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8-K - 8-K - EMC INSURANCE GROUP INCearnings8k2017930.htm
EXHIBIT 99

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NEWS RELEASE

EMC Insurance Group Inc. Reports 2017 Third Quarter and Nine Month Results

Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2017
Net Income Per Share - $0.03
Non-GAAP Operating Income Per Share* - $0.05
Net Realized Investment Losses Per Share - $0.02
Catastrophe and Storm Losses Per Share - $0.90
GAAP Combined Ratio - 106.7 percent

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Net Income Per Share - $0.61
Non-GAAP Operating Income Per Share* - $0.55
Net Realized Investment Gains Per Share - $0.06
Catastrophe and Storm Losses Per Share - $1.77
GAAP Combined Ratio - 103.8 percent

Lowering 2017 non-GAAP operating income guidance* to $1.15 to $1.35 per share

*Denotes financial measure not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP). See “Definition of Non-GAAP Information and Reconciliation to Comparable GAAP Measures” for additional information.

DES MOINES, Iowa (November 8, 2017) - EMC Insurance Group Inc. (NASDAQ:EMCI) (the “Company”), today reported net income of $746,000 ($0.03 per share) and a loss and settlement expense ratio of 77.1 percent for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017, compared to net income of $4.1 million ($0.20 per share) and a loss and settlement expense ratio of 71.1 percent for the third quarter of 2016. This decline is primarily attributed to a record $19.5 million of catastrophe and storm losses incurred by the reinsurance segment during the third quarter, which is $17.2 million higher than the third quarter of 2016 primarily due to losses from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. The decline in the reinsurance segment’s results was partially offset by improvement in the property and casualty insurance segment due to a $4.9 million reduction in catastrophe and storm losses and improvement in the underlying loss and settlement expense ratio* (which excludes the impact of catastrophe and storm losses and development on prior years’ reserves) compared to the third quarter of 2016.

The property and casualty insurance segment’s underlying loss and settlement expense ratio has become more consistent during 2017. The underlying loss and settlement expense ratio of 61.9 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, is the result of steadily improving results during 2017, from 65.3 percent for the first quarter, to 62.1 percent for the second quarter, to 58.5 percent for the third quarter. The decline in the third quarter primarily reflects reductions in the current accident year ultimate loss and settlement expense ratio projections in the personal auto liability, workers’ compensation and commercial property lines of business.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company reported net income of $13.1 million ($0.61 per share) and a loss and settlement expense ratio of 71.9 percent, compared to net income of $24.9 million ($1.19 per share) and a loss and settlement expense ratio of 67.1 percent for the same period in 2016. This decline is also primarily attributed to the catastrophe and storm losses incurred by



the reinsurance segment during the third quarter, as well as a reduction in the amount of favorable development experienced on prior years’ reserves in the reinsurance segment.

“Losses in the reinsurance segment during the quarter were manageable, especially given the considerable hurricane losses incurred by the industry,” stated President and Chief Executive Officer Bruce G. Kelley. “Having filled the annual aggregate retention under the intercompany reinsurance treaty will help the reinsurance segment mitigate catastrophe and storm losses that might occur during the fourth quarter.”

“Catastrophe and storm losses in the third quarter declined in the property and casualty insurance segment, which experienced minimal impact from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma due to our disciplined underwriting approach along coastal regions and limited loss exposures in Florida,” continued Kelley. “In addition, the underlying loss and settlement expense ratio of this segment improved during the quarter despite the softening market.”
 
Non-GAAP operating income, which excludes realized investment gains/losses from net income, totaled $1.1 million ($0.05 per share) for the third quarter of 2017, compared to $4.9 million ($0.23 per share) for the third quarter of 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company reported non-GAAP operating income of $11.6 million ($0.55 per share), compared to $25.3 million ($1.21 per share) for the same period in 2016.

The Company’s GAAP combined ratio was 106.7 percent in the third quarter of 2017, compared to 102.9 percent in the third quarter of 2016. For the first nine months of 2017, the Company’s GAAP combined ratio was 103.8 percent, compared to 99.8 percent in 2016.

Premiums earned increased 2.0 percent and 1.8 percent for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively. In the property and casualty insurance segment, premiums earned increased 3.5 percent for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively. The majority of these increases are attributed to growth in insured exposures and an increase in retained policies in the commercial lines of business. In the reinsurance segment, premiums earned decreased 3.0 percent and 3.5 percent for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively. These decreases, which occurred in the pro rata line of business and stem from the Mutual Reinsurance Bureau underwriting association’s withdrawal from non-standard automobile business, were partially offset by increases in the excess of loss line of business.

Catastrophe and storm losses totaled $29.4 million ($0.90 per share after tax) in the third quarter of 2017, compared to $17.1 million ($0.53 per share after tax) in the third quarter of 2016. For the first nine months of 2017, catastrophe and storm losses totaled $57.9 million ($1.77 per share after tax), compared to $45.5 million ($1.41 per share after tax) for the same period in 2016. On a segment basis, catastrophe and storm losses amounted to $9.9 million ($0.30 per share after tax) and $29.9 million ($0.91 per share after tax) in the property and casualty insurance segment, and $19.5 million ($0.60 per share after tax) and $28.0 million ($0.86 per share after tax) in the reinsurance segment, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

In the third quarter of 2017, the reinsurance segment retained approximately $15.8 million of catastrophe and storm losses to fill the $20 million retention amount under the reinsurance subsidiary’s intercompany annual aggregate catastrophe excess of loss treaty with Employers Mutual, which has a limit of $100 million, and 20 percent co-participation above the retention. The reinsurance segment retained an additional $2.2 million of catastrophe and storm losses representing their 20 percent co-participation on $11.2 million of losses above the retention amount, and recovered $9.0 million from Employers Mutual. Having filled the annual aggregate retention, the reinsurance segment will be a 20 percent co-participant on any fourth quarter catastrophic events that are greater than $500,000, up to the $100 million limit of coverage. No recoveries were made under this program during 2016. Taking the loss recoveries received and the premiums paid to Employers Mutual into consideration, the intercompany reinsurance program



reduced the catastrophe and storm loss ratios by 20.4 and 5.4 percentage points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. In addition, the reinsurance segment accrued approximately $1.3 million of reinstatement premiums stemming from the hurricane losses sustained during the quarter.

No recoveries were made under the property and casualty insurance segment’s July 1 through December 31 intercompany excess of loss reinsurance treaty with Employers Mutual. Approximately $5.1 million of retention remains under the 2017 treaty, meaning catastrophe and storm losses will be capped at $5.1 million in the fourth quarter, unless the $12.0 million limit of protection is exceeded. The property and casualty insurance segment was further into the $15.0 million retention amount at September 30, 2016; therefore, fourth quarter of 2016 catastrophe and storm losses in the property and casualty insurance segment were capped at $512,000.

The property and casualty insurance subsidiaries ceded $3.0 million and $19.0 million of catastrophe and storm losses to Employers Mutual under the 2017 inter-company reinsurance program during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $3.5 million and $5.1 million during the same periods in 2016. In both years, the ceded amounts are applicable to the treaties that covered the first half of each year. Taking the loss recoveries received and the premiums paid to Employers Mutual into consideration, the intercompany reinsurance program with Employers Mutual reduced the catastrophe and storm loss ratios by 2.1 and 2.4 percentage points for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the catastrophe and storm loss ratios were reduced by 4.1 and 0.1 percentage points, respectively.

The Company reported $4.4 million ($0.13 per share after tax) of favorable development on prior years’ reserves during the third quarter of 2017, compared to $7.6 million ($0.24 per share after tax) in the third quarter of 2016. For the first nine months of 2017, favorable development totaled $17.6 million ($0.54 per share after tax), compared to $23.5 million ($0.73 per share after tax) in 2016. Included in the favorable development amount reported for the first nine months of 2017 is $4.5 million of adverse development in the property and casualty insurance segment stemming from the settlement of claims for past and future legal fees and losses on a multi-year asbestos exposure associated with a former insured. Excluded from the favorable development amounts reported for 2016 is $5.6 million of “mechanical” favorable development stemming from the change in the property and casualty insurance segment’s reserving methodology that had no impact on earnings.

Net investment income totaled $11.5 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017, which is consistent with the third quarter of 2016. Net investment income decreased 6.1 percent to $33.7 million for the first nine months of 2017, from $35.9 million for the same period in 2016. This decrease primarily reflects a lower book yield in the fixed maturity portfolio as well as a decline in dividend income.

Net realized investment losses totaled $594,000 ($0.02 per share after tax) for the third quarter of 2017, compared to $1.2 million ($0.03 per share after tax) in the third quarter of 2016. Net realized investment gains totaled $2.2 million ($0.06 per share after tax) for the first nine months of 2017, compared to net realized investment losses of $643,000 ($0.02 per share after tax) for the same period in 2016. Included in net realized investment gains/losses reported for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 are $1.0 million and $4.6 million, respectively, of net realized investment losses attributed to a decline in the carrying value of a limited partnership that helps protect the Company from a sudden and significant decline in the value of its equity portfolio (the equity tail-risk hedging strategy). Included in net realized investment losses reported for the third quarter and first nine months of 2016 are $1.9 million and $5.3 million, respectively, attributed to declines in the carrying value of this limited partnership.

At September 30, 2017, consolidated assets totaled $1.7 billion, including $1.5 billion in the investment portfolio, and stockholders’ equity totaled $575.1 million, an increase of 3.9 percent from December 31, 2016. Book value of the Company’s common stock increased 3.2 percent to $26.90 per share from $26.07 per share at December 31, 2016. Book value excluding accumulated other comprehensive



income was relatively flat at $23.89 per share at September 30, 2017, compared to $23.90 per share at December 31, 2016.

Based on results for the first nine months of 2017 and projections for the remainder of the year, management is lowering its 2017 non-GAAP operating income guidance to a range of $1.15 to $1.35 per share from the previous range of $1.35 to $1.55 per share. The revised guidance is based on a projected GAAP combined ratio of 101.2 percent for the year and investment income that is flat to down slightly. The projected GAAP combined ratio has a load of 9.9 points for catastrophe and storm losses.

The Company will hold an earnings conference call at noon Eastern time on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 to allow securities analysts, stockholders and other interested parties the opportunity to hear management discuss the Company’s results for the third quarter, as well as its expectations for the remainder of 2017. Dial-in information for the call is toll-free 1-844-850-0550 (International: 1-412-317-5180).

Members of the news media, investors and the general public are invited to access a live webcast of the earnings conference call via the Company’s investor relations page at investors.emcins.com. The webcast will be archived and available for replay for approximately 90 days following the earnings conference call. A transcript will be available on the Company’s website shortly after the completion of the earnings conference call.

About EMCI
EMC Insurance Group Inc. is a publicly held insurance holding company with operations in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, which was formed in 1974 and became publicly held in 1982. The Company’s common stock trades on the Global Select Market tier of the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol EMCI. Additional information regarding the Company may be found at investors.emcins.com. EMCI’s parent company is Employers Mutual Casualty Company (EMCC). EMCI and EMCC, together with their subsidiary and affiliated companies, conduct operations under the trade name EMC Insurance Companies.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides issuers the opportunity to make cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements. Accordingly, any forward-looking statement contained in this report is based on management’s current beliefs, assumptions and expectations of the Company’s future performance, taking all information currently available into account. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as the result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to management. If a change occurs, the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives may vary materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.

The risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual results of the Company include, but are not limited to, the following:

catastrophic events and the occurrence of significant severe weather conditions;
the adequacy of loss and settlement expense reserves;
state and federal legislation and regulations;
changes in the property and casualty insurance industry, interest rates or the performance of financial markets and the general economy;
rating agency actions;
“other-than-temporary” investment impairment losses; and
other risks and uncertainties inherent to the Company’s business, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Management intends to identify forward-looking statements when using the words “believe”, “expect”,



“anticipate”, “estimate”, “project”, “may”, “intend”, “likely” or similar expressions. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that it may make to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.


Definition of Non-GAAP Information and Reconciliation to Comparable GAAP Measures
The Company prepares its public financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures for evaluating the Company’s performance. These measures are considered non-GAAP financial measures under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules because they are not displayed as separate line items in the consolidated financial statements or are not required to be disclosed in the notes to financial statements or, in some cases, include or exclude certain items not ordinarily included or excluded in the most comparable GAAP financial measure. The Company’s calculation of non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures used by other companies, so investors should exercise caution when comparing the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures to the measures used by other companies. The following discussion includes reconciliations of the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures to the non-GAAP financial measures referenced in this report.

Non-GAAP operating income: One of the primary non-GAAP financial measures utilized by management for evaluating the Company’s performance is operating income. Non-GAAP operating income is calculated by excluding net realized investment gains/losses (defined as realized investment gains and losses after applicable federal and state income taxes) from net income. While realized investment gains/losses are integral to the Company’s insurance operations over the long term, the decision to realize investment gains or losses in any particular period is subject to changing market conditions and management’s discretion, and is independent of the Company’s insurance operations.

Management’s operating income guidance is also considered a non-GAAP financial measure. Net realized investment gains/losses resulting from the sale of assets are not predictable due to changing market conditions and the discretionary nature of such events. As a result, management is unable to accurately project the Company’s annual net income and therefore utilizes non-GAAP operating income in the Company’s projected annual guidance.

Management believes non-GAAP operating income is useful to investors because it illustrates the performance of the Company’s normal, ongoing insurance operations, which is important in understanding and evaluating the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. While this measure is consistent with measures utilized by investors and analysts to evaluate performance, it is not intended as a substitute for the GAAP financial measure of net income.

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net income
 
$
746

 
$
4,129

 
$
13,054

 
$
24,911

Realized investment gains (losses)
 
(594
)
 
(1,192
)
 
2,166

 
(643
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
 
(208
)
 
(417
)
 
758

 
(225
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
(386
)
 
(775
)
 
1,408

 
(418
)
Non-GAAP operating income
 
$
1,132

 
$
4,904

 
$
11,646

 
$
25,329





RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME PER SHARE TO NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME PER SHARE
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net income
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.20

 
$
0.61

 
$
1.19

Realized investment gains (losses)
 
(0.03
)
 
(0.05
)
 
0.10

 
(0.03
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.02
)
 
0.04

 
(0.01
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
(0.02
)
 
(0.03
)
 
0.06

 
(0.02
)
Non-GAAP operating income
 
$
0.05

 
$
0.23

 
$
0.55

 
$
1.21


Property and casualty insurance segment’s underlying loss and settlement expense ratio: The loss and settlement expense ratio is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of losses and settlement expenses incurred to premiums earned, which management uses as a measure of underwriting profitability of the Company’s property and casualty insurance business. The underlying loss and settlement expense ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure which represents the loss and settlement expense ratio, excluding the impact of catastrophe and storm losses and development on prior years’ reserves. Management uses this ratio as an indicator of the property and casualty insurance segment’s underwriting discipline and performance for the current accident year. Management believes this ratio is useful for investors to understand the property and casualty insurance segment’s periodic earnings and variability of earnings caused by the unpredictable nature (i.e., the timing and amount) of catastrophe and storm losses and development on prior years’ reserves. While this measure is consistent with measures utilized by investors and analysts to evaluate performance, it is not intended as a substitute for the GAAP financial measure of loss and settlement expense ratio.

RECONCILIATION OF THE PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE SEGMENT'S LOSS AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSE RATIO TO THE UNDERLYING LOSS AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSE RATIO
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
61.5
 %
 
70.2
 %
 
66.0
 %
 
66.5
 %
Catastrophe and storm losses
 
(8.2
)%
 
(12.7
)%
 
(8.5
)%
 
(10.3
)%
Favorable development on prior years' reserves**
 
5.2
 %
 
5.9
 %
 
4.4
 %
 
4.9
 %
Underlying loss and settlement expense ratio
 
58.5
 %
 
63.4
 %
 
61.9
 %
 
61.1
 %

**During the third quarter of 2016, management implemented a new reserving methodology for the determination of direct bulk reserves in the property and casualty insurance segment. The new methodology, which is referred to as the accident year ultimate estimate approach, better conforms to industry practices and provides increased transparency of the drivers of the property and casualty insurance segment’s performance. In connection with this change in reserving methodology, there was a reallocation of incurred but not reported (IBNR) loss reserves and allocated settlement expense reserves from prior accident years to the current accident year in multiple lines of business. This change resulted in the movement of approximately $5.6 million of reserves from prior accident years to the current accident year that was reported as favorable development; however, this development is “mechanical in nature”, and did not have an impact on earnings because the total amount of carried reserves did not change. This "mechanical" favorable development has been excluded from the amounts presented for 2016.

Industry Metric
Premiums written: Premiums written is an industry metric used in statutory accounting to quantify the amount of insurance sold during a specified reporting period. Management analyzes trends in premiums written to assess business efforts, and uses it as a financial measure for goal setting and determining a portion of employee and senior management awards and compensation. Premiums earned, used in both statutory and GAAP accounting, is the recognition of the portion of premiums written directly related to the expired portion of an insurance policy for a given reporting period. The unexpired portion of premiums written is referred to as unearned premiums, and represents the portion of premiums written



that would be returned to a policyholder upon cancellation of a policy.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - UNAUDITED
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended September 30, 2017
 
Property and Casualty Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent Company
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
120,472

 
$
34,718

 
$

 
$
155,190

Investment income, net
 
8,252

 
3,237

 
12

 
11,501

Other income (loss)
 
179

 
(358
)
 

 
(179
)
 
 
128,903

 
37,597

 
12

 
166,512

Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
74,039

 
45,537

 

 
119,576

Dividends to policyholders
 
46

 

 

 
46

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
19,491

 
6,939

 

 
26,430

Other underwriting expenses
 
19,109

 
412

 

 
19,521

Interest expense
 
84

 

 

 
84

Other expenses
 
170

 

 
531

 
701

 
 
112,939

 
52,888

 
531

 
166,358

Operating income (loss) before income taxes
 
15,964

 
(15,291
)
 
(519
)
 
154

Realized investment losses
 
(108
)
 
(486
)
 

 
(594
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
15,856

 
(15,777
)
 
(519
)
 
(440
)
Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
3,428

 
(5,473
)
 
(152
)
 
(2,197
)
Deferred
 
1,466

 
(425
)
 
(30
)
 
1,011

 
 
4,894

 
(5,898
)
 
(182
)
 
(1,186
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
10,962

 
$
(9,879
)
 
$
(337
)
 
$
746

Average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21,356,588

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.52

 
$
(0.46
)
 
$
(0.03
)
 
$
0.03

Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
 
$
0.30

 
$
0.60

 
$

 
$
0.90

Favorable (unfavorable) development on prior years' reserves (after tax)
 
$
0.19

 
$
(0.06
)
 
$

 
$
0.13

Dividends per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.21

Other Information of Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums written
 
$
144,011

 
$
36,523

 
$

 
$
180,534

Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
9,922

 
$
19,499

 
$

 
$
29,421

(Favorable) unfavorable development on
prior years' reserves
 
$
(6,242
)
 
$
1,822

 
$

 
$
(4,420
)
GAAP Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
61.5
%
 
131.2
%
 

 
77.1
%
Acquisition expense ratio
 
32.0
%
 
21.1
%
 

 
29.6
%
Combined ratio
 
93.5
%
 
152.3
%
 

 
106.7
%



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - UNAUDITED
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended September 30, 2016
 
Property and Casualty Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent Company
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
116,372

 
$
35,809

 
$

 
$
152,181

Investment income, net
 
8,185

 
3,285

 
4

 
11,474

Other income (loss)
 
172

 
(257
)
 

 
(85
)
 
 
124,729

 
38,837

 
4

 
163,570

Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
81,643

 
26,530

 

 
108,173

Dividends to policyholders
 
3,944

 

 

 
3,944

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
19,206

 
7,639

 

 
26,845

Other underwriting expenses
 
16,690

 
916

 

 
17,606

Interest expense
 
84

 

 

 
84

Other expenses
 
190

 

 
489

 
679

 
 
121,757

 
35,085

 
489

 
157,331

Operating income (loss) before income taxes
 
2,972

 
3,752

 
(485
)
 
6,239

Realized investment losses
 
(799
)
 
(393
)
 

 
(1,192
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
2,173

 
3,359

 
(485
)
 
5,047

Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
569

 
1,024

 
(145
)
 
1,448

Deferred
 
(264
)
 
(108
)
 
(158
)
 
(530
)
 
 
305

 
916

 
(303
)
 
918

Net income (loss)
 
$
1,868

 
$
2,443

 
$
(182
)
 
$
4,129

Average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21,060,665

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.12

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.20

Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
 
$
0.46

 
$
0.07

 
$

 
$
0.53

Favorable development on prior years'
reserves1 (after tax)
 
$
0.22

 
$
0.02

 
$

 
$
0.24

Dividends per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.19

Other Information of Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums written
 
$
138,904

 
$
37,339

 
$

 
$
176,243

Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
14,787

 
$
2,266

 
$

 
$
17,053

Favorable development on prior years' reserves1
 
$
(6,850
)
 
$
(796
)
 
$

 
$
(7,646
)
GAAP Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
70.2
%
 
74.1
%
 

 
71.1
%
Acquisition expense ratio
 
34.2
%
 
23.9
%
 

 
31.8
%
Combined ratio
 
104.4
%
 
98.0
%
 

 
102.9
%
 
1 During the third quarter of 2016, management implemented a new reserving methodology for the determination of direct bulk reserves in the property and casualty insurance segment. The new methodology, which is referred to as the accident year ultimate estimate approach, better conforms to industry practices and provides increased transparency of the drivers of the property and casualty insurance segment's performance. In connection with this change in reserving methodology, there was a reallocation of IBNR loss reserves and allocated settlement expense reserves from prior accident years to the current accident year in multiple lines of business. This change resulted in the movement of approximately $5.6 million of reserves from prior accident years to the current accident year that was reported as favorable development; however, this development is "mechanical in nature", and did not have an impact on earnings because the total amount of carried reserves did not change. This "mechanical" favorable development has been excluded from the amounts presented for 2016.




CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - UNAUDITED
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2017
 
Property and Casualty Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent Company
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
350,307

 
$
99,207

 
$

 
$
449,514

Investment income, net
 
24,225

 
9,421

 
33

 
33,679

Other income (loss)
 
623

 
(1,457
)
 

 
(834
)
 
 
375,155

 
107,171

 
33

 
482,359

Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
231,067

 
92,022

 

 
323,089

Dividends to policyholders
 
5,184

 

 

 
5,184

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
59,186

 
21,588

 

 
80,774

Other underwriting expenses
 
56,294

 
1,438

 

 
57,732

Interest expense
 
253

 

 

 
253

Other expenses
 
580

 

 
1,684

 
2,264

 
 
352,564

 
115,048

 
1,684

 
469,296

Operating income (loss) before income taxes
 
22,591

 
(7,877
)
 
(1,651
)
 
13,063

Realized investment gains (losses)
 
3,033

 
(867
)
 

 
2,166

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
25,624

 
(8,744
)
 
(1,651
)
 
15,229

Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
5,565

 
(3,044
)
 
(603
)
 
1,918

Deferred
 
1,208

 
(976
)
 
25

 
257

 
 
6,773

 
(4,020
)
 
(578
)
 
2,175

Net income (loss)
 
$
18,851

 
$
(4,724
)
 
$
(1,073
)
 
$
13,054

Average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21,295,882

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.89

 
$
(0.22
)
 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
0.61

Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
 
$
0.91

 
$
0.86

 
$

 
$
1.77

Favorable development on prior years'
reserves (after tax)
 
$
0.48

 
$
0.06

 
$

 
$
0.54

Dividends per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.63

Book value per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
26.90

Effective tax rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14.3
%
Annualized net income as a percent of beg. SH equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.2
%
Other Information of Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums written
 
$
385,209

 
$
95,345

 
$

 
$
480,554

Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
29,922

 
$
27,996

 
$

 
$
57,918

Favorable development on prior years' reserves
 
$
(15,555
)
 
$
(2,062
)
 
$

 
$
(17,617
)
GAAP Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
66.0
%
 
92.8
%
 

 
71.9
%
Acquisition expense ratio
 
34.4
%
 
23.2
%
 

 
31.9
%
Combined ratio
 
100.4
%
 
116.0
%
 

 
103.8
%

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - UNAUDITED
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2016
 
Property and Casualty Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Parent Company
 
Consolidated



Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
 
$
338,589

 
$
102,775

 
$

 
$
441,364

Investment income, net
 
25,524

 
10,350

 
9

 
35,883

Other income (loss)
 
466

 
(485
)
 

 
(19
)
 
 
364,579

 
112,640

 
9

 
477,228

Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
225,207

 
70,895

 

 
296,102

Dividends to policyholders
 
11,292

 

 

 
11,292

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
58,129

 
22,611

 

 
80,740

Other underwriting expenses
 
49,839

 
2,295

 

 
52,134

Interest expense
 
253

 

 

 
253

Other expenses
 
558

 

 
1,495

 
2,053

 
 
345,278

 
95,801

 
1,495

 
442,574

Operating income (loss) before income taxes
 
19,301

 
16,839

 
(1,486
)
 
34,654

Realized investment losses
 
(627
)
 
(16
)
 

 
(643
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
18,674

 
16,823

 
(1,486
)
 
34,011

Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
6,425

 
5,601

 
(586
)
 
11,440

Deferred
 
(1,778
)
 
(494
)
 
(68
)
 
(2,340
)
 
 
4,647

 
5,107

 
(654
)
 
9,100

Net income (loss)
 
$
14,027

 
$
11,716

 
$
(832
)
 
$
24,911

Average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20,964,236

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.67

 
$
0.56

 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
1.19

Catastrophe and storm losses (after tax)
 
$
1.08

 
$
0.33

 
$

 
$
1.41

Favorable development on prior years'
reserves1 (after tax)
 
$
0.52

 
$
0.21

 
$

 
$
0.73

Dividends per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.57

Book value per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
26.67

Effective tax rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26.8
%
Annualized net income as a percent of beg. SH equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.3
%
Other Information of Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums written
 
$
370,704

 
$
98,754

 
$

 
$
469,458

Catastrophe and storm losses
 
$
34,787

 
$
10,747

 
$

 
$
45,534

Favorable development on prior years' reserves1
 
$
(16,637
)
 
$
(6,880
)
 
$

 
$
(23,517
)
GAAP Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
66.5
%
 
69.0
%
 

 
67.1
%
Acquisition expense ratio
 
35.2
%
 
24.2
%
 

 
32.7
%
Combined ratio
 
101.7
%
 
93.2
%
 

 
99.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 During the third quarter of 2016, management implemented a new reserving methodology for the determination of direct bulk reserves in the property and casualty insurance segment. The new methodology, which is referred to as the accident year ultimate estimate approach, better conforms to industry practices and provides increased transparency of the drivers of the property and casualty insurance segment's performance. In connection with this change in reserving methodology, there was a reallocation of IBNR loss reserves and allocated settlement expense reserves from prior accident years to the current accident year in multiple lines of business. This change resulted in the movement of approximately $5.6 million of reserves from prior accident years to the current accident year that was reported as favorable development; however, this development is "mechanical in nature", and did not have an impact on earnings because the total amount of carried reserves did not change. This "mechanical" favorable development has been excluded from the amounts presented for 2016.




CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 
 2017
 
December 31, 
 2016
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
(Unaudited)
 

ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,233,772 and $1,189,525)
 
$
1,258,340

 
$
1,199,699

Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $150,428 and $147,479)
 
231,719

 
213,839

Other long-term investments
 
14,471

 
12,506

Short-term investments
 
25,255

 
39,670

Total investments
 
1,529,785

 
1,465,714

 
 
 
 
 
Cash
 
402

 
307

Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate
 
26,079

 
21,326

Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate
 
15,759

 
9,309

Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $43,836 and $40,660)
 
44,110

 
40,939

Amounts due from affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances
 
4,210

 

Prepaid pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate
 
11,407

 
12,314

Accrued investment income
 
11,963

 
11,050

Amounts receivable under reverse repurchase agreements
 
16,500

 
20,000

Accounts receivable
 
813

 
2,076

Income taxes recoverable
 
3,850

 

Goodwill
 
942

 
942

Other assets (affiliated $4,818 and $4,632)
 
5,018

 
4,836

Total assets
 
$
1,670,838

 
$
1,588,813

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $720,901 and $685,533)
 
$
726,461

 
$
690,532

Unearned premiums (affiliated $281,055 and $243,682)
 
282,443

 
244,885

Other policyholders' funds (all affiliated)
 
9,847

 
13,068

Surplus notes payable to affiliate
 
25,000

 
25,000

Amounts due affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances
 

 
11,222

Pension benefits payable to affiliate
 
3,807

 
4,097

Income taxes payable
 

 
2,359

Deferred income taxes
 
21,403

 
11,321

Other liabilities (affiliated $24,155 and $27,871)
 
26,815

 
32,987

Total liabilities
 
1,095,776

 
1,035,471

 
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 21,379,763 shares in 2017 and 21,222,535 shares in 2016
 
21,380

 
21,223

Additional paid-in capital
 
122,640

 
119,054

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
64,326

 
46,081

Retained earnings
 
366,716

 
366,984

Total stockholders' equity
 
575,062

 
553,342

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,670,838

 
$
1,588,813







LOSS AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSE BY LINE OF BUSINESS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
($ in thousands)
 
Premiums earned
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
Premiums earned
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
Property and casualty insurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Automobile
 
$
30,229

 
$
24,293

 
80.4
%
 
$
28,113

 
$
26,274

 
93.5
%
Property
 
27,980

 
15,803

 
56.5
%
 
27,471

 
17,227

 
62.7
%
Workers' compensation
 
25,373

 
11,386

 
44.9
%
 
24,536

 
13,510

 
55.1
%
Other liability
 
24,996

 
15,802

 
63.2
%
 
24,277

 
14,179

 
58.4
%
Other
 
2,203

 
447

 
20.3
%
 
2,102

 
705

 
33.6
%
Total commercial lines
 
110,781

 
67,731

 
61.1
%
 
106,499

 
71,895

 
67.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
9,691

 
6,308

 
65.1
%
 
9,873

 
9,748

 
98.7
%
Total property and casualty insurance
 
$
120,472

 
$
74,039

 
61.5
%
 
$
116,372

 
$
81,643

 
70.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro rata reinsurance
 
$
10,730

 
$
10,159

 
94.7
%
 
$
15,066

 
$
10,235

 
67.9
%
Excess of loss reinsurance
 
23,988

 
35,378

 
147.5
%
 
20,743

 
16,295

 
78.6
%
Total reinsurance
 
$
34,718

 
$
45,537

 
131.2
%
 
$
35,809

 
$
26,530

 
74.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
$
155,190

 
$
119,576

 
77.1
%
 
$
152,181

 
$
108,173

 
71.1
%



 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
($ in thousands)
 
Premiums earned
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
 
Premiums earned
 
Losses and settlement expenses
 
Loss and settlement expense ratio
Property and casualty insurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Automobile
 
$
87,275

 
$
74,926

 
85.8
%
 
$
82,449

 
$
69,763

 
84.6
%
Property
 
79,551

 
51,291

 
64.5
%
 
77,292

 
52,687

 
68.2
%
Workers' compensation
 
75,419

 
41,451

 
55.0
%
 
71,272

 
39,680

 
55.7
%
Other liability
 
73,378

 
40,833

 
55.6
%
 
72,086

 
38,045

 
52.8
%
Other
 
6,509

 
777

 
11.9
%
 
6,246

 
648

 
10.4
%
Total commercial lines
 
322,132

 
209,278

 
65.0
%
 
309,345

 
200,823

 
64.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
28,175

 
21,789

 
77.3
%
 
29,244

 
24,384

 
83.4
%
Total property and casualty insurance
 
$
350,307

 
$
231,067

 
66.0
%
 
$
338,589

 
$
225,207

 
66.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro rata reinsurance
 
$
33,181

 
$
23,979

 
72.3
%
 
$
44,175

 
$
26,367

 
59.7
%
Excess of loss reinsurance
 
66,026

 
68,043

 
103.1
%
 
58,600

 
44,528

 
76.0
%
Total reinsurance
 
$
99,207

 
$
92,022

 
92.8
%
 
$
102,775

 
$
70,895

 
69.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
$
449,514

 
$
323,089

 
71.9
%
 
$
441,364

 
$
296,102

 
67.1
%




PREMIUMS WRITTEN
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended 
 September 30, 2017
 
Three months ended 
 September 30, 2016
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Premiums written
 
Percent of premiums written
 
Premiums written
 
Percent of premiums written
 
Change in premiums written
Property and casualty insurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Automobile
 
$
32,678

 
18.1
%
 
$
29,649

 
16.8
%
 
10.2%
Property
 
33,958

 
18.8
%
 
34,062

 
19.3
%
 
(0.3)%
Workers' compensation
 
36,266

 
20.1
%
 
35,623

 
20.2
%
 
1.8%
Other liability
 
28,212

 
15.6
%
 
27,060

 
15.4
%
 
4.3%
Other
 
2,529

 
1.4
%
 
2,329

 
1.3
%
 
8.6%
Total commercial lines
 
133,643

 
74.0
%
 
128,723

 
73.0
%
 
3.8%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
10,368

 
5.8
%
 
10,181

 
5.8
%
 
1.8%
Total property and casualty insurance
 
$
144,011

 
79.8
%
 
$
138,904

 
78.8
%
 
3.7%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro rata reinsurance
 
$
10,591

 
5.9
%
 
$
15,115

 
8.6
%
 
(29.9)%
Excess of loss reinsurance
 
25,932

 
14.3
%
 
22,224

 
12.6
%
 
16.7%
Total reinsurance
 
$
36,523

 
20.2
%
 
$
37,339

 
21.2
%
 
(2.2)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
$
180,534

 
100.0
%
 
$
176,243

 
100.0
%
 
2.4%

 
 
Nine months ended 
 September 30, 2017
 
Nine months ended 
 September 30, 2016
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Premiums written
 
Percent of premiums written
 
Premiums written
 
Percent of premiums written
 
Change in premiums written
Property and casualty insurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Automobile
 
$
97,759

 
20.3
%
 
$
89,974

 
19.2
%
 
8.7%
Property
 
87,825

 
18.3
%
 
85,534

 
18.2
%
 
2.7%
Workers' compensation
 
83,025

 
17.3
%
 
80,896

 
17.2
%
 
2.6%
Other liability
 
80,217

 
16.7
%
 
78,456

 
16.7
%
 
2.2%
Other
 
7,226

 
1.5
%
 
6,863

 
1.5
%
 
5.3%
Total commercial lines
 
356,052

 
74.1
%
 
341,723

 
72.8
%
 
4.2%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
29,157

 
6.1
%
 
28,981

 
6.2
%
 
0.6%
Total property and casualty insurance
 
$
385,209

 
80.2
%
 
$
370,704

 
79.0
%
 
3.9%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro rata reinsurance
 
$
30,096

 
6.3
%
 
$
42,078

 
9.0
%
 
(28.5)%
Excess of loss reinsurance
 
65,249

 
13.5
%
 
56,676

 
12.0
%
 
15.1%
Total reinsurance
 
$
95,345

 
19.8
%
 
$
98,754

 
21.0
%
 
(3.5)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
$
480,554

 
100.0
%
 
$
469,458

 
100.0
%
 
2.4%





Contacts
 
 
Investors:
 
Media:
Steve Walsh, 515-345-2515
 
Lisa Hamilton, 515-345-7589
steve.t.walsh@emcins.com
 
lisa.l.hamilton@emcins.com