
 
                       
                                 
            Gross     Gross     Cost or  
    Fair     Unrealized     Unrealized     Amortized  
    Value     Gains     (Losses)     Cost  
Residential mortgage obligations:
                               
Prime
  $ 29,565     $     $ (6,836 )   $ 36,401  
Alt-A
    1,506             (410 )     1,916  
Subprime
                       
 
                       
Total
  $ 31,071     $     $ (7,246 )   $ 38,317  
 
                       
                                 
            Gross     Gross     Cost or  
    Fair     Unrealized     Unrealized     Amortized  
    Value     Gains     (Losses)     Cost  
Asset-backed securities:
                               
Prime
  $ 16,323     $ 612     $ (10 )   $ 15,721  
Alt-A
                       
Subprime
    146             (24 )     170  
 
                       
Total
  $ 16,469     $ 612     $ (34 )   $ 15,891  
 
                       
     
Contact:
  Francis W. McDonnell
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(914) 933-6270
fmcdonnell@navg.com
www.navg.com