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8-K - FORM 8-K - HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES INCv371463_8k.htm

 

777 Main Street, Suite 1000

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

P | 817.348.1600 F | 817.348.1815

www.hallmarkgrp.com

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER 2013 EARNINGS RESULTS

 

FORT WORTH, Texas, (March 12, 2014) - Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALL) today reported fourth quarter 2013 net income of $3.4 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1.8 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, reported for fourth quarter 2012. Hallmark reported net income of $8.2 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, for fiscal 2013 as compared to net income of $3.5 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for fiscal 2012. Total revenues were $88.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to $88.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. Fiscal 2013 total revenues were $389.4 million, up 14% from the $341.8 million reported for fiscal 2012.

 

“Our strategy of growing existing profitable lines of business and contracting lines of business where we have experienced unacceptable underwriting performance has resulted in continued improvement in our operating results, as evidenced by our fourth quarter combined ratio of 96.6%. Our fiscal 2013 gross written premium growth of 18% was driven largely by near double-digit rate increases in our Specialty Commercial and Standard Commercial segments coupled with increased insured exposures on renewal policies as a result of improving economic conditions,” said Mark J. Morrison, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our quarterly underwriting results reflect an improvement in current accident year underwriting profitability. While we are still not yet satisfied with our overall underwriting profitability, we remain confident the underwriting and pricing actions we have taken will continue to improve operating margins going forward and help us to achieve our financial goals.”

 

Mark E. Schwarz, Executive Chairman of Hallmark, stated, “Book value per share was $12.36 at the end of the quarter, an increase of 8% over prior year end. Cash flow from operations was $14.8 million in the fourth quarter, up from $5.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Total cash and investments have increased 14% during fiscal 2013 to $615.2 million, or $31.94 per share. Hallmark’s cash balances totaled $153.9 million as of December 31, 2013.”

 

 
 

 

Fourth Quarter    
   2013   2012   % Change 
   ($ in thousands, unaudited) 
Gross premiums written   108,749    92,184    18%
Net premiums written   64,435    77,385    -17%
Net premiums earned   83,757    83,498    0%
Investment income, net of expenses   3,013    3,720    -19%
Net realized gains   817    89    818%
Total revenues   88,375    88,623    0%
Net income (1)   3,428    1,783    92%
Net income per share - basic  $0.18   $0.09    100%
Net income per share - diluted  $0.18   $0.09    100%
Book value per share  $12.36   $11.45    8%
Cash flow from operations   14,818    5,495    170%

 

Fiscal Year    
   2013   2012   % Change 
   ($ in thousands, unaudited) 
Gross premiums written   460,027    389,842    18%
Net premiums written   360,765    332,489    9%
Net premiums earned   360,541    319,436    13%
Investment income, net of expenses   12,884    15,293    -16%
Net realized gains   10,540    1,943    442%
Total revenues   389,428    341,800    14%
Net income (1)   8,245    3,524    134%
Net income per share - basic  $0.43   $0.18    139%
Net income per share - diluted  $0.43   $0.18    139%
Book value per share  $12.36   $11.45    8%
Cash flow from operations   68,338    33,682    103%

 

(1) Net income for each period is net income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. as reported in the consolidated statements of operations as determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

 

Fiscal Year 2013 Commentary

 

During fiscal 2013, total revenues were $389.4 million, representing an approximately 14% increase over the $341.8 million in total revenues for fiscal 2012. The growth in revenue was primarily attributable to increased premium production and resulting earned premium driven largely from the Specialty Commercial Segment and the Standard Commercial Segment. Further contributing to the increase in revenue were higher net realized gains on the investment portfolio and a lower adverse profit share commission revenue adjustment in the Standard Commercial Segment. These increases in revenue were partially offset by lower net investment income and lower year to date earned premium in the Personal Segment due mostly to the impact of discontinued products and a reduction of premium written in underperforming states.

 

The increase in revenue for fiscal 2013 was accompanied by increased loss and LAE of $34.9 million as compared to the same period of 2012. During fiscal 2013, the Company recorded $10.0 million of unfavorable prior year loss development. During fiscal 2012, the Company recorded $3.7 million of favorable prior year loss development. The increase in loss and LAE occurred despite a $1.5 million decrease in catastrophe losses to $10.2 million during fiscal 2013 from $11.7 million reported during fiscal 2012. Other operating expenses also increased due mostly to increased production related expenses in the E&S Commercial business unit.

 

 
 

 

Hallmark reported net income of $8.2 million for fiscal 2013, as compared to net income of $3.5 million for fiscal 2012. On a diluted per share basis, net income attributable to Hallmark was $0.43 per share for fiscal 2013 as compared to net income of $0.18 per share for fiscal 2012.

 

Hallmark's consolidated net loss ratio was 67.3% and 72.5% for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to 68.9% and 70.9% for the same periods in 2012. The net loss ratios were impacted by $2.0 million and $10.0 million of unfavorable prior year loss reserve development for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to $0.1 million and $3.7 million of favorable prior year loss reserve development for the same periods of 2012. Hallmark's net expense ratio was 29.3% and 29.2% for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to 30.2% and 30.8% for the same periods in 2012. Hallmark’s net combined ratio was 96.6% and 101.7% for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to 99.1% and 101.7% for the same periods in 2012.

 

About Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.

 

Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. is an insurance holding company which, through its subsidiaries, engages in the sale of property/casualty insurance products to businesses and individuals. Hallmark’s business involves marketing, distributing, underwriting and servicing commercial and personal lines of property/casualty insurance products, as well as providing other insurance related services. Hallmark is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and its common stock is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol "HALL."

 

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that actual results may differ substantially from such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, continued acceptance of the Company’s products and services in the marketplace, competitive factors, interest rate trends, general economic conditions, the availability of financing, underwriting loss experience and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

For further information, please contact:

Mark J. Morrison, President and Chief Executive Officer at 817.348.1600

www.hallmarkgrp.com

 

 
 

 

Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets        
($ in thousands, except share amounts)  Dec. 31   Dec. 31 
   2013   2012 
ASSETS          
Investments:          
Debt securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $408,627 in 2013 and $397,800 in 2012)  $410,095   $401,435 
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $24,902 in 2013 and $31,502 in 2012)   51,230    43,925 
Total investments   461,325    445,360 
Cash and cash equivalents   141,666    85,145 
Restricted cash   12,190    8,707 
Ceded unearned premiums   44,988    22,411 
Premiums receivable   71,157    66,683 
Accounts receivable   2,382    3,110 
Receivable for securities   1,320    3 
Reinsurance recoverable   76,818    51,970 
Deferred policy acquisition costs   22,586    24,911 
Goodwill   44,695    44,695 
Intangible assets, net   19,953    23,068 
Deferred federal income taxes, net   -    1,940 
Prepaid expenses   1,531    1,480 
Other assets   8,412    10,985 
Total Assets  $909,023   $790,468 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Liabilities:          
Revolving credit facility payable  $1,473   $1,473 
Subordinated debt securities   56,702    56,702 
Reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses   382,640    313,416 
Unearned premiums   185,303    162,502 
Reinsurance balances payable   20,598    7,330 
Pension liability   1,433    3,685 
Payable for securities   206    - 
Deferred federal income taxes, net   2,825    - 
Federal income tax payable   719    1,518 
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses   19,006    23,305 
Total Liabilities   670,905    569,931 
Commitments and contingencies          
           
Stockholders’ equity:          
Common stock, $.18 par value, authorized 33,333,333 shares; issued 20,872,831 shares in 2013 and 2012   3,757    3,757 
Additional paid-in capital   122,827    122,475 
Retained earnings   106,209    97,964 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   16,883    7,899 
Treasury stock (1,609,374 shares in 2013 and 2012), at cost   (11,558)   (11,558)
Total Stockholders’ Equity   238,118    220,537 
   $909,023   $790,468 

 

 
 

 

Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries        
Consolidated Statements of Operations  Three Months Ended   Fiscal Year Ended 
($ in thousands, except share amounts; unaudited)  December 31   December 31 
   2013   2012   2013   2012 
Gross premiums written  $108,749   $92,184   $460,027   $389,842 
Ceded premiums written   (44,314)   (14,799)   (99,262)   (57,353)
Net premiums written   64,435    77,385    360,765    332,489 
Change in unearned premiums   19,322    6,113    (224)   (13,053)
Net premiums earned   83,757    83,498    360,541    319,436 
                     
Investment income, net of expenses   3,013    3,720    12,884    15,293 
Net realized gains   817    89    10,540    1,943 
Finance charges   1,434    1,419    5,830    5,957 
Commission and fees   (656)   (112)   (487)   (1,145)
Other income   10    9    120    316 
Total revenues   88,375    88,623    389,428    341,800 
                     
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   56,390    57,555    261,345    226,414 
Other operating expenses   25,378    26,715    109,289    103,792 
Interest expense   1,150    1,170    4,599    4,634 
Amortization of intangible assets   695    896    3,115    3,586 
Total expenses   83,613    86,336    378,348    338,426 
                     
Income before tax   4,762    2,287    11,080    3,374 
Income tax expense (benefit)   1,334    504    2,835    (474)
Net income   3,428    1,783    8,245    3,848 
Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interest   -    -    -    324 
Net income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.  $3,428   $1,783   $8,245   $3,524 
                     
Net income per share attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. common stockholders:                    
Basic  $0.18   $0.09   $0.43   $0.18 
Diluted  $0.18   $0.09   $0.43   $0.18 

 

 
 

 

Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Segment Data                
Three Months Ended Dec. 31                
   (unaudited)                                 
   Standard
Commercial
Segment
   Specialty
Commercial
Segment
   Personal Segment   Corporate   Consolidated 
($ in thousands)  2013   2012   2013   2012   2013   2012   2013   2012   2013   2012 
Gross premiums written  $20,374   $18,799   $70,988   $57,005   $17,387   $16,380   $-   $-   $108,749   $92,184 
Ceded premiums written   (1,747)   (1,937)   (15,221)   (12,694)   (27,346)   (168)   -    -    (44,314)   (14,799)
Net premiums written   18,627    16,862    55,767    44,311    (9,959)   16,212    -    -    64,435    77,385 
Change in unearned premiums   1,473    1,258    3,212    2,226    14,637    2,629    -    -    19,322    6,113 
Net premiums earned   20,100    18,120    58,979    46,537    4,678    18,841    -    -    83,757    83,498 
                                                   
Total revenues   21,146    19,328    61,607    49,105    6,460    20,641    (838)   (451)   88,375    88,623 
                                                   
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   13,576    13,575    39,243    27,153    3,571    16,827    -    -    56,390    57,555 
                                                   
Pre-tax income (loss), net of non-controlling interest   1,339    115    7,699    8,739    (85)   (2,788)   (4,191)   (3,779)   4,762    2,287 
                                                   
Net loss ratio (1)   67.5%   74.9%   66.5%   58.3%   76.3%   89.3%             67.3%   68.9%
Net expense ratio (1)   31.1%   31.2%   25.5%   28.0%   39.4%   28.4%             29.3%   30.2%
Net combined ratio (1)   98.6%   106.1%   92.0%   86.3%   115.7%   117.7%             96.6%   99.1%
                                                   
Favorable (Unfavorable) Prior Year Development   1,605    917    (3,319)   (102)   (277)   (709)   -    -    (1,991)   106 

 

1The net loss ratio is calculated as incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. The net expense ratio is calculated for the business units that retain 100% of produced premium as total operating expenses for the unit offset by agency fee income divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. For the business units that do not retain 100% of the produced premium, the net expense ratio is calculated as underwriting expenses of the insurance company subsidiaries for the unit offset by agency fee income, divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. The net combined ratio is calculated as the sum of the net loss ratio and the net expense ratio.

 

 
 

 

Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Segment Data                
Fiscal Year Ended Dec. 31                
   (unaudited)     
   Standard
Commercial
Segment
   Specialty
Commercial
Segment
   Personal Segment   Corporate   Consolidated 
($ in thousands)  2013   2012   2013   2012   2013   2012   2013   2012   2013   2012 
Gross premiums written  $87,147   $77,091   $296,108   $235,695   $76,772   $77,056   $-   $-   $460,027   $389,842 
Ceded premiums written   (7,681)   (7,000)   (60,453)   (49,642)   (31,128)   (711)   -    -    (99,262)   (57,353)
Net premiums written   79,466    70,091    235,655    186,053    45,644    76,345    -    -    360,765    332,489 
Change in unearned premiums   (1,290)   (936)   (17,090)   (17,223)   18,156    5,106    -    -    (224)   (13,053)
Net premiums earned   78,176    69,155    218,565    168,830    63,800    81,451    -    -    360,541    319,436 
                                                   
Total revenues   83,306    73,119    229,734    178,917    71,081    89,149    5,307    615    389,428    341,800 
                                                   
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   56,143    52,828    152,546    103,980    52,656    69,606    -    -    261,345    226,414 
                                                   
Pre-tax income (loss), net of non-controlling interest   1,980    (2,486)   19,527    25,932    (3,416)   (8,535)   (7,011)   (11,861)   11,080    3,050 
                                                   
Net loss ratio (1)   71.8%   76.4%   69.8%   61.6%   82.5%   85.5%             72.5%   70.9%
Net expense ratio (1)   32.2%   33.2%   26.6%   28.3%   26.7%   28.5%             29.2%   30.8%
Net combined ratio (1)   104.0%   109.6%   96.4%   89.9%   109.2%   114.0%             101.7%   101.7%
                                                   
Favorable (Unfavorable) Prior Year Development   5,235    3,744    (13,381)   3,577    (1,808)   (3,646)   -    -    (9,954)   3,675 

 

1The net loss ratio is calculated as incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. The net expense ratio is calculated for the business units that retain 100% of produced premium as total operating expenses for the unit offset by agency fee income divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. For the business units that do not retain 100% of the produced premium, the net expense ratio is calculated as underwriting expenses of the insurance company subsidiaries for the unit offset by agency fee income, divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. The net combined ratio is calculated as the sum of the net loss ratio and the net expense ratio.