Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K EARNINGS RELEASE 1Q 2018 - National General Holdings Corp.form8-kre5x7x18earnings.htm
nghclogoa14.jpg
 
 
                            



National General Holdings Corp. Reports First Quarter 2018 Results

NEW YORK, May 7, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - National General Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq:NGHC) today reported first quarter 2018 net income of $60.3 million or $0.55 per diluted share, compared to net income of $29.0 million or $0.27 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2017. First quarter 2018 operating earnings(1) was $67.6 million or $0.62 per diluted share, compared to $35.7 million or $0.33 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2017.

First Quarter 2018 Highlights Versus First Quarter 2017*
Gross written premium grew $165.1 million or 14.1% to $1,337.0 million, driven by continued organic growth in our P&C segment of 12.6% and in our A&H segment of 21.8%.
In the first quarter, our homeowners’ product experienced organic growth of 23.2% driven by strong results from strategic partnerships and the continued expansion in the high net worth market. Our personal auto product experienced organic growth of 12.1%.
The overall combined ratio(9,13) was 90.7% compared to 94.8% in the prior year’s quarter, excluding non-cash amortization of intangible assets. The P&C segment reported a decrease in combined ratio to 90.9% from 96.2% in the prior year’s quarter. The combined ratio includes $14.2 million of losses, or 2.0 P&C loss ratio points, from weather-related events from winter weather that impacted the Northeast in the first quarter 2018, compared to $8.9 million of losses, or 1.2 P&C loss ratio points, from events in the first quarter 2017. The A&H segment reported a combined ratio of 90.0% compared to 86.8% in the prior year’s quarter.
Service and fee income grew 13.9% to $154.8 million, driven by organic growth in both our Accident & Health and Property & Casualty segments.
Shareholders’ equity was $1.96 billion and fully diluted book value per share was $14.09 at March 31, 2018, growth of 1.5% and 1.7%, respectively, from December 31, 2017. Our trailing twelve month operating return on average equity (ROE)(14) was 9.9% as of March 31, 2018.
First quarter 2018 operating earnings exclude the following material items, net of tax: $5.5 million or $0.05 per share of non-cash amortization of intangible assets and $1.2 million or $0.01 per share from equity in (earnings) losses of equity method investments.
During today’s Board of Directors meeting, the Board appointed Robert Karfunkel and Barry Karfunkel to serve as Co-Chairmen of the Board. In addition, Robert Karfunkel will serve as President of the Company while Barry Karfunkel will continue his position as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, but no longer serve as President.

Barry Karfunkel, National General’s CEO, stated: “This quarter we reported the strongest operating results in the history of the company and highlighted the earnings capabilities of the platform that we have built.
I look forward to the dual leadership roles that Robert and I will have at National General as Co-Chairmen. We have worked alongside each other since the platform was acquired in 2010, though in different areas of the business. I think our diverse areas of expertise will complement each other and provide a well-rounded perspective for the Company moving forward.
I would like to thank Barry Zyskind for his leadership as National General’s Chairman of the Board of Directors. He stepped into the position in a time of transition for the Company and his guidance was and continues to be of great importance for both myself and the entire organization.”




*NOTE: Unless specified otherwise, discussion of our first quarter 2018 and 2017 results do not include financial results from the Reciprocal Exchanges, which are presented within our consolidated financial results within this release but are not included in net income available to NGHC common stockholders.

1



Overview of First Quarter 2018 as Compared to First Quarter 2017 by Segment


Property & Casualty - Gross written premium grew by 12.6% to $1,103.3 million, net written premium decreased by 7.7% to $832.7 million and net earned premium decreased by 6.0% to $705.6 million. P&C gross written premium growth was primarily driven by organic growth of 23.2% from our homeowners’ product and 12.1% from our personal auto product. Service and fee income grew 5.8% to $109.6 million. Excluding non-cash amortization of intangible assets, the combined ratio(9,13) was 90.9% with a loss ratio of 70.6% and an expense ratio(9,12) of 20.3%, versus a prior year combined ratio of 96.2% with a loss ratio of 69.5% and an expense ratio of 26.7%.The loss ratio was impacted by pre-tax catastrophe losses of approximately $14.2 million related to winter weather events in the Northeastern part of the U.S. in the first quarter 2018.

Accident & Health - Gross written premium grew by 21.8% to $233.8 million, net written premium grew by 23.3% to $223.4 million, and net earned premium grew by 19.4% to $153.9 million. The A&H gross written premium increase was driven by the continued growth across the entire book. Service and fee income was $45.2 million compared to $32.3 million in the prior year’s quarter. Excluding non-cash amortization of intangible assets, the combined ratio(9,13) was 90.0% with a loss ratio of 59.3% and an expense ratio(9,12) of 30.7%, versus a prior year combined ratio of 86.8% with a loss ratio of 53.8% and an expense ratio of 33.0%.

Reciprocal Exchanges - Results for the Reciprocal Exchanges are not included in net income available to NGHC common stockholders. Gross written premium was $97.7 million, net written premium was $50.6 million, and net earned premium was $46.1 million. Reciprocal Exchanges combined ratio(9,13) excluding non-cash amortization of intangible assets was 131.4% with a loss ratio of 96.7% and an expense ratio(9,12) of 34.7%. The increase in the combined ratio related to winter weather events in the Northeastern part of the U.S.


First quarter 2018 investment income decreased to $25.0 million, compared to $28.4 million in the first quarter of 2017, reflecting results from equity in (earnings) losses from equity method investments. Total investments and cash and cash equivalents were $3.7 billion as of March 31, 2018. Accumulated other comprehensive income decreased to a $45.7 million loss at March 31, 2018 from a $8.1 million loss at December 31, 2017, primarily due to the impact of higher interest rates which negatively impacted bond valuations.

Interest expense was $11.2 million, from $11.5 million in the prior year’s quarter. Debt was $713.9 million at March 31, 2018, and $713.7 million at December 31, 2017.

The first quarter of 2018 provision for income taxes was $18.6 million and the effective tax rate for the quarter was 21.4%.

Shareholders’ equity was $1,957.1 million at March 31, 2018, growth of 1.5% from $1,928.6 million at December 31, 2017. Fully diluted book value per share was $14.09 at March 31, 2018, growth of 1.7% from $13.86 at December 31, 2017. Our trailing twelve month operating return on average equity (ROE)(14) was 9.9% as of March 31, 2018.

Year-to-Date P&C Segment Notable Large Losses
2018 Quarter
 
 
P&C Notable Large Losses and LAE
($ millions)
 
P&C Loss Ratio Points*
 
EPS Impact After Tax
Q1
Northeastern Winter Weather
 
$14.2
 
2.0%
 
$0.10

* Loss ratio points related to P&C net earned premium in quarter the loss event was recorded.


2



Conference Call

On Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 9:30 AM ET, Chief Executive Officer Barry Karfunkel and Chief Financial Officer Mike Weiner will review results and discuss business conditions via a conference call that may be accessed as follows:

Toll-Free U.S. Dial-in:        888-267-2845
International Dial-in:        973-413-6102
Conference Entry Code:        565529
Webcast Registration:        http://ir.nationalgeneral.com/events-and-presentations

A replay of the conference call will be accessible from 2:00 PM ET on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 to 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 by dialing either 800-332-6854 (toll-free) within the U.S. or 973-528-0005 outside the U.S. and entering passcode 565529. In addition, a replay of the webcast can also be retrieved at
http://ir.nationalgeneral.com/events-and-presentations.


About National General Holdings Corp.

National General Holdings Corp., headquartered in New York City, is a specialty personal lines insurance holding company. National General traces its roots to 1939, has a financial strength rating of A- (excellent) from A.M. Best, and provides personal and commercial automobile, homeowners, umbrella, recreational vehicle, motorcycle, lender-placed, supplemental health and other niche insurance products.


3



Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may,” “will,” “plan,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate” and “believe” or their variations or similar terminology. There can be no assurance that actual developments will be those anticipated by the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements as a result of significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, non-receipt of expected payments from insureds or reinsurers, changes in interest rates, a downgrade in the financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries, the effect of the performance of financial markets on our investment portfolio, our ability to accurately underwrite and price our products and to maintain and establish accurate loss reserves, estimates of the fair value of investments, development of claims and the effect on loss reserves, large loss activity including hurricanes and wildfires, the cost and availability of reinsurance coverage, the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues, changes in the demand for our products, our degree of success in integrating acquired businesses, the effect of general economic conditions, state and federal legislation, the effects of tax reform, regulations and regulatory investigations into industry practices, risks associated with conducting business outside the United States, developments relating to existing agreements, disruptions to our business relationships with third party or vendor agencies, breaches in data security or other disruptions involving our technology, heightened competition, changes in pricing environments, and changes in asset valuations. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made only as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement except as may be required by law. Additional information about these risks and uncertainties, as well as others that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



4




Income Statement - First Quarter
$ in thousands
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
NGHC
 
Reciprocal Exchanges
 
Consolidated
 
 
NGHC
 
Reciprocal Exchanges
 
Consolidated
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross written premium
 
$
1,337,042

 
$
97,689

 
$
1,433,130

(A) 
 
$
1,171,968

 
$
82,216

 
$
1,253,383

(H) 
Net written premium
 
1,056,065

 
50,578

 
1,106,643

 
 
1,083,352

 
41,701

 
1,125,053

 
Net earned premium
 
859,483

 
46,055

 
905,538

 
 
879,453

 
39,032

 
918,485

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ceding commission income
 
32,958

 
11,510

 
44,468

 
 
2,747

 
17,247

 
19,994

 
Service and fee income
 
154,760

 
2,446

 
142,122

(B) 
 
135,863

 
2,080

 
125,942

(I) 
Net investment income
 
25,019

 
2,144

 
25,011

(C) 
 
28,423

 
2,884

 
29,044

(J) 
Net gain (loss) on investments
 
249

 
(131
)
 
118

 
 
(1,412
)
 

 
(1,412
)
 
Other income
 

 

 

 
 
9,801

 

 
9,801

 
Total revenues
 
$
1,072,469

 
$
62,024

 
$
1,117,257

(D) 
 
$
1,054,875

 
$
61,243

 
$
1,101,854

(K) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and loss adjustment expense
 
$
589,635

 
$
44,531

 
$
634,166

 
 
$
590,717

 
$
28,100

 
$
618,817

 
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses
 
157,608

 
11,102

 
168,710

 
 
160,540

 
14,180

 
174,720

 
General and administrative expenses
 
227,293

 
18,796

 
231,005

(E) 
 
242,083

 
25,103

 
255,185

(L) 
Interest expense
 
11,154

 
2,152

 
11,154

(F) 
 
11,545

 
2,263

 
11,545

(M) 
Total expenses
 
$
985,690

 
$
76,581

 
$
1,045,035

(G) 
 
$
1,004,885

 
$
69,646

 
$
1,060,267

(N) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes
 
$
86,779

 
$
(14,557
)
 
$
72,222

 
 
$
49,990

 
$
(8,403
)
 
$
41,587

 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
 
18,571

 
(2,369
)
 
16,202

 
 
13,037

 
(2,248
)
 
10,789

 
Net income (loss) before non-controlling interest and dividends on preferred shares
 
68,208

 
(12,188
)
 
56,020

 
 
36,953

 
(6,155
)
 
30,798

 
Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
 

 
(12,188
)
 
(12,188
)
 
 
30

 
(6,155
)
 
(6,125
)
 
Net income before dividends on preferred shares
 
68,208

 

 
68,208

 
 
36,923

 

 
36,923

 
Less: dividends on preferred shares
 
7,875

 

 
7,875

 
 
7,875

 

 
7,875

 
Net income available to common stockholders
 
$
60,333

 
$

 
$
60,333

 
 
$
29,048

 
$

 
$
29,048

 

NOTES: Consolidated column includes eliminations as follows: (A) $(1,601), (B) $(15,084), (C) $(2,152), (D) $(17,236), (E) $(15,084), (F) $(2,152), (G) $(17,236), (H) $(801), (I) $(12,001), (J) $(2,263), (K) $(14,264), (L) $(12,001), (M) $(2,263) and (N) $(14,264).



5




Earnings and Per Share Data
$ in thousands, except shares and per share data
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Net income available to common stockholders
 
$
60,333

 
$
29,048

Basic net income per common share
 
$
0.57

 
$
0.27

Diluted net income per common share
 
$
0.55

 
$
0.27

 
 
 
 
 
Operating earnings attributable to NGHC(1)
 
$
67,623

 
$
35,739

Basic operating earnings per common share(1)
 
$
0.63

 
$
0.34

Diluted operating earnings per common share(1)
 
$
0.62

 
$
0.33

 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.04

 
$
0.04

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding
 
106,758,641

 
106,467,599

Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding
 
108,950,984

 
109,166,681

Shares outstanding, end of period
 
106,887,566

 
106,502,250

Fully diluted shares outstanding, end of period
 
109,079,909

 
109,378,890

Book value per share
 
$
14.38

 
$
14.09

Fully diluted book value per share
 
$
14.09

 
$
13.72



Reconciliation of Net Income to Operating Earnings (Non-GAAP)
$ in thousands, except per share data
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Net income available to common stockholders
 
$
60,333

 
$
29,048

Add (subtract):
 
 
 
 
Net (gain) on investments
 
(249
)
 
1,412

Other income
 

 
(9,801
)
Equity in (earnings) losses of equity method investments
 
1,469

 
(2,654
)
Non-cash amortization of intangible assets
 
6,920

 
21,337

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
(850
)
 
(3,603
)
Operating earnings attributable to NGHC (1)
 
$
67,623

 
$
35,739

 
 
 
 
 
Operating earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
Basic operating earnings per common share
 
$
0.63

 
$
0.34

Diluted operating earnings per common share
 
$
0.62

 
$
0.33


6




Balance Sheet
$ in thousands

 
 
March 31, 2018 (unaudited)
 
 
December 31, 2017 (audited)
 
ASSETS
 
NGHC
 
Reciprocal Exchanges
 
Consolidated
 
 
NGHC
 
Reciprocal Exchanges
 
Consolidated
 
Total investments (2)
 
$
3,406,943

 
$
332,565

 
$
3,650,316

(A) 
 
$
3,411,730

 
$
327,213

 
$
3,649,788

(K) 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
316,057

 
5,880

 
321,937

 
 
286,840

 
5,442

 
292,282

 
Premiums and other receivables, net
 
1,449,891

 
49,581

 
1,497,871

(B) 
 
1,268,330

 
56,792

 
1,324,321

(L) 
Reinsurance recoverable (3)
 
1,227,476

 
107,250

 
1,334,726

 
 
1,199,961

 
94,204

 
1,294,165

 
Intangible assets, net
 
393,766

 
3,640

 
397,406

 
 
400,385

 
3,685

 
404,070

 
Goodwill
 
174,153

 

 
174,153

 
 
174,153

 

 
174,153

 
Other (4)
 
1,182,896

 
128,612

 
1,292,737

(C) 
 
1,186,056

 
130,763

 
1,300,964

(M) 
Total assets
 
$
8,151,182

 
$
627,528

 
$
8,669,146

(D) 
 
$
7,927,455

 
$
618,099

 
$
8,439,743

(N) 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
 
$
2,520,121

 
$
158,796

 
$
2,678,917

 
 
$
2,520,204

 
$
143,353

 
$
2,663,557

 
Unearned premiums and other revenue
 
2,003,147

 
228,198

 
2,230,544

(E) 
 
1,807,210

 
225,395

 
2,032,605

 
Reinsurance payable
 
378,517

 
60,155

 
437,071

(F) 
 
329,772

 
69,076

 
398,047

(O) 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (5)
 
401,407

 
28,110

 
411,547

(G) 
 
423,054

 
24,682

 
431,881

(P) 
Debt
 
713,893

 
89,192

 
713,893

(H) 
 
713,710

 
89,155

 
713,710

(Q) 
Other
 
177,008

 
55,513

 
232,521

 
 
204,936

 
41,582

 
246,518

 
Total liabilities
 
$
6,194,093

 
$
619,964

 
$
6,704,493

(I) 
 
$
5,998,886

 
$
593,243

 
$
6,486,318

(R) 
Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock (6)
 
$
1,069

 
$

 
$
1,069

 
 
$
1,067

 
$

 
$
1,067

 
Preferred stock (7)
 
420,000

 

 
420,000

 
 
420,000

 

 
420,000

 
Additional paid-in capital
 
919,029

 

 
919,029

 
 
917,751

 

 
917,751

 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(45,722
)
 

 
(45,722
)
 
 
(8,112
)
 

 
(8,112
)
 
Retained earnings
 
662,713

 

 
662,713

 
 
597,863

 

 
597,863

 
Total National General Holdings Corp. stockholders’ equity
 
1,957,089

 

 
1,957,089

 
 
1,928,569

 

 
1,928,569

 
Non-controlling interest
 

 
7,564

 
7,564

 
 

 
24,856

 
24,856

 
Total stockholders’ equity
 
$
1,957,089

 
$
7,564

 
$
1,964,653

 
 
$
1,928,569

 
$
24,856

 
$
1,953,425

 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
8,151,182

 
$
627,528

 
$
8,669,146

(J) 
 
$
7,927,455

 
$
618,099

 
$
8,439,743

(S) 

NOTES: Consolidated column includes eliminations as follows: (A) $(89,192), (B) $(1,601), (C) $(18,771), (D) $(109,564), (E) $(801), (F) $(1,601), (G) $(17,970), (H) $(89,192), (I) $(109,564), (J) $(109,564), (K) $(89,155), (L) $(801), (M) $(15,855), (N) $(105,811), (O) $(801), (P) $(15,855), (Q) $(89,155), (R) $(105,811) and (S) $(105,811).



7




Segment Information - First Quarter
$ in thousands
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
P&C
 
A&H
 
NGHC
 
 
Reciprocal
Exchanges
 
 
P&C
 
A&H
 
NGHC
 
 
Reciprocal Exchanges
Gross written premium
 
$
1,103,266

 
$
233,776

 
$
1,337,042

 
 
$
97,689

 
 
$
980,013

 
$
191,955

 
$
1,171,968

 
 
$
82,216

Net written premium
 
832,712

 
223,353

 
1,056,065

 
 
50,578

 
 
902,238

 
181,114

 
1,083,352

 
 
41,701

Net earned premium
 
705,607

 
153,876

 
859,483

 
 
46,055

 
 
750,527

 
128,926

 
879,453

 
 
39,032

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ceding commission income
 
32,700

 
258

 
32,958

 
 
11,510

 
 
2,460

 
287

 
2,747

 
 
17,247

Service and fee income
 
109,573

 
45,187

 
154,760

 
 
2,446

 
 
103,590

 
32,273

 
135,863

 
 
2,080

Total underwriting revenues
 
$
847,880

 
$
199,321

 
$
1,047,201

 
 
$
60,011

 
 
$
856,577

 
$
161,486

 
$
1,018,063

 
 
$
58,359

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and loss adjustment expense
 
498,357

 
91,278

 
589,635

 
 
44,531

 
 
521,334

 
69,383

 
590,717

 
 
28,100

Acquisition costs and other
 
114,000

 
43,608

 
157,608

 
 
11,102

 
 
129,050

 
31,490

 
160,540

 
 
14,180

General and administrative
 
176,685

 
50,608

 
227,293

 
 
18,796

 
 
196,870

 
45,213

 
242,083

 
 
25,103

Total underwriting expenses
 
$
789,042

 
$
185,494

 
$
974,536

 
 
$
74,429

 
 
$
847,254

 
$
146,086

 
$
993,340

 
 
$
67,383

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting income (loss)
 
58,838

 
13,827

 
72,665

 
 
(14,418
)
 
 
9,323

 
15,400

 
24,723

 
 
(9,024
)
Non-cash amortization of intangible assets
 
5,400

 
1,520

 
6,920

 
 
(27
)
 
 
19,734

 
1,603

 
21,337

 
 
7,069

Underwriting income (loss) before amortization and impairment
 
$
64,238

 
$
15,347

 
$
79,585

 
 
$
(14,445
)
 
 
$
29,057

 
$
17,003

 
$
46,060

 
 
$
(1,955
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio (8)
 
70.6
%
 
59.3
%
 
68.6
%
 
 
96.7
%
 
 
69.5
%
 
53.8
%
 
67.2
%
 
 
72.0
%
Operating expense ratio (Non-GAAP) (9,10)
 
21.0
%
 
31.7
%
 
22.9
%
 
 
34.6
%
 
 
29.3
%
 
34.2
%
 
30.0
%
 
 
51.1
%
Combined ratio (Non-GAAP) (9,11)
 
91.6
%
 
91.0
%
 
91.5
%
 
 
131.3
%
 
 
98.8
%
 
88.0
%
 
97.2
%
 
 
123.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting ratios (before amortization and impairment)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio (8)
 
70.6
%
 
59.3
%
 
68.6
%
 
 
96.7
%
 
 
69.5
%
 
53.8
%
 
67.2
%
 
 
72.0
%
Operating expense ratio (Non-GAAP) (9,12)
 
20.3
%
 
30.7
%
 
22.1
%
 
 
34.7
%
 
 
26.7
%
 
33.0
%
 
27.6
%
 
 
33.0
%
Combined ratio before amortization and impairment (Non-GAAP) (9,13)
 
90.9
%
 
90.0
%
 
90.7
%
 
 
131.4
%
 
 
96.2
%
 
86.8
%
 
94.8
%
 
 
105.0
%


NOTE: Loss and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 included $15,169 of favorable development on prior accident year loss and loss adjustment expense reserves in the P&C segment, and $3,383 of favorable development in the A&H segment, versus $4,354 of favorable development in the P&C segment, and $8,320 of favorable development in the A&H segment for the three months ended March 31, 2017.



8




Reconciliation of Operating Expense Ratio (Non-GAAP)
$ in thousands
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
P&C
 
A&H
 
NGHC
 
 
Reciprocal Exchanges
 
 
P&C
 
A&H
 
NGHC
 
 
Reciprocal Exchanges
Total underwriting expenses
 
$
789,042

 
$
185,494

 
$
974,536

 
 
$
74,429

 
 
$
847,254

 
$
146,086

 
$
993,340

 
 
$
67,383

Less: Loss and loss adjustment expense
 
498,357

 
91,278

 
589,635

 
 
44,531

 
 
521,334

 
69,383

 
590,717

 
 
28,100

Less: Ceding commission income
 
32,700

 
258

 
32,958

 
 
11,510

 
 
2,460

 
287

 
2,747

 
 
17,247

Less: Service and fee income
 
109,573

 
45,187

 
154,760

 
 
2,446

 
 
103,590

 
32,273

 
135,863

 
 
2,080

Operating expense
 
148,412

 
48,771

 
197,183

 
 
15,942

 
 
219,870

 
44,143

 
264,013

 
 
19,956

Net earned premium
 
$
705,607

 
$
153,876

 
$
859,483

 
 
$
46,055

 
 
$
750,527

 
$
128,926

 
$
879,453

 
 
$
39,032

Operating expense ratio (Non-GAAP)
 
21.0
%
 
31.7
%
 
22.9
%
 
 
34.6
%
 
 
29.3
%
 
34.2
%
 
30.0
%
 
 
51.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total underwriting expenses
 
$
789,042

 
$
185,494

 
$
974,536

 
 
$
74,429

 
 
$
847,254

 
$
146,086

 
$
993,340

 
 
$
67,383

Less: Loss and loss adjustment expense
 
498,357

 
91,278

 
589,635

 
 
44,531

 
 
521,334

 
69,383

 
590,717

 
 
28,100

Less: Ceding commission income
 
32,700

 
258

 
32,958

 
 
11,510

 
 
2,460

 
287

 
2,747

 
 
17,247

Less: Service and fee income
 
109,573

 
45,187

 
154,760

 
 
2,446

 
 
103,590

 
32,273

 
135,863

 
 
2,080

Less: Non-cash amortization of intangible assets
 
5,400

 
1,520

 
6,920

 
 
(27
)
 
 
19,734

 
1,603

 
21,337

 
 
7,069

Operating expense before amortization and impairment
 
143,012

 
47,251

 
190,263

 
 
15,969

 
 
200,136

 
42,540

 
242,676

 
 
12,887

Net earned premium
 
$
705,607

 
$
153,876

 
$
859,483

 
 
$
46,055

 
 
$
750,527

 
$
128,926

 
$
879,453

 
 
$
39,032

Operating expense ratio before amortization and impairment (Non-GAAP)
 
20.3
%
 
30.7
%
 
22.1
%
 
 
34.7
%
 
 
26.7
%
 
33.0
%
 
27.6
%
 
 
33.0
%



9




Premiums by Business Line
$ in thousands
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
Gross Written Premium
 
 
Net Written Premium
 
 
Net Earned Premium
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Property & Casualty
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Personal Auto
 
$
725,212

 
$
647,181

 
12.1%
 
 
$
553,997

 
$
596,879

 
(7.2)%
 
 
$
454,216

 
$
450,552

 
0.8%
Homeowners
 
141,287

 
114,725

 
23.2%
 
 
92,596

 
104,545

 
(11.4)%
 
 
82,195

 
66,968

 
22.7%
RV/Packaged
 
49,464

 
44,754

 
10.5%
 
 
49,189

 
44,519

 
10.5%
 
 
45,689

 
46,182

 
(1.1)%
Small Business Auto
 
86,244

 
86,376

 
(0.2)%
 
 
64,727

 
79,208

 
(18.3)%
 
 
58,562

 
57,998

 
1.0%
Lender-placed insurance
 
84,934

 
76,270

 
11.4%
 
 
63,214

 
72,832

 
(13.2)%
 
 
60,469

 
80,005

 
(24.4)%
Other
 
16,125

 
10,707

 
50.6%
 
 
8,989

 
4,255

 
111.3%
 
 
4,476

 
7,551

 
(40.7)%
Property & Casualty
 
1,103,266

 
980,013


12.6%


832,712

 
902,238


(7.7)%


705,607

 
709,256


(0.5)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accident & Health
 
233,776

 
191,955

 
21.8%
 
 
223,353

 
181,114

 
23.3%
 
 
153,876

 
133,778

 
15.0%
Total National General
 
$
1,337,042

 
$
1,171,968

 
14.1%
 
 
$
1,056,065

 
$
1,083,352

 
(2.5)%
 
 
$
859,483

 
$
843,034

 
2.0%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reciprocal Exchanges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal Auto
 
$
34,297

 
$
28,159

 
21.8%
 
 
$
13,495

 
$
17,106

 
(21.1)%
 
 
$
12,997

 
$
18,042

 
(28.0)%
Homeowners
 
62,521

 
53,327

 
17.2%
 
 
36,808

 
24,216

 
52.0%
 
 
32,771

 
28,115

 
16.6%
Other
 
871

 
730

 
19.3%
 
 
275

 
379

 
(27.4)%
 
 
287

 
448

 
(35.9)%
Reciprocal Exchanges
 
$
97,689

 
$
82,216

 
18.8%
 
 
$
50,578

 
$
41,701

 
21.3%
 
 
$
46,055

 
$
46,605

 
(1.2)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Total (A)
 
$
1,433,130

 
$
1,253,383

 
14.3%
 
 
$
1,106,643

 
$
1,125,053

 
(1.6)%
 
 
$
905,538

 
$
889,639

 
1.8%

NOTES: (A) Consolidated Total includes eliminations between National General and the Reciprocal Exchanges of $(567) in Personal Auto and $(1,034) in Homeowners Gross Written Premium in 2018, respectively, and $(277) in Personal Auto and $(524) in Homeowners Gross Written Premium in 2017, respectively.



10




Additional Disclosures

(1) References to operating earnings and basic and diluted operating earnings per share (“EPS”) are non-GAAP financial measures defined by the Company as net income/loss and basic and diluted earnings per share excluding after-tax net gain or loss on investments (including foreign exchange gain or loss), other-than-temporary impairment losses, bargain purchase gains, earnings or losses of equity method investments (related parties), deferred tax asset impairment, non-cash impairment of goodwill and non-cash amortization of intangible assets. The Company believes operating earnings and basic and diluted operating EPS are relevant measures of the Company’s profitability because operating earnings and basic and diluted operating EPS contain the components of net income upon which the Company’s management has the most influence and excludes factors outside management’s direct control and non-recurring items. Other companies may calculate these measures differently, and therefore, their measures may not be comparable to those used by National General. Please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures table within this release for the reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
(2) Total investments includes $241,801 and $347,548 in related parties at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
(3) Reinsurance recoverable includes $11,399 and $15,688 from related parties at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
(4) Other includes $1,174 and $2,334 from related parties at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
(5) Accounts payable and accrued expenses includes $72,641 and $140,057 to related parties at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
(6) Common stock: $0.01 par value - authorized 150,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 106,887,566 shares - March 31, 2018; authorized 150,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 106,697,648 shares - December 31, 2017.
(7) Preferred stock: $0.01 par value - authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 2,565,000 shares - March 31, 2018; authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 2,565,000 shares - December 31, 2017.
(8) Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio is calculated by dividing loss and loss adjustment expense by net earned premium.
(9) Operating expense ratio and combined ratio are considered non-GAAP financial measures under applicable SEC rules because a component of those ratios, operating expense, is calculated by offsetting acquisition and other underwriting costs and general and administrative expenses by ceding commission income and service and fee income. Management uses operating expense ratio (non-GAAP) and combined ratio (non-GAAP) to evaluate financial performance against historical results and establish targets on a consolidated basis. The Company believes this presentation enhances the understanding of our results by eliminating what we believe are volatile and unusual events and presenting the ratios with what we believe are the underlying run rates of the business. Other companies may calculate these measures differently, and, therefore, their measures may not be comparable to those used by National General. Please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures table within this release for the reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
(10) Operating expense ratio is a non-GAAP measure defined by the Company, that is commonly used in the insurance industry. The Company calculates the ratio by dividing operating expense by net earned premium. Operating expense consists of the sum of acquisition and other underwriting costs and general and administrative expenses less ceding commission income and service and fee income. The ratio is used as an indicator of the Company’s efficiency in acquiring and servicing its business. Other companies may calculate these measures differently, and therefore, their measures may not be comparable to those used by National General. Please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures table within this release for the reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
(11) Combined ratio is a non-GAAP measure defined by the Company, that is commonly used in the insurance industry. The Company calculates the ratio by adding the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio and the operating expense ratio (non-GAAP) together. The ratio is used as an indicator of the Company’s underwriting discipline, efficiency in acquiring and servicing its business, and overall underwriting profit. A combined ratio under 100% generally indicates an underwriting profit, while over 100% an underwriting loss. Other companies may calculate these measures differently, and therefore, their measures may not be comparable to those used by National General.

11




(12) Operating expense ratio before amortization and impairment is a non-GAAP measure defined by the Company, that is commonly used in the insurance industry. The Company calculates the ratio by dividing the operating expense before amortization and impairment by net earned premium. Operating expense before amortization and impairment consists of the sum of acquisition and other underwriting costs and general and administrative expenses less ceding commission income and service and fee income less non-cash amortization of intangible assets and non-cash impairment of goodwill. The ratio is used as an indicator of the Company’s efficiency in acquiring and servicing its business. Other companies may calculate these measures differently, and therefore, their measures may not be comparable to those used by National General. Please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures table within this release for the reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
(13) Combined ratio before amortization and impairment is a non-GAAP measure defined by the Company, that is commonly used in the insurance industry. The Company calculates the ratio by adding the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio and the operating expense ratio before amortization and impairment (non-GAAP) together. The ratio is used as an indicator of the Company’s underwriting discipline, efficiency in acquiring and servicing its business, and overall underwriting profit. A combined ratio under 100% generally indicates an underwriting profit, while over 100% an underwriting loss. Other companies may calculate these measures differently, and therefore, their measures may not be comparable to those used by National General. Please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures table within this release for the reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
(14) Trailing twelve month operating return on average equity is the ratio of the previous twelve months operating earnings to average shareholders’ equity for the periods presented. Average shareholders’ equity is the sum of the shareholders’ equity excluding preferred stock at the beginning and end of the period presented divided by two. In the opinion of the Company’s management this ratio is an important indicator of how well management creates value for its shareholders through its operating activities and capital management. Other companies may calculate these measures differently, and therefore, their measures may not be comparable to those used by National General. Please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures table within this release for the reconciliation of net income to operating earnings, which is the Non-GAAP component of the operating return on average equity.
(15) Combined ratio excluding losses from various Q1’18 weather-related events, and is calculated by taking the combined ratio as defined in Note 13, and adjusting it to exclude the total net losses of $14.2 million from these events. The company believes this measure enhances investors’ understanding of our results by eliminating what we believe are volatile and unusual events.
 
 
Q1’18 Combined Ratio
 
Impact of Q1’18 Weather-related Events
 
Q1’18 Combined Ratio Excluding Weather-related Events
P&C Segment
 
90.9%
 
2.0%
 
88.9%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overall NGHC
 
90.7%
 
1.7%
 
89.0%


Investor Contact

Christine Worley
Director of Investor Relations
Phone: 212-380-9462
Email: Christine.Worley@NGIC.com



12