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8-K - EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC 8-K 2-21-2012 - EMC INSURANCE GROUP INCform8k.htm

EXHIBIT 99
 
 
graphic
 
EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. REPORTS
2011 FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR-END
RESULTS AND 2012 OPERATING INCOME
GUIDANCE
 
Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, 2011
Operating Income Per Share – $0.58
Net Income Per Share – $0.72
Net Realized Investment Gains Per Share – $0.14
Catastrophe Losses Per Share – $0.18
Large Losses Per Share – $0.57
GAAP Combined Ratio – 100.8 percent

Twelve-Month Period Ended December 31, 2011
Operating Loss Per Share – $0.63
Net Loss Per Share – $0.16
Net Realized Investment Gains Per Share – $ 0.47
Catastrophe Losses Per Share – $4.04
Large Losses Per Share – $1.21
GAAP Combined Ratio – 115.1 percent

2012 Operating Income Guidance – $1.30 to $1.55 per share

DES MOINES, Iowa (February 21, 2012) - EMC Insurance Group Inc. (Nasdaq OMX/GS:EMCI) today reported operating income of $0.58 per share for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011, compared to $0.71 per share for the fourth quarter of 20101.  Operating loss for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011 was $0.63 per share, compared to operating income of $2.21 for the same period in 2010.

Net income, including realized investment gains and losses, totaled $9,306,000 ($0.72 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $10,711,000 ($0.83 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2010. Net loss for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011 was $2,098,000 ($0.16 per share) compared to net income of $31,346,000 ($2.40 per share) for the same period in 2010.

“Our financial results for the fourth quarter were much closer to what we expected during 2011,” stated Bruce G. Kelley, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Catastrophe losses were within expectations, the equity portfolio improved, and we recorded premium growth in both our property and casualty insurance segment and our reinsurance segment.”

“Unfortunately, our fourth quarter results could not undo the damage caused by the record catastrophe losses experienced during the first three quarters of the year,” continued Kelley. “For the year, catastrophe losses added an unprecedented 19.3 percentage points to our combined ratio, which is 11.6 percentage points greater than the Company’s most recent 10-year (2001 through 2010) average of 7.7 percentage points.  2011 also marked the fourth consecutive year of above average catastrophe losses.  While this is not unprecedented, having most recently occurred during the period 1998 through 2001, it is also not common.  What is unusual and will be remembered most about this current period of above average catastrophe losses is the fact that we established new records for catastrophe losses in two of the four years.”
 
 
 

 

Premiums earned increased 8.4 percent to $111,768,000 for the fourth quarter of 2011, from $103,062,000 for the fourth quarter of 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2011, premiums earned increased 7.0 percent to $416,402,000 from $389,122,000 in 2010.

“Premiums earned are now reflecting previously implemented rate increases,” stated Kelley. “We continue to see moderate rate improvement in the personal lines and are beginning to see small rate increases in most commercial lines as well, although that market remains very competitive. Other factors contributing to the increase in premiums earned are increases in commercial lines’ policy retentions, exposures and endorsements, as well as a decline in return premiums resulting from audits of policyholders’ insured exposures. In our reinsurance segment, premium rates improved during 2011 due to the large number of severe global events. Looking ahead, we do not expect commercial lines premium rate levels to increase significantly in 2012 as a result of the record catastrophe losses of 2011, however, we do expect steady rate improvement throughout the year and into 2013.”

Investment income decreased 7.0 percent to $11,228,000 in the fourth quarter of 2011 from $12,075,000 in the fourth quarter of 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2011, investment income decreased 6.8 percent to $46,111,000 from $49,489,000 in 2010.  The large declines in investment income are attributed to a persistent decline in the average coupon rate on fixed maturity securities during the past several years and an increase in short-term investments, which carry far lower yields.

Catastrophe losses totaled $3,495,000 ($0.18 per share after tax) in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $3,051,000 ($0.15 per share after tax) in the fourth quarter of 2010.  For the year ended December 31, 2011, catastrophe losses totaled a record $80,331,000 ($4.04 per share after tax) compared to $42,144,000 ($2.10 per share after tax) in 2010.  On a segment basis, 2011 catastrophe losses amounted to$52,448,000 ($2.64 per share after taxes) in the property and casualty insurance segment and $27,883,000 ($1.40 per share after tax) in the reinsurance segment.

The Company experienced $11,390,000 ($0.58 per share after tax) of favorable development on prior years’ reserves during the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $4,562,000 ($0.23 per share after tax) in the fourth quarter of 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company experienced $33,099,000 ($1.67 per share after tax) of favorable development compared to $50,749,000 ($2.53 per share after tax) in 2010. As in recent periods, development resulting from the final settlement of prior accident years’ claims was the main driver of the favorable development. The most recent actuarial analysis of the Company’s carried reserves indicates a level of adequacy consistent with other recent evaluations.

Net realized investment gains totaled $1,863,000 ($0.14 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $1,586,000 ($0.12 per share) in 2010.  For the year ended December 31, 2011, net realized investment gains totaled $6,047,000 ($0.47 per share), compared to $2,515,000 ($0.19 per share) in 2010. The large amount of realized investment gains for 2011 resulted from first quarter activity in the equity portfolio, when market prices were at elevated levels.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company recognized $132,000 (less than $0.01 per share after tax) of “other-than-temporary” investment impairment losses on 2 equity securities because management determined that it would likely not hold those securities until they recovered to their cost basis. This compares to $89,000 (less than $0.01 per share after tax) of “other-than-temporary” investment impairment losses in the fourth quarter of 2010.  During 2011, “other-than-temporary” investment impairment losses totaled $5,960,000 ($0.30 per share after tax), compared to $2,384,000 ($0.12 per share after tax) in 2010.
 
 
 

 

  Large losses (which the Company defines as losses greater than $500,000 for the EMC Insurance Companies’ pool, excluding catastrophe losses) increased to $11,200,000 ($0.57 per share after tax) in the fourth quarter of 2011 from $6,055,000 ($0.30 per share after tax) in the fourth quarter of 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2011, large losses totaled $24,044,000 ($1.21 per share after tax) compared to $19,634,000 ($0.98 per share after tax) in 2010.
 
 The Company’s GAAP combined ratio was 100.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to 99.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010.  For the year ended December 31, 2011, the GAAP combined ratio was 115.1 percent compared to 102.3 percent in 2010.

At December 31, 2011, consolidated assets totaled $1.2 billion, including $1.1 billion in the investment portfolio, and stockholders’ equity totaled $358.8 million, a decrease of 2.7 percent from December 31, 2010. Net book value of the Company’s stock decreased to $27.86 per share from $28.52 per share at December 31, 2010.  Book value excluding accumulated other comprehensive income decreased to $25.74 per share from $26.63 per share at December 31, 2010.

Effective January 1, 2012, the Company will adopt new accounting guidance that clarifies which costs associated with the acquisition of insurance contracts should be capitalized and deferred for recognition during the coverage period.  Adoption of this guidance will have an impact on the consolidated financial position and operating results of the Company since certain costs associated with contract acquisition that are currently deferred do not meet the criteria for deferral under this new guidance. The Company is adopting this guidance retrospectively, which will result in a decline in consolidated stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2011 of approximately $6.4 million, net of tax, and a corresponding decline in book value of approximately $0.50 per share. If this guidance had been in effect during 2011, operating results would have been reduced by approximately $640,000, net of tax ($0.05 per share).

Management is projecting that 2012 operating income will be within a range of $1.30 to $1.55 per share.  This guidance is based on a projected GAAP combined ratio of 104.9 percent for the year.

As previously disclosed, on November 3, 2011 the Company’s board of directors authorized a new $15 million stock repurchase program.  This program became effective immediately and does not have an expiration date.  The timing and terms of the purchases are determined by management based on market conditions and are conducted in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Common stock repurchased under this new program will be retired by the Company.  No shares were repurchased under this new program during the fourth quarter.

The Company’s parent organization, Employers Mutual Casualty Company, currently has a stock purchase program in place, with about $4.5 million of its $15 million authorization remaining.  This program has been dormant and will remain so while the Company’s new repurchase program is active.

The Company will hold an earnings teleconference call at 11:00 a.m. eastern standard time on February 21, 2012 to allow securities analysts, stockholders and other interested parties the opportunity to hear management discuss the Company’s results for the quarter and the year ended December 31, 2011, as well as its expectations for 2012. Dial-in information for the call is toll-free 1-877-407-9205 (International: 1-201-689-8054). The event will be archived and available for digital replay through May 20, 2012. The replay access information is toll-free 1-877-660-6853 (International: 1-201-612-7415); passcodes required for playback: account number 286 and conference ID number 387600.

Members of the news media, investors and the general public are invited to access a live webcast of the conference call via the Company’s investor relations page at www.emcins.com/ir.  The webcast will be archived and available for replay until May 20, 2012. A transcript of the teleconference will also be available on the Company’s website shortly after the completion of the teleconference.
 
 
 

 

ABOUT EMCI: EMC Insurance Group Inc. is a publicly held insurance holding company with operations in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, which was formed in 1974 and became publicly held in 1982. The Company’s common stock trades on the Global Select Market tier of the NASDAQ OMX Stock Market under the symbol EMCI. EMCI’s parent company is Employers Mutual Casualty Company (EMCC).  EMCI and EMCC, together with their subsidiary and affiliated companies, conduct operations under the trade name EMC Insurance Companies. Additional information regarding EMC Insurance Companies may be found at www.emcins.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides issuers the opportunity to make cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements.  Accordingly, any forward-looking statement contained in this report is based on management’s current beliefs, assumptions and expectations of the Company’s future performance, taking into account all information currently available to management.  These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as the result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to management.  If a change occurs, the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives may vary materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.  The risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual results of the Company include, but are not limited to, the following:

 
·
catastrophic events and the occurrence of significant severe weather conditions;
 
·
the adequacy of loss and settlement expense reserves;
 
·
state and federal legislation and regulations;
 
·
changes in the property and casualty insurance industry, interest rates or the performance of financial markets and the general economy;
 
·
rating agency actions;
 
·
“other-than-temporary” investment impairment losses; and
 
·
other risks and uncertainties inherent to the Company’s business, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Management intends to identify forward-looking statements when using the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions.  Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements.

¹The Company uses a non-GAAP financial measure called “operating income (loss)” that management believes is useful to investors because it illustrates the performance of our normal, ongoing operations, which is important in understanding and evaluating our financial condition and results of operations.  While this measure is consistent with measures utilized by investors to evaluate performance, it is not a substitute for the GAAP financial measure of net income (loss). Therefore, the Company has provided the following reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of operating income (loss) to the GAAP financial measure of net income (loss). Management also uses non-GAAP financial measures for goal setting, determining employee and senior management awards and compensation, and evaluating performance.

Reconciliation of operating income (loss) to net income (loss):

   
Three Months Ended December 31,
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Operating income (loss)
  $ 7,443,091     $ 9,125,505     $ (8,144,754 )   $ 28,831,601  
Net realized investment gains
    1,863,247       1,585,678       6,047,140       2,514,722  
Net income (loss)
  $ 9,306,338     $ 10,711,183     $ (2,097,614 )   $ 31,346,323  
 
 
 

 
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
ASSETS
           
Investments:
           
Fixed maturities:
           
Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $0 and $389,679)
  $ -     $ 340,803  
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $899,939,616 and $909,582,782)
    958,203,576       941,537,026  
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $90,866,131 and $75,721,039)
    111,300,053       101,138,982  
Other long-term investments, at cost
    14,527       29,827  
Short-term investments, at cost
    42,628,926       36,616,111  
Total investments
    1,112,147,082       1,079,662,749  
                 
Cash
    255,042       491,994  
Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate
    39,517,108       30,256,586  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate
    9,378,026       9,530,426  
Deferred policy acquisition costs (all affiliated)
    40,738,565       37,584,448  
Prepaid pension benefits due from affiliate
    -       5,125,701  
Accrued investment income
    10,256,499       10,925,854  
Accounts receivable
    1,644,782       1,716,150  
Income taxes recoverable
    9,670,459       2,350,864  
Deferred income taxes
    3,249,821       6,690,218  
Goodwill
    941,586       941,586  
Other assets (affiliated $2,584,111 and $2,433,445)
    2,659,942       2,517,922  
Total assets
  $ 1,230,458,912     $ 1,187,794,498  
                 
LIABILITIES
               
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $588,846,586 and $553,125,183)
  $ 593,300,247     $ 556,140,956  
Unearned premiums due to affiliate
    180,689,377       167,896,119  
Other policyholders' funds due to affiliate
    5,061,160       8,315,751  
Surplus notes payable to affiliate
    25,000,000       25,000,000  
Amounts due affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances
    21,033,627       18,380,813  
Pension and postretirement benefits payable to affiliate
    29,671,835       20,418,716  
Other liabilities (affiliated $16,744,447 and $22,861,092)
    16,934,321       23,001,141  
Total liabilities
    871,690,567       819,153,496  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 12,875,591 shares in 2011 and 12,927,678 shares in 2010
    12,875,591       12,927,678  
Additional paid-in capital
    88,310,632       88,937,294  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
               
Net unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities with "other-than-temporary" impairments
    -       (69,852 )
Other net unrealized gains
    51,153,622       37,361,774  
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefits (all affiliated)
    (23,813,112 )     (12,796,435 )
Total accumulated other comprehensive income
    27,340,510       24,495,487  
Retained earnings
    230,241,612       242,280,543  
Total stockholders' equity
    358,768,345       368,641,002  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 1,230,458,912     $ 1,187,794,498  
 
 
 

 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
   
Property and
                   
   
Casualty
         
Parent
       
Quarter Ended December 31, 2011
 
Insurance
   
Reinsurance
   
Company
   
Consolidated
 
Revenues:
                       
Premiums earned
  $ 83,660,958     $ 28,106,755     $ -     $ 111,767,713  
Investment income, net
    8,212,872       3,017,858       (2,759 )     11,227,971  
Other income
    152,332       37,308       -       189,640  
      92,026,162       31,161,921       (2,759 )     123,185,324  
Losses and expenses:
                               
Losses and settlement expenses
    57,132,128       19,341,265       -       76,473,393  
Dividends to policyholders
    1,174,194       -       -       1,174,194  
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    20,607,873       6,004,831       -       26,612,704  
Other underwriting expenses
    8,053,650       315,947       -       8,369,597  
Interest expense
    225,000       -       -       225,000  
Other expenses
    214,875       (6,078 )     332,382       541,179  
      87,407,720       25,655,965       332,382       113,396,067  
Operating income (loss) before income taxes
    4,618,442       5,505,956       (335,141 )     9,789,257  
Realized investment gains
    2,036,893       829,642       -       2,866,535  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    6,655,335       6,335,598       (335,141 )     12,655,792  
Income tax expense (benefit):
                               
Current
    (1,397,937 )     1,743,848       (117,301 )     228,610  
Deferred
    2,962,903       157,941       -       3,120,844  
      1,564,966       1,901,789       (117,301 )     3,349,454  
Net income (loss)
  $ 5,090,369     $ 4,433,809     $ (217,840 )   $ 9,306,338  
Average shares outstanding
                            12,870,862  
Per Share Data:
                               
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
  $ 0.40     $ 0.34     $ (0.02 )   $ 0.72  
Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years (after tax)
  $ 0.14     $ 0.44     $ -     $ 0.58  
Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
  $ (0.01 )   $ (0.17 )   $ -     $ (0.18 )
Dividends per share
                          $ 0.20  
Other Information of Interest:
                               
Net written premiums
  $ 69,460,236     $ 28,212,718     $ -     $ 97,672,954  
Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years
  $ (2,659,359 )   $ (8,730,979 )   $ -     $ (11,390,338 )
Catastrophe and storm losses
  $ 147,895     $ 3,347,038     $ -     $ 3,494,933  
GAAP Combined Ratio:
                               
Loss ratio
    68.3 %     68.8 %     -       68.4 %
Expense ratio
    35.7 %     22.5 %     -       32.4 %
      104.0 %     91.3 %     -       100.8 %
 
 
 

 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
   
Property and
                   
   
Casualty
         
Parent
       
Quarter Ended December 31, 2010
 
Insurance
   
Reinsurance
   
Company
   
Consolidated
 
Revenues:
                       
Premiums earned
  $ 78,048,084     $ 25,013,652     $ -     $ 103,061,736  
Investment income, net
    8,968,750       3,101,499       4,948       12,075,197  
Other income
    126,779       -       -       126,779  
      87,143,613       28,115,151       4,948       115,263,712  
Losses and expenses:
                               
Losses and settlement expenses
    50,865,926       9,007,382       -       59,873,308  
Dividends to policyholders
    2,235,526       -       -       2,235,526  
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    20,618,178       5,383,060       -       26,001,238  
Other underwriting expenses
    7,995,277       6,506,377       -       14,501,654  
Interest expense
    225,000       -       -       225,000  
Other expenses
    119,456       (108,862 )     265,810       276,404  
      82,059,363       20,787,957       265,810       103,113,130  
Operating income (loss) before income taxes
    5,084,250       7,327,194       (260,862 )     12,150,582  
Realized investment gains
    1,943,407       496,098       -       2,439,505  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    7,027,657       7,823,292       (260,862 )     14,590,087  
Income tax expense (benefit):
                               
Current
    (674,740 )     1,465,422       (91,302 )     699,380  
Deferred
    2,277,325       902,199       -       3,179,524  
      1,602,585       2,367,621       (91,302 )     3,878,904  
Net income (loss)
  $ 5,425,072     $ 5,455,671     $ (169,560 )   $ 10,711,183  
Average shares outstanding
                            12,920,702  
Per Share Data:
                               
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
  $ 0.42     $ 0.42     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.83  
Decrease (increase) in provision for insured events of prior years (after tax)
  $ (0.12 )   $ 0.35     $ -     $ 0.23  
Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
  $ (0.06 )   $ (0.09 )   $ -     $ (0.15 )
Dividends per share
                          $ 0.19  
Other Information of Interest:
                               
Net written premiums
  $ 63,201,500     $ 24,914,176     $ -     $ 88,115,676  
(Decrease) increase in provision for insured events  of prior years
  $ 2,456,661     $ (7,018,676 )   $ -     $ (4,562,015 )
Catastrophe and storm losses
  $ 1,308,310     $ 1,742,867     $ -     $ 3,051,177  
GAAP Combined Ratio:
                               
Loss ratio
    65.2 %     36.0 %     -       58.1 %
Expense ratio
    39.5 %     47.5 %     -       41.5 %
      104.7 %     83.5 %     -       99.6 %
 
 
 

 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

   
Property and
                   
   
Casualty
         
Parent
       
Year ended December 31, 2011
 
Insurance
   
Reinsurance
   
Company
   
Consolidated
 
Revenues:
                       
Premiums earned
  $ 321,649,215     $ 94,753,098     $ -     $ 416,402,313  
Investment income, net
    33,718,436       12,395,350       (2,861 )     46,110,925  
Other income
    790,802       37,308       -       828,110  
      356,158,453       107,185,756       (2,861 )     463,341,348  
Losses and expenses:
                               
Losses and settlement expenses
    251,449,247       91,525,190       -       342,974,437  
Dividends to policyholders
    5,255,568       -       -       5,255,568  
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    77,810,011       19,742,819       -       97,552,830  
Other underwriting expenses
    32,678,652       617,916       -       33,296,568  
Interest expense
    900,000       -       -       900,000  
Other expenses
    750,675       591,850       1,330,129       2,672,654  
      368,844,153       112,477,775       1,330,129       482,652,057  
Operating loss before income taxes
    (12,685,700 )     (5,292,019 )     (1,332,990 )     (19,310,709 )
Realized investment gains
    6,970,028       2,333,265       -       9,303,293  
Loss before income taxes
    (5,715,672 )     (2,958,754 )     (1,332,990 )     (10,007,416 )
Income tax expense (benefit):
                               
Current
    (7,960,371 )     (1,391,340 )     (466,548 )     (9,818,259 )
Deferred
    2,805,843       (897,386 )     -       1,908,457  
      (5,154,528 )     (2,288,726 )     (466,548 )     (7,909,802 )
Net loss
  $ (561,144 )   $ (670,028 )   $ (866,442 )   $ (2,097,614 )
Average shares outstanding
                            12,912,718  
Per Share Data:
                               
Net loss per share - basic and diluted
  $ (0.04 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.07 )   $ (0.16 )
Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years (after tax)
  $ 1.01     $ 0.66     $ -     $ 1.67  
Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
  $ (2.64 )   $ (1.40 )   $ -     $ (4.04 )
Dividends per share
                          $ 0.77  
Book value per share
                          $ 27.86  
Effective tax rate
                            79.0 %
Annualized net loss as a percent of beg. SH equity
                            (0.6 )%
Other Information of Interest:
                               
Net written premiums
  $ 333,294,142     $ 96,493,350     $ -     $ 429,787,492  
Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years
  $ (20,162,952 )   $ (12,936,231 )   $ -     $ (33,099,183 )
Catastrophe and storm losses
  $ 52,447,963     $ 27,882,541     $ -     $ 80,330,504  
GAAP Combined Ratio:
                               
Loss ratio
    78.2 %     96.6 %     -       82.4 %
Expense ratio
    36.0 %     21.5 %     -       32.7 %
      114.2 %     118.1 %     -       115.1 %

 
 

 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

   
Property and
                   
   
Casualty
         
Parent
       
Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
Insurance
   
Reinsurance
   
Company
   
Consolidated
 
Revenues:
                       
Premiums earned
  $ 305,646,658     $ 83,475,492     $ -     $ 389,122,150  
Investment income, net
    36,966,159       12,523,505       (449 )     49,489,215  
Other income
    783,346       -       -       783,346  
      343,396,163       95,998,997       (449 )     439,394,711  
Losses and expenses:
                               
Losses and settlement expenses
    208,114,161       46,526,358       -       254,640,519  
Dividends to policyholders
    8,013,843       -       -       8,013,843  
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
    74,298,312       17,799,907       -       92,098,219  
Other underwriting expenses
    34,184,263       9,240,176       -       43,424,439  
Interest expense
    900,000       -       -       900,000  
Other expenses
    753,014       (345,978 )     1,334,234       1,741,270  
      326,263,593       73,220,463       1,334,234       400,818,290  
Operating income (loss) before income taxes
    17,132,570       22,778,534       (1,334,683 )     38,576,421  
Realized investment gains
    3,078,289       790,514       -       3,868,803  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    20,210,859       23,569,048       (1,334,683 )     42,445,224  
Income tax expense (benefit):
                               
Current
    1,449,805       6,308,402       (467,139 )     7,291,068  
Deferred
    3,212,310       595,523       -       3,807,833  
      4,662,115       6,903,925       (467,139 )     11,098,901  
Net income (loss)
  $ 15,548,744     $ 16,665,123     $ (867,544 )   $ 31,346,323  
Average shares outstanding
                            13,038,263  
Per Share Data:
                               
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
  $ 1.19     $ 1.28     $ (0.07 )   $ 2.40  
Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years (after tax)
  $ 1.43     $ 1.10     $ -     $ 2.53  
Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
  $ (1.65 )   $ (0.45 )   $ -     $ (2.10 )
Dividends per share
                          $ 0.73  
Book value per share
                          $ 28.52  
Effective tax rate
                            26.1 %
Annualized net income as a percent of beg. SH equity
                            9.2 %
Other Information of Interest:
                               
Net written premiums
  $ 310,794,289     $ 84,054,820     $ -     $ 394,849,109  
Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years
  $ (28,726,238 )   $ (22,022,632 )   $ -     $ (50,748,870 )
Catastrophe and storm losses
  $ 33,062,100     $ 9,081,615     $ -     $ 42,143,715  
GAAP Combined Ratio:
                               
Loss ratio
    68.1 %     55.7 %     -       65.4 %
Expense ratio
    38.1 %     32.4 %     -       36.9 %
      106.2 %     88.1 %     -       102.3 %

 
 

 

INVESTMENTS

The Company had total cash and invested assets with a carrying value of $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.  The following table summarizes the Company's cash and invested assets as of the dates indicated:

   
December 31, 2011
 
               
Percent of
       
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Total
   
Carrying
 
($ in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Value
   
Fair Value
   
Value
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
  $ 899,940     $ 958,204       86.1 %   $ 958,204  
Equity securities available-for-sale
    90,866       111,300       10.0 %     111,300  
Cash
    255       255       -       255  
Short-term investments
    42,629       42,629       3.9 %     42,629  
Other long-term investments
    14       14       -       14  
    $ 1,033,704     $ 1,112,402       100.0 %   $ 1,112,402  
                                 
   
December 31, 2010
 
                   
Percent of
         
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Total
   
Carrying
 
($ in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Value
   
Fair Value
   
Value
 
Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity
  $ 341     $ 390       -     $ 341  
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
    909,583       941,537       87.2 %     941,537  
Equity securities available-for-sale
    75,721       101,139       9.4 %     101,139  
Cash
    492       492       -       492  
Short-term investments
    36,616       36,616       3.4 %     36,616  
Other long-term investments
    30       30       -       30  
    $ 1,022,783     $ 1,080,204       100.0 %   $ 1,080,155  

NET WRITTEN PREMIUMS
 
    Three Months Ended     Year Ended  
    December 31, 2011     December 31, 2011  
          Percent of           Percent of  
          Increase/           Increase/  
    Percent of     (Decrease) in     Percent of     (Decrease) in  
Property and Casualty Insurance
  Net Written     Net Written     Net Written     Net Written  
Commercial Lines:
  Premiums     Premiums     Premiums     Premiums  
Automobile
    15.3 %     10.7 %     16.2 %     5.8 %
Liability
    13.5 %     15.1 %     14.6 %     8.4 %
Property
    15.3 %     10.8 %     16.8 %     7.9 %
Workers' Compensation
    12.9 %     9.6 %     16.5 %     9.5 %
Other
    1.6 %     (2.9 ) %     1.8 %     (5.5 ) %
Total Commercial Lines
    58.6 %     11.0 %     65.9 %     7.5 %
                                 
Personal Lines:
                               
Automobile
    7.1 %     4.2 %     6.6 %     (1.4 ) %
Property
    5.3 %     5.8 %     5.1 %     17.4 %
Liability
    0.1 %     14.7 %     0.1 %     7.4 %
Total Personal Lines
    12.5 %     5.0 %     11.8 %     6.0 %
Total Property and Casualty Insurance
    71.1 %     9.9 %     77.7 %     7.2 %
                                 
Reinsurance (1)
    28.9 %     13.2 %     22.3 %     13.7 %
Total
    100.0 %     10.8 %     100.0 %     8.6 %

(1)  Excludes $920,597 positive portfolio adjustment related to the January 1, 2011 increased participation in the MRB pool.