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8-K - EVEREST RE GROUP 8-K 2Q2013 - EVEREST RE GROUP LTDgroup8k2q2013.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 Results; 36% Growth in Net Income EPS

HAMILTON, Bermuda – July 23, 2013 -- Everest Re Group, Ltd. (NYSE: RE) today reported second quarter 2013 net income of $275.6 million, or $5.56 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $214.6 million, or $4.08 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2012. After-tax operating income1, excluding realized capital gains and losses, was $253.2 million, or $5.10 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2013, compared to after-tax operating income1 of $223.0 million, or $4.25 per diluted common share, for the same period last year.

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, net income was $660.0 million, or $13.09 per diluted common share, compared to $519.3 million, or $9.79 per diluted common share, for the first six months of 2012. After-tax operating income1, excluding realized capital gains and losses, was $554.2 million, or $10.99 per diluted common share, compared to $462.9 million or $8.72 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2012.

Commenting on the Company’s results, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph V. Taranto said, “Through six months, our annualized net income return on shareholders’ equity is 21%. We returned $500 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends and grew book value per share, adjusted for dividends, by 5% despite falling bond prices and catastrophes. We believe we are well positioned to continue to increase shareholder value.”

Operating highlights for the second quarter of 2013 included the following:
 
·  
Gross written premiums increased 39% to $1.26 billion compared to the second quarter of 2012, largely driven by one large Florida quota share reinsurance
 
 
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contract. Excluding the total impact of this contract, gross written premiums were up 11%. On this same basis, worldwide reinsurance premiums were up 7% reflecting new business growth. Insurance premiums were up 24% primarily driven by growth on its California workers’ compensation and non-standard automobile business.
·  
The combined ratio for the quarter was 87.6% compared to 89.0% in the second quarter of 2012. Excluding catastrophe losses, reinstatement premiums, and prior period loss development, the current quarter attritional combined ratio improved 6.6 points to 80.2%.
·  
Catastrophe losses amounted to $90.0 million in the quarter, arising from tornadoes and hailstorms in the U.S. and flooding in Central Europe and Canada. The net impact of these losses, after reinstatement premiums and taxes, is $73.2 million.
·  
Net investment income for the quarter was $148.7 million, including limited partnership income of $19.6 million.
·  
Net after-tax realized capital gains totaled $22.5 million. There was $274.4 million of unrealized losses, net of tax, on the fixed income portfolio as rising interest rates reduced the market value of those securities.
·  
Cash flow from operations was $170.2 million compared to $138.8 million for the same period in 2012.
·  
For the quarter, the annualized after-tax operating income1 return on average adjusted shareholders’ equity2 was 16.1% compared to 15.3% in 2012.
·  
During the quarter, the Company repurchased 1.6 million of its common shares at an average price of $133.16 and a total cost of $211.3 million. For the year, the Company repurchased 3.5 million of its common shares for a total cost of $450.0 million. The repurchases were made pursuant to a share repurchase authorization, provided by the Company’s Board of Directors, under which there remains 5.8 million shares available.
·  
Shareholders’ equity ended the quarter at $6.6 billion. Book value per share increased 4.1% from $130.96 at December 31, 2012 to $136.31 at June 30, 2013.

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
 
 
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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.everestregroup.com.

A conference call discussing the second quarter results will be held at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on July 24, 2013. 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
 
Six Months Ended
   
June 30,
 
June 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
         
(unaudited)
               
(unaudited)
       
                                                 
         
Per Diluted
         
Per Diluted
         
Per Diluted
         
Per Diluted
 
         
Common
         
Common
         
Common
         
Common
 
   
Amount
   
Share
   
Amount
   
Share
   
Amount
   
Share
   
Amount
   
Share
 
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 275,642     $ 5.56     $ 214,551     $ 4.08     $ 659,985     $ 13.09     $ 519,255     $ 9.79  
After-tax net realized capital gains (losses)
    22,492       0.45       (8,462 )     (0.16 )     105,763       2.10       56,314       1.06  
                                                                 
After-tax operating income (loss)
  $ 253,150     $ 5.10     $ 223,013     $ 4.25     $ 554,222     $ 10.99     $ 462,941     $ 8.72  
                                                                 
(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
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
REVENUES:
                       
Premiums earned
  $ 1,151,533     $ 1,037,800     $ 2,240,292     $ 2,035,778  
Net investment income
    148,729       149,329       294,510       301,767  
Net realized capital gains (losses):
                               
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
    -       (466 )     (191 )     (6,354 )
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
                               
transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)
    -       -       -       -  
Other net realized capital gains (losses)
    33,905       (16,114 )     160,831       88,493  
Total net realized capital gains (losses)
    33,905       (16,580 )     160,640       82,139  
Net derivative gain (loss)
    12,081       (16,306 )     27,366       (10,123 )
Other income (expense)
    8,295       27,812       (592 )     21,618  
Total revenues
    1,354,543       1,182,055       2,722,216       2,431,179  
                                 
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:
                               
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses
    711,590       607,870       1,304,234       1,210,336  
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees
    242,067       265,789       475,113       503,292  
Other underwriting expenses
    54,901       49,675       107,847       98,170  
Corporate expenses
    6,168       6,075       11,885       10,736  
Interest, fees and bond issue cost amortization expense
    17,362       13,244       30,843       26,422  
Total claims and expenses
    1,032,088       942,653       1,929,922       1,848,956  
                                 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES
    322,455       239,402       792,294       582,223  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    46,813       24,851       132,309       62,968  
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 275,642     $ 214,551     $ 659,985     $ 519,255  
                                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                               
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period
    (272,540 )     5,408       (319,342 )     85,535  
Less:  reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss)
    (1,828 )     (7,456 )     (5,919 )     (7,214 )
Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period
    (274,368 )     (2,048 )     (325,261 )     78,321  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    13,751       (24,997 )     (7,315 )     (9,127 )
Pension adjustments
    1,345       983       2,691       1,967  
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    (259,272 )     (26,062 )     (329,885 )     71,161  
                                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 16,370     $ 188,489     $ 330,100     $ 590,416  
                                 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
                               
Basic
  $ 5.60     $ 4.10     $ 13.19     $ 9.81  
Diluted
    5.56       4.08       13.09       9.79  
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)
 
2013
   
2012
 
   
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS:
           
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value
  $ 12,879,955     $ 13,141,657  
    (amortized cost: 2013, $12,544,171; 2012, $12,444,880)
               
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value
    18,129       41,470  
Equity securities - available for sale, at market value (cost: 2013, $142,409; 2012, $131,630)
    140,197       143,493  
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value
    1,295,816       1,255,557  
Short-term investments
    727,965       860,379  
Other invested assets (cost: 2013, $526,704; 2012, $596,590)
    526,704       596,590  
Cash
    439,136       537,050  
       Total investments and cash
    16,027,902       16,576,196  
Accrued investment income
    125,729       130,209  
Premiums receivable
    1,455,774       1,237,859  
Reinsurance receivables
    711,719       659,081  
Funds held by reinsureds
    239,267       228,375  
Deferred acquisition costs
    324,306       303,268  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
    76,417       71,107  
Deferred tax asset
    258,132       262,024  
Income taxes recoverable
    67,300       68,442  
Other assets
    272,502       241,346  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 19,559,048     $ 19,777,907  
                 
LIABILITIES:
               
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 9,843,480     $ 10,069,055  
Future policy benefit reserve
    65,541       66,107  
Unearned premium reserve
    1,444,979       1,322,525  
Funds held under reinsurance treaties
    2,592       2,755  
Commission reserves
    56,050       65,533  
Other net payable to reinsurers
    191,931       162,778  
Losses in course of payment
    421,002       191,076  
Revolving credit borrowings
    40,000       -  
5.4% Senior notes due 10/15/2014
    249,932       249,907  
6.6% Long term notes due 5/1/2067
    238,359       238,357  
Junior subordinated debt securities payable
    -       329,897  
Accrued interest on debt and borrowings
    4,791       4,781  
Equity index put option liability
    52,101       79,467  
Unsettled securities payable
    115,362       48,830  
Other liabilities
    210,128       213,372  
       Total liabilities
    12,936,248       13,044,440  
                 
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; (2013) 67,812
               
    and (2012) 67,105 outstanding before treasury shares
    678       671  
Additional paid-in capital
    2,003,166       1,946,439  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax expense
               
    (benefit) of $67,381 at 2013 and $119,629 at 2012
    207,164       537,049  
Treasury shares, at cost; 19,224 shares (2013) and 15,687 shares (2012)
    (1,813,913 )     (1,363,958 )
Retained earnings
    6,225,705       5,613,266  
       Total shareholders' equity
    6,622,800       6,733,467  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 19,559,048     $ 19,777,907  

 
 

 
 
EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
                       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                       
                         
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 275,642     $ 214,551     $ 659,985     $ 519,255  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                               
Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable
    (167,239 )     70,139       (220,306 )     107,410  
Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net
    (16,828 )     10,673       (12,244 )     8,407  
Decrease (increase) in reinsurance receivables
    26,758       (33,809 )     (65,978 )     (13,027 )
Decrease (increase) in current income taxes
    (25,569 )     4,768       1,089       1,459  
Decrease (increase) in deferred tax asset
    18,071       3,956       55,640       33,961  
Decrease (increase) in prepaid reinsurance premiums
    (10,354 )     3,130       (6,908 )     9,123  
Increase (decrease) in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
    (47,200 )     (95,066 )     (175,142 )     (267,230 )
Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserve
    229       (574 )     (567 )     (919 )
Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums
    72,212       (186,162 )     126,535       (173,569 )
Increase (decrease) in other net payable to reinsurers
    25,577       30,025       29,765       26,903  
Increase (decrease) in losses in course of payment
    81,362       (20,878 )     230,135       10,810  
Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships
    (18,994 )     (15,972 )     (36,350 )     (28,492 )
Change in other assets and liabilities, net
    (31,052 )     113,547       (74,866 )     108,193  
Non-cash compensation expense
    4,551       7,652       10,165       13,374  
Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount)
    16,900       16,200       35,507       30,966  
Amortization of underwriting discount on senior notes
    14       12       27       25  
Net realized capital (gains) losses
    (33,905 )     16,580       (160,640 )     (82,139 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    170,175       138,772       395,847       304,510  
                                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                               
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value
    706,674       381,216       1,318,718       791,593  
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at fair value
    4,213       -       7,213       -  
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value
    376,688       203,240       631,184       421,318  
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at fair value
    13,678       1,862       17,342       61,143  
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at market value
    44,194       34,549       45,423       54,792  
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at fair value
    252,594       53,950       358,769       297,606  
Distributions from other invested assets
    33,846       12,798       117,548       21,017  
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value
    (1,105,870 )     (641,902 )     (2,122,159 )     (1,254,576 )
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at fair value
    (1,411 )     (2,382 )     (2,706 )     (5,506 )
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at market value
    (51,921 )     (6,202 )     (53,487 )     (12,654 )
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at fair value
    (121,327 )     (79,934 )     (243,944 )     (193,279 )
Cost of other invested assets acquired
    (4,617 )     (16,680 )     (11,301 )     (28,592 )
Net change in short-term investments
    53,629       (5,025 )     132,136       (262,730 )
Net change in unsettled securities transactions
    64,135       (32,856 )     55,668       5,966  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    264,505       (97,366 )     250,404       (103,902 )
                                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                               
Common shares issued during the period, net
    19,651       15,344       46,569       17,955  
Purchase of treasury shares
    (211,323 )     (100,000 )     (449,955 )     (224,999 )
Revolving credit borrowings
    40,000       -       40,000       -  
Net cost of junior subordinated debt securities maturing
    (329,897 )     -       (329,897 )     -  
Dividends paid to shareholders
    (23,315 )     (25,129 )     (47,546 )     (50,770 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (504,884 )     (109,785 )     (740,829 )     (257,814 )
                                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
    (14,796 )     (4,817 )     (3,336 )     7,406  
                                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash
    (85,000 )     (73,196 )     (97,914 )     (49,800 )
Cash, beginning of period
    524,136       472,047       537,050       448,651  
Cash, end of period
  $ 439,136     $ 398,851     $ 439,136     $ 398,851  
                                 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
                               
Income taxes paid (recovered)
  $ 47,550     $ 12,617     $ 66,738     $ 23,801  
Interest paid
    17,280       20,387       23,281       26,085  
                                 
Non-cash transaction:
                               
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       -       92,981