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8-K - FORM 8-K DTD MAY 14, 2015 - KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC.form8kdtd051415.htm
 
 
CORRECTING and REPLACING Kingstone Announces 2015 First Quarter Financial Results
 
In Financial Highlights table of release issued May 13, 2015, "Book value per share" for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 should be $4.98 (instead of $5.54) and % Change should be 11.8% (instead of 0.5%).
 
The corrected release reads:
Kingstone Announces 2015 First Quarter Financial Results
 
Kingstone Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq: KINS) (the “Company” or “Kingstone”), a multi-line regional property and casualty insurance holding company, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015, highlighted by higher direct written premiums, net income, and EPS despite the effects of winter storms across the Northeastern United States.

Quarterly Highlights (all comparisons to the prior year period)
·
Direct Written Premiums Increase 19.2%; up 23.0% excluding commercial auto
·
Net Income Increases 16.8% to $382,000, or $0.05 per Diluted Share
·
Combined Ratio of 97.9% included 27.3 Point Effect of Catastrophes from 2015 Winter Storm Activity
·
Company to Host Conference Call on May 14, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. ET to Discuss First Quarter Financial Results

Kingstone Announces Quarterly Dividend of $0.05 per share
The Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share payable on June 15, 2015 to stockholders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2015.
Financial Highlights
                 
($ in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
% Change
 
Direct written premiums(1)
  $ 19,489     $ 16,347       19.2 %
Net written premiums(1)
  $ 10,878     $ 6,585       65.2 %
Net premiums earned
  $ 10,386     $ 5,926       75.3 %
Total ceding commissions revenue
  $ 3,089     $ 3,381       (8.6 )%
Net investment income
  $ 575     $ 379       51.7 %
                         
U.S. GAAP Net income
  $ 382     $ 327       16.8 %
U.S. GAAP Diluted EPS
  $ 0.05     $ 0.04       25.0 %
                         
Comprehensive income
  $ 893     $ 776       15.1 %
Net operating income(1)
  $ 426     $ 203       109.9 %
Net operating income Diluted EPS(1)
  $ 0.06     $ 0.02       200.0 %
                         
Book value per share
  $ 5.57     $ 4.98       11.8 %
Return on average equity (annualized)
    3.8 %     3.6 %  
0.2 pts
 
                         
Net loss ratio
    68.0 %     73.0 %  
(5.0) pts
 
Net underwriting expense ratio
    29.9 %     22.5 %  
7.4 pts
 
Net combined ratio
    97.9 %     95.5 %  
2.4 pts
 
                         
Effect of catastrophes on net combined ratio(1)
 
27.3 pts
   
21.9 pts
   
5.4 pts
 
Net combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes(1)
    70.6 %     73.6 %  
(3.0) pts
 
(1) These measures are not based on GAAP and are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in “Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures.”
 
 

 
 

 

Kingstone Companies, Inc.
May 13, 2015
Page 2

Management Commentary
Kingstone’s Chairman and CEO, Barry Goldstein, commented, “We achieved 19.2% growth in direct written premiums during the quarter, which included a 23.0% increase in our continuing lines of business (ex. commercial auto). Underwriting results were very strong this quarter, and Kingstone’s profitability improved despite the impact of severe winter weather in the Northeastern United States. Our net premiums earned improved 132% and 53% in our personal and commercial lines, respectively, as a result of the reduction in quota share reinsurance from our July 1, 2014 renewals. As a result of this larger base of premiums driven by consistent growth, Kingstone reported year-over-year net income and EPS improvement despite higher net losses from the catastrophe events during the period. Our performance this quarter is an encouraging start to the year despite these occurrences, and we remain committed to delivering superior profitability and returns on equity.”

2015 First Quarter Financial Review
Impact of Winter Storms on Financial Results
Kingstone’s primary market, downstate New York, suffered severe weather in the first quarter of 2015 and 2014. The impact of severe winter weather is determined as the losses incurred over and above those expected in an average winter season. The Company’s claims were primarily from losses due to frozen pipes and other water related structural damage from snow and ice. Kingstone’s current year catastrophe reinsurance treaty contains a provision that adds coverage for winter storm losses; however this provision was not triggered by the winter weather in the first quarter of 2015.

The Company’s combined ratio was 97.9% in the first quarter of 2015 and 95.5% in the first quarter of 2014. The total effect of catastrophes on the first quarter combined ratio was 27.3 percentage points in 2015 and 21.9 points in the prior year period. Excluding the impact of catastrophes, the first quarter combined ratio was 70.6% in 2015 and 73.6% in 2014.

Net Income:
Net income increased 16.8% to $382,000 during the three month period ended March 31, 2015, compared to net income of $327,000 in the prior-year period. The increase can be attributed to a 75.3% increase in net premiums earned as a result of changes in quota share reinsurance, increased net investment income, and a decrease in the net loss ratio, partially offset by higher net underwriting expense ratio.

Earnings per share (“EPS”):
Kingstone reported EPS of $0.05 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to $0.04 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2014. EPS for the three month period ended March 31, 2015 was based on 7.3 million diluted weighted average shares outstanding, compared to 7.4 million diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the prior year period.

Direct Written Premiums(1), Net Written Premiums(1) and Net Premiums Earned:
Direct written premiums(1) for the first quarter of 2015 were $19.5 million, an increase of 19.2% from $16.3 million in the prior year period. The increase is attributable to a 20.6% increase in the total number of policies in-force as of March 31, 2015 from March 31, 2014.

The Company’s growth rate for its continuing lines of business was 23.0% during the period. Effective October 1, 2014, the Company decided to no longer accept applications for commercial auto coverage, and in February 2015 decided to no longer offer renewals to existing commercial auto policies beginning with those effective


(1) These measures are not based on GAAP and are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in “Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures.”

 
 

 
 

Kingstone Companies, Inc.
May 13, 2015
Page 3

 
May 1, 2015. In the first quarter of 2015, commercial auto premiums written totaled $535,000, compared to $992,000 in the first quarter of 2014. As of March 31, 2015, commercial auto represented approximately 1.3% of total policies in force.

Net written premiums(1) increased 65.2% to $10.9 million during the three month period ended March 31, 2015 from $6.6 million in the prior year period.

Net premiums earned for first quarter ended March 31, 2015 increased 75.3% to $10.4 million, compared to $5.9 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to the Company retaining more earned premiums as result of the reduction of the quota share percentage in its personal lines quota share treaty and the elimination of the commercial lines treaty on July 1, 2014.

Management Commentary - Quota Share Reinsurance
Kingstone’s Chief Financial Officer, Victor Brodsky, stated, “Our Company has consistently maintained a conservative net written premiums to surplus ratio. We will continue to rely on quota share to support our expected growth. As discussed in past releases, we believe that our improving financial results will allow Kingstone to reduce its reliance on quota share and retain and invest more of the premiums we generate. We expect to report to the market our plans for this reduction in advance of the upcoming reinsurance renewal date on July 1, 2015.”

Management Commentary – Underwriting Performance
Kingstone’s Chief Actuary, Benjamin Walden, stated, “Severe winter weather had a 17.7% impact on the net loss ratio in the first quarter of 2015, compared to 15.9% in 2014. Our core net loss ratio excluding the impact of severe winter weather and prior year loss and LAE development improved to 49.3% from 53.7%. The improvement in the core net loss ratio was driven by favorable results for commercial lines and a shift in the net earned premium mix towards lines of business that have a lower core loss ratio such as personal lines and livery physical damage. The impact of prior year loss and LAE development was 1.0% in 2015, compared to 3.4% in 2014, an improvement of 2.4 percentage points.”

Net Loss Ratio:
The net loss ratio during the three month period ended March 31, 2015 was 68.0% compared to 73.0% in the three month period ended March 31, 2014.

Net Underwriting Expense Ratio:
Kingstone’s net underwriting expense ratio was 29.9% during the first quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared to 22.5% in the prior year period. The increase was due to the individual components of provisional ceding commission revenue, commission expense and other underwriting expenses and their relation to the increase in net premiums earned as a result of the additional retention resulting from the Cut-offs to our quota share treaties on July 1, 2014. The increase was partially due to the Company changing from an annual accrual-based form of accounting for actuarial and accounting services related fees to a model that more accurately reflect the period in which the services were rendered. The majority of those professional fees were reported concurrent with the services rendered for the prior year annual audit and related actuary work in the first quarter of 2015, and the Company does not expect to report any year-end related fees for the remainder of 2015.

Net Combined Ratio:
Kingstone’s net combined ratio was 97.9% for the three month period ended March 31, 2015, compared to 95.5% for the prior year period.


(1) These measures are not based on GAAP and are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in “Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures.”

 
 

 
 

Kingstone Companies, Inc.
May 13, 2015
Page 4

Balance Sheet / Investment Portfolio
Kingstone’s cash and investment holdings were $75.0 million at March 31, 2015, compared to $74.2 million at December 31, 2014. The Company’s investment holdings are comprised primarily of investment grade corporate and municipal securities, with fixed income investments representing approximately 86.5% of total investments at March 31, 2015, and 87.5% at December 31, 2014. The Company’s effective duration on its fixed-income portfolio is 5.5 years.

Net investment income increased 51.7% to $575,000 for the first quarter of 2015 from $379,000 in the prior year period, largely due to an increase in invested assets. The taxable equivalent investment yield, excluding cash, was 4.79% at March 31, 2015 and 4.67% at December 31, 2014.

Book Value
The Company’s book value per share at March 31, 2015 was $5.57, an increase of 0.5% compared to $5.54 at December 31, 2014, and up 11.8% from $4.98 at March 31, 2014.

  31-Mar-15 31-Dec-14 30-Sep-14 30-Jun-14
31-Mar-14
Book Value Per Share
$5.57
$5.54
$5.35
$5.18
$4.98
% Increase from specified period to
March 31, 2015
 
0.54%
4.1%
7.5%
11.8%

Management Commentary – Historical Performance through Catastrophe Events
Mr. Goldstein continued, “Over the past five years, Kingstone has consistently reported profitable underwriting results, despite Hurricane Irene, Superstorm Sandy, and consecutive severe winters in our target market. In this time (since the first quarter of 2011), we have increased our book value by 62.8% and are a much stronger company financially. Our homeowners business is continuing to drive our premium growth. We continue to win business through a steady group of selected producers with which we have built trust by never directly marketing to consumers and by cultivating relationships over years of service.”


 
 

 
 
Kingstone Companies, Inc.
May 13, 2015
Page 5

Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures

Direct written premiums - represents the total premiums charged on policies issued by the Company during the respective fiscal period.

Net written premiums - represents direct written premiums less premiums ceded to reinsurers.

The table below details the direct written premiums, net written premiums, and net premiums earned for the periods indicated:
   
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
% Change
 
(000’s except percentages)
                 
Direct and Net Written Premiums Reconciliation:
                 
                   
Direct written premiums
  $ 19,489     $ 16,347       19.2 %
Assumed written premiums
    8       8       - %
Ceded written premiums
    (8,619 )     (9,770 )     (11.8 ) %
                         
Net written premiums
    10,878       6,585       65.2 %
Change in unearned premiums
    (492 )     (659 )     (25.3 ) %
                         
Net premiums earned
  $ 10,386     $ 5,926       75.3 %

Net premiums earned - is the GAAP measure most closely comparable to direct written premiums and net written premiums. Management uses direct written premiums and net written premiums, along with other measurers, to gauge the Company’s performance and evaluate results. Direct written premiums and net written premiums are provided as supplemental information, are not a substitute for net premiums earned and do not reflect the Company’s net premiums earned.

Net operating income - is net income exclusive of realized investment gains, net of tax. Net income is the GAAP measure most closely comparable to net operating income. Management uses net operating income, along with other measures, to gauge the Company’s performance and evaluate results, which can be skewed when including realized investment gains, which may vary significantly between periods. Net operating income is provided as supplemental information, is not a substitute for net income and does not reflect the Company’s overall profitability.

   
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31, 2015
   
March 31, 2014
 
                         
   
Amount
   
Diluted
earnings
per share
   
 
Amount
   
Diluted
earnings
per share
 
(000’s except per share amounts)
                       
Net Operating Income and Net Operating Income Diluted Earnings per Share Reconciliation:
                       
                         
Net income
  $ 382     $ 0.05     $ 327     $ 0.04  
                                 
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
    (67 )             188          
Less tax effect on realized gains (losses)
    (23 )             64          
Net realized gains (losses) on investments, net of taxes
    (44 )   $ (0.01 )     124     $ 0.02  
                                 
Net operating income
  $ 426     $ 0.06     $ 203     $ 0.02  
                                 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
    7,344,563               7,372,149          


 
 

 
 
Kingstone Companies, Inc.
May 13, 2015
Page 6

Net combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes - is a non-GAAP ratio, which is computed as the difference between GAAP net combined ratio and the effect of catastrophes on the net combined ratio. We believe that this ratio is useful to investors and it is used by management to reveal the trends in our business that may be obscured by catastrophe losses. Catastrophe losses cause our loss trends to vary significantly between periods as a result of their incidence of occurrence and magnitude, and can have a significant impact on the net combined ratio. We believe it is useful for investors to evaluate this component separately and in the aggregate when reviewing our underwriting performance. We also provide it to facilitate a comparison to our outlook on the net combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the net combined ratio. The net combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes should not be considered a substitute for the net combined ratio and does not reflect the Company’s overall profitability.

The following table reconciles the net combined ratio excluding the effects of catastrophes to the net combined ratio:

   
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
   
2015
   
2014
 
Percentage
Point Change
               
Net Combined Ratio Excluding the Effect of Catastrophes Reconciliation
             
               
Net combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes
    70.6 %     73.6 %
(3.0) pts
                   
Effect of catastrophe losses
                 
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses
    17.7 %     15.9 %  
Ceding commission revenue
    10.8 %     8.7 %  
      28.5 %     24.6 %  
                   
Other underwriting expense
    (1.2 ) %     (2.7 ) %  
Total effect of catastrophe losses
    27.3 %     21.9 %
5.4 pts
                   
Net combined ratio
    97.9 %     95.5 %
2.4 pts

Conference Call Details
Management will discuss the Company’s operations and its financial results in a conference call on Thursday, May 14, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. ET.

The dial-in numbers are:
(877) 407-3105 (U.S.)
(201) 493-6794 (International)

Accompanying Slide Presentation and Webcast
The Company will also have an accompanying slide presentation available in PDF format on the Kingstone Companies website at http://www.kingstonecompanies.com/. The presentation will be made available 30 minutes prior to the conference call. In addition, the call will be simultaneously webcast over the Internet via the Kingstone website or by clicking on the conference call link: Kingstone 2015 First Quarter Conference Call. The webcast will be archived and accessible for approximately 30 days.

About Kingstone Companies, Inc.
Kingstone is a property and casualty insurance holding company whose principal operating subsidiary, Kingstone Insurance Company, is domiciled in the State of New York. Kingstone is a multi-line regional property and casualty insurance company writing business exclusively through independent retail and wholesale agents and brokers. Kingstone is licensed to write insurance policies in New York and Pennsylvania. Kingstone offers property and casualty insurance products to individuals and small businesses primarily in New York State.
 
 

 
Kingstone Companies, Inc.
May 13, 2015
Page 7
Forward-Looking Statement
Statements in this press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors. More information about these factors can be found in Kingstone’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its latest Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K. Kingstone undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT:
Kingstone Companies, Inc.
Barry Goldstein
Chief Executive Officer
(845) 802-7900
-OR-
INVESTOR RELATIONS:
The Equity Group Inc.
Adam Prior
Senior Vice-President
(212) 836-9606 / aprior@equityny.com

 
 

 
Kingstone Companies, Inc.
May 13, 2015
Page 8


The following table summarizes gross and net premiums written, net premiums earned, and loss and loss adjustment expenses by major product type, which were determined based primarily on similar economic characteristics and risks of loss.
   
For the Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
             
Gross premiums written:
           
Personal lines
  $ 14,237,717     $ 11,591,297  
Commercial lines
    2,799,370       2,795,997  
Commercial auto
    535,236       992,176  
Livery physical damage
    1,872,615       941,863  
Other(1)
    52,402       33,759  
Total
  $ 19,497,340     $ 16,355,092  
                 
Net premiums written:
               
Personal lines
  $ 5,952,781     $ 2,724,449  
Commercial lines
    2,537,775       1,946,824  
Commercial auto
    485,914       957,400  
Livery physical damage
    1,872,615       941,863  
Other(1)
    28,850       14,727  
Total
  $ 10,877,935     $ 6,585,263  
                 
Net premiums earned:
               
Personal lines
  $ 5,960,475     $ 2,572,215  
Commercial lines
    2,412,143       1,580,823  
Commercial auto
    662,632       1,106,683  
Livery physical damage
    1,306,577       638,393  
Other(1)
    43,972       28,197  
Total
  $ 10,385,799     $ 5,926,311  
                 
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses:
               
Personal lines
  $ 4,348,571     $ 1,849,380  
Commercial lines
    1,467,693       973,738  
Commercial auto
    339,208       1,032,271  
Livery physical damage
    547,741       200,839  
Other(1)
    77,146       33,657  
Unallocated loss adjustment expenses
    282,858       235,069  
Total
  $ 7,063,217     $ 4,324,954  
                 
Net loss ratio:
               
Personal lines
    73.0 %     71.9 %
Commercial lines
    60.8 %     61.6 %
Commercial auto
    51.2 %     93.3 %
Livery physical damage
    41.9 %     31.5 %
Other(1)
    175.4 %     119.4 %
Total
    68.0 %     73.0 %

(1)
“Other” includes, among other things, premiums and loss and loss adjustment expenses from our participation in a mandatory state joint underwriting association.

 
 

 
 
Kingstone Companies, Inc.
May 13, 2015
Page 9
KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
   
2014
 
             
Revenues
           
Net premiums earned
  $ 10,385,799     $ 5,926,311  
Ceding commission revenue
    3,089,404       3,381,283  
Net investment income
    574,656       378,788  
Net realized (losses) gains on sales of investments
    (67,494 )     188,348  
Other income
    631,191       227,557  
Total revenues
    14,613,556       10,102,287  
                 
Expenses
               
Loss and loss adjustment expenses
    7,063,217       4,324,954  
Commission expense
    3,412,327       2,582,508  
Other underwriting expenses
    2,999,155       2,281,749  
Other operating expenses
    328,498       250,035  
Depreciation and amortization
    235,662       183,120  
Total expenses
    14,038,859       9,622,366  
                 
Income from operations before taxes
    574,697       479,921  
Income tax expense
    192,198       152,788  
Net income
    382,499       327,133  
                 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
               
Gross change in unrealized gains
               
on available-for-sale-securities
    705,574       868,744  
                 
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains)
               
included in net income
    67,494       (188,348 )
Net change in unrealized gains
    773,068       680,396  
Income tax expense related to items
               
of other comprehensive income
    (262,843 )     (231,335 )
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
    510,225       449,061  
                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 892,724     $ 776,194  
                 
Earnings per common share:
               
Basic
  $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
Diluted
  $ 0.05     $ 0.04  
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
               
Basic
    7,318,271       7,266,573  
Diluted
    7,344,563       7,372,149  
                 
Dividends declared and paid per common share
  $ 0.05     $ 0.04  

 
 

 
Kingstone Companies, Inc.
May 13, 2015
Page 10


KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
           
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
           
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
   
(unaudited)
       
Assets
           
Fixed-maturity securities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of
           
$5,465,196 at March 31, 2015 and $5,395,054 at December 31, 2014)
  $ 5,132,238     $ 5,128,735  
Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of
               
$52,564,513 at March 31, 2015 and $50,083,441 at December 31, 2014)
    54,301,176       51,120,859  
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost of $8,766,866
               
at March 31, 2015 and $7,621,309 at December 31, 2014)
    9,237,109       8,017,729  
Total investments
    68,670,523       64,267,323  
Cash and cash equivalents
    6,283,655       9,906,878  
Premiums receivable, net of provision for uncollectible amounts
    9,428,166       8,946,899  
Receivables - reinsurance contracts
    1,436,205       1,301,549  
Reinsurance receivables, net of provision for uncollectible amounts
    36,551,604       35,575,276  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    9,035,966       8,985,981  
Intangible assets, net
    2,114,601       2,233,530  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
    2,497,138       2,448,042  
Other assets
    1,371,410       1,330,944  
Total assets
    137,389,268     $ 134,996,422  
                 
Liabilities
               
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
  $ 42,151,264     $ 39,912,683  
Unearned premiums
    40,926,461       40,458,041  
Advance premiums
    1,414,096       1,006,582  
Reinsurance balances payable
    2,018,556       2,096,363  
Deferred ceding commission revenue
    5,902,562       5,956,540  
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
    2,670,444       3,928,137  
Deferred income taxes
    1,390,167       1,137,180  
Total liabilities
    96,473,550       94,495,526  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies
               
                 
Stockholders' Equity
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized 2,500,000 shares
    -       -  
Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued 8,286,452 shares
               
at March 31, 2015 and 8,235,095 shares at December 31, 2014; outstanding
               
7,343,775 shares at March 31, 2015 and 7,308,757 shares at December 31, 2014
    82,865       82,351  
Capital in excess of par
    32,889,235       32,873,383  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    1,456,557       946,332  
Retained earnings
    8,219,997       8,203,003  
      42,648,654       42,105,069  
Treasury stock, at cost, 942,677 shares at March 31, 2015 and 926,338 shares
               
at December 31, 2014
    (1,732,936 )     (1,604,173 )
Total stockholders' equity
    40,915,718       40,500,896  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
    137,389,268     $ 134,996,422