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8-K - EVEREST RE GROUP 8-K 3Q2012 - EVEREST RE GROUP LTDgroup8k3q2012.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 Third Quarter 2012 Earnings

HAMILTON, Bermuda – October 24, 2012 -- Everest Re Group, Ltd. (NYSE: RE) today reported third quarter 2012 net income of $250.9 million, or $4.82 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $63.1 million, or $1.16 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2011. After-tax operating income1, excluding realized capital gains and losses, was $210.6 million, or $4.05 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2012, compared to after-tax operating income1 of $146.7 million, or $2.70 per diluted common share, for the same period last year.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, net income was $770.2 million, or $14.61 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $121.5 million, or $2.24 per common share, for the first nine months of 2011. After-tax operating income1, excluding realized capital gains and losses, was $673.5 million, or $12.78 per diluted common share, compared to an after-tax operating loss of $42.9 million or $0.79 per common share, for the same period in 2011.
 
Commenting on the Company’s results, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph V. Taranto said, “Our record pace continues with another quarter of comprehensive income in excess of $400 million. Through nine months, we have generated almost $1 billion of comprehensive income for our shareholders, resulting in growth in book value per share, adjusted for dividends, of 17.4%.”
 
Operating highlights for the third quarter of 2012 included the following:
 
·  
Gross written premiums were $1.2 billion, an increase of 7% compared to the third quarter of 2011. Worldwide, reinsurance premiums were down 2.5% to $869.5 million, but adjusting for the higher level of reinstatement premiums in 2011 and the effects of foreign currency fluctuations, reinsurance premiums were relatively
 
 
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flat. Insurance premiums increased 42%, quarter over quarter, primarily due to the acquisition of Heartland.
·  
The loss and combined ratios for the quarter were 59.8% and 87.2%, respectively, compared to 69.0% and 95.6% in 2011. Excluding catastrophe losses, reinstatement premiums, and prior period loss development, the current quarter attritional loss ratio was 57.5% and the current quarter attritional combined ratio was 84.9%. This compared to 56.6% and 83.5%, respectively, for the same period last year. It should be noted that the current year attritional combined ratio does include a $33.2 million underwriting loss in the quarter for crop business, $20.0 million on primary business and $13.2 million on reinsurance business. Adjusting for this, the current year attritional combined ratio would be 81.6%.
·  
Net investment income for the quarter was $152.0 million, down 3% compared to last year, primarily driven by declining reinvestment rates.
·  
Net after-tax realized and unrealized capital gains totaled $40.4 million and $118.2 million, respectively, for the quarter.
·  
Cash flow from operations was $174.9 million compared to $207.9 million for the same period in 2011. Higher underwriting cash flow was partially offset by lower investment income receipts and higher tax payments in the current quarter.
·  
Through nine months, the annualized after-tax operating income1 return on average adjusted shareholders’ equity2 was 15.3%.
·  
During the quarter, the Company repurchased 229,100 of its common shares at an average price of $109.22 and a total cost of $25 million. For the year, the Company repurchased 2.6 million of its common shares for a total cost of $250 million. The repurchases were made pursuant to a share repurchase authorization, provided by the Company’s Board of Directors, under which there remains 4.7 million shares available.
·  
Shareholders’ equity ended the quarter at $6.8 billion, up 12% from the $6.1 billion at December 31, 2011. Book value per share increased 16% from $112.99 at December 31, 2011 to $131.22 at September 30, 2012.
 
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, 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
 
 
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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.everestregroup.com.
 
A conference call discussing the third quarter results will be held at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on October 25, 2012. 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.everestregroup.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
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
      (unaudited)     (unaudited)
                                                 
         
Per Diluted
         
Per Diluted
         
Per Diluted
         
Per
 
         
Common
         
Common
         
Common
         
Common
 
   
Amount
   
Share
   
Amount
   
Share
   
Amount
   
Share
   
Amount
   
Share
 
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 250,922     $ 4.82     $ 63,054     $ 1.16     $ 770,177     $ 14.61     $ (121,528 )   $ (2.24 )
After-tax net realized capital gains (losses)
    40,351       0.78       (83,619 )     (1.54 )     96,665       1.83       (78,612 )     (1.45 )
                                                                 
After-tax operating income (loss)
  $ 210,571     $ 4.05     $ 146,673     $ 2.70     $ 673,512     $ 12.78     $ (42,916 )   $ (0.79 )
                                                                 
(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 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
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
REVENUES:
                       
Premiums earned
  $ 1,009,454     $ 1,044,338     $ 3,045,232     $ 3,095,619  
Net investment income
    152,024       156,465       453,791       493,788  
Net realized capital gains (losses):
                               
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
    (3,548 )     (1,050 )     (9,902 )     (15,817 )
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
                               
transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)
    -       -       -       -  
Other net realized capital gains (losses)
    66,291       (136,621 )     154,784       (114,543 )
Total net realized capital gains (losses)
    62,743       (137,671 )     144,882       (130,360 )
Net derivative gain (loss)
    703       (23,427 )     (9,420 )     (19,273 )
Other income (expense)
    (5,943 )     (14,911 )     15,675       (31,744 )
Total revenues
    1,218,981       1,024,794       3,650,160       3,408,030  
                                 
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:
                               
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses
    603,654       720,711       1,813,990       2,706,276  
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees
    221,082       227,969       724,374       701,800  
Other underwriting expenses
    55,762       49,437       153,932       140,290  
Corporate expenses
    5,947       4,204       16,683       11,922  
Interest, fees and bond issue cost amortization expense
    13,331       13,085       39,753       39,199  
Total claims and expenses
    899,776       1,015,406       2,748,732       3,599,487  
                                 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES
    319,205       9,388       901,428       (191,457 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    68,283       (53,666 )     131,251       (69,929 )
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 250,922     $ 63,054     $ 770,177     $ (121,528 )
                                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax :
                               
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period
    116,694       (14,536 )     202,229       53,141  
Less:  reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss)
    1,512       (20,420 )     (5,702 )     (949 )
Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period
    118,206       (34,956 )     196,527       52,192  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    36,252       (23,247 )     27,125       16,258  
Pension adjustments
    1,199       746       3,166       2,238  
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    155,657       (57,457 )     226,818       70,688  
                                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 406,579     $ 5,597     $ 996,995     $ (50,840 )
                                 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
                               
Basic
  $ 4.84     $ 1.16     $ 14.66     $ (2.24 )
Diluted
    4.82       1.16       14.61       (2.24 )
Dividends declared
    0.48       0.48       1.44       1.44  
 
 
 

 
 
EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars and share amounts in thousands, except par value per share)
 
2012
   
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS:
           
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value
  $ 12,846,495     $ 12,293,524  
    (amortized cost: 2012, $12,100,746; 2011, $11,731,173)
               
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value
    52,217       113,606  
Equity securities - available for sale, at market value (cost: 2012, $265,563; 2011, $463,620)
    279,375       448,930  
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value
    1,301,522       1,249,106  
Short-term investments
    973,560       685,332  
Other invested assets (cost: 2012, $602,230; 2011, $558,232)
    602,230       558,232  
Cash
    478,558       448,651  
       Total investments and cash
    16,533,957       15,797,381  
Accrued investment income
    128,619       130,193  
Premiums receivable
    1,204,867       1,077,548  
Reinsurance receivables
    642,612       580,339  
Funds held by reinsureds
    224,344       267,295  
Deferred acquisition costs
    296,410       378,026  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
    106,869       85,409  
Deferred tax asset
    260,809       332,783  
Income taxes recoverable
    20,378       41,623  
Other assets
    248,608       202,958  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 19,667,473     $ 18,893,555  
                 
LIABILITIES:
               
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 9,847,174     $ 10,123,215  
Future policy benefit reserve
    65,734       67,187  
Unearned premium reserve
    1,370,099       1,412,778  
Funds held under reinsurance treaties
    2,659       2,528  
Commission reserves
    51,453       55,103  
Other net payable to reinsurers
    228,641       60,775  
5.4% Senior notes due 10/15/2014
    249,894       249,858  
6.6% Long term notes due 5/1/2067
    238,356       238,354  
Junior subordinated debt securities payable
    329,897       329,897  
Accrued interest on debt and borrowings
    12,092       4,781  
Equity index put option liability
    79,148       69,729  
Unsettled securities payable
    105,869       8,793  
Other liabilities
    301,085       199,182  
       Total liabilities
    12,882,101       12,822,180  
                 
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; (2012) 67,024
               
    and (2011) 66,455 outstanding before treasury shares
    670       665  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,935,677       1,892,988  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax expense
               
    (benefit) of $136,906 at 2012 and $112,969 at 2011
    593,796       366,978  
Treasury shares, at cost; 15,316 shares (2012) and 12,719 shares (2011)
    (1,323,995 )     (1,073,970 )
Retained earnings
    5,579,224       4,884,714  
       Total shareholders' equity
    6,785,372       6,071,375  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 19,667,473     $ 18,893,555  
 
 
 

 
 
EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 250,922     $ 63,054     $ 770,177     $ (121,528 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                               
Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable
    (227,333 )     (6,371 )     (119,923 )     (159,868 )
Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net
    37,682       (22,036 )     46,089       17,452  
Decrease (increase) in reinsurance receivables
    (22,945 )     89,855       (35,972 )     107,610  
Decrease (increase) in current income taxes
    19,927       14,638       21,386       7,205  
Decrease (increase) in deferred tax asset
    14,935       (75,216 )     48,896       (73,558 )
Decrease (increase) in prepaid reinsurance premiums
    (27,524 )     10,126       (18,401 )     49,472  
Increase (decrease) in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
    (138,310 )     (115,014 )     (405,540 )     578,371  
Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserve
    (535 )     (638 )     (1,454 )     (1,032 )
Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums
    121,344       34,686       (52,225 )     (79,001 )
Increase (decrease) in other net payable to reinsurers
    138,239       13,645       165,142       (15,938 )
Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships
    (18,274 )     (16,439 )     (46,766 )     (67,053 )
Change in other assets and liabilities, net
    65,247       65,828       184,250       126,791  
Non-cash compensation expense
    9,452       5,295       22,826       12,953  
Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount)
    14,829       8,814       45,795       34,384  
Amortization of underwriting discount on senior notes
    13       12       38       36  
Net realized capital (gains) losses
    (62,743 )     137,671       (144,882 )     130,360  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    174,926       207,910       479,436       546,656  
                                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                               
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value
    503,303       537,715       1,294,896       1,348,380  
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at fair value
    1,300       -       1,300       12,775  
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value
    217,983       487,973       639,301       1,355,653  
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at fair value
    11,783       12,512       72,926       62,632  
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at market value
    76,000       1       130,792       27,207  
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at fair value
    89,311       61,080       386,917       154,747  
Distributions from other invested assets
    32,015       15,923       53,032       143,017  
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value
    (889,195 )     (756,432 )     (2,143,771 )     (2,293,760 )
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at fair value
    (1,658 )     (9,801 )     (7,164 )     (25,025 )
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at market value
    (7,472 )     (4,772 )     (20,126 )     (120,583 )
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at fair value
    (111,767 )     (342,567 )     (305,046 )     (684,867 )
Cost of other invested assets acquired
    (21,089 )     (5,730 )     (49,681 )     (57,832 )
Cost of businesses acquired
    -       -       -       (63,100 )
Net change in short-term investments
    (24,466 )     (51,333 )     (287,196 )     (48,616 )
Net change in unsettled securities transactions
    59,991       (11,755 )     65,957       35,446  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (63,961 )     (67,186 )     (167,863 )     (153,926 )
                                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                               
Common shares issued during the period, net
    1,913       951       19,868       8,508  
Purchase of treasury shares
    (25,026 )     (46,628 )     (250,025 )     (84,239 )
Revolving credit borrowings
    -       (40,000 )     -       (50,000 )
Dividends paid to shareholders
    (24,897 )     (25,936 )     (75,667 )     (78,062 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (48,010 )     (111,613 )     (305,824 )     (203,793 )
                                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
    16,752       3,072       24,158       (3,639 )
                                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash
    79,707       32,183       29,907       185,298  
Cash, beginning of period
    398,851       411,523       448,651       258,408  
Cash, end of period
  $ 478,558     $ 443,706     $ 478,558     $ 443,706  
                                 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
                               
Income taxes paid (recovered)
  $ 30,662     $ 6,627     $ 54,463     $ (5,919 )
Interest paid
    5,851       5,607       31,936       31,385  
                                 
Non-cash transaction:
                               
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed from business acquisitions
    -       -       -       19,130  
Conversion of equity securities - available for sale, at market value, to fixed
                               
maturity securities - available for sale, at market value, including accrued
                               
interest at time of conversion
    -       -       92,981       -