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8-K - 8-K - EMC INSURANCE GROUP INCearnings8k20141231.htm
EXHIBIT 99


EMC Insurance Group Inc. Reports 2014     
Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results and         
2015 Operating Income Guidance


Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, 2014
Operating Income Per Share - $1.14
Net Income Per Share - $1.19
Net Realized Investment Gains Per Share - $0.05
Catastrophe and Storm Losses Per Share - $0.21
Large Losses Per Share - $0.57
GAAP Combined Ratio - 92.5 percent


Year Ended December 31, 2014
Operating Income Per Share - $2.02
Net Income Per Share - $2.23
Net Realized Investment Gains Per Share - $0.21
Catastrophe and Storm Losses Per Share - $2.76
Large Losses Per Share - $1.72
GAAP Combined Ratio - 101.9 percent


2015 Operating Income Guidance - $2.75 to $3.00 per share

DES MOINES, Iowa (February 13, 2015) - EMC Insurance Group Inc. (NASDAQ OMX/GS:EMCI) today reported operating income of $15,417,000 ($1.14 per share) for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2014, compared to operating income of $12,489,000 ($0.95 per share) for the fourth quarter of 20131. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company reported operating income of $27,165,000 ($2.02 per share), compared to $37,671,000 ($2.88 per share) for the same period in 2013.

Net income, including realized investment gains and losses, totaled $16,154,000 ($1.19 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to $15,835,000 ($1.20 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, net income totaled $29,992,000 ($2.23 per share), compared to $43,519,000 ($3.33 per share) for the same period in 2013.

The Company’s GAAP combined ratio was 92.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to 94.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company’s GAAP combined ratio was 101.9 percent, compared to 97.9 percent in 2013.

“We reported our best fourth quarter operating income per share since 2005, providing a strong finish to a somewhat challenging year,” stated President and Chief Executive Officer Bruce G. Kelley. “Both the property and casualty insurance segment and the reinsurance segment reported an underwriting profit in the fourth quarter, with the reinsurance segment posting a 74.4 percent combined ratio driven by favorable reserve development and minimal storm activity. As a result, operating income per share for the year exceeded the high end of our operating income guidance,” continued Kelley.




“We have made some significant changes to our executive management team as previously announced, and are well prepared for the challenges and opportunities that await us. We remain intent on increasing the value of our stockholders’ investment and plan to return to underwriting profitability in 2015,” Kelley concluded.

Premiums earned were flat for the fourth quarter of 2014, totaling $135,374,000 compared to $135,458,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013. In the property and casualty insurance segment, premiums earned increased 7.4 percent, with the majority of the increase attributable to rate level increases on renewal business, and to a lesser extent, growth in insured exposures. In the reinsurance segment, premiums earned decreased 22.9 percent due to an $8,714,000 decline in the amount of earned but not reported (EBNR) premiums recognized on pro rata contracts. As previously reported, management began reviewing the premium recognition period of all pro rata contracts during the third quarter. This review was completed during the fourth quarter, and was the primary driver of the decline in EBNR premiums. The decline in EBNR premiums did not have a material impact on 2014 net income because corresponding adjustments were made to incurred but not reported loss reserves, commission expense reserves and the cost of the excess of loss reinsurance protection. Without the reduction in EBNR premiums, earned premiums in the reinsurance segment would have increased approximately 3.2 percent in the fourth quarter and 2.7 percent for the year due to growth in existing accounts and the addition of some new business. For the year ended December 31, 2014, premiums earned increased 4.9 percent, with a 7.6 percent increase in the property and casualty insurance segment partially offset by a 3.6 percent decline in the reinsurance segment.

Catastrophe and storm losses totaled $4,415,000 ($0.21 per share after tax) in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to $6,766,000 ($0.33 per share after tax) in the fourth quarter of 2013. Fourth quarter 2014 catastrophe and storm losses accounted for 3.3 percentage points of the combined ratio, which is equal to the Company’s most recent 10-year average for this period, but below the 5.0 percentage points experienced in the fourth quarter of 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, catastrophe and storm losses totaled $57,251,000 ($2.76 per share after tax), compared to $48,578,000 ($2.41 per share after tax) in 2013. On a segment basis, catastrophe and storm losses amounted to $1,725,000 ($0.08 per share after tax) and $40,226,000 ($1.94 per share after tax) in the property and casualty insurance segment, and $2,690,000 ($0.13 per share after tax) and $17,025,000 ($0.82 per share after tax) in the reinsurance segment, for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014, respectively.

The Company reported $9,870,000 ($0.47 per share after tax) of favorable development on prior years’ reserves during the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to $5,157,000 ($0.25 per share after tax) in the fourth quarter of 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, favorable development totaled $20,792,000 ($1.00 per share after tax), compared to $12,785,000 ($0.64 per share after tax) in 2013. The development amounts reported for the fourth quarter and year ended 2014 include $2,151,000 of favorable development that resulted solely from changes in the allocation of bulk reserves between the current and prior accident years, compared to $6,526,000 for the fourth quarter and year ended 2013. Development on prior years’ reserves resulting solely from changes in the allocation of bulk reserves between the current and prior accident years does not have an impact on earnings. This is due to the fact that such development is simply a mathematical by-product of the mechanical process used to reallocate total bulk reserves to the various accident years. Earnings are only impacted by changes in the total amount of carried reserves.

Excluding the development amounts that resulted solely from changes in the allocation of bulk reserves between accident years, the implied amounts of favorable (adverse) development that had an impact on earnings would be approximately $7,719,000 and $18,641,000 for the fourth quarter and year ended 2014, compared to ($1,369,000) and $6,259,000 for the same periods in 2013.






Development amounts can vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year depending on a number of factors, including the number of claims settled and the settlement terms, and should therefore not be considered a reliable factor in assessing the adequacy of the Company’s carried reserves. The most recent actuarial analysis of the Company’s carried reserves indicates that carried reserves remain within the top quartile of the range of reasonable reserves.

Large losses (which the Company defines as losses greater than $500,000 for the EMC Insurance Companies pool, excluding catastrophe and storm losses) increased to $11,891,000 ($0.57 per share after tax) in the fourth quarter of 2014 from $6,954,000 ($0.34 per share after tax) in the fourth quarter of 2013. Large losses remained elevated in the fourth quarter due primarily to an increase in the number of severe losses resulting from auto accidents impacting the commercial auto and commercial liability lines of business. For the year ended December 31, 2014, large losses increased to $35,673,000 ($1.72 per share after tax) from $22,240,000 ($1.10 per share after tax) in 2013.

Results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014 reflect a significant reduction in the amount of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs allocated to the Company. Net periodic pension benefit costs declined to $170,000 and $680,000 for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $753,000 and $3,013,000 for the same periods in 2013. This decline reflects an increase in the expected return on plan assets due to growth of the plan assets and a decline in the amount of net actuarial loss amortized into expense. Net periodic postretirement benefit cost changed significantly as a result of the plan amendment that was announced in the fourth quarter of 2013. The Company recognized net periodic postretirement benefit income of $771,000 and $3,083,000 for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014, compared to net periodic postretirement benefit expense of $728,000 and $2,912,000 in the same periods in 2013. The plan amendment created a large prior service credit that is being amortized into expense over a period of 10 years. In addition, the service cost and interest cost components of the revised plan’s net periodic benefit cost are significantly lower than those of the prior plan.

Net investment income increased 9.4 percent and 8.0 percent to $12,031,000 and $46,465,000 for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014, from $10,994,000 and $43,022,000 for the same periods in 2013. These increases reflect a higher average invested balance in fixed maturity securities and a significant increase in dividend income. Approximately $442,000 (1.0 percentage point) of the increase for the year resulted from the early payoff of a commercial mortgage-backed security during the first quarter of 2014 that was purchased at a significant discount to par value. The early payoff accelerated the accretion of the discount to par value, and therefore increased investment income.

Net realized investment gains totaled $737,000 ($0.05 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to $3,346,000 ($0.25 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, net realized investment gains totaled $2,827,000 ($0.21 per share), compared to $5,848,000 ($0.45 per share) for the same period in 2013. During the first quarter of 2014, the Company invested in a limited partnership that is designed to help protect the Company from a sudden and significant decline in the value of its equity portfolio. Included in the net realized investment gains reported for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014 are $482,000 and $1,850,000 of net realized investment losses attributed to the decline in the carrying value of this limited partnership.

At December 31, 2014, consolidated assets totaled $1.5 billion, including $1.4 billion in the investment portfolio, and stockholders’ equity totaled $502.9 million, an increase of 10.5 percent from December 31, 2013. Book value of the Company’s stock increased 8.4 percent to $37.08 per share, from $34.21 per share at December 31, 2013. Book value excluding accumulated other comprehensive income increased to $31.06 per share from $29.78 per share at December 31, 2013.





Management is projecting that 2015 operating income will be within a range of $2.75 to $3.00 per share. This guidance is based on a projected GAAP combined ratio of 97.8 percent for the year and investment income consistent with the amount reported in 2014. The projected GAAP combined ratio has a load of 11.0 points for catastrophe and storm losses.

The Company will hold an earnings teleconference call at noon Eastern time on Friday, February 13, 2015 to allow securities analysts, stockholders and other interested parties the opportunity to hear management discuss the Company’s results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014, as well as its expectations for 2015. Dial-in information for the call is toll-free 1-877-407-9205 (International: 1-201-689-8054).

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 13, 2015. 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. Additional information regarding EMC Insurance Group Inc. may be found at www.emcins.com/ir. 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.

Cautionary Note Regarding 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. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that it may make to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

¹The Company prepares its public financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the Unites States of America (GAAP). Operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure, calculated by excluding net realized investment gains from net income. The Company’s calculation of operating income may differ from similar measures used by other companies, so investors should exercise caution when comparing the Company’s measure of operating income to the measure of other companies. Management’s projected operating income guidance is also considered a non-GAAP financial measure.

Management believes operating income 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. Therefore, the Company has provided the following reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of operating income to the GAAP financial measure of net income. Management also uses non-GAAP financial measures for goal setting, determining employee and senior management awards and compensation, and evaluating performance.


The reconciliation of operating income to net income is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
$
15,417

 
$
12,489

 
$
27,165

 
$
37,671

Net realized investment gains
 
737

 
3,346

 
2,827

 
5,848

Net income
 
$
16,154

 
$
15,835

 
$
29,992

 
$
43,519





CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME-UNAUDITED
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended December 31, 2014
 
Property and Casualty Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent Company
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
109,665

 
$
25,709

 
$

 
$
135,374

Investment income, net
 
8,691

 
3,344

 
(4
)
 
12,031

Other income
 
111

 
1,194

 

 
1,305

 
 
118,467

 
30,247

 
(4
)
 
148,710

Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
70,964

 
13,043

 

 
84,007

Dividends to policyholders
 
2,987

 

 

 
2,987

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
18,873

 
5,479

 

 
24,352

Other underwriting expenses
 
13,282

 
603

 

 
13,885

Interest expense
 
84

 

 

 
84

Other expenses
 
253

 

 
411

 
664

 
 
106,443

 
19,125

 
411

 
125,979

Operating income (loss) before income taxes
 
12,024

 
11,122

 
(415
)
 
22,731

Realized investment gains
 
645

 
489

 

 
1,134

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
12,669

 
11,611

 
(415
)
 
23,865

Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
2,142

 
2,434

 
(144
)
 
4,432

Deferred
 
1,830

 
1,449

 

 
3,279

 
 
3,972

 
3,883

 
(144
)
 
7,711

Net income (loss)
 
$
8,697

 
$
7,728

 
$
(271
)
 
$
16,154

Average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13,551,098

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.64

 
$
0.57

 
$
(0.02
)
 
$
1.19

Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
 
$
0.08

 
$
0.13

 
$

 
$
0.21

Large losses* (after tax)
 
$
0.57

 
$

 
$

 
$
0.57

Reported favorable development experienced on prior years' reserves (after tax)
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.38

 
$

 
$
0.47

Implied (adverse) favorable development that had an impact on earnings (after tax)
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.38

 
$

 
$
0.37

Dividends per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.25

Other Information of Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net written premiums
 
$
87,725

 
$
27,627

 
$

 
$
115,352

Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
1,725

 
$
2,690

 
$

 
$
4,415

Large losses*
 
$
11,891

 
$

 
$

 
$
11,891

Reported favorable development experienced on prior years' reserves
 
$
(2,004
)
 
$
(7,866
)
 
$

 
$
(9,870
)
Favorable development that had no impact on earnings
 
2,151

 

 

 
2,151

Implied adverse (favorable) development that had an impact on earnings
 
$
147

 
$
(7,866
)
 
$

 
$
(7,719
)
GAAP Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
64.7
%
 
50.7
%
 

 
62.1
%
Acquisition expense ratio
 
32.1
%
 
23.7
%
 

 
30.4
%
Combined Ratio
 
96.8
%
 
74.4
%
 

 
92.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



*Large losses are defined as losses greater than $500 for the EMC Insurance Companies pool, excluding catastrophe and storm losses.



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended December 31, 2013
 
Property and Casualty Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent Company
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
102,112

 
$
33,346

 
$

 
$
135,458

Investment income, net
 
7,975

 
3,022

 
(3
)
 
10,994

Other income
 
172

 
(88
)
 

 
84

 
 
110,259

 
36,280

 
(3
)
 
146,536

Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
65,231

 
18,279

 

 
83,510

Dividends to policyholders
 
2,117

 

 

 
2,117

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
17,904

 
7,321

 

 
25,225

Other underwriting expenses
 
15,543

 
1,803

 

 
17,346

Interest expense
 
84

 

 

 
84

Other expenses
 
197

 

 
373

 
570

 
 
101,076

 
27,403

 
373

 
128,852

Operating income (loss) before income taxes
 
9,183

 
8,877

 
(376
)
 
17,684

Realized investment gains
 
4,456

 
691

 

 
5,147

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
13,639

 
9,568

 
(376
)
 
22,831

Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
2,510

 
2,576

 
(132
)
 
4,954

Deferred
 
1,538

 
504

 

 
2,042

 
 
4,048

 
3,080

 
(132
)
 
6,996

Net income (loss)
 
$
9,591

 
$
6,488

 
$
(244
)
 
$
15,835

Average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13,213,396

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.73

 
$
0.49

 
$
(0.02
)
 
$
1.20

Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
 
$
0.13

 
$
0.20

 
$

 
$
0.33

Large losses* (after tax)
 
$
0.34

 
$

 
$

 
$
0.34

Reported favorable development experienced on prior years' reserves (after tax)
 
$
0.16

 
$
0.09

 
$

 
$
0.25

Implied (adverse) favorable development that had an impact on earnings (after tax)
 
$
(0.16
)
 
$
0.09

 
$

 
$
(0.07
)
Dividends per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.23

Other Information of Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net written premiums
 
$
82,824

 
$
35,963

 
$

 
$
118,787

Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
2,661

 
$
4,105

 
$

 
$
6,766

Large losses*
 
$
6,954

 
$

 
$

 
$
6,954

Reported favorable development experienced on prior years' reserves
 
$
(3,344
)
 
$
(1,813
)
 
$

 
$
(5,157
)
Favorable development that had no impact on earnings
 
6,526

 

 

 
6,526

Implied adverse (favorable) development that had an impact on earnings
 
$
3,182

 
$
(1,813
)
 
$

 
$
1,369

GAAP Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
63.9
%
 
54.8
%
 

 
61.7
%
Acquisition expense ratio
 
34.8
%
 
27.4
%
 

 
32.9
%
Combined Ratio
 
98.7
%
 
82.2
%
 

 
94.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



*Large losses are defined as losses greater than $500 for the EMC Insurance Companies pool, excluding catastrophe and storm losses.



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME-UNAUDITED
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2014
 
Property and Casualty Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent Company
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
422,381

 
$
118,341

 
$

 
$
540,722

Investment income, net
 
33,509

 
12,968

 
(12
)
 
46,465

Other income
 
695

 
2,236

 

 
2,931

 
 
456,585

 
133,545

 
(12
)
 
590,118

Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
298,033

 
87,441

 

 
385,474

Dividends to policyholders
 
9,504

 

 

 
9,504

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
72,768

 
26,274

 

 
99,042

Other underwriting expenses
 
54,385

 
2,441

 

 
56,826

Interest expense
 
337

 

 

 
337

Other expenses
 
793

 

 
1,584

 
2,377

 
 
435,820

 
116,156

 
1,584

 
553,560

Operating income (loss) before income taxes
 
20,765

 
17,389

 
(1,596
)
 
36,558

Realized investment gains
 
2,938

 
1,411

 

 
4,349

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
23,703

 
18,800

 
(1,596
)
 
40,907

Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
3,688

 
4,150

 
(558
)
 
7,280

Deferred
 
2,145

 
1,490

 

 
3,635

 
 
5,833

 
5,640

 
(558
)
 
10,915

Net income (loss)
 
$
17,870

 
$
13,160

 
$
(1,038
)
 
$
29,992

Average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13,470,623

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
 
$
1.33

 
$
0.98

 
$
(0.08
)
 
$
2.23

Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
 
$
1.94

 
$
0.82

 
$

 
$
2.76

Large losses* (after tax)
 
$
1.72

 
$

 
$

 
$
1.72

Reported favorable development experienced on prior years' reserves (after tax)
 
$
0.39

 
$
0.61

 
$

 
$
1.00

Implied favorable development that had an impact on earnings (after tax)
 
$
0.29

 
$
0.61

 
$

 
$
0.90

Dividends per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.94

Book value per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
37.08

Effective tax rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26.7
%
Net income as a percent of beg. SH equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.6
%
Other Information of Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net written premiums
 
$
433,707

 
$
118,903

 
$

 
$
552,610

Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
40,226

 
$
17,025

 
$

 
$
57,251

Large losses*
 
$
35,673

 
$

 
$

 
$
35,673

Reported favorable development experienced on prior years' reserves
 
$
(8,110
)
 
$
(12,682
)
 
$

 
$
(20,792
)
Favorable development that had no impact on earnings
 
2,151

 

 

 
2,151

Implied favorable development that had an impact on earnings
 
$
(5,959
)
 
$
(12,682
)
 
$

 
$
(18,641
)
GAAP Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
70.6
%
 
73.9
%
 

 
71.3
%
Acquisition expense ratio
 
32.3
%
 
24.3
%
 

 
30.6
%



Combined Ratio
 
102.9
%
 
98.2
%
 

 
101.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*Large losses are defined as losses greater than $500 for the EMC Insurance Companies pool, excluding catastrophe and storm losses.




CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2013
 
Property and Casualty Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent Company
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
392,719

 
$
122,787

 
$

 
$
515,506

Investment income, net
 
31,397

 
11,635

 
(10
)
 
43,022

Other income
 
765

 
(305
)
 

 
460

 
 
424,881

 
134,117

 
(10
)
 
558,988

Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
260,917

 
72,370

 

 
333,287

Dividends to policyholders
 
10,864

 

 

 
10,864

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
68,851

 
25,877

 

 
94,728

Other underwriting expenses
 
62,522

 
3,232

 

 
65,754

Interest expense
 
384

 

 

 
384

Other expenses
 
751

 

 
1,364

 
2,115

 
 
404,289

 
101,479

 
1,364

 
507,132

Operating income (loss) before income taxes
 
20,592

 
32,638

 
(1,374
)
 
51,856

Realized investment gains
 
7,525

 
1,472

 

 
8,997

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
28,117

 
34,110

 
(1,374
)
 
60,853

Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
6,804

 
10,604

 
(481
)
 
16,927

Deferred
 
178

 
229

 

 
407

 
 
6,982

 
10,833

 
(481
)
 
17,334

Net income (loss)
 
$
21,135

 
$
23,277

 
$
(893
)
 
$
43,519

Average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13,086,612

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
 
$
1.61

 
$
1.78

 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
3.33

Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
 
$
1.85

 
$
0.56

 
$

 
$
2.41

Large losses* (after tax)
 
$
1.10

 
$

 
$

 
$
1.10

Reported favorable development experienced on prior years' reserves (after tax)
 
$
0.36

 
$
0.28

 
$

 
$
0.64

Implied favorable development that had an impact on earnings (after tax)
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.28

 
$

 
$
0.31

Dividends per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.86

Book value per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
34.21

Effective tax rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28.5
%
Net income as a percent of beg. SH equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.9
%
Other Information of Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net written premiums
 
$
405,049

 
$
129,028

 
$

 
$
534,077

Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
37,262

 
$
11,316

 
$

 
$
48,578

Large losses*
 
$
22,240

 
$

 
$

 
$
22,240

Reported favorable development experienced on prior years' reserves
 
$
(7,281
)
 
$
(5,504
)
 
$

 
$
(12,785
)
Favorable development that had no impact on earnings
 
6,526

 

 

 
6,526

Implied favorable development that had an impact on earnings
 
$
(755
)
 
$
(5,504
)
 
$

 
$
(6,259
)
GAAP Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
66.4
%
 
58.9
%
 

 
64.7
%
Acquisition expense ratio
 
36.3
%
 
23.7
%
 

 
33.2
%



Combined Ratio
 
102.7
%
 
82.6
%
 

 
97.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*Large losses are defined as losses greater than $500 for the EMC Insurance Companies pool, excluding catastrophe and storm losses.




CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 
 2014
 
December 31, 
 2013
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,080,006 and $1,009,572)
 
$
1,127,499

 
$
1,027,984

Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $123,972 and $113,835)
 
197,036

 
169,848

Other long-term investments
 
6,227

 
2,392

Short-term investments
 
53,262

 
56,166

Total investments
 
1,384,024

 
1,256,390

 
 
 
 
 
Cash
 
383

 
239

Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate
 
28,603

 
34,760

Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate
 
8,865

 
9,717

Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $38,930 and $37,414)
 
39,343

 
37,792

Prepaid pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate
 
17,360

 
23,121

Accrued investment income
 
10,295

 
9,984

Accounts receivable
 
1,767

 
1,080

Goodwill
 
942

 
942

Other assets (affiliated $4,900 and $4,780)
 
6,238

 
4,908

Total assets
 
$
1,497,820

 
$
1,378,933

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $650,652 and $600,313)
 
$
661,309

 
$
610,181

Unearned premiums (affiliated $230,460 and $218,788)
 
232,093

 
220,627

Other policyholders' funds (all affiliated)
 
10,153

 
8,491

Surplus notes payable to affiliate
 
25,000

 
25,000

Amounts due affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances
 
8,559

 
13,522

Pension benefits payable to affiliate
 
4,162

 
3,401

Income taxes payable
 
3

 
1,530

Deferred income taxes
 
28,654

 
12,822

Other liabilities (affiliated $23,941 and $25,161)
 
25,001

 
28,149

Total liabilities
 
994,934

 
923,723

 
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 13,562,980 shares in 2014 and 13,306,027 shares in 2013
 
13,563

 
13,306

Additional paid-in capital
 
106,672

 
99,309

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
81,662

 
59,010

Retained earnings
 
300,989

 
283,585

Total stockholders' equity
 
502,886

 
455,210

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,497,820

 
$
1,378,933












INVESTMENTS
The Company had total cash and invested assets with a carrying value of $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2014 and $1.3 billion as of December 31, 2013. The following table summarizes the Company's cash and invested assets as of the dates indicated:
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent of
 
 
 
 
 Amortized
 
 Fair
 
Total
 
Carrying
($ in thousands)
 
 Cost
 
 Value
 
Fair Value
 
Value
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
 
$
1,080,006

 
$
1,127,499

 
81.5
%
 
$
1,127,499

Equity securities available-for-sale
 
123,972

 
197,036

 
14.2
%
 
197,036

Cash
 
383

 
383

 
%
 
383

Short-term investments
 
53,262

 
53,262

 
3.9
%
 
53,262

Other long-term investments
 
6,227

 
6,227

 
0.4
%
 
6,227

 
 
$
1,263,850

 
$
1,384,407

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,384,407

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent of
 
 
 
 
 Amortized
 
 Fair
 
Total
 
Carrying
($ in thousands)
 
 Cost
 
 Value
 
Fair Value
 
Value
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
 
$
1,009,572

 
$
1,027,984

 
81.8
%
 
$
1,027,984

Equity securities available-for-sale
 
113,835

 
169,848

 
13.5
%
 
169,848

Cash
 
239

 
239

 
%
 
239

Short-term investments
 
56,166

 
56,166

 
4.5
%
 
56,166

Other long-term investments
 
2,392

 
2,392

 
0.2
%
 
2,392

 
 
$
1,182,204

 
$
1,256,629

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,256,629




NET WRITTEN PREMIUMS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31, 2014
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2014
 
 
Percent of Net Written Premiums
 
Percent of Increase/(Decrease) in Net Written Premiums
 
Percent of Net Written Premiums
 
Percent of Increase/(Decrease) in Net Written Premiums
Property and Casualty Insurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Automobile
 
18.6
%
 
11.1
 %
 
18.4
%
 
12.0
 %
Liability
 
15.8
%
 
9.3
 %
 
16.0
%
 
9.8
 %
Property
 
17.3
%
 
3.3
 %
 
18.3
%
 
9.1
 %
Workers' compensation
 
14.1
%
 
6.4
 %
 
16.3
%
 
6.0
 %
Other
 
1.5
%
 
(3.9
)%
 
1.4
%
 
(0.1
)%
Total commercial lines
 
67.3
%
 
7.2
 %
 
70.4
%
 
9.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal Lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Automobile
 
4.6
%
 
(8.4
)%
 
4.3
%
 
(9.0
)%
Property
 
4.0
%
 
3.1
 %
 
3.6
%
 
(6.3
)%
Liability
 
0.1
%
 
8.2
 %
 
0.2
%
 
9.8
 %
Total personal lines
 
8.7
%
 
(3.3
)%
 
8.1
%
 
(7.5
)%
Total property and casualty insurance
 
76.0
%
 
5.9
 %
 
78.5
%
 
7.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro rata (1)
 
8.2
%
 
(46.8
)%
 
7.7
%
 
(21.0
)%
Excess of loss (1)
 
15.8
%
 
(0.2
)%
 
13.8
%
 
1.6
 %
Total reinsurance
 
24.0
%
 
(23.2
)%
 
21.5
%
 
(7.8
)%
Total
 
100.0
%
 
(2.9
)%
 
100.0
%
 
3.5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes $532,146 negative portfolio adjustment related to the January 1, 2013 decreased participation in the MRB pool.