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8-K - EVEREST RE GROUP 2Q2011 - EVEREST RE GROUP LTDgroup8k2q11.htm
 
 
 
 
 
NEWS RELEASE
 
 
EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
Wessex House, 45 Reid Street, 2nd Floor, Hamilton HM DX, Bermuda
 


Contact:  Elizabeth B. Farrell
Vice President, Investor Relations
Everest Global Services, Inc.
908.604.3169

For Immediate Release

Everest Re Group Reports Second Quarter 2011 Earnings

HAMILTON, Bermuda – July 27, 2011 -- Everest Re Group, Ltd. (NYSE: RE) reported second quarter 2011 after-tax operating income1, which excludes net realized capital gains and losses, of $134.0 million, or $2.46 per diluted common share, compared to after-tax operating income1 of $184.8 million, or $3.18 per diluted common share, in the second quarter of 2010. Net income, including net realized capital gains and losses, was $131.3 million, or $2.41 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2011 compared to $156.7 million, or $2.70 per diluted common share, for the same period last year.

For the six months ended June 30, 2011, the after-tax operating loss1 was $189.6 million, or $3.49 per common share, compared to after-tax operating income of $111.0 million or $1.89 per diluted common share, for the first six months of 2010. Including net realized capital gains and losses, the net loss was $184.6 million, or $3.40 per common share, for the first six months of 2011, compared to net income of $134.0 million, or $2.28 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2010.

Commenting on the Company’s results, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph V. Taranto said, “While volatility persisted into the second quarter with further catastrophe loss events, our business franchise and capital position remains strong. We continue to be disciplined in our approach to risk and pricing and we are pleased with the underwriting portfolio we have constructed through the recent renewal cycles. While premium has come down modestly, overall we are achieving higher risk-adjusted returns on our business.”

 
 
 
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Operating highlights for the second quarter of 2011 included the following:
 
·  
Gross written premiums decreased 2.5% to $987.9 million compared to the same period in 2010. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange and reinstatement premiums, gross written premiums were down 5.5% in the quarter and 2% year-to-date, primarily driven by a continued reduction in casualty business.
·  
Total pre-tax catastrophe losses, net of reinstatement premiums, were $113 million in the current quarter compared to $64.6 million in the second quarter of 2010. On an after-tax basis, net catastrophe losses amounted to $90 million in the quarter, or $1.65 per diluted common share. These losses were higher than previously announced due to the late reporting by a single client of increased exposures to the New Zealand earthquake that occurred earlier this year.
·  
The current quarter loss ratio was 70.8% compared to 65.1% in 2010. Excluding the impact of net catastrophe losses, related reinstatement premiums, and favorable prior period loss development, the current year attritional loss ratio was 59.7%, a modest increase when compared to the 59.3% reported for last year’s second quarter.
·  
Net investment income for the quarter was $158.6 million, a decline of 4% when compared to last year, driven by declining reinvestment rates and lower income on limited partnership investments.
·  
Net after-tax realized capital losses amounted to $2.7 million for the quarter compared to net after-tax realized capital losses of $28.1 million in the same period last year.
·  
Net after-tax unrealized capital gains increased $111.6 million during the quarter, primarily due to changes in interest rates.
·  
Cash flow from operations was $150.6 million compared to $221.5 million for the same period in 2010.
·  
For the quarter, the annualized after-tax operating income1 return on average adjusted shareholders’ equity2 was 9.5% compared to 13.1% in 2010.
·  
During the quarter, the Company did not repurchase any of its common shares. For the year, the Company repurchased 428,038 of its common shares for a total cost of $37.6 million. The repurchases were made pursuant to a share repurchase authorization, provided by the Company’s Board of Directors, under which there remains 3.0 million shares available.
·  
Shareholders’ equity ended the quarter at $6.2 billion, down 2% from the $6.3 billion at December 31, 2010. Book value per share was $113.21 as of June 30, 2011 compared to $115.45 at December 31, 2010.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws.  We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the U.S. Federal securities laws. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made on behalf of the Company.  These risks and uncertainties include the impact of general economic conditions and conditions affecting the insurance and reinsurance industry, the adequacy of our reserves, our ability to assess underwriting risk, trends in rates for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance,
 
 
 
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competition, investment market fluctuations, trends in insured and paid losses, catastrophes, regulatory and legal uncertainties and other factors described in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Everest Re Group, Ltd. is a Bermuda holding company that operates through the following subsidiaries: Everest Reinsurance Company provides reinsurance to property and casualty insurers in both the U.S. and international markets. Everest Reinsurance (Bermuda), Ltd., including through its branch in the United Kingdom, provides reinsurance and insurance to worldwide property and casualty markets and reinsurance to life insurers. Everest Reinsurance Company (Ireland), Limited provides reinsurance to non-life insurers in Europe. Everest National Insurance Company and Everest Security Insurance Company provide property and casualty insurance to policyholders in the U.S. Everest Indemnity Insurance Company offers excess and surplus lines insurance in the U.S. Everest Insurance Company of Canada provides property and casualty insurance to policyholders in Canada. Additional information on Everest Re Group companies can be found at the Group’s web site at www.everestre.com.

A conference call discussing the first quarter results will be held at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on July 28, 2011. The call will be available on the Internet through the Company’s web site or at www.streetevents.com.

Recipients are encouraged to visit the Company’s web site to view supplemental financial information on the Company’s results. The supplemental information is located at www.everestre.com in the “Financial Reports” section of the “Investor Center”. The supplemental financial information may also be obtained by contacting the Company directly.

___________________________

1The Company generally uses after-tax operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure, to evaluate its performance.  After-tax operating income (loss) consists of net income (loss) excluding after-tax net realized capital gains (losses) as the following reconciliation displays:
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
         
(unaudited)
               
(unaudited)
       
                                                 
         
Per Diluted
         
Per Diluted
         
Per
         
Per Diluted
 
         
Common
         
Common
         
Common
         
Common
 
   
Amount
   
Share
   
Amount
   
Share
   
Amount
   
Share
   
Amount
   
Share
 
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 131,312     $ 2.41     $ 156,673     $ 2.70     $ (184,582 )   $ (3.40 )   $ 134,021     $ 2.28  
After-tax net realized capital gains (losses)
    (2,661 )     (0.05 )     (28,141 )     (0.48 )     5,007       0.09       23,000       0.39  
After-tax operating income (loss)
  $ 133,971     $ 2.46     $ 184,814     $ 3.18     $ (189,590 )   $ (3.49 )   $ 111,021     $ 1.89  
                                                                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                                                               
 
Although net realized capital gains (losses) are an integral part of the Company’s insurance operations, the determination of net realized capital gains (losses) is independent of the insurance underwriting process.  The Company believes that the level of net realized capital gains (losses) for any particular period is not
 
 
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indicative of the performance of the underlying business in that particular period.  Providing only a GAAP presentation of net income (loss) makes it more difficult for users of the financial information to evaluate the Company’s success or failure in its basic business, and may lead to incorrect or misleading assumptions and conclusions.  The Company understands that the equity analysts who follow the Company focus on after-tax operating income (loss) in their analyses for the reasons discussed above.  The Company provides after-tax operating income (loss) to investors so that they have what management believes to be a useful supplement to GAAP information concerning the Company’s performance.
 
2Adjusted shareholders’ equity excludes net after-tax unrealized (appreciation) depreciation of investments.

--Financial Details Follow--
 

 
 
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EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
REVENUES:
                       
Premiums earned
  $ 1,039,835     $ 989,899     $ 2,051,281     $ 1,917,201  
Net investment income
    158,618       165,731       337,323       327,230  
Net realized capital gains (losses):
                               
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
    -       -       (14,767 )     -  
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
                               
transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)
    -       -       -       -  
Other net realized capital gains (losses)
    (4,845 )     (41,693 )     22,078       31,025  
Total net realized capital gains (losses)
    (4,845 )     (41,693 )     7,311       31,025  
Net derivative gain (loss)
    (3,371 )     (22,304 )     4,154       (19,250 )
Other income (expense)
    (13,446 )     7,798       (16,833 )     13,137  
Total revenues
    1,176,791       1,099,431       2,383,236       2,269,343  
                                 
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:
                               
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses
    735,789       643,948       1,985,565       1,550,804  
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees
    237,374       236,493       473,831       449,155  
Other underwriting expenses
    45,897       41,747       90,853       80,691  
Corporate expenses
    3,790       3,887       7,718       8,462  
Interest, fees and bond issue cost amortization expense
    13,116       13,016       26,114       29,658  
Total claims and expenses
    1,035,966       939,091       2,584,081       2,118,770  
                                 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES
    140,825       160,340       (200,845 )     150,573  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    9,513       3,667       (16,263 )     16,552  
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 131,312     $ 156,673     $ (184,582 )   $ 134,021  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    123,066       65,889       128,145       94,828  
                                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 254,378     $ 222,562     $ (56,437 )   $ 228,849  
                                 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
                               
Basic
  $ 2.42     $ 2.70     $ (3.40 )   $ 2.29  
Diluted
    2.41       2.70       (3.40 )     2.28  
Dividends declared
    0.48       0.48       0.96       0.96  
 
 
 
 

 

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars and share amounts in thousands, except par value per share)
 
2011
   
2010
 
   
(unaudited)
     
ASSETS:
           
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value
  $ 12,456,773     $ 12,450,469  
    (amortized cost: 2011, $11,924,068; 2010, $12,011,336)
               
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value
    128,337       180,482  
Equity securities - available for sale, at market value (cost: 2011, $452,942; 2010, $363,283)
    461,503       363,736  
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value
    1,012,214       721,449  
Short-term investments
    784,681       785,279  
Other invested assets (cost: 2011, $581,803; 2010, $603,681)
    581,588       605,196  
Cash
    411,523       258,408  
       Total investments and cash
    15,836,619       15,365,019  
Accrued investment income
    144,322       148,990  
Premiums receivable
    1,007,428       844,832  
Reinsurance receivables
    693,952       684,718  
Funds held by reinsureds
    350,595       379,616  
Deferred acquisition costs
    352,067       383,769  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
    95,210       133,007  
Deferred tax asset
    129,605       149,101  
Federal income taxes recoverable
    158,943       147,988  
Other assets
    235,176       170,931  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 19,003,917     $ 18,407,971  
                 
LIABILITIES:
               
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 10,145,655     $ 9,340,183  
Future policy benefit reserve
    62,608       63,002  
Unearned premium reserve
    1,348,332       1,455,219  
Funds held under reinsurance treaties
    100,544       99,213  
Commission reserves
    37,330       45,936  
Other net payable to reinsurers
    20,136       47,519  
Revolving credit borrowings
    40,000       50,000  
5.4% Senior notes due 10/15/2014
    249,835       249,812  
6.6% Long term notes due 5/1/2067
    238,352       238,351  
Junior subordinated debt securities payable
    329,897       329,897  
Accrued interest on debt and borrowings
    4,789       4,793  
Equity index put option liability
    54,313       58,467  
Other liabilities
    219,568       142,062  
       Total liabilities
    12,851,359       12,124,454  
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
Preferred shares, par value: $0.01; 50,000 shares authorized;
               
    no shares issued and outstanding
    -       -  
Common shares, par value: $0.01; 200,000 shares authorized; (2011) 66,363
               
    and (2010) 66,017 outstanding before treasury shares
    664       660  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,878,242       1,863,031  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax expense
               
    (benefit) of $121,456 at 2011 and $102,868 at 2010
    460,403       332,258  
Treasury shares, at cost; 12,017 shares (2011) and 11,589 shares (2010)
    (1,019,091 )     (981,480 )
Retained earnings
    4,832,340       5,069,048  
       Total shareholders' equity
    6,152,558       6,283,517  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 19,003,917     $ 18,407,971  


 
 

 

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 131,312     $ 156,673     $ (184,582 )   $ 134,021  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                               
Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable
    (35,074 )     2,624       (153,497 )     (5,135 )
Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net
    22,645       (11,156 )     39,488       (13,585 )
Decrease (increase) in reinsurance receivables
    537       (29,147 )     17,755       (62,291 )
Decrease (increase) in deferred tax asset
    (17,582 )     (11,853 )     1,658       (5,064 )
Decrease (increase) in prepaid reinsurance premiums
    22,319       (13,098 )     39,346       (12,688 )
Increase (decrease) in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
    146,938       30,445       693,385       449,390  
Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserve
    (176 )     (434 )     (394 )     (569 )
Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums
    (106,556 )     (28,341 )     (113,687 )     13,257  
Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships
    (14,309 )     (16,091 )     (50,614 )     (32,255 )
Change in other assets and liabilities, net
    (21,301 )     86,141       23,947       30,264  
Non-cash compensation expense
    4,212       3,589       7,658       7,130  
Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount)
    12,818       10,454       25,570       21,339  
Amortization of underwriting discount on senior notes
    12       11       24       53  
Net realized capital (gains) losses
    4,845       41,693       (7,311 )     (31,025 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    150,640       221,510       338,746       492,842  
                                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                               
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value
    372,401       369,775       810,665       783,165  
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at fair value
    5,875       -       12,775       -  
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value
    336,770       238,940       867,680       723,462  
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at fair value
    17,168       6,115       50,120       8,612  
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at market value
    110       712       27,206       712  
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at fair value
    37,000       51,400       93,667       72,742  
Distributions from other invested assets
    40,535       19,630       127,094       30,360  
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value
    (582,696 )     (938,124 )     (1,537,328 )     (1,961,623 )
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at fair value
    (7,148 )     (9,486 )     (15,224 )     (23,680 )
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at market value
    (28,683 )     (1,426 )     (115,811 )     (1,426 )
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at fair value
    (213,658 )     (38,095 )     (342,300 )     (80,417 )
Cost of other invested assets acquired
    (27,544 )     (10,034 )     (52,102 )     (37,078 )
Cost of businesses acquired
    -       -       (63,100 )     -  
Net change in short-term investments
    (130,222 )     209,878       2,717       291,897  
Net change in unsettled securities transactions
    175,061       (58,493 )     47,201       (11,195 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (5,031 )     (159,208 )     (86,740 )     (204,469 )
                                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                               
Common shares issued during the period, net
    5,879       128       7,557       849  
Purchase of treasury shares
    -       (200,079 )     (37,611 )     (247,111 )
Revolving credit borrowings
    -       133,000       (10,000 )     133,000  
Net cost of senior notes maturing
    -       -       -       (200,000 )
Dividends paid to shareholders
    (26,081 )     (27,556 )     (52,126 )     (55,840 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (20,202 )     (94,507 )     (92,180 )     (369,102 )
                                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
    1,969       9,499       (6,711 )     24,584  
                                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash
    127,376       (22,706 )     153,115       (56,145 )
Cash, beginning of period
    284,147       214,159       258,408       247,598  
Cash, end of period
  $ 411,523     $ 191,453     $ 411,523     $ 191,453  
                                 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
                               
Income taxes paid (recovered)
  $ (24,471 )   $ (48,597 )   $ (12,546 )   $ (35,838 )
Interest paid
    20,259       20,160       25,778       34,361  
                                 
Non-cash transaction:
                               
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed from business acquisitions
    -       -       19,130       -