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8-K - FORM 8-K - PRIMUS GUARANTY LTDc24407e8vk.htm
EX-99.2 - EX-99.2 - PRIMUS GUARANTY LTDc24407exv99w2.htm
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRIMUS GUARANTY, LTD. REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2011
GAAP NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHARES OF $283.1 MILLION
AND
ECONOMIC RESULTS OF $10.2 MILLION
Hamilton, Bermuda — November 8, 2011 — Primus Guaranty, Ltd. (“Primus Guaranty” or “the Company”) (NYSE:PRS) today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011.
   
GAAP net loss available to common shares for the third quarter 2011 was $283.1 million, or $7.76 per diluted share, compared with GAAP net income available to common shares of $229.0 million, or $5.72 per diluted share, for the third quarter 2010. GAAP net loss available to common shares for the third quarter 2011 was substantially due to a net unrealized mark-to-market loss of $293.3 million on Primus Financial Products, LLC (“Primus Financial”)’s consolidated credit swap portfolio.
   
Economic Results for the third quarter 2011 were $10.2 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared with an Economic Results loss of $2.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, for the third quarter 2010. Economic Results for the third quarter 2011 primarily comprised premium revenue of $9.9 million, interest income of $2.4 million, and gains on retirement of debt of $2.1 million, partly offset by net operating costs of $3.1 million and financing costs of $2.1 million.
   
Economic Results book value per common share was $8.20 at September 30, 2011, compared with Economic Results book value per common share of $7.31 at December 31, 2010.
   
At September 30, 2011, the notional principal of Primus Financial’s consolidated credit swap portfolio totaled $8.5 billion.

 


 

Earnings
A copy of this press release and the financial supplement, including additional credit swap portfolio and historical data, is available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s Web site at www.primusguaranty.com. Also available on the Web site is a letter dated November 8, 2011 to the shareholders from Richard Claiden, Chief Executive Officer.
Economic Results
In managing its business and assessing its profitability from a strategic and financial planning perspective, the Company believes it is appropriate to consider both its U.S. GAAP net income (loss) available to common shares as well as certain non-GAAP financial measures called “Economic Results”. We define Economic Results as GAAP net income (loss) available to common shares, adjusted as follows:
   
Unrealized gains (losses) on credit swaps sold by Primus Financial are excluded from GAAP net income (loss) available to common shares;
   
Realized gains from early termination of credit swaps sold by Primus Financial are excluded from GAAP net income (loss) available to common shares;
   
Realized gains from early termination of credit swaps sold by Primus Financial are amortized over the period that would have been the remaining life of the credit swap. The amortized gain is included in Economic Results;
   
A provision for credit default swaps on asset-backed securities (“CDS on ABS”) credit events is included in Economic Results; and
   
A reduction in provision for CDS on ABS credit events upon termination of credit swaps is included in Economic Results.
The Company believes that quarterly fluctuations in the fair market value of Primus Financial’s consolidated credit swap portfolio have little or no effect on the Company’s business operations and that Economic Results provides a useful, alternative view of the Company’s economic performance.
About Primus Guaranty
Primus Guaranty, Ltd. is a Bermuda company with offices in New York. Through its subsidiary, Primus Financial Products, LLC (“Primus Financial”), the Company provides protection against the risk of default on primarily investment grade corporate and sovereign reference entities.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements included in this press release and other statements Primus Guaranty may make, particularly those anticipating future financial performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies, market performance, valuations and similar matters, are forward-looking statements that involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Any such statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Primus Guaranty assumes no duty to, and does not undertake to, update any forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements, and future results could differ materially from historical performance. For a discussion of the factors that could affect the Company’s actual results please refer to the risk factors identified from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports, including, but not limited to, Primus Guaranty’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Primus Guaranty, Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited)
(in thousands except share amounts)
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2011     2010  
Assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 107,299     $ 177,736  
Investments (includes $328,743 and $288,815 at fair value as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)
    328,914       288,985  
Restricted cash and investments
    136,882       138,540  
Accrued interest and premiums
    5,405       5,860  
Unrealized gain on credit swaps, at fair value
          2,006  
Debt issuance costs, net
    3,706       4,072  
Other assets (includes $8,504 and $11,559 at fair value as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)
    12,422       17,660  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 594,628     $ 634,859  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Equity
               
Liabilities
               
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  $ 4,285     $ 8,701  
Unrealized loss on credit swaps, at fair value
    546,266       395,164  
Payable for credit events
    2,092       3,447  
Long-term debt
    191,511       215,828  
Restructuring liabilities
    36       3,729  
Other liabilities
    3,357       6,025  
 
           
Total liabilities
    747,547       632,894  
 
           
 
               
Commitments and contingencies
               
Equity (Deficit)
               
Common shares, $0.08 par value, 62,500,000 shares authorized, 35,334,749 and 38,078,790 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
    2,825       3,046  
Additional paid-in capital
    262,621       275,453  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    1,726       3,333  
Retained earnings (deficit)
    (510,237 )     (372,969 )
 
           
Total shareholders’ equity (deficit) of Primus Guaranty, Ltd.
    (243,065 )     (91,137 )
Preferred securities of subsidiary
    90,146       93,102  
 
           
Total equity (deficit)
    (152,919 )     1,965  
 
           
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 594,628     $ 634,859  
 
           

 

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Primus Guaranty, Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)


(in thousands except per share amounts)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
Revenues
                               
Net credit swap revenue (loss)
  $ (283,404 )   $ 227,547     $ (136,297 )   $ 125,369  
Interest income
    2,436       3,674       7,616       9,914  
Gain on retirement of long-term debt
    2,061       752       4,821       8,185  
Other income
    153       2,513       771       2,645  
 
                       
Total revenues
    (278,754 )     234,486       (123,089 )     146,113  
 
                       
 
                               
Expenses
                               
Compensation and employee benefits
    1,443       4,036       5,135       13,162  
Professional and legal fees
    706       1,742       2,202       5,405  
Interest expense
    1,445       1,760       4,558       5,366  
Other
    994       1,851       3,387       5,351  
 
                       
Total expenses
    4,588       9,389       15,282       29,284  
 
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (283,342 )     225,097       (138,371 )     116,829  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
          71       11       98  
 
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax
    (283,342 )     225,026       (138,382 )     116,731  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
    919       (19,622 )     3,457       (48,008 )
 
                       
Net income (loss)
    (282,423 )     205,404       (134,925 )     68,723  
Less:
                               
Distributions on preferred securities of subsidiary
    682       732       2,343       2,444  
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to non-parent interests in CLOs
          (24,355 )           (60,876 )
 
                       
Net income (loss) available to common shares
  $ (283,105 )   $ 229,027     $ (137,268 )   $ 127,155  
 
                       
 
                               
Income (loss) per common share:
                               
Basic:
                               
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ (7.79 )   $ 5.90     $ (3.76 )   $ 2.97  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
  $ 0.03     $ 0.12     $ 0.09     $ 0.33  
 
                       
Net income (loss) available to common shares
  $ (7.76 )   $ 6.02     $ (3.67 )   $ 3.30  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted:
                               
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ (7.79 )   $ 5.60     $ (3.76 )   $ 2.80  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
  $ 0.03     $ 0.12     $ 0.09     $ 0.32  
 
                       
Net income (loss) available to common shares
  $ (7.76 )   $ 5.72     $ (3.67 )   $ 3.12  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    36,470       38,049       37,411       38,546  
Diluted
    36,470       40,042       37,411       40,737  

 

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Primus Guaranty, Ltd.
Regulation G and Other Disclosure
Economic Results
September 30, 2011
(Unaudited)
In managing its business and assessing its profitability from a strategic and financial planning perspective, the Company believes it is appropriate to consider both its U.S. GAAP net income (loss) available to common shares as well as certain non-GAAP financial measures called “Economic Results”. We define Economic Results as GAAP net income (loss) available to common shares, adjusted as follows:
   
Unrealized gains (losses) on credit swaps sold by Primus Financial are excluded from GAAP net income (loss) available to common shares;
   
Realized gains from early termination of credit swaps sold by Primus Financial are excluded from GAAP net income (loss) available to common shares;
 
   
Realized gains from early termination of credit swaps sold by Primus Financial are amortized over the period that would have been the remaining life of the credit swap. The amortized gain is included in Economic Results;
 
   
A provision for CDS on ABS credit events is included in Economic Results; and
 
   
A reduction in provision for CDS on ABS credit events upon termination of credit swaps is included in Economic Results.
The Company believes that quarterly fluctuations in the fair market value of Primus Financial’s consolidated credit swap portfolio have little or no effect on the Company’s business operations and that Economic Results provides a useful, alternative view of the Company’s economic performance.
Economic Results per GAAP Diluted Share
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
(in 000’s except per share amounts)   2011     2010     2011     2010  
GAAP Net income (loss) available to common shares
  $ (283,105 )   $ 229,027     $ (137,268 )   $ 127,155  
Adjustments:
                               
Change in unrealized fair value of credit swaps sold (gain) loss by Primus Financial
    293,298       (231,173 )     153,108       (163,346 )
Amortization of realized gains from the early termination of credit swaps sold by Primus Financial
    25       145       94       703  
Provision for CDS on ABS credit events
                (1,398 )     (2,374 )
Reduction in provision for CDS on ABS credit events upon termination of credit swaps
                9,841       1,819  
 
                       
Economic Results
  $ 10,218     $ (2,001 )   $ 24,377     $ (36,043 )
 
                       
Economic Results earnings (loss) per GAAP diluted share
  $ 0.28     $ (0.05 )   $ 0.65     $ (0.88 )
Economic Results weighted average common shares — GAAP diluted
    36,470       40,042       37,411       40,737  
Economic Results Book Value per Share
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2011     2010  
 
               
GAAP Shareholders’ equity (deficit) of Primus Guaranty, Ltd.
  $ (243,065 )   $ (91,137 )
Adjustments:
               
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss
    (1,726 )     (3,333 )
Unrealized fair value of credit swaps sold (gain) loss by Primus Financial
    546,266       393,158  
Realized gains from early termination of credit swaps sold by Primus Financial
    (33,574 )     (33,574 )
Amortized realized gains from the early termination of credit swaps sold by Primus Financial
    33,537       33,443  
Provision for CDS on ABS credit events
    (70,189 )     (68,791 )
Reduction in provision for CDS on ABS credit events upon termination of credit swaps
    58,416       48,575  
 
           
Economic Results Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 289,665     $ 278,341  
 
           
Economic Results book value per share issued and outstanding
  $ 8.20     $ 7.31  
GAAP book value per share issued and outstanding
  $ (6.88 )   $ (2.39 )
Common shares issued and outstanding
    35,335       38,079  

 

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Primus Guaranty, Ltd.
GAAP Net Credit Swap Revenue (Loss)
September 30, 2011
(Unaudited)
GAAP Net Credit Swap Revenue (Loss)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
(in 000’s)   2011     2010     2011     2010  
Net credit swap revenue (loss) components
                               
Credit swaps sold — single name (Primus Financial)
                               
Net premium income
  $ 6,241     $ 10,794     $ 20,498     $ 34,986  
Realized gains
                       
Realized losses
          (13,706 )     (652 )     (40,002 )
Change in unrealized gains/(losses)
    (24,704 )     78,437       17,355       79,981  
Credit swaps sold — tranches (Primus Financial)
                               
Net premium income
    3,607       3,303       10,662       10,689  
Realized gains
                       
Realized losses
                (4,032 )     (35,000 )
Change in unrealized gains/(losses)
    (268,978 )     147,643       (180,159 )     72,350  
Credit swaps undertaken to offset credit risk (Primus Financial)
                               
Net premium income (expense)
          (42 )           (87 )
Net realized gains (losses)
          (1,017 )     47       (3,955 )
Change in unrealized gains/(losses)
          1,533       (59 )     4,470  
Credit swaps sold — ABS (Primus Financial)
                               
Net premium income
    46       79       129       212  
Realized gains
                       
Realized losses
          (2,778 )     (9,841 )     (4,597 )
Change in unrealized gains/(losses)
    384       3,560       9,755       6,545  
Net credit swaps (PARC fund)
          (259 )           (223 )
 
                       
Net credit swap revenue (loss)
  $ (283,404 )   $ 227,547     $ (136,297 )   $ 125,369  
 
                       

 

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