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8-K - PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS HOLDINGS LTDfourthquarter2013_8k.htm
EX-99.2 - PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS HOLDINGS LTDfinancialsupplementq4_2013.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS HOLDINGS, LTD. REPORTS
FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013

HAMILTON, BERMUDA, February 4, 2014 – Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: PTP) today reported net income of $48.6 million and diluted earnings per common share of $1.71 for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 and net income of $223.3 million and diluted earnings per common share of $7.35 for the year ended December 31, 2013.

The results for the quarter include net premiums earned of $148.3 million, net favorable development of $33.3 million and net investment income of $17.9 million.

Michael D. Price, Platinum’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Platinum performed very well in 2013.  We produced strong earnings per share reflecting favorable reserve releases, realized capital gains, and lower than expected catastrophe losses.  Our annual return on equity was 12.9% and our book value per common share grew to $62.07 as of December 31, 2013, an increase of 7.2% for the full year.”

Mr. Price added, “During 2013 we returned significant capital to shareholders while remaining strongly capitalized and poised to respond to market opportunities.  Although we expect 2014 will be challenging for both underwriting and investing, we will continue participating selectively in a variety of reinsurance and asset classes while prudently managing capital for the benefit of shareholders.”

Results for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 are summarized as follows:

·  
Net income was $48.6 million and diluted earnings per common share were $1.71.

·  
Gross premiums written were $149.7 million and net premiums written were $148.1 million.

·  
Net premiums earned were $148.3 million.

·  
Combined ratio was 63.5%.

·  
Net investment income was $17.9 million.

·  
Net realized losses on investments were $0.8 million.

Results for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 as compared with the quarter ended December 31, 2012 are summarized as follows:

·  
Net income was $48.6 million compared with net income of $121.5 million.

·  
Gross premiums written increased $11.5 million (or 8.4%) and net premiums written increased $14.2 million (or 10.6%).

·  
Net premiums earned increased $3.6 million (or 2.5%).

·  
Combined ratio increased 38.1 percentage points.

·  
Net investment income decreased $4.1 million (or 18.6%).

·  
Net realized losses on investments were $0.8 million compared with net realized gains on investments of $18.5 million.
 
 
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Net premiums written for Platinum’s Property and Marine, Casualty and Finite Risk segments for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 were $53.6 million, $75.1 million and $19.4 million, respectively, representing 36.2%, 50.7% and 13.1%, respectively, of total net premiums written. Combined ratios for these segments were 32.3%, 82.2% and 83.7%, respectively. Compared with the quarter ended December 31, 2012, net premiums written decreased $7.9 million (or 12.8%) in the Property and Marine segment and increased $7.4 million (or 11.0%) and $14.6 million (or 307.1%) in the Casualty and Finite Risk segments, respectively.

Results for the year ended December 31, 2013 are summarized as follows:

·  
Net income was $223.3 million and diluted earnings per common share were $7.35.

·  
Gross premiums written were $579.8 million and net premiums written were $567.1 million.

·  
Net premiums earned were $553.4 million.

·  
Combined ratio was 62.7%.

·  
Net investment income was $72.0 million.

·  
Net realized gains on investments were $23.9 million.

Results for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2012 are summarized as follows:

·  
Net income was $223.3 million compared with net income of $327.2 million.

·  
Gross premiums written increased $10.0 million (or 1.8%) and net premiums written increased $2.1 million (or 0.4%).

·  
Net premiums earned decreased $13.1 million (or 2.3%).

·  
Combined ratio increased 0.2 percentage points.

·  
Net investment income decreased $27.9 million (or 27.9%).

·  
Net realized gains on investments decreased $64.8 million.

Net premiums written for Platinum’s Property and Marine, Casualty and Finite Risk segments for the year ended December 31, 2013 were $229.5 million, $295.7 million and $41.9 million, respectively, representing 40.5%, 52.1% and 7.4%, respectively, of total net premiums written.  Combined ratios for these segments were 46.7%, 70.8% and 96.5%, respectively.  Compared with the year ended December 31, 2012, net premiums written decreased $26.7 million (or 10.4%) in the Property and Marine segment and increased $8.6 million (or 3.0%) and $20.2 million (or 93.2%) in the Casualty and Finite Risk segments, respectively.

Total assets were $3.9 billion as of December 31, 2013, a decrease of $409.4 million (or 9.4%) from December 31, 2012.  Investments and cash and cash equivalents were $3.5 billion as of December 31, 2013, a decrease of $455.3 million (or 11.5%) from December 31, 2012.

Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments, net of deferred taxes, were $48.1 million as of December 31, 2013, a decrease of $9.3 million from September 30, 2013 and a decrease of $89.6 million from December 31, 2012.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2013, the Company repurchased 8,923 common shares for $0.5 million at a weighted average cost, including commissions, of $59.27 per share.  During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company repurchased 5,360,266 common shares for $303.3 million at a weighted average cost, including commissions, of $56.58 per share.

Shareholders’ equity was $1.7 billion as of December 31, 2013, an increase of $47.8 million (or 2.8%) from September 30, 2013 and a decrease of $147.8 million (or 7.8%) as of December 31, 2012.  Book value per common share was $62.07 as of December 31, 2013 based on 28.1 million common shares outstanding, an increase of $1.20 per share (or 2.0%) from $60.87 per share as of September 30, 2013 based on 27.9 million common shares outstanding and an increase of $4.17 per share (or 7.2%) from $57.90 per share as of December 31, 2012 based on 32.7 million common shares outstanding.
 
 
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Financial Supplement
Platinum has posted a financial supplement on the Financial Reports page of the Investor Relations section of its website (Financial Supplement).  The Financial Supplement provides additional detail regarding the financial performance of Platinum and its business segments.

Teleconference
Platinum will host a teleconference to discuss its financial results on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time.  The call may be accessed by dialing 888-244-2488 (US and Canadian callers) or 913-905-3226 (international callers) or in a listen-only mode via the Investor Relations section of Platinum’s website at www.platinumre.com.  Those who intend to participate in the teleconference should register at least ten minutes in advance to ensure access to the call.  Please specify passcode 9188115.
 
The teleconference will be recorded and a replay will be available from 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 until 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, February 12, 2014.  To access the replay by telephone, dial 888-203-1112 (US and Canadian callers) or 719-457-0820 (international callers) and specify passcode 9188115. The teleconference will also be archived on the Investor Relations section of Platinum’s website at www.platinumre.com for the same period of time.
 
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In presenting the Company's results, management has included financial measures that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP).  Such measures, including return on equity, underwriting income or loss, related underwriting ratios and book value per common share, are referred to as non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. Management believes these measures allow for a more complete understanding of the underlying business. These measures are used to monitor our results and should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with GAAP.  Reconciliations of such measures to the most comparable GAAP figures are included in the attached financial information in accordance with Regulation G.
 
About Platinum
Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: PTP) is a leading provider of property, casualty and finite risk reinsurance coverages, through reinsurance intermediaries, to a diverse clientele on a worldwide basis.  Platinum operates through its principal subsidiaries in Bermuda and the United States.  For further information, please visit Platinum’s website at www.platinumre.com.

Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Forward-looking statements are based on our current plans or expectations that are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies.  These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us.  In particular, statements using words such as “may,” “should,” “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “predict,” “potential,” or words of similar import generally involve forward-looking statements.  The inclusion of forward-looking statements in this press release should not be considered as a representation by us or any other person that our current plans or expectations will be achieved.  Numerous factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the occurrence of severe natural or man-made catastrophic events; the effectiveness of our loss limitation methods and pricing models; the adequacy of our ceding companies’ ability to assess the risks they underwrite; the adequacy of our liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses; the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues on our business; our ability to maintain our A.M. Best and S&P ratings; our ability to raise capital on acceptable terms if necessary; our exposure to credit loss from counterparties in the normal course of business; our ability to provide reinsurance from Bermuda to insurers domiciled in the United States; the effect on our business of the cyclicality of the property and casualty reinsurance business; the effect on our business of the highly competitive nature of the property and casualty reinsurance industry, including the effect of new entrants to the industry; losses that we could face from terrorism, political unrest and war; our dependence on the business provided to us by reinsurance brokers and our exposure to credit risk associated with our brokers during the premium and loss settlement process; the availability of retrocessional reinsurance on acceptable terms; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation; our ability to maintain and enhance effective operating procedures and internal controls over financial reporting; our need to make many estimates and judgments in the preparation of our financial statements; the limitations placed on our financial and operational flexibility by the representations, warranties and covenants in our debt and credit facilities; our ability to retain key executives and attract and retain additional qualified personnel in the future; the performance of our investment portfolio; the effects of changes in market interest rates on our investment portfolio; the concentration of our investment portfolio in any particular industry, asset class or geographic region; the effects that the imposition of U.S. corporate income tax would have on Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and its non-U.S. subsidiaries; the risk that U.S. persons who hold our shares will be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences under certain circumstances; the risk that U.S. persons who dispose of our shares may be subject to U.S. federal income taxation at the rates applicable to dividends on all or a portion of their gains, if any; the risk that holders of 10% or more of our shares may be subject to U.S. income taxation under the “controlled foreign corporation” rules; the effect of changes in U.S. federal income tax law on an investment in our shares; the possibility that we may become subject to taxes in Bermuda; the effect on our business of potential changes in the regulatory system under which we operate; the impact of regulatory regimes and changes to accounting rules on our financial results, irrespective of business operations; the uncertain impact on our business of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010; the dependence of the cash flows of Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd., a holding company, on dividends, interest and other permissible payments from its subsidiaries to meet its obligations; the risk that our shareholders may have greater difficulty in protecting their interests than would shareholders of a U.S. corporation; and limitations on the ownership, transfer and voting rights of our common shares.  As a consequence, our future financial condition and results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Additionally, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to revise or update forward-looking statements to reflect new information or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of future events.  For a detailed discussion of our risk factors, refer to Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
 
#    #     #

 
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Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2013 and 2012
($ and amounts in thousands, except per share data)

   
(unaudited)
       
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Assets
           
Investments:
           
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 1,961,265     $ 2,054,498  
Short-term investments
    66,679       172,801  
Cash and cash equivalents
    1,464,418       1,720,395  
Accrued investment income
    20,026       21,299  
Reinsurance premiums receivable
    138,454       128,517  
Reinsurance balances (prepaid and recoverable)
    2,089       6,560  
Funds held by ceding companies
    119,241       114,090  
Deferred acquisition costs
    31,103       28,112  
Reinsurance deposit assets
    79,303       50,693  
Other assets
    41,307       36,338  
Total assets
  $ 3,923,885     $ 4,333,303  
                 
Liabilities
               
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 1,671,365     $ 1,961,282  
Unearned premiums
    126,300       113,960  
Debt obligations
    250,000       250,000  
Commissions payable
    78,791       64,849  
Other liabilities
    50,722       48,678  
Total liabilities
  $ 2,177,178     $ 2,438,769  
                 
Shareholders' Equity
               
Common shares
  $ 281     $ 327  
Additional paid-in capital
    10,711       209,897  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    48,084       137,690  
Retained earnings
    1,687,631       1,546,620  
Total shareholders' equity
  $ 1,746,707     $ 1,894,534  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 3,923,885     $ 4,333,303  
                 
Book value per common share (1)
  $ 62.07     $ 57.90  
 
(1)
Book value per common share is a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G and is determined by dividing shareholders' equity by common shares outstanding of 28,143 and 32,722 at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
 
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Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
For the Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
($ and amounts in thousands, except per share data)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Revenue
                       
Net premiums earned
  $ 148,267     $ 144,621     $ 553,413     $ 566,496  
Net investment income
    17,936       22,031       72,046       99,947  
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
    (778 )     18,455       23,920       88,754  
Net impairment losses on investments
    (31 )     (149 )     (2,033 )     (3,031 )
Other income (expense)
    974       527       3,477       (239 )
Total revenue
    166,368       185,485       650,823       751,927  
                                 
Expenses
                               
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
    46,639       (7,770 )     167,446       183,660  
Net acquisition expenses
    32,560       28,412       123,767       115,437  
Operating expenses
    23,019       23,808       82,714       80,453  
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)
    358       292       (234 )     1,055  
Interest expense
    4,784       4,777       19,125       19,098  
Total expenses
    107,360       49,519       392,818       399,703  
Income before income taxes
    59,008       135,966       258,005       352,224  
Income tax expense
    10,385       14,421       34,727       24,996  
Net income
  $ 48,623     $ 121,545     $ 223,278     $ 327,228  
                                 
                                 
Earnings Per Common Share
                               
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    28,097       32,674       29,909       33,714  
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 1.73     $ 3.71     $ 7.46     $ 9.67  
                                 
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding
    28,492       33,048       30,334       33,981  
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 1.71     $ 3.67     $ 7.35     $ 9.60  
                                 
Comprehensive income
                               
Net income
  $ 48,623     $ 121,545     $ 223,278     $ 327,228  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred taxes
    (9,306 )     (12,697 )     (89,606 )     (8,945 )
Comprehensive income
  $ 39,317     $ 108,848     $ 133,672     $ 318,283  

 
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Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.
Segment Reporting (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
($ in thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013
 
   
Property and Marine
   
Casualty
   
Finite Risk
   
Total
 
Net premiums written
  $ 53,561     $ 75,121     $ 19,406     $ 148,088  
Net premiums earned
    56,199       78,921       13,147       148,267  
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
    (1,005 )     40,645       6,999       46,639  
Net acquisition expenses
    10,718       18,264       3,578       32,560  
Other underwriting expenses
    8,405       6,029       437       14,871  
Segment underwriting income (loss)*
  $ 38,081     $ 13,983     $ 2,133       54,197  
                                 
Net investment income
                            17,936  
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
                            (778 )
Net impairment losses on investments
                            (31 )
Other income (expense)
                            974  
Corporate expenses not allocated to segments
                            (8,148 )
Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains
                            (358 )
Interest expense
                            (4,784 )
Income before income taxes
                          $ 59,008  
                                 
Underwriting ratios:*
                               
Net loss and loss adjustment expense
    (1.8 %)     51.5 %     53.2 %     31.5 %
Net acquisition expense
    19.1 %     23.1 %     27.2 %     22.0 %
Other underwriting expense
    15.0 %     7.6 %     3.3 %     10.0 %
Combined
    32.3 %     82.2 %     83.7 %     63.5 %
                                 
   
Three Months Ended December 31, 2012
 
   
Property and Marine
   
Casualty
   
Finite Risk
   
Total
 
Net premiums written
  $ 61,458     $ 67,676     $ 4,767     $ 133,901  
Net premiums earned
    67,538       72,284       4,799       144,621  
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
    47,200       (57,482 )     2,512       (7,770 )
Net acquisition expenses
    9,308       16,415       2,689       28,412  
Other underwriting expenses
    9,190       6,614       358       16,162  
Segment underwriting income (loss)*
  $ 1,840     $ 106,737     $ (760 )     107,817  
                                 
Net investment income
                            22,031  
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
                            18,455  
Net impairment losses on investments
                            (149 )
Other income (expense)
                            527  
Corporate expenses not allocated to segments
                            (7,646 )
Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains
                            (292 )
Interest expense
                            (4,777 )
Income before income taxes
                          $ 135,966  
                                 
Underwriting ratios:*
                               
Net loss and loss adjustment expense
    69.9 %     (79.5 %)     52.3 %     (5.4 %)
Net acquisition expense
    13.8 %     22.7 %     56.0 %     19.6 %
Other underwriting expense
    13.6 %     9.2 %     7.5 %     11.2 %
Combined
    97.3 %     (47.6 %)     115.8 %     25.4 %

*
Segment underwriting income or loss and underwriting ratios are non-GAAP measures as defined by Regulation G.  The underwriting ratios are calculated by dividing each item above by net premiums earned.
 
 
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Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.
Segment Reporting (Unaudited)
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
($ in thousands)

   
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2013
 
   
Property and Marine
   
Casualty
   
Finite Risk
   
Total
 
Net premiums written
  $ 229,507     $ 295,668     $ 41,946     $ 567,121  
Net premiums earned
    222,010       297,888       33,515       553,413  
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
    34,421       115,888       17,137       167,446  
Net acquisition expenses
    38,342       71,648       13,777       123,767  
Other underwriting expenses
    30,898       23,149       1,439       55,486  
Segment underwriting income (loss)*
  $ 118,349     $ 87,203     $ 1,162       206,714  
                                 
Net investment income
                            72,046  
Net realized gains on investments
                            23,920  
Net impairment losses on investments
                            (2,033 )
Other income (expense)
                            3,477  
Corporate expenses not allocated to segments
                            (27,228 )
Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains
                            234  
Interest expense
                            (19,125 )
Income before income taxes
                          $ 258,005  
                                 
Underwriting ratios:*
                               
Net loss and loss adjustment expense
    15.5 %     38.9 %     51.1 %     30.3 %
Net acquisition expense
    17.3 %     24.1 %     41.1 %     22.4 %
Other underwriting expense
    13.9 %     7.8 %     4.3 %     10.0 %
Combined
    46.7 %     70.8 %     96.5 %     62.7 %
                                 
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2012
 
   
Property and Marine
   
Casualty
   
Finite Risk
   
Total
 
Net premiums written
  $ 256,182     $ 287,112     $ 21,706     $ 565,000  
Net premiums earned
    253,604       294,122       18,770       566,496  
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
    132,580       43,763       7,317       183,660  
Net acquisition expenses
    34,342       68,987       12,108       115,437  
Other underwriting expenses
    31,140       22,937       1,105       55,182  
Segment underwriting income (loss)*
  $ 55,542     $ 158,435     $ (1,760 )     212,217  
                                 
Net investment income
                            99,947  
Net realized gains on investments
                            88,754  
Net impairment losses on investments
                            (3,031 )
Other income (expense)
                            (239 )
Corporate expenses not allocated to segments
                            (25,271 )
Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains
                            (1,055 )
Interest expense
                            (19,098 )
Income before income taxes
                          $ 352,224  
                                 
Underwriting ratios:*
                               
Net loss and loss adjustment expense
    52.3 %     14.9 %     39.0 %     32.4 %
Net acquisition expense
    13.5 %     23.5 %     64.5 %     20.4 %
Other underwriting expense
    12.3 %     7.8 %     5.9 %     9.7 %
Combined
    78.1 %     46.2 %     109.4 %     62.5 %

*
Segment underwriting income or loss and underwriting ratios are non-GAAP measures as defined by Regulation G.  The underwriting ratios are calculated by dividing each item above by net premiums earned.

 
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Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.
Return on Equity (Unaudited)
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
($ in thousands)
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Net income
  $ 223,278     $ 327,228  
                 
Shareholders' equity, beginning of the year
    1,894,534       1,690,859  
Weighted average adjustments for material capital transactions:
               
Share repurchases
    (181,685 )     (68,818 )
Other
    12,521       1,551  
Adjusted shareholders' equity, beginning of the year
  $ 1,725,370     $ 1,623,592  
                 
Return on equity
    12.9 %     20.2 %
 
Return on equity is a non-GAAP measure as defined by Regulation G. Return on equity is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the beginning shareholders’ equity for the year, adjusted for material capital transactions during the year.
 
 
Contact:  Kenneth A. Kurtzman
(203) 252-5833
 
 
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