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8-K - FORM 8-K - UNICO AMERICAN CORPform8k1210.htm
 
 
EXHIBIT 99.1



NEWS RELEASE


CONTACT:  Lester A. Aaron
Chief Financial Officer
818-591-9800


UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION REPORTS
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2010 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Woodland Hills, CA, March 29, 2011 – Unico American Corporation (NASDAQ – “UNAM”) (“Unico,” the “Company”), announced today its consolidated financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2010.  For the three months ended December 31, 2010, revenues were $8.7 million and net income was $0.8 million ($0.14 diluted income per share) compared with revenues of $10.1 million and net income of $0.6 million ($0.11 diluted income per share) for the three months ended December 31, 2009.  For the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, revenues were $37.1 million and net income was $2.3 million ($0.44 diluted income per share) compared with revenue of $41.6 million and net income of $2.9 million ($0.53 diluted income per share) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009.

As of December 31, 2010, the Company had cash and investments (at amortized cost) of $129.8 million.  $123.3 million, or 95% of these investments were fixed maturity investments, and 78% of those fixed maturity investments were U.S. treasury securities.

Stockholders’ equity was $73.4 million as of December 31, 2010, or $13.75 per common share including unrealized after-tax investment gains of $2.3 million, compared to Stockholders’ equity of $73.3 million as of December 31, 2009, or $13.82 per common share including unrealized after-tax investment gains of $2.7 million.  The Company paid cash dividends to shareholders of $0.36 per share on December 29, 2010.
 
 
Headquartered in Woodland Hills, California, Unico is an insurance holding company that underwrites property and casualty insurance through its insurance company subsidiary; provides property, casualty, and health insurance through its agency subsidiaries; and through its other subsidiaries provides insurance premium financing and membership association services. Unico has conducted the majority of its operations through its subsidiary Crusader Insurance Company since 1985. For more information concerning Crusader Insurance Company, please visit the Crusader’s Web site at www.crusaderinsurance.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking. These statements, which may be identified by forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” ”expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” and “would,” involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially include underwriting actions not being effective, rate increases for coverages not being sufficient, premium rate adequacy relating to competition or regulation, actual versus estimated claim experience, regulatory changes or developments, unforeseen calamities, general market conditions, and the Company’s ability to introduce new profitable products.
 
Financial Tables Follow –
 
 
 
 

 
 
  UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands)

   
December 31
   
December 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
Investments
           
   Available for sale:
           
      Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: 
           
         December 31, 2010 $123,301; December 31, 2009 $128,441)
  $ 126,712     $ 132,595  
   Short-term investments, at cost
    6,466       9,158  
Total Investments
    133,178       141,753  
Cash
    45       119  
Accrued investment income
    691       764  
Premium and notes receivable, net
    4,364       4,365  
Reinsurance recoverable:
               
   Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses
    49       453  
   Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
    11,816       16,176  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    4,301       4,956  
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation)
    1,631       221  
Deferred income taxes
    1,060       633  
Other assets
    540       669  
Total Assets
  $ 157,675     $ 170,109  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
LIABILITIES
               
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 61,560     $ 71,585  
Unearned premium
    15,930       18,812  
Advance premium and premium deposits
    830       1,034  
Income taxes payable
    1       -  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
     6,000        5,363  
Total Liabilities
  $ 84,321     $ 96,794  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS'  EQUITY
               
Common stock, no par – authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and Outstanding
               
   shares 5,333,081 at December 31, 2010, and 5,306,204 at December 31, 2009
  $ 3,555     $ 3,437  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    2,251       2,742  
Retained earnings
    67,548       67,136  
Total Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 73,354     $ 73,315  
                 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  $ 157,675     $ 170,109  

 
 
 

 

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
 AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
($ in thousands, except per share)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
December 31
   
December 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
       
REVENUES
                       
Insurance Company Revenues
                       
  Premium earned
  $ 8,444     $ 9,866     $ 35,579     $ 40,051  
  Premium ceded
    1,770       2,326       7,427       9,276  
     Net premium earned
    6,674       7,540       28,152       30,775  
  Investment income
    805       946       3,490       4,325  
  Other income
    187       262       692       837  
     Total Insurance Company Revenues
    7,666       8,748       32,334       35,937  
                                 
Other Revenues from Insurance Operations
                               
  Gross commissions and fees
    1,035       1,229       4,492       5,301  
  Investment income
    -       -       3       1  
  Finance charges and fees earned
    40       90       277       369  
  Other income
    6       4       15       9  
     Total Revenues
    8,747       10,071       37,121       41,617  
                                 
EXPENSES
                               
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    4,086       5,193       18,470       19,546  
Policy acquisition costs
    1,747       1,842       7,283       7,612  
Salaries and employee benefits
    1,036       1,185       4,317       5,200  
Commissions to agents/brokers
    121       229       638       1,090  
Other operating expenses
    623       901       3,193       4,005  
     Total Expenses
    7,613       9,350       33,901       37,453  
                                 
     Income Before Taxes
    1,134       721       3,220       4,164  
Income tax provision
    376       125       891       1,237  
     Net Income
 
  $ 758     $ 596     $ 2,329     $ 2,927  
                                 
                                 
                                 
PER SHARE DATA:
                               
Basic
                               
    Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.14     $ 0.11     $ 0.44     $ 0.53  
    Weighted Average Shares
    5,319       5,394       5,313       5,507  
Diluted
                               
    Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.14     $ 0.11     $ 0.44     $ 0.53  
    Weighted Average Shares
    5,353       5,438       5,352       5,548  

 
 
 

 
 
UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
 AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
($ in thousands)

   
For the Twelve Months Ended
 
   
December 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
           
   Net Income
  $ 2,329     $ 2,927  
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operations
               
      Depreciation
    127       196  
      Bond amortization, net
    115       224  
      Tax benefit from disqualified incentive stock options
    (40 )     -  
   Changes in assets and liabilities
               
      Premium, notes and investment income receivable
    73       853  
      Reinsurance recoverable
    4,764       3,301  
      Deferred policy acquisition costs
    655       264  
      Other assets
    (62 )     129  
      Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
    (10,025 )     (7,069 )
      Unearned premium
    (2,882 )     (1,151 )
      Advance premium and premium deposits
    (204 )     (158 )
      Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    (794 )     (1,119 )
      Income taxes current/deferred
    58       (1,061 )
Net Cash (Used) by Operating Activities
    (5,886 )     (2,664 )
                 
Cash Flows from investing Activities
               
Purchase of fixed maturity investments
    (33,025 )     (36,074 )
Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity investments
    38,049       42,950  
Net decrease in short-term investments
    2,692       344  
Additions to property and equipment
    (105 )     (58 )
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities
    7,611       7,162  
                 
Cash Flows from financing Activities
               
Repurchase of common stock
    -       (2,448 )
Dividends paid to shareholders
    (1,917 )     (1,959 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    78       -  
Tax benefit from disqualified incentive stock options
    40       -  
Net Cash (Used) by Financing Activities
    (1,799 )     (4,407 )
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash
    (74 )     91  
Cash at beginning of period
    119       28  
Cash at End of Period
  $ 45     $ 119  
                 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest
    -       -  
Income taxes
  $ 834     $ 2,309  
                 
Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Investing Activities
               
      Acquisition of fixed assets
  $ 1,432       -