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8-K - FORM 8-K - HCI Group, Inc.d885959d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HCI Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Results

TAMPA, Fla. – March 5, 2015 – HCI Group, Inc. (NYSE:HCI) reported results today for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014.

Fourth Quarter 2014 - Financial Results

Income available to common stockholders in the fourth quarter of 2014 totaled $14.6 million or $1.30 diluted earnings per common share compared with $15.5 million or $1.31 diluted earnings per common share in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Gross premiums earned during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 was $91.4 million, consistent with $91.4 million during the comparable quarter in 2013.

Net premiums earned (defined as gross premiums earned less premiums ceded to reinsurance companies) in the fourth quarter of 2014 decreased 2.6% to $61.8 million from $63.4 million in the same period in 2013. Premiums ceded in the fourth quarter of 2014 were 32.4% of the company’s gross premiums earned, compared with 30.6% during the same period in 2013.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses during the fourth quarter of 2014 were $20.5 million compared with $17.3 million in the same period in 2013. The increase was primarily attributable to loss development during the fourth quarter of 2014.

Salaries and wages during the fourth quarter of 2014 were $3.9 million compared with $4.9 million in the same period in 2013. The decrease in 2014 is primarily attributable to lower bonus costs in the fourth quarter of 2014 as compared with the fourth quarter of 2013.

Other operating expenses, which include a variety of general and administrative expenses, totaled $4.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared with $7.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Interest expense from the company’s senior notes issued in 2013 totaled $2.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared with $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Fourth quarter 2014 - Financial Ratios

The company’s loss ratio applicable to the fourth quarter of 2014 (defined as losses and loss adjustment expenses related to net premiums earned) was 33.2% compared with 27.4% in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The expense ratio applicable to the fourth quarter of 2014 (defined as underwriting expenses, salaries and wages, interest and other operating expenses related to net premiums earned) was 33.6% compared with 35.7% in the same prior year period.


Expressed as a total of all expenses related to net premiums earned, the combined loss and expense ratio to net premiums earned was 66.8% in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared with 63.1% in the same year-ago period.

Full Year 2014 - Financial Results

Income available to common stockholders for 2014 totaled $62.7 million or $5.36 diluted earnings per common share compared with $65.5 million or $5.63 diluted earnings per common share for 2013.

Gross premiums earned in 2014 increased 8.4% to $365.5 million from $337.1 million in 2013. The increase in 2014 was primarily due to premiums of policies assumed from Citizens in November 2013 and December 2014.

Net premiums earned for 2014 increased 7.6% to $252.1 million from $234.2 million in 2013. Premiums ceded for 2014 were 31.0% of the company’s gross premiums earned, compared with 30.5% during 2013.

Net investment income in 2014 was $4.8 million, an increase from $1.5 million in 2013. The increase in 2014 is primarily due to an increase in late 2013 in our investments in available-for-sale securities that comprise the majority of our investment portfolio and a change in the mix of our available-for-sale investments during 2014.

Net realized investment gains for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $4.7 million compared with approximately $80,000 in 2013. The increase in 2014 is due to sales of fixed-maturity securities primarily in the third quarter of 2014.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses for 2014 were $79.5 million compared with $65.1 million in 2013. Losses and loss adjustment expenses increased in 2014 primarily due to increased policy exposure from participation in the November 2013 assumption from Citizens and increases in frequency and severity of certain causes of losses.

Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses for 2014 were $38.0 million compared with $31.6 million for 2013. The increase in 2014 is primarily attributable to commissions and premium taxes related to the policies assumed from Citizens in November 2013 that have renewed and are included in 2014 direct written premiums.

Salaries and wages in 2014 totaled $16.5 million compared with $14.7 million in the same period in 2013. The increase in 2014 is primarily due to a 13% increase in employee headcount at our Tampa, Florida headquarters.

Other operating expenses in 2014 totaled $20.8 million compared with $19.6 million for 2013. The increase in 2014 is primarily due to increases in stock-based compensation and employee benefit expenses.

Interest expense from the company’s senior notes issued in 2013 totaled $10.5 million in 2014 compared with $3.6 million for 2013. Interest expense increased in 2014 due to $103.0 million of senior notes issued in December 2013.

 

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Full Year 2014 - Financial Ratios

The company’s loss ratio applicable to the year ended December 31, 2014 was 31.5% compared with 27.8% for the year ended December 31, 2013.

The expense ratio applicable to 2014 was 34.0% compared with 29.7% in 2013.

The combined loss and expense ratio to net premiums earned was 65.5% in 2013 compared with 57.5% in 2013.

Management Commentary

“2014 marked another successful year for HCI, highlighted by record gross premium of $365.5 million, an increase of over 8% from 2013,” commented Paresh Patel, HCI Group’s chairman and chief executive officer. “As we look into 2015 and beyond, we continue to patiently evaluate the marketplace and remain ideally positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities that will drive profitability and ultimately, shareholder value.”

Conference Call

HCI management will host a conference call later today (March 5, 2015) to discuss these financial results followed by a question and answer session.

Interested parties can listen to the live presentation, which can be accessed by dialing the listen-only number below or by clicking the webcast link available on the Investor Information section of the company’s website at www.hcigroup.com.

Listen-only toll-free number: (877) 407-8033

Listen-only international number: (201) 689-8033

Conference ID: 13600979

Please call the conference telephone number 10 minutes before the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Liolios Group at (949) 574-3860.

A replay of the call will be available after 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through April 6, 2015 and via the Investor Information section of the HCI Group website at www.hcigroup.com.

Toll-free replay number: (877) 660-6853

International replay number: (201) 612-7415

Conference ID: 13600979

About HCI Group, Inc.

HCI Group, Inc. owns subsidiaries engaged in diverse, yet complementary business activities, including homeowners’ insurance, reinsurance, real estate and information technology services. The company’s largest subsidiary, Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Inc., is a leading provider of property and casualty insurance in the state of Florida.

The company’s common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “HCI” and are included in the Russell 2000 and S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Its 8% Senior Notes trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “HCJ.” For more information about HCI Group, visit www.hcigroup.com.

 

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Forward - Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “confident,” “prospects” and “project” and other similar words and expressions are intended to signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions but rather are subject to various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance, for example, that accretive growth opportunities will arise. Some of these risks and uncertainties are identified in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should any risks or uncertainties develop into actual events, these developments could have material adverse effects on the company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. HCI Group, Inc. disclaims all obligations to update any forward-looking statements.

Company Contact:

Kevin Mitchell, Vice President of Investor Relations

HCI Group, Inc.

(813) 405-3603

kmitchell@hcigroup.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Michael Koehler

Liolios Group, Inc.

(949) 574-3860

hci@liolios.com

 

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HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     At December 31, 2014      At December 31, 2013  
Assets      

Fixed-maturity securities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $96,163 and $110,738, respectively)

   $ 97,084         112,151   

Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value (cost: $45,387 and $17,248, respectively)

     45,550         17,649   

Limited partnership investment, at equity

     2,550         —    

Investment in joint venture, at equity

     4,477         —    

Real estate investments

     19,138         16,228   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

  168,799      146,028   

Cash and cash equivalents

  314,716      293,398   

Accrued interest and dividends receivable

  1,059      1,133   

Premiums receivable

  15,824      14,674   

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

  34,096      28,066   

Income taxes receivable

  2,624      —    

Deferred income taxes, net

  2,499      —    

Deferred policy acquisition costs

  15,014      14,071   

Property and equipment, net

  12,292      13,132   

Other assets

  35,287      15,814   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

$ 602,210      526,316   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

$ 48,908      43,686   

Unearned premiums

  214,071      171,907   

Advance premiums

  4,380      4,504   

Assumed reinsurance balances payable

  218      4,660   

Accrued expenses

  4,826      4,032   

Dividends payable

  —        19   

Income taxes payable

  —       543   

Deferred income taxes, net

  —       2,740   

Long-term debt

  129,539      126,932   

Other liabilities

  17,683      6,772   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  419,625      365,795   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

7% Series A cumulative convertible preferred stock (liquidation preference $10.00 per share), no par value, 1,500,000 shares authorized, 0 and 110,684 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively

  —       —    

Series B junior participating preferred stock (no par value, 400,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding)

  —       —    

Preferred stock (no par value 18,100,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding)

  —       —    

Common stock, (no par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 10,189,128 and 10,939,268 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)

  —       —    

Additional paid-in capital

  20,465      48,966   

Retained income

  161,454      110,441   

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes

  666      1,114   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

  182,585      160,521   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$ 602,210      526,316   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2014      2013     2014     2013  
     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)        

Revenue

        

Gross premiums earned

   $ 91,435        91,370      $ 365,488        337,113   

Premiums ceded

     (29,659     (27,942     (113,423     (102,865
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

  61,776      63,428      252,065      234,248   

Net investment income

  1,028      655      4,781      1,469   

Policy fee income

  994      85      2,820      3,098   

Net realized investment gains

  270      37      4,735      80   

Other

  684      1,047      1,707      2,193   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

  64,752      65,252      266,108      241,088   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

  20,529      17,348      79,468      65,123   

Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses

  9,278      9,456      37,952      31,619   

Salaries and wages

  3,869      4,871      16,483      14,714   

Interest expense

  2,644      1,228      10,453      3,607   

Other operating expenses

  4,938      7,117      20,790      19,572   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

  41,258      40,020      165,146      134,635   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

  23,494      25,232      100,962      106,453   

Income taxes

  8,932      9,670      38,298      40,891   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

$ 14,562      15,562    $ 62,664      65,562   

Preferred stock dividends

  —       (16   4      (104
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income available to common stockholders

$ 14,562      15,546    $ 62,668      65,458   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share

$ 1.43      1.36    $ 5.90      5.82   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share

$ 1.30      1.31    $ 5.36      5.63   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends per common share

$ 0.27      0.27    $ 1.10      0.95   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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