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8-K - 8-K - RLI CORPa15-9474_18k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

RLI REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2015 RESULTS

 

PEORIA, ILLINOIS, April 20, 2015 — RLI Corp. (NYSE: RLI) — RLI Corp. reported first quarter 2015 operating earnings of $22.0 million ($0.50 per share), compared to $24.7 million ($0.57 per share) for the first quarter of 2014.

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

Earnings Per Diluted Share

 

2015

 

2014

 

Operating earnings (1)

 

$

0.50

 

$

0.57

 

Net earnings

 

$

0.70

 

$

0.66

 

 


(1)  See discussion below of non-GAAP financial measures.

 

Highlights for the quarter included:

·                  Combined ratio of 89.5, resulting in underwriting income of $17.6 million.

·                  3% decline in gross premiums written; net premiums written were flat.

·                  $7.1 million net increase in underwriting income resulting from favorable development in prior years’ loss reserves.

·                  Book value per share of $19.96, an increase of 2% from year end 2014.

 

“We are pleased with our results this quarter,” said RLI Corp. Chairman & CEO Jonathan E. Michael. “We achieved an 89.5 combined ratio and 2% growth in book value per share, which reflect solid underwriting performance across all of our business segments.”

 

“The non-renewal of our crop reinsurance business and challenging pricing conditions in the property segment drove a slight decline in gross premiums for the quarter,” said Michael. “However, our quarterly results, and consistent financial performance over time, demonstrate the successful execution of our disciplined underwriting strategies by our talented team.”

 

Underwriting Income

 

RLI achieved $17.6 million of underwriting income in the first quarter of 2015 on an 89.5 combined ratio, compared to $22.5 million of underwriting income on an 86.0 combined ratio in the same quarter for 2014. Results for 2015 include $7.1 million in favorable development in prior years’ loss reserves, compared to $13.3 million in favorable development in prior years’ loss reserves in 2014.

 

The following table highlights underwriting income and combined ratios by segment.

 

Underwriting Income (1)

 

First Quarter

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

2014

 

Casualty

 

$

5.2

 

$

6.1

 

Property

 

8.2

 

9.7

 

Surety

 

4.2

 

6.7

 

Total

 

$

17.6

 

$

22.5

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

Combined Ratio

 

2015

 

2014

 

Casualty

 

94.7

 

93.3

 

Property

 

80.6

 

77.6

 

Surety

 

85.1

 

74.8

 

Total

 

89.5

 

86.0

 

 


(1)  See discussion below of non-GAAP financial measures.

 

—more—

 

 



 

Other Income

 

RLI’s net investment income for the quarter fell 0.6% to $13.5 million, compared to the same period in 2014. The investment portfolio’s total return was 1.0% for the quarter. The bond portfolio gained 1.7% in the quarter, while the equity portfolio’s return was -1.9%.

 

Comprehensive earnings, which include after-tax unrealized gains/losses from the investment portfolio, were $23.0 million for the quarter ($0.52 per share) compared to $46.7 million ($1.07 per share) for the same quarter in 2014.

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees was $4.2 million for the quarter compared to $3.4 million from the same period last year. These results are related to Maui Jim, Inc. ($3.7 million), a producer of premium sunglasses, and Prime Holdings Insurance Services, Inc. ($0.5 million), a specialty E&S insurance company. For the first quarter of 2014, equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees from Maui Jim and Prime was $3.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

 

Dividend Paid in the First Quarter 2015

 

On March 20, 2015, the company paid an ordinary dividend of $0.18 per share, the same amount as the prior quarter. RLI’s cumulative dividends, including this recent payment, total more than $520 million paid over the last five years.

 

Non-GAAP Measures

 

Underwriting income, operating earnings, earnings per share (EPS) from operations and other per share items are non-GAAP financial measures, and we believe that investors’ understanding of RLI’s core operating performance is enhanced by our disclosure of these financial measures. Underwriting income or profit represents the pretax profitability of our insurance operations and is derived by subtracting losses and settlement expenses, policy acquisition costs, and insurance operating expenses from net premium earned. Operating earnings and EPS from operations consist of our net earnings adjusted by net realized investment gains/(losses) and taxes related to net realized gains/(losses). Our definitions of these items may not be comparable to the definitions used by other companies. Net earnings and net earnings per share are the GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to operating earnings and EPS from operations. All earnings per share data are calculated using fully diluted shares. Combined ratio refers to a GAAP combined ratio.

 

Other News

 

At 10 a.m. central daylight time (CDT) tomorrow, April 21, 2015, RLI management will hold a conference call to discuss quarterly results with insurance industry analysts. Interested parties may listen to the discussion through the Internet at http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/2hf94rhr.

 

Except for historical information, this news release may include 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) including, without limitation, statements reflecting our current expectations about the future performance of our company or our business segments or about future market conditions. These statements are subject to certain risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. Various risk factors that could affect future results are listed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; including the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

2



 

RLI (NYSE: RLI) is a specialty insurer serving diverse, niche property, casualty and surety markets. The company provides deep underwriting expertise and superior service to commercial and personal lines customers nationwide. RLI’s products are offered through its insurance subsidiaries RLI Insurance Company, Mt. Hawley Insurance Company, RLI Indemnity Company and Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company. All of RLI’s subsidiaries are rated A+ “Superior” by A.M. Best Company, a distinction held by fewer than 10 percent of property and casualty insurance companies in the U.S. RLI has increased dividends for 39 consecutive years and delivered underwriting profits for 19 consecutive years. To learn more about RLI and its 50-year history of financial strength, visit www.rlicorp.com.

 

Media Contact

Aaron Jacoby, Vice President, Corporate Development
309-693-5880
Aaron.Jacoby@rlicorp.com

 

3



 

Supplemental disclosure regarding the earnings impact of specific items:

 

 

 

Operating Earnings Per Share

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

1st Qtr

 

1st Qtr

 

Operating Earnings Per Share

 

$

0.50

 

$

0.57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specific items included in operating earnings per share: (1) (2)

 

 

 

 

 

·        Favorable development in casualty prior years’ reserves

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.14

 

·        Favorable development in property prior years’ reserves

 

$

 

$

0.02

 

·        Favorable (unfavorable) development in surety prior years’ reserves

 

$

(0.01

)

$

0.03

 

·        Catastrophe impact - 2014 and prior events

 

$

 

$

0.01

 

 


(1) Includes bonus and profit sharing-related impacts which affected other insurance and general corporate expenses.

(2) Reserve development reflects changes from previously estimated losses.

 

4



 

RLI CORP.

2015 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

% Change

 

SUMMARIZED INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

$

169,003

 

$

161,132

 

4.9

%

Net investment income

 

13,495

 

13,582

 

-0.6

%

Net realized investment gains

 

13,286

 

6,501

 

104.4

%

Consolidated revenue

 

$

195,784

 

$

181,215

 

8.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and settlement expenses

 

$

80,861

 

$

71,016

 

13.9

%

Policy acquisition costs

 

58,973

 

55,051

 

7.1

%

Other insurance expenses

 

11,531

 

12,533

 

-8.0

%

Interest expense on debt

 

1,856

 

1,851

 

0.3

%

General corporate expenses

 

2,244

 

2,198

 

2.1

%

Total expenses

 

$

155,465

 

$

142,649

 

9.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees

 

4,194

 

3,425

 

22.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

$

44,513

 

$

41,991

 

6.0

%

Income tax expense

 

13,915

 

13,022

 

6.9

%

Net earnings

 

$

30,598

 

$

28,969

 

5.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax

 

(7,595

)

17,737

 

 

Comprehensive earnings

 

$

23,003

 

$

46,706

 

-50.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings: (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

30,598

 

$

28,969

 

5.6

%

Less: Realized investment gains, net of tax

 

8,635

 

4,225

 

104.4

%

Operating earnings

 

$

21,963

 

$

24,744

 

-11.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return on Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (trailing four quarters)

 

15.5

%

15.5

%

 

 

Comprehensive earnings (trailing four quarters)

 

16.6

%

14.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per Share Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding (in 000’s)

 

43,992

 

43,674

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EPS from operations (1) 

 

$

0.50

 

$

0.57

 

-12.3

%

Realized gains, net of tax

 

0.20

 

0.09

 

122.2

%

Net earnings per share

 

$

0.70

 

$

0.66

 

6.1

%

Comprehensive earnings per share

 

$

0.52

 

$

1.07

 

-51.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends per share

 

$

0.18

 

$

0.17

 

5.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Flow provided by (used in) Operations

 

$

23,407

 

$

(2,007

)

 

 


(1) See discussion above of non-GAAP financial measures.

 

5



 

RLI CORP.

2015 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

% Change

 

SUMMARIZED BALANCE SHEET DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income

 

$

1,529,559

 

$

1,495,087

 

2.3

%

(amortized cost - $1,476,063 at 3/31/15)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(amortized cost - $1,448,204 at 12/31/14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

391,663

 

410,642

 

-4.6

%

(cost - $191,993 at 3/31/15)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(cost - $193,535 at 12/31/14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other invested assets

 

11,402

 

11,597

 

-1.7

%

Cash and cash equivalents

 

47,522

 

46,959

 

1.2

%

Total investments and cash

 

$

1,980,146

 

$

1,964,285

 

0.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable

 

145,948

 

154,573

 

-5.6

%

Ceded unearned premiums

 

49,011

 

53,961

 

-9.2

%

Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

 

336,747

 

335,106

 

0.5

%

Deferred acquisition costs

 

65,247

 

65,123

 

0.2

%

Property and equipment

 

42,458

 

42,549

 

-0.2

%

Investment in unconsolidated investees

 

65,089

 

60,046

 

8.4

%

Goodwill and intangibles

 

72,472

 

72,695

 

-0.3

%

Other assets

 

23,446

 

27,204

 

-13.8

%

Total assets

 

$

2,780,564

 

$

2,775,542

 

0.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unpaid losses and settlement expenses

 

$

1,150,795

 

$

1,121,040

 

2.7

%

Unearned premiums

 

388,776

 

401,412

 

-3.1

%

Reinsurance balances payable

 

33,083

 

38,013

 

-13.0

%

Funds held

 

53,713

 

51,481

 

4.3

%

Bonds payable, long term debt

 

149,636

 

149,625

 

0.0

%

Income taxes - deferred

 

79,356

 

82,285

 

-3.6

%

Accrued expenses

 

33,902

 

63,148

 

-46.3

%

Other liabilities

 

29,308

 

23,476

 

24.8

%

Total liabilities

 

$

1,918,569

 

$

1,930,480

 

-0.6

%

Shareholders’ equity

 

861,995

 

845,062

 

2.0

%

Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity

 

$

2,780,564

 

$

2,775,542

 

0.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER DATA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares outstanding (in 000’s)

 

43,190

 

43,103

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book value per share

 

$

19.96

 

$

19.61

 

1.8

%

Closing stock price per share

 

$

52.41

 

$

49.40

 

6.1

%

Cash dividends per share - ordinary (annualized)

 

$

0.72

 

$

0.71

 

1.4

%

Cash dividends per share - special

 

$

 

$

3.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statutory Surplus

 

$

853,727

 

$

849,297

 

0.5

%

 

6



 

RLI CORP.

2015 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

UNDERWRITING SEGMENT DATA

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP

 

 

 

GAAP

 

 

 

GAAP

 

 

 

GAAP

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Casualty

 

Ratios

 

Property

 

Ratios

 

Surety

 

Ratios

 

Total

 

Ratios

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

113,907

 

 

 

$

48,096

 

 

 

$

28,564

 

 

 

$

190,567

 

 

 

Net premiums written

 

95,867

 

 

 

38,443

 

 

 

27,007

 

 

 

161,317

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

98,768

 

 

 

42,118

 

 

 

28,117

 

 

 

169,003

 

 

 

Net loss & settlement expenses

 

58,633

 

59.4

%

16,026

 

38.1

%

6,202

 

22.1

%

80,861

 

47.8

%

Net operating expenses

 

34,863

 

35.3

%

17,916

 

42.5

%

17,725

 

63.0

%

70,504

 

41.7

%

Underwriting income

 

$

5,272

 

94.7

%

$

8,176

 

80.6

%

$

4,190

 

85.1

%

$

17,638

 

89.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

111,955

 

 

 

$

58,153

 

 

 

$

27,290

 

 

 

$

197,398

 

 

 

Net premiums written

 

91,648

 

 

 

43,659

 

 

 

26,284

 

 

 

161,591

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

90,977

 

 

 

43,318

 

 

 

26,837

 

 

 

161,132

 

 

 

Net loss & settlement expenses

 

52,619

 

57.8

%

15,398

 

35.5

%

2,999

 

11.2

%

71,016

 

44.1

%

Net operating expenses

 

32,280

 

35.5

%

18,242

 

42.1

%

17,062

 

63.6

%

67,584

 

41.9

%

Underwriting income

 

$

6,078

 

93.3

%

$

9,678

 

77.6

%

$

6,776

 

74.8

%

$

22,532

 

86.0

%

 

7