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8-K - 8-K - UNITED INSURANCE HOLDINGS CORP.form8-k31mar16.htm


Exhibit 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
UNITED INSURANCE HOLDINGS CORP. REPORTS FINANCIAL RESULTS
FOR ITS FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2016
 
Company to Host Quarterly Conference Call at 9:00 A.M. on April 28, 2016

 
St. Petersburg, FL - April 27, 2016: United Insurance Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: UIHC) (UPC Insurance or the Company), a property and casualty insurance holding company, today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016.
 
($ in thousands, except per share and ratios)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Gross premiums written
$
135,956

 
$
106,616

 
27.5%
Gross premiums earned
$
146,502

 
$
115,182

 
27.2%
Ceded premiums earned
$
(45,132
)
 
$
(37,134
)
 
21.5%
Net premiums earned
$
101,370

 
$
78,048

 
29.9%
Total revenues
$
107,561

 
$
82,396

 
30.5%
Earnings before income tax
$
4,330

 
$
338

 
1,181.1%
Net income
$
2,951

 
$
198

 
1,390.4%
Net income per diluted share
$
0.14

 
$
0.01

 
1,300.0%
Book value per share
$
11.35

 
$
10.14

 
11.9%
Return on average equity, ttm
13.0
%
 
15.2
%
 
(2.2
) pts
Loss ratio, net1
63.4
%
 
66.6
%
 
(3.2
) pts
Expense ratio, net2
38.4
%
 
38.6
%
 
(0.2
) pts
Combined ratio (CR)3
101.8
%
 
105.2
%
 
(3.4
) pts
Effect of current year catastrophe losses on CR
14.9
%
 
19.6
%
 
(4.7
) pts
Effect of prior year (favorable) development on CR
3.1
%
 
1.2
%
 
1.9
 pts
Underlying combined ratio4
83.8
%
 
84.4
%
 
(0.6
) pts
 
1 Loss ratio, net is calculated as losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) relative to net premiums earned.
2 Expense ratio, net is calculated as the sum of all operating expenses less interest expense relative to net premiums earned.
3 Combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio, net and expense ratio, net.
4 Underlying combined ratio, a measure that is not based on U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), is reconciled above to the combined ratio, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Additional information regarding non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release is in the "Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures" section of this document.

"Q1 was another strong quarter of quality growth for UPC Insurance," said John Forney, the Company's President & Chief Executive Officer. "We wrote over 30,000 new policies in the quarter, 85% of which came from outside of Florida. Policy retention remained over 90%, and our underlying loss ratio was stable, both of which we believe are positive signs that we are putting good business on the books as we grow and diversify."

1



Quarterly Financial Results
 
Net income for the first quarter of 2016 was $3.0 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to $0.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2015. The increase in net income was primarily due to increases in gross premiums earned for the first quarter of 2016 compared to the first quarter of 2015.

The Company's total gross written premium increased by $29.3 million, or 27.5%, to $136.0 million for the first quarter of 2016 from $106.6 million for the first quarter of 2015, primarily due to the strong organic growth in new and renewal business generated in all states. The breakdown of the quarter-over-quarter changes in both direct written and assumed premiums by region is shown in the table below.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
 
Direct Written and Assumed Premium By Region (1)
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
Growth %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Florida
 
$
73,698

 
$
71,394

 
$
2,304

 
3.2
%
Gulf
 
29,669

 
8,996

 
20,673

 
229.8

Southeast
 
18,634

 
14,004

 
4,630

 
33.1

Northeast
 
17,245

 
12,566

 
4,679

 
37.2

Total direct written premium by region
 
139,246

 
106,960

 
32,286

 
30.2

  Assumed premium (2)
 
(3,290
)
 
(344
)
 
(2,946
)
 
856.4

Total gross written premium
 
$
135,956

 
$
106,616

 
$
29,340

 
27.5
%
1 Each region is comprised of the following states: Gulf includes Hawaii, Louisiana and Texas, Southeast includes Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and Northeast includes Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island.
2 All assumed premiums are written in Florida due to policy assumptions from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.

Loss and LAE increased $12.3 million, or 23.6%, to $64.3 million for the first quarter of 2016 from $52.0 million for the first quarter of 2015. Loss and LAE expense as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 3.2 points resulting in a net loss ratio of 63.4% for the quarter, compared to a net loss ratio of 66.6% for the same period last year. Excluding catastrophe losses and reserve development, the Company's gross underlying loss and LAE ratio for the quarter was 31.4%, an increase of 0.3 points from 31.1% during the first quarter of 2015.

Policy acquisition costs increased $7.8 million, or 40.9%, to $27.0 million for the first quarter of 2016 from $19.2 million for the first quarter of 2015. These costs vary directly with changes in gross premiums earned and were generally consistent with the Company's growth in premium production and higher average market commission rates outside of Florida.

Operating expenses increased by $0.5 million, or 11.7% for the first quarter of 2016 to $4.0 million from $3.5 million for the first quarter of 2015, primarily due to increased investments in information technology systems and equipment.

General and administrative expenses increased $0.5 million, or 7.2% for the first quarter of 2016 to $7.9 million from $7.4 million for the first quarter of 2015, primarily due to increases in personnel, depreciation and amortization costs related to the Company's continued growth.















2





Combined Ratio Analysis


The calculation of the Company's underlying loss and combined ratios is shown below.
($ in thousands except ratios)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Loss and LAE
$
64,258

 
$
51,971

 
$
12,287

% of Gross earned premiums
43.9
%
 
45.1
%
 
(1.2
) pts
% of Net earned premiums
63.4
%
 
66.6
%
 
(3.2
) pts
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
Current year catastrophe losses
$
15,056

 
$
15,259

 
$
(203
)
Prior year reserve (favorable) development
3,186

 
945

 
2,241

Underlying Loss and LAE*
$
46,016

 
$
35,767

 
$
10,249

% of Gross earned premiums
31.4
%
 
31.1
%
 
0.3
 pts
% of Net earned premiums
45.4
%
 
45.8
%
 
(0.4
) pts
Policy acquisition costs
$
27,032

 
$
19,186

 
$
7,846

Operating and underwriting
3,954

 
3,541

 
413

General and administrative
7,933

 
7,401

 
532

Total Operating Expenses
$
38,919

 
$
30,128

 
$
8,791

% of Gross earned premiums
26.6
%
 
26.2
%
 
0.4
 pts
% of Net earned premiums
38.4
%
 
38.6
%
 
(0.2
) pts
Combined Ratio - as % of gross earned premiums
70.5
%
 
71.3
%
 
(0.8
) pts
Underlying Combined Ratio - as % of gross earned premiums
58.0
%
 
57.3
%
 
0.7
 pts
Combined Ratio - as % of net earned premiums
101.8
%
 
105.2
%
 
(3.4
) pts
Underlying Combined Ratio - as % of net earned premiums
83.8
%
 
84.4
%
 
(0.6
) pts
* Underlying Loss and LAE is a non-GAAP financial measure and is reconciled above to Net Loss and LAE, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Additional information regarding non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release is in the "Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures" section of this document.


Reinsurance Costs as a % of Earned Premium

Excluding the Company's flood business, for which it cedes 100% of the risk of loss, reinsurance costs in the first quarter of 2016 were 27.9% of gross premiums earned compared to 29.2% of gross premiums earned for the first quarter of 2015.

Investment Portfolio Highlights
 
UPC Insurance's cash and investment holdings totaled $581.1 million at March 31, 2016 compared to $537.5 million at December 31, 2015. UPC Insurance's cash and investment holdings consist of investments in U.S. Government and agency securities, corporate debt and 100% investment grade money market instruments. Fixed maturities represented approximately 88.2% of total investments at March 31, 2016 with a modified duration of 3.8 years compared to 87.6% at December 31, 2015 and a modified duration of 3.9 years.










3



Book Value Analysis

Book value per share increased 2.2% from $11.11 at December 31, 2015, to $11.35 at March 31, 2016 and underlying book value per share increased 0.6% from $11.04 at December 31, 2015 to $11.11 at March 31, 2016. The increase in the Company's book value per share and underlying book value per share was driven primarily by retained earnings during 2016. The Company's underlying book value per share growth was impacted by the change in accumulated other comprehensive income as shown in the table below.
($ in thousands, except for per share data)
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Book Value per Common Share
 
 
 
 
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
Common shareholders' equity
 
$
245,192

 
$
239,211

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
Total Shares Outstanding
 
21,594,948

 
21,524,348

Book Value Per Common Share
 
$
11.35

 
$
11.11

 
 
 
 
 
Book Value per Common Share, Excluding the Impact of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
Common shareholders' equity
 
$
245,192

 
$
239,211

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
5,369

 
1,620

Shareholders' Equity, excluding AOCI
 
$
239,823

 
$
237,591

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
Total Shares Outstanding
 
21,594,948

 
21,524,348

Underlying Book Value Per Common Share*
 
$
11.11

 
$
11.04

* Underlying book value per common share is a non-GAAP financial measure and is reconciled above to book value per common share, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Additional information regarding non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release is in the "Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures" section of this document.


4



Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures

We believe that investors' understanding of UPC Insurance's performance is enhanced by our disclosure of the following non-GAAP measures. Our methods for calculating these measures may differ from those used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited.

Combined ratio excluding the effects of current year catastrophe losses and reserve development (underlying combined ratio) is a non-GAAP ratio, which is computed as the difference between four GAAP operating ratios: the combined ratio, the effect of current year catastrophe losses on the combined ratio and prior year development on the 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 current year catastrophe losses, losses from lines in run-off and prior year development. Current year 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 combined ratio. Prior year development is caused by unexpected loss development on historical reserves. We believe it is useful for investors to evaluate these components separately and in the aggregate when reviewing our performance. The most direct comparable GAAP measure is the combined ratio. The underlying combined ratio should not be considered as a substitute for the combined ratio and does not reflect the overall profitability of our business.

Net Loss and LAE excluding the effects of current year catastrophe losses and reserve development (underlying Loss and LAE) is a non-GAAP measure which is computed as the difference between loss and LAE, current year catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development. We use underlying loss and LAE figures to analyze our loss trends that may be impacted by current year catastrophe losses and prior year development on our reserves. As discussed previously, these three items can have a significant impact on our loss trend in a given period. The most direct comparable GAAP measure is net loss and LAE. The underlying loss and LAE measure should not be considered a substitute for net losses and LAE and does not reflect the overall profitability of our business.

Consolidated net loss ratio excluding the effects of current year catastrophe losses, reserve development (underlying loss ratio) is a non-GAAP ratio, which is computed as the difference between three GAAP operating ratios: the consolidated net loss ratio, the effect of current year catastrophe losses on the loss ratio, and the effect of prior year development on the loss ratio. We believe that this ratio is useful to investors and it is used by management to reveal the trends in our consolidated net loss ratio that may be obscured by current year catastrophe losses and prior year development. As discussed previously, these two items can have a significant impact on our consolidated net loss ratio in a given period. The most direct comparable GAAP ratio is our net consolidated Loss and LAE ratio. The underlying loss ratio should not be considered as a substitute for net consolidated loss ratio and does not reflect the overall profitability of our business.

Book value per common share, excluding the impact of accumulated other comprehensive income, is a ratio that uses a non-GAAP measure. It is calculated by dividing common shareholders' equity after excluding accumulated other comprehensive income by total common shares outstanding plus dilutive potential common shares outstanding. We use the trend in book value per common share, excluding the impact of accumulated other comprehensive income, in conjunction with book value per common share to identify and analyze the change in net worth attributable to management efforts between periods. We believe the non-GAAP ratio is useful to investors because it eliminates the effect of interest rates that can fluctuate significantly from period to period and are generally driven by economic developments, primarily capital market conditions, the magnitude and timing of which are generally not influenced by management, and we believe it enhances understanding and comparability of performance by highlighting underlying business activity and profitability drivers. Book value per common share is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Book value per common share, excluding the impact of accumulated other comprehensive income, should not be considered a substitute for book value per common share, and does not reflect the recorded net worth of our business.


5



Conference Call Details

Date and Time:    April 28, 2016 - 9:00 A.M. ET

Participant Dial-In:    (United States): 877-407-8829
(International): 201-493-6724

Webcast:
To listen to the live webcast, please go to www.upcinsurance.com (Investor Relations) and click on the conference call link, or go to: http://upcinsurance.equisolvewebcast.com/q1-2016


About UPC Insurance

Founded in 1999, UPC Insurance is an insurance holding company that sources, writes and services residential and commercial property and casualty insurance policies using a network of independent agents and a group of wholly owned insurance subsidiaries. Our insurance affiliates write and service property and casualty insurance in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Texas and are licensed to write in Alabama, Delaware, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York and Virginia. From its headquarters in St. Petersburg, UPC Insurance's team of dedicated professionals manages a completely integrated insurance company, including sales, underwriting, customer service and claims.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release, conference call identified above, and otherwise, that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that anticipate results based on our estimates, assumptions and plans that are subject to uncertainty. These statements are made subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA). These forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may be identified by their use of words like “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “would,” “estimate,” “or “continue” and other words with similar meanings. We believe these statements are based on reasonable estimates, assumptions and plans. However, if the estimates, assumptions or plans underlying the forward-looking statements prove inaccurate or if other risks or uncertainties arise, actual results could differ materially from those communicated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements may be found in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.


 ### #### ###

CONTACT:
 
OR
 
INVESTOR RELATIONS:
United Insurance Holdings Corp.
 
 
 
The Equity Group
John Rohloff
 
 
 
Adam Prior
Director of Financial Reporting
 
 
 
Senior Vice-President
(727) 895-7737 / jrohloff@upcinsurance.com
 
 
 
(212) 836-9606 / aprior@equityny.com

6



Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
REVENUE:
 
 
 
 
Gross premiums written
 
$
135,956

 
$
106,616

Increase in gross unearned premiums
 
10,546

 
8,566

Gross premiums earned
 
146,502

 
115,182

Ceded premiums earned
 
(45,132
)
 
(37,134
)
Net premiums earned
 
101,370

 
78,048

Investment income
 
2,396

 
2,073

Net realized gains
 
270

 
122

Other revenue
 
3,525

 
2,153

Total revenues
 
$
107,561

 
$
82,396

EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
64,258

 
51,971

Policy acquisition costs
 
27,032

 
19,186

Operating expenses
 
3,954

 
3,541

General and administrative expenses
 
7,933

 
7,401

Interest expense
 
75

 
83

Total expenses
 
103,252

 
82,182

Income before other income
 
4,309

 
214

Other income
 
21

 
124

Income before income taxes
 
4,330

 
338

Provision for income taxes
 
1,379

 
140

Net income
 
$
2,951

 
$
198

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
 
 
 
 
Change in net unrealized gains on investments
 
6,380

 
2,529

Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains
 
(270
)
 
(122
)
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income
 
(2,361
)
 
(930
)
Total comprehensive income
 
$
6,700

 
$
1,675

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
21,346,701

 
20,752,565

Diluted
 
21,537,496

 
21,243,103

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.14

 
$
0.01

Diluted
 
$
0.14

 
$
0.01

 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share
 
$
0.05

 
$
0.05








7



Consolidated Balance Sheets
In thousands


 
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Investments available for sale, at fair value:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities
 
$
401,019

 
$
396,698

Equity securities - common and preferred
 
48,062

 
50,806

Other investments
 
5,648

 
5,210

Total investments
 
$
454,729

 
$
452,714

Cash and cash equivalents
 
126,409

 
84,786

Accrued investment income
 
2,765

 
2,915

Property and equipment, net
 
17,953

 
17,135

Premiums receivable, net
 
38,022

 
41,170

Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses
 
2,662

 
2,961

Prepaid reinsurance premiums
 
42,943

 
79,399

Goodwill
 
3,413

 
3,413

Deferred policy acquisition costs
 
45,375

 
46,732

Other assets
 
6,581

 
8,796

Total Assets
 
$
740,852

 
$
740,021

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
$
88,446

 
$
76,792

Unearned premiums
 
294,107

 
304,653

Reinsurance payable
 
38,253

 
64,542

Other liabilities
 
62,795

 
42,470

Notes payable
 
12,059

 
12,353

Total Liabilities
 
$
495,660

 
$
500,810

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity:
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
 

 

Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 21,807,031 and 21,736,431 issued; 21,594,948 and 21,524,348 outstanding for 2016 and 2015, respectively

 
2

 
2

Additional paid-in capital
 
97,520

 
97,163

Treasury shares, at cost; 212,083 shares
 
(431
)
 
(431
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
5,369

 
1,620

Retained earnings
 
142,732

 
140,857

Total Stockholders' Equity
 
$
245,192

 
$
239,211

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
$
740,852

 
$
740,021



8