Attached files

file filename
8-K - GROUP 8-K 3Q 2017 - EVEREST RE GROUP LTDgroup8k3q2017.htm
 
 
 
 
NEWS RELEASE
 
                       

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
Seon Place, 141 Front Street, 4th Floor, Hamilton HM 19, Bermuda


Contact:  Elizabeth B. Farrell
Vice President, Investor Relations
Everest Global Services, Inc.
908.604.3169

For Immediate Release

Everest Re Group Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

HAMILTON, Bermuda – October 30, 2017 -- Everest Re Group, Ltd. (NYSE: RE) today reported a net loss of $639.4 million, or $15.73 per common share for the third quarter 2017 compared to net income of $295.4 million, or $7.06 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2016. The after-tax operating loss1, excluding realized capital gains and losses, was $667.6 million, or $16.43 per common share, for the third quarter of 2017, compared to after-tax operating income1 of $273.2 million, or $6.53 per diluted common share, for the same period last year.

As previously announced, third quarter results included catastrophe losses, net of reinstatement premiums, of $1.2 billion for hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and the Mexico City earthquake. The net after-tax impact on earnings from these events was $897.7 million or $22.09 per common share for the quarter.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the net loss was $102.1 million, or $2.51 per common share, compared to net income of $622.8 million, or $14.70 per diluted common share, for the first nine months of 2016. The after-tax operating loss1, excluding realized capital gains and losses, was $180.6 million, or $4.45 per common share, compared to after-tax operating income¹ of $630.1 million or $14.87 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2016.

Commenting on the Company's results, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dominic J. Addesso said, "This series of natural catastrophes highlights the nature of our business model.  We have consistently generated strong margins which gives us the financial ability to respond to these events, without impairment.  We are proud to be part of an industry that provides financial security to its customers in times of need.  Looking forward, market conditions are expected to be more favorable allowing the industry to continue on a sound footing.  We should benefit to a greater degree given the strong underwriting fundamentals of our portfolio."

1

Operating highlights for the third quarter of 2017 included the following:

·
Gross written premiums for the quarter were $2.0 billion, an increase of 15% compared to the third quarter of 2016. Worldwide, reinsurance premiums were up 25%, but adjusting for the high level of reinstatement premiums and the modest impact of foreign currency movements in the quarter, premiums in this division were up 13%. The growth in the reinsurance book is attributable to the new crop reinsurance program, growing premium from financial lines business, and increased shares on existing business. Insurance premiums were down 10%, quarter over quarter, but excluding the HCI crop business sold in 2016, premium was up 30%, with continued growth on new initiatives.
·
The combined ratio for the quarter was 163.6% compared to 85.6% in the third quarter of 2016. Excluding catastrophe losses, reinstatement premiums, and nominal prior period loss development, the current quarter attritional combined ratio was 85.5% compared to 84.4% in the same period last year.
·
Net investment income was up 12% for the quarter to $137.0 million.
·
Other expense largely represents an after-tax foreign exchange loss of $43.5 million, or $1.07 per common share, driven by the revaluation of foreign currency loss reserves and the strengthening of certain currencies against the U.S. dollar. The offsetting foreign exchange impact on the assets that are held in these same currencies is shown in Other Comprehensive Income.
·
Net after-tax realized capital gains amounted to $28.2 million and net after-tax unrealized losses were $11.2 million for the quarter.
·
Cash flow from operations was $409.9 million compared to $277.2 million for the same period in 2016.
·
Shareholders' equity ended the quarter at $8.0 billion, down slightly from year end 2016. Book value per share was down from $197.45 at December 31, 2016 to $194.05 at September 30, 2017.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws.  We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the U.S. Federal securities laws. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made on behalf of the Company.  These risks and uncertainties include the impact of general economic conditions and conditions affecting the insurance and reinsurance industry, the adequacy of our reserves, our ability to assess underwriting risk, trends in rates for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, competition, investment market fluctuations, trends in insured and paid losses, catastrophes, regulatory and legal uncertainties and other factors described in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Everest Re Group, Ltd. is a Bermuda holding company that operates through the following subsidiaries: Everest Reinsurance Company provides reinsurance to property and casualty insurers in both the U.S. and international markets. Everest Reinsurance (Bermuda), Ltd., including through its branch in the United Kingdom, provides reinsurance and insurance to worldwide property and casualty markets and reinsurance to life insurers. Everest Reinsurance
 
2

 
Company (Ireland), dac, provides reinsurance to non-life insurers in Europe. Everest Insurance® refers to the primary insurance operations of Everest Re Group, Ltd., and its affiliated companies which offer property, casualty and specialty lines insurance on both an admitted and non-admitted basis in the U.S. and internationally. The Company also operates within the Lloyd's insurance market through Syndicate 2786. In addition, through Mt. Logan Re, Ltd., the Company manages segregated accounts, capitalized by the Company and third party investors that provide reinsurance for property catastrophe risks. Additional information on Everest Re Group companies can be found at the Group's web site at www.everestregroup.com.

A conference call discussing the third quarter results will be held at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on October 31, 2017. The call will be available on the Internet through the Company's web site or at www.streetevents.com.

Recipients are encouraged to visit the Company's web site to view supplemental financial information on the Company's results. The supplemental information is located at www.everestregroup.com in the "Financial Reports" section of the "Investor Center". The supplemental financial information may also be obtained by contacting the Company directly.
___________________________
 
1The Company generally uses after-tax operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure, to evaluate its performance.  After-tax operating income (loss) consists of net income (loss) excluding after-tax net realized capital gains (losses) as the following reconciliation displays:


 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
 
       
(unaudited)
               
(unaudited)
       
 
                                               
 
       
Per
         
Per Diluted
         
Per
         
Per Diluted
 
 
       
Common
         
Common
         
Common
         
Common
 
 
 
Amount
   
Share
   
Amount
   
Share
   
Amount
   
Share
   
Amount
   
Share
 
 
                                               
Net income (loss)
 
$
(639,374
)
 
$
(15.73
)
 
$
295,394
   
$
7.06
   
$
(102,057
)
 
$
(2.51
)
 
$
622,772
   
$
14.70
 
After-tax net realized capital gains (losses)
   
28,246
     
0.70
     
22,215
     
0.53
     
78,580
     
1.94
     
(7,302
)
   
(0.17
)
 
                                                               
After-tax operating income (loss)
 
$
(667,620
)
 
$
(16.43
)
 
$
273,179
   
$
6.53
   
$
(180,637
)
 
$
(4.45
)
 
$
630,074
   
$
14.87
 
 
                                                               
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                                                               
 
Although net realized capital gains (losses) are an integral part of the Company's insurance operations, the determination of net realized capital gains (losses) is independent of the insurance underwriting process.  The Company believes that the level of net realized capital gains (losses) for any particular period is not indicative of the performance of the underlying business in that particular period.  Providing only a GAAP presentation of net income (loss) makes it more difficult for users of the financial information to evaluate the Company's success or failure in its basic business, and may lead to incorrect or misleading assumptions and conclusions.  The Company understands that the equity analysts who follow the Company focus on after-tax operating income (loss) in their analyses for the reasons discussed above.  The Company provides after-tax operating income (loss) to investors so that they have what management believes to be a useful supplement to GAAP information concerning the Company's performance.


--Financial Details Follow--
 
 
3

 
 
EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
                       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                       
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
                       
                         
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
REVENUES:
                       
Premiums earned
 
$
1,598,875
   
$
1,371,474
   
$
4,280,653
   
$
3,879,201
 
Net investment income
   
136,973
     
122,657
     
393,770
     
357,918
 
Net realized capital gains (losses):
                               
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
   
(1,485
)
   
(867
)
   
(5,188
)
   
(31,130
)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
                               
transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Other net realized capital gains (losses)
   
43,020
     
1,247
     
124,719
     
(10,091
)
Total net realized capital gains (losses)
   
41,535
     
380
     
119,531
     
(41,221
)
Net derivative gain (loss)
   
2,656
     
6,510
     
6,052
     
5,486
 
Other income (expense)
   
(54,568
)
   
9,435
     
(59,146
)
   
(20,998
)
Total revenues
   
1,725,471
     
1,510,456
     
4,740,860
     
4,180,386
 
                                 
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:
                               
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses
   
2,210,082
     
786,168
     
3,842,145
     
2,344,733
 
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees
   
333,113
     
309,545
     
915,338
     
880,053
 
Other underwriting expenses
   
73,145
     
78,563
     
227,901
     
222,750
 
Corporate expenses
   
5,932
     
6,400
     
21,308
     
21,403
 
Interest, fees and bond issue cost amortization expense
   
7,266
     
8,893
     
24,289
     
27,194
 
Total claims and expenses
   
2,629,538
     
1,189,569
     
5,030,981
     
3,496,133
 
                                 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES
   
(904,067
)
   
320,887
     
(290,121
)
   
684,253
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
   
(264,693
)
   
25,493
     
(188,064
)
   
61,481
 
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS)
 
$
(639,374
)
 
$
295,394
   
$
(102,057
)
 
$
622,772
 
                                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                               
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period
   
(5,671
)
   
(9,032
)
   
18,745
     
258,286
 
Reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss)
   
(5,537
)
   
(3,222
)
   
(16,729
)
   
27,711
 
Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period
   
(11,208
)
   
(12,254
)
   
2,016
     
285,997
 
                                 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
   
77,564
     
2,816
     
125,124
     
17,639
 
                                 
Benefit plan actuarial net gain (loss) for the period
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net (gain) loss included in net income (loss)
   
1,369
     
1,268
     
5,377
     
3,949
 
Total benefit plan net gain (loss) for the period
   
1,369
     
1,268
     
5,377
     
3,949
 
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
   
67,725
     
(8,170
)
   
132,517
     
307,585
 
                                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
$
(571,649
)
 
$
287,224
   
$
30,460
   
$
930,357
 
                                 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
                               
Basic
 
$
(15.73
)
 
$
7.11
   
$
(2.51
)
 
$
14.80
 
Diluted
   
(15.73
)
   
7.06
     
(2.51
)
   
14.70
 
Dividends declared
   
1.25
     
1.15
     
3.75
     
3.45
 


 

 
EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
           
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
           
             
             
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars and share amounts in thousands, except par value per share)
 
2017
   
2016
 
   
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS:
           
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value
 
$
14,778,175
   
$
14,107,408
 
(amortized cost: 2017, $14,626,754; 2016, $13,932,613)
               
Equity securities - available for sale, at market value (cost: 2017, $128,116; 2016, $129,553)
   
127,425
     
119,067
 
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value
   
1,141,146
     
1,010,085
 
Short-term investments
   
362,376
     
431,478
 
Other invested assets (cost: 2017, $1,484,599; 2016, $1,333,069)
   
1,487,519
     
1,333,129
 
Cash
   
585,395
     
481,922
 
Total investments and cash
   
18,482,036
     
17,483,089
 
Accrued investment income
   
101,092
     
96,473
 
Premiums receivable
   
2,071,714
     
1,485,990
 
Reinsurance receivables
   
1,366,890
     
1,018,325
 
Funds held by reinsureds
   
269,783
     
260,644
 
Deferred acquisition costs
   
396,858
     
344,052
 
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
   
314,949
     
191,768
 
Income taxes
   
415,182
     
177,704
 
Other assets
   
517,765
     
263,459
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
23,936,269
   
$
21,321,504
 
                 
LIABILITIES:
               
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
$
12,455,357
   
$
10,312,313
 
Future policy benefit reserve
   
54,279
     
55,074
 
Unearned premium reserve
   
1,992,907
     
1,577,546
 
Funds held under reinsurance treaties
   
21,768
     
21,278
 
Commission reserves
   
40,075
     
70,335
 
Other net payable to reinsurers
   
269,230
     
190,986
 
Losses in course of payment
   
205,215
     
67,107
 
4.868% Senior notes due 6/1/2044
   
396,804
     
396,714
 
6.6% Long term notes due 5/1/2067
   
236,536
     
236,462
 
Accrued interest on debt and borrowings
   
7,564
     
3,537
 
Equity index put option liability
   
16,006
     
22,059
 
Unsettled securities payable
   
54,711
     
27,927
 
Other liabilities
   
216,486
     
264,770
 
Total liabilities
   
15,966,938
     
13,246,108
 
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
Preferred shares, par value: $0.01; 50,000 shares authorized;
               
no shares issued and outstanding
   
-
     
-
 
Common shares, par value: $0.01; 200,000 shares authorized; (2017) 69,040
               
and (2016) 68,871 outstanding before treasury shares
   
691
     
689
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
2,158,143
     
2,140,783
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax expense
               
(benefit) of $21,672 at 2017 and $8,240 at 2016
   
(84,247
)
   
(216,764
)
Treasury shares, at cost; 27,972 shares 2017 and 2016
   
(3,272,244
)
   
(3,272,244
)
Retained earnings
   
9,166,988
     
9,422,932
 
Total shareholders' equity
   
7,969,331
     
8,075,396
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
$
23,936,269
   
$
21,321,504
 



 
EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
           
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
           
             
             
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2017
   
2016
 
   
(unaudited)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net income (loss)
 
$
(102,057
)
 
$
622,772
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable
   
(564,080
)
   
(185,559
)
Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net
   
(4,742
)
   
46,134
 
Decrease (increase) in reinsurance receivables
   
(245,275
)
   
(87,807
)
Decrease (increase) in income taxes
   
(247,571
)
   
15,935
 
Decrease (increase) in prepaid reinsurance premiums
   
(109,913
)
   
(66,147
)
Increase (decrease) in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
   
1,927,538
     
470,560
 
Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserve
   
(795
)
   
(1,912
)
Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums
   
389,731
     
89,013
 
Increase (decrease) in other net payable to reinsurers
   
59,356
     
85,493
 
Increase (decrease) in losses in course of payment
   
137,805
     
7,673
 
Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships
   
(54,155
)
   
(33,289
)
Distribution of limited partnership income
   
36,859
     
52,913
 
Change in other assets and liabilities, net
   
(116,623
)
   
(154,765
)
Non-cash compensation expense
   
23,011
     
20,359
 
Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount)
   
34,657
     
38,151
 
Amortization of underwriting discount on senior notes
   
3
     
3
 
Net realized capital (gains) losses
   
(119,531
)
   
41,221
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
   
1,044,218
     
960,748
 
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value
   
1,619,552
     
1,439,002
 
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value
   
1,691,937
     
888,761
 
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at fair value
   
-
     
1,588
 
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at market value
   
18,802
     
155
 
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at fair value
   
316,087
     
542,560
 
Distributions from other invested assets
   
3,555,941
     
3,600,587
 
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary (net of cash disposed)
   
-
     
47,721
 
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value
   
(3,774,584
)
   
(2,974,792
)
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at fair value
   
-
     
(3,940
)
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at market value
   
(19,196
)
   
(4,194
)
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at fair value
   
(351,220
)
   
(269,544
)
Cost of other invested assets acquired
   
(3,676,606
)
   
(4,131,419
)
Net change in short-term investments
   
74,000
     
488,047
 
Net change in unsettled securities transactions
   
(219,208
)
   
44,494
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
   
(764,495
)
   
(330,974
)
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Common shares issued during the period, net
   
(5,650
)
   
5,315
 
Purchase of treasury shares
   
-
     
(379,228
)
Dividends paid to shareholders
   
(153,887
)
   
(144,297
)
Cost of shares withheld for taxes on settlements of share-based compensation awards
   
(12,707
)
   
(10,017
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
(172,244
)
   
(528,227
)
                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
   
(4,006
)
   
50,590
 
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash
   
103,473
     
152,137
 
Cash, beginning of period
   
481,922
     
283,658
 
Cash, end of period
 
$
585,395
   
$
435,795
 
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
               
Income taxes paid (recovered)
 
$
58,701
   
$
40,072
 
Interest paid
   
19,783
     
18,227