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8-K - FORM8K20110803 - AMERICAN SAFETY INSURANCE HOLDINGS LTDform8k2011080311.htm






American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd.
Reports Second Quarter Financial Results


HAMILTON, Bermuda, August 3, 2011 – American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE:ASI) today reported net earnings of $4.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, or $0.38 per diluted share, as compared to $6.2 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, for the same period of 2010.

Financial highlights for the quarter included1:

·  
Net earned premiums increased 25% to $59.2 million
·  
Property losses from U.S. storms were $5.1 million ($3.3 million after tax), contributing approximately 9 points to the combined ratio
·  
The combined ratio was 105.8%  compared to 99.4%
·  
Operating cash flow was $8.1 million compared to $24.7 million
·  
Book value was $29.76 per diluted share versus $29.00 at December 31, 2010

1All comparisons are with the same period last year unless stated otherwise.

Second Quarter Results

Total revenues in the quarter increased to $68.2 million from $56.8 million in 2010 primarily due to increases in net earned premiums across all insurance divisions.  Investment income increased to $8.1 million while net realized gains and fee income decreased slightly.

The combined ratio of 105.8% consists of a loss ratio of 67.4% and an expense ratio of 38.4%, compared to 61.9% and 37.5%, respectively, for the same quarter of 2010.  The loss ratio includes the impact from U.S. storm losses of $5.1 million, composed of $4.1 million in the ART division and $1.0 million in the E&S division. The increase in the expense ratio was primarily attributable to lower fronting fees in the ART division.

For the three months ended June 30, 2011, net operating earnings of $3.9 million compares to $5.7 million for the same quarter 2010.  The decrease in net operating earnings is primarily due to the U.S. storm losses noted above.  Net operating earnings (loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net earnings adjusted for net realized gains (losses), net of applicable taxes.  

Year to Date Results

Net earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2011 were $12.0 million, or $1.11 per diluted share, compared to $12.7 million, or $1.19 per diluted share for the same period in 2010.  Net earned premiums year to date increased 26% to $113.5 million.  Pre-tax net realized gains on investments for the six months ended June 30 were $11.3 million compared to $1.5 million during the same period in 2010.

The combined ratio was 111.0%, composed of a loss ratio of 72.3% and an expense ratio of 38.7%.  The increase in the loss ratio to 72.3% from 60.6% for the 2010 period is primarily due to catastrophe losses in the first quarter of $5 million and losses attributable to U.S. storms of $5.1 million in the second quarter.  The decrease in the expense ratio to 38.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2011 from 40.2% in the same period in 2010 is due primarily to economies of scale associated with increased net earned premiums.

Invested assets increased 5.5% to $863.1 million at June 30, 2011 from $818.5 million at December 31, 2010.  The pre-tax book yield realized during the six months on the investment portfolio was 3.7% compared to 4.1% for the same period in 2010.

Book value at June 30, 2011 increased to $29.76 per diluted share compared to $29.00 at December 31, 2010.  Since December 31, 2010, the Company has repurchased 105,033 shares at an average price of $18.97 per share.  There are 239,267 shares remaining under the current repurchase authorization.
 

 
1

 
 
Commenting on the results, Stephen R. Crim, President and Chief Executive Officer said, “The unprecedented U.S. storm activity during the second quarter negatively impacted financial results for the property and casualty insurance industry.  While our losses did impact the quarterly results, they represented only 1% of our capital on an after tax basis.  We continue our product diversification, which has been the driver of our premium growth, and the steady improvement in our expense ratio.”
 
 
Conference Call

A conference call to discuss second quarter 2011 results is scheduled for Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time), which will be broadcast through Vcall’s Investor Calendar at www.investorcalendar.com, or the Company’s website at www.amsafety.com.  If you are unable to participate at this time, a replay will be available for 30 days, beginning approximately two hours after the call.  A transcript of the call will be available on the Company’s website beginning several days after the call.

This report contains forward-looking statements.  The forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance, including catastrophe and other losses.  Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially, including developments in loss trends and adequacy and changes in loss reserves and actuarial assumptions.

About Us:
For 25 years, American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE:ASI), a Bermuda holding company, has offered innovative solutions outside the U.S. in the reinsurance and alternative risk markets through its subsidiaries, American Safety Reinsurance, Ltd. and American Safety Assurance, Ltd., and in the U.S. for specialty risks and alternative risk markets through its program administrator, American Safety Insurance Services, Inc., and insurance company subsidiaries and affiliates, American Safety Casualty Insurance Company, American Safety Indemnity Company and American Safety Risk Retention Group, Inc. and American Safety Assurance (Vermont), Inc..  As a group, ASI’s insurance subsidiaries and affiliates are rated “A” (Excellent) IX by A.M. Best. For additional information, please visit www.asih.bm.

Contacts:
American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd.
 
American Safety Administrative Services, Inc.
Investor Relations
 
Media Relations
Stephen R. Crim
 
Patrick Driscoll, CPA, CPCU
scrim@amsafety.bm
 
patrick.driscoll@amsafety.com
(441) 296-8560
 
(770) 916-1908



 
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American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Financial and Operating Highlights
(Unaudited) (in thousands)


   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenues:
                       
Direct earned premiums
  $ 60,801     $ 60,976     $ 118,456     $ 116,718  
Assumed earned premiums
    13,851       9,270       25,135       18,290  
Ceded earned premiums
    (15,502 )     (23,006 )     (30,073 )     (44,800 )
Net earned premiums
    59,150       47,240       113,518       90,208  
                                 
Net investment income
    8,050       7,929       15,486       15,834  
Net realized gains
    194       509       11,302       1,520  
Fee income
    786       1,155       1,651       2,248  
Other income
    12       10       23       30  
Total revenues
    68,192       56,843       141,980       109,840  
                                 
Expenses:
                               
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    39,869       29,251       82,129       54,652  
Acquisition expenses
    13,347       8,995       25,208       18,825  
Other underwriting expenses
    10,171       9,849       20,370       19,676  
Interest expense
    354       685       740       1,444  
Corporate and other expenses
    918       751       1,638       1,466  
Total expenses
    64,659       49,531       130,085       96,063  
                                 
Earnings before income taxes
    3,533       7,312       11,895       13,777  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (549 )     950       (581 )     851  
Net earnings
    4,082       6,362       12,476       12,926  
           Less:  Net earnings attributable to the non-controlling interest
    30       199       523       256  
                                 
Net earnings attributable to ASIH, Ltd.
  $ 4,052     $ 6,163     $ 11,953     $ 12,670  
                                 
Net earnings per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.39     $ 0.60     $ 1.15     $ 1.23  
Diluted
  $ 0.38     $ 0.58     $ 1.11     $ 1.19  
                                 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
                         
Basic
    10,429,188       10,246,100       10,436,848       10,288,718  
Diluted
    10,764,542       10,589,708       10,776,398       10,616,956  
                                 
Loss ratio
    67.4 %     61.9 %     72.3 %     60.6 %
Expense ratio
    38.4 %     37.5 %     38.7 %     40.2 %
Combined ratio
    105.8 %     99.4 %     111.0 %     100.8 %
                                 
Net operating earnings:
                               
Net earnings attributable to ASIH, Ltd.
  $ 4,052     $ 6,163     $ 11,953     $ 12,670  
Less:  Realized investment gains,
net of taxes
    146       431       11,208       1,173  
Net operating earnings
  $ 3,906     $ 5,732     $ 745     $ 11,497  

   
At
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 
6/30/2011
   
12/31/2010
 
   
(unaudited)
       
Total investments
  $ 863,081     $ 818,450  
Total assets
    1,265,324       1,221,253  
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
    667,644       649,641  
Total liabilities
    941,084       902,719  
Total shareholders’ equity
    324,240       318,534  
                 
Book value per share-diluted
  $ 29.76     $ 29.00  

 
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American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries
 Segment Data
(Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)

   
Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
   
Insurance
   
Other
       
   
E&S
   
ART
   
Reinsurance
   
Run-off
   
Total
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 43,929     $ 23,923     $ 15,028     $ (1 )   $ 82,879  
Net earned premiums
    29,085       15,616       14,450       (1 )     59,150  
Fee & other income
    (5 )     770       -       33       798  
                                         
Losses & loss adjustment expenses
    17,885       12,830       9,153       1       39,869  
Acquisition & other underwriting expenses
    13,216       6,148       4,292       (138 )     23,518  
Underwriting profit (loss)
    (2,021 )     (2,592 )     1,005       169       (3,439 )
                                         
Net investment income
    5,081       1,232       1,586       151       8,050  
Pre-tax operating income (loss)
    3,060       (1,360 )     2,591       320       4,611  
                                         
Net realized gains
                                    194  
Interest and corporate expenses
                                    1,272  
Earnings before income taxes
                                    3,533  
Income tax benefit
                                    (549 )
Net earnings
                                  $ 4,082  
Less: Net earnings attributable to the
non-controlling interest
                                    30  
Net earnings attributable to ASIH, Ltd.
                                  $ 4,052  
                                         
Loss ratio
    61.5 %     82.2 %     63.3 %  
NM
      67.4 %
Expense ratio
    45.5 %     34.4 %     29.7 %  
NM
      38.4 %
Combined ratio
    107.0 %     116.6 %     93.0 %  
NM
      105.8 %

   
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
   
Insurance
   
Other
       
   
E&S
   
ART
   
Reinsurance
   
Run-off
   
Total
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 36,478     $ 23,885     $ 12,215     $ -     $ 72,578  
Net earned premiums
    24,242       12,901       10,097       -       47,240  
Fee & other income
    203       873       55       34       1,165  
                                         
Losses & loss adjustment expenses
    13,720       8,479       7,052       -       29,251  
Acquisition & other underwriting expenses
    11,918       3,687       2,896       343       18,844  
Underwriting profit (loss)
    (1,193 )     1,608       204       (309 )     310  
                                         
Net investment income
    5,385       1,139       1,178       227       7,929  
Pre-tax operating income (loss)
    4,192       2,747       1,382       (82 )     8,239  
                                         
Net realized gains
                                    509  
Interest and corporate expenses
                                    1,436  
Earnings before income taxes
                                    7,312  
Income tax expense
                                    950  
Net earnings
                                  $ 6,362  
Less: Net earnings attributable to the
non-controlling interest
                                    199  
Net earnings attributable to ASIH, Ltd.
                                  $ 6,163  
                                         
Loss ratio
    56.6 %     65.7 %     69.8 %  
NM
      61.9 %
Expense ratio
    48.3 %     21.8 %     28.1 %  
NM
      37.5 %
Combined ratio
    104.9 %     87.5 %     97.9 %  
NM
      99.4 %
 

 
 
4

 
 
 
American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries
 Segment Data
(Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)

   
Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
   
Insurance
   
Other
       
   
E&S
   
ART
   
Reinsurance
   
Run-off
   
Total
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 79,924     $ 45,801     $ 31,500     $ (1 )   $ 157,224  
Net earned premiums
    57,079       29,971       26,469       (1 )     113,518  
Fee & other income
    -       1,630       -       44       1,674  
                                         
Losses & loss adjustment expenses
    35,638       21,844       24,647       -       82,129  
Acquisition & other underwriting expenses
    26,326       12,461       7,211       (420 )     45,578  
Underwriting profit (loss)
    (4,885 )     (2,704 )     (5,389 )     463       (12,515 )
                                         
Net investment income
    9,896       2,352       2,935       303       15,486  
Pre-tax operating income (loss)
    5,011       (352 )     (2,454 )     766       2,971  
                                         
Net realized gains
                                    11,302  
Interest and corporate expenses
                                    2,378  
Earnings before income taxes
                                    11,895  
Income tax benefit
                                    (581 )
Net earnings
                                  $ 12,476  
Less: Net earnings attributable to the non-controlling interest
                                    523  
Net earnings attributable to ASIH, Ltd.
                                  $ 11,953  
                                         
Loss ratio
    62.4 %     72.9 %     93.1 %  
NM
      72.3 %
Expense ratio
    46.1 %     36.1 %     27.2 %  
NM
      38.7 %
Combined ratio
    108.5 %     109.0 %     120.3 %  
NM
      111.0 %

   
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
   
Insurance
   
Other
       
   
E&S
   
ART
   
Reinsurance
   
Run-off
   
Total
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 66,106     $ 42,119     $ 23,670     $ -     $ 131,895  
Net earned premiums
    46,394       24,064       19,750       -       90,208  
Fee & other income
    349       1,704       171       54       2,278  
                                         
Losses & loss adjustment expenses
    26,883       14,894       12,876       (1 )     54,652  
Acquisition & other underwriting expenses
    23,428       8,424       5,971       678       38,501  
Underwriting profit (loss)
    (3,568 )     2,450       1,074       (623 )     (667 )
                                         
Net investment income
    10,834       2,268       2,266       466       15,834  
Pre-tax operating income (loss)
    7,266       4,718       3,340       (157 )     15,167  
                                         
Net realized gains
                                    1,520  
Interest and corporate expenses
                                    2,910  
Earnings before income taxes
                                    13,777  
Income tax expense
                                    851  
Net earnings
                                  $ 12,926  
Less: Net earnings attributable to the non-controlling interest
                                    256  
Net earnings attributable to ASIH, Ltd.
                                  $ 12,670  
                                         
Loss ratio
    57.9 %     61.9 %     65.2 %  
NM
      60.6 %
Expense ratio
    49.8 %     27.9 %     29.4 %  
NM
      40.2 %
Combined ratio
    107.7 %     89.8 %     94.6 %  
NM
      100.8 %
 
                                          
 
 
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